Two shirts become one skirt.
November 21, 2012
An adults tunic dress and peasant shirt into a skirt for 6 year old.
Some of you may have already seen her in this.
A super comfy fun favourite.
….and so super easy …..
Sorry it’s been so long since an upcycle!
Kristen Doran fete inspiration.
October 30, 2012
Image from Kristen Doran’s blog.
Around Christmas time last year I was fortunate enough to win a giveaway on facebook of a bundle of Kristen Doran fabrics. I was so excited, as had for sometime admired this Aussie fabric designer. Kirsten makes beautiful handmade prints and puts simply gorgeous kits together which make you want to make them up RIGHT NOW!
I had great plans for the fabric, but have only realised some of them. This years has been like that! Many plans with only a small proportion of plans materialising. Great and fantastic other things have happened ….. but most of them unplanned….
Annnnnyyyyywwwaaaayyyy.
The Matryoshka Dolls in Red & Pink on White and Gold and Red on white fabric panel was part of my prize, and I decided to use it to make items for the upcoming school Spring Fair.
…. another image from Kristen Doran’s blog.
I think this is what is intended to be made with the panel, but I wanted to share the love around rather than make a larger multi-pieced item which would never get the value on the craft stall….. and I had to make sure I used every last bit!
That said…. if I still had little girls I would have loved this on their beds and for imaginary play and for using with them when they go through the ‘how everyone in the family fits together’ stage.
Here is what we did with them. (yes I had some other crafty mummies helping me again this year)
Christmas decorations in 3 sizes.
A mother and her daughters.
Here you can see some of the pretty backs.
The tiny ones were made into Christmas decorations and the large Matryoshka Doll prints we made into rice bottomed (so they stand up) padded dolls. I’m so pleased with how they have turned out. What do you think?
Standing up dollies.
Playing in the grass…..
I’m going to find these hard to donate.
I also received some gorgeous fang monster fabric that Kirsten designed with one of her sons… which unfortunately seems no longer in print! I have a plan to make something for my littlest nephew. I will keep you posted.
2 Grandmas, 2 Mothers and 2 Daughters.
The other half of a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables…. (Part 2)
October 27, 2012
- The Scrapbooking Jar by Crate Paper Blog
- Chalkboard Serving Platter by Wit and Whistle.
- Knitted Snake by Purl Bee
- Paper Fortune Cookies by design wash rinse repeat.
- Pebble Mat by Junk Hippie
- Clay bird ornament by JessicaJane Handmade.
- Owl cushion by button bird designs.
- Pillowcase shopping bag by Grow Mama.
- Mouse Ornaments by Family Fun
- Crocheted Washcloths by Purl Bee
- Monster Bags by harrysdesk
- Pram cards by The Pleated Poppy
- Salt dough Christmas Ornaments by Oleander and Palm
- Rice filled heating Owls for children by Just another Hang Up.
- Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette
- Circle Zip Earbud Pouch by dog under my desk
- Tea Bag gift Tag by The Studio Of Mae.
- Cardboard Horses by Design Sponge
- Mooshy Belly Bunny by Chez Beeper Bebe
- Felt Crowns by hellobee
- Easy Drawstring Bag by Purl Bee
- Recycled Book Bird Decoration by Under the Table and Dreaming
- Present Cards by Craft and Creativity
- Babies Triange Dress by Purl Bee
- Monster Slime by all things simple
- DIY ice cream sundae box by family bits.
- Monster bibs by stubbornly crafty.
- Cloud and rain mobile by dailylike recipe?
- Bunting by the yvestown blog.
- Lunchsacks by All people quilt.
Enjoy….and let me know if you think you might make anything.
Monsters Upcycled.
September 5, 2012
Monster Madness at my house.
If my mild case of madness wasn’t evidenced before now…. I think this weekends making will confirm it solidly.
A large A4 size green monster and a pencil case size white one.
I had so much fun making monsters from upcycled chenille bedspreads that a friend gave me, months ago. Thanks Belinda.
Large monsters big enough for pyjama bags or music bags…. or just monster pencil cases.
They are mostly for the upcoming school fete, and are quite addictive to make. I’m hoping some more chenille bedspreads will be donated (yes that’s a hint if you have any kicking around).
Ipod size and DS size monster bags.
The girls gave suggestions like…. try making them just with a zipper mouth, and how about DS size or as a handbag.
Originally I was trying to come up with things boys might like, as there is always more craft items on the stall for girls and very few for boys.
Pencil case size monsters.
I’m also trying to only use what I have in my cupboard, or donations from others.
They are dead easy to make.
Mini Monster….
Would you like a tutorial?
Watch this space……
Monsters have taken over the cubby!
A mini harrysdesk feature.
July 30, 2012
Image by Ben Adams via Style me Pretty. The girls.
Last year I played a small roll in a very beautifully personal and stylishly fun wedding. I made a maid of honour dress for the lovely Cathy and this week it was included in a DIY wedding feature.
The inspirational blog, Style Me Pretty, gives lots of photos of beautiful wedding and events from all over the world. Taire had a vision in her mind and managed on a small budget to bring together a gorgeous look. After speaking to some of the guests afterwards, as expected of this talented girl, felt as good as it looked.
Clicking on the top image will take you through to a more complete set of images and a beautiful piece written by Taire about their day. Above all she wanted her wedding to be God honouring, a great day for everyone (young and old) and a joyful.
My contribution was very small, but I was so excited to be included in such a beautiful day.
Image by Ben Adams. Cathy’s dress and purse.
We pulled a rabbit out of the hat this year!
April 5, 2012
The deceptively simple easter egg flower hat/fascinator for 8 year old.
From the other side.
You can see our inspiration here.
Both hats cost less than $8.
Mummy was really happy with the outcome, and the girls had a great time.
It’s something of a spectacle to see 730+ kids, plus a good number of teachers, getting creative.
Magical rabbit in the hat. Designed by 5 year old. Made with lots of help from 13 year old.
Commission for Sue: Name Plates.
March 20, 2012
Bunting for Bronte.
New room bunting made from a lace tablecloth, reclaimed yellow and blue cotton and ribbon.
Similar idea to this one I made for Sascha at a similar time a couple of years ago.
Wall hanging for Angus.
Angus’ wall hanging made from a man’s shirt, reclaimed cottons (yellow and blue) woven tape and a recycled button.
As Sue wanted them all different I went for the shirt covering the squares rather than ties… which I usually use.
A patchworked name picture for Lachlan.
Lachie’s picture is made from reclaimed men’s ties and woven cotton fabric.
….a new idea not made before.
Still working out how to photograph finished work at the new house.
Quite liking the greeniness of the fence and the corkscrew vines poking through.
Favourites anyone?
Idea of the Day: Jacob’s Ladder.
January 5, 2012
Jacob's Ladder by Duo fiberworks.
They make these with wood…. but I think thick cardboard would work.
Let me know if you have a go and it works out …. or doesn’t.
Three upcycled outfits in 3 days.
December 15, 2011
Day 1: Big smile in her skirt into dress....oh and a sneaky owl!
Day 2: A Mary Poppins impersonation before leaving home. Another skirt made into a dress.... yes and am "Over it" Brooch to finish it off.
Day 3: Orientation done! I think a song is in order. Men's shirt into a skirt and top.
Leading up to orientating 5 year olds to school, she began getting very excited about upcycling skirts into dresses.
We had made one in the past, and she really enjoyed wearing it….bit small now…
On a recent trip to the Op Shop, 5 year old bought me the two ladies skirts and suggested we make dresses for her ‘try out days’. She called them this because she was under the impression that she would try it…ask the teachers a few questions (Like what is 2+2… because if they didn’t know, then she thought they wouldn’t make very good teachers)…..
Anyway we thought we would turn it into a fun activity together. She would pick some pieces from the Op Shop and I would make her some things to wear. While I sewed she sat on the floor and floated around watching and learning what Mummy does.
These are what we ended up with!
The first one is simply made by attaching ribbons to the top of the skirt and tying them together at the shoulder.
With dress two, I made fixed straps with ribbon and attached the ties. I also added a little ribbon on the skirt yoke to draw the ribbon print into the overall dress.
The skirt and top is a little complex to explain in a sentence, but I hope to share a tutorial of how to do it soon. It’s a great (cheap) way to introduce children to sewing…..
harrysdesk 
Advent 2012……. part a
December 1, 2012
Advent 2012.
Well…. it’s here. The first of December and the kids are super excited about the calendar this year.
Since last advent we have moved house…. so no fireplace to form the backdrop to our countdown. We even had to rearrange the lounge room last weekend to make space for the Christmas tree!
As I was preparing this past week, Tim said he had just this year realised, that I was going to do ‘this advent thing’ every year. He then said he was glad. We don’t have that many traditions that are just for our little family.
So….. bring on the manic month of December….. and we will keep reminding ourselves that Christmas is all about Jesus! We will be using the Luke readings we used a couple of years ago…. and some of the activities that really worked. I have included some new activities as well this year. The contents of the glass balls give a hint to what we might be doing. Can you guess any?
Are you adventing this year? I would love to hear your plans.
A string of advent balls.