DIY Blog Response: Felt Plantable Garden

Over at A Beautiful Mess, Katie made a beautiful "plantable garden" for her kids. I followed her great instructions and thought I would share my experience.

Everything worked out great I would say. The only change I did my flowers a bit different with wooden doweling to give them more structure.

The kids really love this unique and handmade toy!

Wooden Solar System

So our 2.5 year old has been all about the solar system lately. I was inspired by Playful Learning's craft to make a version of our own. Since he can't read yet I didn't make the cards, or the box.

It took a bit of searching, but I found all the pieces we needed as wooden knobs at Michael's. YES! I included pluto. 

We painted them one at a time with a basic water colour set. 

The final product. 

Easy Peasy Bandanna Bibs

So my little girl is almost 4 months old and drooling like crazy now! It's pretty funny that I didn't know what drool bibs were our first time around since baby #1 didn't drool hardly at all!

I went out searching for some cute bibs for her and couldn't find any I liked. I liked the style of the bandanna bibs, but I didn't like the fabric used... It price.

I zipped off to the fabric store a couple of weekends ago and bought the following supplies. I've been able to make 12 bibs so far.

13" of each fabric. I used 3 cotton and 3 flannel cotton pieces.

A pack of snaps (mine say they are for jersey... And there are ones you can get with the tool included that crimps/fastens them down in the fabric)

Spool of white (I picked my fabric so that they would all coordinate fine with white,)

Steps:
I have a rotary cutter and self healing Matt which makes cutting fabric precisely and quickly a breeze.

I cut out 12" squares, then cut those in half to make triangles.

I sewed the triangles right side to right side with one cotton piece and one flannel piece. I left a small opening so that I could turn the triangles right side out.

I used a chopstick to help me turn the fabric right side out. I didn't bother raven seeing them shut since I did top stitches around the edge to finish the sewing.

Then at the end I popped the snaps on. Then that was that. So so easy. Sew easy?! Baha.

Enjoy!

Nesting Doll Onsies - DIY Babushka Baby Shirt

A small dilemma we have had lately, is that Baby #2 is a girl but is wearing a little boy's, Baby #1's hand-me downs. I personally don't like to dress my littlest one in head to toe pink anyway, so like I said, small dilemma. I also don't want her looking like a boy so I got to thinking about how to "girlie" some of baby boy's hand me downs for my little girl. I've seem lots of ideas on Pinterest on how to doll up plain onsies to make them more interesting, but none of them were really my style.

If you read my blog, you might have seen my post about my collection of Russian Nesting dolls/ Matryoshka dolls. I really like them and have gathered a number of them over the years, so I had a lot of reference to work from for this project. I've used fabric paints with much success in the past so I messed around a bit and came up with these. 

Its easier than it looks! 

This is what I used: 

1 small paintbrush

primary set of fabric paint (blue, yellow, red, black)

plain onsies

sticker paper (I used Avery Labels)

scissors

scrap cardboard (like from a cereal box)

These are the steps I took: 

1. Draw the basic Nesting doll shape, or you can print out this jpg. image out on the sticker paper. The doll is about 6x4 inches on a 0-3 month sized onsie.  

2. Cut out the doll's body shape. 

3. Remove the paper off the back of the sticker and place the sticker where you want the doll to go on the onsie. 

4. Stuff some scrap cardboard into the shirt before you start to paint, or the paint might go through to the backside of the shirt. You might want to use a couple clips to clip the fabric onto the carboard so it doesn't move around. I didn't since I've got a pretty steady painting hand. 

5. Paint around the outside of the stencil onto the shirt. Work with small amounts of paint in dashes around the doll's shape. If you feel your line getting wiggly, just pull the brush towards the centre of the stencil then start again. It doesn't need to be perfect. In fact, I highly suggest not to get too intense about keeping things tight, loosen up, it will look great in the end after all the details are added. Its also best to do two coats rather than one thick one. 

6. Cut out the head scarf shape (the oval for the face and the line below it). I worked from the same sticker paper. I just folded the paper non sticky side to non sticky side symmetrically and in half, then cut out the headscarf shape. 

7. Apply the headscarf shape sticker where you want it to be. 

8. Paint the oval for the face and line under it. 

9. Wait about half an hour until these lines are nice and dry. 

10. Embellish and be creative filling in the rest of the features of the doll. If you need inspiration there are lots of pictures online of nesting dolls. I used mine as reference for painting the eyes, and flowers on their tummies. For finer details like lips, eyes and outlines of flowers, I used the paint directly from the tube of fabric paint. You could also just use a tiny paintbrush! 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Enjoy!

Curtain Tieback Blooms - DIY

It has almost been a year now since we moved homes. It has taken me a long time to finish the curtains in my kitchen/dining room area. Moving from a very dark, one windowed basement suite, to a half above ground, bright, 5 windowed basement suite, we wanted to keep the light flowing throughout the main living area.

One of my goals in decorating the kitchen area, was to keep things fairly monochromatic (with pops of colour with the use of small objects), in a light colour palette so that the space would appear as large as possible. I wanted the curtains to be a feature, but not to overpower the space with a busy pattern or bold colour. I decided to use the same fabric I used for the curtains for the blooms so that I would be creating visual interest in a subtle way with texture.
What you will need for each tieback:

4 pieces of 6"x 12" sheer. lightweight fabric
72" of ribbon
clear nail polish

makes one 6" tieback bloom Instructions:

1. Lay all four layers on top of one another.

2. Fan fold along the width of the fabric pieces. Each fold should be about 1" wide.

3. Hold the bundle tightly by the middle.

4. With the other hand, bring the centre of the ribbon to the middle of the fabric bundle. Tie a double knot tightly around it.

5. Pull the layers apart from one another, fluffing them up to make the bloom.
6. Run a thin coat of clear nail polish to the ends of the ribbons to keep them from fraying.

7. Tie up your curtains and enjoy!

Crochet Lace Covered Rock - Build Your Home

I really like the combination of the delicate lace and the rough texture of rock in this project.

I made this lace covered rock for a wedding present this last week and painted "build your home" on the bottom to remind the couple to build their marriage on Jesus Christ.

To make your own lace covered rock, you can use any circular lace patten to start. Crochet the rounds flat until it covers up until the edge of the rock. Once the lace covers the top, you decrease the stitches quickly to make the lace stretch tightly over the rock. Or you can follow my pattern below. I'll also explain how to decrease stitches to get the lace snugly around the rock.

What you will need:

- #1 size crochet hook

- washed and smooth rock

- white or ivory crochet cotton 

- acrylic white paint (optional)

- small paint brush (optional) 

You don't need very much yarn but it all depends on how big your rock is. I used about 1/8 of a 1 lb ball.

Pattern Shortcut key:
ch= chain
sl st= slip stitch
dc = double crochet

Pattern:
Row#1
- ch 5 then sl st into the beginning of chain to make a small loop
- ch 5, turn

Row #2
- dc inside the small loop ch 3 (x7)
- ch 3
- sl st in 1st chain of row
Row #3
- ch 9, turn
- dc in top of last row's dc
- ch 6 dc in top of last row's dc (x7)
- ch 6
- sl st in 1st chain of row
Row #4
- ch 4, turn
- dc under last row's chain
- ch 2 dc x5
- ch 2 dc x6 (in next 7)
- sl st in 1st chain of row
Row #5
- ch 6, turn
- dc in last row between stitch 3 and 4
- ch 4, dc between 6 and 7
- repeat pattern all around
- sl st in 1st chain of row
Row #6
- ch 6, turn
- dc, ch 4, dc ch 4 repeat
Row #7
- repeat row #6 if the round needs to get bigger  but increase each chain by 1.

*also keep in mind the next instructions for row 8 and 9 should have an increased chain as well. 

Continue until the round covers the top of the rock. I only needed to do up to Row #7. The next rounds will be decreasing. Always check when you are half way around to make sure that the rock fits inside before it gets closed too tight.

Row #8
- ch 2, turn
- 1 dc under the last 2 chains of the previous row.

*Push the crochet hook through under the chain, wrap the yarn over, pull it through, then go to the next hole/chain from the previous row and wrap the yarn over, pull it through, then wrap the yarn over and finish the dc as normal. I do this instead of skipping to decrease stitches so that you don't get as many gapes.

- ch 4, 1 dc in the last chain and next chain repeat all around

*check your rock fit. The next round will make it tight really fast.

Row #9
- ch 2, turn
- 1 dc under the last 2 chains of the previous row
- repeat pattern all around pulling the lace tight around the rock as you go.
- sl st in 1st chain of row

cut and weave end in.

Potted Plants in Ladies' Blouses

This last weekend I helped my mother decorate for a "Garden Tea Party" themed bridal shower for a dear family friend of our. We had these little potted flowers on every table but thought we could make the boring green pots cuter with a bit of love, fabric, buttons and do dads (that's a word, right?). I thought I would share how I did it.

Supplies:
- potted flowers from your local nursery
- unbleached/off white light weight fabric (I used about 1.5 meters for all of my 12 pots)
- glue gun and sticks
- 3" paper doilies, ribbons, buttons
- extra little bits to make each one unique like cameos, bits of chain, lace etc.

Here is how I did it:

1. I started with your regular tapered small green flower pot. First cut a long strip as wide as the height of your flower pots. 

2.Then wrap the fabric around a pot so that there is about one centimeter overlap at the widest part (it's almost like you are thinking of it as a cylinder rather than a tapered pot when you are cutting the fabric you need for one pot). I did one at a time since not all of m pots were exactly the same width. 

3. Hot glue the first edge straight down, starting from the top rim. Wrap fabric around and add a dot of hot glue to the back of the pot to hold the fabric securely down. 

4. Hot glue the last edge down overlapping the first edge. 

5. Pull and pinch the fabric on the bottom to make a gather. This will me an arm. Don't do it too much because you still need some for the other side. Hot glue the fold down and hold it until the glue has cooled enough to hold firm. 

6. Repeat step 5 with the other side. 

7. Fold a three inch doily in half. 

8. Cut as pictured to make two collars. 

9. Plan out the rest of the decoration on your work surface before you hot glue them onto your blouse.

It is fun to make all of the blouses different, but you could all do the same if you wanted, or if you didn't have a mad stash of crafty bit to pull from like I do.

Enjoy!
Gabrielle

My Favorite Local Stores to Bite the Craft Bug

I've lived in the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver area) my whole life and have scouted out some awesome shopping locations for the creative individual. Here is my list of go-to places:

Birkeland Bros Wool Ltd - (Vancouver)

Birkeland Bros is my absolute favorite place in the lower mainland to go for beautiful yarn! The staff is super friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help you out. The prices are higher but expected since the quality just can't be beat. What is amazing is that this is a Vancouver company that has been in its original location since 1939 and still run by the same family! When Jesse and I got married in 2006 I wanted to make a warm shawl (pictured above) and found exactly what I needed here.

Dressew- Downtown - (Vancouver)

I go to Dressew to get CHEAP yarns, fabric, buttons and costume accessories. They have quite the variety of crafty items at a liquidation price! The quality is fair too. I'm so glad that they take debit now! They used to be a cash only place and I never carry cash around anymore. Some of the staff are a bit unfriendly... especially when it is busy there but if you go early in the day and follow their rules (no food in the store and don't touch the scissors!) you can usually find friendlier faces if you needed help finding something in their Goliath sized store. If not, enjoy the hunt!

Opus - (Downtown, North Van & Granville Isl)

My all time favorite art store is Opus. My favorite location is their Granville Island store because I found they had the most variety and quantity of products. You might have to put up with a few nervous looking Emily Carr students but they hire the friendly ones to work in their store.

Rokko Fabrics - (East Vancouver)

Rokko Fabrics has an amazing amount of variety of fancy to casual fabrics in their store for the amount of square footage they have. The prices are great if not the best next to liquidation prices. A big bonus... no hunting because everything is very well organized.

Urban Source - (Vancouver)

Sometimes you don't know what project you are going to do next until you walk into this store. They have obscure little items like little scraps of papers, rubber, magnifying sheets, containers and fuzzy balls? Every time I go in they have something new. Its always worth checking out when I'm in the Mount Pleasant area. The best part is that most of these are being saved from a landfill.

Welk's - (Vancouver)

One of my favorite discount stores! They carry dishes, household items, toys, gardening supplies, storage bins, canvasses, pretty paper, beads and the list goes on. It is relative to a candy store... really. As far as comparing the prices to a conventional dollar store, I've found them cheaper. Plus its in one of my favorite neighborhoods: Mount Pleasant.

Capilano Rock & Gem - (North Vancouver)

Whatever level of jewellery maker you are (from hobbyist to professional goldsmith) this is a place for you. Jewelry makers from all over the lower mainland seek out this store for knowledgeable staff, great product and competitive prices. As much as I enjoy to shop online, nothing beats seeing and touching my supplies before I make a transaction. Plus, this store is family owned. 

Dollar Max - (Richmond)

There are so many dollar stores in Richmond, but the Dollar Max located a few blocks from Richmond Centre is my favorite. They have low prices, even for a dollar store, and nicer quality and variety than the others. There is something about dollar stores that make me a bit queasy (who had to suffer to offer me a huge package of popsicle sticks for $0.99?), but sometimes you just can't find your typical dollar store items anywhere else!

MCC Thrift Mart - Abbotsford

Finally a reason to go to the valley! This is the queen of all thrift stores but please don't tell anyone. Not the best for clothing, but as far as finding books, housewares, lamps and furniture (there are two building to check out one across from the other) this is the best place. I wish I had a huge house that I could fill with furniture to refinish from here. In the same building where you find the furniture they have a plethora of frames and old lamps. The ladies that work here are all volunteers and as sweet as cherry pie. All profits go to the charity... nice!




Now go shopping!

Draft Stopper Snake - Instructions

Here is a DIY that I contributed to Andrea Tucker's Blog - DIY Vancouver Blog.

This project is perfect for blocking out sound, light, smells, or unwanted drafts from the bottom of doors.

Paper Doll Card - Instructions

Pretty simple, but pretty cute!

So this is my first DIY. My mom amazed me as a little girl at her ability to cut out a string of paper dolls. She first showed off her talent when I was making Valentine's Day cards for my classmates when I was in Grade 1 (OH so long ago!!).

I was recently at my brother's friend's house and showed off this paper doll talent with their little girl. She was AMAZED! You too can become a master paper doll cutter, just follow these simple instructions, and practice! Eventually you won't need to draw out or measure anything like my mom and I.

For this particular paper doll application, you will need:

Origami paper (6"x6") or other really thin paper like rice or crepe
Plain card (4"x6")
Sharp scissors
Glue stick
Ruler
Sharp pencil
Envelope (optional)

Step 1:
Cut a 1.5" strip off of the Origami paper. You can draw a line on the back side of the paper with a ruler where you want to cut first.






Step 2:
Fold strip in half, right sides together. Then do a fan fold, with each section measuring 1/2". You should have 10 sections. Each section will become half of a girl. The end should be the back side up so that you can draw your design on it.




Step 3:
Draw in pencil half of a girl. The edge of the paper should be where her hands are, and the 1st crease should be the center line of her body. Make sure that you have at least the hands joined. You could also choose to have the hair join like in my picture, but it isn't necessary. To do this, draw the hands (and hari) to the edge of the paper.








Step 4:
Carefully cut along your pencil line. Don't be tempted to peek until she is all cut because the paper can tear easier this way.






Step 5:
Unfold carefully and lay flat. Ta Da!







Step 6:
Glue the paper dolls along the bottom of your card.

You could apply this same technique and make a chain of paper hearts for valentine's day. I've also cut the skirt down to make pants and pigtails off to make little boys for every other one, also very cute!

Sock Monkey - Review

I have always wanted to make a sock monkey! There are a ton of DIY instructions that you can find online, but I think I found the best one on Craftbits! The in depth and clear instructions go through step by step with pictures.

For this project my little sister was on town! We did this DIY together. We went to the Bay and found socks for $2.30! She added a cute little scarf and a mouth to her monkey. Look how cute he is!!



Tips:

I know that they are long, but it is totally worth it to make sure you read and understand the instructions completely before you start! There are lots of little steps and tips you could miss out on if you don't.

Earring Frame Display - Review

I had my first jewellery show for my PIE line this winter and was in desperate need of a way to display my many many earrings I had to sell. This project would be great for a retail situation, or for at home hanging on a wall, or on a table/dresser top. The finished product is also very versatile in the way that it will hold any type of earring (stud or earwire styles).

For my version, I used the ribbon along the top so that I could tie on rings. In the instruction’s version, found on Cut out + Keep based on a project by My-Linh T, they used the ribbon to hang the frame on a wall. This is also very lovely.


Tips:

Get the mesh as taught as possible on frame! The easiest way for me to accomplish this was: 1. to staple/tac the mesh onto one side in the centre 2. then staple/tac the opposite side in the centre. 3. Then do the 3rd and 4th sides in the centre 4. Work from opposite sides, from the centre to the corners.

I used a plate holder at the show to give it more sturdiness. Or use a thick picture frame that could stand on its own.

I also used little rubber nuts on the backs of the ear hooks so people couldn’t easily take them off and run off with them.