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Showing posts from 2011

Knitting with a Purpose

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"...knitters just can't watch TV without doing something else. Knitters just can't wait in line, knitters just can't sit waiting at the doctor's office. Knitters need knitting to add a layer of interest in other, less constructive ways.” ~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (This is so true...even at stop lights, I pick up my knitting =.) A few years ago when we visited the islands where my parents were born and raised, my daughters befriended some local girls who wanted to learn how to knit. We got ahold of chopsticks, pencil sharpener and yards of yarn for some knitting lessons. Taught by my then almost 11 year-old who knitted relentlessly at that age. See her creations here . Today she seldom knits due to her very busy school schedule. But once in a while, we'll have our knitting/crocheting sessions. In the coming weeks, we'll be busy knitting scarves to help out St. Anthony's Holiday Knitting Drive .  Join in the fun.

Cute as a Button...

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"I like making a piece of string into something I can wear."   ~Author Unknown We're on vacation, and yes, I brought my craft kits with me. To the lake. Part of my vacation is making things. People bring books, magazines, electronics. This time, I brought buttons to make a necklace. I also have books and my camera at hand. My son & hubby had fun swimming across the lake to those big boulders (approximately 60 yards from where I was at) while the girls and I created things.  They painted & swam. I crafted.  I finished it in less than 2 hours with breaks in between.  So easy. You can do this with your little ones using elastic. Try it, and let me see what you made.

BABY LOVE {three}

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Every child begins the world again. - Henry David Thoreau If I could sew and make baby/kids stuff all day long, I would. But can't =.\  In the meantime, I was able to make a set of burpie clothes, a California onesie, and a changing pad  (see tutorial here)  just in time for a dear friend's baby shower. So easy and so fun to make. I think my ultra-creative friend likes them =.) When you get a chance, check out her fabulous blog at Yellow Pajamas where she shares her experiences as a new mom to another baby boy, her handiwork, her family, her equally creative friends, and more. And make sure you let her know you're visiting. (Update: check her out HERE  and HERE --you're gonna love & be inspired by her work!) And 3 days later (after this photo), Baby Bwuddah arrived. Can't wait to meet him soon. Babies are always more trouble than you thought -- and more wonderful.   ~ Charles Osgood CONGRATULATIONS, PQ family, on your new addition!

Stay Connected...

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Facebook, a social utility that connects people with friends and families, some you haven't seen in years. But as we all know, it has its pros and its cons. Inspired by its simple logo, I made a pillowcase out of old jeans and tshirts.  The only thing I would do differently is not to use felt fabric for the logo.  It collects too much lint. Overlapping the back pieces (envelope closing) so no need for zipper, buttons, velcro.  Easy, yeah?  I made another one for an Apple logo using old sweatshirts (see the USA logo on the top right).    Try making one with your favorite logo.

Costume 2010: Super Mario

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"Clothes make a statement.  Costumes tell a story." ~Mason Cooley This is long overdue.  But I'm posting it nonetheless--for the mere fun of it.  So, yeah, my son wanted to be Super Mario last Halloween.  And not just the regular Mario, mind you. He even drafted me this so I know what he's talking about.  As if I was just born yesterday.  The overalls was easy.  The corduroy material didn't cost much and didn't need much.  Made a regular pair of pants from a pattern I already have and just added the bib & straps. Took the buckles from an old pair of overalls and re-used them for this pair. The most challenging was making the hat.  I looked all over for a white hat but for the life of me, I couldn't find any.  So I made it out of old t-shirts and scraps. Check out this tutorial and try it.  That was the most challenging part but I did it. Mainly made out of triangles (trials and errors).  These were my practice pieces and e

STAYING WARM

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One kind word can warm three winter months.   ~Japanese Proverb My brothers.  One a postman who served in the Army (thus the camouflage pattern). The other, a sheriff, so I sewed a 7-point star on his cowl but it ended looking like the Star of David. Oh well. Perfect winter gifts, especially with the cold weather lately, and it's already summer! And these 2 are always out and about on the streets.   I made one for one of my kids' coaches and one for the pool's lifeguard who are always keeping an eye on my son.  At first, they weren't sure how to wear it so they got creative.  Funny. They later figured it out. I was in a cowl-making mood so I made one for all of their coaches. I used fleece material, cut out the basic shape of a manta ray (the team's icon) and sewed them in. For the lifeguard, I used the Red Cross pattern.  How easy was that! I also made other ones with rosettes.  Just cut out circles of varying sizes and sew them ato