eggs - 2 ways

Easter is steadily sneaking up upon me.  I've had a couple of ideas running through my head for eggs, so finally put them to the test...and for the most part I would declare them successful.


EGG 1: Pointillism Eggs

Here's how I made them:

+ Rub down hard boiled eggs with vinegar, to prepare the surface for dye.

+ Add a few drops of food coloring (I like the wilton gel colors found at Target) to about 1/2 tsp of water.

+ Using a toothpick, dip and dab.

This takes a while, though it's not as bad as one might guess.  (I turned on my current book on tape - Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - dabbed away and thoroughly enjoyed myself)

"Ombre-ish" egg

Updated: This might be a great way to introduce pointillist artists such as Georges Seurat. (There's a lot of info here)  Kids could add words or initials and simple images such as crosses, hearts, stars, etc..

EGG 2: Origami Decoupage Eggs

+ Cut shapes from origami paper

+ Slightly water down a bit of white craft glue

+ Make slight cuts in the edge of the shapes so that they will conform to the curve of the egg

+ Apply a thin layer of glue to the egg

+ Place shape, and cover with another thin layer of glue

this is the day

Here's a little print I made for the kiddo's bathroom.  A good reminder for the start of their day, and mine as well.

Find the file here, it prints as a 5x7 image. (Please let me know if you have any trouble downloading it!)

friendly octopus

This unexpected early spring has been wonderful; t-shirts and shorts when we are usually in snow pants and mittens. But many of our t-shirts are outgrown or over worn, so I've started putting together a few new ones to freshen up the wardrobe.  This is a friendly octopus, made for my youngest.

This is how I decorate most of the kid's t's:

+ iron fusible web to fabric

+ cut around design

+ iron the design on to t-shirt

+ use embroidery floss to add detail and secure edges.

...she might need a little smile to go along with those rosy cheeks, what do you think?

Waiting

Patiently waiting for their cousins to come over.

happy st.patrick's day

st.patrick's day printables

We're having some family over tomorrow for eating and catching up.  And as it happens to also be St.Patrick's day, I thought we might make some green cupcakes.  And green cupcakes need cute little flags, so here's what I put together.

If you'd like to use them, you can download them here.

gel pen roll - o's birthday part 2

Here's a little pen roll I made to go along with the t-shirt for Miss O's 8th birthday.  

I know there are many crayon/marker/pencil/etc rolls out there, but I'd never made one before.

So, here's how I made mine.

• Fold fabric in half (approx. 14" x 14" prior to fold).  
• Stitch along one end and the length
• Trim corners, flip right side out, press

• Fold open end in approx 1/2", press & pin
• Fold 18" length of ribbon and pin within the opening 

• Stitch around outside edge, closing open end and securing ribbon in the process.
• I added a triple stitch along the ribbon end.

• Cut a strip of wool felt (approx. 14" x 1")
• Sew ends of felt in place
• Divide length by number of pens to hold, and mark with pins

• Stitch forward and back across the felt at each pin marking
• (The fabric I used was busy, so I just stitched through the whole deal, but if one wanted a really clean appearance on the outside of the roll, the felt strip should be attached first.)

the beauty of nature

This is what I found at the back of my cupboard a few days ago.

After getting upset with the fact that I had just wasted food, I took a moment and actually looked at my sprouting sweet potato.  It's beautiful, the intense color, the form, it almost looks like something from the depths of the ocean.  It was a reminder that no matter how technologically advanced our world becomes, it can't come close to the matchless beauty and creativity of our God and creator.

o's 8th birthday - mini boden copy cat

It's our dear little friend's birthday and for part of her gift we made a cute little t-shirt based upon a shirt from mini-boden (this one).  

I drew out a butterfly template, ironed nine fabric scraps to lightweight fusible web, and cut out the butterflies.

Ironed the butterflies onto a t-shirt.

Using the free-motion foot, outlined the butterflies and gave them bright pink bodies and antennae.

Hoping she likes it!

little stitches

My youngest's room is on the schedule to redecorate over the spring & early summer.  She's declared herself ready for a 'big girl' room.  Thankfully, we agree that the sarahjane studios items are very cute & qualify as 'big girl' decor.  This embroidery will end up on a pillow sham, and we've ordered fabrics from the sarahjane line and agreed on a quilt pattern...I will try my best to finish a few of my quilt fronts before starting on hers.

Eating frog

"Eat a live frog every morning, 

and nothing worse will happen 

to you the rest of the day." 

- Mark Twain

I came across this helpful reminder here.  I took it to heart, and ate a jumbo frog this morning.  I have to say, it wasn't that pleasant. But the relief of getting it done is fantastic, and I highly suggest "frog eating" to everyone.

Here was my frog...  (cringe)

And here's the after...it was worth every minute.

So... go eat your frog!

M&M's Wedding Quilt

Finished up the front of a quilt for one of our dearest babysitters, who has grown up and is getting married this summer.  The quilt is square (approx. 68"x68") with a modern nine-patch in the center. Fabrics are Denyse Schmidt 'Hope Valley'.