Blast 53 :: Cheaterpants (and a giveaway!)

Okay so, technically, this blast was not completed until today (tonight to be exact) but, it was mostly done last night...Still counts, right?

Funny little story...so there I was, with the idea to dress up this little box that we keep these 'goodnight' cards in. Sweet little things with a lovely picture on one side and a bedtime related poem or quote on the other. This was part of our bedtime routine a couple of years ago..
ahem, until the cards migrated to every end of the house that is.

Since the move, I've been finding them here and there. In game boxes, tucked into books and even mixed in with the playkitchen toys (did I mention they migrated?).  My answer to this exodus was a last ditch effort to keep them contained. We've had some oval boxes kicking around for a while so I thought one of those would do nicely.

In function, yes? Aesthetically speaking however? Eh, not so much.
Enter the felt.
Well, and some thick burlap/muslin/needlepoint cloth I had on hand as well as some trim.

As I was saying, there I was...kids in bed, sewing away. Almost done.  My plan was to create a cover to glue down on the existing cover to the box, just to dress it up a bit.

I didn't like it.

I had cut the burlap fanbric just big enough to cover the oval and was planning on using the trim to go around the edges - on the top. Not such a great idea. Maybe it would have been for a square, but not at all for an oval. So, my bird and moon were complete, it was 1am - it was time for bed.

Phase 2 - I cut out around the bird and moon with the burlap sewn on the back. Perfect! The backing gave it a bit of heft and I loved the rough edge look. Then someone....a little someone...decided she really liked the texture of that bird so I let her chew away. And chew some more. Until I had a very wet mass of felt there. I guess I could have just sewn it on, dripping wet, but decided to opt out of that choice.

Phase 3 - The felt bird was popped in the wash - but not the dryer. I was worried it would shrink up too much. So in the end? I still ended up sewing with a wet.little.bird. Silly, silly me.

Phase 4 - Bird sewn on? Check. Cut out piece of burlap placed over oval? Check. Bottle of E600 ready? Check.
Let the gluing begin.
I tacked down the bird image portion first, then the sides of the oval where the fabric would overhang  a bit, then finally, the trim onto the top of the fabric.
Done.
And then? I fell asleep with the babies.
Now?
Hello 1am. Goodness, I almost missed you.
Very much looking forward to using these cards tomorrow night. Or...tonight as the case seems to be.

And our drawing? Of course! I had a young someone who really, really wanted to help with this one. She seemed tapped into the universe and was super eager to pick this week's winner. Funny thing too as I found out later in a general email that its this lady's birthday this weekend....funny world!
Congrats Hallie!! That little mermaid is all yours! Happy Birthday sweet lady!

Good luck to you ladies next week!

xoxo

Blast 40 :: There be monsters...

Someone, now... I'm not saying who, but someone needed a little curtain between themselves and the dark night.

Don't we all sometimes? I know I do...

This was a quicky, late night blast. Nothing too pretty. Nothing too snazzy. However, something very practical and - bonus - something on the crafting to-do list. Cha- Ching! See, part of my goal here is to also try to find some ways to get around consuming more stuff. I'll try to stretch myself a bit here and make what I can and even try to make what I think I can't. It'll all be good in the end, no doubt.

Forgive my less than eye pleasing pics of the curtain. No eye candy to be found in this blast for sure. I suppose that's what happens when trying to photograph a curtain at almost 11 pm ;) No worries though..in case you're just dying to see pics of my windows with new handmade curtains adorning them...I have about 20 more on the to-do list.

Literally.

Blast 31 :: Coasting

Along....
I wish!
So busy, busy!
Moving and clearing and cleaning out the old digs (yes, still) with kiddos, a toddler and baby in tow? Need. I. Say. More.
So, the coasters? They're all I got. That's it. Like 'em?

Me?
Not so much, frankly.
I had a little duo coloring going on...the bobbin thread is a different color from the needle thread. Cute for other things but not so much for coasters. The color stands out a bit too drastically from the fabric....Another aspect that might be endearing for a quilt yet distracting for something as small as a coaster.
I think they may become the beginning of a quilt-as-you-go quilt. I do, however, like the sound of that ;) For now, they will be coasters, tucked away in case someone takes a liking to them. You maybe? Anyone? ;)
Okey doke, I am done with my coaster rant ;) Off to make a little love for a fall swap :) See ya tomorrow!

Blast 9 :: More (night) owls...and some mermaids

Maybe it was the string of late nights....maybe the creative juices just weren't flowing but, there I was... nursing the wee one to sleep and the next thing I knew - it was 12:30 am. And not a single craft to be had for the day either. I strictly adhere to the "better late than never" philosophy (how else might I get anything done?)...so I started in on a quickie craft.

I had wanted to try out these embroidery hoop wall hangings for some time but, well never made the time (not to mention that there was a serious lack of wall space in our old home). So, with this new house and its many bare walls...I had my chance. And grabbed it at nearly 1am.

Love, love this cutesie owl fabric and these colors are actually many of the same ones here in this retro early 80's kitchen of mine. Thing is, ironically, the kitchen is the one room lacking in wall space so, I looked around and found the nearest spot where I could still enjoy them and found - the laundry room (well, alcove really). Not to mention every time I go out into my studio...a little hit of inspiration every time.

(note: notice i am sparing any viewers the overflowing mound of laundry spilling from my hamper...)

My crafty blast for the day and it only took half an hour.

Well, half an hour of moving the hoop around the fabric to find just the right owls and configuration. Finally, I began to cut. Only, well, it was nearing 1 am and I cut the fabric too close to the hoop so I didn't have enough fabric leverage to pull the cotton tight. Time for a redo. There now, an extra 2 inches around the hoop and it was perfect. I thought of gluing some ribbon around the edge of the hoop but went for the natural look instead. Those owls are pretty darn cute on their own.

Btw, if you were interested in entering this week's drawing (once a week, every week!) for that mermaid/heart crown...now would be the time to leave your comment! I'll throw the names in a bowl, have my little one pull one out and  post the winner on Monday - good luck to you!