Blast 62 :: Wall Hanging Redo

A fourth time....this is a keeper though (thanks to Cindy for the inspiration! - you're getting some buttons, girl, just for the help! :)

It's an 8x10 (agreed upon size) so not too imposing on any wall (hopefully! ;).
With a wool felt front and back this hangs much more nicely than the crocheted piece. I think I should have felted the crocheted wool prior to sewing on the embellishments. Oh well, live and learn! Now, what to do with that...?
Most importantly, I'm happy with this and feel it is a nice piece to gift to someone rather than just something to just get done which is what I was having a hard time with before.
Thanks again to Cindy for sending along that photo! It was perfect :)
xoxo

Blast 58 :: Round In Circles

Say hello to yesterday's crafting fun and today's drawing!  Two birds with one seed kind of post today....

I squeezed in some time to make a quartet of these little wool felt circles...not quite sure what they will become but, I think I see a plan forming...loosely. The possibilities may very well be endless with these and honestly, I have to admit, they are a bit addictive. I spent a good portion of this evening ignoring my sink of dishes to make even more of these little blastoids. Love seeing my bag of wool felt scraps dwindling down too...
And in honor of all our creative inspirations ~ this week's drawing!
How about 10 of these little do-dads? I would love, love to see what folks do with them too. So fun.
If you're itching to get your circular mojo on, please feel free to leave a comment and we (well, one of my littles) will draw a winner to announce in Monday's post.
Good Luck and Happy Crafting!

Blast 57 :: Seasons

Brrr...today was downright chilly around here!

No matter, I kept the windows open all day and loved that cool breeze (er...wind, perhaps) blowing in.

Time for a little nature table switch up.

I whipped up this acorn do-dad late into the night. I wasn't sure if it would be a bookmark or what little life it had intended for itself until today when I realized it would look pretty stinkin' cute hanging out by the nature table (which I sorely need to get crackin' on).

Love, love seeing how these projects have an intention all their own....

Blast 55 :: This or that

or...sometimes neither....

I am so very late with my wall hanging swap...thank goodness for sweet and mightily patient crafters. Now, it wasn't for a lack of trying mind you. There was a collage type of wall hanging begun - then abandoned. Then I thought maybe I would give a banner a whirl, then dumped that idea. So now, I was thinking and thinking while crocheting for another project when I thought what a nice backing this thick piece would be.

And this is where it went....

Trees have been on my mind lately. The smell of them (pine), the look of them....missing them a bit (I think we need to get hiking more). And birds? Always. Love, love birds.

I was thinking this would be nice in a child's room. Maybe hung inside of a playstand area...it's certainly sturdy enough to withstand some play and wear and tear. Or maybe a pillow? Or possibly repurposed into a bag? So many possibilities if the wall hanging thing doesn't fly.  I love that about making things...the possibilities are endless....

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 44 :: Tweet! (and a giveaway!)

 

A little bird inspired by this
ridiculously cute book. Really, there's seriously good insanity inside those pages...
Can't wait to try my hand at some of the more intricate birds and other goodies in there but, for now, this little tweet is sure getting some lavish little girl love.

And while we are on the subject of birds, remember this little aviator? Well, if you're not totally owled yet - here's another chance for a little hoot! Just leave a comment with this post and we will pop your name in the magic mixing bowl to announce in Monday's post - Good Luck!

ps. ~ 2 past winners haven't claimed their prizes....mama ruck (for the heart banner) and sandra (for the flower fairy crowns)  ~  :) if you gals get this message, drop me a line at writeus4@yahoo.com and i will send all that goodness on home :)

Happy crafting!

Blast 43 :: Eeek!

More super quick wool felt goodness from Feltcraft. These are fun to make if you only have about 10 minutes  or so (which is about the maximum that I had ;). I'm thinking a set of rainbow mice would be super cute. Or maybe some with numbers on them for a game or put a number or letter or color on the bottom for a memory game? So many possibilities with these little guys, really. Next time though I will follow the directions and glue some cardstock (something from the recycling bin would do) to the base. So, add maybe 2 more minutes to that 10 minute total ;)

Nicest thing? My creature cautious 3 year old loves it. That's the best.

Blast 36 :: Another shark toy ~

of the wool felt kind....

One of the biggest things I am finding with this 365 crafting challenge is just how tricky it can be to find moments to craft in. For anyone who seems amazed that I am able to craft something daily - I tell you, I wouldn't be doing it if  I hadn't made a commitment to it! While I am totally loving it (I haven't hit that wall of 'what to make' or the joy being sucked of out the creating process because I had to make something - thank goodness!), I will say that I am completely floored by just how busy life can be and how one must literally carve out time each day to do something they love (or, at least I do, lol!). Whether its waking at 10:30pm and stitching together a new infant toy or working on something piecemeal throughout the day; I grab the moments when I can. Balancing house work, 6 kiddos and their oh so varied needs and challenges and then retaining something for myself that is aside from these commitments is a learning process and shifts daily indeed. As I was telling my husband...this challenge is really about so much more than just crafting....

So while the littlest one did not need a new toy,  I was looking around through a haze of sleepiness and found my sewing basket with just the right supplies. And a new toy was born. She is completely hand sewn (I don't like to run the machine at night...) and made from felted wool interlock, cotton 'skin' and cleaned and carded sheep's wool. Good stuff all around.

Tell me, how do YOU find time for what you love? I would love to hear your stories....

Blast 32:: Late night with the gnomes (part 2) and a winner!

Another late night hanging out with the gnomes. This time, rather than of the wood variety, these guys are wool felt stuffed with some carded sheep's wool. The original idea is from The Nature Corner...or maybe it was Feltcraft...one of those 2. These days I just free hand cut them out. Its fun to see their own personalities shaped through the individual sizes and little nuances.

So I cut, and stitched, and stuffed while my 17 year old (really, every new year flies by faster and faster...) advised me on music like this and tried to teach me a little about tone and other musical fun stuff. I think I may never understand where he gets that musical touch of his...so glad he he did though!

These guys are off to a little family tomorrow....and that heart banner/.birthday chair decoration/valentines day bit of felt love is heading off to....

Mama Ruck!!

"I love the reminder that a request for toast is just toast. I so often have to remember that I am the one needing the variety. Thank you for your sweet giveaway."

Thank YOU Mama Ruck for playing along! So glad this will be enjoyed by a family :) Message me at writeus4@yahoo.com with your address and this will be along its happy way :) Thanks to everyone else too for joining in on the fun! Can't wait to see what pops up this week for the drawing on Saturday..Good Luck!

Blast 27 :: A Redo

Don't you love second chances? Thankfully, in crafting, there are often soooo many opportunities for a redo. I love that.
This is so much more my soon-to-be-three than the previous one. I do think the other is super cute too but this one is made from a tree, a bird, a moon and a flower...all things she loves so very much right now....
The pics are not the best ~ having just taken them at 9pm ...the lighting in this kitchen is really not the best. Nonetheless, it is done! Finished last night before I put the birthday girl to bed - where I promptly passed out beside her into sweet bliss.
Tomorrow? A crown (at least that's my aim tonight!)...hopefully I won't crash out again ;) These busy, busy end of summer days....

Blast 26 :: Making it special...

with some felt birthday chair decorations...

We have another birthday this week of the soon- to- be- three kind. One of our birthday traditions is decorating the birthday child's chair the night before so they awaken to a special spot all decked out, just for them. When my oldest (17) was young, it was streamers and balloons...as timed passed and I discovered my love for felt, each child was made one of these to help celebrate their special day. Each is different, made with something that was so very them at the time I made it.

This little banner above? I was working on it for my little birthday girl but...it didn't seem to fit her. The colors seem off for her so I will be making her another one today. But , good news! If you think it evokes something of your little one...it will be this Saturday's drawing ;)

Here is how it looks in action....

more birthday love coming this week...:)

Blast 10 :: Gone fishin'

and so, apparently, has the battery charger for my camera ...bummer.

But it is here somewhere, right? One would think....

I have looked every stinkin' place I can think of - guess that's the problem. It must be one of those "how did it get there?!?" deals. Oh well, after contemplating not posting since I lacked a pic, I thought, 'now, how dumb is that' and am posting anyway. I will pop the pics in as soon as the charger magically reveals its hidden location to me. Now,  back to our regular scheduled programming....

As I was saying...fishing! I have been wanting to make a fishing game for ages. Literally, since my almost 11 year old was little. This was one of those situations where I wanted it to be perfect - and never did it. This time? I let go a little and here I now stand, rod in hand...fishies just waiting to be caught.

The fish are just simple ones, a hint of fish if you will...made from wool felt. Each are cut free hand so they're all a bit different from each other (love that) with a smallish round magnet sewn in. Same deal with the worm; only this time with a  ribbon sewn in as well. The dowels are from Casey's - their lot assortment to be exact. You can purchase a whole bulkbox of seconds that are a mix of everything. We've had a bunch of fun checking those pieces out and imagining what wonders they could hold...

Super sweet. Super simple. And done. Why on earth did that take me so long? That's okay, its still in time for a little one's birthday in a few weeks. We have 2 this month so the crafting around here will be pretty much birthday oriented 'til the end of the month. Oh yes, and then we have one more in September...so maybe just a bit longer.

Completion time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (all that hand sewing does add up!)

Now, if only I could find my charger....

(Charger found! Monday afternoon :)

Blast 7 : A crown and unfinished business

Oh piles of half done craftiness, how I do love thee...

Today was one of those days I needed a quick blast. Not just fast but....supersonic really. Life with 6 from 17 to 5 months sure can keep you on your toes most days. That's when I remembered these fun gals....(hmmm, and guys!)...

Now why do I have a stack of crowns this close to being done...but not quite? Hmmm, yes,  I'm stumped too. I think maybe I like to tease my projects...."oh your soooo close, aren't you? wouldn't you just love to be finished? yes? ...yes?...."

They are so patient with me.

Just one was all I had time for today though. Here she is...happy day for her the lucky little gal! I think she may be the one flying off on Saturday for this week's drawing....is she calling your name?