Saturday, August 28, 2010

Two birthday cards


We've had a couple of birthdays in our family recently so I sat down and made a couple of cards. I've use the same technique to make the flowers as in the framed flowers post. The smaller flowers are made using the largest flower on the Stampin' Up! Boho Blossoms punch. These cards were so quick and easy to put together (I love using my Big Shot to help things go quicker!)


Easy baby presents


My sister in law's baby shower is coming up, so I thought I'd put my crafting "skills" ;-) to good use and make a few things for the new baby. I found this tutorial on Obsessively Stitching for goofballs and had a go at it. Once again I didn't read the instructions all the way through (I'll learn one day) which is probably why my goofball looks more like a goof-egg... but it still works :-)


Then I saw this post on Skip to my Lou for fabric building blocks. This was such an easy thing to make - I actually managed to do them without making a mistake :-) The only thing I would do differently in future would probably be to use some sort of interfacing on the block to help it look more block shaped. I added a couple of little bells inside.


I hope the baby likes them!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Why I craft

I was looking through all the craft blogs I read (which is more than the list you see over there...) and I found this post on the blog "Cluck, Cluck, Sew". It summarises exactly why I craft - especially the last paragraph:

"Also I want to add (like this post isn’t long enough), that sewing is an important part of my day. Its the only thing that stays finished. Tomorrow I will get up and do this whole routine all over again, but that quilt top? Its FINISHED. There will always be toys to pick up, meals to cook, and toilets to scrub. Sewing is my sanity….and worth every minute."

Crafting is my release from the demands of two little boys and all the things that come with running a home. The neverending pile of laundry and trying to find that one missing sock (I wonder where it is...). The constant calls of "Mummy" and trying to toilet train. Trying to clean the house and think of what to cook for dinner. I love the chance to spend a few minutes to have some me time! Its my way of recharging my batteries.

This talk from President Dieter F Uchtdorf - "Happiness, Your Heritage" - also gives some more reasons as to why I enjoy crafting. I love being able to create things with my hands to help make my home life more beautiful. I hope that I will continue to have the opportunity of being able to craft and to share what I make with others.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Twin (or single) sheet teepee tent


This post has been a long time in the works :-) Having 2 little boys doesn't leave me much time for crafting but I'm slowly getting back into it.

The pattern for this tent is from this post.

I almost called this post "what not to do". I actually made 2 of these tents - one for my son and one for my nephew. Somehow I managed to completely stuff up the one for my son (luckily it will still work...) - instead of having 5 seams I ended up with 6. I'm not quite sure how since I cut the second sheet the same as the sheet for this tent. I probably shouldn't have rushed as much as I did.


Overall this was a nice easy pattern to follow and it sews up pretty quickly. Having most of the hems already finished really helps.

My son is pretty happy with it - hopefully his cousin is too!

One thing to note - a twin sheet is equivalent to an Australian single bed sheet. I was all set to make this tent from a double bed sheet when I looked at the dimensions and realised a double bed sheet was too big.