new for the shop...maybe?

8 x 10 3D Paper Froggie

Hey, guys, need your feedback. In the midst of coming up with the 3D Paper Owl tutorial for STML recently, I got a bit over excited and developed some other paper cuts (like the froggie one above) that I had to set aside when I realized they were a little too complex for kids to do.

Soooo...since they are mostly designed anyway, I thought I might finish the tutorials, starting with the frog, and make them available as PDF downloads in my shop, if there was some interest out there. Among the other designs are a fox in the woods (the third one in the woods series to complement the owl and frog), a leaf collection, and a bug collection. What do you think?



The tutorials would leave as little chance of error as possible for novice paper cutters while still having a nice depth and complexity. Like the 3D owl, you would print all needed pieces onto colored cardstock, cut out on the lines and assemble them according to a detailed photographed set of instructions and guidelines. All materials needed are readily available at your local craft shop.


You can also frame the end result, if desired. Here it is mounted in a 11 x 14 inch shadow box. Let me know what you think!

blog revamp

Blogger has come out with some great new templates and a cool new interface to edit the design. Thanks, Blogger! So I took the opportunity to spruce up the ol' blog around here. If you are looking for the old list of tutes and printables in the sidebar, they are now located at the top in the tab row just under the header, along with two new pages, a gallery and faq.

If there is a question you frequently wonder and it is missing from the FAQ let me know! I'll certainly attempt to answer it and I may add it to the FAQ.

trouser jeans to shorts

These are some former trouser jeans of mine that had turned into high waters. Over time, so many of my jeans have gotten too short in the wash. I've since learned (thanks, Paula!) how to avoid this, mostly: Don't ever dry jeans in the machine, only hang them to dry (yes, very obvious but wait for it:) then AFTER they are dry, put them in the dryer to become wrinkle free and soft.

So, as I was saying, since these were unwearable anyhow, I cut them off into long shorts using the original hem to make them look more finished. This worked fine because the hem at the bottom was as wide or wider than the leg at the knee. If your hem is not flared, you may not have enough original hem to attach to the leg. Be sure to check this first before you do anything crazy.


First step is to try them on. Mark the length you want them to be when finished. Take them off, lay them flat, and subtract the width of the original hem at the bottom of the leg. Then add .25 inch. Make a mark at this new measurement on both legs and cut those babies off.

Also cut off both hems from the bottom of the legs. Make sure you leave some extra fabric above the hem.

Good idea to use a heavy needle in your machine and also jean thread, which is slightly thicker and stronger than regular thread.

Turn your hem pieces inside out and trim them down so there is about .25 inches of fabric above the hem.

Pin them on right sides facing and with raw edges even. If the hem is too wide for the leg, snip it open at the inside seam and overlap it.

Sew right next to the hem all the way around the leg and finish the raw edges by overlocking or zig zagging them.


This is what it looks like after sewing and overlocking, but before pressing. You'll definitely want to press it well with a hot iron so the new seam lays nice and flat. You could also topstitch around it about 1/8" above the hem, catching the seam allowance underneath to add a finishing touch (I was too lazy).

my guest post: 3D owl art tutorial

Night-time owl.

And alternate day-time owl.

Whooooooo wants to be a paper artist? You do that's who. I've had a lot of requests for 3D paper art tutorials, so I thought I'd make an 8 x 10 inch one that's simple enough to do with your kids. Head over to my guest post tutorial at Skip To My Lou's Craft Camp and have some papery scissory fun.

last minute father's day cards

Last minute. Seemingly the only way I function. I was inspired to make these by this more timely post from June Craft (via The Crafty Crow). She even has a template you can download and directions to make her card if Father's Day has snuck up on you this afternoon. For my version I used patterned cardstock and added a collar.

I couldn't not post this

sorry about photo quality -- think it was on a phone

Remember this tiny guy? He's a little older now. His mommy (who's also my niece), Erin, posted this photo and these words recently to me on FB:

Larissa, Tucker LOVES his monkey. He always stares at it on his shelf when he wakes up from his nap, and when he plays in his room. The other day I thought I'd get it down for him, and he is obsessed. He will play with him for hours. I think he loves the long arms, legs, and tail. If fact, he loves him so much, that is the only thing that he will attempt roll over to get.:-)

This of course makes me want to make him about twenty more monkeys. I do love me that little dimpled boy. Despite the Auburn onesie. (Roll Tide!)

photo by Bryan Griffin

Here's Tucker's whole pretty family. Hey, Erin, Tucker needs five more sisters and brothers!

my really cool Saturday

The finished product from the workshop I attended! Made from two thrifted men's T-shirts and some elastic thread.

And here's the workshop teacher, Dana Willard, of the delightful blog MADE, with yours truly at Whipstitch in mid-town Atlanta. Could she be any friendlier? Uh uh. No way. Not possible.

Me and Mod Podge Maven, Amy Anderson. Just one of the many lovely and creative women I met on Saturday. If you want to use Mod Podge, Amy will show you 1001 ways on her aptly named blog, Mod Podge Rocks. Awesome T-shirt, by the way, Amy. Where'd you get it?

Here is the workshop area as the action unfolded. Can't you just hear all the right-brains buzzing and whirring? Dana gave us all a roll of elastic thread, a grab-bag filled with some great fabric pieces and notions, and a Challenge: come up with something fabulous in the next two hours using the technique du jour: shirring.


After some nervous deliberation, I forsook the pretty green woven cotton in my bag and stepped outside of my comfort zone. I chose to whack up a couple of the thrifted T-shirts they provided and try a babydoll shirt for my girls. I did it so I could finally get over my fear of knits while in the company of someone who could walk me through the process so ably (and nicely!). I also learned a brand new skill for me: sewing with elastic thread! So it was quite a productive afternoon. I would have been happy just to soak up the atmosphere, so, you know, bonus.



I got most of the shirring done while I was at the workshop, but I ran out of time. I finished sewing it this afternoon and took a few pictures. Incidentally, does anyone else have to bribe their children with watermelon Mentos to get them to model?


Whipstitch is a great little fabric shop, so I'm glad I had a convenient excuse to drive up to it. They also have an online store at etsy if you want to check it out. I took some time before and after the workshop to browse through their delicious fabrics. I had to have this beautiful red/yellow/turquoise madras (above) and also finally succumbed to the siren song of the latest Stitch mag. The rest of the items you see there are swag we received as part of the class.

Dana brought a bunch of her cute creations so we could look at them in person. It was great to see them up close. I was very inspired to make more Dana-ish things!

Memorable workshop moments:

• The sudden downpour as I parked the car and got out to retrieve my sewing machine from the back. Hence the hair in the photos. Sigh. It's also 400 degrees here with 99% humidity so that helps a lot.
  
• Hearing the excitement all round when all of a sudden the scary elastic thread started to produce pretty shirring on our projects.
  
• The embarrassing wheezing/squeaking noises emanating from my machine the whole time I was shirring. I'm so sorry, Tiffany and Varinia! You nice gals who had to sit next to me. I don't know what the deal was. My poor hooptie machine. I don't think it liked the elastic thread on the bobbin.
  
• Meeting Robyn and Amy who actually read my blog. How cool is that? And Robyn, Robyn wanted to give you props for spelling your name the cool way.
• The nice commercial for Canon DSLR cameras as we stacked up about ten of them when it came time to get a group shot. We ladies do love our cameras.
  
• Dana pausing to take a still shot of my green shoes. There's a girl after my own shoe fetish. (For those of you who have asked, they are Miz Mooz Devi mary janes. I bought them online, but not sure about availability. Google search, baby!)
  
• Receiving a swag bag and gift certificate to Whipstitch, as well as a free pattern from Dana! Thanks so much WS and Dana! Yesssss! (pumping fist)
  
• Leaving the shop and watching part of my sewing machine (the part holding all the tiny accessories of course) spill to the sidewalk because of the awkward way I was holding the machine. Nice. Always love making a memorable exit. After arriving home I clued into the most obvious thing. My machine actually has a perfectly good built-in CARRYING HANDLE. (slapping head) One day I will be cool. I just know it.
  

being eric carle

Thing One's horse

Thing Two's Dog. Yes, dog.

My seven year old recently had a fun assignment (all credit to these folks): to practice doing research for a paragraph by choosing an artist she likes and gathering some information on them. She surprised me, I had my mouth open to suggest some pedestrian choices like Van Gogh or Picasso and she immediately said "I want to do Eric Carle!" I'm glad she cut me off.

My good friend Debbie was so kind years ago to give our babies lots of Eric Carle board books that they enjoyed so much. Actually, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See was instrumental in getting us through our youngest's ER visit when she was two years old and broke her elbow. The screaming finally ended when I grabbed a hospital copy and read it to her over and over. Thank you, Mr. Carle. Thank you. I'll be forever in your debt.

So we got online and did some research, went to his official site, read his FAQ, watched interviews with him on YouTube. He is now a delightful, soft-spoken 80 year old and we liked him so much. Thing One wrote her little paper, but we were so inspired by watching his photo tutorial that we (er...I) decided that we must make some images using the same method.


So, first to paint some 'tissue' paper in his signature bright, variegated colors. I had some white wrapping tissue, no problemo. Mistake. As soon as the brush touched it, it disintegrated. So, when he says tissue, I can safely say he does not mean wrapping tissue. Check. The next best thing I could think of was tracing paper, which has more body but is also translucent. That worked fine, although it wrinkled up a bit. I'd really like to know what kind of 'tissue' he means. For paint, we just used cheap acrylic paints I already had on hand.

(POST-POST NOTE: I wrote to Eric Carle's fan site, and receive a link to this information from Eric Carle: "I use archival quality tissue paper for my collage illustrations, but I receive e-mails and letters from many teachers who use a range of different kinds of commercially available tissue paper (the kind you use for gift wrapping), so feel free to experiment. I have tried many brands of tissue paper and have been pleased with a long-fibered, ph-neutral, white tissue paper from Kate’s Paperie in New York City. I prepare the paper with a matte medium before I paint the paper with ordinary acrylic paint which can be found in any art store." SO. He gets great quality tissue paper and pretreats it with matte medium. Check!)


To get the variegated look, I squirted several colors in the girls' plates and told them not to mix it, just dip in the brush and go. That was fun. After we did several colors we hung them up to dry.


They look like stained glass, don't they? Of course, Eric's method is more involved. He does several layers of paint, and uses things like squares of carpet to add texture. We sort of skipped that part. That's why they pay him the big bucks.



After those were dry, the next step is to make your sketch on tracing paper. So we each did that.


Next came Mommy's part. I laid their sketches down on top of the painted paper and cut each section out with an Xacto knife, making sure to go through both layers.



They were in charge of art direction. They chose the colors and helped paint on the Mod Podge when we laid each piece down on some bristol board. (Eric Carle uses wallpaper glue on illustration board, but this was close enough).


Well, Mommy had to make one too. Can't let them have all the fun. I was so pleased with our little art project. This was so much fun. In your debt again, Mr. Carle!

again with the simplicity 3835

Simplicity 3835, View C

I know you guys might be sick of this pattern, but I'm not yet. I took some of the IKEA fabric I bought the other day and made the peasant blouse from it (see, I really did need it). I'm not totally pleased. It fits OK, but there is no wow factor for me. Maybe I cinched up the neck too tight. For sure it needs more width through the body so that it looks more blousy and less tailored. It is too fitted for the ideal peasant blouse. Perhaps needs to be a little longer as well. It's a lot to ask this pattern to do, so I'm not mad at the pattern.

I am pleased with the sleeve length. I opted against the super short sleeves. I'm not sure if I am past the age that I can get away with those? Aah, who cares, I may still try those too on my next one. With this longer sleeve length there was zero extra room for elastic in the opening, so I can't imagine there would be much extra in the shorter one. Way too fitted. I may add some width to the sleeve so I can elasticize the sleeve opening. I may also just cut the next size up just so it is more roomy overall.


I think it looks better with a little tie or belt around the waist. Have y'all sewn a peasant blouse pattern you were really happy with? If so, what was it?

i've been invited!

Skip to my Lou is currently hosting CRAFT CAMP: 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, a great lineup of easy-ish handmade projects to keep your kids (or you) busy crafting away for the entire month of June. And guess what? I've been asked to contribute a project. Yay!

I'm very flattered to be invited to this A-list craft party. Be sure to check the Skip to my Lou blog to see new summer-time craft fun for your kiddos every day in June.