i love this idea!

i’ve been on a DIY kick . . . painted a tarp for the bedroom (rather than paint the walls, i can bring this with me to the next apt!) and i’m working on a shelving unit which i’ll proudly photograph and boast if it turns out well –and if it doesn’t, this mention doesn’t exist–

in the spirit of making physical things (as opposed to digital ones) i am inspired by the one idea a day tumblr: 01mathery by design duo erika + matteo

particularly relevant (hi hub) i love this key solution — we currently use a shelf, which is nice and traditional, but hello – love the plugs! (hub: have any of these extra lying* around?) i smell project #3!

*laying and lying – so often misused, hope i did 144sheep proud here

 

craft project

i want a cheshire cat of my very own – or to be a cheshire cat, that would be delightful!  swirling – floating – disappearing – grinning : clearly my favorite character in tim burton’s latest Alice in 3D, i’m not sure i loved him this much before.  thankfully, upstate fancy turned me on to this:

download the pdf here and if need be, follow these instructions <from the original blogpost on alice 2010> although this guy hasn’t yet perfected evaporation, he’s super smiley!

 

custom surprises

things i like:
1.  details
2. hidden treasures
3. personalization
4. travel
5. maps
6. crafts
7. free projects
8. google

fortunately, map envelope .com combines each of those elements!
type in location + sentiment, preview, print, fold + tape or glue

BAM! pretend to send mail from Tokyo – or even better, prep for the cross country drive with a handful of landmarks and cities in your supply.  cool.  tres cool

 

pom pom = pom-pon

it’s true – those decorative balls of puff have an N at the end – wiki says.  they are great for party decor, gift embellishment or cat toys <i think, i have a dog – don’t listen to me>
here’s a simple a tutorial from kid craft central

supplies:
cardboard
wool/yarn
scissors
compass (or 2 varied sizes circular items to trace)

steps:

1.  from the cardboard, cut 2 doughnut shapes (using the compass or varied sized circles) ideal dimensions:  5cm outer diameter, 2cm inner – centered.  place the doughnut shaped cardboard pieces on top of one another.

2.  with manageable length wool/yarn, begin wrapping the cardboard fully around so that it is no longer visible.  when tying pieces together, make sure the knot falls along the perimeter, not on top of the cardboard’s flat surface.

3.  once you have done this with several layers, cut the string around the edge by putting your scissor blades between the two pieces of cardboard and cut.

4.  wrap one piece of yarn between the two cardboard pieces – around all strings, directly in their folds;  tie tightly.

5.  remove cardboard & trip any strands that are too long.

voila!

 

made these

thanks to wee wonderfuls’ hillary lang – i stitched up two sweet little gifts for a new baby.  here are the simple steps:

-1- download free pattern

-2- transfer design onto fabric – my secret is using the computer monitor as a lightbox – no need to print out // saves trees too

-3- choose your yarns (in my opinoin, limited colors work nicely: 3 per doll)

french knot embellishment

-4- embroider using varied stitches to maximize interest in the details

- 5- pin embroidered design to decorative fabric – wrong faces touching each other <or right sides: either way works>

oh how i heart gingher scissors

- 6- cut around your embroidery with plenty of extra fabric to spare

i added eyewear to personalize the dolls + match baby's parents glasses

-7- face right sides together and stitch leaving a gap to turn inside out and fill

-8- make dolls rightside-out and stuff <i used bamboo based stuffing>. be sure to use plenty!

-9- stitch opening shut with matching thread to front or back

voila!

-10- test dolls out with play

getting acquainted

if i make these again, i’ll add a pocket to the back – kids love tiny spots to place things . . . i think.

backing fabric

check out more of lang’s designs for inspiration + get creative!

bear + bunny