Sock Dog

I made this little guy last night, while watching Lost with my roommate. I got the pattern from Sock and Glove, by Miyako Kanamori. It's an adorable book, you can pick it up at Kinokuniya along with many other way too cute crafting books coming out of Japan. 

This is a dog made from some old socks. I think I can do better. I'll try to make more sock/glove animals this weekend while I'm in Albuquerque with my family.

 

We're doing sock/glove animals at the after school program monday. (That is if my plane isn't delayed getting back to New York). I'm worried this project may be too hard. I'm not sure how to simplify it. 

jellyfish goes on vacation!

My best bud sent me these photos of the jellyfish I made him doing all sorts of awesome activities in Japan. It was the best email surprise ever. Thanks Nate!

He's thrash'n

beer and tomatoes? silly jellyfishes

Clothespin Doll

I'm not too excited about this craft. It's just yarn wrapped around a clothespin. No glue, just knots. I have googly eyes, but instead decided to draw on the eyes. I'm teaching this project on Monday. The green scarf holds down her hair, but what if it's warm outside? I'm not sure how to hold down the yarn hair with out making the dolls wear a scarf. Any suggestions?

I didn't really put too much thought into this. I made her at 1am last night and took the picture this morning. Now I'm off to work, so it was a rushed job. Look forward to book covers and sock creatures!

Embroidery Shmroidery

Embroidery is a skill most people would find super easy if they've ever done even a little sewing. Unfortunately, many people never try it. I just learned a couple years ago. The first thing to try is a stitch sampler. This serves as a quick reference guide for all the stitches you know. Mine's pretty small, but I have the straight stitch, back stitch, loop stitch, split stitch, stem stitch, blanket stitch, french knots and some lazy daisy pedals. The back stitch is the one I use most often, because it creates a solid outline.

The carrot was my first embroidery project. I used a Aunt Martha iron transfer. They're great if your into adorable embroidered tea towels and day of the week cats. Usually with embroidery you embroider over guide lines that are on your canvas/cloth. 

The bird is a sample of over embroidery. This is just what it sounds like, embroidery over a printed image. Pretty simple and looks awesome. 

The last project is an embroidered picture of my dog, Yaffa! I drew a picture of her on paper, then traced the reversed image with a heat transfer  marker (there are also heat transfer pencils). Heat transfer markers are rad, because you can embroider your own designs. Her bandana is filled in with a satin stitch, but the rest of her is made with the back stitch.

nice.

Stuffed Animals and Stuffed Food

This was the first project I taught with the kids at the after school program. None of them actually finished their project, it was a bit too tough. Next time I'll precut the felt into animal shapes and they will choose between limited options. (Too much freedom resulted in CHAOS). I, however, finished many! I'm trying to find photos of the first ones I made, I gave them all away as gifts. 

The pig Laura is holding was a Christmas present for my sister. I also made jellyfish that was shipped off to Japan to keep my best bud company. It's my favorite, so I'll get him to send me a photo. Hopefully behind some rad Japan background.  The corn belongs to my roommate, so she lent it to me for the photo shoot. The hedgehog I made last night! And the fish has no owner... any takers?

Did I mention I LOVE felt? 

Wallet and Clutch

These are samples I made for the needle arts after school class I teach with 5 to 10 year olds. I used vinyl fabric and hand stitched the edges. The button hole on the clutch is just a cut slit and the wallet closures are sticky velcro dots. These were super easy and fast to make.

Fanny Packs, Hip Pouches, Oh My!

I really want to start making lots of these in lots of different styles. These are the first two I made, but that was in 2008. I want to alter both patterns a bit. Once I make a dent in the fabric and massive stock pile of supplies I already have, I will buy heavy canvas to make more fanny packs or hip pouches. 

The blue hip pouch wraps around and lies flat around the hips. It attaches with heavy duty velcro instead of a buckle. The seams are finished with bright yellow seam binding.

The black fanny pack is big enough to fit cans of beer or other larger items. I reinforced the straps with multiple rows of stitching. This one has a buckle. But buckles are kind of expensive so I might try and find other options. But then again, nothing works as well as a buckle. 

Dust Cover

I've needed a dust cover for my turntable since I bought it, years ago. But, I'm lazy and cheap and never put the effort into finding an affordable one. Then my dad suggested I make one. Thanks dad!

This dust cover is made from a double layer of brown felt. I just pieced together the five sides with my sewing machine. The cost to make it was about $8. Next time I'm going to try to sew it a different way and save a paper copy of the pattern. 

Felt is the best!