swapbot swap: handmade flip book

My swap partner for this envie of goodies swap is working on a space themed junk journal so I pulled out all my moon themed bits and pieces to create a nifty folio full of ephemera for her. I used this tutorial to create the folio. Septeria18 has some super nifty how-to videos on her youtube channel, I highly recommend! 

I also added vintage book pages, extra paper scraps, trim, stickers, and an atc-sized paper pad I made just for her. 

There are punched paper pieces, space-themed cut a-parts, a handmade envelope with stickers, adorable little star paper clips, and so much more! 

Handmade space-themed ephemera. Not too shabby, I'm still learning. Plus more paper tags, and journal cards, etc.

With a small tag full of washi tape samples at the end. I left the booklet undecorated so she can choose what she wants to do with it. I hope she enjoys the treasures, eegads, I hope I put enough in there! 

swapbot: file folio swap sent

What I sent 

stamped images & washi tape

stickers & cute clips

 

a wee lil birthday book of seeds

 

diy: jar grippers

The fabric selection may have been my favorite part. I'm not even sure my swap partners will use them, or even know what they are for, but I like them and am glad I finally made them.

I had the idea for them for a few years now and since our swap theme was sustainability, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to make them. 

I already had the colorful grip backers in my stash. They had been purchased for a preschool sorting diy and they would be perfect to use as the backing. I made patchwork squares first, then placed them over each circle and added a quick stitch in the the center to anchor to the circle. After pinning the edges, I trimmed the excess fabric off then used a zigzag stitch around the perimeter of the gripper to adhere the patchwork to the top. Voila! They could also be used as trivets, or even under pots for a pop of color. 

mister made me a dress!

 We picked up this made by rae pattern when we were in Seattle visiting my friend Heath. We wandered into Drygoods Design and I about swooned over the gloriousness of it all. I left with two patterns and this was one of them.

I have had the sugarskull fabric for a few years. There wasn't enough to make an entire dress, so I opted for it to be the yoke. The bottom is an olive linen-like fabric we picked up in Reno at Mill End Fabrics. My aunt introduced it to us and we try to hit it up every time we visit her in Reno.

I've already worn it four or five different ways.  I've worn it as a summer tunic, with a lime green and navy striped top, and as a top with jeans, but this is my favorite.

The original pattern does not include pockets but since I do love a pocket, mister gallantly stitcjed me up a pair. Yup, he's a keeper!

diy: wood and tulle necklace

 I have a wee love affair with tulle. I love the stuff. I had a dream I made this necklace which prompted me to stumble into the dark living room to write it down in the middle of the night before I forgot all about it like I usually do. Dreams can be so fleeting. My favorite tulle is hiding somewhere in the tiny casa so I had to venture out for a new swatch to make this necklace.The local fabric shop didn't have the color I was looking for but they were unboxing spools of this lovely coral which I swooped up. My original plan was to use a larger weave of tulle in a lighter color but I think I liek this way this tiny tulle stretches. Shall we?

Materials:

*wooden balls (not beads)

*acrylic paint & paint brush

*thin ribbon or cord

*needle and thread

*fine mesh tulle

*sewing machine

*scissors

*washi/masking tape (optional) 

 First up, paint the wood balls. I found a pack of balls at the craft store. They are about the size of a large marble. You can use beads if you already have them but I like the smoothness of the balls. Gather four or five balls and give them a coat or half coat of paint. Mix up your colors. I used thin strips of washi tape to create clean lines and/or small squares. Set aside to dry.

 

 While the paint is drying, gather up your tulle and cut a rectangle about two inches longer than your beads span. I recommend using the fine meshe tulle on spools. Fold over tulle so that it is a smidge wider than the width of one ball and stitch on the machine using a small zig-zag. Trim excess tulle and turn right-side out. You should have small tube with a seam along its length.

Once the balls are dry, remove tape pieces. Now you can gently place balls into the tulle channel. 

 Cut a length of thin ribbon or cord and handstitch to each end of the tulle tube. I twisted and folded the tulle around the ribbon and wrapped the contrasting thread as I stitched. I figured I couldn't hide the stitches so why not make them a part of the entire piece? Using the same thread, knot a small length between each ball and snip as close to the knot as possible.

 

If you used one length of ribbon like I did, simply snip in the middle after stitching to create the cord part of your necklace. Knot each end and tie around neck to wear!

crafting for craft: vintage linen tablesetting

Click here to see how I turned one vintage pillowcase into a placemat, coaster and napkin. It's super easy and makes for a nifty gift, methinks. Hop on over to craftzine and give it a looksie. Share it on facebook and twitter if you like...please?

stuff a stocking for under $25

Christmas stockings are my most favorite part of the holidays. mr. a-go-go's family calls them socks which makes more sense but they will always be stockings for me. My most favorite thing is to put together stockings and while you may think little trinkets are so sweet and inexpensive, you forget how they add up, and boy-howdy can they add up! There are many things I traditionally put into stockings, things Santa brought me when I was of Santa age. These things generally are a toothbrush, lip balm, pens or markers, chocolate, tea, cocoa or coffee, a brain teaser puzzle, soap, socks, and an orange. Depending on how upscale you go, you can do this for a little or a lot.

This year, I'm sending off two holiday stockings to friends that I adore. December, for more than a few people I lurve, is a difficult month. Too many loved ones lost at this time which can sometimes overshadow the joyous part of the season. We a-go-gos have had our fair share of holiday loss and know how it goes and feels. We're still huntin' for work and so our budget is tight. I put together two stockings for under $50 and made the stockings with materials I had on hand. Stuffing a stocking shouldn't be about price but I really had to reign myself in as I tend to go gift giving overboard so putting a limit on it, I had to get creative, and I had to really think about the usability of the items. I love gifts but I want them to be useful and lovely and fun. A tall order, I know. Sticking with items that people generally use with a few fun things thrown in makes not only for a lovely stocking but one you can feel good knowing it delights. Here's what I did and found.

This stocking is stuffed with a little handmade, a little local goodness, a smidge of average goodness, and a whole lotta love. Clockwise from the top left:

*handmade bookmark
*fancy candy cane
*tea
*bubble bath
*violet candies
*lip balm
*fair trade chocolate
*japanese cookies
*hand sanitizer
*fun socks
*happy gloves

The bookmark at the top left there was handmade by me using up happy scraps of fabric and felt. The candy cane was scored at a fabulous price at our local family barn. The tea is from my favorite online tea source and I order from them every year. The bubble bath and violet candy are from Cost Plus, the chocolate bar was made locally, the Japanese cookies are a favorite and came from a Japanese dollar store, the gloves, lip balm and hand sanitizer are dollar store finds. I added some whimsy to the gloves with felt and buttons. The socks were the most expensive but lookie how fun they are!

To make it a little more fun, I wrapped up some of the goodies in materials I had floating around. I used pattern tissue, brown bags, stripy twine and yarn. I'm sending these goodies to crafty friends so I know that some of the wrapping will be reused which is a good thing. I do love a lovely package and worry about the waste. Sigh. You can totally make an even lovelier stocking by adding more handmade that plays into your friends' favorites and likes. I wanted to add a mix cd but didn't have time to do it and I wanted to make some cup cozies as well. Even so,  I think these happy stockings would be awesome to receive, don't you?

Happy Holidays!

sweet {sweet} november: yo yo lurve

Pop Memory!

The fab matching game is now available in my shop! This was a popular Felt Club item and I have seven left just waiting for you! Though it is meant for kidlets, I'm sure you will find it hard to resist yourself. I had a blast making these except of course for all the wonkiness we had to go through. I do not know if I will attempt this again as it took soooo much time and I don't think anyone would wanna pay $35 for it, ya know? Anywhoo, take a looksie and keep an eye out for new gnomie gnomes, go-go gloves and more!




Happy shopping Folks!