bunk bed tent

  

I thought it would be fun, on this home project-filled spring break to make my younger boys a tent for their bunk bed.

 The concept is really simple, which is good because my machine-sewing skills are equally so.  I used some canvas drop cloths that I had on hand.  I washed them first, then sized them to the bed, cut some door flaps, and sewed a panel for the side of the bed that is exposed (the other is against the wall, so I didn't do a panel there).  The tent is tied to the metal bed frame in several places, which will make it easier to remove for cleaning.  The door flaps hang down when the boys are sleeping and button up on the inside when they want to let the light in.  I zig zag stitched around the cut edges of the fabric to help keep it from fraying.

 

My oldest boy attached the tent to the ceiling and back wall for me, with help from his brother.  As you can see, it isn't exactly even, or lined up in the corner of the tent very well, but when they were done the two younger boys exclaimed "it looks great!" so I decided not to worry about it.  If they're happy, then so am I.

I also made them each some hanging pockets for their books and a couple of corkboards to put inside their respective tents, and outfitted them each with a reading light.  They were happily reading away before bed time last night.

 

And this morning... they were sleeping in late.  Which makes momma happy.

a red cabbage over-dye

 The little grocery store down the road from me had a sale on red cabbage last week.  Naturally, I picked some up to do a little dyeing.

 

Back in December I had dyed a couple of lengths of muslin using onion skins.  One I gave away for Christmas, but I kept the one on the right.  It seemed a prime candidate for some over-dyeing. I chopped my red cabbage and simmered it in the crockpot (I have a designated one just for dyeing - yay for garage sale finds!) until the leaves lost most of their color.  I then strained the leaves and tossed them in the compost and added my pre-mordanted wool and cotton to the dye bath along with a splash of ammonia.  And yes, it stinks.  A lot.  But the ammonia helps the color set.

 

My new onion and cabbage scarf is a pretty mix of olive and pale robin's egg blue.  Red cabbage dye often shifts towards grey on wool but I've found it less so on cotton.  I have some cotton duck I dyed last year that has still retained the look of chambray denim.  The thing with natural dyes is that even when they age and shift in color, they're still lovely.

Now I just need to roll the hem and I'm ready to wear some new color around my neck.

What have you made for yourself lately?

4 years and 30 seconds

I finished this piece today.  Only took me four years and 30 seconds.

It has been over four years since I carved this wood pendant from a piece of driftwood.  It has sat in my jewelry box ever since.

Last week when I was in town I stopped to see my friend Rhonda, (who owns the coolest bead shop where ancient artifacts share space with nuggets of turquoise, Fordite, dinosaur poop, and lots and lots of beads...do check it out if you're ever in the Brainerd area - The Bead Box), and finally picked up a pinch bail for my pendant.  It took me all of 30 seconds to put it together after that.

It goes that way sometimes, doesn't it?  It isn't always easy to find make the time to do for ourselves, but I think it's always worth it.

Will you find a little time today? 

a poplar scoop

Just a little scoop I made for myself yesterday, carved from a piece of poplar that fell in the last windstorm.  I've been wanting to make spoons for a long while, (years) and finally made some time for it.

My husband reminded me, twice, that I could buy wooden spoons at the dollar store... 3 for a dollar... instead of making one.  He's hilarious, isn't he?  Ho ho ho, Mr. Jordan.

He does make a point, even if he was mostly just getting my goat.  From a monetary perspective, it's much cheaper to buy some wooden spoons for a dollar rather than spend a few hours of my time carving one.  But from an aesthetic perspective, well, that's different.  This scoop carries my story with it of being cut from wood from our property.  It's sanded so smooth it feels like satin, and it's been oiled by hand with the meat of a walnut.  It has love in it, and it's beautiful. (to me)

It's now performing its duties in my sugar canister, and I'll get to hold it each morning when I make my coffee.

Now I need one for the flour jar...

Happy Friday everyone!

a stuffed chicken

Last week I mentioned that my daughter spends a lot of time carrying our chickens around.  I worried that she might start dressing them soon if I didn't get her a doll.  Clever Tara suggested that I make her a chicken doll and I thought that was such a good idea I sat down yesterday and did just that.

She's a very simple chicken, made out of some garage sale fabric and scraps of felted wool.  Her eyes are antique shoe buttons.  I stuffed her with polyfil from an old pillow I had put through the washing machine. (I always think washing pillows in the machine is a good idea, but it never is...)

I took her outside to show the girls and got this reaction:

I call that the "whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" look.

Poor stuffed chicken was shunned by the flock.

But the girl seems to like her, and that's all that really matters.

And if she wants to dress this chicken, that's just fine.

My boys liked the chicken too but inform me that she also needs eggs, a cracked open egg, and some chicks.  And some more chicken friends.  And a duck.  (which will probably also require eggs, a cracked open egg, ducklings, and more duck friends)

my first nuno vest

I made a little something for my youngest the other day that I'm really loving.  It's a little vest that I nuno-felted for her using some natural wool locks from a farm here in Minnesota, and some silk I hand-dyed using beans.



It's hard to tell from the photos, I just couldn't get a great picture of it, but the silk is a lovely tan color.  I'd previously gotten blue from the beans but I must have done something differently and ended up with tan.  No worries though, it worked out great for this project.

The wool locks were almost white with dark brown tips and I felted them in such a way that the tips were arranged in lines.  The silk shows through in these areas and I kind of dig the effect.

The asymetrical collar closes with a button I made out of a deer antler that my father gave me.  The vest has a "cavebaby" vibe to it so I figured the antler button would be perfect.

I really love the way it turned out and now that I have a little practice under my belt maybe eventually I'll be able to make something in my size.  I give a big "hats off" to you nuno-felters out there, this was some hard work, but the results are so much fun.

You can bet I'll be trying this again soon.

earrings for me

I snuck out to the barn last night after dinner to tinker a bit and shake off the stress of the day.  I was playing with a piece of spalted birch when it hit me that I'd love a pair of earrings made from it.  After a bit of shaping on the band saw and some rough sanding on the belt sander, I was able to cut myself two small discs of wood that I hand-sanded to smoothness.  A little tung oil, a little more sanding, then some sterling posts and there they were, earrings. 

A nice little treat just for me.

What have you been making for yourselves lately?

Crafting For Ourselves

I've been missing my crafting time lately so this morning I stole a few moments to work on a little something for myself.   Well, my bird friends actually, but anyway...it's a small project and I'll show it off later but it made me wonder what others have been making for themselves lately.  A look in the Crafting For Ourselves Flickr group made me feel really inspired.  Have a look and enjoy what these crafty souls have been up to.  If you haven't joined the group, please do!  We could all use a reminder now and then to take time for ourselves.

1. Old sweater-lamp with crochet, 2. Jenny: Spring Runner Sew-Along, 3. too much rain!, 4. Bread, 5. Fanciful Flower Potholder 1, 6. (wip) workshop spring cleaning, 7. Mother's Womb, 8. repairs, 9. Sheet Music Wreath

Crafting For Ourselves

It has been far too long since I last checked in with the Crafting For Ourselves group, but just as I suspected, you talented makers have been doing for yourselves beautifully!  The joy of making something for ourselves or our loved ones is something I think we can all benefit from.  Make some time today to shower yourself with your own creativity, and definitely stop by the group pool for some inspiration, there's a lot of loveliness to behold.

1. Keen on My Keens, 2. Peep bunny paper pouch, 3. red hot chilli peppers, 4. Hot jewelry, 5. "heading south", 6. Stitchalong top in sunshine, 7. plant holder, 8. "Anne of Green Gables" Hand Drawn Original Cross Stitch, 9. a little bit bollywood

Sadly, I have not been doing any crafting for myself.  Cooking for myself, yes.  Cleaning?  Yes.  Crafting, not so much.  I've been keeping a list of things I want to do though.  Here are a couple (with links!) :

• Make a soap dispenser
• Make liquid soap to put in new dispenser
• Make coiled baskets for holding junk under the sink
• Finish my rug-to-be
• Make panels for the boys' bunk beds to look like a fort

You know, just to start. 

Now how to cook up some of that time for me is the big question.  Go on, craft for yourselves, I'll live vicariously through you.  It's okay, go on.

Crafting For Ourselves

I love looking around the Crafting For Ourselves Flickr group, it always fills me with inspiration.  It can be so hard to make the time to create for ourselves, but it's so worth it.  Just look at what these crafty souls have been up to, and go check out the pool for even more wonderfulness.

1. Filbert, 2. Gathering Bag, 3. reverse applique t shirt, 4. deliciousness, 5. Owl brooch, 6. Button heart, 7. Long enough to go around my neck twice, 8. Magickal Mushroom, 9. DSCN0172

I did a little crafting for myself too yesterday.  My old wallet finally bit the dust so I whipped up a new one from a piece of leather from a thrifted coat.  The leather was thin enough that I could sew it with my sewing machine so it made it a very quick project.  Because the leather is a little floppy, I went with a tie instead of a magnetic or otherwise clunky closure.  It will work, and best of all, I reused something from my stash and it cost me pennies to make.

Now if I can find out where my kids hid my purse, I can fill it up.  sigh

I hope you all have a good day and make a little time to create for yourselves too.

Crafting For Ourselves

Check out what I found in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week.  It makes me happy to see you creative souls taking some time to create for yourselves.  It can be hard to make the time, but I really think that we benefit, in a number of ways, by spoiling ourselves with our creativity from time to time.  Thank you all for joining in.



1. Wool felt bottle, 2. fe-fi-faux Mossy Stone, 3. valentines day cactus, 4. Cylindrical agate beads - tube bezel - wire rivets, 5. textile bracelet cuff, 6. Mixed Breed Fibre and Rommney Fleece, 7. quilting pictures in my head, 8. Ring a Day 365/365 , 9. Protect and Survive

Crafting for Ourselves

Color, glorious color!  Check out what I've found in the Crafting For Ourselves Flickr group this week.

Have you resolved to make more time to create for yourself this year?  Come show us what you're working on, we'd love to see.  It can be hard to carve out time to create for your own benefit but it can be so rewarding.  So, show us your knitting, your baking, your works in progress, we'd love to see.

1. Mom's Christmas Present 2010, 2. face cloths, 3. Saroyan WIP, 4. Chalk it up, 5. A little zipper flower house/pincushion, 6. made by beanie, 7. finished heat pack - homemade gifts, 8. Yarn in snow, 9. Patchwork Scottie Dog

I, as of this moment, haven't had a lick of creative time this whole week but you can bet that I'll carve some time out this weekend.  I hope to have something, scratch that, I WILL have something to show you next week.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

Crafting For Ourselves

Wow.  Another week of amazing contributions to the Crafting For Ourselves group.  Another week in which you've managed to carve out a little time, important time, to make for yourselves,  your friends, your family.  You're an inspiration, you really are.

Want to play?  Come join us here.

1. Shawl, 2. Combined Inspiration Necklace, 3. i need it ..., 4. Merry Christmas To You, 5. Woodsy Acorn , 6. drying..., 7. Wandering Off Somewhere, 8. päällystettyjä nappeja - buttons, 9. Sweater rhino

I've been working on a few projects myself.  This one is for a dear friend who had given me the sweetest wool coat years ago that her boys had outgrown. 

Her two boys had worn it and then three of my children  wore it.  After 5 kids it showed some wear but I knew there was great felting potential here.  I put this well-loved little coat through the wash and made some fabulously thick felt with it.

It was the perfect felt for coasters so that is what it became, mitten-shaped coasters for both of us to remind us of our little ones that are no longer so little and to hold our coffee the next time we get to sit together.

What have you been working on lately?

Crafting For Ourselves Dec. 9 2010

Wow!  Look at some of the gorgeous work I found in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week.  It makes me even more eager to get going on these projects I have sitting here. 

My intent with starting this group was to inspire (myself and you) crafting for our own enjoyment and enrichment.  Sometimes we get so busy tending our Etsy shops or making things for others that we don't take much time to spoil ourselves.  This is a place to share what you've made for yourself, your family, or your friends.   If you haven't joined us, please do!  Show us your crafting, your baking, your re-fashions, whatever you're working on.   We'd love to see.

1. CrochetTree.jpg, 2. cactus cheer, 3. Japanese creeper wreath, 4. joulukoriste 53, 5. cranberries, 6. Sternenlicht, 7. Embellished Candle Holder, 8. mitts for sister, 9. Crochet covered stone with circle.

Thanks to everyone who takes part, and to those of you who are having a peek today.

Crafting For Ourselves

I am loving the goods I'm seeing in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week.  With the holiday season swiftly approaching, I'm hoping to see more of you sharing your handmade gifts and decorations.  If you haven't joined us, please do!  Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the group.  It's nice to spoil yourself and your loved ones with your creativity, isn't it? 

1. Needle Felted Rabbit, 2. Weihnachtswerkstatt: Klitzeklein, 3. made from scrap, 4. Upcycled Tin Wall Hanger, 5. DIY comedeiro de paxaros / Birdfeeder, 6. diy: nature wreaths, 7. Heartfelt, 8. St. James Sweater, 9. Handwoven owls for Vesper

I've made a few small things for me and my family lately, but I plan to take the month of December "off" from my Etsy shop in order to focus solely on my handmade gifts and then you'll see more things posted from me..  This weekend's plan however involves making mittens.  Non-hand-specific mittens.  A look at the mitten holder this morning revealed 4 left mittens and one left glove for my boy.  It seems the kiddies like to lose the right mitten only.  The temperature is getting pretty cold here so I want to have plenty of back-ups on hand. (ho ho)

What are your plans for the weekend?  Anything creative? 

Crafting For Ourselves

Check out some of the wonderful things I've found in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week.  I'm really loving the colors and textures I'm seeing, don't you?

We're entering the holiday season, or the "fat" season as my hubby calls it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the fabulous baking and gift-making that everyone is doing.  If you'd like to join us on flickr, please do!  You can join our group here.  If you're not on flickr but have a project you'd like to share that you've made for you or your loved ones, let me know in the comments, I'd love to see.

1. Felted Slow Cloth WIP, 2. Making Notecards, 3. Halloween iPod cozy, 4. Wool felt Christmas bell, 5. Balls of Moss, 6. Herr Igel, 7. fig leaf shadow, 8. felted acorns tutorial, 9. Coat - back

Crafting For Ourselves

I love looking through the Crafting for Ourselves group on Flickr, it always fills me with inspiration.  This is what fabulously crafty souls have been making for themselves lately.  Check out the entire pool here.  It can be really hard to make time to be crafty for ourselves, but the rewards are great. 

Just look at these, proof positive!

 

1. Button Makeover, 2. Found Object Necklace, 3. wooden spool bracelet, 4. new handmade cushions : bookhou houses front | plaid wool back, 5. got a spare five mins....., 6. Halloween iPod cozy, 7. my first crochet stone, 8. Puppets!, 9. Knitted Vest/Top

Crafting For Ourselves

Look what I've found in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week!  Wonderful wearables, dyeing experiments, home decor, fancy pumpkins... Wonderful stuff, all of it. Are you using your craftiness to enrich your own life? Spoiling yourself or your family with amazing baked goods? Are you one of those that sees something in the store and says "I can make that" and then actually does? Come join us.

1. dyeing with plants, 2. wiggle wiggle wiggle, 3. finished teaser, 4. Teal Shawl, 5. "Into Nebraska", 6. flowerfestival Alden Biesen (B)2010, 7. COMPETITION, Protective Coloration, 8. with you ..., 9. Alabama Chanin inspired scarf

I have a contribution this week too.  I took a break from the wool stash (well, sorta) and worked on some tags that have been in my head for a long time.  I'm already thinking about the holidays (good grief!) and my gift-wrapping so I put these little guys together.

This project was a family affair...my little guys helped paint the beans (you might remember this photo), my oldest son drilled the hole in the acorn cap, we all gathered the birch bark last winter, and I put the whole thing together.  Birch bark, acorn cap, raffia, beans, and scrap wool.  My kind of project.

I made these for me but I'm going to try to put some in the shop early next week too.

Happy Saturday, everyone!  Go make something for yourselves, wouldya?

Crafting For Ourselves

Look what I've found in the Crafting For Ourselves group this week!  Wonderful stuff, all of it.  Are you using your craftiness to enrich your own life?  Spoiling yourself or your family with amazing baked goods?  Are you one of those that sees something in the store and says "I can make that" and then actually does?  Come join us, here.  Until then, please enjoy the following awesomeness. 

1. crochet ring, 2. a look from "above", 3. two repurposings at once, 4. airyacorns, 5. Argyle Love, 6. wood stacking attire, 7. Mushroom with Mr. Igel, 8. Applique Top Completed!, 9. Favourite buttons

Crafting For Ourselves

Oh what a plethora of wonderfulness in the Crafting For Ourselves Flickr group this week!  This is but a sample of the awesome things we've been making for ourselves, our friends, our family.  I hope you'll love them as much as I do.



1. trying, 2. Toothbrush caddy, 3. little white pun'kin, 4. a new life for a torn vintage apron, 5. Wide Sterling Cuff, 6. Big Bad Wolf, 7. Happy Birthday, Jackie!, 8. Knees, 9. For a Very Stylish Witch

I haven't had much time to craft for myself this week and I thought for sure I'd have another no-show in the group.  Then, at the last moment, hubby decided to make caramel rolls.  He accidentally over-cooked the caramel topping, turning it into actual caramel...think Slo-Pokes.  Mmmmm.  So, I grabbed a knife and some waxed paper and voila!  Caramels!  That counts, right? 

I'll be heading off for a few days and will be back early next week.  I have a mushroom post scheduled for tomorrow and with luck, new stuff to share next week.

Take care, and see you soon!