Sweet Fabric [Search results for make and do] 

Fabric from one of my favourite vintage dresses

Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.

Just for the record:

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Apartment Therapy
The Apartment Therapy Mission
Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.

What We Believe
A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.

Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.

The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.

Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.

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Craftzine
Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities.
Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder

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Craft Gossip
Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you.
Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord

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Mixtape Zine
Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here.
my collection in issue 6

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Nuts about Needlepoint
An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more
Twisted Cord

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One Pretty Thing
One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life.
Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord

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Quilting Board
The Quilter's message board.
Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.

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Sew Mama Sew
You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.

The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.

If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.

Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter

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Tipnut
I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.

TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too!
Simple square pincushion

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Whip Up
Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.

This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many.
To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.

Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion

HOW TO MAKE AND DO
100 NEW THINGS
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

I do love books & I have many favourites - some previously featured but today I'm featuring my favourite vintage Craft Book.

The make & do book is jam packed full of gorgeous projects all really simple & really effective. I love this book & refer to it frequently. The kids & I have made quite a few lovely things from this book.

Thanks Dees & Angela any excuse to get out the make & do book is fabulous.

You can do it too!
Today is your day!

How
It seems that the mulberry granny shrug has inspired a few of you to have a crack yourself. That's super exciting & exactly why this patch of web space exists. Over the weekend Lara & I have worked together to present to you the whole box & dice for the granny shrug enthusiast.

There's something for everyone. This is the master class...for lovely folk who like to follow a pattern, or maybe you need the visual (like me) or perhaps you'd like to watch a dinky video.

If you know how to make a granny square then you know how to make this shrug. Just crochet yourself a couple of lovely granny hexagons.

You can just skip over the "instructions" & make the granny exactly as you always do. Maybe you slip across to the next chain space...ripper knock yourself out. There is no "right" way to make it.

You'll just end up with a lovely curly hexagon...good, that's great...exactly what we want. Just keep checking your sizing after each round to decide when you're done.

Mine have been 9 rounds (in the Wilderness) but depending on your tension & hook size yours might be 8 or 10 or more. Keep folding the curly hex in on itself until you're confident that the fit will be right for you.

the pattern
My very favourite crocheter is Lara. She's one of the reasons I picked up the hook in the first place. She likes to be good at stuff & works hard to make sure she gets things right. Well, guess what? She's written a fabulous, fabulous pattern (it might not have posted yet...be patient) for you to print & keep. And spared you all from my effort at a written explanation. Thank you Lara, you're the very best & it was lovely to share the making of the how to with you.

& the video
Just so you know it was really hard to crochet standing up stradling a tripod & keeping (or trying) the crochet in the frame.

Australian/UK terminology

Yarn
You've got a HUGE amount of flexibility here. You want to achieve a good deal of chunkiness & you'll just adjust your number of rounds accordingly so pick something that suits your style. I did make the suggestion the other day to use stash yarns crocheted together to make up the chunky style yourself.

I used Patons "Wilderness" 14ply. I like it...A LOT. It's a blend so purists might like to check out other options but I think it's just the perfect yarn for the job. Here's why... (& where to buy too).

OR you can have a go with 2 balls of 8 ply held together or whatever else takes your fancy. You'll just adjust your number of rounds according to tension & fit. Go nuts. Lara's using two strands of 12ply & is very happy with the result.

Hook
I'd say 15mm. I'm really happy with the result I'm getting with the 15mm hook. You need it to be loose so that you get a nice drape with the finished "fabric". We're not going for sturdy here folks...we want the pretty drape.

Making Up
I switched to a 2.65mm hook & just used double crochet up the centre back seam.

Then I doubled along the top sleeve seams & single crocheted along the back of the neck opening to give extra strength.

Again if you know how to do it your own way...do that. It will be great.

What, haven't had enough? Here's the steak knife! A round by round for the visual learner.
How to make a granny shrugView more presentations from kootoyoo.

Other Stuff
There's a flickr group. If you make a shrug we'd love to have it added to the group.

HAC class? There have been a couple of requests for a HAC class for the shrug. If you still think you need it or would like to make it up with a bunch of other girls over tea & biscuits, I'd be happy to run it over two evenings. If you're keen please email me kootoyooATgmailDOTcom & if we get enough interest we'll go ahead.

I pack myself and my sweet as anything one year old into the car. We’ll be gone all day and we seem to have a lot of outing luggage.

It’s a perfect Autumn morning, crisp and fresh. The leaves from our Oak are crunching under my feet and whipping around my ankles as I circle the car making sure I’ve got everything.

We pull out of the driveway and I’m already dreading the drive home. I wonder to myself why that is. The drive out never feels so bad but the drive home is pure torture.

The trees that line the side of the road are being tossed around by a fierce wind. I smile, knowing that Megan will have a Hills Hoist full of washing by the time we arrive. “It’s a good drying day Koo, three loads already this morning”.

We pull up outside Megan’s place. She’s sitting on the verandah with a cup of tea. Her two little boys are clad in gumboots and parkas and playing in the leaves. It’s such a lovely sight.

The boys are called inside and I make a fresh cuppa each. We both have Earl Grey. Megan has hers milky with a sugar and mine is strong with a splash of milk. There’s no standing on ceremony, whoever is up makes the tea. When I’m at home I rarely drink tea but at Megan’s place I drink at least six cups.

Flo’s scones are in the oven and dinner is already in the Crockpot. The heating is up too high – just the way I like it.

I look out the back window and see the line full. The white sheets look so beautiful against the lush green grass. There’s something up with the drainage and Mike is slowly digging an “aggie” along the top fence. The kids really need puddle suits but make do with their gumboots and come in wet and cold and rosy cheeked.

We spend the day catching up on all the news from the week. Even though we talk on the phone every day a week seems such a long time. We lose the day in easy chatter, cups of tea and cuddles with kids.

After the sixth cup of tea I’m ready to face the drive and we pack up and head for home. I check my rear view mirror when we reach the bottom of the hill. Megan and the boys are waving madly and my worn out babe is sound asleep.

More catching up stories here.

Image source

It’s 11pm. I’ve been walking for 15 hours and I can feel the tears welling in my eyes again. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional this experience was going to be.

The soup I forced down an hour ago is making me feel sick and I wish I was home in bed. I’m painfully aware that I’ve only walked about 3 kilometres in the last hour and am trying to calculate in my jumbled mind how much longer it will be until we reach Mt Evelyn Reserve.

I’ve no idea where the rest of my team is, I’m just following the person in front and hoping that it’s Viv. The team thing is driving me insane, I just want to run ahead and make it be over. Of course, that’s not in the spirit of the event so I trudge on and hope that none of the others want to chat. I’ve got nothing to say and I’m worried that if I have to talk I’ll burst into tears.

The rain is absolutely bucketing down. The Gortex jacket has been pushed beyond it’s capability and I’m soaked to the skin. I think it’s about 2 degrees and I can’t even imagine how cold it must be at the top of Mount Donna Buang. I’m aware that I can’t feel my lips, nose, fingers or toes. The pungent smell of soaked wool and sweat is overpowering and serves to reassure me that I do still have a nose.

I wriggle my toes in my hiking shoes. They are completely numb, I imagine that they must look like little prunes. With each step my socks squelch and the skin around my heel squeaks. I’m so thankful that the support team made me change out of my Asics. At least these shoes have got a bit of grip in the wet.

Each outward breath hits the light of my head torch and the rain. Until it clears I can see nothing. I’m just concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.

I imagine that every corner we round will be the last and am longing for the twinkling lights of the Checkpoint. I’ve only walked this section in daylight and my memory has failed me. I’m getting used to disappointment.

step…squelch...squeak…step…squelch…squeak…step…squelch…squeak

More cold feet stories here.

Stem Stitch (sort of)

Bits 'n Pieces said...
Beautiful stitches! But it looks like you don't use a hoop? Do you have a backing on your embroidery to make it "thicker" for both the embroidery and to hide knots? Thanks again for your tutorial!

No, I never use a hoop. To be honest I don't know how people can use a hoop for stitches that "run" I seem to fuss around for so long trying to get the needle up & down in one motion.

I sometimes use a backing. It depends on what the piece is going to be used for. If I plan to wash it I would never use a fusible product for fear of the wrinkling that sometimes occurs when the glue starts to wear off. If I'm making something just for show then yes, I back. I use a lovely iron on interfacing which I buy from Bustle & Bows in Melbourne. Sorry, I don't know what it's called but will ask next time I'm in the shop & update this response.

Nancy said...
Ah...you don't use a hoop? How do you keep the fabric from wrinkling?
I do my stem stitch the same way...what are we doing different?

I don't ever use a hoop & sometimes the wrinkling is an issue. I try to stretch & correct the base cloth as I go. If, once I've finished the piece the wrinkling is still obvious then I wet it & then give it a light press (face down on a nice thick towel) while it's still damp.

Actually quite a few people said that they stem stitch the same way as me. I guess it's just a slight variation. If you have a look here you will see that traditional stem stitch is worked slightly above the previous stitch & not through the same hole as the previous stitch.

Twisted Cord

Pamela asks...

I understood your instruction to make cording out of thread but what if I want to anchor the thread first onto my needlepoint canvas and make a cording which will serve to "outline" a shape on my canvas? This way the cording is secured in my needlepoint project but I want the cording to outline a shape and then anchor again at the "end" of the shape. How does one do this if the shape being outlined is not a straight line, but rather a circular form?

Good question Pamela. You could "couch" the twisted cord to the base cloth.
It would be very easy to hide your couching stitching inside the twists of the cord. See how to couch right here.

I love a can do attitude.
I like people who make stuff happen.
I like folks who enable other people.
I like a generosity of spirit.

A couple of items have come my way this week (via great girls with "can do" attitude) & I thought they might interest you guys...

YOU CAN help someone else...

Help raise much needed funds for young cancer sufferers.

How You Can get in the Christmas spirit
It’s simple for the public to get involved this Christmas. You Can’s primary fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds.

You Can Post It!
Simply log onto www.youcan.org.au and request a Reply Paid mobile phone recycling envelope to include in your gift-giving this Christmas. Redundant mobile phones can also be dropped into You Can bins located in a range of retailers nationwide: Sony Centre, Best & Less, Harvey Norman and Leading Edge Computers

How does You Can work?
It’s simple! You Can’s chief fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds. It’s estimated that there are anywhere between 15 to 20 million unused phones in Australian homes!

Sony Foundation has partnered with Folamh, an Irish recycling company, to swap old mobile phones for cash to raise money for the development of youth cancer centres. All donated phones will be recycled for reuse. That means, once collected, phones will be refurbished and resold. Any mobile phone that cannot be resold will be broken down into its constituent parts and responsibly recycled. So simply by donating an old mobile phone, Australians can directly contribute to You Can’s fundraising appeal, whilst also contributing to a greener planet.

&/OR

YOU CAN help yourself...

Learn to screenprint right here in Melbourne.

If you book into a class in the next two weeks Laura is offering a FREE hand printed tea-towel! - you can find out more here for class dates

You just need to do is get in touch with Laura via email learn2screenprint@gmail.com to express your interest.

We made these hand pieced hexagon shaped pincushions a few weeks ago at Brown Owls. They are a great way to use up scraps or tiny samples of favourite fabrics. Not surprisingly, I've used vintage pillowcase fabric for this.

The original project came from a vintage children's craft book, "How to make and do 100 new things". If you ever spot a copy in an Op Shop or second hand bookshop buy it - it's pure gold!

| View | Upload your own

Tutorial as a slide show (best viewed at full screen via my Slideshare). You can just click & stitch, click & stitch.

It's been a while since I've used powerpoint & I can tell you there was much swearing. But I think well worth the effort in the end.

Download this kootoyoo how to... as a PDF (including templates).

Thank you to my crafty kick in the pants. You're ace!

See all my click & stitch make a pincushion projects.
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I am so enjoying my Tuesday morning with Auntie Pat. Although I am enjoying the knitting it's really not about that at all.

Last week we talked about Politics, lucky babies, lucky mothers, great coats, perceived inappropriate behaviour and Woolcraft Nominees* and Fantasy 8 yarn. Do you remember Fantasy 8? Are you old enough?

When the conversation turned to Fantasy 8, Auntie Pat went to retrieve her "blog". An unassuming little book. Long and thin with dog eared pages. A green marbled cover and partially perished canvas tape binding.

I knew before the first page was turned that I was going to love this body of work. It's a catalog you see, of patterns. Patterns written by Auntie Pat. Each and everyone numbered. From 1 to 1072!

And don't you worry about the original patterns. They are all filed in ring binders. In plastic pockets. In sequential order from 1 to 1072!

I have no idea what a cocktail tunic is but I know I want to make one.

*Woolcraft was Auntie Pat's shop (chain actually). They had yarn stores around Melbourne from the 60s-80s.

This gave me such a giggle today.
I NEVER watch or post You Tube so you know it must be good!

& the Lyrics:

I surf the web, I used to watch TV
now I’m logged into Joost, it’s commercial free
lets see where I want to go
and who I want to know
connecting people with people with web 2.0
I don’t use email unless I’m at my job
want the next post, I subscribe to the blog
I’m easy to find
I’m always online
social networking sites, I think I have nine
I use myspace to promote my music
I get friends and album sales that’s how I do it
but tell me have you heard
about the new word
something like myspace but they call it virb
always something new, I’m a start creatin
I’ll make a brand new facebook application
uploading pictures and mp3’s
update my profile and hit ctrl D
can’t stop what I started, it’s getting ridiculous
social book mark it, add it del.icio.us
some can’t take it but I just can’t quit
go to Imeem and listen to my playlist
watching videos on my You Tube channel
clickin so much, my mouse smoking like a candle
I’m online for hours, addicted to the power
10 tabs open on a firefox browser
I must be going crazy cause I can’t get enough
I guess I’m addicted to social media

I don't know what half these things are - now I'm going to have to check them out!

image source

while you're awake.

I don't remember my night time dreams often & I really wish I did.

So, I've done my best to recreate the dream during my waking hours & I thought I'd share.

Many of you know that I run (& run & run & run). I get up early & I don't miss a day.

I have my best ideas when I run & often if something has me stumped then the problem will be solved on the run too.

Serious athletes call it "The Zone". I don't care about peak performance or improving my time. I run to dream. What's more I don't think you need to run to dream awake.

Here are my tips:

-You need to make time.

-Get out in the fresh air.

-If you can run - do. If you're not a runner then walk.

-Unplug. People can't believe I don't listen to anything while I run but I reckon you need to let your mind go blank.

-Push it. I need to have gone about 5kms before the dream kicks in. For you it might be shorter (or longer).

-If your dream starts to turn into a nightmare...stop!

Are you moving it like mike?

OR maybe running with and/or supporting Jhoanna and Anna - they are both raising funds for their charity of choice?

diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveller
long I stood & looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth
then took the other,
as just as fair & having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy & wanted wear...

excuse the inaccuracy of my memory but you get the drift.

Not one to make New Years resolutions - I prefer to make it up as I go along.

But I do want to make sure that in 2008 I choose the road not taken more often. I've found the rewards to be plentiful when I've trodden this path in the past.

I don't mean to sound like someone from a bad reality show but ... it really is all about the journey

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Be brave.
Mix things up.
Have a crack.

I am not, by nature, a risk taker. I'm a first born, married to a first born. I follow the rules and do the "right" things. In my head I'm so much braver, sassier & have more guts. When it comes down to it, I don't take the road less travelled. I tread the same well worn (& well loved) path. I enjoy the pace & the scenery on my road but I confess I do sometimes wonder about the road less travelled.

When it comes to making yes, yes, yes with the risk. I just dive in, trust my eye, make it up as I go along. Interesting isn't it? There's always the round filing cabinet if it all turns to shiz.

Noticed elsewhere:
Risk takers I admire... Claire, Bindi, Pip, Michelle. Girls with big plans & making stuff happen. Power to you.

I'm working on a little music box shop update but I want to make sure that the pictures tell the story.

Do you see the speaker below the "floor" of the music box?

Why I think these are good...

Music and/or stories have been excellent sleep cues for my smalls.

I like the idea of using a "superseded" piece of technology in a new way.

I'm proud of the fact that the speaker & the MP3 player can be used outside the music box.

Happy weekend.

Just to let you know that I have reinstalled JS Kit comments on this blog.

I really like the chatty nature of the comment system.

How to make the most of JS Kit comments:
Sign up to JS Kit OR comment as a guest BUT be sure to leave your email address.

I have configured the reply system so that you should receive an email when someone (either me or another blog reader) replies to your original comment.

I quite understand that some people find email replies annoying and in this case you should choose not to provide your email when you leave a comment.

I honestly think that this system is the best that is on offer if you have a blogger blog.

If you are one of the few people who do not receive the reply emails despite including your email address, I apologise. BUT you will be able to find your replies in the comments of the original post.

I welcome your feedback on this system. If you've got something to share please do & sorry for the flip flopping.

Since my coffee & crochet session with this lovely girl I've been obsessing about Granny Squares.

Then I checked in here & saw Claire's book with this gorgeous blanket on the cover. I spent some time pouring over a few vintage craft books and now I'm committed.

I'm hoping to make a Granny Square rug for the foot of everyone's beds in the new ranch. I've made a start on ours.

I think I'm going to aim for a square a night - I'll mix it up so I don't get bored. Every second night I'll do a square for the the little guy. He's having red white & blue. Very Jennyesque I think.
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Remember when I said that I was done with the doily craft? It seems I lied.

I've got a little speedy quick gift idea. Maybe one that might help you guys out in the silly season too. I'm hoping to have a little make along ready for tomorrow.

Do Pop in and add your link if you're playing along this week.

Friday Archives hosted by Loobylu

This is the little guy as drawn by the big girl & stitched by me. Pictured with his golf "blub" which, as a 2 year old he was rarely seen without.

It just so happens that Friday is my long run day. That means lots of time to think...& think...& think.

Today I was thinking about all the hopes & dreams we have for our smalls. This train of thought stemming from the fact that the little guy had a birthday yesterday. My smalls are quite suddenly not so small.

So what do I hope & wish for the life that lies ahead for my not-so-smalls?

loved, loving, give, share, grow, dream, happiness, health, confidence....

And then I got to thinking about the music boxes & I'd really love to make a collaborative music box with all of our hopes & dreams for little people just beginning.

I'd love you to leave your hopes & dreams in the comments. A collection of words is what I'm after.

Thank you.
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Welcome back!

I've been super busy trying to get the old house ready to sell. We are hiring furniture for the sale but my decorator mate has allocated me the bathroom. She flounced in saying "splash of colour there" ... "choose something bright".

I did go to The Works over the weekend & purchased some new towels (on loan to the old house before they become the kids). I found any "splashes of colour" to be absolutely awful. So I'm refashioning these bits & pieces that used to be in our old bedroom. It's quite fun. Someone else has been handy with her hook & needle on much more lively foliage.

Don't forget to pop in and add your link if you're playing along this week.

Edited to add:
My creative space is just a super casual bit of fun. You can drop in & out whenever you like. All you need to do is add your link to the link list. Just make sure you've posted your space for the week before you add your link.

I don't want this to be so full of rules that it's no fun but the whole aim of the game is to share what you're working on. If you're just linking to a shop or a homepage then I'm sorry but I'll be deleting your link.

Friday am: I came in here with my coffee ready to check more creative spaces but the blasted link seems to be on the blink. Sorry & check back later eh? Thanks