Archive for September, 2009

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Hi friends,

I can't lie: the introduction to Operation Sock Monkey's make-a-monkey animation has been on our coffee-break to-watch list for a couple days now. If only it were as easy as putting a pair of socks into a box and pulling a lever!

Actually, it's not really that difficult. All you need is a pair of socks and some basic craft supplies: needle and thread, scissors, a marker, embroidery floss, and stuffing. Even a novice toy-maker can put one together in an afternoon. Just follow these instructions and you're all set.

For more sock monkey inspiration, check out this sock monkey fashion blog, or see some of the international adventures that sock monkeys have taken. And there are more sock monkey links at monkeyofsock.com than I can shake a stick (erm, a banana?) at.

Of course, there's no limit to the kind of creatures you can create out of socks (and gloves!). That's where the book Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves comes in. Using the patterns and techniques in this charming book (just recently translated into English from the Japanese original) you can make a host of softies, from monkeys to dogs to rabbits to bears. If you'd like to try before you buy, check out a couple sample patterns from the book here.

Not so much about the softies, but like the look of sock monkeys? Moda has your back; check out their line of sock monkey fabric (sample seen above; it's available in several colourways at many quilting shops or online fabric retailers). How cute would a sock-monkey themed quilt be (especially with a sock monkey stuffy!) as a Christmas gift for your favourite kid?

That's all for now. I hope your weekend is filled with some kind of monkey business!

ps. Don't forget there's still time to enter this week's giveaway for the pair of passes and classes to the Creativ Festival. I've only had 17 entries so far, so your odds of winning are good. And for those of you in the rest of Canada, I'll be running a regular book giveaway next week in conjunction with this one, so stay tuned!

Good morning, friends.

Do you remember topsy-turvy dolls? They were the dolls that had two faces: the one you were playing with showed, the other was covered by a long skirt. If you wanted to switch, you flipped the skirt up over the doll's head, turned it over and voilà, you had a different doll to play with! The dolls I remember seemed to split into three categories: awake/sleeping, everyday/party dress, and Red Riding Hood/The Wolf.

I'm thinking about these because Make+Do reader Laura sent in a request for some help finding a topsy-turvy doll pattern for her to make with her young granddaughter, so this morning I spent a little while poking around the internet to see what I could find.

Unfortunately, I didn't find any free sewing patterns, though I did find blog posts about topsy-turvy dolls people had made for themselves. There's a very tall topsy-turvy doll at TreeFall Design and a slightly smaller one at Wee Wonderfuls. Also check out this post from SouleMama about a flip doll she made, using a kit from Umbrella Prints.

There did seem to be a wide variety of topsy-turvy doll patterns for sale. (Keep in mind I'm not endorsing these sites, they're just ones I found with a Google search. Buyer beware, etc.) There was a Red Riding Hood/Wolf doll pattern available here for about $10; or find 21 different doll patterns, some vintage, each about $5, here.

If you'd like to crochet a tiny Red Riding Hood/Grandma doll, make sure you go here. And if you're looking for a no-sew option, these spool dolls look neat.

It might also be worth searching Etsy and Ebay, or even taking a trip to the fabric store. You never know what you'll find in those pattern catalogues! Come to think of it, why not go to your local library and see what they've got in their craft book section. You never know...

Oh, and here's a history of topsy-turvy dolls in the US.

Laura, I hope this helps. If anybody's got more information they could share, we'd appreciate it if you left a link in the comments!

Hi folks,

Two down, 28 to go...

Since I don't think it's fair to assume that you're all caught up in log-cabin fever like I am, here are a few bits and pieces I thought you might be interested in...

• Has anyone tried the new Canadian sewing supply website enotions.ca? It looks like it might be a boon for people who live far from a big city and have difficulty finding specialty sewing supplies.
• I was excited to see fat quarters from local textile studio Repeat the last time I went fabric shopping. I like the power lines.
• Remember Operation Sock Monkey? Organizer Lindsey has just added a how-to animation on her website – too cute! Check it out.

Don't forget there's still time to enter this week's giveaway for the pair of passes and classes to the Creativ Festival. I've only had 10 entries so far, so your odds of winning are good...this would be a great sisters' day, or a fun thing for a mom-and-daughter to do.

Speaking of contests, I'm still looking for Dian Anderson, winner of a copy of The Knitted Odd-Bod Bunch. Are you out there, Dian?

That's all for today. Have a good Wednesday!

Hi friends,

I've had a wicked case of quilter's block (no pun intended!) lately. I started a quilt back in the spring, but I wasn't happy with how it was coming together, and I got stalled. I was spending so much time thinking about what was wrong (I didn't like the colours, or the background, or the fussy cutting required, but it's hard to admit that you bought 31 fat quarters (I know!) for a quilt you're starting to hate) that I couldn't move past it and start something that was right. Have you ever been there? It's so frustrating!

Finally, this past weekend, I got fed up and decided to stop thinking and start sewing, hoping that something would work out. First, I took a trip to The Workroom, my favourite local source for fabric, notions and inspiration. There I picked up two metres of Kaffe Fassett's shot cotton in lovely shades of dark blue and a lighter, sort of chambray blue. I love the softness of the fabric and the way the colours shimmer in the light. Waiting at home I had a precious fat quarter of Nani Iro double gauze in a cute floral print. I washed and dried my fabric (I don't like the idea of throwing a just-finished quilt into the washer only to find out – surprise! – that one of the fabrics shrunk more than the others) and then I got to work.

I've been seeing lots and lots of log cabin quilts in blogland recently, so maybe it's not a surprise that that's the direction I went.  It's a classic shape but there's lots of room for interpretation, and best of all – no fussy cutting. The block you see above is the first one I made; I sewed up another last night that I like even better. That's another good thing – these babies are fast! If I keep at it, I might even have a finished quilt top by Thanksgiving. I recommend this block if you're looking for a good second quilt project – it's manageable, but also fun!

Here are some of the places I found log cabin inspiration:

• A search for "log cabin quilts" on Flickr turned up more than 5,000 photos, and they're stunning. But be careful, too much time poking around those pages and your quilting time will disappear!
• Adelaide's birthday quilt, over at Soulemama, which uses the somewhat unusual method of foundation piecing/quilting the fabric onto the quilt batting, as illustrated in Patchwork Style. (I went to Chapters and picked up a copy last night – what a cute book!)
• Denyse Schmidt Quilts is a go-to for me any time I'm thinking about a new quilt, and the Two-Tone Drunk Love log cabin quilt really piqued my interest. Too bad that the templates have to be photocopied at 400% – practically impossible task for me with my lack of photocopier-mojo!
• Blair at Wisecraft has been on a log cabin kick lately and wow, these are beautiful. She's got an enviable eye for colour. (Sunny center, bolster pillow, patchwork colour study)
• And of course, there's this lovely grey-and-brown block from Karyn of The Workroom.

Hello again, fellow crafters.

I'm very excited to be bringing you this special edition of Make+Do's Weekly Giveaway. As I hinted in the winner's post for giveaway #19, this giveaway is the first in a series of four, and it comes to you as a result of the generosity of the Creativ Festival organizers.

Coming to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on October 16, 17, 18, 2009, the Creativ Needlework Festival is celebrating its 22nd year of bringing crafters of all kinds together to learn, to shop, and to have fun! As the website describes it:

"Creativ Festival is… trend spotting, inspiration, new products, spectacular shopping, industry experts, conference classes, how-tos, hands-on activities, seminars, fashion & trunk shows, exquisite displays, book signings, door prizes and more!
"Here you will find fabulous fabrics, to-die-for yarns, textured papers, dazzling beads, techniques, project ideas and all the latest and greatest in equipment, tools and crafting supplies whether beginner or expert.
"Creativ Festival is your one-stop shop where you learn how to create your own singular style."

Each week for the next four weeks, I'll be highlighting one craft that will be represented at the festival – and offering the chance to win a pair of tickets AND each comes with your choice of a 3-hour class. (Conference classes start October 14.) This week, I'll be looking at knitting. Read on for more information (and your chance to enter!)

There's lots to inspire knitters (both beginners and experts) at this year's Festival. One big attraction for me is always the awesome selection of retailers, which this year will include British Yarn (UK), Fur Yarn by Paula Lishman International, Headwater Wool, PassionKnit Ltd., The Purple Purl, Romni Wools, Signatur Handknits (Australia), Spinning Wheel Alpacas, Sweaterkits...and that's not even half of it! Start saving your pennies and clear a space in your stash.

Among the many exhibits, a must-see attraction is the "30 Years of Rowan Exhibit," featuring breathtaking hand-knit garments. Many are original and date back to the year they were published – they echo the world of fashion, yet remain timeless and unique, and could still find a place in the wardrobe of today.

Jo Watson (left) and Brandon Mably (right) will both be teaching at this fall's Creativ Festival.

Workshop-wise, you'll want to check out both Brandon Mably (Kaffe Fassett Design Studio) and Jo Watson (owner of British Yarns and host of UK Ravelry Day), who'll bring British knitting techniques to share in their conference workshops. And, get inspired to knit the colours of Australia at the Signatur Handknits trunk show (free with admission!). (Check out more workshops here.)

And, when you're finally ready for a break, you can relax, sip a latte, knit and pick up purls of wisdom at The Purple Purl Yarn Café.

For your chance to win a pair of tickets and two passes to your choice of a 3-hour class, check out the festival website and tell me what you'd most like to go see at this year's Creativ Fest. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 20; a winner will be posted on Monday, September 21. Unfortunately, free plane tickets aren't in my budget, but if you think you can get yourself to Toronto (and really, it's worth the trip), be sure to enter!

Hi friends,

Happy Monday! I'm here to announce the winner of Giveaway #19, the Thanksgiving craft kit to make the crafts pictured below.Congratulations go to...

...#26, Patricia, who writes:

Congrats Patricia! Check your inbox for an email from me, coming soon.

Check back shortly for Weekly Giveaway #20. I'm very excited about this giveaway, as it's the first of a series of four and I think the prizes are fabulous! You'll want to enter this one for sure. Here's a hint.

Hi there,

As much as I love summer, I can't help but look forward to fall. As the weather turns cooler, my thoughts turn to the projects that will keep me busy as the evenings get longer and colder. I haven't crafted much this summer and I'm itching to get started on a new project (or three!). For me, winter crafts are all about staying warm and cosy. Here's what's inspiring me these days:

• Knitting a sweater was on my to-do list for 2009; looks like I'd better get busy! Seeing the progress Tina has made on her February Lady sweater makes me think this is the one for me. (I'm crossing my fingers she'll let me share photos when she's finished with hers.)
• Making a new quilt is also at the top of my list, and I'm finding lots of ideas.
  • I love the idea of the block-a-month sampler quilt classes they're doing at local fave the workroom (check the Dresden plate and log cabin blocks; next up is the schoolhouse block).
  • Blair's stash value quilt looks great but I think I'd need a stash infusion before I tackled it. (If you're a new quilter, check out her two favourite projects for novices here.)
  • These "Map of the States" blocks from Oh, Fransson! appeal to my inner fussy piecer (and make my inner slap-dasher recoil in fear)
  • Crazy Mom Quilts' "Snippets" quilt appeals to me too. It might be just the thing for that jam jar full of scraps I've saved...
• Small projects, of course, are a great way to occupy a rainy afternoon or keep my hands busy while I'm watching TV (come on, premiere of "The Office"!). These all look cute (and would be good candidates for the Christmas gift stash, too).
  • This owl barrette is just darling.
  • I'm a fan of hexagonal paper piecing and this hex coin purse made me catch my breath. Love!
  • If I had this embroidered apron, I might never leave the kitchen.
  • OK, I admit I'm not likely to pick up a soldering iron any time soon, but this crafter has some neat ideas!

What are you working on this fall?

(Oh, and if you've got one last pint of fresh blueberries to use up this weekend, can I recommend these Blueberry Streusel Muffins? I made them to treat my co-workers this morning and they're already all gone. Yum!)

Hi friends,

I'm encouraged by your positive response to the idea of putting craft templates online (see Monday's post – and enter the contest to win the craft kit!). Some of you have mentioned that you're having trouble finding the templates for the "Bring the Leaf Motif to the Table" article online, and the web team is working on that right now find them here.

You can also download them right here:

• Click to download the napkin ring templates.
• Click to download the table runner and place card holder templates.

• **Please open these files in Adobe and print them from there to ensure you're getting the proper size image.**

Two notes:

1) If you don't have access to a printer, we'd be happy to mail the templates to you.

2) I'd like to make this pattern the subject of the first Great Results Roundup. If you make any of these projects, email me a photo and I'll feature it in a special blog post after Thanksgiving!

Photo from Design*Sponge

Hi friends,

I've been thinking a lot about letter-writing recently, so perhaps it's natural that these argyle notecards from Design*Sponge caught my eye. I think they're cute as is, made with recycled magazine pages and a metallic marker, and easy enough for kids to do. Then again, I think they'd be even cuter with scraps of fabric and a bit of machine-stitching! You could even whip up a whole bunch and package them as sets (maybe with a brand-new pen?) for a cute, relatively inexpensive gift.

Hm, that might be something for my weekend to-do list...

Hi again,

This week I thought that I'd do something a little bit different for the weekly giveaway. This week, I'm not giving away a book, but a pile of fabric!

Several months ago I developed a set of autumn-themed table decorations for our October issue. The issue hit newsstands yesterday, so there's a chance that you've already seen the article.

The table runner, napkin rings and place card holders shown above are easy to make, and they'd be a great project to tackle with your kids one quiet Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving. Just think how great your festive table would look all decked out in the colours of fall.

I bought so much material for this project that I've got enough left over to put together a kit for this week's lucky winner. If your name is chosen, you'll receive a package that includes enough fabric, felt, embroidery floss and clothespins to make the table runner, plus six napkin rings and six place card holders. I'll include a copy of the magazine and print-outs of the leaf tempates, too.

To enter, leave one comment on this post by Sunday, September 13 at 11:59 p.m. I'll post a winner here on Monday, September 14. This week, I'm wondering: how do you feel about us putting templates for craft projects online? I've never been much of a one for the grid-enlargement method, and it seems to me that people are more likely to have a printer at their disposal than a photocopier, so to me, putting PDFs online is an easy solution. (Of course, we're always happy to mail patterns to people who ask.) What do you think?