Lasso The Moon

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 16 {photo message}

This is  part 16 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{photo message}

A picture says a thousand words, but how many "Happy Birthdays" can it say?  

We needed our picture to say just one, so to make sure we got the message across, we took our camera and some handmade signs to the Texas State Fair on Tuesday, which just happened to be my brother Josh's birthday.  Have you noticed how many birthdays my family has this month?  Soooooo many.   And they're not over yet. This blog series is coming in handy!

 

We tried to make our backgrounds as iconic as possible, since Uncle Josh lives out of state.  So we tried rides, the petting zoo, this official state fair trash can...

We took extra shots of each word to be safe.

Then we went home, edited them on picmonkey (the best free photo editing site ever!!), and emailed him the gift just before his birthday was over.

So this brings up a question.  How handmade does a gift have to be in order to be called "handmade"?  Does our photo message count?  I think it does--especially since Ethan colored those signs himself.  But in the end, Josh isn't holding anything in his hands that was made by my hands, so...does it count?

I've learned that if you want to give and receive handmade gifts, the broader the spectrum of acceptable process you have, the more participation you'll have.  So I say bring on the photo collages!  Bring on the mixbooks, the photo calendars, and the magnets.  Well, not the magnets, since our fridge is stainless.  But you get the idea.  If it took more thought, work, and time than picking something off of the shelf, or ordering it off of Amazon, it just might be handmade.

What do you think?

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE JOSH!!  WE LOVE YOU!!

AND WE FORGOT TO TAKE FAMILY PHOTOS AT THE FAIR BECAUSE WE WERE MAKING YOU THIS!

 

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 15 {button-up babydoll}

This is  part 15 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

This is the dolly I made to go with the {button-up BabyDoll quilt} from Monday.

Her simple facial features are embroidered

on, so there are no small parts for Baby Mia to choke on.  Her shape is perfect for hugging, with no pesky arms or legs coming undone from the blanket.

I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much when Mia opened her gift.  One-year-olds get easily overwhelmed by all the excitement of their parties.  But as soon as Mia locked eyes with her new baby, she hugged it tight, covered it in kisses, and gave me the biggest, goofiest "thank you" smile I've ever seen.  I've never enjoyed watching a kid open a present so much.  Worth every minute I spent working on it.  Heck, it was worth every minute I've ever spent working on any gift ever.

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Now for the how-to:

I have made a free pdf pattern for you so you can make your own!

 Download Button up BabyDoll pattern  Feel free to share the pattern with friends, as long as you link to the blog and not the pdf.

 

Materials and directions are included with the pattern.  Please send me a picture or link if you make one of your own! Happy sewing!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 14 {making gifts WITH kids}

This is  part 14 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

There is a possibility that I have led you astray.  Since this blog is mostly about me (write what you know, right?), and since I share with you some of my projects and crafts, there is a chance that I have led you to believe that I am the creative one in the family.  

That's not exactly how it is.  There is someone in my family who goes to bed dreaming of projects, and wakes up with a plan to carry them out.  She sketches, she jots notes, writes stories and plays, thinks up grand schemes and then carries them out and invites us to join in.  She is possibly the most creative person I've ever met, and I'm in awe of her constantly.  

This person is my daughter, Emma.  To say she's just a "chip of the old block" would be an insult to her ingenuity.  This girl soars over my head with her ideas and dreams.  I might have opened the door, but she ran through it, boarded it up, cut out a new one, and decorated it with hand-cut streamers and fancy lettering.  I know I'm gushing a little. But this kid loves to make stuff. 

So how is it that it never occurred to me to ask her to help with the doll quilt from yesterday's post? When she asked if she could be a part of the {button-up babydoll quilt} from yesterday's post, all I had left for her was to make the tag.  We didn't have much time, so I put a piece of the backing fabric in a hoop, and drew out the message "For Mia 2014".  

I wish we'd had the time for her to design it herself, but it was an hour before the party, so I explained to her what a running stitch was and asked her to make the stitches on the back as short as possible.  It basically looks like a back-stitch, without having to teach how to back-stitch.

Her stitches were tiny, even, and gorgeous of course.  We fused the tag to the back of the quilt, added some chunky running stitches for show, and ran out the door.

I sometimes get in a hurry.  Or maybe all the time.  And I forget that these little people I'm in charge of keeping safe and clean, also have a lot to give.  They have great ideas and a different point of view.  It's not just about teaching them stuff.  It's also about letting them show me who they are, and getting a glimpse of who they might become.

Looking at those pictures of her stitching, I couldn't help but think I'd seen them before.  And then I remembered.

This photo collage sent me into full-on ugly cry.

She's been with me this whole time--watching, learning, mimicking, creating.   As we go forward with this month of handmade, I hope I can share a few more examples of bringing the kids along as you make gifts for others. It's not the fastest way, but it is the most beautiful.  It's the scenic route.  Enjoy it!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 13 {button-up babydoll quilt}

 

This is  part 13 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{Button-Up BabyDoll Quilt}

I admit it.  I'm a hoarder of vintage linens. Tablecloths, bed sheets, wool blankets, and quilts all have a place in my home.  I have almost never passed one up in a thrift store or estate sale--it doesn't even matter to me if it is too ratty to use.  I love them.

In my heart, I imagine myself giving the old quilts and blankets a new life.  Cutting away the damage and preserving the beauty of the smaller section.  But that's another thing that almost never happens.  Almost.

I went through my hoard collection, and found this one that was almost entirely un-useful for anything.  My sister gave it to me (someone had passed it to her) after I took her maternity pictures with it as a prop.  There were holes and stains covering the entire thing, but the remaining fabrics were just too good to toss away.  The combination of scarlet, teal, turquoise, and blush pink is modern and gorgeous.

 I laid the quilt out on the floor and cut out a good square section, about 24X24 inches.  Then I did the same with some batting and a light pink backing.

I pinned the three layers together so they wouldn't shift.  Then I added some patches over the spots that were threadbare (or completely worn through).  I tried to pick fabric that complemented the rest of the quilt.  I ironed them on using fusible webbing.  (If you've been following along, you'll notice this is about the 40th time I've mentioned that stuff in the last 13 days. I use it a lot.) Then I sewed around the patches, through all three layers of quilt, using a regular straight stitch on my sewing machine.  You could also hand-sew that part, but I needed it for a party the next day.

 

I evened out the sides by trimming with a rotary cutter.  The finished size was about 22 inches square.

 

I made some patchy double-fold binding and attached it to the edges.   On one side, about 1/3 of the way down, I inserted a loop of fabric into the binding.  I'll tell you what that's for next.  I hand-sewed the back of it, just because I'm a fan of how precise hand-binding is.  You could totally machine sew it.

 

Then, my favorite part.  This gift was for my niece Mia, who just turned one.  Little girls LOVE to wrap up their baby dolls, but the littlest girls have trouble keeping the blanket secure.  They will ask their mamas to re-wrap the dolly 1000 times in one day.  This button and loop solves that problem.  The button is vintage and chunky.  When buttoned, the blanket overlaps a good bit to keep it all snug.

 

And here it is in action! Doesn't BabyDoll look comfy?! I'll tell you the story of giving the doll + quilt to Mia later.  It was a precious moment in my life.  But for now, I'll let you go check your closets for ratty vintage quilts so you can make your own {Button-Up BabyDoll Quilt}! 

::

P.S.  Don't think I'm going to leave you hanging on the baby doll.  I am working on the pattern to share with you in the next couple of days!  Happy sewing!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 12 {hi giraffe applique tee}

Welcome, friend!  You made it to part 12 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

::

{hi giraffe applique tee}

Yesterday I showed you the giraffe doll I made for my niece, Maddie.   I thought the gift needed something else, so I made a shirt to go with it.

Today I'm going to share a full tutorial on how to do this, plus the pattern you need to make a shirt just like this one.  Once you applique your first tshirt, I'm sure you'll want to do more.  It's really fun.

Materials: 

plain tshirt (I got mine at Walmart for about $4)

coordinating fabric scraps (mine were left over from this project)

fusible webbing with paper backing

tear-away interfacing

straight pins

thread

iron 

fabric paint

fusible knit (optional)

this pattern:

Download Hi giraffe applique tee pattern

Directions: 

1.  Before you start, wash and dry the shirt.  Then place the pattern pieces on the shirt to make sure everything fits.  You can reduce or enlarge the image, or leave pieces out if it's too busy.

2.  Cut out all of the pattern pieces.  

3 and 4. Trace around each piece UPSIDE DOWN onto the fusible webbing.  Label them as you go.  Then, cut around the pieces, leaving a slight margin around the pieces.

5.  Fuse the pattern pieces to your chosen fabric scraps.  Then, carefully cut out each piece along the lines. Try putting the applique together to make sure you like all the fabrics together. 

6. If you are painting on the "hi giraffe" label, trace the letters onto a new piece of fabric in pencil, and then follow your pencil lines with the paint.  This is also a good time to paint eyes and nostrils onto the giraffe's face, so you can re-cut the piece if you mess up.  Fuse everything to the shirt, pressing carefully around the painted pieces.

7.  Insert a piece of tearaway interfacing into the shirt, big enough to go under the entire design.

Pin the tearaway to the shirt with straight pins.  This step is essential if you want to avoid sewing holes into your knit shirt.   Take the shirt to the sewing machine and sew around each piece.  I like to sew once or twice with a straight stitch in black thread.  I think it gives the finished design a scribbly/sketchy look that I like.

8. After you have sewn around every piece, turn the shirt inside out and carefully tear away the interfacing.  

9. It might leave a few pieces behind, and that's fine with me.  They won't show in the end.

10. Lay out your fusible knit lining, fusible side down, over the inside of the design.  Cut out the  general shape of the design, and iron it to the shirt.

This step is not absolutely necessary, but if you look at professionally appliqued shirts, they all have it.  It helps protect the stitching and also keeps the itchy threads away from the little one's skin.  I always use it.

11. Finish your design by adding details with embroidery or buttons.  

12. Don't forget to take a picture before you give it away!

 

After we finished up our {hi giraffe} shirt and stuffed animal, we packed it up in that torn-up giraffe bag and took it over to the birthday girl.

Esther's mouth is open in every photo, because she's directing me as I take the pictures.

 

::

By the way, I'm putting up a lot of patterns and tutorials this month, so chances are, I'm going to leave out a detail or two.  If there's something you don't understand about my directions, feel free to ask!  I love helping with handmade gifts.  

Also, if you want access to all of my tutorials without having to check in every day, why not sign up to get each post delivered straight to your inbox?  Your email address will never be shared with anybody else.  Promise.

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31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 11 {hi giraffe soft toy}

Hi there!  You made it to part 11 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

{hi giraffe soft toy}

I got it into my head to sew up a giraffe toy for my niece Maddie who turned 3 this week.  She is really into giraffes and has been since she was tiny.  Whenever they went through the animal sounds, they would ask her what a giraffe says, and she'd say in the sweetest baby voice, "Hi, giraffe!"

I also had this great bag hanging around the house--like for a couple years.  

I love the colors, and I couldn't stand to get rid of the bag until after I'd done something with it.  Hey, how about a giraffe toy for Maddie's birthday?  

I went to the thrift store with bag in hand to find some interesting fabrics for the doll.  I got these.

Three shirts and a skirt in exactly the right colors.  That was the easy part.  Then, because I have to do everything the hard way, I went about designing my own giraffe doll.  Here are the three prototypes I didn't choose.  Don't laugh too hard.

At some point, lots of handmade gifts end up at this stage. But I kept going, and came up with this:

 

The details are appliqued on before the front and back are sewn together.  The little tail is just a piece of one of the shirt hems!

I hope you are in the mood to make stuff, because while I was at it, I made a pattern for you to try.  

It requires a little bit of sewing experience, like knowing how to clip curves, but it's pretty straighforward otherwise. 

Download Hi giraffe soft toy pattern

Let me know if you try it.  I'd love to see your version!

::

Also, if you are not in the mood to make stuff, these extra guys should make it into the shop by the end of the week:

A whole basket full of hi giraffes!

Happy birthday, Maddie!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 10 {Leafy Wool Wreath}

Hello! You made it to part 10 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

 {Leafy Wool Wreath} 

 

Handmade gifts don't always have to be wrapped up in a package, and they don't have to wait for Christmas, either.  How fun would it be to surprise a friend with this autumn-inspired wreath!  It took less than an hour to make, and since I had all the materials, it cost me $0.  You cannot beat that.

{materials}

Here's what you need - 

:: pizza box or large piece of cardboard

:: wreath form or large bowl to trace (mine was about 14 inches)

:: scissors for cutting paper and fabric

:: several wool skirts in similar tones (I used yellows and greys)  You could also just buy felt.

:: glue gun

:: stapler and staples

:: bias tape or ribbon for hanging

{instructions}

1) Trace your wreath shape onto the pizza box lid.  Mine extended to the bent parts of the box, but it didn't seem to matter at the end.  If you used a bowl for tracing, draw another circle about 3 inches inside the first one.  Carefully cut it out.  

2) Prepare your fabric.  If you are using wool skirts, make sure they have been washed in hot water and dried in the dryer.  This will bind the wool fibers into a felt-like material.  You could also use store-bought felt, or even paper if your wreath will be kept inside.  Make a simple leaf template out of cardstock or cardboard from your pizza box.  My leaf was about 4.5 inches long with a flat edge along the bottom.

3) Cut out lots of leaves.  I started out tracing them onto the fabric, but that was taking too long.  After that, just holding the pattern and cutting around it worked fine.  I'm guessing I have about 65 leaves or so on the final wreath.  

4) Fold each leaf over at the flat end so that both sides overlap slightly.  Staple all of the leaves this way.

5)  Mark the half-way point on the top and bottom of your wreath form.  Starting at the bottom, arrange the leaves, overlapping them slightly for fullness.  Use the glue gun to secure the stapled end, but leave the tips free.  This might take a little practice to figure out the technique, but once you get it, it goes really fast.  When you get to your mark at the top, start the other side from the bottom again.  Try to keep the colors balanced on each side, without making it look too symmetrical.  

6) When you are finished with the whole round, hold it out and look for bare cardboard spots.  Fill them with leaves, or glue existing leaves down to cover them.

7) Wrap your bias tape or ribbon around the top with  a spot of glue, and it's ready to hang!

 :: If you make a wreath from this tutorial, leave a link to it in the comments!  I'd love to show it off to the rest of my readers!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 9 {care enough to make the best}

Welcome back!  You made it to part 9 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

{care enough to make the best}

If we're honest, handmade gifts don't always come with the best connotation.  To some people, getting something handmade conjures up images of ornaments made of toilet paper tubes or beans glued to...anything. 

But by taking the time to plan, execute, and finish your gift well, you can change that image.  Pretty soon your friends and family start hoping that you make something for them, instead of "phoning it in" with a store-bought gift.

Use good materials.

I personally like natural fibers and earthy colors.  Lots of texture and interest.  Natural materials sometimes cost more, but they don't have to break the bank.  For me, it means collecting used fabrics and clothing from thrift shops.  They are more interesting, better quality, and cost less.  

Linen is expensive by the yard,  but a you can find a linen skirt a Goodwill for $3.99!

Think about the design. 

It's great to use materials from your stash.  It saves money and time.  But the last thing you want is for it to look like you used materials from your stash.   Make sure that your colors and tones work together.  Your end result needs to look thought-out.  Basically, if your materials don't inspire you, it will show in the end.

These fabrics were from my collection, but they still have a cohesive theme.

Put yourself in their place.

You know the types of things you like to wear or put into your home.  Consider how you would feel receiving the gift you are thinking about making. Remember that the internet, magazines, and blogs are great resources, but they are also full of terrible information and DIYs.  The fact that it's a clever idea does not necessarily make it a great gift.  Make an inspiration board filled with images that get you excited to create. Side note: It's  never a bad idea to stalk your friend's pinterest account.  

Go the extra mile to finish.  

I know you can't wait to hand over that gift to its new owner.  But before you do, make sure it's ready.  Sand the edges of that wooden sign.  Clip all the threads on that quilt or stuffed animal.  And don't forget the packaging! Whether it's a custom tag or the sweetest wrapping job, presentation is really important when it comes to hand-made.

Kid-stamped wrapping paper.

::

What tips do you have for taking your handmade gifts to the next level?

::

This concludes the thinking portion of the 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade series.  Tune in tomorrow for our first new project of the month!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 8 {types of handmade gifts}

Congratulations! You made it to part 8 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

{types of handmade gifts}

As I see it, handmade gifts usually fit into one of these three categories:

1) Experiential

2) Useful Items or Tools

3) Objects of Art

Here are some examples of each one to get you started thinking:

Experiential Gifts

i-o-u's or coupons for services, a song or poem, food, a gift basket for movie night, a collection of home movies on dvd, a personalized musical written about me (I've been asking for this for years)

These chicken pincushions were and experiential gift I made for my Aunt Sandy.  I gave her one of them, but sold the rest to raise money for her favorite charity.

The great thing about this type of gift is that they don't take up much space.  The downside (for some people) is that many of them can be used up, and there is nothing to show for them and "what you got." 

Useful Items or Tools 

hand-spun yarn, dish towels or wash cloths, paintbrush holder, clothing, bird feeder, collection of sewing items, painted coffee cup, jewelry, lotions and soaps, flower pots, toys (for kids), wooden box or basket, quilt

I gave this jar of cupcake papers to my sister for her birthday.  I made the label and assembled the papers in colors she loves.  One of the most useful gifts I've given to date, since my sister is an amazing cupcake maker!

For most of  the people I have asked in preparation for today's post, this is a favorite.  It's something that is useful, so it doesn't matter if it takes up space or not.  And a useful gift will be seen more often, and will make you think of the person who made it.

Objects of Art

paintings, drawings, dolls, sculpture, anything fragile or extremely sentimental, photos or photo books

I made this painted stencil portrait of my kids for Donnie. 

This is a great choice if you really know the person you are making it for. If not, they could end up with something they don't quite know what to do with.  

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Each of us has a favorite type of gift to give and to receive.  Think about who you are making for, their lifestyle, hobbies, and living space.  

Personally, I prefer experiences or useful items.  There isn't much negotiable space in our home, and most of the things we have serve a purpose. Also, I love to make things, so supplies for making them are always at the top of my list.   

Whatever type of gift you chose, do your best to make it reflect your sensibilities, as well as the taste of the recipient.

::

Can you think of some more ideas that fit into the categories above?  Extra points if you can come up with one of each!

 

 

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 7 {the recipient}

This is part 7 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. 

{the recipient}

What's the best reaction to a handmade gift that you've ever seen?  For me, it was my little cousin Owen.  I had made him a plush car out of wool sweaters.  As he opened it, he hugged the car, looked over at me with big four-year-old eyes, and said with absolute wonder in his voice, "You made this for me?!"

I'm not gonna lie--I think about this moment every single time I set out to make a gift for someone.  I may never again give a gift as perfectly matched as that car was to Owen, but it doesn't hurt to try!

Making a gift especially for a specific person brings him into focus in your mind like nothing else.  While you are working on your gift, you have abundant time to think about him and pray for him.

It's important that when you are considering what to make for someone, that you think beyond what you would like to make. It's nice to share your talents, but it's even nicer to consider what someone would actually appreciate getting.  It's not always easy to figure out, but that's part of the joy and challenge of giving handmade.

Take a minute to consider:

::What are his hobbies?  

::How does he spend his free time?

::Is there something she's into that she really geeks out over?  Play  into that. (Dr Who fans are fun to make gifts for, for example.)

::Consider her taste, the colors  uses in her home, or the type of clothes she wears.

::Spend some one-on-one time with her and see if it sparks any ideas. 

::Is he a sentimental type or is humor a more important asset to him?

All of these questions will help you get closer to the person, and closer to understanding their taste and interests.

Once you have a good feel for what kinds of things they like, you can work on finding something that you know how to make that fits into those parameters.  Or maybe it's something you don't know how to make.  That's always fun, too.

::

What questions do you ask when you are trying to figure out what to make someone?