Need Some Free Inspiration? How about a Book Giveaway!

What? Monday’s post, Get Outta Here and Go Outside, didn’t have enough suggestions for things to make and do with your kiddos during the school break? You’re STILL scratching your head wondering how you’ll make it through those long summer days? Never fear. The Handmade Experiment is here with TWO books by Rae Grant, full of activities for you and your kids to do together. Hey, there’s even some they can do all on their own. Just think, you might have fun AND get that lazy summer afternoon you’ve been dreaming of all winter. Sounds good, right? Well, let me tell you, Rae was kind enough to send me a copy of Crafting Fun: 101 Things to Make and Do with Kids and it has simply been a joy to read.

Who’s your Strawberry?

I finally finished Strawberry! With a little help from Jenny Ryan, who was kind enough to walk me through some of her instructions, I was able to complete the Square Bear from her book Sew Darn Cute today. PZ just loves him and, according to her, the feeling is mutual.

Get Outta Here and Go Outside!

A little nervous about summer time and having the kiddos home ALL the time? I’m with ya. But I’ve done a little research and there are plenty of things to make and do to keep the whole family entertained and happy through those months where you are the only teacher.

Buy it!

Thyme2dream

My daughter’s preschool has been on break for the last two weeks and the weather here in Portland is starting to get nice. We’ve been getting out – to the park, push biking, nature walks and bubble journeys. It is making me long for those warm summer days that will be here soon. These bubble blowers from Thyme2dream are so cool and would get tons of use on our journeys. Little timeless heirlooms that any kid would find magical. I’m sure they could double as wands or scepters. A great toy to get those young imaginations working.

Looking for a good homemade bubble recipe? Check out Casey Carle’s “Secret” Bubble Solution!

Shucks, they’re only shirts.

Thought I’d show off a little. These are some things I’ve been working on lately. Q’s shirt is the first one I’ve made. I didn’t use a pattern or tutorial. I’m calling it the Floral Frankenstein because of all the piecing together I had to do. ha!

This jumper I cut out for PZ awhile ago, but just recently put together and finished. I haven’t put buttons on both sides of the straps yet, but it’s not keeping her from wearing it.

This is the square bear from Jenny Ryan‘s Sew Darn Cute book. I should finish it either tonight or tomorrow. PZ has already named him Strawberry.

Looking for a Mama’s Day gift handmade in Portland?

I woke up this morning and found a couple of interesting items in my email. Tempting to me even though I’m making my Mama her gift this year, these events would be great places to find handmade items for your mother’s day celebration. The Irvington Artisan Market is tomorrow, April 25 from 10am – 4pm, at the Irvington Tennis Club in Northeast Portland. It looks like there will be around 30 local artists including Elizabeth Jewelry and Ginza Girl. It should be a good time with a lot of great buys.

I also found a link from a girlfriend about Trillium Artisans. From their about us page, Trillium Artisans is an innovative, green nonprofit community economic development program that empowers artisans and actively connects them to markets. They also have some really great artists like Bread and Badger who I’ve talked about before, Anitra Cameron of Coffee Pot People and Ani Watersprite Designs, Cheryl Williamson of Tangle, Cristina Aucone of modica, and two of my favorites Karina Potestio of Luna and Kori Giudici of Flipside Hats (my girls wear several of their pieces). Trillium Artisans are having an Earth Day sale that ends today, 25 percent off in their store and free shipping through their etsy.com site.

I also wanted to mention the Oregon Potters’ Association‘s 27th Annual Ceramic Showcase that I read about in my Portland Picks email. It is being held April 24-26 (this weekend) at the Oregon Convention Center and is FREE! I’m thinking I might have to call up my potter friend and catch this one for sure. Hubby has been talking about needing a good bowl for his famous guacamole. It is a summer time staple around here. Yum!

Get your craft on – Inspiration Wednesday

I was hoping to have a triangle hat tutorial ready for you guys today, but I have regretfully fallen far behind. So many projects are beginning to pile up and instead of finishing them I bug out and start something new. I WILL get my act together soon, but it is sunshiny in Portland so you’ll have to forgive me.

Instead, I’ll introduce or perhaps just remind you of two really great blogs/magazines that I often use as inspiration and that excited me about handmade before this experiment even began.

First is Junior Society. I’ve been a member for awhile now, after becoming such a big fan of Robert Mahar‘s, Mahar Drygoods website. This blog always has the best, well designed stuff.

Second up is Small Magazine. I’ve been a fan of this online magazine since the first issue and always just sit and drool over all the great clothes and illustrations. They’ve just recently come out with a blog, too.

I hope these sites help get those creative juices pumping. Craft happy!

Souvenirs

Home again! Home again! We had a great weekend in the country. It was a little more dusty and a little less flowery than I had pictured, but we had a blast all the same. Thank you J & P for having us!! PZ had a great time running around and has convinced herself that with the great view of Mt. Adams that we had all weekend, she now wants to do some climbing. We’ll see about that!

I also had the realization while packing that if it is going to be sunny and warm like this for awhile, I need to get sewing. My girls need cute summer clothes and I could use some new skirts and blouses, myself. So good to be away, but nice to come home and get back to my machine and my fabrics. Hmmm…can anyone say craftaholic?

Speaking of crafty, my post on Friday was so short I didn’t really get to list all the wonderful items I had in my queue. So here are some great finds that remind me of a weekend in the country and make me miss our getaway even though I’ve been home only a few short hours. Enjoy!

Dark Horse Farm Designs

These bright and happy horses are a great way for kids to get out some energy, whether they are galloping through a horse pasture or cantering down a city lane. I absolutely love the fabrics Nancy from Dark Horse Farm Designs chose for her pretty ponies and I’m sure these would work great as both a beloved toy and a lovely decoration.

Weekend in the Country – your Must Have Monday before the weekend even begins

Ah… we haven’t been on a getaway in over a year. I’m so excited! A dear friend has invited us to her mom’s in rural Washington. I’m anticipating bike rides, long walks, perhaps a picnic, loads of great food, lots of laughs, and maybe if I’m lucky a cat nap or two.

lobotomatics

Whether you’re a regular gypsy or just a once a year vacationer, it won’t matter. Lobotomatics’ Baroque luggage has its own story to tell. Upcycled and beautifully painted, this bag is so authentic it makes my thumbs itch.

In no way perfect, but…”

Every time I go to show someone one of my finished sewing projects, these are the words I say, “It’s in no way perfect, but…”. Part of me is sad that I feel I have to somehow justify my work like this. The other part of me thinks it is hilarious that even though I KNOW the piece isn’t perfect, I still can’t wait to show it off! I’m so excited to have created something, I can’t help but love it flaws and all. So, keeping that it mind…

I made this smock using Amy Karol‘s Bend the Rules Sewing Book. I was originally thinking it would work for Q to go with the bloomers I made from Heather Ross‘ Weekend Book, but it was WAY too big. Fits PZ quite nicely though, and since she is pretty much convinced that everything I make should go to her this worked out.

Speaking of Q, she has decided that spoon feeding is no longer an option. She must feed herself. So, until it is warm enough for her to go shirtless at the dinner table I figured we’re going to need a lot more bibs in the house. I copied the shape from Jenny Ryan‘s Sew Darn Cute book, but where she calls for adding an iron-on vinyl to the fabric I chose to just leave the cotton plain. I’ve found that the vinyl bibs work better for older kids, whereas when they are still young enough to make BIG messes it is best to be able to throw it in the wash. Just my preference.

Gots to Get Over the Hump – Inspiration Wednesday (better late than never)

If you are a parent or teacher of young kids, you know how hard it is when the inspiration dries up. The Best of Making Things by Anne Wiseman is the best cure for a dry spell I know. This book is great, not only for all the creative project ideas, but also for all it’s reuses of recycled objects. Innovative and sustainable, you have to like that.

In the same vein, my mother-in-law recently purchased Highlights Craft Book Set 1 for PZ. It is a collection of four books – Look What You Can Make With: Boxes, Tubes, Paper Plates, and Paper Bags. Perfect for a rainy day or a long break from school (just in time, no preschool for two weeks!), these books are so much fun. We haven’t tried any of these projects yet, but PZ has been scoping them out, everyday pointing out a new one she wants to try. I’ll let you know. Happy crafting!