Needle Noodles

I've been wanting to practice my hand sewing skills. Not sure why, other than I'm desperate to learn how to sew things. I'm getting a machine for my birthday and can't WAIT!

I'm not sure I'm going to be big on clothes sewing (although you never know!) but I'm definitely excited about more construction-type projects. Bags, accessories, kids toys, etc. etc. etc. Too fun!

Anyhow, so I got out the embroidery floss and some felt last night and got to work creating... well... something! This is what I ended up with...



It's too small for a stuffie, and really too big to be a pin (for a bag, backpack, etc.) although I put a pinback on it anyways...

Any idea what I can use this for?

THEN, I absolutely couldn't sleep last night, so I found myself awake at 2am and playing with needle and thread again. Let's keep in mind I have zero needlework experience - just crazy visions in my head...

Any guesses as to what this is going to be?

Perhaps I should get some books, do some research, and learn some actual technique before I get too involved in a needlework project. I don't want to offend any of you talented stitchers out there! : ) Anyone have any helpful needlework hints and tips to offer? I'm all ears!

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope that you and yours have a wonderful and celebratory 4th of July planned! We're heading out to the lake for the weekend - and regular posts will resume Monday.



We kicked off our holiday weekend with what else? A little bit of cupcaking! Heather and I got into the spirit with these red, white and blue marbled 4th of July cupcakes with patriotic sprinkles galore.



Have a safe and happy holiday! See you Monday!

Kid Art: Kandinsky Color Studies

Drawing inspiration from Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky and his circle color studies I worked with students using construction paper and oil pastel to create two different projects.

Younger students drew circles within circles on their canvases then filled each circle with color. The goal was to leave very little white space, and use bold color palettes.



Older students used torn construction paper (no scissors!) to create abstract (not perfect!) circles, and added rings of oil pastel in contrasting colors.



So bold and beautiful! This was the perfect project to display in the classroom.

Teriffic Tutus!

I know, I know. You're sick of hearing about the dance recital, right?

Well... now that it's over and I've had chance to process, I had the time and energy to go through all of the costume boxes to organize and store them. They will be kept by the dance department and used again for future performances.

I took the opportunity, while I had it, to snap some shots of the completed costumes - and thought you might like to see? They look even better on bodies, believe me, but this should give you a good idea at least!

Pincushion - a la Samster Mommy

If you're anything like me, you get inspired by all of the craft blogs and projects out there, floating around the web. I keep both e-files and paper files FULL of projects I see and like - they sit in piles in my craft room just waiting for a rainy day...

... like today!

It's a cool, rainy summer evening - a perfect night for crafting. I pulled out THIS TUTORIAL by Natasha at Samster Mommy for a keepsake pincushion box. A super-cute, quick, easy, eco-friendly idea to make your own pincushion out of an old jewelry box.


The only thing I did differently was to cover the bottom of my box as well - I didn't like the color, and the box didn't have sentimental value to me.


It's going to look so cute next to the sewing machine I'm hoping is coming my way on my birthday in a little over a month... nudge, nudge, wink, wink!!!


Thanks Natasha, and all of you other wonderful crafty ladies (and gents!) out there - for sharing your talents and ideas!