instead of a headboard... - part 2

So today I snapped some photos with my phone, ergo... do not expect good quality. I'll make amend when my camera shows up and is properly charged.

This is the "headboard":

Ok, so the bed is a little messy... sorry for that.

This was also my first try-the-piping-thing project, and I totally intend to use this technique again.

The second instance was up and about in no time... experience does count, or so it seems...

I have a project or two still left for the girls' room, and then I'll give you the grand tour, as an "after" of my previous "before". Stay tuned!

instead of a headboard...

... why not a bolster?

Smurfettes' beds don't have a headboard, and after long and careful thinking I didn't want to make things heavy with something woody, so I decided for a textile solution.

I surfed the net for inspiration, but everything was tufted or overly stuffed, and I wanted something more versatile, not to mention easily washable... you can probably relate with that last requirement if you happen to have kids like mine... artists, that is.

I came across a disquisition on the difference between bolsters and lumbars (I didn't even suspect there was a difference, by the way), and my brain lighted the proverbial light bulb. I stumbled upon this self explanatory picture that helped me in the choice:

found @ The Nester: check that blog, it's worth it

So today I got to work. I bought a roll of foam and cut it accordingly to the suitable size (and before you ask: I opted for a lumbar, not regular, 'cause it's about 17"x36"), bought also the striped cotton and linen heavy fabric, got out of my old stash a beige panama cloth for lining, a roll of purple bias tape and a sisal string (the last two for piping) and busied myself.

See the picture above? I was really busy for the whole afternoon, since I deployed the prototype, which in fact is so good that got promoted to the real thing.

I must clone that for the second bed, but I'm very satisfied of the result. You'll get to see the pictures tomorrow, 'cause the light is just horrible and everything keeps coming out wrong.

G-bag

Making totes for friends is refreshing... it's a lovely gift and useful too. The last one I made a few days ago, for a friend of mine that needed a BIG tote for her pool stuff.

Based on the rounded tote pattern, I sewed a g-normous bag:

You might have recognized the grey Ikea fabric... a sturdy cotton that I find just perfect for a tote. I lined it with a soft purple cotton, given that my friend is *very* fond of that color...

The personalized touch was easy but the effect is great.

My friend was very happy with her new tote and she used it right away. I think one of the greatest satisfaction in crafting is knowing that one of your handmade gift has been much appreciated!

I've sewed again!

Today I finally used my sewing machine and serger after a loooong pause. In the chaos of the moving I've been neglected them for long enough.

I made the simplest dress for my Smurfette#2, on a pattern I already used for her, only slightly bigger. I plan on doing another for Smurfette#1 once I find a suitable fabric (light and fresh and NOT pink).

This is it. Sorry, the shots are very poor... but I can't find my camera... I know it's there, I just don't know in which box it is.

The fabric is from my local shop, and it's a very light printed cotton, with uneven dots all over. It's just the perfect thing for the abnormally hot weather we're having here... I don't even know how they named it... Circe, Ulisse, Nerone... this year is all about ancient times... I don't know and I don't care... all I know is that's freaking hot and we're melting... guess I'll sew a few also for me...

fake cake

I've always skipped blog posts on fabric cakes 'cause I thought I was never going to make one anyway... so why bother?

But this year I helped with the cake selling at school and I wanted to make something for the stall... I already made a chocolate cake, but I thought... why not? and made this fake cake.

The cake is a chocolate, cream and strawberry deliciousness... if it were real, I would have swallowed it whole...

The strawberries are Tilda style, I found a tutorial online that I can't find anymore, sorry.

Being my first (and probably last) try, I am perfectly satisfied. I still think that fabric cakes are not my thing, but I'm happy that this one is now a permanent installment at school... the kids were in awe...!

teacher tote - the prototype

I had to make sure the next teachers' gifts were suitable, so I made a prototype.

I made this tote without a pattern, just knowing that it has to be big enough to carry about 20 notebooks. 

Inside there's a little zippered pouch, attached to the tote with a key ring.

tote & pouch, attached 

The pouch is also lined with the same fabric as the interior of the tote. It's a striped soft cotton, but strong enough to support the exterior linen with the "hard work". It's also very easy to wash.

All in all, I'm happy with the idea, but I will make some adjustments in the next versions:

1) the outside pocket is a bit too much: try an inside pocket instead;

2) sew the label in the side seam, and keep it smaller;

3) increase the width of the straps: first off it's to difficult to take them inside out, and secondly one more inch will add to proportions.

I'm still debating if it's better to use Smurfette#2's tote pattern... Maybe I'll make another try, in green, so that I can decide on real things.

key fob - 1st try

I've been drooling over other bloggers' creations of key fobs. I've never found exactly the right rings and hooks, but I wanted to try anyway.

This is how my project turned out:

So, guess what I used for the fob? This thing!

As you can see from the picture above, it's a rolling shutter rope, in cotton and nylon. I burned the cuts, so  everything stays in place. I'm not 100% satisfied with that, 'cause the cotton part tends to darken when burned... but you almost don't see that.

Being the first try and all, I do like it and I plan on making some more, maybe with a different method. 

Could be useful finding the right hardware, though... anyone knows where I can buy online?

baby sling

When I was expecting my younger Smurfette, I thought about making a sling to carry her about. I had already gone through the strolley waltzer... baby in, baby out, fold, put in the car, get from the car, baby in, slalom, etc etc. You know the drill.

I made myself a sling, very simple, using this tutorial, and I'm still using it now (14 months after).

The trick of the longevity of a sling is that there's a baby position for every age. Well, that and having good back muscles...

I find it very useful (it does fit in any bag, unlike the stroller), and I promised to make one also for a friend of mine (P's mom) who's expecting her little one.

Since P's a boy, I opted for the always suitable fabric of Ikea, the one with the hippos (which is now discontinued, I believe... I can't find it on the site, but they still sell it at the shop).

With this project, I've discovered Gracie's hem foot (see here why my sewing machine actually has a name): IT'S GREAT! I've never used it before... serves me well, now I'll think twice before dropping apparently useless accessories.

see the perfect hem? ah!

made with this buddy

Next sling it's going to be in stretchy fabric: I'll make it for me, since now that Smurfette#2 is older (and indeed bigger...) it might come in handy.

mini lunch bag

At lunch time, you get to see every way known to mankind when it comes to lunch bags and such. A colleague of mine (S) has been bringing her fruit in a paper bag. So? There's nothing wrong with that, but... that paper bag, which in fact is tiny and cute, comes from an underwear shop... I don't know, there's something off in having your fruit where your panties have been (although new and clean)...

S's birthday is coming, so I thought about sewing a copy of her paper bag as a present. I made one with some cute fabric I had from previous projects, which incidentally was just perfect...

Even the lining is perfect (I believe is some fabric for Licien, but I'm not sure).

It took me only 15 minutes to assemble, maybe 'cause it's so tiny. But I'm really happy that I'm getting better with bags... might use the new skill for teachers' gift...

By the way, S liked very much her new lunch bag

my new knitting needles roll

It has become a necessity. Smurfette#2 (1 year old) often follows me in my craft space and lately explores it too... meaning everything is dragged out of its place and played with. When it comes to my knitting needles, I become (understandably) nervous... you know, pointy metal object and all... I had to hide away everything.

So... ta-daaaa! this is how I thought the whole thing.

This is the closed roll: no points, no needles around to play with.

This is the roll open: plenty of space for my needles.

I made two pockets in different heights to hold needles and smaller accessories. Each pocket is divided in slots, to keep firmly in place everything.

In the top pocket there's space for my needles (obviously ordered by size - big to small), I've even three free slots for future needle shopping...

In the bottom pocket (left to right): circular needle, two points knitting pins, various stitch holders.

I wanted the roll to be functional, but I added a cute fabric detail as simple decoration. I left the borders raw, simply zig-zagged. On the back, the same fabric and the same technique for the two diagonal stripes.

For a 20 minutes project, I'm really satisfied: fast, easy, functional and pretty.

Maybe one for my crochet hooks...?

portable changing mat

There's a new baby girl on the way (no, not mine...) and I wanted to make something for the little bundle of joy. I'm planning a quilt for M, but in the meantime I thought of this "transformer" project: a changing mat which morphs into a tote.

This is the changing mat (open):
there are four pockets for diapers, wipes and baby change.

And this is the same thing (closed):
to close the mat into a tote, you just fold the pockets inwards, then fold lengthwise in half.

Soft pink ballons... that's a "fuzzy applique" (or so I call it)

I'm sure I've not invented anything, most changing mats are also bags, so there's really nothing new. Applique decorations were probably also inspired by some picture on the web.

But everything is smooth and soft and ready for M. Her parents liked it and me too... and you?

needles (not pins)

There's this cosmic rule in my craft space that my needles get lost as soon as they are stored in a safe place... so safe that I can't remember where I put them... the rule does not apply to my pins, that are easily stored in a Nutella glass (along with the classic white cap).

This thing is driving me crazy, so I surfed the net for some solution... I found my inspiration and I made this needle book, which will hopefully help me with my hiding needles.

It only has 4 pages: the first for hand sewing needles, the second for safety pins holding labels on baby clothes, the third is for embroidery needles (no points) and the last is for wool needles (the big ones).

I love this little book!

tote for baby book project

Smurf#2, who's in kindergarden, is going to join in the reading fun (well, his mom will read, he will behave - ah! - and listen...) and is in urgent need of a tote to take books home.

(sorry, not pressed...)

Kindergarden gave Sis precise directions, and I didn't have much space for maneuver... except for the lining... this is the result.

(guess what? Ikea soft fabric!)

Even if I had restrictions, I must say I like how it came out. Easy peasy!

I embroidered the name with a very simple stem stitch

burp cloths for P.

I have a quilt ready for this baby (which I'll soon show you, by the way), but I can't give it to his mom before the little man is born (that would be in march)... so I opted for something rather simple to give as a pre-present.

I used leftover fabric from the quilt project to create two burp cloths.

The "operative" side is in cotton.

I didn't resist and put them in a pretty package. P's mom will be happy and will have a feel of how the quilt will be looking...