Category Archive for ‘DIY’ at make something

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Archive for the 'DIY' Category

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES

Published

Karyn

on January 3, 2009

in DIY, scraps and stitchery

. 10 Comments

I’m taking the downtime after the holidays to start thinking about next year’s holiday. Seriously. I hope that if I put a little pre-planning in now I’ll have a smooth sailing Christmas next year. All my presents will be made and wrapped before December 24, holidays cards will be received in the correct year and I will be fast asleep in the hours leading up to Santa’s arrival. This is how Martha does it. She has already planned and photographed the Holiday dinners we will be reading about 11 months from now. I aspire only to be on time, that’s all.

I had the last minute idea to use some fabric scraps in the last bits of my wrapping this year. I cut pieces of kraft paper and zigzag stitched a scrap of fabric to the top. Then I put the gift in the middle of two pieces of kraft paper and stitched all around to enclose it into the package. This clearly won’t work for large gifts, but for many of the small fabric gifts, it’s just perfect. I’ll probably use recycled newspapers or such next year.

I found this post yesterday on Wild Olive. Her version with painting looks really sweet and colourful. I’d love to try this too.

Sewing on paper is a lot of fun and I highly recommend it. My cousin, Heather, made the beautiful holiday card below that she stitched on her machine. I really love the black and white photos of her bunnies with the red stitching. Brilliant!

One note about sewing paper on your sewing machine. You should definitely change your needle when you’re done. Sewing on paper will dull your need very quickly. Save that needle for future paper sewing projects and get a fresh one for sewing with fabric.

I also received some lovely gifts wrapped in fabric this year. One in a sweet tea towel and the other in a piece of vintage cotton. Do you have any creative wrapping ideas to share?

TYPEWRITTEN FABRIC LABEL

Published

Karyn

on January 2, 2009

in DIY, scraps and stitchery

. 32 Comments

I’ve been toying with the idea of having labels made for years, but haven’t gotten around to doing it. Adding a personal label to some of my holiday gifts was something that I thought of in the last days before Christmas. There was no time to order printable fabric sheets (that I now plan on ordering for the shop) or even iron-on transfer paper.

I pulled out my beloved Underwood Portable typewriter and some large scraps of cotton muslin and typed right onto the fabric! If I had planned more carefully, I could have done sweet individual messages to each gift recipient. Alas, this year it will be the same heartfelt message to all.

In order to feed the muslin fabric into the typewriter, I folded it around a piece of copy paper. Ironing freezer paper onto the back of the fabric would have been another way to accomplish making the fabric stiffer, but I didn’t have any at home that night. Once the fabric is fed into the roller, then you just type away! I really love the feeling of typing on a typewriter and especially the ‘clacking’ sound.

To heat set the ink on labels, I ironed them for a few minutes. The labels went on items that are never going to be washed, but I still wanted to do my best to make them as permanent as possible. I had some leftover labels that I threw in the wash out of curiosity. The ink faded slightly from the washing, but is still visible. The idea that the label may fade over time, is actually appealing to me.

Sewing the labels was simple, I used a small zigzag stitch around the outside edge of the label to secure it in place. I really adore them! I’ve decided to add a label or message to as many of my makings as possible from now on. Tiny details can add so much delight to a handmade item.

FOUND : METALLIC LINEN & CORDUROY

Published

Karyn

on December 18, 2008

in DIY, found, spotted and textiles

. 5 Comments

Okay, this is not my usual ‘found by the side of the road‘ post. This is about discovering something in your possession that you forgot you owned. Like finding a $20 bill in an old purse you haven’t used for a few months, only I think this is much better. When talking to Debbie the other day about her metallic tote bag, I suddenly had a flash that I had bought myself some gorgeous metallic linen when I went to New York over Labour Day. When I went home, I scavenged in my spare closet and pulled out a beloved B & J Fabric store bag. Inside it, I found a yard of silvery linen fabric and also a couple yards of the finest wale corduroy in purplish grey. I can’t tell you how delighted and inspired I was.

One of the things I miss most about living in New York (besides French bistro fare, sample sales, Chelsea art galleries and the Strand) is aimlessly wandering the Garment district, slowly scanning shelves piled high with bolts of delicious fabric. I would often spend hours dreaming up creations and carefully choosing which fabrics would come home with me. B & J Fabrics is one of my favourites. This is where I first discovered Liberty of London fabrics. Just to be near those bolts of fabulous prints made me giddy.

Usually I find that the fabric tells me what it wants to be. The soft corduroy demands to be a dress and the linen a little sparkly top. As I start having some down-time over the holidays, I’ll be ready with my Gingher scissors to cut into these two fabrics and start creating.

p.s. There was a piece on the CBC radio show, ‘Spark’, yesterday about the resurgence of sewing. You can hear my funny voice for a few seconds here. Just fast forward to 12:30 for the part on sewing. The piece starts and finishes with cute audio clips from the 1948 film by Simplicity, “Pattern for Smartness“. It is extremely entertaining.

FABRIC MUSHROOMS

Published

Karyn

on November 5, 2008

in DIY, scraps and stitchery

. 10 Comments

It’s so satisfying to check stuff off my crafty list of things to do. Making fabric mushrooms has been on that mental list for a very long time, so I was really inspired when I saw Mon Petit Lapin’s post that directed me to this tutorial. Thank you, Rebecca!

I find projects that use up scraps of fabric especially gratifying. They make me feel much less guilty about the boxes of fabric bits that I’ve been hoarding for so long. You might notice that two of the mushrooms bear a striking resemblance to my new lounge pants. That fabric just seemed like perfect mushroom fabric and now I’m coordinating with my room decor. The orange mini floral is a scrap from a fabric I’ve used in many many projects.

I was even more thrilled to finally find a great use for my jar of thread bits. I’ve been collecting thread at the shop, hoping to recycle it one day. It makes an ideal stuffing for these mushroom softies.

This project is really easy, the hardest part was finding the right little stones to put in the base of the stem to hold them upright. Even still they are not very stable, but as a set, they seem to hold each other up.

Next up, I’d like to tackle a few projects from the Softies book. I especially like these sweet bunnies. I hope that Perfect Bunny won’t mind a few friends. My ultimate goal is to make some birds, a giraffe and a squirrel.

I’m incredibly inspired by these talented ladies – Ashley Anna Brown, Ann Wood, Rosa Pomar, and Tamar Mogendorff.

MAKING A TERRARIUM

Published

Karyn

on October 1, 2008

in DIY, found and gardening

. 15 Comments

I’m crazy for moss. I don’t know why, but I love it. If I could, I would live in a house carpeted in moss. More than likely this obsession stems from my fascination with fairies. I never said, but fairies are my favourite mythical creature. Everybody knows how much fairies love moss, right?

Over the years, I’ve tried to bring more moss into my life. The trouble is that moss requires very specific growing conditions and neither my backyard nor my house resembles a shady, moist forest. I’ve tried decorative bowls filled with moss, moss lining my planters and moss edging for the patio. Unfortunately, I’ve killed lots of moss in the process.

This is why I’m so excited about my new terrarium. This enclosed glass mini eco-system should be perfect for keeping moss alive… theoretically.

On Monday, I started gathering together all the essentials for this project. Almost everything I used for the terrarium were found materials, the only thing I purchased was some activated carbon from an aquarium shop. The activated carbon or charcoal is used to filter the water in the terrarium and keep things clean. I used this vintage cracker jar that I had found a few months ago. On my walk with Maisy, I scooped up a small section of moss from the woods, complete with a cute mushroom. My local lumberyard let me grab a handful of gravel and sand for free! When I got home, I divided a small fern we have growing in our front yard.

Into my cleaned out glass jar, I put a layer of gravel with a bit of sand. The gravel provides drainage for the water. On top of that I put a layer of activated carbon. Then a layer of dried moss or sphagnum moss. I have a good collection of dried out/dead moss already. This keeps the soil from getting down into water below. My section of live moss had a nice layer of soil attached to it, so i just cut it to size and evened out the bottom. Once the moss was in the jar, I made a little hole to plant my mini fern. I tried to tamp down the moss and all the layers below to compact it all together. I even put in the acorn cap that was sitting on the moss when I harvested it. A little bit of water was added to get the roots wet and then I put the lid on.

The idea with a closed terrarium is that it is it’s own eco-system. The plants produce oxygen and the water condensates and runs down the glass and waters the plants. If it gets too misty, you can open the lid and let it dry out a bit. After a few weeks, apparently things get sorted out and it just takes cares of itself.

I’m mentally planning more terrariums, but I’ll see how this one progresses. It’s pretty amazing though. It’s like a little green mossy world on my bedside table.

These terrariums by Paula Hayes are a whole other level. {via unruly things}

DIY : LOTTA LIGHT

Published

Karyn

on August 27, 2008

in DIY

. 5 Comments

Lotta Jansdotter is an inspiration in so many ways. I’ve been a fan of her prints and books for a long time. The September 2007 issue of Blueprint featured her Brooklyn studio. The thing that caught my eye was the light fixture above her desk. It was so organic looking, almost like some complex molecule from chemistry class. (I wouldn’t know which one, since it was hardly my best class) I learned after closer examination, that the fixture is extremely simple to make. The light is made of twin socket adapters that you can pick up at any hardware store. There are infinite possibilities with the configuration, you just keep screwing the adapters into each other and the fixture grows. It’s probably the best lighting project for someone with absolutely no electrical knowledge. There’s no wiring involved.

I’ve made two of them for the shop. One of them is in the bathroom hanging above the Julia Rothman print. There was just an ugly socket sticking out of the wall there. This was a great solution to sprucing that wall up without major expense. If you want to get fancy, check out these fractal chandeliers. They are made with the same adapters but follow a more mathematical approach to construction and use up to forty four adapters.

Speaking of fractals, I found this amazing paper fractal sculpture and a fractal cabbage!

{Blueprint magazine photo courtesy of Reva}

INTRODUCING : OPERATION SOCK MONKEY

Published

Karyn

on August 16, 2008

in DIY, local, stitchery and the workroom

. 4 Comments

photographs courtesy of Lindsey Hodgson

The sock monkey has a long history as a popular children’s toy in North America. The design ingeniously transforms a pair of socks, a pair of buttons, stuffing and thread into a lovable creature. Traditionally, the red-heeled work sock has been the most popular choice for sock monkeys. The red heel forms the distinctive mouth on the stuffed monkeys. But nowadays the monkeys come in all sock varieties, each one cute and ready for some monkey fun.

Lindsey Hodgson believes in the power of these monkeys to make a difference. She started up Operation Sock Monkey to create awareness for Clowns without Borders and to send sock monkey ambassadors to children affected by AIDS/HIV in South Africa.

How was Operation Sock Monkey born?

Lindsey: Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) was born from a love of sock monkeys and a belief in their healing powers on the human soul. No matter who you are or what you do, a sock monkey will cheer you up when you’re feeling blue!

Why is this cause so important to you?

Lindsey: Can you imagine losing your most or all of your family to an epidemic? Who would be left to ask you what you want to be when you grow up? Who would sing songs with you and make you smile? Who would let you know that you are loved?

I believe that the work that Clowns Without Borders does is vital in the the healing process of those bereaved by or infected with HIV/AIDS. Daily life is often a struggle when faced with challenges meeting very basic human needs, such as food shortages and drought, on top of having or living with someone who has this debilitating virus. The clowns provide much needed comic relief and emotional support in the form of shows and workshops. Sometimes they also provide food and other resources to the communities they work in. They are bringing extreme positivity to a very negative situation and the response they are met with is astounding! I am delighted to fundraise for them through sock monkey sales and sponsorships. And I’m absolutely floored at how many others have lent their energy, creativity and resources to OSM.

How many monkeys have you been able to donate so far?

Approximately 150 monkeys have been sent via clown-courier to HIV/AIDs orphans living in South Africa. More than half of those were sewn by volunteers who have donated their time and talents to the cause. It’s really inspiring to be moved by a project happening around the world, and then do something about it here at home, and to have others join in and say – ‘Hey! we want to help too!’ It brings a sense of of global community and citizenship that seems so difficult to attain in this big crazy world. Small acts of love can make a huge difference.

Why do you think everyone loves sock monkeys?

The sock monkey is a magical creature who lives for many human lifetimes. Their very nature is Reincarnative. Some will have 5, 6, 7 owners. Imagine the stories they could tell, the things they have seen, the feet they have warmed! Humans can sense the innate wisdom and omnipotence of these marvelous beings and are easily enchanted by them.

Lindsey & Operation Sock Monkey will be at the Kids Trunk Show at the workroom, 1340 Queen Street West, on Sunday August 17 from 12-5pm. Show your support for this worthy cause and purchase a sock monkey or three.

If you’d like to learn to make your own sock monkey you can join a workshop taking place next door to the Kids Trunk Show at Shop Girls, 1342 Queen Street West, on Sunday August 17 starting at 1pm. The cost of the workshop is only $15 or free if you donate your monkey to Operation Sock Monkey. All materials and supplies will be provided. All ages are welcome and youngsters are encouraged to bring along an adult to partner with.

Sock monkeys can be purchased anytime from the Operation Sock Monkey website. Monetary donations or even material donations of new socks or stuffing are accepted, as well.

photographs courtesy of Lindsey Hodgson

TUTORIAL : GRADING & UNDERSTITCHING

Published

Karyn

on July 30, 2008

in DIY and stitchery

. 11 Comments

This is a very short tutorial to teach you a couple of easy techniques that can have huge impact on your garment making. A lot of modern patterns skip these steps, often suggesting top-stitching instead. Top stitching is useful, even pretty in some cases, but it certainly isn’t refined. Once you understand grading and understitching you will see how useful they are. You can use these easy techniques in your facings, waistbands, linings and anywhere else that your seam allowance is pressed together and not open. Grading reduces the bulk of your seam allowance and encourages the seam to lie flat. The understitching keeps the inner layer from rolling to the outside and gives a clean, professional look.

For me, it’s the little tricks like these that really give me such pleasure and pride in my dressmaking.

Did you know that My Little Pony; is 25 years old? Check out the My Little Pony Project, 25 artists are designing 25 ponies! {via NOT COT} I never actually had a My Little Pony, I was too obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake.

TUTORIAL : IRONING BOARD MAKEOVER

Published

Karyn

on July 23, 2008

in DIY, stitchery and the workroom

. 49 Comments

Here it is! My very first online photo tutorial. This is a super easy project, that can spruce up your sad ironing board into something rather charming. If you’re following along, I’m working on making my ‘ironing stations’ more bright and cheery with pin boards and now cute ironing board covers. I thought I’d share the process with you in case you wanted to do the same thing.

It was harder than I thought, making sure every single step was documented. If something isn’t clear, please leave some comments. I’d love love love to hear what you think! (Especially if you like it & I’ll do more!)

PIN BOARD PERSEVERANCE

Published

Karyn

on July 22, 2008

in DIY, etsy, patchwork, scraps, stitchery and the workroom

. 12 Comments

Fabric covered tacks & Patchwork Pin Board, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Reading piles of crafty/designy blogs everyday leads to lots of saved bookmarks of things to try out. Making a fabric-covered pin board and fabric-covered thumbtacks has been floating near the top of my mental ‘crafty projects list’ for over a year.

The main problem has been sourcing out the paper board that most people in the States use as the base, homasote. Homasote is a recycled paper board that is used in construction and apparently makes ideal pin board material, as it can be covered or even painted. They had never heard of it at my local Home Depot, Rona or Home Hardware. I contacted Homasote directly trying to find out who they sold it to in Toronto. I was given the name of a place in Rexdale, who carries it in 4′x8′ sheets, but can’t cut it down. The distance and the logistics of it were too discouraging.

Recently, I decided to give up on the idea. I thought I would just go get a ‘regular’ cork board from Staples and just stain it dark grey to keep it from looking too much like a ‘regular’ cork board. I swear, I read somewhere that you can stain cork. Well, when I stained the cork board it started bubbling all over. What! I hauled it down into the basement and put it under some piles of drywall and tiles hoping that the weight over a couple weeks would flatten the whole thing out again. No such luck. I had ruined a perfectly ‘regular’ cork board.

Why was I settling for ‘regular’ anyways?

Every once in a while, i amass a huge list of errands on my day off that necessitate the use of a Zipcar. I went for the biggest car you can get, the Honda Element, so that I could drive around town and just load it up with goodies. After a bit of googling, I located another building supply place in Markham that not only carried the board, but would cut it into manageable pieces for me. The ironic thing? It’s the same building supply place that used to be around the corner from me, literally. I used to be able to walk over, borrow their dolly and haul huge sheets of wood home on my own. I was devastated when they closed that location down. I made the long drive up the DVP and I finally got my Homasote and got to have a little reunion with my old building supply pals.

The rest was a piece of cake. The boards were cut down to 2′x4′. I used two of them for the back of the shop. I have to give credit to Debbie who did all the patchwork and thumb tack covering. They look so sweet!

As for the hanging – always get advice if you don’t know what you’re doing and use the right tools! My guy at Home Hardware set me up with these amazing ‘flush mount hangers’ that can be screwed into the back of the board and then a matching one into the wall and they slide into each other. These are perfect for hanging anything large. He also set me up with the perfect drill bit, anchors and screws.

Here’s the tutorial on doing the pin board and also the fabric-covered tacks. Otherwise, buy one on etsy from Shim and Sons and save yourself the drama.

For me, it was worth it. I feel total satisfaction over conquering this craft challenge. Plus, I have enough Homasote to make a couple more boards.

Now – Any ideas on what to do with a bubbly cork board?

ADDED NOTE: I’ve had so many people ask about where I got my Homasote, so I’m posting it here. If you happen to find another location in the Toronto area, post it in the comments, tons of people are looking to find it!

Rosebank Wholesale Lumber
905-477-4011
186 Old Kennedy Road, Markham, ON L3R0L5