Craft Patterns BlogJust another Craft Center Blog weblog

1. Tooth Fairy Pillow, 2. Baby Binky Bunny, 3. Kat Kitty, 4. Aarrrrr!, 5. Mum’s messenger bag, 6. Yellow Baby Binky Bunny whole, 7. Samuel’s Guitar Bag, 8. 3D sleeping paper owl, 9. Stockbroker Monkeys

Posts will be infrequent for a while. I blame patchwork. I did too much of it and now my spine has gone on strike. While I negotiate terms with my bulging disk, please enjoy these clever creations from the flickr pools. You guys always amaze me with your talents!

Now, I know it’s three months away, but I’m really excited about this … Jane Franklin Dance will perform preview segments of their 2010-2011 season featuring the part of their upcoming performance, “The Mouse of Amherst” exclusively at the Ballston A&C Market on October 9th!

This performance is especially for children by the dancers of Jane Franklin Dance. Mark your calendars, folks! This is completely family friendly (and fun!).

For no particular reason I got the idea to make ninja cupcake toppers. Siders? There was no birthday, no party to attend, no potluck, it was purely just because. And let me add, one great thing about having a blog is it gives me the excuse to make just about anything without question, case in point:

Me: Jason(my husband), I’m going to make some ninjas popping out of cupcakes.

Jason: *Look of confusion*

Me: It’s for the blog.

Jason: Oh, okay.

See, all I have to say is “it’s for the blog” and somehow it magically makes sense. Now, if I could somehow transfer that effect to buying shoes, I’d really be on to something.

Okay, back to the cupcake ninja toppers/siders. I started to think why should the tops of the cupcakes get all the love, how about the sides? The sides could have something jetting out of them and then it hit me, Ninjas!

Right click, copy, save, paste and print. You might need to scale the size of them. Once printed, cut out, tape to toothpicks and have fun. For the ninjas on top, make sure the printed part does not touch the frosting. You don’t want ink running into the frosting.

(shyly pressed in my hand by my youngest)

It’s a big rush for a teacher when a student starts to write of their own accord and not because they have to practice. And especially when the teacher loves the sweet little stinker student to death. (heart clenching) Yep, passing notes is definitely allowed here at the Holland Academy for Young Ladies.

We just got back from vacation and I am way behind in everything. I am still trying to catch up. So, in the mean time, I am going to show you my other woven scarves.This was actually my 3rd project, so I am going a little out of order. As I said before, there was to be one finished scarf for my class, Weaving 1. That was the red one I blogged about a few weeks ago. This one was done all by myself. A week before our final class, I wanted to make sure that I could make a warp, sley the loom and basically do everything by myself. All the other projects, I have warped the loom under my teacher’s watchful eye and her explicit instructions.I used one skein of Yarntini Self Striping Sock Yarn in the colorway, Grape Ape, for both the warp and weft. With a self striping yarn, I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out really well and striped perfectly. As you can see, Miss Melody has claimed the scarf as her own. She has been obsessed with the color purple recently so I was more than happy to give it to her. I am sure she won’t mind if I borrow it every once in a while.
This was my second project. It’s super long and super soft. Great for those very cold days when I can wrap this scarf several times around my neck and face.The yarn is Pigeonroof Studios Siren Two Sock in the colors: Lettuce and Icicle. One skein of each color. I used both colors to make the warp in a striped sequence. The weaving was randomly done with both colors.

This is an idea I wrote down a while ago in my craft journal. It’s been so long since I came up with the idea that I’m not even sure what made me think of it. I suspect I was brainstorming things I could make with Japanese masking tape but who really knows. Anyhow, these twist ties are super easy to make. I think they would be great for favors, especially if you have a specific color theme.

Supplies:
Japanese Masking Tape
Wire
Wire Cutter
Pinking Shears

Cut a piece of tape to the length you want your twist tie. Place on table, sticky side up.

Cut a piece of wire slightly shorter than your tape. Place in center of tape.

Place another piece of tape on top, sticky sides together.

Trim twist tie with pinking shears or regular scissors. Done.

Our wonderful across-the-street neighbors’ daughter Isabelle turned three Monday. Here’s her little tooth fairy pillow with the mouth pocket for the teeth and the loot pocket on the back. I think I like this version with the felt wings and rick rack belt instead of pipe cleaner wings/felt tutu. It’s easier to put together for sure. If you have the materials handy it only takes a couple of hours to finish.

If you’d like to try one, the recently updated basic tutorial/pattern can be found here.

Did you know the best artwork is right here in Arlington? Yep. It just takes artists like Marissa Molinaro to keep visiting the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market with her cool, unique and completely usable glassware!