A Paper Wardrobe

All right, I finally gave in.  I didn't want to.  I thought this activity would drive me nuts and be quite nightmarish with the hangers and the templates and the paper and the cutting, but I was wrong.  My daughter has been begging me to buy this "fashion template" kit for her since she was 4.  It says age 8!   It had disaster written all over it.  Well, I kept saying no, she kept saying yes to the tune of SAVING the $21 to buy it.  Seriously, she is one determined little girl, and guess what . . .

 We had a BALL!!  This is A telling me "I TOLD YOU SO!!!"

 This is my boy loving it too!

I resisted buying this book because it seemed so manufactured and overpriced.  Couldn't we have more fun just making clothes up ourselves?  This pre-done template thing didn't seem to give a lot of creative license.  Well, we had to make the closet, at the very least, because you can't make all these beautiful clothes without a gorgeous place to put them!  We made a fabulous model while we were at it.  There's a mini-tutorial for the closet down below.

I have to say, it really was fun.  As prescribed as the templates were, there were so many ways to play with shapes and colors and patterns.  I kind of wanted this shirt for real:

Goes to show that you really shouldn't judge a thing until you try it.  I guess doing this with six year old Allie is a lot different than doing it when she was four, but still, in terms of entertainment, this surpassed my level of expectation ten-fold.  We spent hours making clothes, hanging them up, gluing them together, trying different combos.  I mean, seriously, I had as much fun as they did.  What toy activity has surprised you recently?

A Paper Wardrobe

Materials:
Shoebox
Scrapbooking paper
Yarn
Awl or something to poke the holes with
Glue

1. Find an old shoe box.

 2. Cut paper in sizes to line the box.

 3. Glue paper to the box.

 4. Poke a hole for the closet rod (yarn) on each side of the box about two and a half inches in from the side (we did it closer in the photo below but ended up poking another hole further back). The rod could be made from 16 to 18 gauge wire as well, but the yarn was fine.

 5. String up the yarn (rod) by tying multiple knots at each end on the outside of the box after threading through the holes.  Pull the yarn as taut as you can.

 6. Go to town with the templates and paper!

 Hope you all have a great weekend!

Super Cozy Pillow Case DIY

Look what I have for you!  - a super cozy pillow case DIY just in time for the cold weather!  My kids and I literally dove right into these.  The are super easy to make - about 40 minutes.  They take only 3/4 yard of the main fabric, and 1/3 a yard of the other.  I'm very happy to say that this DIY is the Sew Petite column for Petite Purls this quarter.  Petite Purls is such a fabulous knit magazine for little ones, but they always include lots of other goodies–craft, sewing, photography with every issue.  If you want to go straight to making one for yourself, hop over here.

I added monograms for the kids, using a font from the computer for a template, and fun appliques like this sweet elephant.  You can find the pdf for him in this tutorial I did for Petite Purls in Spring 2011.There is something about fleece that makes you want to snuggle down and enjoy a good book.  I love it.  Were you one of those kiddos that hunkered down for hours with a good book?  I was!  Such a worthy way to spend time.  I think this pillow case pattern would be fabulous for your favorite cotton prints in the spring too. Even Mr. Bunny was happy for an extra cuddly place to sit!
 Happy cozy snuggles to you and yours!!
xo Anne

Floundering

It never ceases to amaze me how hard it is to do something new, expecially when it’s something having to do with technology.  To me, it seems like everyone can zip around computer and software programs so easily and there I am staring at the most basic of basic things saying, what!? how do I do that?, how do I lock the aspect ratio?, how do I choose just the text?, how do I color the text?, how do I size this so it fits? (see how it doesn’t above), how can I get it just how I want?  I feel like it must take me HOURS longer than anyone else to do the simplest of things.  I flounder around on the internet at times trying to ferret out a better way to do something, only to be stymied by all the information and posts and text out there.  I tuck my tail between my legs and go back to clicking and clicking, shuffling though the menus, hoping I’ll get it right.

Then, as I was finishing off the new banner for the sophisticate cardigan knit-a-long (kal), Whew - yes, I love it!  I was thinking, is this how “non-makers” feel when they look at knitting needles, a crochet chart or an embroidery sampler?

Do they think, “What the . . !??” Are they floundering around YouTube looking for a semi-decent video explanation of how to “psso?”  Do they see a pair of knitting needles and feel their stomach curdle like a sippy cup of three-day old milk? That’s how I feel when Illustrator starts bouncing at the bottom of my dear old Mac, mocking me that I have to do something graphic.  I love the design aspect, but it’s the doing of it that strikes fear into my heart.  Is this just practice? A good class? Patience?

Then I think, what would I tell a new knitter staring with frustration at their hands which just can’t seem to hold those needles right: take your time, it takes practice, it will get easier, we were all where you are once . . . .

And, after all the work I did trying to design a new header, shown above, I decided it was too limiting to reflect everything this blog is about.  There are the kids, but where is the making.  Hmmm . . . back to the drawing board.  Practice, right?

P.S. Just as I was wrapping up this post, I somehow deleted the whole thing and when I went to “undo” it was too late . . . I had to rewrite the post. I HATE that.  I think my computer is laughing at me.  May technology be with you today.

Sophisticate KAL and Winner

Hi all.  I'm excited to announce a couple of things, including the lucky winner of the sophisticate cardigan from last week's post (winner below).  FIRST, I was thrilled by the number of commenters who thought this would be a good first sweater to knit.  I agree with you - it is simple, but classic, and is perfect for you sweater newbies.  They are so much easier than you think and its great to make a kiddo one your first - so much faster.  As a result of the response, I want to announce my first Knit-A-Long.  Lets do it together and you newbie sweater knitters can ask questions along the way.  I will only ask that you buy the pattern for $5 and, if you want to join, I will enroll you in the KAL, which will be a hosted group on Ravelry.  It will be my first KAL, so we'll figure out all the new stuff together as we go along. 

AND without further ado . . . . Allie is jumping for joy . . . . 

the winner is . . . 

MELINDA!!!!  


Melinda, I did not have your email address. If you leave it in the comments below or send me an email (address below), I will send you the PDF.  Congratulations!

And, I do hope the rest of you decide to join me to make a sweet little cardi for the little girl in your life this fall.  I think I might go more girly for this one.  I was thinking about adding hook and eye fasteners to close it and perhaps add some knit flower embellishments in appropriate colors - fun.  You'll have to join the KAL!  Email me at flaxandtwine(at)gmail(dot)com if you have any questions. 

The Costume Box

Yippee!  I am beyond thrilled to announce my new Craftsy course, The Costume Box, where you'll learn to make all the costume pieces pictured above.  I had such a ball designing this collection and I'm pleased as punch with how the course and all the pieces turned out!  In the course, I walk you through how to make each of these pieces step-by-step and discuss all the other things you can make with these easy techniques (think Harry Potter cloak, pirate swords, dragon wings, ice princesses, sea gods, tulle-y witches and more).  There are no patterns required for any of these pieces, they are all made using simple geometry with a pencil, fabric, paperboard, scissors, glue, wire and embellishments.

Here is the adorable trailer:


If you're not familiar with Craftsy, go check it out - the site includes a wealth of fun craft projects and includes amazing courses taught by fabulous instructors.  You can take the courses at your own pace, they are accessible at any time, the access never expires AND they are 100% satisfaction guaranteed!  The other wonderful thing about Craftsy is that the instructors, in this case, ME!, interact with you throughout the course answering questions, offering suggestions and oohing and ahhing at your uploaded finished projects.

So, GO NOW, and sign up for this special introductory price of $14.99  and start making those unique, beautiful hand-made costumes that you've always wanted to!  I am so excited to see you and meet you in class!

xoxo Anne

the sophisticate cardigan

I am so excited to announce the release of an original flax & twine sweater design: the sophisticate cardigan (sizes 5, 7 and 9) AND at the same time host my first give-away.  Please leave a comment below if you'd like to win a copy of this pattern and why.  I will select the winner at random and announce it on Monday, September 19th.  This is fun!  

ANNOUNCED BELOW.

When my daughter turned five and a half something shifted – she went from flaunting pink tutus to demanding a little black dress.  I call her the six-year-old sophisticate. This sweet fitted cardigan, with grown-up, ¾-length sleeves, was just what that little black dress asked for and is versatile enough to wear with her favorite jeans.

It has a sweet running stitch detail along the fronts and sleeve.  One of my test knitters even added embroidery to it as well - adorable. You can find this sweater pattern for sale on Ravelry and in my Etsy Shop.  

I hope some of you will make it for the sweet little lady in your life.  Link to photos in the comments if you do.  Happy knitting.

I get my hand cast off on Wednesday.  I'm not sure how long it will take for my poor broken hand to get back to knitting form, but hopefully quickly!  I miss it dearly!

WINNER IS MELINDA**

**If you email me at flaxandtwine(at)gmail(dot)com, I'd be happy to send you the pattern. Others, I'm going to start a KAL to knit the sweater - you need only buy the pattern. Leave me or email me your ravelry name if you are interested!
xo Anne

A Birthday Treasure Box

My nephew is turning three.  Emeka is a boy's boy–active, an adventure-seeker and in love with orange, balls and anything that moves. For his birthday, I wanted to give him a special treasure box filled with things I know he'd love.  It helps that this gift also removes things from our basement, treasures long forgotten by my 7 and 8 year-old.  I swear, too, that anything labeled with their name is automatically special.  So I'm off to ship dear Emeka's Birthday Treasure Box filled with balls of every type, bouncy, squishy, soft, and hard. Its the kind of gift that can entertain a three-year old like you wouldn't believe. Its easy to make . . the tutorial is provided below. . . . Happy Birthday Emeka!! 

Materials
Used shoe box
1/2 yard fabric
Craft glue
Rotary cutter
Marker
Treasures to fill

1. Cut fabric to fit shoe box.

2. Glue fabric to box with craft glue.

3. Use weights to hold down the cardboard.

4. Cut the fabric to glue it to the cardboard. Cutting diagonals in tricky areas.

5. Wrap the fabric around the box where possible.

6. Reassemble shoe box.

7.  Cut a paperboard rectangle 6" x 3", fabric at 5.5" x 2.5", and another cardboard piece at 4.5"x 1.5".

8. Label smallest cardboard piece with the box owner's name.

9. Sew all pieces together with a zig-zag stitch, starting at the bottom and progressing to the top.

10.  Glue label to the top of the shoe box.

11. Fill with treasure.

Slowing Down and Gearing Up

Ohh dear,
I feel like quoting Harry Potter : "Growing bones is hard business."  This three broken bones thing is taking its toll. I have to admit I've been tired, going to bed early and generally taking time to recuperate.  This means my blogging has slowed significantly.  The dearth in recent posts has me sad, but I'm hoping to resolve that as we head into fall.

My kids are all back in school full-time, starting today. These are their first day back to school photos.  I have done this series every year since they started going.  I have to thank my husband for the excellent smiles. He can almost always get them laughing (usually by pretending to do something to me!)
So many exciting things are just coming to fruition, including an on-line course that will be public soon, a new knitting pattern to publish, an upcoming column in one of my favorite magazines, and perhaps exposure in a national magazine.  All of these things are thrilling, but have left me drained from a very busy summer.  But, I think I managed to balance all the work with some wonderful vacations and kiddo time too.  I think they're looking healthy and happy for it!

Still, there is something about "going-back-to-school" that gets me excited to organize and accomplish all the things on my to-do list. So, I'm gearing up again . . . ready to get at it (especially when my cast comes off in one week)!  I'm excited to share my new developments as they happen and of course provide more crafty and fun ideas and adventures here through the fall!