A Little Bit of Poncho

So maybe this isn't the right season to post this, being it's the middle of summer...but darn it, this poncho is so cute and was so much fun to make!

My friend Sarah received one of these that was from a little store in Cape Cod. Quite pricey! We decided we could make our own fleece ponchos and set about looking for the right material. 

I can't tell you how much ugly fleece there is in the world. Massive amounts of it! But we found two pretty patterns amidst the scariness and proceeded to make away. 

The instructions for making your own poncho are here--it's very easy. I don't have precise instructions; but good enough to follow. So have at it--make some ponchos of your own! Note: the ball trim is tricky to get in the little nook of the hood. It kept slipping out for me, but I finally stitched it securely.  

Leather Cuffs

Had a little time the other day and, with the help of a stack of leather sample provided to me by a friend who owns a furniture store, turned out a few leather cuffs! They're simple...silver button, leather strap to fasten, and a glazed pottery "stone" in the middle. Very cute and makes great gifts! Now a cuff I really like are these ones by OwlPeople...perfect for football games here in Nebraska!

Martha Copied Me

What should a friend spy on Miss Martha Stewart's site but a little gadget I have been making and giving away (or selling) for years--the Bag'Em! Or, as MS calls them, "Pretty Little Plastic Bag Holders." Martha made hers from a dishtowel and twill tape; I went all out with contrast insides; grosgrain trim and handle and french seams. I think mine are a little bigger, too. 

Anyways, they're simple to make and are great hostess gifts (and a way to use up extra fabric!) 1). Just cut two pieces of fabric the size you want to make the bag, 2). sew together at the top and french seam the sides, 3). sew a channel on the bottom for elastic 4). finish the seam after you put the elastic in and add the ribbon trim!

Hungry for a Good Summer Read?

You know that kind of book that you start and just can't put down? And it's not because it's brain-rot, but because it's simple and engaging and truly good and you like the characters and the plot and before you know it, it's 2 am and you're still hunched over reading? That's the kind of book The Hunger Games is. A good story mixed in with some social commentary and a good post-apocalyptic background. 

I picked it up on Amazon's recommendation with two other young adult novels. The other two were forgettable--decent plot, mediocre execution; i made myself read the last few chapters.  The Hunger Games was the exact opposite. Katniss, the young protagonist, is chosen as a tribute from her district to represent them in the annual Hunger Games, a televised fight-to-the-death, one-man-leaves contest with 24 other contestants. The details in how a tribute is chosen, why the Hunger Games were started, the trip to the Capitol to compete and the training and pageantry the contestants go through is unforgettable. 

My First Mini-Book

After an initial dry period of ideas, this little mini-book got created for my mom--a Mother's Day gift. It's the first one I've made so far, and hopefully not the last. The time spent making the book was enjoyable. 

A great book on crafting mini-books is called Sharing Your Story. The book helps you capture and document the everyday moments in your life and is a helpful guide on how-tos, showing material needed for various types of mini-books.

More on Handmade Greeting Cards

Oh, what fun it is to create your own cards! This clever greeting card book I found at Barnes & Noble (it's available online at Amazon as well) was a great source of ideas and inspiration. I especially like the collaged cards section--collage has been a mini-obsession since I discovered John Derian's decoupage work. 

There are so many great collage artists, and such creativity in their work! Linda Solovic is one who works with paper and textiles to create incredibly intricate pieces. Meghan Stratman is another amazing collage artist (she had a booth at the Nature's Market that I had an Emmy + Ivy booth at.)

I was inspired to make a few collage cards of my own. These aren't terribly detailed, but I think the baby dinosaurs are darling. I made a pattern and traced it onto scrapbook paper to make the mini-saurs. 

French Paper Does It Again!

If you are looking for unique gifts for the design-lover, hop on over to French Paper's PopInks Gift Store. From notecards to soap, you'll find the perfect and one-of-a-kind design item. 

I love these Decor-a-Boards...and this perky little robin in particular. (Shop the collection here.) It makes a nice addition to home or office decor...the cut-out edges are a perfect final touch.