Archive for the 'Crafts' Category

How To Make a Summer Purse

Published
by
Cat
on March 16, 2007
in Blog, Crafts, Creativity and Sewing
. 2 Comments

It may be cold outside, but I am dreaming of summer, and sewing up a storm inside! I made this saucy little bag the other day, and it turned out pretty cute (if I do say so myself!) Now, if only we could get rid of this snow, I might actually be able to use it!

Bag Making 101

 

Here is what you’ll need:

About 3/4 Meter of Fabric of your choice (preferably summery print)

Bamboo Handles (available at your local craft and sewing stores)

Interfacing (the kind that adheres to fabric when ironed)

Pins

Thread to match fabric

Scissors and Pinking Shears if you have them (I used both)

Iron

Bag Making 101

First, lay out fabric on a flat surface and determine how large you want your bag to be to. Once you have figured this out, fold either side of fabric in to meet in the centre so that you will only have one seam which will be on the inside. Cut enough interfacing so that it matches up with the outside edges of your cloth, place in centre of cloth with wrong side of cloth facing up, and interfacing facing shiny side up as well. Fold fabric over to meet in the middle, leaving enough for a seam to hide rough edge. Press with medium to hot iron so interfacing sticks to fabric to stiffen it.

Bag Making 101

Next, fold fabric up to form a pouch with top edges of either side flush together, pin outside edges on wrong side of bag, and machine stitch starting at the bottom, working up, leaving about 3 - 4 inches of fabric on each side at top (you will need this excess in order to attach the handles which is quite tricky and must be done by hand!)

Bag Making 101

Once this is done, pin handles to bag by placing handle in front of fabric for each side, and folding fabric forward over handle.

Bag Making 101

Gather fabric as you work with the pins, so that it has a “bunchy” look to it.

Bag Making 101

Once the handle is attached, it should look something like this (minus this odious grey weather of course. Imagine if you will, this purse on a sun drenched day in July, with waves lapping up on the shore of a beautiful beach…

Ok, maybe not…that’s really a stretch…but just try to picture it in warmer weather instead of out in the cold on my back deck where I took this picture!

Finished Purse

It was so easy…you can do it too…give it a try!



How to Make an Easy Tote Bag

Published
by
Cat
on March 9, 2007
in Blog and Crafts
. 3 Comments

Gingham Bag

Cat Can Sew…so…Yesterday, I made this cute diaper bag (every bag these days is some form of diaper bag!) I am by no means a “sewer” and had purchased a couple of easy patterns to try. However, when neither my husband nor myself could figure out from the instructions exactly what it was we needed, let alone decipher the pattern itself, I opted to wing it! It was so easy too!

Here’s how I did it: I cut two pieces of fabric, one denim and one gingham about 18 inches by about 40 inches and put them together, right sides of fabric facing in. Next I machine stitched them down the outside long edges, turned right side out, and pressed. Then, I turned them lining side out, and folded the rectangle in half to form the bag, pinned it, and sewed up the outside edges again, gingham (lining) side out. Once that was done, I turned the bag right side out, turned down the hem, pressed, and turned it down again, and pressed. To give it a finished appearance, I then machine stitched the gingham border in a swervy line to hold it in place. I added a small square of fabric, and pinned a daisy to the border to dress it up a bit! I haven’t sewn the handle on as yet (I cheated when I took this picture and just set it where I am going to stitch it later today. The handle itself is a long strip of fabric which I cut, sewed along the edge on the wrong side of the fabric, then turned right side out again. I turned the ends in, and pressed those too (more pressing than I’ve done in a while lemme tell ya!)

Voila! A cute little bag you can put your childrens’ diapers in, but not look silly whilst carrying around a Winnie the Pooh motif if say, suddenly, you are called to an important dinner party or night on the town, and can’t unload your kids’ stuff at home before the event, and…um…

Let’s just say it’s kinda cute, shall we!?! :-D

Working with Wire and Beads

Published
by
Cat
on March 4, 2007
in Blog and Crafts
. 2 Comments

BeadsPurple Heart

 

I took some inspriation from Sonya Style and created these little heart and fish pendants yesterday…I think they’re kind of fun and pretty. Wire is not something I play around with very often, but I think it opens up a lot of design possibilities!

My Brother’s Silver Jewelery

Published
by
Cat
on March 3, 2007
in Blog, Crafts and Family
. 0 Comments

elven pendantsilver ring

 

I think creativity runs in my family. I’m always crafting this and that. My Mom is a published writer, Dad is a great cook, black-light puppet designer, and all around artistic guy, and my brother Michael is a jewelery designer. I’m very proud of his work and I wanted to show off some of his designs here. As you can see, he is a talented fellow. He works mainly in Sterling Silver, but is always experimenting with new materials. His designs are fresh and whimsical, taking inspiration from the Medieval and fantasy sources.

Wicked Fruit

As is the case with many artists, Michael would love to make jewelery for a living. If you are looking for a unique piece as a gift, or for yourself, and are interested in his work, please let me know. He has a lot to offer, and what is shown here is only a small sample of his extensive designs…

The Other Ring

 

 

 

Jewellery Designer

Published
by
Cat
on March 2, 2007
in Blog, Crafts and Creativity
. 1 Comment

Take a look at this link www.howtojewellery.co.uk Talk about talent! Great tutorials on jewellery making. It’s kinda inspiring, although I am not sure I am up to her calibre just yet. I’ll work on it! ;-)

A Fantastic Bead Book By Margot Potter

Published
by
Cat
on February 27, 2007
in Beads, Blog, Book, Crafts and Creativity
. 0 Comments

Impatient Beader

I recently happened upon this book by Margot Potter, and purchased it purely on the merits of it’s title “The Impatient Beader.” I figured this one was definitely worth checking out seeing I was looking for some beading inspiration, and a few how-to’s as well. I figured from the fun title, that it must have been written just for me! I have to tell you, it is not only packed full of creative ideas and inspiration, it is also a hilarious read!

Potter’s creative flair shines through in her unique design concepts presented in this book. She takes inspiration from colours and themes and turns them into beautiful wearable works-of-art! Her designs are vibrant, and stunningly bold, yet most are simple enough for the beginner beader. Coupled with her humorous writing style, the book provides both beautiful project ideas plus entertaining anecdotes.

I loved the first book so much, that I immediately ordered a copy of her second book “The Impatient Beader Gets Inspired” and boy, did I ever! Once again, wonderful designs and non-conventional ideas that get the creative juices flowing! I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book which debuts in June…

Pretty Distractions

Published
by
Cat
on February 15, 2007
in Blog and Crafts
. 0 Comments

Pretty

 

This is what I have been doing with my “spare time” lately (what is that again?) Anyhow, it sure has proven to be a stressful couple of weeks and beading is providing me with a much needed creative outlet. I hope to either sell some of my beaded creations in the near future or look into teaching beginner beading classes locally. Again, spare time may have something to do with the outcome of these wishes, but you never know!

Voila!

Published
by
Cat
on January 24, 2006
in Blog and Crafts
. 1 Comment
Emailing: Jewelry 006.jpg

Here is a picture of the necklace that I worked on the other day. It is a 4-strand necklace in shades of orange and green with a toggle clasp. I think it turned out pretty well, considering that I made it in about an hour while Liam was having his afternoon nap!

Artbeads.com

Published
by
Cat
on January 24, 2006
in Blog and Crafts
. 1 Comment

I saw one of the ads on my site was for a company called Artbeads, so I checked out their site…pretty cool!!! :-) They have a great resource section with “How-To’s” and images to go along with the instructions! There are also ideas galore, in case you’re in need of inspiration.  This is great if you’re a visual person like I am and need an actual demonstration or at least a picture! Check them out!

A Visit to Elora

Published
by
Cat
on January 22, 2006
in Blog and Crafts
. 1 Comment

It had been a long time since I had last visited the village of Elora, Ontario, but today was such a beautiful day with sunshine and moderate temperatures, that my husband and I decided to take a drive up and get some fresh air. I also had an alterior motive…I had heard of “Gecko Beads,” a small but excellent bead shop in the heart of the village, and I was in need (or at least in want) of some new beading supplies…After perusing the hundreds of brightly coloured choices of stone, glass and metal, I made my selection and left the shop with my small bag of beads.

Seeing as one of the main intentions for this blog was to offer craft project ideas, I am thinking I had better put some of the supplies I have purchased to good use, and make something, fast! In the meantime, I am trying to find inspiration (and time!) to create some beautiful jewelry. With summer fast approaching (don’t make me laugh) I would like to add a few pieces to my collection.

I saw the most stunning multi-strand necklace at the Bead shop “Beadazzled” here in Guelph yesterday. I inquired about the price of the masterpiece, and was told it was for sale for a modest (ahem!) $200! Imagine that, some thread, a few shiny baubles, and $200 later, it could have been mine…I think I’ll see what I can create instead!