coco, the glove bunny
It’s time to get stitching for spring with this super cute glove bunny. This is Coco, bunny #1 in my bunny making journey (I have since stitched up and shared over 20 of these little guys) Hippity-hoppity.
You can either use a pair of holey gloves that aren’t going to make it to next year, or a pair of cheapo worker man gloves from the 99 cent store like I did here. The details of the project are outlined in the pictures below… you are going to have to CLICK on the pictures to see them in more detail.
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- Pattern for the bunny head. Cut along the green lines, then turn the glove inside out and sew it back together. Save the middle finger for arms. The other scraps can be used to stuff the arms.
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- Pattern for the bottom of the bunny.
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- Supplies include: gloves, buttons, colored thread, sharp scissors, needle, stuffing.
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- Cut the gloves according to the pattern. This is an example of how each glove would be cut. I left a little more of the thumb on so that it can make a rounded nose.
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- Flip the glove insideout and sew up the cut seams. This is how it will look when finished.
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- Add details like eyes, mouth and belly button before you stuff the bunny.
For the arms: I stuffed them about 3/4 full with the other pieces of glove that were cut off and then tucked the rest of the finger (the cut off part) back in to the finger with the stuffing, creating a smooth edge. Stitch the arm on to the bottom of the body, below the rim of the glove, with either matching or contrasting thread if you want a patchwork look.
Stuffing the bunny: Stuff the head and body, use a chop stick to get the filler up into the ears and legs. You can use whatever type off fill you want, but if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I like to use recycled fill like stray sock stuffing or an old clean t-shirt all chopped up.
Attaching the head to the body: If you notice, with this particular glove, there is a lip (or a rim) around the bottom of the glove. If you notice on the top picture, it looks like the bunny is wearing a turtleneck… I simply shoved the head all the way down into the body portion of the bunny. Sewed along the edge where they were joined (I went around twice with the stitching because some of my bunnies were going to kids and I wanted them to last through some heavy hugging) and then flipped the rim of the glove over the stitching to create the turtleneck effect.
And if you only have one stray glove lying around the house, be sure to check out the baby glove bunny project. Happy Spring!!
key to my heart: linocut prints
This may come as a surprise since I don’t post a lot about either.. but two of my favorite mediums to dabble in are linocut printing and india ink. Here’s a quickie run-through of my latest project:
(click on the pics for more detail)
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- Start with some inspiration.. take a picture, draw a picture, or combine the two ideas ideas, like I did here, for a creative new piece.
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- Finalize your design, and then using a pencil, darkly outline key lines. Remember when transferring the image to the linoleum block in this manner, the image will be reversed.
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- After the outlining is complete, tape the image, picture side down, to your block. Using a pencil, rub firmly over all key lines in your drawing to transfer the outline to the linoleum block.
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- Here is what the image should look like once it has been transferred to the block. Use a pencil to darken any lines before cutting.
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- Start by slowly and gently outlining the cuts you’ll make. Please keep safety precautions in mind when using sharp instruments.
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- Continue carefully cutting out the image. Remember to always cut away from the body.
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- Once the cutting is complete, gather materials and prepare your work area for printing.
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- Squeeze out a pinkie sized amount of ink and get rolling, up and down and back and forth until the ink is smooth and even. I find the enameled butcher’s tray to be simple to use and quick clean.
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- For an even print, make sure the paper you’re transferring the image to is on a smooth flat surface. Flip the linocut block onto the paper and press down firm and evenly.
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- Another method is to place the paper directly onto the inked up block and to rub with a clean, dry brayer.
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- Slowly peel the paper away from the block, hang, or lay flat to dry. Shown is as assortment of test prints and final pieces.
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- If necessary, after the print is dry, cut down to the proper size.
Please keep in mind that this is only an overview of linocut printing, and that any time you plan on using a sharp tool, it is important to observe proper safety precautions. The instructables website has a nice piece on linocut printing and safety here.
And for further reading and inspiration be sure to check out this impressive online exhibit of Picasso’s prints by MOMA. As usual, they have outdone themselves with another amazing interactive web presentation!! Love. Love.
the hearts project
Get in the Valentine’s mood and start spreading the love a little earlier this year with a project that ends in a gift. While this is a photo project, moreover, it’s a way to leave a little heart in some unexpected places.
Shown, are just a sampling of outtakes from my Hearts Project. To get started all you need is brightly colored paper, scissors, tape, a digital camera, and the guts to look ridiculous in front other people for a few moments.
The adventure began by cutting out a purse-full of hot pink hearts, grabbing my camera, some silver duct tape (for lastablitiy) and going about my week as usual. The only difference being that, like cupid, I left a little love everywhere I went… and photographed it!! Sometimes it was not possible or appropriate, but whenever I could I left the heart where it was shot, like tiny pink remanence of joy for whomever might cross its path.
There are oodles of things to do with the pics when you’re done, but if you’re want to really go for it, I suggest transforming your digital collection into a beautifully bound book to present to your Valentine. Both Kodak Gallery and iPhoto are great reasonably priced places to get you going.
I hope to see your hearts around town!!
sew happy
I’ve been busy, busy, busy, sewing surprises for those I care about (will post details AFTER the gifts have been received). In the meantime, I thought I would post some pictures of last year’s holiday project. I’m happy to see that many of the little critters I gave away last year have made a holiday comeback.
Happy Holidays. xoxox
recreate an old frame
A few years back I scooped up these old frames someone left on their stoop for give away. They’ve been gathering dust in the corner for a while now, so I decided to follow my own advice… use or or loose it!
Here is what I did:
(click on an image to enlarge)
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- Start with an old frame. Clean thoroughly.
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- Think design! I thought I would collage/layer a picture I drew with some fancy paper.
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- A couple of paper choices…
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- Using a craft knife, cut out any pictures you will use.
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- Ooops, extra step: After it was cut, I decided I wanted to color my picture.I would have colored BEFORE I cut, had I known.
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- Before getting messy, layout how you want your picture to look. Next, tape the edges of your frame with painters tape (or masking tape).
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- Apply a thin layer of glue to the background picture & press firmly into place. Cover entire area with a thin layer or Mod Podge.
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- Allow to dry completely, add your next image layer, then apply another coat. Make sure to press firmly into place.
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- Allow to dry overnight.
make a bowl
(click on an image to enlarge)
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- Cut or tear scratch paper into shreads. We’re using an old ledger we found walking the dogs.
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- Find a plastic container in the recycle bin.
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- Cover work area with wax paper to prevent sticking. Thin out the Mod Podge with water so it spreads easily.
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- Apply a thin layer of glue to the paper and apply to bowl then spread a layer on top.
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- Smooth paper onto container in overlapping layers.
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- Cover the entire surface-area, then allow to dry.
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- Cut out images to decorate bowl.
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- Apply cut-outs in the same manner as the paper.
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- Dry overnight, and you’re done!
* * please bear in mind, the finished project is not suitable for food * *
old clothes pillows
When clearing out the closet to make room for all the unbelievable after-holiday finds, be sure to put aside a few graphic-T’s and interesting fabrics for sewing projects like this one…
Old Clothes Pillows is also an amazing way to hang on to a part of a favorite old shirt, or kids outfit that is never going to fit again. Tween girls will love filling up their beds with these tiny little pillows, and boys can turn their favorite old sports shirts into team pillows. Sewing skills are required (but not professional!)
1. Using sharp scissors, cut out the shape you are going to use for the front of your pillow. Then, choose and cut a contrasting color or pattern for the pillow back.
2. Pin the fabric together inside-out, and then sew. We used our sewing machine (because practice is good) but, for the most part, these pillows are not that large and can also be sewn by hand. Be sure to leave an opening for stuffing the pillow
3. Flip your pillow case right-side-out and stuff! Since these were to toss around my house, I used poly-fill from an old (clean) dog bed. I also suggest shredding the remainder of the clothing fabric you did not use for stuffing or, stray sock stuffing.
4. Hand-sew the stuffing hole and you’re done! Enjoy! …but watch out, they’re totally addictive!
art box deluxe (kit)
This was, hands down, the best gift I gave this winter… and while the holidays have passed, there are plenty of birthdays ahead in the new year to give The Best Gift Ever. Art Box Deluxe is filled with tons and tons of great art-project stuff for crafty kids about 6years and older (depending on the child, of course).
To make this interesting, the majority of the contents in Art Box Deluxe were selected to accompany the projects listed in the book D.I.Y. Kids, by Ellen Lupton and Julia Lupton. In addition to tucking all the materials neatly into a large tupperware container, I also put post-it tabs on the corresponding pages in the book to make it easy for youngsters to get started right away.
Since the gift was also for a bubbalulu kid, I made sure to put some extra supplies for projects we write about (or will write about) on our blog.
Check out the picture below for a listing of all the goodies inside this great gift…
decoupage photo frame
What You Need:
- Old Magazine
- Scissors
- Mod Podge glue
- Paint Brush/Sponge
- Old Frame
Instead of tossing out those old, banged-up frames… Recreate Them!
1. Cover your work area with paper, then start cutting out pieces from the magazine to cover your frame with. It is a good idea to cut and measure all your pieces before starting to glue.
For our frame, we went with a patterned background and then put a couple of cute pictures on top of the pattern… to make them stand out.
2. When all the cutting is done, you are ready to decoupage.
The steps are simple: apply Mod Podge glue to frame with your brush, place your cutting on top of the glue, then cover the entire image with even more glue. Do this for the whole frame.
Tip: If you are applying picture layers (a picture on top of another picture) allow the bottom layer to dry before applying the next layer to the top. As Mod Podge starts to dry, painting over the same place again while half-wet, often results in paper tearing.
3. Allow your decoupage to dry a few hours, then apply one last coat of Mod Podge, to even things out, and you’re done!!
art box,jr. (kit)
Assemble this easy kit at home for any little person in your life!
Art Box, Jr. is the perfect gift for young artists. Choose a plastic pencil box and write the child’s name in ABC stickers, then start filling it with goodies appropriate to the age of the child.
This gift-kit is for a 4yo, so we put markers, stickers, glue stick, tape, scissors, cute erasers and some post-its. If they are under 3yo, substitute markers for crayons (and skip the scissors).
Art Box, Jr. also makes a great Travel Art Box… good for airplane rides and weekend stays at grandma’s house.
