Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

• Easter Kirigami

  Date: 2010.04.02 | Category: Books, Japanese, Paper | Response: 0

  

   

  In another effort to try to perk-up the place with some festive Easter decor, the girls and I did some simple paper-cuttings. Charlotte (2) cut out the cross, Annabelle (3 did the flower, with a bit of help) and I took on the bunnies.  I just used some green cardstock that I had on hand and placed them in the frames that were previously housing some of the girls’ other artwork.

  Templates for the flower and bunnies came from this Japanese kirigami book. I really love this book. It is organized by season and has some very simple and much more intricate paper-cutting templates. So many possibilities!

  

• Clothes for Girls – Japanese Sewing Book

  Date: 2010.03.15 | Category: Books, Japanese, Sewing | Response: 3

  A while back I mentioned that I would post some pics of my Japanese sewing book for girls. According to YesAsia (where I purchased the book) the translated title is, “Clothes for Girls- Camisole, Neat Dress (with paper pattern).

  

  I absolutely LOVE this book. All of the styles are absolutely lovely and simple…just right for a little girl. I could easily see myself making all of the patterns in this book over the next couple of years (until my girls won’t wear what I make for them.) Here’s a photo that shows all of the patterns that are included:

  

  Lots of cute skirts, dresses, and tops. A jacket. And of course a hat and some bags to accessorize!  But, a girl has to start somewhere, so I decided to give little skirt a go….

  with this top…..

  Here are the instructions…all in Japanese. I’ve looked over the diagrams and I’m pretty sure it’s basic enough for me to do without alot of instructions. Let’s hope.

  

  The skirt and top are for my 2-year-old, and then for my 3-year-old I plan on making this dress. I love it when their clothes coordinate in some way.

  So cute! I really hope I can manage these patterns. I’ll try to pop in and keep you up as I go along.

  See ya soon!

  Chrissy

• Thrifty Loot: Part Deux

  Date: 2010.02.10 | Category: Books, Thrifting | Response: 0

  Ok, so I was supposed to post this yesterday. My apologies. I got distracted by Made By Rae’s Itty Bitty Baby Dress. More details about that to come. For now, I will let you take a look into this ultra-fun vintage crafty mag I picked up last weekend…for a quarter!

  

  McCall’s Summer Make-It Ideas from 1966. The book includes just about every kind of crafting medium one can imagine with some nifty ideas all around.

  First off,  I really love this knitted cardigan. It’s hard to see the detail in this photo, but it has cables going down the front and sides. It has such a timeless look, I could probably knit it today and nobody would guess that it was a vintage pattern.

  

  These are really cute. They’re kitchen and craft caddies made from repurposed plastic bottles. They look to be dish-washing liquid containers. This could be a fun project to do with the littles.

  

  Up next are tennis rackets converted into puppets. I always see tennis rackets at the thrift stores priced very inexpensively, but if I were to do this I think I would take it down a few sizes and cover some wooden spoons. So cute. So fun!

  

  One think that I’ve noticed is that putting a face on anything ups the cute factor by leaps and bounds. Aren’t these guys so goofy and totally adorable? Love!

  

  Another project for the kiddos…plastic cups into animals. Lots of variations. Very clever.

  These are place cards and favors for spring parties. My favorites are the macaroni animal place cards. Click picture to enlarge.

  

  Crochet hot pads! See the chicken? Love. Love. Love! My husband pointed out that it looks like the Hickety Pickety hen and I think he’s right. If I ever have a chance to make her she will most definitely make her home at the top there on a new banner. One day.

  

  There are also mobiles, paper stamping ideas, wood rubbings, card making ideas, floral arranging tips, and soooo much more. I wish I could show you more, but with over 100 pages, I had to pick a few of my favorites.

  Things are getting pretty busy around here with a couple of babies due in March and some other ideas that I’ve been working. Be back soon!

• Progress

  Date: 2010.01.17 | Category: Books, WIP, knitting | Response: 0

  

  knitting scarf, originally uploaded by hickety_pickety.

  Slowly making progress on the scarf. It’s been a nice change of pace to use a pattern that allows me to knit while getting caught up on a little tele time. We don’t have cable, so Hulu has been my best friend this past week. I’m actually a slow knitter, but I’m clicking away just as fast as my little fingers will go as I am anxious to get started on some other projects. This book in particular has been incredibly inspiring:

  
  

  I’ve always loved the idea of making my own prints, and I’m ready to move beyond potato stamping. I can’t wait to get started!