Doctor Who Cosplay - Vortex Manipulator and Pattern

I do so many little projects for myself, my kids, or friends, and I've decided to start sharing the patterns I create so others can create with them as well.

Last year I made myself a costume for Halloween.  It was a steampunk version of River Song.  I made a leather vortex manipulator to go along with the costume.  I've turned it into a PDF pattern and listed it for sale in my Etsy shop.  Click the image below to check it out!

Calendar for the Kids - Free Printables

For some reason many of my most vivid memories from my early years in elementary school center around the "circle time" calendar.  You know, the one with the interchangeable dates, months, seasons, and weather cards.  Remember those?

When my son started home-based public education (via K12.com) I knew I wanted one as part of our daily routine.  I looked around at some of those offered through educational/office supply stores, but they always seemed really gaudy and kind of obnoxious looking (if that makes any sense, ha!).  I wanted something slightly more aesthetically pleasing and customized with only the elements I wanted. 

So I decided to make my own.  The items I purchased were one 20"x30" foam core board, 1/8" and 1/4" chart tape (optional), and self-adhesive velcro.  Materials I had on hand were printer paper and ink, colored cardstock, colored pencils, laminating sheets, a black marker, ribbon, and page protectors.

I began by using my big metal square to draw the large rectangle for the calendar, one inch in from the left side and one inch up from the bottom. The rectangle measures 15" high x 19.25" wide. Then I marked off measurements for the small interior squares, vertically every 2.5" and horizontally every 2.75", then drew lines across.

Tree Love Embroidery Pattern

A little while ago my family and I were invited to attend the wedding reception for my cousin's daughter.  The theme was country and their invitation stated "Cowboy boots encouraged".  When thinking about gifts I knew I wanted to give them something special and unique and immediately this project I found on Pinterest came to mind:

I loved the idea of the adorable initials and heart "carved" into the tree and there's actually a link to the pattern for this one as well.  You can click the photo to go to the pin, then click through to the website.

I wanted something just a little bit different, with a couple different colors, so I drew up this pattern:

You can download my pattern here -- Embroidery Pattern -- Alphabet Pattern

With a little bit of rustic-looking fabric and cotton embroidery thread I was able to complete the project in just a couple of hours.  I found the perfect frame at a local arts/crafts shop and had my gift ready far in advance (unlike my last wedding gift!).

I traced the pattern onto the fabric using a water-soluble marker.

The stitches were very simple.  I used a running stitch for the two colors in the tree.

And a backstitch for the heart, arrow, and initials. 

When I was done with the stitching, I used a damp cloth to gently wipe/blot the ink off the fabric.


Here is the final result:

In a few days I'll have some kits available for purchase in my Etsy shop. 

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I'll be linking up to these fabulous link parties:

 Monday -  Craft o Maniac Monday -- Craftastic Monday -- Amaze Me Monday -- Polly Want 2 Party  --  Tuesday -  Get Your Craft On -- Sew Cute Tuesday -- Upcycled Awesome -- Tip Me Tuesday -- Tuesday Talent Show --  Wednesday -  Seven Thrity Three -- Wallet-Friendly Wednesday -- Create and Share -- Whatever Goes Wednesday --  Linkin’ with Lil’ Luna -- Thursday -  Strut your Stuff Thursday -- Transformation Thursday -- Thrilling Thursday -- House of Hepworths -- Friday -  Remodelaholic Friday -- Flaunt it Friday -- Frugal Friday -- Weekend Wander -- Show and Share Day -- It's Fun to Craft! -- Tickled Pink Fridays -- Weekend Wrap-up Party -- Catch as Catch Can -- Friday Flair -- Feature Yourself Friday -- Simply Link {Party} -- Pity Party -- Design Dazzle --  Saturday - Saturday Spotlight --  Sunday -  The DIY Showoff Project  Parade --  Sunday Showcase Party -- Creative Bloggers Party -- I Heart Naptime -- Think Pink Sundays

Pattern Giveaway -- Enter here!

Okay, so it's not officially a cool "giveaway" since it's just my stash I'm passing on to others, but a few of you expressed interest in the patterns, so I'll need to draw names for them in order to be fair.

I divided up the patterns into three groups.  It was a little difficult because there is overlap of sizes in many of the styles. 

Group #1 -- 12 Infant/Toddler patterns
Most patterns have some designs for both boys and girls. Sizes range from Newborn to 18 months on most.

Group #2 -- 16 Larger size women's patterns
Sizes range from 12 to XL.  (see size chart below)

Group #3 --  24 Smaller size women's patterns
Sizes range from XS to 14.  (see size chart below)

I've included the size chart to help you know which size you are.  Please read:  Unfortunately the sizing system for apparel in stores is completely messed up.  The sizes are not consistent between designers, and sometimes even with the same designer.  And they are NOT the same as the sewing pattern sizes.  There are even problems with the size chart they list on their patterns.  The "ease" [extra space to make sure you can move in the clothes] they add to their clothing patterns is far more than necessary, making the clothes too big and baggy, even when something is supposed to be fitted.  I've discovered I needed to find the size with my measurements, then go down one size (sometimes even two sizes, like from 14 to 12 or 14 to 10) and cut out that size instead of the one that matches my measurements.   So that should help you know which size you really are -- no matter what the pattern company says! ha ha [FYI, this is true for Simplicity, Butterick and McCalls.  I'm not sure about any other brands]

To enter:  Simply leave a comment with which group you would like.  You can leave a separate comment if you would like to enter for more than one group of patterns.  I'll leave the comments open until Friday at 8 pm PST and will announce the winners on Monday. 

*Be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll post a giveaway to celebrate 200 followers!  Yay!  (Retail value is more than $100)*

PDF Pattern How - To

I have been thinking a lot about PDF patterns lately.  I've been wondering how people make them, how they digitize them, how they ensure they print out the correct size, etc.  And now I know!  It turns out the website Sew, Mama, Sew!  had Carla Crim from Scientific Seamstress do a series of three posts describing the full process of creating PDF patterns.  She even reveals some resources she uses to make things easier and the very basic software she uses to digitize the patterns. 

Part 1 - Pattern Drafting and Grading

Part 2 - "eFormat" Your Pattern

Part 3 - Writing Instructions and Marketing Patterns

I'm so excited!  I just may end up creating some patterns and selling them on Etsy.  I'll probably start with some childrens patterns while I get the hang of it, then try my hand at womens patterns.  It's also a good way to give away freebie templates for craft projects.  Oooo ideas, ideas!  Happy day!

Paper, String and Branches - Bird Mobile with Template

A while back I received a Target mailer with coupons for baby items, but I was very intrigued by the picture on the front of the mailer.  It was a baby, laying underneath this...

I thought it was so beautiful and made plans to make my own in the future.  Then passes an embarrassingly large amount of time until today, when I finally did it!  Here's the tutorial and template:

First, go outside and gather some sticks/branches!  Even if you don't have your own stick-producing trees, try to find a friend or neighbor that might have some.  The great thing about this is you can scale it to whatever size you like.  You could go huge for a dramatic centerpiece or chandelier type display, or smaller for a bedroom or office. 

Craft supplies for free!

Glue or tie the sticks together.  (See my fabulous trackpad drawn stick art below)

I think the Target mobile used sticks like the ones on the left.  I used straight-ish sticks crossed over each other like the ones on the right.  I tied them with string (actually I used embroidery thread, the kind that looks like string, not the kind that comes apart into six strands), wrapped around, alternating which sticks the string went around.  I hope that makes sense!

A closeup of how I tied the sticks together

Hot glue flowers to the sticks.  You can use pre-made flowers from scrapbooking or craft supply stores (that's what I used).  Or you can use punched out flowers (the Target mobile did), small silk flowers, cut your own,  or if you're making a large one, use larger silk flowers, or you can even make tissue or crepe paper flowers. 

Hot glue the leaves to the sticks.  Again, you can used punched out leaves, premade leaves, or cut your own.  I included a leaf template, and a half leaf so you can cut on a fold to save time.  I folded my leaves in half so they would have a bit more dimension.  

This thing was hard to photograph -- it kept spinning around!

Cut out the bird pieces.  You can trace it onto paper or import/trace the template in a program to use with a cutting machine.  I traced it onto cardstock and erased the pencil lines after.  Use a good quality cardstock so the wings will stay upward when folded.  Also, use an Exacto knife (or similar) to cut the slot for the wings and tail, and at least for the tail cut a small amount of paper out of the slot (equal to the thickness of the carstock) so it doesn't try to bend or lay flat against the body.  Punch a tiny hole in the back of the bird so you can thread the string through.  You can vary where you place the hole to change whether the bird is facing up, straight, or down.  The closer to the head the more it will face up, the further back the more it will face down.

Click here to go to Google Docs to download the image file.

Slide the wings through the slots in the birds' bodies, fold upward and use a tiny bit of glue when putting in the tail. 

Tie strings to the back of the birds, then tie them at varying lengths and directions to the sticks.  Make sure the mobile stays balanced. 

 There you have it!  Feel free to use the bird templates for any other projects you have.  Let me know what you've used them for if possible.  Enjoy!