Craft Supplies for Grandparents

My parents are two of the coolest grandparents in the world. So when Grandparents.com asked me to recommend some craft supplies that all grandmothers should have, I had a hard time narrowing down some of my niece and nephew's favorite stuff.

For you seasoned crafters, none of the supplies will come as a surprise. But they're perfect for grandparents who want to bond with their grandkids through crafting -- something we all support!

Let me know if you have any recomendations of your own. My niece and nephew would love to try them!

Sewing Pattern Giveaway

It's once again time for Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day! I have the same patterns up for grabs as last time. These are my last two!

Simplicity 2381 Bags

Simplicity 2286 Misses' Pull-On Skirt with Trim Variations (Size A)

To enter, just follow my blog and then leave a comment below telling me what sewing project you're working on right now. Giveaway closes May 25 at 8 p.m. EST (5 p.m. PST).

Meghan's Birthday Ring

Do you ever see something small and insignificant -- a button, a color, a flower -- that reminds you of a friend?

When I saw this bead, I immediately thought of my friend Meghan. She sometimes wears a jade bracelet (in this same color family), and coincidentally has a awesome pair of pants this color. It was only appropriate that I make the bead into a ring to give to her on her birthday.

And whaddya know? She was wearing the matching pants at her birthday party. Perfect.

What I liked about this project: Simple yet awesome

What I listened to while I made this project: The Moody Blues

Cherry Blossom-Themed DC Trip

A few weeks ago, I felt like the earth was literally pulling me south. It was still cold in NYC, and I was feeling uninspired and just -- blah. So I went to Washington, DC.

My first order of business was to make a new tote. I got a canvas Baggu (on sale!) and used my printer and a craft knife to add iron-on cherry blossoms. Instant spring, yeah?

I hung out with good friends, staying in a house with a 24/7 built-in party. My friend Jess was awesome enough to do a full National Cherry Blossom Festival weekend with me, too. I absorbed enough inspiration to last me a few more months, or at least until my next trip south.

The Textile Museum had a really inspiring project called the Wishing Tree. A basket near the garden entrance held fabric strips that had wishes on them, and visitors could choose one to hang on the tree with all the other wishes. I chose one that said, "I wish everything will be just perfect." And then I tied that unrealistic wish right onto the tree while wearing my big sunglasses. (They wouldn't let me take photos inside, but you can see a lot of good images on their site.)

The Japanese flower arranging exhibit at the National Arboreum was also inspiring, although we didn't enjoy the bees swarming our heads outside.

What inspires you when you're in a creative funk?

Etsy Terrarium Workshop

My lovely Etsy terrarium, in a fishbowl I found in the giveaway bin at work

Making a terrarium is one of those things that's been on my to-do list for a while, but for various reasons (money, laziness) I never got around to it. A few weeks ago, Etsy Labs hosted Hands-On: Dirt, where Etsians like my friend Lynn and I could talk to CSA representatives, check out a vertical garden system, create seed bombs, and make terrariums.

I have a traumatic history with plants (see last summer's blog post dedicated to dead plants), so I'm excited to have a low-maintenance terrarium hanging out in my apartment.

As soon as I got home from the Etsy workshop, I signed up for the CSA (community-supported agriculture) in my neighborhood. This summer's gonna be all about fresh fruits and veggies, plus plants that will not die!



Lynn, showing her terrarium who's boss

 

The workstation, full of moss and other fun greenery. Is it weird that I wanted to roll around in it?



Lynn's terrarium in a cup

The photo booth is a must at every Etsy event!

Do you have any planting planned for summer?

Colette Patterns Spring/Summer Palette Challenge

I'm a huge fan of Colette Patterns. I own several of their patterns (one being the Peony pattern I made my owl dress from) and love browsing their blog for sewing ideas. So when the gals at Colette proposed a palette challenge, I said ooookay!

I created a Pinterest palette board to collect all my ideas. The palette that sparked my inspiration was a beach-themed fashion spread in Marie Claire, which is ironic because the beach is a very scary place for me during summer. It features a redheaded model in colors that I never really considered before, like melon and white. And they didn't eve airbrush her freckles out of the photos!

I'd like to make some skirts and shorts in these colors that I can pair with simple tops. I also like the idea of adding a taupe accessory, like the photo above with the mint green skirt, white top, and taupe belt. I don't have the confidence to wear colors like melon and taupe in clothing, but I could definitely try to pull it in with things like belts.

What colors are you going to wear this season? And do you think pale-skinned people like me can pull off colors like white and melon? I'm nervous!

Peony Owl Dress

At the beginning of the year I joined Sew Weekly's contributors to encourage myself to complete a few sewing projects this year. It took me 3 months to do it, but I finally posted a project. It's up on Sew Weekly now.

You might remember the owl dress from when I finally figured out how to properly install an invisible zipper. I did a lot more than install a zipper on this little baby. Gathers? Check. Facings? Yep.

I've worn this dress a few times since sewing it and always get a lot of compliments on it. It's not without its flaws, of course. (The back waist seams don't exactly meet...) But I'm really proud of it and definitely plan on using the Colette Peony pattern again several times.

I'm such a flake when it comes to finishing my sewing. What pushes you to complete projects?