Solo Craftiness: Maps with Meaning

It is October and last night I sat down to mentally prepare myself for the run up to Christmas (breathe, breathe, breathe).  It started me thinking about what I did for presents last year and how chuffed I was with this gift that I made for my significant other (too clinical?) - a series of maps that detail exactly where you had relationship milestones.

I am pretty sure I spied it on Pinterest but I am having no luck tracking it down.  The original idea had actual maps so one month out from Christmas I ordered the maps from an online store.  You could choose any particular locations to immortalise.  I decided to do Brisbane for where we met, London for where we first lived together and Adelaide for where we were married.  I had my IKEA photoframe which allowed space for the three maps.  I picked one that could stand as well as attach to the wall - always handy when you are a renter. So it was just a matter of waiting for the maps to arrive.

And so I waited.  And waited.  Until it was two days out from Christmas and not a map to be seen!  I was not ready to give up on this idea. So I decided to be brave and trace them using maps I could find online and in our car atlas.  An unexpected bonus of the locations I had chosen were that they all had winding rivers as a feature.  My handtraced maps didn't include all of the major landmarks, just enough for my husband (too formal?) and I to recognise each location.

My lover (too intimate?) was thrilled with his Christmas present and says it is the most thoughtful gift I have given him.  And I agree - a lot of thought went into overcoming the challenges!

And wouldn't you know it, the maps turned up two days after Christmas.
-Amanda

Solo craftiness: Fancy Nancy skirt

My niece Isabelle is a big Fancy Nancy fan. And I mean BIG. She can recite all her Fancy Nancy books by heart, and all her outfits ('ensembles' if you're fancy) must include a glamourous feature. So my non-sewing sister bought some gorgeous Fancy Nancy fabric on Etsy and asked me to make something FANCY!

 Well, this is it. Gathered skirt, tulle overlay, ribbons. What's not to love about this skirt when you're three and you dig Fancy Nancy?
Isabelle wears it constantly. I have some fabric left over so I think next I might make her a dress to match.

My only regret is that I didn't find a pink feather boa to go with it, because that would be way more fancy.

If you've been living under a rock and don't know about Fancy Nancy, here's the link. 
       www.fancynancyworld.com/
Look it up - your little girl will love you for it. The picture books are divine.  
Kate

Project 12: Woodland Creatures and Dreamcatchers

In case you think that we always agree on our projects, you need to read this post!

It was Amanda's turn to host. (Or maybe not - maybe she just kindly volunteered) She had plans for a dreamcatcher (awesome!), Kate had plans for a half finished project (to be revealed at a later date, I am sure) and I was quite taken with the cover project from the craft magazine Mollie Makes. I stumbled on this magazine on Newsstand on my iphone whilst on holidays and have been tempted to subscribe ever since. The mag often features felt creations which I admire but wonder what I would actually do with them (think felt fortune cookies or felt cupcakes). This edition, however, had a felt racoon and fox which took my fancy and I thought would make a great baby shower present. So I bought this edition. Such restraint!

The instructions were clear, the template simple and the supplies few. Amanda did a Spotlight shop and picked up the felt. It didn't matter that we couldn't get the exact colour felt. But then again, perhaps that is because I don't actually come across too many foxes or racoons in Brisbane. Anyhow, all done! and I have gifted them so now I can post some pictures.

As for the dreamcatcher, Amanda found a metal circle at Spotlight - which definitely was a blessing as the alternative was trying to wrangle a coat hanger into a perfect circle shape. I didn't have the courage to tell her that this may be impossible but thankfully Spotlight's ability to carry seemingly useless items prevailed! We raided our stash for yarn and beads and pom pom string and Amanda worked them in beautifully. She managed to make something original and personal and pleasant to look at. A tricky combination. 

It made a gorgeous present for a 6 year old, who had coincidentally been having a run of bad dreams. Amanda packaged the dreamcatcher with the brief story about how dreamcatchers were used by Native American Indians to catch hold of bad dreams and filter through the good ones, something that really captured the girl's imagination. Hooray for serendipity!
Jess.

Solo craftiness: Origami Butterfly Garland

My perfectly precocious toddler turned two last week so we threw a Butterfly Tea Party to celebrate.  There were bubbles, a field of butterflies cake, a make-your-own-wings craft table and the burning heat of a Brisbane summer day.  Thankfully we had picked a shady park so we positioned ourselves underneath some large trees.  And fluttering above us on a length of twine were these gorgeous origami butterflies!

 

My clever sister takes the solo credit for the actual folding of the butterflies.  She used a fabulous free app on her phone called Origami Instructions.  We have been having fun ever since making jumping frogs and sturdy whales following the step by step picture instructions.

Once she had created the butterflies we experimented with ways to attach them to the string. We found that securing them with an upside down wooden peg weighted them perfectly so they fluttered in the hot breeze.

And once the partying was done, the guests could choose their preferred butterfly as a party favour!
- Amanda

POSTSCRIPT:  While photographing these butterflies, Kate's own perfectly precocious two year old went very quiet.  We found her proudly grinning at us after using the entire contents of her sister's make up to decorate a couch. Laughter was the only sane response!  And yes, it did come out in the wash!