Knowledge sticks

For a brief period of time (a lifetime ago) I was a math major.  That isn’t saying much considering that I was also a kinesiology, psychology, computer science, business, English, sociology, and economics major during my stint in university. 

At the end of year four I figured it was time to get on with my life, so I sat down counted how many credits I needed in each discipline, looked at what was offered that summer and graduated (to my parents relief!) with a degree in economics and sociology.

Considering I left high school with plans to pursue a journalism and teaching degree, the path didn’t lead me there.  I didn’t even put much of my university degree to work in my marketing career (way back in the time before cross country moves and kids)!

I’ve used all the knowledge I’ve gathered, bits and pieces,  throughout my 40 something years of life.  And I continue to surprise myself how many of the concepts I've retained from math/science I use in my craft/sewing projects!

My mom (who is awesome!) encouraged me in each and every discipline I studied.  She let me explore just about every interest I had growing up.  Sharing bits of her knowledge and experience along the way.  I’m now in her shoes: 

encouraging my kids in finding their passions, sharing bits of my knowledge and experience along the way.

Yes, my kids sometimes fall into the stereotypical roles of play commercials would have us believe, but at the end of the day their imaginations take over and new worlds of play open.  I encourage that.

So I am intrigued and impressed by Goldieblox toys—pairing a story with a building kit?  GENIUS! (yes in a sing songy voice!)

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpe3Up9T_g)

It’s a concept which would work great with boy or girl toys (currently they are marketing to girls).  Imaginations will take over, but at least the story gives kids a start, a place to begin exploring.  A seed to let their imaginations grow.

Don’t forget to vote to get their commercial aired during the big game, because who wouldn't want to see a group of 6 year old girls rush the end zone...in tutus.

(I'm not affiliated, don't own the product...yet...not being paid to share....but I think the idea is worth sharing with everyone.  It's also a reminder to my crafty crew out there who sometimes forgets how much math and science we use in every creation we make--those seeds stuck even if the definition of Pythagorean theorem didn't!)

CD weaving

After trying hula hoop weaving I went on a bit of a weaving binge.  Anything circular was fair game to attempt weaving on!

I think I've settled on my favorite--a notched CD. It's easy, portable and I love the rosette like flowers--perfect for accessorizing sewing projects or gifts!

I just used ordinary scissors to make the notches—make sure you make an uneven number!  I made 7 in total.

I used torn denim as my fabric...

 

Wrap fabric strips around the CD like you would on the hula hoop, but your last spoke will go through the middle hole and be tied off on the underside (the side you don't weave on). 

You're set to start weaving!

When your rosette is the size you want, turn the CD around and cut the denim spokes close to your knot, the knot will come through the middle and....

....you'll be left with a leggy looking spider flower (according to my kids)!  I wove those “legs” through the back and towards the middle using a large eyed needle.

I LOVE the way this experiment turned out!  Each woven circle is a unique flower!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday...

Is technology getting smarter or are criminals getting dumber? 

The Egyptian Bag

If you read the previous post, you’ll know that I made two bags for our school auction.  The second bag was for the Egypt theme.  Here’s the auction description:

Take your own Egyptian filled tote, filled with Mummy and Ancient Egypt books and a Lego game along with you to the King Tut traveling exhibit at the Pacific Science Center with a $100 gift certificate (can be used for anything at the Pacific Science Center).

The bag:

This one stumped me, but once I started going through my embroidery design stash I found that Egyptian and just knew I would make a version of this bag without the front pockets.  I left the large back pocket because I’ve been finding that one so useful in my BG bag.

There was one oops…I ended up making the strap a bit too long.  I contemplated cutting it and making it shorter but then the more I stared at the problem I realized it wasn’t an “oops” after all.  The fabric allows for the easy knotting of the strap so that it can fit any body (when worn cross body or over the shoulder).  I like that idea and so I’ll be playing with knotted handles a bit more in future projects.

I hope whoever won this auction enjoys their tote!

Dragon Bag

I’ve decided that this year will be the year I open my etsy store.  And that this will also be the year that I try very hard to make handmade gifts (to share my love of creating with friends and to inspire products for the store).  That being said, when information came home about the school auction I thought long and hard about what I could contribute.

With two different classrooms and two different themes my first thought was to make tote bags…then I had a bunch of other random thoughts about what I could make but in the end went with the first idea: bags.

The theme:  Year of the Dragon.  While the bag isn’t really “year of” it is one of my favorite dragon related embroideries:

The bag is a variation of this bag, just made with one large straight pocket on one side and a smaller pocket on the other.  The top can be folded over or folded inside if a smaller bag is desired.  It can be worn cross body or over the shoulder.

Here’s the auction description:

Denim dragon bag filled with a dragon T-shirt, 2 Chinese art prints, $50 gift card to Din Tai Fung in Bellevue, a red dragon puppet, red Chinese New Year envelopes filled with $12 in cash, chopsticks (x4) and holders (x2), How to Train Your Dragon DVD, My Father's Dragon book, The Great Race: Chinese Zodiac story, Puff the Magic Dragon book and CD, Dragons and Monsters pop-up, Magic Treehouse dragon book, Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, and Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey. Happy New Year!

I hope the winner of this auction loves everything they've won, especially their new bag!

Going Buggy

With spring right around the corner, this little buggy dress is sure to be a hit!

I made this 6 years ago for my oldest and just pulled it out for the next girl in line.  I still love the fabric and the design is timeless.  I'm so glad I kept this one!