Northern Spark Project Progress

These are very fantastic lino-block stamps which will be used to stamp secondhand clothing for our Northern Spark project.  We are quite excited about the progress so far.

Making Monday: Bunting

Handmade custom bunting to replace crepe paper.  Easy and reusable.

Making Monday: Freezer Paper Magic

 

1.  Take a piece of paper.  Draw a design.  We would suggest something not as complicated as our first one, shown here. 

2.  Trace your design in ink or colored pencil so you will be able to trace the design onto the freezer paper clearly.

3.  Cut a piece of freezer paper slightly larger than your design.  Trace the design onto the matte side of the freezer paper by placing your drawing underneath the freezer paper shiny side down.

4.  Tape the freezer paper to a cutting surface and use a crafting knife to cut out the parts of the design you would like to be inked.

5.  Choose a fabric item to affix the design to.
6.  Using an iron on medium-high heat attach the design, shiny side down, to the fabric.  Hold the iron even and flat to press down across the design a few times first so that none of the edges get folded over by the iron.  Then move the iron back and forth a few times to stick the design completely to the fabric.  We also found placing a piece of paper between the iron and design can help keep the corners from folding over.  This process does not take long at all.  Be sure to keep the iron moving and not burn the fabric.
7.  Attach another piece of freezer paper the size of the design on the other side of the fabric to avoid bleed through.  You can do this before or after you attach the design to the fabric.  We did it before the design because we had to turn the t-shirt inside out in order to attach the protective sheet to the inside.
8.  Use fabric paint to paint within the stencil using a brush by dabbing up and down or pulling the paint from the freezer paper to the fabric to avoid getting paint underneath the edges of the stencil.

9.  Wait for the paint to dry.  Add another coat or two if necessary.  Then peel off the freezer paper using a tweezers for any tough spots.  Peel off the back piece as well.

10.  Use a small brush or toothpick to touch up any problem spots.
11.  Heat set with an iron, wash, and use.

Making Monday: Hankies!

We have once been plagued with the colds of the children we work with. And so...

We made more hankies, to keep up with the demands of our noses!

Skating in the Parks

We went ice skating at Matthews Park last weekend, and had a blast. They provide free ice skates and a free rink so we decided why not? The system is quite simple, there is a table, there are skates on the table, everyone is expected to be a good person, and use skates in their size, and then put them back on the table nicely. I managed to fall straight down onto my butt right away but that was the only slip, the rest of the outing went much more gracefully.

Matthews Park isn't the only ice rink check out mpls parks website for more info.

Winter Hat

My warmest winter hat for the last couple years has been the only store bought winter accessory I own. I recently decided to amend the situation. For the record I have been trying to amend the situation for the last couple of years, but no avail, the patterns weren't right, the yarn didn't feel right, you name it, it was a problem. But this year I put my foot down, I made it using leftover yarn from other finished projects, and made up the pattern as I went. I also lined the rim with fleece, to be extra warm. I love the results and have been wearing it everytime I go outside.

Making Monday: Recycled Surprise Quilt

We decided to make a quilt together for our roommate while he was out of town. We cut up a fleece tie blanket for the batting, Star Wars sheets, and a plain flat sheet for the back and border. This weekend project was quite fun.

Making Mondays: Embroidered Coat

Wanted to add color to a well used winter jacket. Embroidery floss and needle.

No Buy Winter Gifts

No buy year means even more homemade gifts than usual.

A picture book, written and illustrated by us.
Recipe book with our favorites.
Notes for coworkers.
Chocolate chip cookies as well.