A knight's necessities are manifold: armour, weapons, snacks. This shield was a birthday gift, handmade by his dad. A simple plywood circle was painted black, with the dragon crest re-purposed from an old, insufficient, plastic shield. The straps were fashioned of climbing webbing and attached to the back with screws and a washer.
And a dagger was added to the cache of weaponry. I've even seen him try to hide it in his sock. Is such savvy innate in little boys, I wonder?
Though I am mentally entrenched in the New Year, I can't progress too much further into January without documenting my handmade Christmas gifts. Fortunately, this year I planned ahead and was able to finish everything without any crying, swearing, or other stress involving ungenerous thoughts towards the recipient. A blessing, indeed.
(I've also realized that not everyone needs to receive a handmade gift every year. I seriously considered making these granny square slippers for 'the moms.' But these three women are so different, yet all so classy, that I just couldn't bring myself to give the same slightly tacky gift to each of them. Better to find something special for each lady, I say. Better to make these for myself, instead.)
Above is the Cascade Scarf. This ruffled creation is a perfect gift: it doesn't require a lot of yarn and it works up in only a few sittings. I finished it over Thanksgiving weekend.
Though I finished my projects quickly, I did not budget any time for photographing the final creations. Thus these shameful photos. I consoled myself by thinking (at ten o'clock, with a glass of wine) that I would photograph them on the sisters once they were opened. Then I forgot my camera...
But I digress. These snowflake hats are serious instant gratification. With a thick yarn and a quick hook, they are one sitting projects. And the snowflake on top? Simply adorable.
And finally, I wanted to create a lovely, special something for my dear friend K. These Phoenix Mitts were a challenge at the beginning, and were not exactly speedy to create (the pattern requirement of lace weight yarn should have tipped me off), but the end result is a comfy, soft wrist warmer in a mix of fine wool and alpaca. I was so smitten with them, they were almost a gift to me.
Parenting a very young child is exhilarating and challenging. (I know that's not a particularly new piece of wisdom that I'm spinning out into the ether.) Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of parenting is discovering one of your children's interests and fostering the exponential learning curve that follows.
M began learning about knights when we acquired a Playmobil castle, knights, and dragons from our neighbor's garage sale. His dad built him a gladius out of a wooden stake and some duct tape; apparently a modest knighting ceremony followed in the garage.
Using wool felt, some glittery nylon fabric, and a simple iron-on transfer, I sewed some simple, suitable armor for chasing after bad guys and searching for wild lions. The patterns for the chain mail, armor, and helmet all came from Bend the Rules Sewing, with a few minor alterations.* The beauty of felt, which facilitated an easy evening of sewing and crafting (a Christmas miracle!), is that it doesn't require hemming. Just a few simple seams and, lo! A knight of the castle, prepared for battle or whatever chivalrous deeds may follow.
It must be obvious, but allow me to say it anyway: oh, I love that boy.
*As I've said before, I do not really sew. I certainly do not do so competently. But I've come to think of this book as the sewing book for sewers who do not sew, but happen to own a sewing machine. So there. (Another pattern I've made from the book can be seen here.)
My niece is about to become a big sister for the second time in less than two years. I'm sure there will be many disruptions and changes to her life as her family welcomes a new little boy into their lives. Almost seven years old, my niece is full of interests but hasn't seemed to develop a passion for crafting.
Enter Auntie Amy. M and I searched through my stash of old beads - most of these were purchased 12 to 15 years ago - for pretty, fancy, fun, easy options. A trip to my local bead store yielded a variety of memory wire, beading string, and waxed cotton cord (which I now love). I wrote her a detailed letter - feeling amazed and a little bewildered all the while that she can actually read - attempting to give her a starting point for her new projects. Organizing this little stash, I had so much fun remembering where and when I purchased these and imagining what she may create. Oh, I hope she sees as much potential in this little box of treasures and wonders as I do.
In the middle of winter, in a moment of sheer exhausted desperation, I relinquished my studio to my baby and his crib. While I enjoy the benefits of a restful night's sleep - and a content baby - creative projects now require more planning and organization. So the dining table has been overtaken by my sewing machine and I'm attempting to complete as many projects as possible before everything must be stowed away in it's rightful place.
Earlier this week, M helped me complete these baby blankets. Just two cozy pieces of fabric...a warm flannel and ultra-soft minky...sewn together with a little velcro strap in the corner to hold a pacifier. Originally I created this lovey for my baby. Dreamt up during those long, restless nights of winter, it is a transitional object that also helps him find his pacifier in the middle of the night. (When it comes time I plan to replace the pacifier with a favorite rattle or teether.)
Using up the leftover fabric I made another for a nephew due to arrive in August. And a third, to have on hand as a gift or as a spare should the original disappear (or be worn to shreds).
Up from his nap, the baby didn't know quite what to do with so much cozy love to enjoy.
When a beloved friend announced she's eloping in Italy to marry the man of her dreams, immediately I knew I wanted to make something special for her bridal luncheon. Such occasions make me so happy to be a reasonably creative person. I can purchase a decent pair of sheets, thread my needle and suddenly create a potential heirloom.
But the best part was the presentation. I think this shows my dedication to our friendship: admitting to a crowd of unknown women (and blog readers) that yes, I have been known to read a trashy novel...or forty. I was blushing while wrapping this, and I don't think it was the, ahem, balmy evening.
Mama, why is there a red light bulb?
- So Amanda can be cozy with her sweetheart.
Are these people being cozy?
- Oh. Um. Yes. Yes, they are.
'
It was worth it all to see her so pleased, so glowing, so in love. She puts the most passionate fictional heroine to shame.
There are new designs in the shop, perfect for Mother's Day: classic, simple, and affordable presents that will last forever. Your mama would be so proud of your prudent shopping.
Now, if perhaps the mama you are shopping for happens to be a jewelry designer with a wealth of accessories at her immediate disposal...here are a few other shopping ideas....
A new bottle of perfume to replace her rapidly dwindling sample (you always compliment her scent whenever she wears it).
A hula hoop (dancer size, please).
And the best thing about Mother's Day? Spending it with your family...enjoying this fleeting time of babies and small children. And, not cooking!
Aside from the intention to make a few handmade gifts this year, the photo above is the extent of my holiday crafting this season. For goodness sake, I'm talking about maybe sending an email this year instead of creating my own holiday cards.
Every year I have high aspirations, so here's my list for next year.
DIY snow globes
garlands: made with pompons or popcorn or paper or fabric
reuse last year's holiday cards to make simple ornaments
etched votive candle holders - stencils and Armor Etch are available at Michael's. Just make sure the design is above the candle so the flame will make it glow. I gave these one year as small presents, customized with the recipient's initial. A row of these spelling something appropriate would be lovely: peace, joy, merry. To make the present even fancier, cover matchboxes in pretty paper - very Martha Stewart.
homemade marshmallows - recipes are everywhere (look for Ina Garten's recipe on foodnetwork.tv) and they would be so tasty with hot chocolate
Alicia Paulson's holiday village scene is awesome - such a project is not for the faint of heart
So are her gingerbread houses made from graham crackers and candies
And her gumdrop wreath is the epitome of festive
potato prints are so simple - carve a design and use paints or a stamp pad to make your own wrapping paper or cards
and D. Sharp Journal has some genius paper projects on Design*Sponge - the Santa beard and bird ornaments are on the list for this year. White paper and scissors? I think I can handle that.
If you're considering giving homemade gifts, check out this great list from the LA Times.
This afternoon, enjoying the quiet of afternoon nap time in my studio - and it's a real studio, not just a desk in the corner of my bedroom - I constructed a wire to hold my favorite ephemera of the moment.
I made these little magnetic clips with double sided tape, tiny magnets, and scraps from Paper Source. Though they are certainly pretty, they aren't strong enough to hold much more than a photo.
Thus inspired and feeling extremely fortunate, I caught up on my thank you notes. Lo and behold, I used the last of the 500 note cards we ordered for our wedding eight years ago. That's a lot of gratitude expressed for hospitality, favors, warm wishes, good thoughts, presents and love.
Even with a tall stack of notes ready to post, I'll never be completely caught up. After all, there is always a reason to be thankful.