the red thread

Craft + Technology = Love

19 July 2011

Embroider your own iPhone case! Use the patterns supplied or create your own design. Love it.

Available from connect design.

Found via Cafe Cartolina, via Unplugged.

Earlier this year I was asked to contribute some craft projects for a new series of books called Kids' Crafternoon. The first two books in the series are Papercraft and Sewing, and I was excited to receive copies of them in the mail last week. The other two titles - Felting and Beading - will be out in November.

My shadow box project.

My papier mache animals project

My illustrated softy brooches project

The books are full of fun projects for school aged children and require minimal or no supervision. They can be completed in an afternoon or less. Perfect for when you hear that familiar cry "I'm bored!". (When Roxy says this I tell her that only boring people get bored. Which is always met with the response "Oh Muuuumm!!") These books would be perfect to pull out during winter school holidays, rainy weekends and for quiet time after a big day at school.

The design and photography are lovely, the instructions are clear and there are templates in the front of the book. If you'd like to win a copy stay tuned... next week I will have one copy of each book to give away as part of the Kids' Crafternoon Blog Tour.

Edit: The kids' Crafternoon books are available at good bookshops, including Readings and Booktopia.
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Giveaway Winner

14 July 2011

Just where has this week gone?! I actually thought it was Wednesday today, but I just realised that I'm a day late announcing the winner of the giveaway. School holidays as a single mum means no time for work, blogging, or me. But it has been so enjoyable... if a little stressful because of things not getting done. Not even a photo to accompany this post. I did love hearing what you've all been up to in the comments on the giveaway post, so thanks.

So. The winner. I consulted random.org and the winning number is comment 50.

Josefina Hatara said she's been out taking pictures with her new lomographic camera. Congrats Josephina the Oh My Deer! will be heading your way. (I've emailed you to get your postal details)

School goes back on Tuesday, so I'm hoping to be hanging out here more often then. And all going to plan, there may be some work getting done too.
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Affordable Wall Art

11 July 2011

Now that the Design Files post is up I'll show you some more corners of my home over the next few weeks. One of the things that I enjoy doing is utilising inexpensive and unexpected things as "art". It's fantastic to have wonderful art on your walls but often you need a more affordable alternative.

Two of the things I have around my home pretending to be art are tea towels and vintage board games.

The tea towel above is from Able & Game. I love it so much. I glued a narrow piece of white cardboard to the top edge at the back of the tea towel and when it was dry I simply added Blu-Tac to attach it to the wall. A couple of small pieces of Blu-Tac hold the bottom corners in place.

Below is a typographic tea towel from Yardage Design. The great thing is that if you get sick of them as art you can always use the tea towels in your kitchen.

Vintage board games also make fun and graphic artworks. I picked up both the Bingo and Video Village games at markets for a couple of dollars each. You can also find them on eBay and Etsy, but usually for a higher price. I always keep my eyes open at garage sales, fetes, markets etc for vintage ephemera. You never know what you might find.

There are so many designers printing lovely things on tea towels these days. These examples by Leah Duncan would look gorgeous in any room.

I'll follow up with a second instalment of ideas for affordable wall art next week.
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One of those days...

08 July 2011

It's almost 4 o'clock, I've been awake since 6am and I feel like I have done nothing today. Here's how it went:

Wake up and hang out with Roxy, have breakfast, etc.
Check emails and browse a few blogs.
Put some washing on.
Unpack the dishwasher.
Get Roxy in the bath and help her wash her hair.
Have a shower and get dressed.
Get Roxy organised ready to be picked up for a day out.
Think about all I will accomplish today and write a list.
Tidy up. Change the bed sheets.
Do some paper craft with Roxy.
See Roxy off.
It's 11.00. Now... some work!
Make a few phone calls and go online to order a few office supplies.
Hang the washing out and put another load on.
Put the kettle on.
Answer the phone and talk to a friend... for 45 minutes!
Pay some bills.

Heat up some homemade soup and put some toast on for lunch.

Look at my Google Reader and browse a few more blogs.

Eat lunch while browsing the internet.

Boil the kettle again, and this time make a cup of tea.
Take my cutting mat out to the dining table to cut some Sweeties fabric so I can fill some orders. (I do usually have stock cut and packed and ready to go, but I've run out and need to restock at the moment)
On the way I pass the laundry and realise I have more washing to hang out.

Hang out the washing.

Answer some emails. (sorry if you're waiting on a response from me... I have a backlog!)
Tip out the cold tea.
Realise it's 4 o'clock and I have to get to the Post Office and haven't cut the fabric or packed the orders.
Check my list and see that I have only crossed off 2 things!
Write a blog post about it.

Edit: Oh and I did also spend a sizeable chunk of time on the phone sorting out my car insurance, rego, and a few other things as I've just sold a car and bought another one.

Do you have days like this too? I have good intentions and even write times next to my list items, but when it's a beautiful day in winter I need to get the washing out, when a friend calls who I haven't spoken to in ages I don't feel like I can cut them off, and I tend to get a bit distracted by my computer... Then it gets to 4pm and I stress about losing the day.

Have a great weekend. I hope to have a more productive one!

x
Lisa
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