Boing

Spring finally sprung around these parts; we've had loads of rain and a fair amount of sunshine. The Rockstar was showing off his chunky little legs in a pair of shorts on Friday while I donned a tank top and now it's chilly again and he's sleeping in a fleece sleep sac with his window shut tight. At least we have had a taste of warmth and know that it really isn't too far out of reach now.

Once again I forgot to post my entry for the Iron Craft challenge. The theme was Spring and with Mother's Day falling during the challenge week it was a perfect excuse (not that I need one) to make a little something for one of my very best friends: my unbelievably amazing mom.

My mom loves birds and my parents backyard is a little oasis for them so I thought a birdhouse would be the perfect gift. I learned my frugal ways from my parents so she was pleased to hear I scored the unfinished bird house from the dollar store.

I was ready to hit Michael's to purchase some decals but found some that were just perfect for this project in the same shop I found the house in.

I used three coats of tung oil (left over from the deck project last year) to finish the houses and then applied the decals. I finished the houses off with a couple of coats of spray-on clear finish meant for outdoor projects. There is one step I didn't think of but thankfully my dad did so I've taken the house back for a few days in order to get this done: drilling holes in the bottom of the house to let any water/waste escape.

I have two more houses waiting for me to tackle them. I bought some funky shape decals to use on the one that will hang in our backyard: here's hoping it will attract some pretty birdies for the Rockstar to admire.

Speaking of moms I didn't get around to posting on Mother's Day! I hope all of you fabulous Mamas out there had a lovely day! A special Happy Mama's Day to my superfantabulous mom Lois and my amazingly awesome mom-by-marriage Bridie.

I was spoiled with sleeping in, a yummy brunch, coffee on the deck, an afternoon walk, swings, chocolate peanut butter, a beautiful photo FAMILY photo frame and a delicious bbq dinner: an absolutely wonderful first Mother's Day. Two cards, one from my baby boy and one from my big boy made me sniffle. Love and hugs and smooches to my two boys for making my day perfect.

Dedicated to the Nasty Taxman

This week's Iron Craft challenge was titled "The Taxman". When I say those words I picture a scary man with big gnashing teeth snatching at my wallet so I thought it was appropriate to finally make this ridiculously cute scary monster pillow that eats teeth in exchange for money. A super big thanks to Ellen from The Long Thread for sharing the tutorial during Celebrate the Boy.


The Rockstar is teething again (hence the drooling in the photo below). The poor nut had both top teeth make their entrance in a three day time span. Ouch. This monster is dedicated to his mean but cute new teeth.


Side note from the Tooth Fairy to the Rockstar: This particular monster will spit out Canadian funds in the future, all the photographer had on hand for this snapshot was an American bill from the travel stash.

Iron Craft Challenge 15: Peeps!

The end result may not be pretty but they were certainly tasty. Notice that sentence was written in the past tense? They didn't last long,

For this week's Iron Craft Challenge we were asked to use Peeps (either bunnies or chicks). I went the edible route rather than the crafty route.

These not-so-pretty-in-pink bunnies were stuffed with a fantastic peanut butter filling (recipe can be found at 17 and Baking but I'll be posting the recipe in a few days because the original peanut butter pretzel bites are to DIE for) and then dipped in chocolate. The two that were dipped entirely in chocolate didn't live very long, I couldn't help myself plus they looked like big chocolate blobs and not Peepish at all.

Believe it or not this challenge forced me (twist my rubber arm) to try Peeps for the first time. I wasn't a huge fan until I sliced one open and filled it with peanut butter goodness. Yum!

Iron Craft: Best in Show

For Iron Craft's 13th challenge we were given the theme 'Best in Show'.

I think my entry kind is kind of pathetic but the kitty likes it and really that's the most important thing. Here is my oh so lovely (note the sarcasm) catnip fish.

Hop over to the Iron Craft blog to see the rest of the entries this week.

Iron Craft Challenge 11: Green (the colour not the Movement

We are living with a Sleep Warrior which means nobody is getting a whole lot of the S word around here. I'm a sleepy mommy but I really want to participate in Iron Craft still so I may look like I'm slacking but until a certain someone starts sleeping a little better or I have a serious increase in energy (the sunshine and warmer weather are sure to help with that) I'll be taking the quick craft route. Holy run on sentence.

I heart buttons and have loads of them. I ended up with button sandwich magnets (which I love) but that was after I made hairclips that were cute but would never be worn:

See? Cute but they just don't work with my current do aka messy mop that is in the inbetween stage of growing out and desperately in need of a trim. Soooo I ripped off the buttons and revamped them into magnets.

I may end up making a million of these magnets. Super duper easy to do. I simply stitched two magnets together using a needle and thread (I guess that goes without saying. Duh. What else would you stitch them together with??), plopped a glob of glue gun glue on a small round magnet (found at the dollar) store and pushed the back of the button sandwich onto the glue. TA DA!

The buttons are now in charge of holding up this flyer we picked up while vacationing in Mexico a few years ago. It's stuck on our fridge and makes me laugh every time I read it.

My favourites from this week's challenge will be posted soon.

Iron Craft Challenge Love

Time to pass out some love to the Iron Craft participants. Here are my favourite projects from challenge number 9 and 10.

Top picks from challenge #9 'and the Oscar goes to'

Not only are these paper flowers stunning there is something extra special about them. They were made from war veteran's uniforms that were turned into paper (called combat paper) as part of PTSD therapy. Read more at the flower creator's blog Ferntree Studio. Oh and the additional extra special thing: these combat paper flowers were created to be used in corsages that were worn to the Oscar's this year by a few key players from the movie Poster Girl!

More love for Paper, Plate and Plane. I love her creations!! Kill Bill inspired push pins: brilliant. A tutorial is available for these awesome little swords over at the Paper, Plate and Plane blog.

I had no trouble guessing that Black Swan inspired this beautiful project. I was impressed with the simplicity of this stunning craft (feathers in a glass display seems easy enough) and then I read the description: the feathers are made from card stock! Gorgeous!


My top three picks from this week's Fat Quarter challenge.

Dr. Russ does it again. Another beautiful project! A paper backed fabric piece looks stunning inserted into the top of this wooden box.

Adorable fabric matching game by All Things Belle. I've seen various tutorials for these sweet homemade matching games but this one means doesn't involve a sewing machine. Love it!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 created these fantastic fabric covered composition books. Great gift idea!

Fat Quarter Turned Tiny Bucket

Between teething and a nasty virus there hasn't been much sleep around these parts lately. I've been on a blogging hiatus (and a cleaning hiatus, and a sleep hiatus, and a... you get the pont) and I missed the last two Iron Craft challenges. Honestly haven't even taken time to look through the flickr pool to see what the others came up with. By the time the Rockstar goes down at night I have found myself staring at the TV in daze or passed out in bed waiting for the sound of a sad little man in need of his mama.

I did start on a little something for last week's Oscar challenge but it was last on my list of TO DOs and never made it to the top; I may or may not end up finishing the project but if I do I'll be sure to share it with you. I do intend to post a roundup of my fav bits from challenge 8 and 9 still, hopefully within the next 24 hours.

On to this week's challenge!! The challenge was to use a fat quarter (18 x 22" piece of fabric) to create a little something. I've been itching to make some fabric buckets and I found a tutorial for a tiny one over at Ric Rac that required the exact amount of fabric needed (I adjusted the measurements so it was right on, otherwise I would have been over by a couple inches). I was pretty pleased with myself until just now... I may have broken the rules: is interfacing considered fabric? I'm going to say NO.

I heart this little bucket!! It's the perfect size to hold my fabric painting supplies. I can totally see myself making these little puppies to hold a bib, burp cloth and change pad for future baby shower gifts. I'm also thinking of making a bunch of them to hold the Rockstar's tiny toys (balls, cars etc) - wouldn't this be cute with some freezer paper stenciling or an applique?? Oh the possibilities!

Pop over to Iron Craft to see what everyone else has been up to this week!

Iron Craft Challenge #7: Bling for My Baby

This week's tast for the challenge was titled 'Midas Touch'. Bling bling! I wasn't so sure of this theme because I'm not a huge fan of yellow gold. After much thought I decided to use gold fabric paint on a hand-me-down brown hoodie the Rockstar had hanging in his closet.

I hunted online for free stencils and ended up at Lil Blue Boo (a blog I've been a zillion times) where I found an adorable robot stencil. I finally tried freezer paper stenciling using the tutorial I watched over at I Am Momma ages ago: I'm hooked.

Doesn't this photo kill you? He totally looks like he's posing, such a great little model. As soon as I ironed the stencil to the shirt I knew I wanted to add a little heart to the robot. A robot can't have just any old heart though so he has a star shaped heart.

Decided the Rockstar needed some bling on the front of his hoodie too and why not create a matching star-heart? I added a tiny initial letter because I was struggling to put the exacto knife down.

I'm loving Iron Craft!! It's motivating me to get going on projects (like freezer paper stenciling) that I have been itching to try. Wonder what the others have created, off to the flickr pool to find out.

Iron Craft Challenge 6: Winter

I've been wanting to chop up a map for a project for ages now so I took advantage of the Winter theme this week to do it. How does a map relate to winter? Well..... Mike and I have gone on a trip almost every winter since we met ten years ago AND our wedding took place in Mexico on Feb 1, 2007. I chose to use bits of the map that have some sort of meaning to us: places we have been together, places Mike grew up (South Africa, Ireland, Detroit) and places where we would love to visit one day.

This was my first attempt at using mod podge and paper to create a frame, the finished product isn't perfect but I'm pretty happy with it and I'm looking forward to creating more paper covered frames. I see the possibility of buttons and ribbon and glitter OH MY!

I was late posting my entry this week so I am not entered in the Challenge Vote BUT that doesn't mean you shouldn't hop over to the Iron Craft blog and vote for one of the other fantastic entries.

The reason I was late posting was because I was waiting for a time when I could take a decent no-flash photo of the frame (you can see from the picture that this didn't happen). The moral of this story is that I really need to make myself a light box so that I can snap good product photos after the monkey is in bed at night. That and I should seriously consider a new flash for my camera - maybe I'll ask for one for Christmas or treat myself if I am lucky enough to get a permanent contract come September.

I digress. I need a light box and there are loads of great tutorials for creating an inexpensive one. I figured some of you may also be interested so here are two great tutorials I'm considering: Polka Dots and Paper, JYO. Enjoy!

Top Picks for Iron Craft Challenge #5

I couldn't narrow it down to three this week so here are my fav four from the Be Mine Iron Craft Challenge this week.

Fantabulous zombie valentine from My Pursuit of Craftiness - Mike would looooove this.
Extra awesome because the zombie is a hand carved stamp modeled after her husband. Check out her blog for more details.

I am definitely going to try my hand at embroidery this year and this project looks like something I could handle! Love the design and the fact that The Modern Lady has shared her pattern over here.

Kitties need love too. Subliminalrabbit made some super sweet catnip toys for her feline friends.

Definite pop-up card inspiration created by Kat. More pics of this adorable card with a fantastic tutorial can be found here.

Next week's theme is WINTER. Still trying to decide what I'm going to make and looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with!

Iron Craft Challenge #5: Be Mine

WARNING: Grams, Papa, Granny, Grandad, Aunts (both biological and pseudo) and Uncles DO NOT READ THIS POST IF you want your Valentine's card from the Rockstar to be a complete surprise!!

Iron Craft's challenge this week is titled Be Mine. It didn't take me long to decide what I wanted to pull together for this challenge: the Rockstar's first valentine's day card. Although I'm posting one photo of the finished product on flickr in the Iron Craft group I won't post any of the final photo shoot pics here at Gingham Skies until V-day. Okay, maybe you'll get one teaser but it won't show much because I don't want to ruin the surprise for the Rockstar's fans.

The fans are going to swoon due to the overwhelming cuteness of these pictures. I was literally rolling on the floor giggling over how adorable he looked while snapping the pictures (yes I admit I may be a teeny tiny bit biased but seriously it was ridiculous). Mike was rolling too but not on the floor: his eyes were rolling around in his head while he groaned and assured the Rockstar over and over again how he had absolutely nothing to do with this and how it was all "his mother's fault". That being said he couldn't help but smile (over and over again during the actual shoot) and did admit that the Rockstar was hands down the cutest cupid ever. I think all the groaning was for the benefit of the future teenage Rockstar who Mike feels will not be impressed the photographs his mom snapped of him in his awesome cupid gear at 7 months old. I would tend to disagree: he's going to show these pictures to his girl friends (not girlfriends, but girls who are friends since obviously he won't be dating until he's 25) and they are going to melt.

After all this hype I better show you a little something. The crafting I completed for this challenge included making wings as well as a softie bow and arrow. I was pleasantly surprised with my final results.


The Rockstar didn't have any issues with his gear and he didn't even bother much with the feathers which I initially thought would lead to a wrestling match between him and I (me trying to keep them out of his mouth and him trying to gobble them up). The softies turned out pretty good, I wasn't sure if they would actually look like a bow and arrow but I think they do - what do you think? The Rockstar love love LOVES the bow. The red elasticy bit is his favourite, he likes pulling on it and letting it go (my crystal ball shows me being whacked with many an elastic band in the future) and thinks it's absolutely hilarious when Mike makes a funny noise to go with the action.

Here's a shot of the original wings I made.

They ended up being waaaay too big so I snipped them down to a more appropriate size and added a ribbon to hold them in place.

And here's a sneak peek of the Rockstar: a quiet moment where he is getting into character.

Come back on Valentine's day to see the final valentine's day card I designed for the challenge as well as a few other pics from our photo shoot OR if you just can't wait and you're not a Grandparent of the Rockstar you can hop over to the Iron Craft flickr pool to see the card now.

My Fav Three

This is my favourite submission for Iron Craft challenge four and it makes me A: want to finally get off my butt and try freezer stenciling, B: buy a Cricut or Silhouette (as if I didn't want one bad enough already) and C: try iron-on velcro! Where have I been? I had no idea such a thing existed and I HATE sewing velcro strips on projects. Hop over to The Modern Lady blog to read more about this project.

Can't get over how cute this sweet little froggie is. It totally reminds me of Keroppi the Sanrio frog.

And there's this clever Cup of Tea cozy by Mrs. Green. The Pattern can be found HERE.

There are loads of great entries! Check them out in the flickr pool.

Iron Craft Challenge 4: Coffee Cozy

Quick and easy challenge this week which - considering our weekend - was just what I needed in order to get it done. No more disposable coffee cozies for me, this little lady will be tucked into my car and put to good use on a regular basis. What a great way to use up some of my fav fabric scraps!

Challenge 3 Favs

There were so many fabulous buntings submitted for the Iron Craft challenge this week! I'm thinking I'll create a post featuring my three favourite Iron Craft entries following each challenge. Hopefully some will include tutorials: two of the three I'm featuring today do! Yippee!

Alright so here we go: my favs from Just Bunt and then I promise you I won't type the word BUNTING for at least a week.

Amy from Glitter, Vinyl and Thread made this stunning pillow and bonus: it's up for auction! Hop over to this post on her blog and leave a comment with your bid to get in on the action.
All proceeds will be donated to the Queensland Flood Relief via Make It Perfect (worth checking out the master list here to see the loads of awesome bits available to bid on).

This magnetic bunting was made by Chrissy from Hickety Pickety and I think it's my favourite entry this week. Lucky us!! Chrissy created an easy to follow tutorial so you can make one of your own. I'll be revisiting this tutorial eventually so that I can make a mini bunting for the magnetic board that will be going up in my studio (once the room is painted and revamped - assuming this happens in my lifetime)

Yum yum YUM!! A bunting made of candy?! No further explanation necessary. Oh, but I should mention that this amazingly brilliant piece of work was made by Jeromina from Paper, Plate and Plane and if you slip over there you'll find a tutorial p.s. loving her blog

Fabulous work ladies!

Flying High Baby Bunting

Iron Craft's challenge # 3 is titled Just Bunt. If you're a blog hopper I'm sure you've noticed the bunting trend: they are EVERYWHERE. I highlighted a few samples the other day but google "bunting" and you'll find a zillion more.

We've been planning to put our little Rockstar's name on the wall above his crib for ages so I figured I would knock that project off the list of TO DOs while completing this challenge. I found a sheet of cute little airplanes and clouds a couple weeks ago that the wee man was gifted from Grams & Papa last Christmas (2009: while still in my belly) and one little propeller plane was the inspiration for my bunting. Doesn't it look like it was built to pull a banner through the clouds?

I guess there's a bit of a travel theme happening with this bunting: a map, rocket ships, trains & trucks and polka dots were the fabric choices. Yes I do realize polka dots aren't really travel related but I ♥ polka dots so they made the cut.

Speaking of cut (insert laugh track here - yes I am officially a mom with the bad jokes and all) this super easy bunting provided me with the perfect opportunity to use my new pinking shears. They were a Christmas gift and it's ridiculous how much pleasure I get from cutting fabric with them. Rereading that line made me realize JUST how how much of a crafty nerd I am but I stand by my love of pinking shears dammit.

Can't wait to see what the other Iron Crafters have whipped up and of course I'm itching to find out what week 4's challenge involves.

Dodging the Draft

Iron Craft's challenge #2 was to create a draft dodger. You know the snakes or wiener dogs you've seen laying on the floor in front of people's doors to stop the wind from creeping in: apparently the official name is a draft dodger, who knew?

I made one for the front door, we need to replace the weather stripping and have been planning to do it for the past two years. This dodger should help keep the heat in and the cold out until we get around to it. Don't mind the less than lovely photo.

My dodger has an outside tube made of a heavy jean-like material that can be washed and the inner tube is easily removable and holds the beans which act as insulation.

I originally planned to have three little birds appliqued on my tube (think Bob Marley: "three little birds, sitting on my doorstep") but then I decided peek-a-boo circles were a better idea with this fabric. I still used some birds but there are more than three so disregard Bob.

I love that the little mermaid is checking out the birdies. Although you can't see her tail so really it just looks like a naked girl is checking them out: oh well.

There are some fantastic completed dodgers and you can check them all out in the Iron Craft flickr pool!

Iron Craft

Have you heard of Iron Craft?! Well there's little doubt you've heard of the Iron Chef so think Iron Chef but with crafts rather than food. Every week in 2011 those taking part are given a theme or pattern and asked to run with it. One of my resolutions was to make more time for me and of course that means finding time to sew or craft each week. A perfect solution: join Iron Craft! I'm a week late since I just stumbled across the blog a few days ago but hey, better late than never.

By no means can I match the talents of the crafty people taking part in this challenge but I intend to try to stretch my crafting limits and have fun while I'm at it.

Looking for a kick in the butt to get crafty?! Join the challenge!! You can use tutorials online to help you out with your crafts, just be sure to credit the creators: you don't have to recreate the wheel. Let me know if you decide to join in the fun and of course read this intro post over at the Iron Craft blog to find out how to officially join.