We love Matching Games. I have to admit that Bethany is a little too good at these games these days, and Mummy definitely doesn't have to let her win anymore...she just does it on her own. I blame baby brain ... I wonder how long I can continue to use that excuse? I first saw this idea of a fabric matching game on a stall at the craft market ,"Wheel 'n Weft", that's run a couple of times a year in Thornleigh, Sydney. They were completed by some very talented twin sister crafters known as The Twin Thing. I loved the idea, and thought it would make a great project to use up some scrap fabrics. It's also really cute!! The game by The Twin Thing had small circles of fabric appliqued onto plain colour backgrounds, and a little matching draw-string bag to hold all of the pieces. Now, I'm very new to applique, and the thought of sewing carefully around 20 little circles kinda freaked me out, but I did like the idea of having some applique practice. So I decided I'd do squares instead. I searched the net for some more inspiration, and looked at a few blogs and tutorials I found online like this and this, but in the end this is what I came up with ... UPDATE - If you'd like a set of these, but don't have the time to make them, I've now added a couple of sets to my Etsy shop for sale. Head over and take a look!! Otherwise feel free to use my tutorial below to make your own! I used: - 10 different scraps of quilting fabric - Fat quarter of white background fabric - Fat quarter of backing fabric (I used pink gingham ... you can never have too much gingham!!) - 1 Button - White thread - Sewing Machine - Iron - Time Taken: About 3-4 hours - cutting all the pieces is a little time-consuming, but kinda therapeutic! Tip: I used a rotary cutter, quilter's ruler and mat to cut all the pieces. Cutting: - Cut 20 squares (3.5 inches x 3.5 inches) from the white background fabric - Cut 20 squares (3.5 inches x 3.5 inches) from the backing fabric (pink gingham) - Cut 2 squares (2 inches by 2 inches) from each of the fabric scraps (ie 20 squares in total) Sewing: - Pin the small squares onto the middle of the white background fabric, then using a small zig-zag stitch sew around each, trying to sew right at the edge of the square to make it look nice and neat. I lower the needle, then lift the machine foot to pivot at each corner, so that you have to stop less times, and have less threads to trim off. - Place the white background squares and backing fabric squares right side together, and sew around the edges using a 1/4 inch seam. Leave a small opening (about an inch) in the side of each square for turning through. - Turn the squares through the right way (using the little hole you left in the seam). - Iron each square, being careful to fold in a 1/4 inch seam at each of the openings left from turning them through. - Topstitch around the edge (about 2-3mm from the edge) all around the squares. This just makes them sit better. Ta-da ... you have a matching game. Mine is definitely not perfect, but I think that's part of the charm! Now of course, any cute matching game needs a matching bag!! Mine is kinda like an envelope. - Cut 2 rectangles (6.5 inches by 14 inches) from a matching fabric (what was it I said about never having enough gingham?!?) - Cut diagonal lines at one end of both rectangles to make a point (this is easiest if you lay both pieces on top of each other and cut both together) - Put the two pieces right side together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam around 3 sides, leaving the bottom (straight) edge open for turning. - Turn through to bring the right sides out. - Iron the whole thing flat, then turn under and iron a 1/4 inch seam across the bottom that you left open for turning. - Top-stitch along the bottom. - Fold the bottom up to about 3 inches from the top point, then pin the sides to hold it together. - Start at the bottom on one side and top stitch 1/4 inch in from the edge. Go up the side, across the top via the point, and down the other side. This holds it all together in an envelope shape. - Use the machine button-hole function and foot to make a button hole just below the point (make sure you measure it against your button to make sure it fits .... I'm speaking from experience there!!) - Sew the button on the front. - Do up the button, then topstitch along the top edge, about 2mm in from the edge to help it sit better. I think it's gorgeous, and I reckon it's a fabulous gift idea for a kiddy friend! Mine is very girly looking with all that pink gingham, but I'm sure you could make an amazing boy version! Let me know if you have a go at making it...I'd love to see your pics!!
Check out these quick, easy ideas for using fabric scraps and leftover fabric. Sewing and no-sew projects are included!
The next time you have food scraps from your kitchen, don’t throw them out just yet. You may not know it yet but some kitchen scraps have the potential for
We made these this weekend. And well all I can say is FUN FUN FUN! But DO NOT make them in the evening, while it is raining outside. The catapultees (Is that even a word? Catapult shooters maybe?) will want to use them ASAP and well like I said do not make them when the kids can't take them outside. Now if you happen to have two dogs like mine, that like marshmallows, this may not be a problem. But I don't recommend marshmallows for dogs. Now my dogs did eat a few, and they don't seem to have been harmed by them. But I still wouldn't recommend it. p.s. I limited the kids to only 2-3 marshmallows each in the house to make sure they retrieved the ones they shot. Before the dogs got them. ;) But the dogs are quick and they caught on to the game pretty fast. So we made these catapults. It was pretty easy. All you need are 2 pencils, a milk or Gatorade cap, 2 rubber bands, scissors, 1/2 a pipe cleaner, scotch tape and an empty tissue box. Oh and of course a bag of large marshmallows. For me the hardest part was waiting until I had 4 empty tissue boxes - one for each of us, 'cause well, mom wanted to play too. And well it always helps to have a demo model to learn form and make mistakes on. :) The assembly of them took about 30 minutes. Ok probably closer to 10 minutes per catapult, but I was putting mine together and helping everyone else at the same time. It does help to have a buddy when you need to tie the pencils together, but other than that it was easy peazy. And the fun and laughter than ensued was totally worth having marshmallows shot all over my house. Ok I made them keep it downstairs, so the war stayed mostly on the tile. Think kids chasing each other shooting marshmallows, while dogs chase kids and bark. Kids collapsing on the chairs from laughter or returning to the kitchen to made adjustments and then testing them on mom. We easily spent 2 hours messing around with these things and both my girls took theirs to their room for safe keeping for more fun tomorrow. My son killed his. Actually he declared them lame because they don't exactly shoot straight, more like they shoot down, but if you tilt the front up you can get some decent distance. Hey it's a tissue box, pencils and rubber bands. It's not high tech. The girls and I still had fun and killed a couple of hours with them. Directions for them are here.
With sticks from the garden and scraps of yarn, kids can make this colourful star-stick mobile to hang from your porch, patio or a tree in your backyard.
Monster Babies with little diapers and matchbox bed with a scrap of a blankie to snuggle under. Are you hooked yet? that’s it – I’m taking up felting. If itty-bitty crafts appeal to you then you gotta order a copy of Microcrafts by Quirk Books. first spotted on curlybirds sniff sniff – who needs a [&hellip
Use materials from around the house to create a shape geoboard. This simple shape geoboard activity is great for STEAM. Encourage learn through play.
Repurpose your empty Altoid tins with these 27 crafty ideas! From storage solutions to DIY gifts, discover creative ways to upcycle your tins. Looking for creative ways t
If you're like me and save little bits of paper, this is a good way to use up some of those smaller scraps. To make a confetti bowl or confetti cups, you'll nee…
sensoriels permet d'éveiller les sens. On y retrouve un panel de sensations différentes, d'émotions provoquer qui stimulent et qui font réagir.
What to do with those yarn scraps left-over from crochet projects? These simple yarn ideas are a great way to bust through your yarn stash and create something artistic and beautiful! Try a few of these this weekend.
Transform a regular flashlight into a starry night with a household flashlight and a scrap of vinyl in 20 minutes or less. Easy and inexpensive entertainment!
The purpose of this science fair project is to determine which conditions and materials quicken the composting process to make the best compost.
I don't know many crafters who don't have a stash of fabric scraps somewhere. Some of them have much bigger stashes than others ( I won't name any names...we know who we are), but the feeling of being unable to throw away such pretty pieces of fabric--no matter how small--is mutual. Here are five fun ways to upcycle fabric scraps--or just to get an excuse to collect lots of pretty fabric--with projects for around your home. Enjoy!
With this Huichol-inspired art process, kids can create a vibrant and unique piece of art, using colourful yarn scraps and glue.
When it’s -6 degrees outside, all you want to do is think about warmer weather. I was looking through some old pictures and stumbled across the pictures I took of the kids new Teeter Totter. …
Glanzbilder Oblaten Victorien Die Cut Victorian Scrap Tube Victorienne Glansbilleder Plaatjes Bokmärken Chromos decoupi Laminas Antiguas Laminas trabajo con flores викторианский клипарт Victorian stickers victorian clipart vintage image gif ВИНТАЖНЫЙ РОЗОВЫЙ КЛИПАРТ
There are so many things that you can do with your scrap yarn! Check out these 10 awesome scrap yarn ideas compiled by The Lavender Chair!
Make the most adorable little dolls out of craft sticks, yarn and a few buttons. They're SO cute, and the process is seriously addictive! Kids LOVE them!
So here is our finished teepee…made entirely out of recycled bedsheets and cedar poles. I will try to explain the process below, but it was really a trial and error art experiment. The end result was so very worth it, as it's now the most beautiful thing in my yard!! So…you will need your basic teepee structure instructions found HERE in part one. In addition you will need a staple gun and LOTS of staples about 12 sheets…I paid about $10 in total at various second hand stores. (flat sheets are best) So…take about 4 of your sheets and start ripping them into strips… I used the most colourful sheets for this part. To rip make a cut at one end, and just tear down… they don't need to be perfect, (this is an art project after all) Then start by stapling the end of one of your strips to the bottom of the pole… start wrapping around and around…gradually covering the pole… when you get to the end of your strip, staple it again in place. It will start to shape up like this... Then switch your fabrics to make a patchwork…keep wrapping and switching... This is what it should start to look like…keep wrapping until you get near the top… Now…to attach your sheet panels you will start on one end…start by taking one end of the sheet and from the bottom up, staple it all the way up. Be generous with your staples here. Then go to the other side and pull it tight…you will be able to feel your poles underneath the sheet and you will staple there. I went the lazy route here and just trimmed the sheets after they were stapled in place with pinking shears. I tried to match the lengths of my panels, by folding them over at the top and again stapling them into place. Then I took some more strips of fabric and weaved them in and out of the poles at the very top… stapling them into place all along the way. (my teepee probably has about 500 or so staples in it)!! And the doorway was just cut with pinking shears into one of the panels…I just did an upside down U. But…here is the end result…it may only last a season or two, but the structure itself is solid… I consider it a giant art project really… there are so many different ways you can put it together if you choose! This is a horrible night shot of it, but we strung solar lights on the top, so it would light up at nighttime. The kids were SO delighted with this!! We enjoy this structure every single day… we even added a log table and a sheet for the floor. Picnics, tea parties, imagination games abound!! Wishing you many adventures in creativity!!
Learn how to make a large pompom using fabric scraps. This easy DIY makes beautiful fabric pompom's
We tapped tech and education experts for their picks in the crowded educational app space, then gave kid testers a chance to play. From toddler apps to math and reading apps, here are some fun options to help at home this school year.
Something that every paper crafter has after a completed project is a pile of scraps. I’m no different and let me tell you my pile of scraps can get quite out of hand! To put it to goo…
You may be surprised by how many vegetables you can re-grow from scraps. Learn which ones are suitable for this, and how to do it.
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Children use collage materials to make patchwork houses from cardboard and fabric scraps.
We love the world of blogging because it gives us a venue to make friends from all over the world... but we hate that at the same time. Sometimes it'd be fantastic just to hang out with y'all- to have girls' night, to make play dates. For example, if we lived in the same town as
whether you are wanting to teach fine motor skills or just give your child an introduction to sewing, here is a great activity: Yarn pictures on burlap.
Hallo Ihr lieben Kreativen, ich habe ja bereits mehrfach Projekte mit den kleinen Ladys aus der Gorjuss Sammelkollektion, für die es übrigens jetzt endlich auch die Sammelmappe gibt, gezeigt. Sie sind von der Größe her für viele Arbeiten besser geeignet als die recht großen Stempel in der Originalgröße. Auch für meinen allerersten Pocket Letter passen sie größenmäßig super. Hier noch ein paar Detailfotos: Nun muß ich schauen, wo ich die passenden Pocket Letter Hüllen herbekomme. Hat jemand einen Einkaufstipp? Für Verbesserungs- oder Ergänzungsvorschläge zu meinem ersten Pocket Letter wäre ich ebenfalls sehr dankbar. Aber auch wenn er nicht perfekt ist hat es doch viel Spaß gemacht. Und das ist doch immer die Hauptsache:)))
Providing the opportunity for children to explore weaving is such a beneficial activity. Here’s how to encourage weaving in your home or classroom with a large weaving loom! Follow our Creative Play Pinterest board! Weaving is such a beautiful activity full of learning potential for any age: from discovering patterns and textures to encouraging growth in fine motor skills and …
In honor of one of our favorite artists, Alexander Calder – we have a project for you! (Don’t forget to check out our Calder inspired Circus). This is a project that is a little tougher…
Learn how to make small, colorful mushrooms from recycled egg cartons, rigatoni pasta, corks, and acrylic paint.
Your kids can celebrate the beauty of spring blossoms with this incredibly easy and pretty Spring Blossom Yarn Craft. This budget-friendly kids' craft shows kids how to create blooming spring trees that can fit in the palm of their hands by using dollar store materials. This craft for kids is also excellent for pre-school classrooms, as it lets children practice fine motor skills by crumpling tissue paper and wrapping yarn. This spring kids' craft does require a hot glue gun to add the finishing touches, so make sure that adults are around to take care of this step. Whether completed in the home or classroom, this adorable art project for kids is the perfect way for little ones to welcome spring.
With this Huichol-inspired art process, kids can create a vibrant and unique piece of art, using colourful yarn scraps and glue.
Make your own beautiful fabric bowl DIY gift. Turn fabric scraps into a fabric bowl DIY gift with a sensory activity that helps build fine motor skills.
This tutorial for easy tassel flowers teaches you how to make dandelions out of yarn and pipe cleaners. It's the perfect craft for Mother's Day, a Girl Scouts meeting or a birthday party!
