As alternatives to a traditional centerpiece for the upcoming auction at my daughter’s school, I created a mobile and a tripod. Both use natural materials that can be found on the school’s site, like dried branches, pine cones, and pine sprigs. Additions to the mobile include origami stars and crystals tied to the sprigs. The tripod of juniper branches are tied with gold ribbon. Then the branches are ornamented with pine cones and felted balls home made from local alpaca wool.
Our family handmade holiday card is much more fun and playful than ones I’ve made in the past. I wanted to include my family in the making rather than just including photos. So I asked my daughters and husband to draw a picture of themselves as a snowman. Then I scaled, cut, pasted, and created a “backside” for each drawing. I also asked my family for a quote of what they wish for humanity. The string of snow people stand inside the card below their quotes.
This year’s handmade ornament is an origami star that collapses into a small, neat square by moving a bead along ribbon. I used embossed cardstock instead of traditional origami paper so the star is sturdy. A thin, double-sided tag serves as a minimal greeting and includes photos of past handmade Christmas decor.
Only 23. And gone. So much passion and creativity. Unbounded.
I am twice her age and I recognize a kinship with her. We share a compulsion to create in whatever medium attracts us in the moment. I admire her strength in not listening to critical voices – internal (if she even had them) or external. Mine have always been too powerful. I have to change that.
The world needs more Zina’s. I know I was/am supposed to be one of them. I just keep getting in my own way.
The lining of my favorite Lucky Brand leather hobo bag was falling apart. It was thin and lacked reinforcing. The dark color also made it difficult to find things.
So, although I feared this project would tax my sewing skills, I took a risk and removed the lining, carefully separating all the pieces to use as a pattern for a new lining. I added pockets and reused the old zipper and magnet closure. I even reused the tag and label.
My new lining is bright, fun, and reinforced with interfacing for years of hard use.
Stains. They happen somehow. And too often it’s my favorite clothes that are marked. I’ve figured out a few ways to salvage these items rather than relegating them to the recycle pile.
Top left: Bleach painting works perfectly when the original stain was also a bleach spot. I used Clorox (the thicker kind, so there is less chance of splattering) and a small paint brush.
Bottom left: Permanent marker is an alternative to fabric paint. I used a slightly darker yellow Sharpie marker to mask a few discolorations on a jersey dress.
Right: To hide both a stain and a couple small holes, I created patches using bits of old t-shirt. I used a narrow zigzag stitch to attach the pattern of patches so that my yoga pants can still stretch.
I had a bunch of leftover supplies after making kokedama with my daughter’s 3rd grade class last spring. So I finally bought a few 2" potted plants to make some more of these gorgeous indoor hanging moss balls, just as winter is about to descend upon Central Oregon.
I have a pair of Levi’s corduroy jeans that I rarely wear, and I decided it was time to either donate them or figure out a fix so I would wear them. I decided on a fix. Using an old wooden printing block and fabric paint, I first stamped the legs asymmetrically. Then I used a brush to add more design to one leg. I really like how it turned out – especially that the design seems a bit unfinished so I can add more at a future date, if I want.
Some of my favorite clothes have stains that I have not been able to remove. I came up with a way to hide the stains rather than discard the item. Using bleach and a fine brush, I painted a design over the entire base of this tank dress. I plan on doodling with bleach on some stained yoga pants next.
by pauline 