How To: DIY wrapping paper

I recently was gifted a small collection of beautiful vintage trims from a friend of a friend. I'm totally infatuated by them and don't know if I will ever find a project special enough to warrant cutting into them...and then I had a brain wave! Wrapping Paper.

It's easy to create your own personalized decorative papers, all you need is a scanner/printer or colour photocopier. Get the kids involved, they will love creating their own designs.

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How To: Making a Toddler Sleep Sac without a Pattern

This tutorial was originally created and published last winter on my (sadly neglected) sewing blog MADE OF CLOTH. It had a great positive feedback so I thought it was worth revisiting. 

I recommend this as a project for intermediate sewers and assumes some experience with inserting zips and attaching bias binding. 

Last winter Emma had a giant growth spurt, her old sleeping bag is too short for her and a little fitted around the armholes. I had a few hours to spare today and thought it was time to make a nice warm one for this winter. I will share the steps I used to make her new sleeping sac/bag without using a pattern... 

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How To: Pixel Coasters

Ever since I used my Japanese cross stitch book to make some cute brooches with Hama beads last year, I've been looking at all cross stitch through totally different eyes.
Especially my small collection of pretty vintage cross stitched doileys and serviettes.
Small motifs translate brilliantly to Hama bead projects like these coasters. Have a look in your linen draw, there may be some wonderful designs waiting to be reinterpreted into pixelated masterpieces.

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Giveaway: All Sewn Up + Vintage Bunting Kit

Crafty giveaways don't come better than this! To celebrate the inclusion of My Poppet's Vintage Bunting Kit in the new book by Chloe Owens, All Sewn Up, we are giving away a signed copy of the book and a bunting kit to one lucky winner.

Like me, Chloe loves using colourful vintage fabrics in her projects. She combines them with contemporary prints and free style machine embroidery to create beautifully textured pieces.

And the love is mutual, here is what Chloe says about My Poppet:
"My Poppet has the most delicious array of vintage and handmade goodies! I thought the 'make your own vintage bunting kit' would fit perfectly within All Sewn Up for the 'Stylish Scraps Bunting' project as a lovely alternative to sourcing and cutting out your own"

So to be in the running to win this great prize, leave a comment on this blog post telling me about your proudest crafting moment. What did you make and why was it so special to you?
Entries close 10pm (melbourne time) 22nd May 2012 Winner will be announced on this post and notified by email
(Please make sure you have your e-mail enabled or leave your contact details in the comment)
Winner has been chosen by Chloe and is PJ Edwards - Congratulations!

Free Printable: Patchwork Poster

I've been taking a Photoshop class in the last couple of weeks to improve my photo editing skills. While practicing using clipping masks I created this little crafty patchwork poster which features some of my vintage fabrics. I've printed it here on normal office paper, but for a brighter result try photo quality paper.

Perfect for a craft or sewing room, or even a last minute Mother's Day gift (framed nicely of course!).
Inspired by the cute sewing quote "May your bobbin always be full", I know you sewers out there will get a chuckle from it.

Designed to be printed in A4 size, just click on the link below and save to your computer.

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How To: Applique Template Free Printable

A little while ago I posted this tutorial on how add knee patches to jeans. It's a simple way to get some extra life out of your kids clothes. This week the lovely and very talented Draw!Pilgrim has created some free printable templates that can be used to create cute patches to make those tired duds into something special. Read on for links and instructions for using template...

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