Woolen umbrellas

In a conversation with one of the mothers at Jacob's kindergarten she asked me if I remember the cute woolen umbrellas we used to make in Craft classes when we were in elementary school. Of course I remember. We loved making them in every possible colour and playing with them until they fell apart.

So, last weekend I thought it would be fun if we (that's me and my children) make some and today I composed a little tutorial for this. Here it goes:

WOOLEN UMBRELLAS

Step 1
For this project you will need some wool, corks and toothpicks.



Step 2

Mark the cork about 2 cm below the top making a circle with the pencil where you will place the toothpicks.

Step 3

Insert the toothpicks along the line. The best shape of the umbrella is acquired if you use about 8 toothpicks as I did. When inserting them the distance from one to the other should be equal.

It should look like this

Step 4
Tie a knot around one of the toothpicks. That'll be your starting pick.

Step 5
Take the thread and take it to the next one coiling it once around it and move to the next one. Work in circles.

While working you may push the thread lightly towards the cork with your thumb. Do not overstretch the thread because it may snap the toothpick, but hold it firmly enough.

Step 6

When you want to bring in new colour, do not cut the first thread. Hold it back and tie the new one (as shown).

Holding the first thread with one hand, work with the second one until you are satisfied with the pattern.

When you want to change the thread again just bring it forward (as shown). Remember that it is best to use the starting toothpick to change the threads.

When you are done, cut the threads ....



.....and tie them in a knot.



Here's your umbrella.


Step 7

Disguise the base. I used the light pink thread. You may, paint it, paste it with paper, cloth or whatever you desire. You may do the same with the top of it.

Step 8
Embellish it. For this one I used some beads.


And I tied tiny pieces of thread on the tips.


Insert a toothpick at the bottom. And that's it!

Let you imagination run wild and make some more.

I hope the instructions were clear. And if you really like this project and make it, drop me a line. I would love to see yours!

An hour at the kindergarten

Today was an open day at Jacob's kindergarten due to the monthly Wednesday workshop and on which we were asked to make (belated) martinkas and premature Mother's day cards. I felt awkward when I received the invitation with the instructions and it occurred to me later that neither of these days (holidays) fall on Wednesday - so that was the reasoning behind this.

We were greeted by the children which recited a lovely poem for the mothers and we were each given our cards. This was mine:

The cover reads: Happy holiday (8 of March)

Inside a cute drawing made by my son!

Here was what we made

Close-up of the brooch

There was also a flowery card but I forgot to take a photo of it. We left that one at the display board.

Here's the proud owner of the martinka.
I love when he gives me the "Mowgli" smile.

Happy First of March!

In certain parts of my country there is a custom associated with the first day of March. It is called "Grandma March" Day. On this day typical red and white tassels, pom-poms or knit (braided) bracelets all known as martinki are exchanged, given to loved ones and they are worn pinned on clothing or tied on the wrist. The red and white woven threads symbolize the wish for good health and prosperity. They are heralds of the coming spring. People wear them until the nature starts to bloom and then hang them on trees.

The symbolism is quite obvious: the white represents the purity of the melting snow while the red is a symbol of life and passion, or in other words they are both great symbols of the constant cycle of life and death, the balance of good and evil, and of the sorrow and happiness in human life.

This custom was not acknowledged in my family although I received martinkas from my friends.
However, today I made some martinkas for my children and I made some pom-poms and tassels to decorate my home. My children enjoyed the time spent making them as well as the story I am to tell bellow.

This is the month of March. Grandma March is the only woman among her 11 brothers (the months of the year). She is seen as an old, ill-humored and snappy woman with highly contrasting moods. The story I promised in my last post goes like this:
A shepherdess was tired of the long, boring winter. One day seeing the skies brighten and the sun caressing the meadows, she decided to take her flock up the mountain in search of fresh grass. On her way she mocked with March, cursing her, calling her names and inviting springtime to hasten and replace the dreary month. March heard the words of the foolish woman and almost being the end of the month she pleaded February to borrow her two or three of his days to punish the foolish shepherdess. February being the youngest, fulfilled her plea. March used the days to force the most fierce snows and storms upon the ungrateful and daft shepherdess and freeze her and her flock.

Wishful knitting

I have actually managed to sneak from the heap of work I have and type a word of two here.
Today it was so sunny outside I woke to the feeling it's spring. That didn't last long. The scenery was soon blackened by the most evilish looking clouds which brought a tremendous wind swirling everything on its way (I swear that for a moment I thought I'd see houses and cars flying up and above) to be instantly replaced by a dull, grim rain. And after all this weather tantrums, the sun appeared again in its full glory. I feel like living in England (said in a British accent).

The change of the weather reminded me that spring is inevitably on its way (shush - I don't want March to hear me say this*) and that there are "winter" things I put off not for days or months - but for years!

I am referring to these:

These two sweaters have officially been on my "to do" list for two years now. I don't think I'll start knitting them anytime soon - that's for sure, and who knows how I'd feel about them next year. Time will show.
(*This refers to a folk story about the 12 months and how February lost some of its days. I'll save this for some other post.)

The end of the week

Well this has been a really tiring week, having visiting family at home, one child recovering from a cold, the other down with a cold, daily routines driven off the track, house being a cluttered state of affairs, all craft sent to wasteland, handmade neglected, translations piling up in the mail -well ...no wonder I've been feeling quite exhausted actually.

Thankfully it all ended yesterday. So I managed to put my hands at this pretty thing and need a patch or two and several more beads to finish it.

Earlier I found this cute embroidery of a Dutch lady made by my mom. This one was made when I was a child but mom didn't bother to frame it and it was in the pile of unfinished embroidery.

Look at the tiny stitches she did. I will never do this to my eyes!

Unfortunately I don't have a frame where this cutie could be housed so it'll have to wait for a bit more.
Speaking of never doing anything to one's eyes - just as I typed the words I remembered of a pendant I've made a year ago. Here it is:

It is not alone.
It has got a brother.



Remembered this just in time to obstrigillate my "never' statement! Serves me right!

Nine

Our girl just turned 9.

We were blessed to have her on Valentine!

hAPpY bIrThDAy!!

Glimmer and shine

These two lovelies ....

....are my new rings.

There is a whole bag of colourful shiny balls waiting to be done. But with two energetic children at home it is almost impossible to get anything done. Maybe, when they get a bit older....

As simple as it gets

My grandma Marika once received a Simplicity pattern book as a gesture of gratitude from one of her satisfied clients. The pattern book is from the summer 1979. The covers are a bit faded and dog-eared at the corners but the inside of it is intact. I inherited this book and now it has its special place in my sewing corner.
Although I have an enormous number of sewing magazines (Burda mostly) it makes me a great pleasure to take this book once in a while and flip through it, searching for ideas and filling my eyes with beautiful creations!
Lately I have been returning to these pages looking at these simple, yet great dresses. Although the design of these is almost the same as my Cupcake and Bronte dresses, I can't shook off the pattern and am actually thinking of making another one - the plain white one is my favourite!

This pattern is also attractive, only I wouldn't make the edges pointy!

And then, there's this!

I remember having a pleated shirt when I was a child - something similar to this, and promised myself that I'll make this top for the summer! I already have the perfect fabric for it. Can't wait!

Enforced procrastination

This is one of those days when I am more than eager to work and make something, but somehow it all gets entangled - I either cannot materialize my ideas or I lack material to spring my jewelry to life. Today, I was honored by both.

However, with a child sick at home, understandably - I cannot concentrate on my work.

Thus I left the desk (it is a site of unending horror and despair with the table suffocated by ribbons, bonds, fabric, yarn, beads and whatnot) at ease and joined my daughter in watching " A Night in the Museum". I don't have to mention that this is like the bezillionth time we are watching it. I am lucky because last month it was "Alvin and the Chipmunks" - needless to say that we know every single word uttered in the film (by the way for those who know what I am talking about - I am Theodore!), so there is progress people!

While making her company I returned to my reading. I am reading
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
This is my first encounter with this writer and I must say that the book is a real page-turner. Although already guessing what everything is about I am curious to find out how it will unravel in the end.

Pendants

Picking up beads and sorting through my craft boxes, Eva found these pendants that I had made back in high school. I remember that on one of our Art classes the teacher had a lecture on the jewelery the ancient people made for themselves and we were obliged to make something out of material of our choice. I used clay (still love to work with ordinary and polymer clay) and made this 'golden' pendant. I was lucky it was chosen to be featured on the Open School Day.

The others were made during my sophomore year at uni. They remained in my possession due to their small imperfections. Others were given as presents, but unfortunately I have no pictures of that earlier work of mine. I have necklaces with rock-like beads, but I'll save that for another post.

Blue flowers

When I first saw this linen I know it was destined to be a shirt. A dress would also be lovely with the design but not in linen.

I had several ideas for the neckline. First I wanted to make a ruffled collar, then I thought that maybe it would be cute if I make a casing for a silk light blue ribbon which would tie up-front. I discarded all those ideas and went for the easiest thing. I think it is appropriate for this kind of shirt and that I wasn't wrong.

Eva wasn't quite cooperative today and goofed around (even if I bribed her with a pack of the Littlest Pet Shop stickers) so I didn't manage to make a lot of pictures. I couldn't make her tie her hair and she gave me the bull nose-blowing quite often (she thought it was hilarious!).
However I tried to pick the best ones today. Should have been lot better. Ah, OK.

Pink pants

I had forgotten about this pair of pants. I made them when Eva was on winter holidays, but never found the time to make pictures. I lined the inner part with beautiful linen.

The idea is the pants to be worn as 3/4 by lifting the hoses up, but she can still wear them as ordinary pants, with the linen part not showing at all.

I was dying to make heart-shaped pockets at the back, but Eva was against the idea on the premises that boys at school would tease her! (Was this a whim of a kind or is this a sign of puberty! God helps us all!!). She didn't want any pockets at all (no particular reasons offered). I still believe that heart-shaped pockets would be soo cute!

A jacket, a necklace and work in progress...

A while ago I bought myself a ton of fabric (literally) some wool and rep mostly because they were discounted and soo beautiful and besides I wanted to make myself something more casual and romantic. I love quick projects and I like when I finish them in a day (preferably) or two. I hate when I start something and then procrastinate from various reasons. After I came back from work yesterday I set to work on the jacket and managed to finish it.

Here it is:

I don't usually wear cropped jackets because of my height - they usually make me even smaller, but I took the risk and made myself this gorgeous beauty. I didn't like to have ordinary long sleeves and I made these.

For the sleeves I used the pattern of a Burda shirt.

Previously, during the weekend I made myself a skirt of the same fabric and it's been pleasure wearing it. It so soft and comfortable.

Unrelated continuation of this post: My latest necklace...

...and here is a glimpse of some jewelery to be!