Featured Project: My Strong Body

This project is very simple (it has a bit of detail work with the organs) but is very fun. I remember playing "Operation Frog" in school--figuring out the internal organs and where they go--and this is a body puzzle that emphasizes the function of the strong body.

The project can be scaled up or down by exchanging stitches for fabric paint--or by adding overcast stitching around the edges for a more polished look.

Surprisingly, my 4 year old also LOVES to play with this and spends a ton of time taking it apart and putting it back together.

Embroidery on Vintage Postcards

I follow #handembroidery on instagram and it's at once inspiring AND daunting (everyone else is SO GOOD and creative and what am I even DOING thinking I can make things?!). It's the tale of every maker/crafter admiring the art of others, no?

Two things happened.
1. I stumbled upon the incredible work of Frances Cramer.
2. I had a TON of old vintage postcards from my grandmother's hoarder house.

I've used my grandma's vintage stashes before (the vintage collage buttons, for instance).  So I thought I'd take a crack at embroidering on vintage paper.

I learned:
Planning is MUCH more my friend on paper than on fabric/felt.
Paper--especially old paper--is much less forgiving of mistakes and pilot poke-throughs.

With trial and error I started embroidering on vintage postcards. Here are some of my current results. It's a little bit kitch, a little bit sci-fi, a little bit supernatural, and a little bit gay. All things I love:

Bob Ross "painting" the postcard.

This is going to be featured on a friend's album cover! (Holy crap!)

We follow the Yellow Brick Road. Even though the "Surrender Dorothy" is a direct copy from the movie, it looks super messy (as it did in the movie!). 

My FIRST attempt. Little Nessie. :)

French knots are WAY fun to do on paper, for real. 

The Enterprise, my Star Trek loves.

Just a little tentacle.

I LOVE this one; the gay pride Oakland Bay Bridge.

The drag horse of Wyoming. My friend actually knows the name of the horse and rider, but alas. 

TARDIS.

The Telltale heart of the Edgar Allen Poe shrine.

The rainbowed-up hospital.

More to come for sure. It's addicting to figure out how to add onto the postcards and I maaaay have ordered an assorted vintage pack on ebay. Whoops. 

Featured Project: Frida Kahlo Hand Puppet

One of the challenges of Feisty Felties being for a younger age range (8-12, listed) was simplifying the faces. This Frida Kahlo hand puppet is very simple with minimal stitching required for the face detail--and with a bunch of fun additions. 

This is also one of the projects my own kiddo (age 4) gravitated toward. It fits a (small-to-medium) adult hand, but is irresistible for kids. 

You also have the option to add whatever you want for decoration! Have a bit of lace that will suit instead of ric-rac? Go for it! Maybe you have yellow yarn for the necklace? Awesome. Maybe you even have some silk flowers around to add to the headpiece. Go for it!

Introducing: Feisty Felties!

As a follow-up to Feminist Felties, I just had a new book published: Feisty Felties! It has the same theme of strong, empowered women--but for a slightly younger set. That's not to say that the crafts aren't equally diverting for adults, but if you're a novice they're a bit easier to manage on the whole. (The recommended age is 8+.)

In the book, you'll find fun projects featuring:

• Frida Kahlo
• Pele
• Your body/anatomy
• Goal setting
• Ally/pride bracelets
• Malala
• Maya Angelou
• Feminist backpack badges
• Goddess crowns
• Amelia Earhart
• Fortuna
• Etc. 

In a variety of project formats and types and skill levels. 

I'll be posting featured projects on the blog shortly. Fun fact: I completed this book while on maternity leave with my second daughter, Simone (strong women raising strong women...).