Craft Book Review: Kelly McCants’s Sewing with Oilcloth

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Sewing with Oilcloth by Kelly McCants

I was excited to receive a review copy of Sewing with Oilcloth (Wiley) late last month! This is Kelly McCants’s debut book. She does a lovely job compiling 20 patterns of “fun and functional” projects. The projects aren’t complicated – their elegant simplicity shows off oilcloth. Actually getting and working with oilcloth is probably the bigger challenge.

It’s a thoughtful book for any crafter! (I just kept coming back to that word as I was reading the book.) McCants gives great advice starting with tools, tips and tricks to the “helpful, trouble-free instructions”. They are easy to follow with illustrated steps. The way that the book is organized – For the House, For You and For Kids – is also well thought out.

Bins and Tags from Oilcloth! Love it!

I’m thankful that she included a how-to-care for your material and sewn pieces, because I’m a newbie to oilcloth. And the introduction to laminated cotton – I didn’t know that material existed.

Now I have to go break out my roll of chalk cloth! I can’t wait to make a few bags, aprons and containers with the patterns!

Market Tote - great project

I cannot wait to make this Garden Apron

You can visit Kelly at her blogs, Modern June and Oilcloth Addict, and find out more about the Flick group dedicated to Sewing with Oilcloth.

Check out her book trailer – so cute!

Back to School Teacher Gift Idea

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I thought it might be fun to give an apple to my kids’ teachers like Kendra did (guest blogger on Tatertots and Jello), but last year we gave spider plants and they grew with the class (cute play on words that wasn’t intentional). This Fall I added a little flag to usher in the school year. A little card would suffice for your teacher… or even a handmade picture by your student!

Spider plants are so easy to care for. They don’t need much light, and if you forget to water them, they’ll wilt, but won’t die that easily. These were just replanted, so they look a little droopy. But I’m sure in a few days, they’ll start to perk up.

30 Days of Creativity – Day 20: Handmade hellos

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Day 20: Read a crafty book or blog and write about it or create something inspired by it!

This might be one of my favorite craft books, Handmade hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters.  I grab it when I just need paper and card inspiration – we all need some every once in a while. The book has “…designs ranging from elegant to striking and sentiments both sweet and snarky…” Something for everyone! And how nice is it to get a handmade card from a friend?

I’ve made a few projects from this book, but I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures before I gave them to their chosen recipients. I typically end up creating things just in the nick of time, like minutes before I head out the door, go to a party, etc.

So, the book was published in 2008, but it’s still full of fresh and relevant card ideas. Eunice and Sabrina Moyle pulled together over 25 projects (that’s over 20 international artists) for all crafters to drool over. I love that it’s more than a “how-to” feature; they include artists’ bios, resources and special materials sections, too.

The techniques section has background info like how to make an envelope and a variety of sewing stitches. And, a template envelope in the back of the book is convenient and ready to use. Great photography makes me want to make all the cards, but since the projects are rated as Basic (quick), Moderate, or Advanced (involve), I can figure out what I actually have time to do.Inside Pages and Projects

All instructions have illustrated steps, and at the end of each card “recipe”, variations are included. So if you’re an adventurous (or renegade) crafter like I am sometimes, go with the suggestions for different approaches to the card. And, who doesn’t appreciate “Green Greetings” – you can use post-consumer waste, recycled paper or scraps for your projects, too.

New to me: Gocco printing. I’ve heard of it. Never done it. The book has projects that use it! Makes me want to buy a Gocco machine!

Go check out the Hello!Lucky site, check out this book… Anyone already have it?

Back from Summer Vacation

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We’re back from a week in hot, humid, beautiful Orlando, Florida. Yes, we took a family trip to Walt Disney World. I’ve missed writing this summer (so hard with the family schedules), but I’m looking forward to sharing crafts and recipes again… especially some dishes inspired from Disney’s Dessert cookbook. I totally had to pick this up while we were there.

Just glad we’re home, even though it’s just as hot, if not hotter than Florida – and just as humid. Our plants didn’t die while we were gone *whew*, and our basement didn’t flood with the epic storm that happened while we were away. So, so thankful. How’s everyone been lately?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 19: Inspiration Board

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Day 19: Do you keep a creative journal or have an inspiration board?  Share!

Vision boards, inspiration boards or journals – I dig them. I had a journal after college until I was married. Shortly afterwards, the journaling stopped… until Spring 2010.  (And it’s time to make a new one.)

Here are highlights from my old-school-cut-and-paste poster that came to life last year.

  • Started writing a semi-regular food column for an online newspaper (switch careers?).
  • Became an editor at Craft Critique (there’s a little cut-out word “editor”).
  • Rode 25 miles in my first organized cycling/bike ride (see the woman on the bike?).

Here’s a neat post explaining how to make a virtual inspiration board with Picasa. And I enjoyed this article explaining the “why” behind vision boards. I wonder how many people actually do these? Are there people who share them with the world, or is it too personal?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 18: What I Wear

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Day 18: Does the way you dress show your creativity?  How?  If not, why not?

I definitely have friends who have the most creative wardrobes I’ve ever seen… maybe I’m too mainstream to pull it off. I love Amy at Angry Chicken and her periodic pictures of bias-cut skirts. Let’s say sometimes… Sometimes my outward appearance reflects my creativity. It probably shows more in my accessories, because lately, I’ve been enjoying my bracelets. Some are thrifty finds or vintage, some are just sentimental… and I’ve been eyeing and admiring handcrafted jewelry.

Secretly (well, not anymore), I wish that I could be more pulled together since what I wear is pretty typical: jeans with a t-shirt, hoodie, tank top or sweater. I don’t look too disheveled, but, with kids’ schedules, it’s easy to get in a rut. It’s true for me, when I take time to dress in the morning, I feel so much better. Maybe it’s time to go through my closet and revamp the wardrobe… I just sold some clothes in our garage sale, and gave the rest that didn’t sell. So, how does one add a little creative twist on their wardrobe? I think I have a few DIY places to start. Enjoy!

Dip Dye White Denim Shorts at P.S. – I Made This

Whole Living shows the recycled T-Shirt Necklace

And a fun Ruffle Shirt tutorial at Tea Rose Home

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