Sock Sack III - Camera Sack

With the last remaining part of sock from the knee- hi's, I made up a camera case. I crocheted a flap for the case  - another quick and satisfying project. 

We drew the winner of our giveaway today using the Random Number Generator. Congratulations to Mary from Knit Sew City Girl - we will post off your package of Japanese goodies soon. Please email us with your address details. 

This is the last day of our summer holidays today - back to work and school tomorrow!

Posted by Lisa and Sarah

Sock Sack II - The Toe Sack

Thanks for the lovely comments about my Sock Sack for the DS. I must come clean though - it wasn't really an orphaned sock - I bought it especially for the project as I could not resist the jaunty stripes. I used a pair of knee high socks and will be able to get three projects from each sock so that is fairly economical, right?? I seem to have blown my annual crafty budget on the Japan trip so if I can't make it from what I have, it has to involve recycling or cheap supplies. Perhaps I should have asked the flight attendant for some of those airline socks! 

Anyway I promised another project from the sock offcuts. From the toe section I was able to make this sunglasses case (but it could be used for anything really). I cut the sock near the heel, overlocked the raw edge, and then sewed some contrasting fabric to make the channels for a flex frame to slip though. I don't think I will lose my sunglasses in my handbag now!

I have had some requests for a peak into my Japanese fabric goodies. Here are some gingham fat 1/8ths that I bought in a range of colours and textures. I love how Japanese craft books include bits of gingham in their projects. 

You can never have too many Lecien spots

I love the range of trims that are available in Japan, especially the ones printed on linen tape. 

Another crafty item that I found in Japan was a range of chimes/bells/squeakers to go inside soft baby toys. I have never seen them locally and they will be fun to incorporate into my next softie to give it a 'voice".

Don't forget you have until midnight Saturday WST to enter our giveaway. Next post I will show you the third and final sock project. 

Posted by Lisa

Sock Sack

Do you have any orphan socks lying around? They can be put to good use by transforming them into a sock sack. 

Sarah wanted a new cover for her Nintendo DS so I made one using a stripey sock. This would be a fun project for kids to do as there are only a few steps involved and it gives quick results!

Here is a quick How To:

1. Select a sock that is the right size for your appliance so it fits the device snugly. The band on the sock helps to hold the device in place when it is in the sock sack. An adult sized sock was a good size for a Nintendo DS. A child or toddler sized sock would be a better fit for a mobile phone or iPod. 

2. Cut the sock to fit. Make sure you leave enough for the seam allowance.

3. Position some buttons on the sock. When you are happy with their arrangement, stitch them on. (It is easier sewing the buttons on at this stage).

4. Turn the sock inside out. Pin the raw edges together. Sew along the bottom opening, and then turn right side out. Voila!

(Don't discard the rest of the sock, I have another project for that coming soon). 

We caught up with some friends this morning for morning tea and Sarah made up a plate of cupcakes to take along. They were vanilla cupcakes, covered in chocolate ganache, and decorated with multi coloured smarties and M & M's. They were delicious!

Posted by Lisa

Self-made Envelope Stationery

Another one of my Japanese book purchases was this sweet little book called "Self-Made Envelope Stationery" (ISBN 978-4-8085-8541-9). It contains lots of projects to make cute stationery items from new and used envelopes. It is recycling Japanese style!

Here are a few pages from the book -

Sarah has been feeling crafty and has made her own envelope project - a small file made from envelopes and decorated with masking tape. It is the perfect size to store coupons or receipts.

She has also made a couple of tags by applying Japanese masking tape to shipping tags. 

You can find some more of our security envelope projects here. 

I hope to get into some sewing with my new supplies soon! I just have to organise the kids for their return to school next week first. The school holidays seemed to go way too fast this year!

Posted by Lisa and Sarah

Japanese Masking Tape

I hadn't discovered the wonder of Japanese Masking Tape until I saw a big display of it at Loft in Kyoto. It is made from Washi Paper and comes in such an amazing array of colours and designs. It is the perfect medium for some quick crafting and I think it will be popular with Sarah and her friends. I only wish I had bought more!

I was dying to try it so I made up this little gift bag this morning. Decorating the wooden peg was lots of fun - I now need to get some smaller pegs - I think decorated pegs will be appearing on lots of gift packages this year:)

I bought a book "How to Use Masking Tape" (ISBN 978-4-05-404387-9) which is full of fun ways to use the tape in card making, gift wrapping, stationery, and on the table. Here is a peak at some of the projects.

I did a quick search this morning and found some blogs with other great ideas. For more project ideas check out Happy Tape, Craftapalooza, and Cucumbersome. I was relieved to find there are a number of tape suppliers in Australia and on Etsy.

I now have more mundane things to do - taking up school uniforms etc. Hope to be back soon with more Japanese inspired projects. Sarah is working on one right now!

Posted by Lisa

Japan + Giveway

We returned early this morning from an amazing two week family holiday to Japan. It is such an exciting country with so much to offer and we managed to fit a lot into our time there. We arranged a Japan Rail pass from Australia which made it easy for us to get around.

Some of the highlights included:

• Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea
• Hakone near the base of Mt Fuji, famous for its hot springs and picturesque scenery
• Universal Studios, Osaka
• Temples and Nijo Castle in Kyoto
• Ski area of Hakuba - such a novelty to see snow:)
• Shopping in Tokyo (fabrics, craft supplies, stationery, baking supplies, and electronics)

Thanks to Stephanie and Rumi for some travel tips during our planning stage!

With regard to the shopping, there are a number of great posts that pointed us in the right direction and made finding the stores easy. Our favourite stores were Loft, Tokyu Hands, Nomura Tailor, Okadaya, and Daiso. We also found a chain of second hand book stores in Tokyo called Book.One which had a great selection of craft/sewing books/magazines for 10-40% of the recommended retail price. 

Sarah and I have bought a selection of Japanese craft supplies for our giveaway, including an origami kit to make little Japanese girls; some gift bags; trim; fabric; flex frame; and other cute supplies. 

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and we will enter you into the draw. We will select a winner on Saturday 30 January. 

Just before I head back to the mountain of laundry, just wanted to show you Sarah's favourite purchases. A beautiful Kokeshi Doll

and a funky pair of polka dotted Sneakers!

Posted by Lisa and Sarah 

A Good Year

I hope everyone is having a brilliant start to 2010 - I know we are! I started my recreation leave from the day job a few days ago and don't return until February. This year I am trying to be more organised and have already re-arranged most of the cupboards in our home; purchased and covered the school books; and bought the school uniforms etc. Now I can relax and enjoy the next three weeks before the craziness starts again (at least the kids will be at the same school this year!). I am trying to get more balance in my life this year (i.e. spend more time away from the computer) and have rediscovered my love of reading. You might find me around a little less  - but don't worry, Sarah and I still have plenty of plans for A Spoonful of Sugar this year, including more tutorials etc. 

Thanks for all the lovely comments and feedback on our pre-christmas posts. For those that asked, I will be doing a tutorial for the little handbag ornaments later in the year in plenty of time for next Christmas. We will also be sharing some tips on how to make your own chocolate bouquet before Valentines Day!

When I packed away all the Christmas decorations last week, I really missed the cheerful red and white palette in my living room. My solution? I started a red and white string quilt using the fabric I had set aside for the Joseph's Coat Quilt-A-Long. I have a feeling that my appliqued blocks will become cushions to match the string quilt instead. I am not the only one working on a string quilt this week!

We celebrated Sarah's 13th birthday earlier this week - it is hard to believe that my "baby" is now a teenager - and such a delightful one at that! I love to make my family special cakes to celebrate their birthday. The cake plate belonged to my Grandmother and was always used for birthday cakes when I was a child. The cake knife was first used to cut our wedding cake nearly 20 years ago. I really love all the family traditions - makes occasions more special:)

Sarah and I bought some ready made icing and armed with some cake decorating books and small cutters, have been making up some sugar flowers to using in our baking. We would like to attend a class this year to improve our technique. 

We won't be around for the next couple of weeks as we relax and enjoy the holidays. Check back in late January - we have a special giveaway planned to celebrate 2 years of blogging and nearly 200 posts. 

Posted by Lisa

More Baking!

During the school holidays, I have been spending more time baking! Today was my Great Grand Fathers Birthday and I  decorated some cupcakes to take to the family celebration. I was inspired by Cupcakes by Colour that I bought with a Christmas voucher I was given. 

I was given a Cookie Press for Christmas and have been making up some cookies. I love all the different patterns you can make. I used a recipe from Martha Stewart. 

Due to a few requests, here is the recipe for the Chocolate Ginger Chews that I baked up for Christmas.

• 150 g butter, softened

• ½ cup  brown sugar

• ½ cup golden syrup

• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 ½ cups plain flour

• ¼ cup cocoa

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 200 g dark chocolate, chopped

• ½ cup white sugar (for rolling)

 

Place the butter, brown sugar and golden syrup in the bowl of electric mixer and beat for 8-10 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the ginger, flour, cocoa, and baking soda, and beat until a smooth dough forms. Add the chocolate and mix until well combined. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180 deg C. Roll tablespoons on the dough into balls and roll in white sugar. Place on baking trays lined with non stick  baking paper. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until surface cracks. Allow to cool on wire racks. Makes 24.

(Recipe Credit: Donna Hay Magazine, Oct 09)

Posted by Sarah