Buzzmills

It's Giveaway Day!...

I always have so much fun participating in Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day Even though, I often forget until the night before!

Anywho, I am participating again this time around.  Here's what I've put together for my giveaway... 1) A fat quarter of hanprinted linen that I made, 2) A blank muslin bag, similar to the ones we made last week only yours will be sewn together, with a lining.  3) A package of Fabric Fun Pastel Dye Sticks to use on your blank muslin bag (or on whatever other project you think up!) 4) A remoldable Magic Stamp to have fun with and use for handprinting either for the kids or for your own projects, they are a lot of fun! Lots of fun stuff! 

Now, how to win?

This giveaway is open to international readers as well.

Leave me a comment.  It can be anything, but if you want tell me if you've tried handprinting (of any sort) before...

Bonus entry if you "like" me on Facebook or if you subscribe to my blog either through Bloglovin' or anyway you'd like really (trying to keep it simple).  So, two possible entries. 

Giveaway is open from now until 5PM PST May 10th.  I will announce the winner on Saturday, May 11th. 

Good Luck!  And don't forget to check out all of the other fabulous giveaways going on! 

**************Giveaway is now Closed**************

The winner is
#67  rainjerette who said..."I haven't tried handprinting before, but would like to try. Really intrigued by the pastels, too."

Congratulations!!

And thanks to all who entered in the fun!

Hand drawn fabric bags, using craypas...

When I was shopping around for supplies to use for my handprinted fabrics I stumbled across something very cool, Fabric Fun Pastel Dye Sticks.  Basically, they are craypas for fabric!

Moments after I saw them I plunked all three packages into my basket thinking that Violet and Henry and their preschool class would love these!  They use craypas at school (and at home) on a fairly regular basis so why not use fabric craypas!

It took me a while to decide what they should use these Fabric Fun Dye sticks on though...I finally settled on having them decorate their own little bag. 

Of course, you can buy blank canvas bags at your local craft store to make this project super simple, but I wanted to give the kids a little chance at the sewing machine while I was there, so I made my own bags.

I simply bought two yards of utility muslin, washed it and then cut out ten rectangles that were 12" x 24".  Once cut I finished off the long sides (the 24" sides) with a zig zag stitch.  I folded the top edges (the 12" sides) down about 1/2" and sewed a strip of ribbon over top the edge to finish it, and to add a bit of pretty to the inside of the bag. 

I used my double needle to do this which gave a fun little line of stitches on the outside as well.  Lastly, I added the handles, 18 1/2" of nylon strapping (I melted the edges to prevent fraying) 4" from each side edge and 1" down from the top. The end result, a large rectangle with handles on it... Lots of them... I gave each child a rectangle with handles, had them place their fabric on the ground or table with the ribbon facing the floor and explained to them what we were doing...then we got started coloring. 

(* Helpful tip:  tape fabric down to your drawing surface to help keep it in place while drawing.)

Some used stencils, some scribbled, some had a vision immdediately, others took a while to think it through.  Everyone, ages 2-5, seemed to enjoy themselves!

Once they were finished with their designs it was time to sew the bags up.  We folded our bags in half, with the ribbon on the outside and the design facing inside. And then sewed up each side with a 1/2" seam allowance. 

I had the kids sit on my lap while I was sewing.  Each helped to hold the fabric in place as I sewed.  Each got to choose if they wanted the sewing machine to go "turtle slow" or "Lightning McQueen fast".  Some chose slow for one side and fast for the other. 

Once each bag was sewn up I teased each child that we accidentally sewed their bag inside out!  But then I had them reach their hands inside to pull out their design. 

It was like magic! 

Because, you know, it kind of is, isn't it?  Their eyes lit up with pride and excitement when they saw their new bags.  Many put them on their shoulders and told me what they were going to use it for.  I was so impressed by each and everyone of them!  Here are a few of them...It was a ton of fun!  And very hard to get good pictures of the bags, because no one was very interested in putting them down for very long.  Although, Violet had no problems posing with hers...I may have created a monster!  Ack!Henry immediately deemed his new bag his "rock collecting bag" which is fine with me, especially if that means that I don't have to carry rocks around in my bag anymore!

Once we got home I heat set the dyes using an iron and a piece of paper.  You could see all of the excess oil being lifted up from the fabric and onto the paper. 
Once heat set the design is then permanent and washable, very cool!  The colors from the dyes are so bright!
Ahem, did you notice Henry's bag is a bit off kilter?...
Yeah, it's from all of the rocks! I encourage you to give this a try.  It is so enjoyable to watch a child take pride in something that they made themselves and for themselves. 

Of course, this would be a lovely gift to give as well!  Either using my simple make your own bag instructions above or buying blank canvas bags to color on. 

**Hint, hint**  Think Mother's Day, small bags for toting around small things...Dads could totally make them with their kids to give to mom.  Or, wouldn't they be lovely end of the year teacher gifts?  Add in a hand written card and gift card and you are all set.

Another handprinted "adventure" done...and now I'm thinking about giving these fabric craypas a go too, can't let the kids have all of the fun, right?!

Have a lovely day.

Handprinted Fabric Part Three, what I received...

I got so carried away with sharing my Covert Robin gifts and KCW and some other projects last month that I nearly forgot to show off the fabric that I received from the Handprinted Fabric swap!

I was one lucky girl, let me tell you! 

First, from the Micala of Rose & Lula... I love the colors on the darker linen here.  It reminds me of cherry blossoms. I'm not sure what I will end up using this for exactly, but I can say that as soon as I opened it I thought it would make a lovely bag (for me)! 

Next, from Suz, of Sew Pony... I love this, it's so cheerful!  Guess who else likes it?...Violet!  This one might be used for her in some way.

Suz mentioned on her blog that this was made using a wooden peg as the stamp.  She said that it reminded her of Rashida Coleman Hale's washi fabric... It totally does!  We also think it looks a bit like a pile of crayons, or pick up sticks.

Lastly, from Susie of Flower Press... Susie showed a bit of her screen printing this fabric here.  I am so impressed by this fabric.  It makes me feel like it would be fun to give screen printing a try sometime, although it feels quite intimidating!  This is actually the second time I got to swap with Susie, last time I got a beautiful pink prism fabric which I used in a foldover clutch.  She does such an amazing job!  I haven't quite decided what to do with this one, but I will hold onto it until that perfect idea comes up! 

Being in the handprinted fabric swap is so much fun.  It's so nice to see the different things that arrived in the mail, all made differently but all with such care and kindness!

See, I told you I was a lucky girl!

Thanks so much to my swap partners!

Now, I'm off to do a bit of handprinted fabric with Violet and Henry's preschool this morning!

Have a great day!

Meet Basil and Bella...

Well, that's what their names are at the moment anyway...the names seem to be ever changing... But their cuteness is not.

These little bunnies are loosely based on some tiny mice that were brought by Santa and on Jess Brown's hugely popular dolls.  They've been on my mind for quite some time now.  I even drew up a picture and a plan, which is not usually my style, although it was quite beneficial and made me realize that, perhaps, "winging it" isn't always the fastest way to go.  I wasn't sure if I would have a chance to get them made in time for Easter, but with a bit of stitching here and there, I did!  

Their bodies, legs, and arms are made of linen.  I used some of my handprinted fabric for Basil's body and for Bella's body, I simply painted stripes onto my linen.  For the legs, I used some of the star strips from Violet's birthday as a stencil. And, some little yarn pompoms for their tails...The ears are made of felted wool and cotton and are crazy and wonky!  I wanted to use the wool for the ears for some added texture and softness.  I love that the ears are wild and flip back and forth, it adds character, they also happen to be a fun way to carry the bunnies around. 
Of course, they needed some Easter clothes, so Basil was dressed in a felted wool bow tie, suspenders and shorts. And Bella got a little flowered skirt and bows for her ears. Their arms and legs are super floppy (on purpose) but that made it challenging to take pictures, so I stuck them up a tree...(not the greatest pictures) The kids loved them!  Both bunnies came with us to church on Easter (where Violet noted to me that I "should sell these bunnies at the store too").  Violet has had hers as a pretty constant pal since Easter morning, and has been trying all of her doll clothes on her bunny, they fit pretty nicely.  I've got to say, I am crazy happy with the way they turned out!

Handprinted, part two...finished...

I shipped my fabric for a handprinted fabric swap out over the weekend!  I do hope my swap partners like them! 



As I mentioned last week, I was a bit nervous about how my fabric was going to turn out this time, especially after my fiasco and somewhat lack luster final results of the last round.  Because of those nerves I made more than four fat quarters.  I wanted to make sure that I had fat quarters that I was proud of to send off to my partners.  Plus, I had a ton of fun this go around.  And, I've got some more foldover clutches that I want to make and I love the way they look with a bit of handprinted fabric, so unique! 

Some things I learned between the last swap and this one...Printing on linen is lovely!  I bought some linen on sale at my local fabric shop last month in anticipation of this fabric swap and I am so glad I did, the linen really highlights the colors and stamps so nicely. 

Use the right paint!  Last go around I had both kiddos underfoot as I was trying to decide which paint to use and colors, etc...a newbie to fabric painting I was stressed while choosing my paint.  This time around I went (by myself) to a local art supply shop to buy my paint.  I chatted with the very well experienced employees there and got just what I needed. 
And, lastly, don't over think!  While at the art supply store I bought a few blocks to carve, but I didn't end up using them.  I will use them sometime, but this time I decided to go a different route, instead of carved blocks, I used objects found around the house...Some twisted copper wire...

Made this rose-like print...

An old potato masher...
Gave these circular lines...

Two different sized biscuit cutters...
Gave these overlapping rings...
And the bottom of this crystal vase...
Made these sweet flowers...

In the end, I am so happy with my results.  I am glad that I gave it another go.  And, I hope my partners enjoy their fabric. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you the other day about these cool stamps, called Magic Stamps...
They are moldable foam stamps and they are so much fun!  You heat them with a hair dryer and then make an imprint in them.  When you are done you simply heat them again to smooth out the foam and then try again.  Endless possibilities!  The one on the left is an imprint from the potato masher and the one on the right is an imprint from the wrought iron foot pedal of an old singer sewing machine...
This is what they look like when stamped.
Pretty cool.  I decided against using them this time because it felt like a bit too much paint, but I look forward to giving it a try again!

Alrighty, well that seems like enough stamp talk for today.  Don't forget to check out other handprinted fabrics in the flickr group. 

Have a great day.