VW bus pillow complete! Since I only had a fat quarter of border fabric, I patch-worked the backing. Serendipity! I like the way it worked out. The pillow looks a little lonely on that window seat, though. Don’t you think it needs a friend? A VW bug pillow, perhaps?
After many pleasant minutes ogling fabric online for Zeke’s VW bus pillow, I ended up with a print I grabbed at whim at Gather Here (370 Broadway, Cambridge). The print is geometric & groovy, flower-like without actually being flowery. But I only found a wee scrap–a fat quarter! I don’t care. I’m forging on.
I considered using linen for the VW bus print, but fabric paint is tricky stuff, and I wasn’t sure how it would sit on linen’s bumpy texture. Instead, I went for Kona natural cotton and neon orange fabric paint.
Is it boastful to say that I found my VW bus stencil from a couple of years ago helpful? I printed it out and cut the freezer paper stencil following my own instructions (you are being kind and optimistic if you think I could have retained this information unaided). I will post the complete pattern for the pillow when I’m done (for future me!).
The best part about planning/procrastinating about a sewing project? Fishing online for fabrics.
I’m on the lookout for something campy or woodsy that will work well with a VW bus homemade print (a revised version of this project). Campers will be happy: there are prints with faux woodgrain, forest creatures, tents and teepees, and summer skies alit with fireflies. Now I wish I had an Airstream to outfit. Here are a dozen prints that go great with s’mores:
L to R, top row: Teagan White, Fort Firefly, Critter Camp; Jay-Cyn Designs, Mod Basics 2, Knotty Bois Coral; Monaluna Circa 52, Woodland Party
Second row: Deena Rutter Scenic Route, Woodgrain Teal; Eric & Julie Comstock for Moda, S’more Love; Sarah Jane, Wee Wander, Glow Friends Sea
Third row: Jay Cyn Designs, Feather River, River Rally; Deena Rutter, Scenic Route, Trees Blue; Deena Rutter, Scenic Route, Critters Cream;
Bottom row: Allison Cole, Happy Camper, Teepees Orange; Allison Cole, Happy Camper, Woodgrain Orange; Teagan White, Fort Firefly, Jars Gold
Many of these prints are from Birch Organic Fabrics, which you can purchase at Fabricworm.com.
Sweets for my sweeties! These valentine boxes are a snap to make. If you’re worried about pushing too much candy on your loved ones, don’t be. You can only fit about 15 M&Ms in a matchbox, a completely reasonable lunch box surprise for Valentine’s Day!
What you need:
Here’s how:
Measure and cut red paper to cover matchbox. Glue one side at a time and press on paper. Trim excess paper. Stamp white hearts in whatever pattern you choose. Fill with (15) M&Ms!
Arrow through the heart? Make that, Number 2 pencil through the heart! Our valentine project this year is totally old school: super simple, low cost, and homemade from stuff we have around the house.
What you need:
Pencils
Washi tape or masking tape in different colors (we used Scotch masking tape from Michael’s)
Construction paper
Scissors
X-acto
Optional: Stamps and stamp pad
Step 1: Cut out hearts from construction paper (about 5 x 5″). Let the kids do this step. Lopsided? Looking more like a liver than a heart? Remember: it’s part of the charm!
Step 2: This is a step for a grown-up. Cut two 1.5″ slits with your X-acto, one in the upper left quadrant of the heart shape, one in the bottom right quadrant.
Step 3: Decorate with stamps, stickers. Go crazy, kids! Bedazzle!
Step 4: Wrap pencils in strips of washi tape. Don’t worry, your valentines will be able to sharpen their washi-covered pencils.
Step 5: Insert pencil through your valentine heart. Now repeat 24 times–fewer, if you’re lucky enough to have lower class sizes at your school. . .
homemadecity.com 