All over, red rover...

Did you play this at school?

I'm leaving this blog for now.  I have started a new one on Blogger and called it "I'VE GOT A NOTION".  I've copied all the info across and will be recording ideas and info on this one from now on.  Farewell, Letter N.
Tracy

THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF GOOD THINGS OVER AT MY NEW BLOG! PLEASE GO AND VISIT!

A solution for the mean time...

After much on-line homework last night and some discussion at school today I have decided on the following solution...if you want the pdf photo tutorial for the wedge of lime, email me and I will email back!  It will be a quick return I promise!  It costs you nothing, so there's no risk. If you don't like it, you can bin it! Does that solve it and seam reasonable?  Until I learn more, that's the way it will be.  I tried using Google docs, but all I could do there was redo the whole document in that programme, and quite frankly that seemed too much last, sorry. There must be an easier way of uploading existing documents...anyone know how?  Let me know.

OK, enough moan-bonding...time for a picture to grab your imagination!

examples of denim bookmarks Year 7's make (picasa 'boost' setting again)

...talk about stretching the budget!  Our Year 7's experience a taste of Home Ec, one double per week.  So, we create a bookmark using the design process and scraps!  They get so 'into it'!

• INSPIRATION - looking at the materials, testing ideas with books and paper to see what works, existing bookmark characteristics ( folded corners, paper clips,a tissue)
• DESIGN - thumbnail sketches in their books and then a full scale sketch , pattern making from that
• CREATE - cut out, stitches, applique
• REFLECTION - a self assessment rubric, grading, photo shoot.  Email me if you want the rubric!

By the way, if you notice under the bookmarks, a great little activity from Wendy Gratz of Shiny Happy World  - Ninjas and Pirates.  Little finger puppets!  I did these with the kids before the create section of the bookmark, so they could experiment with permanent colour fabric markers, and learn running stitch.  30 minutes well spent!  check out YouTube for her videos, they are FANTASTIC!  The students think the view they have on the big screen close ups are better than me doing the demonstration to the group...fair enough. I let Wendy know I have used them and she is very happy for them to be used!  Subscribe to her email newsletters, or subscribe to her blog.  You get regular updates and links to new projects.  She has been working through a course of sewing and embroidery 101 series.  Terrific! A brilliant resource.  Download the YouTube download app to save them ad free and for use in the classroom. (It's free!)

So there you go.  an idea and some links.  Hope that gives you some ideas.

A wedge of lime for me

Here's a project the kids have enjoyed.  Year 9's have made these as a first project to get them thinking about skills and managing their equipment.  There are not many pins left lying around at the end of the lesson now they are using these babies! I was passed a copy from a friend via Claire B at a local school.  I don't know if Claire created this originally but it's terrific!  I developed these photo tutorial instructions  - a bit lengthy - in an effort to make the instructions very explicit and visual...did I achieve that? I have to admit the instructions I used with my first group were ignored in favour of 'what do I do now?' (say with bit of a whine for authenticity...:) I'd love to try these again, or if you do, please let  me know!

both photos edited with Picasa - 'lomoish'

What do you use in the classroom?  Did you have something like this when you were at school?

My next challenge is to share the tutorial with you!  I'll publish this now and go do a bit more research!

Just testing Picasa photo

Just started playing with Picasa from Google...some quick easy editing for photos. I don't have an iPhone or Instagram app, so this is the next best thing for me!  Found a picture from my scrapbook folder, lets see how it looks on the blog.

Profile photo 'au natural'

Using 'polaroid' and 'boost' settings

What do you think?  have a play if you haven't already!  (For all I know it's as old as the hills - like last month - and you all use it already....yawn!)

Still havent found what I'm looking for...

If it's good enough for U2, then it is for me too!   Still thinking of a catchy unused elsewhere name.....so I am in transition...

Besides that today I was able to create another bag sample...I'm getting pretty fast at them now, and am always surprised at the varying methods put into instructions.  Every new bag teaches me another trick.

Today's bag is a Indygo Junction pattern. I made it with:

• the denim from an old skirt - I like the pinstripe look 
• a couple of fat quarters from Spotlight - on special for $1.00 each!
• short orange zip on hand
• some sew-in interfacing and a piece of Pellon for the base (really firm and thick!)
• large magnetic fastener under the shaped flap.  
• orange topstitching - the original choice of yellow just looked 'flat'
• lined the overlay with a flashy piece of orange fat quarter - I didn't like the zig-zag neatened raw edge a simple turn under finish suggested. If someone's going to check under it I want them to have a bit of WOW!

When the kids can't decide what fabrics to use I often get them to take a photo with their phone to see the effect and decide from there....so when I wasn't sure of the flap decoration - do I use a grommet for a bit of silver flash or go with a funky button combination... so I did the same.  What would you have picked?

stack a blue and orange button...

.....or go the big grommet, moving above the magnetic fastener underneath and then you'd see the tucks on the front overlay.....



I went with the buttons!  I did think about a 'steampunk' look, but didn't have a range of cogs and 'bits' to put on this one at the time....hmmmm, another bag is forming in my mind....

I really do need to get a good camera....

Do you like the linings? A small but very functional neat pocket inserted on one side.

I'm really pleased with this one!  In terms of a bag for students to make it's a very achievable design and has a unique look.  practicality wise the opening a the top is a bit small, but it fits the purse, e-reader, phone etc etc easily.  I really like the pocket inside - it's a neat insertion of the zip with a turned facing not unlike a welt pocket.  Good skills here.  The instructions were pretty clear, but I think I may still produce a photo step by step.  I'm thinking year 9 or 10 for this bag... until I find another one! I do have a couple of more patterns to try yet...but that's another day!


RIP Tubby...

Some ideas and fun freebies for a sunny Sunday

Who doesn't love a freebie!  While checking through the long list of blogs I follow I came across a few goodies you might like...

• I cant resist a cardboard toy or two for the desk at school. follow the links from this site and you will find whole range of cardboard toys...This referring blog is also a good one to subscribe to - it is part of the Mollie Makes magazine support.
• Being the mad bagmaker, I'm always on the lookout for a good tutorial/pdf -bag strap slider insertion -  the kids tend to get more out of watching video closeups on the big screen in our classroom than crowding around to watch me....
• This is a little task - a patchwork potholder -  that might be a goodie at using up the scrap stash, and you can tell the kids they can use them when they make a batch of small cakes, nothing like a food bribe to push the relevance to them....subscribe to this site and you will get three or four free downloads.  The pot holder is one of them.

...love the red hat, still taken from link mentioned below...

...and just because I love the idea of yarn-bombing PLEASE look at this link! Absolutely FANTASTIC!

O.K. that's enough, the coffee is finished and it's time to get back into the autumn garden.

Coming to grips with the tech...

I have spent hours trying to understand all the jargon and remove email addresses, and try to work out how to 'stamp' my photos...looks like I have quite a bit of I.T. homework to do!  ...or maybe I'll just have a chat to a teenager for assistance! :)