Kiki Magazine’s Beach Towel Tote

August 15, 2012 by mymateriallife

Wow, that’s bright.  Here’s what it looks like on the opposite side … This is a towel that folds into a tote that I made with two IKEA towels and some embroidered ribbon purchased years ago according to these directions in the June/July 2012 edition of Kiki magazine.   Do you know Kiki magazine?  I’ve been meaning to tell you about it for a while now.  It’s a magazine for girls with an emphasis on fashion.  What makes it interesting […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Reading Material, Sewing • Tags: beach towel tote, ikea's textiles, kiki magazine

Afternoon Tea at American Girl Place LA

August 12, 2012 by mymateriallife

     We just returned from a short trip to the Los Angeles area and – having missed the boat to Catalina – ended up at American Girl Place just in time for tea on Friday.  The shop and cafe are located in The Grove shopping area which is right next to the old LA Farmer’s Market.  This was our second visit to American Girl Place and we found it too hard to resist the cafe again.  It’s such a special […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Places, Sweets • Tags: american girl afternoon tea, american girl place los angeles, gelatin orange wedges, la farmer's market, redondo beach pier

Awesome Art Kits & Supplies

June 22, 2012 by mymateriallife

I’ve written about how much I love Todd Oldham and his Kid Made Modern book before (click here for previous projects), so it’s no surprise that I was delighted to see his line of Kid Made Modern art supplies and reference material at Target.  In fact, I loaded up on printed tape, paper, paint, and multi-colored colored pencils when the collection hit the stores last month.  Then I took a look at the line again this week and I found […]

Categories: Embroidery, Kid Stuff • Tags: all about embroidery, colored tape, kid made modern, target, todd oldham

A Simple Flanged Pillow

June 2, 2012 by mymateriallife

If you’re looking for a first sewing project you really can’t go wrong with a flanged pillow.  Samantha and I made this one together. What makes the flanged pillow perfect for beginners is that it’s so straightforward to make, so forgiving, and so good-looking when finished that it will certainly inspire confidence and motivation to continue with sewing.  Samantha chose this fabric from my stash; it’s one of the newer IKEA designs that you can find on so many of […]

Categories: Furnishings, Kid Stuff, Sewing • Tags: beginning sewing, flanged pillow, ikea textiles

Styrofoam Prints

May 15, 2012 by mymateriallife

     The prints on these notecards are made from a styrofoam printing plate that Samantha created at school. I received the styrofoam plate as a Mother’s Day gift, but I didn’t find the actual note card package until I opened Samantha’s backpack on Monday morning.  Apparently she was hoping to use them as invitations to some event she has planned.  I can’t say that I blame her, but I took possession of them anyway.  Of course the beauty of printmaking […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Paper • Tags: styrofoam prints

Favorite Crochet Resources & Projects

May 7, 2012 by mymateriallife

         Is it just me or have you noticed too that crochet seems to be having some kind of a moment?  Last week I happened to be visiting the Lion Brand Yarn Studio website when I learned that Vogue Knitting magazine had just released a special issue dedicated to crochet.  Later that same day, I went to Samantha’s school for a follow-up session to the knitting class and found that one of the kids had learned to crochet […]

Categories: Crochet, Kid Stuff • Tags: crochet coasters, doris chan, erika knight, martha stewart crochet balls, vogue knitting crochet edition 2012

Paper Cup May Baskets

May 1, 2012 by mymateriallife

I wonder if anyone else does this anymore (Wikipedia says the practice has been fading in popularity since the late 20th century you know).  We don’t go crazy, but we like to leave flowers hanging on our neighbors Sharon and Rolf’s door and Samantha brought a basket to her teacher and I hung one for Samantha on the hall bath door because her own doorknob still hasn’t been replaced since the time she locked herself in her room when she […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Other Holidays, Paper • Tags: flora, louise abbéma, may baskets, paper cup may baskets

Mrs. Richards’ Coin Purse / Credit Card Case

April 27, 2012 by mymateriallife

I took this photo yesterday at the last session of our school’s six-week beginning knitting class.  This little card case was knit by Katelyn, one of our students.  It’s very cool, isn’t it?  I love how Katelyn selected that red button to go with her “hot green” Lily Sugar ‘n Cream yarn.  This is a project that my co-knitting teacher, Mrs. Richards came up with because it would give the kids practice on the skills they would need to complete […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Knitting • Tags: garter stitch coin purse, garter stitch credit card case

A Gift From The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright

April 26, 2012 by mymateriallife

Source: A Gift From The Lonely Doll, Dare Wright Are you familiar with the Lonely Doll series by Dare Wright?  I think this one (A Gift From The Lonely Doll, 1966) might be my favorite.  The photos are so beautiful.  Look at the lighting in the middle photo; I’m crazy about that one.  And then there’s that knitting.  I think I’m going to read this to the kids at today’s last Sticks & Strings knitting class session.  I’ve put together […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Knitting, Reading Material • Tags: children's books with knitting, dare wright, the lonely doll, wallace and gromit - a close shave