Secret Messages, Illusions + the Buffy Dilemma

The word is: Go! Go! Go! Kids are back in school. People are back on the streets. I've got projects galore. Let's check out my latest spate of projects that are all crafty and some that are science based.

Kidspot: Water Illusion

Kidspot: Lemon Juice Secret Messages

As for the something more crafty but no less magical you can try making your own kaleidoscope.

Kidspot: DIY Kaleidoscope

I continue to document my journey as I teach myself how to use the Cricut Joy. My latest addition to the Cricut Joy library is now available to watch on YouTube.

For a bit of context, I am letting the kids watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spin-off series Angel. We watch the shows sporadically and are prone to lose track of which show we are up to. When this happens there's a lot of backtracking with the DVDs. It's a dull mess really. I resolved the situation by creating a Buffy/Angel fridge magnet that can be flipped after we finish watching an episode. For this project I up-cycled an old fridge magnet. I scraped off the original advertising sticker from the magnet before applying the new Cricut Joy stickers.

Cricut Joy: The Buffy/Angel Fridge Magnet

Busy as Ants and Bees

I've been spending a lot more time in the garden. It takes effort and care to tend to a garden, but it's the kind of work that has a calming affect on the mind. If you're feeling overwhelmed, lost, or even without momentum, taking care of the nature that surrounds you can help your mental health.

In between trying to make things grow in the backyard, I have busily been creating content, and preparing for an art exhibit. There will be more information about the exhibit down the track. For now I wanted to draw to your attention other works of the past couple of months. Such as the...

My Poppet Bookmark, celebrating the Chinese New Year. It's now the year of the Rat, don't you know.

{My Poppet link}

I produced a Kidspot craft video, showing how to make a 'Dummy' Fairy Home.

{Kidspot link}

My pride and joy, for the Christmas period, was the My Poppet – Santa Face Pin. How adorable is this?

{My Poppet link}

Kidspot Will Have You Charmed This Mother's Day

KIDSPOT – MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT

The past few days I have been in full project mode. Those are the best times – producing work that is both pleasurable and challenging. As an added bonus, the creation process is a form of renewable energy as it feeds both my drive and imagination.

So what have I been working on lately? It is charming! It is lovely! It is a Kidspot – Mother's Day craft project. Head on over to Kidspot to find out how to make this sweet charm.

What else is happening in the land of Melissa. There's lots of brainstorming, chats with the little one about making a fairy village in the garden. We've already got a miniature prayer statue back there, so there really needs to be a village to go with it.

Catching up with an old friend, sparked an idea for a 'date night' outfit. Think twin flamingo shades, pom-pom shirt, with matching wedge sandals and toe nail polish. If the outfit makes your date turn and run, I say it wasn't meant to be.

Kids Craft Easter Basket

My Poppet Easter Basket

Easter is just around the corner. Indeed it is! If you're looking for some easy, crafty fun for Easter then let yourself be tempted by this tasty morsel My Poppet project – a Print & Colour Easter Basket.

{ Visit My Poppet }

Feltie Foodie

© Melissa Gaggiano

I have been working on a small project the past two weeks. Want to know what it was? Using felt, thread and other random materials lying around the house I recreated some of the delicious food thingies that I'd been eating. Some of it healthy and some of it, pure and simple comfort food.

Can you tell just some of the things that have been on the menu?

- Carrots

- Bacon + egg, muffin

- Popcorn

- Apple

- Chicken drumstick

- Rice paper roll

© Melissa Gaggiano

A Doll Painting Project

© Melissa Gaggiano

It's not easy being six years old. Just getting started in this world. Learning to understand social cues, school rules, spelling codes, being told how to do art, and... well, sometimes it can be a bit much for anyone. It can get to be a long day when you're six.

Little K had expressed her desire to make a 'daddy doll'. So yesterday, after school I surprised her with a cookie cutter shaped cloth doll for her to  paint. I was invited to join in with the painting, which I did, but only by adding a couple of details. I wanted this to be Little K's thing.

There were no rules to decorating the doll. There was no right or wrong technique. This was about letting one kid do something creative, thoughtful, with no worry about a finishing time. It was great! Watching Little K paint, she was relaxed, and the stress of the day had evaporated.

Twice the Magic

Handmade Issue 36-7

The latest issue of Handmade magazine has landed. In issue 36-7 you will find a smashing stash of enticing  Xmassie craft projects. In and amongst the creativity you will find two projects that I have produced. Check it out now at your local news agency and library.

© Melissa Gaggiano

Flowery Felt Craft Project

My Poppet tutorial
© Melissa Gaggiano

How exciting is this! My Poppet Makes presents a freshly minted tutorial by moi. If you're into felt craft and flowers then this lil' treasure of a project is the perfect activity for you. Add this to your list of wee wonderful to make this year.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

My Poppet Makes

Excellent Things

    It has been a full, and very long week. I have been awaiting the arrival of 'things' in the mail. A lot of thinking 'will it be here today'. It has been a week of projects completed. Yes! It is also a week in which the wind in my sails direct me to an island I had once given up on finding. In point it is wise to never give up on the things we desire, even if the path doesn't seem obvious or likely.

© Melissa Gaggiano

    A new tutorial from moi has gone live at My Poppet. If you're into cameos and felt craft this be the thing for you.

Instagram

    This week I finished making Majora's Mask accessory for a felt crafted Legend of Zelda: Link doll. A couple of years ago I made the doll for my husband's birthday. It was quite the epic event – took several weeks to design and make. The next year I made a Deku mask to compliment the doll. This year, at my husband's request, I made Majora's mask. The mask is needle felted and hand sewn in parts. I wonder what I will make next year to compliment Link. Perhaps Epona [now that would be a massive thing] or Zelda herself.

    I sourced one of the mask materials from Etsy shop Yummy Yarns & Fiber. I was struggling to find green felt to finish the mask. But I found what I needed in this shop. I bought a perfect little 1M pack of green dyed Alpaca felting fibre.

© Melissa Gaggiano

    In other news I am returning to my illustration work in a big way. You can find new prints in my Red Bubble store. Check it out!

M-m-m-my Poppet

My Poppet
DIY tutorial

    Oh my Star-Lord! I have such exciting news for you. This week I am a guest blogger over at My Poppet. For all you crafty food lovers you will find a delicious DIY tutorial for a miniature felt pizza. It looks good enough to eat and will have you craving the real thing. Ch-ch-check it out!

A huge, amazing shout out to Cintia and her colourful, inspiring My Poppet site.