Mini Theatre and other small paper spaces

 

Mini theatre

The latest craft project for Kidspot is quite the theatrical piece and to get started on it you will need to eat one of those small box packaged chocolates.

If you're looking for a different kind of miniature project then take a look at the following.

Gift box

3D paper house craft

Paper apartment

The Whirlwind Post

The past few months have been something of a whirlwind. I cannot believe that it's already April. My head is still in February. On Wednesday I thought it was Thursday. And when it's 3am my brain seems to think it's a good time to be fully wide awake, up and doing things.

Hang in there as I present to you a great big listing of amazing, fun, easy, beautiful content to keep you entertained for the new couple of weeks. Let's get into it!

Origami Bracelet

Paper Bouquet

Dream Catcher

Egg Nest Fascinator

Chocolate Basket

Braille Slate

Sashiko Sewing

Stalactite Experiment

Paper Puppets

Stained Glass Heart

Mini Photo Gallery

Shibori Shirt

Ice Cream Toy

Rocket Launch Experiment

Tinsel Lantern Ball

Cricut Book Art + Yarn Rainbows

Living DIY means working with what's available. It's not always easy, and there are mistakes to be made but it is a worthwhile process because you discover just how capable you really are.

Sometimes the DIY way can be really hard work. So while I celebrate DIY ability, it also gives me an appreciation for the tools that are created to make life easier. More than a year ago I began creating video content. I learnt on the job – making classic rookie mistakes, and from those experiences I gradually developed better time management, and work aroundlighting techniques. I am a crafter and designer who has been applying those make-do DIY insights to my videography. Simply put I have used ankle weights to balance a leaning tripod for birds-eye-view content, as well as filming in the great, shady outdoors to capture the best possible natural light.

Those DIY video tricks I've learnt have helped me to become a better videographer. And now, in wanting to create better quality work, I am so very ready and relieved to finally head toward equipment upgrades. No more filming in bitter winds, and near-precariously angled tripods with ankle weights.

On the topic of tools that make life easier: One of my many creative passions is for paper art. As it has been with the videography, so it is with creating paper art, only with aching hands. Since the beginning of 2020 I have dreamt of working with Cricut products. So when opportunity to work with a Cricut Joy came knocking I answered the door. I quite enjoy working with my little Cricut Joy. It gives me more time, and saves my hands from the aches and the occasional blade cut. And I must say, when the Cricut Joy is operating I enjoy watching the little robot perform it's ballet, cutting and drawing across material.

{YouTube: Cricut Joy Book Cover Decoration}

As I embark on my journey with the Cricut Joy I have been documenting some of what I am making and learning. Part of living in lockdown means having sometimes limited access to materials. As a result I have discovered painters tape to be a very happy alternative to using contact when lifting and moving highly detailed Cricut stickers. 

Head over to my Cricut Joy page to see more of my related projects.

{Kidspot: DIY Yarn Rainbow}

If you're in need of a non tech based craft project I've got something for you. Head on over to Kidspot and check out my video content for weaving a rainbow. You'll be amazed at how simple this project is, while managing to keep you engaged for a few hours. Consider this project a gateway to loom weaving.

Time to Repair, Make, Reflect

In this time of social distancing, which can make a messy cocktail of loneliness and boredom, it makes all the difference having activities to keep your mind busy and engaged in a healthy way. Here I've put together a bunch of new projects that can help you in this slightly new found hermit existence.

My Poppet Makes: Darning Socks

Have you got a pile of holey socks which, apart from the unravelling blackholes, could be perfectly fine. Rather than throwing out those holey socks, head over to My Poppet and try a simple darning tutorial. A few things I love about this activity – it's easy, basic sewing; it'll add colour to your otherwise humdrum socks; it doesn't take long to repair the holes, and will extend the life of said socks.

Kidspot: Worry Doll

A loss of routine and uncertainty can produce distress. The act of working with your hands can help calm the mind, whether it be through sewing, drawing, baking, or really any form of creation. If you or your family members are feeling lost and out of sorts during social distancing, try making a worry doll. I have produced my own version of a worry doll for Kidspot, in a very easy to follow video tutorial.

Did you know worry dolls originate from a Guatemalan legend? It is a Mayan tradition to present children with a worry doll to free them of their nightmares. Before going to bed a child can whisper their worries to the doll. The doll is placed under the pillow, and the next day the child wakes worry free. Exploring deeper into the origin of the worry doll the tradition is connected to the legend of  Princess Lxmucane, who received the gift of problem solving from the sun god.

Kidspot: Stationery Caddy

Another recent Kidspot craft tutorial I recommend checking out is a DIY Stationery Caddy. You'll laugh when you see what I used to make this. While home based learning is in progress, having an easy to carry stationery container can be the perfect item, and craft activity, for the kids' temporary school space.

My Poppet Makes: DIY Paper Cherry Blossom Mobile

One last item in my activity round up, if you have a love of paper craft, mobiles, cherry blossom, and Japanese culture, then I have something for you. It is a DIY Paper Cherry Blossom Mobile. That's a mouthful! You can decorate your home with one of these mobiles. Or make a handful of them for a garden party. 

An amazing plus to this project – if you own a Cricut cutting machine, there is an SVG file version of the flower template. Having a Cricut will save you so much time and energy in cutting out these intricate flower designs.

Paper Craft Cherry Blossom Mobile Lantern

{My Poppet Makes link}

The past couple of months I've had an amazing paper craft project in the works. It's been a while coming, and I'm so thrilled to announce that it is finally... finally live at My Poppet Makes. Happy clap!

I take immeasurable delight in flowers, culture and ornamentation. So it was an absolute passion project producing this Japanese inspired cherry blossom mobile, which doubles as a lantern.

In you're looking for other crafty projects here's a list of other recently produced tutorials:

Kidspot: Bunny Pop

Kidspot: Jewellery Frame

My Poppet: Collage Made Stationery Set

For more craft, and lifestyle based articles I recommend you visit the following:

• My Poppet
• Sew a Softie

Perhaps look at ordering a craft book or two. I can recommend:

Make in a Day by Cintia Gonzalez-Pell (the mastermind behind My Poppet), which is also available as an e-book.

Dover: Make in a Day

In closing I just want to say: 

Stay safe

Stay sane

Be calm

Be sensible

There are solutions

Use this time to run self care

Text your friends and loved ones

Read a book

Craft stuff

We'll get through this

and

Don't Panic

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}

Xmas Crafts

2019 runs it's final lap as we head in toward end of year celebrations, revelations, relaxations, considerations, contemplations...

The Xmas spirit can be fun, but for some it is not always a jolly time. With the cultivated image of what we think Xmas Day should look like, the postcard view can be hard to live up to. It shouldn't matter if there's only one present, or if the Xmas tree is a drawing on piece of paper, yet we do worry that we aren't able to recreate picture perfection on this one day of the year.
For me, the take away of Xmas Day is having a moment of relief, and kindness. Kindness to the stranger on the street, kindness to those we care about, but also kindness to ourselves. It's not always easy, but somewhere between the rush of 'life' traffic we can get lost along the way. So, this season, whether you celebrate Xmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ōmisoka or the New Year I hope you are able to find something in yourself to love and appreciate.

{My Poppet link}

In other things Xmassie, if you're looking for decorating and present ideas that are ever so easy to make, and inexpensive, head on over to My Poppet – a pretty and clever craft resource. Top of my list is this Xmas Tree Ornament, which is actually a miniature Xmas Tree. Can you imagine a Xmas Tree completely decorated with Xmas Trees?

Here are some other Xmassie nuggets on My Poppet:

• My Poppet – Advent Calendar Coloring Page
• My Poppet – Modern Crochet Calendar
• My Poppet – Paper Christmas Angel
• My Poppet – Scrap Fabric Twine Baubles

Before heading off I also wish to highlight another Xmassie craft project which I produced for Kidspot. It's of a refurbished book which I converted into an angel. For the tutorial video and details head on over to Kidspot. If you so wanted you could use this tutorial as a basis for making a miniature model Xmas tree or even a Dalek. Or, how about a Xmas Dalek. What do you think? Too much, or just enough?

Halloween Goodies

We're a week away from All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) and I decided to share with you my pick list of neat DIY Halloween stuff, to inspire (some of the articles are mine, and some are by Cintia), and perhaps, give you a giggle. So let's get into it, shall we?

First up are simple costume ideas:

{My Poppet Makes: Chat Noir Costume}

{My Poppet Makes: DIY Koroku Mask}

{Kidspot: GITD Skeleton Costume}

{Kidspot: Superhero Costume}

And for costume ideas that are a bit more advanced... in other words let's dip our toes into the world of cosplay:

{My Poppet Makes: Linkle Cosplay}

{My Poppet Makes: Bellatrix Estrange Cosplay by Cintia}

Let's not forget the awesome Halloween decorations that you can make:

{My Poppet Makes: Pumpkin Gift Box by Cintia}

{My Poppet Makes: Upcycled Halloween Wreath}

Last, but not least:

If you're a sewing nut check out the Halloween themed sewing projects listed at Coloured Buttons.It's a smorgasbord of spooky, sewing fun.

Coffee + Pizza + Spook Town Fun

So much life has been happening. Some things you might expect and plan for. Other things... not so much. The holidays have been and gone. And while I had a mental list of things to do during that period, it all fell away when one by one kids got sick.

One small bit at a time I am picking up the pieces, and finding balance between work, creativity and rest. For now, let me catch you up on the happenings of past weeks.

Halloween is upon us, and I've got some spooky Halloween love to share. I can't help it, I think Halloween is such fun. So... Shimmer your way over to My Poppet Makes to find out how I up-cycled a spooky, yet utterly darling Halloween wreath.

I spent one glorious Crafternoon 'making stuff' with likeminded crafters, eating delicious cake and drinking Nescafé. Head on over to My Poppet Living. and get the full story and pictures from the Nescafé Crafternoon. I seriously need to do Crafternoons more often. People + food + making stuff = healthy combination.

Happiness is a baked pizza served straight out of a hot BBQ. So it was a crafty love fest for me, designing and making a pizza cushion for Kidspot. Head over to Kidspot to access my DIY 'pizza cushion' craft video.

A while back I produced a project for My Poppet Makes, showing how to transform a shoebox into a vintage trunk. In round up to this project, I created another project detailing how to create sturdy, layered shelves within the shoebox. It's the perfect way for storing all those easy to lose little pieces. Head on over to My Poppet Makes to find out how to make:

1/ Make a Vintage Trunk Storage Box

2/ DIY Storage Box Solution Small Items