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

Boxing Kangaroos - Paper Craft

Expo 88: Japanese paper craft

    Okay, so who remembers Expo 88? I do. Of course it is certainly difficult to forget as I have so much memorabilia to remind me of the event.
    There were many pavilions representing different nations from around the world. My most favourite being the Japanese pavilion. There were pretty Japanese representatives, gardens, origami [with an Australian theme], plus a cute mobile robot that stamped your pavilion passport.
    One of the pieces of memorabilia that I have left over from this event is this kangaroo paper craft toy, which you can download and keep for a rainy day. I made this paper toy when I was a kids and it was a lot of fun [and kept me busy].

Note: I recommend printing onto medium-heavy paper. Or alternatively printing on regular paper, and then gluing to cardboard.

Washi Ningyo

Link to

    I just stumbled across these gorgeous Japanese 3D paper dolls. If you love paper, and you love dolls, then you'll love these precious little pieces. These dolls are by Dust of Enchantment artist - Tracy Zagniotova.

    There is a lot of wonderful I could say about Tracy, but honestly she says it best. So I'll share her links, and you can have a read for yourself.

• About Tracy
• Dust of Enchantment website
• Etsy shop

This Is So Totally Lovely

Through reading one of my favourite blogs One Crafty Mama, I learnt about a lovely Japanese stationery store, which has in fact set up here in Australia. It is called Kyoto General Store, and if you are even a bit like me you will dote on the cuteness on offer.

So visit Kyoto General Store at www.kyotogeneralstore.com.

Lady Oceania 3

Lady Oceania 2