// SUMMER SALE //

Summer is still a little hesitant around here.
But that's no reason not to kick off the by // Between the lines // Summer Sale.

Enjoy a 20% discount on all items in my shop with this coupon code: BYBTL20
You can do so until July 12th, 2013.

// Happy Shopping //

Friendship bracelets with a twist :: a DIY

I can't believe how fast time is going. It feels like I've been on a speed train lately.
The school year is almost over and this comes with a lot of activities and busy schedules.
One of the things I have been busy with is helping organize the crafts activities for our school's Spring fair. The bracelets I'm showing today, were one of the activities I was responsible for and they were a huge success!  I originally found the technique here. They're simple to make and turn out to be really pretty when made with embroidery floss. Contrary to the usual friendship bracelets these are made in the round, which makes them look a bit like shoe laces. The nice thing about this method is that when you get tired of it you can just tuck it away to resume whenever you feel like it.

The girls and I have made a bunch of bracelets already (one is traveling right now in little H's suitcase as a little surprise... ). It's a perfect activity for those boring and long train/ plane rides, to do while relaxing on the beach, or why not, while waiting at the doctor's office.  No special skills are required besides being able to count to three, which makes this an activity suited for even the little ones - as a matter of fact, this might be a fun way to help develop fine motor skills.

This is what you'll need:

• a piece of card board
• something round to trace a circle (I was lucky to have a 1 3/4" punch, but a compass or glass work just as well)
• scissors
• embroidery floss

Instructions: 

Click here for the full instructions in English and here for the full instructions in French.

Knitted summer bracelets :: a DIY

I'm not sure these bracelets will become as popular as my 2010 summer bracelets, but they sure are equally fun to make!

When I was looking for friendship bracelet ideas for our school's upcoming summer fest, I came across a 'knitting fork'.
Since I don't have a knitting fork but liked the technique, I wanted to try and make a fork with what I had.
Coincidentally, I made a Popsicle-stick-catapult just a couple of days ago, also for our school's craft fair and I figured that was the way to go.
A Popsicle-stick-catapult turned into a knitting fork! Why not?!
Talking about a multipurpose tool!
The only change I made here is that I used two sticks for each leg to make it a little sturdier and I re-positioned the sticks slightly to get a fork-like tool. I limited myself to bracelets but the possibilities are of course endless. I'm thinking of necklaces, belts, bag handles... Use your imagination!

Both, making the fork and the knitting, are very simple which makes this a perfect craft for keeping your kids, even the youngest ones - and yourself - busy on those long summer vacation car rides!
The instructions, including a video I made, are below!

Here is what you'll need:

for the fork: (or catapult, if you like)

- 8 popsicle sticks (for a catapult you will need 2 less)
- 4 rubber bands

for the bracelet:

- yarn, T-shirt yarn, strips of fabric, leather lace, ... whatever you have on hands which could be turned into something bracelet like



Instructions:

1. Fork assembly



2. Bracelet knitting

To see the video in HD quality, click the settings wheel in the right hand corner of the black bar displayed at the bottom of the movie - select quality 1080p for the highest resolution.





And here once more summarized in step-by-step pictures:




As to the lengths of the strands of yarn to use: it all depends on the thickness and flexibility of the material you'll be using, so knitting a sample may be in order.

Keeping my fingers crossed now for a long hot summer!

Have fun fork knitting!

Cheers,


P.



As with all of my tutorials, please note, this tutorial is intended for personal use only. Therefore, do not reproduce, sell or commercialize in any form. Thanks for understanding!

If you made something using a tutorial found on this blog or if you got inspired by something you found here, make sure to post your pictures here.

In memory of Kathreen

I found out yesterday afternoon about the tragic death of Kathreen and her husband Rob.
We never met in person but it feels like I lost a dear friend.
She was one of the first ones to link to my early tutorials. Later she asked me if I wanted to become a contributor to the Crafternoon series and her kids magazine Action Pack.
My oldest daughter became penpals with her daughter.

We're devastated.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to Kathreen and Rob's children, her family and friends.

Pascale

Note: If you feel like helping, I'm redirecting you to this post where you can find details about a fund for Kathreen's children.

Chains and leather

My latest creation: a purse with a chain strap.

I made this purse from two pieces of leather scrap I had, in a nice weathered brown. The leather is heavy weight, but turned out to be buttery soft - a dream to work with!
For the shape I chose a simple rectangle as I was limited by the small amount of leather I had.
For the flap I kept the rough selvedges and I didn't mind the tiny whole the leather had.
On the inside, I made a small pocket (the right size to hold my cell phone) and I added a strap with clasp for holding keys as well.





I found the heavy and well made brass chain, at a local jewelry making supply store. It wasn't cheap but well worth it.
The tabs holding the chain are integrated in the side seams.





I'm not sure if I should add any detail on the flap or not, nor if I should add a snap or other closure. I think I will do a test run with the purse as is. I like simplicity and a minimalistic look, especially with nice leather like this.

The purse is entirely hand stitched with linen thread. Since the thread wasn't waxed I used beeswax to wax it myself, which worked really well.

I will do a post on how to hand sew leather some time soon, going deeper into some tricks and skills and addressing the tools needed.

And now something totally different...

I've been watching these guys from the sideline for quite a while now and I like what they're doing.
This is their first official release.
More KNF resurrection here.

27 degrees - KNF featuring Niko Jane from creative men on Vimeo.

Color me a rainbow

We've been experiencing the weirdest Spring ever, so far.
We've had extremely low temperatures for the past several weeks.
Easter was colder than Christmas.
Frozen eggs instead of a white Christmas...

So, to give nature a little hand: here are some cheerful cell phone pouches I made.
Rainbow colors for the front, white for the back, and natural tan leather for the tabs and strap.
Just like the previous ones, completely hand sewn and made with the yummiest leather.
Available through my Etsy store, as usual.