My plan was to post a lot more projects now that the summer fun is over. Unfortunately, mother nature caused a setback to Fun In The Making.

Here is the addition on my house with a tree on it!

Storm damage trashed my studio.

Hope to get back to crafting soon. I’ve got a lot to write about.

If you live in St. Mary’s County MD, there is a good chance that Waste Management is the company that carries away your trash. All the public schools in St. Mary’s County use this same company. They have a single stream recycling program. Single stream means that you don’t have to sort your recyclables anymore. They all go in one bin. (Let me be clear here: motor oil, clothing and a few other items are still collected separately but the bulk of your recycling will go in one bin. It’s so easy. No more excuses!

You probably knew that soda cans, plastic drink bottles, plastic shopping bags, aluminum foil, and paper are recyclable. But did you know that juice bags, juice boxes, milk and juice boxes from school lunch programs, zip closure bags, plastic utensils, plastic chip bags, and candy wrappers are also collected for recycling?

Local students spread the word about what is recyclable at their schools.

Several students from Leonardtown Middle School in St. Mary’s County MD took pictures of recyclable items and these pictures were used to make posters for several local schools. As a result, recycling at these schools has increased tremendously.

To learn more about this poster project done in support of 350.org:

For more details about recycling in this area: http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/dpw/recycleprogramslist.asp

When I think winter, I think evergreen trees. Here are some easy to make stylized evergreen trees made out of fabric. They can easily be made by children and given as a charming Christmas gift.

Here are some of the trees done by one of my students from my winter sewing/crafting workshop 2010.

Make the tree stump(s)

Find a tree branch of the desired diameter. Cut tree stumps using a miter saw if you have one.

Keep in mind, if the stumps are too small in diameter, the trees will fall over.

Make the tree top

1. Cut Fabric

Use a plate to mark a circle on your fabric and cut out. Next, cut the circle in half. Each half can make a tree.

2. Sew

Fold the semicircle in half with the good side of the fabric facing in. Use a sewing machine or hand -sew a straight line up the side as shown in the photo. Make your cone wider or narrower by adjusting your sewing line.

3. Turn and Stuff

Cut off the extra fabric. Then, turn the cone right side out and add stuffing.

4. Stitch

Using large stitches sew all the way around the bottom of the cone.

5. Gather

Pull the thread from both ends until the fabric is gathered together and the hole is gone.

6. Tie A knot

Knot the thread.

7. Glue

Add glue to the stump and glue in place.

8. Let Dry

Use a glass or another object to weigh down the tree top until the glue is dry.

9. Done

10. Make More

Make a whole forest of trees!

Tea Cup Mouse workshop –one day ($20). Christmas “green” sewing and craft workshop –one day ($20). Christmas “green” sewing and craft workshop –two day ($40). Here are some dates to consider:(Available dates: Dec.4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 29, 30)

So far: 4th & 5th -Christmas workshop (2 day)- full class.

Dec. 30th -Tea Cup Mouse workshop – space still available

*Join a workshop or schedule another.Students take home their projects at the end of the workshop. These projects are fun for holiday decoration and often make great gifts! Workshop times: 9 -2 or 12- 5 (depending on the time you schedule your workshop). This includes time for a lunch break or snack break. Students bring their own lunch or snack.

Tea Cup Mouse workshop –one day

Students will make an adorable Tea Cup Mouse.

Skills include machine or hand sewing and embroidering.

Bring: salvaged fabric for making the mouse body and a tea cup. If you can’t find something suitable to repurpose into a mouse, let me know so I can help.

Those who have time will work on accessories (like quilts, blankets, cloths) for their mouse.

Time permitting; students will make plastic peace dove ornaments out of recycled materials. These dove ornaments can also be made into a mobile or hung on windows to discourage bird collisions.

It will be a lot of fun!

Christmas “green” sewing and craft workshop –two day

Students will make:

On day one-

Little Birdie bread dough ornaments

Simple Stick star ornaments

Evergreen tree decoration made from fabric and includes a tree branch slice for a “stump”. (bring scrap fabric with a Christmas print, some shade of green, or any print you like!)

At the end of the day, students will help decorate a class tree with ornaments made from recycled materials.

On day two-

Little Birdie bread dough ornaments (paint)

Punched “tin” ornaments

Fabric peace dove or blue bird or cardinal ornament(s) (Student donations of scrap silk, wool, or other fabric pieces, beads, sequins, or buttons will be combined with the fabric and notions provided by the teacher and past workshops.

Hot Chocolate will be served while completing projects and finishing trimming the tree.

Christmas “green” sewing and craft workshop –one day

Students will make:

Evergreen tree decoration made from fabric and includes a tree branch slice for a “stump”. (bring scrap fabric with a Christmas print, some shade of green, or any print you like!)

Punched tin can lanterns or ornaments

Plastic Peace Dove Ornaments made out of recycled materials. These beautifully simple dove ornaments can also be made into a mobile or hung on windows to discourage bird collisions. (Please donate white plastic yogurt, cool whip, cream cheese or other similar container lids.

Hot Chocolate served while trimming the student’s class tree.

I’d be flattered if you recommended these workshops to a friend.

For additional information about classes including some project picture, go to FunInTheMaking.net/classes.

Dead toad picture; how appropriate for Halloween!

I found this dead toad on the road near my house in Southern Maryland. I’d never seen a toad like it before so I did what any weird, I mean curious, person would have done. I took a picture and did some research. Notice the strange claw thing on its foot. These toads dig in the ground.

Follow the link below to see pictures of a live toad, to hear its call and to learn more.

http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/anurans/scahol.htm

Pyracanthas (also known as Firethorns) have beautiful orange fruit that are perfect for fall décor. I love to bring in large bouquets of these berry laden branches. I also love the way they add color to my garden in the fall. The berries persist into the winter as well and provide food for birds. Cardinals especially love them. Harvesting from your garden for home décor is a way to make your house gorgeous without spending any money! Plus the seasons provide variety and change is good.

I recommend planting a pyracantha bush. This one in my yard is a Mohave Pyracantha (Pyracantha x ‘Mohave’).

Is it really necessary to buy plastic versions of the things we have? Children want to play with your cell phone or type on the computer because they see you do it. Pass down your non-working or outdated electronics. Playing pretend is great fun for boys and girls alike.

My kids and their friends were always happy to play with an old cell phone, broken computer key board, even a non functioning remote control. Reusing these hand-me downs can entertain little ones who may not be ready to use the real thing yet. Children might want to play Office. Furthermore, if the kids are into theatre, then reuse these things as props.

This is my daughter’s version of a laptop notebook computer she made a few years ago.

The above play computer is made from reusing non-working computer parts. The monitor was made from a cardboard try. Any magazine picture can be put on it for the wallpaper. The toolbar and other features can be drawn on by hand.

Use good parental judgment. Some items would not be safe to play with. Also, I’m not suggesting these items be given to very young children.

After seeing rabbit prints on the road, we decided to follow them into the woods.

The tracks meandered this way and that way and around trees.

We must have startled him because that’s when we noticed the rabbit dart away.

I took a picture of the rabbit standing very still. See it hiding mid picture?

I was able to get closer and then closer still. I took this picture. It turned out that we were tracking an Eastern cottontail. It looked just like the picture in my field guide that I referenced when I returned home.

A rabbit’s front paw print is about the size of a grown–up’s thumb print.

This “princess” has discovered something under her mattress.

Making the mattresses:
1. Make a pattern by laying a piece of salvaged packing paper on the top of the bench. Run the edge of a crayon around the edge of the bench: marking on the paper the outline of the bench shape. If your bench is rectangular in shape then your job is easier: just measure your bench.
2. Add about ¼ inch all the way around to allow for the loft of the mattress and another ¼ inch for the seam allowance.
3. The mattresses are made like basic pillows.
4. To fill mattresses, I encourage you to use recycled materials.
-an old comforter: layer the pieces to achieve desired loft
-stuffing from salvaged pillows
-recycled fiber stuffing (I’ve only seen this sold in bulk). or even dryer lint. (try asking at industrial drying places for large amounts)
-down from salvaged comforters or jackets

The top blue mattress (picture above) has been given a quilted look by tying it off at regular intervals with super soft alpaca yarn (left over from knitting project).

This mattress was made from scrap fabric from another project. It is filled with two layers of an old comforter of ours that had become faded and torn. It is made like a basic pillow then I hand quilted it using embroidery floss.

This mattress was made from a cotton thrift store shower curtain (not the liner). I used the curtain’s own hem to edge it.

This mattress was made from a second hand tablecloth with a bleach stain on it. No problem, I was able to use the un-stained piece. It was made like a basic pillow then I machine sewed all around the edge. It is filled with recycled fiber stuffing.

This mattress was made from left-over fabric from the curtains I made for that room. Although this fabric was not recycled, the stuffing is. Inside is two layers of an old but clean comforter.

So far I’ve made 6 mattresses for our bench. This pile of mattresses will continue to grow as I come across other fabric to recycle.

Find out more about the bench and tips on how to alter it:
Thrift Store Coffee Table Turned Princess And The Pea Inspired Bench: Altering Bench

Gossiping robots -These were made by two guests at party.

I designed this game because I wanted the kids to have something fun to do at my daughter’s 9th birthday party. In addition, I wanted to give out party favors but wanted to avoid the usual candy and plastic stuff.

Even the girls loved this robot building game. It generated lots of laughs and the kids liked that they could take their creation home.
Game rules
Using one dice, roll to see what number you get. Start with the birthday boy or girl and then continue around the table.
If you roll a one, pick out a body and pass the dice to the next player.
If it’s a two, pick out eyes and pass the dice to the next player.
If it’s a three, pick out a nose and pass the dice to the next player.
If it’s a four, pick out a head and pass the dice to the next player.
If it’s a five, pick out a mouth and pass the dice to the next player.
If it’s a six, pick out arms and pass the dice to the next player.
Bonus: If you roll the same number as the previous player, pick out an extra part. You might want to find something to be the ears, hair, eye brows…
Note: If you roll a two and you already have a set of eyes just pass on the die. There is no limit to the number of extras you can choose; as long as you are lucky enough to roll the same number as the previous player’s roll.
Game set up:
You will need to set up 7 trays; one for each number plus one more for extras. Find “trash” for the parts. Get enough for each player plus a few (for variety sake).
Body (one): olive oil cans, large cans…
Eyes (two): bottle caps, nuts, bolts, misc…
Nose (three): misc…
Head (four): cat food or tuna cans…
Mouth (five): misc.
Arms (six): thrift store silverware, electrical wire…
Extras: electronic wires,…

Robot Part Trays
Children have artistic freedom. If they want the eyes to be on the side of the head, they should put them there. These robots develop a personality of their own. Make up a name for each. The first person to finish gets a small prize. The game continues until all the guests finish their robot. Some of the bots look like robot people and some resemble animals, some are clown-like and others are aliens.
After the children have designed their robot, you will need to glue on the parts while the kids move on to another activity. I used a glue gun which worked with most of the parts (avoid really heavy items). I also used magnets to hold some of the pieces. (The head attaches well to the olive can with a magnet.)
If you want to restrict your pieces to things that a magnet will stick to, you can make a Mr. Potato Head -like toy (We named it Mr. Bolt or Mrs. Washer.)The fun being that you can rearrange the pieces to make different faces. Just glue a magnet to the back of each piece.

More robot fun coming soon.