Capes: Revisited

Nothing says "great job" or "fantastic gift" than the request for the same item again...either for the same individual or for someone else.

Last week my brother requested I make a cape, like the one I made for his son, for one of his son's friends.

I was of course happy to do so. However, his vague "measurements" were less than helpful. Honestly, how am I, the artist, supposed to make the perfect super hero cape from "they are a little shorter than my son, but not much"--I tried to explain that I needed something clearer than that otherwise the cape could be too big (not such a problem as the child could then grow into it) or...too small (and that would be horrible).

I like giving gifts...it is one of the many things that I love about crafting...you then have items personalized for another person which end up making wonderful gifts they could not otherwise have gotten...it is a matter of pride to me that I give good gifts. If I make you something it is because I want you to use and love the item...I don't give too small capes to children...even if I don't know them. 

However, after consulting with my sister-in-law I was able to get a roughly good estimate of the child's size. 

I then went and got fabrics in two of the favorite colors (pink and purple) and decided to amp up the girly factor I would also add a ruffled satin ribbon detail. Of course, I decided this and bought the ribbon without considering that I would want to ruffle it by hand...so a cape that would have take a half hour...actually took over an hour...what can I say...I am a perfectionist and wanted the ribbon ruffled just so. 

I think it turned out rather well. I particularly like the ribbon. quite pleased. And have decided I will probably have to do that to a quilt one day...but one that I keep for myself of course. Once finished it languished on my desk for three days before I finally managed to mail it out to my brother...it was apparently a hit! and my reputation as a supreme gift creator and giver is still safe.

Special Inspiration

Inspiration is something that can strike swiftly. Suddenly, from out of the blue you have an idea, wholly formed, and the passion to bring said idea to fruition. And then, sometimes it is slow. You find one aspect of the idea but not the rest...and you realize you will have to coax the idea out of its hiding place...as is the case of this latest project I have been working on.

A while back I was given a lovely gift of an abalone shell...it is beautiful and reminds me of my second favorite environment on earth...the ocean. And it also reminds me of the wonderful friend who gave it to me. A gift like this is definitely something I cannot resist making into art.

But what to do with it?

It has been sitting, slowly gathering dust for months...and today, while at work...it finally came up with an idea or two. So, at lunch i quickly scribbled down my ideas on some scratch paper. Still not precisely sure if I will make it into one of the ideas I came up with or if I will go in another direction....but, perhaps I will start gathering the materials I think I will want to use and go from there.

Happy Crafting,
seckmea

Origami Boxes

As a child my parents encouraged all of my siblings and I to explore other cultures. Some of the ways we did this was through learning history and trying new foods. But my favorite way was learning about their art.

When I was12 my dad introduced us to Origami, the art of folding paper. He taught us to make a simple box out of paper.

I was never super fantastic at origami. I only really learned to make about 7 shapes. But I liked making the boxes as unique gift boxes for small items ... especially for family.

My younger brother Matthew however fell in love with the art form. He has mastered HUNDREDS of forms. Buying Christmas gifts for him has become increasingly difficult as most books on origami are far below his skill level (if he hasn't already done them all). And his paper preferences are subtle and hard to quantify for those who are not also origami masters. (And I LOVE paper...but I still sometimes disappoint him with my choices).

My brother still loves to make paper boxes as well. He uses them for gift boxes as well...but his are far more fancy than mine. He makes lovely roses to put on top.

The other day he asked my dad and me to help him make a bunch of them up. Here are the results.