Iron Craft challenge #32- Summer!

Summer to me means warm weather and time at the pool or beach. We are getting ready to head south to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to see my brother and his family. We love to spend time on the beach, relaxing, playing in the surf and catching some rays. The one thing that drives me crazy is when my beach towel falls down off the top of the chair. That was the inspiration for this week's Iron Craft challenge.

I decided to take a beach towel and modify it. I first added some pockets at the bottom of the towel to hold my sunblock, water (keeping the bottom out of the sand) and my sunglasses when I cool off.

Then I took the top of the towel and made a little pocket there to hold my Kindle or book- don't want it getting wet or sandy. After I made the pocket I folded the towel back on itself and sewed the sides to hold the towel in place so it won't slip down the chair.

Now I am all set for some fun in the sun.

Project Project Runway- Challenge 1

Challenge 1: Come As You Are

Challenge: House of Nodrok choose to use what their model was wearing and a 10 " X 10" piece of white fabric to create their design.

We had 18 hours to create our creation.

Emelie's bathing suit was taken apart and the body was used for the tie halter top. It was then attached to the white to make a cute little summer party dress. It is backless to show off that summer bronze.

This challenge proved to be a little difficult with the model's measurements and the amount of material available. House of Nodrok hopes that the judges are easy on them as this was their first attempt at making anything but Halloween costumes. It was a fun challenge and the results look wonderful on Emelie.

Iron Craft challenge #31-Sculptural

This week it was all about the Sculpey at our house.

The iron craft challenge was right up Thing 1's alley. He loves clay so much so that I can usually find him with clay in his hands working on something or I find it in the washer or dryer-grr!!! When I asked if he knew what he wanted to do he immediately said yes- he wanted to make a stop frame animation project. Much to his delight Kathy discovered her cameral was all set up to do such a thing. So off to her house we went. I kept asking if he needed to prepare something. He kept saying no. I was skeptical. Boy was I wrong. He sat there and went to work. This video is the result.

We learned a lot along the way and he is already planning the next project he wants to do.

A while back I had seen these cute little trays. When this week's theme came up I had my chance to make them. I went and got some clay...I had the same template and paper bowls at home which I found weird. I love how these turned out and I have some ideas on how to make some for the holidays.

Thing 2 was out of town most of the week with a friend but at the last minute he decided he needed to get into the action. He created a square tray which his dad says he can use to hold his cuff links :) He still needs to paint it but has not decided on just the right colors.

Call Me Crazy

I can't believe I am doing it but I have joined Kat and Susi in Project Project Runway. I have never even watched the show and my fashion sense is basically t-shirts and shorts... I guess I can be the casual designer.

I would like to introduce you to my model for the season.

This is Emelie, and she was discovered in the the aisles of Target in Richfield. She is a simple but flexible girl. She will be joining the House of Nodrok for their first foray into fashion clothes. Prior to this they have specialized in Halloween costumes and pajama bottoms for boys. Both Emelie and the House of Nodrok are excited for the chance to work together. It should be an exciting season.

Iron Craft #30 HOT! HOT! HOT!

I know it is July and it is suppose to be hot but we have had hotter weather than normal. It is funny-here in the Frozen Tundra we have had a 128 degree temperature swing between -25 in January to 103 this summer. We get it all.

This week for Iron Craft we were challenged to make something with the theme of hot. I thought right away about pot holders. Not sure why, maybe because mine are in really bad shape. I have never made these before but they were super easy. I did a little online research and decided to just go for it.

I tried 2 different ways of quilting and definitely learned a few things. I am thinking these might be on my project list to make for Christmas gifts.

Thing 1 was busy working on another project this week. The results will be shown soon and Thing 2 did what everyone wants to do in hot weather- he headed to the cabin and is playing all week in the lake. If he ever returns he will be back in action :)

Check back tomorrow to find out why I have gone crazy and to meet my model, Emelie for Project Project Runway.

Iron Craft #29- Buttons

Who ever thought that crafting in the summer would be SO hard. Wow. Since the end of June we have either been out of town or had company the whole time. Makes it hard to get in some crafting.

We did have some fun along the way. My brother and his family plus my mom and dad came up to the Great White North ( I type this as the heat index hit 120 today and 100 is the forecast high tomorrow) to celebrate our parents 50th wedding anniversary. It was a great time with lots of fun to be had.

Gooseberry Falls

I was able to sneak in just a wee bit of crafting time to get started on my challenge for this week. While out shopping at Michael's I saw this crocheted scarf that looked like those paper chains we all made as kids. Since I can't crochet yet, (it's on my list to learn) I thought how about knitting some "loops" and adding a button hole and buttons to make a group of links to count down the 25 days to Christmas. I finished 2 loops on Sunday (too hot to be outside) and plan on doing a few a week so I am ready for Dec. 1. This was super easy even for me a beginner knitter.

Grandma also was back in action this week. Check out what she did here.

The Things are still around but with all the travel and company they have not gotten in on the action lately.

I am off to find some cool space and wait for next week's challenge- hope I can come up with an easy idea- another weekend of company on the way :)

Iron Craft #27- Stars and Stripes

Each year we spend the 4th of July in Door County, WI where my husband grew up. It is a tradition to go the Bailey's Harbor parade.

There are always lots of firetrucks.

And decorated cars.

And crazy floats.

The best part of the weekend is the boys get to spend time with their cousins.

This week for Iron Craft Thing 2 and I made a little decoration for the front door.

We took a styrofoam wreath and stuck toothpick flags in the wreath. It was a really simple wreath and he was very happy with it.

Happy Independence Day!