Brainstorm

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Em's Cardboard Car Wash

We went through the car wash to entertain Bubby the other day, which was a hit! So we then made a cardboard car wash with a tissue box, toilet rolls, string and crepe paper. He loved it "washing" all his cars, animals and then blocks or whatever fit through.. Using a more sturdy box would've made it last longer as it is already getting squished and ripped but he still loves it.

Friday, November 19, 2021

Em's Ministry of Silly Walks Clock

I finally got to make a Ministry of Silly Walks clock! I've always thought this was a great idea and made it as a gift. I didn't get a great photo before I gave it away and will have to get them to take more pics at different times! I bought a cheap clock (although also could've picked one up from an op shop) and then printed the body and legs from a template a downloaded and edited from Google images, making sure the legs would be the right length to fit the clock. I carefully pulled apart the clock arms and stuck on the printed body to the clock face. I then cut out some sturdy black cardboard for the legs, and hot glued them to the existing clock arms (squashing them flat while drying). Once dry I reassembled the clock and it was as simple as that. His legs look great at all different times, so will have to get more pics!

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Em's Glasses Cases

I have wanted to make these glasses cases using metal measuring tape as the closure for a while and once I had finally gathered the supplies they were super simple and effective. I got the idea from Melly Sews, who also has a video tutorial that was handy. I followed the tutorials (using the adult measurements she gave in the video) without the clasp part. I used an iron-on fusible foam as the padding (any kind of batting would work) and a thinner measuring tape (as we had one that broke, which motivated me to finally start). A wider tape would probably be better but it still works fine. I should have measured my sunglasses as I find they are a bit deep in the pouch and slightly annoying to get out of but not enough for me to resew.

I'm keeping one for my handbag, gifting one and want to make another for my glasses in my car glove-box. I've got plenty of tape and fusible foam!

Monday, February 8, 2021

Em's Tub Chair

I bought an old worn out tub chair from an op shop years and years ago. I liked the classic shape and we had an empty spot in the house. It has been covered up all these years and been on the to-do list forever! I had a whole lot of stripey fabric sitting aside for the project taking up space in my sewing room, which was part of the motivation to do it. I wanted to patchwork stripey fabrics together and tried to use more durable fabrics than just cotton, so upholstery fabrics and other tough cottons. Most of the fabrics I used were from meaningful places. For example leftover upholstery fabric from the van all those years ago, green upholstery fabric used as curtains in our first house together, an old bag, a few repurposed old projects and my old favourite pants..

I used the existing fabric as a pattern and had a go making the cushion first. It turned out great and I really wanted to finish it so put the sewing room aside to do it all. I started by removing the existing fabric, which was attached with a million staples! I got a blister from removing them with a screwdriver and pliers! Then, using the old fabric as a pattern, patchworked what pieces I had together trying to coordinate the colours and stripes as well as use what sizes I had. I had limited pieces for some fabrics but it worked well. I then had to staple it all back together. Luckily I took pictures of me taking it apart and followed that. It was actually easier and quicker than I thought to do. I am so happy with it and glad I've finally done it!

So many staples!

I reused the cardboard from inside

A nod to the old chair- usinhg the old fabric on the bottom

Bubby approves

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Em's Dresser

I was given this old outdated dresser by my sister, and we needed one for Bubby's new room, so a revamp was needed. We still have this orange paint from when I painted the van so I used it for the handles and used other paint we already have for the rest, mixing some grey and white paint to get the right shade of grey. Simple and easy to update and freshen. My sister might want it back now!

Edit: I added some wooden planes and boats to the draws to create more interest. (we also got new carpet!)

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Em's Gummy Bears

Juice gummy bears

I bought a gummy bear mould because I saw that you could make your own from wine on Pinterest. Then when researching I found out you can make them from jelly or juice too (probably almost anything). So I've been experimenting with my new mould and dropper. They are very small, however, so I would recommend getting a good sized mould.

Jelly

First I tried making them with jelly, using this recipe (85g packet of jelly, 1Tbs Gelatin, 1/3 water) and used cornflour to stop them sticking. They tasted great, however I didn't have the right amount of gelatin when I made the green ones. They still set but where more like jelly.

Jelly gummy bears- yum!

Juice

I then tried juice gummy bears with normal bought juice using this recipe, (1/2 cup juice, 1Tbs sugar, 2 Tbs gelatin) although I used normal sugar instead of honey. I used apple and black currant and breakfast juice. Once again it was easy and yummy. Hardest part is waiting for them to set.

Juice gummy bears

Wine

I then tried making ones with wine. I decided to make a big batch to give as a Christmas present to my sister who loves lollies and wine. I used this recipe (1/2 cup wine, 2 Tbs Gelatine, 1/4 cup sugar). They taste great too with the flavour of the wine yet being sweet lolly. I bought the cheapest bottles of wine (Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Cab Merlot) and made batches and batches with my one small mould I had. I ended up filling a 2L container and almost used up the wines.

Tips

Cornflour is good to stop them sticking together
It is good to wait a bit for them to set at room temperature or put the mould on a tray before putting them in the fridge to stop them spilling.
Store in an airtight container (preferably full to reduce condensation) in the fridge. They go softer at room temperature. They also dry out and shrink if not sealed.

I HAVE to try these coffee ones soon! Yum!

EDIT:

I played around with a few different things to make Christmas gummies. Red and green of course. I used a much bigger mould, which worked fine. The jelly (using the recipe/ratio above) was probably my favourite in flavour and gumminess. It was very sticky, however, so definitely had to be coated in cornflour.

I also tried cordial diluted to drinking strength (1:4) but it was very weak in flavour and super firm (1/2 cup liquid to 2Tbs gelatin). A cordial strength of 3:1 and half the amount of gelatin seemed to work better (a little stickier though).

And just because.. how cool are these crocheted gummy bears! Next project?

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Em's Sock Monkey

I have always wanted to try making a sock monkey using this pattern. They are so neat and tidy. So when a pair of patterned socks were being thrown out I decided to try it. It was relatively easy, just need to be patient to get it neat. I cut the top of the socks off by accident somehow so his legs and arms, I think, are too short! :( I really want to make another one now I have practiced with this one. I have so many cool old long stripes socks I can use!

So many cool ideas!

Bubby loves playing with the button eyes. I made sure I sewed them on well!

Friday, December 4, 2020

Kids Stuffed Toys

There are so many cute DIY ideas for making kids stuffed toys! I love the sock monkeys/animals and elephants always seem to be my favourite but rabbits, giraffes and Octopuses can all be so cute! I made the tag dinosaur and a sock monkey. If only I had enough time now to make more of these for Bubby. Too bad he takes up my time now!