Knights and Castle

A variation on Cheryl's Pipecleaner People. These have paperclips
attached to feet so they can stand. And I made their hands with larger
loops so they can hold miniature weaponry (cocktail toothpick swords,
balsa wood shields).

Much of the fun stuff we used to make them (and the Star Wars spaceships) came from the Depot for Creative Reuse in Long Beach.  Such an inspiring place to visit if you're into creating things.  And the owner Lisa is such a kind, generous person - she really creates community in the East Village.

Frank created castle out of scrap lumber. Stonelike facade carved with
dremel tool. It even has a drawbridge-

May the force be with you.

Made by Frank. So far, adults have been far more appreciative of them
than the child who received them as a Christmas gift...

Patchwork Tooth Fairy Pillow

Our friend Christie made this great pillow--I hope to make one as well. I'd better get on it, as I hear that B's teeth are just the slightest bit wiggly.

She said she was hanging on to a stack of baby clothes, so she searched the Web for crafting ideas and found a photo of a beautiful little blanket made from squares of baby clothes sewn together.

Two years later, with news of her firstborn's wiggly tooth, she pulled out the nine finished squares of the baby "blanket" and decided on a tooth pillow instead.

To make the pillow, she sorted through the clothes and pulled out favorites, especially those with embellishments or pockets. She cut 3.5" squares of fabric to accommodate the largest pocket. She backed each square with plain white cotton and stitched just inside each patch. She says she sewed it all by hand so she could be in the same room as the kids. She then backed the nine patches with cotton and stuffed it with organic cotton balls.



I might have enough saved baby clothes to make a queen-sized quilt, but I love this idea. I just hope B's teeth stay put until after his 6th birthday, as I need to finish (and start) working on his birthday present first.