Week #13 - Tangrams

It has come to my attention that not as many people as I assumed know what I'm on about when I talk about tangrams... For me, they are a nostalgic memory from childhood; playing with them as a puzzle game and also learning about them math class when we learned about proportions and fractions.
If you aren't familiar with them, here is a little info courtesy of wikipedia:
"The tangram (Chinese: 七巧板; pinyin: qī qiǎo bǎn; literally "seven boards of skill") is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat shapes, called tans, which are put together to form shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape (given only an outline or silhouette) using all seven pieces, which may not overlap. It was originally invented in China at some unknown point in history, and then carried over to Europe by trading ships in the early 19th century. It became very popular in Europe for a time then, and then again during World War I. It is one of the most popular dissection puzzles in the world." - Wikipedia
Although there is a serious side to tangrams, mostly they are just plain fun - you can use the shapes to make all kinds of animals, people, and more... and now with the internet there are so many printable activity sheets, books and designs that you actually stand a chance of completing all 6500 known tangram problems.

Here are just a handful.


So, instead of wooden shapes, I thought it would be fun to make some soft, chewable, throwable, pliable tangrams that would suit kids of all ages whether they are 5 years old and making cats or 55 years old and solving tangram paradoxes!

Here are my results. I made two sets; one in a bright owl fabric and another in a sweet alien fabric.




If you want to get your hands on my tangram sets and at the same time support Macmillan Cancer Support you can bid on them on ebay; auctions start Tuesday April 17th at 19:30 pm. I've also relisted a screen printed shirt from last week, which is still available.

Week #13 - all pressed up and no where to sew

This week's craft was going to be some lovely little quilted tangrams, but my home-away-from-home sewing machine decided to start playing tricks on me and its feed dogs just stopped feeding. So while the sewing machine is in for repairs, all I can do it admire my little cut out shapes and look forward to being able to sew them up soon and get them up on ebay.


I recently made some tangram-esque shapes for a friend's little girl following this tutorial but wanted to try my hand at making the 'real deal' as I thought it might be a gift that could grow with baby. (admittedly they are likely to be a chew toy for my seven month old nephew for a long while before he is solving tangram paradoxes)



I am thinking I might draw up some laminated pattern sheets to go with them, so that they come with a nice set of animals to make as well.

While you sit patiently and wait for me to resume sewing, why don't you check out the current auctions - featuring screen printed t-shirts by peep designs?

Week #12 - Screen Print Shirts

It's a great comfort to be able to rely on family when things go awry - so when I had to travel to Canada at the last minute for a family emergency, and fell a bit behind in my crafting, I was pleased that my sister stepped up as a guest maker for week #12.
I was recently featured in the 'In The Studio' section of Crafts Business Magazine, where Zoe Monk asked my about my crafty family and do-it-yourself upbringing. Well, across the Atlantic my sister has also turned her creative hobbies into a business in the form of Peep Art & Design


In addition to doing great biscuit impressions, Liz offers graphic design services and makes a products including screenprinted apparel, bags and accessories. She sells her work at maker's markets in Hamilton, as well as at various other events and festivals around Southern Ontario including Hillside 2012.
Motivated by sustainability, peep art & design creates refurbished and upcycled apparel, accessories and bags. Combining original designs with vintage fabrics and previously-loved clothing, peep gear is sensible, affordable, and unique. Liz has generously donated two screenprinted t-shirts to the 52 weeks 52 crafts project, which feature some of her most popular designs.


Liz has donated two designs she has screenprinted onto upcycled shirts.



Auctions for both these shirts will start on Friday, April 6th and will appear below once listings are active.

Week #11 - Lino Print Cards

I've always wanted to try lino printing and have been lucky enough to have a few taster sessions here and there, but have never gotten around to finally giving it a go for myself. I felt as though I knew what to do from my taster workshops, but I wasn't quite yet confident enough to make the leap, so I visited Paper Village in Bristol where Vicky was nice enough to talk me through the equipment, materials and steps I needed to take to get block printing at home.

Really, its the kind of craft that is so fun and forgiving that its worth taking the leap and just having a go with it! It's a real simple process as long as you get the safety measures under control and develop good habits (always push the lino away from yourself, and watch that hands and fingers are not on the receiving end of the cutter.

I decided I wanted to try a few different designs - two where my design was printed and most of what was cut away would be white space, and a third where my design was made of the white space and most of the block was filled with ink.

Unsure of where to start and wanting to try something easy, I of course: put a bird on it.

So for my first attempt I drew up a rough bird silhouette and some branches and just started cutting away what wasn't within my cut lines.


For my second try I got a little more creative and tried to replicate a wolf line drawing I did a few years ago. I had to simplify the design a bit but I'm pleased with the results.


I made 50 of these cards for week #11 and instead of putting them up on ebay, I'll be selling them at various markets and events to raise more funds throughout the year. If they prove popular, I've still got the lino blocks so I'll print as many as people will buy!