Sunday, June 17, 2012

Ladybugs and Other Hemispherical Toys




I've been playing with wood.

And paint.

I've sorta moved on from peg dolls 

to something(s) rounder.

The children have been helping.

In a rare moment of crafty introspection, I've realized I talk too much in my tutorials. Actually, I talk too much when I blog, in general. Also in real life. Look - I've managed to talk three four sentences worth of nothing just saying that. Five now. I mean six. So I'll shut up now and just show you photos. Some background info:

  • I bought the wood bits from here.
  • I don't have fancy tools. I used a drill and some drill bits, sandpaper and wood filler. And brains.
  • I'd recommend wood glue, which I didn't have when I made the turtles (used glue gun - hard to break the cardboard habit) but which I did go out to buy by the end of this tutorial. Wood glue is stronger and neater. When you use wood glue, you should also use clamps wherever possible. 

And so, in the tradition begun by Katie, how about a wordless tutorial?

Mushrooms:





Turtle:

Which were all practice for R2D2, really:

Then I forgot all about him for the next three months until two days ago, when I realized it was Father's Day this weekend and he wasn't even painted. So I panicked and finished him.

I made him for the husband. And here's my fake instagram (used Aperture) of him (R2, I mean - the husband is even cuter).


19 comments:

  1. I'm posting my first comment ever here to ask you to not stop talking! Your crafts are awesome but your writing and personality are what keeps me coming back for more.

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    1. Thank you, Gina! Don't worry - I won't stop talking. I couldn't even if I wanted to. I've tried. Let's just pray I don't also start singing. Or something.

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  2. I love R2D2! Maybe we'll try some ladybugs...

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  3. so adorable!!!!!!!! I love the lady bugs

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  4. You never cease to amaze me with the things you create with the simplest of things.

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  5. I love your "too much talking"!! And R2D2 is amazing! The ladybugs are grand as well. You keep linking to the place you buy your wood bits and I keep filling up my cart with goodies, but then never actually order anything (financial responsibilities and all that). I'm determined before winter to stock up on some good wooden supplies for the long, cold days stuck indoors with my kids. I'm allowed to dream of winter when it's 100 out, right?

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  6. So clever. I don't have that kind of creativity in me.

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  7. AWESOME! Because of the ladybugs, have you guys read James and The Giant Peach? We're working on it now and it is FABULOUS! Freaky, funny and fabulous! My craft room was painted last weekend-well, I painted it, so I haven't crafted all week with the girls and we're going into withdrawl! Between swimming and tennis lessons, hopefully we can fit some in, and the ladybugs look like fun!

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  8. Im geeking out on the R2D2!! :D ooo and don't stop talking pls! its the humour and personality that i love here!

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  9. ha ha, super robots:)) I want to do it too. & nice ladybugs! simple and inspiring! P.S. in Russian ladybug as "God's cow" 0_о

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  10. Don't you dare stop talking! You don't want to turn into one if those blogs where the pictures are beautiful but the text is as bland as dry toast or ad copy or whatever and you're reading it going "hello is anybody REAL in there?"

    BTW, my sewing machine wants to go out clubbing with your seam rippers. I told him he needs to stop guilt tripping me and make some new friends.

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    1. Katie, your sewing machine can hang out with my seam rippers any day! But tell your sewing machine he should get cosy with your Dremel tool thing. Can you imagine the projects from that marriage? Awesome wouldn't even begin to describe them.

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  11. AwWWW, I hang on to every word... A childless senior citizen knitter who no longer does other crafts, I read your blog as some of my Eye Candy. And I'm frequently sending the link to my friends "You've GOT to see this..." Keep on talkin'...

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  12. RE: the "talking too much"...No Way! It's part of your charm, and one of the reasons why I very much enjoy reading your blog. You are funny and have character. Don't change a thing! =)

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  13. Nooo! Don't stop talking! I don't just come here for the amazing projects, I love to listen to you talk. I love the way you write and look forward to every post. Please keep it up.
    PS That is an awesome R2-D2.

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  14. I love your tutorials, too much talk or not ! This one is cute, too.
    Oh, I saw that: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/369073015/roominate-make-it-yours and it made me think of you ! It looks neat, but I think I like your cardboard version even better.

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  15. I never get tired of listening to you talk! Random updates, cardboarding, kids, all enjoyable!

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