Sunday, July 17, 2011

Crafting: Scraps bustin' Fabric Beach Ball

beachball

At our museum, a pair of mother-daughter volunteer, T & C, come in faithfully every other Tuesday and Thursday to help us out. They bring in tons of recyclable materials such as paper rolls, cardboard boxes and scrap fabric for the craft room; they help clean and tidy the museum as the day wears on; they genuinely love interacting and being around the guests, especially the children. We nominated T & C as volunteers of the year at the recent company event.

I found out from T that her daughter C, collects balls. She has a collection of all different shapes and sizes in her home and enjoys playing with them and rolling them around her room. C is in her 20s this year, but she is physically and mentally challenged. I never directly asked what her condition is, and to this day, still feel it is inappropriate to ask. But T & C are very much loved by us all at the museum. We decided, one day, that we should make a ball for C to add to her collection. I volunteered to help out and looked online for some tutorials.

Here is a very good one at Purlbee and it's the one I eventually used. I like it because the instructions are clear and there are accompanying photos.

beachball 2

This is my trial beach ball. Stuffing the ball was the hardest bit. I had fiberfill on the table, on the floor, on my clothes. I had fiberfill in my hair and spilling out of my ears! And they stick to you!!! You know that static cling? Well, it drove me insane trying to lose the fiberfill.

Anyway, I intend to collect fabric scraps from everyone at work to include a bit of everybody in the beach ball. I was also thinking of getting fabric markers so we can write a little message on our own fabric scraps. I don't know... Do you have any other ideas how each of us can contribute to make it a little more personal?

Meanwhile, excuse me while I pick some more fiberfill off the floor. I don't want the poochies to think it's a new treat.

18 comments:

  1. Hmm, maybe puff paint of iron-on transfers? Fabric markers work great though!
    What a fun idea, and how cool that you work at a museum! I have a soft spot for museums and consider museums to be my professional field's best friend (I'm studying to be a librarian.)
    Three cheers for volunteers too! Good luck with the project.

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  2. That's such a sweet idea! She will be so happy! I love the idea of adding personalized messages :)

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  3. cute idea! the personal message will be a great added touch :)

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  4. this is such a cute idea - it would make great decoration in a beach house as well xx

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  5. What a great idea! Just found your blog. Love the bags in your Etsy shop. :)

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  6. This is an ADORABLE gift! She will LOVE it!

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  7. Aww, what a lovely story! And this little ball turned out so cute, I definitely think writing on it will make it very personable.

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  8. she is going to love it :) it looks wonderful!

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  9. What a fun as well as beautiful fabric ball. Looks like a great gift for C.

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  10. @ HazelandMare

    Thank you! I really hope that she'll like it!

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  11. @ blacksandbrights

    Oh yes! it'll make a great pincushion too! and if i make it 10 times as big, it'll make a great beanbag chair!

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  12. @ Brooke

    Thank you! I'm glad you like them, i was starting to think i am the only one!
    :p

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  13. @ Kyla, Erika and Susan

    Thank you girls for the lovely comments!

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  14. What a fun gift! Cute!
    Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!
    I hope to see more of your creativity this weekend! :)
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  15. how cute! a mini beach ball. ^_^ you should make all kinds of colors! maybe instead of fabric markers, you could do puffy paint to make patterns/pictures.

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  16. Awww, I love this :)

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