Crafts for Boys

Making models with Grandad

 
posted by Helen

OK, so I have been a bit quiet on here recently, but things certainly haven't been quiet around my place. Tom had two weeks holiday from school and Nana and Grandad came over to stay with us, which was lots of fun :o)

My dad has made models ever since he was a boy ( and still does!) He spent many hours with my brother and I and now it's wonderful to see him and Tom working on projects together.  Here are some of their creations from this last holiday, plus some of my Dad's works of art. 

 
 
 
 These are a space ship and a boat made from off cuts from another DIY project. 
 

 This one you'll have to guess their purpose first...

 
... here's a clue:

 
 They're bridge supports for Tom's railway!

And last, but not least, the two brilliant clocks that Dad made for Tommy & Joe, which probably deserve a post in their own right, but I wanted to share them now :o)

 

 

 

 

Dean's Thomas the Tank Engine Costume

posted by Cara

My nephew, and godson, is one of Thomas the Tank Engine's biggest fans.  I make him a Halloween costume every year and each time I wanted to make him a Thomas costume, but I usually SEW costumes and couldn't figure out a way to do it.  I ended up making a trip to Canada this past fall to visit with my mom for a week, all by myself, no kids!  So, in the evenings, while my brother (hi Keith!) painted along side me, I painted this!  Don't let the expression on his face fool you, he was pretty impressed!  It scored me some pretty big brownie points.  Now, he thinks that I can make anything, this year he wants me to make a Transformer costume...  that actually transforms!!  Thanks Buddy, for thinking that I'm creative enough to be able to do that ;)

Just like Grandad

posted by Helen

Just in case you haven't visited our Sew Mama Sew giveaway yet, here's the link:

http://vincens.typepad.com/craftsforboys/2010/05/robot-tote-giveaway.html

 

The winner will be announced on Friday 21st - good luck!

Meanwhile back in boy world....  

 

They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, in which case Tom is definitely Grandad Chris’ number one fan.  Playing at Tommy’s house usually involves lots of crawling round on your hands and knees so whenever Grandad comes to visit he brings his ‘playing out’ trousers for just such occasions.  These are simply a pair of old, brightly coloured cotton trousers, but for Tom they mean that Grandad is dressed to play – and usually to play trains.

 

After my in-laws last visit, Tom decided he’d like a pair of ‘playing out’ trousers too.  

I had a rummage through my odds and ends of fabric and found a few bits which might be suitable – a couple of pairs of old maternity trousers in stripes and checks; but no these weren’t acceptable.  Then I found some leftovers from I skirt I’d made with a sort of batik print in blues and purples.  This was approved and with only a week before we were due to visit Grandma and Grandad I set to work. 

 

 I thought I’d save time by using a pair of pyjama bottoms as a pattern, but of course this backfired as the cotton fabric wasn’t as stretchy as the winceyette , but I eventually managed a pair of trousers which fitted OK and Tom was able to look the part for playing trains at Grandad’s house.  I now have an order for a pair for Joe!