Category: School

Easily replace a broken zipper

Posted on February 6, 2019 by

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How to replace a broken zipper on a backpack {Heather's Handmade Life}

I replaced the broken zippers on two school backpacks in under half an hour, WITHOUT using a sew machine or any fancy sewing techniques.

Category: Kiddos, School, Sewing

Rocked by the report card

Posted on December 18, 2018 by

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Rocked by the report card: I finally opened one that mortified me! {Heather's Handmade Life}

Four years into being an elementary school parent, it finally happened: I opened a report card that mortified me. Our son’s report card was packed with WDs (Well Developed) and glowing comments about how he’s “confident” and “compassionate” and “knows what he has to…

Category: Life lessons, Our Daughter, Our Son, Parenting, Parenting mistakes, School, The Mom Scene, Uncategorized

Getting kids excited about STEM

Posted on October 30, 2018 by

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Getting kids excited about STEM {Heather's Handmade Life}

Disclosure: littleBits sent us a Base Inventor Kit* to play with so I could share this story. All opinions and irrational fears of science are my own. *** I can’t imagine a future in which my daughter doesn’t think she can go to university…

Category: Activities, Our Daughter, Our Son, Parenting, School, The Mom Scene

I’m Heather Laura Clarke. I’m journalist and blogger in beautiful Nova Scotia, I have an 8-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, I married my high school sweetheart, and this is the story of my handmade life.

I have depression and anxiety, and I fight like hell every day to keep it from taking over my life. Making things isn’t just a hobby — it’s part of what keeps me alive.

Whether I’m decorating a room, busting out my power tools to build furniture, getting muddy in the pottery studio, sewing clothes for my kids, or cross-stitching a swear word, I’m all about using my creativity to craft a life I love.

@HFXHeather on Instagram
It’s OK to be cranky sometimes. It’s a bad day, not a bad life. Tomorrow is a new day. This, too, shall pass. Etc. Etc. Etc. . . . This freezing cold “spring” weather is THE WORST and it’s making all of us irritable and glum. Right?!?! . . . Sewing by hand is soothing. Taking deep breaths is recommended. Knowing it will pass is wise. Going to bed early is a good idea. So good night. . . . #mentalhealth #sewing #coldestmayever #badmood #longday #goodnight Three birthday girls, one party, and NO presents! 🙌 Hop over to the blog to read about the best birthday party ever. . . . #parenting #kids #birthdays #birthdayparties #lifehack Today on the blog, I’m talking about trying rug-hooking ... and how I was promptly kicked off my high horse because I SUCKED AT IT 😱 . . . It’s true. The creative crafter who can sew clothes without patterns, refinish junk from the curb, turn old scraps into quilts, and hand-letter like nobody’s business REALLY STRUGGLED AT SOMETHING CRAFTY AND IT WAS HUMBLING. 😳 . . . #linkinbio #rughooking #hooking #hookedrugs #learning #creating I stopped abruptly at @michaelsstores when I saw a new aisle full of colourful @officialcricut vinyl, all organized in ROYGBIV order naturally. 😍 . . . I don’t own a Cricut but I had so much fun working with @atasha89 of #frozenintimedesigns making geeky wall decals for a client’s home last month. (Scroll back to see pics!) . . . Seeing sooooo many rolls of vinyl made my head explode with ideas and happiness and mostly lots of rainbow joy. . . . Reminds me of my convo with @suziconfesses on the #WellnessSimplifiedPodcast this week about unconventional self-care practices, like organizing nail polish and LEGO into rainbow order. 🌈 . . . #craftsupplies #happyplace #roygbiv #rainbow #michaels #cricut #crafter #handmade #alwayscreating #creative #creativegirl My jean jacket is basically an autobiography in pin form. . . . Swipe to see both sides! . . . #jeanjacket #pins #flare #sewing #mentalhealth #trurons #tacos #bostonterrier #babythatsthefunofme My newest thing is sewing tank tops for the kids and I’m making them all reversible because WHY NOT? . . . I made the rainbow heart circle pattern on the front of this one by ironing fusible web to tiny scraps of fabric, cutting out hearts, ironing them onto the tank, and then topstitching swirls with black thread to keep ‘em there for the long haul. . . . #sewing #handmade #sewingforkids #rainbow #hearts #sewingproject #sewinglife #sewingclothes
@HFXHeather on Twitter
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© Heather Laura Clarke and Heather’s Handmade Life, 2009-2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heather Laura Clarke and Heather’s Handmade Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.