Crafts reDesigned

Craft group Cricut Tutorial Day

2012-02-09T14:19:00.001-06:00

Today was our craft group all Cricut Tutorial Meeting. We had a great time learning the basics of cutting with our Cricut Machine, mat care, favorite cartridges and how to use Cricut Craftroom. I am going to consolidate our meeting and give you some basics that might help you if you were not able to come. Meagan was a wonderful hostess and she let us make a really fun card that we used our Cricut machine to cut out the words. Isn't this card so cute? (Sorry it looks a little blurry - must be my wonderful photography skills.)

cartridge used doodletype

Amy created a table of cutting helps that she collected from different sources off the Internet. Of course you have to figure out what works best on your machine. But here is a general guide for most things you might use. It is extremely helpful if you use Cricut Craftroom since there is no guide to where to put your settings on.

Click HERE to download a word file or

HERE to download it in a PDF file

Amy and Meagan both have used the Cricut Craftroom and love it. Amy doesn't even know how to use all the bells and whistles on her new Expressions 2 since she almost always uses the craftroom to make things. Just as an example of things you can use the craftroom to make I am posting a couple of my latest projects using my Cricut and Craftroom.

For Valentine's Day

Edited to add: Here is a link to the inspiration - she also has a printable if you want. CLICK HERE.

For the 4th of July (on the back of the Valentine's on above )
Edited to add: Here is the link to my inspiration -- some of it is exactly as she did it but some is my own ideas. CLICK HERE

And for my Daughter (and also for my son - not finished yet) a board to put in their rooms to remind them about who they are and how important they are.

And because my girls have hundreds of bows that needed a home - I created this cute one. The ribbons will hold the many bows and ribbons that they have. It needs a staple gun and you would think we have one - BUT no, not one that won't send the staples all the way through the wood board. (I have to borrow one and then I can show you this on the wall in the Girl's room, with the bow extravaganza.)

Any way just a couple of notes from the class that I thought might be helpful.
Meagan's Favorite cartridges -

Amy's Favorites-

Lyrical Letters
Doodlecharms
George and Basic (for basic shapes)
Storybook (for fun decorative designs)
Once Upon a Princess (similar to paper dolls) - Really good for homes with girls.

Cricut Craftroom Helps

First go to Cricut Craftroom and download the appropriate version for your computer, you will also have to open an account. Just remember what ever computer you are going to use with the Cricut is the one of the computers you want to download it to. You will also need to update the Firmware on your cricut and that will require you to hook your computer to the Cricut machine. (You will need a USB cord with an end that will fit into your Cricut - some come with them, others you might be able to buy a printer cable cord. Check the back of your machine to see what slot it goes in. You might find more information on the website, it has been a couple months since I did this.) They are really helpful if you need help, look on the website to find a phone number.

Meagan and I find that you need to have patience while you are trying to get all this done. Although the Craftroom is really cool it is still a bit temperamental - so don't expect to do all of this quickly. Especially if you are trying to get that project done before tomorrow. Find a time when you can work with it and it will probably all go smoothly - despite what we say.

Second go to the Main Page - It is really helpful to go through each of the tutorials and figure out how to use craftroom. It is really worth your time.

Lastly - play around with it. I go in there and design things like the 4th of July subway art I made, I just played with different fonts and different things to make it look how I did. I guess what I am saying is play with it so you can feel comfortable with it and when you are in a crunch and trying to make that project for tomorrow - you will be able to do it without as many problems.

**I noticed today while researching the information that Cricut is now selling the cartridges in a digital form that loads right into your Craftroom account. I think they are $39.99 each. Much better then the original price of $90 that they retail for. I guess that is better. We will have to see if they come down in price.

Which reminds me that we talked about places to get cartridges from.

To Buy- check out Amazon, Custom crops, or Cricut Machine.com or Meagan suggested just putting in the name at google and finding what comes up.

For Vinyl - I like Expressions Vinyl or if you are in a pinch sometimes JoAnn's will let you use a 40% off coupon if they are not on sale.

Okay if you got this far down then you should win a prize. I am going to order vinyl in the next couple of days and I will be giving a 12x24 piece of vinyl in either black or white away. Just leave your name and a way to contact you - an email or if I know you from craftgroup then I probably have your email. This is open to anyone. Let me know if you want black or white. This will close on Saturday February 18th.

Thanks,
Amy

A little vinyl, some paint and wood

2012-01-24T16:41:00.000-06:00

I noticed I hadn't posted some things that were made a little while ago, but then I realized we hadn't had much sun lately and I hate taking pictures when I know they aren't getting natural light. (I am not an expert photographer but I know some times I can make my pictures look better by using natural light.)

So I have been playing around with my vinyl and my new cricut machine. Liberty and I got together a couple of weeks ago and made these cute signs. There are reversible - since that makes it easier for storage. We made these two.

And then these two:

( I love the flower and the bling on this spring one.)

Then after a sucessful craft group and making snowmen, I was left with a bunch of smaller sized blocks. So I decided to use up some of my vinyl and the blocks and to make a couple of words to put up around the house. I thought I would make it a family affair and the kids and I spent an afternoon making these.

Mine

Kirsten's

Peter's

(I showed him conversation hearts online and this is what words he wanted. I also let him decide what colors to make it.)

I think they turned out pretty cute. Now I have a million ideas running through my head. Hopefully I will be able to do a couple of them. I have wood waiting in the garage that I need Dave to teach me how to use his table saw, so I can cut it and other things in the future. I might even have him teach me how to use the router. (I'm not afraid of power tools and I like to use them. Except the bandsaw - it isn't my favorite.)

Wood Snowmen family

2012-01-01T18:30:00.000-06:00

Here is our next project for the Woodridge Craft and Sewing group:

(I know that I am missing arms, I didn't realize it until began to post these. I will try and take pictures tomorrow with the "twig" arms.)

These are a great winter transition from Christmas to Valentine's holidays. I never know what to decorate with in January - seems too soon for Valentine's and I want the Christmas decor gone around New Years. We found this idea from Today's Fabulous Finds . She made them a little different but the 3 blocks on top of each other is the same.

Our next Craft Group will be on Wednesday, January 18th at 9 am at the Woodridge Church Building.

We plan on bringing:

Wood blocks
Small piece of wood for hat
Paint (both Black, Orange and White)
Bamboo Skewers (to hold them upright)
Hot Glue
Sandpaper
Sanders
Paintbrushes
Mod Podge
Blush/chalk for cheeks

What you will need to bring:

Anything you want to decorate them with -
Buttons, Ribbons, Flowers, yarn, jute, fabric, scrapbook paper (click this LINK for other ideas)

Cost:

$3 for a 3 block tall snowman. If you would like a small one (2 blocks) like the hot pink one above then those will only be $2
We are setting a limit on the number you can make (otherwise Amy will be cutting and sanding for days.) No more then 5 complete snowman please.

Please respond by comment on this post or by email. Please indicate the number of snowmen you want. (I will assume 3 block snowman unless you let me know.)

Last day to order is Saturday, January 14th.

Now I just wanted to show you how cute my kids are. While I was making these snowmen, I let them create their own snowman. They both thought it was pretty cool. We only got a little paint on our clothes (even with aprons.) But here are their masterpieces.

Peter's

Kirsten's

Ruffly Crocheted Scarf

2011-12-26T14:00:00.002-06:00

Wow....three posts in one week...we are on a roll. {make sure you scroll down and see Amy's AWESOME Christmas dresses. My husband and 12 year old son didn't really want ruffly Christmas dresses so I just bought them red ties to match the red shirt I got myself for $4 at Target on clearance.} Amy's are GORGEOUS, don't miss them!

I did however make some super cute ruffly scarfs for Christmas gifts {one for myself} and the other ones for gifts. I LOVE how they turned out. Super ruffly and soft. I used Lion Brand Homespun Yarn that I got on sale at Joann's Crafts. I used this tutorial that I found on Pinterest, and then made a few adaptions. I used a N/10mm hook {because the yarn is so bulky} and changed the pattern as follows:

Ruffly Scarf

Chain 113

Round 1: Work 1 double crochet (dc) in the third chain (ch) from the hook. Dc in each ch to the last ch.

Work 5 dc in the last ch.

Do not turn. Work along the back of the foundation chain working 1 dc in each ch to the first ch.

Work 4 dc in the first ch for a total of 5 dc and slip stitch (sl st) to the beginning dc to join.

Round 2: Ch 3...

Work 2 dc in the same stitch.

Work 3 dc in the next dc and every dc thereafter...

...working around the end and all the way around the scarf.

Join with a sl st. Weave in ends. Wear!

The Christmas Dresses

2011-12-25T22:30:00.000-06:00

YES, I AM CRAZY. If you haven't figured that out yet, then you will when you see these two photos. This year I decided to make Christmas dresses for the girls and then it snowballed into something for everyone except Dave. But he really started the whole thing by buying that Burgundy colored shirt. I was in love (with the shirt) it was beautiful. {Funny side note: you can barely see it in the pictures. Trust me it is the most beautiful color.}
So the quest began to make dresses to match the shirt. Then the snowball began moving and TA-DA - The DRESSES.

Oh, yeah, two matching ones for the girls, one for me, and to make it fun - a vest for Peter.

I saw the idea for the girls dresses on one of my favorite blogs - Make It and Love It. She is amazing and she made a ruffle dress for her daughter with a t-shirt and ruffle material. I wanted to step it up a notch and so I made the shirts out of stretch velvet. I actually found my ruffle material at Hobby Lobby, where I was able to use my 40% of coupon to bring the cost down a little. You can buy the material at the Ruffle fabric shop but I wasn't sure how much I needed and didn't want to pay the price for it. I can't say anything about the quality of either compared to each other. But I liked the ruffle material, but with any of them you are going to have to match ruffles on the sides and that was a pain and I did clip some of the ruffles unintentionally when I was cutting my top out. It worked out okay. Anyway, when I bought the material I was a bit generous in my purchase because I had come up with an idea for me. NO, I was not going to wear ruffles on my butt (it is NOT little and I don't need to accentuate that point.) I think I bought 2 yards.

For the girls I used various patterns I have at home and patterned the tops after dresses they already had. The skirts are just pieces of the material gathered on just like Ashley did in her tutorial. I also followed her instructions for the sash.

I had found a dress at a swap our church has yearly for clothing. It was too large for me but I had hopes that I would be able to take it apart and adapt it for me. When I started thinking about this project, that dress came to my mind. It was perfect. I cut off the top and "designed" myself a top. To be honest, I had some knit fabric that I made a muslin out of to test the sleeves and the neckline. It turned out okay and so I proceeded. It took me a couple of days to get the sleeves right. First try I looked like I was going to be playing in a Mariachi band. I have to admit I was a bit down and didn't want to try any more. I thought to myself. This "designing" thing is for the birds. But as you can see, it turned out beautiful and I was excited to walk into church as that "MATCHY MATCHY" family for Christmas.

You would not believe how close of a match the material for our sashes and Peter's vest were to Dave's shirt. Dave even said it looked like they were cut out of the same material. Peter's vest came together in a little more then and hour. He was pretty grumpy this morning when we pulled him away from his toys and MADE him where THAT vest. I promised him chocolate kisses (and mommy kisses) if he wore it and the tie. I used a pattern I bought a year or so ago. But you could really use an old vest and make a pattern off it.

Lastly, I am quite proud to say that I had them finished the day before Christmas Eve. I finished up the final touches around 1 pm and was able to spend the rest of the day playing with my family. So I made the flowers from instructions form Vanilla Joy for Satin Peony Flowers. I made two for the girls hair and 3 for our dresses. For the girls I used a tutorial from Make it or Love it for non-slip hairbows - and Esther's stayed in the whole time at church.

Okay so here is a better picture of the dresses. I like all our faces (except Peter) in the one above, but this one is actually a better picture (and took less time to photoshop out the table in the background.

This is one of those times I am proud of my sewing skills. It was crazy for me to make these but it worked. {Of course the kids didn't get new sewn PJ's for Christmas because it took me longer to make my dress then expected - but they got a TON of things for Christmas anyway and didn't notice. I guess I'll try and get them done for New Year's instead.:) }

**My jewelry was made by Liberty. She is so awesome. Now I have a really beautiful set of jewelry from her. And for a special treat, I had her make bracelets for the girls. They loved them. Esther kept hers on the whole time. She is really one of those girly girls. She loves to put on jewelry and carry around purses.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T16:25:00.000-06:00

What the back of the card said:

This year has been full of many FIRSTS

Kirsten started FIRST grade * Esther had her FIRST birthday * Dave started his FIRST commute on the bus and train to his new job in Chicago * Peter started going to his FIRST preschool * We took Esther (and her siblings) on her FIRST airplane ride and trip to Utah * We lived through our FIRST blizzard in Chicago * Kirsten had her FIRST toothless school picture (missing both top teeth.) * Esther took her FIRST steps around Halloween * Kirsten passed her FIRST spelling test with flying colors * Peter had his FIRST ride on the Metra Train (along with the rest of the family) *

Hopefully we can be the FIRST to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

EASY Christmas Idea!!

2011-12-19T19:27:00.000-06:00

My mother-in-law found this ADORABLE idea. It's super easy and I even made the printable for you so you can just print it and attach it to a roll of paper towels and you have a super easy gift for your neighbors and friends. Get the printable HERE.

Family Wood blocks

2011-11-19T20:55:00.001-06:00

So I have had these blocks for a long time. If I had realized I didn't have a before picture then I would have taken one of them. But think "toll" painting. Mainly each letter a different color in a blue, brown, burgundy pattern (ABC for those with primary grade kids) and splattered with black and white paint. Really cute but they didn't match my decor and I was "tired" of the look. Then while I was in Utah over the summer I saw that my sister-in-law had painted hers all black. It looked awesome and matched her frames so great. I decided that I was going to do that when I got home.

Well almost 5 months after we got home and I finally got around to it. I decided after making my Be Thankful sign last month that I LOVED the pattern and coloring of the paper. I ran back to Micheals and bought more so I could mod podge the paper on my family blocks. I sanded the old paint off and painted the sides black. Mod podged the paper on and then did a little smudge on the sides of the letters to make it look a little messy. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how they turned out. It only took me a little bit of time and it looks awesome. It is even better that I didn't have to touch the heart. It matched perfectly and give it a nice look. It also matches my frames - they are black and burgundy.

Sorry about the glare on the pictures, I tried not to but the reflection just happened in all my pictures. Plus it was finally a nice day with sunshine since this room doesn't get much "good" light for taking pictures.

A nursing cover with a twist

2011-11-12T14:11:00.001-06:00

One of my friends called me the other day just before her baby was born and asked me for what she would need for a nursing cover. As we talked I realized that her baby was going to be born in the next couple of days and that in reality she would probably get it done just before he turned 1. Okay maybe I would have got it done if I were her by the time my baby was one. So I offered to make it for her, especially since I hadn't started something for her yet. I used the tutorial from Sew Much Ado for the instructions on how to make it.

I bought the fabric at Hobby Lobby and decided since it was a little thin that I might need to make it double thickness. I really thought it would be fun to bring some of the pattern on to the front and so I decided that I would do that. I guess I could have just cut strips of fabric and done it that way but I decided that I wanted to try one of those self-binding blanket tutorials on it. I was a bit nervous since I had never done it before and instead of a square like most blankets this was going to be a rectangle.

Here is the tutorial I found for the Self-binding blanket. My measurements were:
Main fabric: 25 inches by 35 inches
Coordinating/Back fabric: 35 inches by 45 inches

I pretty much followed the tutorial at Self-binding blanket to the point where you are ready to sew around the "binding". Before I did that I sewed the boning into the top portion and added the
straps to the top. I closed it up by sewing around like the tutoral for the blanket says. It ended up pretty cute. I had enough fabric left over to make diaper and wipes container holder. I hope she enjoys it.

Here is a second picture to show you it a little closer. (I tried to model it but I didn't have a baby to put under and my photographer was only 4 years old.

Mummy Jars

2011-10-29T10:13:00.001-05:00

Have you been on Pinterest?

If you need an invite, let me know. {but I'm going to warn you that it's VERY addictive!!!}
If you had been there, you would see that there are 100's of Mummy Jar Ideas. I LOVE them.

My friend MaryRuth made some and emailed me a picture a few days ago and I HAD to make some before Halloween was here. They are SOOOO easy!!!! {I made two sets of these in less than 30 minutes and for about $2}. I got the LED battery candles. {in the Christmas section at Walmart}

Take old canning jars {or pickle jars, or baby food jars, the possibilities are endless}
get sterile medical gauze that you can buy at walmart (in the pharmacy section)
and then you paint modge podge
all over the bottle
start at the bottom
and start wrapping
you'll need to put
modge podge between the layers of gauze
you only do one layer of gauze
but slightly overlap each layer
and then when its all how you like it
you paint a layer of modge podge on top of the whole thing really quick
and then glue on googly eyes {I like the big ones on the big bottles} with even more modge podged. {or E6000}
that's it.

I stretched and frayed my gauze a little to make it a little more messy. Then add candles. Tea lights or battery LED ones. SOOOOO cute!!! and SO easy to make! Go ahead make 100 of them.

Card Night for Craft Group

2011-10-10T11:59:00.001-05:00

Welcome Woodridge 1st Ward Craft Group. We want to have one place online where we can post all of our craft group pictures and projects. We will be posting ALL of our projects here and will give you all the details for each craft group here {so you might want to bookmark it!}.

We are excited to announce our next Craft night will be making homemade cards. It will be FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11th at 7pm at the Woodridge Church building. There will be NO COST for this craft, however you will need to bring your own supplies. We WILL PROVIDE all the stamps, ink and tools. We will also have SOME scrap paper that you can use, but if you want something specific, please bring your own.

You will need to bring:

A TRIMMER {if you have one} will will have a few to share
ADHESIVE {NOT glue, scrapbook adhesive tape, you can get it at Hobby Lobby, Joann's or Michael's}
SCRAP PAPER {we will some}
EMBELLISHMENTS {buttons, brads, ribbon, etc.}
CARD BACKS {you can buy them at the same places and they come in different quantities so you might want to share a pack with someone else who is coming}
ENVELOPES {usually come in the pack with the card backs}

We will mostly be working on Christmas/Holiday cards and Meagan has made some samples for you to "copy" {Thanks Meagan for helping us with this fun night!} If you don't want holiday cards you are welcome to work on ANY cards you want. {thank you, birthday, baby, congrats, etc.}

Come play with us and make some pretty cards. You can make 1 or 100. You can make a "whole set" and tie them up with a pretty bow for a gift to give anybody {mom, grandma, school teachers, bus driver, etc.}. Everyone uses cards and homemade ones make a GREAT gift.

These are cards from the last craft group

If you have any questions, please leave us a comment. ALSO, please comment and let us know if you are planning to come so we can set up enough room for everyone.

Forget Not....

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Did you hear President Uchtdorf's talk on Saturday night at the General RS Broadcast? It was AMAZING. I loved everything about it, but most especially I felt like he was talking directly to me. I felt like it was direct from heaven and that I was the most important person there. I am sure anyone who hears it will feel the same. It was SO good. {I can't way enough good about it.} You can watch and/or listen to it HERE. As soon as we came home I started seeing printables of the tiny forget me not flowers and decided that I wanted to make my own. {you can download them at the bottom of this post!}

I had some free canvas and I wanted to try it on the canvas to see how it would look. I LOVE it. It's exactly what I was hoping for. I printed my image 8x10 and then trimmed the sides down just a little bit so it fit on my 8x10 canvas. I then modge podged it onto the canvas. Be careful to not scrape the picture or it will scrape off the processing of the picture. I love how they turned out....no, they are not as cool as canvas...but they probably cost about $10 or less {if you had to buy the canvas}.

After the modge podge was dry, I painted the edges of the canvas a charcoal gray and blended it on the edges of the photo so it would hide the edge of the photo and look like it was inked on the edges.

I then got carried away and made a 16x20 of the Salt Lake Temple. I did the same thing with this one, it was a little harder to keep the picture glued down on the canvas because my picture was rolled up when I picked it up from the photo place. Make sure you have a flat photo for easier results.

Here is a close up view of the edges.

Here is the download if you want to print your own "Forget Not" sign.

8x10 PRINT SIZE - Click twice to enlarge and then right click and "save as" to get image

4x6 PRINT SIZE - Click twice to enlarge and then right click and "save as" to get image

Reversible Fall Wood signs

2011-10-01T23:59:00.001-05:00

Here are some samples of from our latest craft group. After everyone was done, Liberty and I finished up ours. I think they are pretty cute. I have a window in my kitchen that opens to the family room below and so instead of making mine reversible with Halloween on one side and thanksgiving on the other, I just did one for each holiday. They are so cool. My favorite I think is the be thankful and I have decided that I might use the paper on the Family Letters I have on my mantel.

We had a great time with everyone and they all turned out so cute. I love working on projects together so we can all get ideas from each other. Thanks ladies for making it so much fun.

Easy Peasy Cards

2011-09-12T12:33:00.001-05:00

So this weekend I was doing this instead of the many things that I need to be doing. I have needed thank you notes and birthday cards that weren't so girly. So Saturday I cut out 5 different colored stars and the craft brown paper backing with my Cricut and away I went. I think Liberty told me about this idea although I don't know if I ever saw the ones she did. These are simple and basic and didn't take all that long. I stamped the sentiment before hand just so I would have room for it. All I did, after I made them all look grungy with the stamp pad, was hold the stars on as I sewed across them. Since I was doing this assembly line style I just had everything next to me and ran them in one after the other. Here is a close up of the sewing. ( I came back and made an X on them for the second pass.)

I think it took me more time to pull the threads back in and tape them to the back.

I made these in a 3 1/2 x 5 inch card with the fronts only being 3 x 4 3/4, but they could be made for larger. I just have a million little envelopes from who knows where.

Just a bit of housekeeping for this site now. Liberty and I are at the point where we aren't going to be posting all the time. Mainly just when the mood suits us. We are at that part of life where it gets too busy and we have to let something go. I'm not saying we are never going to blog but we just aren't going to feel guilty about not doing it. Life is crazy that way. Hope you understand. We will probably use the blog as a filing place for our projects we make.

Ruching + Pillowcase Dress = CUTE

2011-08-20T21:32:00.000-05:00

I always hate to toot my own horn, but this time I think I came up with a pretty good idea. Not sure if I have seen it around the web. Actually didn't look for it, just came up with it on my own after I made the ruffled notebook covers. Or maybe the other way around. I can't remember. I have been dying to get these up on our blog but just have not got the pictures done. These were actually made before the Easter dresses I made. I know - what a slacker I am. I finally took the kids out and took pictures of them. I don't think you can see the ruching in Esther's dress but as you see in the following pictures, I made a white ruching section. I divided the dress into thirds and made the bottom a solid blue. The white is 3 or 4 inches of a white on white print and then the top is a red star material.

A better look at the whole dress on Kirsten.

Now you can see both the ruching and the ruffle bottoms I made for Esther.

Here is a little bit closer look on the bigger dress. One thing I didn't like about the ruching is it kind of puffed out. Maybe if I put a solid piece behind it there would be less puffing? I don't know. It still looks cute.

Although I'm not really sold on the pillowcase dresses. They are cute but just hang on my little skinny girls. I like a more fitted dress on them. Maybe next time (if there is a next time) I will do a gather in the center to make it more fitted on them.

RACE CAR Birthday Party

2011-08-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

About a month ago Peter said he wanted a race car birthday cake. So, I decided to oblige. I then decided that we were going to do the whole thing race car themed. While walking through JoAnn's I happened upon some black and white checkered felt. Peter was with me and he thought it was the coolest fabric and I agreed. He carried that fabric around the store until we got it cut. I had no idea what I was going to do with it or how much to get and so I bought 2 yards. It was $5.99/ yard and I had a 40% off coupon. It was only 30 inches wide which really wasn't a problem when I worked with it.

So here we go. The invitation.

This was designed by me with the kits Busy Roads and The World is Moving by Kitty Designs (found at Oscraps.com) I got my ideas for the wording from different sites. I don't exactly remember where. I just put in race car birthday party ideas and this is probably a combination of a couple ideas. I had them printed at Sam's.

Next I discussed with Peter what he wanted to do for his cake - circle or rectangle shape. With a round track or oval. Then after I got a general idea of what he wanted along with some help from his sister we were off. Trying to figure out how to make a black track. I went to JoAnn's again and found in the Wilton area some black sugar paper. It was perfect for what we needed. I ended up again using my 40% off coupon and actually ended up going back and buying a 2nd one. I wanted to make a checkered flag to go around the sides. Anyway here is the cake and a few extra pictures so you can get an idea of what I did.

The grandstands were an idea I found when looking at race car cakes. I wish I could send you to the link but all they are is frosting covered cardstock with sprinkles. I thought it was such a cute idea and had to incorporate it in.

The border is M&M's, I let the kids put them on and they loved doing that. I did put a little "flower" border so they would have somewhere to stick them.

The center is just green tinted frosting made to look like the center field of most race tracks.

Lastly, one of my favorite parts - the checkered flag sides. I cut the sugar paper with my ruler and the pizza cutter. It made it easy. Then I frosted small sections and added the black squares.

The entire cake is frosted with buttercream frosting. I found my recipe here at I am a Baker (it is at the way bottom after the cake.)

I used a recipe that I found a couple of years ago for the best chocolate cake - and I really think it is. I think most of the kids gobbled up their pieces. Of course I cut really small pieces, since I know most kids just waste the cake at this age.

Next we had to have race cars. I found this idea at How Does She? I loved the idea of race cars made from cardboard boxes. I think they turned out pretty cute.

I invited 4 boys and Peter and so I decided to make 5cars. They were way easy to make and I had everything except the paint. I made the car numbers similar to race cars in Nascar, although I only had 3 cans of paint and so I had to make some of the cars different then the original cars. I made one with the #4 since Peter was turning 4. They were fun to make.

Since I knew that the kids would probably only race for a little while I thought I better come up with something else. Off to the garage I went and found a long piece of wood about 4 feet by 1 1/2 feet. I found a couple of smaller pieces that were about one inch square by 3 1/2 feet. I hooked them to the edge and we were able to have matchbox car races on that. If the wood hadn't been something we need for shelves I would have probably have nailed the sides down instead of clamping. Either way the kids didn't really care. At times I saw cars and trucks bigger then the match box size going down. The kids thought that was pretty cool.

Out of the checkered fabric I made a checkered flag for the races.

I also made mini checkered flags to go in the goodie bags. Instead of $1 store items in the bags I bought a matchbox car for each, a big play-doh, a fruit snack and a handful of starbursts. I would have taken a picture but I didn't really think about it.

I cut the fabric into squares to put under the cake and on the table for the gifts. Then I took the remaining fabric and made a checkered flag banner or bunting. I think it turned out pretty good. I used a grosgrain ribbon to sew it onto.

Here is the cute birthday boy showing off the bunting.

I also bought a pack of cones to mark off the race. If it hadn't been 100+ heat index the day of the party we would have been able to go outside and do the races. With it so hot outside we ended up doing the races around my kitchen living room "track". Since we didn't get a chance to race outside I was glad I had set the Cars movie to watch the final race. It seemed fitting to end the fun with a "real" race.

Happy 4th Birthday to my dear sweet boy!!

Ruffled Notebook Cover Tutorial

2011-08-06T15:53:00.053-05:00

Maybe you remember back in February I made a Ruffled Notebook Cover ?!?!?! It looked like this.

Oh yeah you say. . . I seem to remember you promising a tutorial . . . Yep, I had more to make and thought I would get to it soon. Now it is 6 months later and I am getting around to it. It might look like I was waiting for the notebooks to go on sale, but that would just be me trying to get around the fact that my craft room has been collecting dust for the most part. Something about a VERY mobile baby and other projects getting in the way.

With all that said I finally finished up the other notebooks I had cut out and so I have no excuse for not getting this posted now. Here they are in all their beauty!!!

Now for the tutorial. Drum roll please. Okay maybe not that much fanfare. I must put a funny side note on this tutorial - In my haste to finish the one for Liberty earlier this year, I forgot to finish taking pictures and so as you go through the pictures you will notice the fabric changes in most the pictures. My mistake. I am kind of spacey most days.
Another side note: I tend to explain things expecting you to know basic construction techniques. I am not very detailed, sorry. If you have questions then email me or leave a comment and I will respond to you.

Materials:

Composition notebook (good to buy them now when they are under a $1 at some places - they can be over $3 off school season.)
Main Fabric about 1/2 yard
Coordinating fabric for ruffle and pocket - 1/4 to 1/3 yard
Ribbon about 1 yard

Fabric Cutting:

Main fabric: CUT two of each size

16 1/2 inch by 4 inch (outside top and bottom)
8 inch by 11 inch (inside panel)

Coordinating fabric: CUT one of each size

40 inch by 5 inch (ruffle)
6 inch by 6 inch (pocket)

Ribbon: CUT two of each

12 or 13 inch pieces for ties
4 inch pieces for "binding"

How To:
Begin by taking ruffle piece and doing two rows of gathering stitches on both sides of the fabric.

Next attach ruffle to one of the main front fabrics, matching edges and then middles.

Then pull the threads to gather the material to the top fabric piece. Then sew along this edge. It will look like you are making a skirt for a minute now.

Repeat with the bottom piece of fabric.

Next step is to press the piece so the ruffles look more flat. I tend to pull the top and bottom pieces a little bit as I press. I also press where the ruffles meet the top pieces towards the non ruffled piece. It will make it easier to pull the ruffles better and also makes a place where we can top stitch.

Next topstitch about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the ruffles.

Now pull out your pocket piece and press about 1/2 inch down on one side. You should probably finish the edge with serging, zigzag or cut with pinking sheers first. Once you have pressed it down you can stitch down the top of the pocket. I ran two stitches along the edge of where I had folded.

Now fold in all the edges about 1/2 inch and press with iron. Then hold on to this while we get the inside panels ready.

Take the inside panels and on the 11inch side finish the edge then fold over about 1/2 inch, press and stitch. Repeat for other piece.

Flip to the right side and pin the pocket on. I kind of center it top to bottom but put it closer to the sewn edge and then do a double row of stitches like I did on the top.

Here is a close up of what I mean.

Now we are ready to assemble our cover. Place inside panels with hemmed (sewn) edges in the middle and match sides and top together. There should be a gap between them.

Cut the ribbons to about 12 or 13 inches. Then pin them in where the seam on the outer edge. Make sure you place the ribbon in the center of the outer side seams. I try and match up the ribbons from the front to back so that they will match when you close the book.

Next take your note book. ( I try and make sure it is the one I am going to use for the end product in case they are a different size. ) I fold the fabric around it and find the center. Then open up the fabric and place the book on the one side. I take a pen and trace around the notebook - being generous with the lines. I carefully put the notebook on the other side and then repeat process.

Here is what I mean. (A closer view.)

Place the 4 inch piece of ribbon across the gap. I did this part wrong in this picture. The next picture shows how they should be. I put the ribbon across the gap and on the "line" that I have drawn before. Then you stitch around the entire thing starting and ending near one of the ribbons across the gap.

Now come the hard part. Before you clip or cut anything it is time to try it on. This is where I always cringe. Did I measure it right, did I sew it right. Make sure you have your friend the seam ripper near by. It is likely you will need it.

Here is the way I have to put it on. It always makes me cringe.

Anyway - once it fits you have one pretty simple step. I finish my edges by cutting them with the pinking shears. It makes it really nice when you go around the corners. You don't have to clip or cut the corners and it gives it a finish that won't unravel. I am careful to move my ribbon as I cut the fabric underneath. (see photo where I attached the ribbon above.)

(this has the ribbon wrong, although when I did this I didn't pick it out and it works, just adds a little bit of bulk in the spine area.)

Then you are done, you can go now and write notes in style. I think these might be fun for a high school or college age kid. I did give Kirsten one for helping me with cleaning up before Peter's party. She was a real trooper and I always feel sorry for the kid that doesn't get anything new.

These are fun to make but require a little bit of time to make them look nice. Always press when possible. I might suggest not using the stripes. It made it pretty obvious when my center ruffle wasn't exactly straight. But Kirsten didn't even notice. I didn't add the pencil/pen holder because I don't like mine and haven't been able to figure out a good method. I think with Liberty's and others I have just added a looped ribbon piece above where you add the ribbon for the ties. Just make sure that the ribbon will hold your pencil and is on the back part rather then the front near the pocket. I have added it after I get all done too, just unpick the area you want it and slip it in and then re sew the area.

I am pretty excited to get these done and now I can work on a new project. Hope you like it. Please email me with any questions or comment below.

Happy Belated 4th of July Table Runner

2011-07-17T22:29:00.001-05:00

Between Liberty and I we are racking up those sky miles - or a least we would if we could. It has been a crazy month for both of us and I really wanted to post this before we left for our vacation to Utah. But of course packing and getting other things ready became more of a priority. So for those of you who celebrate July 24th in Utah - Here is a way fun table runner that I made for our family auction in Utah. My sister in law was so excited and even more so that she could still use it for the 24th.

I found the idea at V and Co from Amy of Diary of a Quilter over a year ago. She did this beautiful table runner and last summer I wanted to make one of these and cut everything out and then . . . NOTHING. I was digging through my fabrics last month and found this all ready to go. I knew I needed something for the family auction and thought - this won't take me more then an hour. BINGO. Really easy once you get started. All the instructions are there and it is really user friendly. I decided to use the cool metallic thread I just acquired and this is a closer view of the stitching.

That one is a bit blurry but here is another one just so you can see how cute it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope I can get a couple more things that I have finished in the last little while on here. We will see. I'm not promising anything. Life is a bit crazy with an on the go 9 month old, a very active almost 4 year old and their older sister. But that is how life is, isn't it.

Have a nice day!

Pioneer Aprons...

2011-06-20T18:00:00.003-05:00

I spend the weekend in Nauvoo, IL. We had a youth conference with 200 adults and youth. It was AMAZING! I made these aprons for the Stake YW Presidency. They all LOVED them and wore them almost the entire time. {I am working on a tutorial for them, but I've had no sleep in 5 days so I will wait until I am more with it so you can understand the instructions!}

They are pretty easy, I used overalls that I got at the thrift store and strips of fabric that I surged the edges and didn't even hem....I promise to get all the measurements and instructions soon!

Skirt OBSESSED...

2011-05-31T09:13:00.005-05:00

I think I might be a little skirt obsessed...but these are SO SO easy and SO comfy...I used this pattern HERE.

I added some trim on the bottom of this one and then pleated a few horizontal pleats. I LOVE how it turned out.

I even made me a pioneer skirt to wear at youth conference in a few weeks. I added a pleated ruffle at the bottom. It goes all the way to the floor, I can't wait to wear it in Nauvoo.

Angry birds fun

2011-05-15T21:18:00.001-05:00

Have you played the game yet? My kids sure have.

We were looking at some ideas I had for a possible birthday present for one of Kirsten's friends. But she had other ideas. She wanted to go shopping for her friend. So as we were looking Kirsten saw my link to Angry Birds Tutorial and wanted one. I was in a crafting/sewing lull and so it was a nice way to break up the almost non-existent crafting lately.

These are super cute and super easy. I didn't exactly follow the directions. BUT DO I EVER? Instead of making the eyes the way she suggested I just cut them out and sewed them on. I guess I had the chance they might not look right but the kids really didn't care. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Then when we had them both done, Kirsten started ordering the rest of the crew. I was using what fleece I had on hand and so there are no pigs (don't have green) and the rest are not made yet because the kids haven't really asked me for them.

Here are a couple more pictures. I just thought the kids were cute playing with them.

Easter dresses

2011-05-01T19:03:00.001-05:00

I don't know if people are still even looking at this blog, but we are still around. We just have been overly busy or just too crazy in our life to actually publish things on the web. I had been working on Easter dresses for the girls. I used a pattern for the top and the sleeves and then adapted as I went. It took me longer because I was making it up as I went along. Esther has a different dress that I was copying the ruffle of the skirt with. I found the lace that I had bought at a garage sale and found that I could use it on the dresses. It was an adventure to say the least. Here are the pictures I took of the two of them.

Hope you had a Happy Easter. Here is a project that I finished a couple of days before Easter. Liberty found these letters after last Easter on clearance for $2 or 3. I bought the paper at JoAnn's. The sparkly kind is hard to put on the wood because it is very stiff. I decorated it with odds and ends around the house.

easy, peasy skirt....

2011-04-05T16:57:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Make it and Love it and knew that I wanted to make it....and I totally love it! I might start living in it....j/k...sortof...{actually if I could get away with it, I probably would wear it everyday, it's like wearing a blanket!}

I purposely made it this long. I wanted it to cover me up when I am FREEZING, which is ALL the time since it's never going to be spring here.

{now I want to make me another one....}

Ruffle table runner

2011-04-04T17:03:00.003-05:00

When I saw the ruffles Amy used on these books, I knew I wanted to copy them....but since she was already making me a cover {thanks Amy}. I decided that I would make a table runner with the left over fabric I had that matches my wall hanging.

It turned out super cute. {it's a little "wavy" because of the ruffles, but I'm hoping that will calm down as it is used}.

Thanks for the great idea Amy!

WINNER!!

2011-03-23T11:37:00.003-05:00

Sorry I'm a few days late...I haven't been feeling well.

The winner is:

Congratulations to The Knapps!!! I will send you an email with your code right away!!!

Spring???? and A GIVEAWAY

2011-03-16T08:27:00.003-05:00

It's going to be over 60 tomorrow. {wahoooo} I'm not under any illusion that it's REALLY spring, but I am hopeful that we are past the WORST of it. It's the middle of March, can winter be over?

NOW for the GIVEAWAY....Have you heard of CSN? If you are not familiar with CSN, it is a megasite of specialized stores, primarily for the home but also including fashion, toys, etc. They have given me the opportunity to GIVEAWAY $20 to spend in their store!!! WAHOO!!! If I had a yard, we could have a trampoline or some wood swing sets so I could send Tanner outside to soak up the vitamin D. Oh well. I don't think they want me to put a trampoline and swing set out in the front of our town house. But they have lots of fun stuff that I could use.

I don't require any crazy steps and jumping through a million hoops to enter. JUST LEAVE A COMMENT and tell me what would you spend $20 on at CSN?

GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 21ST

Are you Lucky?

2011-03-07T21:18:00.004-06:00

I don't really decorate for St. Patricks....we usually go straight from Valentines to Spring and Easter....but Easter is still a long ways away so I thought I would make some LUCKY blocks for St. Patricks Day.

and then I found this cute Subway Art at eighteen25 and put it in my frame....all done.

Now i can say I "changed" my decorations!

A late Valentine's entry

2011-02-25T21:37:00.001-06:00

You would think that Valentine's is over, but in my book you can "celebrate" it or keep decorations up for it until March 1st. AND SO, I thought I would post this cute picture of my baby in her Valentine's skirt. Of course this could be done with any material for any type of skirt.

I found the idea on Homemade by Jill that was featured on Kojo Designs blog. Only modification I did was to gather the material before I added it to the knit fabric waistband. Okay and I used a cotton fabric instead of the denim and did a rolled hem on the bottom of it. It turned out pretty cute and would have only taken me less then an hour if I didn't mess up on the waist band and make it too tight at first and then waaaaay to big the second time. (It would have helped if the model wouldn't have been asleep when I was making it - but that is what that seam ripper is for. It has to get it's work in sometime.)

I'm also blaming my late posting on a slew of computer problems we have had the last couple of weeks, along with a job change for Dave. So there are my excuses take it or leave it.

Ruffled Notebook Cover

2011-02-18T21:44:00.001-06:00

I decided I NEEDED a notebook covered in cute fabric to keep all my crazy lists. Plus they looked so cool online that I thought I might try it. I didn't follow anyones blog on how to do the notebook cover. I just decided I could measure like all the other tutorials out there on how to make a notebook or book cover. Plus I think this is a project I have done before back in the day. Anyway. I made the stripe one with the cute polka dot out of material from my stash. I thought I was pretty cool with the ruffle and the ribbon to close it and even a pen holder. BUT then I saw this post on making a ruffled table runner and I fell in LOVE!! I mean really that couldn't be that hard and I really thought I might have to try it again. And

WAL-LA! One of my friends had a birthday and I had the perfect opportunity to try out my technique and I LOVE the result. Don't you think it is cute?

Now to make another one - now that I've worked out all the kinks. I think Liberty would let me do one for her if I asked real nice. If she gives me some material I'll make one to match her fancy new purse, and maybe even do a tutorial. Really it doesn't take all that long, under an hour with minimal interruptions.

Valentine's Day fun

2011-02-14T22:49:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's day! I saw this idea on the Becky Higgins Blog awhile back and decided I wanted to do it. Especially since I have a baby with cute feet. I had to use my Picasa program to put it together instead of Photoshop since my computer is on the fritz. The paper in the background is from Persnickity Prints called vintage love. It turned out sooo cute. Here is another way I put it together.

Pretty fun to play with. I like it.

Here are a couple of Valentine's ideas that I have wanted to do with Liberty, but between the two of us we have been sick for over a month (different things and times that overlap.) So we (my kids and I) worked on these today. I think they turned out pretty cute.

This wood block idea was on Under my Umbrella, it was pretty easy and we wanted to try it out. Easy and Fun. Kirsten was pretty impressed.

This idea started with this post from Brown Paper Packages but I took it to a different level. I really love conversation hearts. And so this was the perfect blend of the project I saw and the idea in my head. I wanted mine to look like true conversation hearts. Now I wish I had made these earlier this month, but oh well. Life is just like that some days. I found the paper at JoAnn's it is a solid color with glitter on it.

Subway Art.....Personalized

2011-02-13T09:50:00.002-06:00

I made some cute personalized subway art for Valentines Day. I LOVE how it turned out. I am planning on changing the colors for each holiday. I made individual ones for my mom and mother-in-law. You can see them HERE.

Baby, Binkies and Blocks

2011-01-31T21:03:00.000-06:00

Okay now isn't she cute? She is modelling a valentine's day binkie clip that I can now cross off my TO DO list. I didn't just make one. You know they get dirty and also you can never have enough binkie's around. So I made 4.

Two have the same pattern on one side but a different matching pattern on the other. I found the tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew! My only change was I used a snap instead of the Velcro. I think it will stay together better, especially since Esther loves to pull it out occasionally.

I also test ran a pattern for baby blocks. I had some left over material that seemed perfect for baby blocks. Full of texture and different colors. Don't know if she likes them yet - the jury is still out. (Although Kirsten and Peter can be found playing with them.) There is a pretty good tutorial on Flickr by London mommy. I didn't really change anything on this except I made one with 4 inch squares and one with 5 inch. I'm not sure if it is my stuffing job or just the stuffing that makes them so round looking. I know that the black fabric is a bit stretchy. Oh, well my kids will play with them and probably never notice.

Nursing Cover

2011-01-24T21:34:00.004-06:00

I didn't re-design this. I followed a GREAT tutorial. LOVE how easy it was and how cute it turned out. You can find the tutorial HERE. I followed her directions exactly.

just add a little felt....

2011-01-18T19:51:00.002-06:00

I love before and after posts. I love to see the difference between what was and what could be. I wanted to change out my boring old candles so I made these super cute felt covered balls. They were so easy. {a little time consuming, but I've had a lot of time how with a sickie!} I love them. I was going to just use them for Valentines Day, but I might just leave them up all year round. The original idea and tutorial can be found HERE. I used the same idea and made Christmas trees at Christmas time {I guess I forgot to post them! oops.}.

Here are the Christmas trees...{found on my 365 blog here}

The TO DO List

2011-01-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

I'm a list maker, always have been, always will be. (It helps me not be so crazy.) My husband tolerates it, my kids aren't aware of it yet, and my mom and sisters always tease me about it. But it is just how I am. So, since I am wanting to check something off my never ending list that I put up in my last post - I made these. It was actually nice to get back into the craft room (no matter how messy it still is) and make something. I have been on a hiatus because of vacation, birthday and Joy School preparation. I spent a couple hours putting this together the other night and LOVE IT.

I thought of the idea after seeing Liberty's post on her Project 365 blog about her white board at Christmas. She had all her Christmas TO DO's listed and had checked almost all of them off (or maybe it was all of them.) Then I saw this POST at eighteen25 and remembered I had a couple of frames that I had picked up at our churches swap we have twice a year. I decided I didn't need to spend money on a white board when I had these perfectly good glass frames to work with. With a little fabric (from my stash), Ribbon (from my stash) and my Cricut machine I made these. This picture is pretty fuzzy - probably the diffuse light I was getting from the hidden sun and the angle I was taking the picture at. {This room is on the side of my house where you don't get that much sunlight.}

I used the cartridge Storybook for the lettering and the scrollwork behind it. The scroll work is number 7 with the Tall/Border option on. The letters are the standard using the shadow behind them. I think they turned out pretty cute. {I'm pretty embarrassed that my list are on there and you can see the number of things I want to do - but that is how I am.}

Here are some better pictures of the frames individually.

A New Year - Time for those Resolutions

2011-01-12T13:35:00.002-06:00

I have to admit, I do it every year. Make resolutions. I tried a couple of years ago to stop doing it, but it didn't work. I ended up starting my list- just later. It's like a drug. It makes you feel all excited and then over time it wears off. It's just going to happen ever year - I have to get over it.

So Liberty and I were talking about our goals and we have a similar goal in relation to our creative endeavors, IE, our never ending list of things we want to make. Our collective goal is to accomplish 2 or 3 unfinished projects before we can actually start a NEW project. So what do we have on that list???? Do you really want to know??? I don't want to keep you in suspense . . . BUT here is OUR short list.

To Do:

Finish our Nativities we started before Christmas

(needs to be sanded and fix glue in spots and maybe another coat of mod podge - and Liberty has to print hers out and do the above.)

Cut out and Paint wood nativity pieces like this one

Put paper and embellishments on our Easter wood letters we bought last year (do this by March)
Make one more wood project with 2x4's for Valentine's day
And to be truthful - here is the link to my vi.sulize account and to Liberty's for the never ending projects we would like to do - some day (not actually on our list yet - BUT SOON! We have to complete 2 or 3 of the above)

But to be fair, here is the short list of what I want to do and a picture of the new boards I am going to make all pretty for the to do list in my craft room. (I was just testing out how they worked before I did everything and didn't love how the pens wrote on them - or something like that.)

Amy's list in no particular order:

To Do list white boards (see above)
Diaper bag
Binkie clip
Print project 365 pics from end of 2010 and journaling from both 2009 and 2010
Make window covering for Study
Hem and put up Family room curtains
Peter's baby book
Christmas tree skirt
Advent calendar wall hanging
Make birthday and thank you cards
Hooded towels for upcoming babies at church
Clothes pin Picture/art hanger for kid's rooms
and on and on and on ( I have more but I'm a bit embarrassed to admit how many things are on my want to do list. Some have been on there a long time.)

"Santa" wrapping {note for next year}

2010-12-30T16:19:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know that Christmas is over. I CAN'T WAIT to get it all down and cleaned up! {that's the project for tomorrow}. I wanted to share an idea for "Santa" wrapping. Santa always wraps our presents, and he likes to use all the same paper! {The Santa Paper}. My son is 11 and is "pretty sure" that Santa is not real. {can you believe it?}. I always like to just label the gifts and usually just put a little initial on the bottom of the gift...but this year, I decided I would use my sticker letters to label each persons gifts. I love how it turned out...and there was no question what belonged to who!

Ever since I started digital scraping, I have to come up with ideas of how to use my ENTIRE room of Scrapbook Supplies.

And the Stockings were Hung . . .

2010-12-20T14:15:00.003-06:00

For those with out a fireplace mantel to put your stockings on, we have the perfect solution. A wooden sign with the cute saying . . . "the stockings were hung . . . " This was another project from our craft group last year. We did them in a variety of ways.

Like this one with stars above the nails. . .

Or you could add names . . .

Or this one with stars on the ends and a 3 foot board . . .

We had a lot of fun painting, sticking vinyl on our boards, sanding and banging those nails in. Hope they don't mind I posted some pictures of them hard at work. The boards were the same size as our Family Home Evening boards that we have made in the past and so they could hang them in the same place during December.

Creche Ornament Tutorial

2010-12-19T13:30:00.004-06:00

Creche Ornament Tutorial

This is a very simple ornament to make. It does require a glue gun and some paint brushes in addition to the items listed in THIS POST

I hope I took pictures of all the steps.

First paint half of the larger clothes pins one color (like blue or green) and the other half a second color (like red) Then paint all the small ones white. Cover the entire clothes pin with the paint.

White small clothes pins

Blue Large clothes pins

Then paint the stars yellow.

Next paint just the front part of the clothes pin on the two larger ones with a peachy skin color. (You do not need to paint the sides since they will be covered in fabric.)

Next paint the entire top (head) of the white small clothes pins.

With black paint and the end of something small - paint brush or pin - make eyes. Just two dots per head. Then add a touch of blush on the cheeks with a Q-tip or something like that.

Then add fabric to the Mary and Joseph, to cover their heads. (Sorry this picture is too small.) Just a thin 1/4 to 1/2 inch strip that is about 2 to 3 inches long. Do each head a separate color. I did red for Mary and tan for Joseph - because that is what I had on hand. I could be anything you have on hand that looks a little rustic.

Next glue Mary and Joseph together with hot glue, making sure Mary is just a little lower then Joseph.

Secure the star with hot glue

Then glue baby Jesus on top of the star.

Secure a piece of twine on the back with hot glue, making sure you put your tag on first (Not shown in this picture.)

Then enjoy your hard work and deliver to friends with your Christmas cards or how ever you want to do it.

More Neighbor or Friend gifts

2010-12-18T12:44:00.004-06:00

Some of these were made last year before we had our blog, but I had taken pictures because I was thinking about having a blog at the time (our one year is coming up soon - mmm, maybe we need to do something about our one year mark. I will have to think about that. )

But anyway here are a couple ideas with lists for what you need to make them. I will see if I can get that tutorial up for the Creche ornaments soon.

Enjoy!!

Believe Bells Ornament

(Not original to me - I copied Liberty from last year)

Items needed:

Bells (bought after Christmas for 75 or 80% off)

12 to 13 inches of Ribbon (50% off at Micheals)

Twine (purchased for an earlier project)

Tag (made in photoshop - says "The bell still rings for those who truly Believe. The Andersons 2010")

Edited to add a link to the tag (without my name and year on it.) It is a jpg file, I guess if you have Photoshop you could add your own name or you can just print it on cardstock and write your own name. Here is the link. Enjoy!!

Nativity/Creche Ornaments:
(Tutorial to come)
Large wood clothes pins and small clothes pins (found in the wood section at JoAnn's, Micheals or Hobby Lobby)
Wooden Stars (Same place)
Small pieces of checkered cloth (for head coverings)
Twine for hanger
Tag that says "For Unto us a child is Born"

2x4 Wood Peace, Love and Joy Blocks

2x4 cut at 4, 5 and 6 inches

Paint to match

Scrapbook paper

Vinyl cut on Cricut (Liberty can tell you which cartridge, if she remembers)

Beauty for less....

2010-12-17T00:16:00.000-06:00

A few dollar store ornaments, a vase from under the kitchen sink and some picks from Hobby Lobby {at 50% off}. A beautiful "mantle" aka top of the entertainment center.

Neighbor Gifts

2010-12-15T00:19:00.003-06:00

Here are two ideas {and printables so you can make your own} Merry Christmas from CraftsreDesigned. We love being able to share our craft ideas with you.

Give Soap {I got mine at Bath and Body on sale}

Tag says, "Wishing you a holiday season full of peace, joy and SOAP"

HERE is the printable for you, it's an 8 1/2 x 11 page, print on cardstock, cut out and tie to soap.

OR

Give Wrapping Paper {I got mine at Joann's at 60% off}

Tag says "We hope you are getting "wrapped up" in the spirit of the season."

The Printable is HERE.

Merry Christmas.

Just add wood....

2010-12-15T00:05:00.003-06:00

Amy and I got together on the weekend after Thanksgiving and made a few snowmen and trees. They turned out super cute and were very easy to make. We followed the directions HERE and HERE with just a few variations.

Our tree blocks are 3 1/2", 4 1/2", 5 1/2" and 6 1/2". the stem in just a scrap. and the star is from a template. Super easy.

The snowman blocks are 2-3", 4" and 5". The hat is a scrap that is 4" and a small piece on top that is 2 1/2" x 2". We just used some scrap board, pine or poplar would work. We used fabric to tie around his neck and scrapbook paper on the hat. I also added a heart button to the hat and you could add them for buttons down the front.

Happy Crafting!!!

Christmas is Here...

2010-12-14T23:58:00.003-06:00

I cut the material out for this in October....then it sat around until last week when I decided I was going to finish it....it's just too bad it shrunk a little funny. I might try to fix that a little. {just not right now!}

if you remember my tree skirt and stockings, you will remember that they all match! Love it!

Vinyl makes everything better.....

2010-12-14T23:52:00.003-06:00

I had a friend ask me to help with some vinyl...so because I was making her's, I decided to make me a few things. {made with Printing Press cartridge on the Cricut}

Amy cut me the wood for the Believe sign....and I got the metal sign at Hobby Lobby {at 50% off} it already had the white outline on the sign. LOVE how they turned out.

Jingle All the Way......

2010-11-30T12:23:00.005-06:00

I was asked to teach a class at the library...we are making Jingle Bell Wreaths. They are super easy and turned out super cute. I will give you a few instructions {but they are really self explanatory!}

Cut a piece of bailing wire {really thick wire} about 34" long. Make a hook at one end.

Buy 2 packages of 1" bells - {I got mine at Hobby Lobby}. You need about 50 bells.

Thread all the bells onto the wire. You will want to shake them a little to get them as close as possible. When you get to the end, make another hook and hook the two end pieces together. This is the hardest part, make sure you get it as tight as possible.

Make a pretty bow. Add to wreath and you are finished. You can also add a loop to hang the wreath from or hang it from a doorknob.

Give Thanks!!

2010-11-25T09:53:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful time of year! I am so grateful for the many things I have been given, especially my ability to create fun and beautiful things. I am grateful for fun children that keep me on my toes and a wonderful husband who provides for our family. I know I could go on and on but I thought I would keep it short and simple today.

I have been wanting to make this since I bought the vinyl last week, I finally had a minute to pull out my Cricut machine and make it. I used the cartridge Lyrical Letters since I love that cartridge. It also had the Thanks already together so I didn't have to link them. I put it on the back of my "Happy Haunting" block and so now I have a multiple use block - LOVE THAT!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving - my sister is traveling today to my house and so we are going to have our Thanksgiving dinner on BLACK FRIDAY - I hope that isn't too crazy. I never have a desire to go shopping on Black Friday so it doesn't matter to me what day we have it - just that I can spend it with family.

Don't wash your curtains!

2010-11-07T18:34:00.002-06:00

I was being very productive on Monday....I cleaned the house, did 7 loads of laundry, cleaned the storage room, organized...you name it, i did it.

As I moved into the kitchen, I vacuumed all the cobwebs off the walls {and no, there were not Halloween decorations}...then I thought I would take down the curtains and wash them....well, that turned into a whole new project.

This is what they looked like when I put them back up

Seriously, they shrunk like 6" off the floor. {I hemmed them when I bought them because they were WAY too long}

So, now what am I going to do? I'm not going to have my curtains 6" off the floor. I could add a border on the bottom, but it would look kind of dumb. Then it hit me. The perfect solution.

About a month ago I was at Hobby Lobby and they had a piece of upholstery fabric on clearance for $2/yard. I bought a yard. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. But now I know.

I cut the curtains about 10" down from the top and added this.....

The top and bottom borders are denim and the middle is the upholstery fabric I got at Hobby Lobby. I LOVE them! They are perfect and even cuter than they were before I washed them.

and now they touch the floor again!

One hat, two hat, pink hat, pumpkin hat???

2010-11-03T12:27:00.001-05:00

Here is the beautiful model wearing her pink hat. I have to say the nurses loved it and all wanted to know how to make one. Thanks Liberty for making her the star of the show!!!

Then for Halloween I pulled out this one.

Isn't my pumpkin so cute??? She was supposed to be dressed up as a little black cat but she never really liked the cat hat I had for her, but she didn't mind wearing this cute little number.

I have to say although I can make many things from fabric and yarn, I think this little girl is numbered among my most favorite creations. She is so sweet and everyone loves her from the minute they meet her. I'm glad that this creation is over and now on to dressing her up and making her one of the cutest little girls I know.

For the instructions on how to make them here is the post that Liberty put all the links in. Enjoy!!

New Bling!

2010-11-02T07:52:00.003-05:00

I've really been into making jewelry lately...it started with that darn bead store in Utah {that I totally love} and I've been hooked ever since....so here is my newest creations! I used chain between the beads and LOVE how it turned out! They are a bit "chunky" but I'm into that right now!

Baby in Pink

2010-10-31T19:38:00.004-05:00

Baby Esther arrived safe and sound, early Friday morning. {October 29th @ 4:28am, 7lbs 14 oz, 20 3/4" long}.

I couldn't wait to take this cute pink hat to her and take some pictures....unfortunately when I went the the hospital on Saturday, I forgot my camera. {we did take some on Amy's camera and I will get them when they get home.}

Congratulations to Amy and her family! I will have to do double duty for the next few months while she recovers! {shouldn't be a problem!}.

Originally found HERE....but Redesigned without the top and just used the same color yarn. The flower is on a clip so when the hat is too small, she can still use the flower.

The Last LINK

2010-10-28T15:54:00.005-05:00

It's always good when your child is happy with his Halloween costume. This was a special request for this year.

It turned out great and he is VERY happy with it.

Do you know who Link is?? {he's from the video game Zelda}.

I started with THIS pattern, I used the shape of the top without the points at the bottom. I cut it on the fold so there is no seam down the front. I used fleece so I wouldn't have to finish every edge. There are several different versions of Link, I used the simplest one I could find. he has a shirt under the green one that looks kindof like chain, so I added a "V" at the neck and on each of the sides to make it look layered with the chain fabric.

Then I used some leather like material and made a sword holder. {it doesn't work great, but it will work for a few nights!}. The sword is kind of heavy so it pulls the holder down.

I found this cute leather bag at Hobby Lobby and Tanner made it to go with his costume.

I used the hat from the same pattern. I used fleece with fusible interfacing. I just serged the edges inside, it worked perfectly. His only complaint is that I made him get his hair cut and now it's not long enough to look like Link. {sorry!}

....add some church pants, and a pair of boots from the thrift store and you get one HAPPY LINK!

Happy Halloween! Hope it's a GREAT weekend. Stay Safe!

It's never toooo late......

2010-10-26T17:17:00.003-05:00

to make more Halloween crafts. It's almost a whole week before the "big day" and I just finished a few last minute Halloween projects. {some of them have been on my list since last Halloween!}

First up....Halloween Wall Hanging. {I just couldn't have the fall tree on the wall with the cute spider table runner.} Enter NEW Halloween wall hanging. Super EASY! I made a spider web in the middle square

then sewed squares all around the middle one...and added tabs at the top. I was done in less than 2 hours. total.

and the back is just as cute as the front.

then I made some towels {with fabric I bought last year to make towels!}

and last, I made some SUPER cute black pails with googly eyes for my visiting teaching sisters and filled them with caramel corn {recipe found HERE}

Hope you all enjoy your week of Halloween festivities. I know we will!

Mini Fabric Pumpkins

2010-10-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

After making some more fabric pumpkins for our craft group class I figured I would make a couple of these cute pumpkins. They are not very big. I found the idea on Family Fun crafts. They are super easy and don't require much then a scrap of fabric, thread and a stick from outside. I think my circle I began with was about 9 or 10 inches. They turned out pretty cute. I haven't glued the sticks in yet but they seem to be holding. They used a plastic bag to fill the pumpkins but I chose to use the stuffing I used to make our pumpkins.

Do you like them? I sure do. Although I need to stop making pumpkins and fall decorations, I am running out of room to put them. I may have to look through what I have and get rid of some things. Oh, well, it is so much fun to make things like this.

Another easy blanket project

2010-10-18T15:55:00.000-05:00

I bought a remnant fabric at garage sale this summer. It was the really soft yellow and white fabric in this blanket. I then bought a remnant at JoAnn's of fleece of both white and yellow. Then the other night I thought. I want to make that blanket. (I have been sewing like a mad woman since this baby is coming in 2 weeks and I wanted to sew some Christmas presents before she comes.) This project was just one of those, "hey, I don't have anything hanging over my head projects and I want something easy." So I cut the fabric into 9 inch squares and then serged it together with the flatlock seam on my serger. It looks like this when you pull the fabrics apart.

I'm not sure if you can see how it looks but it is a really cool seam.

I then took that same stitch and ran it all around the blanket. I had to repair a couple of places with a zigzag stitch after it was all done but I have washed it and the seams are staying together. It is so soft, my daughter thinks it is hers and walked around with it for a couple of hours after I made it "petting" it over and over again. I hope that she can share it with her new sister. (She is 5 after all.)

I think I made it in less then an hour. It is another take on the rag quilts that Liberty loves to make. Except you don't have to clip any seams.

Here are a couple more pictures of it.

Cute {EASY} Magnets

2010-10-14T21:10:00.004-05:00

I had to come up with a cute {easy} project for the Beehive girls in our Stake {church girls 12-13}. My mom had a set of these super cute magnets in the Young Women value colors. We made them with about 30 girls. It was fun and super easy. {I forgot to take pictures that night, so I made some more and took pictures for you! You're welcome!}

First start with these marbles with flat bottoms. {I got them at hobby lobby in the floral department}

Then punch out any kind of paper....colored, patterned, flowers, anything you want...you could also use pictures instead of paper. {I used a 3/4" circle punch}

We then used this Glossy Accents glue {also from Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook adhesive isle}. I put a thin layer on the marble and then pressed it firmly onto the paper. Press down to get all the bubbles out and spread the glue evenly on paper.

Then put a thin layer of glue on the magnet and press onto the back of the marble. And that's it! Super EASY! Let dry for 15min-1hour. It dries really fast. We were able to let the girls take theirs home in about an hour.

I took mine home and sanded the extra paper off the bottom of the marbles...but I'm a little OCD.

You can make more in the value colors....or flowers or halloween....or stars...or a million like I did!

Baby Burp Cloths

2010-10-11T22:17:00.002-05:00

I am getting really close to having this baby. Actually unless she comes early I only have 18 days left until my scheduled c-section. So I have been doing a little bit of nesting. I really don't need cute burp cloths but I saw some on the web and decided that I would make some. I really should be finishing up other projects that I need to get done before she gets here but these are super easy and took just a little bit of time. It also used up some of my scraps and ribbon I have been collecting. I bought the cloth diapers at Walmart and then cut the fabric to cover the center section. Because I am lazy I just pinned on the fabric and then when I added the ribbon or ric rac I just sewed across both hoping I would catch the fabric underneath. I folded the ends in to make it look nicer and serged the edge under the ribbon to help it be more finished.

Here are some of the other ones I made. I just love some of the color combinations. Although I really loved my collection of brown, pink and white. (Please ignore that I didn't iron them before I took the picture. I figured I would probably have to wash them before I could use them and so what's the use of ironing them?)

Aren't they cute? I love that I have so many cute options when this baby spits up. Which if she is like her siblings we will need more then this set of 12. :(

Wooden Names By Amy's Sister Ariane

2010-10-08T21:01:00.001-05:00

I saw these on my sister's personal family blog and thought "I want to feature those on my craft blog." They are soooo cute, and will be wonderful for the kids rooms when they are able to get into their next home. Right now she is living with my mom while her husband finishes basic training. He will be done next week and she is coming to visit me after his graduation. I am super excited. But enough about me and my family.

Here is basically what she emailed me about how to make them:

Kate's I did with Modge Podge and just tore up pieces of paper and glued them on the letters. I found the letters at Michael's, already painted white, with the stands. Otto's I just cut out the letters in the paper and glued them on. Kate's flowers are just wound on the pegs and Otto's wooden truck and helicopter are glued on. I found the truck and helicopter at Michael's also and painted them myself. It was a really easy job. Took me about an hour once I started, minus the time drying. The kids love them.

I'm pretty lucky to have creative sisters. They always inspire me to want to try something new. Hope these cute name signs make you smile.

Beautiful Blessing Dress

2010-10-02T11:01:00.002-05:00

It's done (well almost). I need to find some buttons and serge the inside of the sleeves and then it is done. It has turned out so beautiful. I love it. I just can't take a picture to show you how beautiful it is. I have worked long and hard on this, hoping to get it done before the 1st of October and I'm proud to say except for a couple of last minute things it is done.

Here is a closer picture of the top.

I love the pintucks. They turned out perfect. I chose to move them closer together then in my original trial run. I ran the diagonal lines at 3/4 of an inch. The sleeves are just soo cute all puffy and fun. The lace just adds the finishing touch.

Here is a close up of the hem. I bought this lace at a garage sale and it is just so pretty. I love the 5 rows of pintuck that I added. It just gives it that finishing touch.

Can you tell I love it??? I am so proud of myself even more so since it isn't the day before she is being blessed. Here is the link to the original post if you want the pattern I used. I got my inspiration from Homemade by Jill for the pintuck.

FaLL{ing}

2010-09-29T20:43:00.003-05:00

Really....I do feel like I am falling.....farther and farther behind.....I've got to catch up.... I have hardly done anything "creative" this fall....

I did make this wreath this morning. I found the idea HERE.

Just to get your CREATIVE JUICES going....or maybe mine....I pulled out some of my projects from last year, and I thought I would share some cute fall decorating ideas.....First of all, get some vinyl. It's super easy to decorate with and very inexpensive! I cut mine out with my Cricut.

Trick-Or-Treat Blocks {Designed my me} Using 2x4 Scraps and Scrapbook paper

Next you can make a "Happy Haunting" sign...From www.writings-onthewall.com again with scrap 2x4's. {don't ever throw out your scraps!!}

Then you can add cute spiders to your walls.....

Or, if you want more wood....make pumpkins out of 4x4 fence posts.... Just paint orange and attach stems {branches} and raffia. Super fast and easy.

And, if you are feeling very adventurous....and want to sew here are a few sewing projects....

Fabric Pumpkins found at THE IDEA ROOM

Or a Halloween Table runner....{tutorial found HERE}

Or maybe a cute fall wall hanging....

Hope you have been inspired to use your creativity!!!

...baby tutu...

2010-09-15T21:43:00.002-05:00

I could just eat this little one up. She is a DOLL. While I was in Utah, we made her this tutu for her 1st birthday party. The theme is Mickey Mouse. We used red, white and black tulle, ribbon and elastic. I followed this tutorial from the Idea Room and added the yellow ribbon by weaving it through the tulle around the elastic.

Seriously, look at those little legs. Oh so cute!

And of course, she needed a bow for her hair. Such a cute little princess, all ready for her party. {too bad she has to wait until November!}

The long awaited Onesie Dress Tutorial

2010-09-08T19:49:00.002-05:00

So here is my Tutorial. I have not been feeling myself the last week or so and have not felt up to sitting at the computer and writing up this tutorial.

It all started with this find at the local thrift store. It was soooo cute and I bought it saying - I CAN MAKE THIS. At the time I had not seen a tutorial for it but since then I have done a little research and have found similar ones. Most put the skirt up really high and don't have the cute applique.

Enough about the inspiration. I measured and figured out what you would need to make it. After I got it all done I realized one thing that I will mention at the end, that might make it not work on a chubby baby.

TO BEGIN: (I made this using a 0-3 month onesie, so you may want to lengthen the skirt for a bigger size)

Materials:
Onesie - size 0-3 month

Skirt material - 5 1/2 inches by WOF (width of fabric = 44-45 inches)

Ruffle Material -Three pieces 1 1/2 - 2 inches by WOF (total about 120 inches)

Applique - Left over material

Wonder under or Heat n Bond

Stabilizer

Instructions:

First off you have to choose what you want to applique on the front. I went to my photoshop files and some of the fonts I have that have images rather then letters and looked through them. I choose a handful since I couldn't choose just one at the time. Plus I have my cute daughter that likes to think I let her make all the choices. So here are some of the things I found.

My daughter wanted the cute butterfly or the lady bugs but I really like the cute flower in the lower right corner, I made the circle about 3 inches and used the other flower since I didn't feel like sewing around the cute flower in the center. I took out the heart and used just a plain circle. I traced them on to my Heat n Bond and cut them out before ironing. You could just cut around them and iron them on to the fabric. It is personal preference. If you are doing any letters, remember it will be backwards when you iron it on.

I chose 3 scraps and ironed the heat n bond on to it and then cut them out. (see why I think it might be better to do it by just cutting out after - I don't always think things through.)

Once you decide about where you want them, iron on to the onesie. If you want you can iron each piece to the next piece if you don't take the backing off first. I opted to just put them all on there and iron all the pieces together. I guess it could have moved and so to be safe maybe just do each piece by itself. Unless you are only putting on one piece.

Next you need to stitch around the applique. First I find it best to put a stabilizer behind my applique. It helps the stitches not bunch and the whole thing to go more smoothly. There are many different kinds, the one I use you can pull off after you are done, some wash out after one use. Second about the stitch, I find that a satin stitch - which is a zigzag that has a very small length works best. My machine has a specific stitch that is designed to do this. You may want to play around with your stitch. In cases like this I also decrease the width to about half so that it looks nice. I decided to do it all in pink. You could do the brown pieces in brown or the pink flower outline in brown. I also used a rayon based thread that has a bit of shine to it. Doesn't it look cute?

Don't look too close. My stitches aren't perfect. I think it is the combination of the knit and the cotton.

On to the construction of the skirt.

Pick up your 3 pieces of the ruffle and sew together the short edges. I used my serger because I like the finished edge on my seams.

Next I serge on one edge and then do a rolled hem on the other.

I serge the edge that I am going to ruffle so I don't have to deal with serging when I am finished or any fraying as I am trying to gather up the ruffle. If you don't have a serger you will want to do a narrow hem on the finished edge of the ruffle. In that case you may want to use a 2 inch ruffle rather then a 1 1/2 inch.

Take your skirt material and sew together the short edges to make it all one piece. Again I serged both edges to finish the edge. ( you can see that better in the next picture.)

Now run 2 long straight stitches for your gathering of the skirt. I do two so that in case one breaks I don't have to start over again. I also find about 1/2 way and stop and start again. I would rather do it that way then try and gather the entire width of the skirt. It is your preference. Do not gather at this time. We will do that later.

Next we will gather the pink ruffle that will be added to this piece. Because of the length of the fabric I use a little different technique to gather the 120 + inches. I actually use a thicker cotton yarn/thread and a zigzag stitch. Here is the yarn I use.

The technique is pretty simple. You begin by placing the yarn under and over your presser foot (see next picture). Trying to keep it in the middle of the zigzag is the key. My foot has a handy divot in it that makes it easy to keep it in the right place. Then you zigzag the entire ruffle length. Do not stop in the middle like I suggested on the skirt.

Then you will need to attach the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt. I always attach the two pieces before I start pulling on the gathering. I pin at half and then half again over the entire piece. It makes it easier once you start gathering the ruffles and makes it look more even.

Here is a picture of what I am trying to explain, but I don't think it makes any more sense.

Find the middle of your ruffle and the middle of your skirt and match together. Do it again so you don't have too big of gaps in between. Then pull on the yarn/thread you used to gather the ruffle in. Adjust around so that it looks even.

Then pin in between the pins you already have holding on the ruffle. It just makes it easier to keep all the cute ruffly ruffle together while you sew. Then sew about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge. Making sure that you are catching both layers. I think I usually go about 1/2 inch but I usually just go along the outside of my original gather so I don't have to unpick the gathering stitches when I am done. (Now you can see why I serged both of the pieces before I put this together. I really don't love serging over ruffles or taking the chance that something might get cut with my serger blade. It is just easier and has a finished edge.) If you have not serged then you should probably sew a zigzag along the edge to finish this edge.

This is where my mother (who does read this blog occasionally) would say - you need to iron this part. Uhm, I was so excited to get to this part that I forgot, but Mom is right and I should have ironed mainly to makes sure that my seam was straight when I started the next stitch. (LOVE YA MOM) Now we need to top stitch along the edge about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (basically catching the ruffle underneath

See how it looks behind where I am sewing in this next picture?

This will hold the ruffle down and not let it go flipping up. And it adds that extra touch you see in the store bought items. (That is one of the other things my mother taught me, do the finishing touches and it looks so much better. I am a firm believer in this one. This is what makes my stuff almost look store bought and gives it those loving touches.) Details, details, details. Don't just throw it together, but make sure you do the details and then not only others will love it, but you will too. (Sorry - I'll get off my soap box)

Now we need to determine where we want the placement of the skirt. I drew a line on the onesie and also marked the center (and on the back center) to let me know where to place the seam of the skirt.

I kind of eyeballed this by putting my unfinished skirt at this level and saw if it was going to go below the snaps in the front. I figured it would cover the bum pretty good. Plus it is going on a new baby and she probably won't be getting out and showing her bum too much. Plus you have the onesie there underneath like all babies do to cover those ugly diapers. I also looked back at my original one and saw that it was above the sides about 3 inches or so. Either way it is going to look cute. The ones I have seen online have put it a lot higher and those looked way cute too.

SO here is where I am in a pickle. The next part I did the whole gather thing and pinned it to the onesie (I forgot to take pictures - I was so excited I was almost finished) and then sewed it with a very small zigzag stitch on my machine that is designed to be used with knits to keep them from stretching too much and breaking. But I'm not too impressed with this. I know this is going on my newborn, but if I were giving it to someone else I would be worried that by the time I got it to them it wouldn't fit their baby is she was at all chubby. So I have done some research and you can decide what you would do. I think I would do a larger zigzag to attach the skirt to the onesie. One tutorial by barefoot in the kitchen uses an elastic (in step 8) to help it to stretch. and then sews the skirt on with a zigzag stitch. In Cut Out and Keep she does much the same but uses the size of the onesie as her guide for the elastic in step 4. I think my method might work better if I used a larger zigzag so that the fabric and onesie stretched together with out that popping sound. You may chose to do it how you want. Lila Tueller Designs put that elastic "thread" in her bobbin and gathered it that way (see her tutorial in step 5). That might be the way I try it next time.

But then you are done!!! Put it on a cute little girl (which I can't wait to do in a month and half) and see how cute she looks.

Here are some pictures of closeups and the final product.

Baby legs

2010-08-31T16:08:00.001-05:00

Aren't these soooo cute? These are one of the fastest and easiest things to make. I think it took me all of 15 minutes to make them and probably included an interruption from my daughter or son. I found a link from Homemade by Jill to a link on Flickr that is now not working. It showed you how to make these adorable baby legs. I hope the link comes back up so that others can make them. If not, then maybe the next time I make some (and you know I will) I will create a tutorial so others can make them. Really there is probably a hundred tutorials out there for them. Maybe I will do a bit of research and add the links here I find.
Here is Little Birdie's Nest, she did it exactly how I did it. It is soooo easy!!! Here is another one I might have to try at Calico that makes it have a cute ruffled edge . . . mmmm. . . so many ideas and so little time.

Just as a teaser, I have figured out how to make this adorable onesie with a skirt. I have all the pictures uploaded but now I have to create the tutorial and that takes a lot more time then it did to make it.

In full bloom...still...

2010-08-23T08:20:00.004-05:00

I've seen these flowers and flower headbands EVERYWHERE in blogland...find a tutorial HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. {and a million more if you want them}. I've been wanting to make me some, but I have had so much to catch up on....Saturday night I finally took a few hours and spent some time making some for me. {it was really fun, and super easy}. Most of them don't require ANY sewing {for those of you that keep telling me you can't sew}...so grab your hot glue gun, some cute fabric and make some for yourself. {and when you do, post them to our flickr group, we would love to see what you are making}.

I decided to combine the above tutorials and use velcro, so I only made 3 headbands...and LOTS of flowers that can be interchanged!

Here is my 365 picture from yesterday, so you can see how they look in my hair. {not quite as much like a 12 year old....maybe?}

The Elastic Waist Skirt

2010-08-22T18:01:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to post this skirt. It was one of the easiest skirts I have ever made. The Young Women in our church want to learn how to sew a skirt and have asked me and a handful of other people to help them to make these skirts. So since I was going to be showing how to make it, I thought - perfect opportunity to make one for Kirsten. Of course she is always happy to get a new skirt and especially if it is pink. I used this same material that I made the artist smock from. I saw one on Adventures in Dressmaking that actually lead me to the site Freshly Picked that has both a tuturial for a chld's skirt and the mama version. I basically followed the directions with a couple of exceptions. I did a rolled hem on the bottome edge, I gathered the skirt before adding it to the elastic and I added the cute ric rak because it was there and so dang cute. I think I finished the whole thing - including cutting time in 45 minutes. And that was with the thread changing and decisions on the ric rak.

I used 2 inch wide elastic (20 inches) the size of Kirsten's waist plus an inch

11 inch by 45 inches for the skirt (length from waist to Kirsten's knee.)

Of course if you are going to make it you would measure your child and buy the fabric and elastic accordingly. I found the elastic in the elastic section of JoAnn's and they have a 2 1/2 and 3 inch I believe, that would work better for a teanager or an adult. I would guess based on Adventures in Dressmaking's measurements that 3/4 of a yard would work for most adults and possbily 1/2 yard for a teanager. You would have to measure from your waist to the knee and find a measurement that is close. I would probably add 1 to 2 inches for the gathering and the hem just to be safe. You can always cut off if it is too long.

Since I wasn't crunched for time yesterday I made a bow. I have been using the same bow instructions I found on Tip Junkie but this time I did a rolled serger hem and added the ric rak just for fun. I use about 1 1/2 inches of fabric by the width of the fabric (about 45 inches) to make this kind of bow.

Child's Artist Smock

2010-08-21T15:30:00.002-05:00

I have been in a crafting mood lately and have been making things for the last couple of days. I realized on Thursday that I needed a smock (or old shirt) for Kirsten for Kindergarten. I opted to make a cute artist smock. I found it at Sew Mama Sew and thought it would be fun to make. I had an old valance that I bought at the thrift store awhile back for less then a dollar that I pulled apart and used the material. I think if I were to make it again I would use a little bit thicker material or double up, but hindsight is always 20/20. Since Peter is starting Joy School with some friends and needed a smock of some sort. I pulled out some material I had also bought at the same time for less then a dollar and made him one too. It cost me more for the bias tape to go around each one. The pattern is made from an old t-shirt as the base. Sew Mama does a good job of teaching you how to make your own pattern and I think they turned out pretty cute. Peter's is almost the same size and it seems to have more coverage. I think I would make Kirsten's a little longer. Now Kirsten will be the cutest girl in her Kindergarten class when they go to paint. Now I just have to figure out how to put her name on it . . .

Did you notice we added a flicker slide show? We just wanted to add some of the projects that we repeat over and over again and not bore you with pictures of yet another totebag or apron, etc. Although I'm still thinking about adding my MONGO HUGE tote bag I made for going to the beach or the pool. I will consider it if you are interested in knowing how to make it.

Crocheted baby blanket

2010-08-17T10:59:00.000-05:00

I began this baby blanket when I was first pregnant. I was put on modified bed rest and so I found myself often sitting around with nothing to do. I like to do things with my hands while I am either watching TV or when I am outside watching my kids. So began this project. I hoped that I would get it done before the baby was born and last Friday I finished it. It was a very simple pattern. That is one of the qualifiers for crocheting for me. I need a simple pattern that doesn't require me to count, keep track of where I am or have any major things that will be all mixed up when a child decides to distract me or I put it down for "just a minute" and return 3 weeks later.

I found this wonderful website Lion Brand Yarn and used a pattern similar to this one. It used only one Pound of Love Yarn ball. It was an easy pattern and I loved the simplicity of the v-stitch. I love this website because you can find all kinds of patterns that any skill level can do. You just look for your skill level, crochet or knit and what you want to make. They have tons of patterns.

Here are some close ups of the edges.

I need a baby to show you the size. Mine ended up being about 42 by 50 inches but I never pay attention to how many rows I am supposed to make. I actually ended up using a different yarn to finish the edge because of it. It isn't noticeable but I guess it would help if I didn't try and just finish the ball of yarn I had and pay attention to how many rows I needed.

AND the winner is.....

2010-08-10T20:46:00.002-05:00

The Morris Family....WAHOOO!!!!
{beware Amber and Karri are going to be mad at you!}

Make sure you email me with your current address!!! {I don't know if I have the right one!}

Wood Family Blocks Tutorial

2010-08-10T07:39:00.001-05:00

What you will need:

4x4 fence post cut in 3 1/2 inch lengths (or to make them like a cube)
8 different pictures
8-16 papers cut to3 1/2 x 3 1/2
mod podge
sand paper
vinyl letters or stickers or something to make the words with.

I have had these block finished for months. I just kept forgetting to post about them. Last fall we did a project using fence post blocks (4x4). At that time I thought it might be fun to make the blocks as decoration for my home. Then life happened and I got the blocks cut.

Then they sat in my craft room for awhile and I didn't get back to them. Then I decided I wanted to work on them and so I had to figure out what pictures I was going to use. I decided to go with Sepia tones. I used Photoshop to make them into 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 size pictures and so they would have a similar look to them.

I sent them to Sam's club to be printed. I left some extra parts of the pictures on the ones I wasn't absolutely sure where I would crop them. Then I cropped them down to the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch size with my paper trimmer.

Next I cut paper down to the same size. For this project I needed 8 pictures and 16 cut pieces of paper. I did duplicate quite a few but you have to make sure they don't end up on the same side when you glue it all together.

I rounded the corners on the pictures and the papers, then set aside what was going to go on each block.

I then just mod podged the papers on the sides of each block. Remembering to put the pictures on opposite sides of each other and then making sure that the vinyl lettering I needed would show up on the papers. Then sand the edges to the desired look.

I added the vinyl letters to the side to say HOME and LOVE. My daughter loves to play with them and was more then willing to demonstrate the four sides that we did.

It does take a little thought process to make sure you end up with the pictures and papers on the right sides. I did have to sand one of the pictures and a couple of the pages off since I spaced it and made it so there where two Kirsten's on the same side. After I was finished I did another layer of mod podge to protect everything and here they are.

I did it....and a giveaway!!!

2010-08-07T08:17:00.003-05:00

As I've said before, I just started sewing a little over a year ago....and I haven't been brave enough to make anything I can wear....BUT I got this baby for my birthday......and wanted to try a skirt. {I know it's not hard}.

I used this pattern....

...and in less than an hour....I had this CUTE skirt. {really, it was SO fast}. I did a rolled hem at the bottom and let it ruffle, it's so light. I love it!!!

so then I decided to make a pair of pants...I used an old table cloth I got at Salvation Army for $1 and cut it all up. They turned out ok....not as great as the skirt. Next time I will adjust the pattern a little bit, but that is why I was practicing on an old table cloth!!!! {don't you just love that hot pink?} I also did a rolled hem on the bottom and let them ruffle a little.

And because I was having SO much fun....I made this cute apron from a $2 panel I got at Hobby Lobby. It was so fast and easy and I am LOVING my new serger! I can't wait to come up with more projects to use it on!!!

AND....the GIVEAWAY.....

Like this cute apron? Leave us a comment and it could be yours. YEP, that's all you have to do, just leave a comment. I'll pick a random winner on Tuesday August 10th!

Happy Sewing!

Another bag? ! ? . . . . let's call it a purse

2010-08-04T14:46:00.002-05:00

I finally made my own purse. I bought the fabric months ago . . . I think I bought it back in February. It is the same fabric I used on my Spring Wall Hanging . I fell in love with it and decided I was going to make a bag for myself. Then life happened . . . 1st trimester sluggishness . . . birthday presents to make . . . other projects to make . . . LIFE. I also wanted to wait until Liberty had figured out all the bugs in the pattern we had been using. The bag turned out marvelous. I used Liberty's hand bag tutorial as the basis for what I made. I made the bag 20 inches wide (it is huge - but I'm going to need it with a baby on the way) and each of the pieces to make the front of the bag is 8 inches tall. I decided also to conquer my fear of zippers and try a zipper pocket.

I looked online and found a bunch of different tutorials. But this is the one I found to be the easiest at Sew Mama Sew. I took the old zipper out of my purse that was dying and put it in here (that is why it is pink). I was quite impressed with how easy it was and quickly it came together. I LOVE having it in my purse. I always hate not having a zippered pocket for those things we like to hide. Of course I made a million other pockets for things I don't really want to have floating around the bottom of my purse.

After I got done making this I decided to make a gathered clutch. I used the tutorial on Noodlehead to make a matching clutch. I made it really simple and instead of making the cardholder and divider I just added a simple one card pocket. I'm not going to use it for a wallet, just to hold items that I don't want wandering around the bottom of my bag. Like JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Kohl's coupons.

I still have some left over fabric . . . ummmm . . . what can I make???? A key fob, a matching diaper holder, a cover for my calendar. . . . the possibilities are endless. But is that a bit to much matchy-matchy???

Summer dress fix

2010-08-02T08:57:00.000-05:00

So I bought these two dresses at Kohl's on their clearance rack for $10 each. I knew they might be a little short once I washed them. They are cotton knit and I loved the style. I actually bought another shirt that has the same elastic gathering in the middle. One washing and they started running a little short. I saw on Make it and Love it where she added on a ruffle and I thought. I can do that. So went to the store and bought material to add to both. So far I have only got the green one done but I have the material to make the other.

I added a 6 inch ruffle on the bottom.

And a little piece at the top to keep things from showing on the top.

I love this dress. It is my best GO TO dress for summer. It is so comfy and anything that doesn't bind around my ever growing tummy is wonderful. I think I spent maybe $2 or 3 on the additional fabric and with my serger I added this really quick. I just need to switch the thread on my serger to white and then I can finish the orange one before the summer is over.

Before (pretend it is green)

After

Neck Coolers

2010-07-24T09:21:00.004-05:00

I found this idea on "Little Birdie Secrets" {follow the link for all the instructions!} and thought....since I am leaving for girls camp on Monday morning...and our heat index yesterday was 105 degrees....maybe I should make some for me and my other leader friends. {because you know, I have nothing else on my list to do}.

I have a tenancy to continue thinking of people who I could make them for...and instead of making 2...I have to make 12. They were super easy...and I was able to get them all done in just a couple hours. I also found the ice crystals at Michael's Crafts.

They are just sitting in the fridge...waiting to go to camp. Now if I can just get everything else ready!

Tiny Tie Onesie

2010-07-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

I've seen these ALL over crafting cyberspace and I didn't really do anything different! They are super cute and EASY. I follow THIS tutorial from Crap I've Made! {and she even includes the pattern}. I did reduce the pattern about 60% and made them on 3-6 month onesies. They are soooo cute when they are that little.

If you're having a boy {and that's about 1/2 of my friends right now} you are probably gonna get some of these cute onesies {so pretend you're surprised when you open them!}.

More Activity Bags...and Pattern information

2010-07-19T11:25:00.003-05:00

I made a few more of these fun activity bags and thought I would included the pattern pieces for your information. The bags go together very similar to this tote bag tutorial, except the pockets are on the outside {instead of inside} of the bag. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures, I know Amy is making one so I will have her take pictures as she goes and we will add them later. Please contact one of us is you are confused.

MAIN BAG FABRIC: {half of the outside will be covered with the pockets}

CUT 2 - 13"x14" for main bag
CUT 2 - 13"x14" for inside lining
CUT 2 - 13x14" Fleece to line bag

CUT 4 - 14"x4" - for sides {2 are lining}
CUT 2 - 13"x4" - for bottom {1 is lining}

OUTSIDE POCKETS

CUT 4 - 13"x7" for pockets {2 of these can be lining fabric}
CUT 2 - 13"x2" for top of pockets
CUT 4 - 4"x7" for side pockets (two of these can be lining fabric}
CUT 2 - 4"x2" for top of side pockets
OPTIONAL: Line outside pockets with thin flannel for more stability, if desired cut 2-13"x7" and 2-4"x7" of flannel.

HANDLES

CUT 2 - 24" x 6" for handles
CUT 2 - 24"x 2" FLEECE to line handles

OPTIONAL: I included a pocket inside from scraps that were left over. Mine was about 6"x5".

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of the process....I was trying to hurry so fast, I forgot to take any. We will add them as soon as possible, but here are a couple of finished bags.

Pretty Pillowcase Dresses....

2010-07-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

I've seen several ideas and patterns out there for "pillowcase" dresses and I thought it was something I could use to venture into sewing actual clothing {instead of just crafts}. I used this pattern I found online and mostly followed the original pattern. The only exception is that I didn't make a piece of bias fabric for the top, I added 2" to the top of the dress when I was cutting it out and just folded it over into a casing. It worked great.

They were super easy and fun to make.

A Shrug for Me

2010-07-06T11:10:00.002-05:00

I have decided that as much as I would love to be able to design and create things without a pattern, that I cannot make clothing without a pattern. I just feel like I am more comfortable making clothing straight from a pattern rather then trying to figure it out from another article of clothing or just straight from my head. I read other blogs and think - oh, I can do that - and then I look at the material and think - NO YOU CAN'T. (If you show me a craft project I would be able to figure it out, but not clothes - I think it is a mind block.)

I normally don't sew for myself because I just don't feel like I make things and that they fit right. I always think they look homemade and I guess after years of hiding behind my fear I have begun to venture out into that realm of the "making" your own clothes. I will confess it comes from the fact that for years I think it wasn't cool to make your own clothes or to sew. Now it is the COOL thing to do and I have been sewing things for years and now it is soooo cool to do. I am glad it is that way and hope it stays that way. I think there is a quote "Necessity is the mother of invention". (I am always quoting things wrong, but I think that is what the quote says.) So of necessity I have created something.

I bought an outfit from the thrift store a couple of months ago. I was looking for maternity wear and found a shirt and skirt combination that I loved. Only problem is that the shirt is a tank. Because I HATE what my upper arms look like and other reasons I don't need to go into here, I needed a way to adapt the top. I have looked at many things online and wondered about how to make the top work. Finally the other day at JoAnn's I was looking through patterns {McCalls were 99 cents}, I found this shrug pattern.

It was perfect. I loved the view with the tie in the front. It was perfect and would cover up the ugly upper arms and not be too hot. So I bought some knit fabric that was similar in feel and look to the top and went home hoping that I could make this. The fabric ended up only being about $2 after I got 40% off of it. I thought - I can try it and if it works then wal-la I will have a fix for my outfit, and if it doesn't work - I can just throw it out.

After two days of off and on again sewing, and fighting with my new serger. I was about ready to throw the serger out the 2nd story window. But alas - my serger and I have reconciled and we are now on speaking terms again after it made the marvelous hem with the coverstitch. It looks just like the inside of your t-shirt hem and it stretches just right. Here is an example of what it looks like on white fabric {so you can see what it looks like.}

(don't mind the top stitching on the first picture - that was before I figured out where I forgot to thread my serger.)

I finished the edges with this stitch and I am sooo happy with the results. I really love how it looks and think it will become one of my favorites. Now I just need to figure out what to use the pattern for next.

Here is the finished product.

A sneak peak

2010-07-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

I have started working on making a blessing dress for my baby that is due the end of November. I saw this cute idea on homemade by jill and kept it in the back of my mind that if I were to have a girl, I would make a blessing dress with this cute pintuck design. So I bought a remnant to try it out on and now I am excited to make the cute dress for my baby girl. I will post pictures when I finish. (I have to wait to use my 50% off coupon to buy the fabric since it isn't cheap, so it might be awhile.)

FLAG blocks

2010-06-30T18:26:00.001-05:00

We made these super easy flags out of 2x4's. We found the idea at How does she? and we both fell in love with it. We mostly followed Alison's tutorial, except we omitted the vinyl letters and ribbon and did 4 little stars instead of one big one. LOVE how they turned out. We made our paper match our USA Blocks so they could go together in the same room. Super EASY fun 4th of July craft.

USA Blocks Tutorial

2010-06-13T19:26:00.002-05:00

Liberty and I are part of a craft and sewing group - actually we are the head ring leaders. We are just crazy enough to put this all together. This month is our craft month and we are doing these way cute block letters for the upcoming holidays. I thought today was the perfect day to post this since tomorrow is FLAG DAY.

I have all the pictures for the steps to make these - although you could probably find how to make them all throughout the blog craft world. But I will attempt to put together a tutorial of sorts.

What you need:

5 blocks cut from 2x4 at 3 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches(width of board) I cut these myself so I don't know how much or if they would cut them at the depot or lowes.
white acrylic paint
mod podge
vinyl letters or paper letters - cut from a cricut machine
red and blue scrapbooking papers
embellishments to make them cute - bling, buttons, stickers, etc
sandpaper, paint brushes, newspaper to protect area

Mine are a little different and are what the tutorial is made from. So as to not confuse you - here is the picture of mine.

(Isn't my husband funny - he noticed that my blocks weren't exactly even and so he couldn't just put the stars on top normal.)

To begin after the blocks are cut and sanded real good. You need to paint the blocks - I white washed mine to give them a more rustic look.

Next I cut the paper to just a little bit smaller then the block and mod podged them on.

The next step is to sand the edges of the paper and the blocks to the desired amount you want of distressing. Liberty likes hers really roughed up and I am a little bit more conservative.

After that, sit back and enjoy your work.

Next add on the vinyl letters and stars.

Then you can embellish to your hearts content. Liberty had these great rhinestone/bling red dots that we put on the stars. We also added the buttons and stickers. It is an easy project and we know that our friends in our craft group will enjoy making them.

Ruffly Shirt

2010-06-11T16:31:00.002-05:00

I like wearing t-shirts, but I don't like to look like I'm in a plain old t-shirt...so I LOVE these tutorials from Made by Lex. {she has lots of other good ones!} I just used a t-shirt that already fit...so I didn't have to cut it down. I wanted to end up with 2 shirts, bought 3 pink shirts and used the extra 3rd one to cut up and add the ruffles to the other two.

I used some of the strips {about 1 1/2" wide} and made rosettes for the front of the shirt. Just ruffle up the strip a little {see below} and then start in the middle and roll up your rosette. Don't make it too tight, or it won't lay flat on the shirt. I sewed on the "hearts" first and then hand stitched the rosettes in place.

{the little circle in the middle is the trim from the other shirt, I just rolled it up and hand stitched it together}

Ruffle Camera Strap

2010-06-09T17:54:00.003-05:00

I wanted a red, white and blue summer strap...and I saw this cute idea HERE. Then I saw that this is June's "Craft with Me" project at U-Create. So here is my super cute camera strap. I don't use the old hardware, I use these straps and just square off the ends and add ribbon. ENJOY!

And if you make one, make sure you email a picture to ucreatecrafts at gmail dot com!

Flannel Raq Quilt

2010-05-30T21:35:00.004-05:00

Last year our church did a service project to make quilts for several different organizations...and so began my OBSESSION with sewing. {making these rag quilts was the first sewing I've ever done}.

Since that time I have made dozen's of these rag quilts. {all shapes and sizes}. These are the best instructions I have found online. You can find some measurement information h ere.

Here are just a few of the quilts I have made. I just finished this purple one.....

here are a few others.....

Thanks Amy for getting me into this OBSESSION!!!!! {I really do LOVE it!}

Flag Wall Hangings and Wreaths

2010-05-22T11:32:00.005-05:00

In celebration of Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July and SUMMER we have created our latest wall hangings. Since we did exactly the same pattern we decided to join our pictures together and show you how excited we are that we have them done. These wall hangings are ragged and we found the pattern in the Sew Easy Rag Quilting Book, the pattern is Allegiance. It took us each a couple of hours to finish since there are not too many pieces. We redesigned the pattern to drop off the extra edges and also to just use a regular star shape we took off the computer. We also added Warm and Natural to give it a little more poofiness {is that a word?} The effect is amazing. Liberty's has dark blue, red and cream and Amy's has blue, red and white.

Of course when we were done we had leftover scraps that made a wonderful star door hanging. It took some fiddling with the hanger or hangers (in Liberty's case) to get them to stay together. We didn't tie it the same as our other two wreaths. I (AMY) did the whole thing the last way and when I got done it looked just like my other two wreaths and not at all like the star I had formed. After removing all of the pieces and starting over I figured out if you tied them by pulling the ends through the loop it made it so there was definition and you could see the star. I'm not sure if that makes any sense but if you are interested please leave a comment and I can try and explain or do a demonstration.

Activity Bag

2010-05-19T14:38:00.003-05:00

I made this for an older boy {mine is 11}...and finding fabric was a little tricky, they don't make much for older boys.

I used the idea from Moda Bake Shop and re-designed my bag for an older boy. I used the same basic idea as this tote bag tutorial {minus the ruffle} and added the marker/colored pencil slots on the outside of the bag. I made the pencil slots 3/4" on one side and 1" on the other side. I wanted colored pencils to fit nice and snug and not fall out. The sides are also pockets, so the pockets on the outside go all the way around. There is one small pocket on the inside, just a left over scrap piece.

I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Teacher gifts - pretty aprons

2010-05-15T20:50:00.000-05:00

I have been busy the last couple of weeks with sewing projects. Although I haven't been posting all of them because I haven't had time. We have also had a lot of rainstorms which make for pretty crappy pictures and so I wait for a sunny or not so cloudy or windy day to take pictures.

I made these last week for my daughter's preschool teachers. I have really appreciated all the hard work they do for her and the other kids in her class. So I decided to do something fun for them and maybe a bit different then most mom's might do. I know I have this cute butterfly fabric that I have used for other projects and so I cut out some aprons using Liberty's instructions. I made them with different fabrics so if they choose to wear them at school they won't be exactly the same color. My daughter got to pick what fabrics went to which teacher. Pink for Mrs. M. and Purple for Mrs. W. Hopefully they will enjoy them and know of our appreciation for all their work.