Saturday, November 27, 2010

Monster Crew

My Crazies saw some 'Monster Dolls' online while I was cruising around and decided to design their own.  They were very specific.  Skater boy wanted a crazy monster while Diva wanted a square, princess monster.  I did learn that sewing with T-shirt material was a pain for me, of course there is probably some trick to it that I don't know yet.  The square one was much quicker.  I pretty much did the same thing I did for Little Miss M's owl in my previous post.  Here's how they turned out.  I am going to make one for my nephew's birthday next.  What do you think?
 


We decided she was missing something and added her cute mouth.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving All! 

I had so many plans and projects I wanted to have ready for today.  I had crafts for the kids to do for our table, a runner I wanted to make, etc...It just didn't get done.  I realized quickly that my kids were tired and just needed a break this week.  I understand, between school and homework, the activities during the week, everyone could use some downtime.  This is also the 1st Thanksgiving we have spent home this year doing our own thing and I'm not sure we know what we want to do yet.  I would love to have all these traditions built in already but we are military and move a lot.  Also, my children are really just getting to the age that we can start some fun things like that.  With all that said, I shook off the mom guilt and went with what I had...and you know, I think it worked out just fine.  I do think if my husband doesn't bring home flowers today that I might torture my kids just a little and have them cut out paper leaves to write what we are thankful for to put in the empty pumpkin in the middle of the table.  I think the kids are really hoping for the flowers :)  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

P.S. I got the flowers :)  I think they made such a difference!  Just the pop of color we needed.

Please ignore the burnt rolls!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Check it out!

Run over to Tatertots and Jello and enter for your chance to win a Silhouette-SD!!   How great would that be?  I want one!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Little Miss M's 1st Owl!

Hi there!  I am loving the Owl theme...I know it's starting to show up everywhere but I'm in on it too.  I am doing Little Miss M's room in owls and keep seeing the cutest stuffed owls on people's blogs, too cute!!!  I had to try one.  I followed the tutorial on Toad's Treasures, such a cute blog.  It was very easy...even for me it only took about an hour and that was with 6 kids running in and out of the house and me yelling at my poor sewing machine because I am still such a beginner.  It looks homemade but I love it!  I want to make some more, ok I want to make a whole bunch and fill up her room...I know, I'm a mess.  Little Miss M was very pleased, she drooled her approval on it already.  I am already planning some more stuffed animals and monsters for xmas gifts.  Thanks for coming by!


 

T.V. Pillows

I did these a while back for the big kids.  I saw the idea in a magazine...I love magazines!  Anyway, the idea was to take a baby blanket and make it a big pillow once your kids got older.  I loved this idea since we are military and move all the time...I have to keep getting rid of things and it's hard to let go of the baby stuff.  In fact, by this time I only had a couple of Diva's and only 1 of SkaterBoy's left.  Which isn't bad considering they are 8 and 5.  They were both the thinner blankets (if they were the double sided ones I could have just opened a side and stuffed them), so I bought some coordinating fleece, sewed them together, stuffed them and that's it.  I need more stuffing, so you will see they aren't closed up yet.  The kids love pulling them out for our Family Movie Nights, and it let's me keep some of their baby stuff around a little longer.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Fuzzy

I mentioned last post that Little Miss M loves her 'fuzzies'.  Any kind of soft and cuddly blanket for that matter but her favorite is a mini-blanket.  It's the size of a burp cloth but with the soft, fancier material.  I love that she can carry it around easier and nap with it because it can't get wrapped around her.  I ordered hers from a local crafter but thought I would try one on my own.  A friend had a baby shower last weekend and I thought this would make the perfect gift to go along with the nursing cover I had made for her.  I love having crafty friends...my friend Lauren over at BeginswithL.etsy.com makes the most adorable children's clothing and other things...seriously, go check her out.  She keeps Miss M very stylishly dressed.  Anyway, I called and asked her to whip up a nursing cover for her and she did!  Isn't that so pretty?

Nursing cover
 



And here is my fuzzy....so easy, done in about 15 minutes.  I just cut my material, pinned it together, sewed, turned inside out.  Next time I will embellish more, add a ribbon, or initial or something but I was pressed for time.  I think these are such cute baby gifts.  I will be making some to keep on hand around here.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Tie-Tab Blanket

We made these a lot a few years ago.  They make great gifts for all occasions and are so easy to make.  I would even get my husband in on the action while we hung out and watched movies.  My youngest daughter doesn't have one yet, and she really loves her 'fuzzy' blankets.  I found some really cute fleece material on sale and here you go. 

In case you aren't sure how to make one...I spread my material out on the floor, 1 layer of the print fleece and 1 layer of plain coordinating fleece.  There is 1 side that is 'stretchier' than the other so I make sure they are facing the same way, stretchy sides together and then trim off the excess so they are the same size.  Also 'right' sides out...how you tie it is how it stays.  I grab a piece of cardboard and cut it into a square with 4" on 1 side and 5" on the other.  This is to cut out the corners. 
The 5" side is for the non-stretchy side and the 4" is for the stretchy side (since they will give more when tied).  Then start cutting tabs up the sides of the material about a thumbs width apart all the way around.  Then double tie, not too tight, double tie all the way around.  I like to make sure I 'tie' the same way so it is all even, like on this one I always looped the brown thru.  See how the brown is always on top after tie?
When I get close to the end of 1 side I stop and skip over and do a few knots on the other row...I find that it helps it not to bunch up on the corners.  Finish up, then shake it out and give it a little stretch on the corners and done!  Super quick and easy blanket.  Little Miss M loves it!



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Fabric Flower rings

I have been keeping my eyes open for cute and easy handmade gifts for Christmas this year.  I have several nieces and nephews all in different states...anyway, I often cruise SewMamaSew to see what's new.  They have a great blog with things like Handmade Holidays, love it!  Yesterday, I saw this cute idea and tutorial from Vanessa at V&Co and just had to try it.  I ran to the store today and bought some blank rings and here you go...I knocked out 1 and my daughter loved it and her friend wanted 1, so I knocked out 2 more and done.  They are too cute.  The 1st 2 I rolled a little too tight so they came out smaller, which worked well for the younger girls.  I started to get the feel of it by the 3rd one and made mine a little larger.  I think my nieces and MIL will love one of these!
 


You can still see some glue, but I am figuring it out.  Thanks for stopping by.