QUILTED NOTECARDS

what a great idea....

The Quilted Notecard tutorial found here

Sundress/Top

I finally got around to this super cute sundress Maren posted back in February. Casey and I tag-teamed it for Maddie's birthday. It's pretty quick and easy to follow. It's from the site Habitual Creature of Habit. The free pattern is found here.

It turned out a little on the short side, so I shortened it even more and made it into a top. It's a bit loose on Maddie, and the ties are too long. As you can tell by the pictures, she is not happy about loose fitting clothing or the ties touching her face. Maybe when she's a bit older she'll like it more.

Crafty Summer Series

Our good friend Meg over at Brassy Apple came up with this fun idea. She call it "Crafty Summer Series" - the idea is to not go stale or get bored over the summer. You know you will spend half the summer in the car trying to keep your kids entertained... why not keep yourself entertained or better yet, get your kids involved & have "family craft time" I love this idea. It's better then sitting around all summer in my jammies watching tivo. 

I've been planning on doing something similar to her first project for a few months now. This gives me the motivation to get started... so cool. Go over to BA and check it out. I can't wait to post my first project and for an added challenge on my part, I'm going to do all the projects dirt cheap. Now that's a challenge.

Any SSC ladies looking to join we could do it together on sewing night. Just let me know.

Annie got a makeover

These pics are from the Annie swap that I was apart of through Aunt Pitty Pats blog. Check out my first attempt at doll creating.


Before - homely little Annie in her unpretentious little way....

This is my swap partner, Jennifer. I wanted to create something fun and as glam as my swap partner...


It was crazy resewing the seams so they wouldn't pop. I eventually broke out the serger. It was worth the unstuffing, resewing, and restuffing. Don't look to closely, her legs are not proportionate. After completing the body I "painted" her body with pero (not a coffee drinker) - it was a lot like water colors. You don't want your doll soaking, just a nice top coat. If you don't do the coffee thing, just stop by your gas station & buy a small cup for under a buck. You will have more then enough and you won't be stuck with tons of left over stuff. (My friend De has a bazillion different styles & patterns. Here she does a great tutorial... after looking here you will realize you can do this too.)


Glam Annie had to have furs & pearls.


and hair that said "glam girl here -don't mess"


Her coat is made from felt with a pattern on it. I trimmed the jacket with feathers (just wanted a fur trim look to it) - that is the only part I did without my machine.


Glam Annie has the classic striped legs, but is wearing stylish Mary Jane's instead of comfortable orthopedic looking drab shoes.


Ta-Da! These are the after shots. Here she is in all her stylish glory. Isn't she literally a doll. It was a lot easier then I thought to make her. She did turn out pretty cute. I posted earlier about making some Annie's for Christmas & I think I might be hooked. James kept begging for me to make him one. His birthday is next month. I will have to get on it.


The best part of making Glam Annie was making it a fun project with my glam girl, Paigey. I have the pattern if any one is interested, just email me. Aunt Pitty Pat said she found it on the net. I've looked around and found a few other free doll patterns that look fun.

kids craft hand print tutorial

This is what we made in preschool this year for Mother's Day, (I got the idea here) but I think it would make a great birthday gift for grandma, grandpa, favorite cousin, dad, teacher appreciation day, church activity, or doll up your kids bedroom, etc. It's quick, easy, and most of all cheap.


I let my preschoolers go though my fabric stash & choose their favorite. Other then dissuading one boy away from Christmas fabric, they all chose pretty well. I traced their hand using a pen on the wrong side of the fabric & cut it out.


I printed their name & the year on a piece of card stock somewhere near the center and used the Plexiglas or glass (that came with the frame) and a pencil to create the template.


Next I used spray starch to make the hand lay nice and flat.


Then I used spray glue to mount it to my card stock. I sprayed the wrong side of the fabric on a separate piece of scrap paper, first. Then picked it up & centered it where I wanted it on the card stock just above the name & year.


This is how it looks mounted to the card stock. You can see my penciled lines where I will cut out.


I reassembled the frame and placed the hand inside. I got this particular frame at Ikea, they are sold in a set of 2 for $2.99. Then I torn strips of fabric and stapled them to the back of the frame to use as a hanger.


They turned out so cute. One of the moms called to find out how to make one for her other kids. You could also use cute scrapbook paper & ribbon.

diaper holder/ wipee case tutorial

This is the quickest, easiest 5 minute gift you can make. You have a baby shower to go to? and no money or time? No problem - whip this sucker up and you will have a great gift for just a couple dollars. I'm giving credit to Chelsea's sister for the idea. The tutorial is my creation - I'm sure you can improve on the basic idea.

THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS: Velcro & Tie (a third option could be made from a combination of the two)

1. Start with a placemat ( I bought this at Target for $1.99)

2. Use a wipee case to get a good idea on the spacing of the fold. You want to divide it into thirds, but not evenly. The last section will be used as a flap to close your case. 

3. My main section is just shy of 7 inches.

4. Iron your creases in so it will lay flat. I used spray starch to make it nice and flat.

5. Decide where you want to place your velcro. I went about 3 1/2 inches up from the bottom.

6. Pin it in place and sew.

7. Sew down the sides. I followed the outer topstitch line.

8. Lay your velcro pieces on top of each other when you pin them on so they will be in the right spot when you sew on the outer flap pieces.

9. This is how things should look at this point.

10. This is the view from the bottom with a wipee case, 3 diapers, and diaper rash ointment.

11. You can decorate the front. I attached some rick rack & a few buttons to give it an old school feel.

HERE IS OPTION TWO:

1. I bought this pink damask and green polka-dot placemat at Target for $3.99.

2. Decide where you want the folds & make creases. For this version I made a flat bottom.

3. From the bottom fold to the top it is almost 9 inches. (You might want to reverse the order and sew the tie on before you sew up the sides - for a smoother look)...

4. I pinned it at 1 inch on each side to create the flat bottom. Repeat on the opposite end.

5. Pin up the sides. 

6. Sew the bottom folds first then down the sides to meet the fold.

7. Since I didn't have any matching ribbon (way easier option, if you have it) I took a strip of fabric 2 inches wide by 55 inches long, folded it in half, serged down the side, and turned it right side out.

8. Iron it flat (but don't top stitch).

9. Decide where you want it placed on the wipee case. Remember not to sew it all the way to the end if you want the case to be able to close and for you to tie it shut.

10. Pin it in place.

11. Top stitch it into place.

12. Finish the ends of the tie. I tucked them in.

13. Folded them then sewed across the bottom and up the side of the tie.

14. This is how it should look at this point.

15. Viola! Here is your finished product. DIdn't I tell you it was easy & quick? Now your learning to trust me.

OPTION THREE - COMBINATION (sorry no pics) - I like the look of the tie, but it can be a pain untying & retying especially if you are having a 911-wipee-emergency. So an alternative would be to make the case with a false tie. You would follow directions for Option one, with velcro fasteners (I would probably add an extra one in the center, for reinforcement) - then sew the ties all the way to the opening, and attach the bow separately. You'd get the same look, but just smarter & easier for fashionably quick response the poopiest of diapers.