Jingle Bell Shadow Box

Have you discovered Pinterest yet?! I am sure the answer is yes! Well my next craft was pinspired by pinterest. Don't you just love this little shadow box! It is seriously so easy to make! I got my vinyl from my neighbor Kim (and you can too) because I am not one of those crafters who has her own vinyl machine. Everything else was from Walmart or the craft store. The only thing I found pricey was the jingle bells. Seriously, you should stock up on those for the after Christmas sales.

The only thing I did differently than the original project was add the gold Christmas lights. Of course, the scrapbook paper is different because you can choose whatever paper fits your fancy. As far as crafts go this one was a little pricier but the simplicity of it all might make up for the price.

I also made a new tile. I modge podged three different types of scrapbook paper and added a few embellishments. This was easy and not too pricey. The word "Family" is done in vinyl but you could use stickers just as easily.

I used:

three coordinating scrapbook pages

One wooden heart

Rafia

Vinyl words

magnet phrase

photo corners

Hot glue gun

It is pretty self explanatory, if you have questions feel free to ask!

Happy Crafting!

XOXO,

Amy

Thanksgiving Decor: Painted Burlap Pillows

This is a repost from two years ago. I still love my "Count Your Blessings" Pillow and It is actually on display on the planters shelf in my bedroom all year round (unlike my Christmas Pillows).

Not that I am complaining but I seemed to have missed Thanksgiving. Not in real life thank goodness, but in the virtual world (which is way less tragic:)) Why you may ask (or maybe you won't ask- but I'll tell you anyhow).

Well, one week I participated as a vendor in a huge event that My city puts on called "The Festival of Trees" It is a holiday event that showcases entertainment, Decorated Christmas tree and a boutique like shopping experience. After that was over, I began to prepare my home for Thanksgiving holiday guests, While I was cleaning my garage, my baby decide that she needed to pull our luggage rack (that hooks onto the back of our car) on her toe and all but sever it. You can imagine the panic and frenzy that follows such an event. It is encompasses, ER visits, stitches and lots and LOTS of follow of visits. We are still waiting to see how it will all turn out. You can see why I have been absent form the virtual world. Lucky for me, virtual life continues to go on:)

I did however make this cute little pillow out of burlap and cotton:

You can also customize a pillow for yourself or a neighbor gift for Christmas:

You will need:

Burlap

White cotton Fabric

Sewing machine

White and black thread

ribbon

batting

Black paint

Textile Medium

1. I got a yard of burlap (super cheap stuff) and cut out pillow squares. I didn't measure, I just made sure I had two matching pieces that I could sew together.

2. I cut out my white fabric to a measurement that would fit in the middle of my burlap pillow.

3. I painted the phrase I wanted on the white fabric by mixing a textile medium wit craft paint and then heat setting with my iron as per manufacturer's directions.

For the "Joy" phrase I used a homemade stencil. If you have a cutting machine then good for you, but I had to print the word "JOY" from my computer and then create a stencil.

Directions for Stencil. Print out word from your computer and trace on freezer paper. Cut out using an exacto knife. Once your word is cut out, place in desired location on fabric (shiny side down) and iron for temporary hold. Cut out a matching size piece of freezer paper to iron onto the opposite side of fabric so that your paint won't bleed and spread. Mix paint with textile medium and paint proceed to paint your stencil. Let stencil dry, remove freezer paper, and heat set according to manufacturer's direction.

4. Sew black border around your white fabric to frame your phrase and then, pin to burlap and sew it on with white thread.

5. Take your burlap pillow pieces, turn them inside out and pin them into place and sew them together with white thread. Make sure to leave and opening about 2 inches wide to stuff pillow with batting.

6. Turn pillow right side out and stuff with batting and either hand sew closed or sew it close with your machine (which is what I did. It was hard, but it worked.)

7. Garnish by adding a ribbon. (you can sew it on if you want too)

And you are done! Cute and easy!

Happy Crafting!

XOXO,

Amy

New Life to Old Clothes!

If you haven't noticed yet it is my SIL Shanni who does the stuff that requires more talent. She is WAY better with a sewing machine than I am. I am kind of a make-it-up-as-I go and if -all- else -fails- use- a-glue-gun kind of a girl. Now you know . . . the secret is out.

With that being said . . .

Being a mom of four I have been many sizes in my life. That means I go through a LOT of clothes! If you have been pregnant in the last five years or so you know that maternity clothes have gotten quite stylish and sometimes I find it hard to say good-bye to some of my cute outfits. But lucky for me I had an idea . . .


I convinced a fabulous photographer to do a photog class so that she could give me some tips on how to take a better picture. Well she agreed and she wanted to do the practice portion of our class shooting a "Victorian era" like tea party. I helped her collect props and design headbands and costumes for the event and it gave me a chance to use some of my beloved old clothes.


Case in point: cute shirt, cute skirt:
they went from this . . .

To this:

I'll post some better pictures of the details later, but these two beautiful girls are my daughters. My skirt became a long dress (I measured my daughters chest and sewed in elastic that fit her measurements, then I added a really pretty rosette ribbon for straps- it is hidden under a cropped sweater in the picture- and it became a new dress. It was sew easy!)

For my fair daughter my shirt became a short dress. I flipped it upside down and sewed in elastic that measured the length of her chest. Then I put it on her to decide where I wanted the elastic shoulder straps to go. I marked the right spot on the shirt. Then I wrapped the elastic shoulder straps in fabric that matched the shirt and sewed it in place the same time I sewed the straps to the shirt. I may or may not have used a little hot glue to hold the wrapped straps in place:) while sewing. Then I added to rolled flower rosettes in matching fabric to the the front of the shirt where the elastic straps met the fabric and simply pinned those on so I wouldn't have to worry about putting them in the wash. OH, I also hemmed over the existing hem a bit to make it fit the width of my daughter's body a little better. I cut off the shirt where the sleeves began an hemmed what was once the top of the shirt. (hem, flip and hem again). Then I added another skirt underneath for color and little extra length. This was a little trickier than adjusting my skirt.

The HEADBANDS are mad of stretch lace, rolled fabric flowers, paper flowers, glass buttons, flowers and decorative brads. Lisa and I made those.

Now these little outfits look so cute on my kiddos I thought: why did I not just adjust them to fit me? Oh well, live and learn:)

Happy Crafting!

xoxo,

Amy

DIY Flannel PJs ~ Part 2: The Top

So here goes part 2! There are more steps in making the top, but you can do it :)

First things first, lets talk Black Friday at Joannes ~
Doors opened at 6 am & people weren't killing each other to get anything!! Everyone was patient getting in the door and shared their flannels :) It was the best Black Friday experience
I've ever had! I scored some uber cute flannels!


Plus, the store employees gave everyone the coupons when you walked in,
so I got an additional 25% off my entire order & 50% off my oldest daughter's
Christmas gift since it wasn't on sale.
OH YES!!


I can't wait to cut into these!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :)

What You'll Need:
1 1/2 Yards Flannel Fabric {this will cover the shirt as well}
About 24 Inches Grossgrain Ribbon
4-5 Buttons Depending On The Size
Matching Thread
And Your Sewing Machine & Tools :)
Also, I used my Seger, but if you don't have one use your zig-zag stitch.

Bring back your paper bag and let's make the pattern. If you have a pair of pjs to trace, then trace each piece. If not, grab a shirt that fits your child loosely. If all you have are onesies, you can use it for your pattern, just make sure to add a few inches to give some room.

If you're using a loose shirt, ignore the sleeves for now & trace the back twice.
Cut 1 out & cut down the middle, then retrace adding 1 1/2 inches to the center.
You only have to create one side because you can flip the pattern over. Next, draw
the neck line how you want it. I like an angled neckline on these type of jammies.
For the collar, measure along the neck line of your pattern for the length, then
make a rectangle with the width of 3 1/2 inches. You can keep the angles sharp
or round them, whichever you like. After you cut everything out, take the front
panel and you're going to trace along the center line and 2 inches at the top & bottom,
keeping the angles the same at the neck line. Draw a line connecting top to bottom,
this is for the reinforcement fabric behind the buttons and button holes.
For the pockets, make a 4 inch square.

Trace each piece on your flannel or fleece. Make sure that you flip the patterns
over for the front panel, reinforcement pieces & collar pieces. In this picture
I marked where the 1 yard mark was so you could see.

But I forgot to make sleeves :)


So take your back & front panels, and line them up at the shoulder, then trace that round angle. For 12 month size, measure out 7 inches from each end & then square off the bottom of the sleeve. Trace those onto your flannel.

Cut each piece out and get ready to sew and serge. First, sew at the shoulders,
then serge or zigzag stitch. Next, serge the bottom edges of the sleeves and
pockets & hem the same way I described in part 1. Add the ribbon about
1/2 inch from the bottom and stitch on both edges.

Pin the sleeves to the front & back panels then sew and serge.

It should look like this after the sleeves are on. Set the pockets aside for a later step.

With right sides together, pin along the sleeve & the side of the shirt.
Then, sew along that seam, then serge or zigzag stitch. Next, take the reinforcement
pieces & sew them on to the center of the shirt. I like the fabric to have the
right side showing, so that's how I sewed it on. When both sides are on,
serge the bottom of the shirt then hem like you did with the sleeves.
Don't add ribbon to this hem, since you'll be adding pockets.
Flip right side out and attach the pockets. I forgot to take pictures of this step,
but its really easy ~ just fold the 3 edges under along the sides & bottom,
then stitch on. Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.

The collar was my least favorite part of this whole project, so beware,
it may get a little frustrating! The easy parts are: sew the ribbon about 3/4 inch
from the edge, make sure the fabric lays the way you want it to, if the fabric has a
direction. With right sides together, sew along the first short side, then the side
where the ribbon is and end on the other short side. You should have the
long side with out the ribbon left open.

This is the part that drove me a little crazy, maybe there is an easier way
to do this, I just haven't figured it out. . . fold the flannel inside itself at 1/4 inch,
then pin the neckline of the shirt inside the collar piece.

Sew along the pins, go slow to make sure that both sides of the collar stay in line
with each other & the shirt stays inside the collar. Every single one I made
I had to flip over & sew the other side because I wasn't patient enough to
follow this step, but no big deal since you have to look really close to see the mistakes ;)

The final step that I forgot to take pictures of is to measure your button holes and sew them into place. Open each button hole with your seam ripper then sew the buttons on.

DIY Flannel PJs ~ Part 1: Pants

***When I was at Joanne's this morning I found out that on Black Friday
all their snuggle flannels will be on sale for $1.49 a yard!!!
Can you hear me screaming with joy? I paid $2.99 a yard for these PJs,
so it cost me $4.50 per set; but, with this sale
I'll be able to make 18 month PJs for $3 per set!!!
While you're there check out the fleece since it'll be $2.99 a yard.
You can make pants out of them too, and I'll be posting a top variation next
week that is adorable in fleece.


YAY!!! See you at the cutting table :)

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have been so busy that October & November
have just been a blur! I made a few of these PJs for baby A & have been meaning
to get the tutorial up. There are a lot of pictures & steps so I am going to do
2 posts. In this one I'll show you how to make the pants; the tutorial for the top
will be posted early next week. The measurements are for a size 12 months.

So here goes. . . .


What You'll Need:
1 1/2 Yards Flannel Fabric {this will cover the shirt as well}
About 24 Inches Grossgrain Ribbon
1/4 Inch Elastic 2 Inches Less Than Your Baby's Waist
Matching Thread
And Your Sewing Machine & Tools :)
Also, I used my Seger, but if you don't have one use your zig-zag stitch.



The first thing you'll need to do is draft your pattern. I use the paper bags I get at
Trader Joe's for my patterns. If you are tracing a pair of PJs you already own,
then trace them on to the paper.

For the rest of us, measure your baby's waist then take that number and
subtract 6 inches. So for a size 12 months the measurement, the measurement
is 19 inches, so it brings the measurement to 12 1/2 inches + 1/2 inch seam
allowance for the top of the pattern.


Next take the measurement from your baby's ankle to the point on the
waist/hip where you want them to rest. Add 3 inches for seam allowance.
In the picture below you can see that I originally came up with 16 3/4 inches
for the length, but the first pair that I made comes up to the middle of her diaper,
so I added 2 1/2 more inches for a total of 19 1/4 inches. So make a rectangle on
the paper bag using these measurements.



For the inseam, I measured from my baby's ankle to her diaper & added 1/2 inch.
From the bottom corners measure up & mark it on your pattern. Next, on the
same corners, measure in towards the middle & mark 1 1/4 inch. Draw a diangle
line from each point.

For those who want just the numbers, here are the
Measurements For 12 Months:

Width: 13 inch {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 19 1/4 inch {Finished: 16 3/4 in}
Inseam: 8 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 10 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}



Now cut it out and you have your pattern!
Go you with your pattern making self!!! :)

After you trace the pattern twice & cut them out, serge or zig-zag stitch the bottoms,
then fold just over 1/4 inch over and stitch at the 1/4 inch mark. Next lay the ribbon
about 1/2 inch from the bottom and stitch on both edges. Sorry I forgot to take a
picture of this step, but the good new is that you shouldn't have to pin the ribbon
before sewing since it stayed really well against the flannel.

Fold it in half with the right side inside. Sew the inseam then serge or zig-zag the edges.

When both legs have the inseam sewn, lay them together & pin the remaining raw edges.
Sew, then serge or zig-zag stitch the edges.

Turn right side out and admire your work.

Take your elastic & align the edges with one of the seams 1/2 inch from the
edge of the flannel. Place one edge slightly over the other & sew in place.
I like to run the machine front and back a few times. Some people may want to
skip this step & thread the elastic through at the end. I like to do it this way
so that it doesn't roll over on it self to much.

Fold the edge of the fabric over sew around.

I pulled the elastic tight so I could better control it and not sew over it.
Go slow with this step because un-stitching is a pain; but, un-stitching from elastic just stinks.

Finish with a back stitch or 2 and there you go,
some cute little PJ pants that will look adorable on your little one!

MEASUREMENTS FOR:

18 Month
Width: 16 1/2 {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 21 inches {Finished: 18 1/2 inches}
Inseam: 10 1/2 inch {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 12 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}

FABRIC NEEDED: 2 yards




24 Month/2T
Width: 19 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 22 3/4 inches {Finished: 20 1/4 inches}
Inseam: 13 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 14 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}

FABRIC NEEDED: 2 1/2 yards

Discount!

For our fabulous 30 followers . . . I am so sorry that we have been neglecting you! We have been so busy with so may things and hope that when we are back and running that you will still find interesting things that spark your creative side.

I did want to share a discount that I just became aware of. Hapari Swim wear is offering 60% off its swim suits until November 6th. Use the code FALL60 to access your discount. This is not something they are doing through our blog, it is just a discount they emailed me. Hope you can use it!

xoxo,

Amy

And From Shanni

Also while we're talking sweet discounts:if you go to sevenslings.com & enter PARENTING they will give you a $38 sling for FREE!!! Shipping was like $12, but hey you can't beat free. I was able to order 2 for free since I used my husbands email :)

And at uddercovers.com if you enter the code SEVEN you get a $32 nursing cover for FREE!!! Shipping there is only $10. Also while we're talking sweet discounts:if you go to sevenslings.com & enter PARENTING they will give you a $38 sling for FREE!!! Shipping was like $12, but hey you can't beat free. I was able to order 2 for free since I used my husbands email :)And at uddercovers.com if you enter the code SEVEN you get a $32 nursing cover for FREE!!! Shipping there is only $10.