Inspiration for Crafting

Change of Plans for the Denim Blanket

2010-09-18T22:34:00.009-06:00

I updated almost a year ago about the denim blanket project I first shared here. My original plan was to make a picnic-sized blanket. Goodness knows I definitely have enough jeans to make a few blankets that size! But we've encountered a new possibility. Let me explain.

We are having our third child, and first BOY!, sometime after Christmas. Sammi, now 4, is excited to have a brother. The other day as we were driving home from preschool she said she wanted to cut "this" up and make it into a blanket for baby Scott. Since I was driving I asked her what "this" was and she said her denim shorts. I had an ah-ha moment because it dawned on me that I had cut enough squares for a baby-sized blanket. I told her I already had squares cut and would she like to help me use them to make the blanket. She agreed.

Finally, after almost a week of talking about making this blanket, we pulled out the squares today while Elli was napping and got to work. Sammi helped me arrange them. She liked the pockets a lot so I think we have at least one pocket on every row!

After we arranged all the squares, 81 in all, we started sewing them together. I'm mostly using my new serger to do the job. But on some pieces the seems are too thick so I've been sewing them on my regular sewing machine. I got half the rows sewn before bedtime. Sammi loved sitting by me at the table and chatting with me while I sewed. She really wants to do the pedal herself, but I told her we're in her observing stage of learning to sew! Sometimes I have her sit on my lap and guide the fabric through which seems to make up for not doing the pedal.

Girlie Onesies

2010-06-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

My friend is having her fourth child, first girl. You can imagine her excitement at buying and making frilly, pink, cutesy clothes and accessories for this little girl. When I thought about what to give her, I was at a total loss. Then I saw the cutest little denim dress and bought it on the spot. Then I asked a friend of mine to make a headband with two matching bows to sew on the sleeves of the onesie to wear under the dress. I was quite pleased with the results:
But then I found the ultimate inspiration for the onesie I need to embellish for this friend. Some time back I added this gem of a blog to my blog reader and have been enjoying her creativity ever since. I did a quick search on "how to make fabric roses" and found an awesome tutorial. It's detailed, but fairly easy and really quick. I made several "testers" first and then used my real fabric to make the ones for this onesie. Since it's a newborn onesie I started with a slightly smaller square of fabric so the rose wouldn't be too big. I absolutely love the way this onesie turned out!
What baby girl gifts have you been making lately?

Laptime Songs for Mommies

2009-12-02T23:51:00.004-07:00

I know this doesn't exactly fit the scope of this blog, but I wanted to share my latest project. Laptime Songs for Mommies is an eBook containing wonderful information about bonding with your little one through music, books and snuggling. It also includes 4 craft ideas to use with toddlers and preschoolers.

If you're interested, please check it out!

Denim Blanket Update

2009-10-06T23:16:00.004-06:00

I finally pulled out the box of jeans and squares I've already cut. Over the last two days I've cut nearly forty more. I've still got a long way to go to get enough for the picnic sized blanket I want. But every bit helps. I'm having a lot of fun cutting out pockets and loops so that they'll "work" when I sew the squares together.

As for the backing, I'm thinking of buying a full size flannel flat sheet and making it that big. The blanket we already have has flannel on the back and I really love the way it feels when I wrap up in the blanket. Now that we're in Tennessee, I'm wondering if it will get cold enough in the winter to wrap up in a denim and flannel blanket! We'll have to wait and see.

Spring Dresses for Easter

2009-04-24T11:35:00.003-06:00

It has taken me so long to get these pictures on the computer! These are the spring dresses I made the girls for Easter. The top is inspired by a dress of Sammi's and her skirt is inspired by one I found on a blog somewhere. I've spent several hours looking for that skirt again! Elli's skirt was my own idea and I really like the way it turned out.

Here they are in their dresses on Easter Sunday. Such sweet angels!

I'm working on the patterns for these dresses. I'm trying to get all the sizes 3-6 months up to 4T. If you're interested in helping me test the pattern, please leave a comment with your email and I'll contact you when I have it ready! Thanks.

Itty Bitty Dress Enlargemtn 3T

2009-03-30T09:08:00.003-06:00

There have been so many requests for the 3T version of the Itty bitty Dress. Thank you all for your encouraging words! The link is finally fixed and the dress pattern can be downloaded here.

If you're quick, you can even get it done in time for Easter, this Sunday April 11! Enjoy!

Boggle Me Thursday

2009-03-19T00:00:00.001-06:00

I'm participating in Boggle Me Thursday! If you're interested in playing too, better hop over and play before you read my list. I wouldn't want to spoil your creativity!

I said this last time I played, and it's true again this time: I got more words than I think I ever have in Boggle! They aren't that creative, but hey I'm pleased! So here they are:

ate
pet
pets
tot
tots
tote
totes
see
seep
pee
pees
pit
pits
step
store
toe
toes
at
to
oat
pot
pots
he
rot
rots

He rots in oat pots which seep on my toes that step over the pets I see with a tot and a tote in each pit on my way to the store.

Baby Doll Blankets

2009-03-11T15:49:00.004-06:00

Christmas was a big hit! Sammi loved the baby doll beds I posted before. She also loves the baby doll blankets. They were so easy to make and the perfect size for baby dolls.

The pink blanket is flannel. It's about 20 inches square. We just turned over the edge and hemmed it. Seriously took less than 10 minutes!

The blue and green blanket is from two fat quarters I had. I sewed them together right-sides facing. I left a small opening, turned it out and then sewed around the blanket to give it a finished look. I even used one of the fancy stitches on my 25 year old Bernina! Again, less than 10 minutes.

The quilt is a simple 9 patch. I made the square about 4.5 inches so they'd be 4 when sewn with a .25" seam allowance. I used super thin cotton batting. Then I just sewed straight lines along the 9 squares to quilt it. This one took a little longer, but not much. It took me about 30 minutes of sewing.

Sammi has loved wrapping her dolls up in doll-sized blankets. It adds to the reality of her pretend play!

Yummy Christmas Treat!

2008-12-12T10:31:00.003-07:00

This is my favorite candy at Christmas time. Who am I kidding? It's my favorite all year long! It's Almond Rocca and it's delectable! It's a great gift to neighbors and friends. Ready to give it a go? Here's the recipe:

Almond Rocca*
2 Giant Hershey chocolate candy bars
1 1/2 cups whole, raw almonds
1 lb butter (2 cups/4 sticks)
2 cups sugar

Prep Work:
Chop chocolate and almonds into little bits in food processor or blender.
Line jelly pan with aluminum foil or wax paper
Sprinkle half the chocolate/almond mixture evenly over aluminum foil pan.
Make the Rocca:
In heavy pan on high heat melt butter and sugar.
Stir in clockwise direction for entire length of cooking (this is VERY important)
Stir quickly until temperature reaches 300 degrees (hard crack)
Quickly remove from heat and pour in strips over chocolate/almond mixture in pan.
Strips will spread into each other and cover entire pan. Pour out all the rocca into pan.
Quickly sprinkle remaining mixture evenly over the top.
Cover with aluminum foil or wax paper and store in fridge.
Let cool completely then break into chunks and enjoy!

*This recipe is super temperamental. Never attempt on a humid day. Turn off heater when making. Always stir in clockwise direction. Mysterious I know, but these are lessons learned the hard way!

Baby Doll's Presents

2008-12-10T23:27:00.005-07:00

Here's the finished cradle from Saturday's post. It turned out way cuter than I envisioned it. I'm pretty happy about it! But when Sammi saw me cutting out the oatmeal container for the bed, we had an interesting conversation.
"Mommy, what's that?"
"It's a cradle for your baby."
"I want a crib."
"It is a crib. It's a bed for your baby."
"No, it's not. I want a crib!"

Hummm. So my mom and I brainstormed and came up with an idea for a crib. A box! Pretty obvious, I guess. Here's the masterpiece! Mom painted the inside and then we mod podged decorative paper on the sides and bottom.
But, I'm wondering what I can do to make it more crib-like. Any suggestions?
Phase 1 is complete and now on to Phase 2: Making bedding. This should be an interesting adventure. I'm calling on the sewing expertise of my mother-in-law to accomplish this phase!

Baby Doll's Present

2008-12-06T15:03:00.003-07:00

Sammi is currently in LOVE with babies (although not always her baby sister!) and has to carry them with us everywhere. People will ask her if they can hold her baby (meaning her sister) and Sammi will squeeze her baby doll tightly and say NO! emphatically. Since she has accumulated a few, I have been thinking of Christmas presents for her in the form of accessories for her babies.

First, baby doll needs a bed! I ran across this idea for a doll cradle from the blog Chasing Cheerios. This doll cradle is cut from an oatmeal container. I was sold right there! We have saved oatmeal containers since Sammi was born. They are usually used as drums, but figured we have enough to spare one for a doll cradle! Then the container is cut to look like a cradle. Finally, the bed is decorated with paper. I have lots of cute girly paper that I'm excited to use for the cradle.

Thanksgiving Ideas from Make and Takes

2008-11-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Check out the great Thanksgiving ideas at Make and Takes, a blog devoted to bringing ideas and crafty tidbits for home, family and fun. Check out these cute Turkey Table Favors:
Marie, the crafter behind the blog, says she finds inspiration in "children's books, the Internet, craft stores. I love walking through each isle of the craft store, as I come out of there with lots of fun things to make and do with my kids and for my home." She also says, "I'm inspired by many women out in the world who are doing what they love and being crafty."

It's obvious Marie invests time, energy, and love into what she does for her family and home. And best of all, she shares it with the rest of us! Thanks, Marie. I love your blog!

Marie has a giveaway that you can enter until midnight TONIGHT! Hop on over and check out the cool Holiday Card giveaway.

If only...

2008-11-18T04:07:00.004-07:00

If only I could crochet faster then I could have this cute centerpiece done for my Thanksgiving table. The pattern is free on Lion Brand Yarn Company's website. The patterns for the cornucopia and its contents can be found here. I also subscribe to their newsletter which has adorable ideas and information on sales at their website.

Boggle Me Thursday

2008-11-13T00:26:00.004-07:00

I'm participating in Boggle Me Thursday! If you're interested in playing too, better hop over and play before you read my list. I wouldn't want to spoil your creativity!

So I got more words than I think I ever have in Boggle! They aren't that creative, but hey I'm pleased! So here they are:

colt
loch
the
tech
techs
hey
tug
his
ice
yet
they
this
gut
ole
tee
echt (I know it doesn't count because it's a German word, but there are no points or winners, anyway!)

I'm inspired to find a colt to tug my ice across the loch.
The tech's big ole gut got in the way of his tee off.

Fat Book

2008-11-12T08:07:00.004-07:00

My mom recently participated in an art exchange where each person submitted a page to be included in a fat book. There were over 100 participants. That is one fat book!

Each person used an art form of their choosing to make a page for the book. This is the page my mom included. Pretty cool, huh? They also included instructions on the back. Now they have over a hundred ideas of cool things to do to make plain paper pretty.

Check out her post about it here.

Instructions:
Wet-on-Wet India Ink Method
Completely wet watercolor paper then drip India Ink onto paper in a random pattern.

Thanks to all our Veterans

2008-11-11T07:00:00.001-07:00

Print your own Veterans Day poster. Then check out the collection of Veterans Day posters dating back to 1978. We printed out a poster in card-size and sent it to our grandpa who served our country faithfully for many years.

Looking for a way to support Veterans and currently deployed troops? Check out Soldiers' Angels, a group that organizes support efforts for all branches of the military. They send cards, baked goods and other handmade items to where they are needed most. I sent them all our Halloween candy to be used in care packages!

Check Out This Giveaway!

2008-11-10T15:40:00.002-07:00

Created By Mom is hosting Manic Monday Mama Giveaway. You get to choose one of these amazing pendants from Glitzy Glass Stars! Pick me! Pick me!

Creative Placemats

2008-11-10T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is a great craft idea for a cold winter day when we'll be stuck inside. Not to spoil any surprises, but some of Sammi's creations may find their way into Christmas presents for Grandmas and Grandpas. Check out the process to make your own on Let's Explore.

Cupcakes and Mario Brothers

2008-11-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

What a clever idea from Clever Cupcakes. Tons more adorable cupcakes are posted in their Flickr group. My other favorite is the cute little monkey climbing up the cupcake.

Plastic Yarn Masterpeices

2008-11-06T05:50:00.003-07:00

I recently came across the blog of artist Helle Jorgensen. She has this beautiful collection of sea life made from recycled plastic bags. She makes the plastic bags into yarn and then creates amazing pieces with it. This piece is called Infant Barnacle Garden. Isn't that lovely?

She has a tutorial for making your own yarn from plastic bags here.

Minnie Mouse Costume

2008-10-30T16:56:00.003-06:00

Here's Sammi sporting her Minnie-inspired dress:

I finished the costume for Sammi to be Minnie Mouse! I am quite pleased with how it looks. And she is, of course, adorable. I learned a bit about fabric during this experience. When you put bias tape on one layer of fabric, the fabric shreds through it very quickly. The only time this didn't happen was on the second practice dress which was recycled from a sheet. As a result, I have resewn almost every inch of the bias tape you see! A very time consuming job with very little satisfaction since I had already done it once!

My favorite part of the dress, though, is the bow. It was a last minute addition as I was planning on buying a bow. Instead I just cut out an extra long rectangle, folded it in half, sewed it together and flipped it right-side out. Then I pulled the two layers apart and scrunched up the middle to make it look like a bow. Then I wrapped a length of black bias tape around it and tied it off. I was going to hide that side, but I thought it looked great to have the knot and the extra bit as an accent on the bow.

I don't normally dress up much for Halloween and last year Sammi barely wore her costume. But this year, she has worn it three times already this week! I'm excited for her to wear it trick-or-treating tomorrow night.

Minnie Inspired Dress Take II

2008-10-24T20:10:00.004-06:00

I finished the second practice dress. I also made the top to match. It looks rather plain from the front, but it's quite cute in the back. It has two ties and curved corners. I've cut the fabric for the real Minnie Mouse dress! Now I just need to get to sewing it.
It's cut from Heidi Grace's Midnight Kisses line of fabric now at JoAnn's. She'll be a modern Minnie!

Minnie Inspired Dress

2008-10-15T11:13:00.007-06:00

It's Halloween season! I've decided to make Sammi's costume this year. I've had this Minnie Mouse doll for longer than I care to admit. I've always loved her little skirt. So I thought this year I'd make a Minnie Mouse costume for Sammi. She likes to play with her, but usually calls her Mickey (we have two Mickey Mouse dolls.)

I've made two practice dresses. One is tiny for her baby dolls. But, it also fit Elli so I took a picture of her modeling it. It has a tie in the back to adjust for different waists. I used bias tape around the band and then continued it for the ties. Hemming it was a beast because the back has rounded corners and it was so small. But, despite the imperfections, iy looks pretty good from afar!

Here's the practice version: Sammi-sized. It turned out quite big on her. I'm glad it was practice material. I'm going to tweak the pattern and make one more practice one before I cut the actual fabric. I also have an idea for the top of the dress. I'm going to actually have it be two pieces so the skirt can still be worn for dress up after she's outgrown the top.

Giveaway Winners

2008-10-08T04:33:00.006-06:00

Congratulations to our CreatedByMom.com giveaway winner: Aaron & Lauren. She's won a $20 gift card to the chic boutique at CreatedByMom.com. Thanks to Random.org for helping select the winner.
It looks like you got your wish! Please send your email address and I will give you the details for redeeming your prize! Don't forget the coupon code "divinemama" will get you 20% off of one item. Any purchases made by Oct 18 will enter you into the $50 gift card giveaway. There's still time to win so head on over and start shopping!

On a personal note, I also had a wish granted yesterday! I was the giveaway winner for $150 off Academy the Startup Princess retreat Nov 7-8! I am really excited about this event and look forward to attending. If you are involved in anything online (blogs, etsy shops, boutiques, websites, etc.) this retreat is a definite must!
Check out the Keynote Speaker along with the workshop presenters:
Holly Buchanan has a new book out called The Soccer Mom Myth written with another marketing to women expert, Michele Miller
Gabrielle Blair authors the blog DesignMom and co-founded Kirtsy.
Barbara Jones is the founder of One 2 One Network.
Janet Meiners Thaeler is the Queen of SEO.

I am in for such a treat!

More Cards for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-10-07T14:48:00.004-06:00

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway!

Here are three more cards I made over the weekend to add to the Breast Cancer Awareness series I started for World Card Making Day.

In an effort to become more aware of breast cancer issues, I was perusing BreastCancer.org and came across an issue I never would have considered before: Ways to prepare for a natural disaster when you have breast cancer.

Emergency Preparedness is a topic I'm exposed to frequently so I know all about food storage, 72 hour kits, clean water supply and the like. But I never really thought about preparing for a natural disaster in the face of an illness such as breast cancer.

The site offers some insightful suggestions for what info to have handy and what to do in a medical emergency during a natural disaster.

They suggest having all your doctors names and contact info, your personal medical records, your medications and your treatment regimen written down and stored in a waterproof freezer bag.
They also provide a number to call in case you are unable to contact your doctor and need medical attention or have questions about missed surgeries or treatments: 1-800-4CANCER