Maker Mama

Quick Craft: Art Supply Caddy

2012-02-23T20:26:00.002-08:00

Another quick craft featuring recyclables and Mod Podge today. Remember the bottle I used for my vase? Well, it came in a handy little holder, of course, so why not reuse that, too? Grab yourself a drink caddy (one from the drive-thru would be perfect, too), some Mod Podge, paintbrush, and some fun scrapbook paper.

Trace and cut the pieces to fit on your caddy (you'll want to make separate pieces for the sides that fold up. Apply a layer of MP, smooth a piece over, and apply MP over the paper. After you put on all the pieces (the handle too) fold over any edges, and add a last layer of MP. I put in a couple of jar lids to keep my supplies from slipping out the openings around the bottom.

You could also hot glue the center separator to the bottom so that it no longer folds, or just keep it as is (that's what I did).

Now just add your supplies and your good to go! Use for car trips, the kids' craft desk, or your own sewing table--you can use it however you'd like. Be sure to share yours in my Flickr group--I'd love to share some reader projects on the blog!

Be the Change

2012-02-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

So today marks the beginning of Lent. A day where many of us will be giving up sweets or social media, setting aside more time for prayer or a coin jar for almsgiving. In the past our family has done things like giving up t.v., or adding a daily family prayer time. This year I'll be getting more sleep.

Not sleeping-in-on-Saturdays kind of sleep. More like taming-the-inner-night-owl sleep. Giving myself an actual bedtime. Sacrificing those wee hours of the night when I'd normally be prowling Pinterest for the latest and greatest crafty idea, or putting the pedal to the metal on my sewing machine.

This may not seem like an über spiritual thing be doing for Lent, but it's something I've been feeling really convicted about lately. You see, I turn into a sloth/mommy-monster when I haven't had a good night's sleep (that's most nights) and the kids are awake before 7 a.m. (most mornings). And I don't want to be that.

We all have a God-given vocation--or calling--in life, and mine is that of a wife and mother (among many other things), but these two callings are the most important. I do treasure the quiet time in the house at night when I can craft, write, and pin to my heart's content, but moderation in all things, no? Going on about being a night owl may seem silly to some, but it has it's snowball effect. I want to be the best mother, wife, and woman of God that I can be. And right now that means learning to let go of the days and finding rest so that those around me may find peace and rest in me as well.

Whether you're Catholic, Protestant, or none of the above, I think we all strive to better ourselves in life, don't we? How do you hope to become a better mother/father/partner/friend/human being? What challenge is life giving you that's making you stretch?

Quick Craft: Decoupage Vase

2012-02-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

Another fun quick craft for you today, perfect for putting all those fabric scraps to good use! My great friend Jessica (check out her awesome quilting) left me some colorful scraps after craft night at my house last week. I've always hated throwing out scraps--no matter how small--but have never found a great use for them, either.

Well, I had an empty bottle from that night, too, so I put those together, added some Mod Podge and there ya go, a pretty little vase:

I definitely see more Mod Podge in my future! Made your own scrap fabric vase? Share it in the Maker Mama Flickr group (it could use a little love!).

Quick Craft: Headband Redo

2012-02-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

My favorite headband snapped in half about a month ago and I just couldn't bear to part with it. I tried fixing it up with superglue, electrical tape, and even my trusty glue gun, but I finally had to admit defeat. Until I decided to get rid of the headband altogether, save the flower, and make a cute little hair clip instead.

It was a bit of a struggle pulling the flower off without ripping it to shreds, but after that all I needed was a hair clip and my hot glue gun and voilà! a new hair clip was born:

Gotta love the quick craft!

This Time Last Year

2012-02-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe this was only last year. Amelia's 18 months now and on her way out of the baby days already. She's still very much the baby of the family of course, but the toddler in her is beginning to come out, demanding to do things herself: buckle herself into the high chair, push her stroller (instead of sitting in it), drawing (on herself) with the big kid markers. All while still coming to mama whenever she needs me.

Looking back reminds me that the days do go by quickly--no matter how messy they are!

For My Valentine

2012-02-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Won't you be mine, Valentine?

Put down the dishes and stay for a while;

Let me kiss your cheek and make you smile.

Let the kids ick and eek and moan;

Come hold my hand, put down our phone.

The washing and folding of laundry can wait.

The days pass quickly-- don't hesitate!

Spend some time, please be mine,

Would you, could you,

my sweet Valentine?

I stayed up a little too late making Valentines for Chris and the kids last night (and finishing up all the kid's goodies for school). I had a single doily and some wrinkled lace (that I ironed) to make this one. And although my hubby told me not to buy him anything, I couldn't help going back to my poet days and writing something sweet.

Hope you all have a sweet day with your loved ones--Happy Valentine's Day!

Spinning Valentine

2012-02-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

This is a quick and fun little Valentine's project to make. Cut out a circle (use something sturdy like cardboard or cardstock), punch some holes, add some rubber bands, and then write half of your message on each side. Be sure that the message on the back is printed upside down so that it will appear right side up while spinning! To spin, just twist the rubber bands and let her go! Here's our little disc in action:

Hope you enjoy making your own! Love this idea? Be sure to Pin It below!

What other Valentine projects are you up to?

How to be Crafty: Knit and Crochet

2012-02-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to part two of my How to be Crafty series! Today I'm talking about knit and crochet. I'm pretty much a self-taught knitter and crocheter (although I've certainly had some tips and pointers along the way). I've been crocheting for about three or four years now and knitting for just over one year. You can check out some of my completed projects on my Ravelry page.

To give a little background, I don't recall having any sort of experience with knit or crochet growing up. I taught myself to crochet while expecting my third baby (who's now 3 1/2). I was in the habit of checking out every craft book I could find at the library (I still do), and came across a crochet book with how-to instructions I thought I could manage. So, I bought my first hook and used some really cheap craft yarn to make a terrible-looking pot holder (which I was too embarrassed to use and hid in the back of a kitchen drawer before I finally pitched it).

Learning to crochet was a little more complicated than I thought, and soon found that I needed more than just text and diagrams (it took me a few late nights and not-too-few tears to figure that out!). Soon after I moved on to making dishcloths (which I still use) and my projects grew and evolved from there.

My experience with knitting is much the same, only I held out on learning it for the longest time because I was chicken. Fortunately my mother-in-law helped show me the basics and I was in love. Now, knitting and crocheting are two of my favorite crafts. They're great for working on during a movie and can be very relaxing.

So, if you're relatively new or have no experience working with yarn at all, I'm here to tell you that you can figure it out! Here are some tips and pointers to help you out:

Yarn

Before we get into talking too much about the hows of knit and crochet, it's important to familiarize yourself with your medium--yarn. There are several different types of yarn, all of which fall into three main categories: synthetic, natural, or a mix of the two. Different yarns are good for different things. Acrylic yarn is super easy to wash, and natural yarns like alpaca are super-soft and great for items you'll wear.

There are also different textures and thicknesses of yarn. Not to mention the rainbow of colors to choose from. You can even make your own yarn out of old t-shirts or plastic bags. The type of yarn you'll want to pick will usually be specified in the pattern you're choosing.

Yarn also comes in a wide range of prices, with synthetic yarns being the cheapest and fancier ones (like alpaca, wool, etc.) being most expensive. I think you definitely get what you pay for. I only recently started working with more expensive yarns, but have fallen in love with their quality.

But I do recommend picking out a fun affordable yarn to work with when learning to knit or crochet. You don't want to feel too intimidated to "mess up" with the expensive yarn and stop before you start. Sugar'n Cream cotton is also a great inexpensive yarn for beginners (I used this for all my dishcloths).

Hooks and Needles

Even simpler than sewing, all you need is a hook or pair of needles and some yarn to crochet and knit. Hook and needle sizes range from 2-12 mm thick (sometimes they go bigger for jumbo-sized projects).

Knitting needles come in longer and shorter lengths, and also come as circulars with a cable attached between two needles for circular knitting. Crochet hooks are usually a standard length (unless you're working with a jumbo hook). Much like picking your yarn, you'll pick your hook and needles based on what your pattern says.

You can buy hooks and needles in separates (one hook or one pair of needles in one size) or in sets (a range of different sizes). If you're just beginning, I recommend just buying one size at a time. That way you're not breaking the bank and you haven't made too much of an investment if you find knitting or crocheting isn't for you. On the other hand, if you have the money and want to splurge on a whole set, go for it--just read a few customer reviews online first to be sure you're getting a good one!

The Learning Curve

Now, you may be like me, you've picked up a knit or crochet book and found dozens of adorable patterns for sweaters, socks, baby hats, stuffed animals--you name it--and can't wait to start. But you're quickly disappointed when you look at the instructions and it all looks like gibberish to you. There are strange abbreviations, a million rows, weird phrases like 'binding off'--you don't know where to start.

Most books will have a section that goes over some of the basics in knit or crochet with diagrams and text (some are more well-written than others). But you can find yourself going cross-eyed trying to figure them out, and it's hard to check if what's coming out in your hands is what they're describing in the book. So, if you have a friend or relative who knits or crochets I highly recommend asking if they can sit down with you to teach some of the basics. If you don't know any yarn-crafters, online videos are your next best bet (and sometimes they're actually a little easier to understand).

Once you've gotten down some of the basics--like chain stitching and single and double crochet stitches, or casting on and knit and purl--you're ready to start something simple. Did you see that key word, simple? Like learning anything else new, it's best to start with something small, like a pot holder or dishcloth, before you embark on a month-long project (you may never finish!).

It's Okay to Cry

I might sound silly saying this, but you really may find yourself frustrated to tears when you're first learning to knit and crochet. Not that it's rocket science to figure out or anything, but it definitely takes wrapping your mind around several new techniques. And there will be times when you have to undo 5, 10, or even more rows after discovering one tiny mistake. It can start to feel like a lot of hard work for nothing at times.

When you do find yourself frustrated, give yourself a break. Put it down and come back to it when you have a clear head. If you're smart (like I've learned to be), you won't let it get the best of you, and you'll soon find those beginner's tears long gone.

Victory!

When you persevere through a project and find yourself stitching those last few rows, there's no greater feeling. Well, except if it's a gift for someone, then seeing them enjoy it can be even more gratifying. And sometimes that scarf/hat/sweater you were working on so long won't turn out quite the way you'd hoped. But the victory will be in finishing something. It's easy to let a project fall in the sleep pile, but it takes strength to keep going and see something to the end (just like anything worthwhile in life).

Resources

To get you started on finding your own how-to sources, I'll share a few of my favorites:

Books--The Knitting and Crochet Answer Books are my go-to sources for just about any question I have. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to find what you're looking for if you don't know the exact terminology, but it's an essential guide I always keep on hand. Even better, they're small enough to fit in my purse for on-the-go projects!

Blogs and Websites
Attic24, Lindamade, The Purl Bee, and luvinthemommyhood are my all-time favorite knit and crochet blogs.

Ravelry is an amazing site for both knitters and crochets--you'll find forums, free patterns, and you can keep your own notebook of projects.

YouTube is my favorite place to look for how-to videos. You can look up just about any stitch or other aspect of knit and crochet and you'll most likely have several videos to choose from. I love having the visual aspect--I can knit or crochet along with the video and see if my work is correct. The Knit Witch is a great channel for knitting. I don't have any particular favorites for crochet.

There you have it, my little rundown on teaching yourself to knit and crochet!

Did you find this post helpful at all? I would love to hear your own story of learning to knit or crochet. And if you have any questions I didn't cover, don't hesitate to ask!

Giveaway Winner

2012-02-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

First off, I want to say thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway. I really appreciate you reading my blog and I'm happy to put these giveaways together for you guys! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for new giveaway possibilities.

Meanwhile, the moment you've all been waiting for--the Fabric-by-Fabric winner is...lucky #7 Robyn:

Robyn said...
I just shared on my FB page. I shared on Pen Pals & Picture Books FB page. And I put it up on pintrest! -robyn

I'll be getting in touch with you for your mailing address, congratulations!

And for everyone else, stayed tuned for the next How to be Crafty post on Knit and Crochet. Hope your week is off to a great start!

When Days are Long

2012-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Some days just seem longer than others...

And with Chris at the fire station, and four kids cooped inside most the day, yesterday was definitely a harder one. But when I find the strength to persevere, and remember to take those deep breaths...

...I soon find the kids coming together peacefully, at least for a moment long enough to lighten the load of the day.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend, and I'll be back soon with another segment on how to be crafty.

Fabric-by-Fabric Giveaway (CLOSED)

2012-02-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Welcome back from yesterday's first installment of How to Be Crafty. To help inspire you to dig out your dusty sewing machine I have a fun giveaway to share with you! The wonderful people over at Storey publishing have offered a free copy of their recent book, Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins. I already own Patricia and Rebecca's first book, One-Yard Wonders and loved it. So I was excited to have the opportunity to check out the book and try out some of the patterns, and am eager to share all the great stuff you'll find inside!

1. Cozy Comfort Set 2. Gazillions of Gathers Pillow 3. Farmer's Market Tote 4. Coupon Wallet

First off, let me say how big this book is. With 101 sewing projects, it's nearly two inches thick with nine full-size pattern pages included! And as the title suggests, the projects are divided by type of fabric, including cotton, knits, corduroy, flannel, home dec, wool, and more.

I've already made myself a shirt using the Last-Minute Tunic pattern (sorry I didn't get any photos of that yet) and am working on a pair of corduroy Play Pants with double knee panels for one of the boys. Some other projects I can't wait to try out are the Farmer's Market Tote with its plethora of pockets, the Cheeky Panty & Cami Set in my knit print of choice, and the fun little Retro Bag.

1. Pig & Piglets 2. Swaddle Blanket 3. Hanging Book Display 4. Monster Backpack

The book doesn't just give you a bunch of great patterns and leave you to figure it out yourself. Like most sewing project books, Fabric-by-Fabric includes detailed instructions with each project. But they've also added diagrams to show where to place your fabric pieces to make the most of your yard of fabric. For a beginning sewer, it can be hard figuring out how to get all the pieces you need out of a limited amount of fabric.

Rebecca and Patricia have also included an introductory section that talks about everything from basic stitching tips, to how to use the patterns, and even includes a fabric type cheat sheet detailing all you need to know when working with various types of fabric.

There's also a glossary at the back which covers basic terms and techniques found throughout the book. You'll also find a full list of resources and contributers with bios about their work and where to find them online.

1. Kanzashi Clock 2. Umbrella Redo 3. Accessory Trio 4. Party Lamp Shade

This book is a great source for trying out new ideas, using up your stash of all types of fabrics, and making gifts for just about everyone you know. Wouldn't you like to win a copy? Well, one lucky U.S. reader will have that chance!

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below sharing which project you'd like to try in the book. For extra entries, like Maker Mama on Facebook and Google Friend Connect, or share this post on FB, Twitter, or Pinterest. You can also head over to Storey Publishing's Facebook fan page to give them a big thumbs up for making such a great book. Be sure to leave a comment for each of your extra entries!

I'll close the giveaway by 8 a.m. CT on Monday, Feb. 6 and will announce the winner shortly after. Please include your email if it's not already in your profile; I wouldn't want you to miss out on your prize.

Good luck everyone, and happy sewing!

How to be Crafty: Sewing

2012-02-03T05:30:00.000-08:00

So, you've always dreamed of sewing your own clothes, curtains, or even just a napkin or two. But it seems too complex or time-consuming, or you've never even picked up a needle and thread and have no idea where to start. Sound familiar? I've certainly been there. Although I did have a bit of sewing experience growing up, I'd never sewn any clothes, and my first sewing project as an adult was mending the binding on my bathmat.

Since mending that first bathmat, I've managed to make a quilt or two, sew up a few things for the kids, and most recently began sewing clothes for myself. There's definitely a bit of a learning curve, but I'm here to help you through it. Here are some tips that will hopefully motivate you, no matter how much experience you may have with sewing.

Bare Necessities

First off, you really don't need a lot to get started sewing. It's just stitching two pieces of fabric together, after all. And the only two things you really need are a needle and thread. But a pair of fabric scissors, some pins, and a seam ripper will get you going. If you already have a sewing machine then great, if not don't feel like you have to go off rushing to buy one (unless you have the money and know that you'll use it).

Start Simple

Like, I said, my first self-motivated sewing project wasn't anything fancy. Sewing binding onto the edge of a bathmat is about as boring as it gets. But starting with something small will familiarize you with the basics of sewing while also boosting your crafting confidence.

And mending is an excellent introduction to sewing. Shortening hems, patching knees, and stitching lose seams will not only help you save money in the long run, but you'll also find yourself seeing how many other things you can mend before tossing.

Learning the basics will give you the skills you need move on to bigger and more challenging projects. And if you already have a bit of experience, but still don't have the confidence to move on to something like sewing your own clothes, try a simpler version of what you'd like to move on to.

I was anxious over sewing garments for myself for the longest time, but got comfortable with sewing clothes for my easier-to-dress kids. This helped me in understanding how the parts of a shirt or dress go together, and then, once I felt comfortable enough, I mustered up the courage to make my own dress (and it turned out wonderfully).

So, if you'd love to make a queen-sized quilt for your bed but aren't quite ready, start off with some quilted pot holders, a wall hanging, or a pillowcase. Then move on to the bigger part. Of course, you can always dive head first into the challenging projects, too!

Mess Up

Give yourself permission to make mistakes! We all do eventually, and it's the best way to learn how to make things better the next time. Although I'm not always fond of my seam ripper, it's definitely a lifesaver when I find myself still sewing things the wrong way.

Also, don't feel discouraged if your sewing projects don't quite turn out the way you'd like them to in the beginning. There are projects that I look back on now and wince at, but I know they were important in my growth. Even Monet scribbled as a child, and a good recipe always tastes better with practice.

Add a Few Bells and Whistles

Once you're comfortable with making stitches, treat yourself to a few extras to help make the work a little easier. A measuring tape helps in taking measurements to customize the fit of garments. A larger seam ripper is easier on the hand. Disappearing fabric pens help with tracing patterns onto fabric. And, my newest favorite, a pair of dress cutting shears makes cutting fabric an almost pleasurable experience.

When you move on to making from scratch rather than mending, you can also have fun picking out fabric. Many of you probably already have stashes of colorful prints that you couldn't keep your hands off of! Just make sure you use it, too!

Keep it Frugal

Don't go overboard with amassing all possible sewing supplies, though. Just like your eyes can be too big for your stomach at lunch time, they can also be too big for your wallet and your sewing room (or in my case a wall in our family room).

I do have a small budget for crafting every month now, but when I first started I had to be super thrifty with acquiring supplies and fabric. I was fortunate that my mother had a fairly large stash that she let me pick through. And if you don't have a relative who sews, ask around to see if any friends have sewing supplies they no longer need.

Other favorite sources of mine are garage sales and thrift stores. Used pillowcases and sheets make great material for blankets, and kids clothing. You can also buy clothes to alter for yourself.

And think twice before getting rid of your own textiles. You can make tons of stuff from your own old clothing and linens--I've made quilts out of clothing, sock animals, and have turned some of my old clothes into new ones for the kids.

Resources

I haven't actually talked about how to sew, but I've found that there are numerous resources that help just about anyone learn themselves.

1. Check out your local library. Most libraries have a pretty large selection of sewing books, whether it's learning the fundamentals or project idea books, the library is a great place to find free information. I highly suggest tracking down a book on basic sewing skills. I still refer to my old copy of Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing.

2. Look online. Another free, and even more accessible resource is the internet. There are countless blogs, websites, and YouTube videos to help you learn everything from how to thread a needle to full tutorials and free patterns on how to make your own dress. Some of my favorite sewing blogs and websites are Me Sew Crazy, Luvinthemommyhood, Elsie Marley, and Sew, Mama, Sew!

3. Look local. Check your local fabric store for sewing classes. Better yet, find out if your city has an alternative sewing lounge. Also find out if there is a local sewing guild in your area.

4. Find a community. One of the best things you can do to motivate your sewing is find someone to share it with. There's a reason why Trekkies and Star Wars fans go to conventions--there aren't many people like them in their day to day lives. And so it goes with sewing (without the crazy costumes, hopefully). Finding a friend--in person or online--that you can talk shop with validates your crazy endeavors into making something out of nothing.

So, there we have it. Some simple steps to motivate you to get sewing. I hope you're inspired to start stitching and I would love to hear your feedback in the comments below! What are your sewing hurdles? What was your first project? Can't wait to see what you guys are up to!

P.S. Come back by tomorrow and I'll have a fun little surprise for you guys!

How to be Crafty

2012-02-02T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to write about this for a while now. With the explosion of the online craft world (and a rise in Pinterest addictions) it's easy to gorge ourselves on great ideas that we want to try out "one day." But what happens when that day never comes? When we become so overwhelmed by all the amazing ideas out there that we feel inadequately crafty ourselves?

I'm a firm believer that everyone--man, woman, and child---should learn how to make something with their own two hands (or feet). Whether it's cooking a meal from scratch, woodworking, sewing a pair of pajama pants, knitting washcloths, planting a garden, or even finger painting and making daisy chains, everyone is capable of creating something.

And in a world in which we're more and more removed from where everything we own comes from, I think it's extremely important to reconnection with the things around us and the people who made them. To create meaning beyond consuming while simplifying and de-stuffing our lives as a result.

I've always been something of a creative person, but it's only been in the past few years that I could begin to call myself a crafter. But I've grown in leaps and bounds in my crafty journey and want to help you grow, too.

So, in the next few weeks I'll be writing about how you can find your own inspiration and motivation to learn, create, and explore what you can make yourself. I'll be focusing more on the fiber arts (since that's what I have the most experience in), including sewing, knitting and crochet, and needlework, hopefully with a few extras added in.

I hope to guide you past the bookmarking and pinning stage of your creative endeavors and step into the realm of doing. I'll start first with sewing.

Where are you on the crafty spectrum? Are you still building up the nerve to dip your toes in? Have you been crafting for years? What motivates you to dive in and start making?

I'm excited to join you in your own creative journey and can't wait to hear your stories and experiences!

Spring Bolero

2012-02-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

I shared at the beginning of January that I had a number of works-in-progress and I'm happy to share that I've finished another one! This little number is a ribbed lace bolero I found and fell in love with through Pinterest.

I love the simplicity of Kelly's pattern and new it would be possible for even me to do. I'm still fairly new to knitting (this was my first garment), so I had a little difficulty following along. Fortunately I found some great videos here and here and here.

For more details about the yarn, etc., head on over to my Ravelry page. Since I finished this so quickly, I had thought of knitting up two more little ones for the girls' Easter outfits. But now I'm thinking I might look for something a little different--more girly, perhaps? Any favorite girl cardigan/bolero patterns out there? Can't wait to pair this with a cute springy dress!

What's on your needles?

A Sprinkle of Stitches

2012-01-28T04:57:00.000-08:00

I'm notoriously bad for not having a protective cover on my phone. My biggest excuse is that I've just never found one that I liked enough to cough up the cash for. Until I came across these awesome cross stitch phone covers. I found mine on Amazon for a mere $8 and am extremely pleased.

And not only did it come with the eco-friendly silicone case, but it included some embroidery thread, a needle, and a little pattern booklet.

But like a total craft nerd I had to find myself a unique pattern to stitch up on my phone case. So I did a little online search for vintage cross stitch patterns, and fell in love with the Art Nouveau patterns on the Antique Pattern Library (and yes, I stayed up way too late looking through them).

And here's what I came up with. A little different, and far from perfect stitching, but definitely me.

How to you sprinkle your stitches throughout your everyday life?

This Time Last Year

2012-01-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've been super busy with a project I can't wait to share with you, but it's not quite ready to be revealed yet. So, since my other crafty projects have been put on hold, I thought I'd take the time to look back at what we were up to this time last year. Like I've mentioned before, I like to look back from time to time just to be able to reflect, remember, and appreciate the growth life brings.

Looking back at my photo library, I found this set from a daytime date my husband and I took to our favorite little Mexican restaurant here in town. My husband brought me here when we were first dating, and it's been a favorite ever since.

I'm one of those people who tends to order the same thing over and over. And I always get a Mexican Coke to go with it. Always. I'm making myself hungry (and thirsty) just looking at these pictures.

And to make it even better, you get a free sopapilla with every meal. We got ours to go this time and didn't get to enjoy the sweet honey drizzled on top, but I think we were trying to make it back before the babysitter had to leave.

We couldn't pass up a stop at the nearby Half Price though (another favorite). We keep our dates pretty simple, but it's nice to have your favorite places to go--especially without kids--it becomes a sort of haven to kick back and relax in, to regroup and reconnect together every once in a while.

What are some of your favorite local spots? What are your memories from this time last year? I definitely see some Mexican food in my future!

Upcycled Fingerless Gloves

2012-01-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

We actually had a (kind of) cool day this week and found myself dying to knit up some fingerless gloves from a pattern in the fall issue of Craft Sanity magazine I recently downloaded. Of course it was mid-morning when I got the urge and I was smart enough to realize there was no way I could get away with a new knitting project with the girls up and running. But my hands were still cold, and I remembered an old sweater I had laying around and decided to make my own simpler version. It only took me about thirty minutes (with photo-taking), so if you have an old sweater you could whip some up to warm your hands today!

So, get your sweater. And something to keep your little ones busy for a bit. I put this project together rather hastily so the house was in complete disarray (hence the empty laundry basket).

To keep sewing to a minimum, I decided to use the sleeves, leaving the folded side uncut. Trace around your hand, making sure to leave some room for seam allowance.

Here's how my tracing looked (I used a water-soluble marker).

Carefully cut it out--you can use pins to hold the fabric together if you want.

Before you start sewing, I highly suggest using ball point needles made especially for sewing knits, otherwise your fabric will likely bunch up.

Pin the edges together and sew as close to the edge as possible. And make sure not to close up the finger and thumb holes! You only need to sew the "V" between the thumb and fingers and the outer edge beside the thumb.

You'll get something like this. I snipped off a little extra on the thumb because it was a bit snug.

Before you cut and sew the second one, try the first on for fit and comfort. You may need to trim the seams to keep them from rubbing against your hand.

Now, instead of awkwardly trying to trace your drawing hand, just flip your first glove inside out and trace it on the other sleeve. If you trimmed the seam allowance previously make sure to account for that in tracing the second.

Sew the second one up and there you have it! Some cozy little gloves to keep your hands warm while you go about your day. The pair I made is definitely not high-fashion--you could pretty yours up with a little embellishment or just find a cuter sweater to begin with.

Now go clean up the mess your littles made while you were sewing away!

But, hey, at least your hands are warm! And you still have the rest of your sweater to do some fun things with. Check out these other upcycled sweater ideas:

Upcycled Sweater Cowl Scarf from Ruffles and Stuff

Baby Sweater Blanket from King Soleil

Sweater Pillowcase by Midwestern Sewing Girl

Recycled Sweater Vases by Under the Table and Dreaming

Recycled Legwarmers from A Bit of Sunshine

Any other favorite recycled sweater projects? Hope you're keeping warm (I know I can't really complain down here in spring-like San Antonio).

A Good Day

2012-01-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes life just hands you a good day. Yesterday we all had an extra day home together, the weather was just right, and so was everyone's mood...

...So we took to the outdoors and soaked in the life growing in our garden...

...and discovered the seeds we had planted oh-so-long-ago, had grown in silence during our oh-so-busy days.

When you take the time to plant the seeds, life will always flourish. Whether it's in the food that grows from them or the family that's nourished in the attempt.

What "seeds" have you seen the fruits of lately?

Knit Baby Socks

2012-01-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

I finished the little baby socks I started knitting back in November--hooray, my first pair of socks! I feel like super woman, I can do anything if I can knit a pair of socks!

Granted, they're just tube socks and don't exactly fit my baby, but I made socks!

Never the less, I'm proud of myself for sticking to it and finishing the pair (I talked about all of my unfinished knitting and crochet projects earlier this month). You can find the details for the pattern over on my Ravelry page.

Have you finished up any projects lately? Started any new ones?

Giveaway Winners

2012-01-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. It was fun hearing how everyone enjoys music with their family, whether it's listening, singing along in the car or bathtub, or even teaching yourselves to play the piano! I never would have considered ourselves musical, either, until I read this book. We listen to and sing songs all the time, and it really is a backdrop to our day. The Nield's book has given me confidence that we can consciously use music to better our days, too. Well, enough of my blabbing and on to the winners! The number generator at random.org chose numbers 3 and 16:

#3: silly eagle books said...

What a great book! I'd love to win. We have a collection of songbooks (picture books with songs in them) that I sing to my girls.

#16: Pea said...

Pea, who is also Pansy, is spreading the word on FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=779172852

Congrats to Vanessa and Pansy! I'll be sending you an email to collect your addresses (or you can email me first at makermama[at]gmail[dot]com).

I'll be having some more craft-centered giveaways in the coming weeks, so be sure to stop back by often! Thanks again to everyone who entered, and I hope to see you all around and get to know you a little better. If you haven't already, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Flickr and keep the crafty conversation going! Have a great weekend!

Vintage Sewing Patterns

2012-01-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

One of the good things about friends and family knowing you're a crafter, is that they often think of you when they want to declutter their own stashes. (I'm also a bit of a craft goods hoarder, so I have to be careful with how much I take in.) This week I was fortunate to receive the remnants of one such stash and found a handful of vintage sewing patterns I couldn't resist sharing with you.

Now first, let me tell you, I'm not a big pattern-buyer. I don't have anything against using patterns themselves. I just don't like looking through giant pattern binders and then only being able to buy it in one size. I know, how lazy am I? But when it comes to vintage patterns, I just can't resist their whimsy and cuteness. Here's what I got my lucky hands on this week:

This one is for a girl's Jiffy dress by Simplicity circa 1969. I think what I love most about this one are the color and embellishment choices in the illustration. It's for a girl's size 7, so I can definitely hold onto this one for future use.

There's no copyright date on this one, but with two of the models posed with a pipe and cigarrette, I'm guessing 50s or early 60s, maybe? Plus the price is only at fifty cents (the previous one was sixty-five). Chris says he may actually wear a robe if I sewed one for him.

And this sweet little apron pattern doesn't have a date on it either, but aren't they cute? I like the white polka dot one, I'm not sure if I could go for ruffles.

And this one has to be my favorite, just for the illustration. It's a boy's size 12 pattern from 1959 which I'd likely use as the boys get bigger, but if anything else I think it would look great in a frame!

Have you sewn with vintage patterns before? Any secret stashes out there?

Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway, it ends tonight at midnight!

All Together Singing in the Kitchen Giveaway!

2012-01-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Today I am excited to host a giveaway of not only one, but two copies of the wonderfully amazing book, All Together Singing in the Kitchen, by Nerissa and Katryna Nields from Roost Books. Roost also published Made to Play! and The Rhythm of Family, two more favorites of mine that you may already love, too.

As you may have guessed, All Together Singing is all about how to become a musical family. And the Nield Sisters, although musicians themselves, are very down to earth when they say you don't have to have any musical experience at all to appreciate music as a family.

The book begins with a foreword by children's music icon, Dan Zanes, and I was immediately drawn into the transformative power of music. In Zanes' own words:

When we play music with each other and for each other the world begins to look like a different place. Petty cares and fears fall away. Priorities become shaken and realigned, jokes become funnier and there are more of them, food tastes better and more people are willing to help clean up, differences fade away and similarities appear in unexpected ways, and we begin to experience a new sense of life's best possibilities--musically, socially, creatively, and spiritually. Music remains the best deal in town.

Who couldn't use a little more music in their lives?

The Nield Sisters start the book off with simple tips on finding your own singing voice, keeping beat on small percussion instruments, and move all the way through dancing, playing musical games, writing your own family songs, and also include different methods of musical education, learning to play instruments, and creating your own musical family traditions.

One of my favorite chapters is Everyday Songs. In it, Nerissa and Katryna talk about how they grew up with and used music to get through everyday tasks and emotions, from bath time, to clean-up time, to cheering-up songs and how to choose the perfect lullaby for you and your baby (you're the one who'll be singing it ten thousand times, after all!).

Sprinkled throughout the book are songs (both classic folk and originals) and personal stories of their own childhood and experience in creating music with their children. Katryna and Nerissa are musical mothers, and as such, know just how to inspire parents to make music themselves in the midst of diapers and dishes, as well as how to help you bring out the music that's just waiting to bubble up out of your own little ones.

The book has not only inspired us to create our own musical renditions of songs like Do You Know the Muffin Man? and Row, Row, Row Your Boat (Skyler came up with Do You Know the Cyclops Mama? just this afternoon), but it's also encouraged me to pick up the guitar and try a little music-making myself. I briefly attempted to play the guitar during high school, but never felt as motivated as I do now. The kids love hearing me play (no matter how terrible the player or simple the song), and it's been great to practice with my son who's also learning, and even enjoy a late-night "jam session" with my hubby.

This book will be a long-time inspiration in creating our own family music, and to make it even better, it includes a CD in the back with 30 songs all talked about in the book. You can listen to all the songs here, or purchase your own copy of the book and CD at Roost Books or on Amazon. There is also a wonderful interview with Nerissa and Katryna on the Shambhala website (Shambhala is the publishing house that oversees Roost Books).

A big thanks to Roost Books for their generosity and such an inspiring book!

Two lucky Maker Mama readers will each receive a copy of All Together Singing in the Kitchen!

How to Enter:
Leave a comment telling me how you share music with your family.

Extra Entries: (You must complete the first entry before the extras, and leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Preview the book on the Roost website and tell me which chapter you'd most like to read.
Follow Maker Mama publicly through Google Friend Connect (leave a comment if you already follow).
Leave a comment for following Maker Mama on Facebook.
Share this post on your Facebook page and leave the link.
Follow @makermama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway, leaving a link to your tweet in the comments.

The giveaway is open worldwide, and only one winner per household. You must complete the first entry in order to enter ("I want to win comments" will not be considered). And be sure to include your email in the comments if it's not on your profile.

Comments will be open until Friday, January 13 at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced on Saturday. If I don't hear back from the winners within 72 hours I'll choose another.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

All text and book images
"Excerpted from ALL TOGETHER SINGING IN THE KITCHEN by Nerissa Nields and Katryna Nields, (c) 2011. Published by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston.
www.roostbooks.com."

On Hooks and Needles (Part 2)

2012-01-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Back now for part two of my yarn addiction confessions! Yesterday I shared my unfinished crochet projects and today we're on to knitting. I only started knitting about a year ago (many thanks to my mother-in-law who helped me learn). I think the only thing I've actually completed in that time was a door stop from Debbie Bliss's The Knitter's Year, oh, and a scarf that was too short.

I really do like knitting. I think it has a cleaner, more classic look than crochet, but I'm still getting used to how much longer it takes--especially when I have to unravel and redo half of my work!

I was fortunate to receive some very generous gift certificates to my favorite local yarn store from my mom and Oma for Christmas, and an awesome new set of knitting needles (I'll share more about them at the end of the post). So it looks like I'll have to get my act together with knitting this year! Here's a closer look at what I've been working on (and neglecting):

First up, legwarmers. For some reason I fell in love with the idea of making myself some legwarmers during the fall. I found this sweet pattern and started right away. Knitting lace was new to me so I made plenty of mistakes along the way. And after I finally got into the gist of things, I realized I probably should have made it bigger seeing how I'm an adult and the pattern was for a child. Yeah. There's definitely a learning curve in being sure to think about all the aspects that go into knitting.

Next up, socks. A logical progression, right? I found a great book on sock knitting at the library, The Big Book of Socks, and along with a ton of patterns, it explained how to knit socks with circular needles. That sounded a lot more appealing that using a confusing handful of double pointed needles. So I started off on a pair of simple baby-sized tube socks. I finished the first one pretty quickly, but then I messed up in starting the second one and lost momentum.

Am I starting to sound like a total yarn flake yet? I should add that I didn't buy any new yarn for the socks or legwarmer, which made it less of a deal not finishing them. I do want to finish the other sock though. I'd really like to get the hang of knitting socks, and I think they would make a nice little baby gift.

And saving the best for last, my latest project is a ribbed lace bolero for me. It's a beautifully simple pattern, a rectangle with the sides seamed together to make the sleeves. I have had to unknit my work a number of times, but this time I did buy new yarn for this one, and it hasn't been too difficult fixing my mistakes. I picked out some of Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino Aran #20, which is a light, almost neutral lavendar, and I can't wait to wear it!

I'm working this one on a pair of circulars, too, and it's something I look forward to everyday. I have high hopes of finishing this one and then making two more smaller ones for the girls in time for Easter. I've found with knitting you really do have to plan months in advance if you want to have something done in time for a certain season or occasion. So, we'll see if my ambitions are too high come Spring!

That's it for my knitting projects. But before I finish, I wanted to share this wonderful set of needles I got for Christmas. They're the Knitter's Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Circular set, and I absolutely adore them! It comes with nine pairs of needles and four different cables that you can attach to all of the needles.

The thing that makes them really great is the key used to tighten them. The yarn slides off smoothly, and you can hardly tell the cables are removable. If you're looking for a set of circulars, I highly recommend this one!

So there you have it, my little knitting adventures. Hopefully I'll be sharing some finished projects before the end of the year! What do you have on your needles?

On Hooks and Needles (Part 1)

2012-01-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

As many of us are still thinking of New Year's resolutions, the thing that keeps coming to my mind is my chronic yarn addiction. I almost always have more than one project going at a time, and am often guilty of not finishing them, or at least taking a very long time to do so. So, as kind of a New Year's confessional, I thought I'd share my collection of barely started, abandoned, and miraculously recently finished (or almost finished) crochet and knitting projects. There's quite a handful, so I'm breaking it up into two posts. Today I'll share my crochet undertakings:

I had all intentions of finishing this project, honest. It was going to be a pillow cover for for Eleanor's birthday back in September. The pattern is from Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots. I even succeeded in crocheting a robe for Eleanor from the same book about this time last year.

But I didn't start it early enough. I ended up on a crazy crochet marathon right before her birthday and in the process ended up with extreme wrist and elbow pain which lasted on and off for almost two months (beware how you hold tiny hooks!). Needless to say, it still isn't done...

And here's a ripple stitch blanket I started in December...2009. Ever since stumbling across the blog Attic 24, I've been head over heels for her neat ripple pattern. The only excuse I have for this one is that I don't work on it regularly enough. I always have something else going, and this one gets pushed aside. I have daydreams of snuggling under it's ripple-y goodness one day...

And in the next exhibit you'll see a very short baby legwarmer from a pattern in Linda Permann's most recent book, Little Crochet. After stitching along for a few inches I realized I was screwing it up in the back, and then I wasn't too sure I loved how the colors were turning out, so, yeah, another orphaned project...(although I'm a huge fan of Linda's and it's a fantastic book!)...

Now what do we have here? A finished hat, por moi? Well, almost finished. I just have to weave in the ends. I've been obsessed with making myself a hat (all I have is an old black one with a giant bobble on top). I had a little bit of yarn leftover from my cowl and thought I'd make one from that. I found this pattern and eagerly started it, only to find I didn't have enough yarn. And when I went back to the yarn store for more, of course they didn't have any. So I picked out a different color and pattern, went back for more yarn again, and finally finished it up the other night! Now if only it actually felt like winter here in spring-like San Antonio...

And the pièce de résistance is this sweet little coin purse I whipped up all by my self! Okay, I did find some tips here, but I pretty much made it up as I went.

It's not perfect, and I would definitely tweak it if I had to make it over, but I think it's cute. I sewed in a little lining and just need to attach the clasp top. I would love to work more on designing my own patterns, and this was a fun little first-step in that direction.

So there you have it, a personal confession of my all-over-the-place crochet habit. Stay tuned for part two on knitting.

How about you? Are you loyal to each project from start to finish, or do you have others hiding in dark corners? What motivates you to finish your own craft projects?

When Mama's Not Looking

2012-01-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

As any of you who have little ones know, kids can get into quite a bit of mischief when you're not looking. This week my four-year-old son, Liam, decided to cut my three-year-old Eleanor's hair. Not a full haircut, but just enough...

...to make chopping of the rest inevitable. I was washing the dishes before dinner when it happened. My oldest son came in saying This is unbe-LIEV-able. Usually I probably would have shouted at him (Liam is the biggest rascal of the bunch), but there really wasn't a point. The hair wasn't going back on.

So, the scissors were taken away and he had a talking-to. It felt good not losing control over something that we'll probably laugh at in years to come. Sometimes it's good to let life just roll off your shoulders. And fortunately Eleanor wasn't the least bit bothered; she was actually excited about cutting her hair short.

So short it became. I left the dishes, started a hands-off meal in the oven, did some online hair cutting research, and busted out with the hair scissors (which were kept safely out of reach).

And we made it (mostly) peacefully through the day. When life hands you a chunk of your kid's hair, just make a cute little bob. She does look pretty cute, though.

How have you survived your own near-disasters in parenting? Any other hair cutting tales out there?