Sand To Pearl

Cute Baby Shower Gifts

2011-05-04T22:01:00.000-05:00

My newest baby shower gifts can be found HERE. It's worth checking out. I know, it would be great if I could put it here, but blogger won't let me upload any more photos, apparently I've hit my limit. So I had to move to Wordpress. Annoying, sad, frustrating, grrr... (Insert thoughts of the Hulk, my husband will be so proud!)

"Carpet" Squares

2011-03-21T07:20:00.002-05:00

Do you remember those little carpet squares from pre-school? Well, this is my alternative. See, the other day we were doing some school, and my little man walking around the room, which was fine, but since he was wearing boxers I wanted him to stay on the blanket (so he wouldn't go on my floor) anyway, now everything I try to do some organized school the kids run and grab blankets to sit on. So, in my Spring De-Stash mode, I decided I could make them some, and they came out great.

I started by cutting 2 pieces of the mat- 17x14.

Then, I wanted to put the kid's names on them, and I was using Heat-N-Bond. Have you noticed that when you draw on the flat side that it is always backwards when you're finished? So, normally people write their letters backward, but I use a permanent marker on the rough side, and it comes out great, just make sure you don't use a marker that's darker then the fabric you're using (it will show through, you're writing on the adhesive)

Now, I used fleece (I used the same fleece to make my little man some pants) and Fleece can't handle the heat it would take to adhere the fleece to the cotton, so I put a piece of flannel over the fleece, iron a little, then iron from the back of the cotton, and it adheres it fantastically. After adhering it, sew it on.

Then I take my two mat pieces, and one piece of batting (you don't have to put anything in there, or you could put in fleece, but I have my MIL's batting left overs, so that's what I used) Make sure it's the two pieces of fabric, right sides together, then on the bottom is the layer of batting.

Sew the three layers together all along the edge, making sure to leave an opening to flip this right sides out.

Clip the corners. Flip right sides out, iron, then top stitch, and you get a fantastic mat:

perfect for giving kid's their own space. (If my kids would eve give eachother space)

Shoe Makover?

2011-03-18T07:20:00.001-05:00

So, I found these beauties for $1 a piece, so I got 3 thinking I'd make them look different.

My first attempt was to make myself some cute black shoes.
I tried to use the Simply Spray stuff (have I told you guys how much I despise that stuff, runny, not precise, simply annoying) Anyway, this is what happened:

Yeah, streaky, not black, and I got it all into my nail bed, so my fingers look like I've been working on a car, not a bad look, but it doesn't look right on me, and the only thing I can do on my car is check the oil, so it's also very misleading. I'm sure I'll get it figured out (I mean, I KNOW I will get it figured out so I can wear the shoes) But for now, they are back in my closet until the time that I feel ready to speak to them again.

I've Got Balls!!

2011-03-16T07:20:00.035-05:00

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day- Hooray!! So, we're going green, but it looks more brown and black-
I turned this:

Beautifully ugly men's 100% wool suit coat ($4.50), into:

Wool Dryer balls!!
I've been wishing for some of these babies for a while (sad, huh? This is what I "dream" about getting). See, we're "green". Yes, we feel a need to take care of the planet but we also are living on student loans, so yeah, we're "green" to save money. Which these wool dryer balls cover both of. They help clothes dry faster (saves money and the environment by not using the dryer as long, which is a big deal at our house with our old beat up washer/dryer) they cut down on the static too. Woo Hoo! We have those plastic dryer balls, which help dry the laundry, but they get all soft from the dryer, and mine have broken into two pieces. They also don't do anything at all for static, which is really bad in Iowa's winters. Apparently they are also very bad on the environment (or some people say they are, I have no idea, but I know wool isn't going to be releasing harmful chemicals when heated).

Want to make your own? They are seriously SO easy. I took the suit, cut it into strips and made the balls, just like making rubber band balls. Around the outside I tied the strips to keep them in place. Then I covered them in nylon (I used my little nylon footies wrapped in hair bands) and then put them in the wash on HOT HOT HOT, then dried them on HOT. It felts up the wool. After the first time, I took off the nylons but I kept putting the hair bands around it. I've read about lots of people buying the wool dryer balls and then having them fall apart in the dryer. Which makes me cringe, part of the reason to buy handmade is to have something that's made well. (That's my opinion, my Grandma Betty has sold handmade items as far back as I can remember and so her stuff has always been what I compare handmade to, and sometimes it measures up, sometimes not so much)
Oh, and these are PERFECT for people using cloth diapers (since softy sheets are a NO NO)

Buzz Clover

2011-03-14T07:20:00.000-05:00

For St. Patrick's Day, I made this shirt for Little Man. He LOVES Buzz, and we had green Buzz fabric, so it was only natural to make him this. Which he absolutely loves, and he showed everyone "Buzz", even letting the babies touch it and then he'd tell them "Buzz". It was so cute.

This was the best photo I got of him (as you can tell, he loves the photo shoot- and yes, I'm being sarcastic).
The Clover image I used can be found Here.

Under Construction

2011-03-12T14:02:00.000-06:00

So, I have two blogs I keep up to date, this one and my personal family blog (we have a BIG family and it's nice to be able to put everything up and let the family look through it when they have time, it's MUCH easier then emails I used to send to everyone, though some of my family is too scared to look at the blog, because apparently it will steal their identity, I have no idea, they are crazy!) Wheew! Anyway, the other day, I reached my maximum for photo space. Between all the pictures of my kids that I post and the large amount of pictures I take to illustrate how to make the crafts, I've reached my limit. So, I have some posts that already have the pictures, but yet to be written, and I'll be publishing them while I switch over to Wordpress. I've already exported my posts over, and I'm starting to familiarize myself with it. Actually, I kind of wish I had started there, it's not as difficult as I had read it was, and really, 3 g of space is much better then 1. I still have a lot to do to get it all set how I want it, but if you'd like to go over there the site is: http://sandtopearlcrafts.wordpress.com/
Also, I wanted to let you know the next few weeks may be a little spotty depending on how fast I get this all figured out, and how much time I have after: packing, vacation, doing all the work for our "new" car, unpacking, 1 week of spring break for my daughter (which does not coincide with our vacation because her spring break is different then my husband's) St. Patrick's Day, and trying to get my craft stuff organized (which I will not show before pictures because it's really embarrassing)

2011-03-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

Please excuse this horrible picture, the real item really looks much cuter, but I kept forgetting to take the picture and now the dress is with it's owner.

Ok, while searching for Tutu dresses for babies, I found many of them are made with a crocheted or knitted headband as the top. Which, let's face it, looks cute for a picture, but very impractical, because, really, who wants to be showing off their little girl's chest? So, after thinking about it for a while, I came up with a really cute way to make a top. I love it.

I started by finding out the normal chest size of a 9 month old baby (that's the size needed) and made a rectangle 6" by 12". I put some interfacing on the back becasue this stuff is hard to work with.

Beautiful interfacing.

I made a second quare 6"x8" and put more interfacing on the back

And shirred this smaller rectangle.

Then I sewed the shirred rectangle to the long rectangle along the 6" edges.

Then folded it in half and iron it, and there you have the top.

You can see the shirring is in the back.

Then I cut LOTS of strips of tuelle. 2" by 19inch.

And sewed the strips together, layering then, 1/2 over eachother. I used a long and loose straight stitich so

That I could ruffle it.

Then with right sides together I sewed the tuelle onto the top.

Folded it down and then top stitched so it would stay flat.

The pretty back.
Look at that beautiful shirring.

Then I added a flower, which I hand stitched and double hand stitched EACH of the beads, becasue no one wants beads falling off for a baby. Then I added some diaper covers, because the tuelle was a light color and the cover makes a big difference.

I'm so proud of this Tutu, because it was all my idea, I made my own pattern, and got it all put together, now I can't wait to see pictures of the little princess in it.

Oh, and I made a second one, it's a little different, I'll have to show it off soon, it's super cute too.

Placemats

2011-03-04T07:20:00.004-06:00

This post can now be found HERE

Quick and Easy Training Pants Covers

2011-03-02T07:20:00.005-06:00

This post can now be found here

Belly Buddy

2011-02-28T07:20:00.001-06:00

Feeling a little caged in? Wanting a little break from the monotonous times in winter. How about writing with markers?

Belly Faces!!
After weeks of being shut in, I'm a little looney, and so are the kids. We needed something to break up the routine, change things up, make us remember there is life outside of our home's walls. Well, we couldn't really go out, I mean, who wants a kid with goopy eyes, and another one who's hacking up a lung around them? So, we settled on making them their own friend, one who won't run away from them, who won't get grossed out by the snot. I don't have a picture of Little Man's, it really wasn't very good anyway, he thought I was tickling him so he thrashed a lot, and he wouldn't stay still. But Princess is loving her Belly Buddy. Both of them had a blast looking in the mirror and making their bellies talk. Reminds me of growing up and the funny things we used to do. My mom used to get the really red lipstick samples from avon, she'd put almost the whole thing on, and then chase us around and when she caught us she'd kiss us, and we'd end up with bright red kisses all over. Fun times, someday I'll have to do that with my kids, but I don't have an avon lady (I really don't buy much makeup and I don't need/want one) and I never remember to get any at walmart since I'm never going to the make up section anyway. So, someday...

Oh, and tomorrow is my son's check up, wish us luck that he's grown enough that he doesn't have any size issues. But if he does, the doctor that he's going to used to be a pathologist, so he knows the problems that my son might have inside and out, so if Little Man does have a problem, we've got the BEST doctor to help!!

Justice Inspired Tween Tees

2011-02-23T07:20:00.006-06:00

This post can now be found HERE

The Ugliest Christmas Sweater EVER

2010-12-17T07:20:00.004-06:00

OK, I'm going to warn you, if you have a queezy stomach this is NOT a post you want to see.
My husband found out a few weeks ago that there was going to be an ugliest Christmas Sweater contest at his school. And of course, he started bragging that I would make him an awesomely ugly sweater and he would totally win. Which is when he started bugging the organizer to have a prize.
So, we started with an ugly sweater from good will. This was where my horrible red fuzz problem began. The sweater was dry clean only, and I never checked the tag. The sweater came out fine, but the red fuzz, oh, the fuzz, I was dealing with for WEEKS!
After a few trips to the fabric store (which is WAY more fun with my mother-in-law!) we found all the stuff we needed and I got to work. From the very beginning I knew this was going to come out ugly. And it did.

Complete with annoying bells (covering the buttons)...

Oh, and my husband's touch: Team Jacob, because according to him, it's a way of life. He's such a goofball. He does this girly giggle whenever he watches the Twilight movies and Jacob comes on screen. (He's totally making fun of the Twilight mega fans.) But since it makes me laugh he'll continue doing it. Notice how it's bedazzled! Also his idea, the whole sweater was, I'm just the mechanic. Now, if anyone is thinking: "Wow, garland on the sleeve, was it hard?" Yes, yes, it was. I hated it. Or if you're thinking "Is he really going to wear it?" Yes, yes he will, he's a total goof, he's ready to wear it all day long. Which will be really funny.
Is there really an uglier sweater? I dare you to try to find one!!!

Linking Up:
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Tea Rose Home
What Allie's Making Now

Car Seat Winter Coat

2010-11-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

I'd like to welcome everyone who's hoping over from The Train to Crazy, thanks for stopping by and checking out this tutorial, I've got lots more, so have some fun and look around.

Ok, so many of you know that kids aren't supposed to wear their winter coats in their car seats, as the coats make their car seat unsafe. (For those of you who hadn't hear this yet, it's not some crazy internet idea, the winter coat adds too much bulk and will flatten out in a crash and the child can fly out of the car seat, scary, I know!) Well, that's all well and good, but I live in IOWA. It's FREEZING here, and the winter cold seems to linger forever. So, if they can't wear a coat, what are they supposed to do? Some people choose to have blankets, but Little Man is too independent to want me to carry him around in a blanket (plus, they shift). Last year I made him a special little car coat (Which I'll show you all once I find it and take some pictures), I was so proud of myself, but now he's a little older and I needed to make him something a little more "age appropriate"
So, I came up with this little ditty for him to wear to and from the car. And I have a tutorial! Hip Hip Hooray!

Supplies:
Warm fabric (Mine is specialty suede)
Elastic (I used 1/4 inch because that's what I had on hand)
Plate (like the one you'd eat off of)
Snaps (Optional, but I live by a store Wally Pop, and Sarah, the owner, does great snap work, and so I brought mine in while I was getting a few diapers snapped too)

So, I started with some novelty suede (I like the look and it is really warm)
For the coat I used 1/2 yard green, and 1/4 yard brown
This fabric is nice because it doesn't fray, and since it's so bulky finishing it is rather difficult.

I took the plate and put it at the top of the fabric. Then I cut out the half- 3/4 plate and used that line to cut the fabric 15 inches longer. (Now I made mine pretty big, I'm hoping to use it next year too. Little man really only needed 12 inches)

Then I cut a long strip of brown and sewed it along the bottom, then top stitched so it would flow down. (You don't have to do this I just liked the look) If the coat is not big enough to go around your kid, you can add a strip to make it wider (I ended up doing that just so it will fit next year too)

Then I took one of little man's hoodies and cut out two pieces of green fabric the same size.

I also cut a long strip 4" wide of brown to sew down the middle. I wanted the fabric to be big so that it would give him some room, especially after I added the elastic.

I sewed the brown strip to each of the green hoods, right sides together.

I then cut a 2" wide strip of brown fabric to go on the front of the hood.

At the sewing machine I layered it: one half of the brown fabric, the hood, elastic, and the other half of the brown fabric, (The brown fabric is halved length wise) Then I sewed close to the edge of the brown fabric so the elastic was wedged between. Then I double stitched the elastic on the bottom of the hood on one side. After that, I pulled the elastic tight, but not so tight the kids head would be missing, and double stitched it on the bottom of the other side.

So, now you have this beautiful hood. Set it aside for a moment.

I cut about a 4 inch strip of fabric, about an inch wide, and sewed it like a rectangle, with more elastic pulled tight, but not too tight right off to the side of the middle in the front on the top of the poncho part of the coat.

To sew he hood it was spaced right past the elastic. Sew along the hood on one side, you will not sew around the entire hood.

Then do the same to the other side of the hood. Start at the brown edging and sew for a little while (does not have to be the whole way across the fabric)

When I tried to get a picture of Little Man in the coat this is how it turned out, I added some snaps in the back so it will stay closed on the walk to and from the car.

Since Little Man won't cooperate I had to make do with Princess' little baby doll. Not as cute, but it does the job. Now Little Man will have a coat to wear when we do our errands and I won't have to keep taking his coat on and off to get him in the car. I'm thinking of adding a small applique (I have a small amount of fabric left) and maybe even some little holes for him to put his arms out of. But that would make it even more like a glorified Snuggy. I'm not sure I can take the jokes my husband and brothers (I have 4, and they would ALL participate) would rain down on me. My father in law is already making fun of it. Yeah, I know it's odd, but it's warm and safe! And he'll be wearing it today, it's going to be really cold today.

Linking Up:
Seamingly Smitten

Froggy Hooded Towel

2010-11-03T07:20:00.009-05:00

So, with each of my kids my mom went to this farmer's market out by where she lives and about these adorable Teddy Bear Hooded Towels. Pink for my daughter, then blue for my son. I loved/love them! They were perfect for my babies. I always hated the baby towels from the store, they are always so thin and so small. Yes, my child may be a little small in the towel, but really, I'd rather they be dry and warm.
So I recently found out one of my friends is having a baby and they aren't going to find out what it is. So, all gifts must be gender neutral. Which really wasn't a problem, because this person loves frogs and I have literally been making her little things here and there for a long time when I find cute frog fabric. Anyway, I've already given her that bag full of goodies, and she's got about 5 months left (yep, I know, I was early, but I was so excited!) and I know there will be a shower, plus I've been planning this project for a while I just never put it together.

Anyway, enough of my rambling.
Supplies:
1 Green Towel
1 Matching Green Hand towel, or another green towel (when I went to the store they were out of hand towels, so I just bought 3 towels, one for my friend, one for my etsy shop, and one to cut up for the hood and eyes)
Scraps of White Knit
Scraps of Black Knit
Coordinating Fabric

So, I started by cutting out the hood, basically, it's just two pieces of towel, cut in that shape. I used the finished edge of the towel to cut the front of the hood, because then you don't have to do anything to finish it. (hooray for less steps!) You could use a teen or adult hoodie as a pattern.

Next, I cut out 4 green towel pieces shaped like frog eyes (sorry those aren't in the picture), then 2 white (a little smaller then the green), and 2 black (smaller then the white).

Next, sew the black onto the white eye, then the white onto the green eye piece. I serged the bottom edge of the green eyes, then serged two green pieces together, one with the eyes, and one without.

Then toward the front of the hood, I cut a slit, big enough for the eye to fit in (not too big) and sewed the eye into the towel. Now with this step, take your time making sure the eye is facing forward, and that the needle goes through both layers of the towel. (I almost put my eye on backward)

As you can see, the sewing is around the opening of the eye, I don't sew straight through. I suppose you could if your machine can handle 4 layers of terry, but it might not be able to.
Oh, and side tip, I used a sharp needle, not universal, it seemed to work better, and it didn't break like the universal one did.
(Sorry no pic for this next little step)
Then find the middle of the towel, and the middle of the hood. Sew, with the right sides together. I sewed starting from the middle, so that even if it did some stretching, it would still be centered. When I made Princess' hooded towel, over a year ago, I didn't start in the middle, and now the hood is off center, but I'm too lazy to even try to rip out those seems and start again.

Then I cut a strip of fabric that coordinated. I cute it 2" wide and 36" long (though it really didn't need to be that long), I ironed it, folded it in half, ironed along that line, then folded each of the sides inside (does that make sense, like making bias tape, I even made one side a little longer so it would be easier to sew)

Then I cut a piece off of that to make the loop in the middle, and started sewing the trim on, when I got to the middle, I sewed in the loop while I was sewing the trim on.

And there you have it. A beautiful little hooded towel, which will be used again and again. (I thought it looked all cute folded like this. I'll put on a bow and it'll be ready for the shower, which is months away, and not even planned yet, but I'm ready. Not ready for Christmas next month, or Thanksmas this month, but ready for this!)

Linking Up:
Tea Rose Home
Some Day Crafts
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Somewhat Simple
Night Owl Crafting
Seven Thirty Three
The Train To Crazy
Seamingly Smitten
Tatertots and Jello

The Button Scarf/Bib

2010-10-27T07:20:00.002-05:00

Ok, so has anyone not seen the Ruffled Button Scarf tutorial over at Living With Punks? If you haven't seen it yet, you should go check it out. They are adorable. When I saw them it gave me a great idea, do you remember the story about Wheezy? Well, I'm always on the look out for cute non-bib looking bibs. (Does that even make sense?) So when I saw the scarf it instantly popped into my head that it would work as a bib. I noticed she had a blue coat and I had this adorable blue/brown fabric that I've been saving (because it's something I actually bought and so I wanted to make sure I used it in a project that was perfect for it, does that make me weird? Probably, but I'm glad I saved it, it was perfect) Yeah, the project only took me a month, the button was just too much for me. It's not like the button is hard, my machine does it all for me, I'm just a sissy when it comes to new things and I'm not fully comfortable with the button holes yet. Someday, right?
So, I used that adorable fabric for the ruffles, and then an old shirt from my brother-in-law for the main part of the scarf. Plus, I added some microfiber in the front to absorb more saliva. So, she'll be looking like she's sporting an awesomely styling scarf, which it is, but it's also a bib. Perfect! Wheezy is going to love it.

And I have a little secret, I think we're going to be going to NY to visit my family for Christmas, so we'll have to drop by Wheezy's and give it to her for Christmas. Awesome! I'm so excited, my husband's family lives out here, and I love them, but I don't get to see my family very often, and so I can't wait.

Linking Up:
Tea Rose Home
Tater Tots and Jello

Quick Halloween Craft

2010-10-20T07:20:00.003-05:00

So the other day we went to a little Halloween Party play date at a friend's house, and I offered to do the craft with the kids. At first I was going to make a skeleton craft, but when I found out there were going to be 22 kids... well, cutting out 22 skeletons is a bit much for me (I am without a cricut a silhouette) so that idea got scraped, so I went to the craft store to see what Halloween crafts they had, literally the pre-made crafts were $3 a piece, seriously!? There was NO way I was going to buy 22 pre-made ones. But then I thought up the idea of the "Spooky Halloween Cuff" Well, it's not too spooky, and since it's a cuff not a bracelet it's cool for both boys and girls.

So, really simple project, here is the run down:
I cute strips of foam about 2" wide and about 6" long, then I used a hole punch and punched three holes up each side. I cut long strips of ribbon for the lace, and then MY job was finished.

The kids used foam stickers to decorate their "cuffs" and then we tightened them and the girls all wanted them to have a bow and the boys all wanted them to be tied. The kids had fun, everyone seemed to like them.

Here's a bad photo of the table set up,

And a cute picture of Little Man roaming around in his little Dino Tail. (If you want to see the instructions on how to make them, go here) I just added this photo cause it's so cute!

Quick and easy party craft, keeps them busy in between other activities or done as a station to spread out the kids. Enjoy!

Refashion- Princess' Design

2010-10-15T07:20:00.007-05:00

So recently I was given a bag of men's dress shirts, and I was planning on making the adorable skirt at Baby Night Night Boutique, but Princess wasn't really impressed with it. So I told her that she could tell me what she wanted and I'd put it together. This is what she came up with:

I'm so proud of her, figuring out what she wanted, she drew me a picture, and explained what the picture was. And she came up with this little skirt. Yep, she's awesome!

So to make your own Big P Ruffle Skirt You need:
2 coordinating men's dress shirts ( or one, Princess wanted to have different colors)

I started by making two large rectangles, then two Triangles (those I sewed up along the side)

Then I made a hem along the bottom. For the top I folded it over twice, and sewed along the lower part of the fold, then strung the elastic through. (Does that make sense? When making the fold make sure there is enough room for the elastic, I use 1/4" elastic, because that's what I had in the house)

Then I removed the pocket from the white shirt.

Cut long strips of the blue and white fabric (2.5" wide) sew them along the short side, alternating between the two colors.

For the ruffles, I made long lengths of alternating white and blue. These are 2.5" wide, so with seam allowance they end up being about 1" wide.

I sewed a ruffled flower on the pocket (if you want to see how to make one, click here) Then after I sewed the pocket to the top left corner on the skirt.

I took the long strips, and sewed them into a tube, and flipped it right sides out, then I laid out the tubes (double length to make room for the ruffles) I laid them out to see how they were going to look to make sure they would look right. I made the ruffles, then I sewed them onto the skirt in the different design that she picked (to make the ruffles it's just the same steps as making the flower, only you can sew them onto the skirt in a different shape) After you sew on the ruffles, you're done!
Then you just need to let your little model go crazy and have fun with their new skirt! She's such a little ham.

Linking Up:
Mommas Kinda Crafty
Tea Rose Home
Seven Thirty Three
Someday Crafts
Free Pretty Things For You
The T Shirt Diaries
Life as Lori
Somewhat Simple
Momma's Kinda Crafty
While He Was Napping
Frou Frou Decor
I am Momma Hear Me Roar

Big Kid Bib- Bandana Style Bib

2010-10-13T08:00:00.008-05:00

Well, most of you remember the original big girl bib and the story behind it (if you don't or you want a refresher go here) So, I'm always on the look out for a new way to make a bib that doesn't look to "bib-ish" for little Wheezy. Once I got a book from the library where they used bandannas as bibs. (I can not for the life of me remember which book it was, but when I find it I'll let you know what book it was) The book made the idea for babies, and the pattern in the book was baby size, but it's a great idea for older kids. Plus, it can be made manly very easily by just a change in the fabric. So little Wheezy has been using bandannas, only they don't absorb much. So I'm going to make her some cute girly ones, with a few modifications so they work better for her.

Supplies:
Fabric- Flannel is absorbent, and so is regular knit, like t-shirt material. NO cotton print, it only makes the drool run off the fabric (so it's really useless for what I'm trying to do)
A coordinating fabric (any kind and optional) if you want a ruffle around it, or you can use lace, or not do any at all.
Terry Cloth or micro-terry (optional, but VERY absorbent, I use it in baby diapers too, gosh, the more absorbent it is the better it will be)

So, Bandannas are about 21 inches, both ways, they are square. So you could either use paper and make a pattern, or you could cut squares 21 inches and then cut them down the center, corner to corner.
Next, make the ruffle. I didn't make one so I don't have any pictures, I simply added lace. If you want to see how to make ruffles you can look through some of the other tutorials (here)

Sew the ruffle to the bottom layer.

Then stack the layers, starting with the bottom layer with ruffles or lace, then the top layer of the bandanna (right sides together) and on the top would be the absorbent core (or the micro terry, I found mine in the 1 spot at Target, and it was 50% off, SCORE!). Sew around, making sure to leave a small opening to turn it right sides out.

Pull the fabric through, and top stitch making sure you get the small opening closed.
There you have it, a new way to make a bib for the older kids that need them, and they don't look baby-ish!
And when send this to little Wheezy, I sent it along with a Fancy Nancy book.

This way she still feels like she's getting a gift.Plus, it'll make the bib cooler because she'll get to know the character. (Who truly is adorable, we love Fancy Nancy at our house. Princess would totally wear a Fancy Nancy Bandanna)

Linking up:

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Polka Dots and Pizza

Momma's Kind a Crafty

ConKerr Cancer with Special Guest Simply Mommy

2010-10-11T07:20:00.004-05:00

I got an email from Heather over at Simply Mommy, and she told me about this great cause: ConKerr Cancer. So I'm having her guest post over here so we can spread the word, so without further adu, take it away Heather:

ConKerr Cancer

I received an email today about a donation campaign going on in my area for ConKerr Cancer. This is a wonderful group that makes cheerful pillowcases for children in hospitals who have Cancer. The ones made through this campaign will be going to our new Riley Children's Hospital at Gateway Hospital here in my hometown (Evansville, IN)...This is an important project to me for a couple of different reasons...

My Grandpa just passed away from Cancer within this last month. No, he was not a child, but Cancer affects all of us. Not only the person going through it, but their entire family and friends. It's a horrible disease.

Riley Children's Hospital is important to us because they do great things for kids. It is where our youngest son had his surgery at 6 weeks old to correct his Imperforate Anus, and also where my nephew just had surgery to correct a heart murmur. They are an amazing hospital who do amazing things for children.

This is something so simple, that even beginners can do with no problem, that will not take up a lot of your time, and that will bring a lot of joy to a chronically ill child and their family.

In just over two years ConKerr Cancer has...

Delivered over 240,000 cheerful pillowcases to sick children in hospitals across the country.

Established 117 chapters (so far) serving children in 203 hospitals and pediatric hospices across the United States, Canada, South Africa, the UK, and Israel.

Recruited Thousands of volunteers -young and old - to sew and donate pillowcases

Recognized nationally by Martha Stewart, Omni Media, Talbots, Bank of America, Pfaff, and Loreal.

So here's what I'd like everyone to do:

Go through your fabric stash for any fun,bright,cheerful
material you might have that you would be willing to
part with to make pillowcases.

Go here to get the pillowcase directions

Once made please wash them for the protection of the
children with suppressed immunity.

Place each pillowcase in a Ziploc bag.

You may include a note of encouragement for the sick
child if you would like.

Contact me for contact information to get the pillowcases
to me. These MUST be given to the representative for
ConKerr Cancer! DO NOT deliver to the hospital yourself.
I will collect them then get them to the appropriate place.
I must receive these no later than Nov. 3, 2010

I know there is a few of you out there who can't sew, or
don't have time. If you would still like to do something to
help, you can get the material to me and I can make
your pillowcases for you or you can click here to give a
monetary donation straight to ConKerr Cancer.

ConKerr Cancer is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.
All donations of money, materials, and pillowcases are
tax deductible under current IRS rules.

Pass this message along to your friends also...
This is something that school groups, sewing circles,
church groups, fabric stores, girl scout troops, etc
could all pitch in and make pillowcases for the kids.

Please let me know if you plan to participate, and if
I can figure out how, I'll make a button for you to post
and a linky party to show off all the awesome
pillowcases.

Thanks! :0)

Great Site!

2010-10-05T07:20:00.002-05:00

Ok, so the other day I was researching how to make a collar, and I cam across this FANTASTIC site: Pattern-Making.com first of all the name is really easy to remember, plus they teach you how to make your own pattern for just about anything. Really, it's worth the trip on over (so click here and go there all ready!)
I'm so excited about this site, as many of you who read this blog know, I like making my own patterns. Maybe it's because I'm really short and not shaped like any brand's clothing. Maybe it's because my kids have overly large heads, maybe it's because I'm too cheap to buy a pattern that I'm going to change a million things about. I don't know the exact reason, but making my own patterns area always easier and usually come out better then the bought ones, but NOW, well, now I can make the patterns so much easier!
The site has excellent directions, and the woman who the site belongs to is really nice and will respond quickly (I already asked her if it would be ok to do a post about the site)
A few years ago I went to a class at Hancock Fabric's where they were going to teach us how to make our own patterns, 2 hours later we are told to make our own patterns that we would need to pay for this book they were selling. Well, I didn't buy the book, and I hope none of you have/will, with Pattern-Making.com you don't need to, it's all there laid out for you by someone with 20 years experience (which is more then I have, so I'm sure her patterns are much better then mine!)
So, as soon as I finish up some of these already started projects, and a few things that HAVE to get done, I'm very excited to make a pattern using Pattern-Making.com. I'm all excited, I have some really soft and fuzzy fabric that Princess wants a sweatshirt made from. So, I have to figure out exactly what style I'm going to use, and then she'll be telling me how awesome I am.
And I want to make it clear that I am not getting paid or anything from Pattern-Making.com I really was so excited when I found it and I wanted to make sure it got shared with everyone, so I asked if I could write up a post, and now I'm sharing it with everyone I can.

Dinosaur / Dragon Tail

2010-10-01T07:20:00.010-05:00

So, after making Princess' little pink kitty tail, I've ventured into something a little more complicated for Little Man. But it still came out awesome!

And he doesn't even know it's there, so he won't mess with it!

Supplies:
2 Coordinating Fabrics
1 Clip (I used the kind that are usually used in Pacifiers, but you can also use the clips that are used to keep mittens on)
Fiber fill

I started by cutting the scales out, I used Jersey knit so it won't fray (which is important because the edges are not fully finished) Mine were 4" tall and cut at the 45* angle, I made 6 (or 3 sets)

Then for the tail, I knew I didn't want it taller then 13" because Little Man is very short, so I cut a chunk 13" tall, and free handed...

This curved shape. I made two of this shape, and 1 isosceles triangle that's as long as the tail.

Then I made a triangle, now the flat edge on the two "shapes" was 3.5", so two sides of the triangle were 3.5", and the 3rd edge is 4" because that's how long the other triangle was.

So to make this traingle have the two short edges the same lenght, I cut a square, 4x4, then folded it in half. From the bottom corner I measured to 3.5" and cut there.

Just, so you can see the little triangle

So, along the inside edge of ONE of the shapes, I put three triangles, (right sides facing together) and sewed the triangles to the fabric, then I did the same thing on the other shape, making sure they are the same.

Next you're going to sew the two shapes together, along the top where the spikes are, don't sew them together along the bottom on the spikes, only along the top.

Next, you're going to sew the long triangle on, one side on each of the "shape", making sure you're still sewing right sides together.

So, from the top this is what it will look like, it still hasn't been turned right sides out, and you're not going to do that yet.

Next, I took a scrap peice, and made it 3.5x2.5"

Which I sewed along the long side, right sides together, then turned the tube right side out, and slipped the clip onto it.

Position the clip where you want it, and put the small triangle over it, sew along the edge, right sides together.

Continue sewing around the triangle, leaving a small opening (around the opening make sure to back stitch so when you pull it out it won't come undone)

So, here it is with just a small opening. Turn it right sides out, stuff it, then hand sew the small opening closed.

And you get this great tail.

I let him mess with the wipes so he wasn't focused on what I was doing. (Notice his pink sippy, that boy looses them all the time, we've only got a few more "boy" ones left, so he uses the old girl ones sometimes)

And more of him getting into the wipes. Such a cute little tail, and it doesn't seem to mess with his balance.
I was planning on making him a Fir fighter costume for Halloween, but I think this tail is so cute, it might end up being a part of a costume for him.

Linking up:
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Crafts Keep Me Sane
Somewhat Simple Halloween
All This Related
Tea Rose Home
Someday Crafts
Pony Tails and Fish Scales
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Support Blog For Moms of Boys

Kitty Cat Tail

2010-09-29T07:20:00.006-05:00

So, we saw some tails that clip onto clothing at Michael's and for two reasons I decided against buying them : 1 they were overpriced junk (which as I sew more and more I realize lots of stuff is overpriced junk, my Grandma Betty told me that was going to happen.) and 2. I knew I could make some cheaper and MUCH MUCH nicer. And so WE did. Princess and I made it together and she did fantastically.

And of course, she wore it everywhere, and told everyone how she got to use my "sin-ger" as she refers to my serger. You don't need to use a serger for this project, I just thought it would be fun to use it with Princess. And it was.
Anyway, Supplies:
Some fuzzy fabric (or whatever kind of fabric you want for the tail)
Duck Tape
Wire hanger
Stuffing (I used some cheap fiber fill from Walmart)
Ribbon to match the fabric (or you could use a strip of the fabric to attach the clip, but it was just easier to use ribbon)
A clip to attach the tail to your child's (or yours) pants/skirt/leggings/ whatever they are wearing (Princess wanted me to cover my bases) (I got mine from E Bay, they are the same kind of clips that are used for pacifiers. They aren't extremely expensive, or you could use the clips from some Mitten Clips, if you can find them, mine are all in a box for winter)

So you gather the supplies,

Start by opening the wire hanger, then bend it in half and make it nice and long,

And COVER it in duck tape, I used lots so it wouldn't ruin the fabric or cut my kid.

Then I cut out the fabric, mine was 5"x23".

Sew down the long edge, and down ONE of the short edges with right sides together. Princess used the serger, but as I said before it wasn't necessary, you could just sew it with a regular machine.

So you've got the long side sewn, and one short side (sorry the picture doesn't have the one short side sewn) but the next step is to pull the fabric right sides out.

And put the wrapped wire hanger in the tube. And then added the stuffing.

When it was stuffed almost to the top, I folded a little of the fabric into the tube, and cut a short piece of ribbon, on the ribbon I strung the clip, then sewed the ribbon into the opening in the fabric, and sewed the fabric shut.

So it's all tightly sewn (because I sewed it a few times, just for saftey measure)

Then we clipped it on her, and I watched her strut her stuff.

That's Princess trying to climb the garage. And Little Monkey coming over to help. Come back soon to see how to make a Dragon or Dinosaur tail (yep, they look the same, it just depends on what you want to call it)

Linking up to:

Seven Thirty Three

Tea Rose Home

Someday Crafts

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