the kraft farm

Tie and Vest Baby Onesie

2013-05-12T23:12:00.002-07:00

Lately I've been going through my pictures and finding fun projects I've made and never shared. So here's one I made probably 2 years ago when my first son was a baby. This cute vest and tie onesie came out of necessity. We had a family wedding to go to in Las Vegas and I didn't want to spend money on a little suit, and I didn't want my little guy to be hot either. So I found some scrap fabric and iron on fusible web and waahlaa! A cute onesie that both my boys have worn over and over. I love it because it's comfortable for baby, washes well and of course it's pretty handsome!

Cowboy Onesie and Burpcloth

2013-02-14T23:50:00.001-08:00

Here is a super cute, super easy handmade baby shower gift. I made this about a year ago for my cousin's new baby. They live in Texas so I thought it would be fun to go with the cowboy theme (plus I had lots of John Deere Fabric to use up!).

To create the bandana, lay the fabric over the onesie and trace from one shoulder, around the neck and to the other shoulder (I just try to feel where the shoulder and neck ribbing is and do my best). Cut your fabric on the line you traced for the neck and then cut a triangular shape for the bottom of the bandana (cut larger than you want so you can trim it down until you like the shape).

I like to lay my piece of fabric on the onesie and keep trimming until I'm satisfied with the look. You could also use tracing paper I suppose, but where's the fun in that.

At this point you need to cut a piece from a double sided fusible web sheet to match your fabric bandana (or iron it to your fabric before cutting it in a bandana shape).

Iron it to the bandana first then flip it over and iron it to the onesie. Now if you iron it on correctly you shouldn't need to sew it down, but it looks cute and may stand up to washings better if you sew it. Just open up the onesie and work it around the sewing machine arm as you go.

For the burp cloth I just traced over the middle area and sewed it up the sides and ends. I also used fabric paint and stamps to personalize it.

That was probably way more explanation than needed but I thought I'd do my best since I don't have pictures to create a tutorial. Enjoy giving a fun personalized baby shower gift!

Crochet Heart

2013-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

Since my crochet hair tie tutorial seems to be a favorite, I thought it would be fun to experiment with some new patterns, so here is a cute one for Valentine's Day.

I generally don't like to follow patterns which is why I just kind of make it up as I go. Hopefully you can follow the tutorial, and maybe you will pick up some of my freestyle crochet techniques to create your own fun patterns. Just remember to write them down so you can reproduce it later; this is especially important if you're making a pair of something (ok so one of the slippers I made is a little bigger than the other, oops!)

Materials: scissors, crochet hook (5-6 mm), yarn, yarn needle, and hair ties or hair clip if you want to attach it.

(pictures show completed steps)

Create a slip knot on the hook

Chain 7

Turn (do not chain 1) and single crochet 6

Chain 1, turn and single crochet 6

Turn (do not chain 1) and single crochet 5

Chain 1, turn and single crochet 3

Turn (do not chain 1) and single crochet 2

Turn (do not chain 1) and slip stitch

Now that the foundation is created, we will single crochet around the entire heart to give a more polished look. To do this, begin at the corner where you slip stitched and work 2 single crochet into the next to holes on corner (creating a clean rounded corner).

Continue to single crochet in each stitch until you get to the tip of the heart. Here you will single crochet twice into that hole and then continue to single crochet once in each hole until you get to the second corner of the heart.

Just like the first corner, you will single crochet 2x in the two holes
on the corner to create a nice rounded corner.

Now at the dip in the heart you will slip stitch to give a clean angle.
Then continue to single crochet until you reach the side of the first corner (you will be overlapping where you started to give a cleaner look).

Slip stitch here and tie off by pulling your tail through the loop.

Use the needle to hide the two tails and you're done!

If you want to turn it into a fun accessory, tie it to a hair tie or glue it to a hair clip.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day with your cute heart hair accessory!

Due Date Magnets

2013-01-06T19:39:00.001-08:00

Me and my husband found out we were expecting another little bundle on November 7th and I couldn't wait to tell my family and friends. The only problem was I couldn't think of a fun unique way to share the news. So I went the crafty route and came up with these cute due date magnets.

I made them using little wooden discs and small magnets from Michaels. I made a foam stamp for the date and stamped it on with green paint. And then I wrote "baby keller #2" along the edge of the circle.

We had a lot of fun using these magnets to share the news. For my family, I just passed them out at a family dinner and it was funny because it took a minute for them to catch on, especially my mom because she couldn't read the small writing, haha. For my husbands family we actually stuck the magnets on their fridges stealthily and waited for them to notice it. It was fun and exciting to wait for them to figure it out which actually took a day or two. I also love the idea of the magnet being a functional reminder of my due date since even family members forget and constantly ask you for the next 9 months.

We actually ended up having our little guy on October 29th and brought him home on Halloween, so fun! We dressed him and his older brother up in skeleton pajamas and cruised the neighborhood. I borrowed an electric wheelchair but most people still thought I was crazy for trick-or-treating 3 days after giving birth, and actually, looking back I think I was a little crazy!

Upcycled Chevron Necklace!

2012-12-26T11:23:00.000-08:00

This craft is a great activity for kids and was actually inspired by my niece Sailor during an impromptu crafting session.

She always wants to craft with her auntie but it's hard with all the little ones around (she has two little sisters and I have my hands full with my little guy and one on the way).

But this necklace (as well as Sailor's simplified version) were so quick and easy, that we both had a fun accessory in less than 10 minutes. We both loved the other's so much that we exchanged and wore them for the rest of the day.

Here's the tutorial...

Materials:
1) Empty toilet paper tube or paper towel tube
2) Yarn or string of choice
3) Scissors

Flatten the paper tube and fold length wise like a hot dog bun.

With folded sides squeezed together, cut from fold to the top of the tube.

You should end up with little chevrons or hearts as Sailor called them. I cut mine to be about 1/4 inch but you could definitely experiment with different sizes. You can also add as many or little as you want, I think I used 5 for this first purple necklace.

Cut two pieces of yarn of equal length, long enough for a necklace plus 2-3 inches.

String one piece of yarn through one chevron

String the front piece of yarn through the front of the next chevron.

String the back piece of yarn from back to front of the next chevron.

Pull both pieces of yarn until the two chevron corners meet up and the yarn looks like a knot holding the two together. Don't pull too tight, just get rid of the slack. Then begin the same process again on the next chevron.

Continue until you've strung all the chevrons together on one side.

Now all you have to do is finish the other side with the second piece of yarn using the same technique.

That was pretty simple right?

Once you've completed both sides, adjust the tension to your liking and tie knots at the top of each side to secure the chevrons in place.

Now take the ends of the yarn and tie it in a knot around your neck (I like to use a square knot to keep it from slipping).

(For Sailor's simplified version, just string some chevrons onto one piece of yarn and tie around your neck!)

Enjoy your upcycled necklace!

Yarn wrapped wreath ornament

2012-12-10T16:19:00.001-08:00

With Christmas around the corner, I've been itching to make some festive crafts. But with a newborn and a crazy 2 year old running around, it's been hard enough to get some sleep let alone make a craft and write a tutorial about it.

Then one day I was looking at our christmas tree that my hubby so graciously decorated for me, and I saw this cute ornament I made last year. I actually made a few and gave them to grandparents and friends.

They are super simple and can be made with materials you probably already have at home. Sorry there's no tutorial but the instructions are pretty simple.

Materials:

1. Thin cardboard (cereal box or shoebox)

2. Yarn in 2 or more different colors

3. Jute thread (twine)

4. Felt
5. Scissors

6. Glue gun and glue sticks

7. Cute picture

Instructions:

1. Use a bowl or large cup to trace a circle (outside of wreath) on the cardboard and cut it out. Use a smaller cup to trace a small circle on the middle of the large circle you created and cut it out (inside of the wreath).

2. Cut a piece of yarn as long or short as you want and attach to the back of the wreath with the glue gun and start wrapping. Continue to wrap different colors around the wreath until it is completely covered, using glue gun to keep yarn ends attached to the back of the wreath.

3. Wrap jute string around the top of the wreath and then glue gun a loop to the top to hang.

4. I cut my picture, cardboard backing and felt in a circle but I realized a square would work better and allow you to change the picture if you leave the top open. So cut your picture and a piece of cardboard into a square just big enough to cover the inside hole.

5. Cut a square piece of felt a little bit larger than the picture and cardboard, and glue the bottom and sides to the back of the wreath to create a pocket.

6. Slide picture with cardboard into the felt pocket.

7. Add a decorative bow with a thicker piece of yarn to the front with glue gun.

Now enjoy giving a homeade gift that will last for years and brighten up anyone's christmas tree!

Spooky Cork Spiders

2012-10-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Make your own spooky spiders for halloween with some simple supplies you might already have at home!

Supplies:
- recycled wine corks
- sharpie or black acrylic paint and paint brush
- small google eyes
- black pipecleaners
- white glue
- small drill
- ihook and white thread (optional for hanging)

I came up with this idea last year when I wanted to make a Halloween craft with my niece. I automatically thought of making the typical spider made with pipe cleaners stuck into styrofoam balls, but quickly discovered the rediculous price of styrofoam balls as I wandered through Michaels. So I came up with the idea of using recycled corks which turned out to make the cutest little upcycled spiders.

How to make Spooky Cork Spiders:

1. Color the cork black with a sharpie (easy for kids and dries fast) or paint black with a sponge brush and wait to dry.

2. Drill 4 holes in a line through the middle of the cork (I had to experiment with the drill bit size, but start small and increase until pipe cleaner fits through snugly).

3. Insert pipe cleaners into holes, center them and then bend to look like legs.

4. Use glue to stick eyes on the front of the cork.

5. Insert eye hook into the top and use white thread to hang them around the house (thread looks like spider web!)

6. Enjoy your new spooky little friends!

Sew cute greeting card

2012-02-27T09:54:00.002-08:00

This card was actually a last minute creation. I needed a card for my Father-in-law for his birthday, so I headed to my craft room to see what I could come up with in 10 minutes.

I really like how it turned out and I like the idea that it doubles as a cute picture to hang up somewhere. I'm not a big fan of traditional cards that you spend $4.99 on just to get tossed in the trash.

All you need to make your own adorable greeting card is: scrap pieces of stock card, a cute picture, letter stamps, stamp pad, glue stick, and a sewing machine.

Start with one main card and cut out pieces to be sewn to the card. Sew the pieces on and stamp a message.

When I was done with my design I glued another card to the back to hide the stitches and to add stability. I was thinking it would be fun to add magnets to the back so the gift card becomes a cute magnet too!

Empty Paper towel roll = yarn covered bracelet

2012-02-24T11:10:00.002-08:00

So I got to the end of the roll of paper towels and wondered how I could transform

this sad tube of cardboard into something spectacular.

And that's just what I got. I couldn't believe how beautiful

and polished this cuff looked when finished.

Make your own cuff to match your style with this tutorial...

Materials: Yarn, leather hole puncher, scissors, embroidery needle and an empty paper towel roll.

Fold the tube in half the same as for the upcycled hearts.

Bend the tube around and overlap the ends. Now measure it on your wrist for the right fit (make sure it fits over your hand to get it on and off, but not too big either)

Once you measured the right size, trim one end or overlap it more until it's the size you want.

Punch a hole where the two ends overlap.

Punch an additional hole next to the first one.

Cut a long piece of thread (4-6 ft) and thread it through the needle.

Insert the needle from the inside of the tube through the hole.

Insert the needle down through the other hole so that you end up inside the tube again.

Now tie a not with the two ends.

Trim the short end to about 1/2 inch.

Now bunch up the long end of yarn and begin wrapping it around the tube.

Make sure to cover up the 1/2 inch tail as you go.

Also be careful to cover the overlap of the tube well to hide it.

It will look a little bulky here but that's ok.

You can choose to wrap with more than one layer if you like

for a chunkier look.

I wrapped with one layer, then when I changed yarn I overlapped the two.

To change yarn, cut a long piece of a different color yarn

and either tie a knot of carefully overlap to secure the tail in place.

Mine has stripes because I kept a long tail of the first color when starting

the second color and wrapped with two strands side by side for 10-20 wraps.

And the end, thread the remaining tail through several

strands and then back through the same strands,

skipping the last strand you went through.

So in this case the last one my needle went through was the brown one

shown above so when I went back I inserted the needle into

the silver strand above it.

Mine turned out a little big but still beautiful.

Crochet it up! Hair Ties and Headbands

2012-02-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Scrunchies are back!!!

Ok maybe they're not making a comeback yet but it was still fun to give my old hair ties and headbands a quick makeover. Here's the tutorial...

Materials: hair tie (the thicker the easier), crochet hook (3.5-5mm), yarn and scissors. Oh and a big embroidery/crochet needle which I apparently forgot to put in the picture.

Tie a slip knot around the hair tie

Hold the two strands of yarn between your fingers.

The loose end strand will be incorporated into the stitches

so you won't have to tuck it in later.

Insert crochet hook under the hair tie and catch the two strands

Pull the yarn back through the hair tie and up to

form a loop next to the slip knot

Yarn over

Pull through the loop you made

Now you have ond stitch on the hair tie

Start a new stitch by inserting the hook back through the hair tie

Now continue to complete a stitch just like the first stitch

Continue to stitch around the entire hair tie, making sure to pack the stitches in

but not so tight that you're stretching the hair tie.

Find the first stitch and insert hook, pull through the loop

already on the hook to form a slip stitch.

Cut the yarn and feed the end through the

loop and pull tight to finish off.

Thread the yarn through the embroidery needle

Insert needle inside of 4 or more stitches

Skip over the last stitch the yarn was pulled through (this will tether the yarn)

and then feed the needle back through the rest of the stitches.

Pull until yarn is secure and cut excess.

And now you have a simple but fun hair tie. I noticed they actually

stay in my hair really well and I love them to go around buns.

Use the same technique to embellish a plain stretchy headband and add a flower!

Banner of love

2012-02-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is was an attempt at another Valentine's Day Craft, not my favorite (should've held back on the bright red) but the paraphrased scripture on the hearts is a much needed reminder of how to truly love the way Jesus calls us to.

I had made these little paper mache hearts with recycled cereal box cardboard, crayons, printed out scripture and modge podge. But I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with them.

I tried taping them to twigs and sticking them into a potted plant which was actually really cute. Then I came up with this idea with the branches because I wanted to hang them up.

To make the hearts, cut out a cardboard heart from the cereal box and make a template. Trace it to make as many hearts as you wish. Cut them out carefully. Cut out words or letters from a magazine or that you printed out.

Draw designs on the hearts with a crayon. Modge podge two hearts together (for added strength), stick the words on the front and then modge podge over the whole heart and allow to dry. Punch holes or glue/tape sticks to the back and create your own banner or plant of love!

Now I have a banner of love on my front door so that every time I walk in to the house I will see... love is patient, kind, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Just maybe I will remember that when my son dumps a whole bag of fishy crackers on the ground or my husband forgets to take out the trash after I've asked him 10 times, haha.

Conversation Heart Cookies

2012-01-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

I bought a big heart cookie cutter at Michaels the other day and I was determined to use it, so I picked up some betty crocker sugar cookie mix and I thought I'd make some giant Valentine's Day Cookies.

I wanted to write messages on the cookies but I didn't have any cookie decorating supplies so I improvised.

I found mini marshmallows in the pantry and decided to try to stamp letters on them with food coloring.

First mix a couple drops of food coloring with a little bit of powdered sugar to make your "ink".

Then use mini letter stamps and stamp your message letter by letter onto your marshmallows.

Use kitchen scissors to cut the marshmallows in half so they sit flatter on the cookie.

Frost your cookies (I made homeade pink cream cheese frosting)

And press the letters gently onto the frosted cookie.

And lastly, give your cookie with a special message to someone you love (and try not to take a bite first!)

Valentine's Day Craft: Upcyled Heart tutorial

2012-01-26T21:38:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think of a fun Valentine's Day Craft but I was hitting a wall creatively. So I started to clean my craft room (rare occasion) and I saw these two empty wrapping paper rolls I had saved from Christmas (it's not hoarding if you eventually use it right?), and this is what my crazy brain came up with. It turned out very simple but I imagine it has a lot of potential for embellishment or to be wrapped with fabric. So here's the tutorial, enjoy!

Supplies: wrapping paper tubes, yarn (in your choice of colors), jute string (if you want to hang it), wire hangers, pliers, leather puncher, and large embroidery/yarn needle.

Use your pliers to help untwist and straighten the hanger into one long piece of wire.

Flatten the tub and fold in half

Use the leather hole puncher to punch holes into the folded tube. Make sure you punch through all four layers.

Continue punching holes all the way down the tube

Cut a piece of yarn and thread the needle. Sew up the tube using the stitch seen below.

Make sure you insert the wire at some point, I put mine in once it was about half way sewn up. If you look closely you can see the wire in the pic to the right.

Ok so to finish you need to make sure your wire is pushed all the way to one end and leave an inch of tubing without wire on the other end (you may have to cut the wire with wire cutters if it's too long). Then find the middle of the tube and bend it into a heart shape carefully. At the bottom of the heart, bend the end with the extra inch and no wire and line it up with the other end. Punch two extra holes in both ends to make four holes in a square formation. Use the ends of the yarn to secure the ends together and tie off. Punch holes into the back of the top of the heart to tie jute string if you want to hang it.

Enjoy your beautiful hearts that were made from mostly recycled materials!

backyard adventure

2012-01-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

So I decided to let my little guy explore in the backyard since the weather cleared up and it's such a beautiful day. But once he had crawled through every mud pit and splashed in every pool of water I realized why I don't always let him have free range of the backyard. But then again, we built our mini-farm just for him in hopes that he'd learn more about the great outdoors than video games. And there's nothing better than watching your little guy explore the world, being a true boy and getting as muddy as possible.

Does this hat match my outfit?

Trying to pet Kevin the pygmy goat (Kevin is a girl?)

I may only be 1 years old but I can still help on the mini-farm

Making sure I touch every bucket of contaminated water on this farm

The goat saloon

Griswold the half pygmy goat with a big heart

Ronnie our mutt puppy doing what she does best

2012-01-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

My Spinning wheel. I took this picture with my brothers canon with the 50mm 1.4 lens. Now I'm ordering the 1.8 for my canon so I can take almost as cool pictures on my canon. My spinning wheel hasn't been getting a lot of use lately but I plan to do a pretty in depth tutorial soon about spinning, from fiber collection, cleaning and preparation, to spinning and creating a complete project. It's such a neat concept to me that I can take the raw fleece from my friends sheep and spin it into yarn which eventually becomes a beautiful one of a kind beanie or scarf. When I was learning to spin I had a hard time finding good tutorials and pictures of the whole process which is why I'd love to put up a tutorial for all of those people like me who'd love to get into the lost art of spinning!

Consider the Ravens Twig Frame

2012-01-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

So I've been saving two tree branches on my porch from my neighbor's tree for several weeks. My husband has been wondering if they'll ever get used for a craft project like I promised him and so here it is.

I call it "consider the ravens frame" made from many materials including tree branches/twigs, yarn, jute string, cotton gingham fabric, felt, broadcloth, homeade foam stamps, store bought alphabet stamps, fabric ink paint, embroidery thread, and fusible fleece. This project didn't take very long but I did spend several days playing around with it trying to glean inspiration and ideas. I really like the finished project which is surprising considering it was such a random bunch of ideas. I love when a project just keeps turning out better instead of worse (which seems to happen to a lot of my "great ideas").