December 7, 2011

Christmas "Kiss" Advent Calendar

I remember as a kid pushing out the nasty, cardboard chocolates that you would get from the advent calendars from the store.  I didn't want my own child to go through that experience! So when a friend of mine found a cute idea for an advent calendar for different holidays from Infarrantly Creative using Chocolate Kisses, I was excited to make a Christmas one for our family. 
My friend's husband cut all the holes for the chocolate kisses.  After some light sanding, I painted my board a Country Tan. Now that it has sat around for a few days I think I'm going to use some antiquing glaze on the edges.  

I used a Silhouette Machine to cut out the tree, stars, and words from cardstock.  Vinyl would have been better but I didn't have it in the colors that I wanted.  I used mod podge to put the pieces on the board and then I did another layer of it on top.
 
Finally, I laminated red circle numbers for the back of the Chocolate Kisses.  My son gets so excited every time he gets to have another Christmas Chocolate! 

I want to make one for Halloween but I think I'll make room for the numbers in vinyl above each hole instead of keeping track of little circles.  


December 2, 2011

Baby Girl Quilt

We just welcomed a new niece to the family so I decided to make a cute but super simple quilt.  With my brother's first kid they didn't know for sure if she was going to be a girl or not so everything they got was greens and yellows.  This time they knew for sure so I was able to go with bright, girly colors.  
 I followed The Road Trip Quilt tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew.  I did add two more fabrics to my quilt to make it a little longer.  Instead of having 1/4 yard of 10 different fabrics, I used 1/4 yard of 12 different fabrics.  

After I had pieced the top of my quilt, I used a quilt frame to put the three layers together.  I find that using the frame helps keep my fabric from getting bunched when I pin the three layers together.  
 I used two yards of fabric for the back that also worked as my binding.  I used the Back to Front Binding method.  Here is a Back to Front Binding tutorial by Prudent Baby that I found that is close to how I did mine.  
I also used a walking foot to machine quilt the blanket.  I did one line down the seam and 1/4 inch on each side of the seam.  

I also did a boy version of this quilt for my new nephew.  Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures because my camera was in the land of the lost (aka a secret hidden pocket in my purse!)

November 21, 2011

Turkey Rolls!

For Thanksgiving Day last year, I decided to liven up my rolls.  
I used Black Peppercorns for the eyes and shaped the body and face to look like a turkey.  Then, I fanned out the other balls of dough to look like the feathers.  I gave each ball of dough enough room for them to rise.
Next time I'll put the feet on top of the turkey body as if the turkey is sitting down.  
Spread some butter on the rolls and now you have a fun way to display your rolls!  

November 15, 2011

Double Sided Nursing Cover

A friend of mine is having her 5th baby in a few days and never had a nursing cover.  I couldn't let the misfortune to go on any longer! 
I think having the double layers helps the peep hole stay open while nursing.  I also like having pockets on the inside to store pacifiers, nursing pads or burp cloths.  
Made by the Mamamonster has a great tutorial that I follow every time I make a nursing cover.  It is only one sided so I also use Our Side Notes tutorial for the double sided and pockets.  Someday I'll make my own combining the two!

I found the fabric at JoAnns.

Scrap Belt & Applique Shirt

My niece just turned three.  Since I don't have a girl to dress up in pink, I take advantage of every birthday and Christmas that comes around.
   This year I made her a cute applique bird shirt.  I used scraps from my stash and made my own bird pattern on cardboard before cutting out the fabric.  I found the cute lettuce edged shirt at Walmart.
I thought it added a lot of character to have the wing from the bird not completely attached.

I also made a Scrap Pieced Belt from the tutorial by Ashley at Make It and Love It.  Go HERE for the tutorial.  Super simple and I had everything in my stash.

July 27, 2011

Summer Activity Chart

At the beginning of the summer there were so many great summer activity charts for kids.  I found that most of them worked better with an older child.  Since I only have a 2 year old, I decided to come up with my own version.  
I put things that I knew my son would like.  On the days that we have time, I let my little guy pick which activity he wants to do.  Some days I have limited time so I pick the activity for the day. I put the picture in a cheap frame that I wasn't using anymore.  Since the picture is covered with glass, we mark off the activities after we do them with a dry erase marker.    
The activities that I included are:
  • Playing with his car (Cozy Coup)
  • Playing in water
  • Going for a walk
  • Watching a movie with Mom
  • Playing on the swings at our complex
  • Going to the park
  • Going to the library
  • Playing on the toys at the mall
  • Coloring on the easel
  • Going to the store and sometimes getting a cheap toy
  • Art Project
  • Going and watching the trains

I went for activities that were simple and didn't take much time out from our normal day.  We've been using it for the last month and it has worked perfectly.  It has helped me get out of the house and enjoy the summer with my son.

You can print your own copy HERE.  It prints out in an 8x10.

June 28, 2011

Father's Day

For Father's Day, we didn't do anything very special but I was able to make a few of these cute food gifts for my husband.  My husband LOVES peanut M&Ms so I got him a 2 lb bag of them and attached this tag that I found at Little Birdie Secrets.  
I also found this cute pop cover at Oopsey Daisy that wraps around any pop can.  
My favorite part is the Nutritional Facts!

May 25, 2011

Sewing Machine Pin Cushion

Whenever I sew I usually end up with a few pins still in my tomato pin cushion, which I usually lose, and several all over the table and even more on the floor.  I found a great idea to make a pin cushion that I tie around my machine.   
I just stick my pins in after I pull them out of my project instead of digging for my tomato cushion or just leaving them on the table.  
One of my most loves and used projects.  Plus, it is so much cuter that these...
I got the idea a couple years ago from I Can Find The Time. 

May 11, 2011

Mother's Day Magnets and Card

I know that Mother's day has passed but certain things have to wait to be posted until after the holiday so I don't give away the surprise.
I decided to make homemade cards this year for Mother's Day.  The blue baby bird was for my mother-in-law and the pink baby bird was for my mother.  It took less time to make the card than looking through a hundred cards at the store. I got the adorable template from mmmcrafts and you can download the template for one of these adorable momma bird cards HERE.
For inside the card, I found a wonderful poem about mother birds by Mittur Ramprasad.  I could not ask for a better poem to go with this cute mother bird template.
I also included this quote by Marjorie Hinckley that perfectly described the life of both my mother and mother -in-law.  You can find a copy over at Ladybird Ln and either get a blue or yellow background.  I had it printed as a 5x7 photo.
 I then stuck a MOM magnet on the back. I traced the MOM on some scrap magnet sheet.
 Finally, I took some of our family pictures over the years and turned them into magnets using scrap magnet sheets.  Each one of these are about wallet size.  Walmart photo has a program where you can make a photo collage.  I just put two pictures on each collage.  
I did a similar project with my Family Photo Magnets.  

May 8, 2011

Nursing Strap

My sister-in-law just recently had her fourth child and has never had any kind of nursing cover.  She didn't want to cart around a nursing cover that was bulky so I came up with making a strap that attaches to any blanket that she has on hand.
I got the idea from winning this Cover Me Strap from a giveaway blog.  
cbcm
To help me create my own version, I used part of the nursing cover tutorial from Sew Much Ado.  
 I attached two of the ends to mitten clips that I purchased from JoAnns.  
 I followed the tutorial on attaching the d-rings to make the strap is adjustable.  
Next time I don't think I'll make it as thick as the tutorial shows.  The tutorial cuts the straps out at 4.25'' but next time I'll cut it at 3''.  By cutting it thinner it will fit better in the mitten clips and the d-rings.  I'll also make it a little shorter.  I think a length of 18'' instead of 26'' would be more than long enough for this strap.


Mondays
Making The Girl Creative 
  

Tuesdays

Craft Link parties
 all crafts Handmade Projects & Parties ~ Add Yours! Running With Glitter

Wednesdays
BLOG TITLE NightOwlCrafting 

Thursdays
HookingupwithHoH  

Weekends
 Photobucket 

March 28, 2011

Polo Shirt Ruffle Skirt and Shoes

My niece is about to have her first birthday.  Since I don't get to sew up cute little girls stuff for my little boy I take advantage of birthdays!  With the wonderful London Loafer pattern found at Sweet Pea Patterns on Etsy I was able to make these adorable shoes.  That pattern is very easy to follow and I was able to make these cuties without any major sewing meltdown!
I was going to make a cute little skirt to match the shoes but then I came across this cute little polo dress found at Sumo's Sweet Stuff.  
Mine pretty much follows the tutorial except I didn't have a white knit shirt but had a bunch of knit fabric that I used instead. I also did the lettuce edge on the bottom layer instead of cutting it off which gave me four layers.  I also didn't cut my shirt at all and used the already hemmed shirt to give the skirt a nice finish.  

Look at all those fun girlie ruffles!  
The underside isn't the prettiest because lets face it, knit is knit and is a very stubborn fabric sometimes.  Here is a close up.

Also, I had to make a cute card to go with the little gift.  I wanted it simple and easy yet cute.  I used the tutorial at The Shabby Nest to make the pennant bunting on the front and added simple ribbon lining the bottom.  

Check out these parties I've linked up too!

Mondays
Making The Girl Creative 
 Photobucket  ASPTL

Tuesdays

Craft Link parties  all crafts Handmade Projects & Parties ~ Add Yours!

Wednesdays
BLOG TITLE NightOwlCrafting 

Thursdays
HookingupwithHoH  

Fridays
 kojodesigns 

Weekends
 Photobucket

March 14, 2011

Gluten Free Oreo Brownies & Pennant Bunting

Everyone has one "GUILTY" show that they watch that they wish they didn't sometimes.  Mine happens to be  The Bachelor or Bachelorette from ABC.  Tonight is the final show where the Bachelor, Brad, picks between Emily and Chantal.  A small group of us are having a "Bachelor" party with dinner and dessert and a fun filled two hours.  

One of the girls can't have gluten so with a little help from Betty Crocker... 
and gluten free "Oreos"... 
I was able to make the wonderful idea of Brownie Covered Oreos found at Make It and Love It and Picky Palate.
I decided they needed a little dress up since I don't have any fun containers to display them in.  I found an excellent tutorial for a Pennant Bunting at The Shabby Nest.  

Of course we each have our own lady we want to win find love.  
I just cut a small wooden dowel in half to use as the sticks.  Popsicle sticks would work as well.  Unfortunately, I don't have a hole punch that works so the holes I made for the sticks look a little frayed.  I also used fishing line instead of string as the tutorial shows.

Wouldn't this make a cute topper at a baby shower?  
Be sure to check out my LINKY PARTIES button at the top to see other GREAT blog parties I've linked up too.

February 11, 2011

Valentine's Day Decor

I think Valentine's Day is one of my least favorite holidays to decorate for.  Not because I hate love or lack a significant other but because Valentine's Day comes up so fast.  I feel like I get all my Christmas decorations taken down, put up some winter/snow decorations and then next thing I know it is February.  I end up with only two week to get something up and it usually takes me two weeks to even get around to it.  

But not this year...
 We've had a Scrabble game sitting in our stack of games for years now and you want to know how many times we've played it...big fat ZERO!  So I figured, no one would mind if a few letters were missing!  I've seen these Scrabble Crossword pictures around. I took a couple different combinations I've seen and put them together.
  
This was just a normal 8x10 frame with a mat that is actually green turned backwards.  I hot glued the letters onto a piece of scrapbook paper and then put it inside the frame.  The original glass for the frame is in the back.  
With this frame I decided to add a little bit of wide ribbon.  I think it really helped the outcome. I think next time I'm not going to use shiny white paper as the back.  Maybe a plain pink?

Be sure to go to my Linky Parties Button at the top and see the different sites I've linked up too throughout the week!

January 10, 2011

Family Photo Magnets

My in-laws live far away and it is always tricky when I'm trying to come up with Christmas gifts for them.  I'm too cheap to spend a lot of money on shipping but I want a good gift.  One day I was walking down a craft aisle and saw the magnetic sheets and I knew exactly what I wanted to make.....Family Photo Magnets!
   Walmart Photo has this cool program where you make colleges out of regular 4x6 photos  Click HERE for the exact location.  I uploaded every photo I could get my hands on.  Since each little photo is so small I could use pictures from Facebook.  
   I first cut the picture down a little and then peeled the backing off the magnet and put the two together.  I could fit one photo college on one magnetic sheet. Then I just cut the extra magnet away with an razor knife. I now have a lot of leftover magnet scrap and my next project will be to do this again but cut each picture out to make a lot of small magnets.  
Cost of this project: $6 for magnetic sheets at Walmart (they come in packs of two.)
$1.20 for 6 photo colleges (one hour at Walmart)
$2 for shipping since we already had a small package
EQUALS =
1 Personalized Christmas gift for under $10

Don't you think Walmart should give me something for all this free advertising?  Then I could MAKE money on this gift :)!