Apron (Yes, Another One!)

Earlier this year, my friend Erin sent me an awesome apron she found on a trip to Seattle. I'd show you the link but I cannot for the life of me remember the store she got it at. Anyway, I decided to make a pattern from the apron and make one for her. Of course, I kept modifying it and decided that is simply must be reversible! Then I decided to add piping, and....surprise, surprise!...I even threw some rick rack in there. I changed the top section to add a little more coverage. I lined it with fabric from a plain white top sheet, and the waistband is interfaced so that the shape stays as it should. I must say that the construction on this baby is pretty sweet. It should hopefully last for a long time.

Necklaces

There are certain isles in the craft store that I try to avoid. Really, I should avoid the place altogether but that wouldn't be any fun. The bead isle is one isle I just can't get near. I used to do a lot of bead work, but have since moved on to activities which require less intense concentration. (I have three small kids after all) However, I decided to do a few simple projects for Christmas presents. These two necklaces I made for Mom. These are made with wire (eye pins?), as opposed to strung beads. I have never worked with wire, thus the lack of technical terminology.

This necklace is made from beads salvaged from a broken necklace and the chain pieces came from another necklace. The flower was from SnapCrafty.

Button Monogram Pillow

After seeing a similar idea on Etsy, I made this button monogram pillow for Mom. I chose a font I liked and printed the 'C' out in the appropriate size. I traced the letter onto linen and sewed on vintage buttons to fill the space.

Bad Pictures of Aunt Marla's Awesome Apron

I once again brought out an Amy Butler pattern from her book "In Stitches" which I have used on several other occasions (here and here). It is a pleated half apron and this Robert Kaufman print is one of my favorites!

Aunt Marla's Monogram Tea Towels

I made these for my Aunt Marla for Christmas. They are like the ones that I made here. I like how they turned out and it was fun to make them for someone other than myself!

Let The Christmas Present Posting Begin!

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Here is a shirt I made for the basset hound my brother and sister-in-law just adopted. Her name is Olivia, Olive for short. I made this shirt using freezer paper applique. I sketched out my idea and traced it onto the paper. I am very happy with how it turned out for two reasons. One, the first time I tried to do letters with freezer paper, it bombed. Second, I felt as though I was using some of my actual art training to create the design. Weee!! I even busted out my Prisma markers and sketch pad, and it felt good to be back to drawing if only for a little bit. While I will admit that I always let out an internal chuckle when I see people dressing their dogs, I really had fun with this one! (P.S. Notice the collar?!)

Spiked Dog Collar?!

I never thought I'd be able to say that I made a spiked dog collar. However, when our brother and his wife got a new dog, I knew I had to make something for Olive. (Cute name, huh?) When I saw this trim at the fabric store I knew I had to use it. I guess technically its not spikes, more like pyramids? Anyway, the trim is studded pleather and surprisingly easy to work with. I used my zipper foot and a heavy duty needle to sew it to the webbing. After spending way too much brain power staring at the buckle I think I got it installed correctly. Hopefully it fits right and Olive likes it. Or rather, hopefully N & N like it, because I am pretty sure Olive could care less. :)

Child's Artwork Pendant: Round Two

Here is the second attempt at making pendants. This time, I tried adding small beads for something extra. Also, I had my son draw on a colored scrapbook paper. I realized that one benefit to using the 'real' stuff (Diamond Glaze) is that it probably stays clear despite being thick. The pendant on the left has an extra layer of glaze and its started to get a yellow cast to it.

**Extreme Cuteness Alert** Baby/Toddler Bow Tie

Here is a bowtie I made for my youngest. I discovered that bow ties are so simple to make, and not to mention stinkin' cute!! I feel like going into the bow tie business. I began with the tutorial here, and scaled it down to fit my little midget. Because of the size difference between the original tutorial and the smaller size, some adjustments in construction need to be made. For example, it is nearly impossible to sew the pleat in there by machine. I simply scrunched it together with my fingers while I sewed the 'knot' on. I also used a slightly longer piece of velcro to make it a wee bit more 'adjustable.

(That's a toy mountain lion, if you must know. He wouldn't cooperate without it.)

Here is a bowtie I made for my youngest.

Child's Artwork Pendant

This pendant is made for a Christmas present. I used a pendant blank, a small drawing from my son, and some glaze stuff from the scrap-booking section at the craft store. (Technically speaking, you really should use a resin glaze, like Diamond glaze, but I couldn't find it locally and wanted to try this stuff out. It works almost as well as I think the real stuff should.) I am going to try making a few more, so I am sure I will learn a few tricks as I go along.

Another Christmas Present - Pleated Pouch

Here is yet another Christmas present for my sister. I made it just for fun mainly because I had a purple zipper burning a hole in my collection! I pleated the outside as a side bonus and would like to use that technique again for a larger clutch/purse.

Shrek Slippers

As another part of my sister's Christmas present, I made some house shoes which incidently remind me of the character Shrek. I've made these before (here) and really like how they turn out. They are also fun too because you can use all sorts of wild fabric that may be a little to crazy for ordinary things!

Christmas Scarf

As part of my sister's Christmas present, I crocheted this super simple and warm scarf. I haven't crocheted in a while so I was rusty at first but it's just like riding a bike!

Matchbox Covered Wagon

My son wants two covered wagons. A small one, for his tiny oxen, and a larger one, for his other set of oxen. We made a larger one several months ago, but it finally bit the dust. Right now I am in the process of thinking through another, even sturdier version. Until then, I made this tiny wagon for the mini-oxen. It is made from a small matchbox tray, pipe cleaners, buttons and felt. The yoke is made from one of the mini-Popsicle sticks they make now. As a side note, have you looked at the kinds they have lately? Phew! You can even get notched ones to build with. Very fun!

Turtles!

As part of Rachel's Christmas present countdown, I decided would make her a set of turtle pincushions. (Tutorial found here) I am very happy with how they turned out. However, I will not be making them again. There are just a wee bit tedious. However, if you really like the person you are making them for...totally justified. :) Without further ado, the pictures:

This is the larger of the turtles. This turtle serves as both a pin cushion, and a sewing kit. The bottom part of the shell opens to reveal a pocket for scissors, a needle book and a thread holder. The flipper is magnetic to catch pins.

This smaller turtle is simply a pin cushion. While the body of the larger turtle is made from cotton (with seams inside), this one is made from felt, sewn with a whip stitch.

Sparkly Doll Shoe Makeover (Tutorial)

What is up with me and the glitter?? I just can't stay away from it. I bought a plain set of doll shoes from the craft store and decided to give them a makeover...with glitter! Begin with a plain pair of doll shoes (or girls shoes...I think that would work nicely too). You will also need glitter, glue, a paint brush and modge podge.

Remove any embellishments that will get in the way of glittering.

Stuff shoes with a little something to keep them from collapsing while you are working with them. (I just used a cellophane candy package)

Generously coat shoes with glue, using a paint brush. Craft glue is what I used, but Elmer's glue would probably work also.

Optional Step: Go check on the cookies you have in the oven, and come back to find your baby has found and spilled an entire tube of glitter. Sparkles, anyone?

Over a sheet of scrap paper, sprinkle a generous amount of glitter over wet glue. Gently tap shoes to remove excess glitter, and use a dry brush to remove glitter from soles.

When the glue/glitter is completely dry, coat with a generous layer of modge podge.

When modge podge is dry, reapply embellishments. (I used E6000 glue) The modge podge does such a good job that when I rubbed my finger across the shoes there was no glitter rubbing off. If you try this on girls shoes, I would do a second layer just for added durability.

Quick Travel Jewelry Case

I was in dire need to craft today and I also needed a little case for my jewelry when I travel. So based on that, I took some scraps and created this little thing. It's nice and compact and holds just enough for me. It has three zipper pockets so my rings, necklaces and earrings can all be separate. As a side bonus, it also helped clean a few more scraps out of my collection!

Embroidered Kid Drawings

Katie's "A People's" - person with a hat
James's self portrait with a butterfly net

As part of the Christmas countdown from my sister (see here), 2 of the days were pictures that my niece and nephew drew that were then embroidered onto fabric and framed. I love seeing the pictures that they draw because their little minds are so creative and it's fun to see their ideas develop. Plus, I think they are pretty darn cute in general!

Necktie Onsies

I recently had someone request to buy some necktie onesies. I used scraps from several mens dress shirts for the appliques. I am increasingly enamored with the many uses of mens dress shirts. There is enough fabric in one large shirt to make a dress, a couple of newsboy caps, a boys shirt, or even a pair of child's pants. (Click here to see several examples) I am also working on making a few boy's bow ties made from a mens shirt. Oh, the possibilities! If only I could convince my husband to relinquish his two fabulous purple dress shirts. I could really have fun with those! :)

Clothespin Bag

I used this tutorial to make a clothespin bag. This is a really quick project, and doesn't take much fabric either. I used scraps from another project. The trim is this funky vintage stuff I picked up somewhere. It is one of those trims that won't go with many things, but I think it works here. Instead of finishing the neckline with bias tape or fold-over braid, as the tutorial shows, I pressed the edge toward the right side of the fabric and then stitched the trim on. That gave me a neat finish with no raw edges. These bags could be used for so many things. I have one hanging in my kitchen to hold my canning jar rings. Another idea I have for this pattern is to scale it down and make several in varying shades of lavender to hang in my daughter's room. That way she could keep all her little trinkets in them.