Embroidered Onesie Baby Gift

I'm really starting to get crafty now. This blog has seriously helped me go from "Oh, that's cute, maybe I'll make something like that" (when I get around to it) to a "just do it" attitude. I designed the little girl holding a balloon and embroidered it on a piece of linen and sewed it on a onesie for a colleague's newborn. The card was made using Wordle and I used Colourlovers to help choose the colors. And finally, I sewed up a brown paper bag and called it gift wrap. This was the creative me I was always supposed to be!

Clone Wars Wallet

After I noticed my 5 year old carrying his money around in ziplock baggies, I figured it was high time I made him a wallet. Of course, that was a while ago. But, in my defense, when he said he wanted a Clone Wars wallet, I was stumped. Now, how was I going to pull that off? Then I discovered this tutorial and knew that I had the quick and easy answer. Using pages from a Lego magazine, I was able to come up with this design. Ignoring the fact that my sewing machine was on the fritz (hence the reason for the awful stitching on the bottom), I thought it turned out pretty cool. And best of all, my son is happy!

I used clear contact paper and added some sticky velcro circles, which I cut in half, to close the coin purse and the wallet. I also added another small piece on the tab, so that when it folded over the coin purse it would be facing the right way. (See the storm troopers right side up.) I've got a local supplier of Lego magazines close by, so I'm going to try my hand at a few more, until I get it right. I'll be enlarging the pattern, since my wallet is only slightly bigger than the bills.

Inspiration for my project to do list

I really love the colors in this afghan and it looks like it won't be too difficult to make. This is the Haverhill Afghan at Garnet Hill. I'm officially adding this to my project to do list. It looks like I'm not the only one thinking of this project. Check this out!

On a side note, I did sign up for the local sewing workshop, so I'm hoping to have plenty more projects to blog about in the near future.

Teacher Gift Revealed

I can finally show off the teacher gift I made for Christmas for my son's kindergarten teacher. It's a tri-fold portfolio that holds personalized note cards and note pad. I designed and printed the note cards at home and purchased the envelopes from a local "Paper Source" supplier. I used Vistaprint for the notepad and uploaded my design. I used repurposed linen for the cover and green gingham and Amy Butler fabric for the inside. I had my son draw the cover design and then I embroidered it. (I'm really loving that idea!) Then I wrapped it in potato stamp paper that my son made. That part was really easy. I used cookie cutters on the potatoes and then cut off a slice to create the stamp. It took no time at all and I liked the feel of having the whole gift be homemade by both me and my son.

I'm thinking of making a tutorial of the portfolio and note cards, to give back to the extremely generous blogging community.

Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas

It seems that we've started a holiday tradition in our family. Every year we decorate a gingerbread house and my son tears it apart and eats it in no time! You might notice that I wrote "decorate" and not actually "make and decorate". We usually pick up a kit at Costco and go from there. One year, however, I was invited to a gingerbread decorating party. Again, I didn't actually have to make and assemble the house; I got the fun job of decorating it.

I did want to point out the cool pond that I made out of Vicks cough drops. I think I outlined an area with frosting and then I crushed the cough drops and placed them inside the pond and added drops of water which melted the cough drops and created the pond. Then I placed candy rocks on top of the frosting.

The day of the party, it was a rainy day, and those who sat nearest the open door tragically lost all their hard work when their houses collapsed from the humidity. Word of warning, don't work in or near a humid environment!

First Project Finished!

I finished my first project, the Kidlet Tote from JC Handmade. I had a fun time making this one and it will be going to a little girl who is turning 4. I lined the inside in green gingham.

My Craft To Do List

Boy, have I been busy surfing the internet these last two months. I am just awestruck by the amazing blogs I have found and all the incredible tutorials that bloggers have generously shared. It can be quite a challenge to find crafty things to make for boys, but I think I did it.

It's been difficult to narrow down the tutorials I'm most excited to try. With that said, I'm posting a few of the crafty goodness I hope to whip up in the next month or two. I'll post my finished projects when I do get around to actually finishing a project.


Rocket Man by The Long Thread



Teether Toy by Patch Apple



Freezer Paper Stencils by Panjo

I found some really great pdf patterns here. I can't wait to try this one out!


Pocket Tote by JC Handmade


I'm thinking of making this for a friend's daughter and adding another handle to make it a small tote bag. Although, this next one is really cute, too!


Drawstring Pouch by Orange Flower:Sketchbook


Margaret Sling Bag by oh, fransson!



Tooth Officer by mmmcrafts


Finally, a tooth fairy pillow for boys!


Molly Monkey by mmmcrafts



Sock Monster by Monster Munch




Baby Quilt by oh, fransson!



Well, I think I better sign up for the local sewing workshop, if I plan to get all this done.

Thanks for looking!