Stroller Liner

http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2008/08/stroller-liner-tutorial.html

Felt Christmas Ornament

Laurel found this very cute and easy ornament! http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/craft-project-felt-christmas-ornament.html

another DIY play kitchen

here's another, smaller version of a DIY play kitchen, using a nightstand.

http://onegirliegirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/ahhhhhi-did-it.html

picture frame stocking holders

i want these!!! instead of putting kids pics in them (since we only have one kiddo :) ) i would use some cute holiday wrapping paper and maybe some letters spelling something.

http://lincandjenesplin.blogspot.com/2009/12/stocking-holders-revamp.html

Silver vase

http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2009/11/making-faux-mercury-glass.html

ornament wreath

i love this!

picture from here: http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/search?q=wreath

directions from here: http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2008/12/no-wire-hangers-well-maybe-just-one.html

paperback book or magazine christmas tree

these are kind of cute if you are doing a vintage-y christmas style. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/paperback-Christmas-tree.shtml

Wreath stand

i have also been wanting one of these, but haven't even seen them in stores to buy... now i can make one! (why don't i have this creative brain???)

http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/12/shanty-wreath-hangers.html

hurricane lamp thingies

i will also be making some of these:

http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2009/11/dollar-store-hurricane-lamps.html

make your own apothecaries

i can hardly wait to get to Cedar City so i can make these (rather than making them up here and having to pack them down there...)!

http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/10/ashleys-fall-apothecary.html

the whole blog is chuck full of really cute things that are so easy to make!

jute decorative balls

so how cute are these?? i am going to make some to put up on my ledges in my living room and kitchen.

found here: http://mamacancraft.blogspot.com/2009/12/cabinet-top-decor-part-deux.html

Pom-pom Lamp

http://rufflesandstuff.blogspot.com/2009/11/practically-free-pom-pom-lamp.html

Cardigan to Hat

http://thirtyhandmadedays.blogspot.com/2009/11/hi-everyone-i-am-so-honored-to-be-here.html

Easy Peasant Blouse/dress

You can make this longer into a dress, add elastic around the chest for an empire waist, make it flair out at the bottom and add ties under the arms...so many possibilities!


http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2007/07/peasant-blouse.html

Spray painted fabric

Why didn't I think of this?!?! You could do bigger pieces of fabric and stretch them over a wood frame...and it's a cool wall hanging! There are a LOT of cool shapes and patterns out there to use...

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/11/tutorial-spraypainted-wheat-pillows.html

Play Kitchen from an old Entertainment center

I have been looking for a simple way to convert my old entertainment center into a play kitchen for the basement...now I just need to convince Lane he doesn't need it for the new "TV room..."

Cute!!!

Restyled Men's Shirts

http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/2009/04/from-mens-shirt-to-little-girls-dress.html

A more modest version of the jumper I found a while back.

50 FREE photocards!

http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/2009/11/50-free-photocards-shipped-free-too.html

This expires Nov. 30, but that gives us a little time! Shipping is only $3.19.

Resizing a Shirt

A tutorial to make shirts bigger or smaller! Plus, it's cute!

Amazingly simple princess dress!!!

http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/magistrate-dress.html

magistrate dress

(this post was originally published 12 september, 2007.)

this is one of the most popular costume silhouettes there is--the generic "princess/angel/medieval maiden/rennaissance damsel/magical wizard/monk/every-fairy-tale-princess-in-grimms'-anthology" gown. if it makes any difference, ella calls this a magistrate dress. this makes sense only if you are a fan of sagwa.

and you won't believe how quickly you can fake this dress. you need one piece of fabric, two cuts, and whatever trim you wish. choose a stretchy fabric so you don't have to have a zipper--i used panne velvet but you could use anything you like.

your fabric should be cut as follows:

width: distance from one wrist to the other, measured with arms out to your sides.
length: distance from top of your shoulder (measured just under the ear) to the floor. multiply this number times 2.

fold your fabric in half (right sides together) across the width, then in half across the length. you will have four layers of fabric. at the corner where all the folds meet, cut a SMALL shallow curve. start SMALL--you can always make it bigger later. this will be your neck opening.

then make one cut, from the side where all the cut edges are, toward the neck opening. the exact shape and length of this cut is up to you. the lower you start the cut on the side, the longer your sleeve will hang.

then unfold your fabric and find out what shape you have just made!

the cuts on the sides are the side seams. sew your side seam closed, sew your trim on your sleeves and hem, and then try on the dress. if you need or want to make the neck opening bigger, do so. when the neck is the right size, add your trim and you are done.

this dress can be worn as is, or you can dress it up to match your imagination. pattern catalogs are a great source of ideas on how you can vary the sleeves, neckline, and trim. and the addition of some simple accessories can change the entire look: if you wish to be a fairy, add wings--if you wish to be an angel, add a halo--for a medieval princess, cover a pointy party hat with scraps of fabric and tack a silky scarf to the top--for a wizard add a cape and a beard--for a magistrate, add ella.

How to make a hat and scarf from a sweater

Something for the boys! Yay!

I got this sweater vest at the Dollar Store several days ago (sweaters at the Dollar Store? How random is that??) and I just knew it was dying to be a little beanie and scarf set! I'm so excited to have a project for little boys!

This would actually work best with a sleeved sweater (then you could just use sleeves for a scarf!), but this is what I had, so...

1) Measure your child's head, and cut out a hat shape through both layers (I free-handed this, but if you had another beanie to trace around, that would be great!), then cut a large rectangle shape through both layers for the scarf.

2) Lay the two scarf pieces right side together and pin the non-banded end. Sew with a zig-zag stitch, being careful not to let it stretch too much.

3) Cut out your "face" shapes from felt or fleece. 4 ears, two big circles for eyes, and two slightly smaller circles for the pupils, and a little triangle nose.

4) Lay two of the ear shapes on top of the other two, and sew around the edges with your machine. (not pictured)
5) Pin the ears to the right side of the beanie, facing downward. Lay the other piece of the beanie on top of it(right sides together), with ears sandwiched in between, and pin.

6) Sew the two hat pieces together, leaving the banded side open.
7) Take your scarf piece and fold it over, right sides together, and pin. Sew all the way down the side.

Turn the scarf right side out, and sew the banded edges closed.
9) Pin the face shaped where you want them, and hand stitch them on.

Ta-da!

Glitter Shapes--Brilliant!

Glue and Glitter Cards

These cards are messy to make but the effect is spectacular and I guarantee the kids will love it! They do cover the recipient in glitter when they open the envelope but I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing – I call it festive!

You will need

• blank cards
• kid's pvc glue
• a couple of different colours of glitter
• christmas cookie cutters

Directions

1. Pour glue into a small container or tray until the glue is about 3mm deep. Make sure that your containers is large enough to accommodate the cookie cutters.



2. Dip a cookie cutter in glue and then use it to make a glue print on the blank card. For best results, leave the cutter in place on the card for about three seconds to allow for the glue to drip down onto the card. Repeat until you have made all the glue prints that you want for that particular card.



3. Sprinkle different colours of glitter on top of the glue prints, making sure to cover all of the glue marks. Then shake the glitter off into a tray and allow card to dry.

Print making

Oven Tray Print Cards

Older kids will love being taught this method of print-making and once they understand what to do they'll want to be left alone to do it all by themselves. Provide some additional materials such as sponges, toothpicks and a comb so that they can play around with different textures. If they like drawing, encourage them to draw custom images for their friends and close family members.

Of course, younger kids can do this too – but they may not be able to wipe the edges of the print as described above. Instead, just let them print onto coloured paper and then cut the paper to stick on the card.

You will need

• blank cards
• old baking tray
• acrylic paint
• paint roller
• damp cloth
• cotton buds, toothpicks etc

Directions

1. Work out what size print you would like to make and mark out the rough dimensions on the back of a baking try, using sticky tape.



2. Roll paint onto the tray, then draw a picture using your finger, a cotton bud or wooden skewer.



3. Wipe around the edges of your print with a damp sponge, using the tape as a guide. Then press the front of the card against the the paint and carefully remove. You should be able to make about three cards from each print. When you've finished, re-apply paint with the roller and do it all again.

nativity magnets

i found this on etsy, and thought is was SO cute and so easy!

pretty candles!

http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/2009/11/ecolovies-recycled-art-candle-holders.html

wooden spool nativity for littles

http://holesinmyshinyveneer.blogspot.com/2009/11/photo-tutorial-spool-doll-nativity-part.html

wire tree

i love this!

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/christmas-tree-wire-ornament-holder/

Bead Necklaces

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/jade-beaded-necklace-with-ribbon?xsc=eml_crd_2009_11_04

Little One Fabric Book

http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Little-One-Felt-Book.htm

Gifts you can sew

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/09/02/gifts-you-can-sew/

This list is growing every day! Lots of fun stuff!!

Old Entertainment Center

I have almost this exact entertainment center in my basement. Maybe I should put it under the window in the mud room to hold winter/summer stuff depending on the season?!?! I could even put some hooks in the tall space for little coats/jackets...

http://creationsbykara.blogspot.com/2009/03/saved-from-dump-thank-goodness.html

Felt Sea Life Magnets

These are super cute. I love them.

http://purlbee.squarespace.com/felt-aquarium-magnets/

fabric alphabet magnets

SO cute!!! And easy too, plus, they use modge podge!!! http://angieasplund.blogspot.com/2009/01/magnetic-abcs-tutorial.html

Worksheet Creator

http://www.toolsforeducators.com/

Bingo, word searches, dominoes, mazes, dice maker, board games, crosswords, writing and tracing, etc.

Printable games.