Sunday, November 22, 2009

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!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Amazingly simple princess dress!!!

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.
8) 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. W
ipe 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.