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I’ve been promising my boys for weeks (okay, probably months!) we were going to do a fun craft with their broken bits of crayons. I have to confess, I’m not naturally the kind of mom who does cool craft projects with her kids. I found instructions on Martha Stewart’s website and we went to work. They boys had lots of fun and we got rid of all those pesky crayon bits.
Aren’t crayons pretty!
They are having a DIY baby carrier contest over at Make Baby Stuff. If you want to vote for me, I won’t stop you. 
You do it down at the bottom of the page in the comment section. I entered the mei tai I made, plus I also plan on entering the soft-structured-carrier I have in the works, if I can ever get it done. I’m doing so many modifications on the instructions I have, it’s giving me a headache. While you’re at the site, be sure to check out some of the cool projects they have posted.
I don’t have any sewing to show, not because I haven’t done any, but because the sewing I’ve done has been top-secret. It’s for a swap I’m doing over at the Baby Wearers…lots of fun. I hope my recipient likes her gift!
I think I’m addicted. I keep saying to myself, “There, now I’m set, I don’t need any more fabric right now.” But then I remember, “Oh no, I didn’t order any of THAT fabric. Once I order that one, then I’ll really be set.” And so it goes. I always have a good reason. Like this time. This particular line, Lightening Bugs by Heather Ross is being discontinued. I’ve loved many of these fabrics for a long time and only bought two. But I HAD to buy them now. Or I might never get to! I ordered then from Amber at Luminous Threads. She was wonderful to buy from, so helpful, shipped fast and even included two bonus fat quarters! So sweet. Now I get to plan how to make these fabrics stretch as far as I possibly can.
I’ve had several tutorials floating around in my head, not counting the long overdue one I mentioned in an earlier post. I promise I will get to that one someday (if someone hasn’t done the same thing in the meantime!). Well this month, Sew Mama Sew is having a tutorial contest. So….I’m using that as incentive to get myself in gear and actually get some of them done.
I just posted a new tutorial for a knit waist maternity skirt. It is the same skirt that I currently sell in my Etsy shop. Of course, I would love to make one for you! So feel free to pop on over there. But in case you are more inclined to do-it-yourself, feel free to use this tutorial. You can find it here.
I just sewed up this little shirt using a pattern tester from “that darn kat”.It went together so nicely and is so very cute. I think I’ll be making many more of these. She should have the pattern for sale later this week or next in her Etsy shop, if you’re interested.
I’ve had this tutorial bookmarked forever and I finally sewed up my first one for Happy Baby’s birthday. It turned out so cute, even with my mistakes and my next one is going to be even better. Unfortunately, my models were less than cooperative.
I know every mom says this, but wow, do our little ones grow fast. I can’t believe that Happy Baby is one! I guess technically he’s Happy Toddler now. We celebrated his birthday a bit late last Saturday. It was a good excuse to finally make a birthday banner like I’ve been wanting to do for a while. You can’t really call this a proper tutorial, but at least it should give you a place to start!
1. Cut triangles out of your chosen fabrics. I cut out 26: one for each letter in “Happy Birthday”. My triangles are about 8” wide and 9” long. I cut them on the fold, so I made my template 4″ by 9″. I made mine to be “girl” colors on one side and “boy” colors on the other. You could just put something completely different on the other side, like “Merry Christmas” or just leave it blank.
2. Cut letters (or pictures, if you want) out of a complimentary color of felt. Make sure you cut out 2 of each if you are making it reversible.
3. Decide what order you want your triangle to be in.
4. Sew the felt letters to the triangles. I’m a lazy appliquér. I didn’t do anything as far as stabilizer or interfacing goes. It makes the letters a bit poufy, but I think that only added to its charm. I simply laid the letter on the fabric triangle, making sure you leave enough room on the top and sides for seam allowance. I had a couple letters where this wasn’t possible. If that happens to you, make sure the top seam allowance is the one you make room for. Otherwise your letter will be covered up by the binding. And that would look silly. I used a straight stitch ¼” from the edge. A zigzag would be cute, or you could try one of your decorative stitches if your machine has some.
5. Once all the letters are sewn on, now you’re ready to sew the triangles together. Don’t do what I did. I foolishly sewed the blue “B” to the pink “B”, the blue “I” to the pink “I” and so on. Those of you who are smarter than me will realize, one side will be fine, but the other will be backward. So right now, the pink side says “Happy dayhtriB”. L I’ll be fixing that. So…make sure you get the letters in the right order if you are making it reversible….last letter of the reverse side sewn to the first letter of the front side and so on. I sewed the triangles together, wrong sides together with a ¼” seam allowance. I left the top open, since it will be covered with the binding.
6. If you have sharp pinking shears and you want to, now would be a good time to pink the edges. I don’t and I didn’t…but the edges will fray. I was just given some pinking shears by my DH’s grandpa, so maybe I will go back and do that.
7. Take a piece of bias binding. I had narrow, single fold bias tape. I was afraid it might be too narrow, but it worked fine. You could make your own also. Four yards was just right for this project. If you have more or less letters, just lay them out and add at least 10” or so, so you have something to tie it up with.
8. There are lots of good tutorials on applying bias tape. I’m not the best at this, so I wouldn’t use my tutorial as a jumping off point. Take the bias tape with the side where you can see the folds face up. Lay it alongside the first triangle, leaving at least 5” for your tie, with the folded side up. Unfold the edge of the bias tape that is lined up with the top edge of your triangle. You will be sewing the right side of the bias tape to the right side of the triangle. Line the bias tape and triangle edges up. Carefully sew just to the right of the fold line of the bias tape. If you have double fold bias tape, use the fold line that is the farthest right. Keep adding triangles until they are all attached.
9. Now, turn the whole thing over. Simple pull the bias tape over the top of the triangles. You will be able to see the seam where you sewed it onto the other side. Try to line of the bias tape so it just covers that seam. Stitch right along the edge of the bias tape, all the way to the end.
10. Viola! A finished birthday banner! Your kids will think you’re amazing (at least they will if they’re 5 and 2).
Please let me know if I can clarify anything. I’d love to see your banners if you make one!
With three little boys, homeschooling, housework, gardening and just life in general, getting something listed on Etsy is a big accomplishment for me. When it’s something I’ve been working on for months, it feels even better. When I opened up my shop, one of the main things I wanted to carry was maternity skirts. It’s something I was never able to find when I was pregnant, at least not ones I liked. So here they are. I hope to soon offer different types, since I know some people prefer over-belly, fold-over, etc. I’m excited to finally be able to offer these up for sale….hopefully you’ll be excited too.
In an earlier post, I mentioned a women, Tricia, fighting Cystic Fibrosis. Last night, she underwent a double-lung transplant. You can read about her and their little baby, Gwyneth, here. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
During the Blog Party (see below), I was very excited to win a prize from this talented knitter/crocheter at Jus Shar Designs. This afternoon, I was thrilled to find a package in the mail containing this:
Not only the adorable hat that I was expecting, but a sweet pair of booties too. They are both so precious and nicely made. If you’re looking for knit/crocheted items, you’ll have to check her website out. I have a confession to make, though. I don’t actually have a daughter. But hopefully someday. If not, I’m sure I will have no problem finding someone to bless with these. Thank you so much, Beth. They are amazing!
