Trendy Girly Hat

I've seen these kinds of hats and I thought I'd take a crack at making one for my 7 yr old who has been "dying to have one."  It's pretty hard to get the fit right, but after several attempts I got it pretty close. It's just a little looser than I'd like, but it's a really quick sewing project, so I'm sure I'll make a couple more just for good measure.  Without the flower on it, it is actually fully reversible too.  So fun.  Can't wait to try some more.

I also learned that my daughter has a bigger head than me already.  Her head is not too big, mine really is just that small.  So sad.

Beach Themed Mantle

I've seen so many cute beachy mantles and I wanted to try it out.  I'm finally getting around to taking down my Fourth of July summer decor and it's too early to put up my fall stuff, so  I went for it.  I was able to put this together with all stuff I had lying around - including a new "Relax" sign that Jared and I picked up in Catalina.  I need to think of something to put in the glass at the back though.  Might need to go looking for a pretty candle or something.  hmmmm. . . .

I made this sign out of an old board in my garage. It was cut all crooked which gives it a little more character.  I painted it white then used a dry brush technique with some brown to antique it.  I cut the letters out of some scrapbook paper using my silhouette and mod podged them on.   I would have rather done it with vinyl to be quicker, but the only colors I have are white, black and red.  I wanted a beachier color.  Anyways, I  think it turned out pretty good.  Jared said, "It's almost there, but not quite"  Thanks for the support, honey.

Boys Shorts With Cargo Pocket

Here is my second pair of boy shorts I made for my son.  This time I made some nice big cargo pockets on the side.  I definitely like these pockets better than my first ones.

Repurposing Clips

I don't know about you, but I always have a random array of clips and bobby pins all over in my drawers in my bathroom.  Mine are all boring and generic - I hardly ever use them.  I decided to spruce them up instead of leaving the clutter.  I attached them to wax paper so that when I hot glued stuff onto them they wouldn't get stuck together permanently. 

Then I started making some fun stuff to attach. I stuck to colors I know I will wear (mostly neutrals) and tried to make them age appropriate.   Here is what I came up with:

I like that these clips lay flatter than the alligator clips I use to make my girls bows.  Every once in a while I steal borrow my little girls bows, so I figured it was about time I had some of my own.

No More Monkey Bars

This little guy loves the monkey bars, but one week into school, we're paying dearly for it.  Poor little guy.  My hands hurt just looking at them.

Hopefully he gets some callouses when they heal.

More Bows and Headbands

I have so much more time on my hands with all the kiddos at school.  My baby has been teething and between all the fussiness, she's been napping a lot, so. . . I've been busy.

15 Months and Finally. . . .

15 Months and Finally. . . I can do a little pony tail!

It's a tiny little thing and she hates it, but it's so cute.  The other kids call it her little "Doink"  Too cute!

Boy Shorts

I tried my hand at some cool boy shorts. I used the instructions from Made.  My little guy even wore them to school proudly. I count that as success.

Note to self - lower the pockets a little next time.

Antrhopologie Inspired Skirt

 

I've seen these cute Anthroplogie skirts and I wanted to try making one in this style for myself.  Here is what I came up with:

I obviously added a lot more color (and I'm not as skinny as those dress stands), but I think it turned out okay.  Next time I'd like to make the skirt a little fuller.  I tried out the skirt on Sunday at church. I got a couple of compliments so I'm happy with that.

Baby Gift Set

Made this baby gift set, for my SIL.  It's a blankie, burp cloth, bib, booties and a hat.   Hope she likes it.  I really enjoy this print because it's girly without being pink!

It's the first time I made a flannel blankie with the minky on the back.  So soft, I love it.  It will be good for her fall baby.

Purple Circle Skirt

Made a new circle skirt out of the extra yardage I bought for the book bag lining.  Also added a cute black trim to it, this time.  Fun! 

Boy Baby Booties

I made some shoes for my nephew.  I had to look for new ideas so that he wouldn't have girly shoes.  Here is my little boy shoe.  (although I think these would still be cute for girls, too)

I think for next time, I'll figure out how to get some elastic in the backs to help them stay on better.  Hope he enjoys them.

School Book Bag

My cute little girl wanted a new bookbag for this school year.  So I went to work.  I took a bunch of old jeans and cut them into strips.  I knew she likes jean.  Here's what I got.

I let her pick the fabric for the lining and we used it to make a butterfly for the front.

I also made a pocket on the front for pencils, etc.

Then for fun, I added to jean pockets on the back.  I also created the strap using the waistband of the jeans.

It was a lot of fun to make.

My mistake: I made the bag too "deep."After I was finished, I ended up taking it in around the outside of it.  I'm sad because it was so beautifully lined to begin with and now it's a little funky on the inside.  One of these days, I may just take it apart and put it back together again the right way.  She loves it, though and school is already starting so oh well.  Not everything has to be perfect.

And a picture of the first day of school:

Indiana Jones T-Shirt

I have a little guy who really digs Indiana Jones.  He asked if I could make him a T-Shirt.  I downloaded a font that looked like the logo (called Fedora).  I cut it out twice with my Silhouette onto freezer paper.  I ironed one on to the shirt and used brown for the shadow.  After it dried, I removed it and ironed on my second paper slightly off-setting it from the first one. Like this:

Then I painted orange and yellow over the top.  I had to use two coats so that you couldn't see the brown and I blended the paint in the middle to make it look like the logo.

 I love how it turned out.  I am a little bummed, though, that I smeared a little bit of brown paint underneath.  My son told me that it was okay, people would just think he was eating some chocolate.  Such a funny guy!

They Are Growing Up So Fast!

Five short years ago I had four children under the age of four.  Looking back, I just remember being very busy, doing lots of games and crafts to keep the kids busy, and lots of crying in the house.  I look at this picture and I remember these little versions of my kids and wonder where they went.  It is so strange for me to think that next week all four of those little ones will be in school.  Just me and the baby home until 1 in the afternoon!  It's strange to see the kids growing up so fast.  Can't believe how time flies.