Handmade with L.

K.'s birthday is just around the corner (Sunday in fact) and so I thought that it would be nice if L. could make her a birthday gift.

The girls love drawing each other pictures and giving them to one another. But the downside of that is that they usually end up getting stepped on, colored on, or cut up into confetti.

Taking much inspiration from SouleMama's photo, I decided that it would be the perfect little thing for L. to make for her big sister's birthday present.

I used some white fabric that I had on hand and added fusible interfacing to it so that L. would be able to color on it without the fabric bunching up. Sewed it all together (with the help of L.) and then she stuffed it. It is a picture of K. standing outside under a blue sun holding big red roses in each hand (while stylishly wearing a matching red dress and green shoes).

Not sure who was more happier about this project L., or me (considering the fact that I now have a blossoming crafter in the house).

Handmade with K.

K. had gotten the book See and Sew by Tina Davis for Christmas. After much flipping through (and a little putting off on my part) we finally sat down yesterday and began her first real sewing project. I'm so proud of her!

She decided that she wanted to make the Strawberry Pot Holder and so we grabbed out our supplies and got to work. I was just basically there to show her "how" to do everything. I showed her how to lay the pattern out and cut out the fabric, sew on buttons (which I was informed that that was her least favorite part of it) and then sew it all together. But what made my heart melt was when she was sewing on one of the buttons and was having a little difficulty. I asked her if she wanted my help and she said "No, let me try to get it on my own!". The thing about K. is that if she is ever having trouble with something she'll want me (or her Dad) to do it for her. So I thought that was exceptionally big of her.

She was a little huffed about the fact that L. was wanting to help be the pinner. (L. loves pins and pincushions for some reason. And yes, she learned the hard way that those things are sharp and pointy)

Cut out the fabric all by herself. She did however, have a little problem staying on the line.

Her least favorite part. On the upside though, she didn't prick her finger once and was very patient with sewing on the buttons.

She did love sewing it all together. The pattern called for a blanket stitch but I thought that it would be a little much for her right now. So I just had her do a little whip stitch.

Then all completed! I'm so proud of her and it took us about an hour and a half to complete this project. It is now hanging up in it's new home in the kitchen.

New Friends

This past week I was watching Martha Stewart (yes, I can't help but love her and Carol Duvall) and she had Emily Martin from Inside a Black Apple on making the most cutest most sweetest dolls. The pattern and construction seemed easy enough that I knew I could figure it out (I've never made a doll before). So up to the craft room L. and I went. It's actually going to be a surprise for K. because she has a birthday coming up in a few weeks (has it been 8 years already?!)

She is just a "test run" doll for now. There are a few things that I would like to change about her. Nothing much, just pretty much the sizing of her and plus she needs a gorgeous wardrobe. So, now I've put another deadline on myself and everyday have slowly been making her things. For now though, she'll live in my craft room and gets much playtime in with L. Which believe me, she does not understand why she can't name the doll, but on the upside, got to help me pick out the fabric, stuff her, and just little help with the sewing part. Shockingly enough though, she has not told K. "our secret" and keeps reminding her that she can't go into Mama's craft room.

A few more friends have been in the making. K. came home from school today and wanted to make bunnies.

She almost had them complete before my Mom came to pick up her and L. so James and I could have a nice (quiet) night alone together. They are really cute and she even made them little tails, bows for there ears, and dresses (all out of construction paper).

Why I enjoy being a Mother

Today, K. painted me a picture and when I went upstairs, I found it hanging on my craft room door.

She said that when I go to walk into my craft room, she wants me to think of her before entering. (*tears filled my eyes*)

Funny how somehow kids always know when you need a little cheering up.

Crafting with L.

Sounds like some crafting show title.

Today I was in a major crafting mood. I'm not talking my usual-instant-gratification-projects. I'm talking I wanted to make something that I've never done before. Sewing a clothing item for myself. I've made my girls a few items in the past and I have to say that I love sewing clothes. While I still have ALOT to learn, I do however manage to learn something new with every project I make (for instance, pay close attention to the little diagram that every pattern comes with on which way to lay the fabric BEFORE cutting. And James wonders why sometimes I buy more than the recommended amount of fabric. Originally these pants here were suppose to be purple cotton with darker purple hearts on them. I didn't pay attention to the diagram and cut the fabric out wrong. L. would've apparently had 2 left legs.) My project is not complete yet but while I was busy cranking away at my new clothing item, L. was making a project herself.

There is a box in my craft room that is filled with scraps of fabric, ribbon, trims, paper, and other sorts of things. It's my girls box and they are more than welcome to it anytime they want. They love getting in there and pulling out bits of fabric and creating something each time. That, or they love to just sit there and cut fabric into itty bitty tiny pieces. I tell ya, good thing New Year is almost here because we have our confetti all set to go.

L. was busy cutting away, and playing with my fabric markers. I kept watching her wondering what she was creating. Pretty soon she came to me and asked if she could have some ribbon from my ribbon basket. We picked out some ribbon together and she was back to work. Busy! Busy! Busy! After a bit she brought me what she had made and asked me if I could sue (yes sue, that's how she pronounces sew. Gosh I wish she would stay 3 forever!) the ribbon to her creation. I asked her to explain to me what she had made. "A kite Mama! See, isn't it pretty!" She crawled up on my lap and helped me stitch the tail to her kite. So sweet!

The fabric is scrap fabric from pj pants I made for K. L. cut the fabric herself, added more "flowers" and then helped me stitch on the ribbon. Now, being that today was not a "perfect kite flying day" we had to bring out our fan and her and I stood there flying kites in front of a fan. Hey, whatever works right?

Like Mother Like Daughter

Friday night I was in my craft room trying to work on a project that just all of a sudden came to me. While I was working in there I had to little helpers. While L. and K. were busy cutting up my fabric scraps I noticed K. was trying to put together something. Pretty soon she came to me and asked me if I could sew it together. I told her I had an even better idea and that she could sew it herself. She wanted it handsewn and so after I showed her how to do it, she was off and doing it herself like a little pro (sorry, conceited Mother part coming out).

I was just watching her as she was so focused on what she was doing, and being very careful as to not poke herself with the needle. She did such of a wonderful job and I am so proud of her.

Like Mother Like Daughter(s)

My oldest daughter has been REALLY interested just recently in "doing what Mommy does". She watches me as I sew, knit, crochet, and embroider. While I have taught her how to do a few things (I can't teach her how to crochet to save my life because I'm left handed and she's right handed and it just doesn't work for some reason) one thing that she has really been interested in lately is sewing. She has this dog Lady that she takes with her everywhere and sleeps with her. Well, because K. has a "special pillow" (it's this BEAUTIFUL pillowcase that I picked up one day while thrifting for her) that Lady needed a pillow too. So we went up to my fabric stash and she picked out this flannel that is white with pink polka dots on it. From watching me sew she basically got the idea of how to do it and I just guided her (just to get her started). She took it from there and now Lady has a very comfy pillow to lay her head down on at night.

She did an ABSOLUTE WONDERFUL JOB!!!!!!!! She did, however, get a little frustrated because (like ALL beginner stitchers, including 7 year olds) her stitch didn't come out straight. I told her "Yes it did honey! The fabric was crooked!" and she felt alot better about it. After she stitched it I then let her stuff the new pillow. I however closed the pillow for her only because I'm afraid of her using a sharp needle. Yes, it's me and my "protective parenting" thing coming out. I know that she would do just fine it's just the whole idea of "those dang things hurt!".

Being that K. was making a pillow and I have a "ME TOO!" for a 2 year old, L. decided that she wanted to make a pillow as well for "Baby", her new "friend" that we got at the store. So I propped L. up on my lap and we began sewing a new pillow for Baby. L. did really good, I actually just kinda had my hands there for guidance because anything that moves and it shiny she wants to touch. But she also did a super job and stuffed the pillow herself (after making Santa Claus beard and chanting HO!HO!HO).

(photo was taken by K.)
(yes, you can't really see me in the picture because we have REALLY bad lighting in our dining room, but I'm there!)

Then to "show off" the items that my daughters made is this picture with Baby and Lady showing how comfy their new pillows are.

(photo also taken by K.)

I'm so proud of my daughters!

Tooth Fairy Pillow

K. lost her third tooth the other day and since we lost the first tooth pillow I decided to make her one. I just used some felt that I got from the craft store and some embroidery floss (DMC #3755, which has now GOT to be my favorite color to work with, it's so pretty).

And to show the cutest picture ever.

I think that kids with missing front teeth are SO cute. I have not a clue why though, I think it's because of that song "All I want for Christmas are my 2 front teeth". Who knows!? P.S. The tooth fairy paid a visit and left K. Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder.

Crayon Cookies

~This project is ONLY to be done under the supervision of an adult. Also, these are not edible.~


Crayon Cookies

~Materials~




-1 muffin pan
-old (or new) broken pieces of crayons (no longer than 1 1/2" long )
-vegetable oil
-paper towels


~Directions~
-Preheat oven to 200 - 250 degrees. Wipe the inside of the muffin pan with a little vegetable oil on the paper towel.

-Have children help take the paper off any crayons that still has it and break up the pieces.

-Next have children place the crayons into the muffin pan about 1/4 the way up.

-Adult places the pan in the oven and set timer for about 5 min. but check on them after 2 min. If, after 5 minutes there are still bits that didn't get melted let them cook for about another 3-5 minutes but check on them frequently.
-After they are done take them out and set them on the stove top or on a hotpad.

-Let them cool COMPLETELY before removing them.

Other options you can do is you can use muffin cups. You can add glitter to the crayons before you put them in the oven. You can also make them all one color if you like or you can make white, red, and green ones for Christmas or pink and red ones for Valentine's Day, or orange and black ones for Halloween, or make them the colors of their school. They color just like regular crayons and if you mix the colors such as my girls and I did, when they color they get all sorts of colors. It is also a GREAT way to teach preschoolers about what colors mix with another color to get another color (such as red and blue make purple, blue and yellow make green, you get the idea)

Have Fun!

Like Mother Like Daughter!

So a while ago I bought the Knifty Knitter package from Pat Catan's and just kinda stuffed it into my craft trunk. The other day I brought it back out and was playing around with it, of course with both my girls by my side wanting to "Do what Mommy does!" I showed K. (my oldest) how to wrap the yarn around and how to do it. She was really getting the hang of it. So much so that she made a hat for herself and Lady (her FAVE stuff doggy that Daddy got her).

She kept working and working at it with great joy and satisfaction on her face.

Here is a pic of her progress:




and here is the pic of her first FO (oh my, I think I might have tears in my eyes):



and of course she had to have me take a pic of her and Lady (they take turns wearing the hat):