Posted on

my creative space

fairy dress

In my creative space this week, I altered this cute dress to fit my daughter. She hasn’t been that interested in dress up clothes, but there were a few times at the children’s museum that wore a dress almost exactly like this.

I snagged this one at the thrift shop, even though it was a few sizes too big. I took in the shoulders and body, but left the skirt as is.

fairy dress

She was really excited when I brought it home and couldn’t wait until it fit. Now, of course, she doesn’t want to wear it. Maybe I should call it a Fancy Nancy dress instead. If that doesn’t work, it can always be transformed into a twirly skirt.

What’s happening in your creative space this week? Play along over at Kirsty’s.

Posted on

freezer paper stencil prototype

freezer stencil fabric painting

I have this idea for a really cool shirt, but it involves freezer paper stenciling. Can you believe I’ve never tried it? Well, until today, that is. Boy, is this technique awesome — and addicting!

freezer stencil fabric painting

When I applied the paint I was confident one coat would be enough, but after peeling off the stencil, I think two coats might be the way to go. Glad I made a prototype.

Have you used freezer paper stencils before?

pattern: The stencil is a freehand drawing of a flower from existing fabric. I’m going to make matching pajama bottoms for my daughter.

technique: You can find details and tutorials over at Amy’s blog and Craftster.

Posted on

finished: lots of waistbands

princess and the pea

I’ve been going through skirts and adjusting elastic waistbands today. It doesn’t make for interesting blog or picture opportunities. However, I did adjust the waistband in one of my daughter’s new twirly skirts and it is pretty darn cute. Don’t you love the fabric?

princess and the pea

Yesterday we spent some time at the library and I found an Easy-to-Read version of The Princess and the Pea. I have a feeling it’s going to become a favorite around here.

What did you finish this week?

skirt: My friend made this for her daughter and it turned out too small. We are very lucky and grateful that she passes these cute things on to us.

Posted on

my creative space

my creative space

In my creative space today, I’m helping my daughter with a few seed projects. She found this book in the cupboard a few weeks ago and has been studying it for foods that we have in our kitchen. So far she’s collected seeds from an apple and a lemon. I’ve given her a few avocado seeds, but they have all dried out before we had a chance to get our sphagnum moss. (She took them to nature school show-n-tell, instead.)

Now that we’ve got our moss, she keeps asking me when I’m going to eat That Avocado in the Refrigerator and could I please remove the seed gently with a spoon? Wish us luck!

stash: I won this book from a giveaway by the publisher on Facebook. It hangs out with my stash of cookbooks, although I have a feeling it might be moving to her bookshelves in the future.

What’s in your creative space today? Visit Kirsty’s blog to play along.

Posted on

how to: color your own chenille sticks

color your own chenille stick pipe cleaner

I’m not sure this is really a “how-to” or more of a crafty public service announcement. We recently had a purple pipe cleaner emergency in our house. (Does anyone else have trouble calling them chenille sticks?)

The project was a rainbow with a pot of gold. We had every color of the rainbow except purple. I suggested we go ahead and make the project and fill in the missing color later. Our Artist in Residence balked at that idea. How can you make a rainbow without purple? Details, Mama, details!

So, in an act of desperation, I grabbed a white pipe cleaner and a permanent purple marker. A Sharpie probably would have been best, but all I had was a dry erase marker. It worked remarkably well: I just colored it, waited about a minute and wiped it down with a tissue to make sure it was dry. Crisis averted!

Posted on

melted crayons : take two

mini muffin tin crayons

It had to happen sooner or later. I melted my silicone crayon mold. I guess even silicone can’t handle melting and freezing wax over and over. Luckily I was keeping an eye on things and turned it off before it got really messy.

I kept my eyes peeled at the thrift store for another one. I liked using the microwave because it seemed silly to heat up the oven for just a few crayon shapes. Instead, I found a little mini muffin tin. So mini that it fits in my toaster oven. I didn’t even know something this small existed. I got some mini muffin papers and made my first batch last week. LOVE THEM.

The one thing that I didn’t like about the hearts is that they were a little too cutesy for boys. I’d been giving them as small gifts with handmade journals to some of my daughter’s friends, but boys her age are more into Hot Wheels. The mini muffin shapes are a little more gender neutral.

They take a little bit longer than in the microwave, but I really like not having to heat the whole kitchen to make crayon shapes. My little tin was a definite thrift store score.

Posted on

the little engine that could : season three

handmade train applique

I know I’ve complained about this before, but why do manufacturers make train, car and dinosaur shirts so gender specific? My daughter loves all three and she loves red, pink and purple. I hit the jackpot a few years ago when I found a white, new with tags, gender neutral train shirt at a garage sale. It was a size too big, but she wore it all the time with her sleeves rolled up. The next year it fit perfectly.

This year, it’s too small. I suggested maybe we pass it on to one of her friends who loves trains. “But Mama, can’t we just sew the train on to another shirt?”

I put this project off, but she kept bringing it up. I may be finished with it, but my daughter isn’t ready to give it up. In fact, she art directed the whole project, choosing the pink shirt and suggesting the border. After she got over her disappointment that I didn’t have any pink ric rac in my stash, she picked blue to match the puffs of steam.

She’s very proud of her new shirt. I’m happy that she’s happy. I think this might be the season finale for this little engine, though. After this, it’s going on a tote bag.

project details: I positioned the ric rac in place with a glue stick before stitching it on, which allowed me to fudge the corners so they matched. Worked like a charm! Also, I didn’t fold over the ends. Just lined them up and sealed them with a little bit of fray check.

almost two years ago: My tutorial on ruffling up a boy’s t-shirt. I wish this would have worked for the train shirt, but my daughter is growing too fast!

behind the scenes: I’m finally seaming the baby blanket. Can’t wait for the big reveal!

Posted on

favecrafts blog hop: st. patrick’s day outfit

summer twirly skirt

Tomorrow my daughter’s preschool class is having a St. Patrick’s Day party and everyone has to wear a green shirt. Over the past week, we’ve gone from her insisting on wearing her only green (too small) gumdrop shirt to her requesting an entirely new outfit. She rarely asks me to make her clothes, so of course I jumped at the opportunity.

four leaf clover shirt

She really wanted a green shirt and legging combo, but when I found this cute clover/flower fabric in my stash, she agreed that a coordinating skirt might be better. (Phew!) I’ll try to get a better photo of the top tomorrow, as I didn’t finish it until after the sun went down. I think both of these will get lots of wear over the summer, hopefully not always together.

The FaveCrafts Blog wants to know what you have finished on the 15th. Check out other finished projects and post one of your own!

project details: Green shirt from Target, thrifted fabric and ribbon from my stash. Lazy Days Skirt pattern from oliver + s.

tiny four-leaf clover pattern: Don’t forget to crochet up a little luck for yourself and friends. They work up super quick! My pattern here.

Posted on

my creative space

toy organizing bags

I’ve been trying to regain some control over my daughter’s closet. Lately she just wants to empty everything onto the floor to build a giant mountain of toys. Getting her to put away the toy mountain when she is finished has given me quite a few gray hairs.

In my creative space today, I’ve been making some bags for all of those Christmas presents that came without containers. I really should have done it sooner. Having a specific place to put things has helped a little. I also moved half of her toys to the very top shelf. That has helped a lot.

What’s in your creative space today? Play along over at Kirsty’s place.

Posted on

nature hike tote bags

capri pants turned into totes

You knew I was going to turn those capri pants into tote bags, didn’t you? Not just any bags, however, but bags with a purpose: keeping nature out of my pockets and my purse.

I’m sure many of you can relate to this: Mama, can you hold this rock? Here’s a present for you, Mama. It’s a leaf! I’m just going to put this stick in your purse for later. Did you put my feather in your pocket? Later, as you are digging around for latte money, the barista gives you a funny look as random bits of nature fall on to the counter.

I made two of these: one for my daughter and one for her friend. They’re the same except for the lining. Now when we go on walks together, the girls can carry their own bits of nature. There are all kinds of pockets perfect for acorns, rocks, twigs and leaves. The buttoned back pocket is perfect for storing a shovel. You never know when you’ll need to dig for treasure!

I love how these turned out and will be making more. How perfect would they be for a day of garage sailing or thrifting with different compartments for cash, phone, water and a snack! They would also make a cool craft project bag with pockets for all of your notions.

project details: Pants from my closet, lining fabric from my thrifted stash.