License plate map

Isn't this the cutest idea for license plates on C.R.A.F.T.? I think E might like this for his birthday. Now to figure out how to collect that many plates in a couple of months. If you have any you are willing to part with, please let me know.

Pattern blocks buttoning activity

D's pattern blocks were finished just in time for his birthday. (One of my dear friends was sewing the bag for me as the party was starting!) I am so excited about how they turned out. I combined the floor puzzle from Mer Mag with a Montessori-style button snake I saw on Gingham Cherry. D hasn't spent much time playing with them yet, but the other kids have enjoyed them. I need to find a time to sit with D and show him how they work without any "help" from his siblings.

The blocks were very easy to make. I cut triangles from scraps of brightly colored fabric and old jeans. I marked the size button hole I needed on the triangles before I sewed them together, so I could leave that space open. After sewing the colored blocks to the denim backs, I turned through the button hole and then top stitched everything. The ribbon with the button is sewn to the bottom of a drawstring bag. 

The only thing I might do differently is to use a different backing fabric.  The denim adds the body that I wanted, but I wasn't able to get nice sharp points on the corners. It might be best to use interfacing cut to the finished triangle size, so it isn't in the seams at all.

Mail bag and envelopes

Since I made D the table tent with a mailbox, I had to make him a mail bag and envelopes. I started out planning to just make rectangles with the names and stamp embroidered on them, but at the last minute decided to go ahead and make the envelopes where they could open. 

Each family member has a letter addressed to and from him. All of the kids have had a great time sending each other secret notes. 

Linked to:

Whatever Goes Wednesday on Someday Crafts

I built a house and a barn!

With only 4 days to spare, I finally finished one of D's birthday gifts. YEAH!

I wanted to make a table tent for the kids for Christmas, but ran out of time. Fortunately D has an early birthday. I made our tent to fit my dining room table. My devious plan is to use it as incentive for the kids to help keep the dining room clean. The table has to be cleared and wiped and the floor swept after each meal so the tent can be set up. The toys have to be put away before the next meal or the tent will be in time out until after the following meal.

Since I am trying to use up my stash of fabric and spend as little as possible on gifts this year, I decided to use wovens instead of felt. The only things I didn't have in my stash were the silver for the watering trough and the red for the barn. I found a sheet set at the thrift store with 3 red pillowcases and a fitted sheet for $4.99. Score! My wonderful mother-in-law gave me the perfect fabric for the trough. The only downside to using woven fabric is appliqueing every piece to make sure it doesn't ravel. I think I used more thread on this one project than anything else I have sewn.

With two girls and three boys, I had a very hard time deciding on one design for our tent, so I chose two. Each "building" has one long and one short side of the table. It worked out great. All of the kids have declared it a hit. (I am so glad D is only turning two, and I don't have to hide his gifts while I am sewing. It makes life so much easier!) E even had to climb in for the photo shoot.

mmmcrafts: the basic messenger bag

Even though you can't tell from my last week's posts, I have been crafting. I am working diligently to make gifts for D's birthday. I am now in panic mode because the party is on Friday and I don't have any gifts finished. YIKES!

One of D's gifts is a mail carrier's bag and some fabric envelopes. I promise it will make better sense when you see one of his other gifts. I have the mail finished, but haven't even started on the bag. Maybe tomorrow will be the day I can get this great messenger bag from mmmcrafts done.

mmmcrafts: the basic messenger bag

Quick gift

What do you do when you find out about a birthday party less than 24 hours in advance on a day that the kids are going crazy and you have plans for the evening? I'm not sure what anyone else would do, but I decide to make a gift. Then I decide it will be easier to try to design something than to find a pattern on the internet. Oh, and I decide to make a purse, even though I have only made one purse in my life. Sounds like a brilliant plan, doesn't it?

Even though this was the worst thought out plan in history (Well, maybe not, but you get the idea), I was still pleased with the results. K and I will make a quick trip to the store to pick up some lip gloss, etc. to put in the purse and we will be finished.

Now, if I was smart, I would make a couple more and put them in the closet for when we need another gift in a hurry. Of course, that would take all the challenge and excitement out of getting ready for a party.

Baby doll bassinet

I think A would love the baby doll bassinet from Nothing Fancy. Now the question is can I wait until her birthday to make it???

String challenge quilt 2

I finally finished my second quilt for Loft Creations String Challenge. I started quilting it almost a month ago, but had to put it aside as the whole family passed around a nasty virus. This quilt is for one of my best friend's new grandson. I hope he enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

I tried a spiral quilting design for the first time. I definitely need a free motion foot for my machine before I attempt it again. I love the look, but it was a killer.

Matching outfits

I just couldn't resist posting a pic of K posing with Mary Lynn with matching outfits. Thank goodness everything fit! I do not like not being able to try things on when I am sewing from new patterns.

Doll wardrobe - Roadkill rescue

One man's trash is another man's treasure. That was definitely the case with this cabinet.

 

I wanted to give K a doll wardrobe for her birthday, but couldn't see spending $350 at American Girl. No way! So I asked Scott to find me a kitchen cabinet. It was perfect!

After cutting, sanding, painting, drilling, Mod Podging and praying that everything would dry in time for her birthday -- it was finished. (Note to self: If you have a project involving painting and Mod Podge, start more than 12 hours before it needs to be dry.)

Scott and I couldn't have done it without out two helpers. (A played in the sink to "help" so she wouldn't get paint everywhere!)

 

K was thrilled! I also made her doll clothes from my fabric stash to complete the gift. I blogged about those in other posts. 

Linked to:

Creative Jewish Mom Craft Schooling Sunday

Fabric paper dolls

Moda Bake Shop has a great tutorial on making "paper" dolls out of fabric scraps. Definitely something to add to the list for A's birthday.

Play kitchen

I have been seeing entertainment centers turned into play kitchens on lots of blogs. I love this idea from Design Dazzle that includes a refrigerator.

Magic set

This absolutely brilliant magic set from ikat bag is definitely on my to-do list. I think this will be a great gift for M this year.

I finished my first string piecing quilt!

Thanks to Loft Creations' challenge, I have finished my first baby quilt in years. I am so excited. I have a matching quilt that I have started quilting. I can't wait to give this away on Sunday. Now I really need to get to work on my kids' quilts. I wouldn't want them to get a complex knowing that I am making quilts for other kids, but they don't have any.

Busy book

Here is another great idea for D's birthday - a busy book. Little Hands, Big Work has a great tutorial to get me started.

UCreate has another great quiet book idea. 

My first string piecing projects are looking good

I spent the night piecing and basting 2 baby quilts, and I am very pleased with how they are coming together. My goal is to have them finished by Sunday. I haven't done very much machine quilting in the past. Any tips?

Hot chocolate on a stick

I love the thought of homemade hot chocolate on a stick. I can make it with GFCF ingredients and my kids will think they are in heaven. Thank you Giver's Log!

It's snowing!

Even though the weatherman is not predicting snow until Friday, we are already seeing flurries in my craft room. I am so excited to have the first 6 snowflake patterns starched and ready to go. I think they turned out great. I have another 6 patterns crocheted and ready to be starched. For anyone keeping score...

• 140 needed (20 patterns X 7 sets)
  
• 42 completed
• 42 crocheted but not starched
• 56 to be crocheted

I am obviously not going to get them all finished in January, but February is looking pretty good.

All of these patterns were free on Ravelry.com. If you like to crochet or knit and are not a member, you really need to go register now. It is such a wonderful sight.

Star Snowflake

American Thread Company Snowflake (left)

 American Thread Company Snowflake (top)

Pretty Picots Poinsettia Snowflake

Simple Snowflake

Southern Snowflake

Floor puzzle

I have been searching for things to make for D for his birthday. Mer Mag has this great floor puzzle on her blog. What do you think? Would D enjoy this? Since I have TONS of fabric, what do you think about making them out of fabric? Things that are quiet and soft are a definite hit with me.

Learning new techniques

I hate to waste any time or material learning new techniques, so I decided to make a nightgown for K and her doll while learning how to do lettuce edging and adding knit ruffles. My first attempt turned out great, except is was too short for K. I had measured correctly and then decided it looked too long, so I cut off some of the length. Fortunately, it will work great for A.

Then I made one for K (using the original measurements!). Note to self - mark the center of the gown before adding the ruffle.

Finally, I made a gown for K's doll. I really am not that fond of making doll clothes. They are way too small to work on. I think it turned out okay, but I am still not pleased with the neckline. I will have to work on it some more next time. Please pardon the bed-head in the photo. K asked me why her doll had messy hair when she went to bed, but it was brushed neatly when she woke up the last time I borrowed her doll for pictures.

I used the T-shirt patterns I cut for the embellished shirts, but did not add the neck band. The material was a knit duvet cover that had been damaged. The ruffled flowers are the scraps from the volunteer T-shirt. I definitely think we got our money's worth out of that shirt!

Check out all the great projects on Fireflies and Jellybeans Show Off Your Stuff Party!