Halloween Minion

It is that time of year again and the kids have so many ideas about what they want to be for Halloween.  I lucked out with my daughter and found an adorable Children's Place witch costume at a consignment sale for just $5!  My son chose to be a minion so I got to be a bit crafty.

My original hope was to find a pair of cute denim overalls.  However, that was more difficult than I anticipated.  Of course, my good friend Heather from No Business Like Sew Business came to the rescue with a pattern for overalls - she just so happened to create the pattern the week before for her own son, albeit for a different costume.  The boys happen to be the same size.  Woo hoo!  By the way, Heather rocked out 26 costumes this year!  Amazing!

So I headed to my favorite discount fabric store and picked up a couple yards of navy gabardine and whipped up the overalls.  Perfect.  The shirt is from Old Navy - yay, did not have to sew!  I painted the Gru symbol on and then, to make it stand out a bit, I used some glitter glue!  It is a costume after all.

I am not a huge seamstress, in fact, I am pretty bad. The details are not pretty but it works and my boy was ecstatic!  I will NOT be showing you the construction.  It is U-G-L-Y!!!  Speaking of which, it laid there for nearly 2 weeks unwearable because I was afraid to attempt to make button holes.  Confession, I have never done one.  Anyways, Heather came to the rescue again.  She reminded me, it is a costume, use a snap or Velcro and fake it (she did with hers).  So that is just what I did.  Perfect!

The hat and goggles were a ton of fun.  Confession, Heather made the hat!  (Have I mentioned, I LOVE Heather - you should too!)  The goggles were easy.  I used a pair of safety goggles that the kids got at the Lowes builder workshops.  I hot glued a couple of canning lids and added some "eye" circles to the inside.  Easy peasy.  The goggles sit up on my son's forehead on top of the hat.  I simply hot glued some black pipe cleaners on top for hair.

Oh, how we love our little Minion!

Recycle Man's T-Shirt Refashion

Tuesday morning at Our Forever House is ALWAYS and exciting time. At roughly 6:45am, my son's ears perk up and he gets uber excited. Running to the door, he can't wait to stand in the driveway to watch as the recycle truck empties the cul-de-sac's recycle bins. This week was especially exciting because the driver honked his horn when he saw the kids standing there watching in their jammies!
His excitement for all things recycling and trash are endless.

He tells me during car rides that seeing and counting trash cans and garbage trucks gives him super powers - he is a garbage superhero! I, of course, love this obsession and will continue to encourage it in any way that I can!

That is where this week's t-shirt project comes in ... a painted reverse applique t-shirt.  As mentioned yesterday, I am on a mission to make some fun graphic t-shirts for my kids since I did not like the mature content available in the "big boys" section of many of the stores.  My son is 5 and I want him to wear age appropriate clothing.  Plus, I want his shirts to be fun and reflect who he is and what he loves.

I did a bit of research on Pinterest and came across this great recycle shirt applique at Wardrobe Refashion.  She used a couple of techniques including paint and reverse applique to create this fun and dynamic result.  Here is my take on her shirt...

This was a fun project for me because I got to try a couple of techniques I have never done before.  The first was using Glad Press N Seal as a stencil and the second was reverse applique.

I started this project by finding a recycle clip art graphic and printing it out as large as I could make it on a piece of 8.5x11 paper.  I lightened it a bunch before I printed so as to save ink.  Since it was so faint, I simply outlined the graphic with a marker. Here were the first four steps:

#1:  Fully cover the graphic with Glad Press N Seal.  Mine was a summer themed from my amazing Target summer clearance haul from last year.  Make sure the Press N Seal is smooth and secure.

#2:  Cut out the graphic being sure to create a clean edge on the Press N Seal.

#3:  Carefully remove the paper backing  and place the Press N Seal design on your t-shirt, making sure to keep the plastic smooth and not stretch the design.  Also make sure the graphic is centered.  I had to reposition mine and it was difficult to pull the Press N Seal off the fabric without ripping it.  Smooth the edges around the design real well to make sure it is prepped for painting.

#4:  Paint over the image and remove the Press N Seal.  When painting, make sure to place a board or piece of heavy paper inside the shirt so that the paint doesn't seep through.  Since I was doing a reverse applique I only needed to do the edges as the center was going to be cut away.  Let the paint dry thoroughly before proceeding.

The next step is the reverse applique portion of the shirt.  Cut a piece of fabric a bit larger than your design and pin it behind the design on the inside of the shirt.

In the inspiration, she hand stitched around the design but I decided to machine sew mine.  After hand sewing the pom-poms t-shirt yesterday, my hand was far to soar.  I sewed along the edge of my paint.  I then separated the two layers and clipped a small hole in the t-shirt in order to trim the INSIDE of the applique area in order to expose the back fabric.

Additionally, I flipped the shirt inside out and clipped the green fabric around the OUTSIDE of the design.  I used t-shirt fabric so the edges will not fray and will be soft to the feel which is important in kids clothing (mine too for that matter).

I love how the paint frames the reverse applique fabric and gives an added dimension to the design!  My little man could not wait to wear his new shirt!

Come back tomorrow when I share yet another t-shirt re-fashion project.

Linked up at Blue Cricket Design, Not Just a Housewife, Polly Want a Crafter, House of Hepworths

Pom-Pom T-Shirt Knock-Off

It is getting warm and of course, my nothing short sleeved in my kids drawers fits them.  They both have seemed to jump a size in the past several months.  So this week I went through their drawers and pulled out everything that was on the small side.  What it left was well...not much. 

We headed out to find some new shorts and t-shirts for the looooooooong Arizona summers.  They need to last for at least the next 6 months.  Both kids have now transitioned from the "toddler" section of the store to the "kid" section.  What I found with many of the graphic tees is that the content is definitely directed to the older child.  I didn't feel that the designs were appropriate for my 5 and 6 year olds.

The alternative was simple.  I picked up a stack of plain t-shirts in a variety of colors for each of them.  Then I headed to the dollar store to pick up a bunch of adult t-shirts (just a dollar each - which is the perfect price since they were going to be cut up - I can't get used t-shirts that cheap) in a variety of colors and headed home.

I searched a bunch of my favorite children's specialty retailers for ideas and was excited when I came across the Spotty Dotty T-Shirt from Mini Boden.  I loved 3-D effect on this shirt and knew that my daughter would too!  What I didn't like was the $28 price tag. 

Source:  Mini Boden

I grabbed my $5 t-shirt, the bag of pom-poms from the kid's art supplies, a needle & some thread!

Using a piece of paper and a hole punch I created my pattern.  I folded the paper, cut out a heart shape and placed it on the shirt, adjusting the pattern until I liked the size and placement.  I then punched holes in the edge of my pattern about every inch.  Placing the pattern back on the t-shirt, I used a washable marker to place a small dot in each hole.

I then determined my pattern and began sewing each pom-pom in place.

This process was tedious and I have decided that I could never do long periods of hand-sewing.  My wrist, the one I broke roller-skating a year ago definitely hurt a lot during this process.  That being said, I absolutely LOVE this fun t-shirt and as you can see from the smile on my daughter's face, she loves it too!

This was a relatively simple project and such a fun way to embellish a simple t-shirt.  Mini Boden also offers their Spotty Dotty shirts in the shape of a star and a butterfly but really, the possibilities with this are endless.

Tomorrow I will be back sharing a fun t-shirt refashion for my son!  See you tomorrow.

Linked up at Blue Cricket Design



Linked up at Blue Cricket Design, Not Just a Housewife, Polly Want a Crafter, House of Hepworths

Overcoming Fear

Last week I took on a huge fear of mine ... sewing something from a pattern.  Yikes!  I have had these patterns and the fabric sitting here for several months and I finally got the courage up to give it a try.

I have opened the envelopes several times, unfolded the patterns, read the directions and then neatly and quickly folded them up and put them away.  I couldn't do it.  Until last week.  I wanted to make some flannel pajamas for my kids and decided the worst that could happen is that I hate them and go buy them jammies!

Guess what?  I love them!  And I have {somewhat} overcome my fear.

Ignore the fact that my children were having a serious case of the sillies when I tried to take these photos.

This whole project started with a piece of pink cat flannel that I picked up at a yard sale.  My daughter LOVES kittens, obsessed really so this fabric was "purr"fect (sorry, I couldn't help myself).  I laid out the pattern and realized that I didn't have enough fabric for sleeves so I ran to JoAnns and found a great pink stripe to use for sleeves.

After a quick phone call to my friend Heather from No Business Like Sew Business to coach me through the cutting, I made the first cut!  Phew!  It was easier than I thought.  She gave me a couple of tips and reminded me that I can do this.  Fortunately, the pattern was pretty straight forward.  I headed to the machine and within an hour I had a completed nightgown.

I can't wait to make a few more night gowns and some pajama pants for those colder evenings.  Speaking of pajama pants and confidence.  Since this first attempt at sewing with a pattern was a success, I opened up another pattern.  I know, crazy!

My son saw the nightgown and wanted something too - so while we were at JoAnns picking up the striped fabric, I let him pick out a piece of flannel for pajama pants.  We found this awesome Cars flannel.  I loved the bright blue with our favorite characters - Lightning McQueen and Mater!  It was a match made in heaven.

As soon as we got home he couldn't wait for me to start.  Of course, I had to pre-wash the fabric and that took awhile but as soon as the dryer went off he was pulling it out and begging me to get started.  The pants were a breeze - 4 pieces, quick sew.  The biggest issue I had is that I made the size Small and really should have made the XS as they were rather large.  Although after washing them once, they already seem to fit better.  He is SOOOO excited about his pants. 

While we were at JoAnn's I found a couple of these gray t-shirts on clearance for $1.99.  I want to put an applique of Lightning McQueen and Mater on it so it looks like a matched set.  We also picked up a piece of fleece to make some warmer pants too. 

After fearing the pattern - I overcame that initial haste and put a scissors to the fabric and am so glad I did.  By no means am I ready for anything too fancy but I now know, I CAN DO IT!

P.S.  Thanks Heather for giving me the courage to make that first cut!  You are amazing!

Linked Up With...

Somewhat Simple

 

Back Seat Organizers

I have two issues with the back seat of my car...

#1:  The kids love to put their feet on the back of the seats which has made them nasty and dirty.  Dislike!

#2:  With my older kids - we have more small toys, notebooks, pencils and books lingering on the floor along with empty wrappers, paper and other garbage.  Major dislike.

This led me to the idea to sew up a little garbage bag for the trash.  Well, that simple project turned in to a bigger project ... back seat organizers for each of the kids.

I did a little research on Google and determined that I really just needed to measure my car and start sewing based on the functions I wanted for my kids and needs.  I had picked up a yard of  some great outdoor canvas at JoAnn's awhile back for just $3.  It was perfect, and I love how I could use the stripes in opposite directions to add some interest to the organizers.

I added pockets on the bottom to hold coloring books/notebooks and toys.  With these two pockets, I added a simple pleat in the middle of each pocket so that they can expand a bit.  On the larger pocket, I added a smaller front pocket just large enough to hold a box of crayons.

For the top row of pockets I actually made two sets of pockets.  A larger back pocket for books, toys, etc. and a shorter front row of pockets to hold writing pencils, snacks, small toys, etc.

On the top, I sewed on a couple of straps that I simply tied around the posts for the head rests.  I decided on ties so that I can easily remove these and wash them if necessary (see #1 above regarding the feet on the seat issue).

On the bottom of the panels, I sewed on a couple of inexpensive plastic rings which allowed me to put a small bungee cord through and attach to the bottom of the seat.  This holds the organizer flat against the back of the seat so that it does not impede on the leg room of the back seat.

Finally, for the front seat, I whipped up a simply bag that can be lined with a plastic shopping bag to collect trash.  (Yes, I have that looped around my car charger right now - I plan to add a little hook, just need to head to the dollar store.) Love it!

Linked up with...

Tatertots and Jello

Nap Time Crafters

Chic on a Shoestring

The Frugal Girls

House of Hepworths

Designer Gardener

Crystal and Co

Ask Anna

Polly Want a Crafter?

Tip Junkie

Today's Creative Blog

Sugar Bee Crafts

Sugar and Dots

Savvy Home A to Z

Skip to My Lou

Simple Tote Bags for the Littles

My kids love to look over my shoulder when I am on the computer and are constantly commenting on the various blogs, websites and things I am surfing.  The other day my daughter saw a cute bag on the screen and declared that she must have one.  I found a simple pattern and today we worked on it together.  She did such an amazing job on her first project, the butterfly pillow.  She easily could have sewn the entire thing today if it weren't for the fact that she has no patience for pinning, ironing and lining things up.  After sewing the first few sides, she was done so I finished it up.

I used the awesome tutorial provided by Skip to My Lou for a Simple Reversable Tote Bag.  I love how it turned out and that it is reversable so it is like 2 bags in one!  My daughter has already loaded it up with books, stuffies and more!

OF COURSE - the boy wanted one too!  And who am I to deprive my child of his wants!  Looking at my pile of mostly girly fabrics, I remembered I had bought this pair of Madras Plaid men's shorts at the thrift store for $1 that would be perfect.  A bag, and a repurposed project - I'm in! 

{DISCLAIMER:  I was planning to do this as a tutorial, however I was so excited to make it that I couldn't be bothered with taking the necessary photos!  Again, using the general idea of the Simple Reversable Tote Bag form Skip to My Lou, I set out to make a bag! (Oh, come on, I am not the only one that gets so excited about a project that tutorial blogging becomes an afterthought! Right?!?)}

Here is what I started with...

I turned the shorts inside out and cut them off right at the crotch line.  I then sewed the bottom of the let closed.  I then turned one of the legs inside out and inserted it into the other, pinning the tops together along with a simple strap I made out of a piece of muslin.  Following the directions from Skip to My Lou, I sewed the two pieces together, leaving about a 2" opening to turn the bag right side out.  I then ironed the seam and sewed a double stitch all around the top, securing the opening with this decorative top stitch.

The boy is so happy! He couldn't wait to show it off!

I love how the bags turned out!  They truly were simple and fun!  They will be great little bags for the kids to bring a few toys and books when we go on our road trip in a couple weeks!

Linked up with...

I heart Naptime

Under the Table and Dreaming

Todays Creative Blog

Ask Anna

Polly Want A Crafter?

Skip To My Lou

Tip Junkie

Sugar Bee Crafts
Not JUST a Housewife
Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Sewing 101

This morning I was working on a sewing project that I can't wait to share.  I am designing it as I go and putting together a full tutorial with a free pattern download so it may take awhile.  My daughter has been intrigued by all of the fabric laying around so today I decided to let her try some sewing. 

We took a fat quarter, pinned on a couple of ribbons (we should have sewed them down but oh well) and folded it right sides together.  We pinned it.  Then I used a fabric marker and drew a line around the edges at a 1/2 inch for her to use as a guide.

She used the sewing machine and very carefully sewed along the line.  She did awesome - better than I do most of the time (granted I am a beginner myself).  We used a box to make the pedal a bit easier for her to use!

She turned it right side out, put in the stuffing and together we sewed closed the opening. 

She is so proud of her new butterfly pillow!  Pretty good for a 6 year old!!!

{Christmas in July} #2 - Quilted Paper Gift Tags

Christmas in July continues with a fun and simple project...quilted paper gift tags.  Before I get started, a HUGE thank you to The Frugal Girls for featuring my Santa Belt Ornament I made yesterday.  For all you new visitors and followers, Welcome!

Quilted Paper Gift Tags

Today I decided to experiment with my new found love of my sewing machine.  I am not much of a sewer, but I have proven that I can sew paper and I love it.  For this project I used scrapbook paper and felt.  Very easy.  If you don't machine sew, you could easily do this using a hand sewn method for a fun and unique look.  I would like to try it using some different color threads as well.  I can't wait to decorate packages and more this holiday season!

Linked up with...

MBC Scrapbooking

House of Hepworths

I ♥ Naptime

Tatertots and Jello

Under the Table and Dreaming

Six Sisters Stuff

The Tattered Tag

Skip to My Lou

Polly Want a Crafter

Ask Anna

Todays Creative Blog

Pool Ponchos!

I have been inspired!  I know, blogs do that to me all the time.  But really, I have been inspired!  Last week Jen at Tatertots and Jello featured Kyla from Funky PolkaDot Giraffe as part of her Summer Social series.  Kyla shared a tutorial for the most amazing Surfer's Poncho.

Well, we live in the desert - no beaches for miles - but we have a pool, so the Pool Poncho was born.  Using her basic idea, I whipped up a couple of ponchos for the kids and I love them. 

I found these beach towels on sale at Target for $4 each which is an awesome deal.  Kyla used a hand towel for the hood and pocket.  I just wasn't willing to pay more for the hood than for the body of the poncho so I waited.  Today while at Walmart I found a white bath towel for $2.77 - perfect!  The bath towel was large enough to make both ponchos plus I have enough left to make another one if I want.

The hood is made by simply tracing out the head piece on the finished edge of the towel.  She created her shape by tracing another hooded bath towel.  I simply took an 8.5x11 piece of paper and rounded off one of the corners.  I then placed it on the doubled up edge of my towel and cut about 1" out on the top and back and about 2" from the bottom to allow for seam allowance.  As you can see, my hood is plenty big but I think it is great as it gives plenty of room for growth.

Once cut out, using a zig zag stitch, sew the raw edges together. I further secured my frayed edges by running a second zig zag stitch over the fraying edges of the towel material.

To create the neck hole, fold the towel in half length-wise and then in half again to find the center point of the towel.  While still folded, I cut my neck hole.  She suggests using a shirt as a guide to how big to make this opening.  Mine got a bit big, I made it smaller on the second one.  The important thing is that you are able to get your child's head through the hole.

Next, find the center point of the back of the neck hole and mark with a pin.  Pin the right side of the hood to the right side of the towel starting at this center point and the center of the hood.  (I forgot to take a picture of this.)  Sew the hood to the towel.  The remaining raw edge of the towel should be folded over and a hem sewn.  This part is complete.

Now, to add a pocket.  Again, Kyla  used a sweatshirt pocket as a guide to create her pocket which had a slanted opening.  I decided to make mine more like a muff pocket.  I cut a piece of towel about 8.5 x 11 along one of the remaining edges of my bath towel.  I then hemmed the two ends of the pocket piece and pinned the raw edge, right sides together on the towel.  I placed this about 6"-8" below the neckline.

Using a zig zag stitch, sew the pocket piece to the towel.  I made sure to secure the ends real well by going forward and backward a couple of times at the corners since this is where the pockets will get the most pull.

Fold the pocket down and zig zag along the bottom of the pocket which is a finished edge of the towel.  Again, secure the corners real well.

That's it!  Done.  I highly recommend checking out Kyla's surfer poncho tutorial.  It is truly an awesome inspiration!  Thanks Jen and Kyla for a great summer project!  These will be perfect for swimming lessons too!

Camp Z! Play Tent

Big sister was at Girl Scout day camp this past week, so the boy and I have been able to spend some quality time.  One of our highlights was him getting to play Wii for over an hour without anyone (namely big sister) telling him it was her turn or informing him that that was not how you do it.  He was in heaven. 

While he was playing, I was cruising the blog scene and came across a fabulous idea from Cakies on Grosgrain for an amazing A-Frame Tent!  After checking the wood supply in the garage, I loaded up the kid and headed out to Home Depot for some wood and JoAnns for some fabric.

Rubyellen from Cakies offers an amazing tutorial in her guest post as part of the Free Pattern Month at Grosgrain. I will touch on the basics.

NEED:
4 - 48" 1x2 finish boards (not too rough)
1 - 48" 3/4 dowel
1 - 3/4" paddle bit for your electric drill
Measuring tape
pencil or marker
Roughly 2.5 yard fabric - finished piece is 44"x85"

I had Home Depot cut my boards to size for me.  At home, I measured down 5" (she suggests 6") because my piece of fabric was slightly larger than needed.  Due to the width of my fabric, I have a 7" folded hem.  I actually like the deeper hem since my fabric is a printed upholstry fabric that is rather plain on the interior.

The fabric cover is roughtly 44" x 85".  Once you have hemmed each side, simply attach a 5" piece of elastic that has been folded in half to each corner.  This elastic is what hold the tent to the wood structure.

I love that the whole thing can be pulled apart and stored away as needed.  But for tonight, Z has invited Big Sis to sleep in the tent in his room.

Linked up to...

Ask Anna Weekend Warriors

I ♥ Naptime

Under the Table and Dreaming

Skip to my Lou Made by You Monday

The Tattered Tag

Keeping it Simple Motivate Me Monday

Polly Want A Crafter

Frugal Girls Chic And Crafty

Ordinary Days

today's Creative blog Get Your Craft On

Sugar Bee Crafts Take-A-Look Tuesday