Last week Bloom included my fabric flower garland tutorial along with a lot of other fun summer projects. So if you need a little something to do while you unwind after the kiddos are in bed, go check it out at Bloom.

We recently celebrated a birthday at our house (how did my little guy grow up to be TWO?!). I like to make at least one of the gifts for birthdays. Here’s what I came up with for my two-year-old: A fishing game made of felt. I know this is not a new idea, but I [...]]]>

We recently celebrated a birthday at our house (how did my little guy grow up to be TWO?!). I like to make at least one of the gifts for birthdays. Here’s what I came up with for my two-year-old: A fishing game made of felt. I know this is not a new idea, but I had trouble finding a tutorial and fish templates so I’m posting my tutorial to (hopefully) help out someone else who wants to make the same sort of thing.

HOW TO MAKE A FISHING GAME FOR KIDS WITH FELT

SUPPLIES

+ assorted colors of felt
+ needle and thread
+ VERY strong magnets
+ dowel rod
+ twine
+ scraps of muslin

STEP 1: Make the fish out of felt.

I found the best tutorial for this part over at The Purl Bee. I used their templates and followed their instructions… mostly. I wanted my fish to be double sided so I put the detailing on both sides of the fish. Instead of using embroidery thread to hand sew the magnets into the fish, I used my sewing machine.

STEP 2: Make the water out of felt.

I bought a 1/2 yard of blue felt for the water. Using a different blue, I cut out waves (you can do this free hand). I had some scraps of a shiny blue (reminds me of mermaids) that I also cut some wave shapes out of. Then, I sewed on each wave with my sewing machine. One of the beautiful things about felt is no hemming the edges!

STEP 3: Make the fishing poles.

I bought a dowel rod from the hardware store and had my husband (thanks, Chris) cut it in half so each rod is about 18″ long. Then, he drilled a tiny hole in one end of the rod about a 1/2″ from the end. Tie a piece of jute twine (or yarn) through the hole. Use your muslin scraps to make a tiny bag for your magnet to go in. Sew the 4th edge of the bag shut with your magnet and twine inside.

The kiddos love it! All it needs now is a storage bag with a pocket for the fish…

I’m happy to say Katie Kortman is back today (remember her ruffle bottom onesie tutorial?). Here is her baby legs tutorial.

I’m really seriously thinking of making my baby these. Is it socially acceptable for little boys to wear these?! Help me out here.

HOW [...]]]> Back to baby. (Have I mentioned how excited I am for another baby!?)

I’m happy to say Katie Kortman is back today (remember her ruffle bottom onesie tutorial?). Here is her baby legs tutorial.

I’m really seriously thinking of making my baby these. Is it socially acceptable for little boys to wear these?! Help me out here.

HOW TO MAKE BABY LEGS (LEG WARMERS)

When I first got pregnant and started looking at baby clothes (I started buying them when I was only 3 months along… I bought at stores with a 3 months return policy so I could return once I found out what the sex was. I KNOW I am crazy. But I was just way too excited about all the cute stuff I was seeing! Anyway, I happened upon “baby legs.” These are super cute little legging/legwarmers that are basically socks with no foot. Great for warming the legs and not having to take them off for a diaper change! Anyway, the REAL things are $12. That is just ridiculous. So I perused the internet and found a tutorial. I was able to get the idea of how to do it, but the images were less than inspiring. SOOOO alas, here is my own tutorial on how to make them! Enjoy!

1. cut off a 2.5-3″ piece of the sock (if you are using regular socks, then this would be the section where the foot goes. just trim off the toe cap, and the heel, and you have the middle section to work with)

2. Push the little tube through itself, so that the wrong sides are facing each other.

3.Put the long part left from the sock inside the hole created by the little tube you just made. Right sides should be facing each other.

4. Once you sew the 2 tubes together with your machine (or hands I suppose), you may want to turn the entire thing inside out and then sew it narrower if your baby has thin legs like mine does….

Turn them right side out and there you have it!!! Your own baby legs!!! Almost as cute as the little legs you are about to put them on…..

Alternative way to make these: Cut the sock and just serge the raw edge. Done.

I’m breaking away from my baby and kiddo tutorials this week so you can get prepared for Mother’s Day. I don’t live close enough to my mom to celebrate Mother’s Day in person (sniff sniff) so I try to send something meaningful in the mail. This year, I designed a little flag book with pockets [...]]]>

I’m breaking away from my baby and kiddo tutorials this week so you can get prepared for Mother’s Day. I don’t live close enough to my mom to celebrate Mother’s Day in person (sniff sniff) so I try to send something meaningful in the mail. This year, I designed a little flag book with pockets that are just the right size for little notes, gift cards, photos, or anything else foldable. So you should have plenty of time to make it this week and ship it off to your mom – where ever she may be!

I’ve included a TON of photos to help make this as simple as possible. There is no sewing involved. And all the gluing can be substituted with tape if you want to skip dry times.

Leave a comment or email me if you have questions.

Here we go.

HOW TO MAKE A SMALL POCKET FLAG BOOK

SUPPLIES

+ 3 sheets of 9″ by 12″ paper (I used a double sided Amy Butler print)
+ 1 piece of paper for your covers that is at least 4″ by 9″ (I used a thick, rough handmade paper)
+ 1 piece of paper for the accordion that is at least 6″ by 14″ (I used a text weight paper, ie computer paper)
+ bone folder (optional)
+ glue and paintbrush
+ double sided tape

STEP 1: Make the pockets.

1. Start with one sheet of the 9″ by 12″ paper.

2. Fold in half (hamburger style) and crease with the bone folder. Unfold.

3. Choose which side of the paper you want to be the inside of the pockets. Lay this side face up. Take the bottom left corner and line it up with the center crease, making a triangle.

4. Take the top left corner and line it up with the center crease, making a triangle.

5. Fold paper in half (hot dog style). Unfold.

6. Fold the triangle half along the first center fold you made.

7. Fold in half along the crease you made in step 5.

8. Trim off the extra paper with an xacto knife or scissors. This is your pocket! It should be about 4″ square.

9. Make 2 more pockets following the same steps. (side note: you can make as many pockets as your little heart desires. The next steps of the tutorial would need to be adjusted for how ever many pockets you decide to make… email me if this is confusing and you need more pockets)

PART 2: Make the book block.

1. Start with your paper that is at least 6″ tall.

2. Measure 3/4″ from the edge and mark with the bone folder (I used my trusty 3/4″ guide made from binders’ board, but you can use a ruler and pencil for this). Crease. Continue folding accordion style the entire length of your paper. For 3 pockets, you need 14 sections (as shown here).

3. Spread glue (I used a paintbrush) in the second “valley” from the left.

4. Place one pocket in the glue with the edge lined up in the bottom of the valley (along the crease).

5. Now fold over the other side of the valley (already has glue on it) and press firmly. Now your first pocket is secure.

6. Skip one valley and put glue in the next one (can you see where the glue is?). Spread it around with a paintbrush.

7. Put in the second pocket the same way you did the first. This time, pay careful attention to the positioning – make sure you line up the top and bottom of the pocket with the first pocket. Fold over the other half of the valley (already has glue on it), just like you did with the first pocket.

8. Skip a valley and put glue in the next one (sound familiar?).

9. Put in the third pocket. Again, make sure it lines up perfectly with the other two pockets. Fold over the valley (already has glue on it) and press firmly.

10. Now, your book block should look like this. See how each pocket is glued into every other valley of the accordion fold? You will use the extra valleys on either side to secure the book block in the cover. That was the hardest part! You did it! Stick it under something heavy overnight (ie under a stack of books, a mattress, etc)

PART 3: Fitting the book block into the cover.

Here is what your book block looks like after you’ve pressed it overnight.

1. Trim off the top and bottom of the extra accordion folds so it’s flush with your pockets.

2. Lay the book block on your cover paper and use a ruler to mark the edge. (side note: I’m lazy when it comes to measuring. You could actually measure this out if you wanted. I prefer to use my book block and eyeball it.)

3. Tear or cut the paper.

4. Put double sided tape on the backside of the book block. NOT on the pocket. ONLY on the accordion (mine is white).

5. Carefully line up the book block on the right hand side of your cover paper. Press firmly so the tape sticks. The first pocket of the book block should be face up at this point.

6. Use your bone folder to mark the spine of the book block.

7. Lift up the book block and back cover so the spine rests on your desk. Mark along the book block edge again with your bone folder.

8. Fold the book all the way over so the back cover is now facing up.

9. Open the book back up. Put tape on the front accordion paper (again, mine is white). Fold back over the same way you did before and press firmly making sure the tape sticks to the cover.

This is what the cover and book block should look like. See how the tabs from the accordion folded paper are now attached to the cover paper? The pocket pages will turn easily.

10. Now it’s time to mark and trim your front cover. Lay the book block down and mark along the edge with your bone folder (or pencil).

11. Tear or cut the excess paper from the cover.

You did it! You made a book!

Part 4: Personalize and Package.

So what will you fill your pockets with? I had a few ideas:

+ old photos of the family (moms love those)
+ gift cards are just the right size
+ left over paint chips are great for writing notes on

There are so many options here so get creative and do something that will make your own mom smile.

I added a fabric flower (from this tutorial) and some twine to tie it all up. Pretty cute, I think!

Enjoy! Let me know how it goes!

As you know, I have a baby on the way so I thought it’d be fun to have a few weeks of baby-related tutorials (at least for me, haha!).

Katie Kortman of Blue-Eyed Freckle is the genius behind this ruffle bottom onesie tutorial. She has so many great ideas and is such an artistic and fashionable [...]]]>

As you know, I have a baby on the way so I thought it’d be fun to have a few weeks of baby-related tutorials (at least for me, haha!).

Katie Kortman of Blue-Eyed Freckle is the genius behind this ruffle bottom onesie tutorial. She has so many great ideas and is such an artistic and fashionable girl! We first met in college on a study abroad to New Zealand. You are going to love her.

(do you think baby boys can have ruffle bottoms? haha. kidding)

HOW TO MAKE A RUFFLE BOTTOM ONESIE

Materials needed:
-( 1 yard-ish) nylon chiffon or tule, or other non-fraying translucent material
-thread/ sewingmachine
-onesie/bloomers

1. cut 3 strips of the chiffon the lengths you want the ruffles to end up. make the strips about 3/4 to 1 inch wide.

2. next, cut out approx 9-12 circles per strip (depending on how long your strips are. mine were 5 1/2 in. long and I used 9 circles that were 2-3 in. in diameter).

This is fabric flower garland is pretty simple. I made the flowers out on the deck while the boys played in the backyard. Later that night I made it into a garland. It’s the perfect thing for spring and summer.

SUPPLIES

+ fabric of your choice cut into circles (3″ diameter) + needle and thread + hot glue + twine [...]]]>

This is fabric flower garland is pretty simple. I made the flowers out on the deck while the boys played in the backyard. Later that night I made it into a garland. It’s the perfect thing for spring and summer.

SUPPLIES

+ fabric of your choice cut into circles (3″ diameter)
+ needle and thread
+ hot glue
+ twine or ribbon

HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC FLOWER GARLAND

STEP 1: Fold one circle in half. Then in thirds (should be a triangle shape). Pinch it at the bottom to hold it together.

STEP 2: Put a little stitch in the bottom. I used a contrasting thread to make this tutorial easier to follow. You should use a matching thread.

STEP 3: Take another circle and follow steps 1 & 2. After you’ve stitched it, sew it on to the first circle. Continue doing this with 10-15 circles or until your flower is the fullness you want it to be.

STEP 4: Decide the length of your garland and space out your flowers. Hot glue each flower to the twine. I put the twine through the middle of the flower and then glued it in place. This will hold the flower better than gluing it to the back of the flower.

STEP 5: Hang it where you can enjoy it!

I’m getting Valentine’s gift card holders ready to stock in my shop (should be there before the weekend).

The weather has been perfect lately so most mornings have been spent at the park. Life couldn’t be better.

Filled a custom order for 45 bird and butterfly notebooks. Loved [...]]]> Here are some things I’ve been doing instead of blogging:

I’m getting Valentine’s gift card holders ready to stock in my shop (should be there before the weekend).

The weather has been perfect lately so most mornings have been spent at the park. Life couldn’t be better.

Filled a custom order for 45 bird and butterfly notebooks. Loved working on this project. Pics soon. Promise.

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is this weekend and I am on the decorations committee. I’ll post pics soon. Can’t wait for this!

I’m working on landscape sketches for our side and back yards. Now that the sprinkler system is complete, we can lay the rock path and get the bushes planted. Hooray!

My inspiration board for our master bath is almost complete. I’m itching to get that project finished.

I spent all morning cleaning the kitchen (the kind where I sent the boys outside and they were not invited back in until I was finished). The sparkling clean didn’t last long – we decorated sugar cookies for our Family Night treat. Icing and sprinkles everywhere. Oh well.

Discovered this little gem via whatever. Enjoy.

I just shipped off these baby shower invitations to my friend Jill. Cute, right?!

She wanted something accordion-style and this is what I came up with. The front covers are Amy Butler paper. The invitations measure 4.5″ by 3″ when they are all folded up.

So the next time you host something and need invitations, you can [...]]]>

I just shipped off these baby shower invitations to my friend Jill. Cute, right?!

She wanted something accordion-style and this is what I came up with. The front covers are Amy Butler paper. The invitations measure 4.5″ by 3″ when they are all folded up.

So the next time you host something and need invitations, you can do this (or can hire me to, wink wink)! But, really, you can do it. Especially since I posted a detailed tutorial on how to make accordion books a couple months ago. If you are feeling fancy, you could adapt the pocket accordion book tutorial to be an invitation. The possibilities are endless here!

When I opened the box with our Christmas cards the other day, I started giggling. They are just what I was hoping for! I was [...]]]> I love Christmas cards. I love making them. I love receiving them in the mail. I love looking at the photos. I love reading the letters. I love everything about them.

When I opened the box with our Christmas cards the other day, I started giggling. They are just what I was hoping for! I was inspired by a Cathe Holden project I found on her blog. My sister helped me with all the wording (thanks Jess). And the printers made it into a reality.  I’ve waited to post about these because I want my far away family to get the real one first.

For our letter this year, we came up with our top 10 memories from 2009 – places we went, people we hung out with, things we did. My father-in-law took the photo for us at Thanksgiving time and my mother-in-law kept the boys smiling through the whole photo experience (thank you Karen & Evan!).

Due to my “Christmas Brain” I totally forgot to post this awesome embroidery hoop ornament tutorial yesterday! So here it is on Wednesday instead. Chris has been home all week so I’ve been baking, playing at the park, raking leaves, reading Christmas stories, doing some last minute shopping and just hanging out with the fam [...]]]>

Due to my “Christmas Brain” I totally forgot to post this awesome embroidery hoop ornament tutorial yesterday! So here it is on Wednesday instead. Chris has been home all week so I’ve been baking, playing at the park, raking leaves, reading Christmas stories, doing some last minute shopping and just hanging out with the fam instead of blogging (can you blame me?!)

This project  is perfect to do with the kiddos or to give to friends or as a stocking stuffer or maybe just to log away in your projects folder for next year.

Thank you Katie, for sharing this project with us! Sorry for the late post.

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Homemade Embroidery Hoop Ornament

Start with your materials.
You need:
Small embroidery hoop
Scrap of linen fabric (muslin will do just fine!)
Xerox of a Christmas image that could fit inside your embroidery hoop (I chose the nativity, but you could do a Santa silhouette or something else.  Keep in mind that the image will be flipped so if you are using words make them backwards in photoshop.)
Chartpak blender pen
Bone folder
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Ribbon
2 Jingle bells

Flip your xerox image face down on your fabric.  Working in batches, use the blender pen to draw over the back of your image.  Before the space dries, use your bone folder to burnish (or rub) the image on to your fabric.

Peel off the paper and you should have your image.  It may appear light, but that gives it kind of a vintage appearance.

Next, place the inside you your hoop over your image.  Cut about an inch around the edge.

Take the fabric and put it on top of the inside ring.  Place the outside ring over it.  Make sure your image is centered.

Flip your hoop over and begin glueing and tucking your fabric around the center hoop.

Next thread your ribbon through the top of your embroidery hoop and thread on some Jingle Bells as well.  Those are optional of course!

Next tie a simple bow and glue it on the ribbon loop.

And now you have a homemade ornament!

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Other tutorials by Katie:
+ burlap mat tutorial
+ autumn centerpieces