Halloween Costumes 2011

I know it's only August, but if you're making your own costumes this year like me, you'll want to get an early start, especially if parties start at the beginning of October like last year! I must throw in that we're moving (again) across the country mid October, so you know I'm not completely crazy to start *this* early!
A couple weeks ago I finally made the decision on what we'd all be this year, within my costume-making capabilities. Lucky for my my 4 year old was on board!
Last year was my first experience in making costumes for my kids, and I was really pleased with how they turned out, considering I'm not the most talented in the sewing department. Skylee was a fairy and Parker was an owl.



This year I wanted to keep a theme for our family, this is what we agreed on; Ryan and I will be bakers, Skylee will be a fancy cupcake, and Parker will be a blueberry muffin. Sounds kinda silly, I know, but it looks amazing in my head right now!
I have all the fabric for Skylee's cupcake costume, just need two more things to get it started. I haven't gotten anything for Ryan or Parker's, but since mine consists of a cute apron and possible baker's hat, I thought I'd make it well in advance to get some use out of it ;) Here is how my apron turned outI used the same pattern that I used to make this apron for my Mom. I liked it so much that I wanted one for my own, that will double as my Halloween costume...it gave me a great excuse to make a cute apron!
Have you/your kids talked about Halloween costumes yet? Better yet have you started making any?

*Brittney*

Me and my guns... and a V-day craft :)

Watch out!
(Don't mess with me!)

My sweet husband took most of the week off for my b-day, and while we had some time to kill together, he took me out to the shooting range after purchasing a new little gun that he says is "for me"...yeah right. I did really like it though! I have only ever shot once or twice before, so I'm no pro (although I think I've got pretty good aim!) but when I pulled out my GLUE GUN today I knew I could handle it :) Most importantly...for my b-day he got me a Silhouette! I'm SO excited! My birthday wish came true, which is why last week I didn't do much in the way of crafts, hoping that if I held off I would have an extra special "helper". Here is my first project using my Silhouette, my glue gun, and these *flexing biceps* guns! ( I couldn't help myself, I'm sorry) ;)

*NOTICE-my "be mine" blocks? I made a new saying out of these blocks!*

A couple weeks back I found this really cute Valentine's Day Countdown at Katie's Nesting Spot that I wanted to try for myself, I used my Silhouette to cut the numbers (from fabric) out after I used heat n' bond on them. worked like a charm! Apparently Silhouette just came out with a new product to use for cutting fabric, but I did it without the new product and it worked!

I'd still like to embellish it a little, but here's the basic idea. Each numbered heart is a little pocket that I can put a note, activity or treat in for my kids to make the anticipation of V-day a little more fun.

I think I'm in LOVE (no pun intended, well....maybe?) with the Silhouette! Of course you could do this project with a Cricut or no machine at all by just cutting out your numbers :)

*Brittney*
Linking up to:
Sew Can Do
Keeping it Simple
Skip to my Lou
It's So Very Cheri
Making the World Cuter
Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Rosette Necklace TUTORIAL

Last night I made a rosette necklace, and today I whipped one up for my little girl and made a tutorial for those that want to make one of their own. I promise this is SO easy, this tutorial is a mini version of the one I made for ^myself, but you would do the exact same thing, just adding a few more rosettes, and if you like the different sizes, you can play around with that part. Let's get started!

What you'll need:
*Chain- doesn't need fasteners *you can also use ribbon and save a few steps!*
*hot glue gun/glue sticks
*scraps of felt and fabric for rosettes ( I recommend staying away from stretchy stuff, although it will still work)
*sew on snap.
Optional-rhinestones/pearls/beads...for center of flowers
*Scissors

Step 1:
Using any scraps of material, cut into 1 inch strips (no need to measure, just cut, you can't go wrong) This one shown is about 18 inches long, it makes a medium size rosette. Cut longer or shorter strips depending on how big or small you want your flowers.Step 2: Start at one end of your strip and roll the end up, then start twisting your strip and roll the twisted fabric around the center. Hopefully the picture makes more sense than my explanation. :)
Step 3:
Use your hot glue as you twist and roll to secure the fabric. I usually glue an inch at a time, then twist and roll to make sure it's secure, and the shape I want.
Step 4:
Once you get to the last inch or so, give it a little hot glue and glue that to the underside of your now, "flower".
Like so...
Step 5: Repeat until you have as many rosettes as you'd like for your necklace. This one I made for Skylee I chose to do 3, mine has 8 of varying sizes.
Step 6: Lay out how you want your rosettes to fit together and hot glue them onto your piece of felt in that pattern.
Step 7: Cut the felt around the flowers, careful not to cut your rosettes :)

This is how it should look on the backside:Step 8: Take your chain, or ribbon and measure around your neck, or your model's, how long you want your necklace to be. Then cut ribbon/chain (using wire cutters or whatever else you have). I had a long chain and needed it cut down. If using ribbon, cut two strips of the ribbon, making sure you have enough to tie a bow.
Step 9: Hot glue one end of the chain to the backside of the rosettes, on the felt. I didn't take a picture, but I cut a little piece of felt to put on top of the chain too where it was glued, not mandatory though. If you're using ribbon, glue one piece of ribbon to each side and tie a bow behind your neck to put it on :)
Step 10: Get your sew on snaps and secure one of the pieces to the felt, on the opposite side from where you just glued the chain down.
You can chose to hand stitch or hot glue this piece on. This picture shows I stitched it on, but if you notice, I did it upside down! I took it off and then used hot glue. :)
Step 11: on the other end of your chain, hand stitch the other piece of your snap!
Step12: Add your rhinestones or other embellishments with a dab of hot glue and try it on!
Let me know if you have any questions, hope you love your necklace! Good luck :)

*Brittney*
Linked up to:
Be Different, Act Normal
Keeping it Simple

Skirt From Scraps

^My very serious model, Skylee^

Happy Monday :) Hope you all had a great weekend!
This project marks a couple "firsts" for me, sewing a piece of clothing WITHOUT a pattern, and it's also my first little skirt for my munchkin! As with any of my sewing projects, it's not perfect...but it does FIT :) I just started cutting and sewing, using fabric I already had from another failed sewing project and a pillowcase. With just some small embellishments of fabric flowers, and an elastic waistband, it ended up good enough to share. I think it's given me enough confidence to be a little more adventurous in my sewing endeavors, but still taking baby steps :) Now it's your turn!


*Brittney*

Linking up to:
Keeping it Simple
The Girl Creative
It's So Very Cheri
Between Naps on the Porch
Sew Can Do

Lamp Beautification

Lamp desk+ scrap fabric+ 35 mins while brownies are baking in the oven=

It's all in the details :)

*Brittney*

Little Guy Tie

Having a little boy is so much fun! I ordered this pattern from Make It and Love It because 1) I need a step by step pattern for sewing and 2) I couldn't resist anymore! I love little boys in ties! Here is how my first one turned out. I seriously can't wait to make more! I think it's hard to find cute/fun/handsome clothes for boys, girls are MUCH easier, but this was just too cute to pass up :) You only need a 1/4 yard of fabric, and the pattern is easy enough for anyone, even a really rusty sewer like myself, can follow!

*Brittney*

DIY Wall Decals

Wall decals are totally "IN" right now, and I totally LOVE them! The problem is I'm not willing to spend much money on them. My solution, I made my own for WAY less $$! I don't have a Cricut machine, and I didn't use vinyl, but it's the same idea. This post from The Craft Patch is what inspired me, and although it's completely different, it got me to thinkin'...


I had a brown sheet that was perfect for this idea, a search on google, and some felt to finish it up would do the trick. Sorry I didn't take too many pictures again (didn't have this little blog), but you'll get the idea. If you have questions I'd be happy to answer them :) I'd still like to add more leaves, maybe add some more color to it, and I wish I would have made the trunk wider. Overall, I'm really happy with how this experiment turned out!

This is how I did it:
1. From queen size or full size sheet, cut out the shape. I'm no artist but I looked at a picture and did it free-hand (probably why the trunk turned out a little funny?)

2. Using push pins, I hung the now "decal" to the wall for placements. Then I used spray starch (like the kind you use for clothes) to adhere the decal on the wall (almost like wall paper). My decal is big, and I drenched the fabric, still had plenty of starch left over :) If you do this,make sure to re-pin the decal once the starch is on, until it dries. When it's completely dry, remove push pins.
3. From felt, I cut leaves/birds (or any other desired shapes). I didn't want to waste my time trying to starch-spray these to the wall...I put a little tape on the back, and stuck those little birdies up there! :)

I simply wiped any starch residue on the wall away with a wet cloth.
This works great for me since we are guaranteed to move in the next 6-18 months! The decals will peel off the wall with ease, leaving no residue! Perfect for renters on a budget, and a 3 year old girl who doesn't care about the imperfections!!!

Linking up to:
Keeping it Simple
Craftastic Monday @ Sew Can Do
Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie
Today's Creative Blog
You're So Crafty Mondays @ Miss Crafty Pants
We Did It Wednesdays @ Sew Much Ado
Whatever Goes Wednesdays @ Someday Crafts
Idea Sharin' Wednesdays @ Women Who Do It All
Hook'n up with HoH
Pumpkin Seed Productions
*Brittney*

Refinished desk

I've been "needing" a desk for my crafts, and I found just the right one on Craigslist a few weeks ago, begging me to give it a make-over. You'll remember from this post, using the same yard of fabric to reupholster the office chair. Here's how the matching desk turned out! I spent $15 on the desk (shouldn't have paid that much,the picture posted on CL was MUCH different, but that's another story...) spray paint, a 1/2 yard of fabric and some Modge Podge! Not too bad to create a unique piece for my little creativity corner of the house :)

Before:

Some sanding, painting, cutting, and gluing...
AFTER:

I had been wanting to try using fabric on furniture, I'm so happy it turned out well :) Be brave, give it a try!

*Brittney*

Linking up to:
Keeping it Simple
Sew Much Ado
Penny Pinching Party
Someday Crafts
Idea Sharin' Wednesday

Office Chair Face-Lift

I've had this little office chair for a few years, it's never been too pretty...but it does it's job just fine :) I just got a "new" desk off of craigslist that needs a face lift, so I thought I'd give the chair one too. I don't own a staple gun, so I used a...HOT GLUE GUN :) It worked like a charm, and holds up just great. Reupholstering is pretty self explanatory, especially for something this simple. Here's how I did mine:

1. Take the chair apart

2. Lay the seat and back of the chair on the fabric, both facing down. Cut the fabric big enough that when you fold up the sides, all the edges are covered. I only used 1/2 yard of fabric for the whole project.

3. Fold up all around the chair parts and pin in place. Careful not to pull the fabric too tight (but tight enough so the fabric is smooth) and with as few pleats showing as possible.
4. Go back and remove a couple pins at a time and glue the fabric to the wood/existing fabric piece. I did fairly small areas at a time, and held the fabric down until the glue cooled, making sure it was secure.
5. Trim the excess fabric., I didn't have to worry about it on this piece (the back) since it was going to be hidden,but the seat of the chair needed more.


6. Put the chair back together... and there ya have it!Not too bad for a little hot glue, and now it's not SO ugly :)
next week I'll show you how I use the other 1/2 yard of fabric to refinish my "new" desk :)

*Brittney*

linked up to:
Drab to Fab