20 Min Girl's Skirt-Easy!

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I like sewing.  I'd say my skill level is generally "advanced intermediate"--although I've done projects that are advanced (rebuilding a bridesmaid's dress where the bride handed me a strapless dress and a yard of $100/yd matching fabric confident that my skills were adequate to add sleeves (I rebuilt the entire bodice, but had to practice on cheap fabric first).  I rarely do complicated sewing patterns, not because I can't--but because I lack the patience required to get to the finished project.  My style is  to start a project at 8:00 at night with the intention of wearing it the next day--so it really needs to be a simple project.

 I like knit fabric projects.  Knit is pretty forgiving as a fabric, it doesn't unravel or slide around on you and comes in lots of fun prints.  I purchased some adorable "fox-y" knit from GirlCharlee fabrics and made a cute dress for work.  I knew I'd gotten the dress right when I wore it at a conference where I was a presenter --but I think I got more compliments on my dress than my presentation (and I totally rocked my session).  I had originally made my dress as a maxi dress, but once I got it on, it was way too much fox, so I cut it off to knee length--leaving me with a bit of fabric that I wasn't sure what to do with.  It came to me last night--simple skirts for my nieces. 

I cut 2 pieces, 14 inches wide and 16 inches long (you could make it longer if you have more fabric, but I didn't--I'm guessing my nieces will wear the skirts with leggings when at school--they are tall, so the skirt is shorter than they would like for wearing alone).   I actually had enough fabric to do 2 skirts, so I just did everything twice.  Since you are doing an elastic waistband, you can use any fabric, even non-stretchy woven fabrics-just make sure you cut it wide enough to go over any hips and that it has enough room to sit down.

First I placed the rectangles right sides together and sewed up the sides with my serger (you can use a sewing machine with a straight stitch since the side seams don't need to have any "give")

Next, (this is optional) I used my serger to finish the top and bottom edges.  Knit does not ravel, so you can leave the raw edge, but I like the clean look that the serger provides.

I used 1/2" wide elastic, so I folded the top of the skirt down 3/4" and ironed the crease.   Then starting at the back of the skirt, sew around to create a tube or sleeve for the elastic to slide through.  When you get around the skirt, stop sewing about 1 inch before you get back to the spot you started.  This will be where the elastic will go...but not yet.

Next, fold up the hem of the skirt between 1/2-1 inch, press the crease and then sew it with a straight stitch on your machine all the way around.

Last, take your elastic (I cut mine at about 26 inches, which is more than I needed, but I won't know for sure how long until I put the skirt on the kiddo).  Use a safety pin and attach to one end of the elastic, then push/pull the elastic into the casing you sewed earlier.  When you get it back to the beginning, distribute the fabric evenly and put the skirt on your model and decide how long the elastic really needs to be.  Mark the spot (don't cut it yet) and then sew across the elastic a few times.  Try the skirt on your model and when you are sure the elastic is right, cut the ends off and then sew up the gap in the casing.


Ta-da!  This skirt took me a total of about 20 minutes and I know my nieces will love it! 

Thanksgiving Activity Booklet for Kids

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Placemat image from http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/11/printable-thanksgiving-activity-sheet.html

Last year I made up a booklet of mazes, puzzles, coloring etc... for the nieces and nephews. Here it is again, along with another booklet that I found at TLSBooks.com I also thought that Family Fun had lots of great ideas.

Here's the link to my Google Site where you can download both PDF booklets.

Felt Food

Pin It Sandwich fixings--together and then separate Breakfast Pizza and taco fixings... and then put together Felt Food

Last year I did some felt food for my nephew's birthday (Sam is known for pounding and smashing things, so a soft-sided gift seemed prudent). I didn't have any patterns, but since most of the things are based on squares and circles, it wasn't too bad to make it up as I went. I did find some inspiration from The Idea Room.

I did learn from making the bread slices that there is an easier way (I made "boxes" which were difficult). Now, I just use 2 pieces of cream felt for the outside and 1 piece of tan for the crust. Draw a bread slice shape (on paper if you want to make a pattern first) and cut out 2 of the cream pieces. Make a slightly larger version and cut it out of the tan felt then sandwich it between the 2 cream pieces and sew around the edges. I've found that doing all the stiching as topstiching is much easier than trying to turn things inside out and stuff.

For the pita/tortilla I did sew the right sides together, flipped inside out and left a small gap into which I inserted a wire. Then I topstiched a seam so that the wire would stay near the edge

For the egg, sew the yolk on first through one piece of white (just put a small amount of stuffing underneath before you topstitch). Then sew another piece of the egg white underneath

Play Kitchen

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Before: A sad old nightstand...
I thought I wanted 4 burners, but decided 2 were enough. The wooden letter I trimmed to make it look like a faucet.

The top of the nightstand was really thick, but my jigsaw managed ok.
I will attach the backsplash once I've transported the kitchen to Idaho for Christmas. I used chalkboard paint on the side...
The burners are wood discs from a craft store that I painted.





First, let me say that I did not invent the idea of turning a nightstand into a play kitchen. I got lots of inspiration from other bloggers out there, so thank you (particularly the blog Husband, Wife, Happy Life)

So, I started with a thrift store nightstand. The hardest part was getting it all cleaned and the hardware all off. I took out the drawers and kept the face of just the top drawer. I tried to use stuff I already had in the garage, so I used leftover primer and white paint (spray paint would probably be lots faster). I wanted the knobs to be able to turn, so I used carriage bolts with a couple of nuts underneath so that the wooden wheels would spin. The faucet is a wooden letter found at the D.I.

Tools I used: Drill, jig saw, chop saw


Get a metal bowl (another thrift store item) and make sure it has enough of a lip to hang on the countertop. I traced the bowl on a piece of paper and then used a compass to make a circle inside the outline about 1/8" smaller. I traced the circle pattern on the top of the nightstand and used the jigsaw to cut out the hole.

I used leftover cabinet hinges on the drawer face to make the "oven". I had to screw a small block of wood inside the cabinet to keep the drawer face from falling inward. I used stick-on velcro to keep the "oven" shut.

The fabric was a cute turquoise and red "bowl of cherries" that I had leftover from another project and I used a tension curtain rod.

I have about $20 in materials invested (including the nightstand)--I made the felt food last year and so the kitchen is good to go! Perfect for triplet 23-month old cuties (my adorable nieces and nephew).

Harry Potter Crafts

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Many of you know that I'm a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. I visited many filming locations when I was in Great Britain and last week, I got to go to Universal Studio's Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. The theme park is really fun-its like being in the movie. They have created items to eat and drink that are mentioned in the books such as chocolate frogs, pumpkin juice and my favorite-butterbeer. Butterbeer is a non-alcoholic cream soda-like drink with a thick, creamy foam on top! I've been experimenting with making it at home and I think I'm pretty close!

Butterbeer
Cream Soda
1/4 tsp. Artificial Butter Vanilla & Nut flavor (I found it at Smith's/Krogers)
1/4 C. Cream
Sugar (although I used artificial sweetner)

I've been making it by the single serving, so change it up for larger quantities. In a shaking jar (my magic bullet blender went from liquid to stiff cream way too fast) mix the cream, flavoring and sugar. Shake it up until it is a soft foam (less stiff than what you'd want for serving on pie). Pour cream soda in a cup and then spoon the foam on top. Drink it up and enjoy your cream mustache! This drink reminds me a bit of a rootbeer float after the ice cream has gotten melty.

I like it with the cream, but I'm going to experiment with Dream Whip mix too (the cream is a bit too rich compared to the one served at Universal Studios). Some of the other blogs I've visited have created cute gift baskets with bottles of IBC cream soda, mugs a recipe card as well as the bottle of flavoring. I've done the recipe card printable for you at the top of the post...just make sure you click on the thumbnail first, then print the full size image.



Tile JewelrySo, since I'm looking forward to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 next week I decided to make a tile pendant necklace to get myself geared up! If you haven't made glass tile jewelery before, it is super easy!

I purchased my tiles and Diamond Glaze from United Crafters Inc (you need tiles that are crystal clear, so don't get the kind at Home Depot...they won't work). I haven't been to Roberts or Macs in a while, but they might have them too. You will need:



Diamond Glaze
Glass tile
E6000 adhesive
graphic (print it out or use fun scrapbook paper)
Bail (the hanging loop) or a magnet if you are making a fridge magnet


Get your graphic the right size (my tiles are 7/8"x 7/8")--if you are using a computer image, you can just resize the image to .88x.88--if you are cutting the graphic out of scrapbook paper, just get it cut to a rough size, with your image in the middle.

1. Make sure your tile is all clean.




2. Set your graphic down on a table picture side up (I would cover the table in the event of glue spillage-which I failed to do and had to scrape glue later)




3. Use the Diamond Glaze to make a good size puddle in the center of your image.
4. Set your glass tile with the "rough" side down onto the puddle of glaze.
5. Quickly press firmly on the tile to adhere--keep pressing for a few seconds before you let go.



6. Let the Diamond Glaze set for about 15 minutes (or more)
7. Use scissors to cut off the excess paper



8. Flip your tile upside down and spread a puddle of more Diamond Glaze on the back of the tile to create a smooth, sealed surface. Let dry for a couple hours at least.




9. Now you can use the E6000 adhesive to attach the necklace bail or magnet.



10. Ta-da! Now you can be a fan (keeping it subtle or just add to your whole Harry Potter costume that you will be wearing to opening night)



You could use holiday themed scrapbook paper to make Christmas or New Year's jewelry or use pics of your kids or pets! I've always used my Color LaserJet with photo paper--not sure what would happen with an inkjet printer and the Diamond Glaze (it might make the colors run).