DIY Sewing for Kiddos Round-up!

So I've shared the fabric that makes me want to sew, sew, sew for my children.  Now here are some sewing tutorials that can make the desire a reality!  The dress tutorial is based off a Boden dress - one that E already owns and loves, especially the deep pockets.  I see many versions of this dress in our future!!

dress tutorial

Shirts are easy for little bodies to get on and off all by themselves and an oh-so fun way to dress up everyday leggings.
And the pockets, oh the pockets! 

skirt tutorial

If you have a toddler then you probably have read this book.  If you need to get a gift for a toddler, this would be perfect!
If you like children's book, then you really have to look up this pigeon and his antics!!

Pigeon tutorial based on books by Mo Willems

We love to go on nature walks, even in our urban environment.  I usually end up holding the bag -
but this one is long enough to slip over E's head messenger-bag-style and again, it's got a lot of pockets!

nature bag tutorial

My chunky baby turned into a string bean and her pants don't always like staying up.
These little belts are a practical way to use fun bits of left over fabrics!

belt tutorial

Who can't use an extra pair of shorts??  I plan on making some for both E & C as they are a summer staple.
And perhaps I'll make myself a pair too!

shorts tutorial

Kids clothes often have obnoxious appliques - cutesie for girls, aggressive for boys - drives me nuts.  Let kids be kids!  With this tutorial, obnoxious appliques are no more!!  Now you can create new and fabulous appliques on blank shirts (or maybe even to cover up the obnoxious ones).

applique tutorial

So what are you going to make?  Personally, I'm going to make them all!  If you do stitch something up, leave a comment with a link - I'd love to check it out!!

Stay creative,
A

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Outdoor DIY Roundup!

Here in Chicago spring has sprung!  Flowers are blooming, the air is warm and our back door and windows are open.  This also means I'm able to set up our back porch - we don't have a backyard, so we utilize every last bit of space in our little 2 bedroom condo.  (On the bright side, this means fewer square feet for me to clean!)  Anyhow, I thought I'd round up some outdoor DIY projects that would bring some color and fun to our back porch - I can't wait to get started!

First a new place to sit - this lovely painted bench is just the ticket!  

Beautiful painted bench.

Now a place to eat!  Our porch isn't actually big enough for this table, but a girl can dream!

DIY succulent pallet table.

 How about an outdoor rug for under the table?  Yes!

Painted outdoor rug.

 Beautiful dip-dyed biodegradable vases bring in more color and are perfect vessels for whatever!

Dip-dyed vases.

  It gets dark out at night - let's create some ambiance with this lovely mood lighting.

Aluminum lanterns.

Finally, with little people about, you don't always want full access to the porch, just the fresh air and light - this Dutch Door is just what we need!!

DIY Dutch Door.

Hope spring has sprung wherever you are (unless, that is, it's already summer!)

Stay creative!
A


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First day of spring - DIY Roundup!!

Spring is officially here - hooray!  I have already spent a few days with the heat off and our windows open.  Since spring is here, I thought I'd share some fun spring-y projects that I'd like to take on...maybe even before summer (ha!)

 These lace earrings are beautiful and deceptively easy to make!  Oh how I wish I could wear big earrings (not with a toddler!!)

 This ruffle number can be worn as a dress, short skirt, or maxi - AND you can make it yourself with just one piece of fabric and some elastic!!

 I made so many friendship bracelets when I was younger, but never thought of making them as necklaces.  This is such a fun idea, and I think it can even be carried off at an adult age (right?!)

 OK, so this isn't a tutorial, but a really sweet idea!  I have so many buttons and didn't know what to do with them until now!!

 Again, not really a tutorial, but a fabulous idea.  The best part?  If you don't like stitching, just head over to Letter Perfect Designs and get any one you'd like :)

 Oh Martha, what great ideas you come up with!!  It's a baking tray, it's a serving tray...and it's chevron striped to boot!

 I'm always looking for ways to spruce up our deck without spending any money - I love the look of these yarn wrapped votives and may have to make a few!!

P.S.  Creative minds come together over at Pinterest, where I initially came across these fun DIYs!!

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Baby Making

Or I should say, making for baby (but I got your attention, didn't I?!)  Last week I finished another dress for E.  It was exciting seeing it come together and has inspired me to try to make a sweatshirt for her next (we shall see how that goes!)  Honestly, though, it's never hard for me to find things I'd like to make.  I have a constantly-growing bookmark folder dedicated to potential projects!  Here are a few that are currently at the top of my list:

To wear...

This adorable sun suit has a full (and free) tutorial over at Made By Rae - E had one last summer and looked SO adorable I think she needs one for this coming summer as well!!

This may be cheating, but this is the wonderful reversible-dress that I completed last week!  You can get the pattern, which comes in several sizes, from Owly Baby - here. 

Here is my next project - this little sweatshirt from Heidi & Finn is just too much (in the best of ways!)  I have the pattern, now I just have to find the perfect fabrics!!  It kind of makes me want to size it up...a lot...as in make myself one!!!

This pretty blue cowl looks toasty - even better, the free pattern on Whip Up is easy enough for a novice knitter like me to understand (and even create!!)  The perfect addition for transitional (read: yucky) weather!

To play...

 It is a fact of life that if my computer is accessible in any way, E will find a way to bang on it.  I think it's time she got her own computer - this fun felt laptop, by Kiki Creates, could take the banging without a permanent system crash - score!

I have been planning on/meaning to/forgetting to make bean bags for E for awhile now.  The mix of fun prints, colors and numbers on these are perfect, and the tutorial by Chez Beeper Bebe very doable!

It looks like an awesome homemade playmate for cars, it's also a sleek messenger bag!  E loves cars, even though she hasn't fully grasped the concept that they only drive on roads.  Regardless, I think this messenger-bag-turned-car-town is the perfect on-the-go toy!  Bonus: if you have any car or city themed fabric scraps lying around, they can finally be put to good use!  Check out Gingercake's tutorial to make one for a little one near you!

To carry...

My favorite part about this pencil case (besides the fact that it's from the adorably named Fizz Pop Bang Blog) is that it arose from a mistake - a woolen sweater that was put in the dryer and felted.  I mean really, it has a kangaroo pocket, it just doesn't get much more whimsical than that!

 

Really, piece a bunch of pretty fabrics and you've got me hook, line and sinker - I don't care what it is, I just want to make it!  The great part about this crayon roll-up tutorial on BurdaStyle is that it's something that would be super useful too - I have only been able to find triangle toddler crayons and getting them back in the box is a pain, this roll-up would solve that dillema and make it much easier to take said crayons on the go!!

Another great project from Made By Rae (seriously, her blog is FULL of great projects, a girl could get lost over there in the very best of ways!!)  This toddler backpack is a great use of fabulous fabric AND fully functional, plus the adjustable straps means it can grow along with your little beansprout!!

So are you now inspired to take on a few more projects of your own, what with all our free time (ha!)  What are your favorite kid-centered projects or tutorials?

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DIY Roundup: Sew Inspired!

Finally having a studio space has led to a rash of sewing.  I am finishing up one project (a sewing machine cover) and have three more projects waiting in the wings.  But even though there is much to do, I cannot help but be inspired to do more!  Here are some sewing inspirations that I've been eying (and will probably attempt)!

Love this! In fact, I have a vintage red Samsonite bag that could use a bit of sprucing...hmmm...

 I am seriously in LOVE with this handmade sweatshirt and hope to create something as beautiful (and functional!) someday soon(ish). 

This darling dress pattern creates an equally adorable (and reversible) dress - I have just the fabric for one (or many!!)

Compared to these, my makeup bag is so boring, guess it's time for a new one!

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Feeling crafty (or just cold?)

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and it's time to (theoretically) hunker down for the cold winter months...but what's a girl to do with all this extra energy?  As it turns out, there is lots that can be done!  I know some people who, in the winter, turn to knitting - it's a good "hunkering" activity, and if you are knitting a blanket you are soon able to stay extra cozy while you work.  Try as I might, I am no knitter, but here are a few other DIY projects that already have my creative wheels turning!

These cone people are just too much (in a good way) - I see puppet shows in our future...

As a child I love, love, loved playing with felt boards!!!

So far my felting has been a giant fail...but this tutorial seems very doable (we'll see!)

New mini-comforter and pillow made from an old comforter...brilliant (I have an extra just waiting for a new life!)

 This little lovely would be a welcome addition to any child's room (or shelf in need of some love!)

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Three Xs 10

A post in honor of 10.10.10.

Ten Things I Love...

 My favorite color (red), whimsical and practical...love!!!

 Such a pretty addition to a front door

Those boots really are for walking!

Extend the life (aka heat) of your tea while protecting your palms

Learning made beautiful

 The leaping gazelle print is magical

 I see you!

This autumnal print is divine!

 One of my favorite color-combinations...

 Perfect for special displays.

Ten Things To Do...

 Stencil wall paper = easy to create, easy to change up

Have leather scraps, will make shoes that fit 

 Because perhaps fabric can help soften our highchair 

(or at least glam it up a bit!)

Making our sharp storage baskets a little less dangerous 

(and a little more fancy!)

Make my own yogurt?  Yes I can!!!

 Perhaps I shouldn't try to make my own doughnuts

(because then I'll want to do it again...and again...)

Soon E will want her own busy book - fun!

 Dyeing playsilks with kool-aid...sounds tasty!

 Perhaps I'll try my hand at making my own yarn wreath!!

 

 Make a dress by Friday. Love the concept. Love the dress!

 

Ten Goals I Have...

1. Tackle my to-dos

2. Have (more) patience with others

3. Switch from canned goods from the store to canning my own

4. Launch (one of) my dreams

5. Repaint the bedrooms

6. Run a half-marathon

7. Make a quilt

8. Move back to the east coast (this is a longer-term one!)

9. Listen to more NPR and less TV

10. Clean out my closet

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