Appliqued Onesies

Remember when your baby is just too tiny to put in real church clothes? I've seen these on a couple babies and think they are just darling! My little man is definitely going to be sporting this darling piece!

This is perhaps the easiest little project I have ever done. Seriously you could make a whole package of onesies in less than 10 minutes! And you can do this project even if you don't have a sewing machine... isn't that awesome? And the price to make these is under $2/shirt.

What you need:

1. Onesies
2. Fabric (use your scraps, you just need a little!)
3. Fabric Fusion Applique Paper (1 yard will go for ages...)
Note: There is non-sewable applique paper, and sewable... this depends on whether you want to sew a stitch around the edge of your design for a more finished look. The non-sew is a little more stiff and harder to sew through.
4. Scissors
5. Iron

Directions:

1. Follow the instructions on the Fabric Fusion Applique paper. Basically, you lay the applique paper over the back side of your fabric, with the paper side up. Iron it on low for 2 seconds until it sticks.
2. Cut out your design.
3. Peel the paper off the fabric and place the design on your onesie. Iron for 8-10 seconds until it sticks to the onesie. Done!

Here is the pattern I used to do the tie: (Just click to enlarge, and then print.)

Superhero Towels

Months ago I did a post about the reversible superhero capes. I think they are darling, and I think it is a great project and gift idea... but let's face it- by now we have all seen them and it isn't as creative of a gift anymore. I was browsing through Martha Stewart's crafts from last year and came across this great project. It isn't something I have seen before at boutiques or stores, and I think it would be a darling gift for any little boy in your life. I plan to improvise a little on this project by making it into a hooded towel. This is really easy to do, and you can CLICK HERE to see some easy instructions on how to make a hooded towel. (This website has some other ideas to dress up a hooded towel in case you have a little girl or don't care for superheros.) I have to admit, this is a cool find for me. Hopefully someone else can put this idea to use too.

Tools and Materials
Bath towel
Washcloth
Superhero Cape Template
Reflective fabric
Adhesive agent, such as Steam-a-Seam
Disappearing-ink marking pen
Straight pins
Applique scissors
Button-covering kit

Superhero Cape How-To
1. Download and print the templates, then choose one of the shield shapes and an additional shape, and enlarge the images 400 percent. Cut a piece of reflective fabric into a 12-by-12-inch square. Trace the shield template on the square, then flip the template over and trace again; the templates are in halves, so you'll wind up with a whole symbol. Lay a piece of adhesive agent on the reverse side of the reflective material, cut out the shield, and using a pressing cloth and iron, affix the shield to the towel.

2. Place the lightning bolt or other symbol over the washcloth, and trace the shape using the disappearing-ink pen. Place the washcloth over the shield, and pin in place with straight pins. Sew along the traced line using a straight stitch, and cut away the excess washcloth with applique scissors. Save the scraps to fashion a button. Finish with a zigzag stitch along the lightning bolt.

3. To make a button, cut a circle of fabric that's twice the diameter of the button. Follow the instructions provided with the button-covering kit. Sew the button onto the cape. Measure your child's neck, and sew a scrap of the reflective-fabric shield in the appropriate spot on the cape to form a button loop.

Jelly Bean Carrot

I thought this was a perfect gift idea to give the kids in my church class, or if you have a big group of kids you need to hand out gifts to. Here is how you do it.

Tools and Materials

Plastic pastry bag
Orange jelly beans
Green rickrack or ribbon
Easter basket, optional

Jelly Bean Carrot How-To
1. Fill a plastic pastry bag 3/4 of the way with orange jelly beans.

2. Tie bag closed with a green rickrack or ribbon.

3. Include the carrots in an Easter basket or fill a basket with them and set them out as favors for a party.

Easter Gift Idea

It seems like around each holiday, we are looking for creative and festive ways to give a gift to those we associate with. Whether it is your neighbors, someone you visit, teachers, co-workers, friends/family, or even a small party favor... we are always trying to come up with a holiday inspired gift. When I saw this idea over at "Creative Holiday Gift Ideas blog", I had to document it for future use. I can see myself using this darling yet simple idea for years to come. It sure beats slaving over several dozens of cookies, yes, this is my type of thing.

INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.
My changes: I did M&M's first, then Peeps, then put combined brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs in baggie. I didn't like how the crumbs made a mess in the jar. Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. (Makes 9 to 12 bars.) *Option - leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed. *This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available.
**Here is a card you can print with your jars... they are 3x3 size. **

A Mother's Day Gift Idea

I thought this was a darling, inexpensive gift idea to give to the Grandm-a's in your life. Nothing melts your heart more than tiny little hand prints. For someone like me, who only has one child at the time, I thought a hand print and foot print would be just as darling. It would also be a cute piece to hang in your child's room. This is definitely an idea I want to try.

might as well

i was thinking that there are certain things that we buy for our kids around the holidays no matter what. right now i am thinking about halloween. most parents buy a trick-or-treating bucket... most buy halloween pajamas (or "jammies" at my house). i was thinking... rather than just hand over these typical things over to the kids, why not make it a fun gift to get them pumped up for the holiday?

imagine how your child would react when they woke up Halloween morning and found a trick-or-treat bucket with some new jammies, and maybe a special treat? how exciting would that be? so go ahead, take the items you were already planning on buying and make it a special thing for the kiddies.

nursing cover

I love the new nursing covers that women are using now-a-days. The ease and privacy of nursing your baby without worrying about your blanket falling, or your baby pulling it free is peace of mind to any new mother! I couldn't believe when I saw one in a local boutique for nearly $50! Most women would say it is worth the investment, but I say, why not make an alternative version for cheaper? This is how you can make a nursing cover with items you already have around the home. I plan on making the blanket and the apron straps myself. Wouldn't this be a darling gift idea for an expecting mother?
Step 1

The top part of a nursing cover looks like an apron, so it comes in handy when you are trying to make a nursing cover. Use your scissors to cut off the apron strap.

Step 2

Find a baby blanket that you are not planning on using. It should be wide enough to cover the baby and your chest. A baby blanket made out of 100% cotton will be the right type of blanket to use because it will keep your baby cool in warmer weather.

Step 3

Place the blanket on a flat surface and sew the two buttons in to the middle of the blanket about eight inches apart from each other. Cut a small slit on each end of the apron strap that is large enough for the buttons.

Step 4

Attach the strap to blanket and out it on just like you would an apron. Enjoy nursing your baby in public without having to hold up a blanket!

for your childs room

**this idea was inspired by some spring blocks that i did with my neighbor** there is a trend right now in nursery rooms/ kids room where you get the wooden letters and put your child's name on the wall. sometimes people attach ribbon and hang them. you know what i am talking about. well, here is a cute way to dress up the wooden letters so that it looks like you bought it from a boutique instead of an obvious "do-it-yourself" project. it would also be an adorable baby gift. here is how you do it:

supplies:
1. wooden letters
2. wood stain
3. nail file
4. paint brush
5. mod-podge
6. assortment of coordinating scrapbooking paper
7. scissors
8. embellishments, optional

instructions:
1. purchase wooden letters (found in roberts/michaels) and stain them with a wood stain
2. with a nail file, file the edges for a more rustic look, revealing some of the true wood.
3. place your letter face down on a piece of scrapbook paper, and trace out the letter. cut the paper out.
4. using mod-podge and a paint brush, apply a thin layer of mod-podge to your letter, and carefully stick the cut out scrapbooking paper to the letter. allow to dry.
5. using nail file, file away any excess paper.
6. apply another thin layer of mod-podge on top of the paper, and the entire wooden letter. dry.
7. embellish with buttons, ribbon, or leave plain.

super hero capes

i made these reversible super hero capes for christmas last year. they were darling, and my nephews loved them. these would be a great birthday/christmas gift, but they would also be a great party favor at your next super hero themed birthday party.

i used felt for the superhero logos, and cotton fabric for the actual cape. it was very easy to draw up my own pattern.

idea submitted by stacy

baby burp cloths

this is a super easy sewing project that is too die for. they are absolutely darling, and a must have for every new mom. my 10 year old niece can make these, so it is a great place to start no matter what your sewing skills. this is MY secret worth sharing!

what you need:
1/2 yard printed fabric
1/2 yard chenille fabric
your sewing machine & thread

directions:
1. cut your 1/2 yard piece in half, and then cut in half again. you will have the perfect dimensions for a burp cloth.
2. place the two fabrics back to back, and pin edges.
3. sew around entire surface, except for last 3-4 inches. turn inside out, revealing the fabrics.
4. sew remaining 3-4 inches, and then add a trim 2 inches in, if desired.

aprons

i got the inspiration for these aprons at a local boutique, and thought it would be a great inexpensive gift to give the women in my family for christmas. i am also considering doing mini aprons for their daughters also. what could be more darling than a little girl and her mother baking in the kitchen with matching aprons? especially when they are this cute. so if you are looking for a good gift idea for christmas or birthdays, this is a cute idea that any girl would covet! of course this was a secret worth sharing.

what you need:
1/4 yard each, two decorative fabrics of your choice (toile and checkered used here)
1/4 yard of solid white or black fabric to line back
1 package jumbo rick rack (2.5 yards)
total cost= less than $3/apron

directions:
unfortunately i don't use patterns, i just draw them out myself and go at it. but you can probably google half apron patterns if you are nervous.

idea from stacy, inspired by holy cow boutique