last minute halloween project

I am helping out with the Halloween party at the preschool and saw a few games I thought would work out great for these little guys. But, then I had to go and see this online at parents.com 2 nights ago and changed my direction. I thought it might take a little more time than I wanted to spend, but knew it would be worth the effort because I can use it in the future. What I didn't count on was how much paint the canvas fabric soaked up. It took forever to get enough layers to make it look black enough and that was a bit hard with the tiny lines of the skeleton and between the letters. Would gesso have helped? I am no expert, but maybe. I sewed a pocket up top for a dowel rod and today made some bowties out of ribbon. So, we are ready to get this party started.

we just got back from

the happiest place on earth. We spent 8 days there and now we are recovering from all the fun. I am originally from California and grew up going to Disneyland 4 or 5 times a year. I didn't think we were DisneyWorld people since I have a love for Disneyland, but it turns out that we are. And, since I have issues with big crowds, this was the perfect time of the year to go. Plus, it didn't hurt that my kids had a week off of school for Fall Break and the weather was amazing. I think we are hooked. We spent time over lunch today talking about when we thought we would go again. Yeah, we are definitely hooked. So, this week I need to figure out costumes, plan for a preschool Halloween party, and get back in the groove. Exciting!

a new print

I am still getting my photo wall put together. I will post a picture of it when I fill in the last few frames. As I was deciding what else I wanted for the wall, the one thing I did know was that I really wanted a personalized print with our family name on it. I found some amazing ones on etsy, but the designer that stood out to me the most was grace hester designs because her prints had great colors, a modern style, and were also a fantastic price. I am so grateful for talented designers and for etsy. Grace was able to make us a personalized print in one of my favorite colors, light aqua blue, and put all of our names under the sweet little birds. Don't you love it? I do. Her other prints in her etsy shop are awesome and I will be saving my pretty pennies to add a few more to our home soon.

two more pendants

Each soldered pendant I make, I see slight improvement. Here are two more pendants I made this week, each with vintage Halloween postcard images. They are two sided - one postcard on each side. I have been wearing the one on the left for the last few days and since I rarely keep anything i make, it feels good to be wearing this.

add this to the all time pumpkin recipe list

i always have to have a photo - this is the pumpkin my 2 year old picked out at the pumpkin patch last week. love the bumps.

I have had a few people mention that they have great pumpkin recipes too when I posted my pumpkin cookie recipe. Sandra over at Crazy Mom Tats was kind enough to email me her favorite pumpkin bread recipe. I made some last weekend while my husband and kids were out and I was glad they came home when they did. Let's just say, I was about to eat an entire loaf by myself if they hadn't come to help me eat all the rest of this lovely bread. It makes 3 loaves and I am not quite sure what makes it different than other pumpkin breads, but it just is. I can taste more of the pumpkin spices without tasting all the sugary fluff. Although it is dang sweet. I also made cream cheese frosting to go with it. Can you say "sugar high?" Head over to her blog and check out the recipe. Well worth the time. Thanks Sandra.

folksy pumpkin wall hanging tutorial

This is the pumpkin from my giveaway a few weeks ago. I originally a saw similar project at an art festival several years ago and then two years ago attempted my version of it to give to my friends for Halloween. My photos didn't turn out the best for this tutorial and I can't seem to find time to do them again, so hopefully you can look past the blur to see what you need to see!
What you will need:
1/2 yard orange burlap fabric
1/2 yard black cotton fabric
1 piece of black felt
1 piece of sage green felt
1 piece of mustard yellow felt
thick craft wire or bailing wire
short stick for stump of pumpkin
black embroidery floss
patterns for pumpkin, eyes, nose, mouth, and leaves available to print here. very roughly drawn!
oh, and hot glue gun and glue

1. Cut out all the pattern pieces. You will need one pumpkin body out of orange burlap, one pumpkin body out of black cotton, two pieces of each eye part (one color for each), one nose, one mouth, and two leaves.

*At this point you can paint a taupe color paint on the orange burlap using a dry brush method to give it a more primitive look. This is what I did because my burlap was too bright of an orange, but just an option. Let dry before continuing on to step 2.
2. Using the sewing machine straight stitch the mouth and nose on to the front of the orange burlap pumpkin body. I sew as close to the edge of the black felt as possible - like a 1/8"seam.

3. Layer the circles on top of each other with the largest on the bottom, medium sized in the middle and the small one on the top. Using a running stitch, stitch 1/8"in from the edge of the smallest circle all the way around attaching it to the burlap. Using a blanket stitch (great tutorial via future girl - check half way down the tutorial and there is one specifically for circles), stitch around the middle and largest circle attaching it to the burlap. *I set the eyes off center and one a bit higher than the other. The funkier, the better.

4. Now put the burlap pumpkin piece and the black cotton pumpkin piece together right sides together. The burlap is a little stretchy so don't be surprised if it is a little bigger than the black fabric. Starting at the top, stitch all the way around using a 1/2" seam and leaving a 4"opening at the top for turning.

5. Before turning right side in, cut notches out of the the bottom curves and upper curves of the pumpkin.

6. Turn the pumpkin right side in.

7. Take the stick for the stump of the pumpkin and put it in the opening at the top, folding in the opening to match the seam.

8. Using a hot glue gun, glue all around the stick where the fabric touches it and press the fabric around it to close up the seam. If there is any open space on each side of the stick, glue that together as well with the seams folded in so it is nice and clean.

9. It should look like this now.

10. Take the two leave and pinch in half. Sew 1/4" seam starting and the base and getting narrower until you get about 3/4 way down and it should reach the edge. Like a long triangle. Like in the photo.

11. With the hot glue gun, glue the leaves on - one in the front touch the stick and one in the back. You can also do both in the front or whatever looks best to you.

12. Cut a 10-12 inch piece of wire and starting at the base of the stick, wrap it around several times tightly. Then, take the ends and curl them by wrapping them around a pencil several times as well.

13. Take another piece of wire about 16-18 inches long and stick one end through the burlap and black fabric about 5-6"to the left of the stick. Curl the end of the wire on the back side so it won't come back through. Twist a loop at the top and then go back through on the right hand side and curl the wire on the back.

14. You are finished!

new bracelet

I am not a fancy person, so when my five year old son came down stairs from craft room with this for me, I fell in love.  I wore it all day.  He said it was because he, "loved, loved, loved me." Seriously, with a reason like that, I think I will even wear it tomorrow too.  Later he sang a song he recorded on my husband's iphone that was a tune about loving me too.  You have to know this child to know that this behavior is a bit unusual and I am wondering what I can do to make it stay.  Any ideas?

i always make a few of these

A few years ago I made stencils of sayings, words, etc. for each holiday and I find myself turning to these each year for a few blocks and signs . Here's what I do: 1. go to the garage. 2. look for wood in wood pile.* 3. grab a few. 4. paint them. 5. leave them for a few days. 6. find my stencils (made from over head projector screen that I have printed directly on and used an exacto knife to cut out the letters). 7. stipple (proper term, I'm told) the paint on the board using the stencil. 8. check and see if I remember how to use the drill press. 9. drill holes in the corners. 9. sand the edges crazily using my husband's (now mine, I think) electric hand sander. 10. stain. 11. add wire, ribbon etc.

*another option is to find 2x4's and make blocks with holiday phrases and words.

I know these are a bit country, but the fact of the matter is, it's a lot of bang for your buck. The wood is usually free (from friends or left over from my husband's job sites) and I have all the stuff laying around.

These are the two that I got done the other day. Fun to add to existing wreaths or whatever!

do not make these if

you have little or no self control like myself. I am serious. These are definitely the best treat of the season. Not that you can't make these wonderful pumpkin cookies any time of the year, but I definitely only make them in the Fall. I have to have some cut off date. I have already made them twice and each time I am overwhelmed with thoughts of how much I love them. One good thing is that the recipe only makes 2 dozen and I have found people to give some of them to, so I can save myself. Try them and let me know what you think. Don't let the bad photo in the post fool you. They are better than they look.

two new prints for my photo wall

I just took down all photos on my photo wall in the great room and replaced them with enlargements of photos taken by my sister and friend. It really needed to be freshened up and because I didn't have any photos of my daughter on the wall (who is 2 1/2) it was time to include her with the rest of us! I ordered a few prints on etsy to go along with the photos from the love shop.

I got this one:

and this one:

I have one more space to fill and I want to get something with our family member's names like one of these or these. Or, maybe not get the family name and go for something like this or this.

have any of you tried this?

Soldering.  I love it, but it's hard.  I have been trying it, along with my mother in law(we split the supplies), for several months now and I think there's a big learning curve (at least for me).  I do see progress, though.  As much as I say that I am not that great at it, I have still given my soldered pendants as gifts!!! I orginally bought my instructions from You Can Make This. And, those were a great start, but I have been reading tips and tricks on the internet for the last few days to help me figure out some things that I am just having a hard time with.  I will say that I do love it even if it has been painful.  I think I expect perfection and then I go and look at the ones I have purchased in the past and realize that they can look a little more "hand made" than perfect.  So, if you have any tips or tricks for me, pass them on.  In the meantime, I am just soldering away over here looking to improve.   

the winner

I am up late planning an upcoming trip and realized it's 12 am. I am going to cry when I have to wake the boys up from school in the morning because I am up so late (early?). So, I put my numbers in to random.org and it came up with #19, which is:

jedigirlz said...
U'Re so creative and cute! We love u! -A

So, miss A, please send me your address to my email - traciu73@yahoo.com. Thank you for all of your really really nice comments. You do realize that I always do have a hard time just picking one, so let's do a tutorial for this? It's simple. I think the only pattern I might have trouble giving you is the actual pumpkin template because it is so big, but I will figure it out and so will you.

tote for lacey

I live in place that has a lot of dental and medical students as well as medical residents. Over the years I have met some pretty incredible people who have moved in and have been blessed enough to have made some amazing friends with them as well. I was really blessed three and a half years ago when one of these medical resident families moved in across the street. The whole family was cool (but especially the wife, Lacey) and my kids soon became fast friends with their kids. My 5 year old thought their house was his second home and they treated him as one of their own. As what tends to happen with all students and residents...they finally get a job or go on to more schooling and have to move away. This wonderful family has moved on to a job with the Air Force on the other side of of the states and as much as I am happy for their progress, I am sad to have been left here without them. This friend was the guinea pig for all my new projects and sometimes I would just hang them on her door for her to find -making myself at home to her wreath hanger. I made this tote for her for her birthday a few weeks ago and hope that she knows just how much she is missed. The tote is made from the same brown corduroy I used in the dress and fabric from Amy Butler that I have had in my stash for a long time (awaiting the perfect project).  The fabric flower is removable and was made using this tutorial from Wise Craft.

gauzy ghosts

Because I love to see other people's decorations for the holidays, I thought I would share these ones that are hanging from my chandelier in my dining room (that I am trying to turn in to a library/den/music room if that's even possible).  I made them 3 or 4 years ago after watching Martha make them on her show.  I have hung them from my lanterns above my fireplace before, but I think I like them hanging in this front room.  They are made from gauze (or you can use cheese cloth) and watered down glue hung over a balloon until dry.  Really easy and really cool. Here's Martha's version.  Anyways, I would love for you to share your Fall/Halloween decorations with me.  I really do love seeing what everyone else is doing.  To answer the question of a blogger, I have the pumpkin from the giveaway (mine, not the one up for grabs) hanging in that front room from the knob of the corner cabinet.  That room has most of the decorations and it's great because it's the first room you see when you walk in.  I am excited to pick a winner for the giveaway tomorrow night.  I might to a tutorial on this one because it really is simple.  We'll see.  

a little giveaway to get in the halloween mood

While unpacking all of my Halloween and Fall decorations from their storage bins, I found a few *surprises.*  These surprises were crafts made last year with the intention of giving them away. So, I thought I would give one of these "surprise" burlap pumpkins that I found away to one of my dear blog readers.  I have made these for a few years now and I love how easy they are to make. Just a bit of orange burlap, aged with brown paint here and there, sewn felt eyes, nose, and mouth, a thick twig and some wire.  I found 4 more that were partially made in those bins as well.  So, watch out friends and neighbors, you might find something hanging on your door soon!!!  I also found a partially made Halloween apron that I need to get finished as well.  Really, they were all fun surprises.  It's amazing how much you can forgot about in a year.  

O.K. here are the details of the giveaway - it's going to be a short time period - you have until Thursday (the 24th) at midnight (eastern time) to leave a comment and then I will draw a number and get this out as quickly as possible. You can have it hanging up in plenty of time for Halloween.  

my autumn version of the french ruffle dress

I am starting to get in the groove. The start of school takes a bit to get the hang of for me every year. But, I am thinking that I am getting my schedule down. And, like I said in my last post, Fall is in the air and I love it. It really makes me feel so good. So, with that in mind, I decided it was time to attempt the French Ruffle Dress again, but with some Fall colors. I had just the tiniest bit of this brown and orange calico that I used for the ruffle and the chocolate brown is a pinwale corduroy. I used a brown and white polka dot fabric for the facing. And, I love the button I found for the back. Overall, I love the colors. It's such a quick sew, but remember it does run small. This is the 4T and it is just a smidge too big for my 2 year old. Keep that in mind.

*I fixed the link that will take you to my first version of this dress.  On that post I have the link to the etsy shop where I bought the pattern.  But, if you want to just go directly to the esty shop manimina for the pattern, then click here!

i just need to clean the craft room floor

I can't seem to get in the crafting/sewing groove. I think it has something to do with the fact that you can't see the floor in my craft room or the tops of the tables. I was going to take a photo of it today, but then I started cleaning before I got my camera out and decided it didn't look as bad -hence no more excuse for my lack of getting anything done.
As I was picking up my books from one of the shelves that my two year old decided to climb the other day and ended up destroying, I saw my Ed Emberely's Big Orange Drawing Book. I love this book. It brings back so many elementary school memories because we always made thumb print pictures at Halloween. I think I may even have made this skeleton from the book (found here at his website along with other great projects for Halloween) and I need to find him. Anyways, I am getting this book down stairs and getting my kids to make a few as Fall starts to creep upon us.

bird applique pattern, personalized tags, and applique tips

Thanks for the nice comments on the skirt. I thought you might want the bird #2 pattern that I drew for the applique on the skirt. I usually draw something or find great patterns on blogs and at martha stewart's site. This is a bird I drew when I was decorating my daughter's room and wanted to make a few shadow boxes that I filled with felt birds and flowers. If you want any of the other patterns I have drawn, just click on them on my side bar and it should take you directly to them on scribd.com where you can download them as a pdf. They weren't working, but I think I fixed them. Let me know if they don't work.

As for the tag on Eva's skirt...I just used a piece of twill tape (made by Wrights and sold in packages by the bias tape in the fabric department). I have a few sets of tiny alphabet stamps that I bought in the dollar section at Michaels. I use fabric ink markers (I found mine at Wal Mart near the iron on transfers in the fabric department) to ink up the stamps and then just stamp directly on the piece of twill tape. I read the fabric ink pen and it doesn't say that it has to be heat set, so I am assuming it doesn't. But, I haven't washed a tag yet to know. I probably should try that, huh? I will soon! I also used this method to label the eye glass cases here. So simple and you can print any thing you want so it's so much fun.

For those of you new to applique, here are a few steps and tips:
1. You use Wonder Under, which is sold by the yard at fabric stores by the interfacings. It looks like paper on a bolt.
2. Then, you pick the fabric you are using and iron the Wonder Under (adhesives side down) to the back of the fabric.
3. Next, you can either draw the shape of your applique to the paper side (back side of the fabric) with the image reversed and cut it out or do like I usually do and put a pattern on top of the right side of the fabric and just cut around it. Sometimes I just cut it out with no pattern hoping to get it close to what's in my head!
4. Then, peal the paper away from your applique and you are ready to iron it on to your project. Iron it by holding your iron directly over it and counting 3 long seconds. I always check to make sure it is down good.
5. Now, you use your sewing machine to add details and secure it. I usually sew a tight and small zig zag stitch all around the applique working in layers. I will iron on the base of the applique (like the body for the bird) and stitch around it. Then, I add the other layers (the beak, the wing, the legs, etc.) and stitch around them as well. Instead of using a zig zag, you can straight stitch just inside the applique pieces and this will secure it and give you a great frayed look when you wash it.
6. To finish, you add the buttons, french knots, or back stitches for the details.

for eva

A little friend of ours was turning 4 last week.  I made her a simple little skirt. Really easy, but adding the extras is the most of the fun.  Oh, and matching fabrics - that's fun too.  This skirt takes so little fabric.  I folded a yard of fabric in half and cut 12 inches down (so 44" wide x 12" long) and then cut a strip for the bottom 5" inches long (so 44" wide x 5" long).  I sewed the bottom band on to the main fabric and then sewed the one seam down the length.  I turned that seam to the back. I added a casing to the top and added 3/4" elastic (I guessed at the waist using some 4T clothes I have waiting for my daughter).  And, like I said, I really like adding the rick rack and the appliques. I wonder when I will tire of applique? I guess since there are so many different ways to go with it, I have many years of it left in me!

french ruffle dress

I keep putting off the birdie sling (not to sure why) to try some projects I have wanted to do for awhile. I bought a red sheet on clearance the other day for $2 that I had slated for lounge pants, but when I picked up the pattern for the french ruffle dress again, I thought it would be great to try it with an inexpensive sheet first to make sure I got the fit right for my 2 year old. I had heard from someone that it runs small, so I cut out the 4T. I knew that it would be okay if it was too big, but not okay if it was too small. It fits perfectly and this dress is great for a beginner sewer. I know you might not believe me, but I am still a beginner. I don't attempt too many projects that require more than an elastic casing, a hem, and maybe a ruffle. I would like to think it's because I really do enjoy a quick project, but I am sure there are a few fears mixed in there as well. All in due time. This dress will be a great little Christmas dress (just 4 months early!) and now I am going to make it in brown cord with a different color ruffle. You could make so many variations. But, just remember it does run a bit small.