More I-Spy Swap Fabrics!

Here are a few more I've gotten in the mail!


These are from Joanna...


...and these came from Melissa!

TOO FUN!!

Halloween Party Favor Buckets!

It's a --*gasp*-- NON-SEWING post!!

I love party favors! Today I want to show you some cute, CHEAP Halloween party favor buckets:

They are so much fun to make -- and FAST.


Start with this three-pack of wedding favor buckets from the dollar store.


Bust out your "poor man's vinyl" -- electrical tape!! -- and stack up a few layers. (I've cut as many as four layers at a time.)

I got two good-sized rolls of the tape at the dollar store for a buck!!!


Cut out a ghosty eye shape...


...peel the layers apart...


...and stick them in place! Layer your tape to cut the mouths the same way, and
>>BAM!<< Ghosty buckets!!


I may or may not have gotten carried away with my husband's colored electrical tape, too...... :o)

And here's a BONUS idea:
Edible jack-o-lanterns made from oranges!!

Now, what else can I go stick some electrical tape on............?

Finger Puppets: Red Riding Hood -- TUTORIAL

My Red isn't completely finished, but I do have patterns and tutorials for her dress and cape. Read on!

(Find instructions for Red's Grandma here, Wolfie here, and the Woodsman here!)

Red Riding Hood Finger Puppets



Create your basic person body as described in Step One here.

Attach Red's hair as described for Goldilocks, here. In this photo I wanted to show you the difference between the separated strands, left, and the regular yarn strands, right. I separated the strands after the hair was all attached and knotted. I ended up braiding her hair too, because I think it's cuter that way under her hood.

For Red's dress you will need:
(you can use this pattern for Goldilocks' dress too!)

~ scrap of fabric
~ ribbon for trim and ties (mine was 1/8" wide)

STEP ONE: Cut out one dress pattern from your fabric scrap, aligning the pattern arrows on the fold. (Yes, my fabric is under there!) Cut the slit as shown; this will create the armholes.


STEP TWO: Finger press the armholes back just slightly, as shown.


STEP THREE: Stitch your teeny little folds, down and then back up on each armhole. This is a little tricky, but it can be done.


STEP FOUR: Turn the hem up approximately 1/4" and sew.


STEP FIVE: Finger press the three top edges of the dress down a scant 1/4". Cut a piece of ribbon about 10" long and sew it across the entire top of the dress, centering it at the front, and stretching the armholes open just slightly.


STEP SIX: Sew the center back seam from the hem up about halfway. You will finish sewing the back seam after you put the dress on Red. Before I sewed the back seam I added some ribbon trim over the top of the stitching on the hem for an extra detail.


For Red's cape you will need:

~ a scrap of red fabric
~ red ribbon for trim and ties (mine was 1/8" wide)
~ elastic thread (optional)


STEP ONE: Cut out one cape pattern from red fabric, aligning the fold and the selvedge as indicated on the pattern.


STEP TWO: Finger press the hem of the cape (curved edge) up a scant 1/4".


STEP THREE: Stitch the hem, laying ribbon atop the raw edge as you sew. The ribbon will cover the raw edge of the hem, finishing the cape nicely on both sides of the cape.

STEP FOUR: Cut your pattern piece on the dotted line as shown, leaving it attached about 1/2" in the center.

Using a disappearing ink marker or chalk, mark the curve on the right side of your cape, flipping the pattern as needed to complete the entire curve. (You can decide which is the right side of your cape. I initially decided I wanted the ribbon trim on the inside, but after finishing the cape I wished it were on the outside.)

STEP FIVE: With elastic thread in your bobbin, increase your stitch length to approximately 4, and sew along your line. Don't forget to backstitch on both sides. You will then repeat this step with another line just alongside the first.
If you are not using elastic thread, stitch with a basting stitch and gather it until it fits Red how you like, then stitch over your basting stitch with a regular stitch length to secure it.

STEP SIX: Starting at one end of the hood part of the cape, attach ribbon around the rim of the cape across to the other side, leaving long tails for tying. Your hood is done!

Grandma Quilt Sunday -- Crazy Quilt!

This gorgeous quilt was made by my mom's dad's mother in the late 20's or early 30's. She was a true homesteader on the frontier with 14 kids, so it's rather significant that she was able to gather this many brightly-colored scraps to create it.


The embroidery is very fine, and so pretty.

My aunt has this quilt now, and it is an absolute treasure. I just love looking at all the different embroidery stitches and details, and thinking about just how long it must have taken my great-grandmother to complete it. It's a true work of art.

Post #13 on Wardrobe Refashion

New post over at WR!

Carseat Tent

I whipped together this little carseat cover last week before a trip to the zoo, where I knew JellyBean would be needing a nap. I've had the fabric for ages -- literally, ~A~G~E~S~ -- and I'm so happy I came up with a use for it! I've already used this handy little tent numerous times, and it's only been a week!

It was super easy to make -- One yard each of two different fabrics, sew them right sides together pillowcase-style, turn, edge stitch, and add some velcro strappies. Done.

Now, why didn't I make one for her six months ago??

Flashback Friday -- Black Cat Blanket

I can't believe it's October!!

Just a simple, inexpensive fleece blanket that I added black cat fleece appliques to! My kitty loves it. Obviously.

.....I do believe I am gearing up to share my Top Secret Fleece Applique Technique (ha ha ha!) I mentioned here. I also used the same technique, in part, to make these owls, creatures, and Ruff Ruffman!

Hedgehogs!!

Remember bringing home book orders when you were a kid? I remember the first one I ever brought home. I must have been in Kindergarten. I remember it being EXCEEDINGLY important that I order something! Realizing the significance of The Book Order, my mom helped me to gather up enough change to order a book. It was 35 cents.

I still have it.

I was so proud of my new purchase, and must have read it a zillion times.
I still like it.

Well, a couple weeks ago my son brought home his first book order. Of course we HAD to order some books!

When he brought them home yesterday it became clear that THIS was going to be the favorite.


It is about a hedgehog who ends up getting all kinds of things stuck in her spines. It's a pretty cute story.

So... Armed with some carwash mitts from the dollar store that I've been hoarding -- ahem -- SAVING, and remembering this tutorial at Darling Petunia, I got to work last night after the kids went to bed.


Ta-Da! Two cute little hedgehogs!

But of course I couldn't stop there -- I had to make things to get stuck in their spines!
(Please don't mock the crudity of my felt food!)

The boys are in love with them!

Note: Unfortunately those car wash mitts are no longer available at the dollar store... I got them around Father's Day. I certainly hope they will return next Father's Day, because I am LOVING these hedgies!!!