Sleepy Kittens

My oldest son is convinced that I can sew ANYTHING. This is a great compliment, however sometimes it gets me into trouble. From time to time I get very odd and/or impossible requests! Other times there is something he desperately NEEDS me to make. Yesterday morning was one of those times!

We love the movie Despicable Me. There is all kinds of fun weaponry for Buzz to think about and to make -- from freeze guns to shrink rays to piranha guns. He's got those ones covered -- he is a Scotch Tape Master! He can make any kind of weapon using his ultra deluxe scotch tape dispenser and various cardboard tubes, balls, pipes, etc. He is very creative, and I encourage him to keep doing it! Sure, we go through a lot of tape, but hey -- if you ask me, creativity is KEY!

Anyway, I digress. There was something ELSE he wanted from the movie -- something he couldn't carry out with his media of choice. Something that was not a weapon. So he carefully drew up a plan and asked me for some help. What did he need so desperately?

A little green Sleepy Kitten from the book in the movie!

It didn't take long to draw up a quick pattern and make him his Sleepy Kitten -- and I got it done just before the mad rush to get ready for church. Of course I couldn't get away with making just one -- so two more followed yesterday evening. They were quick (and fun!) to make -- and they have been having all kinds of adventures all throughout the house this morning!

So little!
Now, if it had been up to me, I certainly would have added tails -- and feet -- but Buzz was adamant that they were not a part of his design! Oh well... They are cute even without tails!

(By the way, from what I can tell they created the book AFTER the movie. It looks adorable!)

(Update: Pattern and instructions can be found HERE.)

Giveaway Winners!

We have winners!


The winner of the little Blythe doll and dress is

#168 Art of the Craft Studios

And the winner of the stack of 88 I-Spy squares is

#183 Sleeping or Sewing

Congrats, ladies! I've sent you an email!


THANK YOU everyone for entering and for reading my humble little blog! I truly do appreciate each one of you! :o)

I-Spy Six -- Fabrics Received!

More fabrics for Swap A!!
Waiting on one more package!!

from Angela -- FANTASTIC fussy cutting! Love those hilarious crabs and those lizards/frogs!

from Ashley -- MEASURING tools!!! LOVE!! And I am a sucker for conversation hearts!

from Garilyn -- lots of GREAT fussy cutting. I adore those sweet bunnies and the hilarious cavemen with dinosaurs!

from Kaylee -- I've been eyeballing those bikes online -- yay! -- and I love those funny frogs

from Melanie -- I LOVE those funny little cars and that grocery print!

from Melissa -- Cute kisses, and a fun St. Patricks Day print!

from Michelle -- space! and cute little cars on the road!

from Mojo -- cute footballs and tiny cards!

from Nicole -- ADORABLE tiny owls, and crabs!

from Ruth -- Love those boots and tools!

Love Week -- Giveaway Time! (CLOSED)

Giveaway is now CLOSED.

It's been such a fun-filled week! Lots of pink and red! Can't go wrong there! :o)
For our final day we've put together some giveaways... Lots of them! After you check things out here, be sure to head over to Craftiness is not Optional to enter Jess's giveaways!


Okay! Let's get to it!

PRIZE #1:

This sweet little tiny Valentine dress...

...and a little Blythe to wear it!


PRIZE #2:

A stack of 88 4" I-Spy squares!

Here is a sampling of the squares that are included!

So. Here's how it works:
Leave a comment, and include YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and the # of which prize you'd like to win.
You can only choose one; one entry per person.

That's it!
:o) Good luck, folks! :o)

(Don't forget to go enter Jess's giveaways!!)

EDIT 2/4 6:55 AM: Yikes! I shouldn't write posts in the middle of the night when I'm tired!!
Here are the details I forgot to add:

~The doll is a Littlest Pet Shop Blythe, about 4" tall. She is brand new in the package.

~88 I-Spy squares is the perfect amount you need to make an I-Spy Disappearing Nine-Patch quilt.

~My giveaway is open until Saturday night at 8PM Mountain Time. I will choose winners via random.org and post it as soon as I count!

Love Week -- Tiered Toddler Dress

Welcome to Day Four of a week's worth of Valentine projects!

Today's project: A sweet Valentine dress for your little girl!

Mine is made from four dollar store T-shirts ranging from light pink to dark pink, and a white size 2T T-shirt (for the bodice) that I picked up from Walmart for a couple bucks. Measurements fit my almost-two-year-old, but you could certainly adjust the measurements to fit whomever you have in mind.

STEP ONE: Cut your T-shirts!
Starting at the bottom (darkest) and working your way up (to lightest):
Bottom tier (darkest): Cut two 19" x 4 3/4" strips -- this is the measurement BEFORE I created a 3/4" hem. If you are utilizing an existing hem, adjust accordingly.
Third tier: Cut two 17" x 4" strips
Second tier: Cut two 15" x 3 3/4" strips
First tier: Cut two 13" x 3 1/2" strips

STEP TWO: If needed, hem your bottom tier. I folded mine up 3/4" and double hemmed it to match the hem of the bodice's sleeves.

STEP THREE: Starting with your bottom tier, lightly gather the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Do not backstitch so you can adjust your gathers as needed! On my machine, I was able to do this easily by increasing both my stitch length to 5 and my tension to 10. It came out just about exactly right for the amount of gathering I needed, making this project super easy!
Note: Don't forget to switch your machine's settings back to normal! :o)

STEP FOUR: Attach your gathered tier to the bottom of the next tier up, right sides together, using a 3/8" seam allowance. Don't forget to backstitch this time. You will then gather the top of the next tier and attach it to the next tier up, and so on.

STEP FIVE: Once you have your front and back together, sew them together at one of the side seams.

STEP SIX: Cut your bodice T-shirt where you want the skirt to begin. I cut mine 1" below the armpit seam.

STEP SEVEN: Carefully pick open one side seam, as shown.

STEP EIGHT: Gather the top of your skirt and carefully attach it to your T-shirt bodice. This is a good time to pin! Once it is attached, sew up the remaining side seam.

Done!
I just love the gradated colors...

...and JellyBean loves it too!

Love Week -- LOVE Wall Hanging!

Day three of a week's worth of Valentine projects....

Today Jess is sharing this super cute wallhanging over at her blog, Craftiness is not Optional.
(I adore that tiny pompom trim -- it's the perfect touch!!)

Head over and get the details!

Love Week -- Covered Notebooks!

Day Two of a week's worth of Valentine projects...

Welcome, Craftiness is not Optional readers!

Today I want to share how to make these SWEET little covered notebooks. Aren't they perfect for a little Valentine's Day gift for a sister, mom, grandma, or friend? (HA! Maybe I'm the only one who considers Valentine's Day a bit of a "sisters' holiday!")

What you need:
mini composition book (3/$1 at Dollar Tree!)
fabric scraps
velcro (a tiny amount! bonus points if it matches!)
scrap of posterboard to make your pattern

STEP ONE: Create your pattern! Open your notebook flat and trace around the perimeter, as shown.

Mark your pattern as follows:
Measure and mark the center point of each side -- all four!
On side A: 5 1/8" from the edge, center a rectangle that is 1/4" high by 3/8" wide, and cut it out.
On side B: add a mark 1/4" from the top and bottom of your center point.
On the top and bottom: add another mark 1/2" from either side of your center points, then connect the new marks using a straightedge.
Your pattern is ready!

STEP TWO: Cut out your notebook cover pieces.
Cover: Cut two rectangles 3 1/4" wide x 5" tall
Spine: Cut one strip 1 1/2" wide by 5" tall
Pockets (what the cover tucks into): Cut two rectangles 3" wide x 5" tall
Closure: Cut two strips 2 1/2" wide x 1 1/4" tall
Velcro: 1/2" x 5/8"

STEP THREE: Fold one long edge of each of your pocket pieces down 1/4" and press. Sew, using about a 1/8" seam allowance.

STEP FOUR: Lay your closure straps right sides together. Using a pencil, draw a curve at one end, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Sew, starting on one of the long edges and using a 1/4" seam allowance. Follow your drawn line, and sew all the way back around along the opposite long edge. Clip off those rounded corners near your stitching line, and turn your closure tab right side out.

STEP FIVE: Sew your three cover pieces together -- with the spine piece in the middle, as shown -- using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seams out from the middle. Also press your closure tab.

You will then topstitch around your tab closure and next to your seam lines on your cover.
All your pieces are just about ready!

STEP SIX: Attach the "scratchy " side of your velcro to the end of the tab, as shown, and trim the length of your tab to 1 7/8"

STEP SEVEN: Lay your cover right side up, with the "front" (if your fabric is directional) on the right. Place your pattern on top, lining up your seam lines at the top and bottom with the long lines you drew on your pattern, as shown. Center the pattern vertically. Draw an X -- corner to corner -- in the hole. This marks where to attach the soft side of your velcro.


STEP EIGHT: After attaching the soft side of your velcro, carefully line up your pattern on top of your cover again. This time you will center your tab, velcro side up, between the two marks. Pin. Sew it on with a 1/8" seam allowance to keep it in place.

STEP NINE: Layer your pockets on top of your cover, right sides together, with the hemmed edges toward the middle.

Once again, line up your pattern on top, centering it and using your drawn lines as a guideline. Using a sharp pencil, draw all the way around, directly on your fabric.

STEP TEN: Sew directly on your pencil line all the way around. Don't forget to backstitch! Using pinking shears, trim around the rounded corners. Or, notch with regular scissors. Trim close to the stitching line, but be careful not to snip your stitches.

STEP ELEVEN: Turn your cover right side out and carefully press your seams. At the center points, carefully turn the edges of your cover up just BARELY past your stitches and press.

STEP TWELVE: Gently fold the covers of your notebook back as shown and carefully slide your cover on. You're done!! :o)

Another idea: Make your tab a little bit longer to accommodate a pencil!

These little guys are SO fun and SO inexpensive to make. I've made about 25 (so far!) to give to my sisters, friends, mom, and grandmas!