The no.2 Pencil Softie -- TUTORIAL!

There's something about oversized or undersized objects that just tickles me... and today's project is certainly no exception!

So... just how oversized IS the pencil softie?
......

Here it is with its regular-sized counterpart!
Hee hee!

Want to make one?
C'mon, you know you want to!


What You Need:
Fleece
(scraps will do! I chose classic pencil yellow, grey, black, tan, and pink)
Sewing Machine
Polyester Stuffing
Needle and Thread

STEP ONE:
Cut your fleece as follows:
yellow: 9"x5"
grey: 2"x5"
pink: 1.5"x5" + a 2" circle
black: small scraps
tan: (see step two!)

STEP TWO: Cut your tan piece. Begin by folding your yellow piece in half, long sides together. You will fold your tan fleece and place it next to the folded yellow piece, with the fold at an angle and cutting at an angle. This does not make sense, I know, until you look at the next photo!

Basically, it is a diamond with its angled sides the same length as your folded yellow piece -- 2 1/2"!

STEP THREE: Topstitch a black scrap to the end of your tan piece to create the lead tip. I cut a curve on one end and sewed along the edge of the curve a scant 1/4" from the edge, then trimmed the angled edges to size. Do not cut away the tan fabric from the back side of your lead tip.

STEP FOUR: If desired, stitch a "no.2" on your yellow rectangle. I used my free-motion foot to "write" it, then cut away the excess with finely pointed scissors. You could also choose to embroider it on once your pencil is completed, using black yarn.

Also attach your grey rectangle, right sides together, using a 1/4" seam allowance.

STEP FIVE: Sew one long side of your pink rectangle to your pink circle, gently matching the curve of the circle as you go and using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Remember to start and stop 1/4" from the edge of your rectangle.

This is what it should look like when you turn it right side out.

STEP SIX: Sew the other long edge of your eraser's rectangle right sides together to your grey piece, gently pulling the eraser piece around in front of your sewing machine foot as you go -- as shown.

STEP SIX: Attach the tip of your pencil. Line up the edges together for the first half of the tan piece, then stop at the midpoint (with your needle down), lift your presser foot, and turn the tan piece to match the edges of the second half. Put your presser foot back down and sew to the edge.

STEP SEVEN: Finish sewing the pencil together! Line up the straight edges of your eraser and start sewing, matching up the seams as you go. Leave a space about the width between my fingers, as shown in the photo. Then start sewing again, all the way to the point.

STEP EIGHT: Turn your pencil right side out and stuff it firmly with polyester stuffing. Sew together the opening using a whipstitch.

You're done!!

Girly I-Spy Ticker Tape -- FINISHED!

It's done!

After a loooong break from working on this quilt (other obsessions crept in!), I finally revisited it and finished it night before last. Yesterday I sent it through the wash a couple times, trimmed off the extra hairy threads, and resewed the edges of a couple squares that frayed beyond the stitching.

I love the fun, girly backing and bright binding.

And THIS, my friends, is the pile of threads that came out of the wash! Amazing!

I-Spy Ticker Tape Quilt... the Girly Version!

I'm at it again! I've been sorting through my I-Spy scraps to dig out little pieces for this Ticker Tape quilt (inspired by this one). This isn't the first time! My other (boy-themed) one can be found here.

Yes, it's true, I save the most miniscule bits and pieces of my I-Spy fabrics if there is a visible object on it -- and this is the perfect project to use them in. I don't have an official tally, but when all is said and done there will be hundreds of scraps of I-Spies on this quilt -- each one from a different fabric!

I start by creating the quilt "sandwich" -- backing, batting, and white Kona on the front -- and pin-basting it together. Then I attach the scraps directly on top, which quilts it as I go. Looooooove!!


I can't wait to get this one finished up so I can give it to... well, it was going to be a secret, but if it's here I guess it's not. It's for my new sweet niece, born just a few weeks ago! I admit, it's heavy on the kitties. Hope little K-doll doesn't mind! :o)

Tiny Covered Notebook Keychains

Today I am over at Dollar Store Crafts sharing my Tiny Covered Notebook Keychains!
Come on over and check it out!

Tiny Cat in a Box!

After making a little Sleepy Kitten for each of my kids this past weekend, I had to make one for myself --and of course I had to make her look like my own kitty, Smeagol!
(Update: Pattern and instructions can be found HERE.)

And what kitty doesn't love a BOX?? I had so much fun making my mini Smeagol a little mini cardboard box!

Here is big Smeagol in one of her favorite boxes (yes, she is a girl!)


Then I had to take it even further and give her a tail. Love!

She's so little!

I got to enjoy her for a few minutes -- until JellyBean woke up from her nap. It took all of six seconds for her to claim tiny Smeagol as her own! Oh well! I don't mind! :o)

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.)

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!

New Blythe Dresses

More lace.....


A new favorite -- doll and dress, both!

(But who am I kidding -- they're all my favorites!)

This one suits this girl FAR better than the last one. Also a favorite!