Sunday, March 20, 2011
paint complete!
I am SO pleased with how the dollhouse looks painted! Interior and exterior are finished, awaiting window molding, decor, and furniture.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
bedding fix
Some of you may remember that I posted on Facebook asking for ideas on a bedding fix. My bedding problems were manifold. First, my bed really needs a fun, funky quilt. Like this. See? Drool, right? Someday. When I have time. Now is not the time to tackle such projects. Second, because the bed-making fairy is on strike at our house, shams and throw pillows had taken up permanent residence on the floor. They were no longer pretty things for they bed. They were clutter. I needed a solution that would both rid me of the sham clutter and help me live with the dull red quilt until I have the time and energy to tackle a project like a monstrous king-sized quilt. Wouldn't you know that I found the answer on my favorite crafty blog, Prudent Baby? Turns out Jacinda feels the same way about pillow clutter. She solved the problem with sleep-on-able shams. Brilliant. So that was the plan.
BUT...
I didn't order enough fabric. Darn, darn, big darn.
The concept was still a good one, though. Make three pillow cases from a fun fabric that livens up the red quilt, throw them up there, sleep on them, make the bed or don't make it. No matter. No pillow clutter will reside in the floor.
I'll spare you the list of problems that plagued this project. Ordering too little fabric was only the beginning. Suffice it to say that there was a headache lurking around every corner, and I'm just grateful it all turned out OK in the end.
Would my bed look more pulled together if I stood the pillows up with a trio of euro shams behind them? Sure. But only if I was willing to make the bed every day. Which I'm not. I have a feeling this is going to work out great for me!
BUT...
I didn't order enough fabric. Darn, darn, big darn.
The concept was still a good one, though. Make three pillow cases from a fun fabric that livens up the red quilt, throw them up there, sleep on them, make the bed or don't make it. No matter. No pillow clutter will reside in the floor.
I'll spare you the list of problems that plagued this project. Ordering too little fabric was only the beginning. Suffice it to say that there was a headache lurking around every corner, and I'm just grateful it all turned out OK in the end.
Would my bed look more pulled together if I stood the pillows up with a trio of euro shams behind them? Sure. But only if I was willing to make the bed every day. Which I'm not. I have a feeling this is going to work out great for me!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
the mother of invention
My friend Morgan had a toddler break through a door for the first time today and asked if I could make her a crocheted door knob cover. I can, but not quickly enough to solve her problems today. When my friend Christina, who was also involved in this conversation, suggested a sock and duct tape (which would probably also work beautifully), I had this idea for a stop-gap measure. It's not pretty, but I think it has the potential to work just as well as my beloved crocheted covers. Ready to try?
Grab a men's athletic sock--the newer and thicker, the better. Cut about 3" off the toe. Take a needle and thread (double the thread for strength) and sew a long running stitch along the raw edge. I sewed my row about 1/4" away from the edge. If I were making another, I'd move in a little more, to 1/2" or 3/4" away from the edge. Cut the needle off leaving two long tails of thread at each end of your row of stitches.
Using the thread ends, tie the sock onto the doorknob. Tie it tightly enough so that it can't be pulled off, but not so tightly that it won't turn.
Trim your ends, and voila! This works on the same principle as the crocheted cover. The sock will slide on the doorknob, and little hands won't have the strength to squeeze it and get enough traction to turn the knob. How cheap and easy is that?!
If you try it, you'll have to let me know how it works.
Grab a men's athletic sock--the newer and thicker, the better. Cut about 3" off the toe. Take a needle and thread (double the thread for strength) and sew a long running stitch along the raw edge. I sewed my row about 1/4" away from the edge. If I were making another, I'd move in a little more, to 1/2" or 3/4" away from the edge. Cut the needle off leaving two long tails of thread at each end of your row of stitches.
Using the thread ends, tie the sock onto the doorknob. Tie it tightly enough so that it can't be pulled off, but not so tightly that it won't turn.
Trim your ends, and voila! This works on the same principle as the crocheted cover. The sock will slide on the doorknob, and little hands won't have the strength to squeeze it and get enough traction to turn the knob. How cheap and easy is that?!
If you try it, you'll have to let me know how it works.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
dollhouse update, paint!
I've got one coat of paint on the dollhouse! Unfortunately, everything could use another, so the painting stage is far from over. You can get a good idea of how it will look, though.
It pretty much looks like a pastel rainbow attacked the house, but I think it will look very little girl (and very cute!) when it's all said and done. I have some seriously adorable decor plans up my sleeve that I cannot WAIT to get started on.
It pretty much looks like a pastel rainbow attacked the house, but I think it will look very little girl (and very cute!) when it's all said and done. I have some seriously adorable decor plans up my sleeve that I cannot WAIT to get started on.
Friday, March 11, 2011
keepsake
I was going through outgrown kid clothes today and was feeling nostalgic about this little sweatshirt.
My mom bought it for Jono the winter that he was 18ish months old. He was able to wear it that year and then again the next winter when he was 2.5 (I swear all of that boy's growth has been in his LEGS since he was 9 months old!). Charlie wore it this past winter. No one in my house will fit into it next year. Cue the mama tears. After some nostalgic-ness, I almost tossed it into the hand-me-down pile for my nephew Sam, but decided to do something fun with it instead.
Ten minutes with my sewing machine later, I had turned it into a small football-shaped pillow. Adorable!
How it was constructed, for those of you who care:
I turned it inside out and drew a football-ish shape around the applique with an inch of shirt as border. I sewed on my line, leaving turning/stuffing space, cut off the excess shirt, stuffed, and hand closed with needle and thread.
If you asked me, I would tell you that I'm not very sentimental, and that I am perfectly OK with my babies growing up and not being babies anymore. But I would be lying.
My mom bought it for Jono the winter that he was 18ish months old. He was able to wear it that year and then again the next winter when he was 2.5 (I swear all of that boy's growth has been in his LEGS since he was 9 months old!). Charlie wore it this past winter. No one in my house will fit into it next year. Cue the mama tears. After some nostalgic-ness, I almost tossed it into the hand-me-down pile for my nephew Sam, but decided to do something fun with it instead.
Ten minutes with my sewing machine later, I had turned it into a small football-shaped pillow. Adorable!
How it was constructed, for those of you who care:
I turned it inside out and drew a football-ish shape around the applique with an inch of shirt as border. I sewed on my line, leaving turning/stuffing space, cut off the excess shirt, stuffed, and hand closed with needle and thread.
If you asked me, I would tell you that I'm not very sentimental, and that I am perfectly OK with my babies growing up and not being babies anymore. But I would be lying.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
dollhouse reno update
The dollhouse is sanded and scrubbed, and recently got its hardwood floors refinished! 
Next on the list? Priming the interior and exterior for painting!!
Next on the list? Priming the interior and exterior for painting!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
We have a little friend turning three next week. This Princess and the Pea playset is her gift from us.
I am thrilled with how it came out. My favorite parts:
1. The bed is a recycled clementine (orange) crate! Recycling is always a bonus.
2. Her party is rainbow themed, so the mattresses are on-theme!
3. I didn't buy a shred of fabric or batting--all came from my stash.
4. I got to practice with my serger.
I printed this adorable little Princess and the Pea story booklet to include with the gift. It's a really cute telling of the story! I also plan to crochet this pea in the pod set. One small pea is too much a choking hazard with the 14 month old brother of our little gift recipient, otherwise I'd just throw a green bead in there.
I hope our little friend enjoys giving her dollies and stuffies turns sleeping on the bed and discovers that many of them are princesses in disguise. :D
I am thrilled with how it came out. My favorite parts:
1. The bed is a recycled clementine (orange) crate! Recycling is always a bonus.
2. Her party is rainbow themed, so the mattresses are on-theme!
3. I didn't buy a shred of fabric or batting--all came from my stash.
4. I got to practice with my serger.
I printed this adorable little Princess and the Pea story booklet to include with the gift. It's a really cute telling of the story! I also plan to crochet this pea in the pod set. One small pea is too much a choking hazard with the 14 month old brother of our little gift recipient, otherwise I'd just throw a green bead in there.
I hope our little friend enjoys giving her dollies and stuffies turns sleeping on the bed and discovers that many of them are princesses in disguise. :D
Friday, February 25, 2011
last post on Jono's room, I promise
I had to show off the new art on the wall. I think it's so cute with his "roads" quilt, and I love the yellow. I think it was Dana, on the Made blog, that said she thought yellow should be utilized more in little boy's rooms, and I couldn't agree more. I'd been thinking about how to put some yellow in that primary colored room of his, and this was the perfect chance! 
I also ordered this vinyl wall decal on Etsy. It's adorable, but I'm not very happy with how it installed. My laundry room vinyl just melted onto the wall and looks like I painted it on. It's so secure and happy. This decal looks like it desperately wants to jump back off. I'm not sure what the difference is. I did order it from a different shop, so maybe she used cheap vinyl? Dunno. At least it looks cute in the photo, since you can't see the peely edges like you can in real life.
And finally, on his dresser, in case you're one of the few people who haven't heard me sing its praises, is my FAVORITE toddler product EVER. No kidding. I have a stoplight clock in both kids' rooms and it is seriously brilliant. We set the "alarm" at bedtime, and the red light goes on. They stay in their rooms until the green light comes on in the morning (7:05 am in our house). No early wake ups for us! This thing seriously rocks. Amazon. Check it out.
I also ordered this vinyl wall decal on Etsy. It's adorable, but I'm not very happy with how it installed. My laundry room vinyl just melted onto the wall and looks like I painted it on. It's so secure and happy. This decal looks like it desperately wants to jump back off. I'm not sure what the difference is. I did order it from a different shop, so maybe she used cheap vinyl? Dunno. At least it looks cute in the photo, since you can't see the peely edges like you can in real life.
And finally, on his dresser, in case you're one of the few people who haven't heard me sing its praises, is my FAVORITE toddler product EVER. No kidding. I have a stoplight clock in both kids' rooms and it is seriously brilliant. We set the "alarm" at bedtime, and the red light goes on. They stay in their rooms until the green light comes on in the morning (7:05 am in our house). No early wake ups for us! This thing seriously rocks. Amazon. Check it out.
vroom!
new art for Jono's racecar room!
Painted the canvas yellow and then used the little to paint tracks in primary colors. Then for fun, hot glued the car to the canvas. Anyone want to place bets on how long he leaves that car on there? I'm thinking not long.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
my neighbor Totoro
a friend's little one is turning 2 this week and is obsessed with Totoro from the movie My Neighbor Totoro. It's hard to find licensed merchandise for Japanese children's films, but Etsy and the crochet hook were able to come to the rescue. Happy Birthday, Avery!
Totoro came out super cute, if I do say so myself, but I was reminded during the process why I intensely dislike working up amigurumi crochet patterns. All that single crochet. All that sewing all the little parts together. Ew! I think I'll stick to hats worked in double and half double for a while until I recover.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
My mom made these adorable snowmen stockings for David and me before we had kids.
I bought some felt stockings with simple snowflake embroidery for the kiddos two years ago, and decided this past Christmas that I needed to add coordinating snowmen to theirs. I made them similar to mom's but with different hats, mouths, and with scarves instead of buttons.
My kids have been color coded since the start of sippy cups and toothbrushes. It's easier to always make one kid's stuff the same color instead of labeling everything. Since I didn't have room for names on their stockings, I color coded their snowmen's hats and scarves for identification. Jono is blue, Charlie is green, and Hazel, pink (of course).
My snowmen are not nearly as polished as mom's are. The workmanship is FAR more variable (note Hazel's too-big bug eyes, and Jono's scowly mouth), but I like them! I think they're cute!
I ordered my felt from this Etsy shop. The sweet, sweet lady who runs it was wonderful in helping me select "happy colors" for my green, blue, and pink. I placed an order for those three colors, plus my black and cream, but forgot to order orange for their noses. A few weeks later I sent her a note on Etsy and asked how small a piece of orange she'd be willing to sell me (I didn't need her usual 8x10" square of it!) and she said, "Don't worry about it!" and dropped a 4x4 square in mail free of charge. SO SWEET! If you ever need felt, I highly recommend working with her.
I bought some felt stockings with simple snowflake embroidery for the kiddos two years ago, and decided this past Christmas that I needed to add coordinating snowmen to theirs. I made them similar to mom's but with different hats, mouths, and with scarves instead of buttons.
My kids have been color coded since the start of sippy cups and toothbrushes. It's easier to always make one kid's stuff the same color instead of labeling everything. Since I didn't have room for names on their stockings, I color coded their snowmen's hats and scarves for identification. Jono is blue, Charlie is green, and Hazel, pink (of course).
My snowmen are not nearly as polished as mom's are. The workmanship is FAR more variable (note Hazel's too-big bug eyes, and Jono's scowly mouth), but I like them! I think they're cute!
I ordered my felt from this Etsy shop. The sweet, sweet lady who runs it was wonderful in helping me select "happy colors" for my green, blue, and pink. I placed an order for those three colors, plus my black and cream, but forgot to order orange for their noses. A few weeks later I sent her a note on Etsy and asked how small a piece of orange she'd be willing to sell me (I didn't need her usual 8x10" square of it!) and she said, "Don't worry about it!" and dropped a 4x4 square in mail free of charge. SO SWEET! If you ever need felt, I highly recommend working with her.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
I decided I needed A. some serger practice and B. something fun for the kids to give their teachers for Valentine's Day. In about 30 minutes I made 15 of these little reusable sandwich and snack bags. 5 teachers x 3 bags each, made from stash fabric. I think I'll get some Hershey's hugs and kisses to put inside them. ;-)
The tutorial can be found here on Angry Chicken. Serger not required, but faster!
The tutorial can be found here on Angry Chicken. Serger not required, but faster!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Jono's room
Jono's room was done in lime green and blue guitars, which I loved, but with the acquisition of his race car bed and the quilt from Grandma (which looks like it was made for the race car bed, was wasn't--talk about a PERFECT match!), his room had morphed into primary colors and needed something new on the window.
The problem with window treatments and Jonathan's room, however, is that he has been known to hang from curtains like a monkey, tearing the entire curtain rod down, and leaving gaping holes in the sheet rock. Sigh. Little boys.
So, the criteria for his new window treatment was simple--something that was not easily reachable and that was unable to be harmed or to harm him, should he manage to get hold of it and pull it down. I found this tutorial for a cornice board made from foam core poster board instead of plywood. Lightweight, cheap to replace if need be, adds a splash of color without much work. Perfect.
Love the racing flags fabric. It works so well with the theme!
The problem with window treatments and Jonathan's room, however, is that he has been known to hang from curtains like a monkey, tearing the entire curtain rod down, and leaving gaping holes in the sheet rock. Sigh. Little boys.
So, the criteria for his new window treatment was simple--something that was not easily reachable and that was unable to be harmed or to harm him, should he manage to get hold of it and pull it down. I found this tutorial for a cornice board made from foam core poster board instead of plywood. Lightweight, cheap to replace if need be, adds a splash of color without much work. Perfect.
Love the racing flags fabric. It works so well with the theme!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
I finished my Valentine's decor this weekend. I love it! Super simple, inspired by this blog and a throw pillow I saw in Better Homes and Gardens magazine this month.
"This one is my favorite, Mommy."
even the back of the bunting is pretty!
I still have tons of leftover fabric, so I'm sure you'll be seeing some more of these adorable prints popping up in future projects.
"This one is my favorite, Mommy."
even the back of the bunting is pretty!
I still have tons of leftover fabric, so I'm sure you'll be seeing some more of these adorable prints popping up in future projects.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
toddler proof door knob cover
I'm sharing my most useful crochet pattern today! If you have been to my house, you've seen our yarny doorknob covers. We much prefer them to the plastic ones you can buy in the baby safety section of BabiesRUs, Target, etc. I practically guarantee that no child under the age of three will be able to defeat these. If your kiddo is older than that, it depends on your child's ingenuity. My tall, strong, destructive 3.5 year old is helpless against the crocheted doorknob cover. He can crack the plastic ones off doors in no time flat. Try it!
supplies needed:
small amount of worsted weight yarn (I usually grab some random acrylic from my stash)
size H crochet hook
yarn needle
scissors
row 1: ch3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook, join with sl st in first dc, ch 2, turn (12 stitches)
row 2: 2 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (24 stitches)
row 3: *2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in second stitch* repeat *to* around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
rows 4-5: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
row 6: decrease to 18 stitches by dc2tog all the way around , join, ch 2, turn (18 stitches)
row 7-8: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, fasten off yarn, weave in ends. (18 stitches)
cut a length of yarn about 12 inches long and weave it in and out through the stitches of row 7. stick it on a doorknob and tie a TIGHT knot in the length of yarn. trim yarn ends, and voila!
Your doorknob cover will fit loosely on the doorknob. That's the idea. A toddler does not have the strength to squeeze the cover against the doorknob hard enough to create enough friction to get it to turn--that's why they work!
If you try it, let me know! I'd love to know how the pattern worked out for you.
supplies needed:
small amount of worsted weight yarn (I usually grab some random acrylic from my stash)
size H crochet hook
yarn needle
scissors
row 1: ch3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook, join with sl st in first dc, ch 2, turn (12 stitches)
row 2: 2 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (24 stitches)
row 3: *2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in second stitch* repeat *to* around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
rows 4-5: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
row 6: decrease to 18 stitches by dc2tog all the way around , join, ch 2, turn (18 stitches)
row 7-8: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, fasten off yarn, weave in ends. (18 stitches)
cut a length of yarn about 12 inches long and weave it in and out through the stitches of row 7. stick it on a doorknob and tie a TIGHT knot in the length of yarn. trim yarn ends, and voila!
Your doorknob cover will fit loosely on the doorknob. That's the idea. A toddler does not have the strength to squeeze the cover against the doorknob hard enough to create enough friction to get it to turn--that's why they work!
If you try it, let me know! I'd love to know how the pattern worked out for you.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Gunny
This morning while I was home from church with sick baby men, I spent some time cutting out felt faces for Gunny #1 and Gunny #2. The boy Gunny is an almost exact replica of Cheri's at I am Momma, Hear me Roar. He will be staying with us. My friend Elizabeth is getting Gunny #2. I bet those girls of hers will provide plenty of yummy un-picked-up-toys for her to eat. 
Instead of sewing a pillow case-like pouch for Gunny like Cheri did, I used thrifted men's shirts. They automatically fit a hanger perfectly, and made less sewing for me! I used spray adhesive to attach the girly Gunny parts on the back of the pink shirt, but wasn't thrilled with the results, so I took the time to sew the boy Gunny pieces on his shirt. I turned the Gunnys inside out, serged off the arms and shirt tail, flipped them back right side out, and voila! Gunny!
Here my darling daughter demonstrates just how it is that Gunny eats toys. The shirt's buttons can be unbuttoned on the back side to retrieve toys that are ready to be returned, or to insert larger than mouth-sized bites.
Can't wait to see how well Gunny works in our home, and in Elizabeth's!
This would be a great no-sew project for those of you who don't sew but still want a Gunny. Grab a shirt from your husband's closet, turn it inside out, tie a knot at the top of each arm, use some iron-on hem tape to close up the bottom, turn that puppy right side out and glue on a felt face! Easy peasy!
Instead of sewing a pillow case-like pouch for Gunny like Cheri did, I used thrifted men's shirts. They automatically fit a hanger perfectly, and made less sewing for me! I used spray adhesive to attach the girly Gunny parts on the back of the pink shirt, but wasn't thrilled with the results, so I took the time to sew the boy Gunny pieces on his shirt. I turned the Gunnys inside out, serged off the arms and shirt tail, flipped them back right side out, and voila! Gunny!
Here my darling daughter demonstrates just how it is that Gunny eats toys. The shirt's buttons can be unbuttoned on the back side to retrieve toys that are ready to be returned, or to insert larger than mouth-sized bites.
Can't wait to see how well Gunny works in our home, and in Elizabeth's!
This would be a great no-sew project for those of you who don't sew but still want a Gunny. Grab a shirt from your husband's closet, turn it inside out, tie a knot at the top of each arm, use some iron-on hem tape to close up the bottom, turn that puppy right side out and glue on a felt face! Easy peasy!
cheery
I fell in love with this pillow as soon as I saw it on Made. I had admired that striped yellow Ikea fabric but had never bought any due to lack of project inspiration for it. Thanks, Dana! I grabbed a yard, made this little yellow beauty, and threw it in the rocking chair. Helps with the January blahs to have such a sunny new throw pillow.
For those of you who are facebook friends and remember my comment last week about loathing geometry, it was this pillow's fault. In order to change a striped fabric to a chevron pattern, you have to cut strips of the stripe with precise 45* angles. Painful, even with a rotary cutter. Well, at least this non-math girl found it painful.
This is also the project that prompted my facebook complaint about my husband saying one of my craft projects-in-progress was going to give him a headache. Good news, though! He said that the finished product is "not that bad". LOL I'll take it.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
THE roman shade
Seriously, I'm not sure when exactly I started this project. At least eight months ago, maybe as much as a year. Pathetic. This baby sat in the UFO (unfinished object) pile for so long I wasn't even sure I'd still like it if I got around to finsihing it. Good news! I do! I love it!
This is curtain recycling project. I made the roman shade from the curtain panels that I bought at Target years ago and that used to hang on this very same window. When I moved my bed to underneath that window late in my pregnancy (the only furniture arrangement that would accommodate the co-sleeper) I could no longer have long paneled curtains. Eventually, after pouting about having no window treatment and missing my pretty red linen paisley curtains, it occurred to me to re-make them. I'm so glad I didn't get rid of them! That is SO not like me.
So, ta-da! I finished that darned roman shade. And it only took a year. Ish.
oh, and yes. I know that I should take a picture where you can see the whole wall, including the bed. But that would require me to make my bed and tidy up the nightstands. Frankly, I'm just too lazy.
yarny Chucks
for my super cool friends Phil and Cynthia's newbie. Welcome to the world, Noah Coffman!
yarn is Hobby Lobby's I Love this Cotton. Pattern is a freebie from Ravelry called "crochet baby converse" designed by Suzanne Resaul. Cute little pattern, worked up nicely. Might give these another go for baby Dammel.
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