Homemade Advent Calendar

I was flipping through my latest issue of Family Fun magazine, when I spotted THIS idea for a homemade advent calendar using a mini muffin tin. I loved the idea, and couldn't wait to make one myself. Their instructions used magnet sheets, which is a brilliant idea. However, I didn't have any (or cute scrapbook paper), so I altered it to work with what I had on hand. I love how it turned out! Here's how I made mine:

Cut out white squares just large enough to cover the opening of your mini muffin tin (you need 24). Then cut circles out of red and green paper (12 each), just small enough to fit on your white squares (I traced a lid from one of my spices and it worked perfect).

Then number your circles.

To add some flare to the boring circles and squares, plus seal them with contact paper so they are reusable for future years; cut 48 squares out of contact paper, about a quarter of an inch larger on all sides then the white squares. Put the circle number-side down on one square of contact paper, then cut some strips from the other color construction paper and put those on too. The white square goes on another piece of contact paper. Flip over the circle sheet, line it up with the white square, and seal it together. Trim up the edges, and voila! One stripey muffin hole cover.

Repeat with all the numbers.
















Fill your muffin tin with small treats (little candies, folded notes, etc.). I used Christmas stickers.















Put a ring of sticky tack (tape or other adhesive would also work) around the hole and seal it up!




My muffin tin conveniently had holes drilled into the top, so I threaded a ribbon through so I could hang it up. If you tin doesn't have holes, you could make your own holes (see the link to the original Family Fun instructions), hang it by the lip, or super glue some ribbon to the back. 

Hang up your completed advent calendar and get ready to count down to Christmas!

T-Shirt Dress

It was almost St. Patrick's Day, and I realized my little girl had nothing green to wear. I didn't want to buy something new for just one day, so I got resourceful. I found one of my old t-shirts and googled "little girl t-shirt dress." After weeding out the ones that were really ugly and/or difficult, I found the perfect tutorial HERE. I had to make some adjustments since I had no elastic on hand, so I just used some strips of extra t-shirt fabric and made a drawstring. I also had to change the sleeves because my t-shirt sleeves didn't give me enough fabric. I wish I could have done the sleeves the way they were supposed to be though, because I had issues getting mine to work right. (Measuring/pinning on an 18 month old is very difficult).
Here are the before and after shots:

 

All in all, I'm pleased with how it turned out. It definitely has flaws, but it's a fun summer dress to run around the house in. The blog also had a tutorial for a t-shirt skirt that I want to try next. It would be easier than the dress (since there are no sleeves involved) and it would work with my drawstring modification. I loved these tutorials becuase both are so easy, yet very cute. They got me excited to clean out my closet and put some good use to all those old t-shirts I never wear!

Car Seat Cover

I never had one of these for Avrie.

I see them everywhere and wanted to try and make one for the baby boy coming in just a few short weeks.

I LOVED the way it turned out!

this picture has the corner flipped so you can see the underside fabric

here's how to make one for yourself:

Materials needed:

• 2 yards of coordinating fabric: 1 yard each (cotton is good for all season, flannel/ fleece/ minky is good for winter)
• Thread
• pins to hold fabric together
• sewing machine
• Any accessories you want to add (buttons, bows, flowers, trim, etc)

1.  cut a rectangle that is about 40 inches x 34 inches with rounded corners.  You can cut one piece of fabric first, and then use that one as a guide to cut the other.  That is what I did, but you can also lay the two fabrics on top of each other, printed sides facing inside towards each other.  I did mine with rounded corners, but you can leave it rectangle if you want.  To do rounded corners I grabbed a bowl and traced it on each of the corners.

Once you have both pieces of fabric cut identically, pin them together so they don't move.

I sewed a 3/8" seam allowance on mine.  Before you sew it up all the way, save about a 4 inch gap.  Pull the fabric through to turn it right side out.  Once you have it completely turned out, top stitch your opening to close it off.  After you finish stitching it up, iron it flat so that it is easier to sew.

Once it is ironed flat, stitch around the edges to give it a nicer look and to keep it in place.  I used a 3/8" seam allowance.

Now come the straps.  Some people like Velcro straps, I personally like tie straps.  Using the scraps of the underside fabric, I made my straps.  I cut (4) 3.5 inch by 42 inch strips and sewed them the same way I did the main part.  Sew around on 3 sides, leaving one short side open to turn the fabric.  Turn the strips right side out, and iron flat, as well as turning the open short side in.  Topstitch all the way around, closing the opening.  Do this to the remaining strap. Stitch around each strap to give it that finished look and to help keep it in place.

Next you’ll want to figure out where to place the straps.  Every car seat is different, so if you are making it for yourself, you might want to try to figure out the best place for the straps by draping the blanket over the seat and marking where the straps work the best.  I sewed min 19 inches down, 13 inches in on each side.  Sew them long ways to your car seat cover

and there you have it!  your carseat cover!

have fun!

-Nikki

Fabric Flowers #2

These were made for Sarah's wedding.

They are very simple to do!

We made them as wrist bands, but you can make them into pretty much whatever you want!

Here is a pretty good tutorial.

Have fun!

-Nikki

Finger Puppets

Come church time, Avrie is all about being loud and active.  I made these little guys for her church bag to help distract her and she loves them!  We also practice animal sounds with them. 

here's how:

Materials needed:

sissors

felt in all different color varities

small googly eyes

hot glue

sewing (optional, you can use hot glue instead)

1. You need to cut out two pieces of felt that are the same shape into a semi-oval shape. Make sure the semi-oval shape will fit over a child's finger.

2.Next, you will need to sew the two pieces of felt together around the curve of the semi-circle. Keep the stitches close together. **If your looking for a faster method and don't want to whip out your sewing machine, I just hot glued mine.  Do not sew or glue the bottom of the felt pieces, as this is where the child will insert his finger into the puppet.

3.  If you decided to sew your puppets, once you have sewn the puppet together, turn it inside out. This way you will not see the seams of the thread.

4. Add details to your puppet by using felt to cut out eyes, a nose, a mouth, buttons and other details. I used googly eyes for my puppets eyes and glued them on. Use strands of yarn for hair. Add these parts using tacky glue or a hot-glue gun, as regular glue will not work well to hold the pieces together.  Basically, you create your animals to look how you want them too!

have fun!

-Nikki

Magnet Board

This was a fun project!

Similar to the wood block letters, this is a mod podge craft.

I went to my local craft store, aka Debbie's work, and picked up the cute wooden magnet board, some wooden cut outs to use for the magnets that I got for about 25 cents a piece, and scrapbook paper.  I picked out corresponding craft paper to the ones that matched avrie's nursery colors.  I got the magnets at hobby lobby, and had the rest of the embellishments on hand.

Once again, i just traced the shapes and the magnet board to the paper and followed basically the same instructions that I used for the wood block letters I mentioned earlier.

have fun!

-Nikki

Fabric Flowers

I LOVE making fabric flowers!  Mostly because they are so easy and cheap!  Avrie has bows and flowers coming out her ears.  And the fun thing about fabric flowers, is that you could totally make headbands for yourself as well!

Here is one type of fabric flower that is probably my favorite!

I got the tutorial from here.

They really are very cute and super inexpensive!

have fun!

-Nikki

baby girl tutu

, I absolutely LOVE all things girly.

And that can definitely be seen through my little girl.

When Avrie was first born, I knew I wanted to make her a tutu.  I got a lot of compliments on it and it was SUPER EASY to make!

Instead of typing up all the instructions, I will send to you to this site.

 It is definitely cheaper to make a tutu than to buy one. Mine cost me about 10-12 dollars.  For baby tutus you need to get about 1/2 yard of 1/2 inch wide elastic. You can measure it around her waist after you get it, but you wont need any more than that. You also need to get about 6 yards of tulle. If you decide you want 2 colors you need about 3 yards of each color.  For 3 colors, you will need about 2 yards of each color. Then you cut the tulle in strips 2 inches wide, and cut the length double what you want the final length to be because your going to be folding it in half. For example...I like Avrie's tutus about 7 inches in length so i cut the trips 14 inches long. Hope that helps!

Have fun!

-Nikki

Wooden Frames

This is a fun project that adds a lot to a blank wall.

heres how:

what you will need:

3 8x10 unfinished wooden frames (I got mine from hobby lobby when they were 30% off)

paint

distress ink

drill

ribbon

curtain rod

1. Drill two holes at the top of each frame the desired distance apart 

2. Paint your unfinished wood the desired color.

3.  After it drys and it is the amount of coats you want, use the distress ink pad to antique the edges

4. String your ribbon through to hang the length you want.  You will need six strands of ribbon the same length.  I did two different colors of ribbon.  A dark brown and a sheer pink.  If you want to do something similar, you will need 12 strands of ribbon the same length, six of each color.

5.  Hang curtain rod according to its directions

6.  Once rod is hung, tie your ribbon around the curtain rod to let pictures hang.

Have fun!

-Nikki

for my distress ink pad i use this stuff and swear by it!  It is AWESOME!

Wood Block Letters

When I was pregnant with my daughter I made these wooden block letters for her room.  I think with my boy, I am going to do them a little differently to hang on the walls but the idea is the same.  I LOVE them!  I think it adds a lot to the room, because you can add new patters, while still using the color scheme.

Here's how:

you will need:

block letters to spell name

scrap book paper for each letter

scissors

mod podge

a thick paint brush

sand paper

stain or paint

any embellishments you might want to add

1. Purchase a wooden alphabet block for each letter in child's name (letters can be purchased at craft stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)

2. If the letter is not made out of stain-able wood, paint the letter using paint and a foam brush. Once dry, sand edges of letter using sand paper, if desired (for a vintage look).  I like to use stain.

3. Purchase scrapbook paper(s) of desired color and design (ideally mimic colors and theme of baby's nursery).

4. Purchase additional embellishments such as metal embellishments (brads, eyelets, spiral clips, etc.), coordinating ribbon, paper flowers, buttons, etc.

5. Place wooden letter on top of paper you'd like to cover the face of the letter with. Using a pencil, trace around the letter onto the paper. Cut the letter out of the paper just a little bit to the inside of the traced lines (so the paper doesn't hang over the wooden letter edge). Then place the paper letter on the top of the wooden letter. Make any trimming adjustments to the paper if necessary.

* Chalk the edges of the paper with a liquid chalk pad, if desired. (for a vintage look, use brown chalk).

6. Use Mod Podge or craft glue to cover the back of the paper letter with a thin layer of adhesive. Apply paper to wooden block and smooth out the paper.

7.  Optional.  Add a final coat of mod podge on top of the letters once they are dry and before any embellishments are added.  I just do it for a protective coat and to add texture.  But it is not needed.

8.  Add any desired embellishments.


Have fun!
-Nikki