Christmas Star Tutorial

Post Shared by: Juny and Milo

My grandmother Teresina celebrated her 90th Birthday on December 6 and is probably one of the eldest EtsyKids Team fans. Having been an avid crafter for all her life and loving kids, she likes to browse the EtsyKids-Blog with me every time.

Because of her age and her hands not being as good as they have been, we’ve had to adapt our own crafting a bit and make it easier. For Christmas in the past years, we have always made paper stars, big and small, which we used to decorate just about everything.

This is my grandmother’s favorite model, which she is happy to share with the EtsyKids community. We never found out who the inventor of the star was, we learned it from a friend of ours who had noted it down on a piece of paper. It looks great, yet is very easy to make on your own or with the kids. Made in a big size it adorns walls, in smaller versions it makes a Christmas tree decoration, it can be used for garlands, and once, instead of paper we used plastic sheets and then sprayed the star with silver glitter for an outdoor decoration. It also looks beautiful crafted in felt.



I have included a step-by-step tutorial for you with photos, just follow the link. The star may look tricky, but after the first element you’ll continue making them in your sleep. It’s almost as relaxing as knitting.

The candy cane version is made using red and white striped paper, so simple, yet it looks cheery and festive.



Wishing you all a warm, happy and joyful Holiday Season,

Teresina, the grandmother

and

Nikky of http://www.junyandmilo.etsy.com/

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Thanksgiving Keepsake

Reprinted with permission from TinyStitches

Years ago when my kindergartner was a a wee babe, we made this Thanksgiving keepsake for the grandma's and great-grandma's as an expression of love and gratitude for each of them.  Each of the children's hands got covered in paint to create these fun Thanksgiving turkeys.  Five years later, they marvel and how much their hands have changed. 

With families gathering across the United States next week.  This little activity is quick and simple and will yield a sweet product that will freeze a little slice of time for all who participate.

You'll need a tea towel, acrylic craft paint, a few paint brushes, ribbons/trims of your choosing. 

Generously, but carefully, paint your child’s hand with the intended paint colors – seriously, cheap acrylic craft paint works wonderfully, and it survives LOTS of washings, honest.   Work quickly as a thin layer of paint dries quickly and you'll be painting the palm and thumb brown, and each finger a different paint color.  Make sure the paint is still wet before you gently, but firmly, press their hand down on the lower third of a white tea towel.  Don’t jostle or wiggle, or the turkey will smudge.  Consider how many turkey’s you’ll do so you space them appropriately across the towel … how cute would it be to do a towel with all the cousins Thanksgiving morning while they wait for the meal?  For little, little ones, stick with a brown turkey and let the older kids add color with their hand print turkey’s.

Using colored permanent markers — Sharpies work wonderfully! — draw the eyes, legs, beak and gobbler on your special turkeys.  Be sure to also label each hand print with the child’s name and along the hem in the corner, add “Happy Thanksgiving” and the year.

Sew coordinating ribbons and trims below the turkeys.  I use white thread in my bobbin and invisible thread in the top so I can quickly and easily sew different colored trims on without having to change threads, and the back stays neat and polished too. [Consider doing this step first if you'll be traveling and gifting this to your hostess.]

Set paint with a hot iron and pressing cloth.  Launder normally.

* * * * 

Here are some other custom keepsake offerings you might enjoy as well.

Tooth Fairy Pillow, with chart by looploft

Hand and Footprint plaque by handprintlady

Personalized Child's Heirloom Art by ChoochMagooz

5x7 Custom Fabric Silhouette for framing by BabyDobbins

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Easy Last-Minute Halloween Party Ideas

Happy Halloween! Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks here. After Christmas, Halloween is probably my favorite holiday to decorate for and celebrate. We started our festivities on Sunday with a little party with our friends. (We wanted an extra night to show off my husband's crazy decorations and fog machine!) For a few weeks before the party, I kept my eyes open for cool, quick ideas (Thanks, Pinterest!). Here are a few of my favorites that I used over the weekend:

Clementine Pumpkins! (From The Princess and The Frog Blog)How cute are these guys?!?

Monster Masks -- Thanks, Sesame Street!

Cemetery Cake (From Family Circle)

(Ran out of time to bake? Modify store-bought cake, cupcakes, or brownies!)

We'll also give bobbing for apples a shot and filled the house with the smell of mulled cider. And, everyone enjoyed the cool witches' brew punch. I love this time of year!

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Halloween Wreath DIY Times Two!! by The Sewing Loft

The cooling night air is starting to settle in which means the leaves will soon turn and the fall season will be here soon! To prep for the change of seasons and Halloween I thought it was time to add a wreath to the door. This super simple craft will transform your front door in no time flat! You just need to pick- will you make it spooky or sweet?

This project is for sewers or all levels.

Skill Level- 1 Button

Materials:

• Wreath form (I picked up a 14" straw wreath from my local craft store. $3.99)
• 1/2yard muslin
• Colored Tee's (I used cream, orange & black)
• Straight pins
• Scraps of fabric
• Sewing machine or needle & thread
• Optional- Sequins or buttons

Basic instructions:

1. To cover the wreath form I ripped the muslin into 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" strips. Just clip the fabric at the selvage and rip from side to side. This will create a frayed effect and help create the "mummy" look. (no ironing is needed!)
2. Using straight pins, pin the end of muslin on the back of wreath. (I even left the plastic on mine. This way it will not breakdown from the elements of mother nature!) Wrap the muslin around and around, pin in place.
3. .Repeat until the wreath is covered. (You could use hot glue but I like the option of "reusing" the wreath!)

4. Cut your tee shirts and scraps into strips of 1 1/2" wide. (Note, I made one black strip 3" wide. It created the big flower.) If you would like to use printed woven fabric for this step be sure to fold it in half, wrong sides together and then stitch. This will give you the print on both sides.

5. Using your sewing machine on a basic straight stitch - longest length, stitch down the center of each strip. Be sure not to backstitch and leave long tails at each end.(**If you do not have a machine, this step can be done with a needle and thread.)

6.Pull one thread of long tail to create gathers in each strip.

7. One strip at a time, pin to form at the stitch line. Wrap the strip around center and continue to pin in the center. Do not worry, the fullness from the fabric will hide the pins. When flower is desired size, trim strip and pin down behind fabric.

8. Alternating fabrics, continue to create flowers around form. I applied flowers to the lower portion of the wreath.

9. Once you have applied the desired amount of flowers you can create a "hanger" from the strips of ripped muslin . Just take one strip and create a loop at the top edge. Pin in place at the back of wreath.

Now, if you want to make your wreath a bit more spooky, you can add a spider webs and a few friends.

Materials:

• a few plastic spiders (I used a few rings from last year)
• bits from an old worn out wig (again, from last year)
• spray glitter

1. Cut a few thin sections of the wig from the underside. Tuck the strands in between the flowers. Pin if needed. Wrap the strands under and over until you have desired web. (Note- you can also use a store bought web.)
2. Since my web is black the spiders did not pop. So, I found a can of spray glitter in the art closet and added some sparkle! A few blasts and they were all set. Just simply tuck in place.

So, which one do you like better? Please share photos on my facebook page!

Happy Crafting!

~Heather

Be sure to visit The Sewing Loft and  her creations at:

 Etsy Shop

http://www.thesewingloft.etsy.com/

 Site

http://www.thesewingloft.com/

Blog

http://thesewingloftblog.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheSewingLoftFB

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Fall Toss Game for your Haloween Party DIY by The Sewing Loft

The leaves are starting to turn and it is time to pick apples, carve pumpkins and have fun in the corn maze with friends! Sounds like the perfect combination for a fall party! Which means, activities. This super simple game is perfect for Halloween parties, fall festivities and even class room fun!

This project is for sewers with basic skills.

Skill Level- 1 1/2 Buttons

Materials:

• Box
• Box Cutter
• Ruler
• Marker or Pencil
• Paint & Basic Supplies
• Heavy Weight Fabric
• Fabric in Contrast Colors
• Heat & Bond Ultra
• 1 2lb bag of Black Eyed Peas
• Thread, Sewing Machine, Iron

**Note that I used old jeans for the base of each bag and old tee shirts for the leaf pattern on the front. (No fabric was purchased.)

Basic instructions for Box:

1. To create the angle on your box measure 3” across the opening at one edge. Then up 1” from the bottom. Take your ruler and connect the lines. Repeat to other side. Connect lines across the side. (This is your cutting line.)
2. On the bottom of the box, sketch out your design. Have fun here. (I just used a bowl for shape.)
3. It is best to cut the design first. Then the sides. Please take care when cutting.
4. Paint box in your desired color. I painted mine brown. I just used craft paint I had on hand.
5. Set aside to work on bags.

Basic instructions for Bags:

1. To create the base for the 6 bags cut 12 squares 5 1/2" large.
2. For the leaf pattern I looked to Mother Nature for the perfect pattern. (That’s right, not need to reinvent the wheel here! Just take a stroll outside and look in the trees.) I outlined my leave to a piece of cardboard and cut out. This is your templates for the top of bags.
3. Apply Heat & Bond to wrong side of each fabric for your design. Draw & cut out shapes.
4. Following the directions on the Heat & Bond package, peel the backer away and apply design to the front side of your bag. *Be careful, not to iron on the wrong side of fabric. Once in place, the bond is strong and it will not come off. To create the vines in the leaves, I used my sewing machine and applied a straight stitch in a contrasting color.
5. To join the bags together, line up the front and back of bags right sides together. Using 3/8" seam allowance and the straight stitch on your sewing machine, stitch bags together. Start 1" in from the edge of one side and stitch all around the bag and stop 1" after the last corner. Be sure to back stitch for strength at start and stop. Clip corners and turn right side out.
6. Fill bag with approx 3/4 cup of Black Eyed Peas, fold under the seam allowance and stitch the last side closed. ** Do not over fill. You will not be able to stitch the last seam closed.
7. Clip all loose threads for a finished look.

Now, I know that I was super loose with the photos on this one but if you click here (and check out pages 6 & 7), you can see the Halloween Smash Game DIY with full pattern I made for Green Child Magazine... Super Cute right!! I am so doing this for my daughter's Halloween Class Party!! Be sure to drop me a line or share on the facebook page photos of your Toss Game!

Happy Crafting!

~Heather

Be sure to visit The Sewing Loft and  her creations at:

 Etsy Shop

http://www.thesewingloft.etsy.com/

 Site

http://www.thesewingloft.com/

Blog

http://thesewingloftblog.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheSewingLoftFB

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HAPPY SATURDAY - HERE'S A TUTE

I've been sewing for almost 20 years now...sigh - I still remember when I first started...the sewing patterns read like stereo instructions - good grief!
Along the way I've learned a few shortcuts and tips and one of my favs is this method of sewing a pair of pants - and it works for any length or style of elastic waist pants or shorts. See the tutorial HERE.
Smooches!

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Tutorial: Satin Ribbon Rose

Sweet hair accessories are all the rage for gals of all ages, from the wee babe with just a few wisps of hair, to school girls and teens and even us mamas, too. EtsyKids team member bbsforbabies, created this great YouTube tutorial for how to make her Satin Ribbon Roses. This simple, high impact project, is definitely on my weekend crafting list! My girls could use some new hair accessories and these little roses, are simple enough for them to make AND oh so adorable when attached to bobbie pins!



Thanks bbsforbabies for sharing! Check out her lovingly made animal security blankets and other creations for babies and tots in her Etsy shop.

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Twirl

I want one of each please! Don't you?

Fun with Magenta & Moss Skirt by littlegirlPearl
On a whim, Owls on Aqua Skirt by labeba
Daisy & Dot Twirl Skirt by GingerlouiseClothing
Simple Everyday Skirts by AveryLane
Cupcake Cutie Skirt by ChewChewsCloset
Vintage Cherries Skirt by elliebean

Handy with a sewing machine? Make your own with these skirt kits from ohsosassy and GingerlouiseClothing!

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Hello World Its Saturday!

If your anything like me - Saturday is a welcome sight! It's the day I get to sleep late and then get up and play in my studio all day - uninterrupted! I've been sewing since I was a little girl and doing it professionally for the last 16 years. The longer I sew the more I learn about fabrics and techniques and I always love to share with others. I have really fallen in love with shirring these days and some people may assume that its a complicated process but its really very easy. It is time consuming but VERY easy. So - if you've got an hour or so and a cutie that would love a shirred dress or top then read on and take some notes and your on your way.

1. Hold down the person your sewing for and grab these measurements : Chest measurement and the measurement from chest to where you want the garment to end.

2. Take the chest measurement and double that - this will be how wide your fabric needs to be. Then cut the length of the fabric to match your second measurement. Finish the top and bottom edges of your piece with the serger or by hemming - you can also leave the edges raw if you like that look.

3. Pick up a spool of elastic thread from your local fabric store - they are never more than $1.50. HAND WIND the elastic thread onto the bobbin being careful not to stretch it as you go. Put the bobbin in the machine and set your stitch length to the longest stitch. And that's it - your ready to shirr.

4. Your fabric should be face up on the sewing machine - so that the elastic is on the wrong/in side of the fabric. Then, using your presser foot as a guide - stitch your first row 1/4" from the top edge. After you've done this row you will see that it has gathered slightly. Continue stitching 1/4" rows. You should at least do five to achieve the proper gathering but you can do however many you want. In the pictured example - Ive made 15 rows, but sometimes I do even more than that.

5. Once you've shirred as much as you like - put the two sides together with right sides facing and sew a seam straight down the back...Voila! You have a beautifully shirred top or dress for someone special or even yourself.

I hope you'll try this super easy technique on your favorite lazy dazy Saturday - you will be so proud of yourself when your done! Smooches!

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Kits for Kids

I am always looking for crafts, kits, and ideas for my kids to do on a rainy day or just when I need a few minutes to talk on the phone. Here are some great Etsy Kids Team Member Shops that have just what I am looking for.

Children's Woodland
http://childrenswoodland.etsy.com/

This shop has a great variety of kits for kids. From ABC craft kits to Elmo, Thomas, and Dora ones.
"All the colorful and creative children's items that you see in my store are created to help young children learn important skills while having fun at the same time! The enjoyment I get from creating my work is increased by knowing that my creations are being enjoyed by someone that is special to you!"-Children's Woodland

And Then
http://andthen.etsy.com/
This shop has some classic kid kit crafts. Such as: Stain glass butterfly, hand print sun, fish aquarium, and rocket ship to name a few.

And Then "craft kits are made with love and kid-tested. I have done all the parent grunt-work (research, shopping, prep-work, organization), and assembled most of the craft supplies in a cute reusable box (you might need to supply something simple like scissors or a little tape). All you need to do is sit down with a kid kit and the special little person in your life and have some quality time!"- And Then

Baby Kays Boutique
http://babykaysboutique.etsy.com/

Has some oh so cute no sew tutu ebooks! We are all about tutus in our house! Even if your child can not manage this diy tutu you (or an older child) can create it and your little one can help embellish it.

And to make things ever better this shop is having sale on there ebooks. Visit her sit for details.
And lets not for forget the older children

Fabric Boutique
http://fabricboutique.etsy.com/

Here are some DIY Fabric Flower Brooch/Pin or Hair Clip Kit. I have been eyeing these for a while. They come in every color you can imagine.

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