Kid Sewing Project

At Chase's school they did the cutest craft the other day (handmade pillows) so we decided to do it at home! We put two pieces of flannel right sides together and you make dots with a pen around the edges (as a guide). Then kiddos can use embroidery thread and a yarn or embroidery needle to whip stitch or running stitch around the edges. Turn inside out, stuff, and have a parent sew the hole closed. Done! A perfect pillow (your kids will be proud)!

Superhero Christmas Ornaments

I found these adorable paper guys online for free! Aren't they great - I love them! I thought they would make perfect Christmas ornaments (Chase of course wants one of each - all 24 of them - but I doubt I will have enough patience to make them all).

Here are a few examples of the images.

Here are some examples that the company who makes the template made.

Here is a Spiderman I made for Chase. It didn't turn out that well because I used regular printer paper. For Wolverine we used a heavier weight paper and he turned out MUCH better so I recommend a heavier paper. If you want to make ornaments I would punch a small hole in the top of the head before you fold the guy up and then you can thread a ribbon through the hole.

Paper Teacups

Check out this adorable project! I want to make one!!! I don't normally go for this kind of stuff (a bit too vintage / shabby chic / etc) for my modern tastes but for some reason I love these teacups. They would be fun to make for Easter / spring but what I am planning on doing is shrinking them down and making small versions that can be used as Christmas ornaments.

Melted Crayon Art

 
We made some of our very own crayon art tonight (I won't do a tutorial because everyone has done one already but I will say using a craft heating tool is way easier then using a hair dryer).

We made Bs with the traditional 64 pack of crayons. I think framing them makes them look so much better (I recommend canvas boards if you plan on framing - Stretched canvases may be too thick)

I went a bit less traditional and used a limited color selection and random crayons. I wish I had stuck to color groupings. I think I'm going to hang mine vertically.

This is Chase's. So cute.

Contemporary Kid's Art Display

 
One of my friends found these fun curtain hanging wires at IKEA and had the idea to hang pictures on it. Then Capricious had the idea of hanging kids artwork on the lines.

Tada! A modern kid's art display solution.

How to Make a Superhero Table

When we decided to do Chase's room with a superhero theme I decided that I wanted to make him a cool table with a superhero comic book top. The project took on a life of its own and was somewhat of a disaster but I thought I would share my learnings with you all so that if anyone else out there wants to try this the project will go smoother.

Step 1: Find a kids wood table and chairs at a garage sale or on craigs list - I highly recommend a table with an edge around the top (so the top is slightly inset) because it will make pouring the acrylic a lot easier

Step 2: Buy at least two and possibly three comic books - I bought about 50 of them for $20 on eBay because I used some of the other ones in frames in the bedroom / bathroom (remove the staples at the bindings and trim the sheets into a uniform size with a paper cutter)

Step 3: You will need adhesive of some sort and quite a few cans of high gloss spray paint for the table and chairs (we used permanent spray adhesive but if I were to do this again I would probably go with decoupage glue to get a better hold, the spray adhesive didn't stick that well)

Step 4: Lightly sand the table and chairs just enough to scuff up the surface so the spray paint has something to stick to (used 200 grit paper)

Step 5: Spray paint the table and chairs the desired color (you don't have to do the table top because it is going to be covered anyways)

Step 6: Once the paint is completely dry arrange and glue down the comic book pages as desired

Step 7: Once the adhesive is dry use a poured acrylic on the top (you will have about 15 - 20 minutes once you mix the acrylic to get it smoothed out over the top of the table - this is a lot easier if there are two people smoothing - we found paint stirrers worked well for smoothing)

- DO NOT use a high gloss spray paint finish (I tried that it just gets absorbed by the comic book pages and bubbles up and looks terrible)

- If you don't have an edge on the table the acrylic will leak off the edges so put a tarp down (I almost think if I tried this again I would probably tape off the edges if the table didn't have an edge to see if that would be enough to "hold in" the acrylic)

- Lightly blowing on bubbles that form will help them pop

- If you don't have an edge on the table afterwards you will most likely have to sand off the dripped acrylic and repaint (I haven't gotten to that yet)

- I would recommend at least two layers / coats because I think the finish was shinier and more nicer thicker - you have to let it dry between layers (we did three because we had some bubbled paper that had to be covered up with a thick layer of acrylic)

I think the finished project looks pretty good but there are a few bubbles in the table top and of course the un-sanded edges still. I was pretty dang impressed with pour acrylic though, it has a very hard finish and amazing gloss. If anyone else out there has any better tips for doing a project like this let me know!

Lots of Potential

Look!  My first Craig's list purchase - a kiddo table and chairs for Chase's future room.  I am going to paint it white and cover the top with comic book pages and a nice glossy finish. I hope it turns out like I imagine it will!
 

If I Had More Time...

 
...I would make these...








 

Spring Beading

Check out this fun spring necklace I made. 



Chase ended up with this fun bracelet.
 

Ink Drawings

 
A few bloggers that I follow have recently tried their hand at ink doodles and it makes me want to give it a try!




 

Advent Calendar

 
I realize this entry isn't seasonally correct but I was too excited not to post about it. I haven't checked Philigry's blog in ages but when I went the other day I discovered this adorable advent calendar. I am in love with Christmas ornaments so I think this is a really fun idea! Who wouldn't be excited about a new ornament every day.


 

Gum Drop Crafts

 
Capricious and I did a few gum drop crafts, the kids only participated for about 10 minutes and then they got bored. Capricious and I had a blast though. I never realized how bad gum drops taste!











Here is Chase's creation.





We also did a little gift exchange and Chase got Spiderman Webs (silly string shooters) - he LOVED them but B was less then thrilled.



The night ended in a few tantrums (I suppose that is what happens to 3 year olds who don't nap and then eat entire Lofthouse cookies and cupcakes at their school party - Chase was the only kid to finish his). Christmas time is just too exciting but I guess all those overly exciting activities are what memories are made of....
 

Apple Nano

 
I feel so spoiled! In support of the new workout plan I have been sticking to my husband surprised me with this...



All I can say is APPLE ROCKS!!!!

In other news I should have some exciting posts coming soon....
- I am making / buying a costume for Chase's third birthday / Halloween so picks of that soon
- I finished Ingenue and a matching hat but it is too big which is why there haven't been pics but I will take pics soon
- I am half way done with another ruffle sweater so pics of that soon
- I am well on my way to finishing the top of a fun circle quilt that uses a pretty cool new technique

 

Party Decorations

 
Last weekend I threw a sewing birthday part for Capricious. We had a great time!

Here is a recipe for the Sangria we had.

Peach-Riesling Sangria
750-ml bottle dry Riesling (I actually used a sweet orange flavored white wine)
1 1/2 cups white cranberry-peach drink
1/2 cup peach schnapps
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I used about 6 table spoons of frozen lemonade concentrate)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (I skipped this)
2 1/2-inch-thick lemon slices
2 1/2-inch-thick orange slices (I added extra oranges)
2 peaches, cut into wedges (I went with frozen peaches)
10 fresh raspberries
3 cups ice cubes (I skipped the ice and just refrigerated instead)
I also added about 3/4 of a can of Sprite

Mix first 5 ingredients in large pitcher. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and stir to blend. Mix in fruit. Cover and chill overnight (I chilled for about 4 hours). Mix in ice and serve.

Here are a few of the decorations!




 

Happy Early Valentine's Day To Me

 
I have been admiring necklaces from Under Her Charm's Etsy shop for months now and I couldn't resist her latest creation. I love love loved it...so I convinced my husband to get me one for Valentine's day! I am so excited and I can't wait for it to get here. The charms will say "Chase", "Boris", "K" and it will have an Amethyst charm which is my birthstone (I was debating between Boris/Chase's birthstone and mine but I liked how the purple looked).




I also saw this bracelet on her shop and I thought it would be perfect for my husband for Valentine's day so I got it as well with the word "music".