Handmade Highlights, Month by Month

 

I haven't posted since July, but I've had many ideas swirling around in my head for this blog. You see, I don't like to blog about my daily activities, since I have just as much time in my day as you do. I do like to read other blogs, but forcing myself to sit down and write what is on my mind is what sometimes takes a little effort. So instead, I try to sit down and post about a new project or something I'm really into.

Besides the usual, albeit boring, tasks we do each week, I have had some creative fun here and there. So let me share a few things that I've been up to. I left off in JULY, where we returned from our annual family vacation. My son had just turned one. My daughter then turned 3 at the end of the month.

In AUGUST, we took an unexpected second trip to the coast for my sister-in-law's wedding. It was my first beach wedding experience and it was wonderful spending time with family members we didn't see the first visit.

In SEPTEMBER, Olivia started preschool, which she absolutely loves. Here she is on her first day of school. I made her a little dress and headband to match.

She's also holding two apple pins for her teachers. We spent a lot of time at the library this summer, where I found the sweetest little book, Heart-Felt Holidays: 40 Festive Felt Projects to Celebrate the Seasons. I attached brooch pins to the back, embroidered "From Olivia 2013" to the back, and also embroidered each teacher's name on the front. They were adorable.

A matching backpack was the last thing I made for her. You can find the backpack tutorial I followed here, though it is slightly altered in size. It had to be a little bigger, so that it would hold papers and a folder.

And, of course, it had to have something crocheted on it! You may recognize the eyes and beak from Mamachee's Killian's Owl Hat pattern. She's a sweet friend of mine, that lovely Tara Murray.

In OCTOBER, I designed the Witchy Hat Table Centerpiece crochet pattern...

and the Witchy Hat in 6 Sizes crochet pattern.

Then I made Halloween costumes for the kids. Here they are as Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. (Clicking on the photo will show a much larger, clearer view).

This photo was taken by Timeless Reflection Photography & Studio. So cute with my little man giving a GROWL!

 

In NOVEMBER I designed the Frostbite Mittens crochet pattern, which are available in all of my shops (Etsy, Craftsy & Ravelry) as a 2 for 1 combo, along with...

the new Despicable Me Minion (Inspired) Mittons crochet pattern.

 

It has been a busy and fun several months. And as the Farmer's Almanac claims, we could be looking at a nasty winter. So I look forward to designing so many more patterns to share with you, since we're certain to be snowed in for a while. In the meantime, Happy Crocheting!

Sleeping with the Fairies

In just 12 days, we'll be leaving for a two week vacation. We try once a year to visit my husband's side of the family. The drive is about 12 hours to our first destination. Halfway through our trip, we go North, another 6 hours. And finally, our trip home is 16-18 hours.

Needless to say, I've been working frantically at finding things to keep my nearly 1 and nearly 3 year old kiddos entertained during the trip.

I had just enough fabric to make my daughter a Tinkerbell pillow case. She and her brother were Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, last Halloween. She just started using it and she loves it. And so when we leave, she'll have a little piece of home with her. You may recognize this fabric, if you saw my Waterproof Snack Bags tutorial.

And since I can't leave well-enough alone, I added a pretty crochet edging to it last night. I finally got a chance to try out my Sharp Crochet Hook.

This was my first attempt at a pillow case, and I was literally shocked at how easy it was. And when I held it up to the pillow case I patterned it after, it was exactly the same size in every way. Maybe I'll do a pillow case tutorial next?

Waterproof Reusable Snack Bags {A Tutorial}

 

I have been planning for our summer vacation, with an attempt at making our trip a little easier. Today, I have made waterproof reusable snack bags.

I made these bags with an amazing product I was lucky enough to find on a trip to the store. It is called Iron-On Vinyl, and it's from the popular brand, Heat 'N Bond. Therm-O-Web makes this product and I absolutely love it! I bought mine at Wal-Mart by the yard, but the 2 yard pack from Therm-O-Web would have been perfect for the amount of bags I made.

I don't have to say much about these bags. Because, well, they're awesome. You fill 'em up. They empty 'em. You wipe 'em out. And then repeat!

And since they take just a small amount of fabric and a short amount of time, you can whip up a bunch easily. I made a half dozen, so that both my son and daughter had three each. 

Want to make some of your own?

 

Let's get started.

Matching Mommy & Me Makeup Bags For Mother's Day [A TUTORIAL]

  

Olivia loves the play makeup I made her. Whenever I'm getting ready, she rushes in, asking for her makeup. I had been keeping it in my own makeup bag, but I thought it was only right to make one to hold her new stash. And in the meantime, I made one for me, too. Plus, it was just another reason to break out the sewing machine!

She's still only allowed to play with her makeup if I'm watching. I just don't want her to lose the tiny brushes somewhere around the house, just begging for her baby brother to find (and eat) them. Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I couldn't resist to share this fun tutorial with you.

This is one project you can do for yourself or a friend, and enjoy the finished product with your favorite little gal, no matter how young or old she is.

These bags hold so much more than I expected. I don't wear much makeup, really, but both bags have so much more room than I need. And the little ones could fit a bunch more faux makeup containers and brushes.

And one of the best parts? The inside is just as pretty as the outside! Since I hate ugly, visible seams, I made these so that every seam faces in towards the wrong side of the fabric. And you never see them. Score.

They're as cute as can be.

They have fun, boxed-out bottoms, which helps them to stand up on their own.

And they really do hold the perfect amount of goodies inside.

Plus, I may have snuck in an extra one for a certain Minnie Mouse-loving niece of mine. She'll need some play makeup, too. Shh!! It's for Christmas. Yes, the earlier, the better in my book!

 

Want to learn the low-down on how to make them?

 

Let's get started.

How to Make Bunny Masks {An Easter Craft} TUTORIAL

 

Today, I want to share with you an easy tutorial for making cute bunny masks. They're fun and adorable. They're perfect for Easter, too!

 

You need only a few basic supplies to make these masks. And in minutes, your kiddos will be enjoying them. These will be going in our Easter baskets, next weekend. I also included adult sizes with the pattern. I think they would be so fun for all the family to wear in photos.

 

Let's get started.

Green Eggs & Ham Bow Tie Onesie [A TUTORIAL]

As I posted before, St. Patrick's Day was just another reason to create something cute for my little guy. I'm not into all the shamrocks, rainbows and luck, but it had to be green, of course!

One great thing about this onesie is that lil man can wear it any day, not just St. Patty's Day. It's green, yet unassuming. Besides, who can resist a baby in a bowtie?

This onesie is a combo of two types of crafting bliss: Fabric Transfers and Sewing. As I promised in my Double Bowtie Tutorial, I'll show you how to make one of your own.

The Easiest Double Bow Tie You'll Ever Make [A TUTORIAL]

St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, and while I don't really celebrate the holiday, it was a perfect opportunity to dress up my little man. Plus, I get to share all the fun with you. Today we'll learn how to make super easy Double Bowties.

 



This is a great project if you're looking to use up scraps of fabric. And the bowties can be altered to just about any size you like. Also, you can easily attach these to your favorite style hair clip, like an alligator clip, and let your little girl wear one, too. Trust me, they're adorable both ways.

And when you attach one to a onesie, you might just sqeal like I did! {Tutorial for the outfit can be found here}