Snuggle Up with this Wrap

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  Mine was fantastic.  We traveled to see family in Cincinnati and we surprisingly had a beautiful snowfall!  

I love making homemade presents and luckily my family loves making/receiving homemade items.  One present I was proud of giving was this wrap.  I knitted it for my mom in a washable cotton and I thought it turned out great.  It can be worn as a wrap or a really chunky scarf.  Either way, it'll keep the chill out. 

I loved it so much that I'm planning on knitting another for myself this summer.  I was thinking mustard yellow would be a beautiful fall color.  So many projects on my list...where will I find the time!? :)

Cheers to you and your family and wishing you a wonderful and Happy New Year!

Whooooo needs coffee?

Look Whoooo's adorable! I found a cute owl pattern on Ravelry for free!  It's super simple to knit up (took me 2.5 hours) and it's quite fun.  Now I can't wait to use it!!

DIY Pottery Barn Poinsettia Pillow

I love Pottery Barn!  I walked in searching for stemware and saw this lovely Poinsettia Pillow.  I didn't want to pay $30 for a 12 in pillow ($60 for two) so I decided to make two.  Sometimes my knock-offs don't go that well, but I was happy with the way this one turned out!

Pottery Barn Poinsettia Pillow

I purchased 1 yard of 100% wool felt (I had a 50% coupon for Jo-Ann fabrics!! Woohoo!).  I used the remaining felt for another project and a yard of linen fabric for the pillow case.  My pillow inserts are 18x18 so I cut 2 20in squares for the "top" and 12X20 and 13X20 for the backs.  The back is a simple envelope style- nothing too fancy.

I cut three different size petals. 5 large, 5 medium and 5 small.  With embroidery thread I stitched by hand a stem seam up the middle.

I positioned the large 5 petals on the 20x20 square (the top side) and stitched with the machine all the way around.  Then I layered the medium petals on top and stitched those on top of the large.  I didn't stitch the top of each medium petal to the linen because I wanted it to stick out a little. 

The final embellishment were the gold jingle bells.  I hand stitched those to the center of the flower. 

Then I sewed the front of the pillow to the two back pieces and voila!  I sewed up two solid red pillows for good measure.  My color scheme for Christmas is cream, gold and red.  Once I get my tree this will really look great!!!

Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far.  There's always great food and long conversations around a dining room table.  This year was a little different because we had kids over and we ended up turning on a movie to keep them occupied.   I see what's in store for me now. :)

I kept my decorations simple for Thanksgiving.  I created a banner that says "Give Thanks" out of burlap.  I came across this blog on Pinterest and she has the template all ready for you.  Only mistake I made was buying the wrong transfer paper.  I purchased the dark transfer paper first and you'll want the transfer paper for white material.   I'll find a use for the other paper down the road. 

I created the table runner out of burlap.  I bought two yards of burlap and then cut the width I liked.  One edge was already pre-sewn so the burlap wouldn't unravel.  With white thread, I sewed the three other sides so they wouldn't unravel as well.  

I had the fake leaves already so I put those on the burlap along with candles. I thought it turned out well. :)

And here is the beautiful bird my husband grilled.  We stuffed it with thyme, an orange, an apple and a red onion.  It was delicious!!!

Ollie the Owl

Ollie the owl is one of my favorite knitted projects.  He was quick to knit and has provided a lot of cuddles.  
I found the pattern on Purl Bee's blog.  They have so many great patterns, so while you're there take a look around. 

Gingerbread Hat

This was a quick and easy hat to do.  I used Lamb's Pride worsted, 85% wool and 15% mohair in Lotus Pink (M-38).  Find the pattern for free on ravelry.  I knitted the small pattern and though it's a bit big for my 17 month old, she'll be able to wear it for a few years.

Heart Hot Pad

I hosted a craft night with my girlfriends and the project was a heart pot holder.  I saw this design on Pinterest (of course) and thought it was a cute Christmas idea for my grandma.  

Supplies:
2 different  fabric designs
Thick interfacing
Sewing machine/thread/needle/pins

First, create your pattern.  I used Martha Stewart's heart pattern (increase size to 200%), for the main heart. From there, I created a pattern for interfacing (you want it to be slightly smaller than the main heart), the pockets and the pocket strip (2inx7in).  
Fabric A is your main color (Back of heart + pockets)
Fabric B is the inside fabric and the liner to the pockets (red polka dots below).  

Cut 1 Main heart from both Fabric A and B.  Then using Fabric A, cut 4 pockets.  Using Fabric B, cut 2 2inx7in strips.

For interfacing, you'll cut two main hearts and then trim so there's approx 1/2 in smaller than the main heart.  You will then iron the interfacing on each main heart.  You will then cut interfacing for only one side of the pockets and iron this as well. 

For the 2x7in strip, fold both ends together so they meet in the middle.  Iron to make creases.  Then fold in half again, and re-iron. 

Fold ends so they meet in the middle

Fold in half and iron

Put two sides of the potholder together and then slip the strip into place and pin.  There will be an overhang of the strip on the top and bottom and you can just trim this so it's flush with the pocket.  This will be sewed into the Main heart so doesn't need to be perfect. 

Trim the overhang

With pins in place, sew the strip to the pocket.  You do not need to sew the edges of the pocket yet. 

 Next, you'll position the pockets on top of Fabric B (polka dots) and then with the Main Heart in Fabric A, you will place on top with the fabric facing inwards (interfacing will be towards you).  Pin in place.  Sew along the outside pieces and leave about a 2-3 in gap at the bottom of the heart so you can turn it inside out. Once you turn it inside out, sew the bottom section together with a needle and thread. 

Isn't this great?!?  My grandma will love this. :D

DIY Garden Gnome Costume

It took me a bit of time to decide on a costume for my toddler, but once I decided it was game on! I purchased a hat last year that I absolutely adore and it became the inspiration of the "Garden Gnome" costume.  

I purchased red/white stripe stockings and used a red shirt already in the closet.  Then I  ventured to Hobby Lobby and picked out navy fleece for the skirt and various felts for the mushrooms and felt flowers.  I used the Rose Barrett pattern from Purl Bee's blog to make my flowers.  I attached a wire to the bottom petal by poking a hole through the center and then twisting the wire so it wouldn't fall out.   I found an old basket in my basement and put floral foam at the bottom to secure the flowers. 

Next step was creating the mushrooms.  So fun to do!  I cut circles out in various sizes and plucked them in the basket as well. 

 For final touches I sewed felt flowers to her "suspenders" and a little mushroom to the skirt.  Details are so important. I was so thrilled with how this turned out!

Santa Hand Ornament

I was looking for an ornament to make of my toddler's little hand and I came across this Santa idea. What a clever and cute way to save your little ones hand size.  As my little girl grows, I'll hang this ornament with pride every Christmas. 

First, trace your little ones hand on cardboard.  Then make salt dough. (2 cups flour, 1/2 c salt, 1/2 c or less of water).  Combine and roll out to about a 1/2 in thick. Create a hole at the top (straw works well) for string.  Set the oven to 200 degrees and bake for about an hour.  (I was able to make five ornaments from one dough).

Paint in colors of your choice and finish with varnish to protect.  For a final touch I added white glitter so it sparkles!  On the back with perm marker, I wrote my daughters name and year.

Last piece, place in a box with the following poem: 

This is to remind you

When I have grown so tall

That once I was very little

And my hands were very small.

I want to give credit where credit is due.  Idea was borrowed from: http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic807804-15-1.aspx

DIY with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Since joining Pinterest, I've been inspired by all the DIY boards. I love all the pre/post pictures of painted furniture and have been itching to upcycle a piece of furniture. I read a lot about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint so my mind was set on using it on my next project.   As luck would have it, my neighbor put an old dresser in the alley with a "free" sign so I snatched it right up.  Perfect piece to try out. 

Free dresser!  Drawers are stacked on  each other.

I purchased $80 worth of chalk paint/supplies from a little store in Littleton, CO, The Little Black Chair.  I wasn't too surprised by the price tag because I went in knowing this was expensive paint.  Still, seems a bit outrageous for paint (I'm just happy the dresser was free!!).  I bought Paris grey paint and clear wax. 

I was instructed that I did not have to sand the piece before painting.  Yippee! Sanding is my least favorite thing to do. I used roughly two layers of paint and once it dried completely, I applied a thin layer of wax. 

Overall, I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I really like the color.  However, due to the cost of it, I don't foresee using it anytime soon.

Tutu's, Cupcakes & Polka Dots! Oh My!

I can't believe Edie is 1!  So many mother's have told me "they grow up too fast" and I sadly now know what they're talking about.  I love seeing her grow, laugh and learn but I miss rocking her in my arms.

For Edie's 1st birthday I created a theme around an adorable outfit I found months ago by Mud Pie.  (Edie's 1st Birthday Outfit) I couldn't resist the cupcake OR the tutu OR the polka dots! Success!

I wanted to replicate the cupcake on the outfit into table decorations so I purchased pink polka dot cardstock paper and tulle in three shades of pink. I swirled and stuffed the tulle inside the "cupcake liner".  I found polka dot ribbon and glued two of the same sizes together and glued a yellow ribbon "flame" on the top.  

I used the same polka dot cardstock to make a paper garland.  I cut triangles from the paper (2 triangles per 1 8.5 sheet of paper) and sewed them together with 1 in twill.  It turned out better than expected and are now hanging in her bedroom! 

Tissue Paper Pom Poms are so amazing and don't take too long to make. They really add that extra "umf"! I didn't throw them away either- they are hanging gloriously in Edie's bedroom.  Waste not!  I used hot pink tissue paper. For instructions check out Martha Stewart's web page. 

Dessert!  I made strawberry cupcakes with bits of fresh strawberries in them. Yum!  I used polka dot cupcake liners..of course! 

For her birthday present her dad bought her the pink sparkly Tom shoes. So adorable!  I knitted her a pink teddy bear and created a polka dot shift dress.  What a lucky girl!

I had so much fun cutting, knitting and sewing together her 1st birthday party.  All of my friends were super excited as well, which made it even more special.