Hanmade Featured Shop Your Little Cupcake

I had the pleasure of "meeting" via etsy kids online the owner of Your Little Cupcake. She makes party favors and supplies, which may I add are adorable. She sent me a small pack of beautiful mini note cards. She told me she uses them to put in her daughters lunch box with a little note, so sweet!! Anyways here is what she has to say for her shop plus a few pictures of her items.

"Welcome to Your Little Cupcake! As a busy mom of two teens and two toddlers, I know the pressures of trying to pull off a successful party. Your Little Cupcake offers a one-stop-shop for all of your paper party needs from cupcake wrappers and party hats to invitations and thank you notes. Our products are already themed and color matched for convenience or if you would rather, select your own color combinations from our many color choices. All of our products, unless otherwise noted, are custom made-to-order pieces. Enjoy!"

If you are in need of party supplies be sure to visit her at http://www.etsy.com/shop/YourlittleCupcake?ref=pr_shop_more

You won't be disappointed. :)

A Fun DIY For Fall LEGWARMERS!!!!! EASY!!! Tutorial

I have been having so much fun making these for my girls!! The are super practical for the baby with changing diapers and such. They are also a super cute addition to my older girls wardrobes, and great for fall, and not to mention quite fashionable.

All you need is some kids knee high socks for baby, or adult knee highs for the older guys. a sewing machince and scissors. I found some great Tutorials on YouTube if you actually need to see it being made.
Heres a good one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43lnA4FSl8w&list=LLcuXK72M-Xeda37c6Qnh4ag&index=7

Start with cutting off the foot part of your sock straight accross. Next cut the toe and heel off.
Take the toe and heel part and create a tube by folding the that part in half wrong sides together (very important).  Place the tube on the sock with all cut edges together. So the folded part should point toward the top of the sock, and the raw edges should be at the bottom. Now you can pin in place and go to the sewing machine. Take the removeable compartment off your machine, and stretch your sock around to get ready to sew. Make sure you have all three edges together. Sew all the way around, and repeat for the other sock. Voilà you are now the proud owner of a new pair of legwarmers.:)

Featured Handmade Shop Elephants and Butterflys

Hi My name is Carolyn the sole designer and creator behind Elephants*n*Butterflys. I love to sew and create unique and fun clothing sets for little girls and boys.

All my appliques are hand drawn and made by me, not machine created. All seams are professionally finished and serged for long lasting wear. All items are machine washable inside out on gentle cycle hang to dry.

.I love this shop, her items are beautiful!! If you are looking for some fancy boutique style clothing for your little one be sure to visit her at her at http://www.etsy.com/people/elephantsnbutterflys

Back To School Tutorial Messenger Style Bag (Medium)

My girls have been in school for 2 weeks now, and  my oldest informed me that it's much cooler to carry a bag, not backpack. After seeing the price of these types of bags, my wheels started turning. I had lots of fabric from a curtain project that didn't pan out, so I decided to give it a try. So far it has worked out well. I love that she has a one of a kind bag, and she was proud of her momma. :) 

Materials Needed

Fabric About 2 yards. I used a heavier fabric purchased at IKEA.

Scissors or rotary cutter

Ruler or straight edge

Cutting board

Matching Thread

Velcro (if you want)

Sewing Machine

1) Figure out the size of the bag you want. I started out with about 15  inches wide by about  30 inches tall. Just play with it by folding the bottom up and the top down and you will get a feel for the size you want.  Always always put the right sides of the fabric together before cutting.

2) So now that your fabric is all cut and ready to go it's time to sew. Sew all the way around the edges (right sides together) leaving a little hole at the end.

3) Turn it right side out, and close the hole. You may want to do a top stitch all the way around so it's more sturdy.

4) Make youe strap. Make it long and you can cut it down after. Cut about a 3 to 4 inch wide by how ever long you want strip of fabric. Fold right sides together and sew making a tube. turn right side out by sticking a safety pin to one side and feeding it all the way through. Once it's right side out top stitch it.

5) Pin your strap to each side where you want it to be. I folded up the bottom and pinned it all together. and let my daugher try it out before sewing. This took a few times to get right, so don't get discouraged. If you are using velcro now is the time to pin and sew. Line up the bottom to the top and sew it on sew around the edges and an x in the middle.

6) Sew up the sides of the bottom part making sure you have enough fabric for a flap.

Voila!! You or someone you love is a proud new owner of a messenger style bag. As always if you have questions feel free to post.

SUUUUUUPER EASY Hair Bow Tutorial

Hello again, I am back after having my baby, and ready to start crafting again. I decided yesterday that I NEEDED some adorable hair bows for my new baby girl. So I logged into etsy and started searching, and there are some extra cute bows to choose from. Then the crafting itch got the better of me, and I started looking for tutorials online, and I am posting this one because it was so easy. I tried it out this afternoon, and now all my girls are the proud new owners of hair bows. I cannot stress how easy this was, and also versitile. I glued one to an aligator clip for the baby, and thin headband for my oldest, and a normal barret for my middle. I suggest using at least 1.5 inch wide ribbon anything smaller won't work well. When I found out how simple they are to make I hightailed it to ebay and got some ribbon,clips, and headbands. I can't wait to make more, and I will probably put some in my shop. Anyways here is the tut I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Beginner Tutorial Make Your Own Burp Cloths In 5 EASY Steps!!!

My third and final baby girl will be here soon, and I really needed some burp cloths to use for her. So I decided to just make some because I had some extra  fabric just sitting around. Well I just finished up 13 of these super cute super easy burp cloths. And you can do the same. Here is what you need to get statred.

Fabric I used flannel for one side, and 100% cotton for the other. You can use what you have, I have found that at least one side with something soft works well.

Scissors and or rotary cutter

Thread

sewing machine

yard stick
and a board to cut on

1) To start take one of your fabrics and cut it in a rectangle around 20" inches in length and about 12" wide. You can really make these longer or shorter or wider or not as wide. All up to your preferance. I tend to like mine a little on the wider and longer side. just remember the sewing will take off an inch or 2 before your done, so plan for that.

2) Now cut your other piece of fabric the exact same size.

3) Take both pieces and face them RIGHT sides together, and sew all the way around leaving a small hole unsewn at the top. Normally I do this near the corner, but do it how your comfortable.

4) Using the unsewn hole turn your burp cloth inside out, and close the hole by stitching all the way across from side to side along the outside. I have found a small zigzag stitch works well, but a straight will work just as well.

5) Now top stitch the rest of the sides all the way around your burp cloth. This will make it nice and sturdy.

VOILA You are all done, and now have a super great new burp cloth unlike anyone else!! How easy was that!!??

Summer Issue of Modern Handmade Child

The etsy kids online magazine called the Modern Handmade Child, has out it's newest edition for summer. There are some fantastic summer recipie, summer crafts for kids, as well as some freebie tutorials. It's a great magazine, and best of all it's free to subscribe and read. Here is the link if interested. http://www.mhcmag.com/2011/05/summer-issue-out-now.html

A few links for some handmade Mothers Day Ideas

I am compiling a list of links of ideas for some handmade maothers day item ideas. Enjoy!!

1) Handmade candles http://www.bhg.com/holidays/mothers-day/crafts/mothers-day-candles/
2)Several different easy ideas http://www.uniqueholidaygiftideas.com/handmade-mothers-day-gift.html
3) A few ideas to do with little guys  http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/holiday_mothersday.htm
4)A few for older guys to do http://familyfun.go.com/mothers-day/mothers-day-cards-gifts/mothers-day-gifts/
5) Bath salt (very easy)  http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/recipecollections/a/blbathfizzie.htm
6) Bottlecap Brooch http://familycrafts.about.com/od/bottlecapcrafts/a/BottleCapBroochCraft.htm
7)Bottlecap Frame http://familycrafts.about.com/od/bottlecapcrafts/a/Bottle_Cap_Frame_Craft.htm
8)Birdie Bookmark (for little guys to do) http://familycrafts.about.com/od/bottlecapcrafts/a/Bottle_Cap_Frame_Craft.htm
9) Carton full of cupcakes Yummy!! http://familycrafts.about.com/od/eggcartoncrafts/ss/CartonFullofCupcakes.htm
10) CD Photo Ornament  http://familycrafts.about.com/od/cdcrafts/a/CDPhotoOrnament.htm

Just a few suggestions to make something for the special mommies in your life. I hope you find an idea you like!!

Make Your Own Reusable Diapers

The pattern looks super easy to follow, I will definetly be giving this a try. I have also purchased cloth diapers from http://www.gogreenpocketdiapers.com/ and absolutley love them!! But if you're handy with a sewing machine you can save lots of money this way!!

BEGINNER TUTORIAL!!! Make An Over The Shoulder Scrunch Sack Great for the Beach!!

This is a bag I came up with a while ago, which is super easy and fun to make. And with warmer weather coming I thought it would be a get ready for spring/summer Tut. So let's get started!! What you will need: 1 yard and a half to 2 yards of fabric plus some long thin fabric in a coordinating pattern for the straps. Scissors, matching thread, and a sewing Machine.

1) Fold your fabric in half evenly right sides together. Cut into 2 identical pieces. You should have 2 rectangles. Make sure to have them long ways.

2) Cut each corner at the bottom about 3 inches in. Totally your choice how much you want to cut off just don't exaggerate.  You should now have a sort of diamond shape.

3) At the top of your bag fold and iron the top of each side to make a casing. You can fold down an inch each time. Now sew casing closed along the bottom leaving sides open ofcourse.

4) Put your bag pieces again right sides together. and sew all the way around being careful not to sew sides of casing shut. You may want to go over this more than once, so your bag is nice and strong.

5) Now for the straps Take a coordinating fabric or the same if you have enough length, and make 2 long as you want strips. I made mine about a yard long, and about 3 inches thick. Fold them in half long ways, and right sides together. Sew them along the length. To turn them right side out take a safety pin, and attach it to one end, and feed it through to the other side. Now sew each side closed.

6) Now take your straps and one at a time attach a safety pin to one side, and feed through casing. now tie strap ends together. And VOILA!!!! You have yourself a handy new bag.

As you can see in one of the pictures I have painted a skull and crossbones on using a stencil and fabric paint. You can get super creative with your own bag using paint and appliques or any other things you can think of. Hope you enjoy!!

Handmade Valentines??

I have found a few sites with some fun ideas for handmade or homemade valentines. Some are great to do with kids as well. Save some money, and give a gift from the heart. (pun intended) :)

http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-cards/perfect-pairings-825202/
http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-cards/friendship-blossoms-825185/
http://www.craftbits.com/project/20-valentine-card-ideas
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/valentine_crafts.htm
http://www.finecraftguild.com/handmade-valentine-cards-ideas/

There are lots and lots of ideas out there, but I really liked these sites. Being able to incorporate my kids in crafty ideas is a bonus  as well.

A Blog I LOVE

I came across this blog today http://dailygreenideas.blogspot.com/ called Daily Green Ideas. There is one "idea" everyday for a way you can be more green. It dosen't take much effort to pollute less. :)

New Issue of Modern Handmade Child

The Spring 2011 issue of the Etsy Kids Modern Handmade Child E magazine is out. It has some wonderful spring projects to do with your kids, as well as some simple tutorials for reusing some household items. Their are a lot of fun spring activty ideas for children as well. Defintley worth a read!! Here is the link if you want to check it out. http://issuu.com/modernhandmadechild/docs/spring2011?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml&backgroundColor=FFFFFF&showFlipBtn=true&proShowMenu=true

Baby Slings Anyone??

While shopping around for baby items I will be needing in the near future, I saw my daughter walk by with her baby doll in a  makeshift baby sling she had fashioned from a scarf. It was so cute!! So naturally I thought yes I will need something like that for the new baby. I got to looking for a sling, I came across http://www.slingpea.etsy.com/ and not only does she make slings for babies she makes them for baby dolls too!! I decided to get one for each of my girls for Christmas. They totally LOVE them!! Not to mention she custom made one for my 7 year old at no extra charge!! The one thing that I SO love about these slings is that they are very simple to use no wrapping required!! You just put it across your body and insert baby. :) She also has a website explaining all the different ways to hold the baby http://www.slingpea.com/instruct.htm It works for newborns up till close to 2 years old depending on weight. So if you are in the market for a baby sling check her shop out she makes them herself. I know I will be back to get one for our newest addition.