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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!