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. :)