Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eyes... 

a Super Bowl Weekend. 

Clockwise, starting top left:
Carnival Photo
Crib Mobile
Orange & Blue Heart
Light Switch
Silk Scarf

Let's here it for the Broncos!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some... 

winter red.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Red Air Plant Pod

Berry Colander

Buttons

Heart Garland

Dandelions

Wishing you a red hot weekend!

Valentine Treat Bags...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, so I decided to make a little goodie bag for each of my granddaughters.

These bags will be filled with all sorts of delectables and trinkets. The pattern and a detailed tutorial on how to sew these bags is found in my Etsy store.

Go here to check it out!

I imagine even the novice sewer will be able to make a bag like this for someone they love! The pattern and tutorial are detailed and complete with a photo accompanying each of the 18 steps!

Mr. Fox Pillow...

A few years ago we came home from church to find this handsome fellow in our backyard...

Although we live in the vicinity of open space, we don't live in the country, so he was a rather unexpected surprise. We found out shortly after I took this picture that foxes can jump 6' fences with a single bound. No kidding. I was amazed.

For a couple of years I've wanted to make something as an ode to Mr. Fox's visit. Last week I was inspired by the Glitter Fabric Rectangles I found at Hobby Lobby. This glitter fabric is located in the same "craft" aisle as the felt squares. When you cut it the edges don't unravel -- much like a fabric-backed faux leather -- and you can easily stitch through it to attach it to another fabric.

I came up with this ode to Mr. Fox...

Unfortunately, my fox has an uncanny resemblance to a racoon. My best laid plans sometimes don't pan out. I think I should have used smaller buttons for the eyes.

I used both the silver glitter rectangles and the gold glitter rectangles to glitz up my Mr. Fox Pillow. 

I drew a simple pattern, then cut out the different pieces and appliqued them onto the blue and white canvas background...

Buttons were used for the eyes and nose.

These past few months I've been redecorating our rec room in the basement. This room is primarily used as a playroom for the grandkids. I started by painting walls and creating a Herringbone Accent Wall.

With a wall like that anything goes. It's been fun to put some playful things in this room that appeal to young and old alike. My Mr. Fox Pillow will fall in line with some of the other decor I have in this room...

All the fabrics I used on the pillow are found at Hobby Lobby. The blue and white is a canvas fabric that is the perfect weight for pillows.

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something... 

blushing.

Clockwise, starting top left:

The Jamie Tote

Peach Resin Rings

Cicada Watercolor

Braided Necklace 

Cat Breadboard

3D Wall Butterflies

Wishing you a relaxing weekend.

Tutorial: Little Girl Princess Superhero Cape

Yesterday I explained a predicament that my granddaughter finds herself in on occasion. Even though she is a frills and ribbons girly-girl, occasionally, when she wants to save the world, she has to raid her brother's toy box and don some rather unsuitable manly-man superhero attire.

What she needs is a Little Girl Princess Superhero Cape that better suits her personality. 

Ergo, the "Little Girl Princess Superhero Cape" was created...

I promised that I'd make available the tutorial, so today I'm making good on that promise. Here's another version of this Little Girl Cape using the pattern I developed. {FYI: All fabrics used on capes were found at Hobby Lobby.}
 

Materials:

• Cape: Cut two out of cotton fabric (The length of fabric is determined by how long you want the cape. See comments in "Cape Pattern" below.)
• Emblem: Cut one out of a 9" x 12" piece of contrasting cotton fabric; or use 1 sheet of contrasting Glittered Fabric Rectangle (see below)
• Crown: Cut one out of 1 sheet of "Silver or Gold Glittered Fabric Rectangle"  (Found in the same aisle as felt squares at Hobby Lobby.)
• Flat backed craft jewels for crown & fabric glue
• Synthetic fabric and jewel to make fabric flower
• Three inch piece of Velcro
• Jumbo Ric-Rac (optional)

Use 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise indicated.

Cape Pattern:

1. To make a cape pattern that will fit your child, start with a toddler size bib. Make sure the bib easily fits around your child's neck and then place it on a piece of paper and draw around the neck portion of the bib, like this:

The trickiest part of making a cape pattern will be the neck. Using a bib to trace the neck ensures that the cape will fit well.

In the photo below I give measurements for the cape that I made. The first measurement is the width of the cape just beneath the back of the neck. This area spreads across the shoulders of the child. The second is the measurement at the widest part at the bottom of the cape. The third and vertical measurement is how long the pattern is from the back of the neck to the bottom of the cape. This measurement can vary, depending upon how tall your child is. Simply take a measurement from the base of her neck to the back of her knees and make the cape that long. This cape was designed for 2 - 3 year olds.

To make the rounded corners on the bottom of the cape simply place a bowl over the lines and trace around the curve of the bowl, then follow the rounded line when you cut out your fabric. When you cut out your fabric from the cape pattern, make sure you cut two -- the front piece and the lining.

Emblem & Crown Applique Patterns:

To receive the pattern for the emblem and crown appliques, all I ask is that you leave a comment below and send me an email. My email address is located on the sidebar of my blog. In the subject line type "Little Girl Princess Cape", and I will send you back an email with a pdf document containing the pattern pieces.

When cutting out the emblem, use a two-sided fusible bond {like Wonder Under} so that it will be easier to attach it to the cape. Go here for a tutorial on how to applique using a fusible bond.

It isn't necessary to use fusible bonding for the crown if you use the fabric I recommend above. If you use a cotton fabric, you should use the fusible bond for the crown as well.

Sketchy tutorial: 

I often get compliments on my in-depth tutorials, so if you're looking for that type of tutorial you'll be disappointed this time. Here are some very simple directions...

1. After cutting out your fabrics, center the emblem on the front piece of the cape. Fuse the emblem to the cape using an iron, then stitch around the emblem using a blanket, zig-zag or straight stitch for added durability.

2. Then center the crown and using a straight stitch, stitch the crown to the front of the cape. {The stitches practically disappear if you use a matching thread!} Use fabric glue to attach the jewels.
 

3. If you want to add ric-rac to the outside edge of the cape, baste ric-rac to the right side of the front along the edges, sewing 1/4" from the outside edge. I only used ric-rac on the outside edges of the cape -- not in the portion of the cape that goes around the neck.

4. Place cape front and lining right sides together and stitch around the cape using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 4" opening in the bottom of the cape. When you are finished stitching trim seam around the neck and pull cape right side out through the opening at the bottom of the cape.

5. Press cape flat and slip-stitch 4" opening shut.

6. Attach Velcro to end of tabs at neck.

7. Optional: Make a synthetic fabric flower to cover up stitching lines where you attached Velcro on the tab ends. Attach flower with fabric glue. Go here to learn how to make a synthetic fabric flower. Keep the flower small so it doesn't tickle or irritate your super hero's neck as she's wearing her cape. Attache flower to tab with fabric glue.

8. Using fabric glue attach flat backed craft jewels to the crown...

Your Little Girl Princess Super Hero Cape is now ready to be used!

We can only hope the world becomes a better place with 

a few more Super Heros in it!

Little Girl's Princess Superhero Cape...

I have a two-year-old granddaughter who is all ribbons and lace. Visiting a shoe store makes her heart go pitter-patter. She mothers her baby dolls like a pro, and her favorite candy is pink M&M's. She's all girl.

Occasionally, however, she allows her two older brothers to influence her...

When I saw this photo, I {laughed out loud and then} decided to make this adorable girl a proper little girl hero cape that would fit her personality better! It's important, however, for you to understand that just because her new cape is pink and girly, doesn't mean she isn't a powerful hero. Trust me...this little girl is a dynamic force in this world.

I wish I could put this on her to show you how cute she would look, but she lives eight hours away. {sigh}  Still, I hope you can get the picture. I decided to go with a princess theme. Who wouldn't love to be a princess and an action hero with a fabulously decked-out cape?

The crown is made from a new-to-me product that I love! It's called "Silver Glittered Fabric Rectangle". {They need a new marketing director at Hobby Lobby if that's the best name they could come up with for this amazing product!}. It's found on the same aisle as the felt squares at Hobby Lobby. It's a canvas backed glittery fabric. The edges don't unravel when you cut it out, and it is sewable! Sooo cute. My mind is going a mile a minute thinking of all the applications where I could use this glittery fabric!

I added a cute little flower at the neck to hide the stitches where I sewed on some velcro...

...and ric-rac in the seam add a little whimsy.

The crown was also bejeweled with flat backed craft jewels.

In a day or two I'll post a tutorial on how to make this Princess Superhero Cape. You'll be able to email me to receive the pattern for the crown and emblem, and I'll give you measurements for the cape, so you can whip up your own pattern.

This little girl cape has "Valentine's Day Gift" written all over it!

Go here for the tutorial and pattern.

Linked to:
Made by you Monday @ Skip to my Lou

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something...

happy.

 Clockwise, starting top left:

Jewelry Organizer

Good Vibes Canvas Banner

Pencil Holder

Friendship Bracelets

Globe

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Etsy store reopened...

Happy New Year! December was filled with Christmas preparations and family time. In fact we still have my daughter's family here until tomorrow morning. I'm grateful we were able to spend Christmas with some of our children and their families. So much fun!

Just wanted to let you know that my Etsy shop is open, and I'm ready to take orders. I closed it during the holidays so I could concentrate on people and things that are more important, like watching my son-in-law and grandson build this handsome fellow...