Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some... 

luscious eggplant purple.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Feather Headband

Amethyst Necklace

Still Life Fig Photograph

Lavender Essential Oil Candle

Calla Lily Bridal Bouquet

Richard - the Felt Lamb

Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Recovering Cushions for a Glider Rocker...

Some of you may know that the last few months I've been redecorating our play room. It started with a fresh paint job and a herringbone accent wall. Then we added some new carpet to the mix. One of the last things I wanted to accomplish was a redo of our glider rocker. I checked that off the list yesterday.

Once again I forgot to take a proper "before" photo, so I had to rummage through some photos I took recently of my grandkids. I watched three of these kiddos earlier this month while their parents lived it up on a Caribbean cruise. The glider rocker is in the background of the photo -- their car and boat in the foreground. Clearly, these kids have people to see and places to go. Anyway, the upholstery on the glider rocker was shot. One too many has been put to sleep on that rocker, and it was obviously in need of a total face lift.

Here's what a day at the spa can do...

I'm making an appointment for myself at my favorite spa the minute I'm finished typing this post.

I'm trying to create a fun atmosphere in this room where our children and grandchildren can gather and relax as the little ones play.  I chose Premier Prints Small Dandelion in turquoise and white for the fabric. It's a medium weight twill that should hold up nicely for the occasional use it will encounter.I chose this fabric because it picks up one of the colors in the herringbone accent wall behind it.

I used the same technique to recover these cushions as I have in the past. Go here  and here for a tutorial. One simply takes apart the seams of the old fabric covering the cushion and uses that fabric as a pattern piece to cut out the new. Then recover the same cushions with the new fabric.

To delineate the curve where stitching had been on the old cushion, I used covered buttons...

Some cording was covered with fabric to make piping which was inserted in the seams on both the back and seat cushion...

A few tucks were added where old ones had been...

With this makeover, I think this rocker has a few good years left. It's a good thing because I think there will be more grandbabies to rock before we can retire her.

Here's the before and after we all love to see...

Linked to:
Catch as Catch Can @ My rePurposed Life
Made by you Monday @ Skip to my Lou

Bloomin' Tuesday: Succulent Window Garden...

Our family has been thrown a few curve balls these last couple of years. I know that isn't anything unusual. I don't know a family that hasn't had some type of serious issue lately. It's an epidemic, but I've felt like we've spent time in the major leagues -- fast balls, curve balls, strike outs. I yearn for a little down time playing t-ball with 4 year olds and getting some easy home runs.

When life seems a bit overwhelming, I often turn to gardening. It lifts my spirit and satisfies my creative bent. February in Colorado isn't exactly the best time to do yard work. In a few months I'll be wrist-deep in dirt planting impatiens and tomatoes, but in the middle of winter I have to concentrate on inside gardens if I want that calming, creative influence in my life.

I have a corner window in my kitchen that houses a variety of blue and white pottery that I've collected over the years. I pick up items here and there (often at thrift stores) that strike my fancy.

Occasionally, I've received a few pieces as gifts...

The other day I decided to put them to better use and fill them with succulents. Here are some of the containers that I used. Gravy boats, different sized pitchers, and other odd sized containers became receptacles for these gorgeous succulents.

I love the feeling of bringing the outside indoors.

These plants will do beautifully in our window, and when it gets warmer outside and they've outgrown their containers, I will plant them in our garden to enjoy over the spring and summer.

Go here, here and here for more succulent posts!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some... 

parlez vous francais.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Crystal Hairpins

Lavender Rosemary Soap

Fabric Bridal Bouquet

Antique Lace Silver Necklace 

Antique French Mirrored Tray 

Paris Photograph

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. 

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye... 

a happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise, starting top left:

"Home Is" Art Print

Papercut Heart

Knit Baby Hat

Ceramic Ring Plate

Felted Mouse

Embroidered Wedding Keepsake

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some...

 mustard yellow magic.

Clockwise, starting top left: 

Modern Lamp Shade

Plush Yellow Snail Pillow

Stitched Notebooks

"Adore" Print

Season Print Set

Amsterdam Photography

Wishing you a warm winter day.

Kid Friendly Stitched Valentines...

This week three of our grandchildren have been visiting. Their parents are living it up on a cruise in the Caribbean and the little ones (ages 2, 4 and 6) are with us for a little grandma/grandpa time. It has been wonderful and incredibly exhausting!

While they were visiting, I wanted to work on a Valentine craft with the older boys. It needed to be simple enough for them to complete with very little help from me, but I also wanted it to be challenging for them. This is what we came up with...

I bought a plastic canvas sheet (10 1/2" x 13 1/2") for each heart. From each sheet I cut out two hearts -- a front and back.
 

The hearts measure approximately 7"x7".  A plastic yarn needle was threaded with some white yarn that I had in my stash and the boys were off. I used masking tape to tape the hearts together as they sewed around the perimeter of the hearts.

The six year old could manage all the sewing by himself. Our four year old only needed a little help pulling the needle through the canvas occasionally. It was the perfect project for these little guys.

They sewed around the heart leaving a 3" opening, then filled the heart with candy, and finished the stitching all the way around. I love projects where a child can complete the work themselves. The boys are looking forward to presenting these gifts to their parents for Valentine's Day. 

Cost: for materials and candy under $3

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!