Lil' Boy Crayon Caddy...

I've been wanting to make a different version of a child's crayon carrier for some time now. You might remember that last March I made the version below from a tutorial I saw at Noodlehead...

I wanted this new version to be a little more elaborate for the budding artists in our family. When I first started noticing crayon cosies, they were the rolled up version where one took a length of fabric and made individual pockets for crayons. To carry the crayons one would roll the length of fabric up starting at one end until it met the other end where one would tie a length of ribbon around the roll to secure it. This version was adorable, but I could never wrap my head around the tie at the end that would need to be secured by an adult. That's probably why I always had my two year old in sneakers that had Velcro instead laces! I like to encourage self-sufficiency in my little ones. So, I wanted to make a crayon carrier that a child could close. I also wanted the case to hold paper and maybe a few stickers. This is the version I chose to make...

I created a pattern that is 7  x 10 inches (when closed) with 10 inch straps.
It opens up to be 10 x 14 inches with three pocket areas...

The pockets hold 10 crayons, some paper (an 8.5 x 11 inch paper cut in half) and a package of stickers.

Perfect for the little guy on the go.

 I love the Velcro closure on this carrier.

It makes it so easy for even the littlest artist to take care of his "tools"!

These dinosaur fabrics are a favorite of mine.The manufacturer is Timeless Fabrics, and the fabric is from their "Stone Age" collection. I love the bright, whimsical prints in this line.

 I hope to make a short tutorial of this crayon carrier (for a Lil' Girl)
within the next couple of days and post it next week.

It will be just in time for you to whip some up for Christmas presents!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

 I spy with my Etsy eye something...

silver, cinnamon and sable !

Clockwise, starting top left:

Original Brown Leather Painting

Racer Girl Socks

Vintage Camera

Vintage Jello Tins

Table Runner

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bella...

Yesterday I made the last item for a package that I'm sending off for the wee little grandbaby -- Miss O. -- due very soon. Early last summer we had an invasion of U.F.O.'s (Unidentified Flying Owls) when I made an owl pillow for each of our grandchildren. It has become obvious that little Miss O. will need one too, so I whipped one up yesterday. I'd like you to meet...

Bella

I love Bella. She's a flashy dresser. 

I'm quite sure she will fit in nicely in Miss O.'s sure-to-be fashionable life.  

If you'd like to make your own Hoot Owl Pillow, go here. 

You'll find the instructions for whipping one up!

Linked to:
Show Off Your Stuff Party @ Fireflies and Jellybeans

An honor...

I can hardly believe it, but...

with my Gathered Muslin Pillow! 

Talk about an honor!

Especially when you look at the competition
for this week's challenge -- 

a truly beautiful collection of pillows.

Go here to see the fabulous #1 pillow

and the top 10 that made the cut!

Thank you CSI Project!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy something...

charcoal.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Ruth Wintergreen

Grey Felt iPod Sleeve

Acorn Pearl Necklace

Owl Gadget Case

Grey Star Applique Pillow

Have a wonderful weekend!

Flower Power and Fur Shrugs...

Remember when I told you that I'm quite certain my soon-to-be-born granddaughter will be a little fashionista? Here is an example of the clothing awaiting her arrival. Every woman should have one of these -- no matter her age. A chocolate brown "fur" shrug. I need one -- only bigger. Lots bigger.

In addition to this chocolate brown "fur" shrug, she has a pint-size white "fur" hanging in her closet as well. Is it wrong to have 'closet envy' of your granddaughter? Practically speaking, I do believe it is important to be prepared for all eventualities and social functions. The above photo is just one indication why "Miss O" will need a variety of hats and headbands in her arsenal. Being the grandmother that I am, I aim to please. I started by creating this deep raspberry colored hat...

I then went on to make a few more -- to match the other colors in her wardrobe...

These flowers aren't just for the wee ones in your life. They would be just as cute on an adult sized hat. Go here to find out how to make these hats and acquire my pattern (it's free!) for the full, luscious flower like the turquoise one below...

I'm thinking about our veteran's today -- those who have served our country and those presently serving.
My thanks to them all.

Have a great day!

Hello Gorgeous...

As you know, this last week I've been focusing on creating a few items for my soon-to-be-born granddaughter. I whipped up a Dwipe, some burpies, and yesterday I concentrated on making some pretties. Could there be anything more fun to concentrate on? I think not.

Let me start at the beginning... A couple of weeks ago I was perusing the isles at Hobby Lobby and came upon these adorable ready-made crocheted baby hats and headbands. Yowsa! I gulped. Looked around. And piled as many as I could into my shopping cart. I know a good thing when I see it.

Aren't they cute? But even better did you get a good look at the price? Yes, that's $3.99 for the hat and $.99 for the headband. Clear and simple -- it's a jackpot. As I looked at these beauties I began to dream of all the different ways that I could make them even better!

Last year I created a flower pattern and offered it to anyone interested. Over the months I've had hundreds of people email me for the pattern. To learn about the creation of this flower, just go here. In that post I will explain how to make one of these flowers. You'll have to email me (my email address is on the sidebar of this blog) for the pattern of the flower if you'd like it. By requesting the pattern I would ask that you agree not to sell the pattern for profit. I love to share.

Anywho... I started with the embellishment of this baby hat, by rifling through my synthetic fabric supplies. I chose two complimentary fabrics. The first was a deep raspberry-colored fabric with a satiny sheen and the second was a raspberry-colored gauzy, sparkly chiffon concoction. It doesn't matter the type of fabric as long as it is synthetic, although different fabrics will give your flowers a totally different look. Instead of cutting just one piece of fabric for each "petal" from my pattern, I cut two from the heavier satiny fabric and one from the chiffon from each pattern piece.

This is a high-maintenance flower to make, but when it is finished
you can't help but be delighted with the result.

Hello Gorgeous... 

I then tacked this big ol' flower onto this adorable little hat and this beeeauuuu-ti-ful creation was born. The flower probably cost all of about $.50 to make, so the total cost of the project was about $4.50. The flower is almost 4 inches in diameter!

I've made flowers to adorn the hair, pillows and lapels, but I'm quite sure there is no better use for a flower than to put it smack dab on the side of a little baby bonnet! Be still my heart...

I love these big, full flowers. They remind me of the camellias we had in our yard in California when I was a little girl. So pretty...

Over the next couple of days I'll share a few more of the little hats and headbands I'll be creating!
Update: Go here to see more creations.

 

Have a great day! 

Hey All - Here's a scoop that a reader, Shirley, mentioned in a comment. The Ribbon Retreat carries those same hats and headbands for even less. Go here for the hats at $2.25 each -- and here for the headbands at around $.70.

Linked to:

Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show & Share Day @ Just a Girl
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Transformation Thursday @ The Shappy Chic Cottage
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design

Fashionista Burpie Cloths...

I believe I've mentioned that our 8th little grandbaby -- a girl -- is due within the next couple of months. If she's anything like her mother she will be a miniature fashionista. She won't be able to help herself. It will be in her blood.

To facilitate in her development of those sure-to-be inherent character traits, I made her some burp cloths last night.  Not just any fabric would do. I used some of my favorite designer prints for these little numbers....

I paired these designer prints with different colors of absorbent terry cloth. Not that these burp cloths will need to be particularly absorbent... I'm quite sure she will rarely need her little rosebud mouth patted dry, however, on the off chance...

These burp cloths are rectangular in shape. The finished measurements are 12 inches x 18 inches...

I hope she likes them!

Thanksgiving Season...

When I was a little girl, the Christmas season officially began the day after Thanksgiving Day. Those were simpler times. In more recent years that has changed. The introduction of the holiday season has gotten earlier and earlier. There are two ways to look at this precocious attitude toward silver bells, fir trees and chestnuts roasting. One might say Christmas has become too commercialized and that retailers are just trying to cash in on a longer holiday season. Others see this elongated season as a move to embrace a wonderful time of the year for as long as possible. No matter which attitude you ascribe to there is another consideration. By rushing into the Christmas season one hardly has time to relish and savor what could become a month-long theme of gratitude which culminates on Thanksgiving Day. I don't think Jesus would object to postponing the celebration of his birth by expressing our gratitude in this way. His teachings would imply that He considered "gratitude" a noble characteristic...

A favorite story of mine is found in the New Testament in Luke, chapter 17:

"And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Through His healing power, those who were lepers were relieved from pain and a certain lingering death. They were given a new life. The expressed gratitude by one of the lepers earned the Master's blessing, while the ingratitude manifested by nine merited His displeasure.

I don't mean to be critical of those whose thoughts are already focused on "Christmas." I just think, for me at least, there might be a better way.

Instead of rushing headlong into the Christmas season, I hope to take a few moments each day throughout the month of November to reflect upon the many blessings in my life. My hope is that on Thanksgiving Day as I gather with family I will be infused with an attitude of gratitude!

Etsy Give Away Winner...

There were many potential winners for this month's Etsy Give Away. 

Most were correct when they put the clues together and guessed 

Disneyland 

as the place we visited last weekend!

We had a fabulous time at the "happiest place on earth." We also ate lunch on the pier in San Clemente, visited Dana Point, and enjoyed a walk on the beach. Paradise. That's how I describe that part of the world! Now, on to announce the winner.

The winner of this month's Etsy Give Away
 is...

Linda's choice, this Batik Wristlet, will be winding its way to her home later this week...

Thanks to all who participated!

Bloomin' Tuesday...

Yesterday I returned home from a wonderful weekend trip to a destination soon to be disclosed! "Paradise" is the word to describe where we vacationed. Bright, vibrant colors and beautiful blossoms were everywhere we turned. To be honest, I wasn't particularly looking forward to coming home.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I arrived home to find a paradise here as well. Albeit the colors are more subdued and earthy, the hues of fall are found in every nook and cranny in our garden. I thought I'd participate in one last Bloomin' Tuesday before the cold weather sets in. Today I've made a few collages of photos I took today in our back yard. Enjoy!

Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.

                                                                                               - Albert Camus

Remember to sign up for my Esty Give Away and check back tomorrow morning for the results!

Have a beautiful fall day and remember to vote! ;o)

Linked to:
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean