Website Redesign

I started this site just less than a year ago and I really had no idea exactly how I was going to use it.  I had plans.  I still do.  After a time of living in this space, I need to do some rearranging. 

I'm in the process of moving over to Wordpress and changing up the layout but could use some color advice.  I love my logo and that will stay the same.  However, we're going to update the color of that and the site. 

Do you have a preference?  Do you think my color choices are crazy?  Let your voice be heard!

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Learn. How to Make a Shaped Burp Cloth.

Burp cloths come in all shapes and sizes and there is really no telling which kind someone will prefer. For my son, I'd take anything absorbent. My daughter wasn't such a prolific drooler so I preferred something a little more sleek.

I attended a baby shower last night for a friend and I decided to make a couple of fancy burp cloths. These are made from a brightly colored flannel and some pink minky fabric. The minky is so soft that is feels just luxurious. However, it is super easy to care for which is a MUST for any burp cloth.

Supplies to make 1 (you'll want to make multiples so take that into consideration):

Flannel  10" x 20"

Minky  10" X 20"

Thread

Sewing Machine

Cut your fabric into 10" X 20" strips. Place one layer of flannel and one layer of minky on top of each other and fold in half. It should know measure 10" X 10".

You'll want to place the fold towards you and cut out the sections where it will fit over your shoulder. I cut approximately 1 1/2" off of each side starting at the fold and then curving outwards toward each side. You'll be able to see in the next picture the kind of shape I cut out.

Remember, this doesn't have to be precise. It is a baby burp cloth, after all. You'll want each side to match as much as possible but I just eyeballed it.

Next you need to place your fabrics right sides together and pin them in place. Stitch around the edges and be sure to leave a 2 inch opening on one side.

After you stitch, trim the seams with scissors or pinking shears. Then, you'll pull the right side of the fabric through the 2 inch opening.

Poke everything through and make sure your corners are all the way pushed out. Now you'll want to top stitch all the way around being careful to stitch over the opening. You can see an example of my top stitching in the very first picture.

I made two of these and rolled them up in a ribbon. This was a gift for a second child so I included a few of my felt flower ponytail holders for the big sister. Burp cloths make great gifts for any new or experienced mother. It's hard to have too many of these things on hand when you have a little baby.

Choosing a Summer Knitting Project

 

I've got 11 balls of the Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy taunting me from my yarn closet.  I bought it on a trip to Pennsylvania a couple of years ago and I'm ready to knit it up into a summer tee for me. 

I'm the kind of knitter that picks yarn first and then the project.  I don't always do this but more often than not, this is the case.  This yarn was purchased to make another pattern but now I think a different pattern is calling to me.

This is the Slinky Ribs Pullover from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard.  It actually calls for an Elsebeth Lavold yarn (Silky Wool).  This hempathy should be a good substitute.  I really want to buy this book.  It has all sorts of great top down patterns and most are sized up to 3X so I can cover even my most ample bosom.  When I checked out some of the other projects on Ravelry (if you knit or crochet and aren't signed up--DO IT NOW!), I noticed that these look really great on a bunch of different body types and the pattern is written so you can alter the sleeves to any length you would like. 

My knitting has started to fall by the wayside.  I am definitely in need of a new project like this to motivate me to pick up the sticks again. 

Do you have any projects you're planning for the warmer weather?

Make. Leftover Easter Candy Treats

This year I didn't do Easter baskets for the kids.  I took them to an Easter egg hunt yesterday and the limit was 12 eggs per kid.  This was plenty of candy for the kids and they don't mind.  We don't really make a big deal about the Easter bunny around here. 

I prefer the week after Easter.  You can go and stock up on some of your favorite Easter time candies at a discount.  These Whopper mini robin eggs are some of my favorites.   If I find them on sale, I snatch them up.  However, after a while I get sick of them and I began to think of other ways to use them.  This is my favorite idea.  I prefer to do this recipe with the chocolate flavored robin eggs.

Whopper Mini Robin Eggs Malted Milkshake

handful of Whopper Mini Robin Eggs

Vanilla ice cream, 2-3 scoops

Milk, until your favorite consistency

Stick it all in a blender and blend it until it is the consistency you like it.  Sometimes I chop up some extra robin eggs to make it like a candied shake.  Or, you can garnish the top with the whopper eggs, as well. 

If you like malted milkshakes, you can't go wrong here. 

Peeps

Do you have any leftover Peeps?  How about dipped Peeps or chocolate fondue?

WHORANGE posted a lovely recipe for chocolate fondue after Easter last year. 

Or, why not try Peep smores?  I like putting a Peep in my hot chocolate. 

Who says you have to eat Peeps?  Why not craft with them?   Or not. 

Do you have any favorite leftover Easter candy treats that you make? 

More Craft Room Storage Ideas

Remember the Q & A post I did about formula cans?  I've got another idea for you.  I used the same technique as before to cover my cans and then we attached them to the wall.  Now I have some little cubbies on the wall next to my sewing machine where I can put notions or snacks.  

I must admit that I did none of the work on these formula cans.  I have staff for that (ha ha)!  I had a helper come over and she did a few tasks for me.  I've never felt so much like Martha Stewart.  She did a great job!   She's also helped me pack up craft challenge packets a few months ago.

 

This next storage idea comes from the people at Univenture.  I was sent some UniKeep binders to try out.    This was another one of those products that my husband wants to steal.  They have so many great applications—not just related to crafting.   I was sent a couple of them and I found so many great uses for them.  This one I used to keep track of my die cut alphabet letters.  Before I had them in one page protector and searching for the right letter was quite the task. 

I like the way this binder lays flat and is able to be closed all the way.  My kids can drop it or turn it upside down and they don't go flying everywhere. 

They are made of 100% recyclable material and are water resistant.  They also come in a variety of sizes and colors.

I already have big plans for one of the other ones I received.  It is going to be for an embroidery project.  I can have my floss, needles, pattern, hoop, etc… all inside one of the binders ready to go!  I can toss it into a bag or just have it sitting next to my favorite chair ready for a quiet evening of crafting. 

I wasn't creative enough to decorate the outside but there are sleeves that you can place paper inside so you can label them and personalize them however you see fit.

They cost not much more than a standard binder, but the convenience of having them close and stack flat are worth the extra money, in my opinion.  Maybe I'll buy some in bulk and my husband can get his office organized as well!  While you're there, check out some of there other great organizational products.

Q & A Formula Can Crafts

A while ago, Kristi from The Perkins Clan asked me a question for me to answer here on Q & A.  By the time I had gathered some formula cans and started to work on some projects, she had her own flash of inspiration and used some to keep puzzle pieces and toys organized.  I had a few ideas myself and today I'll show you one of the options I came up with.

My kids are of the age now where they are getting the concept of money.  They like to go to the store and buy things.  We're trying to teach them how to save for things and in our family, we tithe 10% of our income.  I wanted a way for them to be able to have a piggy bank where they can divide their money between what they can spend and what they should tithe. 

  The bank I made for my son is beaded.  To help me with the beading, I used the Tool-Light.  More about that later…

I used 12.9 oz formula cans.  You'll want to make sure they are cleaned out and you can rip off the outer paper. 

Cut a strip of paper 4 3/8" X 13 1/2".  This will wrap all the way around.  I didn't have any paper that length so I used a 12 X 12 inch piece and cut an extra 1 1/2 inches to cover the seam.   Just add glue to the wrong side of the paper and then roll the can over the top of it.  Press to get out any air bubbles.  Set aside to dry.

I added a double-sided sticky shape to the can.  Attach one side but leave the red backing on until you're ready to cover it with beads or glitter.  Once you take  it off, you can start placing the beads. 

I used the tool-light to help me with this.  It did an okay job of picking up the beads but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.  I actually did a better job using my fingers.  I'm going to give tool-light the benefit of the doubt and think that maybe I didn't choose the right project.  However, I don't know if I'll be able to use it again because my husband wants it for his own tool box.  They are well made and come with plenty of batteries so you don't have to worry about the lights going out anytime soon.  If you are a jeweler or are in need of tweezer type tools for your craft, they are worth a look.  The light is such a great bonus!

I made another one for my daughter.  She picked out the paper herself.  I used scissors to cut the coin slots in the lid.  We glued a piece of paper inside the can to separate the two areas.

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I had some pom-pom fringe leftover from the February Craft Challenge.  I think it turned out really well.  I used a ribbon instead of another strip of paper to cover the seam on this bank.

I have a lot more ideas (and cans!) for this Q & A so you'll be seeing more formula can crafts here over the next several days.  Do you have a favorite way to use your leftover cans? 

You have a little while longer to get in on the Martha Stewart book giveaway.  Comment here. 

Paper Punch Storage Idea

I used to store all of my paper punches on a shelf. This quickly invited all the little hands in my house to play with them. They are sturdy enough that I was never worried that they would break, it was just a pain to try and find them again somewhere on my floor. I wanted to mount them somehow on the wall.

A few months ago we remodeled our bathroom and we had a leftover towel bar. We decided to install the towel bar in my craft room because it is the perfect thing to hold my Stampin' UP paper punches.

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Reminder: Today is the last day to buy your April craft challenge packet! Today is also the last day to vote for the winner of March's craft challenge. I will close the poll before I go to bed tonight.

Make. Needle Felting Projects

After my video tutorial on needle felting, I thought I would share some pictures of a few of my other needle felting projects. I made these when I was first learning. It shows a few other ways to incorporate needle felting into your craft arsenal.

The sheep is a wall hanging. I used long locks of wool for the body and lightly felted that area. It is done on one 11 X 14 piece of wool felt.

The turtle is a 3-D project made by starting with felting a ball of roving. You basically poke it until it becomes stiff and you can shape into your desired shape. I added colored roving on top to mimic the shell. It is a fun, small project.

Share your own needle felting projects at the christynelson.net flickr group.