Buzzmills

A King and Queen...

Yesterday's sock monkey wasn't the only handmade gift Violet gifted to Henry...He also requested a King's cape and crown!  Goodness this boy really knows what he wants doesn't he?!  

This kid really does love to dress up.  In fact, from Santa he requested a ninja costume...so on Christmas day he went from a ninja to a king to a prince all in one day!  

Violet was just as excited about making this costume as she was the sock monkey!  She helped me draw out the crown design on a piece of paper and then I traced and cut it onto two pieces of felt and sewed them together.  She picked a piece of ribbon for the trim which I sewed on and then, with fabric glue, felt pieces and shiny gems in hand she decorated the crown to suit it's King!  After it dried we added a bit of elastic to the back and it was complete.

Next, she drew and designed her image of his King's cape and I went to Joann to pick out the perfect fabrics...gold cording, faux fur (Violet got a fancy vest out of the "trimmings" of this!) and stretch velvet...

The play cape pattern from "Growing up Sew Liberated" has provided us with some fantastic capes over the years...and it's so very quick to sew up so that is the pattern I decided to use.  I added as much length to the cape as the amount of fabric I had provided.  The collar is self drafted using the top of the cape pattern as a guide and for the edges I simply cut wide strips of the faux fur and sewed them on... 

It was really a figure it out as I went sort of thing.

That being said, despite the "winging it" I am thrilled with the way it all turned out!  And so was Violet, the grin on her face when she saw it all come together was priceless!

And, of course, let us not forget "King Henry"!  

Who wears this ensemble constantly!  I think he'd wear it morning, noon and night if he could!

After Violet's gift to Henry came together...she wished that she too had a crown of her own...She had not given Henry a long list of Christmas wishes as he had to her, therefore, Henry was looking for ideas.  

And a Queen was made!

Henry made her her very own Queen's crown, picking the felt, the ribbon and adding on all of the embellishments on his own just as Violet did for his.  They both did such a beautiful job and each loves their crown and how well it's perfectly suited for them!

Coincidentally, while I was at Joann gathering King fabrics, I happened to come across some fun "confetti" tulle that was marked down in their "end of bolt" section...I scooped it up "just because"...

As it was, it turned into the perfect accessory for a Queen!

In a tiny moment, while Violet and Henry were out running Christmastime errands with Daddy...I whipped up a simple long gathered skirt for her.

The underskirt is pink laguna cotton knit and the overskirt is simply the tulle folded over on itself with a few wool felt balls tucked between the layers...an added sparkly knit elastic waistband and that was it!

Henry was surprised by this accessory for his handmade crown but thrilled and excited as well, because he knew she'd love it!

And love it she did!  

She's definitely more of a "Queen of the woodlands" than of a fancy palace though...

Both kids immediately donned their royal attire upon opening on Christmas morning, they pulled them on over their pajamas...and then again later over clothes as well.  And, they've been worn consistently since then as well.  

I do so love how much these two like to pretend and imagine.  I also love how much thought they make and put into each others gifts, those are the kinds of gifts that are the best to give and the kind that are oh so loved when they are received!

5 Scrap Busting Bracelets to Make...

Last week Craft Hope, an organization that works to help those less fortunate by sharing handmade crafts, announced it's latest project, bracelets for Ethiopia.  I have worked on several Craft Hope projects in the past, bibs, aprons and bags, it's such a wonderful organization.  For this project Craft Hope is working with Partners With Ethiopia to make bracelets to spread goodwill among the orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia.  

Partners With Ethiopia "works to support their indigenous partners in southern Ethiopia who are running sponsorship programs, economic development, and food security programs. They are working hard to educate and empower children, and widows to break the cycle of poverty, and offer hope and independence for their future."

Today, in the US, is Martin Luther King Day which historically is considered a day of service.  While that is often intended as a day of service within our communities I don't think we necessarily need to feel limited to just that.  Making bracelets for those, near or far, less fortunate sounds like a pretty great way to spend a cold winter day!

I've put together 5 super simple bracelets that you can make  today...Make them with your kids even!

Yarn wrapped bracelets:

Buy some inexpensive plastic bracelets, the kind that you see in the party section, tie a knot around the bracelet with some yarn, wrap tightly around the entire bracelet and finish with another knot tied as a bow.

Fabric wrapped bracelets:

Use those same inexpensive plastic party bracelets and wrap thin strips of fabric scraps around them.  Tie a knot around the bracelet to begin, then wrap tightly around the entire bracelet, finish either by knotting or gluing the end. 

Stitched Felt bracelets:

Use a scrap of felt cut into a long thin strip to make this bracelet.  I fastened mine at the end simply with a snap and then use a bit of embroidery floss to stitch decorative stitches along the felt strip. 

Tube Knit bracelet:

Make yourself a quick french knitter using craft sticks and a toilet paper roll (here's how) and then knit up a few rows (instructions here) to make this soft and comfy bracelet, finish with a double knotted bow. 

Braided knit bracelet:

Use a rectangular scrap of knit fabric to make this bracelet.  Cut rectangle into three strips, but do not cut all the way up through the top, leave about 2" at the top, leaving the three strips connected.  Braid strips, tie the ends a knot.  Snip a very small hole into the top bit that you left uncut and slip the knot through the hole.

And, before you know it...

you've got a pile of pretty bracelets made...

I've rounded up several other bracelet tutorials as well:

http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2015/09/family-rope-bracelets-1.html

http://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/01/14/braided-friendship-bracelets-for-valentines-day/

http://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/06/01/mollys-sketchbook-breezy-friendship-bracelets/

http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2013/07/melted-perler-bead-braided-bracelet.html

http://helloglow.co/diy-braided-t-shirt-bracelets/

http://www.lbg-studio.com/2012/11/diy-fabric-bracelets.html

http://www.michaelannmade.com/2011/07/woven-friendship-bracelet-tutorial.html

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/03/v-and-co-how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet.html

http://www.makermama.com/2013/03/perler-bead-bangles_7.html

Learn more about Craft Hope and bracelets for Ethiopia. 

Take some time out to do something for others, take the time to make them together...

Enjoy!

Make, A Felt Catnip Toy...

Why not make your pets handmade gifts too!  Violet and Henry love to watch our kitties open their gift each Christmas.  Actually, it might be funnier watching them poke around under the tree sniffing out the catnip filled packages!  

This is a simple project that I put together last year for Violet's Daisy troop.  They made them either for their own pets or some of them were donated to a local animal shelter as well.  The girls had so much fun making them that I thought I'd share it here as well in case some kiddos at home are looking for something special to give to their kitties!

1) Thread needle and tie a knot at the end of your embroidery floss.
2) Lay star on top of one of your felt circles.
3) Starting from the back of the felt circle bring needle up and through to the front, going through both the circle and the the star.
4) Stitch the star onto the felt circle using a straight stitch, which is a stitch that simply pushes the needle from the front to the back, making short stitches (see photo).
5) Stitch all the way around the star so that it is affixed to the felt circle.
6) Lay the felt circle with the star on it on top of your other felt circle.
7) Tie a knot at the end of your thread again and bring it up from the back of your star felt circle, sandwich the knot between your two felt circles.
8 & 9) Stitch the two felt circles together using a whipstitch, wrap the thread around from the top circle to the back of the bottom circle. 

10) Continue around until you get about 1 1/2" away from where you started.
11) Grab your stuffing, wrap it around the bell.
12) Stuff bell and stuffing into your toy through the opening.
13) Pinch opening closed.  Close up your opening by continuing your whipstitch until you get back where you started.
14) Tie a knot in your thread, bring needle up from the back to make a loop,
15) Feed needle through the loop and pull tightly to make a knot.
16) Push needle into and through the cat toy.
17) Pull tightly from the other side and snip your thread, the tail will sneak back inside the toy, hidden.
18) You've made a cat toy!
19) Give to cat to play with!

Oh, go ahead, make some!  Maybe they can wait until after Christmas even when the rest of the making is completed and the kids are home and everyone wants something do while on winter break...Your cats will really love you for it, trust me!

 

Selfish Sewing Week, Felted Sweater iPad & Tablet Cover...

It's Selfish Sewing Week!  It's always fun to set aside a bit of time for making for ourselves, right?  I've got a few things that I plan on and hope to make this week, but, in the meantime I thought I'd share this great felted tablet cover tutorial that I made for the Handmade Winter E-book in case you need a little inspiration this week!

In these technological times so many of us are skipping the good old fashioned bookstores and are heading instead, toward digital lending libraries and online digital book purchases for our reading materials. I have to admit, that the idea makes me a little bit sad. Especially because there isn’t much “cozy” about curling up with your iPad, or nook, or kindle...and in these winter months isn’t that what so many of us crave? Curling up with a good book? Well, why not add a little “cozy” to your electronic reading with a cozy sweater? Make your Ipad or e-reader, or any of your electronics really, it's own sweater.

These covers are super simple to make. You can use up-cycled materials. And in the end, you’ve got a cute cover that is perfectly lovely to curl up with.

Materials:

For Felted Sweater
100% wool sweater
(thrift or up-cycle an old one that no longer fits)
Washing Machine
Laundry Detergent
Mesh Bag

For Cozy Cover
Ruler or Measuring Tape
Sewing Machine and Notions
Scissors
Elastic Hair Tie
Coordinating Fabrics
Buttons

Instructions

Preparing your fabric...
Begin first, by felting your sweater.  Felting a sweater is simple and can be done in your own washing machine.  Wash sweater (with laundry detergent) in hot water with a cold water rinse and then toss it into the dryer to dry. After sweater is dry, check to see if it has been felted enough. You may want to run it through one more wash/dry cycle to acquire the desired felting.
Washing your sweater inside a mesh bag will help to contain the wool fuzz balls that will form from felting, and keep those fuzz balls from clogging your washer. Also, it is recommended to use a top loading washer for felting sweaters because the agitation is greater which is necessary for felting. You can wash your sweater with a load of towels or jeans - that will help with agitation and therefore the felting process as well. When your sweater is nicely felted it will look like a perfectly fantastic tiny sweater!

Sewing your outer case...
Measure your electronic device (I-pad, e-reader, leap pad...). Cut across the felted sweater directly below the armpits, and then down the side seams. Add 1” to both the length and the width of your measurements (for seam allowances) and cut sweater pieces to size.  Pin felted sweater pieces together with right sides facing out and sew together using a 1/4” seam allowance and a wide and long zig zag stitch (I set my machine at 5 for both the length and width) leaving the top short edge open. *Optional, use one of your machine’s more decorative stitches.

If you are sewing a cover for a nook or similar device that has more a mat screen you can simply stop here. Sew a button in the center of one side and about 1” down from the top, and, with several back and forth stitches, sew your hair elastic onto the other side to use for the closure. I hand stitched a small 1” hexagon on the backside to cover up the stitching from my hair elastic, but you could also leave it as is. 

And now you’ve got a lovely, one of a kind, snuggly sweater cover!

Sewing your Lining...
If you are sewing a cover for an I-pad or other more computer-like screened device I would highly recommend sewing a lining. You will notice that your wool felted sweater cover will leave a bit of itself on your screen every time you remove it otherwise.  To do this cut coordinating fabric (I recommend flannel which is soft on the screen) to the same width size as you did for your sweater pieces, but add 1 1/4” to the length.

*Optional, if your fabric is light weight, which mine was as I was using old pajama pants, you may want to iron on some light weight woven fusible interfacing, such as SF101 Shape-Flex, to the wrong side of your fabric for added stability. 

Pin lining pieces together with right sides facing. Sew together with a 3/8” seam allowance leaving the top short edge open (make sure your machine is set back to a normal stitch, stitch length, and width).  Next, fold and press top edge 1/4” to the wrong side. Fold 1/2” to the wrong side again and press. Tuck lining inside the felted sweater with wrong sides of lining and outer facing. Make sure side seams are aligned. Your lining should peak out above your outer sweater about 1/2”, pin the lining and outer together. Tuck your hair elastic in the center of your case between the lining and felted outer and pin in place. Attach the lining and outer together by sewing around the top with a zig zag stitch along the top edge of your felted outer. Add a button about 1” below the top edge on the side opposite the hair elastic for your closure. And now you’ve got a lovely, one of a kind, snuggly lined sweater cover!

There are so many ways that you can personalize these cozy covers. Add some super soft flannel hexies...

... an initial, a name, or any other appliqué. If you are adding fabric appliqués be sure to add them before you sew your front and back pieces together.

Or, maybe even a handmade wooden button...

Now, what could be more snuggly to cozy into than flannel and wool, now that’s making those electronics a little more curl up by the fire friendly. Not to mention that the thick wool is super padded protection for them!

Enjoy and happy Selfish Sewing! 

A Toothy Pocket...

Last week something big happened!  Violet lost her first tooth!

Each day I picked her up from school it was looser and looser.  I found myself getting distracted by this little wiggly tooth when I was talking to her or watching her eat.  I also found myself nearly as excited about it as she was!

There are so many milestones that you watch your children go through early on:  first birthdays, learning to walk, first days of school...but many of those you don't remember yourself. 

But loose teeth and visits from the tooth fairy, well yes, I remember those!  Which of course makes it even more exciting to watch it happen from the parent side.

One day last week the tooth was barely "hanging on" and we knew we needed to prepare for our first tooth fairy visit. 

I remembered my sister and I decorating little matchboxes with paper and markers and tucking our tooth inside and then under our pillows when we were kids.  Violet, however, was concerned that the box wouldn't be soft enough to sleep on and instead wanted something made out of felt.  (She's always got her own crafty ideas!)

Together we came up with "Toothy" (as named by her)... 
A little felt pocket in the shape of a tooth. 

I embroidered the little face and sewed on a bit of velcro at the top and she stitched the pocket together...

She was so excited to help make it.  I remember spending an inordinate amount of time decorating my matchbox when I was a child so I completely understood her wanting to be involved, I mean it is the tooth fairy!

While she was stitching "Toothy" together I whipped up the teeniest tiniest little pocket for just the tooth...

We didn't want it to get lost in all of that white felt...

And when she was done I machine stitched a little "bow" across the bottom of the tooth's face so that teeth and money wouldn't slide down into the bottom part of the tooth... And we were all done!

The next morning she woke up, coughed and watched her tooth fly across the room onto the floor!  HA!  We tucked the tooth into it's little tiny pocket and then inside "Toothy"...

That night she excitedly tucked "Toothy" under her pillow and then awoke bright and early and excitedly to find a shiny gold dollar coin left in place of her tooth!

Oh it is fun to see the magic of childhood through a parent's eyes isn't it!

Do you remember visits from the tooth fairy?

Have a great day!