Buzzmills

A Year in Review, 2016...

Yes, I realize that it's nearly February.  Yes, I realize I'm a little behind on the whole year in review thing.  Maybe it doesn't even matter much really anyway... But for me, it's always fun too look back through the year and to put it all in one place....

So, perhaps this post is just for me?  

In which case I say...

It's better late than never! 

January...

Christmas outfits, Green Josephine, Arm knitting, Sewing with Kids Doll Sleeping bags, Sewing with Kids Stuffed Angel, Flannel Robes, Bracelet making, Cookie Book aprons, Faux Shearling vests, Celebration Tank, Upcycled Mittens, Sweatpants and Sweater vests.

February...

Dapper Valentine, Trinity tee, Polymer clay candle holders, Safari Raglan, Hudson pants, running Raglan, Kid Valentines, Valentine's outfits, a "tinkering" party, bias bound shearling blanket, Chocolate and Strawberry Cream Sandwich cookies.

March...

Huck Finn Cap, Star Wars raglans, Catnap nightgown, Flannel Eleena Dress, Bunnies for Easter

April...

Starlight City dress, Safari Raglan Dress, Owl Rowan tee, Sewing Happiness, Easter Ensembles, Owl Floor Cushions

May...

Running tights for kids, Ninja Dragon shorts, Lily of the Valley Moroccan shorts, Star Wars pjs, a Safari Birthday

June...

Top Knot Dress, Thread Faction Summer Capsule wardrobe, Braided Jersey Knit Kid projects

July...

Swimsuits and Stripey Groove Dress.

August...

Athletic Tanks, Sandpipers, Panda Sailboat Top, Umbrella skirts, Fishy tank, Pink Polka Dot bikini, Pink Polka dot rash guard, Shibori Gym Shorts

September...

Back to School Linville Romper, S'mores Cones, Houndstooth Loveralls, Charley Harper Backpack.

October...

Blue Groove and Bag, Camping pjs, Linville Dress, Juba Shorts and Strathcona, Bethioua Tees, Chambray Esme Dress, Undies

November...

Halloween: Rey, National Park Ranger, Elder Luke

Petit a Petit Block party

Loveralls jumper, Loveralls, Dorset dress, Vote!, Upcycled Sailboat Top, Turkey Crafting

December...

so much sewing and gift making...not so much blogging! 

Blogging as a part of the Petit a Petit Family this past year was so much fun and it really stretched me to come up with new ideas...and, in general, it felt really great to be a part of a "team"!

Shrinky Dink string art charms, recycled wastepaper basket, polymer clay heart bowls, kid made Easter egg pillows, shibori floor cushions, glow in the dark Halloween pjs, kid made "bookend buddies", Gratitude, Lions and Lambs, DIY leather gift card wallet

It's funny, each and every year I think...I wish I'd made more, or I didn't make much this year...but then I put this little year in review together and I realize I did, in fact, make a lot! 

It's not been my most prolific of years...but I've learned, and grown, and had fun!  

Here's to another year full of makes and another year to come!

What to do This Summer, a Roundup of 35+ Boredom Busting projects...

As I was putting together last week's "Mini Maker's Guide To Summer Fun" post I thought of some of the other summertime fun we've had in the past...

Sure, there have certainly been days where the house gets turned upside down, siblings are squabbling and I'm wanting to pull my hair out, but for the most part we really dig summertime around here.  We like the lazy days in pjs, trips to the pool and the woods...Adventures to the zoo, museums and elsewhere...

But sometimes, we just need to dig into our "creative space" to get us out of the occasional summertime rut...

Get Crafty...

make:  balsa wood airplane, bracelets, tiny and giant pompom flowers, stepping stones, puppets of yourselves, french knitting, woven paper basket, freezer paper tees, balloon animals, pressed flower windows, comet balls, cat toys, fabric scrap bowls ...

and even Make masks...painted egg carton mobiles...or boats...

Embroider something...

make:  a pillow or a simple wall hanging...

Create for Fairies...

The Supper Tree Farm Fairies, Woodland Fairy Flower Crowns, Fairy Bells, Fairy Houses, Clothespin Fairy dolls and Craft Stick Fairies...

Get outside with Nature...

make:  a bird book or harvest your own seeds

Paint something...

make:  painted rocks...or paint with ice!  Or so, so many other painting projects!

Throw a party!

make:  A tinkering party or a Re-useum

Shrinky Dinks...

make:  suncatchers or jewelry

Stuffed Animals...

make:  using freezer paper technique or kid designed, mom traced...

Have fun with the sun...

make:  sun dyed tees, sun dyed fabric, or sun dyed art prints

Tote bags...

make:  sewn your own and draw with fabric craypas or design your own on the go activity bags

Phew...with a list like that I'm sure there's something for everyone to enjoy.  No need to be bored.  Get creative, get making and have fun this summer!

 

 

Catch up with the other Mini Maker’s Summer Fun projects:

Blanket Fort from Kid Stuff World

Flexible Summer Schedule from Inspired by Familia

Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream from Smashed Peas and Carrots

Write a Book from A Happy Stitch

Sensory Friendly Shaving Cream pool from Tag & Tibby

The Mini Maker's Guide To Summer Fun: braided jersey knit projects...

The summer temperatures, humidity and long sunny days have arrived!  While we don't actually get out of school until nearly the end of June (thanks to a massive blizzard this past winter!) I know many kids are enjoy enjoying their summer breaks. 

I hope they are still enjoying their break and haven't already begun to sing the "I'm bored" tune...But, luckily for you once those "blase" days of summer begin to roll in...we've got you covered!

 

What is mini maker's summer fun?...besides fun to say!  Well, the idea is the brainchild of Carla from Small + Friendly and it's a fun summertime series brought you by 8 bloggers aimed at combating those summer doldrums! 

And today, is my day to share!

As a kid, I do honestly remember often feeling a bit bored...my sister and I are only 17 months apart in age so we were able to keep each other occupied much of the time, that is until...we were arguing!  Isn't that often where boredom takes kids?  Anywho, I also remember toiling away our days making jewelry, braiding our hair in all sorts of crazy ways and finding ways to create, while also staying cool in the shade.

With those memories in mind I thought we'd do a little braiding ourselves...

This is such a simple and fun summertime project.  All you need is some scrap knit fabric.  Here, we used some scraps from my scrap bin, but we have also used old t-shirts as well.  Simply cut lengths of knit fabric into one inch strips...

Choose three pieces to braid with and, before beginning to braid, pull and stretch the fabric.  This will cause it to curl slightly and lengthen considerably.

To make a belt you will need a sewing machine and two D-rings in addition to your knit fabric.  Hold the ends of your three pieces together, pass them through the two D-rings and fold over about a half an inch or so.  Sew a few lines of stitching as close to the D-ring as you can...

To make a headband or bag strap, simply tie the three ends of your fabric together.  Keep it loose for a bag strap as you will be untying it later... and leave about an inch of fabric on the non-braided side for a headband as you will be attaching that to elastic later on.

Now, braid...

When teaching kids how to braid I always find myself repeating over and over, outside over inside, outside over inside...or right over center, left over center, right over center...It's important to remind them to use their opposite thumb/hand to anchor the braid in place as they braid from the other side.  It takes practice, but once they get the concept it's quite simple.  This was more challenging for Henry as it was new to him, but Violet's had some practice after all of the braided bracelets she helped me make.

Check the length of your braid every so often.  A belt will need to be the longest and a headband the shortest, simply test them out as you go.  For the headband, I think it best to have the beginning and ending knots just at the base of the ear.

Finishing...

Once you've braided your fabric to the appropriate belt size, stack together your three pieces and stitch a line across to hold them together, then sew a small rectangle of felt over the ends...

To finish the bag strap, first make the bag...The bag, here, is simply a piece of felt 8" x 16" folded in half and stitched up the sides.  Poke a hole through both sides of the bag near the top.  Untie your beginning knot and carefully push all three pieces of fabric through the hole, tie a knot with the end pieces and the bag handle across the top of the bag, repeat for the other side...

To finish the headband, simply knot the end of your braided fabric leave about an inch of fabric on the unbraided side of the knot, cut off any excess fabric.  Stitch some elastic (I like to use FOE, foldover elastic) to one end, hold it around the wearer's head to determine the length of elastic needed, cut elastic and stitch to the other end of your braid...I also tied a little bow knot on the top just for fun.

Now, before you know it...you've got a new belt...

A new explorer's satchel...

And a new headband...

All done in the cool of the shade...and all the while fully boredom busting!  Not to mention totally awesome summertime fun things to have.

A pretty belt...

The perfect summer dress accessory.

A new felt satchel...

Lightweight and perfect for an active explorer...

And a new headband...

Which will help to keep you cool...and cute too!

See, with only a few simple supplies you've got a fun afternoon activity.  Something for everyone, a bag, a belt or a headband...make them for yourself or for someone else.  Make them to sell at a lemonade stand perhaps?  Whatever you choose...enjoy and have fun!

Here's to a boredom free summer!

Catch up with the other Mini Maker’s Summer Fun projects:

Blanket Fort from Kid Stuff World

Flexible Summer Schedule from Inspired by Familia

Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream from Smashed Peas and Carrots

Write a Book from A Happy Stitch

Sensory Friendly Shaving Cream pool from Tag & Tibby

Sensory Friendly Shaving Cream Pool

Sensory Friendly Shaving Cream Pool

Kid Created Mother's Day Gifts...

Hey there!  I'm over at the Petit a Petit family blog again today sharing a sweet kidmade art turned jewelry project which is perfect for Mother's Day...

 

And, just in case you needed a little bit more last minute handmade mama's day gift inspiration...

 

embroidered "hand towel", tissue paper corsage, embroidered kid drawing tea towel, tissue paper vase of flowers, kid drawn totes, scrappy fabric bowls...

 

Have a great day!

 

 

Christmas Craft Making Inspiration, 8 DIYs to make this weekend...

It's been unseasonably mild around here these past few weeks and looking ahead it doesn't appear as though it's going to change much.  The warm weather is making it hard for me to focus and think "Christmas".  We've got our decorations and tree up.  We've visited Santa and seen a magical performance of the Nutcracker... Lists have been made, packages are arriving...but the making hasn't quite started.  We are nearly halfway through our advent calendar!  What are we waiting for? 

Despite the lack of snow, chilly temperatures and crackling fires it's time to get "elving" and crafting and making!

Here are a few of our makes from last year in case you need a little nudge yourselves...

Polymer clay stars as gift tags or ornaments, "elves at work" door hang printable to keep sneaking eyes away from your secrets, beeswax ornaments as gift toppers, polymer clay tree necklaces, craft stick book markers, wooden trivet/serving board, Nutcracker peg dolls, stovetop potpourri for teacher gifts...

Here's to a productive and fun weekend! 

(ps...more Christmas crafting ideas...)