Ribbon Headbands

Before Elaina was born I bought tons of big bows, hats, and bands for her to wear. I was so excited to do hair stuff.  My little Elaina though was born with a lot of hair but then lost it.  So when I could finally bring her home 5 weeks later and put those pretty hair bows on they were bigger then her head.  They just looked weird.

So I decided that we were NOT going without bows but that I needed to come up with something else.  I collect ribbon (aka when it is on sale I stock up).  I figured that I could just make her a thin headband from ribbon with some elastic in the back.  I also discovered that they were perfect for everyday use instead of just big picture moments.  They look great stacked too (more then one or paired with another small bow).

Here is how.

Materials:
Ribbon, small plastic hair tie, scissors, hot glue, candle!

Step 1:

Cut ribbon to desired length. I went about 15 - 17 inches.

Step 2:
Melt both ends of the ribbon so they don't fray.

Step 3:

Fold and hot glue ends of ribbon to opposite sides of hair tie.  Be careful that the ribbon is not twisted.

  

Step 4:
Tie a small bow and melt the ends so they don't fray.

Step 5:

Stitch the bow onto the headband.  I did mine a little to the side. You have to stitch on because if you hot glue little finger can pull off.

And your DONE!

Here are some other pictures of my little Lainey Bug styling her hair bows.

HAD to have
Pink.

Stacked with a black
flower for Halloween.

Added a felt flower
onto the bow.

Cardinals for Grandma!

Ruffle Baby Shoe

Once I got started on shoes for Elaina, I couldn't stop.  She needed to have a pair that coordinated with each outfit.  (Not really but most outfits.)

I found another FREE pattern AND tutorial at http://www.fleetingthing.com/handmade/baby-gifts/the-mila-baby-shoe-tutorial/&2_10_12.

I use felt instead of fabric so it is a little different from this tutorial but goes even faster.  And I think it look really cute!

These are the ones I made for my Lainey Bug!

I didn't make any of these for the Craft Fair but could make them in any color.  I picked up some black alligator print felt that I was going to try for Lainey.  I'm picturing zebra too!

$7 per pair or $14 per 2 pair

Baby Shoes

I was disheartened to see how much baby shoes cost.  Lainey wont wear them for very long and she isn't walking so they don't need to have a  hard bottom.

I went online and found a FREE pattern AND tutorial at http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/cloth-shoe-pattern.html.

I have then proceeded to make these.  They are so cute and really easy to make.  Especially if you have scraps of fabric.  Let me know if you want a certain pair or have a special occasion you need special shoes made for.

These are the pairs I made for my Lainey Bug!

These are the ones I made for the Oak Park Craft Fair!  $7 per pair or $12 for 2 pair.

Need to re- upload pictures.

Elaina Louellen My Journey Home

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

Clothes Pins

My mother in-law, Teresa, did this one first and used them as chip clips. She let me pick what I wanted to take home. Our pantry and fridge are full of them now.

I had been using small clothes pins left over from another craft to clip the matching bottoms to the hangers of Elaina's cute outfits.  After receiving our cute chip clips it got me thinking.
So after getting the steps from Teresa I made a bunch for Elaina's closet. I went a little crazy and had a couple hundred made. I gave them to friends with little girls and even used them in my closet to hang my skirts up.

So as you can see there are endless uses for this craft.  Gift it, use it in your closet, add a magnet for the fridge, clip a card on a gift bag, use it as a chip clip or any other idea you may have. They are practical, cheap, and cute.

Materials:
Clothes pins, scrap book paper, mod podge, sand paper, buttons, thread, and hot glue

Step 1 (optional):
I didn't paint or stain my clothes pins but Teresa did. It is up to you.

Step 2:
Measure the length and width of the clothes pin and cut paper to size. Do not be deceived. Not every type is the same. Spoken from experience. If you have a paper cutter this is super easy and fast.

Step 3:
Paint a thin layer of mod podge on the clothes pin and smooth paper over it.

Step 4:
Sand the edges to soften the edges and ruff up the paper.

Step 5:
Mod podge again.

Step 6:
Hot glue a button on.  You can thread the holes or leave it plain.  Thread or joot rope works good.  I used cross sketching thread.  You could use any type of embellishment.

And done.


Try it out. Let me know how you pin it up.

Desk Organizers

I love to organize.  I love baskets and bins.  But my hubby thinks I tend to go over board. I think it is because he doesn't like me spending the money.
So I came up with a way to organize my craft room and desk at school with out spending any money. Empty cans.  They come in all sizes and are recycled any way.  I just cleaned them up and wrapped them in cute coordinating scrapbook paper.  I was really happy how it turned out. And I got to use my old cans and pieces of scrap scrapbook paper.

My office organizers!

Materials:
Cans, scrapbook paper, tape

Step 1:
Clean can.  Use pliers to push down jagged edges.
 
Step 2:
Cut paper to fit can.

Step 3:
Tape 1 end of paper to can.  Some cans still have a some glue on them and don't need that.  Wrap the paper around and tape again covering the entire seam.

Done.

Update:  Here are some pictures of other uses for the cans.

Baby spoons.
I added another one for forks and knifes.

Bible Study meets at my house
and we use plastic to cut down on the cleaning.

Blankets for the NICU

Bryan took this before she
was whisked away.

Elaina was born 2 months premature (31 weeks) at 2 lbs 11 oz and 15 in long.  She spent 5 weeks in the North Kansas City Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  She graduated and came home at 4 lbs 3 oz.

While she was there she received little hats and blankets from strangers that had sent them to the NICU for the babies.  She had amazing care there and I have wanted to give back to the nurses and doctors that did so much for us.  Also, I wanted to give to the families that would be going through what we did.

8 days old.
This blanket was donated.

So.......... 7 months later (yesterday) I have finally completed my first batch of blankets to give to the NICU.  They were super easy and are so cute.  I even got a great deal on the fabric ($2.99 a yard at Joann's normally $6.99).  

If you are interested in joining me in the cause or donating to our efforts to give back just let me know. 

Materials:

2 yds of fleece (preferable 1 patterned and 1 solid), sewing machine, pins, scissors, iron

Step 1:

Iron the fleece.  It is often wrinkled and may be cut uneven.  So when you go to pin the 2 together it may not match up.

Iron the fleece.

Step 2:

Place right sides of the fabric together and pin the top.  Then fold the top edge in half and smooth out the wrinkles and bubbles.

Right sides together.  Wrong sides on the outside.

Smooth out the fabric.
Notice the edges are not straight.

Step 3:

Cut a straight edge so that all layers end at the same spot.  I used a rotary blade and cutting board but you can just use scissors too.

Make sure that all edges match.
Also make sure you cut off the company
printed words on the side of the fabric.

Step 4: 

Pin all of the edges together making sue you have a straight edge and that you have created a rectangle.

Step 5:

Sew the edges together.  Leave a gap of about 7 or 8 inches to turn the blanket right side out.

Step 6:

Turn the blanket right side out.

Step 7:

Iron the edges flat and smooth out the fabric.

Step 8:

Sew over the edges again to finish off the blanket and to seal up the gap.  You might want to even sew over the gap closer to the edge so that it doesn't flap open.

A wider edge makes it look cuter
but then you have to go over the gap again.

And your DONE!!

All rolled up and ready to go to the NICU.

Lydia, a friend from college, made 2 of these blankets for Elaina.  I am thinking of hiding all of the other blankets until those become her favorite blankies cause they are so cute.

Try it out and see how easy and cute these blankets can be.  And while your at it make a couple extras to give away.

Jewelry Frames

I made these for my jewelry.  I will have to get the steps up.

Picture Frames

I love this easy cheap gift.  I will get the steps up.

Hooded Towel

I will work on getting steps for this easy baby gift up.