Cord Skirt for Fall

I've been holding onto this fabric for awhile, wanting to do somthing fun for D with it. It's a baby wale corduroy, so a skirt for fall seemed appropriate. My first attempt ended up too long, so I had to chop off the top. The second try turned out much better.

Felt Barrette Cover Tutorial

So here's my first go at a tutorial. Let me know what you think!

Cut out all your pieces. You need a top, a bottom, and any embellishments.

Make sure your top and bottom pieces are the same size, slightly larger than your metal barrette. Attach embellishments using embroidery floss. I think the simpler the better, then your embellishments aren't getting in the way when you sew the cover together. (For this barrette I used French knots to attach the flowers.)

Cut your bottom piece in half where the barrette will hinge.

Using a running stitch, sew the longer bottom piece to the top piece. Make sure to hide your knot in between the top and bottom pieces for a clean look.

Once you have stitched all the way around the bigger bottom piece, reverse your running stitch to finish attaching the piece.
Slip your metal barrette between the top and bottom pieces.
Attach the smaller bottom piece using a running stitch.Pay close attention to to the top of the barrette so your running stitch misses your embellishments.

Finished piece from the bottom.

Finished piece from the top.

Happy crafting!

Craft Exchange

My friend Marci recently organized a craft exchange, and I was so excited to be included! It was fun to try to work on something I hoped my friend would enjoy- and super fun to get beautiful craft surprises in the mail. This is what I received from Riki (as you can see, the lady is TALENTED!)- perhaps the cutest purse ever...

And a fabric bowl that goes great in my living room...

Thank you SO much, Riki. I LOVED everything!

This is what I made for Marci- a "Lickety Split" bag (find the Made by Rae pattern here) - book bag/ stroller bag/ reversible carry-all. I never did get a good picture before I wrapped it, but this gives you a taste of my handiwork.

Thanks for organizing this, Marci. I can't wait to do it again!

Felt Barrette Recipe

These plain barrettes +

this stash of felt+
these scraps of felt+ this stash of embroidery floss=

Cute felt covered barrettes!

They are nice and grippy- not slippy!

Monkey frames

Wal-mart frames covered with monkey scrapbooking papers for a friend who is having a baby (and a monkey-themed nursery)

Finally something new

I have been absent from blogging forever... I was absent from crafting for awhile, but I am finally crafting away again! We expanded our house and I was busy with all the hoopla that created. Both of the kids' rooms were expanded in the process, and I have been working on putting D's room back together. Everything is still pink and brown- I am trying to use up crafting supplies that I have left over from our pink & brown wedding 5 years ago. Here's a couple of things I've been working on...

Painting this brown border. I thought it would go fast, but it is very, very slow. I didn't like it at first but it is growing on me- looks a bit like a string of beads...

Flower pillow- I still have a gazillion of these fake flowers from the wedding, pulled off of cherry blossom branches...Little apron for D while she plays in her kitchen- from fabric leftover from the window valences...

New dress- this time I actually used a pattern. Sewing goes a little faster when someone else is making up what to do!

I have a bunch of projects in the works- more to come soon!

Spring Dresses

Here's a couple of cover-all dresses I whipped up for D and a friend of mine. Still trying to use up that fabric!