Oops, let that project slide a little too long. It's just tough to sit inside sewing when there is so much gardening and swimming and barbecuing to be done. So, I told myself that I could not sew one holiday gift before finishing this birthday gift.
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Before the Holiday Making
There were a few things I needed to finish before I started on the Holiday gifts this year. One was this pretty apron for my sister-in-law. Pattern from the very talented Meg at Sew Liberated. My s.i.l. requested one for her birthday. In June.
Oops, let that project slide a little too long. It's just tough to sit inside sewing when there is so much gardening and swimming and barbecuing to be done. So, I told myself that I could not sew one holiday gift before finishing this birthday gift.
Her favorite color is orange, and I happen to know she likes purple too but, I hadn't expected to find a cute fabric with both. This fabric in the top photo and the striped trim are both from Sugarsnap collection by Melissa Averinos. The orange butterfly is Monarch by Valori Wells designs.
And finishing this pretty apron has inspired me to finish a pattern of
my own, in the works for some time now, that will also be the first of
my home made holiday gifts this year. I hope to have my gifts made and the
pattern available for sale soon.
Oops, let that project slide a little too long. It's just tough to sit inside sewing when there is so much gardening and swimming and barbecuing to be done. So, I told myself that I could not sew one holiday gift before finishing this birthday gift.
Craft Gift Reveal Part 2
My
oldest and my baby girl each had an aunt and decided to work together,
which was wonderful for me since they were able to do these crafts
together without much help. We searched the internet and my 10 year old
decided to try these sugar scrubs from Christine at Great Oak Circle. They chose to make the Vanilla Almond and Peppermint scrubs and, it was easier than
baking cookies.
We decided to add some red sugar sprinkles to the peppermint scrub to give it a more pepperminty look. And, I did send a question to Christine about the amounts in the Vanilla Almond scrub. She got back to us right away with a great tip. She advised combining the dry ingredients, then adding the olive oil a little at a time to ensure it doesn't get too oily. I was lucky enough to be asked to test the scrubs, they both smell wonderful and my hands haven't been this soft and smooth in a long time.
Then, they made some lip balm using Renee's tutorial on Fimby. We'll be making more of this as soon as we can find some little tins. I'm pretty sure this will be going into every gift we give this year and we'll need plenty for ourselves too. We all loved it.
The boy had a favorite cousin for the exchange and he had no trouble at all deciding to create a series of 4 books for her. They were titled, Knights and Dragons, Ogres and Dungeons, Knights and Castles and Princesses and Princes, and they read like guides, "These are two knights fighting. They are training for battle school. They will be very, very tough knights and this castle has very, very sharp swords so they might always win the battle." Too cute.
He started writing books this way after watching How to Train Your Dragon and reading the book. I love that he wrote about one of his favorite subjects, but that he put a lot of thought into including things he thought his cousin (a teenage girl) would like too, it wasn't all swords and battles. At one point I heard him exclaim, "I need more glitter for my princess!" and couldn't help but smile. (That's her pet bird dragon that breathes fire and protects her, on her shoulder)
I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed the gifts we made, I know we had fun making them and we all loved the craft gifts we received. What an fun start to the crafting season, there is still so much more to be made in the next few weeks. So, what's on your holiday crafting to-do list?
We decided to add some red sugar sprinkles to the peppermint scrub to give it a more pepperminty look. And, I did send a question to Christine about the amounts in the Vanilla Almond scrub. She got back to us right away with a great tip. She advised combining the dry ingredients, then adding the olive oil a little at a time to ensure it doesn't get too oily. I was lucky enough to be asked to test the scrubs, they both smell wonderful and my hands haven't been this soft and smooth in a long time.
Then, they made some lip balm using Renee's tutorial on Fimby. We'll be making more of this as soon as we can find some little tins. I'm pretty sure this will be going into every gift we give this year and we'll need plenty for ourselves too. We all loved it.
The boy had a favorite cousin for the exchange and he had no trouble at all deciding to create a series of 4 books for her. They were titled, Knights and Dragons, Ogres and Dungeons, Knights and Castles and Princesses and Princes, and they read like guides, "These are two knights fighting. They are training for battle school. They will be very, very tough knights and this castle has very, very sharp swords so they might always win the battle." Too cute.
He started writing books this way after watching How to Train Your Dragon and reading the book. I love that he wrote about one of his favorite subjects, but that he put a lot of thought into including things he thought his cousin (a teenage girl) would like too, it wasn't all swords and battles. At one point I heard him exclaim, "I need more glitter for my princess!" and couldn't help but smile. (That's her pet bird dragon that breathes fire and protects her, on her shoulder)
I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed the gifts we made, I know we had fun making them and we all loved the craft gifts we received. What an fun start to the crafting season, there is still so much more to be made in the next few weeks. So, what's on your holiday crafting to-do list?
Totally in Love With. . .
. . .Snow!!!!
And, the fantastic feature on 686 brand snow jackets that extends the sleeves, meaning we don't have to buy a new jacket this year, too bad they can't do that with boots.
And big sisters who help littles get ready to go outside, and then, ride with them down the "big" hills.
And the way the sunshine makes it all look so sparkly.
And that we're able to be here, at home, together, to enjoy it all.
And, the fantastic feature on 686 brand snow jackets that extends the sleeves, meaning we don't have to buy a new jacket this year, too bad they can't do that with boots.
And big sisters who help littles get ready to go outside, and then, ride with them down the "big" hills.
And the way the sunshine makes it all look so sparkly.
And that we're able to be here, at home, together, to enjoy it all.
Craft Gift Reveal Part 1
I started writing this craft reveal post and realized it was very long so, I've broken it into two separate posts. Today, the planter box and caramels and coming soon, the kid made books, sugar scrubs and lip balm.
My husband and I each drew one of his parents names so, we decided we'd make them a bigger, joint gift together, instead of our own smaller ones. Both of them had admired the beautiful garden boxes he built this summer so, we decided to use the scrap wood he had from those to make a smaller, deck box version. Then, I made a finish mixing mineral oil and beeswax, following the directions at this site. I love how it turned out, it deepened the natural color and really brought out the character in the wood. I'll be adding the finish to our own boxes.
My middle girl was determined to make some sort of sugary treat for her uncle, so it's a good thing he likes sugary treats almost as much as she does. We usually make chocolates at Christmas, some for gifts, some the kids sell to friends and family to earn a few dollars for recital costumes and other sports fees.
They do a lot of the work themselves, under my very close supervision to ensure clean hands and no spoon licking, well, not until the end at least. The candies I've made with the kids in the past basically consist of melting and pouring or mixing chocolate, nothing too complicated, so when my girl decided she wanted to attempt caramel I was a bit nervous.
I knew it would involve a thermometer and that timing would be important. I also knew there were lots of opportunities to mess it up. But, thanks to AmberLee's failproof Homemade Caramel recipe it was simple and stress free and so very delicious. It's fabulous, melt in your mouth yummy. This recipe is being added to the yearly candy making for sure.
My husband and I each drew one of his parents names so, we decided we'd make them a bigger, joint gift together, instead of our own smaller ones. Both of them had admired the beautiful garden boxes he built this summer so, we decided to use the scrap wood he had from those to make a smaller, deck box version. Then, I made a finish mixing mineral oil and beeswax, following the directions at this site. I love how it turned out, it deepened the natural color and really brought out the character in the wood. I'll be adding the finish to our own boxes.
My middle girl was determined to make some sort of sugary treat for her uncle, so it's a good thing he likes sugary treats almost as much as she does. We usually make chocolates at Christmas, some for gifts, some the kids sell to friends and family to earn a few dollars for recital costumes and other sports fees.
They do a lot of the work themselves, under my very close supervision to ensure clean hands and no spoon licking, well, not until the end at least. The candies I've made with the kids in the past basically consist of melting and pouring or mixing chocolate, nothing too complicated, so when my girl decided she wanted to attempt caramel I was a bit nervous.
I knew it would involve a thermometer and that timing would be important. I also knew there were lots of opportunities to mess it up. But, thanks to AmberLee's failproof Homemade Caramel recipe it was simple and stress free and so very delicious. It's fabulous, melt in your mouth yummy. This recipe is being added to the yearly candy making for sure.
Pumpkin Fairy
My sweet baby girl wanted in on the tutorial fun her brother and sisters were having. She found a dress her big sisters had worn in a wedding when they were her age and decided she wanted to be a pumpkin fairy. This is what she had to say about her costume.
"My dress is orange. I got the dress from (my big sister) for Halloween. I love it so much. My wings are BIG, they are parent size. And I put sparkles on me. It's Halloween! BOO!"
"My dress is orange. I got the dress from (my big sister) for Halloween. I love it so much. My wings are BIG, they are parent size. And I put sparkles on me. It's Halloween! BOO!"
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| Photo taken by my niece |
Thanks for playing along with our very late and now out of season posts. We hope you find some inspiration for make believe fun. Or maybe even plans for next year's costumes? I know we've already started planning :)
Up next the craft gift exchange!
Iris the Goddess of the Rainbow Costume Tutorial
After spending some time with Rick Riordan's books about Greek gods, demigods and mythical beasts, the 10 year old decided she wanted to go as Iris. This is her tutorial.
You'll need:
Materials:
Cut the measurements straight up so when you sew it, it looks like a tube, like the shirt of The Pirate Girl costume, except it is a lot longer.
Sew the two ends together to make a tube.
Cut out arm holes and make a casing at the top like a pillowcase dress.
Cut the string in two pieces that can tie above your shoulders.
Thread the string in the casings.
The Rainbow Wrap
Then, take your left arm and wrap the fabric around you to your right sholder. Have somebody hold it.
Then take your right arm and wrap the fabric around you to your left hip.
Take the piece on your right sholder across your back to your left hip and tie together.
Jewlery
Take the sparkly ribbon and cut to fit around your wrists and neck.
Add any jems or buttons.
Use velcro, hook and eye fasteners or just sew the ends together.
Finish it off
Add a pair of gold or silver wings, a pretty headress or crown and now your the Goddess of the Rainbow, Iris.
(All photos except the first and last were taken by my daughter, I'm still not sure how she managed since she's the one in those photos and I don't think she can work the timer?)
Materials:
- rainbow colored piece of fabric or shawl
- some sort of headdress or crown
- white fabric long enough to fit a round you (with extra)
- string
- sparkly ribbon
- sewing Machine
- sewing scissors
- sewing needles
- thread
Under Dress
The under dress is pretty simply what you need from the lists above are:- white fabric
- string
- sewing Machine
- sewing scissors
Cut the measurements straight up so when you sew it, it looks like a tube, like the shirt of The Pirate Girl costume, except it is a lot longer.
Sew the two ends together to make a tube.
Cut out arm holes and make a casing at the top like a pillowcase dress.
Cut the string in two pieces that can tie above your shoulders.
Thread the string in the casings.
The Rainbow Wrap
Then, take your left arm and wrap the fabric around you to your right sholder. Have somebody hold it.
Then take your right arm and wrap the fabric around you to your left hip.
Take the piece on your right sholder across your back to your left hip and tie together.
Jewlery
Take the sparkly ribbon and cut to fit around your wrists and neck.
Add any jems or buttons.
Use velcro, hook and eye fasteners or just sew the ends together.
Finish it off
Add a pair of gold or silver wings, a pretty headress or crown and now your the Goddess of the Rainbow, Iris.
(All photos except the first and last were taken by my daughter, I'm still not sure how she managed since she's the one in those photos and I don't think she can work the timer?)
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