Friday, January 22, 2010

Fleece Scarf-Kids

Finally got around to making Julia's scarves. It's a slight variation on the Adult version. Her scarf is 5"wide x 48" long, is only three layers of fleece and the strips are about 3/4" wide. I just used scissors to cut my strips on this one while watching hubby play video games.

Probably would have been okay to shorten it up a bit more.

Baby Blue, Cream, Baby Blue version
Getting her to pose prettily is nearly impossible.
Lavender, Cream, Lavender version

Again, a super easy project.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Kid's Papasan Chair

While browsing one of my favorite blogs, Make It and Love It, I saw how she had made a totally new seat for a kid's papasan chair. I have always wanted to get Julia a little chair to put in her room for reading. But never did I expect to find a chair just like the one on Ashley's blog. She had a great tutorial on how to do this project as well so I just had to follow along.



The best part about this project was that it didn't cost me a dime. I would have loved to bind it with a contrasting color but I was trying really hard to just use what I had on hand already. I found the chair at our ward's FreeCycle event. My husband and a few of the other men couldn't believe I was taking this chair home. But I accepted their challenge.
Thank you Ashley from Make It and Love It for this tutorial!!!!

So after creating the chair I dug out a quilt top that I had made for Julia. I found some batting and backed the quilt with white flannel. Now she has a cozy blanket to snuggle with while reading.
I am now happy with her bedding ensemble. Now I just need to fix the curtains and create a valance.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Fleece Scarf Tutorial

The tools you will need to make it a little easier to cut.
You will need two pieces of fleece measuring 15" long x 60" wide (or the length of the bolt)

First step:
Cut your fleece into four 7 " long x 60" inch pieces. I didn't bother to measure out 60". I just cut it the width of the bolt. You strips will look like the ones below.
Step 2:
Create a fleece sandwich. I like to put the darker colors on the outside.
Then sew right down the middle of your very long strip of fleece. It is okay if you aren't perfect! Just look at my ends. They didn't match up.
No problem. I just cut them off so they were all even and then went back to quick stitch the ends so they wouldn't come apart.
Now the tedious part. Cut one inch strips or whatever size you prefer along both sides. You will be cutting through four pieces of fleece so don't be afraid to put some muscle behind it. Also, be careful to not cut through the seam you have sewn. :) I stop about 1/4" before the seam.
Your fleece strip should look something like this now.
Give it a good shake to fluff it up and you are done! The more you wash and wear the fluffier/mixed it will be. I made the black/grey combo for my sisters for Christmas this year.
This one if for a San Diego Chargers fan.
Small warning about blisters.....don't make too many in one day.

This is the one that my auntie gave me and was my inspiration. I always wore it on Christmas parade days and it usually ended up on one of the guard girls. Or in this case, the baton girl. Doesn't she look warmer already?

My Craft Room

This is what the room looked like before we bought the house.
The first thing I did was remove the carpet and install laminate wood flooring. I didn't want to lose pins in the carpet or worry about my daughter getting paint on the floor. I also chose an inexpensive floor so I wouldn't also worry about constantly keeping it spotless.

Before
The walls are a bluish/purple depending on the lighting in the room.
After I crammed all my stuff in. It was hard to unload my stuff into such a clean room. But at least when it gets messy I know it is being used. This is probably the most clean it will be all year. I just finished going through all my stuff to declutter and reorganize. I wish I would have taken a pic of the after Christmas mess in this room.

After

Before
After
Most of the cubbies and drawers are labeled. Not really for me but for when friends come over. Then they don't have to ask me where anything is located.
I just put shelves in this closet! So excited! Who knew shelving could be so exciting. I had been storing my fabric in bins and it just wasn't working. I also moved some craft stuff that I don't use very often to the top of the closet.
Before
After
I'm short so the cork board above the desk had to be moved behind my chair so that I could reach it more easily. I love being able to have my machines out ALL THE TIME! Even if I scrapbook they can stay out because of the table in the center of the room. That table has folding legs and can easily be moved if needed.
Before
After
I needed to include a space for my daughter because I knew that she would not let me be in here by myself. My hubby also put in a TV for me so I can watch my most favorite channels....HGTV, FOOD Network, and Nick Jr.

Before
After
In my previous life I was a band director. This is my office area for not only printing pics but where I use Finale on occasion, keep my instruments that I currently use (under the desk), and store office supply type stuff that I love to buy.
All furniture items were purchased at IKEA with the exception of the 8 foot table top (Home Depot). I love IKEA and I'm very sad that the closest one to me is 3 hours away! Probably better for my pocket book that way.