Munchies to Maracas

With little hands and mouths needing lots of snacks around here, I often have empty snack containers making their way into our recycling bin. And I often think that I should give them a second life. Well, I figured out a new life for at least one: Gerber Puffs (of course, all relevant copyright, trademark, etc. applies and I claim no ownership or affiliation with them...whew, that was a mouthful).

They come in a great shape for little hands to grip and make some pretty fun sounds when they get all shook up. Even better, this project requires almost no precision and only a container, fabric (nothing special), scissors, and a hot glue gun.

First I stripped off the label and loaded it up with dried pasta (rice, beans, coins, buttons, almost anything would work). Then I ran a bead of hot glue around the inside rim of the lid and sealed up the container.

Then I folded the top and bottom of the fabric to about the right height for the container.

Next, I ran glue along the top and bottom edges, also securing one vertical, folded edge.

And, to wrap it up, I rolled it around the container and glued the opposite vertical, folded edge to secure.

And, there you have it! A quick, easy, fun noise maker for your little noise maker!

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Presto Change-O

Being a mommy on a budget (and who isn't?), I am always on the lookout for good deals on kids' clothes. I went to our local baby superstore and they were having major markdowns on clearance clothes, and I found some cute, very inexpensive pieces ($2 & $3 apiece!). But, a couple of them were onesies and I do not want to be messing around with a 4T onesie. The prints were so cute though that I thought I could do something with them. Here's what evolved from my bargain shopping...

Pre-Handmade Makeover

On the chopping block
(make sure to pre-wash before cutting)

Folded under and sewn with a wide zigzag stitch in coordinating thread...looks like it was meant to be that way!

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Welcome Baby Boy

I just finished a gift set for a girlfriend of mine who's expecting a baby boy. I couldn't make it to her shower, but I'll be sending this to her. Although I've made similar blankets and burp cloths in the past, I added a grosgrain loop to the blanket because I figured it would give baby something to chew on, a way to tether it on a stroller handle, and mostly because I thought it was cute. My only complaint about minky and satin together is how much they want to slide on each other and you have to pin the heck out of them. Other than that, these were really, really easy projects.
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My Newest Favorite Site

I have discovered and quickly fallen in love with BurdaStyle.com! If you sew (at any skill level) or want to learn how to sew, this site is a must-have. It requires a quick registration, but offers "Copyright-free sewing patterns, step-by-step tutorials, skill sharing, inspiration, project ideas, and people just like you" (as quoted from their home page). I found a bunch of great ideas, and even the patterns you have to pay for are really cheap while still being very stylish.

I'll post as soon as I find the time to whip something up in all my free time! Pin It

i heart brownies

I have a fabulous group of girlfriends (so grateful for them), and we get together monthly for a Girls' Night (wine, games, chatting, no kids, no guys). Last night, I hosted a Valentine's get together at my house and just had to do something crafty. My low-budget, quick, mommy-doable idea was a batch of heart-shaped brownies. I'm not the first person to have this idea but I was thrilled with how they came out.

I made up a brownie mix and sprinkled V-Day theme sprinkles on top before baking them (made from scratch is such a great idea...but I don't know any real-life mommies who can perform a miracle like that). I baked them in a 9x13 to make sure they were on the thinner side so my cookie cutters could actually cut through them. Then I used 2 different size heart cutters to stamp the brownies in the pan. I did have to carefully go around them with a plastic knife after using the cutters to make sure they were cut all the way through. After very carefully removing them from the pan, I arranged them in a sweet heart-shaped dish (a little redundant, but you can get away with it for Valentine's).

They were a big hit - but, what roomful of girls doesn't like brownies? I even saved the pieces left in the pan to make ice cream sundaes for hubby and me one night after little sleepy heads are in bed...mmm already looking forward to those. Pin It

Hybrid Fabric Box

There are lots of cute tutorials for beautiful fabric boxes out there (like this and this, for example), but I am short on time and patience for projects that are cute and skillful. So, here's the box I made to hold my many spools of thread using both my sewing machine and trusty hot glue gun (hence the "hybrid" name). It even matches my sewing machine cover - now I can keep my sewing supplies easily accessible without creating ugly clutter (I have plenty of that in other parts of the house!). Constantly digging in my notions basket and the plastic grocery bag (so chic, I know) for the right color was getting old. I've never put together a project how-to, but I hope this makes sense.

First I found a box the right size, and cut off the flaps.

Then I covered it in felt to smooth out the edges using a hot glue gun. Any fabric would work. I only used yellow felt because I had it on hand (clearly not because of how well it coordinates with the outer fabric).

Then I cut my outer fabric to size making sure to add 2 inches to outer dimensions so you can wrap the fabric around the underside of the box. (tip: measure these dimensions after applying felt/padding fabric) You could just as easily use a large square and cut out the 4 corners. But this was a better use of my fabric without wasting any or creating scraps that I don't want to keep track of.

Now you'll find and mark the center of the long sides of all 3 pieces of fabric. Match up the right sides of the fabric for both "wing" pieces at the center marks (the first picture), pin, and sew. After sewing both wings on, you should have something that looks like the second picture.

Sew all 4 corners together, matching up the unattached parts of the long center piece and wing pieces (highly technical description). You'll end of with a box shape like this - mine is flattened for the picture.
Before the next step, press your seams open.

Next, turn your fabric right side out and ease the fabric onto your box, carefully matching the corner seams with the corners of the box. This may take some "convincing." I used fabric with some stretch in it which really helped.

Turn your box upside down, wrap your excess fabric underneath, and secure with hot glue. I folded the corners as if I was wrapping a gift for a nice, clean look.
If you planned to give the box as a gift, you would cut larger pieces at the start to have enough to completely cover the bottom of the box.
I'm particularly fond of the "Corrugated Recycles" logo you can see on the underside. It sure does recycle - right into my box!

Ta-da! Now you have a cute, functional box!
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holy cow

I actually got a response from my congressman (!) and pasted it below. Fortunately, enough people have voiced concerns that revisions are being considered to the CPSIA and certain testing requirements will be delayed a year while they work out exceptions/revisions.

I love this country. I love that we can speak up in disagreement and be heard. I am so proud to be an American.

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding consumer safety. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this issue.

As you know, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) (P.L. P.L. 110-314) is scheduled to be implemented on February 10, 2009. This law establishes consumer safety standards and requirements for children's products and will be implemented and administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Like you, I believe that this law, while favorable with respect to enhancing the effectiveness of the CPSC, has several provisions that may be harmful to American small businesses. As a previous small business owner myself, I am well aware of the many obstacles small businesses are forced to overcome. I am encouraged, however, to learn that the CPSC has made a recent effort to listen to the concerns of those in small business and is currently reviewing the Act's impact on second-hand retailers, hobbyists, and small manufactures. Recently, the CPSC announced that they will postpone certain testing requirements for one year allowing for more time to finalize several proposed rules. For more information, I encourage you to visit their website at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html.

Additionally, it is my understanding that Republican leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has requested a hearing on these specific concerns. While it remains uncertain whether House Democrats will allow these issues to be discussed before February 10, I assure you that I will keep your specific thoughts firmly in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.

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Free Kids Crafts

I have discovered a new favorite site in kaboose.com for finding free craft ideas to do at home. Although it's fun and games for little ones, it helps them practice important motor skills like cutting with scissors, and learning colors and numbers while crafting a masterpiece. They also learn lots of fun facts about whatever subject you search for. This morning, we printed dinosaur crafts (coloring pages & cut-outs). Just thought I'd share. Have fun! Pin It