Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Crayon & Notebook Pouch

I made this simple pouch for restaurant or waiting room coloring. It fits perfectly into my regular bag. I found a small notebook with colored pages for .99 cents (wow)! I used wool felt for the main pocket and a small piece of flannel for the smaller pocket. Finished it off with blue bias tape and a little ribbon tab holder. This would make a great small gift for a mom or toddler, and it can be sewn in 10 minutes!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Pillow Pal

I got this idea from a children's catalog and it strikes me as so cute. I actually purchased the original product, but I was disappointed in the quality. So I modified it a bit from the catalog's product, but it is just a pillowcase with a pocket for a little friend. I have seen pillow cases, too, with teeny tiny pockets for teeny tiny friends, or, for teeth! I used some flannel scraps I had in my fabric bag for this project; the monkey is not handmade by me - it is from the original product. It would be super cute to make your own 'pal' to fit in your pillow's pocket.


Monday, August 23, 2010

Montessori Monday

I've been reading some about Montessori methods and have an interest in some of the activities for young kids. I have found that a day with a 2 year old with no "special" activities can be a long day. Fortunately, "special" is a pretty flexible term when you're two, and that could mean a zoo trip or a special kitchen table activity. I have been so inspired by Counting Coconuts, and I am working to expand on my Montessori knowledge.

One thing I like about Montessori activities is they tend to be practical and easy to execute. When I see the activities in books I always think, "oh, yeah - that would be a good thing to try!" Our first (intentional) activity was rice pouring. It is no surprise we had rice all over the kitchen by the end of it, however, we did start out nice and tidy.















Sunday, August 22, 2010

Summer Memories

I love the idea of making shadow boxes or memory boxes, but I've never made one. Why? This year we went on our 1st family beach vacation (my husband's first time on a Florida beach and our son's first time to see the ocean), so I think I found the perfect event to commemorate.

If you need inspiration for this type of craft, check out this site. An amazing and inspiring collection by artist Darcy Miller (editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings.) I love the phrase "scrapbox." Yes, exactly!

In my little vacation scrapbox, I used the actual map we used to drive down there, as well as some ocean water and sand I collected while there. The only shadow boxes I could find at the time were black, so I spray painted this one white. Looking at it brings lots of wonderful memories & Calvin loves seeing "his shells."

I'd like to go back a bit after this project and "scrapbox" Calvin's birth. I love the box Darcy Miller has on her site with the tiny cap, the ultrasound photo, and the 1st birth photo. It would be wonderful to have a wall of boxes in your house with day-to-day & special events marked with the sweet memories that make them up.



















Saturday, August 21, 2010

Name Banners

I've been making these as birthday gifts and baby gifts. I find them to be bright and cheerful and a nice little splash of color for a child's room. They're also a snap to make: just wool felt cut into squares (I think it is cute not to make them the same size) and bias tape. Mix and match colors and you have a sweet little gift for someone special.















Sunday, August 15, 2010

Car Quilt

I started this project with the idea of making it very small (for matchbox type cars) and then it grew! I used wool felt for the detailing and regular felt for the background. I used flannel for the backing. Since I really do not like the way regular felt feels or wears, I do wish I'd used, perhaps, a solid flannel for the front background.

I also planned to bias tape the edges, but, I'm not a straight sewer! Sooo, I scrapped this idea at the end because I feared it would get really wonky and I'd have a meltdown.






Monday, August 9, 2010

Amish Dinner Rolls
















These are some good rolls, let me tell ya. First, they're easy. Second, they're homemade! I always feel like we are going to have a special dinner when I make these. And if you make them for company, they'll be so impressed and delighted! I got these from an Amish cookbook from the library.

2 packages dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup butter, melted

3-3.5 cups flour, divided



Preheat oven to 375. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, egg, butter and 1 cup flour; mix well. Stir in enough four to make a soft dough; mix well. Shape dough into ball. Grease dough, turning to grease all sides. Return to bowl. Cover; let rise until doubled. (This first part takes about 70 minutes, if you want to prepare in advance.)



Punch down and shape into balls; let rise for 30 min. or longer. Bake for 8-12 minutes. Yields about 12 rolls. (Since I put mine in a round pan and have them touch each other, I bake for 20-25 minutes.)
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