Not Just a Crayon

Haha. I was so wrong. I said my last blog would be my last Christmas blog. Well, I forgot about this one. It's not really a Christmas craft anyhow, we just used them for part of our presents for the kids' friends and cousins. Besides, I got all my Christmas blogs done before February. I'm proud of myself.

It's a great craft because it used up the tub (no joke) of extra crayons that I had. It made them into new pretty and useful rainbow crayons and inspired the kids artistically. To make your own rainbow crayons, first put the kids to work de-papering and breaking up the crayons. Second, put the broken crayons into paper cups. It's fun to group similar colors or make themed ones. Drew liked to make "sunset" crayons for the girls and "camo" crayons for the boys. We also found that glitter crayons make really pretty rainbow crayons. Next, I microwaved them for small increments of time until the crayons were just melted. If left in for too long the colors all run together making... mud... colored crayons rather than rainbow crayons. Finally, cool them, and when cool, peal the paper cups from around them. Let the kids scribble away!

I've heard that you can do the same thing with muffin tins or shaped molds in the oven if you'd prefer.

Lots of crayon paper

Broken crayons ready for the microwave

Melted crayon. Stinky but pretty

The result

Bean Bags

My last Christmas blog post. Promise. Well, probably anyway. :) I vividly remember looking at the presents under the tree each year when I was a kid, finding the biggest present first, then peaking to see if my name was on it. Likewise, when I got my pile of presents on Christmas it was always the big one I couldn't stop looking at. So it was with giddy glee that I made the kids some really big presents this year and watched their little eyes light up when they saw them under the tree.

About to open their BIG presents on Christmas morning

Andrew (husband) had the idea to give the kids reading chairs for our "reading corner" of the family space. I knew right away I wanted to make them some awesome bean bag chairs. I'm not a good enough sewer to design them myself (yet!) but I found a great tutorial for making bean bag chairs and will give you the link and some tips. The tutorial was good for inspiration, basics, and process but was a little lacking in the detail department. I also made some pillows to match them with leftover fabric and will give the how to for that. The video tutorial link is below. Be forewarned that it seems to be geared toward college aged persons in a very... interesting... way.

http://www.threadbanger.com/decorityourself/episode/DEC_20090819

Reading away on their chairs

Here's my finished products and the happy children and the quiet comfy reading corner! My kids LOVE to read.

Over all I did not like this project as cost effective seating, how it's portrayed in the tutorial. Even though I had half of the fabric already, the cost of the other fabric, filling, and snap tape was probably more than a simple bean bag would have been. Plus it took time and effort. On the other hand, these are not generic bean bags and you can make them with whatever fabric you want. I enjoyed doing the project and I think the kids enjoy them more because they are Mommy-made.

I also made some easy matching pillows with leftover fabric. In the tutorial they have you make the pattern with a 24 inch diameter circle. The fabrics I used were each 43 inches wide leaving just enough leftover to make another 24 inch circle of each cover fabric.

To make a pillow like I did, cut out two circles using the template from the tutorials (left), put right sides together and pin (below left) and sew leaving an un-sewn part for turning and stuffing. Turn the pillow right side out and stuff and hand stitch the hole closed (below middle and right.)

I think he loves the pillow...

Drew wanted a ruffle on her pillow. The circumference of the circle was about 78 inches. I cut out enough 6 inch wide strips and sewed them together to make about 140 inches of ruffle (about twice the circle's circumference.) Next I folded the long strip over width wise, wrong sides together, and sewed the edge together with the longest stitch length my machine uses. I sewed again about 1/4 inch from the first stitches (for a back-up in case a thread from the first row breaks.) Then starting at one end of the ruffle I pulled one thread (above left) and eased the resulting gather down the strip of fabric (above right.) I continued doing this until the ruffle was about 80 inches long. Then I evened out the ruffles and pinned the strip inside the 2 pillow fabrics... with fabrics right sides together and ends of ruffles flush with the edges of the fabric (below left.) Next I sewed all three layers together leaving a hold open for stuffing (below left.) At the open hole I sewed the ruffle to one edge of the fabric. After turning right side out and stuffing, I sewed the top fabric, ruffle, and bottom fabric together.

As for additional info and tips for the bean bag tutorial read on.

Fabric: You'll need a total of 8 yards of fabric per bean bag (if your fabric is less than 48 inches wide.) If it's 48 inches wide or more, you only need 4 yards total. For each bean bag I made I used 2 yards of print fabric and 2 yards of brown fabric for the cover (43 inches wide each) and 2 yards of liner fabric (52 inches wide.) The liner fabric was wide enough that I could make 2 pieces out of each 2 yard segment of them.

Snap Tape: You will also need snap tape if you'd like to fasten the cover like the tutorial says to. I found the snap tape at Joann's and the cheapest option was to buy it by the yard though it was still $5-6 per yard. For the 2 bean bags I bought 1 1/2 yards so I used 3/4 yard for each. This was just enough for the lining to fit through the opening. I also discovered that it is ridiculously hard to sew snap tape on. I broke 3 sewing machine needles and it was only possible to sew it at all because I had a zipper foot for my sewing machine. It still wasn't pretty as the foot got snagged onp almost every snap and I won't lie... I was quite frustrated. Hand sewing it on was what I almost did but I did not have time and that would have been a lot of hand sewing! I don't have a happy solution for this. I yanked, tugged, and babied it through the machine but I would consider trying something else in the future.

Filling: I tried filling the bags with pillow stuffing, fabric scraps, yarn scraps, plastic grocery bags, pillow filling, etc like they suggested. I was highly dissatisfied with the result! I had to pull out all the fabric scraps in the end because they made it too lumpy and heavy. I left a few plastic bags for the rustling sound I thought the kids would enjoy, and the pillow filling was ok, but they really need some foam in them, which was discouraging because it is very expensive. I did take apart an old blanket I was going to get rid of and used the yarn from it to fill the bags. That was ok for part of it but they need fluffing and reforming pretty regularly until I get some foam.

Don't be discouraged... really. It was an awesome project. I just hope my experience will help make it easier for you or that at least you'll be aware. :)

Carrot the Bunny

So... it has felt like Spring here these last couple weeks. So much so that we're cleaning out our closets and I'm getting excited about gardening. The warm sun puts it into a person I think. I know we will likely lapse back into cold winter weather again, but, for now, here's a little early Spring inspired project. I've been enjoying designing and making little amigurumi critters immensely and it helps that children seem to adore them! So here it is, Carrot the Bunny, named for his color. It's for sale on my store website www.bethsco.com. And check out below for the free pattern.

Carrot the Bunny

I used a size H crochet hook and Red Heart Super Saver (worsted weight) yarn.
My finished product is 7 1/2 inches tall.

Head
Row 1: 6 sc in a loop, tighten loop
Row 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc, repeat around (18 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (24 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (30 total)
Row 6: sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (36 total)
Row 7: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (42 total)
Rows 8-11: sc even
Row 12: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (36 total)
Row 13: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (30 total)
Row 14: sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (24 total)
Row 15: sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (18 total)
Row 16: sc, sc2tog, repeat around (12 total)
Stuff with stuffing, finish off

Body
Row 1: 6sc in a loop, tighten loop
Row 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc, repeat around (18 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (24 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (30 total)
Rows 6-12: sc even
Row 13: sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (24 total)
Rows 14-16: sc even
Row 17: sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (18 total)
Row 18: sc even
Row 19: sc, sc2tog, repeat around (12 total)
Stuff with beans in the bottom (for stability) then stuffing
Row 20: sc2tog around (6 total)
Sew up and finish off

Arms (2)
Row 1: 6 sc in a loop, tighten loop
Rows 2-10: sc even
Finish off

Legs (2)
Row 1: 8 sc in a loop, tighten loop
Rows 2-11 : sc even
Finish off, stuff lightly with beans

Ears (2)
Row 1: 4 sc in a loop, tighten loop
Row 2: 2sc, sc, 2sc, sc (6 total)
Row 3: 2sc, sc, sc, 2sc, sc, sc (8 total)
Row 4: 2sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, sc, sc, sc (10 total)
Rows 5-8: sc even
Row 9: sc2tog, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc, sc (8 total), sl st to round off
Finish off. Fold base of each ear in half and stitch together (see pictures)

Tail
Row 1: 6sc in a loop, tighten loop
Row 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, sc2tog, repeat around (8 total)
Finish off, stuff lightly with stuffing

Sew pieces together and stitch on face details.

Enjoy and feel free to use the pattern for yourself or to make gifts or for charity. Please do not reproduce the pattern or sell the finished product. Thank you!

Crochet Kitty

One of the kids favorite things in their Christmas stockings this year was the quickest last minute gift ever... ok so I must admit it wasn't quick later but... it was Christmas Eve and I was thinking of the things I didn't get made for them that I'd wanted to. So on with it and enough rambling. I grabbed some cute scrapbook paper and cut out some "coupons" and wrote various things on them. One was for a special ice cream date with Daddy, one was for Mom to make something special for them, one was for a hug and tickle and snuggle (this one had no limit to the number of times it could be used.) I knew what Israel was going to ask me to make for him. A kitty. I whipped this one without a pattern but wanted to revise it at some point for a product and pattern I could reuse. He wanted a black cat and you can see he thoroughly loves it!

Here is the finished revision with the free pattern. I have the finished product for sale on my store at www.bethsco.com and also am happy to take requests for different colors. Enjoy and feel free to use the pattern for yourself or to make gifts or for charity. Please do not reproduce the pattern or sell the finished product. Thank you!

Sitting Kitty

Crocheted with H hook and worsted weight yarn. My finished product was 6 inches tall sitting.

Head
Row 1: 6 sc in loop, tighten
Rows 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc in next, repeat around (18 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc in next, repeat around (24 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (30 total)
Row 6: sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (36 total)
Row 7: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (42 total)
Rows 8-11: sc even around
Row 12:sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (36 total)
Row 13: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (30 total)
Row 14: sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (24 total)
Row 15: sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (18 total)
Stuff with stuffing, finish off leaving a long tail to sew to body

Ears (2)
Row 1: 4 sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: 2sc, sc, 2sc, sc
Row 3: 2sc, sc, sc (x2)
sl to round off, finish off leaving a tail to sew to head

Body
Row 1: 6 sc in loop, tighten
Rows 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc in next, repeat around (18 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc in next, repeat around (24 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (30 total)
Rows 6-14: sc even
Row 15: sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (24 total)
Rows 16-19: sc even
Row 20: sc, sc, sc2tog, repeat around (18 total)
Then sl st in next, ch 1, turn, *sc, sc, sc2tog* x 3, sl st, ch 1, turn, *sc, sc, sc2tog* x 4
Stuff with beans in bottom and stuffing in top
Next *sc, sc2tog* x 4 

Then *sc 2tog* x 3, finish stuffing, sew up

Front legs (2)
Row 1: In color B 4 sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: In color B 2 sc in each around (8 total)
Row 3: In color B sc even around
Row 4: sl st to even off in color B, switch to color A and sc even around
Row 5-17: sc even around, sl to even off and finish leaving a tail to sew to body
Stuff with a few beans in paw then stuffing

Back legs (2)
Row 1: In color B 4 sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: In color B 2 sc in each around (8 total)
Row 3: In color B sc even around
Row 4: sl st to even off in color B, switch to color A and sc even around
Row 5-16: sc even around, sl to even off and finish leaving a tail to sew to body
Stuff lightly with beans (this helps the cat sit up)

Tail
Row 1: 6sc in loop, tighten
Row 2-12: sc even around, sl st to even off, finish leaving a tail to sew to body

Stitch eyes, mouth, and nose onto head and sew all pieces together.

This pattern has also been translated to German by a talented fellow blogger.

Christmas Craft Blog

So now that it's after Christmas I can freely share some fun crafty presents we did this year. Everything in this blog was not original so I'll provide links to the free info you'll need if you're interested.

Crochet Birdie

I made this for one of my nieces and thought it was a brilliant adorable pattern. I'm tempted to make a bunch for a baby mobile for the new one coming. Beware the pattern is by someone in England. Apparently crochet abbreviations are quite different there. dc=sc, htc=hdc, tc=dc, and dc2tog=sc2tog. It took me a bit to figure this out but it is a very cute birdie and so worth it I thought.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/birdie-decoration.html

Birdseed Ornaments

 We put these on Christmas presents for family and friends with tags I made, used them for teacher's presents, and decorated out bare winter trees outdoors with them. They were quick and easy and beautiful. The birds liked them too! My notes: I made double batches with 1/2 cup water, 2 small packets of Knox unflavored gelatin, and 2 1/2 cups birdseed. I wouldn't make more than a double batch or it will dry out too much before you can fill the molds/cookie cutters.
http://bargainhoot.com/2010/04/20/diy-birdseed-ornament-recipe/

Hand-sewn Birdies

I called these Christmas birds. I think in the end I made 11 pairs, maybe more, of these birds. I loved the fabrics I found for them and made my artistic interpretations of robins, turtledoves, purple finches, sparrows, and more. I love birds if you haven't noticed yet! http://www.casasugar.com/DIY-Handsewn-Bird-Mobile-1673198

So, that's a few of my favorite things I made this Christmas. I hope you enjoyed!

Droid Robot

UPDATE 2-20-11: *The Droid Robot is available again at my store! www.bethsco.com * Drooooooiiid!

This was a super fun project. I started it for my husband but after a few revisions I feel the little dude is ready to make his appearance. My husband loves his Google Android phone and here's my version, in crocheted amigurumi form, of the Google Android logo.

This dude is available for sale on my store website www.bethsco.com. The Jingle Turtle that I blogged about before is also on my store website for sale and hopefully, you'll see a few more new products soon. If you'd like to make one of these guys for yourself see below for the pattern. Enjoy! Please only use for personal use or gifts. Please do not sell the finished product or copy or sell the pattern. Links to my blog or store welcome. Thank you!

Droid Robot

H hook
Super Saver Yarn “Tea Leaf” color
My finished product is about 5 1/2 inches tall

Head
Row 1: 5 sc in loop, tighten
Rows 2: 2sc in each around (10 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc, repeat around (15 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (20 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (25 total)
Row 6: sc, sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (30 total)
Row 7-8: sc even around, sl st instead of sc for the last stitch of row 8 (30 total)
Row 9: sc blo, sc blo, sc blo, sc 2tog blo, repeat around (24 total)
Row 10: sc, sc, sc 2tog, repeat around (18 total)
Row 11: sc, sc 2 tog, repeat around (12 total)
Stuff head, but not so much that the bottom of the head bulges, you want it to be flat.
Row 12: sc 2 tog around (6 total)
Sew up hole and sew on eyes.

Antenna, join yarn to head with sl st, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 chains, join to head with sl st.

Body
Row 1: 6sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: 2sc in each around (12 total)
Row 3: sc, 2sc, repeat around (18 total)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around (24 total)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat around, sl st instead of sc in last stitch of row (30 total)
Row 6: sc blo around (30 total)
Row 7-16: sc around, sl st instead of sc for the last stitch of row 16 (30 total)
Row 17: sc blo in each next 3, sc 2tog blo next repeat around (24 total)
Row 18: sc in each next 2, sc 2tog next repeat around (18 total)
Row 19: sc in next, sc2tog next repeat around (12 total)
Stuff, but not so much that the bottom and top bulge out.
Row 20: sc2tog around (6 total)
Sew up hole.

Arm (Make 2)
Row 1: 3 sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: 2sc in each around (6 total)
Row 3-9: sc around
Stuff.
Row 10: sc 2 tog around
Sew up hole.

Legs (Make 2)
Row 1: 8 sc in loop, tighten
Row 2: sc blo around
Row 3-5: sc even around
Fill with dry beans or put metal nuts or washers in the bottom of the foot, then fill the rest with beans/stuffing,  sew to body.

(Many thanks to the anonymous commenter that suggested the metal washers/nuts in the bottom of the feet to help Android stand!)

Sew all his robot parts together and he's done!

Sweater Dress

Another blog about something a Christmas present. I got this sweater at a thrift store. It was made of an angora wool blend and was super soft and warm. The material was perfect for a transformation project! I finally decided to use it to make a hoodie sweater dress for my six year old. She has a hoodie sweater dress in a light cotton that I used to make this project easy and quick. And for the how... look below. If your sweater doesn't have the extra fabric for a hood, you can just make it without. And a hint, thanks to my awesome computer minded husband, if you'd ever like to see one of my blog pictures bigger just click. Try it out. Nice transition, huh? That's all him!

Sweater to...

Dress

Sweater to Hoodie Sweater Dress

Step 1: Lie out the sweater and dress as shown and cut out the shape for the body of the dress leaving about half an inch extra all the way around for seams. I aligned the dress hem with the hem of the bottom of the shirt so I will not have to sew that edge later. You are cutting through the double thickness of your sweater to make the front and back of the dress, so you will have two pieces when you're done. When you get to the arm holes, fold back the arms to see where to cut clearly (below left.) Do the same with the neck line. (I followed the back piece neckline because it was more shallow and then got the shape of the front right later.) When I had half of the body cut out (below middle) I folded it then cut out the other half, to make it more symmetrical. (below right.) Then you can take the front piece separate from the back piece and align the neckline of the dress and cut.

Step 2: Lie out the hood on the sweaters cowl to cut out the hood shape. You are cutting out two pieces as the cowl is double thickness. You can see I placed the front of the hoodie a seams distance from the edge of the fabric, where I had already undone the seam (left), then cut out the back. Then I cut out the neck by rolling the rest of the dress up out of my way (right.)

Step 3: Line up one arm of the dress on the sweaters arm (left.) The top edge of the sleeve is on the fold of the sweater arm, so you don't have to cut there. I ignored the taper of the cuff and cut straight (left below.) Leave enough for folding up to make the wrist seam. To cut out the shoulder, roll the dress up out of the way. To make the second arm, use the arm you just cut out as the pattern. Because I was dealing with stripes I was extra careful to align them perfectly (below.)

Step 4: Now you have all your pieces cut out. They should look something like this (below left.) And it's time to sew! Pin your 2 hood pieces right sides together along the curved side and sew (below right). Then open up the hood and fold the front straight edge of the hood in and sew.

 Step 5: Pin the top of the shoulders right sides together and sew (left.) Then attach the hood to the neckline of the dress. Begin at the center of the back neckline and pin the center of the hood to it, right sides of fabrics together (below left.) Continue all the way around, making sure it's even in the front. Then sew together. Next fold down the little bit of neckline left, in the front, and sew it.

 Step 6: Now, sew the arms. Fold up the wrist seams and sew (below.) Then pin the shoulder of the sleeve to the shoulder of the dress. Align the shoulder seam to the middle of the arm piece and pin right sides together and sew (below right.)

Step 7: Last step! Lie out the dress inside out and pin the bottom of the arms and the sides of the body together (right.) I stretched and eased to make the stripes match. Done and ready to make a little girl happy! I just have to say that I'm blessed to have a beautiful little girl that makes my creations look good!