crafts – Page 13 – Gracious Rain

September 24, 2009August 16, 2020

The “Sunday Bib”

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A common complaint from moms all over the place is that at dinner time, their babies are nice and covered with bibs all except for their arms. No problem, unless they are wearing long sleeves. Now they still need to change because they have apple sauce on their elbows. To these moms–I say…Meet the “Sunday Bib.”

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It’s nearly a smock but without so much back—and again, it’s made from a disguarded T-shirt and a cute new washcloth. Sorry, couldn’t help the Halloween colors. It must have been the moon…

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We cut the bottom of the shirt off about 2 inches below the sleeves. Then, just put the washcloth where you want it and pin it in place–to just one side of the shirt.

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Be sure to keep the back side fabric out of the way–and sew the washcloth onto the shirt a few inches below the neck ribbing.

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You may want to take in a bit of the sleeve if the shirt is really huge. Just trim off the excess.

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Slit up the back side of the shirt. You can fold in and sew all the raw edges if you’d like to, but that’s the beauty of using T-shirt fabric–it doesn’t fray, so you don’t HAVE to unless you want to.

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Sew a tie of ribbon or soft string at the neck top, on each side. I used the shiny cord from old gift bags. It’s the perfect length and it comes in every color of the rainbow. Hey, you were throwing it out anyway!

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And there you have it my darlings. It’s quick and simple and every mom that sees it says, “Ohhhh, yeaaaah. That’s what we need!”

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And…poof!

Like magic.

It’s yours.

September 23, 2009August 16, 2020

Week of Winners Giveaway #1

Our first illustrious giveaway for the week is for this adorably sweet…

Little Punkin’ Head Toddler Hat!

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Made of 100% cotton and tell the truth—is it not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? The winner may choose from infant, toddler, child or adult sizes.

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For two more entries, post about this giveaway on your own site, and send me the link.

For three more entries be sure to click on the “Divine Caroline” button below and vote for Gracious Rain—it’s not hard and it’s free! Simply say, “I voted” in your comment and that’s it!

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All “Week of Winner” winners will be chosen and announced on Monday October 5, 2009

Happy Autumn everyone and good luck!

September 14, 2009August 11, 2020

Tidies: A Repurposed Gift!

Alright mamas, tell me I’m not the only one. (And, please, ignore the dirty carpet.)

I’ve lost so many wipes this way. So. Many.

There’s just something about the wet wipes, that will bring babies far and wide to just keep pulling them out one by one.

Enter the brilliant Grammy.

Yes, that is a wipe container. With pretend wipes in it.

Brilliant, I tell you.

It keeps them occupied for, well, longer than most things occupy a 20-month-old.

Except maybe a brand new pack of real wipes.

Sometimes, they even cooperate while playing with this new toy.

Which, of course is a great thing in and of itself.

Grammy made these pretend wipeys with an old plastic tablecloth. Which, being plastic means this is a “close supervision” toy.

Of course, you could make little squares out of fabric, and if you’re really in a hurry,you can even buy them pre-cut. Check out the Moda Charm Packs. They’d be perfect. Pre-cut 5.5 inch squares. You could sew around the edges to keep from fraying (though, they’re already pinked), or use some Fray Stop around the edges (it’s washable!)

One of the best innovations we’ve had around here in a long time.

A great way to use some leftover fabric, or plastic (only with supervision!), and keep a plastic wipe container out of the landfill. In fact, you could even stock up on these and make some for all the little ones you know! (Pssst! Christmas is sooner than you think…)

OH! We will return to our regularly scheduled posts on Wednesday, when Launi (Mom, Grammy) gets back from her HypnoBirthing conference in FL. Sorry for hijacking the blog. My mom made me.

At least she showed me how to keep my real wet wipes safe before she left.

Mwa!

~ April

September 12, 2009August 11, 2020

Crayon Leaf Mobile

Remember those crayons you bought a lot of a few weeks ago, and then broke them up and made Confetti Crayons?

Well, I hope you saved some, or still have some around that need sharpening…

You’ll need:

Wax paper
Crayons
Scissors
Pencil Sharpener
Black Permanent Marker
Iron
Hole Punch
String

First, print out this pdf, of a few outlines of leaves.

Get out your black marker, and trace the leaves on a sheet of wax paper.

Lay out your sheet of wax paper with the leaves on it, on your ironing surface. Put a sheet of clean paper underneath to protect your ironing board.

Then, start sharpening! (And please ignore the scorch marks on my ironing board while you’re at it.)

I tried to make my shavings all pretty and in the lines. Don’t bother, it’s a pain, and totally doesn’t make a difference. Just have fun mixing colors, and then just spread them evenly over the leaf shape on the waxed paper. This is a fun way to teach kids about monochromatic colors, complimentary colors, warm colors, cool colors, etc. Oh, and if you mix too many colors, well, you’ll end up with brown. Just a warning.

Place the 2nd sheet of wax paper over the top of your crayon shavings. Set your iron on low. Put another piece of clean white paper on top of your wax paper (to protect your iron). Then, press the iron slowly down on each of the leaves. Don’t move the iron around like you’re ironing something, just press it down, pick it up, move it, place it down again. If you move it, it will smear your crayon wax everywhere, and you’ll have a mess. Trust me on this.

Please note the lovely brown patch. I told you. Too many colors=brown.

Now, cut out your leaves! If you do this part while they’re still warm, they will be easier to cut, but they cool quickly. Don’t worry if your wax paper starts to lift a little on the edges, just put your cut out piece back between the clean paper, give it a little press with the iron, and voila! Sealed up again!

Poke some holes in your leaves, tie some string…