Category: crafts

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T-shirt Baby Pants

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So with the heat of August, which means a cooler on and off during the day–we’ve needed something to add to the babies’ summer wardrobe that will keep her legs from getting too chilly. She does spend more time on the floor where all the cool air lands.

We’ve found a simple solution in Baby Pants, made from T-shirts. With all the grown-ups around here we are always having T-shirts being passed around. When they finally go through all hands, and no one claims one, we either put in the box for donations or we try to make something else out of it. In this case Baby Pants.

Are you ready?

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First, smooth out the shirt nice and flat so that you have two side folds.

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Using a pair of pants that already fit baby, fold them in half and lay the side edge along one of the folded sides of the the T-shirt with the bottom of the pants lined up on the bottom of the T-shirt.

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Cut around the pants being sure to leave about 1/2 inch seam allowance on the sides, and at least 2 inches at the top. If you are using jeans as a pattern–as I am–be sure to leave a little more because they cut them low these days…even for babies.

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Sorry this is harder to see but flip the piece you just cut out over to the other folded edge and cut it out the same way.

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You’ll have two pieces the same.

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Open them up and place them right sides together.

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Sew down the curved edge on each side, stopping at the point.

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Now, re-orient the pants by matching those two seams together by laying them on top of each other. Now they should look a bit more like pants.

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Sew the inside leg seam being careful to match the bottoms and the middle seams.

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Fold down the top about 1 inch and sew it down, to form a casing–leaving an opening of about 1-1/2 inches.

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Measure around baby’s waist and add one inch. Cut 3/4 inch wide elastic using this measurment.  With a safety pin, guide elastic through the opening, around the waistband and out the other side.

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Sew the two ends of the elastic securely together.

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Sew the opening closed.

And now you have them…

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Soft and squishy, long and cozy, cuddly and warm baby pants! Wahoo!

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Our donation bag is in serious trouble now.

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My Boyfriend’s Back…

Hey la…hey la…

My beloved sewing machine–my Bernina 930…is back.

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It has been gone for a few years on an extended road trip to my daughter’s place–while I strayed away from the proven paths, and explored different, fancier, more high-tech sewing machines.

I’m back now and I’ve repented.

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What I’ve learned, Dorothy, is that while the more expensive, snooty machines can indeed, do everything from defrosting the freezer to performing surgery on ingrown toenails–for me, I just missed the plain, old, regular sewing time. Usually that was because the fancy, ridiculous machine was in the shop—again.

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Now to be fair, I’ve heard that most of these new darlings are wonderful and fill the owner’s life with complete bliss and joy–but somehow I missed that part. In fact, I hated the darn computerized, embroidery-ing, push this button and I’ll sing your kids to sleep ordeal.

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The thing is, with a conventional, metal machine–if something goes wrong, you change a needle or adjust the tension and keep on cookin’. But with the Wonder Woman deal, if an eyelash falls out or the planets aren’t aligned perfectly, the whole diva beast shuts down and you have no idea what the problem is. Now you are once again forced to find a crane to load it back into the car and take it to. the. shop. again. SHEESH.

But this is not a negative post. No, no. This is a happy, joyous, rejoicing, exuberant post. Because my cute daughter–who is now, also converted to the old school, no nonsense, plow-horse machine, just bought one of her very own and handed me this handsome fellow–back. Yee haw!

Welcome home my dah-ling.

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The mending basket has missed you.

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The fabric stash has missed you.

We shall make beautiful music together.

On second thought, forget about the music.

Let’s just sew.

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Chronic Crafting

April and I went to a “Handmade Boutique” this last week and saw—and worse–couldn’t resist so many things.  There was jewelry, clothing, art work, handbags, doll houses, stationery, baby toys–even homemade jam. Admittedly, April came out with more than I did, but she’ll have to confess her own sins…if you get my drift.

Here are a couple of my “indiscretions.”

The first thing that caught my eye was this stained glass bird. You can’t see it here but his tail is pink. I’m a sucker for lavender and pink. I hung him in my bedroom window and he simply sparkles up the whole room.

Then there were these “Babushka” magnets. They reminded me of my far away boy–so they came home with me too.

We even went a little nuts and bought one of those ridiculous cupcakes that seem to be all the rage these days. Somebody ate it before we could get a picture. Sheesh.

Ok, ok–it was pretty dang good.

For me, the best part about going to these things is that for a long time after, I can’t seem to stop…you know…making stuff. There’s just something very empowering about being surrounded by incredibly crafty souls.

The inspiration rubs off and makes me excited to try things like this “Flapper Hat” for Lily.  It feels so good to have my hands busy no matter what else is going on–I end up with projects in every room, and one in the car so that no time is wasted.

The more I make the more I can’t wait to make. It never ends!

Must. Find. More. Crochet. Thread. Now.

Chronic:  “Something that  has been going on for a long time. It may never get better. It is something you will have to live with.”

heh, heh, heh…

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Happy Earth Day!

Who would have guessed that the Earth has it’s own day? Apparently, this event has been going on for a long time and I was just not aware. It’s kind of embarrassing to tell the truth. I’ve been around a long time and I didn’t know anything about this.

In fact, as you can see, my own daughter has a shirt that sort of rips on the idea that the Earth–you know the big, huge, all-the-people-in-the-world, EARTH only gets one day–when it appears it would like more — all 365 in fact.

So, I did a tiny bit of research, and found that this has been going on since the 70’s—I remember them–and has evolved to the point that the more earth-conscious folks actually, you know…like…DO stuff.

At first, I figured that it was just one more rigged plot to make me feel guilty–but I was wrong. The more I read, the more I learned about how easy it can be to do things a bit better–and really help a lot. It made me feel a bit super heroish. Just doing my part to save the universe.

So first, we should all take the Green QUIZ to see how green we are really living. Don’t be afraid. It is fun. You might be surprised at how well you’re doing. If you need some new tips that’s ok too.

Then, I read about this cute idea for making a compost bin. As long as it doesn’t stink up the place or attract rats or bears or anything–I’m game. It looks pretty cute and my dad used to swear by compost for his garden.

Next, I stumbled onto an adorable paper mache globe that is easy enough to make during nap time. I love globes–they remind me of that little baby that had memorized the map. So cool. Anyway, this globe would be a fun activity for the day.

If you need a Mall adventure here’s one. Take 3 plastic bottles to a Disney Store near you and they will give you a free reusable tote bag , or reusable water bottle.

Earth Day Tips:

Plant some flowers or even a tree.

Step up your recycling efforts by calling the city and ordering a recycle bin.

Find alternatives to bringing your groceries home in plastic bags.

Drink from a reusable water bottle.

Reuse the bags that you have to give them a new purpose–forgive the shameless plug.

Pick up and throw away litter in your neighborhood.

Walk somewhere instead of driving.

Send an Earth-Day greeting to a friend.

Turn off the lights.

Open the windows for a nice cool breeze.

Smile at someone you don’t know.

Buy the organic version of a product you love.

Finally–as a nice bedtime story—watch Wall-E.

I know this post is a link-fest, but there was just so much good stuff–I couldn’t help myself. I hope you’ll click on them.

Even more cool Earth Day Stuff!

Let me know what you’re doing to celebrate our planet.

Happy Earth Day.