My New Toy

This is the new toy that I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  I haven't been able to play with it as much as I would like but that's how it goes.  For those of you who don't know what this is, it's a  Silhouette.  A digital dye-cutting machine.  It cuts through all kinds of paper and vinyl.  It will even cut through material.  I've done a few simple things with it, such as making tags for teacher treats.  But I've also done some fun sewing projects with it too.  Here are some of the things I've been doing.

I used the pennant design to make the size I wanted and then I cut it out and used it as a pattern to make the pennant on this bag.

I did the same thing with this rocket.  I used the Silhouette to cut out the design which I then used as a pattern for this applique.

Again, I used an apple pattern from the silhouette to make this applique.

I used the vinyl to label my Sugar and Flour Containers.  I love the vinyl!

Here's a tray I bought at The Goodwill Store for 45 cents!  It no longer had any of the ribbon but, I have tons of ribbon so no biggie.

I used a black and white ribbon and then printed out "To Do" in black vinyl on the Silhouette.  Now I have a To Do List on my craft cabinet door.  I just used sticky Velcro dots to place it there. 

I found these dry erase crayons at Michael's and they are fantastic!  The boys use them on their dry erase boards and I don't have to worry about marker stains. 

The crayons worked perfectly to make my list.  All this was done for under $2.00!  The Good Will and the YMCA can sometimes have some good finds! 

All in all, I am diggin' my new toy!  I am excited about using it for scrapbooking next weekend! 

Tutorial's Coming Soon!

Want to know how I did this?  I'll be doing a tutorial this week. 

Don't worry, you don't have to be an artist...

 How about making an applique?  This one's on a bib. 

I'll show you from start to finish how to go from fabric to finished applique.

 I also learned a few tips and tricks on using iron-on vinyl.  

I'll share with you how to make a vinyl easy wipe-off bib.  

Only a basic sewing knowledge is required, that's the only kind of sewing i do!

So stay tuned to check out these projects (and more)!!

 

Burlap Throw Pillows

I had red throw pillows on my bed but they really don't go with the decor any more.  So I bought some muslin and covered the pillow and then made a case out of burlap.  I stenciled on a design and there you go.  Took me a couple of hours and cost me less than $10!  I really like the way they turned out.

I didn't know if I should wash the burlap before making the pillowcases.  I am wishing I would have now...it kind of stinks and there is a crease that may be permanent in one of the pillows.  I had never worked with burlap until now though.  So I am learning as I go.

T-shirt Redo

What shall we do with the shrunken sweater? 

What shall we do with the shrunken sweater?

What shall we do with the shrunken sweater? 

Early in the morning.

(sung to the tune of What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor)

That's the tune I was singing yesterday as I pondered what to do with one of my mistreated sweaters.  I'm not the best at taking care of them.  After some careful thought and consideration I decided to cut it up!  Yep, into strips.  I turned those strips into rosettes and then sewed them onto a plain white t-shirt that I had.  I didn't do the best sewing job and I am pretty sure someone more skilled could have done better but I like it and I'm a gonna wear it!  

I felt a bit naughty when I was cutting it up...

I have guilt issues.

But I don't feel guilty now because I can still wear my sweater.  

Hopefully my cruddy sewing job will hold and I won't have fix it after each wear!

I still have some of the sweater left.  

Any ideas on what I could make with it?  

How about this...best answer wins a prize.  Not sure what yet but it will be fun and something handmade by me.

And just for fun!

Tooth Fairy Pillow Tutorial

Yep!  That is a loose tooth!  Caleb came to me this morning and showed me that the tooth is pretty much out.  It's just hanging on by the gums in the front.  This is Caleb's first loose tooth and he is also the first of our boys with a loose tooth.  I bet it will be out by tomorrow. 

Mainly because he can't quit wiggling it!

Since he is the first, I knew I wanted to make him something special to help him feel at ease about the loss of his tooth.  I looked online and found so many cute tutorials for Tooth Fairy pillows.  I wanted something simple and so I used the tooth pattern at mmmcrafts and just made a simple tooth pillow with a little pocket on the front.

 I think it turned out super cute!

Want to make one of your own?
Here are some easy step-by-step instructions.

1.  Pick out 2 different fabrics.
One for your tooth and one for your pocket.

2.  Print out a pattern for your tooth.  It prints on 8x11 size paper so your material just has to be big enough to fit two.  For the pocket, I just used a scrap of blue jeans left over from another project.

 3.  Take the material for your pocket and cut it a little over 3 inches wide.

4.  Cut your pocket to be 3.5 inches tall.

5.  Press a small seam on the edges of your pocket.

6.  Fold your material in half and then place your tooth pattern on top of the material.  Pin it down, making sure to pin through both layers of fabric.

7.  Cut around pattern.  You should now have two teeth.

Compose

8.   Position your pocket on the front side of a tooth.  Pin it in place.

9.  Stitch around the side, bottom and then side of the pocket.

10.  Place both teeth together, right side to right side.  Pin in place.

11.  Sew around tooth leaving a hole at top to flip it out.

12.  Turn it out and then start stuffing the tooth with cotton fill.

13.  You can use your scissors to push it down into the roots.

14.  Using a whipstitch, close the hole and then fluff your pillow.

15.  Give it to a cute little one with a loose or lost tooth! 


Here are some more tutorials for Tooth Fairy Pilows.  They are all different styles and all very cute!

mmmcrafts
Sew, Mama, Sew
Crafty Carnival
Gen X Quilters
Mountain Mama