I {HEART} YOU

I am loving that I am actually getting some crafting done these days!  I guess now that Christmas is over I feel like I actually have time to do some crafts.  Hooray!

 Here is a quick little Valentines Day craft.  All that is needed: Scrapbook paper & a sewing machine.

 If you remember way back, I made these cute little cards.  Well, I decided to do the same thing only a little bigger--and then frame it without the glass.  Super easy.  I love the 3-D effect of having the different hearts folded out.

 Oh, and to add a little something something, I stitched "love" down at the bottom with my sewing machine.  I like the detail (even if it's kind of hard to see on the dark paper).

Love.  Love.  Love.  Gotta Love it!

Valentines Banner

I threw together a quick and easy heart banner for Valentines Day.  I combined a couple different ideas I saw around Christmastime on Pinterest.  Here is what I came up:

 I used a paper grocery bag and cut out several hearts.  I also used a little Valentines scrapbook paper for one heart.  I distressed the edges a little with some brown ink.
Then I moved on to the sewing--I sewed around 60% of the heart, shoved in a little batting to give it some poof, then finished sewing it up.
Trim the threads and pin to some ribbon.
Easy, Peasy.

 I love what it added to my mantel!

Love is in the air! (okay, a little cheesy, I know.)

Rockin' it With The Kids

I did a little crafting with my kids this week--and they had the BEST time!  They are always wanting to help paint my projects, but let's be honest--that is not always a good idea.  Well, here is a project that they can paint without messing up.  LOVE ROCKS!
Simply go on a "Rock Hunt" with the kids.
Let them paint them whatever color they want.
Paint on hearts or other V-Day things.
Put in a jar.
Then, these rocks become a motivator to do a little service for family members.  We are using them to show our love between now and Valentines Day.  If we want to let someone in our family know they are loved, we can simply do a little act of service for them and leave a little "Love Rock."
Beautiful. Simple. Free.  LOVE!

Go give some one a rock!

Christmas Card Collection

I don't know about you, but I hate throwing away all those cute Christmas cards from family and friends.  But at the same time, what do you do with them?  Well, I saw this great idea and thought it would be an easy way to make a collection from year to year.  It's a little Christmas Card Book:

Now I just plan on adding next year's cards to the back and continue on the same ring as many as I can fit.  Easy project--easy storage, and I think it will be really fun to be able to look back!

Headband Flower Wraps

Don't you LOVE Pinterest!  I love the inspiration.  I love when I see something, actually make it, and it turns out great!  Love it.
Recently, I saw these cute Vintage Wrap-Knock-off Belts.  Well, I really wanted to make headbands for my daughter and niece.  So I used THIS fabulous tutorial, but just changed it up a bit to make a headband rather than a belt.

I first made a template out of a cereal box.  I brought in one side where I planned to add the elastic.  I made the template 2 1/4" wide, and then long enough to almost wrap around my daughter's head.   You'll need 2 pieces of fabric this size.

 I followed the tutorial I found on Pinterest, only, when sewing the two pieces right sides together, I added a small strip of elastic.

When They were done, this is how the elastic looked on the back:

I had a hard time choosing which was my favorite.  I really Loved how they turned out!

The best part is that my daughter actually leaves them in--which she doesn't do with bows or flowers.  Hooray!  I call that a victory.

Happy Sewing and Happy Pinning!

Pajama Pants {Make Your own Pattern-TUTORIAL}

I hope your Christmas was merry and bright.  Mine sure was.  Now I am just trying to get back into the regular swing of things.  I have a tradition to make Christmas Eve Pajama Pants for my kids each year.  They really are simple--and you can EASILY MAKE YOUR OWN PATTERN!  Here is a tutorial:

Supplies:
Flannel (or other fabric of your choice)
Thread
Pins
Sewing Machine

Step 1:  Take an existing pair of PJ pants that currently fit.  Fold them in half.  Fold your fabric into the center.  Place the folded pants on the fabric, with the straight side lined up with the fold of the fabric.  Pin in place.

 Step 2:   Don't cut along the folded side.  Cut the fabric.  Along the top and the bottom, add 1 1/2" for your hem and elastic casing.  Along the side opposite the fold, add 1/2" for the seam.  Make sure you stretch the elastic out before cutting around the top, otherwise the waist will be too small.

 Step 3:  Fold in the other side of your fabric to the center.  Take the piece you just cut out.  Line up the  folds and pin in place.  Then cut out the 2nd piece of fabric.  It is important to use the piece you cut out rather than the existing pants to assure your pant legs are exactly the same size.

Step 4:  Take each leg piece and fold right sides together.  Pin from the crotch down to the bottom.  Sew a 1/2" seam where you just pinned.  Repeat with other leg piece.

 Step 5:  Turn one of the pant legs right-side-out.  Then place that one inside the other pant legs so that right sides are together.  Pin the 2 pieces together around the crotch line.  Make sure your center seam lines up.  If your fabric is a little off up at the top, that is okay.  Sew using a 1/2" seam.

 Step 6:  Separate the pant legs.  Hem each leg.  First, fold up about 1/4" of fabric, and then fold again about 1".  Pin this in place and continue folding and pinning around the bottom of each leg.  Sew close to the edge so that your stitch will catch both folds.

 Step 7:  Sew your elastic casing.  This is done basically the same way you did the leg hems.  However, make sure you leave about an inch gap where you will feed your elastic through the casing.

 Step 8:  Measure your elastic.  Measure your elastic to fit comfortably.  The feed it through the casing. This is most easily done by pinning a safety pin on one side.  Insert that end into the casing.  Slide the safety pin around.  Once you get back to the opening,  Overlap the two elastic ends.  Zig-Zag stitch several times over the elastic (only sew the two elastic sides together--don't sew it to the PJ pants.

Step 9:  Sew over where your inch gap was.  And that's it!  You're done.

 Now for fun, you can add a little detail to your PJ shirts.  Love it!  Nothing like a comfy pair of jammies!

Christmas Decor

I love Christmas time--a time centered on Jesus Christ, our Savior.  It is great to be able to decorate my house reminding me of His birth.  Of course, we have to throw in a little Santa too!

Merry Christmas and happy decorating!