Happy Halloween!

From "Olivia the Pig" and "Chicken Little"

* Olivia costume... Christmas jammies from Osh Gosh, jumper made from stretch twill, pattern just made up as I went.

* Chicken costume from Martha Stewart. Hat is pilot cap from here . Leggings are from jammies we already had.

It's a mud pie kitchen!

Sorry about the delay. I am just now getting around to taking the "after" pictures. My garage sale finds became a mud pie kitchen. Ella LOVES it, and it has been a hit with play dates as well.



I have more tweaking to do, one of which, that this isn't its permanent location. The mosquitoes were fierce this summer, so we just placed it where we could, and maybe next spring we will clear a good, homey spot for it. It also may evolve next spring as well, since I am not going to do anything to try and protect it from the winter.

Work in Progress

I picked up this cabinet and refrigerator at a garage sale for $2 each. Today I roughly sanded them and wiped them down. Then I added one coat of primer spray paint. I have never used spray paint on a project before, and this one, this is the perfect project to learn on. You'll see why later. :)

Chalkboard Globe

I haven't updated in a while, I have been on a bit of a crafting break. I did do some sewing - the bonnet I made during KCWC, day 1 - Thea had it on when we went to the grocery store. I was stopped and asked about it, and then was paid on the spot to make one for her grandbaby! I gave it to her on Wednesday and not only is it going to be for summer wear - they are going to use it for her Christening!

All right - back to the project at hand...

Awhile ago I saw the idea to paint a globe with chalkboard paint here... http://www.designsponge.com/2010/09/diy-project-halligans-chalkboard-globe.html

ever since I have been keeping my eye out for a globe at a garage sale. I found one yesterday for $3!

Ella is ready to paint her "Earth"

First I wrapped the stand with foil to protect it from the paint.

Then we primed it. Ella is very intent on her work.

Then we added 3 coats of chalkboard paint.

She loves to paint.

All done!

Go and Color Your World!

Notes:

I used foam brushes but we should have used a high nap roller for a smoother finish.

The inspiration piece has the countries, but I wanted to give my kids, or anyone who wants to draw on it, freedom to create their own world.

My total cost was roughly $5. The globe was $3, the paint and primer I got off of freecycle, the brushes were on sale for .99 for a pack of 10, and then some foil (not going to try to break down the cost of foil used :P )

http://www.wellappointedhouse.com/Products/156514-the-well-appointed-house-chalkboard-globe.aspx 297.50! OMG!

I already have a bunch of saying I want to write on there!

KCWC Day 7

For day 7 I made Ella some jammies from recycled sheets. The sheet already had the ruffle trim, so I just adjusted the pattern so I could use it. I then took off the rest of the trim from the sheet and put it around the yoke.

I kinda think she looks like a Spring Referee. :)

I used New Look pattern #6932. the directions for the yoke completely stumped me, so I just did my own thing.

KCWC Day 6

This is the dress that was on th sewing machine for day 3. It's a light pink seer sucker bubble dress. The next time I make a bubble dress I need to make more "bubble". I didn't have enough width to give it a good gather.

I also crocheted the yoke. I followed a queen lace scarf pattern on ravelry and then just adapted the pattern to make my yoke.

KCWC Day 5

More shirt refashioning. :)

An old maternity top

becomes a baby romper

the back

she is off to check out the baby in the mirror.

I made a ton of mistakes with this, but it still turned out cute! And, besides, a ton of mistakes equal a ton of learning, right?

KCWC Day 4

I am still working on the little dress that was on the machine in day 3. I was having some issues, so I decided to work on something else.

I am liking this whole shirt revamp. All the fancy details are already there. :)

This shirt was a hand me down to me. It never really fit and had been taking up space in my drawer.
It became a little summer top for Ella.

Besides the back - look at those curls!

KCWC Day 3

For day 3, I got a bit of a late start, and then had a few mishaps (like sewing it in such a way that I couldn't turn it).

Hopefully this dress (mistakes and all) will be finished on day 4.

KCWC Day 2

For day 2 I upcycled 2 of my old shirts to turn them into a dress for Ella. I was inspired by the t-shirt dress and pants on Kojodesigns.

KCWC Day #1

For day 1 I made a bonnet for Miss Thea. Not super ambitious, but I was up all night with a sick baby, and I seem to have the same bug. We can thank big sister Ella for that.

I used some leftover eyelet fabric from another project and a vintage simplicity pattern. I did modify the pattern - I didn't do a lining and the pattern bonnet had a fold over brim. I wanted the brim to focus on the eyelet and keep her little lovey face in the shade.

As a side - folding up a pattern while you have a head cold is near impossible. I am putting it away, and will fold it properly later.

Upcycled Milk Jug

Browsing Pinterest I came across this project. I was itching to make something and this seemed like the perfect instant gratification project.

And it is.

One Gallon Milk Jug from our recycling

Turned into a reusable sandwich container

Here it is opened.

I followed this tutorial...
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/reusable-lunch-containers-785113/

I outlined my cutting lines in Sharpie, thinking it would wipe off the plastic. Not so much. So, to cover my lines, I doodled and colored all over it (again, with a Sharpie). Pretty sure its not waterproof, but I would just need to wipe out the inside anyways. Plus, I think it looks way cooler now. Ella does too - she has already claimed it for her sandwiches.

I am going to make another one and put some cookies in it for my secret sister. Coloring on it with a Sharpie makes it so easy for gift giving - you can customize it for any celebration!

More roses

For our meetup group, the coordinator thought it would be fun to do a secret sisters exchange over Mother's Day. I signed up, and am trying to make sure I stay within my budget (which is nada thanks to gas prices). This meant using what I had on hand to make my secret sister something.

For her first gift (we need to do 3 things: notes, cards, gifts, food, etc) I made her a half dozen coffee filter roses. I followed Martha's tutorial. I don't have the link handy, but if you just google Martha Stewart and coffee filter roses, you should be good to go.

KCWC

Kid's Clothes Week Challenge!

Starting next week, I am going to devote 1 hour a day to working on clothes for the kids. It might be accessories (I have some baby shoe patterns that I have been dying to try), but I am making that count!

Details can be found here...

http://www.elsiemarley.com/kids-clothes-week-spring-2011.html

Garage Door Make-over

I love the chalkboard refrigerator on Disney's show Good Luck Charlie. They use it like a calendar, with the weeks events on it. I love the colors, the attempt at organizing a large family, just everything about it.

Our interior garage door is the main door for our family. It also is a fire door, which means its magnetic. The door was a dingy off white, that attracted all sorts of dirt. To the right of the door is a small closet that is currently getting a make-over as well.

Since Andy and Luke leave before I get up in the morning, and go to bed before I do, I thought the chalkboard idea was the perfect one for this space and gives me a chance to get last minute reminders across. Andy is not so sure. Oh well, if we don't like it after a while, it can always be painted again. :)

Of course, I would get this done last night and draw on it today (although I think I was supposed to wait 3 days? Oops), when Luke is gone for the week and I really don't have anything to schedule.

I was able to pick up the primer and chalkboard paint off of freecycle, which makes this an even better project!

Playing with chalk