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2010 Christmas branch

December 21, 2010

Just another reason why living in this house of ours is so hard…no place for a Christmas tree! For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a house that would hold the biggest Christmas tree eva, but instead our house can only hold the smallest Christmas tree eva! That makes this Christmas tree loving momma so sad. While our oldest kept asking us when we were going to cut down our tree I had to explain to him that we had no room for a tree. It just broke my heart. Wanting and needing something, we decided to cut down a Christmas branch.

So after lunch we bundled up and headed outside to cut down our Christmas branch that Daddy ever so cleverly “planted.”

Our son spotted it first. The most perfect Christmas branch for us to “cut down.”

After “cutting down” our branch we enjoyed some time outside with the kiddo’s.

The baby just loved it! I wasn’t sure how she was going to be her first time in a sled with brother pulling her. But there were lots of smiles from her and brother was so sweet and gentle with her.

And of course one of these was bound to happen!

We even managed to get a picture of the whole family.

While the two youngest were sleeping, we decorated our Christmas branch. I was still feeling a little bummed about our lack of big Christmas tree until…

my little girl woke up and proceeded to squeal in delight with the branch that was twinkling. Oh, she just Melted MY HEART!

So I’m over it!

It’s not about the biggest tree, and thanks to my little ones for making me realize that. That still doesn’t mean that one of Christmas wishes will be for our house to be finished and for a big tree next year!

BIG BOY tool belt tutorial

December 18, 2010

Here is the BIG BOY tool belt tutorial. I call it the BIG BOY tool belt because that is what my little guy calls it, but in all reality, it is made for a 3 year old. The basic design of this tool belt will work great for any age, just adjust the measurements to make a larger one for an older kid or make one for yourself. It is made for a little kid in mind but it really does function like a BIG BOYS tool belt.

BIG BOY tool belt tutorial

(beginner level: 1-2 hours to finish)

Materials Needed:

Home decor fabric: or you can use cotton fabric just add a stabilizer or some batting

1 1/2″ Plastic buckle

*cut 4 pieces: 5 1/2″X 8 1/2″

*cut 2 pieces: 6 1/2″ X 9 1/2″

(These will be used to make the pouches.)

*cut 1 piece: 37″ X 3 1/2″

* cut 2 pieces: 6″ X 1 1/2″

* cut 4 pieces: 5 1/2″ X 3 1/2″

* cut 2 pieces: 5 1/2 X 1 1/2″

(These will be used for the belt, slider, hammer holders and flaps for holding the pouches onto the belt.)

Let’s get started!

Gather all 6 pieces of fabric that will be used to make the pouches. Fold each piece in half with right sides facing and sew sides. Repeat with the remaining 5 pieces.

Now take each pouch and square off the corners by measuring in 1/2.” Sew and trim corner edge. This will give the pouch it’s shape.

Take and turn one pouch right side out and take one that is wrong side out.

Place the pouch with right sides facing out inside of the other pouch. Sew around top edge leaving a 2″ space.

Pull right sides out.

Press and top stitch around the top of pouch. Repeat for the remaining pouches.

All three pouches should be made now.

Gather one small pouch and the large pouch, pin together with the bottom edges even.

Sew pouches together at the top.

Time to make the belt. Take the 37″ X 3 1/2″ piece and sew right sides together.

Pull right side out, iron and top stitch belt along the sides and the middle.

Cut 6″ off the belt. This will be used later as one of the hammer holders.

Attach one of the buckles and sew in place.

Take the two 5 1/2″ X 1″ pieces and sew right sides together, leaving an opening to turn right side out. Pull right side out, iron and top stitch. This is going to be used as a slider.

Take the end of the belt that doesn’t have a buckle attached yet and pull belt through the other buckle. Pull it through 6″ or so. Make sure buckles line up and close. Also make sure belt is not twisted at all.

Now you are going to attach the slider piece you just made to the very end of the belt.

Take the end of the belt and fold over 1/2″ and press. Now attach it to the slider. Sew in place on two spots.

Here is what the finished slider looks like.

Attach velcro to the slider. Attach the velcro so that the “hook” is on the front top and the “loop” is on the back bottom.

Here is the slider all finished.

Belt should look like this.

Take the 6″ piece that you cut from the belt and fold edges over and iron. This is going to be used as one of the hammer holders.

Now attach it to the side of the smallest pouch.

Here is the finished pouch with a hammer or screwdriver holder.

Gather the two 6″ X 1/2″ pieces and sew right sides together, turn right side out, iron and top stitch. Now attach this piece to the two pouches that are sewn together. This is going to be a screwdriver holder.

Now it is time to attach the pouches onto the tool belt.

Gather the four 5 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ pieces and sew two of them together with right sides facing, and while leaving a space to turn right side out.

Turn right side out, iron and top stitch. Repeat with the remaining two pieces.

Fold over the belt like so. Notice it is on the outer loop of the belt.

Place pouch on top overlapping by about 1/2 – 3/4″. Now fold top flap over onto pouch. Make sure flap is even on the pouch and pin in place.

Sew right on top of the top stitch that was already stitched on the flap. That way you will make sure not sew onto the belt part at all. Remember you want the pouches to be able to move around on the belt.

Now fill with some tools and your all set!

**Please feel free to use this tutorial for your personal sewing projects.**

You may link this to your blog and use any photo’s, just be kind and give credit where credit is due.

Any questions or comments please contact me. If you make one using this tutorial please send me an email or add it to my flickr group.
Happy Sewing!

A big boy tool belt

December 17, 2010

A few weeks ago my son requested a new tool belt. He wanted one that was bigger and had more pockets to fit his nails and screws in. Apparently the tool belt that I made him here was no longer working for him. But in all honesty for a boy that loves tools as much as he does he requires a real mans tool belt and not a little kids apron tool belt anymore. The boy needs pouches, big pouches, and lots of them. So after much thought, I came up with a great design or what I believe to be a great design. Unfortunately, looking back at it now, I really wish I would have picked out the fabric and not him. This is what he chose, a brown and cream flowered decor fabric, HMM?? Anyhoo, that is what he chose.

So here is what I came up with.

The tool belt has 3 pouches plenty big enough to hold lots of nails, screws and even a tape measure. The belt has 2 hammer or screwdriver holders on the sides of the pouches and even buckles in the front like Daddy’s. The belt is adjustable thanks to a fabric slider I came up with. Even the pouches can be adjusted and worn where ever this picky little boy desires them to be.

I realize now that it is kinda hard to actually see the design of the tool belt because of his fabric choice. On my next tool belt I will be use a plain fabric so you can see the design a bit better. And yes, a tutorial will be coming, hopefully soon, it is already in the works.

So now my little girl needs a tool belt of her own. But I’m thinking this time I will pick out the fabric and I might just have to add a little ruffle in there somewhere!

I’m pretty sure he will like his new tool belt. I put everything in there that he asked for. So, if you ask me, I think I pretty much nailed it!

Featuring YOUR casserole carriers

December 17, 2010

A few weeks ago I started a flickr group to feature all of YOU and what you have made using a 2 little hooligans tutorial. Here are a few of those that were either sent to me via email or from my flickr group.

Made by Nicolle Over at nicholleandherboys

Made by Rachel Smith

Made by Erica Reed

Made by Krista Shaffer

Made by Texas Quilter

Made by Vandenera

How great are these?!

Thank you so much for sharing with us. Honestly, seeing all of YOUR creations makes all of the hard work that goes into putting a tutorial together so worth it!!

Join my flickr group and share what you have made using one of my tutorials or something that I have inspired YOU to make. I would love to feature it!

Thanks again Ladies for sharing with us!

Toddler dress turned momma apron (refashioning)

December 10, 2010

I was at the local thrift store a few days ago and saw the cutest toddler dresses (tags still on them) for major CHEAPO, we are talking 3 dresses for 50 cents! What a steal! Not able to pass them up I thought I could either give them to my nieces or save them til my girls got bigger. But when I got home and with further inspection I realized just how much fabric there was on that toddler dress. So I quickly realized that these would make the best aprons for… us mommas or really, any adult!

I really wish I would have taken before pictures but I didn’t. Both dresses were size 4 or 5 toddler. One buttoned up the front and one button up the back. I simply cut high on the waist, both dresses just happened to empire style dresses, so they had the high waist, giving them a longer apron. Then I just simply did what I did in this tutorial for the baby dress turned toddler apron here.

All I added was the red tie on the top for the waist and the bottom red ruffle. The toddler dress already had the layer of gingham and some ric rac. I think that is what I love most about this apron. It has a few different layers and little embroidered flowers on the gingham. I used white thread when top stitching on the red fabric and just love how it looks. This one is going to my sister in law that has a sage green and red kitchen. I even have enough scraps left over from the dress to make my niece a little matching apron.

Here is the other dress, turned momma apron… this momma’s apron, maybe? I’m having a hard time wanting to part with this one. I just LOVE it. I don’t know what it is about this one, I just wanna keep it for ME! On this apron all I did was make the tie on the top using 1 fat quarter. I didn’t add anything else, I just thought it was simply perfect as it was.

I still cannot believe how perfectly the tie and the dress match. You never would have known it was a dress to begin with.

So, is it bad if I keep it for myself? Would ya think any different of me?

So there you go another quick and easy gift. Or a great way to use up your little ones outgrown dresses.

embrace the camera {cold and tired little elves}

December 9, 2010

Last night we finally went out and “elfed people” with our goodies. Here we are back at home after doing “Santa’s deed” snuggling on the couch, drinking hot cocoa and watching the Chipmunk’s Christmas.

Our first year “being elves” was a riot! Our little guy left the goodies while our little girl left the notes. We weren’t too quick on our feet but you will have that when you need to buckle two kiddo’s back into their car seats. Big thanks to Aunt S who totally knew what “being elfed” was (or at least she pretending to) and thanks for the marshmallows.

AND

today this little elf is 9 months old!

Embellished dish towels and fat quarter aprons

December 8, 2010

Here is what I have been making for Christmas.

Some fabric embellished dish towels.

Just use your fabric scraps and dress up your basic white dish towels. Just make sure you use some nice quality absorbent ones. I bought these at OSJL this summer and stocked up. For 4 dish towels they were only $2.99 each. What a steal! Yes, I bought all they had in sight. The hubby never understood why I was buying some many of them… until now!

I made up a little drawstring bag to put the dish towels in. This makes a great gift and is fairly cheap and easy to make.

A fat quarter apron for the little ones.

All it takes is two fat quarters or some fabric scraps.

So that is just a peek of what I have been making for Christmas, what have you been making?

Tonight we are going to be elves.

December 7, 2010

Ever since I put the kids advent calendar together I have been impatiently waiting for this day.

Tonight we are going to ELF people!

This is something we have never done before but I thought it would be more fun then just simply delivering a plate of goodies to everyone. I found these elfed printables over at Andersruff. I mean, how RIDICULOUSLY cute are these?

So tonight once it is dark and daddy is home from work, we are going to head out. Oh I can see it now… we will all be dressed up in green and red striped clothes wearing little elf hats. The snow will be gently falling on us in the crisp cool air. We will leave our goodie bags on the doorsteps of the 5 people we choose, ring the doorbell and then hide. Once they open their door and see the goodie bag we will scream simultaneously “YOU’VE BEEN ELFED!” Oh yes, I’m sure that is exactly how it will go!

This was such a fun and cheap activity to do with the kids. The ribbons were left over from a previous Christmas and the boxes were something I bought months ago at Marshall’s for $2.00. All we had to do was bake some goodies, print off the printables and fill up the bags.

We filled our boxes with peanut butter balls, brownies, cookies and some extras. Basically, whatever I had in the cabinets that worked in with my color scheme.

Instead of heading out to Walmart to purchase some bags to put our goodies in, I made some. They are just a simple bag, nothing fancy. I used fabric that I already had in my scrap drawer and honestly going to Walmart on a snowy day was the last place I wanted to be and not to mention we would have waisted a good hour getting everyone dressed into the car.

So tonight we will head out disguised as elves.

Alright, so maybe we will be dressed in our warmest clothes ever, slipping and sliding as we walk to your doorsteps hoping not too fall.

So beware…
we may be knocking at your door!

embrace the camera {Thanksgiving 2010}

December 2, 2010

Our Thanksgiving was a laid back kind of one. We woke up early and made homemade doughnuts while watching Curious George Christmas.

And ate lots of turkey:) That’s right, we were so full from eating the doughnuts that we decided to postpone our feast for another day. But if you asked my son we ate lots of turkey, I guess he was kinda right.

Because he consumed lots of “turkey.”

We made these little turkeys the night before Thanksgiving. I thought it would be a great project to do with the kids but they were a little too hard for the kids to help with and let’s be honest, they were more interested in eating all the candy then in helping momma!

After we ate lots of “turkey” we headed out to visit family.

That weekend we planned on making our Christmas wreaths. So we got all bundled up and headed out to cut some boughs. With 2 chainsaws in tow and 3 kids all bundled, we were off! SHH, we totally cheated and ended up parking the car on the road and walked in about 25 feet to cut down our two trees. (Thanks Uncle Pete, we stole two of your trees.)

My little girl was “told” the whole time. I guess that is what happens when you are wearing a pumpkin hat and snowsuit that is for a 6 month old. No complaints from this momma, I got lots and lots of snuggles.

While he LOVED it!

He was such a good little helper and was ready to cut down every tree in sight.

But she was just to “told”!

She was like her brother, just LOVING it! We headed back home and began to make our wreaths. While momma and daddy competed over who was going to make the best wreaths the kids played around in the barn. Our little guy loves to disassemble everything with a screw in it. Seriously, EVERYTHING, we would complain, but oh how it occupies his time. And momma and daddy got to spend some fun time together.

Here is mommas wreath, it’s kinda embarrassing. Ok, not kinda, it is embarrassing. Not sure where this one is going to hang, surely not on our front doors.

AWW yes, and here is daddy’s BEAUTIFUL, perfectly round, full wreath. So he won hands down!

Not your typical Thanksgiving, but it was our Thanksgiving. And I am so thankful to have been able to spend it how we did. Any time we get to be with daddy and not have him working on the house is a special day in my book!

Anyone else eat lots of “turkey”?

Handmade Gift Exchange

December 2, 2010

I participated in a handmade gift exchange over at Craftaholics Anonymous. It was so much fun meeting a new blog friend and exchanging some handmade goodies with her. Through emails we got to know one another and each others likes. I learned that she loves to be organized and make lists. Her favorite colors were green, brown, and neutrals. So here is what I made for her.

A fabric note pad and and a little zipper pouch. Every organized list maker needs their own pad for on the go right? One of these days I’m going to make myself one too. Maybe if I had one as cute as this one, I wouldn’t leave home without my lists. Oh how I love to make lists and somehow I ALWAYS leave home without them. I guess that is what shopping with 3 kids does to ya.

Of course I had to add a little ruffle to it. Not sure if it was to make the note pad cuter or so that I could use the green pencils from my stash, either way it worked.

I made it similar to making a crayon roll, except one side has the slots for the pens or pencils and the other side has a large open slot for the note pad. I was lucky to have already had the pens and note pad in my stash of goodies, thanks to a shopping trip to Michael’s forever ago. I love the contrast between the colors.

I also made her a matching zipper pouch. It is the perfect size to fit into a purse, bag, or diaper bag and can store any little goodies that need to be organized.

OK,
here is what I got in exchange.

A clip board calendar. She used a clip board and then embellished it with scrapbook paper, some ribbons and a little calendar on the bottom. I can either keep the same picture displayed or change them out every month. How clever is she? And might I add, she used my favorite color…orange!

She also sent me this Christmas planner. I have always wanted to make one of own, and thankfully now I don’t need to. And yes, I have already put it to good use. The lists are made and I have even checked a few of them off!

It has little sections for lists, cards, menu and to do’s. There are envelopes on the front and back of the book to store coupons and recipes in. LOVE IT!