tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40337771865814664832024-03-06T15:00:46.602-05:00Costa's Crafty CornerWelcome to my Blog! I am here to share with you my ideas, some patterns and a love of all things crafty.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-199346788532466832023-12-03T15:58:00.000-05:002023-12-03T15:58:45.765-05:00Project: Cars Inspired Halloween Costumes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3I8DZJB5mUc/VK1UyFP8BFI/AAAAAAAADwA/GptW2YXRZtY/s1600/IMG_0688%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3I8DZJB5mUc/VK1UyFP8BFI/AAAAAAAADwA/GptW2YXRZtY/s1600/IMG_0688%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">This post contains links to items I used in the activities described. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I was not paid by these brands nor did I receive goods or payment to recommend the products, they are just the products I chose for the project.</span><br />
<br />
So when I asked my (then) three year
olds what they wanted to be for Halloween, I received a resounding
“Lightning McQueen” from one, and “Mater” from the other! I
took to the internet to see what other folks did when their kiddos
wanted to be Lightning McQueen or Mater, and although I found a
couple of cool looking costumes, I wasn't finding exactly what I was
looking for. This led me to designing my own costumes which I want
to share with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I collected 20" x 30" foam core boards (<a href="http://amzn.to/2bJLfwi" target="_blank">like these</a>), an <a href="http://amzn.to/2bc4bIB" target="_blank">Exacto knife</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/2bdFBUU" target="_blank">general purpose masking tape</a>, scissors, a pencil, my acrylic ruler and
cutting mat (mine is older, but you can get <a href="http://amzn.to/2bdFn0f" target="_blank">this similar one</a>), and enough of <a href="http://amzn.to/2bCQNLX" target="_blank">72"acrylic felt</a> to cover the surface of your cars. If I were to go back
in time to re-do this project, I would also include my hot glue gun
and lots of hot glue with this.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dNXcMz7kO0/VK1VhZLCGDI/AAAAAAAADwY/gmmPJ3GRMcM/s1600/IMG_20131009_125401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dNXcMz7kO0/VK1VhZLCGDI/AAAAAAAADwY/gmmPJ3GRMcM/s1600/IMG_20131009_125401.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Foam Board, Acrylic Ruler, Pencil, Knife, Cutting Mat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first thing that I did was sketch out the general shapes I wanted the costumes to each be. I measured my kids to determine the width they would need to be, and eyeball measured the rest. I came up with each costume being about 20” long, 10” tall and 12” wide.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY0NkpNPzgY/VK1VfNxjuII/AAAAAAAADwQ/5W2e4RwlCLY/s1600/IMG_20131008_081714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY0NkpNPzgY/VK1VfNxjuII/AAAAAAAADwQ/5W2e4RwlCLY/s1600/IMG_20131008_081714.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch for the General Idea of the Shape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I began by cutting one piece of my foam
board (a piece that would be the side) into 20” x 10” and
sketched out the side view of Lightning. Then I cut it out with my
knife and traced it onto a second piece for the other side. I cut
that out too.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvlzJbgapb8/VK1VjAJX9PI/AAAAAAAADwg/tnAIHSUlGsk/s1600/IMG_20131009_130808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvlzJbgapb8/VK1VjAJX9PI/AAAAAAAADwg/tnAIHSUlGsk/s1600/IMG_20131009_130808.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting Out the Sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I did the same thing with Mater.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr4JJ8TmCic/VK1VpQl79TI/AAAAAAAADwo/pe9vKkjfCGM/s1600/IMG_20131009_134803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr4JJ8TmCic/VK1VpQl79TI/AAAAAAAADwo/pe9vKkjfCGM/s1600/IMG_20131009_134803.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mater's Sketch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Z-dMshGUQ/VK1Vp9MMG_I/AAAAAAAADw0/aNVygcvyXtc/s1600/IMG_20131009_135719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Z-dMshGUQ/VK1Vp9MMG_I/AAAAAAAADw0/aNVygcvyXtc/s1600/IMG_20131009_135719.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mater's Two Sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is where it is going to get tricky to explain what I did next. This is where I built the hood and trunk of each of the costumes. To do this, I cut the foam board to the 12" wide the costume was going to be. I took the front of Lightning, and marked a line straight across the foam board for where it was going to bend back to form the hood.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBHObcv1sx8/VK1VqFu5eeI/AAAAAAAADw8/CxgA7GajlpY/s1600/IMG_20131018_093024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBHObcv1sx8/VK1VqFu5eeI/AAAAAAAADw8/CxgA7GajlpY/s1600/IMG_20131018_093024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil Mark and Score for Hood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, I scored the pencil mark only through one side of the foam board with the knife so I could bend it backwards without it breaking. I lined it up against the Lightning side, and continued to pencil mark and score for the hood in every place it needed to bend backward.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl_w9Pg4ebc/VK1VquCg9QI/AAAAAAAADxI/mU4QwGJixKk/s1600/IMG_20131018_093218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl_w9Pg4ebc/VK1VquCg9QI/AAAAAAAADxI/mU4QwGJixKk/s1600/IMG_20131018_093218.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scores for Hood Shape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where it needed to bend up for the windshield, I turned the foam board over, and marked and scored it on the opposite side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mvEM8ISsiE/VK1VrJXEKrI/AAAAAAAADxU/2CrXFEz7Qaw/s1600/IMG_20131018_093427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mvEM8ISsiE/VK1VrJXEKrI/AAAAAAAADxU/2CrXFEz7Qaw/s1600/IMG_20131018_093427.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scored the Windshield on the Opposite Side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I reached the top of Lightning, I cut off the excess foam board.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6dG9fKD5Og/VK1VrX0iDVI/AAAAAAAADxQ/ZcKrsav-fbI/s1600/IMG_20131018_093619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6dG9fKD5Og/VK1VrX0iDVI/AAAAAAAADxQ/ZcKrsav-fbI/s1600/IMG_20131018_093619.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut off the Excess</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I used masking tape to secure the hood to the side. The boys still play with these costumes, and I have had to remove the felt and secure all the edges with hot glue. If I were to make another one, I would use hot glue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rXhiDDarlY/VK1Vr6480gI/AAAAAAAADxY/EQZEtbSaT4Q/s1600/IMG_20131018_093810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rXhiDDarlY/VK1Vr6480gI/AAAAAAAADxY/EQZEtbSaT4Q/s1600/IMG_20131018_093810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Securing the Hood to the Sides with Masking Tape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkzLu9pCzHI/VK1Vt1-vbRI/AAAAAAAADxk/BmQTymA66Oo/s1600/IMG_20131018_094540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkzLu9pCzHI/VK1Vt1-vbRI/AAAAAAAADxk/BmQTymA66Oo/s1600/IMG_20131018_094540.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masking Tape Seams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I repeated the process for the trunk.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dB-Jsizl6R8/VK1VuF-lXSI/AAAAAAAADxs/dfPRyngUi9Y/s1600/IMG_20131018_100614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dB-Jsizl6R8/VK1VuF-lXSI/AAAAAAAADxs/dfPRyngUi9Y/s1600/IMG_20131018_100614.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added the Trunk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Pamsd1FZw/VK1VvpcNRtI/AAAAAAAADyA/A7sMBXHSjl0/s1600/IMG_20131018_110515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Pamsd1FZw/VK1VvpcNRtI/AAAAAAAADyA/A7sMBXHSjl0/s1600/IMG_20131018_110515.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front View: More Tape Added</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BekxPB1CIU/VK1VvV3k3LI/AAAAAAAADx8/QCRuBOVCuAE/s1600/IMG_20131018_105904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BekxPB1CIU/VK1VvV3k3LI/AAAAAAAADx8/QCRuBOVCuAE/s1600/IMG_20131018_105904.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning & Mater All Seamed Up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, I was ready for adding the felt to the foam board cars.<br />
<br />
I took a large piece of felt (cut from the bolt, not the 9"x12" pieces), and put it out on the table. I placed the side of the car on first, and cut around the side giving myself about an inch / inch and a half border. I then spray glued the side of the car to the felt piece. <br />
<br />
At each corner, I cut a slit all the way to the foam board. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGIHt8lzC18/VK1VwUzdfWI/AAAAAAAADyM/u3l1W_hXyLo/s1600/IMG_20131025_090152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGIHt8lzC18/VK1VwUzdfWI/AAAAAAAADyM/u3l1W_hXyLo/s1600/IMG_20131025_090152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slits in Felt Cut Right to the Foam Board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used the slits to wrap them around the trunk and hood of the cars. I glued each piece down nice and tight. When I finished both sides, my Mater car looked like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSpxbhHqmFA/VK1VwufiR3I/AAAAAAAADyQ/wTrkVYTWRTE/s1600/IMG_20131025_090543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSpxbhHqmFA/VK1VwufiR3I/AAAAAAAADyQ/wTrkVYTWRTE/s1600/IMG_20131025_090543.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mater with the Sides Attached</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the hood and trunk, I used my acrylic ruler, mat and rotary cutter to get a piece that was 12" across nice and straight, and again glued this nice and tight to the hood. I repeated this for the trunk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzZ9BHooQq4/VK1Vxq1BijI/AAAAAAAADyc/NPnwBNAc_a4/s1600/IMG_20131025_091231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzZ9BHooQq4/VK1Vxq1BijI/AAAAAAAADyc/NPnwBNAc_a4/s1600/IMG_20131025_091231.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring & Cutting the Hood and Trunk Felt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOLhCrxLyo0/VK1VxwUFrUI/AAAAAAAADyg/rctr-IDTCPs/s1600/IMG_20131025_091817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOLhCrxLyo0/VK1VxwUFrUI/AAAAAAAADyg/rctr-IDTCPs/s1600/IMG_20131025_091817.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mater with the Hood Glued On</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I repeated the entire process for Lightning. Sides first, hood and trunk last.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeeJqyy-qSE/VK1VzBOadtI/AAAAAAAADys/H1qaW-U2gnc/s1600/IMG_20131025_093405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeeJqyy-qSE/VK1VzBOadtI/AAAAAAAADys/H1qaW-U2gnc/s1600/IMG_20131025_093405.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding Sides to Lightning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-FtsNHVLMM/VK1VzmX587I/AAAAAAAADy0/VE622iT37R0/s1600/IMG_20131025_093558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-FtsNHVLMM/VK1VzmX587I/AAAAAAAADy0/VE622iT37R0/s1600/IMG_20131025_093558.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folding up from the bottom and gluing securely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-as7vZs7_6Iw/VK1V0MAZdiI/AAAAAAAADy4/3O2ab-4tooM/s1600/IMG_20131025_093602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-as7vZs7_6Iw/VK1V0MAZdiI/AAAAAAAADy4/3O2ab-4tooM/s1600/IMG_20131025_093602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slits at Each Crease and Corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I took more pictures of Lightning's process than I did for Mater.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FKiCj_IMvg/VK1V1HeFVZI/AAAAAAAADzE/Sf3VueN2-i8/s1600/IMG_20131025_094054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FKiCj_IMvg/VK1V1HeFVZI/AAAAAAAADzE/Sf3VueN2-i8/s1600/IMG_20131025_094054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Securing the Side Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGRRMenGyas/VK1V1mqV_sI/AAAAAAAADzM/mzYE9YF_Pkw/s1600/IMG_20131025_104218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGRRMenGyas/VK1V1mqV_sI/AAAAAAAADzM/mzYE9YF_Pkw/s1600/IMG_20131025_104218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base Colors All Done!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then added the details using scissors and lots of felt colors. Since I eyeballed most of the details, it was easiest to pin them to the body of the cars to trim as needed. When I was happy with the way the pieces were, I glued them down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duVesJ1AOVw/VK1V2PBYKmI/AAAAAAAADzQ/NhoCJh5R0S4/s1600/IMG_20131028_120414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duVesJ1AOVw/VK1V2PBYKmI/AAAAAAAADzQ/NhoCJh5R0S4/s1600/IMG_20131028_120414.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the Details</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmYq8xfy66Y/VAYFuIh1XzI/AAAAAAAAAqM/BM1A1VRIEtM/s1600/IMG_20131029_120429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmYq8xfy66Y/VAYFuIh1XzI/AAAAAAAAAqM/BM1A1VRIEtM/s1600/IMG_20131029_120429.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost Done</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I even made a "bug" stroller cover for the baby's costume. This one went much faster since I had the design and process all sorted out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nZMoPn46Ek/VAYFunzxSxI/AAAAAAAADvg/_4v0Re2wTp8/s1600/IMG_20131030_112445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nZMoPn46Ek/VAYFunzxSxI/AAAAAAAADvg/_4v0Re2wTp8/s1600/IMG_20131030_112445.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stroller Cover Bug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I added straps on the inside so they would fit like suspenders, and the kids were good to go! Trick or Treating was loads of fun, and my little loves got many awesome comments on their costumes!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeZ96qIqOzQ/VK1O7FJOG7I/AAAAAAAADe8/H_1etnBl07I/s1600/IMG_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeZ96qIqOzQ/VK1O7FJOG7I/AAAAAAAADe8/H_1etnBl07I/s1600/IMG_0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-51684805593480915352015-01-07T11:13:00.001-05:002015-01-07T11:19:00.803-05:00Project: Crochet Earflap Aviator HatThis was a design I had come up with a while ago, and took many pictures documenting how I did it for you! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xrr_UCC7wQ/VK1a0F2DC6I/AAAAAAAAD0Y/8IPpPRyxclA/s1600/IMG_9359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xrr_UCC7wQ/VK1a0F2DC6I/AAAAAAAAD0Y/8IPpPRyxclA/s1600/IMG_9359.JPG" height="335" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
The bad news is, that since I did this so long ago, I cannot find my notes with how much yarn I used of each color. I did not use a full skein of either the main color or the goggle color, but you should be safer rather than sorry.<br />
<br />
Here goes! Hat was made to fit my 12 month old. This is Worsted Weight Yarn (Caron One Pound and Red Heart Super Saver) and an I Hook.<br />
<br />
With Main Color<br />
Magic Loop.<br />
Round 1: Ch 2, 10 DC into ML. Join with Sl St. Pull ML closed.<br />
Round 2: Ch 2. 2 DC in same DC as Ch2. 2 DC in each DC around. Join wiht Sl St. (20 DC)<br />
Round 3: Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2. *2 DC in next DC. DC in next DC**. Repeat from * to ** around. Join with Sl St. (30 DC)<br />
Round 4: Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2. *2 DC in next DC. 1 DC in each of next 2 DC's**. Repeat from * to ** around. Join with Sl St. (40 DC)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOYFAsg1ubQ/UssjAW4sx5I/AAAAAAAAAds/G8IUzIxvD3o/s1600/Round+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOYFAsg1ubQ/UssjAW4sx5I/AAAAAAAAAds/G8IUzIxvD3o/s1600/Round+04.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Round 5: Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2. *2 DC in next DC. 1 DC in each of next 3 DC's**. Repeat from * to ** around. Join with Sl St. (50 DC)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nFWFAqn37U/UssjAoR9qeI/AAAAAAAAAdw/pZVkOuKxHA8/s1600/Round+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nFWFAqn37U/UssjAoR9qeI/AAAAAAAAAdw/pZVkOuKxHA8/s1600/Round+05.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Round 6 - 10: Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2 and in each DC around. Join with Sl St. (50 DC)<br />
Round 11 (Hat): Ch 2. In back loops only DC in same DC as Ch2 and in each DC around. Join with Sl St (50 DC)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpEaV3PtifM/UssjBwAmSSI/AAAAAAAAAeI/geaT2ewfVMg/s1600/Round+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpEaV3PtifM/UssjBwAmSSI/AAAAAAAAAeI/geaT2ewfVMg/s1600/Round+11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Round 12 (Hat): Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2 and in each DC around. Join with Sl St. (50 DC)<br />
Switch to Secondary Color<br />
Round 11A (Goggle Band): Join Secondary color in Front Loop of Round 11.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhEFauiqWEg/UssjCJrbIjI/AAAAAAAAAeM/rbBbysAUYnI/s1600/Round+11A+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhEFauiqWEg/UssjCJrbIjI/AAAAAAAAAeM/rbBbysAUYnI/s1600/Round+11A+01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Ch 2.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELq1icOUCsg/UssjDHcQn7I/AAAAAAAAAec/Wpw04KSAvM4/s1600/Round+11A+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELq1icOUCsg/UssjDHcQn7I/AAAAAAAAAec/Wpw04KSAvM4/s1600/Round+11A+02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
DC in same st as Ch2 and in next 14 front loops.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIiKqqrwv8/UssjDjKAYcI/AAAAAAAAAeg/Rh3PUcfINbg/s1600/Round+11A+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIiKqqrwv8/UssjDjKAYcI/AAAAAAAAAeg/Rh3PUcfINbg/s1600/Round+11A+03.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Skip 20 Front Loop stitches and insert stitch marker in front loops of 21st stitch. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30WIKf7B4iM/UssjDvvKkBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/kpibyfLCMag/s1600/Round+11A+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30WIKf7B4iM/UssjDvvKkBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/kpibyfLCMag/s1600/Round+11A+04.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
NOTE: This is where Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) will begin.<br />
To begin FDC stitches, yarn over, insert hook into same front loop as last DC, yarn over, and draw up loop. There are three loops on hook.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSQD5KnnjiE/UssjEb6qn3I/AAAAAAAAAe4/z9EaNCJ-VOU/s1600/Round+11A+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSQD5KnnjiE/UssjEb6qn3I/AAAAAAAAAe4/z9EaNCJ-VOU/s1600/Round+11A+05.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yarn over, draw through loop (chain made), yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over draw through two loops. First FDC completed. Complete 29 additional FDC's for a total of 30 FDC stitches.<br />
NOTE: You will now connect the FDC stitches to the hat at the stitch marker. To do this, yarn over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vk0hz_gMeGY/UssjElUgcwI/AAAAAAAAAfA/cwKAGrxtXco/s1600/Round+11A+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vk0hz_gMeGY/UssjElUgcwI/AAAAAAAAAfA/cwKAGrxtXco/s1600/Round+11A+06.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Insert hook in front loop of stitch where the marker,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqM9HSHTC-I/UssjElhqF6I/AAAAAAAAAe8/xy0tygalQKM/s1600/Round+11A+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqM9HSHTC-I/UssjElhqF6I/AAAAAAAAAe8/xy0tygalQKM/s1600/Round+11A+07.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
insert hook in bottom chain loops of last FDC,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgv0GtxoNOg/UssjFVcBXpI/AAAAAAAAAfE/5sHGf0oMF5Q/s1600/Round+11A+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgv0GtxoNOg/UssjFVcBXpI/AAAAAAAAAfE/5sHGf0oMF5Q/s1600/Round+11A+08.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
yarn over<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miTX2OTt2S0/UssjFw1u1CI/AAAAAAAAAfg/1vnZ8jOAIK8/s1600/Round+11A+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miTX2OTt2S0/UssjFw1u1CI/AAAAAAAAAfg/1vnZ8jOAIK8/s1600/Round+11A+09.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and draw through loops of FDC<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arsvZV7ZIms/UssjB5aUQCI/AAAAAAAAAeE/92j9Jrdcj24/s1600/Round+11A++10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arsvZV7ZIms/UssjB5aUQCI/AAAAAAAAAeE/92j9Jrdcj24/s1600/Round+11A++10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and Front Loop on hat. You now have three loops on hook.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjnm02bZO-c/UssjF-4K9aI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-kIxpSiDGYo/s1600/Round+11A+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjnm02bZO-c/UssjF-4K9aI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-kIxpSiDGYo/s1600/Round+11A+11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Complete DC in front loop as you normally would.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxfUsJBGSaM/UssjGH4feyI/AAAAAAAAAfU/J0cFNYtZWWs/s1600/Round+11A+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxfUsJBGSaM/UssjGH4feyI/AAAAAAAAAfU/J0cFNYtZWWs/s1600/Round+11A+12.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
*DC in next Front Loop** <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HqwYBT0P9I/UssjHBqYIgI/AAAAAAAAAfs/T6zygNH6-20/s1600/Round+11A+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HqwYBT0P9I/UssjHBqYIgI/AAAAAAAAAfs/T6zygNH6-20/s1600/Round+11A+13.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Repeat * to ** until end. Join with Sl St to top of beginning stitch of Round 11A <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eVvSbZXY4I/UssjHtk6jwI/AAAAAAAAAf4/lFbU_zIvGRc/s1600/Round+11A+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eVvSbZXY4I/UssjHtk6jwI/AAAAAAAAAf4/lFbU_zIvGRc/s1600/Round+11A+14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Round 12A (Goggle Band): Ch 2. Working only in Round 11A, DC in same St as Ch2 and in next 22 sts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwY5-Ivnfpo/UssjHuacKuI/AAAAAAAAAf8/W3vE7GtX7ps/s1600/Round+12A+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwY5-Ivnfpo/UssjHuacKuI/AAAAAAAAAf8/W3vE7GtX7ps/s1600/Round+12A+01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
FDC 8 sts. Skip 6 sts, DC in next two sts. FDC 8 sts. Skip 6 sts,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TC0Yjfiho/UssjIHIbiTI/AAAAAAAAAgE/FiPAUSvFK-o/s1600/Round+12A+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TC0Yjfiho/UssjIHIbiTI/AAAAAAAAAgE/FiPAUSvFK-o/s1600/Round+12A+02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
DC in remaining 23 sts. Join with sl st.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOlKjOR1TIc/UssjIAIiP0I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/3RkitMZGNTI/s1600/Round+12A+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOlKjOR1TIc/UssjIAIiP0I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/3RkitMZGNTI/s1600/Round+12A+03.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fasten off, weave in all ends of secondary color.<br />
Switch to Main Color<br />
Round 13: Ch 2. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Jot1br84w/UssjIhnBI7I/AAAAAAAAAgU/NyL7w5sn8rI/s1600/Round+13+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Jot1br84w/UssjIhnBI7I/AAAAAAAAAgU/NyL7w5sn8rI/s1600/Round+13+01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
DC in next 15 DC by working through all loops of both Main Color Stitches and Secondary Color stitches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAqgzZl7KFE/UssjI-YHruI/AAAAAAAAAgc/uq0f82cY5Fc/s1600/Round+13+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAqgzZl7KFE/UssjI-YHruI/AAAAAAAAAgc/uq0f82cY5Fc/s1600/Round+13+02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
DC in next 20 DC of Main Color only.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPUuVzf-DHg/UssjJNpnk2I/AAAAAAAAAgg/OvbYjbBDxwg/s1600/Round+13+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPUuVzf-DHg/UssjJNpnk2I/AAAAAAAAAgg/OvbYjbBDxwg/s1600/Round+13+03.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
DC in next 15 DC by working through all loops of both Main Color Stitches and Secondary Color stitches. (50 DC)<br />
Round 14: Ch 2. DC in same DC as Ch2 and in each DC around. Join with Sl St or invisible join. Fasten off, weave in ends. (50 DC)<br />
<br />
Counting from the back seam, place a stitch marker in the 7th stitch, the 13th stitch, the 38th stitch and the 44th stitch. These will mark the beginning and end points for the earflaps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ax7U-_UzxCk/UssjJoVXyMI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xMByhjeQ9mc/s1600/Round+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ax7U-_UzxCk/UssjJoVXyMI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xMByhjeQ9mc/s1600/Round+14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Earflap<br />
Row 1: Insert hook into first stitch marker, draw up a loop and chain 2. DC in same stitch as Ch 2. DC in next 6 stitches (last DC will be where second stitch marker is) (7 DC)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpKHbwEAEQM/UssjJ2yqJnI/AAAAAAAAAg0/-w0DPvHVN_8/s1600/Row+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpKHbwEAEQM/UssjJ2yqJnI/AAAAAAAAAg0/-w0DPvHVN_8/s1600/Row+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. DC in same stitch as Ch2 and in each of next 6 DC. (7 DC)<br />
Row 3: Turn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbFwHulCd-M/UssjKH_nvmI/AAAAAAAAAg8/V8MUBu5QGO0/s1600/Row+3+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbFwHulCd-M/UssjKH_nvmI/AAAAAAAAAg8/V8MUBu5QGO0/s1600/Row+3+01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sl St in next 2 DC's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWXUIDHVJMI/UssjKgUuxNI/AAAAAAAAAg4/3jul5qG08SI/s1600/Row+3+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWXUIDHVJMI/UssjKgUuxNI/AAAAAAAAAg4/3jul5qG08SI/s1600/Row+3+02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Skip next DC. 5 DC in next DC. Skip next DC. Sl St in last DC.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsHxLkXH5kI/UssjLVWFrlI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Ii9qND1UVYA/s1600/Row+3+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsHxLkXH5kI/UssjLVWFrlI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Ii9qND1UVYA/s1600/Row+3+03.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Row 4: Turn. Skip Sl St. 2 DC in each of the next 5 DC's. Sl St in Sl St from Row 3.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGo7a3zyWPQ/UssjLi2X7zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/yd3VExpcpPU/s1600/Row+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGo7a3zyWPQ/UssjLi2X7zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/yd3VExpcpPU/s1600/Row+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fasten off, weave in ends. Remove stitch markers.<br />
<br />
Repeat Earflap instructions with third and fourth stitch marker.<br />
<br />
Finishing:<br />
SC all around bottom edge of hat and earflaps using Main Color.<br />
<br />
For the embroidery around the eyes, I cut a length of Main Color yarn about 36" and split the 4 ply into 2 ply. I used a G hook and chain stitched around the eye hole. I did this for both eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kG-kHQyPAg/UssjAo93yaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/R00adw2cX9w/s1600/Finishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kG-kHQyPAg/UssjAo93yaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/R00adw2cX9w/s1600/Finishing.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-36458398891958648992014-08-05T16:10:00.001-04:002014-08-05T16:31:35.646-04:00Project: Mini Crochet Basket PatternAs I gear up for craft fair season, I find myself looking at options to add to my display table. One of the things I need that I seem to always forget to look for or pick up when I am in a store is a small basket to put my snap clip hair felties in. I decided this afternoon to make one while I was outside with the kids in the backyard.<br />
<br />
This is fully adjustable to whatever size you want. The texture on the sides of the little basket make it more interesting than straight walls. The basket I made measures roughly 4.5" in diameter and 2.25" in height. Gauge is not important.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.costascraftycorner.blogspot.com/2014/08/project-mini-crochet-basket-pattern.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHaKSxQnsr4/U-E59Tmk5gI/AAAAAAAAAmk/-qecuPvy-Ww/s1600/New+folder1.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Materials:<br />
I used Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton in Ecru. The amount of yarn used will depend on the size of the basket you make.<br />
I used a K and a J hook<br />
<br />
Stitches and Abbreviations Used:<br />
Magic Circle - MC<br />
Single Crochet - SC<br />
Slip Stitch - Sl St<br />
Beginning Double Crochet - Beg DC<br />
Double Crochet - DC<br />
Front Post Double Crochet- FPDC<br />
Stitches - Sts<br />
Chains - Chs<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
The basket is made in joined rounds.<br />
<br />
Bottom of Basket - Using K Hook.<br />
Round 1: 8 SC in MC. Join to first SC with Sl St. (8 SC)<br />
Round 2: Ch 1. 2 SC in each SC. Join to first SC with Sl St. (16 SC)<br />
Round 3: Ch 1. *SC in first SC. 2 SC in next SC.** Repeat from * to ** around. Join to first SC with Sl St. (24 SC)<br />
Round 4: Ch 1. *SC in first SC. SC in next SC. 2 SC in next Sc.** Repeat from * to ** around. Join to first SC with Sl St. (32 SC)<br />
Round 5: Ch 1. *SC in first SC. SC in next two SC. 2 SC in next SC.** Repeat from * to ** around. Join to first SC with Sl St. (40 SC)<br />
Round 6: Ch 1. *SC in first SC. SC in each of the next three SC. 2 SC in next SC.** Repeat from * to ** around. Join to first SC with Sl St. (48 SC)<br />
<br />
Sides of Basket<br />
Round 1: Turn. Beg DC in Back Loop Only (BLO). DC in BLO of each stitch all the way around. Join to Beg DC with Sl St. (48 DC)<br />
Round 2: Beg DC. FPDC in next DC. *DC in next DC. FPDC in next DC.** Repeat from * to ** all the way around. Join to Beg DC with Sl St. (48 sts)<br />
Switch to J Hook<br />
Round 3: Ch 1. SC in first and each DC across. Join to first SC with Sl St. (48 SC)<br />
Round 4: Ch 1. SC in first and each of next 7 sts. Ch 8. Skip 8 Sts. SC in each of next 16 sts. Ch 8. Skip 8 Sts. SC in each of the last 8 sts. Join to first SC with Sl St. (32 sts and 2 sets of 8 chs)<br />
Round 5: Ch 1. SC in each SC acround. 8 SC over Ch 8 space. SC in each SC across. 8 SC over Ch 8 space. SC in each SC around. Join to first SC with Sl St or with invisible join. <br />
Fasten off, weave in ends.<br />
<br />
Special Notes: You can make the basket larger by continuing to increase in rounds when making the basket bottom. You can also make the basket taller by repeating Round 2 as many times as you want until you reach about an inch shorter than your desired basket height. <br />
<br />
Enjoy!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-40294698996267798542014-02-23T10:57:00.003-05:002014-02-23T10:57:17.122-05:00Project: Busy Bag Swap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8x3BSVB0-fE/UwoaR4rd0eI/AAAAAAAAAlE/Q6aPZG8BgTA/s1600/IMG_20140223_104219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8x3BSVB0-fE/UwoaR4rd0eI/AAAAAAAAAlE/Q6aPZG8BgTA/s1600/IMG_20140223_104219.jpg" height="400" width="376" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you've read any of my posts, then you how how much I love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/costa829" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and all around DIY. I have been seeing Busy Bag Ideas for toddlers for quite some time, and although I make loads of stuff for the kids to do, and we do many activities, I loved the idea of having special things that only get pulled out when I need them sitting for a little bit so I can accomplish the important task of making dinner. My husband has been having more late meetings (the joys of living on the East Coast and working with loads of folks on the West Coast and across the dateline), which means lots of dinners are things I can either throw in a crock pot or throw in a baking dish and into the oven and forget about it until the timer goes off. Sometimes, though, I need to be at the stove, and it would be significantly easier without little ones at my feet!<br />
<br />
Another reason this happened recently was that I had run into a friend from elementary school (I live in my hometown) back in October when I was working a craft fair. She had a little girl just younger than my boys and just older than my daughter and had recently moved back into the area. Of course, the logical thing to do was to add her to my Facebook, and I was so happy I did! Not only did I get to reconnect with her through that and share mommy moments, but she had remained in contact with many of my other elementary school friends, and before I knew it, I had reconnected with most of my Girl Scout Troop from elementary school. <br />
<br />
Recently, there had been a death of one of my college professors, and although it was over a sad note, I was also able to reconnect with my classmates at college. Lo an behold, everyone has kids the same ageish as mine! With January typically being slow for me after the holiday season I decided to organize what I had always wanted to, A Busy Bag Swap!<br />
<br />
I got the idea from <a href="http://lifelessonplans.org/keeping-busy-on-the-go-busy-bags/" target="_blank">Life Lesson Plans</a> who posted about swaps from <a href="http://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/how-to-host-a-busy-bag-swap/" target="_blank">Coffee Cups and Crayons</a>. I began by posting a blurb right on Facebook as my status, with an explanation of what a busy bag swap was, and asked my friends who wanted in. From the friends that posted they were interested, I then created an Event on Facebook giving us about five weeks to work on it and pull it together. I sent out invitations through the Facebook Event with further details and this is exactly (minus some names and location stuff) what I put in there:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;">Ok, ladies! I am putting you on this event to schedule our Busy Bag Swap! I picked this date because it gives us each about a month to get our bags together, and it's conveniently just before Valentines Day, so we can give the bags to our tots for the holiday!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;">This is what we do: I have three kids. I would like a bag for each of my kids, so I will make three different busy bags. We each need to say how many kids we want bags for - Like C. - if you would like a set for each of your boys, you make </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;">two different bags (Like I am making three). If C. and I were the only two in this, we would make a total of five bags (Hey, I want my kiddos to have the super cool things I am going to make for your kiddos, too!)<br /><br />We will store them in those Ziplock Bags with the zipper - those seem to be easier for the kiddos to open and close on their own.<br /><br />First step: Say how many kids you need bags for!<br />Second step: Announce what kinds of bags you plan on making so we don't have any duplicates.<br />Third step: Make up your bags.<br />Fourth step: We'll pick a place to meet up one evening to meet each other, swap kiddo stories, and have mom time without little ones and husbands. We range from City 1 and City 2, through City 3 and up to City 4, so we will compromise on a meeting place, and I am sure folks would be willing to carpool.<br /><br />Here we go:<br />I need bags for each of my three kids.<br />I will be making the following bags:<br />A Play Doh Bag<br />A Fishing Game Bag<br />A Button Snake Game Bag<br /><br />Your turn! This will be awesome!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Most everyone responded, but to be sure, I picked a day that "registration" was to close, and published the final list of mom's participating in the Event along with the final kiddo number count, too. I didn't want to exclude any of my friends, but we needed a final count within a reasonable amount of time to finish these!</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">For my Play Doh bag, I grabbed the printables from <a href="http://planetoftheapels.blogspot.com/2011/09/busy-bag-swap-day-5-playdough-mats_05.html" target="_blank">Planet of the Apels</a>. I picked the ones I liked and printed a set for each bag on glossy photo paper from the <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/" target="_blank">Dollar Tree</a>. From the Dollar Tree, I also snagged these adorable plastic containers with lids that were 4/$1. (they don't have them online so I cannot add the link). I had planned on making play doh, but we had enough of it unopened in my house, that I just broke it up and put it in the smaller containers for the bags.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">For my Fishing Game bag, I made up a fish template, and cut out a bunch of felt fish. Since I work a lot with felt, I had plenty of this to spare. I then sewed a washer on a ribbon between two layers of felt at the mouth, and just repeated that a bunch of time to have schools of colorful fish. For the rods, I took dowels and wrapped a ribbon around them. I also drilled holes in magnets, and strung the ribbon through the magnet. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Hot glue is my friend.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWhz_d_aE1M/UwoZNbJ4OoI/AAAAAAAAAko/PxKt95xhdB4/s1600/IMG_20140223_104759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWhz_d_aE1M/UwoZNbJ4OoI/AAAAAAAAAko/PxKt95xhdB4/s1600/IMG_20140223_104759.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">For my button snake bag, I picked up some nice grosgrain ribbon, threaded it through some big primary colored buttons, and stitched the ends closed on my machine. Then, I cut out hearts, squares and circles from primary colored felt, and cut lines in the middle so the kids could button them. Lastly, I had made up in Microsoft Word some pattern templates, and printed those so the older kids could try to match the patterns.</span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-mhMPqZ1d0/UwOO9498dvI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/zQqBIR2Cekc/s1600/IMG_20140119_122309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-mhMPqZ1d0/UwOO9498dvI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/zQqBIR2Cekc/s1600/IMG_20140119_122309.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waHBxVZKZbo/UwoZgJOEOII/AAAAAAAAAk4/WRijT01QylQ/s1600/pattern+row.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waHBxVZKZbo/UwoZgJOEOII/AAAAAAAAAk4/WRijT01QylQ/s1600/pattern+row.jpeg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I didn't take loads of pictures, because I didn't think this would turn into a post. When we did meet up, I came home with some seriously awesome Busy Bags. I wrapped them all up, and did give them to the kiddos for Valentine's Day. They were very excited about their new games, and eager to learn how to do all of them. They are not part of the kids toys, and are now only taken out when I need them sitting at the table while I cook, but this was a wonderful experience!</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.12727165222168px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-39950001679791739352014-02-13T10:45:00.002-05:002014-02-13T10:45:29.389-05:00Project: Slime<div dir="ltr">
Yesterday seemed like a good day to check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/costa829/activities-for-my-kids/">Pinterest Board</a> where I hoard all kinds of activities for my kiddos to do. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
From that, I took one of the boys on a hunt around the house for supplies and we found that we had everything we needed to make Slime as featured in <a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html">A </a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html">Pumpkin</a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html"> </a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html">and</a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html"> </a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html">a</a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html"> </a><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/07/homemade-glow-in-the-dark-slime-recipe.html">Princess</a>. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Although we had glow in the dark paint on hand, I decided not to put it in the recipe since we weren't going to be playing with this with the UV Light (Also known as the "Magic Lamp" in our house).</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Here are our fun photos of us following A Pumpkin and a Princess's directions:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FUfBaHvJZo/UvznArQf1uI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TwjNKf8Sw7U/s1600/IMG_20140212_123309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FUfBaHvJZo/UvznArQf1uI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TwjNKf8Sw7U/s1600/IMG_20140212_123309.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4_v5y2eA98/UvznAvWuKaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/4SUKOefSmCM/s1600/IMG_20140212_123518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4_v5y2eA98/UvznAvWuKaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/4SUKOefSmCM/s1600/IMG_20140212_123518.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWBvJz7C2vs/UvznATkrG6I/AAAAAAAAAi0/Z5i7BvnuNS8/s1600/IMG_20140212_123535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWBvJz7C2vs/UvznATkrG6I/AAAAAAAAAi0/Z5i7BvnuNS8/s1600/IMG_20140212_123535.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLj-_gjm0l0/UvznD4hMrQI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ckjw1EN58GY/s1600/IMG_20140212_123550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLj-_gjm0l0/UvznD4hMrQI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ckjw1EN58GY/s1600/IMG_20140212_123550.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smaScHfnYwg/UvznDEqaQgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/7lTwe1Dlkp0/s1600/IMG_20140212_124001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smaScHfnYwg/UvznDEqaQgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/7lTwe1Dlkp0/s1600/IMG_20140212_124001.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch I broke it up into three blobs (since it had oozed back together) and gave each of the kiddos their own to play with.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My daughter was not impressed when I stuck both her hands in. Mini meltdown happened. (Gosh, mom! Don't make me to messy things!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBd7AK-4wFg/UvznDct0JXI/AAAAAAAAAjc/1sOyMJPBpNQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_131050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBd7AK-4wFg/UvznDct0JXI/AAAAAAAAAjc/1sOyMJPBpNQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_131050.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
She was alright after I took her hands out, cleaned her off, and showed her she could just poke it.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xL-R279gNlg/UvznDzNw4dI/AAAAAAAAAjo/fpxACDRDi0I/s1600/IMG_20140212_131326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xL-R279gNlg/UvznDzNw4dI/AAAAAAAAAjo/fpxACDRDi0I/s1600/IMG_20140212_131326.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div>
My boys jumped right in. One got a little antsy when it was sticking to him, but he was ok when I showed him he could clean it off by using more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSJoGZSapXw/UvznEUyQrrI/AAAAAAAAAjs/NPLYSbfMeOg/s1600/IMG_20140212_131854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSJoGZSapXw/UvznEUyQrrI/AAAAAAAAAjs/NPLYSbfMeOg/s1600/IMG_20140212_131854.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWSp8YpC-0c/UvznFLWJ6sI/AAAAAAAAAj8/5rlAQXmKI2w/s1600/IMG_20140212_131857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWSp8YpC-0c/UvznFLWJ6sI/AAAAAAAAAj8/5rlAQXmKI2w/s1600/IMG_20140212_131857.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aAyGD062kA/UvznFSjZ42I/AAAAAAAAAkA/aDPHQxpXDMQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_131907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aAyGD062kA/UvznFSjZ42I/AAAAAAAAAkA/aDPHQxpXDMQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_131907.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My daughter lost interest quickly, and went off to play with her kitchen set. The boys totally hung out with their slime for another hour and fifteen minutes or so. They did really well keeping it on the table, off the floor and out of their clothing. Of course, I managed to stick my sweatshirt clad elbow directly into a pile. Thankfully, <a href="http://atypicalmomblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/how-to-remove-slime/" target="_blank">atypicalmomof2</a> had me covered. Check her out to see how to remove this stuff with vinegar! So easy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-79663054510776320432014-02-12T11:41:00.001-05:002017-04-12T22:33:41.594-04:00Spaces: Sharing My Creative SpaceThis has been a post I have been very excited to share with you! Although, like always, it has taken me a while to sit down and have time to type it all out for you. Our house has been overrun with an absolutely ridiculous cold that just won't go away. It's been about a month, and all the kids still have it lingering while it's just about left me, and is just starting with my husband. I've also recently taken TV out of our daily routine, and have had an absolutely exhausting week scheduling in more activities and things to occupy the kids with.<br />
<br />
Also, check out my teammate's blog at <a href="http://lilacreates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lila Creates</a>. Her first post of her creative space inspired me to write this up. Drop her a line to let her know you visited from here.<br />
<br />
My Father In Law (FIL) has built a beautiful garage on his property with two big bays; one for working, and one for storing. His working bay has big, awesome, jaw-dropping pegboard on three of the four walls. We had recently visited so my husband and FIL could work on one of our cars, and when I snuck (sneaked? I like snuck) away from the kids to take a look, I was immediately envious of the pegboard, and desperately wanted some for my craft room/our office/my creative space/studio (you know, the little room that takes on SO many functions since the rest of the house is overrun by three kids and a dog). Luckily, my FIL keeps every piece of scrap, and my husband came home with some extra pieces to paint, and scrap wood for the frame. <br />
<br />
Here's an awesome picture of the space all put together in daylight:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2b2Mrge-W5M/UvuilJqrb5I/AAAAAAAAAh4/Kmv9QdBkh7M/s1600/2014-01-19_second.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2b2Mrge-W5M/UvuilJqrb5I/AAAAAAAAAh4/Kmv9QdBkh7M/s1600/2014-01-19_second.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Go ahead, Pin it. I know you want to!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Here is a picture for you with details on all the bits and pieces you see there:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf-hshrt3wE/UvuirTgRL2I/AAAAAAAAAio/BFkruOYdeRs/s1600/IMG_20140212_103651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf-hshrt3wE/UvuirTgRL2I/AAAAAAAAAio/BFkruOYdeRs/s1600/IMG_20140212_103651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And now it's time for some of the other features around this room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzyQUmW6wTQ/Uvuio-5JwyI/AAAAAAAAAiM/EaNQk88GiO4/s1600/IMG_20140212_103543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzyQUmW6wTQ/Uvuio-5JwyI/AAAAAAAAAiM/EaNQk88GiO4/s1600/IMG_20140212_103543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDABCVcJE1o/UvuipprlccI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Va6XrdU0sqQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_103609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDABCVcJE1o/UvuipprlccI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Va6XrdU0sqQ/s1600/IMG_20140212_103609.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggz5JxRx2kY/Uvuiq3JxyGI/AAAAAAAAAik/nLntiReB82U/s1600/IMG_20140212_103754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggz5JxRx2kY/Uvuiq3JxyGI/AAAAAAAAAik/nLntiReB82U/s1600/IMG_20140212_103754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There! Now you can see where I work! I love my pegboard! I love my yarn bins. I love this space.<br />
<br />
And now one of the kiddos is up from nap, so I need to go make up some lunch.<br />
<br />
Happy crafting!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-26110579568343523662014-01-06T16:36:00.004-05:002014-01-08T08:48:30.187-05:00Project: Lens Cap Drawstring BagI had recently made a camera strap cover for a good friend, and although I included pockets, I didn't think to ask how big her lens cap was! I thought I had enough material to make her another with larger pockets, but when I settled in to do this during the kids nap time today, I saw that I didn't. I will have to make her another at some point, but until I can get back out to the store to get more supplies, I figured I'd make a temporary "fix" for her so she doesn't misplace that lens cap! I even remembered to take pictures so that I could share this with you!<br />
<br />
Introducing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW4-NiP1ty0/Ussdxkf0RUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/r_VUnsOOD5E/s1600/title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW4-NiP1ty0/Ussdxkf0RUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/r_VUnsOOD5E/s1600/title.jpg" height="309" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
First, grab your lens cover! Next, you'll want a rectangle of fabric that your lens cover will definitely fit in plus at least an inch or more on top to create the area for the ribbon. <br />
<br />
For my project, I had 1/8" ribbon on hand, so the chassis for the drawstring didn't need to be too big. You will want to adjust this to the materials you want to use.<br />
<br />
My fabric measured 9" x 5"<br />
My ribbon was 1/8" ribbon and I needed two lengths of it measuring 26" each. This is because they are extra long so my friend can attach them however she wants! Yours may be shorter if you would like.<br />
<br />
Fold the rectangle with right sides facing and matching up the two short ends at the top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyDmKIpgz-E/UssdcNvU-JI/AAAAAAAAAbo/ef-m7L2Dj80/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyDmKIpgz-E/UssdcNvU-JI/AAAAAAAAAbo/ef-m7L2Dj80/s1600/001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? Lots of room - the lens cover will definitely fit in this bag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Now, take the fabric to your sewing machine and stitch up the two sides, leaving about an inch to an inch and a half open at the ends.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83IFnTDUQ-g/UssdcDUomGI/AAAAAAAAAbs/3MWNDsEFo3E/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83IFnTDUQ-g/UssdcDUomGI/AAAAAAAAAbs/3MWNDsEFo3E/s1600/003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to stitch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBxgemeYVpQ/UssdgJPYK0I/AAAAAAAAAb0/6n9UVCdAlg8/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBxgemeYVpQ/UssdgJPYK0I/AAAAAAAAAb0/6n9UVCdAlg8/s1600/004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visual for the ends staying un-sewn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Work with one side at a time. Take out your iron, and fold in the corners where you didn't sew into nice triangles. Press with the iron.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM8VlPwLW5U/UssdhQlTpEI/AAAAAAAAAcA/96WChxWzzCc/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM8VlPwLW5U/UssdhQlTpEI/AAAAAAAAAcA/96WChxWzzCc/s1600/005.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next, fold down the top about 1/4", and press that, too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4yi8_OkB9c/UssdhjhjUyI/AAAAAAAAAcE/nxVUvek8ESI/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4yi8_OkB9c/UssdhjhjUyI/AAAAAAAAAcE/nxVUvek8ESI/s1600/006.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fold this down about another 1/2" and press.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ7kiUF6Iog/Ussdlp0U_tI/AAAAAAAAAcM/qlMgwL09baA/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ7kiUF6Iog/Ussdlp0U_tI/AAAAAAAAAcM/qlMgwL09baA/s1600/007.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next you will want to sew this down. I stitched this from the end all the way to the other end pretty much right at the edge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gt0aURlqo8/Ussdm3CahtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/VGZAAW_CxX4/s1600/008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gt0aURlqo8/Ussdm3CahtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/VGZAAW_CxX4/s1600/008.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Repeat for the other side.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mine was off a bit and some of the edges were too raw (hey, I was winging it).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyWTsWW4phc/UssdnN7JxZI/AAAAAAAAAcY/8UdXtauQklU/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyWTsWW4phc/UssdnN7JxZI/AAAAAAAAAcY/8UdXtauQklU/s1600/009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I re-did the side stitches and ran this part through the sewing machine to finish it off so it won't unravel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XA1YHamrp-w/UssdqE48qeI/AAAAAAAAAck/kcd6deUf-9A/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XA1YHamrp-w/UssdqE48qeI/AAAAAAAAAck/kcd6deUf-9A/s1600/010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next, turn right side out, and get ready to string your ribbon!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MU6xmGNjidU/UssdsDkelKI/AAAAAAAAAc0/yVlIZWcjNXM/s1600/011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MU6xmGNjidU/UssdsDkelKI/AAAAAAAAAc0/yVlIZWcjNXM/s1600/011.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is a picture of the fabrics I used in the strap I had already made, and my color choice for ribbon for my little lens cover drawstring bag.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SX4asLOdVGg/UssdryGdiMI/AAAAAAAAAcw/NWmArsVezXQ/s1600/012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SX4asLOdVGg/UssdryGdiMI/AAAAAAAAAcw/NWmArsVezXQ/s1600/012.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Grab a big tapestry needle and thread the ribbon onto the needle. Using the needle, pull the ribbon all the way through one chassis, and then around to the other one. Your loose ends of the ribbon should now be hanging out the same side of the pouch.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3n7q1ADbxY/Ussdtsr1HeI/AAAAAAAAAc8/Q-9kMVGzGCs/s1600/013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3n7q1ADbxY/Ussdtsr1HeI/AAAAAAAAAc8/Q-9kMVGzGCs/s1600/013.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
For the second piece of ribbon, do the same thing, but pull it through the opposite side from the side you just finished.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhF-VMD3Q1w/UssdxQODvuI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ktst98myGOQ/s1600/014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhF-VMD3Q1w/UssdxQODvuI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ktst98myGOQ/s1600/014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once the ribbon is threaded you are all set!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iN5Wh2zvHZg/UssdxTnSb3I/AAAAAAAAAdM/_YbBULcRbEY/s1600/015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iN5Wh2zvHZg/UssdxTnSb3I/AAAAAAAAAdM/_YbBULcRbEY/s1600/015.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can knot the ends of the ribbon together, or attach the pouch to whatever you are making this for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks a bunch!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-85911958573371844492014-01-03T14:05:00.005-05:002014-01-06T21:29:55.822-05:00Catching Up: My Handmade HolidayI am a very lucky and very happy woman. My children are all at a very fun stage where they love to pretend, and love to be with me. The "baby" is running full speed ahead and doing her best to keep up with her brothers. They require both of my hands all of the time, and most of the time it's extremely rewarding. Needless to say, posting here has taken a very back seat (like a seat all the way in the back of a very long bus) to everything else that has been needing my attention.<br />
<br />
I made super awesome Halloween costumes for all the kiddos, I took a lot of pictures of that process, too, and someday when things really settle down, I will write up that tutorial. After Halloween finished, my Christmas crafting planning happened, and I am very pleased with all that I was able to accomplish this year without really being stressed out. I hope you and your families celebrated a wonderful Christmas and New Year. <br />
<br />
My kids made out like handmade gift bandits receiving new crocheted hats and mittens, monogrammed floor poufs, Creature Power Suits that resemble Wild Kratts ones, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/169353370/construction-messenger-bag-with-truck" target="_blank">"laptop" bags</a> for their LeapFrog LeapTops. Embroidered fleece shirts and t-shirts, a crocheted sweater, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/171917060/felt-pirate-hat-pretend-play-dress-up" target="_blank">pirate hats</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/121928788/the-valentine-toddler-hat-dress-up" target="_blank">gnome hats</a>, and so many other gifts I did not make to inspire their creativity, imaginations, and minds. I currently have the messenger bags, pirate hats and gnome hats available for purchase in my Etsy shop. To make the floor poufs I followed the amazing tutorial from <a href="http://www.livingwithpunks.com/2010/05/tutorial-land-of-nod-inspired-floor.html" target="_blank">Living with Punks</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdPpfQzFbJ8/UscJBtqvntI/AAAAAAAAAbI/klYOYdvme7c/s1600/colla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdPpfQzFbJ8/UscJBtqvntI/AAAAAAAAAbI/klYOYdvme7c/s320/colla.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have four beautiful nieces that are very good to me, and they all let me make them awesome homemade gifts too. The younger two of my girls received <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/120258943/womens-slipper-socks-sizes-5-12" target="_blank">slipper socks</a> in exactly the colors they wanted. <br />
<br />
My oldest niece belongs in the woods and should have been a cowgirl. She asked for a pair of Cowgirl Slippers (ha!) and I ended up using the <a href="http://vannaschoice.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32070.html" target="_blank">Lion Brand Cowboy Booties</a> pattern for inspiration and creating a pair to fit her gigantic size 8 feet. Don't worry, I wrote this up too, but I didn't take any pictures so you may or may not see a post on these. She also asked me for an infinity scarf - and since she's on Pinterest, she was able to send me loads of ideas on exactly what she wanted (and didn't want) and I was able to zip one up to be exactly what she wanted. Lastly, she let me get creative with my new embroidery machine and I monogrammed a pair of boot socks for her. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0HrvrVJ7gg/UscF9v7hyhI/AAAAAAAAAao/UjdXnyC1vJQ/s1600/niece+gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0HrvrVJ7gg/UscF9v7hyhI/AAAAAAAAAao/UjdXnyC1vJQ/s320/niece+gifts.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My second oldest niece had been hinting since August that she wanted a pair of fingerless Cinderella length gloves in royal blue. For her, I made up a pair of the beautiful <a href="http://bethsco.blogspot.nl/2011/11/ripple-lace-fingerless-gloves.html" target="_blank">Ripple Lace Fingerless Gloves provided by Bethsco Blog</a> in <a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/shimmer/royal" target="_blank">Red Heart Shimmer Royal</a> and she went bananas. She's full on into the Mortal Instruments this year, so I also had used black felt, and iron on fusible webbing to cut out the shapes of some of the major runes so she can iron these onto whatever she wants. The last bit of her gift was that I had digitized one of the runes from the books into a file for my embroidery machine, and offered to put it on any article of clothing for her. She has me put it on a sweatshirt I had picked up for her, and a pair of jeans. It came out super cute, and totally made my day that she appreciated it. In fact, I was psyched that all my nieces truly appreciated their gifts this year. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1qpw9hMw0s/UscGGDGSxxI/AAAAAAAAAa4/4hguGwesNiY/s1600/neice+gift+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1qpw9hMw0s/UscGGDGSxxI/AAAAAAAAAa4/4hguGwesNiY/s320/neice+gift+2.jpg" height="320" title="Mortal Instruments Embroidery - City of Bones" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lffkdEXVNjY/UscGFSqJ3ZI/AAAAAAAAAaw/FZv5B7BQmSE/s1600/niece+gift+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lffkdEXVNjY/UscGFSqJ3ZI/AAAAAAAAAaw/FZv5B7BQmSE/s320/niece+gift+1.jpg" height="320" title="Mortal Instruments Embroidery - City of Bones" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hooray for handmade holidays!<br />
<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-81906089779629109282013-10-16T16:28:00.001-04:002013-10-16T16:28:35.505-04:00Project: Hand Print Spiders and Spiderweb on the Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Halloween is coming, and it's coming quickly!<br />
<br />
I have failed at getting my Halloween decorations out in a timely fashion this year - but my amazing mother has all of her decorations out, as does my grandmother. We were up at my mom's a few weeks ago, and my boys (one especially) was leery about passing a particular spider decoration she has up. He would eye it, and would avoid walking by it. Similarly, we were at my grandmother's this past weekend and she had a small spiderweb decoration up over a doorway with a little raffia witch in it, and he eyed that decoration, and made a big deal about it, then proceeded to avoid the area.<br />
<br />
I had seen some hand print spiders circulating about on Pinterest, and decided this would be a good time to have them make their own spiders, and a giant spiderweb to squash any fears that might be developing.<br />
<br />
We started with the paint - I have a generic acrylic I buy at AC Moore. I picked black since (as we all know) Halloween spiders are black. I painted one of the boys hands, then he printed it on the paper, I turned the paper, painted his other hand, and he printed that one. Then we had the leave the table to wash his hands, and repeated the same process with my other boy.<br />
<br />
Here are some fun pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fU4_RW5VeUA/Ul7y2Q188uI/AAAAAAAAAYI/woDan74WkUw/s1600/IMG_20131016_131140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fU4_RW5VeUA/Ul7y2Q188uI/AAAAAAAAAYI/woDan74WkUw/s320/IMG_20131016_131140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first guy wiping his hands after finishing making his prints</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiqspyImfrI/Ul7y2R5EUMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Cuhpw2ZLKhQ/s1600/IMG_20131016_131355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiqspyImfrI/Ul7y2R5EUMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Cuhpw2ZLKhQ/s320/IMG_20131016_131355.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now it's my turn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_WbCpGqZts/Ul7y2SAGERI/AAAAAAAAAYA/PMXSA9R3A1s/s1600/IMG_20131016_131457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_WbCpGqZts/Ul7y2SAGERI/AAAAAAAAAYA/PMXSA9R3A1s/s320/IMG_20131016_131457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I put the paint on his hand with a paintbrush.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWIyKKrImqY/Ul7y2yJAPJI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/GVJZGn57nA4/s1600/IMG_20131016_131516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWIyKKrImqY/Ul7y2yJAPJI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/GVJZGn57nA4/s320/IMG_20131016_131516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press and lift!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQbZ8A9-ORU/Ul7y3AsyfeI/AAAAAAAAAYg/VuLRJdvJyC8/s1600/IMG_20131016_131629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQbZ8A9-ORU/Ul7y3AsyfeI/AAAAAAAAAYg/VuLRJdvJyC8/s320/IMG_20131016_131629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice smile with his hand prints before jumping up from the table to go wash his hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q1tEw1hd88/Ul7y3VKxDKI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Pe3lHN8B7pk/s1600/IMG_20131016_132403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q1tEw1hd88/Ul7y3VKxDKI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Pe3lHN8B7pk/s320/IMG_20131016_132403.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the baby is posing with her newly done hand prints.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jfZN9yTf7U/Ul7y3bOkmOI/AAAAAAAAAYo/zv7_hY4aw5Y/s1600/IMG_20131016_132443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jfZN9yTf7U/Ul7y3bOkmOI/AAAAAAAAAYo/zv7_hY4aw5Y/s320/IMG_20131016_132443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To keep the hand prints safe, I have to hang them on the fridge to keep them away from the kiddos grabbing them while they are still wet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now it was time to create our spider web. I picked out an area of wall that doesn't currently have any pictures, or anything on it. The space I found was one side of our hallway - right where the ugly and outdated telephone jack is!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I used the itty bitty Command Hooks and placed them on the wall in an almost circular pattern being sure to have the hook part face out. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXL_u1nAP6E/Ul7y3xGBZ1I/AAAAAAAAAY0/_rm3kw7bXFI/s1600/IMG_20131016_132703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXL_u1nAP6E/Ul7y3xGBZ1I/AAAAAAAAAY0/_rm3kw7bXFI/s320/IMG_20131016_132703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Command Hooks arranged on the wall space where are are going to build our web.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I strung some black yarn from a top hook, and left a nice long tail at the bottom.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltCtwzKS1Gk/Ul7y4qsHbWI/AAAAAAAAAY8/duuHqMeyW74/s1600/IMG_20131016_132748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltCtwzKS1Gk/Ul7y4qsHbWI/AAAAAAAAAY8/duuHqMeyW74/s320/IMG_20131016_132748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first strand hung from the top, with a long tail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Then I let one of the boys pick a bottom hook, and string the yarn around it. He did this easily (even if I <div>
didn't get a picture of it)<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d1fd6KYyk8/Ul7y45LdSMI/AAAAAAAAAZY/WsIiDhBH00E/s1600/IMG_20131016_132847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d1fd6KYyk8/Ul7y45LdSMI/AAAAAAAAAZY/WsIiDhBH00E/s320/IMG_20131016_132847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son picked the first spot to loop the yarn around at the bottom of the web.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />We then alternated, it was "my turn" and I strung the yarn up around a top hook, and then my other boy got to pick the next spot to loop it around.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdiCBYzT4MU/Ul7y6FsQoHI/AAAAAAAAAZs/IJeUTmLcvpo/s1600/IMG_20131016_133002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdiCBYzT4MU/Ul7y6FsQoHI/AAAAAAAAAZs/IJeUTmLcvpo/s320/IMG_20131016_133002.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choosing the next spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even the baby got to pick where the yarn was getting strung. We repeated this, and alternated turns.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctRRUmlkyXs/Ul7y5977h5I/AAAAAAAAAZk/NKtwINcam58/s1600/IMG_20131016_133238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctRRUmlkyXs/Ul7y5977h5I/AAAAAAAAAZk/NKtwINcam58/s320/IMG_20131016_133238.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continuing to create our web.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
The boys loved this part.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px7Xc7JCXkA/Ul7y5wgPidI/AAAAAAAAAZg/6w-ki6LPkuQ/s1600/IMG_20131016_133242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px7Xc7JCXkA/Ul7y5wgPidI/AAAAAAAAAZg/6w-ki6LPkuQ/s320/IMG_20131016_133242.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
When we were done, I took the yarn and just strung it all around the outside of the hooks to make it look finished.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkbhROnDsRs/Ul7y6RtZRjI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/SzBCONOSMYM/s1600/IMG_20131016_133757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkbhROnDsRs/Ul7y6RtZRjI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/SzBCONOSMYM/s320/IMG_20131016_133757.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn strung around the edges to look finished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I tied the long tail end to the end of our web with a knot, and cut the ends.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6mAoxkUd_w/Ul7y6o6LGuI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/0bVuERiNMnI/s1600/IMG_20131016_133802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6mAoxkUd_w/Ul7y6o6LGuI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/0bVuERiNMnI/s320/IMG_20131016_133802.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very fancy knot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />After the spiders were dried, we glued googly eyes to each spider, and then I had the boys tell me where they wanted the spiders to go on their web. Of course, they wanted them "way up high" and all I did was tape the spider to the yarn (not the wall).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JekmlYEVljY/Ul7y6-Q09zI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/FOGsMrPTeew/s1600/IMG_20131016_150128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JekmlYEVljY/Ul7y6-Q09zI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/FOGsMrPTeew/s320/IMG_20131016_150128.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spiders in our new web.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kted0FSltp4/Ul7y8FE70iI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Lxk_qZz85-8/s1600/web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kted0FSltp4/Ul7y8FE70iI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Lxk_qZz85-8/s320/web.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spiders in the web with the googly eyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />It really looks cute. And it's very festive. I like that it is in the central spot like our hallway, because the kids keep commenting on it every time they pass it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My favorite part - is that my boy who was leery of the spiders and spider web at my mother and grandmother's house was the one that spent the most time with me building it and instead of being afraid of it has now told me several times: "Momma, our spider web is beeeeautiful!".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<br /><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-29811344262387325602013-10-10T11:07:00.003-04:002013-10-10T11:07:19.781-04:00Project: Clean that Giant Unidentified Carpet StainI enjoy reading and following <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/" target="_blank">One Good Thing By Jillee</a>. I think she has great ideas, great instructions, and I like to pretend that all the DIY housekeeping stuff is something I can keep up on.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recently, she dug out an old post, and pinned it to her <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jnystul/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board </a>on a <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/10/miracle-carpet-stain-remover-just-2-ingredients.html" target="_blank">Miracle Carpet Stain Remover</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am having people over tomorrow night, and thought I could try this before everyone shows up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is said unidentified stain:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-focN07DGFCs/UlbBl2YYv0I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/vutZcStLAq8/s1600/IMG_20131010_081303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-focN07DGFCs/UlbBl2YYv0I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/vutZcStLAq8/s320/IMG_20131010_081303.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gross!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I did exactly as said - One part clear ammonia, one part HOT water, and sprayed it on the carpet. The instructions say "liberally", I need to add that to get it to work, I had to hold the sprayer right up to the carpet and saturate it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I put my white towel over it, and ironed. I didn't notice much at first, because I really did need to saturate it, but as I kept going, I noticed my towel getting gross.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Towel:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvZuNzQFdeM/UlbBmJoKgxI/AAAAAAAAAXg/qSt5hrgS584/s1600/IMG_20131010_082224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvZuNzQFdeM/UlbBmJoKgxI/AAAAAAAAAXg/qSt5hrgS584/s320/IMG_20131010_082224.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The darker spots are where I really sprayed the solution into the carpet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lo and BEHOLD!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lFMX8X4lK0/UlbBmD938YI/AAAAAAAAAXk/KUJ3SaoNKQE/s1600/IMG_20131010_082229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lFMX8X4lK0/UlbBmD938YI/AAAAAAAAAXk/KUJ3SaoNKQE/s320/IMG_20131010_082229.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The yuckiest part of the satin was definitely lifting and coming out of the carpet! Be warned! This was VERY stinky. And I had the kids up, so I stopped doing the clean up which was why most of the stain is still visible. When they go to bed, and I don't have to worry about them smelling the stink of the ammonia, I will most decidedly finish the job I started this morning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's successful attempts like this one that make me think I can do these DIY home remedy things. :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-63235003273588509582013-09-12T14:45:00.001-04:002013-09-12T14:45:06.920-04:00Project: Paper Storage Bins for Our Salvaged Kitchen Play SetMy folks are absolutely amazing at finding completely salvageable toys for the kids - for free! Thanks to her, my kids have a full parking lot of Cozy Coupe's, a play house, baby swing/slide set, wagons, a see-saw, a motorcycle (one of those awesome 6v ones), a sandbox, and a pool to name a few. She had picked up a kitchen set that we keep at her house, and recently my dad found several more kitchen sets - the best part of these plastic toys is that they can be washed, bleached and magic erased right into a state of kid-ready! We picked out our favorite "new" kitchen set and brought it home.<br />
<br />
After some scrubbing, the kids are enjoying their new playset. I brought up all the play food my mom had kept from when I was a kid, and this honestly occupies the three year old twins and our 15 month old for extended periods of time. The food we kept stored in a bin, since one of the drawers was missing from our new kitchen, and all the food didn't fit on the shelves.<br />
<br />
This is where my brainstorm for today's activity began.<br />
<br />
This is our awesome new kitchen:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8S4NUh_y0M/UjIF-qJ-qxI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7uKaEMgTdwY/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8S4NUh_y0M/UjIF-qJ-qxI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7uKaEMgTdwY/s400/IMG_0403.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is what my floor looks like when the kids are done playing:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WGCCA9bXEg/UjIF-st3wNI/AAAAAAAAAT4/7EEgwgrAOoU/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WGCCA9bXEg/UjIF-st3wNI/AAAAAAAAAT4/7EEgwgrAOoU/s640/IMG_0404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
See the big empty bin? I don't really want to keep the kitchen set and the bin out since they are currently residing on our main living floor. I wanted to eliminate the use of the bin altogether.<br />
<br />
I didn't take pictures of my first few steps, because it didn't occur to me to include this on my blog until after we had begun the project, so you'll have to imagine the first few steps.<br />
<br />
Materials:<br />
Frosted Flakes Double Sized Box - we got this from our cereal purchase at BJ's Wholesale Club.<br />
Scrapbooking Paper (because I have it laying around, and it's 12"x12")<br />
Exact-O Knife<br />
Paper Cutter<br />
Ruler<br />
Scissors<br />
Glue Stick (I used the kids')<br />
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (mine are from my dollar store)<br />
Optional Materials (I did this because I had the materials on hand)<br />
Eyelet Punch<br />
Eyelets<br />
Ribbon<br />
Tapestry Needle<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHN9CJhNeIM/UjIGbdeeJzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Hj9FH-qOd0Q/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHN9CJhNeIM/UjIGbdeeJzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Hj9FH-qOd0Q/s320/IMG_0412.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I started by measuring the two shelves I was planning on using the bin with. From that, I was able to cut two boxes from the same Frosted Flakes box (using the top as one box, and the bottom as a second). My shelves were different sizes, but I made both boxes the same so I could get two from one cereal box. I cut the top and bottom of the cereal box to the 6" height I needed.<br />
<br />
I then cut the scrapbooking paper with my paper cutter so that it measured a full inch taller than I needed, and about an inch wider than I needed. In retrospect, if I make this project again, I will make it two inches wider so there is an extra inch on either side. Because my box measured over 10" on one side, and 6" on the short side, I needed four pieces (one for each face) per box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-bmQyUfgMk/UjIGP98eR3I/AAAAAAAAAUU/xw72AnpyvxY/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-bmQyUfgMk/UjIGP98eR3I/AAAAAAAAAUU/xw72AnpyvxY/s320/IMG_0392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I then set the kids to work putting glue on the back of the side pieces first. I even got the baby in on smacking the paper once it was placed to help stick it to the cereal box. (I didn't get any pictures of my other son helping)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTpajB4ZO0/UjIG4p-O0zI/AAAAAAAAAW8/d0-KppK46fo/s1600/kitchenette+drawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTpajB4ZO0/UjIG4p-O0zI/AAAAAAAAAW8/d0-KppK46fo/s320/kitchenette+drawers.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the top, I used the scissors to cut a small slit at each corner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6bpnf1cfl4/UjIF5MLpNII/AAAAAAAAATg/HTzus6Le8RY/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6bpnf1cfl4/UjIF5MLpNII/AAAAAAAAATg/HTzus6Le8RY/s640/IMG_0398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I then folded the top over to the inside of the box. I added extra glue around all corners and edges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8wnYsGWj5Q/UjIF4_o0ZfI/AAAAAAAAATk/w-HRtwtC8zI/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8wnYsGWj5Q/UjIF4_o0ZfI/AAAAAAAAATk/w-HRtwtC8zI/s640/IMG_0400.JPG" width="606" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is what the top looked like when I finished my first side:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3LOvvjXh6E/UjIGVVQFmhI/AAAAAAAAAUw/866ppYFvZFQ/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3LOvvjXh6E/UjIGVVQFmhI/AAAAAAAAAUw/866ppYFvZFQ/s640/IMG_0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I repeated these steps to finish the other side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBfbP9Y9w6c/UjIGWrN1-GI/AAAAAAAAAU8/m5Aco3hJC9w/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBfbP9Y9w6c/UjIGWrN1-GI/AAAAAAAAAU8/m5Aco3hJC9w/s640/IMG_0408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I then did the exact same thing to the front and back of the box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10AmHlggcdk/UjIGV4B0-pI/AAAAAAAAAU4/ekbwNUoZJCo/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10AmHlggcdk/UjIGV4B0-pI/AAAAAAAAAU4/ekbwNUoZJCo/s640/IMG_0410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I repeated the whole thing for my second box!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQhyowZLpO0/UjIGZaZKmzI/AAAAAAAAAVE/j_1sWApa08M/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQhyowZLpO0/UjIGZaZKmzI/AAAAAAAAAVE/j_1sWApa08M/s640/IMG_0411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then I decided to add the handles. This is where I gathered my "optional" materials. I went with what I had on hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-274tt5ctqEo/UjIGdlBwcnI/AAAAAAAAAVU/OH5dQ6ca1CE/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-274tt5ctqEo/UjIGdlBwcnI/AAAAAAAAAVU/OH5dQ6ca1CE/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I first decided where I was going to poke the holes for my ribbon handles. After looking at my box front and back, I decided I would make the handle two and a half inches from each edge and two inches from the top.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvz8zH03BGM/UjIGhXL0FkI/AAAAAAAAAVo/F1RfSFTFTVQ/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvz8zH03BGM/UjIGhXL0FkI/AAAAAAAAAVo/F1RfSFTFTVQ/s320/IMG_0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On the inside, I measured and marked where I would punch my holes with my ruler and a pencil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neYSZFzOu3A/UjIGfwK1KlI/AAAAAAAAAVc/kfYR0RvAPb4/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neYSZFzOu3A/UjIGfwK1KlI/AAAAAAAAAVc/kfYR0RvAPb4/s640/IMG_0415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyAyWAPiegA/UjIGiraovLI/AAAAAAAAAVs/AUAztaNKcbQ/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyAyWAPiegA/UjIGiraovLI/AAAAAAAAAVs/AUAztaNKcbQ/s640/IMG_0416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Then I used my eyelet punch to poke the holes for my eyelets:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgOjzK4EmaA/UjIGkxMTo-I/AAAAAAAAAV0/NQADMk9uFIM/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgOjzK4EmaA/UjIGkxMTo-I/AAAAAAAAAV0/NQADMk9uFIM/s640/IMG_0417.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I inserted my eyelets and secured them using my eyelet punch tool.<br />
<br />
I did this on both the front and back of each of my boxes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCTkmtCANqw/UjIGprcNjVI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Cse-vS13U_k/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCTkmtCANqw/UjIGprcNjVI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Cse-vS13U_k/s640/IMG_0418.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then I cut some ribbon and threaded it through the eyelet holes using the tapestry needle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wgc-RXukbU/UjIGzx7scrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/jnj7nN7BZdg/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wgc-RXukbU/UjIGzx7scrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/jnj7nN7BZdg/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had to quadruple knot the back of the ribbon so the kids won't pull it out when they use the handles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8W35I-7p_Q/UjIGzXdHXKI/AAAAAAAAAWc/oBeIq2R-A70/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8W35I-7p_Q/UjIGzXdHXKI/AAAAAAAAAWc/oBeIq2R-A70/s320/IMG_0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ta-Dah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMEak2DwG5s/UjIGxf5m-lI/AAAAAAAAAWU/dAKDWS-GgUE/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMEak2DwG5s/UjIGxf5m-lI/AAAAAAAAAWU/dAKDWS-GgUE/s640/IMG_0425.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The bins look great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX2fod6C13I/UjIG4o-ZtbI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jTk0_cM39rI/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX2fod6C13I/UjIG4o-ZtbI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jTk0_cM39rI/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
And during nap time, I put all the food away in the kitchen, and was able to remove the bin from my living area! Everything now has a home!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjodFp3lSi0/UjIG7lMmxAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/WI9GXk0DxZk/s1600/IMG_20130912_113756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjodFp3lSi0/UjIG7lMmxAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/WI9GXk0DxZk/s640/IMG_20130912_113756.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
The kids got a kick out of helping, and I showed them how to use the handles to pull the bins out. Let's see how long we can keep our kitchen set cleaned!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-2754017780589013212013-08-28T21:38:00.001-04:002013-08-28T21:38:30.662-04:00Checking InI'm sill here!<br />
<br />I've been hard at work ramping up inventory for the craft fair season - sorry that I haven't posted anything!<br />
<br />
In other news, I am adding a button to this site now because I am excited to say I've finally submitted some patterns to CrochetAtPlay.com! Woot!<br />
<br />
Still haven't gotten to update Ravelry, but I will one of these days!<br />
<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-80263460204750189642013-07-23T08:57:00.004-04:002016-08-23T09:23:20.972-04:00Project: Wet Jet Mop CoverThis post contains links to items I used in the activities described. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I was not paid by these brands nor did I receive goods or payment to recommend the products, they are just the products I chose for the project.<br />
<br />
We have three kids, a messy dog and a kitchen and dining room with vinyl floors and a breakfast room with undefinable floors that need regular washing and wipe downs. I am the proud owner of a Swiffer Wet Jet - this cleaning item is super easy to use since all I have to do is pull it out of the garage to give my floors a nice once - over to last between real washings.<br />
<br />
The disposable pads cost too much for the amount I tend to go through! I had seen on Pinterest a while back a pattern for a regular dry Swiffer mop head cover. When I clicked the link, Pinterest told me users had reported Spam and other deviant content, so I was resolved to designing my own. Besides, I have a wet jet which has those spouts on either end which need to be exposed for it to work correctly. <br />
<br />
If you do not crochet, and would like a mop head cover of your own, please <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CostasCraftyCorner" target="_blank">Request a Custom Order from my Etsy shop</a>, and I will gladly make you one with your choice of colors.<br />
<br />
Here it is, from me to you, a crochet pattern so you can make your own Wet Jet mop head cover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyeaoJDJZSU/Ud8GXOeyx3I/AAAAAAAAASw/TkMpPAe98Eo/s1600/IMG_20130711_151027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyeaoJDJZSU/Ud8GXOeyx3I/AAAAAAAAASw/TkMpPAe98Eo/s320/IMG_20130711_151027.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwf3TTDKGxg/Ud8GXAzaeiI/AAAAAAAAASs/H8w-Q0QnGXg/s1600/IMG_20130711_151021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwf3TTDKGxg/Ud8GXAzaeiI/AAAAAAAAASs/H8w-Q0QnGXg/s320/IMG_20130711_151021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Pattern:<br />
Wet Jet Mop Cover<br />
<br />
Materials:<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/2be7QjJ" target="_blank">H Hook</a><br />
1.8 oz Worsted Weight Cotton - I used a discontinued color of <a href="http://amzn.to/2bc2bjy" target="_blank">Lily Sugar and Cream similar to this one</a>.<br />
<br />
Gauge: 10 HDC & 10 Rows HDC = 3"<br />
<br />
Chain 62.<br />
Row 1: HDC in 3rd Ch from hook. HDC in each Ch across. (60 HDC)<br />
Row 2: Ch 2, Turn. HDC in each HDC across (HDC)<br />
Row 3 - 14: Repeat Row 2.<br />
Fasten off, weave in ends.<br />
<br />
You now have a rectangle that measures roughly 17" x 4".<br />
<br />
With wrong side facing, fold over edges counting 10 HDC (for me this was just about 3" on each end). I place a stitch marker to align the folded flaps to the body of the mop head. <br />
<br />
Insert hook at side fold, and draw up loop. Ch to secure. Through both layers, SC across all 10 stitches. SC in each of next 20, and through both layers for the last 10 HDC. Fasten off, weave in ends.<br />
<br />
Turn piece to finish off the other side.<br />
<br />
Again, in the folded edge, insert hook, draw up loop. Ch to secure. Through only one layer, HDC in same stitch and each of next 10. You should now be at the edge of the folded piece. Foundation HDC 20 sts. To join to open edge at opposite side:<br />
YO, Insert hook in bottom of previous FHDC, insert hook into first stitch of open edge, draw up loop, draw through all loops on hook.<br />
HDC in next stitch, and remaining 50 stitches. Join. Fasten off, weave in ends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcP3TKJJ1ng/Ud8GYK7SAxI/AAAAAAAAATE/i3fCIeIQ9XY/s1600/IMG_20130711_151208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcP3TKJJ1ng/Ud8GYK7SAxI/AAAAAAAAATE/i3fCIeIQ9XY/s320/IMG_20130711_151208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To place on your Wet Jet, be sure the "open" end is facing forward where the spouts are, and stretch across the mop head. When it gets dirty, you can even flip it inside out to keep cleaning before throwing the whole thing in your washing machine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEj_C6MGnkI/Ud8GX3phcsI/AAAAAAAAATA/pR8ZHW8N-3s/s1600/IMG_20130711_151132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEj_C6MGnkI/Ud8GX3phcsI/AAAAAAAAATA/pR8ZHW8N-3s/s320/IMG_20130711_151132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDUhLM8Usb4/Ud8GXRO5S8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/QLS-aj_3x58/s1600/IMG_20130711_151122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDUhLM8Usb4/Ud8GXRO5S8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/QLS-aj_3x58/s320/IMG_20130711_151122.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Happy crafting and cleaning!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-11945689397120461242013-07-05T09:52:00.000-04:002013-07-05T09:52:50.811-04:00Project: Fix the Flip FlopsMy daughter received an adorable pair of size 3/4 baby flip flops for her birthday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1mRoU5A1zQ/Uc3aQ5VGLwI/AAAAAAAAALw/9AXbRalfBKg/s1119/IMG_20130624_121426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1mRoU5A1zQ/Uc3aQ5VGLwI/AAAAAAAAALw/9AXbRalfBKg/s320/IMG_20130624_121426.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Super cute, right? I thought so, too, but then I tried to put them on her. She has incredibly high arches (thanks to her dad), and because of the way the plastic bends in at the toe divider, I couldn't get them on her feet!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBLq5lxPsCI/Uc3aQ4WxY6I/AAAAAAAAAL4/6ipuvlgWIcM/s1600/IMG_20130624_121446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBLq5lxPsCI/Uc3aQ4WxY6I/AAAAAAAAAL4/6ipuvlgWIcM/s320/IMG_20130624_121446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offending plastic toe divider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, using my stash of yarn and a hook, I decided to fashion her a new top-part of the flip flop so I could adjust it for her high arches! (You know the phrase "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_instrument" target="_blank">If all you have is a hammer,everything looks like a nail</a>"? this is what I think every time I fix something with crochet... "When all you have is a hook, all your problems can be solved with yarn".)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Materials Needed:</b></div>
<div>
Cotton Yarn (I used <a href="http://www.sugarncream.com/product.php?LGC=sugarncream&SPP=999" target="_blank">Lily Sugar'n Cream Rose Pink</a>)</div>
<div>
G Hook for stitching, and a larger hook for drawing straps through sandal bottom</div>
<div>
Scissors</div>
<div>
Tapestry Needle</div>
<div>
Sewing Machine</div>
<div>
1/4" Elastic</div>
<div>
Coordinating thread (to match the elastic if desired)</div>
<div>
Hot Glue Gun (and gluesticks!)</div>
<div>
Waxed Paper</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first thing I did was cut off the existing straps by snipping off the round stoppers from the bottom of the sandal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2-9Ve7_lls/Uc3aR7EzlgI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SsxXPZeyw4A/s1369/IMG_20130628_081248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2-9Ve7_lls/Uc3aR7EzlgI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SsxXPZeyw4A/s320/IMG_20130628_081248.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipping off the round stoppers from the bottom of the flip flops makes the plastic top come off easily.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There, easy peasy. I saved the plastic strap parts for measuring in the upcoming step.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt9br5spL-0/Uc3aR0ZQINI/AAAAAAAAAMY/2qWK7UnvTvY/s1600/IMG_20130628_081806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt9br5spL-0/Uc3aR0ZQINI/AAAAAAAAAMY/2qWK7UnvTvY/s320/IMG_20130628_081806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had to stop and take a picture of my daughter trying to figure out what I was doing to her sandals that don't fit on her feet, because she is absolutely adorable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAXUgn1eAjI/Uc3aSIerJtI/AAAAAAAAAMc/xIrCGobKG-8/s1304/IMG_20130628_081829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAXUgn1eAjI/Uc3aSIerJtI/AAAAAAAAAMc/xIrCGobKG-8/s320/IMG_20130628_081829.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, I measured how long I needed to make the top strap for the sandal. I measured from end to end like so:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz5lmWMtaCo/Uc3aSfqkGfI/AAAAAAAAAMk/rwlS2BrftbQ/s1163/IMG_20130628_082311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz5lmWMtaCo/Uc3aSfqkGfI/AAAAAAAAAMk/rwlS2BrftbQ/s320/IMG_20130628_082311.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECBwLxxlgR8/Uc3aSsCGQKI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Dr1rPVT_uy8/s1228/IMG_20130628_082324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECBwLxxlgR8/Uc3aSsCGQKI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Dr1rPVT_uy8/s320/IMG_20130628_082324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you can see, my strap needs to be about 5" across. (Don't worry, I'll compensate for her high arches later in the process)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now for the crocheting part.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These are the abbreviations I will use to describe my process:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ch = Chain</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
SC = Single Crochet</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sl St = Slip Stitch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
St = Stitch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sk = Skip</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Begin: I Chained an odd number of stitches the length measured. For me, my chain was 27 which measured the 5". I marked the center two stitches with a stitch marker.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79njbdpEX-I/Uc3aS1HlLYI/AAAAAAAAAMw/FtSJ66c1E6s/s1355/IMG_20130628_083848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79njbdpEX-I/Uc3aS1HlLYI/AAAAAAAAAMw/FtSJ66c1E6s/s320/IMG_20130628_083848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I will provide directions using a stitch count based on my original chain of 27. You can adjust based on the number of original chains you have to make to get your length (don't worry, I am positive you can adapt this for your needs!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Form the Foot Strap:</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Row 1: SC in 2nd Ch from hook. SC in each of next 11 sts. Sk 2 chs with marker in them. SC in remaining 12 sts.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4A6ogrcW7U/Uc3aTB8l6ZI/AAAAAAAAAM8/5DO-E9VgKoY/s1600/IMG_20130628_084347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4A6ogrcW7U/Uc3aTB8l6ZI/AAAAAAAAAM8/5DO-E9VgKoY/s320/IMG_20130628_084347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. 2 SC in first SC. SC in each of next 10 SC. Sk 2 SC. SC in next 10 SC. 2 SC in last SC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Form the Heel Strap:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sl St in next 3 SC. SC in next 2 SC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVTjvXIQQU4/Uc3aTUrbeiI/AAAAAAAAANE/17KsmXxznas/s1600/IMG_20130628_090630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVTjvXIQQU4/Uc3aTUrbeiI/AAAAAAAAANE/17KsmXxznas/s320/IMG_20130628_090630.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Row 4 - 8: Ch 1, turn. SC in next 2 SC. I determined this should be 8 rows based on the measurement of the existing strap.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDJAWA4bRmA/Uc3aTcPXRII/AAAAAAAAANI/Yekp5x2CGfM/s1119/IMG_20130628_090813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDJAWA4bRmA/Uc3aTcPXRII/AAAAAAAAANI/Yekp5x2CGfM/s320/IMG_20130628_090813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKctVm3sEl8/Uc3aTjED_CI/AAAAAAAAANQ/lbuKEEdXHZE/s1341/IMG_20130628_091202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKctVm3sEl8/Uc3aTjED_CI/AAAAAAAAANQ/lbuKEEdXHZE/s320/IMG_20130628_091202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring for Length</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbPa6rpUIWU/Uc3aUKvRL2I/AAAAAAAAANM/fD_eGwTMaRI/s1036/IMG_20130628_091758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbPa6rpUIWU/Uc3aUKvRL2I/AAAAAAAAANM/fD_eGwTMaRI/s320/IMG_20130628_091758.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring for Length</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Row 9: Ch 3. Skip next st. Sl St in last SC. Fasten off, weave in ends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Form the Second Heel Strap:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With right side facing, insert hook in fourth stitch from other side of foot strap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KP5l5GUFIW8/Uc3aUi7lidI/AAAAAAAAANs/Jznxy25bMKc/s1260/IMG_20130628_092438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KP5l5GUFIW8/Uc3aUi7lidI/AAAAAAAAANs/Jznxy25bMKc/s320/IMG_20130628_092438.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side facing, insert hook into fourth stitch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ch 1 and SC in next 2 SC. Repeat Rows 4 - 9 for the first heel strap, fasten off and weave in ends, and you now have a foot strap, and two heel straps!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Repeat Foot Strap, Heel Strap, and Second Heel Strap directions to make a top for your second flip flop.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sZcjfdbhZM/Uc3aUj42VII/AAAAAAAAANw/e8nXVDXE2Js/s1498/IMG_20130628_102354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sZcjfdbhZM/Uc3aUj42VII/AAAAAAAAANw/e8nXVDXE2Js/s320/IMG_20130628_102354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Foot Straps with Attached Heel Straps Completed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before adding the ties to attach to the sandal, I attached elastic to the back of the heel straps to connect them. Time to move from the couch to the sewing machine!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Crafting the Elastic Heel Straps</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I cut two 1/4" elastics measuring 4".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzi0pETonds/Uc3aVyzO-wI/AAAAAAAAAN8/upzGnTJQQbY/s1400/IMG_20130628_103534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzi0pETonds/Uc3aVyzO-wI/AAAAAAAAAN8/upzGnTJQQbY/s320/IMG_20130628_103534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With right side facing, I inserted 1" of the elastic into the Ch 3 space at the back of one heel strap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9pf_yIUg7Q/Uc3aU_YIO7I/AAAAAAAAANk/IeqWdrKBqbY/s1158/IMG_20130628_103340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9pf_yIUg7Q/Uc3aU_YIO7I/AAAAAAAAANk/IeqWdrKBqbY/s320/IMG_20130628_103340.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert 1" of elastic end into Ch 3 space at end of heel strap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Repeat for the other side being careful not to twist.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Zg-m7C9eo/Uc3aVgAD3nI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_kF5jgAJru8/s1077/IMG_20130628_103427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Zg-m7C9eo/Uc3aVgAD3nI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_kF5jgAJru8/s320/IMG_20130628_103427.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being careful not to twist, repeat on other heel strap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I folded the two 1" ends of elastic over the remaining 2" section, and put it all under the pressure foot of my sewing machine. I set the stitch for a simple zig zag stitch to allow for easy stretching during wear.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dT-etmibkR8/Uc3aWCtPKjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/t8luSnVMfMs/s1600/IMG_20130628_103710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dT-etmibkR8/Uc3aWCtPKjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/t8luSnVMfMs/s320/IMG_20130628_103710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folding elastic ends in to meet each other, I sewed them using a zig zag stitch to retain elasticity. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I removed it from my sewing machine and locked my stitches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOGrac4rKEU/Uc3aWfRRxdI/AAAAAAAAAOo/y87p4J1SHOk/s1600/IMG_20130628_103819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOGrac4rKEU/Uc3aWfRRxdI/AAAAAAAAAOo/y87p4J1SHOk/s320/IMG_20130628_103819.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Remove from sewing machine and lock your stitches.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is what the wrong side will look like when complete:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu_cK2hQwlM/Uc3aWRLuNeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/sklcruGllH4/s1600/IMG_20130628_104153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu_cK2hQwlM/Uc3aWRLuNeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/sklcruGllH4/s320/IMG_20130628_104153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed "Wrong Side"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did the same thing for the second strap, and it was now time to move from my sewing machine back to the couch to make the straps for attaching to the sandal.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xeK-0zJHGs/Uc3aXHNhUTI/AAAAAAAAAO8/7mqsm9inOYw/s1472/IMG_20130628_104633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xeK-0zJHGs/Uc3aXHNhUTI/AAAAAAAAAO8/7mqsm9inOYw/s320/IMG_20130628_104633.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elastic attached, these are two completed heel and foot straps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
To begin the straps, I cut eight 8" lengths of the yarn. I suggest you make yours at least 12" to make the attaching steps a LOT easier.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYQECPr9BiQ/Uc3aXEz8guI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZTcSrvye3ns/s1563/IMG_20130628_112539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYQECPr9BiQ/Uc3aXEz8guI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZTcSrvye3ns/s320/IMG_20130628_112539.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting eight pieces of yarn for attaching straps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With wrong side facing, insert larger hook into the 2 Chs skipped for Row 1. Take two strands of the eight cut ones, fold in half, and draw up loops through the 2 Chs skipped for Row 1.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orWZ4GyGgCY/Uc4NqQBygEI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/LGtCC7i3M6U/s1264/IMG_20130628_112651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orWZ4GyGgCY/Uc4NqQBygEI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/LGtCC7i3M6U/s320/IMG_20130628_112651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert hook into skipped chains for Row 1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Take two strands of the eight cut ones, fold in half, and draw up loops through the 2 Chs skipped for Row 1.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZS_j2TdrQs/Uc4NqY0WO5I/AAAAAAAAAQo/0V9MxHb10L8/s1477/IMG_20130628_112702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZS_j2TdrQs/Uc4NqY0WO5I/AAAAAAAAAQo/0V9MxHb10L8/s320/IMG_20130628_112702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draw up loops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yarn over, pull through loops on hook.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-wG08-2WUM/Uc4Nq9rWmAI/AAAAAAAAAQw/CihihIofDBY/s1155/IMG_20130628_112754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-wG08-2WUM/Uc4Nq9rWmAI/AAAAAAAAAQw/CihihIofDBY/s320/IMG_20130628_112754.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarn over, pull through loops on hook. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the two side straps, with wrong side facing, insert hook between Row 1 and Row 2, take one strand of the cut yarn and draw up a loop. Yarn over, and draw through loop on hook. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpQbvUkq5-k/Uc4NrXzLtDI/AAAAAAAAARI/n8iiVmWAVkg/s1568/IMG_20130628_113237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpQbvUkq5-k/Uc4NrXzLtDI/AAAAAAAAARI/n8iiVmWAVkg/s320/IMG_20130628_113237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed foot & heel straps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used the larger crochet hook to pull the strands through the holes in the sandal sole. Be sure the right side is facing upwards!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2L6LPgVwI0/Uc4Nr0Q_KwI/AAAAAAAAARY/cgMrtc71Zpk/s1600/IMG_20130628_113353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2L6LPgVwI0/Uc4Nr0Q_KwI/AAAAAAAAARY/cgMrtc71Zpk/s320/IMG_20130628_113353.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used the larger crochet hook to pull the strands through the holes in the sandal sole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Repeat for other foot. At this point, I picked up the soles of the sandals and the pieces I just finished and went to my kitchen table with my glue gun, glue sticks, waxed paper and my daughter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Placing the foot/heel straps on my daughter, I measured where I should knot each strand underneath the sandal. I was able to adjust the slack on the top of the sandal by where I placed the knot. (See, I told you I would compensate for her arches!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lde1hd9RNXI/Uc4NsDZ8D9I/AAAAAAAAARU/b6QxzeTTu4g/s1343/IMG_20130628_124913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lde1hd9RNXI/Uc4NsDZ8D9I/AAAAAAAAARU/b6QxzeTTu4g/s320/IMG_20130628_124913.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I put the straps on my daughter and marked where I wanted each strap to fall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I had all the strands nice and knotted to where I wanted them, I lifted the knots, and put a blob of hot glue in each hole, and tugged the knot into place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4smYoR9GKug/Uc4NsY92RYI/AAAAAAAAARc/rjD_N1dCfys/s1167/IMG_20130628_125431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4smYoR9GKug/Uc4NsY92RYI/AAAAAAAAARc/rjD_N1dCfys/s320/IMG_20130628_125431.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each strap knotted on bottom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once set, I cut the excess yarn strands and filled the rest of the holes on the sole with hot glue. I pressed it onto waxed paper to be sure the sole of the sandal remained flat and let this cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqryrRnEy-Y/Uc4Nso7dhBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6-LPiMTxPzc/s1565/IMG_20130628_130933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqryrRnEy-Y/Uc4Nso7dhBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6-LPiMTxPzc/s320/IMG_20130628_130933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used the wax paper to press the glue filed holes flat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I removed the wax paper...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PLc5PmtTiU/Uc4NtBnBGWI/AAAAAAAAAR8/8H8H_t_J6ac/s1328/IMG_20130628_131418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PLc5PmtTiU/Uc4NtBnBGWI/AAAAAAAAAR8/8H8H_t_J6ac/s320/IMG_20130628_131418.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bottom of sandal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...and placed the sandals on my daughter! The elastic heel strap is awesome - she actually couldn't tug the shoe off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAAznOiFBjk/Uc4NtBrLxhI/AAAAAAAAAR4/AXqCceb2ako/s1324/IMG_20130628_131629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAAznOiFBjk/Uc4NtBrLxhI/AAAAAAAAAR4/AXqCceb2ako/s320/IMG_20130628_131629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's not scarred really, it was the only picture that came out in focus. The ones of her smiling and wiggling were blurry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtQK891lcvM/Uc4NtZmHsiI/AAAAAAAAASA/x6woLbzMtyQ/s1281/IMG_20130628_131802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtQK891lcvM/Uc4NtZmHsiI/AAAAAAAAASA/x6woLbzMtyQ/s320/IMG_20130628_131802.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed Sandals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br />
All in all I am very pleased. The sandals didn't go to waste, and now she can wear them without tugging them off!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-9942110356569208632013-07-03T10:39:00.001-04:002013-07-03T19:50:41.075-04:00Update to Project: Market Bag Crochet Pin-along with Vickie HowellSo, if you followed my post Project: Market Bag Crochet Pin-along with Vickie Howell, you'll know that I joined in on a Crochet Pin-Along with Jo-Ann Fabrics and Vickie Howell. I honestly did this to keep my hands busy and it seemed like a fun way to get some of my Pins out there in my newly created <a href="http://pinterest.com/costascrftycrnr/boards/" target="_blank">Costa's Crafty Corner Pinterest</a> "business" account.<br />
<br />
I'm psyched to share that I received a comment from the celebrated artist <a href="http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vickie Howell</a>, herself! It was so much fun to participate in this, and to see a comment on the picture I pinned of my daughter in my market bag from her was the icing on the cake (or so I thought)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpXaKH9OpVI/UdQ3LzD3K9I/AAAAAAAAASM/83IZuLUgxTU/s637/Best+Market+Bag+Picture+Ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpXaKH9OpVI/UdQ3LzD3K9I/AAAAAAAAASM/83IZuLUgxTU/s640/Best+Market+Bag+Picture+Ever.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was the icing until I received notification from Jo-Ann's that I was one of the winners of the Crochet Pin-Along! I was informed I will be receiving a gift card, and I am absolutely elated about this (not to mention the free shopping trip I can enjoy at my local Jo-Anns!)<br />
<br />
Check out the final comments (and see if you can spot my bag) on the Jo-Ann blog <a href="http://joannfabricandcraftstores.blogspot.com/2013/07/wrap-up-market-bag-crochet-pin-along.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
So next time there's a Crochet Pin-Along, who is going to join it with me?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-30856821759883458422013-06-28T13:58:00.002-04:002013-06-28T13:58:25.346-04:00Project: Toddler Drawstring BackpackSorry I haven't been updating the page this week. After wrapping up the <a href="http://costascraftycorner.blogspot.com/2013/06/project-market-bag-crochet-pin-along.html" target="_blank">Crochet Pin-Along</a> this week, I jumped into a couple of quick projects I needed to get done. <br />
<br />
We've been looking at our calendar for the summer, because there are a couple of places we wanted to take the kids for day trips. One that's been on my mind is visiting one of my favorite parks from when I was a child, <a href="http://www.storylandnh.com/" target="_blank">StoryLand</a>. With our family commitments coming up (and pretty much lasting the rest of our weekends this summer) we decided we would try for this weekend.<br />
<br />
One project that I haven't been able to complete yet is a special 'dress up' item for each of the kids to wear when we go to StoryLand (trying to cut down on souvenir purchasing). If I am able to complete that project before we go, you will definitely see a post about it.<br />
<br />
The second project that I am super excited I finished last night was derived directly from <a href="http://prudentbaby.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Prudent</a> (Thank you, <a href="http://prudentbaby.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Prudent</a>!). I made each of the boys their own <a href="http://prudentbaby.com/2010/10/baby-kid/how-to-sew-a-drawstring-backpack-2/" target="_blank">drawstring backpacks</a> to wear when we get to the park that they can keep their own water bottle in, and any other trinkets they acquire while we are there. The drawstring backpacks were perfectly toddler sized, and if they don't want to carry them, they will easily fit into the diaper bag or on the handles of the stroller.<br />
<br />
This was one of the easiest to follow tutorials I've worked with! Due to this, I did not take process pictures of my beginning and procedural steps since the blog and tutorial has everything you need to craft your own toddler drawstring backpack.<br />
<br />
I wanted to share with you a few notes, and my completed pictures!<br />
<br />
I used only what I had on hand - which meant some denim fabric that measured an inch smaller than the required 26", and blue single fold bias tape and a thin, green broadcloth. With the green broadcloth, I crafted my own bias tape (seaming tape) by cutting two 44" x 2" strips. I ironed a crease going lengthwise, then folded in the two raw edges into the fold and ironed flat. I decided to make my two strap lengths 44" rather than 36" because my kids seem tall to me (and I was glad I did this because the straps are perfect this way). I thought the blue bias tape I had was double fold which is why I made the green double fold, but it wasn't. This required me to sew the two flaps down on the blue bias tape. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iq7pG1PfsE/Uc3OkvxoCCI/AAAAAAAAALE/Got6l5caFMk/s1330/IMG_20130628_135307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iq7pG1PfsE/Uc3OkvxoCCI/AAAAAAAAALE/Got6l5caFMk/s320/IMG_20130628_135307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I stitched the green tape together, I also stitched it in two rows (more for decoration) so it matched the blue. (Since they are twins, I feel if I do for one, I should do for the other! Not that they would notice but I would.).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOnzwTSISjE/Uc3OqWpsROI/AAAAAAAAALM/rsdwauFMgyY/s1330/IMG_20130628_135335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOnzwTSISjE/Uc3OqWpsROI/AAAAAAAAALM/rsdwauFMgyY/s320/IMG_20130628_135335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These are the finished bags from last night:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VOLku2oB_C4/Uc3M8PIoyYI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Jlkjq9q-ijc/s1600/IMG_20130627_200754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VOLku2oB_C4/Uc3M8PIoyYI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Jlkjq9q-ijc/s320/IMG_20130627_200754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the boys trying them on this morning. I was so pleased with the fit! I will definitely make these bags again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SejCF5Y1xtg/Uc3NGCQu-SI/AAAAAAAAAKs/2q4T5u7stb8/s1313/IMG_20130628_073450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SejCF5Y1xtg/Uc3NGCQu-SI/AAAAAAAAAKs/2q4T5u7stb8/s320/IMG_20130628_073450.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nG8omKYKQ8g/Uc3NGD5kbWI/AAAAAAAAAKw/a06nmw3R8WA/s1600/IMG_20130628_073507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nG8omKYKQ8g/Uc3NGD5kbWI/AAAAAAAAAKw/a06nmw3R8WA/s320/IMG_20130628_073507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-8691215378334902972013-06-21T10:28:00.000-04:002013-06-24T19:30:08.311-04:00Project: Market Bag Crochet Pin-along with Vickie Howell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, and use the Android mobile app to easily follow throughout the day while I hang out with my kids. I've been noticing all kinds of posts from <a href="http://pinterest.com/joannstores/">Jo-Ann </a>with #WIP and #JoannCPAL and snuck onto my PC to start researching what this was all about...<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I am super excited to say that I have just finished an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/154764871/custom-crocheted-flower-hexagon-afghan?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">afghan </a>I had been working on, and while joining this party a little late, I have decided to join in on this awesome idea of a crochet along with one of my favorite craft stores!<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
The information is found here at the <a href="http://joannfabricandcraftstores.blogspot.com/2013/05/marketbagcpal.html">Jo-Ann</a> blog, along with all the Pinterest board information. Check out their board <a href="http://pinterest.com/joannstores/cotton-ish-crochet-pin-along/">here</a>!<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
So for starters, I do not have this yarn in my stash and I hadn't budgeted for this since I joined spur-of-the-moment. I did have plenty of this pretty <a href="http://www.sugarncream.com/product.php?LGC=sugarncream&SPP=999" target="_blank">Light Blue Lily Sugar'n Cream</a> cotton handy so this is what I chose to use for the project. <br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Here's my first picture of what I accomplished during my kids' morning nap.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nT6dS-QEN0A/UcSBKl8T2zI/AAAAAAAAAIw/GU4-r3aFvsM/s1600/IMG_20130621_112427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured above is the beggining of a crocheted market bag with the crochet hook inserted in the work along with the skein of yarn being used and the printed pattern." border="0" height="296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nT6dS-QEN0A/UcSBKl8T2zI/AAAAAAAAAIw/GU4-r3aFvsM/s400/IMG_20130621_112427.JPG" title="Day 1 of Crochet Pin Along" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I have decided that when I complete the bag, I am going to do a blog giveaway for it! Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
Update 6/22/2013:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Tt2PF7jthI/UcbxT196ItI/AAAAAAAAAJk/UUfQfy5_rPg/s1600/IMG_20130622_161628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Tt2PF7jthI/UcbxT196ItI/AAAAAAAAAJk/UUfQfy5_rPg/s320/IMG_20130622_161628.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I kept working, I noticed all of a sudden the mesh had gotten bigger in one spot. I counted my chains and that was right and then I realized I had Double Crochets in the previous row instead of Single Crochets. I had to rip out the work and redo that row. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlgBLGUV1mU/UcbxUFbAi5I/AAAAAAAAAJI/m-nmyU0gHOw/s1600/IMG_20130622_164335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlgBLGUV1mU/UcbxUFbAi5I/AAAAAAAAAJI/m-nmyU0gHOw/s320/IMG_20130622_164335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the fixed bag after I ran out of my first skein of yarn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoRIp9Wt4iE/UcbxUSGkM_I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/0MdIjAlJn7c/s1600/IMG_20130622_183252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoRIp9Wt4iE/UcbxUSGkM_I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/0MdIjAlJn7c/s320/IMG_20130622_183252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of the twins deciding I should not be crocheting and I should be singing the Wheels on the Bus with them instead. Always a good excuse for a break!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNv328GZ_EU/UcbxU2yyzPI/AAAAAAAAAJY/3IZH82Z5Ns4/s1600/IMG_20130622_221440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNv328GZ_EU/UcbxU2yyzPI/AAAAAAAAAJY/3IZH82Z5Ns4/s320/IMG_20130622_221440.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The color is off in this picture because I took it at night, but this was my work at the end of Day 2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Update 6/24/13 - Morning</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Starting the handles today - the pattern wasn't clear if I should be putting handles on the three rows of Single Crochet or the single row of Single Crochet. I had used the three rows as the "bottom" but didn't like the way it fell, so I decided to use the three rows as the top.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niPdUsiqchM/UchFFiT5ieI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/r3TY9-ef3hM/s1600/IMG_20130624_075534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niPdUsiqchM/UchFFiT5ieI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/r3TY9-ef3hM/s320/IMG_20130624_075534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning the handles of the Market Bag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Update: 6/24/2013 - Evening<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finished the bag! The handles were a lot thicker than I would have made them, so I decreased in the straps about halfway up each side. The baby loved the bag.<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8tNFGihLHo/UcjVcKO1LeI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ucdciRaqK4g/s1600/IMG_9296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8tNFGihLHo/UcjVcKO1LeI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ucdciRaqK4g/s320/IMG_9296.JPG" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby in the completed market bag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SymF_s2xasE/UcjVcZH7RYI/AAAAAAAAAKY/YjrU5O_Bnek/s1600/IMG_9331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SymF_s2xasE/UcjVcZH7RYI/AAAAAAAAAKY/YjrU5O_Bnek/s320/IMG_9331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She especially loved how many of her toys fit in the market bag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q19MvZvrG-g/UcjVcvrbPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Co14JsS6jN0/s1600/IMG_9337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q19MvZvrG-g/UcjVcvrbPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Co14JsS6jN0/s320/IMG_9337.JPG" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed bag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I loved doing the Crochet Pin-Along but didn't like the pattern. For my first market bag, I would have enjoyed making something with a little more shape to it rather than just a big rectangle. There's always next time!<br /><div>
<br /><br /><br /><div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-9611382166293455032013-06-18T20:44:00.000-04:002013-06-18T20:59:51.275-04:00Project: I wish I had a Laundry RoomOur home was built in the mid 1970's and we live in New England. Instead of a fancy laundry room, we have a washer and dryer on a platform in our unfinished section of the basement. It's dark - not super dark, but dark. Lots of creepy-crawlies live there despite my monthly frenzies with the shop vacuum. There's a shelf that hangs above the washer and dryer that has rings of spilled laundry detergents of one kind or another, a rough folding table, and a dusty <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Double-Hanging-Garment-Rack-Bronze/21950149" target="_blank">garment rack</a> I had inherited from my best friend a few years back.<br />
<br />
I do a lot of laundry.. Well, I should do a lot of laundry. I end up letting it pile up before attacking it, but I really should do a load a day to keep up with the laundry demands of my family. I began making my own laundry detergent and oxy clean a few months back and it's really paying off. I decided now was the time to make my laundry area more friendly like a laundry room is.<br />
<br />
Here is my very messy (simply not tidy at all), dark & dusty laundry area in the basement. Notice the barely used shelves (mostly because they have gunk on them), the piles of things on the folding table... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WItreXpILQ/UcD-H_HjlPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/swWTEBupxUM/s1600/2013-05-12_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WItreXpILQ/UcD-H_HjlPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/swWTEBupxUM/s320/2013-05-12_004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's a close up of the shelves - I'm glad I have them but boy are they a mess! (I know, I am making this out to be a lot worse than it is).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lC1CWx2fYas/UcD-I69TwZI/AAAAAAAAAIA/MY7ZGjyWsBo/s1600/2013-05-13_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lC1CWx2fYas/UcD-I69TwZI/AAAAAAAAAIA/MY7ZGjyWsBo/s320/2013-05-13_005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We made a quick trip to <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Wal-Mart</a> and found these awesome <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-2-Bushel-Ultra-Laundry-Basket-White/16351111" target="_blank">laundry baskets</a> (they have great handles that don't dig into my fingers), and I grabbed some happy shelf paper (<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Con-Tact-Creative-Covering-Multipurpose-Shelf-Liner-18-x-75-Roll-Marble-White/20895782" target="_blank">this is the one I picked</a>). I had some leftover indoor paint in the garage and found some white.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 1</b><br />
<br />
Move the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Double-Hanging-Garment-Rack-Bronze/21950149" target="_blank">garment rack</a> over to near the dryer. I then used some multi-surface cleaner to get the dust off and clean them. I hung unused hangers for myself, my husband, the boys and the baby all on the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Double-Hanging-Garment-Rack-Bronze/21950149" target="_blank">garment rack</a>. I put my awesome new laundry baskets on both the bottom and the top of the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Double-Hanging-Garment-Rack-Bronze/21950149" target="_blank">garment rack</a> to keep them easy to access and close to where the clean laundry will need to go. I cleared off the folding table and put things on the shelves where they belonged. I took the old wall paper off the folding table and washed it. Then I moved the things off the shelf (can you tell this was done over a couple of days?) and washed that. I gave it a day to dry since I had given those shelves a good washing. While I was at it, I used the multi-surface cleaner to wash the washer and dryer. I also washed the top of the fluorescent light fixture so there was as little dust as possible hanging around my soon-to-be-awesome laundry area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PLkKj9Q_d8/UcD-ImpkCBI/AAAAAAAAAH0/06V3p9AbNxI/s1600/2013-05-13_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PLkKj9Q_d8/UcD-ImpkCBI/AAAAAAAAAH0/06V3p9AbNxI/s320/2013-05-13_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 2</b><br />
<br />
I painted the shelves, the sides, the inside, the top and the bottoms of each shelf I could reach. I also painted the sides of the folding table to brighten it up a bit.<br />
<br />
Check out how CLEAN it looks! How nice and friendly and inviting! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtNucxBTGqE/UcD-JtBpwTI/AAAAAAAAAII/tn0o7n1cBdk/s1600/2013-05-13_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtNucxBTGqE/UcD-JtBpwTI/AAAAAAAAAII/tn0o7n1cBdk/s320/2013-05-13_009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWSWa74P3jA/UcD-KLP1jsI/AAAAAAAAAIU/emFrkvSQmuM/s1600/2013-05-13_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWSWa74P3jA/UcD-KLP1jsI/AAAAAAAAAIU/emFrkvSQmuM/s320/2013-05-13_012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 3</b><br />
<br />
I laid out the shelf paper on the folding table. I did this in large sheets and smoothed it down. I also laid down shelf paper on each of the shelves so when the laundry detergents leak, they will be easy to wipe down. <br />
<br />
What an awesome difference!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwoibphPIxA/UcD-KujCJoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/5SelU9Ko4eg/s1600/2013-05-13_042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwoibphPIxA/UcD-KujCJoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/5SelU9Ko4eg/s320/2013-05-13_042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I found some absolutely adorable printables online. <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/01/how-to-read-the-laundry-symbols-on-your-clothing-tags.html" target="_blank"> Two are from One Good Thing by Jillee</a>, and this <a href="http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-remove-stains-from-laundry/" target="_blank">one from Better Homes & Gardens</a>. I printed them and used clear shelf paper to secure them to my folding table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYcfjlBP5bs/UcD-KpH-VnI/AAAAAAAAAIc/3sM-MuXleR8/s1600/2013-05-13_041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYcfjlBP5bs/UcD-KpH-VnI/AAAAAAAAAIc/3sM-MuXleR8/s320/2013-05-13_041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There you have it! Small home upgrade - no longer is it "washer/dryer in the basement" it is officially "Laundry Area in the Basement". Huzzah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJup1tFHdtA/UcD-LLq6CVI/AAAAAAAAAIk/36-0l3y3xHA/s1600/2013-05-13_044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJup1tFHdtA/UcD-LLq6CVI/AAAAAAAAAIk/36-0l3y3xHA/s320/2013-05-13_044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-28358976184697234542013-06-14T19:53:00.004-04:002016-08-23T09:26:58.283-04:00Project: Toddler Watch<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">This post contains links to items I used in the activities described. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I was not paid by these brands nor did I receive goods or payment to recommend the products, they are just the products I chose for the project.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had mentioned in my first post that I love pretend play and watching my children in their pretend play. This project was designed when my boys developed a fascination with my jewelry. I don't wear much, my wedding and engagement rings, a watch, a bracelet and sometimes earrings. My watch has a button on it that will illuminate the face in the dark, and once the boys discovered this, I couldn't get them away from my wrist; until I made them their own watches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwxydt_mk08/UbtqahD-joI/AAAAAAAAAGs/6xdztOKFAwc/s1600/IMG_20130614_124828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured are two toddlers each showing off crocheted watches. The faces of the watches are white, while one watch band is green and the other is blue." border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwxydt_mk08/UbtqahD-joI/AAAAAAAAAGs/6xdztOKFAwc/s320/IMG_20130614_124828.jpg" title="Toddlers showing off their crochet watches." width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I honestly made these about three months ago, and they have been machine washed at least a dozen times. They take them to Grammy's house, and wear them around the house and any time we go to a store. They love having things that make them like mom and dad, so these watches are an important part of their wardrobes and pretend play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Introducing: Project Crocheted Toddler Watch</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Craft: </b>Crochet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Materials:</b> </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leftover yarn - just reach into your scrap yarn. I use two colors, white for the "face" of the watch and another color for around the face and the band.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I use the <a href="http://amzn.to/2be7QjJ" target="_blank">H hook</a> to give smaller, tighter stitches, but gauge is not essential to this project as you will make it to fit your child.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Abbreviations:</b></div>
<div>
Magic Loop (ML)</div>
<div>
Single Crochet (SC)</div>
<div>
Half Double Crochet (HDC)</div>
<div>
Double Crochet (DC)</div>
<div>
Slip Stitch (Sl St)</div>
<div>
Stitch (St)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With face of watch color:<br />Magic Loop. (Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg" target="_blank">video </a>from <a href="http://www.crochetgeek.com/" target="_blank">Crochet Geek</a> if you need a tutorial)<br /><b>Round 1: </b> In ML chain 2. (Does not count as DC). 12 DC in ML. Sl St to first DC to join. Fasten off. (12 DC)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29dVw7nCA3k/UbtqaknWu-I/AAAAAAAAAGg/yRyqF_9JJ2E/s1600/IMG_20130614_133946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured is the first round of double crochet stitches which form the face of the watch." border="0" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29dVw7nCA3k/UbtqaknWu-I/AAAAAAAAAGg/yRyqF_9JJ2E/s320/IMG_20130614_133946.jpg" title="First step in crochet pattern for the toddler watch. " width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Round 2:</b> Join new color for around face and band.<br />2 SC in each DC. Join with sl st to first SC. (24 SC)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31vrYvG_ORw/UbtqampUUuI/AAAAAAAAAGc/uQZn6KaZjMk/s1600/IMG_20130614_135248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured is the second round of single crochet stitches which form the face of the watch. The first round is white double crochet, while the second is blue single crochet." border="0" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31vrYvG_ORw/UbtqampUUuI/AAAAAAAAAGc/uQZn6KaZjMk/s320/IMG_20130614_135248.jpg" title="Second step of crochet watch includes face and edging." width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Begin working the band.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />Row 1</b>: Ch 2. HDC in same st and in each of next 3 SC. (4 HDC)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ7k3prIviw/UbtqbZkEhuI/AAAAAAAAAG0/gFdDpwQmPQE/s1600/IMG_20130614_135357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured is the completed face of the crochet watch and the first row of the beginning of the construction of the band of the watch." border="0" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ7k3prIviw/UbtqbZkEhuI/AAAAAAAAAG0/gFdDpwQmPQE/s320/IMG_20130614_135357.jpg" title="Third step in crochet watch pattern featuring completed face and edging with beginning row of band." width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>Row 2</b>: Ch 2, turn. HDC in same st and in each of next 3 HDC. (4 HDC)<br /><b>Row 3 - 17</b>: Repeat Row 2 until entire piece measures about 7" (see picture). For me, this was 17 rows of HDC. Yours may be different depending on the yarn or gauge you use. Fasten off, weave in ends.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6Vy_PhV3F8/UbtqbjuOQVI/AAAAAAAAAG8/GzPs4Q2T-S0/s1600/IMG_20130614_142144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured is the completed face of the watch with the completed band before the watch is seamed together." border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6Vy_PhV3F8/UbtqbjuOQVI/AAAAAAAAAG8/GzPs4Q2T-S0/s320/IMG_20130614_142144.jpg" title="The completed watch before finishing and seaming." width="218" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finishing<br />With wrong side facing, leave seven stitches on either side of the band around the face, sew open band end onto watch face in four remaining stitches.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRY4mvk3BZU/UbuqSv_Je_I/AAAAAAAAAHM/ZYKimyEZL5Q/s1600/watch+with+numbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Diagram showing the completed watch and which stitches should be skipped to sew the band to the face and complete the watch." border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRY4mvk3BZU/UbuqSv_Je_I/AAAAAAAAAHM/ZYKimyEZL5Q/s1600/watch+with+numbers.jpg" title="Watch assembly diagram showing how many stitches to skip to sew the band." /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvT55liRsXE/UbtqcLeSdeI/AAAAAAAAAHA/WgeU6tZvdWs/s1600/IMG_20130614_143927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pictured is the completed project - a blue and white crocheted watch for pretend play for a toddler." border="0" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvT55liRsXE/UbtqcLeSdeI/AAAAAAAAAHA/WgeU6tZvdWs/s320/IMG_20130614_143927.jpg" title="Completed toddler crochet watch." width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There you have it! A new watch for your tot to put on and off themselves, one that is washable if it gets dirty, and that is very durable. Also, very easy to make a duplicate if it happens to be left at Grammy's. Make them in all colors so your little one can coordinate with their clothing or just make one in their favorite color!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy crafting!</span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033777186581466483.post-32962213737273049762013-06-12T21:08:00.004-04:002013-06-18T20:59:24.513-04:00Project: SuperheroI have all these wonderful ideas in my head that I can't wait to begin, however my real life keeps taking over. I spend my days chasing, cleaning, changing, playing with, teaching and nurturing our three small children. I wrangle our dog in and out of the house and making sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. Somehow, the cooking, cleaning, and laundering gets done. I am blessed with a life I wouldn't have any other way, even if I feel like I need more than two hands most of the time.<br />
<br />
My children inspire me to create a lot - many times just so they have something new to play with or an accessory to get them interested in something new. For this post, I'd like to share something we did a few months ago.<br />
<br />
Our boys love superheros and the idea of being a superhero. Although they've never watched Batman, they will sing "nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-Batman!" right along with us, and certainly know what he looks like. They have a couple of action figures, and Little People Wheelies Batman characters.<br />
<br />
During winter, we were stuck indoors a lot. The baby wasn't old enough to dress up to take out, and we don't have a fenced in yard. We had to occupy our days indoors trying to make the "same-old, same-old" not so monotonous. <br />
<br />
<b>Introducing: Project Superhero</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKvmGuN1Nm0/UbkYezZo9SI/AAAAAAAAAFM/5JE0w6bCnMY/s1600/Masked+Man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKvmGuN1Nm0/UbkYezZo9SI/AAAAAAAAAFM/5JE0w6bCnMY/s320/Masked+Man.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This project happened in four stages, and I'm apologizing in advance - I hadn't planned a blog post on this so I promise to be more accurate in my future projects. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 1</b> was the hastily-thrown-together-so-you-can-play-with-it-right-now version. <br />
<br />
Materials: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Undetermined amount of bolted felt (<a href="http://www.joann.com/craft-felt-36-wide-20-yards-/prd14840/#" target="_blank">like this</a>). Left over from a costume my mother and I made for my high school senior class play about 12 years earlier. You can purchase this by the yard at a brick and mortar location.</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Length of Yarn (about 20" per mask)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Cape Directions: All I did was cut a rectangular section of the felt measuring it against the boys to almost resemble a cape. On one end, I cut out a section for their necks and tied the remaining lengths around their necks to stay on. </div>
<div>
Mask Directions: I cut an oval that would cover their eyes, and cut extremely crude eye holes and nose triangles (see picture). On either side of the oval, I used a needle to poke a hole and draw yarn through, and tied the yarn behind their heads to secure to their faces.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Results:</div>
<div>
The twins thought their new superhero capes and glasses were fantastic. I cringed every time I saw the hastily cut edges and began planning Stage 2.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsE9jyjHJ_s/UbkYfJf76WI/AAAAAAAAAF4/mNe3clHzOEQ/s1600/Stage+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsE9jyjHJ_s/UbkYfJf76WI/AAAAAAAAAF4/mNe3clHzOEQ/s320/Stage+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Stage 2</b> was the result of the children going to bed, and me designing much "better" glasses.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Materials:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Cape from Stage 1</li>
<li>Additional undetermined amount of bolted felt unused from Stage 1</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Length of 1/4" braided elastic (<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Braided-Elastic-1-4-x-8-yds-White/19794510" target="_blank">like this</a>)</li>
<li>Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks</li>
<li><a href="http://spoonful.com/crafts/boys-superhero-mask" target="_blank">Mask Template from Spoonful</a> </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mask Directions:</div>
<div>
Using the template, I cut my mask from the bolted felt. I cut the length of elastic based on my sons' heads. Instead of using yarn, I hot glued elastic to each of the sections of the mask above the eyes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Results:</div>
<div>
The boys were psyched to have glasses they could put on themselves without asking for help. I was glad to have adorable superheros running around my house.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MycVAiww6N4/UbkYfoPCAwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/a7R-YbBL9cM/s1600/Stage+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MycVAiww6N4/UbkYfoPCAwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/a7R-YbBL9cM/s320/Stage+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 3</b> happened a few months later. The glasses had fallen apart repeatedly and been repaired repeatedly. The capes were stretched out from all the knotting and unknotting. I decided it was time to break out the sewing machine and do this the right way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Materials:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>At least 19.5" x 25.5" of flannel print fabric. One for cape, one for liner. (Check out <a href="http://fabric.com/">Fabric.com</a>, they do free shipping on orders over $35!)</li>
<li>Two craft magnets (The ones I used are these: <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kids-Craft-50pk-Magnetic-Buttons/19525324" target="_blank">Magnetic Buttons</a>)</li>
<li>Sewing machine</li>
<li>Coordinating thread</li>
<li>Iron</li>
<li>Brown paper or other paper for creating your pattern</li>
<li>Bib for creating your pattern</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pattern:</div>
<div>
Using a bib (that fits the child you are making the cape for), I traced half of the neckline onto the edge of the brown paper. I then drew my cape line so that it flared outwards as I got towards the bottom of the cape. The cape measures 18" across at the bottom (so you want the flare to end about 9" from the bottom edge of the cape) and 24" from clasp to bottom. Check out my crude diagram below to get a visual idea of what I mean.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npNa6AmEJL0/UbkYg68Cz-I/AAAAAAAAAFw/lJoJadDEihQ/s1600/Stage+3+Mats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npNa6AmEJL0/UbkYg68Cz-I/AAAAAAAAAFw/lJoJadDEihQ/s320/Stage+3+Mats.jpg" width="311" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkxnPG1xInc/UbkYReVur3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/YyGZdohgfMw/s1600/Crude+Cape+Pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkxnPG1xInc/UbkYReVur3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/YyGZdohgfMw/s320/Crude+Cape+Pattern.jpg" width="97" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cape:</div>
<div>
Folding your flannel in half, place pattern on the fold and cut one piece of each of your cape and lining. Pin wrong sides of cape and lining together and stitch around with a 3/4" seam allowance. Leave a small opening at the bottom so you can flip it right-side out. When finished stitching, turn cape right side out and iron flat. Tuck the open ends on the inside when ironing so you no longer see the opening at the bottom. The trickiest part of the cape was getting the magnets in the collar where they needed to be. To do this, I dropped two magnets in, and used my fingers to push them waaaaay up in the collar where they needed to be for the clasp. I then used a running stitch and sewed right across the collar to secure the magnets in the collar. A quick running stitch about 1/4"from the edge all the way around the cape (including stitching shut the open edge on the bottom) and your cape is complete!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab9goibJjcI/UbkYf-sGn2I/AAAAAAAAAFg/v9An6t29C5w/s1600/Stage+3+Clasp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab9goibJjcI/UbkYf-sGn2I/AAAAAAAAAFg/v9An6t29C5w/s320/Stage+3+Clasp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Result:</div>
<div>
Very, very excited toddlers to have nice new reversible capes that they could take on and off themselves.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7Qi9hn1X0k/UbkYhTCzs4I/AAAAAAAAAF0/q_2AwIS4KIo/s1600/Stage+3+Product.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="superhero cape tutorial sew toddler diy" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7Qi9hn1X0k/UbkYhTCzs4I/AAAAAAAAAF0/q_2AwIS4KIo/s320/Stage+3+Product.jpg" title="Toddler Superhero Cape" width="299" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 4</b> was the introduction of new glasses.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The glasses weren't intended to go with the superhero costumes - they were more just so the boys would stop playing with our glasses.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Materials:</div>
<div>
Leftover yarn</div>
<div>
2 2" Plastic O Rings</div>
<div>
Crochet Hook Size I </div>
<div>
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
15 Single Crochet (SC) over one of the O rings. Chain (Ch) 50. SC in 2nd Ch from hook, and in each Ch back to O Ring. 15 SC in remainder of O ring. Join to first SC with Slip Stitch (Sl St). </div>
<div>
Ch 1, turn.</div>
<div>
SC in each of next two SC's. Ch 1, turn. Holding second O ring up to hook, work 15 SC over the O ring. Chain (Ch) 50. SC in 2nd Ch from hook, and in each Ch back to O Ring. 15 SC in remainder of O ring. Join to Ch 1 with Sl St. Fasten off, weave in ends.</div>
<div>
<br />
Results:</div>
<div>
Much more durable "glasses" that the kids constantly wear.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXH-77vYICk/UbkYhQ2xsjI/AAAAAAAAAFs/S0HEKtrYkHM/s1600/Stage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXH-77vYICk/UbkYhQ2xsjI/AAAAAAAAAFs/S0HEKtrYkHM/s320/Stage+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think this post was long enough. I can't believe how long it took to write out!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I look forward to comments from you, getting to know you, and you getting to know me through future posts. I know some of the directions here may be unclear, but I promise to do much better with additional projects!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy crafting!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08771500693132277080noreply@blogger.com2