Pul Training Pants Shell

I used some leftover pieces from the fitted sheet to make training pants.

This is just a shell with no absorbent layer. I like to use the waffle training pants with extra fabric layers to prevent big puddles on the floor when potty training begins (found them at Walmart). Now with this extra shell I won't be worried about Q being on the carpet during training time :)

I followed this tutorial but made the pattern larger to fit my 2.5 yr old. I think it still might be too small in the legs but won't find out till I try them on her tomorrow.  

•  *Tragic, it didn't fit in the legs.  I should have known.  When I made the pattern larger, adding more seam allowance to the leg areas, it was actually making the leg holes smaller. NOTE: If you increase the size of the pattern add the extra space around the exterior but not in the leg holes.  Cut them in to the size of the initial pattern.

The next pair I will add an absorbent layer so they can be used on their own. 

Waterproof fitted sheet

I finally got around to sewing a waterproof fitted sheet for Quinn's toddler bed (I have only been meaning to do it since we first bought the bed for hailey 2 yrs ago).  

The bed has a foam mattress (purchased at ikea) that of course is a different size than any other toddler bed and they don't sell a waterproof sheet for it. 

I purchased this pul material probably last year and made it all in one day. It is an easy project (which I managed to make more difficult). I followed a tutorial I found on Pinterest but changed the measurements to fit our mattress. 

Now I don't have to worry about the mattress being ruined by pee or puke (or worse ;) or having the old waterproof mat shift around rendering it useless. 

Happy camper over here!

Oven mitts

I made some little oven mitts to match the girls aprons. The first pair is just big enough for Quinn. I will have to make the next set a little larger for Hailey. 

I was thinking about giving it to them as a Christmas present (along with a pretend cookie baking set) but it isn't November yet and I'm too excited to wait. 

I had to piece together enough scraps to make them but hopefully I will have just enough for the last set. 

If I decide to make the chef hat I will have to use different fabric. 

Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

Another batch of magnetic fish, these ones for my nieces!  These are so fun to make (and so easy).  If I didn't keep giving them away I would have a whole pond full!

They have been having a lot of fun fishing :)

My first quilt!!!!

Ya.... not the greatest!  Ignore the yellow rows that are fairly off center.

I have made quilted blanket tops in the past but I always went the less 'scary' route of flipping them inside-out to sew the edges then turning it right side-out again to finish.  This was the first time I did a real quilt binding.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be (though binding in general never looks very nice for me - I know I just need practice).  I can't seem to make the back edge line up nicely with the front of the binding.

Well it was a learning process and the next will be better.  I do feel kind of embarressed that I am giving this away (it was a service project for a local shelter).  I am hoping the toddler who receives it (and his mother) don't notice its messy construction.  It is solid though and should hold together well and keep them warm.

I already want to make another one :)
 

For Logan

I made this cover for Diana and her precious premie Logan!  He needed some protection from all the sick kids on his numerous visits back to the doctor.  This cover has only 1 layer instead of 2 (as it is now spring) like I have on my winter carseat cover.  The elastics keep it from blowing up in the wind and exposing baby.  It is also a super soft minky that Diana won't be able to stop 'petting' while she waits to see Logan's dr!

Welcome home Logan, you are such a trooper!

Here fishy, fishy, FISHY!

I made a magnetic fishing set for my girls to play with...  I have had too much fun playing with it myself!

All you need is felt, buttons, magnets, a sewing machine, string and a dowel!

Be as creative as you like!

warm winter carseat cover

I made a car seat cover in May last year when my daughter was born.  You can check it out here!  It is a nice light cotton that hangs loosely over the carseat.  It was great for keeping the sun off of her as well as bugs and nosey strangers away.  In the fall when the wind started to pick up I realized that the cover was useless as it kept blowing off exposing my baby to the elements (have you seen what babies do when wind blows in their face?  They stop breathing - not good if the wind is constant).  So I went to the fabric store with an idea...

I picked up some super cute minky, some elastic and a couple buttons.  I used my old  carseat cover as a template and altered the shape a bit for a better fit with the elastic (the corners had to be rounded more for the elastic to hold tight around the carseat).

I won't be making a tutorial here as there are so many online already.  This one has a printable pattern you can download for free.  I used the straps from this but didn't have my side slits open so wide.  I cut out a half circle where my handles connect to the seat so it is covered completely.  I pieced the elastic in two parts (the front and back sections seperately) and created two loops with the elastic on the front section and sewed 2 buttons on the back section to secure the cover around the handle posts.  You will need to sew the elastic in first around the bottom before sewing the half-circle holes for the handle posts (the elastic does not go through these).

Now I have a cover that is toasty warm, I never have to put a coat on my baby (just a toque and a blanket) even on the coldest days and it doesn't blow away in the wind.  I love it!



I should have made it sooner though as my 8 mth old is getting too heavy to carry around in her bucketseat (I made it in November so I did get some use out of it).  Next month we will be moving her to a bigger, rear facing seat and the cover will go into storage for another baby in the future!

carseat strap covers

My baby's poor little neck looks like it is being cut off by the seat belt straps.  I had a bit of time (finally) yesterday to sew some strap covers that match her carseat cover.  I made a set for Hailey as well.  They are truly terribly sewn but you can't see when they are on so I'm not changing them.

Valence

Here is the completed valence for Hailey's room.  It was actually Ian's idea to make it all 'scoopy' (that is not an official term ;)  Maybe he should take up interior design!

I'm still disappointed with how stiff the curtains turned out but don't have the energy, or fabric, to remake them now.  Maybe someday :)

Baby Blanket

I finished the blanket for the new baby and it is oh so soft :)  I think I am going to have a hard time keeping it away from Hailey.  My mom had bought one for Hailey when she was born that is all white and almost identical to this.  She hasn't parted with it since.  I thought her little sister might like something so soft and cozy too but maybe it will just turn into a fight.  I guess we will see :)  Less than 5 weeks to go and I am hoping it is more like 3 as I endured a night of contractions last night.

Carseat cover

 Here is the carseat cover I made for our new baby!  Conveinient for the summer to shade from sun and keep creepy people from viewing our daughter.  I didn't get a picture of the other side but it is opposite what is showing.

Pillowcase Dress for baby

Just wanted to post the baby dress on this crafty blog so I have them all together.

Pillowcase Dress done

Here is the finished project!  It didn't take too long to make (minus my issues with math and making a pattern the right size ;)  I love it and am now off to make a mini one for Hailey's baby sister.  I am totally going all matching on my girls.  Hopefully they don't hate me for it ;)

Valentine Heart Pockets

I made these pocket hearts for Valentine's Day.  They are for holding love notes to each other.  I think the girls will have a lot of fun with them when they are older!

Fabric Haul

I love a good fabric sale!  The fabricland one this month was pretty good with buy 1m get 1m free (or 2m free or 3m free depending on the type).  Saved me a bundle!  I didn't have specific projects in mind however so I bought some fairly random patterns.  I made sure a few matched at least so I could use them together.

I washed them all up, ironed and folded them nicely all ready to be used!  I realized during this process that the only time I ever iron has to do with sewing.  I couldn't be bothered to actually make a shirt wrinkle free.... how boring ;)  Too bad Ian hates it too... just means we have to grab certain clothing pieces straight from the hot dryer.... or wear them wrinkly!

I wanted to make something quick so I decided on this plastic bag holder found at Make It and Love It!  I have needed something like this to collect my stash of grocery bags for a while.  Now maybe I will use them as garbage bags instead of paying for those nice (expensive) kitchen bags.

I found this size is actually pretty large.  I'd cut it down to 18" strips across and use only 7 instead of 9 pieces. 

I love this fabric the most out of the ones I purchased so I used it on another project for my nieces...

I love these cute matching aprons!  If I had twins I would totally dress them alike.  Probably a good thing I don't then ;)

They are far from flawless but I am having fun learning how to sew!

I'm still looking for someone who wants to go to Utah in October for this Sewing Summit with me (and upcoming baby).

Waterproof swim bag!

I used vinyl to create this handy zippered swim bag for the pool.

 Obviously this is more of a 'family size' one that will fit all our wet towels/swim suits to take home after a swim! 

 The project was pretty easy but challenged me with putting a zipper in and turning the handle right-side out after it was sewn!  I have some more vinyl and zippers I will be using to make a diaper/wipes case as well as a smaller bag for Hailey to carry her toys/treats to church.  Maybe I will be able to get back to using a purse instead of a diaper bag ;)