late night crafting:: valentine's day gifts

I'm up late tonight trying to get the bulk of the boys' school Valentine's Day gifts finished, and I wanted to pop in and say HI! Nothing like a little proCRAFTination to get the creative juices flowin' at midnight!

 

I hope EWE have a great weekend!

halloween 2011

Well, it was a successful Halloween around here - no costume malfunctions, no meltdowns, and best of all, no rain!

 We ventured downtown for the second year in a row, and by the size of the crowd I'd say the entire city had the same idea.

Which, as it turns out, is great for people watching, but not so great for trick-or-treating.  Who needs all that candy anyway, right?

This last minute costume was made using freezer paper stencils, and came together just hours before the school Halloween party on Friday.  The first costume, Artzooka!, was great (and he loved it). Unfortunately, not many people around here know about the show, so they just thought he forgot to dress up (he was devastated). So, we put our heads together and came up with this skeleton costume. 

 

My favorite part is the profile of the skull. The idea came from this skeleton costume on Etsy. 

One day last week my youngest and I walked into a Halloween store to get some ideas and he saw spotted this viking helmet on the shelf, and he was SOLD.  Needless to say, the helmet came home with us, and I guess it was the right choice, because he really played the part well! 

The "boots" were made using this tutorial, and they turned out perfect!

 

Halloween 2011 was fun, and I can't wait to see what costumes they dream up for 2012!

testing, testing...

pattern testing that is!

When Dana, over at MADE,asked me to test her new pattern, I jumped at the chance. She is always coming up with amazing designs, and her instructions are so easy to follow, so it was a no-brainer.  

When I found out that it was the Beach Robe pattern, I was even more excited! You see, my boys have swimming lessons twice a week, and we are constantly using beach towels. Unfortunately, those towels have seen better days, which is why this project was so perfect!

I let my son pick the color, and he of course went with his favorite - ORANGE!... we're talking BRIGHT orange.

One of the great things about this pattern, is that it offers so many different options. I used one of my old shirts to make the optional lined hood.

I have dreams of seeing this Beach Robe on an actual beach, but sadly the only sunshine we have around here is liquid sunshine. But I can dream right?!

So, by now it is probably pretty obvious that I am smitten with this pattern, but the best part is that he absolutely LOVES his new Beach Robe (and refuses to use any other towel in the house). This pattern earned a five star rating from us, and is going on the short list of Birthday gift ideas.

Here is the link to the Beach Robe pattern.

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate the Boy - TUTORIAL and GIVEAWAY! (closed)

First off, I would like to welcome all of you who are visiting from Celebrate the Boy over at MADE! And for those of you who are regular visitors, I am guest posting today at MADE, and I highly recommend that you hop over and check out all the amazing boy inspired projects.  

Boys, boys, boys. The silly things they say and do keep me laughing all the time. In fact, as I was working on this post my three year-old came blasting by, one arm outstretched, clutching his toothbrush, shouting (in a deep manly voice) "Oh, Mr. Plaque I am coming to get you!"  Dental Superheros make my day!

My favorite part of making this tutorial, by far, was the photo shoot.  Not just because the pictures crack me up, but that my boys actually agreed to do it,  AND enjoyed it!  Normally (98.7% of the time) they want nothing to do with "crazy mom and her camera," but for some reason, this time was different.  They totally hammed it up, AND they happily agreed to wear the short-shorts I made. Wow! Shocking. I am still in a state of disbelief - but also still smiling just thinking of their silly poses in front of the camera.  Oh, how I love those two!

I am so excited to share this project with you because it is as fun as my two silly boys.

The design of the RETRO DUFFEL is based on the original Duffel Bag - the manliest of all the bags in the luggage family. The simple, functional design, and durable fabric make this an ideal boy bag.

This is a miniature version of the typical duffel bag, perfect for an overnight stay at Grandma's, hauling gear to the big game, or for storing my all-time favorite gift - the FORT KIT!

So, today I am giving away a RETRO DUFFEL Fort-Kit!

The RETRO DUFFEL Fort Kit includes: 

• RETRO DUFFEL bag
• two twin sheets with ties attached
• suction cups
• clips
• clothespins
• flashlight 
• rope
• HOURS of FUN!

 Giveaway Rules: 

- Leave a comment on this post, that's it! 

- Leave your EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment. 

- Only One entry per person (leave only one comment please). 

- Open to US and Canadian readers only.  

- One winner will be picked via random.org.

Giveaway Ends: FRIDAY, March 4th at Midnight (pacific time). The winner will be announced Saturday, March 5th.

Find the RETRO DUFFEL bag TUTORIAL HERE:

 

Thank you for visiting!

a reason to celebrate

Today is the first day in a month-long Celebration of BOYS! Head over to MADE and join the fun. I will be hopping over there later this month to share a boy inspired tutorial.

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EEK! halloween costumes

 

littlest cowboy and Tootlless (from the movie How to Train Your Dragon)

EEK! Has it really been that long since my last post? The last few weeks have been a blur, but I have finally finished the costume making marathon (more pics to come).

 

Have a great weekend!

summer shorts and passing the "cool" test

Sewing for boys is a lot of fun.  Challenging at times.  But fun. 
The biggest challenge I face these days is passing the "cool test" with my now 5 year-old.  I would like to say that this is just a phase, but unfortunately I think we are in for the long haul, as he has been this way since age 2.  

Little brother on the other hand is the complete opposite, and could not care any less.  (Although, if given a choice he will always pick striped pajamas... and wear them ALL day, EVERY day.) 

So, when I decided to sew them more shorts (find the tutorial here), I thought it would be a good idea to use my oldest as a "cool" consultant.
I presented him with several dress shirts to pick from, and he chose the green/gray plaid for little brother, and the blue plaid for himself. 
I think the deciding factor for him was the "cool" yoke on the inside of the blue shirt (the design now on the the inside of the waistband pictured below) that he insisted I use that on his shorts.

The pockets were inspired by Dana's tutorial over at MADE, (just changing the shape a little).  They are lined with soft gray jersey.

Both pairs of shorts are made from thrifted shirts costing $0.50 each ($1.50 for all three), and by using a flat front style of shorts, I was able to save on elastic, bring the total cost to less than $2!
And the best part... I was given an A+ on the "cool" test!

hobo sacks

 

Tomorrow we are attending the Maritime Parade in our town, and with the parade comes a lot of treasures to carry home.  So this year, instead of stuffing our pockets , I thought it would be great if each of the boys had a bag to carry their loot in.

I have been eying the Hobo Sack over at MADE for a while now, and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

And I am excited to report that they are AWESOME (the perfect size for little ones).  I already have plans to make several more very soon!   

(The pink one is for a darling little girl who we are meeting at the parade) 

We are ready for a fun day tomorrow (with fingers crossed - praying for rain to stop). 
A big THANKS to my friend Michael for all the trifted material.

Shorts Tutorial (from a shirt)

  

This time last year I started making birthday gifts for my oldest son, but his heart was set on a robot t-shirt, and I was not confident enough in my freezer paper printing skills at that time to attempt one.  So, I searched Etsy until I found this one. 

I did, however, feel confident in my ability to make him some shorts to go along with the t.  Using a mans button-up shirt (XL),  and a pattern made from a pair of shorts that fit him well, I set to work.  

Well, summer is just around the corner again (and his birthday too), so I thought I would share a tutorial for making these super easy shorts.

Materials:

• button-up shirt (I used a mens size XL to make 4T shorts)
• elastic (1" -1 1/4"width) measured 1" longer than the waist measurement of your child
  
• a pair of shorts that fit your child
• paper for the pattern

The first step is to do a little deconstructing. Cut the shirt up the side seams, around the sleeves, and across the shoulders.  What you should end up with is two front pieces, two sleeves, and one back piece.  

To make a pattern: trace around a pair of shorts that fit well, adding a 1/4" seam allowance down the side seams (making sure to stretch the waist band out when doing so).  Then  mark the top of the waistband (I used dashes) and add a 1.5"  (1/4" wider than my elastic) above that line for the casing. 

For the bottom hem, I added 2 inches while cutting the fabric (notice the "add hem" note at the bottom of the pattern) because the paper I was using to make the pattern was just a little too short - oops!

I added a back pocket placement line 2" below the waistband line (dashes) and then a center mark.  This will make the next step a lot easier.

This part is very important... make sure you take your time when lining up the pockets (front of the t-shirt) with the marks you just made.  I folded along the horizontal line, making it easier to find the center.

Pin (or use weights) to keep the pattern in place while you cut.  I started with the bottom hem, adding 2" with my ruler.  Continue cutting all the way around the pattern.  Repeat for the second back pattern piece, but be sure to FLIP the pattern over - so you end up with a right AND a left!

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Cut the front pattern pieces from the back of the shirt.  Again, be sure to FLIP the pattern before cutting the second front piece.

 

Once all of the pieces are cut out (4 total - 2fronts & 2 backs), then stack the them up with the right sides together - pictured above.

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Now for the sewing.  Start by sewing the center front and center back of the shorts or as I like to call them, the "J's." 

To finish the seam, use a serger if  you have one - OR - a medium width zig-zag stitch close to the edge.

Next, insert a side tag if you have one, and then sew along the outside leg seams.  Finish the edges with a serger - OR - a zig-zag stitch. Iron the seams as you go.

outside leg seam                                                 inside leg seam

Finally, match the center front and the center back seams (crotch), and sew from the bottom inside edge of one leg to the bottom inside edge of the other leg.

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Using your serger OR zig-zag stitch, finish the top of the waistband and the bottom hem on the legs.

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Fold over the waistband about 1/4" more that the width of the elastic.  I used 1 1/4" elastic (just what I had in my stash) so I folded the hem over 1 1/2" and ironed.  Then, mark the opening for the elastic and your tag  with two pins so you know where to start and stop - if you don't have tags, a loop of ribbon will work just fine.  Pin the rest of the way around the waistband.

Sew all the way around, stopping at the double set of pins.  Using a safety pin or bodkin, pull the elastic through - making sure it does not get twisted.  Then overlap the ends of the elastic 1" and zig-zag stitch closed. 

Pull the elastic into the casing and insert  the tag (or ribbon loop ends) and sew closed - pulling a little as you go to avoid bunching. 

An optional step: stitch along the top edge of the waistband to give it a little more detail and help keep the elastic from twisting inside the casing.

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For the bottom hem, I have my boys try the shorts on to be sure I get the right length.  Then fold, iron, and stitch.   DONE!

Super easy, right?

 

Some notes about the brown shorts:

You might notice that the brown shirt only had one pocket - totally fine. There are so many possibilities, just have fun with it!

I also used one of the shirt sleeves to make a side pocket, placing the bottom of the pocket about 2" above the bottom hem.  (tutorial to come)

Thanks for visiting! 

If you decide to make a pair, I would love to see them!

** UPDATE: See more shorts HERE **