Summer Boredom Busters

This is one of the coolest blog posts I've seen out there for summer boredom busters:
Summer Fun!
Check it out - and then go have some fun.

New Blog- for all the random stuff I make

I don't mind posting all the stuff I make on this blog, but I post a lot of personal stuff too.  Some people don't really care about my personal life.  So I made a blog that is only going to house my creative junk.
It's called Kendra Made and the link is Kendra Made It.
I have a lot of WIPs (works in progress) in my craft room that really need to get finished.  I have put myself on a time line to finish them.  So each week during the summer will feature the current project I'm trying to finish.

Old Blanket = New Pillow

My mother-in-law pulled out on of her knitted afghans that she had worked on for years...  Some moths and one of her cats had decided to make it home.  It was in terrible shape.  But she loved it, her aunt had started it and then she lovingly had finished it.  So she had it dry cleaned hoping maybe it could be salvaged.
When she realized it couldn't be saved, she was going to throw it away.  Enter crazy daughter in law (me).

MIL:  Kendra, do you think you could use this, maybe do something with it?
Me: That's so cool!  Did you know Chevrons are totally in right now?
MIL:  I know, I love it, it's just full of holes and cat hair, but I hate to throw it away.  My aunt started it and then I spent years working on it to finish it!
Me:  You can't throw it away- it's awsome!  I'll make a pillow out of it!
MIL:  OH!  I knew you'd be able to do something with it.  :)

Guess I have a reputation.

So I took it home and washed it.  Hoping to get more of the cat hair out- I could have recreated a cat from all the hair that came off.  It was pretty funny.  Then I looked through my fabric stash to see if I had something that would work with the colors of the blanket.  Nope.  BUT  I did have some fabric dye and some old painter's drop cloth.  Bingo.  Plus I had this great yellow ribbon that my sister-in-law Kristy had given me because- as she put- she was sure I could do something with it.  Ha!
I measured the extra pillow form I had and cut the drop cloth into a pillow cover.  I dyed the fabric and dipped the ribbon in the dye as well.  The colors were lovely!

I laid out the blanket and found a spot that didn't have damage on it, I pinned the dyed fabric to the blanket, and cut out a square about 3 inches larger than the pillow size.

I sewed first a straight line around the edge and then followed up with a zigzag stitch to make sure that none of the knitting unraveled.

I covered some cotton cord with the ribbon to make some cording for the edge of the pillow.

Then I sewed the three pieces together leaving one end open so I could stuff the pillow in.

I snipped the corners and resewed them for stability.  Then turned the cover inside out.

I ironed the edge and hand sewed the last side together.
I think it turned out beautiful!  Did I mention that chevrons are SO in right now?!

Cheap and easy PJ's (with a huge impact)

 Ethan needed new pj's, like yesterday man.
BUT (and that's a big but)- I didn't have the money to go out and purchase a bunch of expensive pajamas.  On a side note- why the heck are pajamas so expensive?
Ethan's been wearing mostly my old t-shirts, which there's nothing wrong with, I just wanted him to have some jammies that fit him.

So- it's time to get creative (but not really- this solution basically slapped me in the face at the store).  I was walking down the center aisle at Wally World and I glanced over at the boy's undershirts and I saw a 4-pack of cute little t-shirts...and right next to them a 3-pack of boxer shorts.  I didn't love the colors of the boxers so I dug to the back and- woo-hoo - there was a package with the perfect colors AND an extra pair of boxers for free!

So enter creative, personalization.  Ethan has been begging me to make him a pj shirt with a baby Yoshi on it.  Here's the how-to.

You'll need:
a t-shirt
Fabric Paint (I use Tulip brand, and the colors I don't have in fabric paint I just use my craft paints)
a paint brush
a picture of the character you want to paint
a black fabric marker
That's it!

If you want to trace the character, tape the t-shirt on a sunny window and slide the picture into the shirt and tape it inside where you want the picture to be.  Use a pen, chalk, or a disappearing fabric marker to trace the image onto the front of the shirt.  Pull the shirt down, take the image out and put some cardboard in the center of the shirt.  Then, paint!  Be creative, do something that will match your child's personality.  I use the black fabric paint pen to add definition and detail to my pictures.  The baby Yoshi I chose for Ethan's jams is going to blow him away- I'm scoring some major cool mommy points today.  I can't wait for him to get home from school!

Speedy the Frog

Ethan has this way of getting me to do things. 
He owns probably close to 50 stuffed animals.  And he loves them all, individually.  I'm not kidding.  They all have names, likes, dislikes, personalities and they are occasionally referred to as my "other" children (by Ethan- not me!).  So when he asks me to make him a stuffed animal I say no- right?  Wrong.
I've blogged about how Ethan's super power is manipulation before.
Somehow I was duped into making Ethan a stuffed frog- did I mention he already has like 3 stuffed frogs.  I came into his room to help him get ready for school and he was in his closet crying.  I found out that the problem was that he couldn't find one of his stuffed frogs.  This was a problem because he wanted to take this particular stuffed frog to school because he'd earned a "bring a stuffed animal to school" pass.  I of course said he should take one of his other frogs with him.  This was no good.  No good because all his other frogs had already been to school.  Long story short- he convinced me to make him a new one so he could take it to school the next day.  AND he wanted it green, soft, fuzzy and ready by 3pm that very day. 
So, I hugged him, said "OK honey", took him to school, came home and created a pattern, cut, sewed, stuffed, and finished the frog by 3pm.
Geez, I'm such a push-over!

Decorating a Cranial Orthotic (Baby Helmet)

My niece has torticollis and plagiocephaly (stiff neck muscles and a flat head)...  So for a couple months she is going to wear a helmet made specifically for shaping her head, preventing further flattening and helping to strengthen the correct muscles.

I think she looks absolutely adorable in it.  Her mama wanted to dress it up a bit- give it a little love (and decoration!).  So she called me, because she knows I will try anything.  Even when I have no idea what I'm doing!  So after shooting off my mouth about- "Oh!  We could decoupage some fabric on it, add some crystals!  It would be so cute!"  She went out and bought some fabric and came over.  About an hour before she showed up I realized that I in fact did not know what I was talking about.  So I did what you would've done, I googled it.  NO ONE- at least that I could find- had used fabric to decorate the helmet.  There were plenty of people who used paint, stickers and even decoupaged paper onto the helmets.  But I couldn't find one example of fabric.  So I did what I always do- I did it anyway.

You will need:
Mod Podge
Fabric- 5 coordinating types
a paint brush
a sharp small pair of scissors
Fray Check
(and if you want, some crystals!)

 We cut little squares of each type of fabric about 1" or 2" squares (not exact).  Coated the cleaned outside of the helmet with Mod Podge.  Placed the squares of fabric randomly so the entire outside was covered.  I used sharp little scissors to trim around the edges and then finished the edges of the fabric with Fray check around the outside of the helmet.

They left while it was still drying, so we didn't get to put the crystals on yet.  BUT  I think it turned out great- like a girlie patchwork quilt.  Only time will tell if this will hold up or be a complete disaster- I'm hoping for success!

I promise to add updates.

UPDATE 3/8/2011

Isn't she cute!
Crystals and last layer of Shiny Mod Podge added
(Schwarsky Crystals glued on with Elmer's craft glue)

After a month, it is holding up perfectly.  Her parents only have to touch up the edges occasionally with Mod Podge after a thorough cleaning of the inside with rubbing alcohol.  

New quilt, brown throw

I took a quilting class with a friend (Brooke) recently.  Actually Brooke and I met on a plane on the way home from New York.  We instantly became friends and exchanged phone numbers.  We both like to quilt, so she called me up and asked if I wanted to take a class with her to learn how to do a technique called one block wonder (a bit cheesy, yes)...  Of course I said yes: I love quilting, learning, and hanging out with friends. 
The one block wonder is basically a technique where you stack the same type of fabric on it's repeat 6 times.  Then you cut through all six layers and make equilateral triangles.  There is a special order that you sew the triangles together and eventually you make hexagons that are tessellations.  It's a very fun and interesting concept, I wasn't really in love with the fabric I picked, but I think it turned out just fine.  It was fun to try a more traditional type of quilting.  I tend to lean toward more modern looking quilting, and this is the first time I've followed a pattern that I didn't make up- also a good learning experience.
I think I learned the most from the experience of the other quilters.  That is truly the best way to learn quilting, shut up and listen to the ladies with experience.  They have made all the mistakes and learned all the tricks- and hopefully by listening I'll avoid a few mistakes and learn some new short cuts.
I'm selling this quilt on my Etsy shop- mostly because I wasn't in love with the fabric.  Now that it's finished, I do like it quite a bit, but still I was already planning on selling it, so why not?

I can't wait to learn some more!


My etsy shop where I'm selling it:
Kendra Made

Ethan's Frog Quilt

So I've been working on this one for like, forever.  It started as a "I'll throw this one together for Ethan's birthday" quilt, and turned into "well, I'll finish it for Christmas" quilt.  Seriously, the concept is the simplest of all the quilts I've ever made.  Take a duvet, cut it, applique something on top, add batting, quilt, and bind.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  Except not.
I cut it, appliqued- simple!  Then I decided to quilt it in cocentric circles to mimic water.  In no time I had half the quilt done, it looked great!  Until you turned it over.  Pucker city.
Long story short, it took me months to finish picking it out.
This time I quilted it in straight lines.  Today I finished binding it.  Done.  phew.

Sewing Again

I'm back at my sewing machine after a summertime hiatus.  I really missed it!
Today I'm going to get a head start on Christmas presents.  I'm going to make Nora a baby doll quilt, and I'm going to cut some fabric for a quilt I'm working on.  I also made a nightgown for Nora out of a t-shirt that got a grease stain on it.  That was really fun and I want to make more... I might have to visit the thrift store to find some cool old t-shirts!

I'll post pictures when I get some finish products.

Update, here are some pictures of a few things I've been up to:

The worn out old swing.

The swing after I recovered it.  The headrest was still in great condition, so I didn't cover it.  But I wish I did, so I'll do that when I get some time.

The baby doll quilt I mad for Nora- it was suppose to be for Christmas, but she found it.

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Destroying a Dresser

We gave away Ethan and Nora's dressers before we moved back to Texas.  Ethan's was too big and dangerous (he climbed up it regularly), and Nora's barely made the trip to Utah without falling apart- it wasn't going to make the trip back.  Wes has never had a dresser.  So last Saturday I went out in search of some dressers.  I found a great looking dresser and night stand for Ethan, which I secured for $55 total.  Then, I got a call from my mother-in-law that there was a dresser and night stand in need of a home.  The father of someone she knew had passed away and they were giving his furniture away to people who needed it (like us!).

It was a great set, solid wood.  Only, a bit dated for a little girls room.  I wish I would've taken a before picture- sorry!

So I set in to refinishing.   First, I pulled out the old handles and all the gold trim.

 

Nora came out and saw what I was doing and said, "Mom! Why are you destroying that dresser?!" 

Then I filled all the holes with wood filler.  I let it dry, sanded and then filled in the cracks and depressions.  Then I sanded again and filled the cracks- and then- well you get the point.  I had to do that several times.

I sanded the entire dresser and night stand.  Just a light sanding. 

Then sprayed them with primer.  It took way more primer than I thought it would.  The wood grain just kept sucking the paint in. 

 

Then I coated all the pieces with a generous amount of antique white spray paint and attached some new handles.

I love how they turned out.  For sure they aren't perfect- don't look too close, they could've used some more filling and painting.  Just right for a little girls room.

A Blog for Crafters

Jackpot!
I just found another blog I'm gong to stalk.
It has links to every blog imaginable that has tutorials on:
Adding Ruffles to anything and everything!
Making bags, purses, totes and wristlets!
So cool. 

The blog is called How About Orange.

And this Blog, uh wow, the How To's are amazing.  jcaroline creative.
Sorry.  You are about to spend way too much time checking out these websites, and then a lot more time planning a whole bunch of projects!

My Fabric Flower Creations

I've been having fun trying different ways to make fabric flowers lately.  It's so fun because you can use stuff that you already have around the house.  Since we are totally broke right now, it's my kind of craft!  Here's a picture of some my creations:

Super easy, just a lot of hot glue (and finger burns), fabric, ribbon, and fire.  Yeah, you heard me, fire!  Many of the flowers have singed edges.  It makes them curl and it seals the edges keeping them from fraying. 

Beehive Bazaar

I went to a local craft show today (touting: Not your Mother's Craft Show).  It was really cool.  Stuff I like to make, vintage, handmade, and (truthfully) pretty simple.  I picked up the cards of the booths I liked the most and so I don't have to keep the cards AND so you can see the fun handmade items, here are the links:

Armelle Jewelry
Big Brown House
darlybird
seastrands
Crimson Digit (no web site) Stained Glass design, 801-812-0327
The Provident Peacock
ritamade

So pretty.  People are so creative with everyday items.  I've been inspired and I'm going to go make a big mess on the dining room table.

Fabric flowers

I've been in love with all the fabric flowers out there, and I've been looking up some tutorials online. Then I think, Oh I can remember how to do that. Then I forget, and I forget where I found the tutorial. So now I'm sticking them here. I hope it comes in handy for someone else too!

Singed Flowers
Fabric Rosettes
Ribbon Flowers
Crepe paper flowers

I'll add to this list as I find more

Toddler Bed Quilt

Here is the picture of my most recent quilt. I have the toddler bed set up in Nora's room, so I wanted the quilt on it to match the one on her bed. I just threw this one together with left-over fabric, and I backed it with orange microfleece and didn't put a batting in it. It's super soft, and can be used as a throw when I don't have the toddler bed anymore.

Craft Storm and a tutorial, kinda

So I'm starting to get a bit ansy about moving. I know it's going to come up on me faster than I will realize... So I'm trying to simplify and minimize the mess around our house. So I got out all of my half baked craft projects all over the house and pulled out the sewing machine. I want to get all of my craft to-do's done in the next week or two and then pack up all of my junk into a box, never to be seen again (well, not until Texas). First, is this quilt. It's a small one, toddler bed size. It's for Nora's room, it matches the quilt on her bed. I have the toddler bed up in her room, so I wanted it to match! It's super simple and almost finished... I'll post a finished picture when I'm done.

I recently threw away a sweat shirt and a pink shirt. I saws them lying there in the trash next to eachother and noticed how they looked like mouse colors. So I pulled them out of the trash and cut out a mouse and threw the rest away. It's pretty silly, but the kids love it.


I've been working on this one since this summer. It's a pillow for Nora's bed. My Grandma has one like it at her house that she made as a girl, and I've always loved it. I wanted one, so I made this for Nora. Having a daughter is a great excuse to get and make stuff you always wanted as a child (Nora got a doll house for her birthday).

Now, here is a tutorial for poor man's silk screen, or freezer paper stenciling:

Start with something that needs a graphic on it. At our house that usually means something with a stain.

You'll need Freezer paper, pencil, scissors, fabric paint (tulip brand is good), a paint brush, and an iron.
Draw a design you like on the freezer paper on the side without wax, cut out the negative space, iron it on the fabric (wax side down), paint over it with the fabric paint, let dry a couple of hours, apply more paint if necessary, Peel off wax paper, and wow, you're a graphic artist!


PS : Andrea, I warned you that the prize for winning my baby weight and date guessing game would be a long time coming, but in my crafting frenzy I'm working on it. It will be in the mail soon (in a week or two), and it's nothing like anything on this post.