Lets get started…

Materials Needed:

• Wooden Letters (I got my from JoAnn Fabrics)
• Glue stick and glue bottle or craft glue
• Scrapbook Paper for each letter
• Embellishments (I used ribbon, paper flowers and sticker rhinestones)

I chose a piece of scrapbook paper that I liked (also from JoAnn Fabrics) to use for each letter. I have also painted these letters in the past, and I can safely say using paper to cover them is SO much easier and it looks better in my opinion. I also raided the scrapbook aisle for embellishments and settled on some paper flowers, ribbon, and sticker rhinestones.

Step 1:  Cut out paper for each letter

Lay out your paper in the order of the letters you want to use them on to create the pattern that you like.  Trace the letters onto the back side of the first paper. I flipped my letters around so that I was tracing the exact same edge they would be glued too.  I am sure the opposite edge is almost a perfect match but I did this just to be more precise.

Step 2: Glue Paper to each Letter 

After cutting out the letter shape from the paper, use a glue stick to glue the paper to the letter. Repeat for all letters in name.

Step 3: Add Embellishments (optional) 

Now its time to add some embellishments! Although, these are even cute just like this! If you are doing a boys room, I have seen some CUTE names with cars and sports stickers and shapes for embellishments. Maybe one day I will re-do my sons plane black painted letters.  The list of projects constantly swirling around in my head is never-ending :)

I randomly chose where to put the flowers and ribbon and worked on all letters at the same time to make sure the end result looked balanced.  I laid all the flowers and ribbon out before gluing.  Once I liked the way it looked, I used craft glue (elmers would work, too) and glued those babies on!

All done!! That was pretty easy, right?! 

I adhered these to the wall in my daughters room with that sticky gum like stuff and it worked like a charm! I put these letters up in other rooms by drilling holes in the back and using finish nails, and let me tell you – that was no picnic.  These letters are still on the wall after 6 months and I figure if they fall, I can always use the nails later on.

Anyone decorate some personalized letters lately? Id love to hear about it!

A few months back, I received a call from a local magazine interested in doing a story on me and my Etsy shop in their September 2014 issue (you can read the article here if you want!).   The Art Director asked me to do a fall themed shoot with some apples for a prop to use as the image for the article.   I could not wait to take my favorite pattern, The Apron Knot Dress, and style it for fall.  I decided to sew a new dress with some great apple fabric I found at JoAnn Fabrics.  I mixed in a few prints for interest and found a long sleeve top at Old Navy that worked underneath the dress.  I love when my dresses can transition to the next season so easily!!

I knew this needed to be a prop heavy shoot, so I really wanted to incorporate something else for my daughter to wear.  I remembered this sweet outfit my niece used to have when she was little that came with a matching head scarf and I instantly knew that was exactly what this shoot needed!  I love the way it ads some whimsy to the outfit and ties in the apples again.

Follow the tutorial below to create your very own!

Head Scarf Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• Scarf Template printed out here
• Fabric for Scarf
• Fabric to make bias tape or pre-made bias tape (any size 1/4-1/2″)
• Iron
• Sewing Machine/thread
• Straight pins

Step 1:  Cut out template found here, place on scarf fabric and cut out scarf triangle

Step 2:  Hem two shorter edges of scarf.  Either serge the edges or zigzag stitch close to the edge before pressing and sewing 1/2″ hem.

Step 3: Make Trim/Bias Tape (skip this step if using pre-made!)

Typically for making my own Bias tape, I cut the fabric out on the bias (diagonal grain) of the fabric. That is the correct way to do it – BUT – for this little easy project I just cut the fabric out across the lengthwise grain.  You will need a strip 2″ x 30″.  You may need to piece two pieces together to get this and thats fine! You will see in my photos that I had to do this.

Fold your strip in half down the long side and press really well.

Open up the fold and fold each side down onto itself again.  This hides those cut edges and gives the trim/bias tape a finished edge.  Press this down as well as you can.  It never wants to stay real well :)

Step 4: Sew scarf to the trim/bias tape. Locate the center of the scarf on the unfinished side and the center of the trim and place first pin there.  You will need a lot of pins to keep all those folds in place!

Stitch the sides of the trim too to make sure nothing unravels.  You are done!!  Simply tie the trim together on your child’s head to secure the scarf.

Here is one more shot of the head scarf in action.  I initially didn’t even edit this photo but with a little cropping, I realized it was a keeper.  Enjoy and Happy Sewing!

• 14″ x 14″ square of fabric (any fabric works, cotton and flannel are great choices)
• Sewing machine, thread etc.
•  small button
• small piece of elastic (skinnier the better)
• piece of terry cloth (optional – can be cut from a face cloth)
• iron

Step 1 : Finish edges of your scarf square by either using a serger or zigzag stitch close to the edge of cut fabric. If using the terry cloth in one corner of your scarf, cut out cloth to fit into one corner.  Serge or zigzag stitch along the long side of the triangle.  Sew the cloth in place on the two outside edges the fabric square (wrong side of fabric) 1/2″ from edge of fabric. This way the two ends will get encased in the fabric when we hem the scarf in the next step. Step 2: Press 1/4-1/2″ fold along all edges. If using the terry cloth, ensure that fabric fits nicely around cloth. Secure with pins before sewing to stop things from shifting while sewing.  Hem 1/4″ from edge.  Step 3: Fold scarf in half on the diagonal to find the two corners that you will use to secure scarf behind baby’s neck.  One corner will have the button sewn on, the other corner will have the elastic loop sewn on.  You could do this all by hand or use the machine to secure the elastic like I did. When deciding how big of an elastic loop to make, I would try to make it tight enough that it won’t fall off the the button, but loose enough that it can easily be taken off.  Try it a few times to practice before finalizing the size of the loop. You are done! Wasn’t that easy?!  I know, it looks way more impressive than it is.  LOVE that! And best of all, it is a really functional and practical gift.  What could be better! :) Have you made one yet? Let me know how it went!

Fabric Necklace Tutorial Materials Needed:

• Fabric strip 2-3″ x 30″
• Ribbon – 1 piece 32″ long
• beads, no bigger than 1/2″ in diameter
• 6-8 small strips of fabric 1″ x 6″ (cut with pinking shears optional)
• Sewing machine, thread, scissors etc.

Step 1:  Fold the long strip of fabric in half (lengthwise) and right sides together.  Insert the long piece of ribbon inside the fold, securing on one end with a pin.  Sew along the short edge with the ribbon pinned and the long cut edge 1/2-1/4″ from the edge.

Turn the fabric right side out by pulling gently on the string and helping the fabric along the way.

Step 2:  You now have a fabric tube secured on one end.  Insert a single bead into the tube, work the bead down to the very bottom.  Then tie a simple knot as close to the bead as possible. Continue with these two alternating steps until you reach the other end.  Leave at least 1/2″ on the end to secure the ribbon in the next step.

Fold the end of the fabric inside the tube, insert the other end of the ribbon inside. Secure with a pin and top stitch shut.   The necklace will now be one big loop.  Find the middle of the ribbon and cut so you will have loose ends to fit around the child’s neck and tie in a bow.  You may want to sew the ends to keep from fraying or use Fray check etc.

Step 3:  In order to make your flower detail, you will need the 6-8 strips of fabric 1″ x 6″. I cut mine with a pinking shears to keep the ends from fraying and for a fun look.

Simply tie the strips around one spot on the necklace.  It looks cute to offset this flower to one side or have it in the very center of the necklace. Up to you! It may take some tweaking to get the strips to lay well and look nice.  I also tied some strips to the other strips instead of all around the necklace.  If you want it to be very secure, I would place some hot glue around the knots to keep them in place.

There you have it! I hope you enjoy your new fabric necklace.  Let me know how it goes!

My extremely inquisitive son (seriously, this kid never stops asking questions) is very curious about all of this tooth fairy business. You can imagine my thrill when I actually had an answer to one of his questions, “How will my tooth not get lost underneath my pillow before the tooth fairy takes it?”  Crafty mom to the rescue!

Ta da! And a neat little place for Miss Tooth Fairy to leave the cash :)

Here is how you can make this very simple pillow that your kids will LOVE.  Its amazing how special my kids feel when I make them something like this.  Even if it only took me 15 minutes, the look on their little faces when they see it is priceless.

 Supplies:

• Fabric – two 7″ x 7″ squares  (I really think any type of fabric will work.  Woven or Knit)
• White flannel fabric or white felt.  Small square
• Tooth template.  Find it here.
• Black embroidery floss and embroidery needle.
• fiberfill

Step 1

Print and cut out the Tooth Template (here).  Pin the template onto your flannel or felt and cut out Tooth shape.   Using the black embroidery floss and embroidery needle, create the eyes with a simple criss cross stitch and the mouth.  It doesn’t matter what the back looks like, no one will see this!

When the face is done, attach the tooth to one of the pieces of 7″ fabric.  I used a needle and thread (not embroidery but you could if you wanted to) and stitched the tooth onto the fabric. Do NOT stitch the top of the tooth though or you will not have a pocket!

Step 2

Once your Tooth pocket is secured onto one of the 7″ squares, you are ready to make your pillow!  Place right sides together and sew around 4 edges being sure to leave 2 ” opening to flip the pillow right side out!

Turn pillow right side out, stuff with fiber fill to desired fullness.  Use a needle and thread to whip stitch the 2″ opening closed.  You are done!