Getting Some Green On

I realized last week that St. Patty's Day was coming up and that my sweet daughter has no green in her wardrobe. So, I determined to do something about it. I decided that despite her lack of green clothing, I could at least make her something to wear in her hair. So, I pulled out the materials and set to work.

I sketched out a simple cross-stitch pattern and started on the first set of clips:

Approximately 60 inches of floss (three strands) used for each clip pattern.

A little felt and some stitched on clips and those were completed.

I even made something for myself:

These didn't seem enough, so I broke out the felt again and got cutting:

I'm really in to the four-leaf clover.

I like having a cute little girl to wear my clips.

I think these were my favorites:

and if those three ideas don't do it for you, here are a couple more green inspired clips from when I was running my Etsy shop.

Top: Layered fabric and felt. Bottom: fabric yo-yo with brads.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Pocket Pal: Sweetie the Cat (and Tutorial)

We have been stuck indoors a ton over the last week. If it wasn't the super cold temperatures and terrible air quality, it was a massive snow storm that decided to roll through. Physically, I've been feeling exhausted, but mentally and creatively, I've been going absolutely stir crazy.  I completed four of my pins on Pinterest in the last couple of days (more on that tomorrow) and yesterday, during nap time, I decided to make something fun for Jellybean as well.
Jellybean is going through a HUGE kitty cat stage. Half the day, she wants to play "kitties" which involves a lot of crawling around and meowing. ("You be the mommy kitty and I'll be the baby kitty.") I thought with some of my creative energy, I'd go with her current interest and make a little stuffed cat.
I asked her if she wanted a big cat or a little cat. She indicated that she wanted something small. So, I sketched out a little cat softie and got to work. I can't tell you what satisfaction there is in sketching an idea out and then actually creating something from that idea.

I was in such a hurry to get this done, I didn't take a lot of process shots, so I'll give you a brief explanation of how this came together and I'll trust you to take it from there if you are so inclined.
First, I did the above sketch and then cut the sketch out and cut apart the pieces.
Next, I increased the head, body, arm, and leg about a 1/4" and used that to create my pattern.

With pattern in hand, I grabbed some scrap fabric and cut out 2 head and dress pieces and 4 arm and leg pieces.

This is where it gets fuzzy. I started pinning and sewing and basically forgot my camera existed.
So it went from beginning to pin the pieces together to complete before I knew it.

Here are the instructions for the missing pictures, bear with me. I hope it makes sense:
-Pin the head and body pieces together (right sides together, pictured above).
-Pin the arm pieces together and then the leg pieces (right sides together). Sew arm and leg pieces leaving the top of all pieces open for turning and stuffing.
-Sew a single seam across the head and body pieces and then pin together the head/body pieces (right sides together). Sew the head/body, but leave spaces for the arms and legs to be attached.
-Turn all pieces right side out. Stuff legs and arms with batting.
-Attach arms to body and then stuff the head and body.
-Attach legs to body.

I started out sewing by hand and then decided that I would rather use my machine. This doll is small enough that either method would work. I actually forgot to leave the bottom of the body open when sewing and had to rip the seam. (that's always my favorite.)

Finally, I added a few details to the doll. I pulled out some felt for the collar, bows and shoes. Then I used some floss to embroider the face.

I think she turned out sweet. Jellybean must have thought so too. She named her "Sweetie".

Well that burned some of my creative energy. I'll be interested to see what my fingers get itching to do next.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Sharing on:

From Dream to Reality

Whimsy Wednesday

Sew Cute Tuesday

Baby Doll Bath Time

This morning Jellybean undressed all of her baby dolls and decided that they all needed a bath. I happened to have an old infant tub in storage, so I got it out for her.

She then decided that she needed water in the bathtub, but seeing that none of the dolls could get wet, I decided to shred up some tissue paper and make some faux water.

She loved her baby bath and played with it all day long.

Over and over again: Dressing and undressing her dolls, washing them in the bath and then drying them off and having me help her swaddle them.

Shhh...they're sleeping.

My sweet little girl loves her baby dolls and I love her.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Sharing on:

Kids Co-Op

Crafty Mom Share
Show and Share Saturday

Fall Hair Clips + New Blog Design

So, I used to run an Etsy shop. *Gasp* It was a fun project for a while and I really enjoyed designing and creating hair clips. I don't have any immediate plans to re-open the shop, but I thought I might start posting some of my creations here along with some tutorials as well.

Last year, I designed some fall hair clips for a friend. I thought they turned out sweet and they were very easy to create.

I used a mini sized Autumn cookie cutter set for the shapes (like this one).  Then, I cut out two layers of felt in each design, added some decorative stitching and then stitched them to some 1.25" snap clips. I like using two layers of felt, so that I can hide my non-pretty stitching. Also, I like the snap clips that have the hole in the tip, so that it's easier to stitch them to the felt.

Easy as pie.  I hope I sparked some inspiration for Fall. 

In other news, I'm pleased to present my new blog design courtesy of Tasha @ My Cute Lobster Designs. I found her through Etsy and have really enjoyed working with her. If you are in the market for a new look, definitely check out her work.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Sharing with:

Heatherly Loves Sunday Round-Up
I Heart Nap Time Sundae Scoop
Snips & Spice Sunday Slice
Destination Craft Cutesy Monday
Etcetorize Make It Great Monday
Cherished Bliss Craft & Tell
Wow Me Wednesday

Red Toenails

Just hanging out with my favorite girl.  Our first time sharing the joy of painted toenails.

Buddy commented: "Boys don't paint their toe nails, but they do grow beards."

Good luck, son. Don't be too disappointed if you happen to take after your father and find that you can't grow a beard.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Princess Festival 2012

Jellybean and I went on a mom and daughter outing last Saturday.  We went to the Princess Festival.
Here she is dressed in her finest princess garb:

Jellybean doesn't go out for the Disney princess look. She has her own style.

We met some beautiful princesses who told their stories and posed for pictures:

Meeting Cinderella and Rapunzel

Jellybean tried on a new outfit...yeah, it freaks me out a little, too.

I'm a little confused about why the arms don't match...

Face painting by one of my old high school friends (go figure). I tried to convince Jellybean to choose a more elaborate design.  I wanted to get my money's worth, but this is what she picked.

She looks thrilled, doesn't she?

They had several craft stations set up.  Jellybean was a little young for some, but she loved making her own hair bow and coloring bookmarks to give away to other children. Such a kind princess.
Jellybean also enjoyed building a sand castle and joining in the dance party with Princess Sonrisa and Little Red Riding Hood.

 Before we left, we had to get Jellybean's nails painted.  This was the first time for her. She was so excited. 

She sat so still. Gotta love the hot pink.

We had a blast. I loved every minute of hanging out with my daughter; just us girls. I get such a kick out of my funny, amazing little girl.

One last carriage ride before departing for home.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

A Girl and Some Dolls

Jellybean with some of her beloved dolls: Lolli, Rainbow and Sunshine.  I love that this girl loves dolls. It makes me smile.

Jellybean points at Lolli (the brunette): "That's Mama."
She points at Sunshine (the blonde): "That's Dada."
Then she points at Rainbow (the red head): "That's me!"

Her daddy is so pleased by the comparison.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

One Year Ago- Spring in the Old Neighborhood

Happy WW!

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Project: Sew Skirt

I found a great tutorial on MADE recently. In fact, all of Dana's tutorials are fantastic.  Anyway, I usually have a ton of fabric laying around, so I decided I needed to sew my daughter a skirt.  I took her measurements and pulled out some fabric. Then I proceeded to do absolutely nothing else for two months.  Fast forward to today.  I buckled down and sewed my daughter a skirt! I'm saying that I actually created clothing for my child to wear and it was really easy! If I can do it, anyone can.

I'm pretty proud of the end result. Not only does it look cute, but it actually fits! Jellybean liked it enough that she wanted to try it on the minute I sewed the last stitch.  She's pretty particular about what she wears, so it was a huge compliment.

The t-shirt doesn't match it perfectly and I didn't brush her hair, but she is still adorable.  I have a vision of creating a t-shirt to match it, but that may be another two months down the line.

 Buddy had to get in on the photo shoot action in his new Target pirate outfit.

A HUGE thank you to Dana at MADE for helping me feel like a super mom!

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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