make something: my version of a felt board

I was remembering the felt boards from elementary school. Hanging shapes on the wall is fun. Felt sticks to felt and is so colorful. This was going to be an easy project! I decided to forgo the idea of a felt "board". I just decided to hang a yard and a third of white felt on the wall. I used thumbtacks; more like a felt banner. It could easily be taken down if need be.

I cut out grass to put along the bottom. I hot glued this down so the little miss couldn't tear it off. Since it's hanging right next to her cardboard house it would be like a little yard. Cute! I guess I could have done light blue felt with clouds, etc. but like I said, this was a SIMPLE project!

Next, the fun part of cutting out shapes.

Down the road I might cut out  more elaborate shapes or numbers or maybe even little critters, but for today a big circle for a sun, some assorted raindrops, hearts, stars, squares, triangles, and a few flowers. Oh, and a cat. That word is in her vocabulary so I thought I would make one.

Such an easy craft project to do with your toddler and a great way for them to learn about shapes and colors as well as being creative!

make your table a chalkboard table

I decided to give my butcher block work table a makeover.

I painted it with chalkboard paint.

I loved it so much, I decided to do a little table for Clementine, too!

All done!

Clementine's table.

She can draw on it with giant chalk.

Older kids could play tic tac toe or hangman.

Dolls can play hopscotch.

As for my larger table...

chalkboard table placemat

Now there can be personalized (and erasable!) place mats.

Imagine a dinner party!

Photos for blogging can be labeled!

So could wines, cheeses, or food at a buffet.

My brain jumps to how many ways this would be great for a party!

To do lists can be written right on the table!

The possibilities are endless.

And erasable.

woodland birthday outfit!

First, a felt mushroom.

It is a happy mushroom, of course, with a polka dot top.

(back)

Sure, she'll match part of the table cloth but I love this little deer print!

Nothing says birthday like sparkly tulle.

make a photo sachet for mother's day

I think hand-made Mother's Day gifts are the best.

It will be so much fun when Miss Clementine and I can get crafty together making gifts for all of the grandmas. I envision glitter and paint everywhere!

This year she was more of an inspiration and a cheerleader.

What should "we" make?

Clementine's new 'trick' is to smell. She crinkles up her nose and breathes in. It's cracks us up every time.  I decided to make something that smells lovely, is relatively simple, and easy to mail.

Lavender sachets made a little more personal (and a little less boring) by adding a cute photo.

I had one of my favorite pics of the little miss printed in wallet size. Off to the magic closet for some scraps of fabric, tulle and lace. No measuring here. I wanted these to scream hand made with love!

I cut two squares of lightweight floral fabric. On one I placed four pieces of tulle with the picture on top and sewed around the edges of the photo with a zigzag stitch.

With the same zigzag stitch I added lace around the photo.

Next, I attached the bottom square by topstitching with a straight stitch around three sides leaving one open to fill with the lavender.  I used pinking shears to trim the tulle and the three sides.

Dried lavender from the farmer's market to fill each sachet.

Stitched up the fourth side and trimmed with the pinking shears.

Simple. And I feel so relaxed from smelling all of that lavender.

Making Stockings!

New handmade stockings are in order this year. I made Clementine's first because it was the most fun. Felt, hot glue, assorted sparkly trims, a great idea and an old pair of holiday fur-trimmed knee socks helped me to make this pepperminty sweet stocking for my little lady.

So cute! One down. Three to go.

not just an ordinary canvas bag...

When I found this organic cotton canvas at the fabric store I was really drawn to it's texture.

I though it would make a great bag.

So I cut out my go-to easy bag pattern and started to put it together.

The pleats transform it from simple canvas market bag to something a little more.

For the lining I chose this deer print on bamboo fabric. ooh la la. how eco chic.

I like that the lining is a secret, sort of like pretty underwear.

This bag wasn't complete without this woodland looking button. Perfect.

Making a mobile with an ikea hanging lamp

I knew from the moment I saw this Glansa pendant lamp hanging in IKEA it would make a perfect mobile base. It is basically a wreath frame wired with little LED lights. Although it looked pretty cool hanging on its own above the crib I had a plan to sweeten it up. I found this great leaf ribbon at a local fabric shop. It has a matte paper-like finish. It reminded me of the Tord Boontje Midsummer Lamp. Yes, I could have just ordered one of those but it wouldn't have been as fun to make.  Plus, I made those blue birds that needed a place to hang and be happy...

Step one. I covered the upper cords that the light hangs from with the leafy ribbon. Then I went around the frame of the light and then draped the last pieces randomly so there were 'vines' hanging down.

Step Two. I attached fishing line to my little blue birds and hung them around the frame at different lengths. Done!