Sewing Projects

Tim got me a sewing machine for Christmas last year. I have been wanting one for a while but always talked myself out of it because I wouldn't know what to do with it once I got it. I brought it up again this past Christmas since I am a stay at home mom now, I figured I would have some more time to figure things out. A few weeks after Christmas it was still sitting in the box. I think Tim was a little disappointed that I hadn't made him a three-piece suit yet. So I opened the box, read the manual and signed up for a beginning sewing class at Joann's. The class was really basic but I learned a ton and it gave me the confidence to start trying things on my own.

Here's a pic of my machine and the little bag I made at my class. I made a slightly larger bag for my niece and sister-in-law and then another one for a baby shower for diapers and wipes. Fun practicing. I also made some bean bags for the boys to play with. No pics of those though.

With those little projects under my belt, I thought it was time to search the internet for little things I could make. I have been wanting placemats for our table but really haven't found anything I liked. I mentioned possibly making some to my mother-in-law and she sent me a link for some tutorials. Here's how they turned out.

I chose this tutorial here since it seemed easy and would work nicely with our plates. Here is the main site that will link you to tons of free tutorials.

Then I decided I wanted to make a rag quilt. I found another tutorial online and went to work. There are so many tutorials out there and each one is a little different so no links. You can pretty much just google "rag quilt" and a million come up. And here is my first rag quilt.

I made it really big for cuddling up while watching tv. It's nice and cozy. Although, after making a second one, there are a few things I changed and I like the second better. I made this next one for a baby shower I am going to on Saturday. I don't think Amy reads this blog, but if you do, surprise!

I made the squares smaller on this quilt and placed an additional layer of flannel in the middle of each square to make it fluffier. I also didn't wash the flannel before sewing. I seriously wish I was pregnant right now with a little girl so I could justify keeping this quilt for myself, I love it so much. Oh well. My time will come soon enough.

Okay, last sewing project (for this post anyway), I promise. I found the cutest spring scarf here and figured I would give it a try. It turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself. This site links you to another site where you can download a pdf tutorial. I searched around that site and found a couple other things to make as well. But those will have to wait until the next post. Anyway, here's how my scarf turned out.

This has been a super fun present and I am loving every minute of it. Although, with as much money as I have been spending on fabric, I think Tim wishes it was still in the box!

Wait, What?

This is Josh and my conversation coming up the stairs after school.

Me: No, Josh you can't borrow toys from your friend's house.
Josh: When I have kids, I'm going to let them borrow toys.
M: That's fine.
J: I'm going to have two kids. Will I have two kids?
M: That's up to you and your wife.
J: I'm not going to have a wife.
M: How are you going to have kids then?
J: Mom, you are going to have a girl baby in your tummy when Benj gets older.
M: I want to have a girl baby.
J: Yeah, you need a girl baby so then I can have a wife and have kids.
M: Wait, what?

I guess I need to clue this kid in on how that's not okay. I don't even think they do that in West Virginia.

Really?

Most of the TV the kids watch is on PBS. Sometimes lame, but mostly educational and no adds for the Better Batter Baseball. Dinosaur Train is on right before we leave to take Josh to school. It's a show about talking dinosaurs that ride on a train through time and space to meet and learn about other dinosaurs. The main family consists of pteranodons and an adopted t-rex that hatched out of the eggs the mom was sitting on.

Okay, so I know you probably don't care about all that but you have to have the background for Josh's comment this morning. I'm putting on Benj's shoes and Josh is watching Dinosaur Train. All of the sudden he says, "Hey, dinosaurs don't wear hats!"

Really? Out of all the things dinosaurs "don't do", like talk, ride on trains, time travel, etc, you point out that they don't wear hats?

Personalized Rubik's Cube

Tim really doesn't have any pics of the fam at his desk at work. I thought making a personalized Rubik's Cube would be a fun way for him to show off his family. I found a tutorial on a blog and tweaked it a little. Here's how I did mine.

First, I measured one little colored square on the cube. If you are using a name brand Rubik's Cube, each square is 16mm x 16mm. I then made a row template 16mm x 48mm (48mm comes from multiplying the the 16 by 3 since there are 3 squares across and down.) Then I picked out 6 pictures for the cube and cut them into a 48mm x 48 mm square.


Next, turn the picture face down and draw out a grid like a tic-tac-toe board using the 16mm x 48mm template.

Cut out the little squares and glue them onto the cube. I used a sticker maker to do this part but a glue stick will work just as well. My cutting was a little off but no big deal.


After all the picture squares are on the cube, use modge podge, or something like that to keep the stickers from peeling up. After sealing each side of the cube, let it dry. Once dried, turn each section a few times to break up any glue residue.

You can actually use the cube to play with or just keep it for show. Some cubes come with a stand to put it on. The picture below is my favorite pic on the cube I made. Have fun!

Thanksgiving Crafts

While I had many intentions to blog other things between these two posts, it didn't happen. So here are a couple of fun things to do with the kiddos.

These ideas come from Disney's Family Fun magazine. I recently got a subscription from my Disney Movie Reward Points. Wahoo! Free stuff! It was fairly simple to make, but it was a little time consuming. Click here to download a template and instructions. Here's how mine turned out.


Pretty cute I think. I made two sets of food so it can be a matching game. My sister is going to attach scriptures or quotes about thankfulness to each piece of food for Family Home Evening.

Here's the next one. I made a set of these years ago when I worked at a before and after school program back in MD. This activity is a little time intensive too and works best with older kids. Some people on the site said they used these as centerpieces for over 10 years. Wow. Anyway, click here for measurements and such.Hopefully these will keep your older ones busy for a little next week. If you don't like these, there are tons more ideas on Family Fun's site. Have fun!

Simple Halloween Crafts

I had some friends and their kids over earlier in the week to do some Halloween crafts and this is the first time I've had to post about them. They are seriously so easy that if you read this before Halloween and want to do them, you will be able to without too much fuss.

First is a spider. You need 4 black pipe cleaners per spider and some pony beads.

Take the pipe cleaners and bend in half. At the bend, twist a couple of times to make the head.

Then, spread out the ends to make the legs. Put a couple of beads on each leg. Bend each pipe cleaner about 1/3 of the way down and add a couple more beads. Make one final bend about 1/2 inch from the bottom, in the opposite direction to help your spider stand.

You can make it more Halloweeny by using orange pipe cleaners or beads - I could find neither. Super cute and super easy.

Next, paper lanterns. First take piece of construction paper and fold in half length wise. Cardstock works as well - just make sure it is a heavier weigh paper so it will stand. Next, make lines about 1 inch apart starting from the crease and stopping about 1 inch from the end. It should look like this.

Now, cut the lines. Once cut, open up your paper and tape the ends together. Decorate with cut out shapes. Punch two holes at the top for a string or whatever to hang your lantern. You can make anything really you want. I made a pumpkin, ghost and cat. I was thinking it might be fun to do Frankenstein or Hulk with older kids.

Last is a mummy. Take a wooden craft spoon and glue on craft sticks for the arms and legs. You can either cut regular size craft sticks down or you can buy smaller craft sticks.

Once the glue has dried, start wrapping 1-inch strips of muslin around and around. Glue down a starting point and wrap. I used about 3 strips per mummy give or take. Glue the end down. Add a couple of wiggly eyes and you have your very own mummy. (If you are local and want some muslin or sticks ready to wrap, let me know - I have lots extra.)

Super easy and fun. You can make these easier or harder depending on the age of your little ones. Just have them do as much as they can. Have fun!

I am going to try and post craft ideas for different times of the year - hopefully sooner than just a few days before the holiday!

These Kids Need a Bucket of Chicken

Every year in honor of Pioneer Day, Bountiful has a parade on the 23rd of July. It's kind of the trial run for the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake on the 24th. We go every year. Benjamin wasn't sure what to expect. He must have slept through the parade last year, but not this one.

Here he is just chillin', wondering what the heck we're doing sitting on the side of the road.

And then the parade started. Screams of terror when ever a band, fire truck, police brigade or anything else loud passed by.

He gave up by the end and just chilled until it was over. I hope we haven't traumatized him for life.
Here's the KFC float. We always have to clap real loud for this float and take a picture. Growing up we used to have our family vacations to Utah. My Grandpa Dixon, without fail, would say to my mom, "These kids need a bucket of chicken!" and then head off to KFC to pick up said bucket. Many summer memories were made with our grandparents around a bucket of chicken. Thanks Grandpa!


Here's a video of the crying boy in action. Sorry, Benj, sometimes I need to get a video instead of comforting you.