Tutorials

Lily Pad Tutorial Game (part 1)
 

***WARNING:  I am pretty much self taught and I learn as I go!  This blog is a place that I can share my fun and creativity...even if it isn't quite perfect!  This tutorial will NOT be perfect and I would LOVE any outside impute to make my sewing experience easier!  THANK YOU!!!  :)

I found this ADORABLE FREE Purl Frog (frog bean bag) pattern here http://www.purlbee.com/purl-frog/ by the Purl Bee and I was inspired to make some adorable little frogs!!!!  THEN I came across Mama Urchin who put together the lily pad toss game with the purl frogs here!   http://mamaurchin.com/2007/07/09/lilypad-toss/

But for who & for what shall I make these little cuties!?!?!  Well, it just so happened that 2 of my sweet young friends who are also sisters were turning 8 & 10 and having a joint birthday party!  PERFECT!!!!!!  So this is my take on the frogs & the game!  Hope you have someone sweet to make this for...it was SEW much FUN!!!  :)

First, I started out by printing the purl frog pattern from here http://www.purlbee.com/storage/purl%20frog%20pattern.pdf on card stock and then cutting it out.  Be sure to find two coordinating fabrics for each frog and cut a frog pattern out of each one!  These were what I had on hand from other projects!  Fat quarters would work great for this project too!  Pin the card stock pattern to your fabric and then cut out the frog using your fabric scissors.

Then pin WRONG SIDES facing each other (I know in this picture the fabric is pinned right sides together, but how I truly made these they need to be wrong sides together...so already looking like the finished project.)



Then sew around the frog using a 1/4 inch seam but leave an opening between the frogs legs to fill with beans!  (In this picture I tried sewing without pinning and I HIGHLY recommend that you pin before you sew...much easier!)

I then took my pinking shears and pinked the entire frog except for the opening where the beans would be added.  (The purl frog tutorial recommended that you pin and sew the frog right sides together and then turn him inside out before you fill him with beans.  I was trying to cheat/save time and came up with this version.  I honestly didn't want to take the time turning the frogs and I didn't mind the pinking look! Feel free to do as you like here!)

Then I filled my frog with dried split peas using a funnel!  Feel free to use lentils or any other favorite small dried bean!  Then be sure to hand sew the opening closed...good and tight!  You don't want any beans getting out during your game!  (Sorry I don't have a picture of the hand sewing...truth is, I DON'T know how!!!  :(  I tried cheating and sewing it on the machine...but that did NOT work.  So, I went on youtube and found a very helpful video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i20WGQRlnIA&feature=channel I think this slip stitch is perfect for this project!)

Here are my finished four little friends!!!  Now they just need some Lily pads...don't you think!?!?  :) 

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Lily Pad Toss Game!

Lily Pad Toss Game tutorial (Part 2)

So for those of you who missed part one of this game, you can find it here.  We completed our four little frogs and now all they need is some ADORABLE Lily pads right!?  So I found this adorable & free peony template.  I saved it and then printed it out on card stock and cut these little flowers out of felt! 

 I tried searching online for a lily pad template that I could use and I just couldn't come across the right shape and size that I wanted.  So I pulled out an old trick from K-4 Kindergarten and folded a piece of printer paper in half and cut out an egg/ovel-ish type shape and made my own lily pad.  Anyone remember making hearts that way so that both sides of your heart were even!?  :)  (Sorry I am not talented enough to actually share my template with you because I have NO IDEA how to do that.)  I then traced and cut the lily pads out of felt as well. 

I ended up making 5 lily pads and numbered them 1-5 using PUFF PAINT!!!  I hot glued the flowers onto the lily pads and then puff painted the center of the flowers, as well as the eyes on the frogs!.  (I LOVE that stuff  & by the way...be sure to make these the day before allowing time to dry before you wrap up that sweet little gift!)

 I then printed out that adorable frog poem that came with the Purl frog pattern as well as the directions for the game that I found on Mama Urchin and put them on some card stock so they could refer back to them as they needed!

I wrapped everything up in a cute little tin that they could keep or carry their game around in and topped it with a bow!  Happy Birthday Addison and Abigail!  I really hope you girls enjoy this super fun game!  Love you!!!

I am sooo sad that I forgot to take my camera along to the party...I wanted to get an action shot of the girls playing the game.  They loved it and my 3 year old loved it too!  I think I'm going to have to make him a set so he can play with brother when he gets a little older!  Hope you make these...they were really fun! 


Mod Podge Letter Tutorial


I HEART FALL!!! Fall is pretty much my ALL TIME FAVORITE season!!! I love everything that comes with it. Sweaters, Chai Lattes, colored leaves, chilly mornings, scarfs, the earth tone colors, pumpkins, soup...the list goes ON & ON!!!! :) So, I pulled out my fall wreath the other day and hung it on the door, bought a new Pumpkin Spice Candle and had it burning and realized that since pumpkins aren't quite out yet that I needed some fall colors inside! This is what I came up with for my fire place mantel! Simple & easy...seriously took me about 10-15 minutes to make. Enjoy!

Items you will need:

Card Board or chip board letter
Scrap book paper (1 page)
Mod podge glue
A cheap nail file
A sponge applicator brush

First, be sure to purchase your letter of choice! I think this works best on the cardboard/chip board type letters. I bought mine from Craft warehouse for $2.50! Then go get out that scrapbook suitcase that is hidden away in your closet and find some paper with fall colors, or paper that has your house colors in it so you can have it up all year round!

Trace your letter backwards on the BACK of your scrap book paper of choice. Be sure to cut it out carefully along the line.



Then, I poured some mod podge glue on a paper plate and applied a light coat to the chip board letter with the sponge applicator.



I then place the cut out letter carefully on top of the glue pressing out any bubbles or bumps. Try to line it up as close as you can get it. Don't worry if a little is hanging off at this time.



Take your file out and go along the outside of your letter filing off any paper that is hanging over and making the edges nice and clean!

*At this time if you are wanting a glossy finish to your letter then you would wait 12 hrs. to let the glue underneath dry. Then you could apply another layer of the mod podge on top of your letter for the glossy finish. As you apply it, it will look milky...but once it has dried completely it will be clear! Be sure to let the letter dry fully before displaying! I liked the look mine had up to this point and decided against the glossy finish...it's your choice!



Now, display your handy work and enjoy your pumpkin spice candle! Happy Fall!!! :)




Baby Leg Warmer Tutorial



OK, so I have seen these baby legs every where online and just HAD to make some for our sweet little girl! There are a TON of tutorials out there on how to make these ADORABLE baby leg warmers, but I thought I would show you how I did them!

First, find a great deal on some women's dress/trouser socks (not women's knee socks...those would be too long) I found my socks at Target for $2.00 a pair!!! SCORE!!!! :)

Be sure to cut just above the ankle and toes taking off only the toe and heel section of your sock. I used a ruler and rotary cutter for this. Throw heel & toe scraps away and you will be left with 2 tubes. The leg tube & the foot tube!





Take your "foot tube" or the shorter tube and fold it in half lining up the raw edges with right sides together. Then place your leg tube into the folded foot tube and line up all of the raw edges.




Then be sure to pin the tubes together, only 3 layers down leaving an opening for where your sweet baby legs will come through! I may be a bit of an over pinner...but I hate things moving around! :P Sew 1/4 in. all the way around the sock making sure to back stitch for durability. Then take your pinking shears and pink around the outside to take off the raw edges.



Fold down legging and then put them on your sweet little baby!!! This was an easy 20 minute project & these make diaper changes so easy and keep those sweet legs warm! They look adorable under dresses and skirts as well. Aren't they just the CUTEST!?!?!?! I made 5 pair. ENJOY!!!!



*By the way, these are SUPER cute as arm warmers too for the older kids! My 3 year old can wear these on his arms with a regular t-shirt for the cooler fall days! LOVE IT!!! For more arm warmer ideas check this tutorial out! Btw, I LOVE the little birdie secret blog! :)

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2008/10/baby-legs-tutorial-make-your-own-leg.html