Cloth Diapers

Did I mention that I'm converted? I made the switch a few weeks ago and so far so good! Thanks for all the advice, tips, and tricks! I was really considering making my own diapers, but then thanks to Nancy, I realized that I really didn't want to mess with that. Yes, I could make a diaper exactly like gdiapers, but it would probably take a couple tries and in the mean time lots of messes possibly. So, I just decided, well gdiapers already has it down to an art, I might as well pay them to save me from a head ache!

While I did buy the gdiaper little g pants, I decided to make my own doublers. I knew I could make those pretty easily and it isn't much of a science. And today I'm being featured over at Sew Much Ado for this great tutorial on making your own doublers! Go on over and check it out!

If you already do cloth diapers or decide to switch, here's a FAST and EASY tutorial on how to make a doubler*


* A doubler is a second cloth you put in with your regular cloth diaper insert to increase absorbency. This is great for nights, long outings, or other long periods of time so your child won't soak through the diaper.

Description: This tutorial will guide you through making one 6" X 12" fleece doubler.
Materials Needed: 2 pieces of fleece 6" X 12".

1) Cut 2 pieces of fleece 6" X 12".
Fleece works great because it wicks moisture away from the baby's skin to keep them comfortable and rash free.
2) Place the 2 pieces wrong sides together. You'll see the outside of the fabric on both sides.

3) Serge the 2 pieces together around all 4 sides. If you don't have a serger you can zig zag, blanket stitch, or even just straight stitch. Fleece won't fray.

4) Sew 2 lines lengthwise down the doubler 2" in on both sides.

Tip: If you want to sew a straight line but don't have a 2" mark, just put a rubber band around your machine at the 2" mark. You can also use masking tape. These make great guides!

Tip: If you have fabric bubbling up in front of your presser foot, try lowering the amount of pressure on your presser foot. Mine is normally set at a 4, but for this project I lowered it to a 3.5.

5) You're DONE! That was so easy! And it only cost me $2 to make 10 doublers and I have 1/4 yard left!

That was so easy, you should make more!

For the un-named Haynie boy

My SIL is having her first baby in May. I am so excited for her. And lucky her she's having a little boy! I guess I'm a little biased since I don't have any girls and I think my boys are AWESOME.
Every boy needs a tractor. Especially an Idaho boy. Even more especially my brother's son. So until he can actually ride one, he can snuggle with one. These self binding blankets are awesome. Here's a great tutorial if you're wondering how to do it.

I've been wanting to make one of these new born gowns from a t-shirt for a long time! So, what better excuse? I used this tutorial. It's great and easy to follow along.

Salt Dough Ornaments Tutorial

Making and decorating your own ornaments is a tradition that my family used to do and now my husband and I do it. It's a great family activity and makes many memories. Each year when we get the ornaments out it's fun to remember who made which one and to remember Christmases of the past.

So, for those of you who don't care if your tree has 'unique' ornaments....here's a DIY tutorial.





Description: Handmade painted Christmas ornaments

Materials Needed:

Salt

Flour

Water

Paint



1. Make this salt dough recipe

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1.5 cups water
Knead for 5 minutes.

**This recipe makes A LOT!! I made about 30 cut-outs and still have extra salt dough for Everett to play with. If you're just doing it for ornaments and don't want left overs I would recommend doing half the recipe or even 1/4 depending on how many you want to make.

2. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make the shape of your ornaments. You want the dough to be fairly thin, try to keep it about 1/8" thick or so, I would definitely not go more than 1/4".

3. Cut holes in the ornaments so they can be hung with ribbon, yarn, thread...etc. I used a pen cap to make my little circles.

4. Place ornaments on a greased baking sheet or with parchment paper.

5. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

6. After they are cooled down, go to town and PAINT!

7. Run a ribbon through the hole that you so delicately cut out!

8. Hang on your tree and enjoy!

Everett painting his first ornament, good job!

I wish I could say this bell and the star were ones that I painted, or my husband, but, they aren't. We invited some friends over and they busted out their hidden talents of painting! Who knew!

Can you see the palm trees and the building on this one? My camera kept giving glare...

Check out this shepherd scene!! Good job!

Katie

Congratulations to Katie from notes from a very red kitchen who finally finished a darling little stocking for her daughter! She even has a tutorial for the stocking here. She is an incredible writer, crafter, seamstress, and a great wife and mother (and teacher, at least I think so even if she says she's not) Good job Katie!

I spy bag tutorial

I made an I spy bag for my son several months ago and he loves it! It is great for church, the car, air planes, the doctors office, or any time you need your child to sit still for a little while. And, they make a perfect stocking stuffer. Since they are so fun and versatile, I've decided to make a tutorial.

Description: an I spy bag that is 8" X 8" with a 3.5" X 3.5" window.
Materials needed:
Fabric rectangle 8.5" X 16.5"
Clear vinyl (heavy weight) square 5" X 5"
Approximately 4-5 cups of dry rice
Small 'I spy' items
Thread

Directions:
1. Cut a piece of fabric 8.5" X 16.5"

2. 2.5" down from one end of the rectangle and 2.5" in from each side, cut a square that is 3.5" X 3.5"

3. Cut a square piece of heavy weight vinyl 5" X 5".
Tip: make sure to use the heaviest weight of vinyl you can find. If you use lightweight your sewing will tear it and the items could also cut it.

4. Place the square vinyl on the wrong side of the fabric centering it over the square whole you cut. Use masking tape to secure a couple of the corners to keep the vinyl from sliding.

5. Use a blanket stitch from the right side of the fabric to sew the vinyl into place. It's fun to do a contrasting color that makes the peek hole stand out.

6. With right sides together, fold your rectangle in half 'hamburger' style. You will have 3 raw edges. Sew around these 3 edges leaving a 4 or 5 inch gap. Turn the bag right side out.

7. Put a variety of I spy items in the bag. You can find lots of little things at the dollar store. Fill the bag a little over half full of dry rice, 4 or 5 cups.

8. Turn in raw edges where you left the filling gap and edge stitch shut. Hooray! Now you have a nice I spy bag for keeping your child sitting still.

I have plans to make a little laminated label with each of the items listed on it. That's in the works. I'm going to attach it with a ribbon and sew that on to a corner.

Practical bibs

I made Everett some bibs out of kitchen hand towels. I love that they actually cover the whole front of his body. And, they clean up like a dream! I'm thinking about making a tutorial for them, so there may be more to come in the future.

Pickeled Peppers

Jalepenos are thriving in my garden! My husband and I decided to pickel some for storage. We love to make shredded jalepeno beef for sandwiches or enchilladas so I'm sure we'll have good use of these.

Making these is VERY easy. Here is the recipe and instructions:

Pickeled Jalepenos or Banana Peppers

10 cups banana or jalepeno peppers

2 cloves garlic

4 cups white vinegar

2 teaspoons pickling/canning salt

1. Wash peppers and slice (you can put them in whole if you'd like)

2. Put 1/2 clove of garlic in each of the clean pint jars

3. Boil salt and vinegar

4. Pack peppers into jar leaving 1/4" headspace

5. Pour hot liquid into jars leaving 1/4" headspace. Use a knife or spoon to remove air bubbles from jar. To do this, put the utincil down the side of the jar and move it toward the center of the jar.

6. Boil lids in a saucepan for a few minutes to heat the rubber seal.

7. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the rim of the jars.

8. Put lids and rings on the jars, place in waterbath canner or other pot where water can cover the jars completely.

9. Boil for 10 minutes.

cards, cards, cards and a GIVEAWAY This giveaway is CLOSED

I saw this idea to make cards with fabric scraps here. I have fallen in love with making them because they are SO fast and hopefully they will brighten someone's day.

To start my creativity blog off, I've decided to give a set of 5 lovely notecards to a lucky someone.

All you have to do to enter is:

*Leave a comment
*Include your email address

*All entries must be submitted by Wednesday July 8th at Midnight (CTS)

*The lucky winner will be announced Friday July 10th

*Post about this giveaway on your blog for an extra 3 entries*

*Become a follower of my blog for 1 extra entry it's easy. Just click here.*

Please include in your comment if you posted to your blog/become a follower.

To select a winner I will use random.org to see who wins. I will then email the winner.

Good Luck.