Easy Wipe Off Placemats

My family is going to visit my sister Tiffany in October, so I have scheduled this post for then so that she won't know about these beforehand.  I wanted to share you an easy project that my toddler and I put together as a small gift for his cousin and family.  We wanted to make Easy Wipe off Placemats.  This is how they turned out:

We used the Yo Gabba Gabba Characters because that is what my nephew is into.  One character for each family member is on the front. Then "We love you" and Jesse's scribbles on the back with a border. Two sided! They are laminated in Contact Paper so you can just wipe them down and reuse them.


Jesse and I first cut a regular posterboard into 4 equal parts

Then we cut out our printed characters, glued them on, and named them for family members:

Then decide what you want on the reverse side, and if your child is helping, let them have at it:

Crafting in style:

Then cut out a big piece of contact paper that will fit over both sides and apply it (make sure the kids aren't putting bubbles in it if they are helping with this step).  Smooth out and there you go:

Simple but it will make dinner time more fun and remind them that their Cali family Loves them! 

Santa's Undies!

I know that is only October, but this would be a great thing to start on for stocking stuffers or to hand out to friends and neighbors!  

Santa's Undies!! 

These cute little things have candies inside!  Here is the saying that goes with them:

We looked for stockings but couldn't find a spare

So we ended stuffing Santa's Underwear.

Cute right? 

I made a Santa's Suit one, as well as a green pair.  Both are really cute.  Here are some more pictures of the front and backs:

My son going in for a grab of lifesaver candies

Chocolate covered raisins

Want to make some of your own?  This is my first attempt at sharing a PDF. Here is the pattern:

Santa Undies

Let's see if that works!

All you do is cut out the front and back and bum flap on felt.  I used a blanket stitch on the two shown, but I have previously hand sewn it just rustic looking. You could also machine sew it.  Make sure to attach the bum flap before you sew the front and back together.   Once you have sewn it, cut out a heart on card stock and write the cute message on it and attach with ribbon or embroidery floss.

Fill with candy and you are finished.

Wouldn't this be cute for kids, nieces, nephew, grandkids, friends, etc!

Birthday Present

My husband's aunt lives a couple of states away, so with her birthday coming up I wanted to send her something that wouldn't cost a lot to ship, but that she would enjoy. and use.

I first decided on fabric.  She is a very talented singer and so I decided on a simple musical notes fabric.  Then I went ahead and made some hot pads. The hot pads were similar to the ones Ive made previously from The Idea Room's pattern. I tried square ones this time.  I like the size, but the bias tape didn't come out perfectly. Corners are difficult. :)

I also made a simple card.  The card is brown, not purple.  

Her birthday is on saturday so Im hoping it gets there on time. 

Happy Birthday

My son's new Bow Tie

I sometimes star things in my google reader and then forget about them. Occasionally I think "I have a million projects I want to try, but no time or money."  I was looking through my starred items when I came across the bow tie tutorial from Scraps and Strings.  It looked fairly simple enough and I didn't need a lot of fabric. I bought a fat quarter on my trip to Wal-Mart Saturday night. Sunday morning I cut and started sewing.  Things never go according to plan, so I finished the tie by hand sewing the last few steps during the announcements in Sacrament Meeting. (Bad Melissa I know!).  Although I don't know which is worse. Sewing during church, or taking a picture with a camera phone so that I can blog about it!

Thanks

for an awesome blog on my list. Thanks Ruth for an easy to follow tutorial!  

Okay, Go check them out! 

 

Guest Blogging at EveryDay Mom Ideas

Tiffany and I are guest blogging over at Everyday Mom Ideas today.  Make sure to check out our tutorial on how to make this Giant Tic Tac Toe and Checkers Board

Enjoy!

Do you collect Box Tops for Education?

Here is a simple tutorial to turn any can with a lid into a Box Top for Education Collection Can.

My doctor had given me a couple of cans of formula to try.  I just checked they were past their expiration dates, so I dumped the formula and cleaned the cans.  I decided I liked the bigger of the two for this project

I started by modpodging a strip down the side because my can was bigger than a 12 inch circumference. I then modpodged the rest of the can with the same paper

Once dry, I mod podged the entire can to seal it.  

 

I cut a hole in the lid, cut a hole in the paper and mod podged the paper on. Once it was on, I realized my hole wasnt big enough! So, I just cut them together a bit bigger.

Note to self: Don't use Baby Pink and expect it to show up

I cut these circles from the top and bottom of a cup

Have you ever seen one of these things? This little goody is my mother in law and she kindly lets me borrow it. It crinkles paper

Attach circles together, then to the can

The finished project. Still drying.

Jesse adding the first box top to the can.  Way for Education!

Buzz Buzz Apron

I finished my Bee Full Length Apron. I used a pattern and definitely learned a LOT.  The flounce wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had the most trouble with the area where the ties attached. It was quite interesting and took a lot of seam ripping.  I now know that I need to read the pattern THREE times before starting and to take my time!

Overall, I am happy with how it turned out. I love the little bee fabric.  Thanks to my sister Tiffany for putting up with my bee obsession! 

My version of the Book Bag

Even though my son is only a little over a year, I decided now was as good a time as ever (hee hee) to get him some library cards. Around here, we have multiple libraries that are really close, but you have to have two different cards. (One is the LA County Public Library and the other is the LA City Public Library). They now come with the keychain cards and so I got a big key ring and put them on there and attached it to his new library bag. I bet you have seen this cutie pie from Lulus Tiles. What a cute idea!

Well, I decided to make my own version. I made the bag a while ago and just added the word books with fabric paint. I messed up a little bit on the S, but I figure when he cares enough how his bag looks, this one will be worn out and I can make another!

My sister Jessica and I went to the Dollar Tree during our lunch break.




1. Its great working with my sister

2. Its great working so close to home (5-8 minute drive)

3. Its great working so close to a Dollar Tree.





I found a tambourine during our adventure, and since my little guy loves music, I bought it. It had Winnie the Pooh on it. Cute, but lacking. P.S. Don’t judge the cute tambourine based on the pictures. I have a poor camera phone. My phone is a krazr (think the razr’s less popular less stellar brother).

So, I ripped off the Winnie the Pooh picture. (Of course, this was during my break—just in case my boss is reading!)

I borrowed some Goo Gone from the warehouse. Note to self: Don’t use goo gone in my office because I don’t have windows!

I then printed out a picture of Jesse, cut it down to size, and mod podged it on.

Yes, I have the supplies to make this at my cubicle!!!



Have a crafty day!