A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Noodlebug lost his first tooth! It has been really wiggly for about a week so I knew I better get busy with preparations. Luckily, I bought this adorable tooth fairy pillow years ago in preparation for this big event:

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I bought it on Etsy from Melody Miller and it is so adorable. Big enough to cuddle with the perfect pocket for holding treasures like a tooth!

To make this event a little more special, I decided to craft a special fairy door just for the Tooth Fairy.  I bought an unfinished dollhouse door from Hobby Lobby along with a doorknob kit.  I painted the door and glued on the doorknob and told Noodlebug that since his tooth was really loose, I would mail the key to the Tooth Fairy right away. It's a good thing I did!  He and I installed the Tooth Fairy door next to his bed last night:

Although I plan on the Tooth Fairy giving Noodlebug $1 coins in the future, we decided a first tooth was pretty special.  The Tooth Fairy brought him a $2 bill that my grandfather had given me.

I think we are going to leave the fairy door up. I have a feeling more teeth are going to follow.  It is held up by a few Command strips so I'm not worried about it damaging the wall in any way.  Plus, it makes for easy access for the Tooth Fairy!

Too Soon to Think of Easter?

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I just bought this pattern and I'm thinking of making some of these little guys for Noodlebug and his friends for Easter.  It doesn't take much fabric so I could possibly use the leftovers from my Christmas pillowcase project.  Hmmm....  It doesn't LOOK too hard.

Get your own pattern here.

I also have a bee in my bonnet about doing homemade Valentines this year.  I may sit down and finally figure out my Silhouette machine and use one of their patterns.  Anyone with a Silhouette out there who can tell me how to work the thing? 

Hope the new year is treating you well so far!!!

A Quilt Project and Tutorial Roundup

Lately, I have been obsessed with sewing and quilting.  This is not becoming a fabric crafting blog though! I am also working on a paper project for the Vintage ABC Swap! (more on that later)  I wanted a way to practice some quilting techniques that wouldn't break the bank. So, I joined this Block of the Month club:

Each block set is a pieced block so I should be able to handle it. No applique necessary. My first two kits arrived yesterday and I'm anxious to get started. I figured I can handle a block a month. If you want to join in, go here. 

I have also been digging into my fabric craft drawer to drag out old projects I haven't finished. I have boxers for myself from a Sis Boom pattern and a shorts and top set by Oliver + S for Noodlebug. I am waiting on some fabric to make Noodlebug some chalkboard placemats from this tutorial. I also found two tutorials for some great gifts/craft bazaar projects: a neck cooler and a rice bag warmer.  Both projects would be a great way to use up some left over material.  What is on your craft project "to do" list?

Project Roundup

I have vowed to cut back on my extracurricular activites and spend more time with my family, more time on exercising and losing weight and more time relaxing with crafts. 

Here are the projects I am anxious to tackle:

1) Shrinky-Dink Rings

2) Little Boy Shirt and Shorts

3) Picnic Blanket

4) Sis Boom Dress/Top

5) Felt Pincushion

6) Easy Hooded Towel

I have all the materials and hope to finish these projects over the next month. I plan to tackle Project #1 today. I feel fairly confident I can tackle numbers 1, 5 and 6.  The other ones....I'm a little nervous about!  I'll post photos of the results!!!

Shhh!!! Don't Tell Noodlebug

Amy brought this little gem to my attention and I knew it would be perfect for Noodlebug's "big" Christmas present. This is one of those ideas where you see it and then slap yourself on the head and say "Why didn't I think of that?!!!"  Such a cute idea! An easy-to-store playhouse that fits over a cardtable.  Miss Pretty Pretty of Imaginative Playtoys makes these little playhouses and they come in many different styles. I chose the farm because we live out in the country in Sonoma County and Noodlebug sees cows and sheep everyday.  It will even be customized with his name. So cute and so genius!!!

I finished the first figure for my gift for Noodlebug last night. I have discovered that I am a VERY slow hand-sewer.  So, Mary is finished!  She isn't perfect but she was made with love and I guess that is the important thing.

By the way, here is another great idea for a simple handmade gift. Noodlebug is a little young for it yet but I'm thinking it might make a great birthday gift. It's a bed board by Maya*Made for those times when your little one is confined to bed.  Such a great idea!!!

Eureka!

Remember when I was trying to find a project idea for all of the glass baby formula bottles I have been saving? Well, I have been combing through the back issues of Inspired Ideas (and wondering how I have missed this wonderful ezine all this time!)when I spotted Amy's May Day project idea. Wouldn't you know that one of the May Day "baskets" using a baby food jar?! Yippee! I have visions of creating little May Day jars to leave on the doors of my neighbors houses. The project idea can be found here. And if you have not found Inspire Co's Inspired Ideas before, take some time to go through the back issues. The ideas and projects are wonderful!!! (as is the blogger)

I have to admit I'm starting to look forward to Spring. I feel like I am finally getting past the Post-Partum Depression I have been struggling with and I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the blessings in my life.

I still owe you photos of my Jenni Bowlin project and I'll try to take them tonight!

Corsages and a Craft-a-long

First, the talented Elizabeth Holcombe opened her Etsy shop with handmade bags and pincushions. Then, she added wreaths and corsages. And the corsages she has been making lately have just blown me away! Beth was kind enough to share a tutorial not long ago:

LINK

The corsage pictured above is from Beth's Etsy shop. I wasn't fast enough and didn't get to swoop it up! However, I'm thinking that corsages go best with Easter. Don't you? I'm picturing myself wearing a special Easter corsage. And maybe even making one for my mom. So, I've been thinking...

I'm not sure if I'm up for a formal swap but would anyone be up for a Craft-a-long? We could all make Easter corsages together and then post photos. What do you think? If you'd be interested in something like this, leave a comment. And remember, you can always have Beth make one for you!

How About Keychains?

I find WAY too many creative project ideas over at HOW ABOUT ORANGE! Her latest is a tutorial about how to make keychains out of shrinky plastic. Can't wait to try this!!!!

LINK

Fun with Stickers

Those of you who are of a certain age will remember the sticker-collecting craze in the 80's. I remember my friends and I would stop by the local sticker store and stock up for trading and hoarding. Wouldn't it have been nice to make my own stickers with my own images back then? Well, now you can.

Check out MOO where you can load your own images and get your very own book of stickers. How cool is that?

LINK

Now, I just have to choose some images.
Thanks to How About Orange for the tip!