Amazing Life Lessons I'm Learning from My Toddler

Some times you just need to take a break from everyday life.

 Stop and do something you enjoy.

 Learn a new skill or improve the ones you have.

 Sometimes you just need to slow down and relax.

 Find joy in the little things.

 Take a little time to just be you.

These are a few lessons my 3 year old tries to teach me every day.  I am learning slowly.  This past weekend I decided to follow her lead.  I dusted off my sewing machine and made this sweet dress for my little girl.  I haven't made to many dresses and this was my first time with real sleeves.  I have a feeling there will be many more to come.  It was so nice to take a little bit of time and do something I love for someone I love.  

What are some skills you want to learn or improve?  Mine is definitely sewing.

I used The Bella Pattern from this shop.  She's on vacation mode right now and I'm hoping she comes back because her patterns are awesome!

Easy baby quilt

 

I used 2 charm packs (40 5" squares).

This cute girl helped me place them.

 I sewed the squares together and added a minky back.  Perfect for our new little one.

Apron Tutorial

Here's a quick tutorial to make your own full length apron.  It was for my sister-in-law, if it was for me I would have added ruffles and some fun embellishments.  Maybe I'll make one for me soon.  Also it was finished late at night before we left on vacation so the pictures are pretty awful. 

 

I'll admit this first step sure made things go quickly.  Grab an apron you have on hand and pin to your outside fabric. 

 cut around your apron leaving an extra 1/2 to 1 inch all around

 Pin to your fabric you are going to use for the back and cut out.

 for the sash you are going to cut out 2 pieces selvage to selvage and 4 inches thick.  Cut one in half.

 pin one of the halves to one end of the long piece.  sew together.  Attach the other half to the other side and sew.

 You will now have one LONG piece.  fold it in half (so it will be two inches wide instead of 4) Right Sides together. Sew together leave one side open for turning.

 Turn. Iron flat.  Find the middle of your sash. pin it to the middle of your apron.  Continue to pin in place.

 Top stitch along the entire sash.  It will hold your sash in place, close the end, and give it a finished look.

Cut two pieces for the straps.  Mine are 2 inches wide and 14 inches long (you can make them longer or shorter)

 Fold them in half (long ways) and sew around edges.  Leave opening to turn.  Turn and then top stitch.  Do same to other strap.  Pin to your apron. Pin back fabric to your apron (right sides together).  Make sure straps and sash are inside.  Stitch together (leave hole large enough to turn).  Turn your apron and top stitch around closing opening.

Super easy Superhero Cape

My 5 year old LOVES to dress up like a hero.  You should see some of the crazy outfits she comes up with.  I love it.  Well it came as no surprise that she wanted to be a super hero for Halloween this year.  I was completely on board because I knew this costume would be used ALL YEAR.  This would be a great Christmas present for your little hero.

 To make one you need a large t-shirt (I used a men's XXXL- it was on sale.)  Some felt for fabric for the applique, Velcro, and a button (optional)

Lay your shirt flat and with a yard stick draw a line from the color to the bottom corner of the shirt.  Cut along that line and to the same on the other side.  (only cut through one side of the shirt-the other side can be use for another cape or a different project)

For the neck you can keep the entire existing collar and just slip in over their head or if its too big you can cut your own.  Use the collar as the basic shape but cut down far enough so your two ends will reach comfortably around your little ones neck.

Pin and sew Velcro the ends of each side.  If you don't want your Velcro stitching to show sew a button directly on top of the Velcro stitching so you see a cute button instead.

For the applique.  Cut out what ever design you want.  Felt is great because it won't fray. 

 Pin your design on your cape and sew in place.  If you are using fabric a zigzag stitch will help with fraying.

 Now try it on your little one and watch their imagination run wild.

I'll show you a quick way to make the hero shirt and mask soon.

Felt Playhouse

Well I have had this done for a few weeks-I just keep forgetting to take pictures. I guess its not completely finished-I haven't finished sewing all of the extra little pieces. I ran out of stuffing and just haven't gotten any yet so just imagine how much cuter it will be once all of the fun stuff is added. Also just ignore the fact i really should iron it.

The front-little mail box, door flips open, and I have some cute flowers for the girls to pick that go in the little pot.



Doggy house with door, flowers have Velcro so they can pick and move them around.

The back-missing the little birds.

The garden-strawberries for the bush, apples for the two trees, and carrots for the dirt.

My little ones don't mind they have been having a great time playing with it. They love bringing in their stuffed animals, books, and snacks. They also love going in and out of the doors.This is such a fun project but a ton of work. I'm so happy ours is almost finished and even more happy my girls actually like it. I show you all of the fun little extras once they are done-however it might be a while. Fireflies and Jellybeans have a great felt house along if you are interested in making one.