Thursday, August 30, 2012

Confession #29: Not all 13 feet snakes have to be scary.

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So thanks to a close friend of mine, I acquired a extra thick crib bumper. She didn't want it anymore because the fabric ripped. To some this might have been a reason to throw it out. But to me, it was just another reason to stay up way too late. I knew my daughter would find delight in playing with a 13 foot snake so I ripped the zipper off the zipper from the original cover and looked through my fabric stash for some fun colors.
I sewed a long strip of 19'' wide fabric until I had a little over 13 feet. I made some puffy eyes and a ribbon tongue. I also added some elastic to the tail so it would taper like rattle snakes tail. Finally I sewed the old zipper onto the fabric, sewed the ends shut and zipped the whole thing onto the huge pillow. my daughter loves it! It only took me a few barefoot hours (maybe 5). Here's the result:
A huge 13 foot snake has invaded my home

Liana even let her friend share it with her


I would have used huge buttons but wanted it to be safe for kids of all ages.

Liana playing in the snake circle

Great for naps too

So cuddly

A new meaning to "body pillow"

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Vanessa It List: August

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Ever since I graduated this past May, I have found myself crafting more than ever (even though I also started working 4 days a week). But I find myself blogging less. I think because it's so nice outside and I don't want to sit at a computer if I don't have to.

But I felt like I should share some of my lasted projects inspired by some wonderful fellow bloggers.

#1 Cloud Pillow by Refabulous
My attempt at a cloud pillow.
I used 100% cotton for the cloud (left over from my daughters training pants) and scrap fabric for the rainbow ties and I stuffed it with fabric and felt scraps too. It was rather simple to do and my daughter enjoys snuggling with it.







Fabric chart all ready for the growing kiddo
#2.  Fabric Growth Chart by The Ribbon Retreat

I used scrap fabric to make a rainbow pattern with my border and used left over fabric from my daughters reading nook for the center. It was a pretty simply, one evening project. Sorry for the poor lighting in the photo!










My version of paperless paper towels
#3 Paperless Paper Towels by Sew A Straight Line
Love these. I used terry cloth and three different patterns of fabric. I made them a little more simple than this blog did, but I still love them.




A pillow makeover

#4 Throw Pillow Covers by myself and Fab House Wife

I actually did this on my own but if you want a pattern, Fab House Wife has a great step by step with photos. The old pillow case was getting old and it wasn't vary soft, so I took Liana to the fabric store and she picked out the birds. They look great on our couch.














6 fish puzzles

#5 Fish Puzzles by Mama Savers
I did this for my felt activity exchange this month. I love how it turned out. Hope everyone I exchanged with does too.







Color wheel pillow (now lives in the reading nook)
#6 Color Wheel by, well, me!
Liana is into learning her colors right now, so to encourage the learning, I made her a color wheel pillow. She can name all the colors on it, even the while. It was a very simple project. Made from felt and stuffed with fabric scraps.












Well, that's all I have been up to. well, that and some more quiet book pages. Liana loves all her new goodies. And I enjoyed making them, bare feet and all.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Confession #28: No-Sew Plastic Tub Makeover

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The plastic tubs

No-Sew Plastic Tub Makeover

I have this set of plastic tubs that my old church handed down to us, they are really handy and I have enjoyed them alot. But I thought they needed a makeover. So I decided to cover them with different fabric (most of which where pillow cases I picked up at a local flee market) and line them with felt.

Just need to be lined.
First I traced the tub onto the fabric (right side down). I had two different tub sizes so I measured the two sizes and cut out 3 large and 5 small out of different fabric. I wrapped the outside of the tub like a present. Then used a hot glue gun to stick the fabric to the plastic tub. Making sure to smooth out the fabric and pull it tight.



Finished! Just need to put them back on their rack.


I picked out corresponding felt for each box. Then measured the felt for both size tubs and glued them inside to line the boxes. Done.





All put back together. It adds a fun look to her room.
It took me a couple of hours from start to finish to do all 8 boxes. Super simple. I did use a rotary cutter, which cuts the cutting time alot. But even with scissors, this is a simple, no sew, way to spice up some otherwise boring tubs.
And as always, no shoes required.