Projects on my "To do" list

Since I found out we're having twin girls (yay!), I've given myself the go ahead for a few new projects.

Car Seat Canopy x 2

I haven't found the right fabric yet, but I'll be making 2 of these to make our car seats coordinate a little better.  Since we already have one infant car seat, I'm going the cheap route and buying only one more (not matching) so I'll use the canopies to help them be a little bit matchier (made-up word).

"Moby/Sleepy Wrap Lookalike"

This is the only carrier that can carry twins comfortably and safely.  I know I can buy one of these babies for $40 but I figured I'd try to find the fabric and make my own.  It shouldn't be too hard as it's just one strip of 5.5 yards by 30 in fabric.  If I buy 60 in fabric I can get two for one!  I have yet to find the right fabric.

Car Seat Replacement Pads

Again, since I'm not going to be buying matching car seats, I've been mulling this option over for a while now.  I'm considering attempting my own car seat pads.  I think they can be pretty involved and it's always hard for me to do 2 of one project because I feel satisfied after I've done the one and can't make myself start it all over again.  Do any of you have a good pattern for these?  It's certainly not something I can bust out on my own.

So keep checking back! I'll be working on these things this week.

Onesie Embelleshments and Burp Rags

I've been feeling much more like crafting now that my time isn't being taken up lying in bed and holding back vomit.  If you haven't heard our news yet, we're expecting identical twins in July!  You can go to my other blog: jsbushfam.blogspot.com to read about those adventures.

I also had a great reason to thread my sewing machine again because my friend is having her first baby in March and I decided to get her some essentials and to spiff them up a bit.

In my personal experience, cloth diapers make the absolute BEST burp rags.  They super absorbent and soft.  I bought a little hem lace and rick rack to spice them up!  This is definitely not a new idea, just a good one worth doing over and over.

We all know how many Onesies one baby can go through in a day...and sometimes in an hour.  You can never have enough!  I got these ideas from other crafty ladies all over the internet.

The dress Onesie.  Sew a simple rectangle of fabric, hem the bottom, gather the waste, and sew it to the shirt! This was so easy and fast and a great way to keep babies cool in the summer without looking to drab in a plain one.

I call this one the "Fancy Tux".  I started by sewing a small rectangle of the hem lace down the middle, just below the neck line.  Then I cut out LOTS of circles from an old, black t-shirt about an inch to and inch and a half in diameter.  Fold the circle in half, twice, then sew bunches of 5 folded circles onto the shirt at a time.  I felt like it still needed a little something so I added some ruffled lace around the outside of the black circles.  If you need more detailed diagrams, let me know.

Ruffled bum.  You can do this with any extra fabric or trim you have lying around.  I used lace because I wanted it to be a little daintier.  You can also sew down the middle of an inch wide strip of fabric to gather it, then attach it to the Onesie by sewing down the middle again.  Add as many ruffles as you like!

To accessorize this little baby girl, I decided to crochet a hat for her.

Anthro Wonderland

Anthro Wonderland by sarahbush3 featuring wrap scarves

A combination between fashion and art/expression where whimsy and holidays meet.

a home for my yoga mat

I'm feeling quite refreshed and happy after practicing yoga last night--so much that I'm still thinking about it almost 24 hours later.  Well, why not do something yoga-ish then?!

So I made this.  With no pattern.  This is all you have to do:

1.  Measure your mat's length and circumference.  Add 3 inches to both measurements.  Example:  My mat's circumference is 13 inches and is 24 inches long.  My fabric measurements are 16" by 27".  I just used a piece of scrap fabric from another project. 

2.  Cut a strip (matching or not) about 3" by 27" (the same length as your first piece).  If you want a wider strap, go with 4" by 27".

3.  Cut 2 circles using an object in your house that has the same circumference as your mat + 4" (so mine is 17").  I used a tray for a bunch of blank DVDs.  Keep the circles together with right-sides out.  Baste if you want. I hate basting and pinning so I usually don't.

4.  Sew the strip, right-sides in, length-wise.  Sew one end of the strip closed.  Turn right-side out.

5.  Sew the main piece of fabric, right-sides in, up the side.

6.  Sew the circle pieces to the bottom of your main piece (circles are still right-sides out and back to back, main piece is still right-sides in).  I didn't pin mine, I just held the edges as I went.  It's easier if you keep the circle piece on bottom and your main piece on top as you go around the edges so you can use circle as a guide.

7. Hem upper edge of case. You can either add a drawstring here or add a snap or button for closure. Or leave it open. Totally up to you!

8. Turn your work right-side out. You're almost done!

9. Attach the strap about 3" from bottom and top (tuck the edges in on the open end of the strap before sewing to leave a clean edge).

Namaste

Jewelry Display

On my recent trip to Santa Fe and many hours spent jewelry shopping, I became inspired to make one of these.  What an easy way to display your jewelry and to have it all there to see when you get ready each day.  I've had this dilemma for years now.  My jewelry lives in about 5 different locations and I have to dig through each vessel before I find what I want.  I don't want to use travel cases unless I'm TRAVELING.

So I went to Michael's for the unfinished frame and craft paint, Lowe's for the dowels, and used some sand paper, wood glue, and a saw from home.

Don't you love it?  I do.

My mom gave me a few little paperclips with cute birds and yarn flowers from Anthropologie (love) and I wanted to use them as barrettes for Sophie (or me) so I took the paperclips off and glued them to some barrettes covered with ribbon (so the glue would stick to something besides the metal barrette).  They turned out SO cute and they get worn almost every day.

Oh, the chicken isn't from Anthro.  It's just a silly button I had lying around.

Rompers are fun!

I just love the look of rompers on babies in the summertime.  I've stocked up on summer fabrics and can't wait to make more of these!

This is actually a scrap piece that my mom gave me so I could use the fabric for something cute.  Well I didn't have to modify it too much!  I just sized it way down to Sophie's size.  Cute!

Easter Part 2

I don't mean to toot my own horn but when I finished this dress and held it up to actually look at the little details, it literally took my breath away.  It's mostly because of the beautiful fabric and lace trim (and maybe a little of my handiwork ;) )

So here it is.  The finished product.  Sophie's Easter dress.  It looks more like something I should hang up on a wall but I suppose I'll let her wear it for a little bit as long as there is no chocolate within a 100 foot radius.

I'll post some pictures of her wearing it when we get our family pictures done.  I can't wait!!