Thanksgiving Shirts

Again, while surfing Pinterest, I saw the cutest idea for a turkey shirt but the link didn't work.  So I used the picture and created my own version.  Although I'm a beginner at sewing, I thought this would be fairly easy.  I was right and it turned out to be a lot of fun until Buddy announced that he didn't want to be a turkey, he wanted a lion.  Maybe next project!  : ) 
Here's how I made our turkey shirts. 

I started by making a pattern on Word using the shapes tool.  Sweetpea's pattern is smaller than Buddy's since her shirt is smaller and I didn't want the turkey to overwhelm her. 

Brown fabric and at least two colored fabric pieces are needed for the turkey.  Using the pattern, I traced out all pieces and cut them out.

After arranging the turkey the way I wanted on their shirts, I used an iron-on adhesive to keep the pieces in place.  I mainly did this since I am new at sewing and don't trust my pinning skills yet.  I sewed around the body and all the pieces and then added a face as well.  Attaching the wiggly eyes turned out to be the conundrum.  All the glue I had at home would not hold up to washing in the washing machine until I found Liquid Stitch.  Now the eyes are attached and the shirts are ready to go!

Overall, I am very happy with the way they turned out.  Neither turkey is perfect but I know the kiddos will look cute!

Fun with Bean Bags

I recently used some of the leftover fabric that I had to make a few bean bags for Sweetpea and Buddy.  My children loved them and I hope to make a few more soon, although to be honest, they were surprisingly frustrating to make!

We played a rousing game of laundry basket bean bag toss...Buddy and Sweetpea really enjoyed this!

Look at that face!

Sweetpea did really well with this.

I challenged Buddy to walk across our living room with the bean bag on his head.  He concentrated very hard as he tried to keep his head still. 

Sweetpea, of course, had to join in and took her own initiative to keep the bean bag on her head.

All in all, these bean bags are a great hit and a fun way to work on motor skills for Buddy and Sweetpea. 

Lined Canvas Bins

Today I finished the Lined Canvas Bins from Positively Splendid!  I was totally excited to see the completed results and was glad to see a DIY project finished.  Hard to believe this was a diaper box before.  Check out the finished results!

I'm looking forward to making a second matching box soon!

Rice Bag

I recently finished making Jon a rice bag for his back and he is loving it.  A rice bag is an easy and wonderful way to help ease muscle aches.  It is not very fancy but it serves a great purpose and I would not have survived the later months of my first pregnancy without one.  Here is how to make one for yourself.

Materials needed:
1 lb or larger bag of rice
about a 1/4 yard of fabric

First decide how large you want your rice bag to be.  Normally when I make these, I make them about 12 inches by 6 inches but Jon wanted his to be larger.  His rice bag is 20 inches by 10 inches which is quite huge, but just what he wanted.  Cut two rectangles that are the same size.

Second, match the right sides together so that the bag is inside out.  Serge stitch three sides completely.  Stitch the fourth side most of the way but leave about an inch to fill with rice.  Turn the bag right side out.

Third, using a funnel, pour the rice into the bag.  The bag should not be completely full as you need room for it to bend and flex.  In the smaller bags, I use approximately one pound of rice but for Jon's huge bag, I used five pounds.  Tip:  If you do not have a funnel, twist a piece of paper into a funnel shape and use that to guide the rice in.

Fourth, stitch the bag closed, making sure that the openings are completely closed.  I serge stitched the entire top of the bag just to be on the safe side.

Finally, heat the rice bag in the microwave and place on your back or wherever you have aches and pains.  Enjoy the nice lasting heat!

A dress for Sweetpea

Today I finished my first sewing project, a dress for Sweetpea!  I started a rice bag for Jon but since I haven't had a chance to go buy rice, the dress was the first to be finished.  I have an awesome friend, Bethany, who helped walk me through each step of the dress and helped me learn how to pin, gather, and make bias tape.  I am so grateful for all of the tips and advice that she gave last night and most of all, her patience as I slowly worked.  Thanks Bethany!

I had so much fun making this dress and seeing the finished results on Sweetpea.  Buddy has already asked when his Lightening McQueen pillowcase will be finished so that is my next thing to attack. 

I think I am hooked!