T-shirt to Backpack

Do yoru little ones need a simple backpack for Preschool?? Or just need a cheap backpack to match the big kids?  Well i have a solution. While shopping at the dollar store I ran across a basket full of kids t-shirts.  I bought a few in hopes of a potential project.  I came up with this.  You can use any T-shirt old or new.

You will need only 2 supplies a t-shirt, 3 yards of ribbon and a sewing machine. I have found the no matter the size of your child, the best size for these packs is a medium or smaller.


Start with your T-shirt and turn it inside out.


Fold your t shirt in half. Cut along the tip of the shirt, cutting off the neck hole of the shirt.


Stitch along your cut edge.


On the bottom of the shirt you will need to find the 2 sides of your shirt. make a small cut, not cutting through the seam.


Take your ribbon and cut into 2 pieces.  Take your first piece and thread through one of the slits and around the casing. Bringing the ribbon back to the original starting spot.  Repeat this with the second ribbon threading through the opposite slit.




Bring your ribbon ends to the shirt sleeve.  Pin into place and stitch the opening closed.

An easy day bag for your kids to go to the park, beach or a road trip. Or your sweet little one who wants to be a big kid too. Fill it will all the things you need and go! Have a great week!

Skip to my Lou

Button Pony Elastics

So you remember those figure 8 ponytail elastics.  You know the ones with the huge knobby balls on a figure  8 elastic??  I have been looking for them for my little miss. They are really hard to find. I couldn't even find a vintage picture of them.  But them my mind started thinking about how I could make them myself.  With a trip to Joanns, I found the round elastic, by the yard.  They also sell the button covers.  I had some in my stash.  Next was trying to figure out how to make them a figure 8.  After searching and pondering I hit the hardware store and found a few options that could work.  Here is what I came up with.

1 Skirt {10 Ways} Series day2

This week I am using my basic skirt pattern and adding a band.

 

Measure the bottom of your skirt. Cut your band the same width plus 1 inch. 

Sew your short ends together.  Iron the seam flat.

Fold your band in half. Iron.

Pin the raw edges to the right side if the skirt.  Pin into place. Stitch the skirt and band together.

Fold band down and press.  For a clean finished look, Top stitch the band to the skirt.

You are all finished. A little hem band makes a huge difference.

This little beauty is going to Skirting the Issue.  For more details click on the button below.

1 Skirt {10 Ways} Series Day 1

Do any of you have a little girl that LOVES skirts.  I am right smack dab in the middle of "I want to wear a skirt"  everyday with my 4 year old.  Who cares that she has adorable shorts and dresses to wear.  She only wants skirts.  So I have been making skirts to please this little one.  But who wants a bunch of boring skirts.  Not my little Miss.  She wants them fancy.  I am taking a simple skirt and making it 10 ways. So here is day 1.

Supply List:

Fabric

Thread

Elastic

Start with your fabric.  I have made this skirt for a 4 year old. I like to use the basic sizing found Here.
I like to start with my fabric 15 by 45 inches.  For a good length measurement.  Take your finished length you would like the skirt and add 2 1/2 inches.  This with give you one inch for the Hem and 1 1/2 inch for your waistband.

Sew your Two short ends together. These will also be your selvage edges.
If you have a serger you can serge your 2 long raw edge.

If you have a serger you can serge your 2 raw edge.

Iron a 1 1/4 hem for the top and a 1 inch hem for the bottom hem.

Stitch along the top edge of of the casing hem.  Using the edge of your presser foot as a guide.

Now to stitch your casing.  Use your presser foot as a guide. Stitch around the entire skirt leaving a 1 inch opening for  your elastic.

For my 4 year old, her waist is 20 inches.  I cut my elastic at 22 inches. Thread your elastic through opening.  Overlap elastic and stitch together.  Place elastic in casing and stitch the casing closed.

Your skirt is done and ready to wear.

These skirts are super simple to make.  So easy you may want to consider making a few for Skirting the Issue.  Simple Simon & Co have started skirting the issue.  They are trying to get 100 dresses by the first week of August to donated to Foster care programs in you area.  Or you can ship them to a few locations on there website.  So come join in and share the love! Check out Simple Simon & Co for the details.

Super Saturday Project Ideas

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Poppy Seed Projects.  The put together projects for you to do yourself or as a group.  They even offer group discounts. They have all kinds of ideas for decorating you home.  Picture frames, vinyl or holiday decor.  You will the love the selection. I could not decide what I wanted.  So I went a little over board.  Expect to see more poppy seed projects!   I was asked to do a little round up of Super Saturday Projects.  These are projects you can do with large groups of ladies on a Saturday afternoon. So set up a girls day and get crafting! So here you go!!!

1. I Love to see The Temple
I had this one in mind for my daughter.  It would make a great gift for that special Little Miss in your life. I was going to wait for Christmas to give my Little Miss hers but she saw it and fell in love.  Her favorite song to sing is I Love to See the Temple.  We sing it every night.

I made this into a gift bundle just for her.  Here is what I used.
Temple Memory game
Temple Block
I Love to see the Temple Printable (Here)
I packaged it as a fun little bundle.  Wrapped in a cellophane bag with shredded tissue paper and tied with a big bow.
 A fun gift for under $15

2. Ctr Block and Printable

This is option #1-

A great idea for a young man preparing for a mission or boy receiving the Priesthood.

 CTR Block

Printable of 1 Nephi 3:7

Add a new Tie.  

This little gift set adds up to less Than $10 plus our neck tie.  Wrap your gift using the necktie as part of the wrapping.

Option #2-
I love this idea and wish I had done this for my sons baptism.  I think this would have been great for a centerpiece or table decor for his family get together. Add your favorite Picture and you have something they can have for a life time.  Add a gift card for a CTR Ring or necklace.Do this for Girls or Boys.

For this little bundle I used:
CTR Block
Baptism Printable (Here)

Missionary Printable (Here)
Easy gift for under$10

3. Button Bracelet
Here is an easy and fun tutorial to make a beautiful bracelet from buttons.  Mom, Grandmothers, daughters or even your Visiting teaching ladies would love one of these.

Here is a quick supply list:

Buttons - Vintage or new

Some cute charms that have holes on two ends
jewelry glue or E-6000
jump rings or some kind of connector links
a lobster clasp
and pliers and crimpers

4. Quiet books
I just love photo quiet books.  They are simple to put together and my kiddos love them.  Here are a few to choose from.
Gospel ABC Cards
We Beleive
Book of Mormon (This one requires a little bit of work.  But is extremely cool.)


After printing them at a photo lab you can expect to spend around $6 or $7 each. Just add them to a photo book from the dollar section and you are ready to go.Usually Photo labs like Walmart or Costco will give you a discount if you order lots many prints.  Costco requires you to order more than 500 prints for a discount.  This will decrease the amount each book costs.

5. Monogram Letters:
I am super excited about this one.  I have been wanting a Monogram letter for my gallery wall.  Buy the First letter of your last name.  All you need is a Letter from Poppy Seed Projects and any of the following:
Modge Podge with scrapbook paper
Wrap with yarn,
or use vinyl and paint To create a unique Letter. 
Anyway you do it, make it your own.  Fun and Unique just like your family!Her are a few examples. Click onthe image for the instructions.

I hope this little round up has sparked your creativity!!! Christmas is just around that corner.  Its never to early to get started.

Thank you Holly and Poppy Seed Projects for Sponsoring this post!