Wednesday: Diaper Pouch Tutorial

I went to Fabricland with my mom last week.  We had a great time together.  I absolutely fell in love with this material, so I bought some.  My friend had shown me a pouch she bought to hold a few diapers and wipes.  That way you just move the pouch to your purse when you want to go out quickly.  My younger sister is gonna' love this material too, so I made her a little something.

First I measured two rectangles approx 9 1/2 inches by 15 /12 inches.
I used a small dinner plate to make one end of each rectangle rounded.  This will be the flap to close the pouch.

Next I cut a small rectangle from the coordinating fabric for a pocket.  This was about 4 1/2 inches by 6 inches.   Fold under the edges all the way around for this pocket and sew.

Pin the pocket to the material you'd like to use on the inside.  Place it below the flap.  Sew around three sides.

On each of the large rectangle pieces, fold up the edges, pin and sew.  Keep in mind to leave an opening in one to turn it inside out (I usually leave a gap on the inside piece)!!!

On the outer pieced I also added a ribbon to use as a handle.

Now at the bottom edge of each pouch shape, cut out a small square (about 1/2inch).  Squeeze it open, match the opposite sides and sew in place.  This will give some shape to the bottom.

With right sides facing, pin and sew the two pouches together.  You may wish to add a small loop at the top for closing the pouch.

Turn right side out and iron the piece.  Next I chose to sew around the edges of the opening.
I just need to add a button to close (you could also use velcro, or a snap).  Tada!!!

This should hold a few diapers and some wipes.

Let me know what you think of this tutorial (it's my first).

This is also posted on:
A Vision to Remember

Tuesday's Tips: Quick and Easy Doll Clothes

Okay so I don't have a girl right now, but I do have an adorable niece who loves her dolls.  I know just how expensive it is to buy doll clothes.  It can also be time consuming and difficult to make your own.  My tip today is to check out the newborn section of your local thrift store.  It may help to measure your doll or bring it along for the shopping trip.

I bought a newborn onesie for $0.99, then using my amazing crafty skills I turned it into a little shirt/dress.  It was too long as a onesie , but I think a little doll will like this new outfit.  You may need to make some slight alterations but just think of the possibilities!!

Okay so here is a sneak peek at the dress.  I may save it as a gift or give it to my niece sooner.

What are your doll wearing??

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Monster Shirt

Yesterday I was looking at some of the blogs I like and came across this contest at I Am Momma Hear Me Roar.  I was very excited about it, but quickly realized that the deadline was fast approaching!  Here is what I made in my few moments of free time over the past few days.

My inspiration was an old calendar that we use as a colouring book.

My shirt is a plain blue one that still fits TJ

I also used scraps left over from MJ's upcycled boy hat.  I need to post some pic for that, you can check them out on my Facebook page.

Here is the front

Here is the back

TJ loves the shirt.  Now that it has snowed again I think we may get some use out of it.  I also found a plain shirt in MJ's draw that needs some sprucing up!

Do you have any boy crafts to share?
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I linked this project to...

Wednesday: Upcycled Ski Jacket

I own a very nice green winter coat that my mom bought me.  While I was pregnant with MJ my big belly busted through the zipper and the coat was never the same after that.

 My nice coat.

We tried all winter this year to fix it.  After several months of making due with this coat and an older one with a missing zipper pull, I finally bought a new one.  I was going to throw this lovely green jacket away when I got crafty... nothing is safe with me!  Take a look at what I did with my ski jacket!!!

 This is the inside of the coat.

These wet bags are made from the bottom edge and back of the coat.

 

 These puches are made from the pockets and inside lining of the jacket.

 I use these pouches in the diaper bag or my purse to hold extra diapers, snack...

 Durable bean bags made from sleeves and scraps.  

They are filled with plastic beads so we can use them outside.

 I had great intentions for mittens.  TJ needed some that were waterproof.  Unfortunately I didn't leave enough for the seam allowance, so they were ridiculously too small.  I bed they would have turned out great!

What have you upcycled recently?

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Tuesday's Tips: Labeled Toy Bins

Yesterday while TJ was playing in his room he asked me where his small cars were.  I was busy feeding MJ so I had a hard time describing to him where they were.  This prompted me to complete a task we had started a long time ago...

I am a bit of an organization freak, but on occasion it does come in handy.  When we first created a playroom for TJ we bought a cool storage unit from IKEA.  I sorted his toys and put them in the nice bins, and of course he dumped them all out and I'd spend a lot of time reorganizing everything.

I got this tips from some friends who did home daycare.  I took photos of all the toys in each bin and placed the photo along with a label on each bin.  Sound simple but it works wonders!

When TJ was younger he would actually point to a specific toy on a bin that he wanted.  It helps a lot with clean up too.  And now TJ can find his small cars on his own!

Labeling bins can be done for any type of storage you have, not just for toys!

Do you have any storage tips to share?

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Friday's Favourites: Great Blog I found!

I was just about to go to bed the other night when I came across this blog.  I've been looking for more boy crafts to do and this one is great.  Needless to say I was up a little later than I had planed.

  I Am Momma Hear Me Roar had a tutorial for a cute upcycled boy hat.  So after a disastrous attempt at another project, I made this recycled hat for the boys.  The crown is a bit tall, but it i a good first try.  I just need a model who will sit still to get a good photo.

Tuesday's Tips: Diaper Pail Pucks

It's Tuesday and time for some handy times and things I've picked up along the way.  I'm really not sure where I learned about this.  I think I was doing a search online to make our diaper pail less smelly.  You can use this idea for any garbage can too!

Okay so here is what you do.  Pour a large amount of baking soda (about 2 cups) into a small bowl.  Then add one table spoon of water at a time.  Stir until you have a thick paste.

Line a muffin tin with muffin cups.  Scoop your thick paste into the muffin cups and let them dry.  This might take a day.

When you are done, you can store them in an air tight container.

To use them just remove the muffin liner and place in your garbage pail.  Mine has a built in spot for deodorizers.

Good luck!

Friday's Favourites: Making roads

TJ loves all things about cars and trucks.  A while ago I came into the family room and he was unrolling the paper towels all over the floor.  He said he wanted to build a road.  In my attempt to save the paper towel I gave him a roll of calculator paper that we weren't using.  This one little roll of paper kept him busy for hours over the course of a few days.

We taped the paper to the floor to make roads.

He crumpled it all up to play in spaghetti.

He made himself a tail.

MJ had a great time getting into the paper too.

I'm discovering the fun of letting loose and making a mess.

Tuesday's Tips: Cloth Napkins

Welcome to another Tuesday!  I love this idea and wish we'd done it years ago.  The trick is to find the right material, or take the time to make them right.

I just happened to come across this strange material that reminds me of an old nightgown I had as a child.  Anyways I cut it into squares (about the size of a small paper towel).  Now we use them in them in the kitchen all the time.  It's been great for dirty hands, spit-up, washing. Basically anything you'd use a aper towel for.

Here are some ideas you could use to make your own.
* Use flannel (old receiving blankets are great) and sew the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch
* Use polar fleece as it doesn't fray
* Buy a tone of dish cloths or wash cloths on sale and use them around the house.

We also use cloth diapers.  I have made a set of flannel cloths to use for changing diapers.  This has been great and since I have to wash the diapers anyways, the wipes are easy to clean.

I challenge everyone to use less paper and see what difference it makes for you!