Kids Clothing Week - Day One "the Declan shirt"

     I'd love to be more involved in the "Sewing Kids Clothes Community"! Is there such a thing? Well you know what I mean.  That is my sewing goal for the year! 

Its been hard because I noticed most crafters focus on one favorite craft - and I don't really do that. Im like a schizaphrenic crafter, all over the place.  

Any one else out there who equally loves several crafting hobbies? Is it just me? Its hard to love different hobbies because they all use different tools (and you have to find somewhere to store it  - than you hubby for not complaining when I took over the Dining Room and made it a Crafting Room).

And there are only so many hours in the day when the kids are napping....

Since today is Day 1 of Kids Clothes Week I though it was a perfect chance to have fun with other sewing crafters (Sewists? Sewicians? Sew-A-Holics?)   

KCW is where you agree to sew for 1 hour a day for a week, based on a theme.  Sounds super fun right? So I pulled out the serger and the adorable elephant knit Ive been hoarding from Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics...the line is called "Serengeti".  Its not new fabric line, but its new to me since I haven't used it yet!

The pattern I chose for my 3 year old son Declan is the "Charlie" from Zonen 09 you can find HERE.  This is the first time I used a Zonen 09 pattern and I did like it but will probably size up in the future! I made a size 104 (4).  I paired the Jay-Cyn fabric with some interlock from Jo Anns - they were both thick but I didn't have any thin fabric to pair with the elephants (as the pattern suggested) so it really is a little too warm for Southern California sunshine.  But I was warned! Overall I really liked the pattern and will probably make it again. 

Looking forward to Day 2 of KCW, so far Ive loved seeing all the designs the other crafters have made! Stunning! 

Please leave me a comment if you visited so I can visit your blog as well! 

                                               {Hugs}  

Whimsie Doodles ~3D Box Card~

Hello all! I had my kids home for 2 weeks this month because of Spring break so my crafting fell woefully behind.....The lovely ladies at Whimsie Doodle where I am guest designing were so understanding and I wanted to make them an extra special card. They have the most adorable stamps and this little lady above is from their March new release.

Stash Used:

Image: Whimsie Doodles - What's New

Copic Colors:

Skin - E000, E00, E21 (my fave)

Hair - E000, E31, E34, E35, E37 (a new combo)

Raincoat - YR12, YR15, YR18

Umbrella - YG00, YG09

Paper Used - Lawn Fawn

3-D Box - Silhouette Cameo cut files

To make this card I used my Silhouette Cameo and a cut file which cuts the little paper for me. I then glued them all together and colored up the little Whimsie Doodle cutie.  If you don't have a Silhouette Cameo then you can do a google search for "3D Box Cards" to find some great tutorials out there for how to make these cards.  

Here is another view of the card where you can see the little cloud cutout better.  And closed shut for mailing, which really makes me smile, not sure why. :-0

Hope you  join in on the monthly challenge over at Whimsie Doodles and Thanks for peeking!

Challenges entering:

Loves Rubber Stamps - Challenge 145 Use your Favorite Embellishments (paper flowers)

Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge Blog pastels

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Psalm 18:46

Today's verse over at Word Art Wednesday is from Psalm 18:46.    I hope you will play along with us - it is a very simple "anything goes"challenge... just create an uplifting and positive card or other artwork and post it at Word Art Wednesday challenges.  You can use this week's verse below, but it is not required.  

The challenge this week has two lovely sponsors.  Really Reasonable Ribbon & My Artistic Adventures.

Karen M. (Papercraft Memories) created the beautiful graphic for today's verse from Psalm 18:46:

To make this card I used paper and stickers from Doodlebug Designs.  The card base is a cut file I altered a bit from Silhouette Studio.  The best part about the card is it closes up to be mailed out! Awwwwwww!

Happy Crafting Today and Thanks so much for stopping by!

Guest Design Team Member at Whimsie Doodles

Hello all! Im so excited that I was asked to be the Guest Designer over at Whimsie Doodles. They have the most adorable stamps and I can't wait to use all this month's designs!  This image above is a new March release and perfect for St. Patrick's Day.  

Stash Used:

Image: Whimsie Doodles - What's New

Copic Colors:

Skin - E000, E00, E21 (my fave)

Hair - E50, E51, E53, E57 (a new combo)

Dress - G20, G21, G24

Sweater - Y11, Y13

Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Paper Used - Doodlebug

Stitched Square Die - My Favorite Things

Paper Bow & Lucky Charm Words - Silhouette Cameo cut files

Hope you  join in on the challenge over at Whimsie Doodles and Thanks for peeking!

Word Art Wednesday - Robot Love

Today's verse over at Word Art Wednesday is from John 16:9.    I hope you will play along with us - it is a very simple "anything goes"challenge... just create an uplifting and positive card or other artwork and post it at Word Art Wednesday challenges.  You can use this week's verse below, but it is not required.  

The challenge this week has two lovely sponsors.  Heart and Soul Rubber Stamps is providing 2 free mounted rubber stamps or 4 free unmounted!  Deedee's Digis is providing a digital image to the winners. You should definitely check it out!

Karen M. (Papercraft Memories) created the beautiful graphic for today's verse from John 15:9:

To make this card I used an adorable robot from DeeDee's Digis, one of our sponsors this week.  

It is called "Bot Buddies" and you can find it here.  

What I love about this dig set is that you can print it blank and color it in, or you can print it already beautifully colored and even shaded.  This was the perfect choice for me as I was running short on time on Monday when I made this card!

I used the Silhouette Cameo gears cut file to make the card base, Dee Dees Digis to add the robot, and the gears are from Michael's.  

Happy Crafting Today and Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tips: Using Instant Iron-Ons

Sometimes I like to use ready made iron-ons for a quick fix on the shirts I sew for the kids.  I get the iron-ons from Amazon or sometimes Jo Anns.  

At first, my transfers did not stick to the shirt, or looked faded.  After doing quite a bit of them, I realized I had some tips that might help others to get a clean and dark iron-on transfer.  

Of course the preferred and easiest way of applying iron-ons is with a  heat-press machine.  Sadly, because of budgeting issues  (or lack of a budget) Im not going to get a heat-press anytime soon.  So these are applied with a regular iron.

Today I used these iron ons from Gama Go I got at Amazon here.  I really like them and did a review on Amazon with some iron-on tips....I thought I would include it here on my blog as well.

Iron-On Tips:

Supplies needed:  shirt, iron-on transfer, wooden chopping board, iron and sturdy table.

Place chopping board inside of shirt.

It really helps to be on a hard flat surface, slightly below you so you can put lots of pressure on it while ironing. I use a small wooden chopping board and place it on my table, put the chopping board inside the shirt so I only have one layer of fabric between the chopping board and iron, put the iron-on decal face down on the shirt with the plastic smooth side up.  

Turn Iron to Hottest Setting, No Steam

 I turn my iron to the hottest setting (no steam), and then press for about 40 seconds moving in constant circles using firm pressure. It usually starts to smell a little chemically when it starts to adhere to the fabric. 

Iron With Slow Circles and Firm Pressure

Do not stay in one spot or it may burn also don't move super quickly or you may move the transfer. 

Press Hard on the Edges and Small Areas (Like Fingers)

I also pay close attention to the edges, making sure to press hard in these areas, which seem to be the most difficult part to stick. 

Wait for Iron-On To Get Warm, Then Peel Slowly

After applying the transfer, I wait for it the iron-on to get warm, then peel it off slowly starting with the biggest side (because its most likely to have stuck on the best).

Like anything else, it does take practice to learn how much pressure to put on it and for how long.  So I would definitely practice on some not-so-special shirts first and save the baby onesie gifts and handmade shirts until you have done a few and are comfortable with the process.  Once you get the hang of it, it's so fun you will be putting them on everything.

I recently made new tanks for my son in a bigger size with these iron ons. For those who are looking for the boys tank top sewing pattern, I use the Ottobre Pattern 2/2005 #19 and interlock knit.  

Hope this helps you in your iron-on adventures!

A Fishy Valentine....

Happy Valentine's Day! I made these little fishbowl treats for my preschooler to take to his class, they say "Glad we're in the same School".  Inside are swedish fish, of course! The bowl template I purchased from Lettering Delights and cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  The little tags I printed with my printer.   

I haven't made kids clothes in a long time for my little guy, and I was inspired by the fish bowl to make him this outfit to wear to school on Valentine's Day.  The shirt I purchased a blank from Walmart and shortened the long sleeves to make it a short sleeve shirt. I cut the fish bowl from fabric I had in my stash using my Cameo Silhouette and a cutting file from the Silhouette store.  The shorts are a cute pattern I picked up from Pattern Emporium on Etsy.  

phew.......it was super fun and in fact, now I have the itch to make more clothes. Hope you enjoy!