Baby Mitts

Do you know anyone who had a Christmas baby?  Or maybe they're getting ready for the race to have the New Year's Baby?

Well, here's the perfect gift for that new little one and a great way to use up those polar fleece scraps you've been saving for something special.

Supplies

Steps:
1) Draw and cut out your pattern.  I used a circle template to help me but you could use anything round, even a large glass.

2) Fold your polar fleece fabric with wrong sides together.  Place pattern on top and cut it out twice.

You should have 4 pieces when you're all done.

3) Cut out two pieces of 1/4" wide elastic, 2" long.  You are going to sew the elastic onto two of your mitten pieces.  Measure about 1 1/2" from the bottom.  Secure one side of the elastic inside the seam allowance (which will be about 1/4").  Now zigzag across it, pulling the elastic as you go, until you can secure on the other side of the mitten.

4) Place your elasticized mitten, right sides together, on top of one of the non-elasticized mittens, and serge or sew together.  I serged mine, cutting off the edge only slightly.  If you're using a sewing machine, try a 1/4" seam allowance.

5) Turn right side out, and voila!, that's it.  No thumbs, so they're super duper simple.  If you have pinking shears you could give the bottom edge a nice finish but one of the great things about polar fleece is that you don't have to hem it if you don't want to.  It won't fray!

It's probably a good idea to add some sort of braided string that attaches to each of the mitts and loops through the baby coat arms.  I think one of the first things that gets left behind is either one mitten or one sock.

So, here's where my post originally ended as I was writing it up the other day, with some funny comments about making an adult sized pair for myself and something sarcastic about kids wearing fingerless gloves so that they can text in the cold.  But then I really started to think about it and way, way too early this morning I talked myself into thinking that maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all.  An adult sized pair with a hole in one side to slip your thumb out of for the texters might just work...

Here's what I ended up with:



In action!

What do you think?  Could these be the next big item in my Etsy shop?!?!

I'll be posting this project at the linky parties throughout the week so make sure to check out the linky tab above and click on a few parties for more fun crafting ideas.

By the way...did you notice that I re-vamped my Inspiration Shot and Show and Tell Pages?  I think you'll be able to navigate through them much easier (and I'll be able to update them faster too!).

That's it for 2010...Have a Happy 2011!

Inspiration Shot: Beautiful Bangles

I think deep down I'm still a teenager at heart and anything shiny or sparkly will always catch my gaze and fill my head with visions of princesses, grand balls, and prince charming...or should I say harems, souks, and a handsome maharajah?


Beautiful Bangles from Haridwar, India

What do these pretty trinkets bring to your imagination?

Show and Tell: Santa Sacks

Well, another holiday season is almost finished.  Was all the chaos and hubbub worth it for you?  I was very lucky this year and was able to give back to some people who are a little less fortunate.  First of all I was able to help serve a Christmas lunch to the homeless last week.  It's heart breaking to see just how many people are in need but it sure feels good to give them a good healthy meal.

On top of that, if you recall from the Spool Knitting post, I said that I was going to make scarves for the homeless in one of our emergency shelters.  I am very happy to say that I followed through.

I made everyone a little Santa Sack that I asked be placed outside every one's door in the middle of the night so that they'd be surprised on Christmas morning.

Inside each sack was a scarf, a candy cane, and a little handmade gift box with either toiletries or tea.

It's not much, but my goal was just to make sure that everyone there knew that they weren't forgotten.  And now I can start thinking of what I can do next year to top it!

If you had a chance to reach out to someone who didn't expect it,

 make sure to tell us what you did in the comment box.
We can all inspire each other! 

If you were too busy (it's ok, it happens) just remember

that you don't have to wait until a special day on the calendar. 

People appreciate kindness any day of the year.

Happy New Year!

(or as they say in Japan...Happy End of Year!)

Don't forget to check out the linky parties all week for lots of great ideas to start the new year of crafting!

Do I fascinate you?

I guess now that Christmas is over the big countdown to New Years Eve has begun.  There was a time in my life when New Years Eve was a pretty big deal.  For several years in a row I made sure I was someplace amazing and memorable at the stroke of midnight on December 31st.

I've mentioned before that I was at the foot of the pyramids in Egypt for the millennium new year, and then in Times Square, New York the following year.  I was also at the bow of a huge cruise ship one year, just me the stars, and the water below, sailing into the future.  Another was spent at a Buddhist Temple in Japan, ringing a gigantic bell, sending my New Years wishes out to the universe.

Not too long after that I moved back to Saskatchewan.  And although I do love my country and my province, I have to say that since my return, New Years eve celebrations have been a little less than fascinating.

I usually look forward to a comfy night at home, on the couch, with lots of junk food, and lots of reruns of some TV show.

This year, I'll probably end up doing the same thing, but I thought why not do it in style?  So I made a fascinator.

If you want to add a little extra ooompf to your party dress here's what you'll need:

Steps:
1) Remove any embellishments from your headband.

My head band also had some ribbon covering the ends.  I only removed the front part because I wanted to glue this back on afterwards.  I thought it might help make it more comfortable on my head.

Also, don't worry if you're left with a bit of a mess.  It's all going to be covered up in the end and no one will even see this.

2) Lay your pretty ribbon across your headband to measure how much you'll need and then cut.  Next, use a hot glue gun to glue ribbon to the head band.  Re-glue or add the ribbon to the ends if you want a softer fit.

3) Once your ribbon is on you can glue on some pretty feathers.  ( I looked for understated and classy black or brown feathers but all I could find were crazy neon colours so I made it work~)

I wasn't sure this was going to work because the feathers were so stiff and the head band so rounded, but the hot glue did the trick.  I did end up snipping off the bottom pieces a little bit though.

4) Remove the clasp from an old or inexpensive brooch and glue it on top of the feathers.

I thought I was done here but I still wasn't happy with it.  So I added some little gems that were left over from my Pretty Tacky project.



Much better!

Let everything dry, go get pretty, and top it all off with your fascinator!

Now, even if your New Years Eve isn't fascinating, at least you will be!

Have a wonderful 2011!

Check out the linky party tab to see what parties are up and running
again now that the holidays are almost over.

Merry Christmas

I'll be back next week with some more great crafting tutorials.  Until then Mele Kalikimaka !

                 

Inspiration Shot: Feliz Navidad!

Something a little different this week.  For those of you who are feeling more stressed than festive take a seat, have a listen to my all time favourite Christmas song, and bop along until you're singing along and feeling the Christmas spirit~

                       

~Merry Christmas~

(And if that doesn't do it for you make sure to check out my music player
in the side bar and turn up the second song up really loud!)

Stylish Blogger Award

Imagine my surprise today when I found out that Shantel from It's a Priceless Life  bestowed upon me the Stylish Blogger Award!  So cool!

                                                     

I tried to do a little research to find out where this award originated from but had no luck.  I did find out that the Stylish Blogger Award is given by our blogosphere peers to others who inspire us and make us want to be better bloggers.

Also, there are a few rules to follow if you win this honour.

#1- Thank your nominator and link back

Thank you Shantel!

Her button isn't working for me so click HERE to check out her blog.

#2-Tell your readers 7 things about yourself that they don't already know

I'm usually a pretty private person so just having a blog is a little out there for me, but here goes:

-I've visited and/or lived in over 40 countries

-Even though I live someplace that has freezing cold weather for almost 8 months of the year...I really, really dislike Winter

-I think I'm the only person on the face of the planet who doesn't use Facebook

-Even though I did 2 posts on decorating wine glasses, I can't drink alcohol....even one glass gives me a wicked hangover

-I read alot and get crushes on historical figures who passed away hundreds of years ago (namely Henry VIII and Julius Ceasar)

-I practice French with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and feel bad because now he has a really bad French accent

-I am on a never-ending quest to find the perfect mascara.  So far all I have is a jar full of about 15 so-so mascara's

Too much???  It's hard to tell when to stop once you start~

#3-Pass the award onto other "undiscovered" bloggers who inspire me and let them know that they've won.  There are various blogs out there that say just how many you're supposed to pass it onto.  We'll see how far I get.

Welcome to the GOOD Life

What Allies Making Now
A Blonde's DIY Life

Angela Harris

Pretty Little Things

Rambles with Reese

Simply Step Back

Live Laugh Craft

The Pursuit of Scrappyness

Thank you so much Shantel and to all of you for stopping by and checking out Etcetorize.  I hope you have as much fun with the projects and inspiration shots as I do posting them.

Have a great day everyone!

Show and Tell: PEACE

I made this little project about a year ago after much procrastination.  As usual, I have no idea why I waited so long to do it and I absolutely love the way it turned out.  I thought the sentiment sort of fit the season and it would be fun to share with you.

These aren't the best photos because lighting is pretty funky by the time I get home from work every day, nevertheless, I think you'll get the idea:

It's based off of this free Amy Butler pattern from her website.  The pattern is actually an applique pattern done in fabric.

                                                         

I used 18" X 12" canvases from the dollar store instead and blew up each letter to fit on a 12" X 12" scrap booking paper.  After painting the canvases I just cut out each of the letters and mod podged them on.  So easy.

Right now it hangs over the guest bed (with those amazing little 3M removable strips).



I'm not the only crafty person in my family...notice
the beautiful quilt my mom gave me as a house warming gift~

If there are any linky parties this Christmas week, I'll be posting so make sure to check out
the party tab up top and join a party or two for more great ideas.

Let me know what you think.  I've been thinking of doing something similar
for my niece and nephew in a smaller version using their names. 
Once again, I have no idea why I'm procrastinating but I am.  One of these days I'll get to it.

Peace out!

Last Minute Gift Boxes

Less than two weeks left until the big day!  Have you wrapped all of your gifts yet or are you still shopping????

I made some little presents for some friends from work but because I've been sick and it's been cold (deep freezer cold!!) I haven't been able to get out to buy gift boxes to put them in.  Suddenly it hit me....didn't I purchase something off of the Home Shopping Channel not too long ago that made boxes?!?!?  (if you've read the last few posts you may think that the Home Shopping Channel is a new sponsor, but they're not, I just shop there that much~)

Here's what I bought:

It's called the Ultimate Crafter's Companion.  This thing can help you make loads of different kinds of amazing cards and envelopes and boxes, plus you can do all kinds of embossing and scoring.  You can even make bows with it!  It's incredible.  It's also a little overwhelming.  This is the first time I've used it since it arrived at my doorstep about three months ago because I didn't really know where to start with it.

Anyway, onto the boxes.  These are really cute, super easy, and great for small gifts that are awkward to wrap (like maybe some wine gems???).  Here's what you'll need:

You don't actually need the Ultimate Crafter's Companion or a bone folder, I just needed an excuse to use mine.

Steps:
1) Cut your paper into a rectangle.  You can use any size but for reference mine is 6" X 12".  Fold your paper in half across the width.

2) Locate the center of one end of your paper and make a small mark.  Now you can score a line from there to the middle fold. (It's actually better to score it on the wrong side of your paper.)  Score two lines, one to each corner, creating a triangle.

3) Do the exact same thing on the other side of your paper so that you have two triangles.

4) Fold your triangle sides up, wrong sides together, towards the centre of your paper along your scored lines.  It should sort of look like a boat.

5) Fold inwards on centre fold.

6) Make a small hole through both thicknesses of paper on each side and thread some pretty ribbon through.

A hole punch would definitely work better than my "stab the paper with scissors" technique

TAH DAH!!!!  Wasn't that easy peasy?!?

It's already so pretty but you can jazz it up with pretty edges if you have scalloped scissors or punches.  You could even use plainer paper and add some embossing to it to personalize it.  Let your imagination soar. 

This little box is so easy and takes almost no time at all to complete but your friends will be impressed with that extra handmade touch.  I'm putting gifts inside of mine but am thinking about making some more to give to guests as they leave a small party I'm having this weekend.  I might fill them up with candies or other Christmas goodies!

I hope this is helpful for all of you last minute wrappers out there!  Leave a comment and let me know if you have some other ideas for these cute boxes.

I'll be posting this project at the linky parties throughout the week so make sure
to check out that linky party tab up top to get more great ideas.  And while you're up there, if you made something with your Spool Knitter make sure to add it to the Spool Party.

Did you notice that my music player on the sidebar is full of
great Christmas tunes?  Take a listen~