felt doily hair clips

I totally dropped the ball for kcwc over the weekend.    No new kids clothes were sewn, but I did make a few hair accessories.  Does that count?

Until now, I have only really used my Epic 6 for letterpress projects.  It was time to see what she could do with die cuts.  I used the nesting doily circles die and nesting circles die to cut felt for these cute hair clips.  I recommend using wool or wool-blend felt, and passing the die cut through the Epic a 3-4 times for a nice, clean cut.

After adding a bit of embroidery to the felt cut outs, I covered a plain alligator clip with coordinating ribbon. Then I hot-glued the pieces together for a perfectly sweet little clip.  They look really cute in my girls' hair, and not so bad on big girls, either!

As always, use the code HOMEMADE for 20% off your order at Lifestyle Crafts.

puppet show shorts and visiting the jellies

For the fourth day of kcwc, I made Ruby a pair of Puppet Show Shorts (pattern by Oliver + S).   The main shorts fabric comes from a pair of Jared's old dress pants, which were a soft brushed cotton with a tiny houndstooth pattern.

These shorts were such a simple sew, and fit perfectly, so I know I'll be making more.  Ruby loves them -  the fun pockets and trim made for an easy sell.

When I opened these photos, I realized that I had a hand in every piece of Ruby's outfit today.  The shirt is the first thing I ever made for kcwc back in 2010 (it has gotten a lot of wear!).  The flip flops are also Oscar's hand-me-downs, but I glittered them to make them a little more exciting.

Today we were at our local sea center.  I know I don't post a lot of "daily life" stuff here, but the new jelly fish exhibit was so cool, I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures.

In the exhibit, the room is dark and the tanks are all lit with black lights.  It was mesmerizing to watch those jellies floating around.

Hope you have a great weekend!

vader rules

Here's my first day's offering for KCWC - a t-shirt for Oscar using Rae's Flashback Skinny T-Shirt pattern, that I finally stenciled last night.  I made it a size bigger than he normally wears (don't ask me why), so it is a little large.  And I think I cut the neck hole too big.  Does he care?

Nope!  Oscar was so pleased with the Vader stencil that I couldn't even get a picture of the shirt on the hanger.  It went directly onto his skinny little body.  He was totally offended when I suggested that this was a pajama shirt.

When Oscar is upset or not getting his way, he frequently tells me, "Mom!  Listen to me!  I am your FATHER."  It makes me smile every time.

Last night I sewed a tee for Ruby using the Toddler Swing Tank pattern as my base, adding sleeves and a bow.

Ruby, of course, wanted nothing to do with it.  Why didn't HER shirt have Darth Vader on it?  I should have known better, since at only one year old she can identify half of the star wars characters, not to mention the Millennium Falcon.  We might have to stencil her a shirt as well.

The fabric from both of these t-shirts came from my old maternity shirts.  I tried to cheat as much as possible, using existing neck and hemlines where I can (like on the sleeves).  It is amazing how fast you can sew a garment when most of the finishing work is done for you!

Walk in the Woods Swing Tank

Have you been sewing along with the Kids Clothing Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley?  Last night I sewed a Toddler Swing Tank for Ruby.  It is a free pattern posted just yesterday on the relatively new blog, True Bias (which is fabulous, btw).

This is a great little pattern - I liked the bias tape facings in the arm and neck holes and the back button closure.  Every time I use a pattern I learn a little more about how to properly sew clothes.

This is my second day's offering for kcwc.  I actually sewed two shirts the first day, but one is already in the laundry and the other is awaiting some freezer paper stenciling.  This top was just so cute I couldn't resist taking pictures right away.

The fabric is Aneela Hoey Walk in the Woods, in cloud.  Isn't it pretty?

Ruby likes it, too!  All in all, a very successful top.

Speaking of successful tops, my Blue-Eyed Girl top made it into the Top of Tops for week 4 of Rae's Spring Top Sewalong.   There are a lot of really pretty tops this round, but if you like mine best (I'm letter L), vote for me, will you?  Thanks!

Ancestry Circle Chart

How many family trees can I hang in my house before people start calling me "crazy family history lady" behind my back?  I know I just posted my family tree wall hanging last month, but it didn't have many generations on it and I wanted to dig deeper.

ObituaryHelp.org has a whole variety of free family tree templates.  I modified their 9 generation circle chart to create a simpler 6 generation chart and imported the image into my Silhouette Cameo software.

After importing, I traced the chart to prepare cutting lines and switched out my blade with one of the Silhouette Glitter Sketch Pens.  Instead of cutting your paper, the sketch pens draw your design.  I liked the glitter pens because they aren't overwhelmingly glittery - there is just a nice shimmer to the ink.

If you want to draw with multiple colors, you simply switch the pens without unloading your paper.  I drew the blue circle chart first, then without unloading my cutting mat, switched to a green pen and drew our last name and marriage year in the center of the chart.

Finally, my chart was ready to fill in.  I used a fine tip pen (.5mm) to write in all the family names.  Did you notice all the blank spots in bottom corner of the first picture?  I was really surprised to learn that much of the family line on my dad's side is unknown.  What started out as just another Silhouette project has turned into something very personal for me, and since I've begun I have had a strong impression that these people want me to find them.  I've been looking through census and immigration records for the last several days and think I've already found a family member!  I still have a lot to learn about the process, but I really hope to be able to fill in all of those blank spots (and beyond).

If you are a Silhouette user and want to make this project, send me an email (homemadebyjill@gmail.com) and I'd be happy to send you my file (for personal use only, please).  It is designed to fit a 12 x 12 piece of paper, but you could size it down to fit the older model.  Also, I'm considering listing some of these charts in an esty shop if there is interest.  What do you think?

Use my blog code, JILL, April 24th - 30th to get Silhouette's Sketch Pen Bundle Promotion.
The bundle includes:
1 Silhouette CAMEO
1 $25 download card
1 Silhouette Metallic Sketch Pen pack
1 Silhouette Glitter Pen pack
all for $269.99 (a savings of almost $75)
If you already have the Silhouette, you can get the metallic and glitter pen packs for only $6.99 each.

Homemade Ice Cream Pint Label

One more free printable for you today.  Last year I made a Homemade Ice Cream Kit gift for my sister-in-law's birthday.  Download the label below to decorate your own homemade pints.

Enjoy!

Rainbow Party Printable

After a few recent requests for printables, I've made some pdfs to share with everyone.   At Ruby's Rainbow Party, we handed out bags of chocolate gold coins to our guests. Click on the image below to download the favor bag tags.

 

Enjoy!

blue-eyed girl top

Have you been following this year's Spring Top Sew-Along at Made by Rae?  For the last several years I've scoured the photo pools but never actually made something to contribute ... until now!

It has been a long time since I've tried to sew something for myself and I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised!  I drafted the pattern from one of my favorite shirts, and after sewing so many tiny clothes, woman-sized pattern pieces look almost comically large. 

  

A few things I like about this shirt:  It is super soft and comfortable, and the loose style is very forgiving on my still lumpy postpartum body.  I got the jersey fabric at that strange $1/yard fabric store in Solvang, CA that I've mentioned before, so this shirt cost just a little over $1.  Score.  Plus, I finally learned how to use my double needle for the hem.  Hooray for learning new things!

The waistline is gathered slightly with one row of elastic thread, giving it a little shape.  I also gathered the top of the sleeve with elastic thread - just one line across the top arc of the sleeve piece.  I've never thought to gather a sleeve that way, but it is perfect for knit fabric.

What I don't love:  the elastic in the neckline.  It was not part of the original plan, but became a necessity when I cut the neckline too big.  Oops.  I still like it, but it's a bit more peasant-y than I imagined.  I'll just try again!

Anyway, that's my top.  I might try another one before the sew-along pool closes this weekend.  

Cora was blessed with the Maddox family blue eyes.  Isn't she getting deliciously squishy?

letterpressed notecards

My favorite notecards are simple and sweet, pretty on the outside, blank on the inside.   They are great to have on hand for everyday use, and also make a nice gift.

I used my L Letterpress to print these cards using the Blossom and Posy printing plates and bright green and teal ink.

Lifestyle Crafts has their pretty paper packs on sale for 50% off this week.  Use the code HOMEMADE to get an extra 20% off.  I am loving the stripes and chevrons.

They also have a free shipping deal through the end of the month. Sounds like a good time to shop.  :)

little chef gift set

Over the weekend, we went to a birthday party a tiny chef who loves his play kitchen.  It was the perfect excuse to delve into an old addiction: felt food!

I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy making felt food.  It is so cute, not to mention pretty fast to make, so it is a very satisfying craft.   I also threw in a pint-sized oven mitt, made with the pattern from the blog, ikat bag.

The ravioli box and personalized label were made on my Silhouette Cameo (I used the Pizza Box shape for the box).

 Originally, I only planned on making ravioli, but then I got a little carried away.  Bacon and eggs, anyone?

Of course, a birthday boy needs a slice of birthday cake.  I loosely followed a pattern from the book, Big Little Felt Universe, for the cake slice and birthday candle.

Want to hear about my new love?  Wool-blend felt.  It's the best.  Okay, 100% wool felt is actually the best, but the blended stuff is pretty great, too.  A friend got me hooked on Prairie Point Junction, and I think they have some of the best prices around for their wool-blend felt (and they are not sponsoring me to say that!).  It comes in the most beautiful colors (I especially like the Bitty Bundle colorways) and feels dreamy.  Sign up for their newsletter, and you'll get a 20% off coupon.  :)

Hope you are having a happy Monday!

retro easter dresses

The girls' Easter dresses were finished just under the wire (as usual) ... at about 2 a.m Easter morning.  I really have to learn better time management!  They turned out cute though.  I used the Oliver + S Puppet Show Dress pattern, and it definitely has a retro flair.  I can picture a young Sally Draper wearing something like this.

Ruby and Cora had identical dresses, one big, one small.  Can I just say that tiny set-in baby sleeves are especially punishing?

The embroidered collar is still my favorite part.  It was a special detail on an otherwise very simple dress.

After sewing 18 button holes, I can safely scratch them off my "fear of sewing" list.  I wasn't really afraid of button holes, but I always felt a little anxious before sewing them.  I think I have it down now.  :)

I also made bow ties for my guys using this tutorial from the blog papernstitch.   They turned out cute, but I'll have to try out Delia's Little Mister bow tie tutorial next time.  Because a grown man's bow tie should be the kind that really ties.  I was so pleased that Jared was up for wearing one, and owe it all to the Doctor, who taught us that "bow ties are cool."

Oscar and Ruby really aren't into taking pictures these days.

Cora is a much better sport.

By the end of the day, those dresses that I slaved over had more stains than I care to count - dirt from leaning on the car, play dough from nursery, drool (so much drool!), sugar cookies, and leaky diapers.  Every time something new got smeared on, Jared reminded me to breathe and un-clench my jaw.  :)  Sewing for kids is an excellent lesson in patience.

Maybe next year I'll leave time to sew something for myself ...

chevron chenille baby blanket

Back in November, Anneliese of Aesthetic Nest posted a tutorial for a Chevron Chenille blanket.  I fell in love (true love!) and had to make one just like it ... I even bought the exact same fabrics.  So here you have it, my copycat blanket:

This tutorial is a variation of Annaliese's heirloom cut chenille blanket, where many layers of flannel are sewn and cut on the bias to make a faux chenille (you can find another take on it at MADE).  Because the stitches follow the pattern of the zig zag print on the front, the chenille on the back is also in the chevron pattern.  Check out the tutorial for the full details.

A lot of work went into stitching all of those rows, but the result was awesome.  So soft.  So fluffy.  My kids couldn't keep their hands off it, and I want one in a queen size.  :)  It was sad to see it go, but we mailed it off to my beautiful new niece.  Welcome to the world, baby Sofia!  We love you already.

In unrelated news, Lifestyle Crafts is having a great sale on their Revolution die cutting machine.  Use my promo code: HOMEMADE for an additional 20% off the sale price, taking it down to $47.99!

Have a happy Easter!  I'm making great progress on the girl's dresses, but as usual it will be down to the wire.  I should have some pretty dresses to show on Monday.  :)