The kids decided to participate in a local kids market and, to supplement their Perler bead creations, we decided to make these super cute triangle pouches. They are so fun! We had a great time, packing them with all kinds of stuff from toy cars, camping stuff, sewing stuff, make-up, the sky's the limit. If you are planning on making a few of these, it would be good to source a bundle of zippers for a good price. After we used up all the zippers I already had, we got an assortment of colors from Amazon.   To learn how to make these, go to Crafty Gemini for really easy to follow video instructions.

I will gladly admit that I'm not up for elaborate birthday parties with 3D character cakes for all my kids every year. Sadly, this means, the youngest one has never gotten a "cool" birthday cake. But this was his year. I picked the theme. Can you tell? Otherwise, it would be a combination of Mutant Ninja Turtles (something he knows nothing about) and race cars. We've always been a fan of Meomi's Octonauts long before the books became a show on Disney (not my favorite kids channel).  I prefer birthday parties where I can let all the kids lose out in the backyard but unfortunately, this little guy's birthday is in the winter. I thought I would make an effort at decorating this time, armed with way too many Pinterest ideas. So many in fact, I ran out of time to blow up the carefully color selected balloons and a few other details. I made Peso Penguin's medical suitcase with the Silhouette Cameo machine. I got put that thing to use to justify its cost. And...

Pattern: Ottobre 1/12013 #17 Chef Emil jacket, #18 King of the Kitchen hat, #19 Relazed pants Fabric: Thick white rodeo cotton 1.375 yds $6.59 (JoAnn Fabrics), 70% polyester/30% cotton black gingham check 3/4 yd (~ $4.00 Hancock Fabrics) Notions: 7 blue buttons for jacket, 3 tan buttons for pants, elastic for back of pant's waitband Total Cost: ~$11.00 Size: 104cm jacket, 52cm hat, 92cm pants Child's Age: 3 --------------------------------------------------------- I decided to make this chef's outfit for Super Disgusting's 3rd birthday because he's at that age where he loves playing with the toy kitchen and bringing me orders of food.  Also because I'm up to my eyeballs in plastic toys that are literally going to put me in the looney house and I had no desire to buy him any more.  So he gets the hand-me-down plastic play kitchen and a new chef outfit.  Is that lame?  It's all about managing expectations. Right? I made the smallest siz...

For  Monkey Pants eighth birthday, I did a smallish party.  I'm not much for all out theme parties, but I like to have a general idea to motivate the cake design and colors.  I decided on Lalaoopsy .  Keeping the cake simple is always a goal these days. I used a couple of ideas from Pintrest like the rainbow colored fruit ca bobs and I couldn't resist the milk bottle drinks with ridiculously expensive paper straws. I couldn't resist OK! [Tip: Novelty milk bottles are ridiculously priced. I used a coupon and bought Starbucks coffee in these glass bottles for a lot cheaper. My husband didn't mind drinking all the coffee. I'm more of a tea person.  The labels came off easily.  I used these contact paper chalk board labels for names, which also come off with no residue]. For lunch, I made pigs in blanket with croissants (I don't know why they're not on that orange tray), sweet potato fries in individual containers, and some assort...

I don't typically go for the super cutesy girly patterns with frills and all kinds of fabric combinations, but the truth is, I can't really stick to one style either. And, I just had to make something with this butterfly print from Sandi Henderson 's latest fabric collection, Meadow Sweet , I decided to try the Frida Modkid pattern by Patty Young for a nice summery play shirt. The pattern instructions come in booklet style with full color pages, photos, and great illustrations. It includes sizes 2 to 7. I did View A with the capped sleeves from View C and omitted the pocket. I made up the 4-5T size for an average weight but slightly shorter than average five and a half-year old. I did add maybe 3/4" to the length of the top/dress section. I like the snug fit on the bodice and sleeves, the length turned out good too. If I make another, I might make it just a tad longer for more of a tunic effect. The bodice and sleeves are lined, which is easy to do. However, as us...

A while back I made the Sophia Carry-all bag for my little monkey pants when she had to go to the hospital for surgery. I've been meaning to make another one for my little boy and as I get closer to my due date, the idea surfaced again because he will need a little day bag for his things while I'm in the hospital and he goes to a friends house. Our hospital isn't allowing any children visitors at all due to the H1N1 flu season. Realistically, I didn't really think I would have the determination or stamina required for the Sophia Carry-all and he's really quite small to carry it on his own so I decided on this totally adorable toddler back pack, pattern by Made by Rae . It sews up pretty quickly because it doesn't require any complicated interfacing, nor custom made piping, and it isn't lined, although I had every intention of lining it anyway. When it was done, I was happy enough with the way it was, I didn't line it.  It has padded, adjustable stra...

I sooooo have not made anything lately. But I had another opportunity to do some face painting for monkey pants' "Circus Day" at preschool. I used this video for reference.

Trying to decide what to dress up the kids as this year didn't come to me very quickly. I certainly didn't plan to slave for hours over costumes that would probably only be worn once and likely be stained with sticky stuff, mangled, and who knows what. After shooting down the idea of Batman (for my 4 year old girl) and Robin (for my 1 year old boy), I decided to go back to basics and I couldn't resist this costume idea from MarthaStewart.com I convinced myself that I didn't really have to sew anything and it didn't really look too hard. And it wasn't. I did end up having to make the pilot's cap which could easily be found here due to time and money constraints. I'm not too fond of making up my own patterns for things so I searched high and low for a free pattern download for this very basic cap and came up with nothing. But somehow, I managed to make my own pattern in two different sizes even. And, it came out great (aside from the dreaded trip to J...

I barely finished the bag in time for my daughter's surgery last week. I left it in her room as a surprise for her to see when she woke up that day. When she awoke, she came in to my room and asked me why I had left my purse in her room. It took a bit of convincing to explain to her that it was hers. I helped her pick out things to pack in it for the hospital and I think it was a good activity to brighten up her outlook on the day. It was the perfect bag for all her comfort items and essentials: panties, socks, pull-ups, blankie, peach-scented tissues, Hello Kitty container with chap stick and hair bands, favorite books, DVDs, bento box with snacks, pajamas, "cutie-petutie" mini moopy , etc. Finally found a good place for another super-cute item, a Meomi pin I was pretty happy with how the bag turned out. I only have two complaints. Where I put elastic in the inside pockets, it caused my bag to pucker inwards at the sides. I actually really like the way the pockets turne...

I found this great online Japanese store, Rakuten , with lots of stuff I like but I need to figure out how to order this stuff. How frustrating to be able to see it and not be able to find the "buy" button. (Actually, they may not even ship to the US but I would like to think that they do). I was able to find some cute kid's bento boxes and egg molds very reasonably priced from Ichiban Kan . I picked this box because it has a little compartment for the matching fork and spoon. Unfortunately, I can't find the fork and spoon for a reasonable price. But I'm very excited about this purchase. I don't know when I'll have the opportunity to try it but it will serve as good practice for when my little monkey pants does need to have a packed lunch for school. In sewing, kids, and more Japanese cute related items, I may give the Sophia Carry-All bag a try in some fabrics from Superbuzzy for monkey pants . She has an overnight stay at the hospital scheduled ...