Want to Make: Journals

Handmade Home is a great book and had a cute idea for a journal. I can't find it anywhere on the internet. Anyone have a link for that project?

Here's a few others in the meantime:

using scraps
pretty cover.
love this! and it uses a Trader Joe's bag...I do love that store.
easy. Made with cute cards.

Butterfly journal using scrapbook paper.

Sweater Refashion Using an Old T-Shirt

I have had this sweater since 11th grade. In fact, I wore it to a dance I attended with the man who became my husband! I didn't really love it then or now, but I've always kept it.

I decided it needed an update.

I started by removing the beaded details.

Then I took a black t-shirt and cut it into 1.5" strips. I sewed the strips together to make one very long strip.

I gathered the long strip into ruffles.

This shows you how I turned the tension to the highest setting on my machine. I also used the longest running stitch. It gathered perfectly.

Starting at the back of the neck, I pinned the ruffle the entire way around the sweater. At this stage, I ended up removing the buttons. I thought it would be too hard to avoid sewing over them.

I used a lot of pins. This picture shows how I pinned the ruffle underneath (not right sides together). The stitching shows.

Here's the finished product. I also shortened the sleeves to about 10" in length. This is slightly longer than elbow length on me.

I would show you a picture of me modeling the finished product, but since I'm noticeably pregnant right now, this sweater hits me at my largest point (mid stomach) and isn't flattering at this point in my life! I'll be wearing it in the fall/winter when I'm no longer pregnant!

Crinkly Toys for Babies and Pattern

I love making baby things. One fabric I have has whales printed onto it, and I wanted to make a matching whale toy. I made it crinkly in the middle! Want to see how? It's very frugal...literally...I used garbage.

Here are two finished toys:

Print out the pattern for the whale (link found at the end of this post!)

To make the whale, cut two pieces from flannel (or whatever fabric you want to use for the outside of the toy.) Then cut two pieces of white fleece. Pin them together. I sewed with wrong sides together, so there was no turning. (I didn't think I'd be able to turn the whale's tail--too skinny.)

You'll need to round up something super crinkly for the stuffing. I didn't have any chip bags or things like that, so I used these egg noodle bags:

Sew around the whole perimeter but leave a space at the bottom for stuffing.

Next, stuff the crinkly packaging you selected between the layers of white fleece. I also stuffed in some regular non-crinkly stuffing. Don't stuff it too tightly or it will not crinkle very loudly.

I sewed up the space I left for stuffing and then I added an eye for the whale. He looked a little sparse without it. If the toy was for a girl, I would add a bow somewhere.

This is the link to use my whale pattern.

Want to Make: Jewelry

Reuse a gift card into a great bracelet. Love it.

Simple necklace. Love the beads.

This is beautiful. Re purposed jewelry!

Love this. Looks simple to make.

Flower bracelet. So beautiful.

I adore charm bracelets and have yet to make one.

I love big jewelry.

Newborn Knit Hat Pattern

I had a few requests for the pattern I used to make all my newborn knit hats (see part 1 here, part 2 here, and part 3 here.)

I traced it and uploaded it here.

Please don't use my pattern to sell hats, just use it for personal use or to make gifts. Thanks!