Tutorial: How To Make A Cupcake Stand (CHEAP!)

I should change my blog name to "Cheap and Easy" LOL

Fabric Basket

Cute huh?! I made this last year for my then 2-year-old to use for trick-or-treating but didn't bother to check the finished size before starting because I was too excited. It's really, really small so if you're going to use it as a Halloween basket you should probably make it bigger.

I added the "BOO" by carefully cutting letters from my leathery fabric then stitching a different printed fabric behind each letter right around the letter's edge. I altered the handle as well using corset boning so it would stay out of the way and so that my little guy could easily hold it.
Here is the link to Pink Penguin's tutorial which is not a Halloween basket - hers is super duper cute, you have got to see it. This is where I learned to box corners!

I think I need to make another one more like hers to throw all my strings in as I sew. Enjoy!

Tutorial: How To Make Crocheted Beanie Ears

I know I've really been MIA lately, sorry. So once again I've found a project that I made a long time ago that I will now share with you since I haven't had time to make anything new lately!

These kitten ears are just triangles but you can add round ears, long ears whatever. I just decided where I wanted the ears and attached pink yarn at the right-most side of the first ear then crocheted a few rows decreasing as I moved up. I then crocheted around the edge of the ear with black and voila. I added a tulle bow for a little extra something.

Although she didn't have a full costume, my baby girl was a kitty for her very first Halloween because her big brother was a doggie :)

Tutorial: How To Make A Vinyl Catch-All Bib

You know those frigging awesome catch all bibs from Walmart that cost $5 and are only "wipeable" on one side? Well they're my favorite except the fact that I have to replace them constantly since you can't wash them (only wipe) and the back gets gross so fast.

SOOOO I decided to make my own with both sides being wipeable and boy oh boy I love them so much!

I made my daughter's with that vinyl that has the fuzzy stuff on the back. $2/yard at Walmart:

Then since they didn't have a cute boy patterned vinyl I just made my son's with the clear stuff and it's actually kind of cool how it's see through! And only $1 something per yard!!! This one is even easier since you don't have to sew at all... just cut and add snaps:

All I did was use my old bib as a pattern.

For my daughter's I had to cut 2 pieces (each a little bigger than the bib for seam allowance) and sew them right sides together leaving an opening at the bottom to turn then topstitch all the way around. If you want more details on sewing this see my other bib tutorial here, it's the same idea minus the batting.

For my son's I only had to trace and cut one piece.

Once the bib is made you add snaps (I like the hammer on kind) in the same place as the Walmart bib's snaps (except I excluded a couple that I felt were not necessary) and you're done.

They're so easy to clean and the only *true* catch-all bib, in my opinion, because the bottom actually sticks out instead of lying flat, because of the snap placement and shape of the bib.

I think I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop since I think everyone should have one!

Tutorial: How To Make A Fabric Covered Canvas

Do you ever look at something you have owned for a while and go, "What the crap"?

I do all the time.

Case in point:

So I got some fabric and found my husband's staple gun.

I know it's been done before. By everyone and their dog.

But I finally did it myself and took some pics to help explain how to do the corners.

Hopefully it's helpful to someone out there!

You can use a canvas like I did or make your own frame.

Here's how you do it...

Staple it all around the back except on the corners. Just leave those alone for now.
Then fold fabric so the back corner of the canvas is mitered leaving the rest loose.
Then you take what was left and pull it taught, placing another staple on the back of the canvas.
Repeat with each corner then add the hangy thingy and you're done.