simply sublime

Valentine's Day Crafts

I love Valentine's Day -- and I love Valentine's Day crafts!  So when PARADE magazine asked me to come up with some fun, easy projects (and templates) for readers, I was only too happy to oblige: 

IRON-ON CONVERSATION HEARTS

Check out the full instructions for this project on PARADE'S site, along with 12 downloadable Conversation Heart templates. Iron the hearts onto T-shirts, pillowcases, tote bags, even canvas sneakers to make a one-of-a-kind gift for everyone on your list.  And make sure to save the scraps from the iron on transfers for this next project:

HUGS AND KISSES GLOVES

You won't believe how easy these are...you can whip these up in about 15 minutes!  You'll find the instructions and templates here.

And here's one more:

HEART SHAPED CRAYONS

I've always wanted to try making crayons in silicone molds, and I found that it is so much easier than pouring (and cleaning up!) different colors of hot wax.  My daughter and I got kind of obsessed with making these. Visit PARADE'S site for the complete instructions and a link to the nifty silicone pan that we used.  

Happy Valentine's Day and XOXO!

 

Homecoming Onesie

A couple weekends ago it was Homecoming at my son's high school.  Autumn leaves, hot apple cider (or hot Dr. Pepper when I was growing up), wool blankets and varsity letter jackets.  I love this time of year, and thought it would be fun to make a onesie in the flavor of the season.  This is a very easy project and a great way to personalize a gift for a baby born in the Fall.  Here's what you'll need:

-A blank baby onesie (I love the Circo brand from Target)

-Felt squares in 2 contrasting colors

-Fusible webbing (I used Steam-A-Seam Sticky Back Fusible Web)

-Varsity letter font (see below)

-Sewing machine

-Iron and ironing board and press cloth

Of course, what you're really making here is the felt varsity letter.  I looked long and hard to buy a real chenille or felt letter online, but couldn't find one that was small enough for a onesie.  And then I came across these free fonts: Varsity and Collegiate Heavy Outline.  I considered just printing a letter onto a t-shirt transfer then ironing it onto the onesie, which would be an even easier way to make this project. But I decided to try making the felt letter to get a more authentic look, and I love how my varsity letter "B" came out.

I downloaded the Varsity font and printed out the "B" in a 400 pt. size.  I used the two outer most lines as a guide to cut 2 layers of felt in contrasting colors. Then I cut out some "bars", like a real varsity letter -- you could also add a little football or soccer ball etc.  I sewed the bars on the top layer first, then used the fusible webbing to attach the top letter to the bottom letter. IMPORTANT: when fusing the two pieces of felt, MAKE SURE TO COVER THEM WITH A COTTON PRESS CLOTH FIRST. Also, press for just a few seconds (not the 15 - 20 seconds recommended on the package.)  The best thing to do is fuse a few scraps of felt together first as a sample.  I made the mistake of not using a press cloth the first time around and ended up completely melting the felt -- fusing it directly to my iron!   

Once the two layers are fused together, carefully stitch around the top layer to create an outline.  Then use another piece of fusible webbing to attach the varsity letter to the shirt.  Again, use a press cloth and take care not to heat too long.  If need be, flip the onesie over and apply heat from the back as well until letter is secured onto the front of the shirt.

Make one for all your little sports fans!

 

 

Wishful Thinking Onesie

The perfect gift for any new parent -- a WISHFUL THINKING ONESIE!  Just set the clock for the time you HOPE your child will wake up, then pass out on your bed and keep your fingers crossed that tonight, he or she will sleep for longer than 3 hours at a stretch!  A little subliminal messaging can't hurt, right?  

    

This was such a fun project to make and the supply list is pretty limited:

- Blank onesie

- Iron-on transfers for dark T-shirts

- “WILL RETURN” sign (I got mine at Staples for under $2)

- 5/32” eyelet and eyelet tool or pliers

Here’s what I did:

First, I used a screwdriver to pry the red clock hands off of the clock.  Then I scanned the blank clock into my computer, and doctored up the image in iPhoto (I straightened it, and took out some of the small writing on the bottom of the sign.)  I dummied up the new clock with the “WILL WAKE UP AT” header in a word document using this font:  Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold.

Next, I transferred the new image to a T-shirt transfer (right side up), then cut out the image and ironed it on the onesie.  To add the finishing touch,  I attached the plastic clock hands using a 5/32" eyelet.  That’s it!  Sweet dreams little ones, and maybe a little shut eye for mom and dad too.

Flower Child

Here's Funsy Onsie #2.  And it's super easy to whip up.  I turned an artificial pink daisy into a snap-on accoutrement using my favorite, easy to apply snaps.  Then added the "flower child" wording which I printed onto an iron on T-shirt transfer, and trimmed into a small little strip.  (I thought about embroidering the letters, or stamping them on with fabric paint, but the iron on transfer is just SO EASY, and the lettering looks so clear!)

The flower snaps on and off, so it can be removed when the baby is napping, or for laundry purposes.  

This is great gift to give, and can be made in less than 30 minutes -- my kind of project!

Hello, My Name is...FUNSY ONESIE!

I'm so excited to give you a sneak peak at this project.  It's from my new book (which comes out next week!), and is a super easy gift to make.  And it's also the project that inspired me to start a FUNSY ONSIE gallery on this blog.  These little baby body suits are the perfect artist's canvas, as far as I'm concerned. They're small, inexpensive, and pretty darn cute before you even put anything on them!  So check back, from time to time, and click on my FUNSY ONSIE BUTTON up top to see my hopefully ever growing collection of Onesies.  

To make this personalized Onesie here's what you'll need:

• "Hello, My Name Is" self-adhesive badge
• Permanent Marker
• Computer with scanner and inkjet printer
• 1 sheet T-shirt transfer paper for DARK fabrics
• Cotton baby Onesie, 3-6 month size
• Iron and ironing board

Write the baby's name on the sticker first, then scan it and print it out on the transfer paper.  (The transfer paper for dark fabric will produce a "decal" that looks like a real name badge.) Carefully cut around the image, remove the backing paper, and iron it FACE UP onto the Onesie following package instructions.

That's it!  This one-of-a-kind gift can be made in less than an hour, and will help you welcome the newest newborn in style.   There are lots more baby and kid's gift ideas in the book -- along with Hostess and Holiday gifts, Home projects, and gifts for Her and Him!  Some require no sewing, like this one, but there are plenty of projects for the more serious sewer as well.   I hope you'll check it out!