Thanksgiving Wood Craft

I really want to do a craft. Who wants to do one with me? Let me know and I'll have all the supplies ready for you. I hoped to work on it Saturday, November 1st.

I have so many ideas but in the interest of time, I need to try to keep it simple. So I was thinking about doing some 3.5 inch blocks spelling out GOBBLE with a turkey shape. And maybe some stacking blocks with two or three thanksgiving related words.

I don't have pictures of any of these ideas as they are crafts that I want to do. But an example of what I have done before with blocks can be seen on a previous post or here.

Another option would be that if you see something else that I've done in the blocks that you like, for example the Autumn BLOCKS, you could do those too as I have saved all my stencils from previous crafts.

Post a comment if you are interested and I'll forward you the details of cost and location of the activity.

Batman Costume

This pattern was actually easier than anticipated. It is a Simplicity pattern #3595. There really is not much to say about it because the pattern explains everything quite well. I did however make just a couple of adjustments.

The first being that I changed the design of the bat on the shirt to the more common, and desired, yellow and black symbol. I followed the directions the same on the pattern for the appliqué. And I used a piece of felt I had left from the belt. I didn't have to purchase any extra - the felt is so wide that there is plenty left for the oval shape. And the same goes for the bat cutout. I just used a piece left from cutting out the rest of the costume.

The second adjustment I made was on the gauntlets. I didn't quite understand the concept at first, but knew it had to be an important part of the costume. So after taking a closer look at a batman action figure, I realized that there was actually more to the gauntlets than the pattern was designed. The pattern only makes it a forearm sleeve that pulls up on the arm over the costume. But in my opinion they get lost in the costume, seeing that everything is black. So I cut out some triangles much like the triangles for the ears on the hood, only smaller. I cut 12 out of interfacing and then ironed them on to the fabric before cutting and sewing together. I basically followed the directions for the ears, sewing only two sides and then turning inside out. And then when I went to sew the seams of the gauntlet, I inserted the triangles giving it the detail needed to complete the costume.

I've also used this pattern before to make a red Prince Phillip (Disney's Sleeping Beauty) cape, which has since been used for so many other characters as well. I love to see the joy that comes from a child when he or she is given a gift so delightful to them, and allows their own creativity and imaginations to flow.

Everyday is a new adventure!

Baby Sling

There are so many web sites to help make a baby sling. After reviewing several of them, I'm not sure which one I really followed while making this sling. However, Jan Andrea, features a lot of information about slings and has really put a lot of time into her site for those who would like to make a sling for themselves or as a gift.

Aside from searching for strong, supportive rings, probably the most difficult part for me was choosing the fabric. But that's no surprise I'm sure, especially to those who know me well. I did eventually make a decision, and also found some rings locally, at American Cowboy. Or you can purchase aluminum rings online at Sling Rings.

I wanted to make this sling reversible. Because of this, I thought that pleats at the top of the sling would be best, so no matter which way it is used, it will look pretty and neatly finished. I was sure to zig zag stitch over the pleats a couple a times and sewed two rows of straight stitch through all the layers of fabric to secure the support near the rings. I also top stitched around the edges after sewing the two fabrics together to reinforce the seams.

For an extra touch I folded over about 3 to 4 inches of the pink fabric at the end of the sling so that it would coordinate with the top where the pleats were folded through the rings.

This sling was a gift, so I borrowed a fabulous idea from a favorite blog of mine, and wrapped the sling in itself and then took a scrap of coordinating fabric to tie a bow around it.