Christmas gifts - Art notebook, Baby Doll Clothes

And the last of the gifts...

Art notebook

Closes tight with an elastic band so you're pencils or markers stay put!

I didn't show this, but my folders can be used for side flip and top flip notebooks.  I plan to make one for my girlie, so I'll show that then!

Reversible tops and a cute pair of cords!

And after all those pics, my cutie says, "Mama, take a picture of me!"

The baby clothes are for a small baby.  I actually extended the pattern to make the dress.  Baby clothes patterns are from these posts at Blueberry Moon. The art notebook is mine... all mine... hahahahaha.... (insert evil laugh...)

Christmas Gifts - seatbelt covers, I spy bags, Bike Basket

 A few more gifts for the kiddos...

I Spy Bags

Bicycle Bucket for my nephew.

It attaches to the bar on the handlebars! Perfect for juice boxes, snacks, or toys on your bike ride!

Seat belt covers for the "baby"!

Reversible!  A pretty side and a soft snuggly side.

For the seat belt covers, I used the tutorial at Make It and Love It. They are super easy, even if you haven't used bias tape or sewn much. The bicycle bucket is from this tutorial at Noodlehead. As for I Spy bags, there are lots of tutorials around, I didn't really use one, but just stitched some stuff together!

Excellent Children's Books!

I received the book Little Star by Anthony DeStefano from WaterBrook Mulnomah Publishing Group to review and it is a sweet little book!  It is an excellent addition to our Christmas collection, sharing the Christmas story with a twist! It focuses on the Christmas Star (the star that showed the way for the shepherds and Wise men) and tells the story of this Little Star, the smallest star in the heavens and how he shined brighter than any other star in the sky for the little King born in the stable when he understands the message He came to share. I loved the connection the author makes between Little Star and the stars on our Christmas trees! The illustrations (by Mark Elliot) are beautiful, excellent representations of the boy and his father, the manger scene, and the heavens and Little Star. My daughter loved this book too, and I’m sure we’ll be reading it over and over throughout the entire year!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

We also received the Precious Moments Story Book Bible by Sam Butcher. I love Bible books for our children, and this one is “Precious!” It almost feels like a “real” Bible, with pages in the front for family tree and special church events like special ceremonies, churches attended, vacation bible schools, etc. The book is separated into 4 main sections, Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of the Faith, and Songs and Prayers. The stories are simple but accurate and still include important details. They aren’t too “dumbed down” and I think will allow for the book to be enjoyed by many ages. I can’t wait to work through this book with my daughter! They are the perfect length for a Bible story before bed. And of course, the illustrations are perfect, classic Precious Moments drawings with adorable animals and people. I love that this book includes not only the typical Bible stories of the people in the Bible, but also prayers and praises of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Isaiah. I would most definitely recommend this book as a wonderful First Bible for any young child, those being read to, as well as young readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Christmas Gifts - Laptop Sleeves

My sister and my brother got laptop sleeves this Christmas. I used this tutorial from Crap I've Made (gotta love that blog name!) and even doing the zippers wasn't bad.  I believe the only change I made was adding the fusible fleece to both inside and outside pieces.

Here's my sister's:

for some reason this photo is upside down...

And my brother's:

I'm surprised at how my brother's turned out from Walmart's limited selection...


So if you are in need of a pretty (or manly!) case for your laptop, check out that tutorial! There is also another one on Sew, Mama, Sew that uses velcro if you'd prefer that.

Christmas Gifts- Nintendo DS cases

My few days before Christmas were a bit crazy as I am a bit of a procrastinator... Now that I can relax a bit, I thought I'd share some of the projects I did for gifts.  

First up, cases for my niece and nephew's new Nintendo DS's. I used corduroy outside and for the handle, and soft flannel inside.

Camo with dinosaurs inside for my nephew.

I designed them with slots for games, and a zippered pocket at the top for the charger, extra stylus etc.

The top folds down and secures with elastic. And a wristlet to hang onto!

And for my niece, a pretty pink, black and grey combo! This is version 2, so its a big larger so everything fits well.

For my pretty little niece, I wanted to have it look like a little purse, thus the handle change.

And the dressed up elastic!

Here's a peek at the zippered pocket with the charger.

I must say, I'm very happy with how they turned out.  And I do believe they loved them and will get lots of use! I don't have a link to send you to for a tutorial for this one; it was my own creation! If anyone's interested, I can post a tutorial for you to make your own. They made for inexpensive, unique and special gifts!

Mei Tei roll-up

I don't usually do this many posts, but I'm having trouble with the networked blogs thing (auto posting to facebook) and wanted to test it again!

I had this little brainstorm about my hooded mei tei I made. It was feeling a little awkward to carry with all those straps hanging around, and my first move was to stuff it into a little tote bag  I had.  This worked well, but later I wondered if the hood couldn't be used to turn it into a little pouch of its own. And Viola! 

Here's the way I did it:

Start by laying your mei tei out and folding all the straps into the center.

Roll it up into the thirds (main body only).

Then wrap your hood over.

Flip it and tie your hood strings togehter to make a handy little package with everything tucked away UN annoyingly inside!

See how small and compact it becomes?!

Now if you have a purchased meitei... I guess you're stuck with the little tote bag idea.  How do you carry your carrier?

New Runaround Bags

I have made several of Noodlehead's runaround bags lately and thought I'd share them!

I was playing around below with making a completely reversible bag, so the one below has a pleat and a pocket both inside and out; for those of us who can't decide which fabric we like best... 

My husband makes fun of me, by the way, for these photos... "Is that your way of trying to make them pretty?" So,  I apologize... I don't have anywhere else "pretty" to hang them... Its' not THAT bad, is it? :)

Taggie animals

It was my cutie nephew Isaac's birthday not so long ago (the big #1!), so I made him this cute little taggie giraffe from a tutorial at Make it and Love It (lots of crafty fun!).  She also shows you how to do an elephant and you could very easily create any animal your child loves! This one was made of quilters cotton, soft minkee and those fun ribbons they love to chew on!  

Deliciously Soft Minkee!

My beautiful 3 year old showing it off for size!