This year's Christmas gifts, Part I: the littles

Being the penny-pincher... um, awesome aunt that I am, I handmade most of our gifts again this year. Here's Part I: the two and under crowd...


First up, the newest niece in the family:

 For her, we have a pretty little lovey blanket, ruffled on the front, with a ruffle around the edge, perfect for chewing and drooling on and dragging around...

 and snuggling up to, thanks to that luscious chocolate brown minky...

I used this tutorial from 2 Little Hooligans.


She also recieved a cute little tutu skirt (tutorial from Simple Simon and Co.)

Can't wait to see her wear it!


On to the boys....

 The two year old nephew got this cute little backpack (tutorial from indietutes). This tutorial has a free printable pattern, so don't be afraid to try it! It is really SO simple, especially because there is no zipper closure. The main piece is formed from two pieces that overlap so its very easy for littles to get into.

 I put some velcro on this one- I made one previously for a friend's little guy and as he used it we realized it really could use a snap or velcro if they'll be carrying "heavier" things like matchbox cars. They tend to make it gape open...

Simple little straps for the cutie pie to strap it on, and Viola! Your toddler can help carry his own toys, diaper, cup, snack, whatever!  Would make a cute little toddler "daycare bag" or just let him pretend to be all grown up with his own backpack like the big kids!


For my boys...


the plan was to have finished Faux Chenille blankets for both...but being the procrastinator that I am...They each got one of these cute little taggie animals from Make It and Love It's tutorial.  I made one as a gift for my nephew last year and thought my boys would like to slobber on one as well.

The Elephant is made of flannel and cotton quilting fabric, and the giraffe of cotton quilting fabric and minky... so soft and snuggly! 

And they have lots of little ribbon taggies to chew on!

Tune in next time for more of my Handmade Christmas!

Binder cover

Scrounging around for another birthday present for my niece, I remembered these awesome notebook covers from Etsy. Being the cheap aunt that I am, I did not want to buy the pattern, but came up with my own...

I added some pretty decorations to the front, ruffles and ribbon. Pink ribbons on the right are the velcro closure.

Loved the idea of having the pockets inside for school doodads riather than a separate pencil case- at least for a few basics...

I upcycled some stretchy denim for that front pocket and sewed in 4 pencil slots.  The bigger denim pocket would be perfect to tuck your pencil sharpener in, or any other little things you need. The pink flowered is also a pocket for longer/larger items.

 I tried to make this fun for my 3rd grade neice, but you could easily do a more grown up version - which might happen someday around here!  It's a great way to cover up old binders (leftovers from college, trainings, etc that have ugly fronts or company logos on!).  I'm so tempted to attempt a home management binder again just to try this... ok not just to try it, but if I do, you can bet I'll be pretty-ing up my binder! A recipe binder is also on my to do list... its a really looooooooong list though.....

I will say, I almost wish I'd just bought the pattern... her's look beautiful and professional and I'm sure her PDF is worth every single penny!  Mine is very simple and basic; no padding etc; so if you want to make your own and don't feel comfortable "winging it" I'd check out her Etsy shop and go with the PDF!

Bicycle Bucket take 2...

Got L's Bicycle bucket done before camping a few weeks ago!  and since I actually followed the directions this time regarding seam allowance i didn't have to piece anything in! 

 I would recommend using the heavier interfacing Anna from Noodlehead suggests in the tutorial, or perhaps a heavy stiff duck cloth or something as an inner layer; i used regular midweight interfacing and its a bit saggy but still works!

 

Little velcro loop holds it to the bar of your bike; perfect for a toy or toy, cup or bottle of water, etc.  And not at all a difficult thing to sew!  

Easy kid's scarf

My little girl has had no scarf all winter and after seeing some cute scarves on other blogs, especially this one on Living with Punks, I thought of a way to make one she can (hopefully) do herself!

Sorry in advance for the terrible pictures...

This scarf is simple! Flannel and fleece with a loop at one end to pull the long tail through!

See?  And she CAN do it herself! YAY!

This is what we get when we ask her to smile now...

This scarf was SOOOO simple. Any level sewer could whip one up in no time!  If you'd like to make your own, read on (no pics, sorry, but really, its so simple you don't even need them!).

All I did is cut 2 rectangles (one fleece, one flannel); for my 3 year old, I cut them 5  inches by 31 inches. Lay them right sides together and sew around the entire thing (I used 1/2 inch seams) EXCEPT for one short end. Turn it right side out, pushing out your corners, and topstitch, starting at one end of the  unfinished short end, going up the long end first and all around. When you get back to the unfinished piece, tuck the ends up inside and pin, creating a finished edge.  Fold it over about 4 inches (I made it JUST big enough to reach adult fingers through to grab the tail, but big enough for a child's hand) and stitch it down, sealing the unfinished tail. That's it!  Any questions, let me know, I can make a tutorial with pictures- My girlie would love another!

Very simple and very inexpensive!

Ipod Touch Portfolio Case

My Christmas present this year was an Ipod touch (I needed a nice calendar... nice excuse, no?!); generally we wouldn't spend this much but I figured it was my turn for a big purchase after all my husband's video game systems! I wanted a case that would protect the screen (the screen protector that came with my soft case is about as useful as a piece of saran wrap!), and decided to try to come up with a portfolio type case. And came up with this:

My case closes snuggly with velcro; Version 2 will probably have a button or some kind of decoration.

I like that i can use it any functions without taking it out of the case-even headphones!  V.2 will have the tab and elastic on both ends to hold it in (made a bit larger so it fits better). Also the entire case needs to be a bit bigger, especially cause I really wanted my stylus to fit.  I made a little pocket on the left side to tuck in what ever small item I may need: note, cash, credit card, etc.

The tab allows access to the headphone jack easily; in v.2 the power/sleep button will be more accessible as well.

 So as noted, Version 2 will be here sometime (and possible a tutorial, or a few for the Monkeyshiners shop if anyone is interested) with some changes, but I'm pretty happy for a first shot!

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!

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!