Sparklinbecks

Sew Fitted Pocket Diapers

2009-11-09T19:27:00.005-07:00

This evening, I sewed two fitted cloth diapers made from this pattern. It went super fast and they turned out pretty cute. They are reversible and inexpensive (the fabric was scored from my mother in law!) and need a snappi or a pin to close them. I have seen them with snaps and velcro but these are great because they grow with baby.

They are pocket diapers, so they can be stuffed with a prefold diaper so any other absorbant liner.

I used flannel fabric (from my mother in law) and a receiving blanket I bought for 5o cents at a thrift store...this is the perfect place to find receiving blankets to cut up for cloth wipes and diapers and burp cloths, etc, but I did think they were kind of pricey (in my opinion) so I only got a couple. I think it would be better found at yard sales.

Since I don't have the life size model just yet, my oldest son let me borrow his blue cow.

....and these do need a cover.

Cant wait to try them out for real! Next, I am going to make a cover with minky fabric and fleece..I dont know how well it will work, but the pattern says this would make a good cover and I have the stuff to try it out!

DIY A Necklace Organizer

2009-11-03T19:08:00.004-07:00

My jewelry has been out of control for awhile, and I was really getting tired of digging for it in random places in my dresser! I organized it all in my tiny little jewelry box and then took the "fun" necklaces (aka the really big ones) and decorated a board and hung it up in the closet...out of the way and now I can actually see what I have when I am getting dressed! I had all the materials here and it went really fast. I am sure I am not the first person to come up with this but I thought I would share...

What I used:

1x4 board cut to desired length

patterned paper ..I used double sided and 3 pieces of different patterns.

mod podge

brush

paint

cup hooks

Now whenever I find the straggler necklaces that are MIA, I will officially be organized! (And there is room for a second one too :))

Repurpose a stained shirt :)

2009-10-29T11:02:00.003-07:00

I admit that a lot of my clothes have paint or marker splattered on them. It's just become a part of my wardrobe and I have learned to deal with it! All of my sweats look the same and a lot of my jeans do as well.

When I was pregnant with my second, I bought a fun long shirt at Old Navy for pretty cheap. It was long sleeves and so comfy, and perfect for being 8+ months pregnant. But sadly, the first day I wore it, my white sharpie splattered all over the belly, and as much as I tried to get it out, it left a big white faded spot on the shirt. I think I still wore it in the house but didnt wear it out.

Even when I got rid of a lot of my maternity clothes this time, I still couldnt part with this one. Yesterday (because its SO beautifully chilly outside for once!) I got it out to wear and saw that crazy stain and decided to cover it on up! I see myself wearing it a lot and now I can wear it OUT of the house too!

I dont have a before picture, but here is an after:

To do this, I cut out my petals, glued them on with some washable fabric glue (I could have also used sewable heat n bond but this was within reach), then stitched around the petals with my buttonhole stitch on the sewing machine. I hand sewed the buttons on and then did the stems and leaves.

I also made a matching hair accessory:

Well, I guess I have been pretty MIA.

2009-10-27T14:21:00.007-07:00

Hi everyone!

First I have to kind of apologize for the lack of blog posting. There are many reasons for this. Although I have kept busy crafting, remaining active with church, hanging out with my family and so on, there have been a lot of things going on in my life that have made me take a step back and decide what I need to have on my priorities list.

I have always enjoyed keeping up with this blog, because I love having everything together for resources, meeting fun new people, keeping in touch with friends, sharing ideas and how to's, and it's just fun! But the fun can wear off pretty fast when negative things happen. And that's more real life than anything. What a difficult year this has been! But I just thank God for blessing our family in more ways than I can even think of, and the best part is knowing we are never alone through the good and bad times!

John 14:15-18 (New King James Version)
If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Not to get into the details, but I will continue to blog and keep up with things, but I don't know if what I will share will be as frequent or in depth...at least for a little while. :) And you can always find me on facebook!

I know that I need to clean up and organize a bit on here, as it hasn't been updated in awhile, so while I do that, I will leave you with a recent picture from the pumpkin patch.

See you soon!

polka dots!

2009-09-18T15:32:00.003-07:00

I have always loved polka dots. They are so fun. I also really like turquoise and brown together. So I think those two factors were a good excuse to make another outfit.

I did a skirt made similiarly to this one here. I felt like it needed something else so I added this type of flower at the bottom

I then embellished a onesie and made a ranunculus type flower by cutting out three different sized circles and "fake serging" the edges...meaning I did a teensie zig zag around the circle a couple of times to make sure it doesn't fray. Glued them all together with a washable permanent glue and added the large rhinestone to it.

Finally I did a matching headband using this tutorial and its interchangeable so the bow was made separately. I have done a bunch of these headbands alread and seem like they will be pretty comfortable.

Thanks for looking! :)

Tiered Skirt, Appliqued Onesie and Bow

2009-09-16T11:56:00.006-07:00

While going through some stuff, I found some cute scraps that I used to make an apron with last year. I thought it would be a great idea to put it to use and make a tiered skirt with matching onesie and bow.

I got the tutorial for the skirt here: http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/05/28/sew-a-tiered-ruffled-skirt/and it has a handy skirt measurement tool. I guess I didnt have the right measurements or something though because the skirt fits my 2 and 4 year old. Oh well, she can grow into it. And dont ask how I know it fits them :)

Anyway, for the onesie, I freehanded a cupcake with some fabric and then I embroidered the sprinkles on it. Super totally fast and easy.

For the bow, I cut a rectangle, folded it in half right sides together, sewed the three sides minus a tiny bit, turned it right side out and closed it up and then tied a ribbon around the center and glued to a clip. Now there's a whole little set :)

Dress and Shoes

2009-09-12T08:59:00.003-07:00

Kimono Shoes Tutorial and Pattern

Tie Top Dress at MadebyRae Pattern

Using these two patterns, I sewed this quick little dress and shoe combo together:

I could see myself doing a few of these because of how quick the whole thing went together!

Crib Quilt

2009-09-11T09:08:00.004-07:00

This week, I have been working on a crib quilt for the baby's bedding set. We have been gathering different pieces for the set rather than buying a "set" put together. I think I like it better this way because it brings in different elements I like rather than having someone choose it for me.

I saw this idea at Sew4home.com and since I had done this one last year , I decided to do this for her crib quilt.

Wow. What was I thinking?! I did the whole thing in flannel and made it a LOT larger than the original idea at sew4home. I did all the cutting out and sewing on Monday and then started cutting the fringe to fray it. That night, I lost the feeling in my thumb....and it hasnt been back since.

I used my right hand yesterday and finished fringing it because I never like to start another project when I have one in the works.

....Maybe one day I will feel my thumb again. (By the way, I googled it and it looks like its a bruised nerve that should take about a week to heal...here's hoping!)

Front of Quilt

Backside of quilt

Re-covered Glider

2009-09-03T11:46:00.002-07:00

When I was pregnant with Jaden, I was given our rocker glider as a gift. I was excited because the denim fabric matched all of the denim in his room and the wood also matched the furniture perfectly. When I had our second son, we kept the whole theme the same. This chair is well loved. I have used it to rock my babies to sleep, nursed in it, read to them, and

sat in it during all hours of the night when they were sick or scared. It means a lot to me.

When we found out we were having a girl and the room theme changed, I knew I was going to need do something to change up the chair but I wasn't sure what. Then my husband had the brilliant idea to see if his dad would recover it. When it comes to this kind of thing, he has a true talent. He made our ottoman with Micah, he has done cars, boats, kitchen sets, you name it!

I went and picked out the fabric last week and brought it all to him, and he surprised me with giving it to me on my birthday! (was NOT expecting it so soon and I was really excited to put it back in her room!)

Before

After

With the scraps left over that he gave me, I made a valance to match for the window. I might add some sheer curtains underneath, but I am liking the simplicity of it.

Ellie the Elephant

2009-08-29T16:49:00.003-07:00

I have been asked what the baby's name will be, so I thought I would share! Her name will be Eloise Cora, but will be called "Ellie". Eloise is after Micah's sweet grandma who passed last November, and Cora is the middle name of my grandma.

We found some fun bedding that is even named "Ellie" and are thinking about going with that as her nursery theme.

Of course, what is in the bedding? Elephants! :)

We aren't going elephant crazy, and are sticking more to a pink and green theme, but I thought it would be nice for her to have a little elephant softie to hang on to.

I added different textures for her to feel as well as little bells inside so that it jingles.

Now I am thinking about making a mobile similiar to this!

I heart damask.

2009-08-28T17:55:00.003-07:00

I have been going damask crazy for awhile now, but when I found out we were having our third baby, I wanted to damask it up around here! I like lime green and damask and hot pink and damask,

Her room won't be damask, but I did think about it for a bit!

Here's what I have been working on (or purchasing)

Car Seat Cover

Kaytebug Boutique

Recovered my existing car seat handle pad

Diaper Case

Wipe Case

Floor Blanket...so soft and padded

Nursing Cover

Strap Covers for Car Seat

Thanks for looking!

Boppy Covers

2009-08-27T13:57:00.003-07:00

I love my boppy when I am nursing. I usually use it the whole first year...and I am still using the same one that I got with my first. With Jackson, I wanted new covers, but wasn't willing to spend 25 dollars on them because I knew someone out there would be nice enough to have a pattern...for free.

Sure enough! I got it back in the day at Economical Baby, but I believe its no longer about, and this time I got it at Vanilla Joy.

Here is my recent one that I used with scraps here that I had.

Applique Fun

2009-08-26T08:59:00.003-07:00

I believe I have shared applique here before, but thought I would post the latest one I have done...

I added some ruffles to the back as well:

You can do anything really. Here's some burp cloths:

And a bib:

Thanks for lookin'! :)

Back to Bloggin'

2009-08-25T14:00:00.006-07:00

*tap, tap, tap* is this thing on?

Hello! After a bit of a hiatus, I think I am coming back to life a bit! Whats new with us?

I am now over half way done with my pregnancy. We were not going to find out the gender until birth, but temptation proved to be too much and we found out we are having a baby girl! I had a second ultrasound after getting sick with a pretty bad sinus infection that showed us again. :) We are very excited!

Slowly, energy and creativity has been coming back and I have been enjoying creating for our sweet little Ellie!

So, I thought I would share some of the things I have been working on.

First up: Pacifier Clips!

I did two different types.

1. recycled a "mam" brand clip.

I cut off the pre-existing ribbon to use as my "pattern" and then sewed onto plastic clip and added velco closure. I hot glued on my flowers on top of the "pattern" that was already on the clip.

2. using name badge clips and fabric

I have been using a lot of damask to match our carseat cover and diaper bag, so I thought I would make one to match the "set"...same directions as above but with fabric, and taking apart the name badge clip.

Thanks for looking! See you next time!

Fun Baby Bargain Sites

2009-07-29T14:54:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am still around!

Just wanted to share three fun baby bargain websites I like to check out:

babysteals.com

mamabargains.com

greenbabybargains.com

Til Next Time!

May Design Team Page

2009-06-05T15:49:00.001-07:00

using Fancy Pants products:

The sun is chipboard covered in glitter, and the center of the sun is a brad covered in glitter. along the sides where the flourishes and words are has some shimmer as well.

First page I have done in awhile!

Baby Chain

2009-05-25T15:09:00.002-07:00

Today, the boys and I did our first craft in awhile. We made a baby chain from paper! Every day that passes, they will take a ring off the chain, which is one day closer until the baby arrives. I think it will help my oldest especially, to see when the baby will get here.

Now. Where are we going to hang this beast?

Where have I been?

2009-05-18T11:11:00.003-07:00

Hey guys!

I know things have been pretty quiet here on this end, but that is for very good reason. I am usually not much of a crafter/sewer/baker when I am in my first trimester of pregnancy.

Thats right! I am pregnant with our third baby. We are super excited and can not wait until Christmas/New Years when we get to welcome this new miracle of life into our lives!

I promise to keep the pregnancy talk down to a minimum here :) and I am sure once I am feeling better, things will pick up around here. But the down time is definitely being taken advantage of. I am enjoying reading my Bible more and focusing on the true Creator...the One who gave us this beautiful gift!

What I came home to find in the garden

2009-05-14T15:39:00.003-07:00

Since we have been out of AZ for the past week and a half, it has gotten CRAZY hot. Welcome summer. Not that I want to welcome summer.

This morning, I went out to see whats going on in the garden and found some good surprises and bad surprises.

What I lost:

most of my herbs. i think only the mint, basil, and maybe oregano and parsley made it. the oregano and parsley hanging out by a thread.
pumpkins (really dont want to break this to Jaden)
peas
marigolds by the tomato plants
radishes
all my flowers in pots.

What I found doing super well:

weeds. UGH!
lettuce (which shocked me because lettuce isnt fond of heat)
carrots (another shocker)
cucumbers are blooming like wild
green beans
a new little circle pepper (not sure why they always grow in a ring like that when it was supposed to be jalepeno)
and lots of new tomatoes with the old ones getting bigger

everything else is so-so.

We planted 4 different types of sunflowers which are blooming now and have gotten to be as tall as me or taller. I am going to even have to stake some because they wanted to bloom before their stalks were sturdy enough.

The first type we planted was the one I took a picture of here...a standard sunflower

The second is a giant sunflower, which are what we grew last year.

These are the autumn bouquet Sunflower...all different colors on one stalk

And finally is the Vanilla Ice Sunflower:

So nice to look out our two windows and see these "bouquets" of cheery happy sunflowers!

On our way back home!

2009-05-12T09:04:00.004-07:00

Long time no blog! We have been enjoying our stay here in the midwest, but as my grandma told me last night, all good things must come to an end. Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday in a field full of yellow flower---weeds! I was disappointed that I took them at the wrong time of day, lightingwise, so they aren't what I was "envisioning" at all. Plus, we were on the side of a busy road and the kids werent wanting to pose, so they were hurried, but I think otherwise, they were fun.

If you look closely, you can see the oldd corn stalks. Its a corn field normally.

(Sorry they are cute off here, flickr always cuts off the end of the photos when I post them on blogger.)

Hi from the middle of nowhere!

2009-05-04T10:49:00.003-07:00

We are driving to the St Louis area as I type this. Its going to be a very long drive but will be a really nice visit. We left this morning at 4 am and have 15 hours to drive today (7 so far) and 8 tomorrow. We are lucky enough to be staying at Micah's aunt and uncle's house tonight so it will be a great way to break up the road trip!

I probably wont be posting much craftiness in the next week or so but I am sure I will have something interesting (to me) to post.

And for a good laugh... my husband has begun recruiting anyone he can to grow a mustache with him the whole month of pay and has started a mustache may blog that he will be updating through the month.

So if you have any crazy mustache stories or pictures, let us know :)

Had me in Stitches...literally

2009-05-01T16:44:00.003-07:00

I learned today that if you drop a food processor blade on your foot, it will mess up your routine for quite awhile. 4 hours later and 4 stitches later, I came home to stay off my feet for the day. Since my toe was still numb, I was feeling pretty good and went ahead and sewed this pattern. You know I am paying for it now, but the trial shirt turned out cute. I want to do this in more fun fabric later on....when I am not dealing with injuries and all.

Here is the pattern and here is my take on it:

I better get back to resting before I get in trouble.

Chalk Table

2009-04-30T10:04:00.002-07:00

Have you noticed lately that anything and everything can be a chalkboard?

Last month, we were going to build our little Harold an easel for his room. While I was at Ikea one day, I saw these little tables for 12 dollars. They came in a few different colors.

I was thinking how it would be the perfect size for his room and we wouldnt have to mess with building an easel. But it didnt have a chalkboard or anything on it....yet! I went to Home Depot, got some chalkboard spray, and instantly had a chalkboard table.

Pleated Purse Pattern

2009-04-28T22:48:00.003-07:00

After checking out a *new to me* fabric store from my sister in law's recommendation today, I got fabric to make a purse I have been looking at for awhile now here at My Spare Time.

It will be a good summer bag and I hope to make a couple more for myself. Different colors, different lengths and different strap lengths. Now that I know how to do the corners and pleats, it will be fun to do variations.

When life gives you lemons,

2009-04-28T09:05:00.002-07:00

make a cute bag set!

My sister bought this fabric last week and asked me to make a simple totebag for her books.

These pictures just dont show how cute it is. I made it up as I went along, with a curved bottom and a thicker strap on bottom that narrows at the top. Then I made a matching wristlet/pouch for it as well. Sorry for poor quality of pictures: