Hello, My Frame Is

Posted by Vickie Howell on November 17, 2009 at 4:32 PM in General Crafts, Painting, Thanksgiving Projects

Thanksgiving is a day for creating memories and celebrating family.  My favorite physical manifestation of that are personalized, handmade frames to honor the people whom I consider to be my biggest blessings.  They're easy to make, the design possibilities are endless AND they make great, holiday table decor (for birthdays and anniversaries, too!)  Get your kids involved by handing them a paint brush or even, just letting them choose the pictures to be displayed.  Seeing smiling faces coming out of your awesome little alters is a great reward for being creative.  For you, my crafty parent compadres, I am thankful!

• Place frame face down on the fabric, vinyl or paper that you've chosen to embellish the front.  With a pen or pencil, trace around the face of the frame and inside square.  Cut out; set aside.
  

• Paint entire frame with desired color; sprinkle glitter over frame feet--I used the leftover orange from the Leaf Print Place Mat and Pumpkin Place Cards.  Why not watch our pennies and coordinate our decor all in one swoop, right?
  
  

• Trim your fabric (vinyl or paper) to just a wee bit smaller than frame front, so the painted border will show.  Spread a thin layer of decoupage medium on back of fabric and center on frame; smooth down.  Paint another layer over the fabric AND the rest of the frame back and sides (excluding the glittered feet), to seal.  Let dry.
  
  
• Glue letters (I found mine in the Scrapbook section of the craft store, but you could also use magazine cut-outs or a paint pen) into place.  Since my photo was of my baby girl enjoying her food, I spelled out "Yum".  You could also use the date, a child's name, or a word describing the photo.  Whatever floats your gravy boat. :)

Wicked Stitch--Embroidered Trick or Treat Totes

Posted by Vickie Howell on October 20, 2009 at 8:59 AM in Embroidery, Halloween Projects, Parent/Child Collaboration, Tutorial

One of my favorite ways to encourage kids to be creative is by collaborating with them on projects.  A simple but rewarding way to do this is by embroidering their artwork onto fabric; making it a usable keepsake.  In the past I've stitched my sons' artwork onto journals, t-shirts and even a birthday card pillow for Nana.  The possibilities for this technique are endless, including incorporating it into your Halloween celebration!

This year, sweeten a Trick or Treat tote with scary sketches done by your little devils.  Kiddos will feel proud displaying their talents, and parents will have a crafty record of darlings' doodles to save for years to come. Oh and if you've never embroidered before, no problem!  This project requires only using one, easy stitch: the back stitch.  Here's everything you'll need to know to make one of these boo-tiful bags yourself!

Materials
Paper & Pencil (for child's drawing)
Plain, Canvas Tote Bag
Assorted Colors, Embroidery Floss
Embroidery Needle
Embroidery Hoop
Transfer Paper (found in art supply aisle at craft store)
Note: Be sure to buy light colored transfer paper if you're working with a dark, tote bag and dark paper for lighter versions.

• Ask your child to draw a simple, picture of something Halloween-related. The less detailed the drawing, the easier it is to translate into an embroidered image.

• Lay transfer paper, face down on tote bag.  Lay drawing, face up on top of transfer paper.  Using a pencil, stylus or anything pointy (a knitting needle, works great), firmly trace over drawing.  Image should now be transferred onto tote bag front.
• Place tote bag front in embroidery hoop.  Back stitch over transferred image outline.
  
  Psst! Got older kids?  Have them do the embroidery themselves!
  

 

Step 2: Come back down with your needle at Point B (about 1/8" from Point A--stitches do not need to be exact); pull thread through.  Your first stitch is now complete!

 

Snapsuit Baby Costumes

Posted by Vickie Howell on October 8, 2009 at 11:27 AM in Baby/Toddler, General Crafts, Halloween Projects, Sewing

(L-R: Strong Man, Munchkin, Wee Witch & Baby Sasquatch Costumes)

Hey there and welcome to the very first article on the PBS Parents' CRAFT APPARENT blog! I'm Vickie Howell, and I'll be your guide to all things craft-- with and for your kiddos. As the mother of 7 & 9 year old boys and a 4-month-old girl, I'm inspired on a daily basis by my children. They're often my creative muses as well as both recipients and collaborators on projects I make. Like most parents though, I struggle to juggle family with life's other obligations. There's not a lot of time and in this economy especially, not a lot of extra money--if we're going to nourish our creative sides, then it needs to fit into both our schedules and our budgets. CRAFT APPARENT is right there with you; focusing on get-crafty projects for you and your kids that only require a little bit of time and cash!

Today I'm showing how to create unique and adorable costumes for your little goblin; all beginning with a plain, white snap suit (ya know, those one-piece rompers that have a name that's trademarked ;-)). They're easy to assemble (with both sew & no-sew options), can be made in a few hours, and all cost under $20. Hooray for Halloween!

Here's the scoop.

Basic Materials (all costumes)
White, Baby Snap Suit
Scissors
Sewing Pins
Iron
Fabric Glue, Sewing Machine OR Needle & Thread (your choice)
Marking Pen
Measuring Tape
Safety Pin

Model: Quinn Corcoran

Strong Man Extra Materials
Pot of Coffee
1/8-1/4" yd Leopard Fabric (depending on size)
Black Embroidery Thread & Needle
Small Amount, Black Yarn & Felt

Strong Man How-To

• Naturally dye snap suit by simmering on the stove top, in a large pot filled with 8-10 cups of already made coffee. The longer you let it soak, the darker the snap suit's "skin tone" will be. Rinse thoroughly; let dry.
• To make leopard front, lay a small piece of fabric over snap suit. Using a marker, trace the outline of an over-the-shoulder-type loin cloth on top of fabric (Doesn't need to be perfect!); add 1/4" around. Cut out.

  Fold over rough edges 1/4" & press with iron to create hem. Glue or sew hems.

  Machine, hand-sew or glue leopard piece to snap suit at the crotch, sides and shoulder. Make sure to leave a little bit of give room for baby belly!

• To make chest sprouts, use needle to pull knotted pieces of embroidery thread through from the underside of snap suit. Snip pieces to about 1". Rub between fingers to fray.

• To make mini-barbell, braid 3, 10" bunches of yarn; knot at both ends. Cut out 4, small circles (juice glasses make a great template) of black felt. Sandwich yarn between 2 felt circles and glue or sew together. Repeat on opposite end.
  

Model: Clover Campbell

Munchkin Extra Materials
1/8"-1/4" Solid Color Fabric (depending on size)
Small Piece, Patterned Fabric
Fusible Tape (Optional: Only for a no-sew version)
1 yd., 1" Wide Ribbon
Plastic Cup
Fake Flower
Small Amount, Green Tulle
2 Buttons (optional)
Scraps of RicRac, Lace and/or other Embellishments
Baby Headband
White Craft Paint & Sponge Brush
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Stick

Munchkin How-To

• To make skirt, measure around baby's waist to give you measurement "x". Multiply "x" by 2. That number will give you the pre-gathered, skirt width "y". Cut "y" x 9"(length) piece of solid color fabric. Note: Add 1"-2" in length for older babies.

  Cut 7"x 9" (or whatever the length of other piece is) piece of contrasting fabric.

  Hem sides and bottoms of both pieces by pressing 1/2" and sewing, gluing or using fusible tape to secure.

  Center contrasting piece on solid fabric; fold top edge of both pieces over 1 1/2" and sew or glue or fuse (using 1 1/4" seam allowance) to secure. This will create a ribbon channel.

  Use safety pin to feed ribbon through channel. Gather skirt, tie a bow and trim ribbon.

• Decorate snap suit by attaching decorative RicRac & ruffle to collar & sleeves. Hand-sew buttons to bodice. Important: Do not glue--buttons are a choking hazard if not secure!

• To make flower pot head piece, paint plastic cup. Let dry. Embellish with Ric-Rac at top and bottom of cup.
• Cover inside bottom of cup with liberal amount of hot glue. Place flower in center; stuff in tulle. Hot glue flower pot to headband.

Model: Talullah Boehk

Wee Witch Extra Materials
Black, Washing Machine Fabric Dye (iDye, RIT, etc.)
1/4" Each, Orange & Black Tulle
2 Pieces, Orange, Stiff Craft Felt
2, 1 yd Pieces of Decorative Ribbon
Black Needle & Thread
Orange Thread (Optional)
RicRac, Ribbon, Sequin or other Embellishments
Plastic Spiders
Stripey Leggings

Wee Witch How-To

• Dye snap suit in washing machine, using black fabric dye and following manufacturer's instructions. Wash & let dry.

• Embellish onsie by sewing or gluing RicRa to collar. Hand-sew spider to sollar. Important: Do not glue--plastic spiders are a choking hazard if not secure!

• To make skirt, hold black & orange 1/4" yard tulle pieces together; fold in half length-wise.
  Use a needle and thread to make a running stitch about 2" from fold. Pull on thread ends to gather.

  Use safety pin to feed 1 piece of ribbon through channel. Gather skirt, tie a bow and trim ribbon.

  Hand sew plastic spiders to skirt front.

  Cut up skirt bottom to desired length--the more jagged the spookier!

• To make hat, use a dinner plate to trace a semi-circle onto orange felt. Cut out semi-circle, then cut it in half--you'll use just one of those pieces. Roll 1/4 circle piece into a cone. Hand sew or glue seam. Trace around the circumference of the cone opening onto the 2nd piece of felt. Center salad place over the circle you've just drawn and trace a larger circle around it. Cut out both outer & inner circles to create brim. With right sides facing, stick cone inside inner circle; glue or hand sew into place.

  Glue buckle adornment onto hat, above brim.

  Cut piece of ribbon in half; hand sew pieces evenly, to underside of brim.

Model: Clover Campbell

Baby Sasquatch Extra Materials
Brown, Washing Machine Fabric Dye (iDye, RIT, etc.)
1/2 yd, Tan, Faux Fur
1/4" Wide Baby Elastic
1/2" Wide Elastic
Scraps, Tan Fabric

Baby Sasquatch How-to

• Dye snap suit in washing machine, using brown fabric dye and following manufacturer's instructions. Wash & let dry.
• Use a marker to draw chest & belly shapes on the back of faux fur. Cut out. Glue or sew to snap suit front.
• To make legs, measure around the chunkiest part of baby's thigh; add 2" to that measurement. Measure length from thigh to heel. Using those measurements, cut out 2 rectangle pieces of faux fur. Cut 1/4" wide elastic pieces to baby's thigh measurement (without adding extra 2").

  Hem the top and bottom ends of one rectangle by folding raw edges over 1/2" and machine or hand sewing. Use safety pin to feed elastic through top hem of piece. With right sides facing, fold faux fur in half width-wise. Machine or hand-sew up the back. Turn right side out. Repeat for other leg.

• To make headband, measure baby's head; add 2" to that measurement giving you measurement "x". Cut out faux fur strip that measures 2" by "x". With right sides facing, fold strip in half width wise. Seam up; turn right side out.

  Cut piece of elastic to baby's head measurement (without adding extra 2"). Feed elastic through headband; fold in half and sew ends together to form a circle.

Craft.Rock.Boo!,
Vickie

Psst!  Make this craft?  We'd love to see a picture of it...and we're sure others would too!  Join the Craft Apparent Flickr group and upload photos of you're awesome Craft Apparent Crafts!