Back to School Cake Pops

I try to make a special back-to-school treat for my kids around the first day of school. This year we had a neighborhood party the day before school started. I had seen this tutorial on Skip to my Lou and knew that I had to try it. 

This was my first attempt at making cake pops, and of course I left it until the last minute. They aren't very cute, but they tasted great and were a big hit.

Birthday jewelry

I wanted to make some jewelry for my sister's birthday. While we were at Craft Warehouse I asked her to help me pick out some beads. Then she helped me make it.

 It was great to have her there to try them on so that it was just the right size.

Design your own stuffed monster

Before the Clevelands left I had the kids draw a little "monster". I had seen (maybe Family Fun?) this little article on turning a drawing into a stuffed animal. My sister had done it once with her kids, too.
I made the monsters with fleece and felt. The claws are ribbons. Some of the pieces are sewed on, some glued. They were super fast to make.
I think the kids were really pleased with them. My two girls have not shown any interest yet.

More hair flowers

Layers of denim, sewn together with a button in the center

 more denim

 Zipper flower. I made two of these. I thought this one looked horrible while making it, but it turned out! Yes, you can see a lot of hot glue, but it is still wearable, I think.

 This is made from the same skirt I cut up to make a dress for Lydia. It is small but very feminine.

I made a bunch of these. They look really cute being worn. Made of felt. I don't know, synthetic felt always seems a little tacky to me...maybe it is the colors.

satin hair flower

 To go with Lydia's new dress I made a hair flower. I made two and put one on the belt of the dress. I did her hair in a waterfall braid, ending in a bun. I think it looked really pretty.

I didn't follow a tutorial, though I think I have seen one before. I just cut circles of fabric that was left from the skirt. Then I held the edges by a flame and they sealed and curled. Then I put some silver beads in the center.

Repurposed skirt to dress

 I have had this skirt forever. I really love it but I can't ever find anything to wear with it, or it doesn't feel like me. So, I was going to get rid of it but instead I decided to repurpose it. It is so frilly and girly I knew Lydia would love a dress out of it.
I basically just it down to fit around her. I left the length on it so I wouldn't have to hem all the layers. I made some sleeves and a little belt. It really is ridiculously simple, but I thought it looked so glamorous. She said, "I feel like a bride!"

Really the second picture is the only one that lets you see the dress, but I couldn't resist the other poses.

Books! Also 100th post!

A few months before I got married I took a bookbinding class with my Dad, my friend Amy, and some of my siblings. It was super fun and just the kind of thing we enjoy.

I am so glad that I learned this art and while I am far from proficient I can still throw together a pretty cool book.

I sewed all of my kids baby books. I have made several photo albums and all of my journals since I learned how. There is something really special about having those personal memories in a book that you made.

I made Liam a book for Christmas in which to write his stories. Ever since then he has been asking to learn how to make a book.

So I put it on our list of projects for summer.

 Here is Austin with his book that we made covered with the paste paper we had made a few days earlier.

 Liam with his book that we made. Also bound using the paste paper that we had made.

It turned out really neat. I am thinking that I need to get an inside shot of the book, this could be any old book!
It has been ages since I have made any books, so I was really glad that Liam pushed me into it. Now I have several projects that I am excited about that include bookbinding.