Wooden Fairy House Tutorial

I was sooooo busy at Christmas that I didn't have time to get all of my projects photographed and blogged.  This is a cute little fairy house that I put together for Kamille.  I am getting so tired of plastic junk that breaks and has a ton of tiny pieces that immediately get lost.  She was desperate for the Pixie Hollow magical fairy house.  She already has a fairy jewelry box/house that she never plays with.  I loved this build a tree house kit, but it is +$130.  The pieces make a house that is about 22" tall. 

For my smaller version that is about 12" tall, I used 3 wood clock faces from Michael's.  They are in with all of the wood burning and other wood things.  I actually wanted to make 1 more tier with a huge wood slice, but they didn't have any.  I also planned on using branches instead of a dowel, but it just got too cold and snowed before I could go out into the yard and cut some.  So, I just used a dowel to make the supports.  I screwed them into the wood slices after pre-drilling the holes.  The whole project could use a few coats of sealant, but I need to wait for slightly warmer weather to seal it. 

 I also made a coffee table and a little felt leaf couch for the house.  Kamille got a bunch of little princesses that came with furniture, so she is also using that in her house. 

I made this little rug out of felt. 

 Here you can see the leaf hammock bed and the tiny blanket and pillow I made from felt.  I just hot glued the hammock onto the posts. 

One additional element you cannot see is the little ladder that the fairies can climb to get from one level to the next.  Kamille has been playing with this little house everyday.  It seems much sturdier than the plastic cottage.  Plus, there is some room for imagination.  It doesn't talk or light up or sing.  It is 100% powered by creative play.  Also, the project was more in the range of $30.00, rather than $130.  It may not be as fancy, but it also doesn't take up half of her room.

Glitter Scarf Tutorial

My niece and daughter are totally obsessed with glitter/sequin scarves.  Those things are expensive.  I personally have a hard time justifying spending $15-$18 on an accessory for a 3-yr-old or even a 7-year-old.  So, this Christmas, Lisa and I made up a bunch of the scarves at much more affordable prices.  I have a NO SEW and a LOW SEW version of the scarves below.  JoAnn and Walmart both sell a fabric they call confetti dot fabric.  It comes in about 10+ colors.  The fabric is about $6.00 a yard (but you can score it for much less with a coupon or buy purchasing a remnant).   

 Because this fabric does not run or fray to speak of, you can make a really cute scarf by just cutting an 8" strip.  If you cut anything narrower, it tends to roll (which makes a nice scarf for American Girl Doll).

I also made a doubled version by cutting 2 8" strips and stitching them together.  I left the ends open for turning. 

These scarves a played with/worn around here everyday.  The single scarf is about $1.00 and the double scarf is about $2.00 (when you buy the fabric with a coupon).

I made the no sew scarves a couple of years ago as party favors for my niece's glamour makeover birthday party.  They were a hit. 

Christmas Gift Tutorial Roundup - Elementary Aged Children

Nintendo DS Cases

There probably isn't a hotter gift item for kids in this age group than the DS.  It is a must have.  So, whether you are crafting for a boy or a girl, a DS case would make a great gift. 

This drawstring case from Mariska is one of the simplest ideas for a case I have seen.  It makes me want to make a few for my upcoming craft shows.

Notice the little pocket in back for the games.  Check out the DS case tutorial here.

This is another great Nintendo DS case tutorial from Kender Crafts.  Plus, her blog is awesome.  I didn't see an idea on there I didn't like. 

I Spy Bags

This is also from Kender Crafts, but you can find the tutorials everywhere.

I Spy stuff is huge with this age group as well.  One word to the wise, Lisa & I tried these and I just could not a get a product that I wanted to sell, but for gift giving, they were fine.  The plastic pellets can be pricey, so bring a coupon.  Kamille plays with her monster I Spy bag every time she comes across it in her toys.  Find the I Spy Bag Tutorial here.

Tool Belt

This is a great tutorial because you could make it into so many things, a garden apron, art smock, etc.

Check it out over at Seven Little Monkeys.

Fabric House Tutorial

The reason I didn't call this a doll house is that with some fabric selection it can go boy or girl.  Try a safari/jungle look for zhu zhu pets or to keep all of those annoying little pop up pets in.

This great Tutorial is from UK Lass in US. 

Lunch Bags

This is a cute pattern for a fun and fast lunch sack.  You can also check out my tutorial on the Busy Beaver Lunch Sack.

Tissue Holder



This is another cute little idea.  I doubt you need a tutorial to make it.  Add a loop to hand from the backpack. 

Back Pack Doo Dads

Now the Sesame Street kind might be too babyish for elementary, but this tutorial was TOO cute to pass by without sharing.

Check out the tutorial over at Craft Passion.

Headband Tutorial

This ribbon headband tutorial seems too simple, but there is a great hint involved that is worth checking out. 

Tutorial from Chocolate on my Cranium.



Monkey Business - Featured in Another Great Treasury

'Monkey business' by angelariddellstamps

Slip-not headband, ... joellecole $10.00	Fondant Cupcake or ... cookiecovers $10.95	Sock Monkey Hat HookedOnHudson $26.99	Glass Tile Pendant ... dwilcox $6.95
Silly Monkey Boy an... whitefluffdesi... $2.00	Funky Munky Minky R... nicolecutright $40.00	Easiest Baby Bootie... c1h8r9is $4.95	Sock Monkey Paintin... coloryourdream... $75.00
Girlie Monkey Cooki... TSCookies $36.00	My First Monkey Dia... mommynmediaper... $60.00	Set of 3 Cute Littl... LittleMonkeyDo... $15.00	Cute little monkey ... snis $14.00
Funky Magnets - Cra... funkychickende... $5.00	Custom Clothing Div... paperpartydesi... $10.00	Little Monkey Baby ... StarCreekCreat... $16.00	Hand Painted Monkey... GrowinLikeAWee... $58.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Free Tutorial Friday - Dress Up Shoes

Every time I see my little one teetering around in her high heel princess shoes, I think first that she is going to break her ankle or fall down the stairs in them and then second that I REALLY need to make some simple dress up shoes for her. 

This is what I came up with out of some fabric scraps and about 10 minutes.

You need fleece, some jersey fabric (I used confetti dot fabric - or you could use ribbon), and either stiffened felt or foamie sheets.

Take a shoe that fits and trace around it.  I used a fabric marker, but you could use a sharpie, pen, crayon, whatever you have.  

You should have 4 soles cut from fleece.  Place them over the stiffened felt or foamie and cut out the lining (2).  If I could have found a decent pair of scissors around here, I would have put the felt down on top of the fleece and cut all 3 layers at once. 

Then, you need to put down one layer of fleece and put the felt on top.  Then, lay the confetti fabric over that.  Then put the last piece of fleece on top.  

Top stitch the shoe.  It can get a little messy because the fleece stretches.  Just trim it. 

Tie a knot or bow with your 2 straps.  Then, trim off any excess.  You could tie it while it's on the child's foot just to make sure the foot will fit.  I just tied it a little loose.

These babies are slippery so you need to make them non skid.  I just used some puffy paint.  It's a trick I learned from crochet.  You could also write your child's name on the bottom in puffy paint which would probably thrill her. 

The other option is to cut your sole bottom from non skid shoe fabric.  It's like the stuff on the bottom of footie pajamas.  It is expensive - I think it's $6.00 a yard, but it's only about 20" wide.  It is hard to find.  Normally it is hidden in with the fusible webbing.  You may need to ask.  It won't fray, so you can just follow the same steps as above, but cut 1 fleece, 1 no skid bottom, and 1 foamie layer for each shoe.  I think that it only comes in white. 

 

Crowns for Kids Round Up

I got to thinking today about how much kids love to accessorize as I watched my two year old put her sun glasses on her face with a very pleased look. She always needs a bag, or a back pack or a purse. Always wants a pretty dress or a sparkly pair of shoes. She's not into princesses per say but she loves hats and crowns. So here it is... a roundup of easy crowns and a felt hat that you can make with or for your own special little people!

Maureen and Shanti over at Twig and Toadstool show you how to make this awesome fall crown out of nothing but leaves! So get outside, go for a walk, and collect some beautiful fall leaves!

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Homemade by Jill shows you how to whip up this super cute birthday crown.

She even gives you a free template for the design!

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One Hour Craft has a great tutorial to show you how to make this beautiful flower crown.

With a change of flower color this could go for any special occasion holiday!

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Crochet?

Check out this tutorial for an absolutely adorable crocheted crown from Oh So Happy Together!

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4 Crazy Kings tells us how to make this great green craft. Recycle your paper coffee sleeves into fabulous paper crowns with a little help from some sequins and tissue paper!

What fun and easy way to use what you have on hand.  

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Bitter Betty has really out done herself with this awesome gold crown!

I love this one! Looks so professional! What a great addition to any Halloween or dress up outfit!

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Nikki over at WhiMSy love has a very clear and fun tutorial on how to make these adorable newspaper crowns with your kiddos!

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Just my Rambling has a very easy an innovative way for your little one to make a princess crown.

A paper plate, some crayons, and some foam stickers; that's all you'll need!

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Katydid and Kid has a wonderful fall crown tutorial made from felt.

Aren't the colors so soothing and warm?!

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One more felt crown! How sweet!! Little Lizzie gives a tutorial on how to make this sweet crown!

Look at all of that embroidery work!

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I just plain ol' love this one!! It make me want to fall in love allover again!

No Knows Weddings shows us how to make this most beautiful crown

for the little girl in all of us!

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Happy Crafting!!