Big Spoon = Quiet Dinner

At dinner Mike played a trick on Emma.  She asked for a spoon and he brought her a large wooden spoon just to be silly. Turned out to be spectaular. She thought it was hilarious and we never once had to tell her "eat your dinner!"

Lesson learned: next time your kids are wearing you out at dinner, give them something silly to eat with!

1 Hour Easy Bunting

I have seen several tutorial on how to make some really fabulous bunting.  This is not one of those tutorials.  This bunting is quick and cheap! No pinking, NO double sidedness, NO meticulous mathematics, NO bias tape. If this project takes you more then 1 hour you are doing something wrong.

 Step 1 : Make a triangle template out of scrap paper/cardboard
 Step 2 : Find scraps of fabric/felt/paper/denim and cut out triangles.
                          ( i used my rotary cutter and did 5 at a time)
 Step 3 : Choose ribbon (any length & width you want) & cut it in half. Pin the ribbon together about 12
                 inches from edge.    ( these ends will be used to tie the bunting to objects as pictured above)

Step 4 : Use your zigzag stitch and start sewing at the pin.

Step 5 : Add more flags at intervals you prefer.
             I used the edge of that metal plate as my guide.(pictured left)
             You could also use your Painter's Tape Guide (pictured right).
Step 6: ENJOY YOUR NEW FABULOUSLY CHEAP BUNTING!

Painters Tape Guide

Did you know? 

You can use painter's tape as an extended guide on your sewing machine.  You can move it around as much as you want and it never leaves a sticky residue.  So go raid your husbands garage and never struggle with wide seams again!

Emma's FIRST sewing project.

     Recently I was inspired to not just take my kids to the fabric store, but teach them to LOVE fabric.  Hmmm I never thought to do that. So last Friday Emma and I left the boys at home and headed out to find her very own piece of fabric. I made a point to not look at anything for myself and only purchase her stuff.  I was so busy talking to Emma and exploring the store through the eyes of a 4yr old that I forgot to take a lot of pictures. Sometimes just being in the moment and not trying to "capture" the moment is much more memorable.  She picked out a lovely pink and purple fat quarter and some matching purple broadcloth.  I think she has fabulous taste.  The whole experience cost me a whopping $1.56!  Who knew fun could be so cheap.When we got home I asked her what she wanted to make and she said a pony and a purse. I hunted down a great Pony Tutorial and we went to work.  She helped me place the pattern, cut out all the yarn hair, and even sat on my lap while I sewed it together.  It was a perfect 1st sewing project!

Emma also wanted a purse. I'm so glad I asked her what she wanted because she had very specific ideas. A big pocket on the outside and Two handles that need to be long and skinny. And while it's nothing like I would have made her, she loves it, and that was the point of these projects. "Teach Emma to Love Sewing"