Wildflowers Baby Mobile Tutorial

It's almost time for this baby and as I've told you I have been a BUSY bee making projects for her!  One project that I finished this week is the Wildflowers Baby Mobile.  It turned out even cuter than what I had envisioned! (Love when that happens!)
I think this could even be used in places other than a nursery.  It is so whimsical and romantic, girlie and unique!  So even if you don't have a need for this in a nursery, you could add some white Christmas lights and use it as a little chandelier, etc.  Let me know if you come up for another use for this project!

So, you want to make one? Let's get started!

Gather your materials!

Materials Needed:
-One long flexible floral stem with leaves/branches
-2-4 floral stems with several flowers each in the color scheme of your choice (this is up to your creativity- you can use as many flower types, colors, etc. as you choose!)
-Floral tape, wire, or "vine" (I used the faux flexible vine stuff)
-Clear elastic jewelry thread (use a thick gauge for durability!)
-Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
-Tiny metal hook for hanging

Step One-
Take the long leafy/branchy stem and wind it into a circle.  Mine is about 12" in diameter but make it the size you think looks best for your space. 

I bent some of the leaves the opposite direction so they were all over.

Step 2-
Use your floral tape or vine and wrap it around to firmly attach the ends.  Be sure that the circle will not be coming apart!

See how nice the vine wire blends in?

Step 3-
Prepare your flowers.  Pop off some individual flowers and some groups of flowers (it might depend on the types you bought).  The point is to try and get some variety in how they are grouped.  Use the glue gun to be sure all the flower parts are reinforced.  Faux flowers can pop off into tiny pieces that could be a choking hazard so this step is VERY important both for durability and safety.  It takes some time, but is well worth it!

Gluing base on securely.

Step 4-
Decorate the circle with flowers from all angles- you want the mobile to look pretty from the baby's view, not the top!  The sides should be pretty too since you will see that in the room...but mainly keep in mind the baby's view.  Try not to follow a regular pattern, this needs to be very organic looking!

Don't be shy with the glue!  Have fun arranging your flowers in random places.

Step 5-
Begin attaching the hanging parts.  I put a drop of hot glue on the end of the clear elastic thread, then inserted it into the hole at the base of the flowers.  Some of the blue ones in clumps didn't have a hole, so I glued the thread to the side (about 3/4" of it for durability).  Vary the lengths of the thread so the flowers hang randomly!

See how nicely the elastic thread fits in the base of the flower?

Step 6-
Tie the elastic threads to the circle and glue well.  Again, you don't want this to be too uniform- space them out differently and be sure that there are a variety of flowers- colors, single flowers, bunches of flowers, etc.  It's best to lay them out ahead of time to plan.

Glue the knot, but be careful not to melt through the plastic!  These knots will not hold well without the glue.

Step 7-
After all of your flowers are attached the way you like it, attach four equal lengths of the elastic thread to the top of the circle and knot at the top.  Then screw a hook into the ceiling and hang the mobile on the hook!

Mine is not above the crib yet- waiting on my Dad to bring the hook over!

Some ideas for variations-
-Use a floral stem for the circle and hang lightweight birds or butterflies from the elastic thread!
-Make one that is all leaves.
-For a boy, it would be cute to use leaves and hang some lightweight plastic lizards, caterpillars, etc.
The sky is the limit to your creativity!!!
Let me know if you try it and post a link below so I can see it!

Please remember that this tutorial is for personal use only.  If you pin to Pinterest, please use the top photo with my website watermark on it!  Thanks so much!

***Are you a follower yet?  When I reach my current goal I will do a GIVEAWAY!!!***  Google is getting rid of Friend Connect this Spring, so please follow via RSS, Facebook, Linky, or email if you don't mind :)

Box Pleat Crib Skirt Tutorial!

I am really cutting it close...about 5 weeks to go and I am still making things for the nursery!  David has been painting away...(and really got into posing for blog photos!)

"It looks like a mustache, right?"  "Umm...sure honey!"

 

"Okay, get this action shot."

Now, I probably won't do a whole post just about paint color, so I will tell you in this post that we used this:

Behr Ultra in "Spring Stream"

This paint is great- it really does cover anything underneath and you can do one coat! It's a very close match to Tiffany Blue- which is in the fabric we chose for the room- yes, I said "we" because David was very involved in the process of choosing the fabrics.  I will use the same fabric for the window valance as I do for the crib skirt, and then I might make a pillow for the glider, and perhaps a Boppy cover...maybe even a mobile with the scraps.  So keep an eye out for future posts!

BOX PLEATED CRIB SKIRT
To make my Box Pleated Crib Skirt, you will need:
-About 1 1/2 yards of white muslin (for the part that will be under the mattress)
-About 2 yards of the main fabric (where I used the brown floral print)
-About 1 1/2 yards of the accent fabric (where I used the coral polka-dots)
-Coordinating thread (one spool should be plenty)
-Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Iron and Sewing Machine

(***ALWAYS wash, dry, and iron your fabric first!  I allowed wiggle room for shrinking in the amounts above.***)

Cut the following from your fabric (Hint:  Cotton tears really well!  For those long measurements I let 'er rip, then I used my rotary cutter to do the shorter cut.)

Muslin
-one piece 49" x 27"

Main fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 9.5"
-2 pieces 38" x9.5"

Accent fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 5"
-2 pieces 38" x 5"

Okay, now let's put all that together!!!  For this entire tutorial, use a 1/2" seam allowance.

1.  With right sides facing, attach the trim to the main fabric lengthwise. (You can use a serger if you prefer.)

2. Iron your seams nice and flat! (If you used a serger, still do this!)

3. Zig-zag (or serge)  around the perimiter of the whole piece.  Do this as close to the edge as possible.

4. Mitre the bottom corners of the trim following the steps in the photos below.

Fold corner in 1/2" and iron down.

Fold over the bottom hem 1/2" and iron.

Fold in the side hem 1/2" and iron.

5.  Sew down the side and bottom hems.

 6.  Make your box pleats (one per panel) following the instructions in the photos below.  I wanted a very simple look- but if you want a series of box pleats, simply add 10" per pleat and go to town!

Find the exact center and mark with a quilting marker or fabric pencil.

Measure and mark 5" on either side of the center.

Pinch the mark on the left, and fold over so that the mark touches the center mark.  Be sure its lined up perfectly all the way to the bottom hem then iron.  Repeat for the other side.

Pin, then baste in place 1/4" from the edge.

7. Attach the panels to the muslin and iron seams flat.

And you're done!  Enjoy making your little one's nursery as special and unique as they are...and come back for more nursery projects that are in the works (or at least in my head!!!)  To see all the projects in their completely final form (like this on the crib) keep coming by- I will do a "reveal" post when the nursery is complete!

***Please remember that this tutorial is my original work.  It is intended for personal use only.  Feel free to link directly to this post but please do not copy it.  THANKS!!!***

Remember to become a follower- I will do another giveaway when I reach my current goal!!!

Fabric covered trivets- Scrap-buster tutorial

I was at Ikea when I visited my sister last week, and found this 3-pack of cork trivets for $2.99. I grabbed them because I immediately thought how cute they would be if doctored up a bit! I have two projects in mind for them- this is the first.

FABRIC COVERED TRIVET TUTORIAL

Materials needed-
cork trivet (mine is 7" diameter)
scrap measuring 12x12 or a fat quarter (be sure this fabric can withstand heat! I would use 100% cotton)
12" of 1/4" elastic
sewing machine and thread

Step One-
Iron your fabric to get any wrinkles out, and make a 12" diameter circle. There are a couple ways to do this. One is to fold it in half, then half again and measure out 6" from the corner all the way around. When you cut it and unfold you will have a 12" circle. Or, pin your measuring tape in the center, then use it like a compass to mark 6" all the way around.

Step Two-
Cut out your circle.

Step Three-
Serge or zig-zag all the way around. If you want to applique anything decorative on, do it now! Remember though- it has to be 100% cotton or other fabric that can withstand heat. I really wanted some ric-rac, but that would maybe melt!

Step Four-
Fold over the edge about 1/2" and sew the edges down, leaving about 2" open for inserting elastic. Because it is a circle, you will need to fold it over here and there to get it flat. This is fine- it will be all gathered up with elastic and you won't see it.

Step Five-
Thread your 12" piece of elastic through the casing, then sew elastic together. Overlap it about 1/2".

Step Six-
Sew the opening shut, being careful not to sew over the elastic itself.

Step Seven-
Stretch it over your trivet and use! The best part is, you can wash it and change it out with your seasonal decor or whatever you want!

The fabric above is an older Robert Kaufman print ("Chopsticks Please"). Below is one I made using some vintage fabric from my stash- so cute!

The next tutorial will be another project using the trivet...but it won't be used as a trivet!

Remember to become a follower- when I reach my current goal I will do a giveaway! Send your friends!

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How to host a Christmas Craft Night!

Tonight will be my second year to host a Christmas Craft Night at my house for some friends.  I have a few tips if you want to try this yourself!!!

1.  Plan to do only 3-4 simple projects.  (example...fabric Christmas bows, stamping onto butcher paper to make wrapping paper, ornaments...)

2. Try to use supplies that are cheap or free- it will add up fast!  I found some projects that I could use fabric scraps for, and my husband happens to have access to huge rolls of paper from his office if they order the wrong weight...so wrapping paper is on the agenda tonight!

3.  Keep the guest list to less than 15.  Or even 10.  I've got 13 coming tonight and I'm a little nervous about it.  Thank goodness a few are pretty crafty so they can help I hope!  That's another thing- I like to have a mixture of people, so maybe some will get into crafting that never have before!

4.  Have your guests pitch something in.  I assign one supply item per person- usually something less than $3.  Everyone is scrapped for cash this time of year, so I keep it cheap.  Sometimes this means you have to not do a craft you fall in love with, but its worth it for there to be no financial pressure at all.  Examples of items this year- 1 pack of sequins, a plain posterboard, a small bottle of acrylic paint...

5.  Snacks and Booze are always good :)  I am having some Christmas-ey apps and desserts to help set the mood.  And speaking of the mood...

6.  Play some Christmas music!  Now, I am one of those who refuses to decorate for Christmas one bit until Thanksgiving is over.  Poor Thanksgiving, always being looked over!  So I will get out a Christmas tablecloth and play music, but that's about it since it's the week before Thanksgiving.

7.  Schedule it early in the season- last year I had it a couple weeks before Christmas and the weather was horrible, less people RSVP'd, and it didn't leave much time to finish up any lingering projects.  So this year I scheduled it early to make it more of a jump start to the holidays. 

I will post some photos of the party soon!
Here are a few links to some projects that work well for this type of party.  Always try out your projects ahead of time- I tried a yarn-wrapped wreath last year and it takes waaaaaaaaay too long for a party.  Things need to come together quickly!

"Loopy" tree - original tute uses paper, but we will use fabric scraps


Fabric Christmas bows again, using Christmas fabric scraps


Romaine lettuce stamped wrapping paper (from Martha Stewart- they used it as a flower Valentine's card, but I think it looks like a poinsettia!)

Vintage Portcard decor idea

This is a great EASY project that anyone can do!  And the best part is that you can use this all year long, depending on what postcards you can find.

You will need:
-A multiple photo frame (mine is three) to fit 3x5 photos.
-Vintage postcards to fill the frame (again mine needs three)
-tape

I find my postcards at antique shops, usually for about $1-$2 a postcard. Some people ask as much as $5, which I laugh and pass up.  There are a TON out there for  reasonable prices, and its fun to always look through them and find a new favorite.

Just grab your three favorite, tape them into the correct spot, then put your frame back together and hang.  No craft abilities required!  Just remember the change it out for each season- I am guilty of having Easter postcards in at Christmastime- oops!  I have postcards for Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Sometimes you can find Halloween but I have yet to find three I like.

Have fun with this, its so cute!