Child Capelet

I L-O-V-E this little capelet! I can totally see my little Miss A wearing this. I can't wait to go pick out the perfect yarn to make one. I will have a hard time deciding what color choose. If it's as easy as it sounds, she may have a whole assortment of colors. Found on You Can Make This. Update:  Done!  I made 2 and they are SO cute and easy!

Repurposing: Leggings/Skirt

This is so Tammy and I can find this when we are ready. Cute all in one legging/skirt combo out of old shirts. Found on Make it and Love it.

Perfect Box Pouch Tutorial

I've had no time for sewing lately. I am now craving a sewing project. I have many on my project list, and I'm adding another one. Here is an easy (looks easy, as I haven't made one yet) tutorial on how to make a "Perfect Box Pouch", with a lot of pictures, which I love. I'm thinking of all the uses for this cute little pouch. Found on Indie House blog via Betz White (one of my favorite blog stops).

Craft Lake City

Ooh! Have you heard? The first annual Craft Lake City Festival will take place on Saturday August 8, 2009 from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the The Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City. This event will be FREE and open to the public. I would really like to go to this! I wonder if I can make it happen. XX here's crossing my fingers.

Update: Me and the girls went, and it was really fun. We are excited for next year.

Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt

This is for Tammy. Here is a great tutorial on making a disappearing 9 patch quilt the "super easy" way. I haven't tried it yet, but it does look super easy.

Scrappy Camera Strap

While we were in New Zealand I wanted to find a camera strap with a Maori design on it. I couldn't find one anywhere. I should have gone to a fabric shop and got Maori fabric (I'm sure they had that) and made my own. Oh well. Make It and Love It found via How about Orange.

Ribbon Chairs

I love looking at wedding sites. The ideas and decor can easily be modified for a non-wedding party. I love the ribbons tied on the back of the chairs. The little paper sacks of confetti (filled with something other than confetti of course) with a custom print are so cute! The wheels are turning! Jose Villa found via Oh Happy Day.

Paper Flower Ball

These are really called Japanese Kusudama, but I knew if I put that in the title I would never find the paper flower ball tutorial when I was ready to make them. Folding Trees has a 2 part tutorial on folding the flowers and putting them together in a ball. I think they are very pretty and am thinking of all the places I could put them, in all different sizes. I'm a little intimidated by the paper folding part of it, but I think once I get through the first one it won't be bad.

Simple Sundress

Heather Ross is sharing her pattern for a simple sundress for FREE! You can't beat that! It uses elastic thread which my sisters-in-laws and I are just getting into. I'm slightly obsessed with it right now. This dress is women's sizes S-L and only uses 2 pattern pieces (unless you choose to put in the pockets in which case it's 6)! Not only that, but she includes a link to buying a giant roll of elastic thread for super cheap. Maybe my s-i-l will want to go in on it with me. If not, it's cheap enough to get it all to myself. Link to Heather Ross found via Whip Up.

Update: I FINALLY ordered the elastic thread!

T-Shirt Skirt

This looks like a very simple skirt to make, and very comfortable. It's made from recycled T-shirts. I'm not sure if I could pull off this look, but it would be really cute on the girl in my house who still lets me dress her. Who knows, maybe I will make one for me to lounge around in during the hot summer days. Found on Craftstylish.

Fabric Flower

Wise Craft has a tutorial on how to make a cute and simple fabric flower. My sister-in-law showed me one she made to put on her little girls shirt. Here is a video on how to make it as well. I can't wait to go whip some up!

Patchwork Pincushions

I haven't given my sister-in-law her extra sewing machine back yet. I'm trying to get a few little sewing projects done before I do. As I was working on the Easter outfits for the kidlets, I realized I could really use a new pin cushion. I have the standard red tomato. Not very attractive, if you ask me. Here are 3 pincushion I really like. The patchwork pincushion looks simple and straight forward. The pincushion trio is very cute, but I think I would just make the biggest flower. The wild flower pincushion is cute, too, but looks more involved than I want to get in a pincushion. Found on BHG.com.

The Shirt Dress

'Made' has a tutorial on how to make a little girls dress from a mans shirt. Cute. Link found via 4 Crazy Kings.

Easter Paper Chains

Here is a cute Easter decorating Idea. Easter Paper Chains. I'm not making a cake for Easter, but I do have some decorated eggs from a couple years ago that haven't been put out yet (I better hurry!). I think this is the perfect Easter craft for me this year. First, they're made out of PAPER! Yay! And they appear to be a quick craft. Even better. I think the bunny chain will be so cute stretched out across my mantle. Thanks again to worker bees at Martha. Update: didn't happen this year.

Decorated Clip Boards

I'm loving office supplies lately. Maybe it's because of my recent trip to the local office store. I think a pretty clip board is so nice. Link found via Design Mom.

Lavender Seating Cards

Aren't these Lavender seating cards pretty? I've only been to one party/wedding in my whole life that had seating charts (aside from family dinners that the kids made name cards for). I might have a party with a seating chart just so I can use this. This would be pretty at each setting even without the names. That's more likely, but the little tags add such a nice touch. Thanks Martha.

Egg Creatures

Looking for a twist on the Easter egg decorating? Have a look at these egg creatures from Martha. I especially like the pigs. I don't think I'll get to them this Easter, but they are on the list for next year. Link found through Hostess with the Mostess.

Napkin Cuff

Here is a tutorial on making napkin "cuffs" out of tooling foil. I did some tooling on aluminum foil for an art project in high school. It was hiding for years until hubby discovered it and had it re framed and hung in out bedroom. I don't love it there, but he does. So, oh well. I do like the tooling process and the antique look it has. It's pretty simple and the results are nice. Scroll down through her post about half way to get to the tutorial. Link to Gingerbread Snowflakes found via One Pretty Thing.

Paint Can Organizer

I like this idea. This is shown with paint cans, but work just as well with soup cans or small baby formula cans. Found on BHG.

Fabric Scrap Balls

An easy craft to make, these fabric-wrapped balls use up scraps from your stash and can be displayed in a pretty bowl. Cut strips from coordinating fabrics and use glue to adhere them to foam balls. Select a variety of fabric patterns and use both small and large balls for extra interest. Found on BHG.

Making an Art Gallery

I love this idea, and it's so simple. I don't know why it never occurred to me. Sarah Jane Studios tell what to do with all those masterpieces your kidlets create. Cut them up Eric Carle style. She even gives you some free templates if you need them. The little 3 year old in my house loves to paint. He will spend hours at it. He painted a whole paper with different shades of blues and green. In fact, he used up the whole pot of blue in about 2 days. It was so lovely, but I didn't know what to do with it. I hope I saved it, 'cause this would be a perfect use of it. Link found through The Crafty Crow.

Little Boys Tie

Here is a tutorial on making your own tie for your favorite little boy (or two). This may come in handy for an upcoming family wedding this September (come on guys, make it June!). And isn't that crow picture an the wall cool? Link to Purl Bee found via How About Orange (one of my favorite blog stops).

Update: I made 2 of these for the boys. They turned out really cute. It was a lot of hand sewing, which I don't enjoy. I might make some more, but I'll wait until the memory of making them fades.

Field Bag

Yet another sewing project that I will have to put on my list of "when I get a new sewing machine". This is a field bag made out of recycled pants. I don't know about you, but my kids tend to put holes in their pants without much trouble. They're not even thrift store worthy. I have been throwing them away. Dang! I should have held on to them to make some of these. Oh well, with spring here and summer on the way I'm sure more holey pants will emerge. Link found from Betz White (love her, and isnt' her little red headed boy cute?).

You Can Make/Quilt This

You Can Make This has a ton of projects and patterns that You Can Make. Many of the ideas and patterns are free. They are getting ready to launch their new You Can Quilt This site. I haven't gotten big into quilting, but maybe I will if I win the sewing machine they are giving away!

Grab Bag

I think this is a cute little Grab Bag, especially in that cute fabric. I think I saw this, or one very similar, demonstrated on Martha. If I remember right, it was very easy to put together. This bag and instructions were found on Better Blog. Now, if only I had a functioning sewing machine.

Hanging Book Display

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this hanging book display. Lately I have been feeling very disenchanted with our book storage. We have one small book shelf that is filled to the brim. I do have shelves in the boys room, but they never get put back there. If they do happen to get back to the shelf, they are just thrown on top. I have tried baskets in the girls room, but Eliza ends up using it as a bed for her stuffed critters. I still want some nice bookshelves for my books, but I think this would solve a big problem in the kids rooms. How easy to coordinate it to their rooms with some cute fabric. I'll have to keep my eyes open for the hardware. Found on Ohdeedoh.

Paper-Cutout Night-Light

Aren't these night lights cute? One by day, two by night. They are from the Fog and Thistle blog (also sold in her Etsy shop). Today she was on Martha showing how to make them (Martha comes on at 2AM the following day here, so I haven't seen it yet). You can get the instructions and the template for the birds and the koalas here. My kids already have night lights, but I want to make some anyway because they are so cute and clever.

More Paper Flowers

You know I love paper. Here is a tutorial for some pretty paper flowers. They will be perfect for the B-day party I'm helping with (her middle name is Rose). And is it happens, I have a bunch of red paper left over from Eliza's party. I think they would be quite lovely in some double sided printed paper, too. They look simple enough.

Treat Boxes

I love cute little boxes. These are from Martha and you can find them in the craft section of Walmart. I'm not sure how much they cost, but being cheap I wouldn't mind making some myself. Wouldn't they be so pretty in a lovely patterned paper?

Photo Accordion Book

I think this photo accordion book is lovely. I did an accordion baby announcement for Ian but it was not this elaborate. Because I'm cheap and like to make things myself, I couldn't spend the $100+ that the site is asking. I"m trying to decide the perfect occasion to make up some. Link found on Oh Happy Day.

Butterfly String

I saw this on 4 Crazy Kings. I think I would like something like this hanging from my entry way chandelier. Very springy (is that a real word?).

3D Valentine

I know. Valentines Day was yesterday. It's over. But I just saw this on Katie's blog who saw it on this blog. I think it is so cute and clever. My kids would LOVE to give a valentine like this to their friends. That's why I'm putting it here, so I can remember it for next year, but not have to keep it in my head.

Tote Tutorial

Instructions to make your own sturdy tote bag found on JCaroline Creative. I'm one who loves step-by-step instructions, especially when they have a lot of pictures to accompany them. My sister-in-laws have been making similar totes for about a year (maybe more). I have yet to make myself a cute tote due to the passing away of my sewing machine. I'm going to hold onto this until I get a replacement (whenever that will be :( )

Hanging Hankerchief Vases

I think these hanging handkerchief vases are such a pretty idea. Once Wed was thinking of them for weddings (of course). But I think they would be lovely for any occasion. Find the instructions here. Ooh, ooh. I just had a thought on a modification of this idea. Paper wrapped around instead of fabric (yes, I have a paper addiction). Cut out intricate (or simple) designs, and put a tea light inside. Oh, this is SO pretty in my head!

Tollipop Valentine

I LOVE Tollipop.com! Her paintings are enchanting. Being the nice person that I believe she is (having never met her), she has given all who are interested (ME, ME!!!) some printable valentines featuring 2 of her tollipop darlings. Free. Can't beat that!

Button Button

I first saw the idea, on Martha, of cutting out felt hearts, putting a slit in the middle and buttoning your (or your kids) shirt button through it. I thought it was such a cute idea. I love the different take on this, found on Maya*Made. See how she put buttons around the bottom of her little girls skirt, and then buttoned the hearts onto that. It's so cute! And aren't those little red shoes darling! You could change the hearts out for shamrocks, flowers, stars, you name it. Now to find the perfect skirt for my littlest girl.

Felt Pencil Toppers

If only I had a sewing machine again. I would make some of these. Wouldn't your child love to get a pencil topped with a cute little heart with their own initial for V-day? I know mine would. I'll have to remember this one for next year. Hopefully by then I will be sewing again. Found on Roots and Wings.

Paper Flowers

My mom asked about this. I found this tutorial for paper flowers on How About Orange (one of my favorite blog stops). It's cute and easy. I made up some in red for Eliza's birthday party (see photo). They are still up, because red works for V-day, too. You could change the width and length of the strips of paper and really get a variety of flower sizes. I modified this idea and created some darling (to me) butterflies. I will post about them soon.

Quilled Paper Hearts

I haven't tried quilling paper yet, but I think these hearts will be on my list when I do. Thanks again Martha (or her worker bees). Learn how here.

Paper Cutting Heart

I saw this on Martha last February. If your up for a paper cutting project, this would look lovely for Valentines day. You could even shrink it and put it on a card for that special someone.

You can see the instructions here and download the template here.

Paperclip Hearts

It is almost Valentines Day after all. These are cute and super easy. Found on How About Orange.

Hearts out of drinking straws

Ever wonder how to make cute little hearts out of a drinking straw? Here you go!

Welcome!

Welcome to Sweet Mamu. I'm creating this site to help me keep track of the cool & creative things I find out there. If you find anything cool and worth sharing, please do!