To the Fair We Will Go!

Me and the fam went to the State Fair yesterday! Hero touched some pigs,

went on a really big slide,

I think he's scared...

and learned about farming.

Good ol' American family fun!

More projects tomorrow!

Etched Mirrors

Part of the reason I wanted to learn to etch glass is because I have this big simple mirror that I've always wanted to decorate. Of course, I couldn't just start on that first thing. I needed to practice.

I went to the thrift store with my friend and she ended up finding 6 mirror tiles in a box for $4. We decided to split them. Then, when my MIL heard what I was planning to do, she remembered that she had an old box of mirror tiles in the garage. Did I want them? Why yes. Yes I do! Now I have a total of 10 tiles sized 12x12". Let's get etching!!

I started by making 2, one with each of my kids in mind. For Pretty, a lily flower; and for Hero, a bass guitar head. You may recognize the guitar head from this dress I made for Pretty. But I liked the image (and so does the husband) that I decided to use it again.

I printed off the images, traced around them with a sharpie so I knew what I needed to cut out.

After putting the contact paper down, then gluing the images on top, I used the X-acto knife to cut out the pieces and removed them. I also pealed off the paper (but if you can't get it all off, it's ok).

I gobbed on the etching cream, waited, and rinsed.

The flower needed a few touch up spots.

And here they are! Proudly hung in my home. Because I'm not in a permanent home, the mirrors couldn't be permanently stuck either. They are so light that I decided to use 3M Command picture hangers. I love those things.

Now I have 8 tiles left. I'm thinking of writing some funny phrase like, "Yes, Honey. I think you look great."  Anyone want to come etch mirrors with me? What would you do?

Little Stitches' Cutie Booties

I made my first project from my new copy of Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. I told you that the reason I bought the book was for the adorable booties and I wasn't disappointed!

I decided to do a neutral brown with a cream/coral lining. I think they look good. They were pretty simple to assemble, but the final step is to completely hand stitch in the sole lining. I'll admit that I put them on Pretty without the lining to wear to church when I realized I wouldn't have enough time to do it. But I finished them after church!

It comes in the normal baby sizes: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 mo. Because Pretty is 6 months, I decided to make the 6-9 size and they are just a bit to big for her. Now I'm debating the worth of making the smaller size for her. 

Because I didn't want to ruin the pattern pieces, I traced it onto tissue paper to cut out. Next time I'm going to be a bit more careful when transferring the Velcro markings, I feel like mine are a bit off. I also will use matching Velcro and thread. I don't like the way the white shows up so much. And even worse, I don't like the black thread ring holding it on!

Next on the list? This adorable outfit to match! (though I may change out the lining fabric for an autumn print).

Things I learned:

1. White Velcro isn't always the way to go!
2. I now love fusible fleece. Easy to use and adds nice cushion.
3. The more precise you are in the beginning, the better the end result will be. (I'm sure I've learned this already, but anxious to finish, I usually forget.)

Glass Etching Tutorial

  Have you ever wondered how to etch glass? I have. And luckily for me, one of my best friends not only knows how, but offered to teach me; and then she even left her stuff behind for me to do more!

I learned how to etch glass using  etching cream. I wanted to start small, so I chose this jar to put "STUFF" in. What stuff? Haven't decided yet. Probably will end up with buttons in it.

Here's what you need:

Etching Cream. We used Armour Etch. Something to know right off the bat, etching cream can not be used on bake ware. That kind of etching is using a sandblaster.

  

You also will need clear contact paper. This can be found at the grocery store, hardware store, and probably craft stores.

You will also need:

• item to etch
• X-acto knife
• glue stick or spray adhesive
• paintbrush

Make sure your item is clean and dry.

Cut wide around the design, then cut a piece of contact paper that is slightly larger.

Peel off paper backing and adhere contact paper to item. Take your time to smooth out all air bubbles. Contact paper is forgiving and you can pull it off and try again and again until you are satisfied.

Generously apply glue to the back of your design and glue it on top of the contact paper.

Now is when you cut it out with your X-acto knife, but my paper kept bunching and pulling off. It wasn't until later that we realized there was a knick out of the edge of my blade causing the problem...

But here's what I did, I ended up pulling off the paper and drawing on my "STUFF" with a Sharpie. Also an option if you are artistic and want to draw your own design.

However the design gets on there, the next step is to carefully cut trace the edge with the X-acto knife making sure to not run past edges.

Peel out the pieces you want to end up etched.

Use the paintbrush to apply etching cream to the design.

Really glob it on to make sure that it's covered. Then let it sit for 10 - 20 minutes. Going more won't ruin anything, but doesn't change the outcome if you wait any longer.

After the 10 - 20 minutes are up, rinse off with water. You will need to use your fingers to rub off  all the cream.

If it looks like nothing has happened, then it's going well! Dry it off with a cloth and you will notice that the glass now looks the same as the contact paper (slightly cloudy). If there are any obvious streaks or places that the cream didn't "take" as well as others, repeat the process of applying the cream, waiting, and rinsing.

The last step is to peal off the contact paper, then enjoy!

We did a few projects, but I'll save some for another post (since this is long already).

Here is my friend working on a vase.

And if you are brave, or just plain awesome, you can free hand a design with just the etching cream like she did with this mirror:

Finished Mirror and vase:

Etching is awesome and pretty easy. Like freezer paper stencilling, but fancier!

Made by Heidi Feature and Giveaway!

I know I've mentioned Made by Heidi before, but her blog is awesome and I am so excited to have by Bumble Bee Buddy featured on her "Made by You Wednesday" series.

And here's the most awesome part! Skip on over and enter to win this set of bugs!! 

That's right!! These three cutie bugs could be yours!! Good Luck!!

Spider Bug Buddy Tutorial (bug 3 of 3)

And last but not least, the spider! This one is my son's favorite. I made a proto-type first and discovered that putting the legs closer together coming out of the top of the spider made it look too real... and creepy. But this spider ended up just the right mix of cute and realistic.

Now, to make one yourself!!

Supplies:

• One fat quarter of fabric
• small amount of felt in blue and white (for eyes)
• 1/2" button (for nose)
• Bug Pattern Pieces (this will give you the pattern for all three bugs)

First cut out all the pieces.

Make the legs by folding them in half and sewing along the long side and one short side at edge of pressure foot. Trim corner and turn.

To make the foot, fold sewn end over 1/2" and sew close to folded edge.

Repeat for all eight legs, but make sure (if you want all the leg seams to face the back) to sew 4 feet one way and the other 4 opposite.

Stuff legs about 2 1/2", then create a knee joint by sewing across the leg. I sewed across it 3 times using my backstitch.

Finish stuffing the legs leaving about 1/2" space for sewing.

Prepare body by sewing 2 body pieces together. Do this twice so you have two halves.

Take one half and pin on 4 of the legs. Make sure to have the feet pointed down and all the seams pointed back. Pin first leg about 2 1/2" from the front, each leg should be about 1/4" apart. Baste legs on.

Repeat on the other side, lining up legs with first side.

You should now have a squashed looking spider:

To assemble the body, sew only one side at a time to make it easier with the legs.

Take the other half of the body and pin to one side. Sew on a 1/2" seam leaving 1" from seam on one end. I like to place 2 pins together to mark where to start.

Tuck all legs inside and pin second half (this takes some patience). Sew second side leaving 1" to seam (2" hole total) at one end.

Clip the seam where you sewed over it.

Turn and stuff. Handstitch the opening closed. Add face by stitching button nose at seam intersection and eyes made from felt.

Enjoy your Spider Bug Buddy!

Spiders say "Rawr!"

Don't forget to make his friends:

Bumble Bee Buddy and Ladybug Buddy!