Gidget Goes Home » sewing & crafts

Felt Ice Cream Craft Tutorial

gidget — Thu, 19 May 2011 18:13:30 +0000

Since we had an ice cream-themed 4th birthday party for Gigi {I guess a love of ice cream has been inherited by my little girlie!}, I wanted to do a couple of little activities along the same theme for her and her friends. A while back I had seen a similar idea: Rachel (from Small Notebook)’s fabulous little tutorial for a build-a-felt-cupcake activity.

Here’s how I made the ice cream version.

First, I cut out enough cones for all the kiddos. I just used a surf shop sticker I had on hand as the template.

Next, I hand-drew a simple ice cream scoop shape on the back of piece of cardboard to make a template. I cute out “scoops” in a variety of colors that we deemed vanilla, french vanilla, peach, strawberry, etc.

I also cut out tiny flecks of dark brown so they could give their ice cream chocolate chips, and little red hearts that were to be used as strawberries.

My big girl was such a sweet helper, passing out supplies to her friends!

The felt “sticks” to itself as the kids build their cones, but can be repositioned and recreated an infinite number of times. I love that this activity has no mess whatsoever since it’s not glued or anything.

The kids loved creating their own double scoop cones and then I sent them each home with their supplies in a baggie so they could do it again at home- love an activity that doubles as a party favor! Easy-peasy and so cute.

Felt Ice Cream Craft Tutorial is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Hoop Art Swap! {+ a peek in my living room, too}

gidget — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 19:16:40 +0000

Last month I participated in a fun swap. I’ve done a couple of these before, but this one was much simpler. Heather, from Life Made Lovely paired all of us swappers up with a partner, for whom we created a fun piece of Hoop Art. I had never made one before, but had seen them around the blogosphere.

With my love of sewing and embroidery, it seemed like just the project for me, and I was right! I’m hooked and can’t wait to make more!

For the swap I was paired with a true kindred spirit, Sarah from Handbags’nPigtails. She may live on the opposite side of the country from me (in New York), but I’m actually going to get to meet her in September. Yay!

Sarah sent me her lovely piece of art, and I immediately hung it up in my living room. I love it!! She looked at a photo of one of my living room pillows and chose fabrics accordingly.

It is just the handmade touch my living room wall needed.

Speaking of my living room, would you like to take a look around? It’s one of the more “finished” rooms of the house, even though there is one totally blank wall still that is waiting for some more recent family photos. I need to get some inspiration for what I want to do there {any ideas?}.

See that yellow glare on the right side of the above photo? It’s light coming in through some seriously-70s textured yellow windows in the corner of the room.

The photo almost makes the lighting look pretty, but let me assure, it is not. I’m going to be covering those babies with some brown fabric to match my curtains sometime in the near future.

Back to the swap…

Special thanks to Stacey, who helped me find the perfect Anne quote for Sarah.

I really enjoyed making this for Sarah.

See some more lovely Hoop Art over at Life Made Lovely, and in the Flickr group. Thanks, Heather!

Hoop Art Swap! {+ a peek in my living room, too} is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Project Restyle #1

gidget — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:03:09 +0000

Once upon a time, a little girl had a favorite shirt.

Yeah, she wore this shirt a lot.

But then she wore it to preschool and got Sharpie on it. Plus it was getting a little snug.

So, I found a suitably-colored shirt at a garage sale, and appliquéd her beloved ice cream cone (wonder where she gets a love of ice cream?!} onto the new shirt. Voilá!

Happy girl with a new version of an old favorite!

{note: I just applied the cut-out with heat’n'bond, and then stitched around the edges.}

P.S. Gigi needed a new Dodgers shirt for our recent Spring Training trip, so I did some more appliqué for her on a cheap store-bought tank…

See more ReStyles in the Project ReStyle Flickr group!

Project Restyle #1 is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Handmade Memory Game

gidget — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:15:51 +0000

This was one of my favorite homemade gifts this year. I made these little games for my daughter and my niece, who are both three and a half. Here’s a mini tutorial for you…

It was simple, yet did take a little time. I started with a sweet, embroidered zipper pouch. I use Cindy’s pattern over at Skip to My Lou.

Then I packed it full of family photo cards! I printed out wallets (they come in 4-packs, which was perfect since I needed 2 of each photo for each girl), pasted/stuck them to cardstock and then laminated them for longevity (I do mine at a local teacher supply store).

Add a few directions, and voila!

I love this gift because Gigi is just starting to get into games, and she really loves looking at photos. This gives her a way to connect to her cousins near and far, too.

Handmade Memory Game is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco Crafting Interview: Brooke from Pure and Noble

gidget — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:00:12 +0000

I thought it was high-time I get back to the awesome interviews I promised you. Brooke, from Pure and Noble is all about repurposing and turning old to new, using her handmade skills. Let’s learn a little about her eco-crafting philosophies and methods now…

Nicole: What originally got you started in repurposing/eco-crafting?

Brooke: I think my kids, honestly. Ever since I had the overwhelming feeling that I am actually leaving this world to someone I cherish, the things I do day to day matter more.

N: What are some of your favorite textiles/materials for crafting besides mainstream supplies?

B: Things from the outdoors like flowers, leaves, seeds, acorns and the like. I’m hoping to paint some acorns this fall and hang them on our entryway tree.

N: How does eco-crafting fit into your lifestyle/life philosophy?

B: I believe that God has called us to be good stewards of everything He has blessed us with. Whether it’s people’s hearts, money or other resources, I believe how we steward what we have says a lot about what we believe and living it out.

N: Who are some of your creative influences?

B: My sister and other bloggers. My sister isn’t so much creative with “things” but she is very creative with money. She can sniff out a deal from miles away. She’s truly made getting a deal an art form. She even haggles with Home Depot and guess what… she usually comes out the winner.

N: What’s been your favorite repurposing project?

B: Hmmm… I’d have to say either turning a broken koozie into a fabric stamp or a way too short mini-skirt into a purse.

N: How do you get your kids involved in this sort of thing?

B: They go on nature walks with me sometimes and enjoy painting some as well, but for the most part, they just enjoy the finished product. They would much rather play sports or battle each other with Nerf swords. Oh, and they like counting my buttons and sorting them by shape, size and color while I sew too.

N: Do you have any recommended sources or advice for newbies?

B: Don’t let your what you’ve learned stifle your creativity. Remember when you were a kid and you turned flowers into rings or crowns and blankets into super-hero capes? That is the very creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that needs to be tapped into.

My girlfriend and I went to a flea market the other day and as we were looking through the vintage kitchen items we found an old meat or potato masher. It had a really cool handle on it and I thought it would make a great coat hanger or accessory hanger once screwed onto a wall. I think the fact that I am NOT a cook allowed me to free my mind and find another use for that object.

Thanks, Brooke! You are always inspiring me. I hope someday we can meet in person and go thrifting or garage-sale-ing together!

I hope you, dear readers, have been inspired by Brooke, too. Be sure to visit her blog and her sweet Etsy shop as well.

Eco Crafting Interview: Brooke from Pure and Noble is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Handmade Christmas Gifts

gidget — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:41:08 +0000

We try to have as many of our Christmas gifts as possible be handmade. Here’s what we made last year, to get you inspired!

Man, I was on the ball last year. I haven’t even started my gifts for this year, but I at least have a few ideas. One of these years I will be really prepared and get all my handmade gifts done by Halloween. Ha! I can dream, right?

Have any good handmade gift ideas to share? I can always use more inspiration!

Handmade Christmas Gifts is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Deanna of Recycled Lovelies

gidget — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:54:07 +0000

I found Recycled Lovlies a little while back when I was really starting to get into repurposing. Deanna never ceases to inspire me with her truly lovely creations. I think you’re all going to love reading what she has to say.

GGH: What originally got you started in repurposing/eco-crafting?

Environmental issues is where Recycled Lovelies stemmed from. I found it alarming that only 14% of clothes are recycled or donated and the rest are dumped in landfills. This is harmful for the environment, due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, bleach and dyes that are used in the production of clothes.

GGH: What are some of your favorite textiles/materials for crafting besides mainstream supplies?

Everything I use is recycled, found at thrift stores or given to me. My favorite textile to work with would be old clothes, making them into something new. A favorite material would be silk, I don’t find a lot of it but it makes beautiful flowers for necklaces or corsages.

GGH: How does eco-crafting fit into your lifestyle/life philosophy?

I am very much on the eco-friendly side of things. My family tries to live life simply (buy what you need) and sustainably (paying attention to how it’s made and where it’s made) and it isn’t a hard way to live, it’s something you have to wrap your mind around because as Americans we have been taught to buy until you can’t buy anymore.

GGH: Who are some of your creative influences?

Lex from Made by Lex inspires me, she doesn’t always use recycled items to change up or add to but a lot of the time she does and she has great ideas. I also am always looking at Anthropologie’s site to get my creative juices flowing, they have so many things that can be recreated simply.

GGH: What’s been your favorite repurposing project?

The Mexican Wedding dress that I updated. I had lots of people against me changing any part of this dress but it really made it a wearable dress and not one that just sat in my closet looking pretty. {see original to left, and finished, above}

GGH: How do you get your kids involved in this sort of thing?

As we have learned more and more about the environment and how our practices affect the earth, we share that information with our girls. My youngest is constantly asking if something can be recycled or who she can pass clothes down to. We have made them very aware of themselves and that what they do really does matter. They don’t mind shopping used or cutting apart old clothes to make into something new. I try to make shopping used an experience, we try to go to the more fun shops such as Buffalo Exchange instead of the boring Goodwill(although we do find stuff there often).

GGH: Do you have any recommended sources or advice for newbies?

Yes! First piece of advice – If there is something you want to make, chances are, someone else has, so get your computer out and start google-ing!

Two sites that I enjoy getting ideas from are…

Adventures in Dressmaking -She shops the goodwill outlet and uses material she finds there for her dresses, one thing to remember – she always uses patterns.

Sew Mama Sew has some great ideas too.

Another piece of advice would be to just give it a try! Do not underestimate yourself when it comes to sewing or crafting. I hear people all the time say, “I can’t sew” or “I am not creative” and the funny thing is most of the time that person is very creative and can do those things they are claiming not to be able to do. If you have an idea, please just give it a try, you will surprise yourself.

Thanks, Deanna, and I hope all of you were as inspired by this interview as I was!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Deanna of Recycled Lovelies is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

ConKerr Sewing Night and Please Pray For Daisy

gidget — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:21:12 +0000

I had this post planned before I remembered that September was National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Don’t the words “childhood cancer” just make your stomach turn and heart feel heavy? That’s how I feel.

A couple of weeks ago, I got together with a few friends to work on Craft Hope’s Project 9, which was making pillowcases to donate to children with cancer, with the organization ConKerr. My mom had already made a bunch of these as the quilt store where she works is a drop-off location, so she was a great teacher.

We put together several brightly-colored pillowcases that will replace the standard white hospital versions for a few special kids.

We had a great time sewing together for a good cause!

While we’re talking about childhood cancer, I wanted to give a shout-out and prayer request for sweet Daisy Love Merrick. She is a 6-yr old fighting cancer, and the daughter of a California pastor and author, Britt Merrick.

In college, a group of friends and I would sometimes drive down to Carpenteria from San Luis Obispo on Friday nights to hear Britt preach, back when he was the pastor of a college group called Reality. Now Reality has become a family of six churches.

Daisy has a form of cancer called Wilm’s Tumor. She seems like such a vibrant little girl, a real fighter. I pray that God would continue to be glorified in Daisy’s story and for His continued healing for her and other little cancer-fighters.

If you want to know more, you can watch this video. Bring kleenex. Seeing her with her long blond hair, reminiscent of my daughter’s, and then later with her bald little head just breaks my heart. The beautiful song on the video is also available for download.

Reminding myself that Jesus is the one who brings beauty from ashes, and can bring good out of something as tragic as childhood cancer.

Daisy from Reality on Vimeo.

A 7 month journey…

ConKerr Sewing Night and Please Pray For Daisy is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Intro

gidget — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:19:30 +0000

photo by Urban Woodswalker

I am so excited to begin sharing with you a series of interviews with some super-inspiring women. Starting next week we can all get inspired by some ladies who love to repurpose, use eco-friendly materials and create in a way that coincides with a more sustainable lifestyle.

I’ve got thoughts from from friends who bake, sew, craft, and build some great advice for those who would like to start or get more into repurposing.

Recycling is great, but it uses up other resources, like water, so reducing and reusing are even better than their more popular R sibling. I love repurposing because it encompasses both of those: reusing old things and making them “new,” and reducing the consumption of brand-new store-bought items.

I hope you’ll read along as we all get inspired together!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Intro is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Wardrobe ReFashion: the Pledge

gidget — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:48:15 +0000

I’ve been getting a lot more into repurposing/refashioning lately. So, I decided it was time to make a committment. I headed over to Wardrobe Refashion and signed the pledge for four months. That means that from September until the end of 2010 I am pledging to not buy any new clothes. I will repurpose, refashion, and buy second-hand to my heart’s content instead.

If you would like to play along, you have until August 31st to sign this pledge (she opens it up periodically) which will begin on September 1st. Let me know if you’re joining up!

I, Nicole {aka Gidget}, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Wardrobe ReFashion: the Pledge is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!