Crafty Happenings - or Mishappenings

Here's some of the creative stuff going on at our house, including recently finished, in-progress, and some hope-to-do-soon projects (both mine and the kids').

-1-

a tote bag

I just made a new tote bag for myself using this tutorial.
My main motivation was that I was desperately needing something new to haul around all the stuff that goes along with the kids whenever we go out. I used some leftover fabric I had on hand, which is why the shape is more wide than the original pattern shows. I was also hesitant to use this particular fabric since it's mostly white, and I 'm sure it will be filthy in no time. But since it was essentially free to make, it'll work.

-2-

bean bags

I started working on the bean bags shown here. You have to go click on that link and see them, because they are so cute and inviting, and I just knew the kids would love them. But I got about one-fourth of the way into the project and got frustrated. Partly my fault, for being in a hurry and not following the instructions exactly. Also, I'd never done machine applique before, and this was not the best project to learn on. Mine looks pretty awful. The kids don't care, though. They have played so much with the four bean bags I managed to make. I knew they would. Millie practices juggling, Isaac tosses them, and they all pretend that the bean bags are people and make up all sorts of stories with them (Seven wants to go play! Six and two should come along!)
The front view:

The back view:
Don't look too closely, like I said, I'm not too pleased with how they turned out. And that white muslin looks so cute at first, but is already looking really grimy from all the play. So, a partial success, I'd say. The kids are enjoying them, and that's really the point.

-3-

a dress

I started this dress for Millie two months ago, but now I'm scared of the zipper. I've never sewn in a zipper before. Maybe I'll get brave soon?

-4-

a scarf

I started knitting this scarf last week during our drive to Wisconsin Dells, but I'm really not liking how the pattern is turning out - more specifically that it doesn't look much like a pattern. So I'm thinking of unraveling it and finding a new design.

-5-
tooth fairy pillow

Millie has a loose tooth. Her first. And it's been loose for a couple of months now. Thank goodness, because I still haven't gotten around to sewing a tooth fairy pillow for her. I'm going to keep it really simple, just a small pillow made of pink flannel, and will probably just use some felt for the front pocket. I'd like to embroider a little something on the pocket, but haven't settled on anything specific yet.

-6-
baby blanket

A wonderful gift we received when Millie was born was a stack of baby blankets. But not just any blankets. These were handmade by Tom's grandmother, and they are great because they are much bigger than typical receiving blankets. To make them you simply take about a yard of flannel, hem the edges, and then crochet a decorative edge. I've had it in mind to make one or two for a friend who's expecting, but I don't know how to crochet. I'm hoping I can learn for this project.

-7-
library totes

I'm planning to use the pattern above to also make some totes for the kids. Specifically, ones they can take to the library to help lighten my book load!

-8-
beading

Last fall Millie really got excited about beading, and she's been pretty consistently making necklaces and bracelets ever since. She'd like to have a little beading business, though I think we're going to have to work a bit on quality. I helped her with the pattern on this necklace:
But it broke pretty easily. So, like I said, have to work on quality.

-9-
watercolors

I'd like for the kids to try painting with watercolors, like real watercolors. So that's going to be one of our art projects pretty soon. It will be a learning experience for me, since I don't think I've ever used real watercolors myself. But we have a little tutorial in one of our Usborne art books, so we're going to give it a go!

-10-
finger knitting

I know I've mentioned it before, but we're still at it. Millie made a belt for herself today. She's still not crazy about the five-finger method, but is very adept at the simpler one-finger method.

So that's the crafty goings-on around here! Have you made anything lately? Or do you have a project in mind?

This post is linked to:
Top Ten Tuesday