One thing I never can find when I need one is a bookmark.  And, you can always use a bookmark in school to mark your homework spot in your textbooks.  So because of that…. today I’m going to show you how to make a Clip Bookmark.  Not only is it super cute, but it is also super effective  in keeping your spot…. after all it is a clip that is sure to hold tight.  So, grab the materials needed for this craft and let’s get started.

Check out our other Bookmark Crafts.

Laura from  Dacian Moon Handmade  will show you, step by step, how to do this craft.

Materials Needed

– paper clip
– one piece dark denim
– one piece light denim
– glass pearl
– pen
– needle and thread

Step 1

Draw a flower on the dark denim…

… and a circle on light denim.

Cut them out.

Step 2

Take the flower…

… and sew the circle on it.

On the back we will place the clip and sew it there.

Turn the bookmark over. The stitches are visible, but we will mask that by sewing the glass pearl over them.

Like this. The bookmark is ready to use.

Wasn’t that easy?  And, so much fun!!  Now, you have an awesome Clip Bookmark perfect for bookmarking your homework spot in your textbooks.  Enjoy!!

Technorati Tags: Back to School Crafts, Bookmarks, Bookmark Crafts, Bookmark making crafts, bookmark crafts for kids, clip crafts, paper clip crafts, flower crafts, denim crafts, bookmark crafts for kids, pearl crafts

Laura · Back to School Crafts, Bookmark Making Crafts, crafts for girls, Fabrics & Materials, Paper Clips, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

I have a fun craft for you today.  In this post I’m going to show you how to make a Sock Baby Doll.  That’s right…. it’s a baby doll made out of a sock.  This craft is a great way to put to use those socks that no longer have a match.  Plus, you probably have all the materials needed for this craft in your house… so no need to buy any more materials.  Give this sock baby doll to your best friend…. or better yet keep it for yourself.  The choice is yours.  So, let’s get started.

Check out our other Sock Crafts or Doll Making Crafts.

Materials Needed

Sock

Scissors

Needle & Strong Thread

Stuffing

Black Marker (optional)

Step 1

Cut a sock where you see dashed lines… to look like this…

After cutting, the above pieces are what you should see.

Step 2

Turn sock so top hole is in the front as in image B.

Sew front and back of each leg together as shown.

Step 3

Stuff the legs and sew hole closed.

Step 4

Turn doll around so that sewn up hole is in the back.  Gather and draw in with strong thread the section shown in the image above.

Step 5

Draw or sew a face on.

Step 6

Fold each square in half.

Sew sides with dashed lines.

Fill with stuffing.

Sew shut.

Step 7

Sew on arms.

Awesome job…. you just finished making your Sock Baby Doll.   How did your baby doll turn out?  Let me know in the comments below.  Also, take a picture of your sock baby doll and add that to your comment as well… I’d love to see it.

Technorati Tags: sock crafts, crafts with socks, crafts made with socks, sock activities, doll crafts, how to make a doll, baby doll, baby doll crafts, kids crafts, crafts for kids

Shana · crafts for girls, Doll Making, Making People Figures and Dolls, Sewing & Fabrics, Socks, Stuffed Toy · 2 Comments

Today I’m going to show you how to Crochet a Blanket for Beginners.  Crocheting a blanket is a lot of fun and it can also be totally relaxing.  Once you know how to crochet your choices of things you can make are limitless.  I will be showing you how to crochet a blanket using a much smaller version…. just to give you an idea.  Your blanket with be much wider than mine.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get making a blanket.

Materials Needed

6 Skeins of Yarn (your choice in color)

5.5 mm Crochet Hook

Scissors

Step 1

Knot yarn on crochet hook to begin.

Step 2

Wrap extra yarn around finger so that the yarn is pulled tight.

Step 3

Go under the yarn.

Step 4

Grab a hold of that loop with the hook.

Step 5

And, pull that loop through the loop you made with the original knot.

Step 6

You just made your first stitch.  You will be making 135 of these stitches to make the width of the blanket. Now, go under the yarn again…

Step 7

…. and grab a hold of the yarn and pull it through the loop on the crochet hook.

Step 8

It should look like that once pulled through.

Step 9

Now, continue making these stitches until you have 135 of these stitches.  This is your blanket’s width.

Step 10

Now, this row is the most difficult of the entire blanket.  It is because you have the least amount of crocheted blanket to work with.  Push your hook into the first stitch of your blanket.

Step 11

Go under the yarn and grab a hold of it.

Step 12

Pull that yarn through first stitch….. one of the loops on your crochet hook.  Do not go through both loops yet.

Step 13

You will again have 2 loops on your crochet hook.

Step 14

Go under yarn again with your hook.

Step 15

And, pull that yarn through both stitches on the crochet hook.

Step 16

Push hook through 2nd stitch of crocheted blanket.

Step 17

Go under yarn with hook.  Pull that yarn through the first loop on the crochet hook.

Step 18

You now have 2 loops left on your crochet hook.

Step 19

Go under yarn again.

Step 20

And, pull yarn through both loops on crochet hook.

Step 21

Continue doing this through every stitch on the first row of the blanket.  It should look like this when you reach the end of the 2nd row.  Your blanket will be a lot wider.  Remember, I am using a much shorter version, so it is easier to teach you.

Step 22

Turn over the blanket so that the crochet hook is back on the right side.

Step 23

Add 2 chain stitches like you did in step 2 through step 6.  You will do this every time you start a new row.

Step 24

Go under the yarn with your hook…. grab a hold of the yarn and go into the first stitch of the previous row of the crocheted blanket like you did in step 10.

Step 25

With your crochet hook through the first stitch grab a hold of the yarn with your hook.

Step 26

Pull the hook through the first loop on the crochet hook.  You are left with three loops on your hook.

Step 27

Go under the yarn again….

Step 28

…. then pull the hook through the first two loops.  You are left with 2 loops on your hook.

Step 29

Go under the yarn with your hook and pull it through the last two loops on your hook.  You are now left with one loop…. you are done with the stitch and ready to go into your 2nd stitch of the previous row like you did in Step 24.

Step 30

Keep doing this entire process until you finish this row of the blanket.

Step 31

When you are finished with that row turn over your blanket so that the crochet hook is back on the right side.  You are ready to start a new row.

Step 32

Remember when you start a new row you need to add 2 chain stitches like you did in Step 23.  You need to do this every time you start a new row.

Step 33

Continue doing Step 23 thru 31 for each row of the blanket.  It will get easier as you go along as you will get more confident.  As you move along through your blanket you will find that you will need to add more yarn.  That is super easy.  Simply knot a new piece of yarn to the old and cut off the remaining string.  It’s that simple.

Step 34

When you decide your crocheted blanket is finished you will want to end it correctly.  That is what I will show you now.

Step 35

Pull crochet hook to give yourself a large loop to work with.

Step 36

Cut the string of yarn to remove it from the skein of yarn.  Leave enough of the string of yarn that you will be able to use it to tie a knot in the next few steps.

Step 37

Grab a hold of the string of yarn and the loop of yarn.  You are ready to tie a knot.

Step 38

Tie a knot with the string of yarn and the loop of yarn.

Step 39

Pull the knot tight.

Step 40

Once knot is made you can cut off remaining string of yarn and loop of yarn.

Step 41

It should look like this now.  Your crocheted blanket is all finished.

And, that is it.  You have yourself a finished crocheted blanket that you made yourself.  The blanket itself is crocheted from one simple stitch and yet it comes out looking awesome!!  Please take a picture of your crocheted blanket and share it along with a comment in the comment section below…. I’d love to see a picture of your blanket.

Technorati Tags: crochet, how to crochet, crochet a blanket, how to crochet a blanket, how to crochet for kids, crochet for kids, crochet an afghan, how to crochet an afghan, crocheting for beginners, how to crochet for beginners, yarn crafts, crochet crafts, crocheting crafts, blankets, how to make a blanket, blanket crafts, blanket crafts for kids

Shana · Crocheting Crafts, Sewing & Fabrics, yarn · 0 Comments

If you love stuffed animals then you are going to love today’s craft.  I’m going to show you how to make a Cute Stuffed Owl.  You can decide to keep in for yourself or give it to one of your best friends to love.  Either way you can guarantee that people are going to love this stuffed owl… especially when they find out that you made it yourself.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get started.

Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade will show you how to make this, step-by-step.

Materials Needed

– two different pieces of fabric (one smaller than the other) – in my case I used blue and grey.
– one small piece of red leather or felt
– scissors
– craft glue (optional)
– 2 white buttons
– stuffing material (I use some cotton pads)
– string and needles

Step 1

Draw a big triangle (with curved edges) on the blue fabric.

Draw a smaller triangle on the grey fabric.

Step 2

Cut the triangles out.

They should look like this.

Step 3

Place the right sides together…

… and stitch them.

Step 4

Force the left sides together and stitch them too.

This will cause the top of the body piece to come together …

… so sew that shut too.

Step 5

Turn the owl right-side-out …

… and fold down the top of the triangle. If you fold it lower, you’ll have a fatter and shorter owl. It will be taller and thinner if you fold it higher.  Secure this with a quick whip stitch.

Step 6

Cut a small triangle (with curved edges) out of the red leather.

Sew it or glue it on top of the fold.

Step 7

Sew the buttons on the sides of the beak…

… like this.

Step 8

Do a nice running gather stitch along the bottom of the owl, but don’t tie it yet.

Step 9

Prepare the stuffing material – I tore the cotton pads in small fluffy pieces.

Stuff your little bird so that it has a wonderfully squishy and cuddly softness to it.

Tie off the gather threads….

…and now you have a new cute friend to play with.

Isn’t this Stuffed Owl just simply cute?!  And, the cool part is that you made it yourself.  How did your stuffed owl turn out?  Let me know in the comments below.  And, don’t forget to add a picture of your owl to the comment too…. I would love to see it.

Technorati Tags: easy to make stuffed animal, stuffed animal, homemade stuffed animal, stuffed owl, owl doll, how to make stuffed animal, doll crafts, stuffed owl crafts, stuffed animal crafts, how to make stuffed animal, kids crafts, crafts for kids

Laura · Birds, Buttons, Doll Making, Fabrics & Materials, Felt, Leather, Make Your Own Toys, Owl, Sewing & Fabrics · 1 Comment

For the past few days I have been showing you how to weave different characters for a Nativity Scene.  First, I showed you how to Weave the 3 Wise Men.  Next, I showed you how to Weave a Baby Jesus.  Today I’m going to continue showing you how to weave a Nativity Scene by showing you how to Weave Mary and Joseph.  So, let’s get started.

Check out our other Christmas Crafts.

Materials Needed

2 inch x 4 inch Piece of Cardboard

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

Tape

String or Yarn (different color yarn, make sure to have some skin color yarn like Peach, Tan, Brown, etc.)

Needle

Fork

Stones, Coins, or Something Else Heavy

Cotton or other Filling

Black Thread

Old Piece of Fabric

4 Hand Shaped Beads

Step 1

Cut out 2″ x 4″ piece of cardboard.

Step 2

Mark sides with lines about 1/8 inch apart… so every two lines on the inches side of the ruler.

Step 3

If you think your cardboard will fall apart by cutting slits… firstly, cover with clear tape.  Otherwise, just start cutting slits on lines that we drew in the previous step.

Step 4

Put string in the notch that is alone on one side.  Tape it down.  Then pull the string all the way up the back of the cardboard.

Step 5

In the last step you brought the yarn up to the top left side notch from behind the cardboard.  Now, pull the yarn through the first notch… now the yarn is in the front again.

Step 6

Now, bring yarn over the next notch and pull down back again.

Step 7

Bring the string all the way down to the bottom.

Step 8

Bring string over from back and up thru the first notch again.

Step 9

Now, pull the yarn behind and thru the 2nd tab so that there is now a loop in front and behind the first tab.

Step 10

Now, bring the yarn down behind cardboard and up thru the next slit.  Make loop in front of tab and bring down back of cardboard again.

Step 11

Now, bring yarn down back and up bottom and thru the slit and make a loop in back and down next slit and down front again… continue this pattern.

Step 12

When done… tape string down.

Step 13

Thread a needle with yarn or string.

Step 14

Make your yarn as long as you want it to be.  Pull the yarn over and under each piece of yarn and leave a short tail.

Step 15

Now, turn the cardboard over and you will weave on this side too.  On the other side you went UNDER the last thread… so here go OVER the first thread.  ***Don’t go under the taped string.

Step 16

Keep weaving on both sides of the cardboard.  Every few times or so, take a fork and push the threads down.

Step 17

When the thread is nearing an end, push the needle down thru loops in past rows.

To start a new piece of yarn… just put the string in where you left off… like you see in the above image.

Step 18

Weave back and forth with skin color (tan, brown, peach, etc.) only in the center strings.  So, you will NOT be turning cardboard over and weave along back.

Choose the color that will be around face.  You will be using this yarn to weave around the face for a hood.  We start by pushing the yarn through the same loop that the bottom left side of the face used.

Now, weave around back.

Now, come over on the right side of the face.  Loop thru the string on the right side of the face and then go over it and weave around back again.

Keep going.  At the top of the figure you can weave all around it again.

This is what your figure should look like now.

Step 19

Use your needle to pull loops off of cardboard.

Step 20

Now, loops are off… You can now pull the woven fabric off of the cardboard.

Step 21

Tie any loose threads into a knot.

Step 22

You should now stuff with stones, coins or something else heavy.  Only fill enough to look like she is kneeling.  Then fill the rest of the figure with cotton.

Step 23

Use black thread to sew on hair and eyes.

Step 24

For Joseph…. sew on a beard.

Step 25

Bend figures into an L shape like above.  Sew them in this position with same color yarn as shirt.

Step 26

Somehow I lost the pictures of the last few steps…. Basically, just cut a bit of fabric and wrap around (like in image) and sew to head (just a few stitches will do).  Then just glue two hand shaped beads to the bottom of their face to look like praying hands.

Step 27

Sit Joseph and Mary around Baby Jesus from our Baby Jesus craft tutorial.

Awesome job…. you just finished weaving Mary and Joseph for a Nativity Scene.  How did they turn out for you?  Let me know in the comments below.  And, if you haven’t already done so…. make sure to complete the entire Nativity Scene by weaving the 3 Wise Men, Baby Jesus, Clothespin Donkey and the Clothespin Sheep.

Technorati Tags: Christmas crafts, xmas crafts, Christmas activities, xmas activities, December crafts, Holiday crafts, Holiday activities, decorations, Christmas decorations, Christmas decoration crafts, nativity scene, nativity scene crafts, Mary & Joseph, Mary & Joseph crafts, nativity activities

Shana · Beads, Christmas Crafts, Cotton, Fabrics & Materials, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Making People Figures and Dolls, Sewing & Fabrics, String, Weaving, yarn · 0 Comments

Today I have a great craft perfect for the Christmas Holiday Season.  I am going to show you how to Weave the 3 Wise Men for a Nativity Scene.  There are a lot of steps to this craft, but I don’t want you to be intimidated by that.  The craft isn’t too complicated…. there are just a lot of steps because I wanted to be detailed in my instructions for you.  And, keep an eye out… I will be showing you how to Weave a Baby Jesus for this Nativity Scene in the next day or so too.

Check out our other Christmas Crafts.

Materials Needed

2″ x 4″ Piece of Cardboard

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Yarn or String  (Different colors for skin, beard, hair, clothes and crowns)

Needle

Fork

Black and Gold String or Thread

Rock, Stones, or Coins (something heavy)

Cotton for Filling

Safety Pin

Fabric from Old Clothes or Baby Clothes

Tape

Twist Tie

Sturdy Cardboard Box

Small Beads

Step 1

Cut out 2″ x 4″ piece of cardboard.

Step 2

Mark sides with lines about 1/8 inch apart… so every two lines on the inches side of the ruler.

Step 3

If you think that your cardboard will fall apart by cutting slits… firstly cover with clear tape.  Otherwise, just start cutting slits on lines that we drew in the previous step.

Step 4

Put string in the notch that is alone on one side.  Tape it down.  Then pull the string all the way up the back of the cardboard.

Step 5

In the last step you brought the yarn up to the top left side notch from behind the cardboard.  Now, pull the yarn thru the first notch… now yarn is in front again.

Step 6

Now, bring the yarn over the next notch and pull down back again.

Step 7

Bring the string all the way down to the bottom.

Step 8

Bring string over from back and up thru the first notch again.

Step 9

Now, pull the yarn behind and thru the 2nd tab so that there is now a loop in front and behind the first tab.

Step 10

Now, bring yarn down behind cardboard and up thru next slit.  Make loop in front of tab and bring down back of cardboard again.

Step 11

Now, bring yarn down back and up bottom and thru the slit and make a loop in back and down next slit and down front again… continue this pattern.

Step 12

When done… tape string down.

Step 13

Thread a needle with yarn or string.

Step 14

Make your yarn as long as you want it to be.  Pull the yarn over and under each piece of yarn and leave a short tail.  ***Notice that you start weaving on the side that does not have loops.

Step 15

Now, turn the cardboard over and you will weave on this side too.  On the other side, you went UNDER the last thread…. so here go OVER the first thread.

Step 16

Keep weaving on both sides of the cardboard.  Every few times or so, take the fork and push the threads down.

Step 17

When the thread is nearing the end, then push the needle down thru loops in past rows….

… To start a new piece of yarn… just put the string in where you left off… like you see above.

Step 18

When you get to about the half way point… change the yarn to skin color – which could be brown, tan, pink, cream, etc.  Go as far to the top as you can.

Alternative Way to Make the Face

Step A

An alternative way to make these figures are to make the face only in the center (like small image above).  Weave back and forth on center strings if you want to make skin only in the center.  So, don’t go around the back for making the face.

Step B

Choose the color that will be around the face.  You will be using this yarn to weave around the face for a hood.  We start by pushing the yarn through the same loop that the bottom left side of the face used.

Step C

Now, weave around back.

Step D

Now, come over on the right side of the face.  Loop thru the string on the right side of the face and then go over it and weave around back again.

Step E

Keep going.  At the top of the figure you can weave all around it again.

Step 19

Use your needle to pull the loops off of cardboard.

Step 20

The loops are now off like this… you can now pull the weaved fabric off of cardboard.

Step 21

Take fabric off of cardboard…. it now looks like above image.

Step 22

Fold inside out and then tie loose threads (the ones that were taped down in the beginning) into knots.  Turn back to right side.

Step 23

Get some black string or thread.  Tie a knot at one end.

Step 24

Put needle inside of hole on top of the head… and then put the needle where the eye should be and pull it out the front of the face.  This way the knot is inside the figure and can’t be seen.

Step 25

Then just sew in eyes by pulling string in and out of the fabric until they look like eyes.  To sew in the 2nd eye… pull needle under fabric and up in the spot where the 2nd eye should be.

Step 26

Tie a knot inside of figure.

Step 27

Place a rock, coins or something else heavy in the bottom and make sure figure stands.  Then fill the rest of the figure with cotton or something soft.

Step 28

Sew top of head closed… with knot on the inside.

Step 29

To make belt… tie 3 pieces of string together and braid them.  Pin it to your pants to keep it down while you braid.  Tie knot when done with belt.

Step 30

Cut a piece of fabric from old shirt or baby clothes (ask Mom or Dad first).  Then wrap around figure and tie shut with belt.

Step 31

Use cardboard loom to make the beard.  Wrap string around the short side of the loom.

Step 32

When done wrapping string around side of loom… push a 2nd string under all the wrapped strings… like so.

Step 33

Take it off of cardboard.

Step 34

Fold it in half and then sew it on below the eyes.

Step 35

To make hair, push needle thru top of head, until just a bit of string is sticking out.

Step 36

Then, with tail of string still out, push the needle back into the head somewhere else.

Step 37

When you have a loop of string… don’t pull any further.  You just made a curl.  Now, stick the needle thru again… and the curl will stay now.

Step 38

When your figure has enough curls… then tie a knot and you are finished with the hair.

Step 39

Tie a twist tie and wrap colored thread around it.  I used gold thread… you can use any color you wish.

Step 40

Fold ends of twist tie over to keep threads on and then push it onto your figure’s head.

Step 41

The 2nd crown is beaded on a cardboard loom.  Just make slits 1/2 inch apart on both sides of a sturdy box.  The loom is threaded by putting string in first notch… taping it down.  Then just pull over to other side and put thru that notch.  Then put thru 2nd notch and pull to other side and continue.  When done… wrap around extra notches to keep in place.

Step 42

Tie thread to first string. ***Make sure to leave extra room on strings so you can tie knots at end.

Step 43

Put some small beads onto the needle and thread.  If you have 6 strings, you need 5 beads…. If you have 5 strings, you need 4 beads.

Step 44

Pull threads and beads under all 6 strings, so they are on the opposite side now.

Step 45

The first row is the trickiest… and then each row gets easier.  Push all the beads so that each bead is in between 2 strings.

Step 46

Then, while beads are up above the strings (because you are pushing below them)… push the needle thru all of them so that the needle is now on the opposite side again.

Step 47

Now, do this for all the rows.  Make as many as you feel fit.

Step 48

Optionally, as an added touch… I took some gold thread and wove it over and under all of the strings a few times to make the crown surrounded in gold.

Step 49

Cut off string on both sides.

Step 50

Tie it shut to make a crown.

Step 51

Place crown on figure.

Step 52

For the 3rd crown, you can use the same loom that you used for beading.  Thread it the same way.  Weave over and under.

Step 53

When you have woven a long strip, then take loops off.

Step 54

Cut loops in half.

Step 55

Tie these strings into knots.

Step 56

Roll this woven fabric lengthwise…. like above image.  Sew it so it stays like that.

Step 57

Then sew into donut shape and place on figure’s head.

You have just finished weaving the 3 Wise Men for a Nativity Scene…. How did they turn out?  Please let me know in the comments below.  Also, take a picture of your Wise Men and share them in the comment as well.  I’d love to see them.  Come back to check out how to Weave a Baby Jesus for a Nativity Scene as well the Mary & Joseph craft, Yarn Clothespin Sheep craft and the Yarn Clothespin Donkey craft to complete your Nativity Scene.

Technorati Tags: Christmas crafts, xmas crafts, Christmas activities, xmas activities, December crafts, Holiday crafts, Holiday activities, decorations, Christmas decorations, Christmas decoration crafts, nativity scene, nativity scene crafts, 3 wise men, 3 wise men crafts, nativity activities

Shana · Beads, Cardboard Boxes, Christmas Crafts, Cotton, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Making People Figures and Dolls, Sewing & Fabrics, Twist Ties, Weaving, yarn · 0 Comments

Today I have a fun craft for you.  I am going to show you how to make a spooky Spider Glove Puppet.  It’s going to be so much fun.  Plus, this spooky spider is so cute.  I know a spooky spider shouldn’t be cute.  But, it just is.  Something about seeing a spider as a puppet that makes it so cute.  So, find an old pair of gloves and grab your kids because they are going to love this craft…. and for sure playing with the finished puppet.

Check out our other Halloween Crafts.

Materials Needed

Pair of Black Gloves (old or new)

Needle

Black Thread

Cotton

Styrofoam Ball (1 1/4″ in diameter)

Scissors

Step 1

Buy a pair of black gloves….or even better, find an old pair of black gloves. Decide if you want to wear this puppet on your right hand or left hand. Set one of the gloves in the pair aside…the one that you will not be wearing on your hand. For the purposes of this tutorial, we will assume that you are right handed. You are now going to cut up the glove that is NOT your good hand. If you are right handed, cut up the left glove…and vice versa if you are left handed. Now, cut off the bottom of the left handed glove(the cuff) if you are right handed. And then cut the thumb and first two fingers from the left glove as well… as shown in the picture above.

Step 2

Now, you will have a piece of the left glove that included 3 fingers without the cuff. You will slip the middle finger of this left glove over the little finger of the right glove.

Step 3

You will now sew the 2 pieces together.  Sew the seams together carefully so that a finger still will fit into opening (see sketch above).

Step 4

Now, stuff other finger and thumb of left glove with cotton and sew to right glove. Cut another finger from left glove and stuff it with cotton. Sew it fast between the thumb and forefinger on the right handed glove (see sketch above).

Step 5

Cover a Styrofoam ball ( about 1 1/4″ in diameter) with some of the left-over left glove cuff and sew on to the right hand glove (see x on sketch above).

Step 6

Put it on and wear it as a scary black spider. Creep people out with your scary Halloween spider.  Hey, you can even make a few and put on a Halloween spider puppet show.  How fun would that be?!

Technorati Tags: Halloween, Halloween Crafts, Spiders, Spider Crafts, Puppets, Puppet Crafts

Shana · Bugs and Insects, Cotton, Fabrics & Materials, Halloween Crafts for Kids, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Puppets, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

The leaves are falling,the air has gotten brisk and Halloween is just around the corner.  What does that mean?  Yep, Fall is here and it is raring to go.  I love fall…. the kids are back in school and I could finally pull out all of my favorite sweaters.  What else does it mean?  It is time to decorate for the fall season.  Today I will show you how to make a Pumpkin Girl decoration for Fall.  Let’s get started.

Tutorial offered by Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade .

CRAFT MATERIALS NEEDED:

– orange cloth
– green cloth / leather
– wooden ball (I haven’t one so I made a head in polymer clay)
– toothpick
– craft glue
– paint marker
– needle and thread
– wool / cotton – things to stuff (I used 4 cotton pads for that)
– 1 disc of cardboard
– green cord

Step 1 – The Pumpkin

Draw a circle on the orange cloth (actually I just rounded the corners).

Cut it out.

This is the orange circle.

Using the needle and thread, sew near the edges…

… like that.

Step 2 – Stuff it!

Take the cardboard disc…

… and place it inside.

Prepare your stuffing material: I made little pieces of the cotton pads…

… and place it over the cardboard, inside the orange cloth

Pull the thread to close the pumpkin…

… like this.

Sew it shut.

Step 3 – Pumpkin Top

Cut a disc of green leather and place it on top of the pumpkin, to mask the stitch.

Sew it there.

Step 4 – The Head

Take the wooden ball and put it on the toothpick (you can add a little glue on the toothpick for safety)…

… then put it on top of the green leather, forcing it through.

Now, our pumpkin girl has a head too.

Notice that the stitch on the green leather is visible and doesn’t look good. I’ll fix that by adding a new disc of green leather just under the head.

Step 5 – The Hair

Make some pieces from the green cord – about 15 cm length.

Apply a generous layer of glue on the head, where the hair will be.

Like this.

Take one piece of cord and place it on the head, taking care to have the longer part on the back, like this.

Continue to add cord pieces until the head is fully covered. Let it dry well.

Now you can arrange her hair as you want it. I split the front part of the cords in three…

… I made three braids – two on the sides and one on the back – and tied them together.  I then cut the front center part to make a fringe.

Now you must make her eyes and mouth… use the paint marker and she is ready to go.

Now you have a cute pumpkin girl to decorate your house with this Fall.  Add it to your other fall decorations to fill your house with tons of fall foliage fun.

Technorati Tags: Fall, Fall Crafts, Fall Decorations, Fall Decoration Crafts, Autumn Crafts, Autumn Decorations, Autumn Decoration Crafts, Pumpkins, Pumpkin Crafts

Laura · Cotton, Decorating and Design, Fabrics & Materials, Fall Crafts, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

Halloween is right around the corner and I bet you have your house decorated, costumes picked out and you have been wearing your Halloween jewelry for weeks… but what about your phone?  Yes, I said your phone.  Is it decorated for Halloween?  How about carrying your phone in a Halloween decorated phone pouch.  Today I will show you how to make an easy and wonderfully cute night glow ghost pouch for your phone.  How cool is that?!

Check out our other Halloween Crafts.

Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade will show you how to make it, step by step.

CRAFT MATERIALS NEEDED:

– a piece of black leather (about 22 cm x 5 cm)
– needle and black thread
– scissors
– paints (matte white and night glow)
– black marker
– phone

Step 1

Take the black leather and round its corners using the scissors…

… like this.

Place the phone inside it, the way you want your pouch to be.

Step 2

Take out the phone and keeping the leather folded, start sewing.

You should sew around the edge for 3-4 times (do not shrink the leather)…

… then go with the needle under the stitch…

… making a knot, like this.

Space 1 cm then sew again, the same way…

… until you finish the whole side. It should look like this.

Repeat on the other side.

Step 3

Using a pen draw the ghost on the front of the pouch.

Like this.

Then, using the white paint, draw the contour of the ghost. (Actually, you can paint all the ghost with white. It will look more uniform)

This is the contour 🙂

Step 4

Take the night glow paint and apply a generous layer inside the contour.

Like this.

Let it dry.

Step 5

When is completely dry, make the eyes with the black marker. (you can sketch them first with a pencil)

Add the mouth and that’s all! You have a funny phone pouch!

I told you it was easy.  In no time at all you can be carrying around a festive Halloween ghost phone pouch too.  Nothing like having a ghost to protect your phone… so fun.

Technorati Tags: Halloween, Halloween Crafts, Ghosts, Ghost Crafts, leather, leather crafts, phone pouch, phone pouch craft

Laura · Bags & Purses Crafts, Fabrics & Materials, Halloween Crafts for Kids, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Leather, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

Earlier today I showed you how to make a Fairy Crown.  Well, what fairy could be complete without fairy wings?  Now, I’m going to help your little fairy become a true fairy this Halloween with their very own Fairy Wings.  They will match the Fairy Crown brilliantly and your little girl will be thrilled with how wonderful they look.

Check out our other Halloween Crafts.

Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade will show you how to make wings to complete your fairy costume for Halloween.

CRAFT MATERIALS NEEDED:

– organza
– 2 pieces of strong wire
– 1 piece of soft wire (about 15 cm)
– scissors
– needles and thread (I use white because my organza is light levander)
– assorted beads, crystals (or paints – the easier alternative)
– craft glue
– lace

Step 1

Take a piece of strong wire and bend it to form 2 sides of a wing, like this.

Make a loop on both ends of the wire.

Do the same with the other piece.

Using the soft wire affix the two wings together, like in the picture.

Step 2

Cut the organza in half.

Place one under one wing…

… and draw its contour using a pen.

Complete the design.

Place the other half of organza on top of that and copy the drawing (organza is transparent)

Step 3

Take the craft glue (I use Tulip glue because is glue for textiles and you can wash the wings if they get dirty).

And place a generous layer on the wire (don’t worry, it is transparent when it is dry).

Press the wire on the organza, following the contour, to glue them together. Let it dry well (until you can’t see the glue anymore).

Cut out the extra organza along the wire.

Like this.

Then cut on the contour on the free side.

Now we have the wings 🙂

Step 4

To keep them in place, you must burn the edges. Use a match or a lighter and bring it close to the organza. Don’t keep it long. Just go around it.

***This is a step for an ADULT only***

It will look like that.

You can add some personality and texture by making some small burns from place to place on the wings. I like to use organza because it melts.

Step 5

Now let’s start decorating the wings.

The easiest way is to use paints to bring your idea to life.

I will walk the longer way 🙂

Because the organza is light lavender I choose pink and grey seed beads, dark grey tube beads, 3 pearls, transparent crystals and 6 tear crystals.

Start on one edge of the design.

Using a needle for beads (one very thin in order to go through the beads) place 3 seed beads on it then sew.

Repeat that operation following the design lines.

Like this. You will sew a small amount of beads at once (3 beads) because another way it will not look well, and it can break.

Use the other beads, crystals… to complete your design.

Step 6

Take the tear crystals…

And sew them on the three corners of every wing…

… to dangle.

Like that.

This is one wing finished.

Step 7

Cut 3 little squares (the big one with the side of 10 cm, the second 7 cm and the little one 5 cm)

Burn the edges.

Sew them together…

… and place them on the center, where the wings are linked.

If you want, you can add beads here too… to match the wings.

Also, you can cut the squares on any you want, but take care when you’ll  burn their edges after that.

Step 8

Turn the wings.

Cut two pieces of lace long enough to put the wings as a backpack.

Sew them on the back of the wings, letting the upper part longer…

… like this.

Now the wings are ready. You can close them on the front with safety pins, brooches or two buttons.

The finished Fairy Wings are beautiful and will look so adorable on any little fairy.  She will love wearing her fairy costume well after Halloween has finished…. it will be great for dress-up fun any day of the year.  Check out our Fairy Crown craft too.

Technorati Tags: Costumes, Halloween, Dress-up, Fairy, Fairies, Fairy Costumes, Halloween Crafts, Dress-up Crafts, Fairy Wings, Fairy Crafts

Laura · Beads, Costumes & Dressing Up Crafts, crafts for girls, Fabrics & Materials, Halloween Crafts for Kids, Sewing & Fabrics, Wire · 0 Comments

School is back in session once again. And, with school brings tons and tons of school supplies. Instead of using the same old pencil box that everyone else is using why not make a funny case that is like no other. Check out this funny nom nom pencil case craft. Why nom nom? Because it looks like it is eating your pencils….. “Nom nom nom.”

Step by step tutorial offered by Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

– a piece of a recycled pair of jeans
– zip
– 2 buttons
– white cardboard
– scissors
– needle and thread
– pencil

Step 1.

Take the piece of jeans and place it with the sewed part up. We will use that the way it is.

Place the pencil on it to measure if it will fit. It will.

Step 2.

Measure 5 cm from the top and cut the fabric on the front part.

On the back part cut it at 10 cm.

It will look like that.

We need the back part longer because it will close on the front.

Step 3.

From the cardboard we must make the teeth. First draw a rectangle to have a guide.

Cut it out.

Using the scissors make a criss cross cut to form the two rows of teeth…

… like this.

Step 4.

Sew one teeth row to the upper part of the fabric…

… like this.

Step 5.

Now sew the zip over the cardboard…

… taking care that the zip not be covered by the teeth.

Step 6.

Repeat the step 4 and 5 on the other side, like that.

Step 7.

Now, we must close the small sides.

First of all fold the rest of the zip on the back…

… then sew using a blanket stitch along the sides.

To make a blanket stitch, push the needle through the fabric then pull the needle through the loop.

Step 8.

Do the same on the other side.

Step 9.

Turn it inside out.

Step 10.

Choose a place where our Nomnom should have one eye…

… and sew a button there…

… then the other.

For a more alive feeling you can paint the middle of the buttons with black.

This is our Nomnom ready to chew all your pencils and pens. And your erasers too 😀

Technorati Tags: pencil case, pencil box, pencil case craft, back to school, back to school crafts

Laura · Back to School Crafts, Bags & Purses Crafts, Buttons, Fabrics & Materials, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

Today we will show you how to make stuffed puppy dogs out of socks and rubber bands. This craft will probably take less than 10 minutes for you…it is that easy. These are no-sew stuffed animals…that is right…no sewing necessary at all. If you like sock monkeys, but you were too lazy to make them, then this arts and crafts project is for you. Have fun.

You Might Like Our No-Sew Baby Doll Craft

You Might Like Our Other No-Sew Crafts

How to Make No-Sew Stuffed Puppy Dog Animal Toy with Socks & Rubber Bands

Crafts Materials Needed

– Stretchy Socks – I used Knee High Girls Socks
– Small Rubber Bands or Yarn
– Buttons or Sharpie Marker or Fabric Markers or Needle and Thread
– Stuffing
-Scissors

Step 1

Take out your sock….preferably socks that are stretchy and ones that have an interesting pattern or color.

Step 2

Put your stuffing in to your sock…put it all the way down to the tip of the sock.

Step 3

Now on the side ‘A’ (pictured above), form a ball by making sure that some of the stuffing is at that corner and then just pushing down with your thumbs to form a ball.

Step 4

If this stuffed dog is being made for a younger child (under 3 or 4 of age) you should use yarn instead of a rubber band, just in case it comes off…you never know what a child will put in his or her mouth and chock on. If you use a rubber band just put the rubber band around the ball until it is tight. If you are using yarn, wrap it around that ball-shape and tie knots and wrap it around more and tie more knots…then cut it off.

Step 5

Now you should do the same thing for the other dog paw, side B.

Step 6

Now put stuffing above the paws for the puppy dog’s belly area.

Step 7

Now make 2 arms the same way that you made the paws.

Step 8

Tie the yarn or rubber band next for the neck.

Step 9

This is what the real thing looks like so far.

Step 10

Add stuffing to the sock for the puppy dog’s head and then again, tie off with rubber band or yarn.

Step 11

This is what the real puppy dog looks like so far.

Step 12

Now cut the remaining sock (the part above the head and rubber band) in the center….like you see above.

Step 13

Now on each side – there are 2 sides – cut in 3 slits. So basically you have 6 slits in all then.

Step 14

Now braid each side. If you don’t know how to braid…then visit the Wikipedia page on braiding.

Step 15

Now rubber band each side in a loop.

Step 16

Now rubber band both loops together in the center.

Step 17

Cut off the excess that was on the top of the 2 loops (you will be cutting off the rubber bands too from step #15)

Step 18

Now this is what your doggy will look like.

Step 19

If you want to…glue on button eyes and nose. If your parents are around, ask them to hot glue them on, otherwise use fabric glue. If you have a sharpie or paint, make the dog’s mouth too.

I hope that you had a lot of fun.

You Might Like Our No-Sew Baby Doll Craft

You Might Like Our Other No-Sew Crafts

Technorati Tags: no-sew crafts, no-sew dolls, no-sewing dolls, easy to make dolls, dogs, doggy, puppy, puppies, stuffed dog, stuffed puppy, doll crafts, making dolls, sock monkeys, sock dolls, sock animals, no-sew sock dolls, no sewing necessary, no sew crafts, no sewing crafts, kids crafts, crafts for kids

admin · Animal Crafts Ideas, Doll Making, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Making People Figures and Dolls, no-sew crafts, Rubber Bands, Sewing & Fabrics, Socks · 14 Comments

Do you want to decorate your address books, appointment books, scrap books, or schedule books with felt. If you like to sew, then this is a great craft to get your sewing fix in. You will make your special book into a personalized keepsake. Have fun.

Decorate Address, Schedule or Appointment Books with Felt Crafts Idea

Crafts Materials Needed:

-6″x9″ appointment book from a stationary store or dollar store
– a piece of felt about 19″ x 9″
– Extra Felt for Decorations
– Thread to match the fabric
– Rubber cement, or other glue
– Scissors
– Tape Measure
– Needle
– Other Decorative Items such as Ribbons, Buttons, etc.

Step 1

(1) Cut the felt 19″ x 9″. With long and short blanket stitches edge all four sides.

If you don’t know how to blanket stitch, then please follow these directions. Make a knot at the end of your piece of thread. Put your needle in 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric, put the thread under the point of the needle and then pull the needle with the rest of the thread through. Repeat until finished.

Step 2

(2) Spread glue evenly on the felt.

Step 3

(3) Put the spine of the appointment book in the middle of the piece of felt and slowly raise the felt first on one side and then on the other for each cover of the appointment book. About 3″ of felt should be glued onto the inside covers of the appointment book.

Step 4

(4) Cut out your initials and any other patterns that you want and In the center of the cover, glue on these  initials / patterns as a finishing touch for this useful gift for office or home.

Decorate your special books in any ways that you want to. I hope that you had fun.

Technorati Tags: decorate books, schedule books, appointment books, address books, decorating books, book covers, felt crafts, crafts with felt, sewing crafts

admin · crafts for girls, Felt, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

This is a really cute idea to make a Native American Indian Girl Moccasins for a Costume or to just play dress up. This arts and crafts project is easy enough for kids to do, as long as they know how to sew as this project requires sewing pieces of felt together. This is a great arts and crafts project for girls and teens who want to make their own Halloween Costumes this year.  Find the instructions below.

Make Native American Indian Girl’s Moccasins for Halloween Costume

CRAFTS MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL NEED:

– Paper

– Felt

– Ruler or Tape Measure

– Marker, Pen, Crayon, or Pencil

– Yarn and Large Needle

– Beads

Step 1

Make a drawing of your right foot on a piece of paper. Allow 1/ 4 inch all around this drawing.

Step 2

Cut out to make a pattern for the sole of a moccasin as seen in Fig. 1.

Step 3

Measure the distance around the outside of your pattern. Draw a U shaped figure that equals this measurement. Be sure that the width of the toe part of the ‘U’ is 2 inches. Fig. 2

Step 4

When you are certain that these patterns are the correct size, place them on a piece of felt and cut around them.

Step 5

With bright colored yarn, overcast the two pieces together as show in Fig. 3 …Right below I detail how to make an Overcast Stitch.

How to Make an Overcasting Stitch

Make a knot at the end of your piece of thread. Point the needle away from the hand with which you are working and toward the shoulder of the other hand. The stitches should be about 1/4 inch apart. End a row of overcasting stitches with a few little backstitches one over the other.

Step 6

Then fit an oval-shaped “tongue” of the same felt into the front portion of the moccasin and overcast into place.

Step 7

Add a beaded design to the tongue if you want…by sewing individual beads on or by stringing beads on safety pins and then attaching them to the shoes.

Step 8

To make the moccasin for the left foot, reverse the sole pattern. Put together as you did the one on the right foot.

Technorati Tags: native american crafts, indian crafts, moccasin crafts, make moccasins, moccasins, felt crafts, sewing crafts, crafts for girls, crafts for teens, halloween crafts, kids halloween crafts, halloween costumes, make halloween costumes, crafts for kids, kids crafts, crafts for children, children crafts, arts and crafts

admin · Beads, Costumes & Dressing Up Crafts, crafts for girls, Felt, felt crafts, Sewing & Fabrics · 1 Comment

Do you want to learn how to make a unique picture frame? Most picture frame crafts are for one photograph, but this one holds 3 photos. This would be perfect to make as a gift for Dad or Mom for family photos…and it would look great on their office desk. If you want to learn how to make a tri-fold picture frame, then look at the directions below.

FYI…this craft is for older children – 9 and up….younger children can do it with help from an adult / parent / teacher.

How to Make Tri-Fold Picture Frame Gift That Holds 3 Photos for Dad’s Desk on Father’s Day

CRAFTS MATERIALS THAT YOU  WILL NEED:

– Cardboard, 15 by 5 inches
– 2 Pieces of felt, each 16 by 5′ inches
– 3 Snapshots (family photos)
–  Wool thread in contrasting color
–  Needle with large eye
–  Scissors
– Tape measure
– Glue Stick, Rubber Cement, or other Adhesive
– Chalk

HOW TO MAKE THIS CRAFT : TRI-FOLD FAMILY PICTURE FRAME

Step 1

Cut the cardboard into three pieces, each 5 by 5 inches. Paste one photography on each piece. Try to choose pictures that you father will look at and feel all mushy and sentimental.

Step 2

Arrange the three pieces side by side and lay one piece of felt over them. Leave 1/2 inch between the pieces of cardboard,since the felt is 1 inch wider than the three pieces of cardboard.

Step 3

Mark with chalk either an oval or square shape where the felt is to be cut out to show the underlying family photographs. Cut out these pieces of felt.

Step 4

Sew a long-and-short blanket-stitch border around each hole (see instructions on blanket stitching below) using the pretty wool thread.

Tip: How to Sew a Blanket Stitch

To blanket stitch, make a knot at the end of your piece of thread. Put your needle in 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric, put the thread under the point of the needle and then pull the needle with the rest of the thread through. Repeat until finished.

Step 5

Glue the felt with the holes over the cardboard so the snapshots show through. Glue the other piece of felt to the back of the three pieces of cardboard.

Step 6

Sew a running stitch (see instructions for sewing the running stitch right below.) in places marked A and B in the illustration and then the frame is ready.

Tip : How to Make the Running Stitch

Begin sewing this stitch with three or four little stitches sewn one over the other, instead of making a knot in the thread. The running stitch itself is a small, even stitch, running on a straight line. Try to make each stitch about 1/8  inch long, though if it is closer to 1/4 of an inch no thunder or lightning are going to strike you. You can run up to six of these little stitches on the needle and then pull the needle through the fabric. Finish your seam with three or four little stitches sewn one on top of the other.

Below you can see what the finished picture frame will look like.

Technorati Tags: make picture frames, making picture frames, make picture holders, making picture holders, picture frame crafts, kids frame crafts, make tri-fold frame, making tri-fold frame, kids picture frame crafts, fathers day crafts, fathers day gifts, make gifts, making gifts, gifts for dad, crafts for kids, kids crafts

admin · Cardboard Boxes, Fathers Day Crafts, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Mother's Day Crafts, Pictures or Photographs, Sewing & Fabrics, Wall and Door Hanging Crafts · 3 Comments

Here is a great Mother’s Day crafts project for kids to make for Mom or Grandma. Below, you can find out how to make a cardboard loom to weave beautiful handbags / purses to give as gifts or to keep for yourself. Either way, it is a lot of fun and the results are beautiful. This is a great crafts project for older kids and girls, as well as teens.

How to Weave Purses / Handbags for Mom’s Gift on Mothers Day

Crafts Materials Needed:

– Stiff Piece of Cardboard
– Scissors
– Heavy String
– Zipper
– Thread

(1) Notch both top and bottom of a thin stiff piece of cardboard.

(2) Loop heavy string around top notches (A) and between bottom notches (B) around the cardboard. See Picture Below.

Click on the Image Above to See it Bigger.

(3) Weave yarn over and under strings (C).

(4) Skip a string at one end to keep the weave in proper sequence around the cardboard.

(5) Overlap new yarn (B).

(6) When weaving is finished, remove cardboard. Turn the purse inside out and sew in zipper.

Technorati Tags: kids weaving crafts, weaving crafts for kids, weave bags crafts, weaving bags crafts, how to weave, instructions for weaving, kids crafts, crafts for kids, gifts for mom, make purses, making purses, making bags

admin · Bags & Purses Crafts, crafts for girls, Fathers Day Crafts, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Mother's Day Crafts, Sewing & Fabrics, Weaving · 0 Comments