Convertable Baby Bonnet/Bib

i am so excited to show you this baby bonnet!  I used to make these for my little girls when they were babies.  I love them because they are dual purpose.  You can unbutton the side  buttons and tie the ties around the baby's neck and viola!  You have a bib!  So many baby bonnets you get in the store, if you can even find one, have either so many ruffles, and fancy delicate trims, or some type of stiffening in the brim, that they aren't very washable.  These are so simple you can just throw them in the washer, and pop them out, and with little or no ironing, depending on the fabric used, it's ready to go again.  It also takes very little fabric.  The bonnet/bib takes about an hour to make the first one, and after that i would say about a half an hour once you have gotten familiar with the instructions.  I will have pics of the different views.  If enough people are interested, I could do a tutorial on these.  I will also show you in my next project a larger bonnet to fit all the way up to about a 3 to 4 year old, and it turns into a pinafore apron!  Very cute. Just about any fabric would work, also, from eyelet, gingham, cottons, for summer, and for a heavier bonnet for winter you could use corduroy, velvet, denim, etc.  I hope you love these as much as I do.  It's been about two years since we have had a little baby in the family, I miss sewing those tiny sweet little baby clothes.  I will have to make  them for the girl's dolls now!  I have some little granddaughters who would love some pretties for their dolls.

More examples of combining techniques on cards

I wanted to add a few more cards that I made using other techniques.  This first one is tea bag folding, it looks complicated as a whole, but the motif is broken down into very simple folded sections held together with the tiniest bit of glue.  This gives your cards a lot of dimension.  you can find paper specially made for tea bag folding, with the designs placed optimally for the best result when folded.  You can actually save your pretty teabag envelopes, if you are a tea drinker, as you can tell my my title, I am, and cut those up to be used. 

The next one is embossed.  I feel it adds a simple elegant touch to cards and tags, and I have used them to decorate packages and gift bags.  You can buy the brass stencils  and a light table at most craft stores.  They are very reasonably priced.  I used this technique on my daughter's wedding invitations, adding a glaze pen with l light tough of glitter to highlight some of the areas, and they were beautiful. 

 The last is a baby card, I used my cricket for this sweet little baby and tucked it inside of a little  blankie made of folded paper.  After I made it I decided the next time I make these, I am going to use flannel, with a pinked edge, to add texture and softness to the card.

I hope maybe I have inspired some of you to try something new.  It's always fun to add different techniques to your projects, it keeps them fresh and uniquely yours.  Have fun, and if you have any questions feel free to comment, or email me, I would love to hear from you!   

Some different techniques to take your cards to another level

Hello everyone, I have been working on cards this last week.  I need to replenish my stock at a cute little store in town where I sell my cards, so I thought I would share some of them with you.  I wan t to give credit to a book that I have fallen in love with, also.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I had to order it on line, and wait for it to come, but it was everything I anticipated, and more.  I bet you are wishing I would just get on with it....what is the name of this wonderful book??? Origami Card Craft, by Karen Elaine Thomas.  I know, some of you may be saying, "Origami, I tried that once and it is too complicated for me",  but trust me, these are fairly simple and very well explained and illustrated.  I have some examples of my favorite one, and there are many more.

30 cards and envelopes that will add a third dimension to your cards, along with places to tuck in small gifts, pictures, and lots of space to stamp and embellish.  I think you will fall in love as I have.  You can visit Karen at www.karenelaine.com and www.origamicardcraft.com.

I need some Help!!!!

I really want this blog to be seen by someone!  I don't know how to get it out out there.  I want to do my first tutorial on a baby bonnet that turns into a bib for little babies, and then I have one that can go all the way up to a three to four year old, and it can be turned into a pinafore apron.  They are  so adorable, and the thing I like about them is they are simple and easy to wash and wear.  I feel like  i am talking to myself, and wasting my time because no one will come to my blog.  How do I get people to come to me?  I even want to have give away contests, like for a couple of my convertable bibs, but I just don't know how to get anyone to see this.  If anyone out there can help, please do leave me a comment with some advice.  I'm all alone here and lonely.

I have to recommend this blog!

If any of you have a daughter whose hair you fix, you MUST check this out.  The link is in my sidebar.  I found it on Totally Tutorials.  Princess Hairstyles is amazing.  The braids, weaving and hairdos that are on here are shear genius!  If you have run out of ideas for your daughter's hair, check this out.  Sooooo cute.  I can't begin to do it justice by describing it, you have to see for yourself.

New crochet book

i am so excited!  My sweet daughter gave me a gift card to Michaels for babysitting so she could have a "Girl's weekend"(She knows Michaels and Hobby Lobby are dear to my heart.  My DD's know, once I go in...it could be a while before they see me again).  After much perusing of the craft books I found, " Crocheting on the Edge" , by Nicky Epstein.  I would recommend this book for anyone who loves to crochet, it has many, beautiful fringes, edgings, bobbles, projects, and so much more.  For those of you who like to add beautiful elements to your already purchased garments, some of these edgings would be so pretty added on to a t-shirt or sweater neckline, or sleeve edge. 

Don't pay attention to the date on my photo, I apologize for that, my camera is doing something goofy and putting old dates on my photos.  I have yet to figure out why.  I will show a couple of examples of projects I like.  Nicky also has a book on crochet flowers, also.  It's on my wish list....hmm..I wonder if my daughter needs another "Girl's Weekend!!??!!

I tried my hand at making a bib necklace, I have been seeing them everywhere and like the soft, feminine look of them.  I saw several cute ones on Lollychops blog, who,  by the way, I love.  She made one and now she can't stop, but mine didn't turn out so well.  I will show a pic, but don't laugh too hard.  I think I should have curved it more, and maybe added more elements to it.  I like the colors and the fabrics have a nice feel to them, so I guess there is something positive.  If anyone has any suggestions, please comment. 

I did manage to squeeze in a couple of crafty projects this weekend, after everyone went to bed.  I have been seeing owls everywhere lately, and I really wanted a piece of jewelry with a cute little owl.  What really attracts me to owls are mainly their eyes, so I decided to feature their eyes on my ,"Who gives a hoot" bracelet.  It was a lot of fun to paint, and then i designed a beaded bracelet to go with my painted piece. I love it, and think I may make a necklace to match soon, but maybe with the whole owl on it.

I have been busy!

Well, we had a birthday, and the holiday weekend, so it's been a little while since I have posted.  My little granddaughter Avery has been planning her birthday for months.  She turned nine, and was getting an Ipod touch like her big sisters, and she was so excited.  Her big sister, Cierra is dabbling in photography, and this is a photo she took of Avery.  She is doing pretty well with her photos.

Isn't she a cutie?