Mail Center

At the first of the year, my sister e-mailed links to a bunch of things she wanted to attempt to make this year. There were so many cute things, but I fell in love with a felt mail box set. I'm a little obsessive about things. Once an idea is in my head, I really can't seem to let it go until I see it through. So, I found these tin mailboxes at Michael's for $2.99 and went to work. They also have these at the $1 spot at Target, but they're a bit smaller. I also seem to have a knack for turning a simple idea into a complicated, tedious project.

A paper mail center simple wouldn't work, and the felt was driving me crazy because I didn't care for any of the colors I saw. Finally I saw an idea where fabric was used, so that's what I stuck with. I used fabric I already had, placed pellon (a stiff felt), which I already had in between the two pieces of fabric, and used sticky Velcro, which I already had to attach the different pieces. It would have been quite simple to do, but I decided to sit an embroider everything to give it a little more flare. What started out nice and easy turned to tedious and time consuming. But in the end, I think I love it! And, it only cost $2.99, how could I go wrong?

I know Gabs will have such fun playing "mail center" with actual play mail and not just scraps of paper she finds me cutting apart for her and envelopes that bills came in! Total, the girls will have 2 mailboxes, 2 envelopes, 5 stamps, 5 letters, 4 postcards, and 6 mail recipients. The last thing I have to complete is a small bag that says "My Mail Bag" for all the loot to be stored.

I will give this to the girls on Valentine's day. Since we will not be with them for the next several days, I am going to supply my mom with stickers, candy hearts, valentine crafts, lip gloss, or anything else I can find at the dollar store. Each day my mom will put something new in the mailbox for them and say that we "sent" them mail. I hope it's a hit and helps with the separation anxiety they may be feeling!

Aprons

I really think aprons are the most fun things to make. I love to get carried away with ric rac and pom poms and fabric combinations. It's fun to have something a little saucy and sassy to wear in the kitchen. I made these for a few friends for their birthdays and they were so easy. No pattern, just more straight cutting and sewing. Sorry if you're sick of seeing this fabric. I'm tired of it too, but when there's a good deal you have to get lots right? I've finally finished it off, now I will allow myself to go out and get some more!
Oh, and try to ignore the cheesy pictures, I really didn't know how to best display the aprons for a decent picture! If anything, this crafy blog is helping me with my still life photography, I really stink at taking pictures without living subjects!

Placemats

My friend once said that she was raised with the philosophy that as long as there was nice dishes, candles and music, any old meal was instantly great. I always remembered that. I love sitting down to dinner with my family! Joe and I got a few sets of place mats when we were married and those have been what we have always used. Not my first choice of place mats, defiantly not my style and really they are now in terrible shape. It was about time that we ate dinner on something that was worthy of putting dishes on. I enjoy cooking and spend lots of time in the kitchen, our meals deserve some good place mats.

I really should be embarrassed about the not so difficult level of my projects, but you gotta start somewhere to get to where you want to be right? Really, this is something that any one who can sew a straight line can do. Maybe we're not quite to the candle lights and music, but who knows, maybe we can pull off a good looking place setting on Sundays.

Bibs

These are definitely not fancy, or original for that matter, but personalized bibs are fun, easy, inexpensive, and cute. I think these are the perfect little gifts for those friends that didn't have a baby shower because they had baby number 2, 3 or 4. Or for someone that you are taking dinner to after they've had a baby. Even for visiting teachers or teachees. Really, I just think they are perfect for that mom who has everything, but their new little baby needs something of their own.

I bought brown baby corduroy for the back, because it works with boys, girls, and unknown genders. Dig through some of your left over scrap fabric-they hardly use any, find a cute font, embroider the name, add a little ric rac and viola, you're done. I like the idea of using "bebe" for friends that don't know what they are having, or just monogramming it with the babies initials. Anyway, really don't inspect the sewing or the final product, just thought I'd share what I think is a great little gift idea.

Fans

I love when I can do something that doesn't cost a thing and has a huge impact. I admit I am pretty cheap when it comes right down to it...except for coats, I'll pay a pretty penny for coats. Anyway, I saw these wonderful fans on a gals blog that I knew back in my BYU days. I had to do it.

The girls room is a cozy, small square room. The room consists of old frames painted white with some of my great grandmothers doilies inside, a bed we got from a neighbor that we put new hardware and crown molding around, bedding from my mom that is on loan to us until both girls are in beds and I'm ready in invest in bed sets, a crotchet baby dress that my great grandmother made for my mom, a vintage baby cradle and highchair, a shabby chic light fixture, crib and home made baby quilts. Not a whole lot of money has gone into this room, but I really do love it's girliness and charm.

I felt the room lacked a little spunk and color, especially during these winter months, so these retro feeling fans were exactly what it needed. They were a breeze to make, and completely free, using the supplies I had right here in my house. Just what the room needed...a free makeover! Don't you just love it? I might just be adding a few to the master suite I love them so much! :)

I'll try to take pictures of the other side of the room so you can see all the nostalgia items later!

Ornaments

Old:

New:

I have no idea where this little ornament came from. Was it from mom, grandma, a great aunt? I don't know, but it's an ornament that I've had forever. I noticed Gabs playing with it yesterday, so I thought I could make her and Gwen their very own versions. It doesn't have quite the perfect craftsmanship as mine does, but it will do. Joe thought I was kinda crazy for making a red bird with blue and cream wings, but I wanted the ornament to reflect me and my tastes at this point. I think it's fun to look back over your ornaments, or anything and see the decades and style they represent. Most of my ornaments say 80's, but that's what they should say. My favorite christmas colors are this bricky red, and light blue. I don't know if it screams 21st century, but it certainly expresses in a small way my style. I want my girls to always have pieces of me, and this little 2007 bird ornament fits the bill.

Oh yes, Gabs reminded me that she needs a necklace too, so I'll have to come up with some way to work that out.