Polka Dot Garden Flag

I have wanted to make this flag for a long time!  Jacob gave me the flag pole for Christmas, so it was yesterday's project!  I made it out of outdoor fabric.  I hope it will hold up for a long time.  Either way, I love it!

Fabric Houses

My granddaughters love to carry their "guys" (stuffed animals, dolls) in things.  They also need places for them to stay...so I found a tuturial on Pinterest (don't you LOVE Pinterest?).  After doing a search, I found this blog with a tuturial. It was very helpful and I mostly made it just like she said, with a few changes.  It was pretty small and I figured the girls wouldn't get many "guys" in her size, so I added 2 inches on all dimensions.  She had you wrap the plastic canvas in quilt batting and duct tape it...which I did at first, but the tape showed through my fabric.  I took all the tape off and then whipped stitched the batting closed all the way around.  I plan on making my 3 year old granddaughter one and will do it a little differently.  I will put the quilt batting with the fabric and just insert the plastic canvas into the sections.  That will safe tremondously on time.

As you can see from the pictures, they are already being put to good use!

T-shirts

I have been having a great time appliqueing t-shirts for some of my special friends!  They have all turned out well.  Some of my favorite ones are still to come.  I am working on 3 little onesies for a friend's new grandbaby and they are SO cute.  I especially like the different snowman designs.  They work for Christmas, but through the winter as well.  It is hard to believe Christmas is only a week away......but I am almost there.  Enjoy the season.

Flat Iron Cover

Flat Iron Cover/Holder

Check out this project I did for my daughter last week.  I was pleased in the way it turned out.  I found the pattern here and I had seen it on Pinterest!  Don't you love Pinterest!  I have found so many great ideas that I have successfully used so far. 

I did a few things differently.  I loved using her pattern.  I did not use the metalized batting, just the single sheet of metalized fabric with regular batting.  I had already bought the metalized fabric not in the batting and I always have batting around.  I made my own binding instead of buying a package.  I like the look of the coordinating fabric.  I am thinking of making some after Christmas and adding to my Etsy Shop.  Happy Crafting.

31 Days of "Not So Random" Acts of Kindness

I have seen some wonderful ideas on Pinterest about Random Acts of Kindness.  I love the idea and the concept......I have a problem with random.  I can't be random when designing things, etc.  So, I came up with a list of acts of kindness to do, but assigned them a day.  Do you want to join me?  While this is the season of giving, sometimes we, as a people, aren't so nice in our day to day interactions with strangers.  Let's see if we can make a difference, one kind act at a time.  Here's my list:

31 Days of Not so Random

Acts of Kindness

1.  Smile and say “Have a good day” to everyone you meet.
2.  While driving or in line somewhere, let some in front of you.
3.  “Catch” someone else doing something nice and tell them “nice job.”
4. Visit someone sick, in a nursing home, or lives alone.
5. Give someone a call who you know needs a kind word.
6.  Make some cards (Christmas or “Have a nice day” and get them to a Meals on Wheels program or nursing home.
7.  Return a shopping cart for someone.
8.  Call your Mom or Dad and tell them you love them.
9.  Get some small candy canes and give them to everyone you meet.
10. Buy a hot chocolate for a Salvation Army bell ringer
12.  Send an e-mail to your siblings saying Merry Christmas.
13.  Tape miniature candy canes w/notes on vending machines, ATM’s.
14.  Prepare Christmas Candy Kisses into baggies and give to postal workers.
15.  Get several $1 bills and give them to any pan handlers you see
16.  Decorate a tree outside for the birds/squirrels with popcorn/peanut butter
17.  Buy a few can goods an drop them where some place is collecting
18.  Take a treat to a neighbor
19.  Open the door for someone else
20.  Drop some goodies by for the waiting room of a hospital
21.  Leave your change in a vending machine for the next person
22.  Do something nice for your co-worker
23.  Hug a child today.
24.  Say Merry Christmas to every you meet today.
25.  Take time to express gratitude for our Savior.
26.  Send a note of appreciation to someone who has done something for you in the past.
27.  Play a game with a child/spouse/family member today.
28.  Offer to help someone with a task they don’t want to do.
29.  Take a walk and be thankful for the beauty of the world (say a prayer in your heart)
30.  Run an errand for someone.

31.  Find someone who works at a hospital or nursing home and prepare/buy a treat for a shift at a nursing station.

I am sure most of you can come up with a better list, but most of these don't take much money, if any, and most don't take a lot of pre-planning.  Just kindness.

As a family when my children were young, we did the 12 Days of Christmas and would pick a family each year and for the 12 days right before Christmas, ending with Christmas Eve, we would leave gifts and treats anonymously on their doorstep.  Christmas Eve we would bring 12 of something yummy they could use on Christmas Day and we would reveal ourselves.  This is missed as the family has all grown and flown the coup - with the exception of one.  These  Acts of Kindness will be similar and hopefully help spread some Christ-like Cheer.

If your willing to give a try with me....I would love to hear some of  your feelings and the reactions of others as you go along.  Let's do it starting tomorrow!  Are you in?

Christmas Shirts

Boy Reindeer Shirt

Boy Reindeer Shirt

Girl Reindeer Shirt

I got my first Christmas shirts done!  Reindeer, boy and girl varieties.  They turned out pretty cute. I am going to put them in my Etsy shop  www.yayasdoodles.esty.com .  If you are interested in making them, stay tuned for a class.

Banner

Polka Dot Banner

In case you didn't know....I like Polka dots, and I like pink....so here is a perfect combination.  I have been checking banners out for a while now and decided to try my hand.  Most of the ones I have seen, you sew them to ribbon or bias binding.  I saw a business site recently that used the pennants on a ribbon with button holes.  This seemed like a good idea, that way, you could seperate the pennants if your space you were putting your banner was wider.  So I looked at several tutorials on Pinterest and even found a free download (which I can't find again to share the link) for the pennant. 

I sewed around 3 sides and left an opening at the top, just big enough I could turn it.  It took awhile to turn them all and then press them.  Longer than I thought it would.  I then marked two buttonholes, using 5/8" ribbon as my size guide.  I choose to use black thread on both colors of pennants, because I planned to use black ribbon.  The whole process was a little more lengthy than I orginally thought it would and I am not happy with the pennants being able to move on the ribbon.  Each time I hang them up, I have to arrange them.  I may or may not put the letters on this one:  Party Time.  Putting nothing on them gives me options.  Next up:  Christmas Fabric Banner (rectangles) on quilt binding.

Thanksgiving

Mayflower Place cards and treat combo!

 Have you checked out Pinterest yet?  It is very addicting....so be warned before you begin.  I found these Mayflower placecards.  Mine didn't turn out as cute as theirs...but no one complained about the yummy candy inside.  Unfortunately I know a couple of little ones who didn't eat much lunch....my apologies to the mom...but hey, I am the Yaya and a little spoiling every once in awhile keeps them wanting to come back.  I even had one beg to spend the night......and was happy to oblige!  We don't get to do it often enough.

Turkeys

A bunch of Turkeys!

Check out the turkeys!  I had a lot of fun making these and a few more.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Countdown Calendar

I made this wonderful Christmas Countdown Calendar or some people call them Advent Calendars. Click on the classes tab on the blog site and see if a time works for you.  This one is the easiest of the 3 I have done this fall.  My children have spent many a December decorating a similar one (this one is cuter), while anticipating Santa's arrival.  I have 2 for sale on my etsy site:  www.yayasdoodles.esty.com.  E-mail me if you are interested in making one of these:  polkadotcraftparties.gmail.com.  'Tis the season!

Thanksgiving Tree Giveaway WINNER

The winner of our first Giveaway is Nancy Hiatt!  Yeah Nancy!

Thanksgiving Giveaway

Thanksgiving Tree

Had a great time with out second project at Polkadot Craft Parties!  We made this great Give Thanks tree.  Each pocket as a "I am thankful for: " card for writing something you are thankful each day of the month in November. 

This one is up for a Giveaway.  Either like us on Facebook or comment on this post on my blog:  www.polkadotcraftparties.blogspot.com to enter.  Entries will be closed at midnight on Sunday, October 30th.  Happy Halloween!

A few more Halloween Calendars

Halloween Count down Calendar

Our first class for Polkadot Craft Parties! 
Pictures from a fun couple of nights with some great ladies.  We made these adorable Halloween calendars.  They were a lot of work but everyone had a good time.  We had some yummy treats as well.

Fabric Belt

Lots of projects on my to do list and I am slowly getting some on the "done" list.  Here is my first attempt at a fabric belt.  It is super easy.  I will definitely do more of these.  This would make a great "make and take" class. 

Sewing Camp

Sewing Lessons
 

Who:  8 and up (adults included)


Skills developed:

• using a sewing machine
• using an iron
• laying out a pattern
• cutting out using a pattern
• using a seam ripper :)
• matching fabrics with projects

Possible Projects: (depending on skill level)

• Pillowcase
• apron
• tote bag
• simple skirt
• pillow

This is a small group setting with individual attention that will allow each student to work at their skill level. 



e-mail me if you are interested or have questions:  polkadotcraftparties@gmail.com 

Get Set.........

Under Construction

Do you like to make things?......do you like to create with other people?.....do you like to eat yummy treats while you visit with your friends?  stay tuned.