Desks and Floor Cushions

My husband made these lap desks for the girls for Christmas. I painted them and sewed the floor cushions.

The lap desk plans came from Ana White and the floor cusions from Living with Punks. They are inspired by Land of Nod Floor Cushions.

I made a few changes to her plan. I used a white cotton sheet for the liner and stuffed the inside with beads instead of "fluff". I also added a zipper so I could remove the top cover. I love that the girls can move this stuff into any room they want to play in. Very easy projects. We started a few days before Christmas and got all of the projects done in time.

Dress Up Box

So the lighting is really bad, but my husband made these dress up boxes from ana white. I painted it and planned on sewing the outfits. I love making furniture with my husband. The girls love this and I love it because it keeps everything in one place. Hence, they play dress up more. Happy Girls, Happy Mommy!

Felt Toy Truck

This is the first time I have ever seen a project and then got up and had all the supplies on hand and then finished within a reasonable time frame. She gives the full instructions and I had enough felt to make 2 of these cute trucks.

I did make mine a little differently on the wheels. This was really easy and worth every effort.

And it is a BOY gift. On this blog, WHAT? I did go out and buy felt to make 2 pink trucks since my 2 girlies were wanting to play with these. Oooh...and I would love to do a firetruck version. Maybe if we have a boy bun in the oven.

Gift Caddy

Have you ever been to Ana White? I got alot of inspiration for Christmas gifts from her blog. This was something that I didn't get a chance to make before Christmas but am glad I got a chance to now. There are so many ways you can turn this into a simple, easy, and cute gift. The best part is that this was 100% made out of scraps I have been asking (forcing) my husband to save.

Coffee and creamer makes a cute coffee box.

Parm and Tomato soup and you have an easy meal for a new mom.

Or you can show off and stuff your box with hand sewn keychains, coffee cozy, and onesies fit for any new mommy.

Cute, cute, cute! Stay tuned more gift ideas if you are willing to put in a little extra work.

Treat Bags-2 Ways

The second way was even simpler. I just ran my sack through my Imagine on Print Only mode. Cool, huh? Since the images are worn and vintage looking it looks super cute in person. I would have cut the top with my scalloped scissors, but my crafting partner in crime is detaining them until she finds them. Yeah, she's 4 it could take awhile.
Really if you goal is simple and cute these are the way to go. Buy a big stack of them and you can customize them all year long. No more running out at the last minute to find the perfect treat bag. Just use the Imagine. See how it saves time and money? I am serious on that one. I have made many projects with this machine simply using stuff I have on hand and I am not even close to running out of ink. Tell Santa's little helper it's on your Christmas list.

Treat Bags-2 Ways

The first way I made these treat bags was to simply take some sticker paper. I get mine from Staples. I then picked my favorite images from Kate's Kitchen. It really is a challenge to choose.
My Imagine Screen.

Then I just popped them on. Couldn't be simpler. Filled with a stack of cookies and you are in business.

Made with love. What could be better.

I ALWAYS eat dessert first!

Kate's Magnets

When I got Kate's Kitchen home I knew I wanted to make something, but I didn't know what. All the images were so cute I popped in some magnet material and cut as many as I could fit.

Now dolly can get to cookin'

Tummy Symbol Care Bears Style

Trace 4 circles and cut out.

Now there were 2 fabric transfer techniques I used for this project. The one I show you here is where you cut out the layers for an image and put together. I then used my copy machine and put the transfer paper in just like you would a regular sheet of paper. The image comes out and you do need to cut it out as close to the image as possible. The technique I used for the other side is just to put the transfer paper in the imagine and any image with letters needs to be flipped.

Here I outlined it in a blue marker BECAUSE I wasn't thinking ahead and my sheet is white and I made my clouds white. If I had thought ahead I would have made the clouds blue and not outlined, but by this point I am all in and not looking back. So I had a make it work moment with the blue marker.

This is the point where I used my iron to transfer the images. You want to use a hot iron with no steam. Turn off your steam setting and empty out any water. Preheat your iron. I put an old pillowcase on my cutting board. You want to apply heavy pressure for 20 to 30 seconds on each area really focusing on the edges. These images were transfered using the light transfers from Hobby Lobby.

Sandwiching the imaged circles facing with the empty circles on the outside, place the elastic inside pinning on the edges. I made my elastic long enough to wrap around my daughters belly it approxiamately 18 inches.

This is what it looks like with a closed sandwich. This is where you stitch around the edge of the circle leaving an opening to turn out.

Turned out and stuffed.

I stitched the whole way around for extra strength.

I wish I had a picture of my daughter wearing this because she is always talking about her tummy symbol. However, in a series of unfortunate events (me putting my energy into making it) she won't put it on. Don't you love three year olds. I just pictured a cute birthday party where everyone has their own tummy symbol to suite their personality. I hope this inspires.

Made with Love (and my Imagine)

Get the full tutorial at Creative Critterz Imaginations. And then try to make one.

One Project-Two Ways

If you have come over from Imagine Critters, Welcome! Stay awhile and let me know what you think. Even if you think my ideas are lame. Oh and by the way I have a super cute project tomorrow. So come back, k. This is the 2nd way you can use those cutie magnet dolls.
I bought mdf hardboard. This stuff was like $5 for a large sheet. I painted the whole board with 4 layers of magnet paint, and 2 layers of white paint. I cut them down to the same size as the empty frame I had. Then I used tiny nails to hold it in place.

I have mine just leaning against the wall for the girls to play with. I am going to cut out more images. The cute purses and all the outfits and probably a couple more girls. They are so cute. Do you spot that little green bow in her hair? That is the inspiration for my project tomorrow.

See you soon!

Another tiny pillow

I used the same iron on trasfer method as here. For the sewing: I used the same method as the keychains from Wednesday. I just stuffed with filling after turned out.

Gifts-Keychain

With right sides facing. Place 2 fabric scraps together.

Stitch around 3 sides leaving and opening to turn right side out.

Turn right side out.
This is what it looks like fully turned. You can press here.

Pin closed.

Stitch around all sides as close to the edge as possible.

Fold over ring and stitch back and forth a couple times.

CUTE!

I made 4 in no time. These would be a great gift to go with the coffee cozy.

Christmas with the Cricut-Gifts

Sweets for the Sweet

In my book this is a perfect Christmas gift. I got the cake stand as a gift for my birthday. Thanks Mom! This cake stand is a Wal-Mart for $10. If you customize it and add a baked good inside I think this is the perfect "neighbor" gift, or even for a friend.

I keep thinking about the printable vinyl and either Kate's Kitchen or Yummy Imagine Cartridges. I think that would be even cuter. I would make the lettering smaller. Because of the curve it was difficult to not have those little bubbles.

I also love that you can pull the images off and decorate for different holidays and seasons. Becuase this is on my counter it makes for another great piece to change throughout the year.