Perfect Pillowcases

Birthday List

Hannah was SO upset when she realized Ernest's birthday was the next day and she didn't have a present for him.  I told her not to worry, and she got busy making a list of things she would want to buy for him.  The fabric (last on the list) we turned into two pillowcases for him.  He really needed them...

His old pillowcases have holes by all the seams

and the ends are frayed and coming apart!

Here's our finished product!  Hannah saw this fabric at the store and knew immediately that Ernest would love it.  It's a soft flannel, is the color blue and is a Hawaiian type pattern.  She made one pillowcase and I made the other.

She even picked the ribbon as a nice contrast.

I didn't follow any pattern, I just took his old pillowcase and used the measurements from that.

Button Magnets (blogged by Hannah)

This picture is the creator and it is Hannah Casey

We saw this at Quiltique, and we made our own. This is how we made it. We got buttons and then we got the sizes together and then we glued them with a hot glue gun. And then we glued it on the magnet.

This is the side view, which for you to see the magnet part

It holds up pictures too.

*blogged and worded by Hannah (age 5) and typed by Mama

Tie Rattle Snakes

Hannah and Max with their new "friends"

I don't like snakes, but these guys are cute. We followed the tutorial from Skip to My Lou to make these fun snakes. The kids didn't want fat tails, so we didn't stuff the ends of the snakes. I would have loved to make the rattle part for the tail, but we didn't have any tiny containers to fit in the tails... maybe I'll look for some cheap ties at Goodwill, and make some more when I can get a little container. Max's snake was decorated from a previous project, so it's covered with fun stuff. They also went a little crazy for the stick on eyes. Max's snake even has an eye on it's belly!

We have a couple of Alien Snakes!

I think it's safe to say they love their snakes!

Red Letter Words Knockoff

Games People Play by Red Letter Words

I have had "Games People Play" on my wish list for over a year now. I adore games, love playing them and have an entire closet full of them! I thought this sign would be perfect, but I haven't bought it because I just don't want to pay $55.00 for it. This week at DecorChick, they are having a giveaway for... Red Letter Words! I was so excited and entered as many ways possible.

Hannah saw what I was doing and I showed her which sign I wanted. So she got busy and made me this!

It's perfect!

The First 5 Year Old Sewer

LaLa

During the summer I taught sewing to 3 girls. Hannah saw how much fun we were having and decided that she would like to sew as well. In September, she sewed a few things all by herself, such as a little 4 patch "blanket" and a beef jerky holder for her brothers. While she was sewing she asked me "Am I the first 5 year old sewer?" Of course I said yes, because I don't know of any other 5 years olds who can sew.

She decided she wanted to do more, and seriously, I was thrilled! We went to the fabric store and she picked out a few patterns that were "easy" level. Then she saw this simplicity pattern that I had made a few animals from. She decided that she wanted to make the giraffe.

She picked out some scrap fabric that I had, and she ended up with LaLa (that's her giraffe's name). I cut LaLa out of the fabric, but Hannah did all the machine sewing with lots some guiding of her fingers by me. Hannah and I both stuffed LaLa, and I hand stitched her up.

I think LaLa turned out SUPER cute!

Bandanna Checkers

I saw this flyer at my local Jo-Ann store and knew we would have to make it. Here are the instructions from the website, and in PDF format.

CHECKERBOARD

1. Lay a plain print bandanna on a flat surface over a piece of paper. Fabric markers could bleed through.
2. Measure and use pencil to mark a checkerboard grid with 8 rows of 8 squares each.
   
   
3. Outline grid with black fabric marker pen. (We used Crayola)
   
   
4. Alternate coloring squares so no square touches another of the same color. Squares do not have to be solid colors. Square can be designed with hearts, seashells, circles, any other icon as long as matching designs are not are side by side horizontally or vertically. (The kids got tired of color after 1 row, so I ended up finishing the rest. They were more excited about making the checkers)

CHECKERS

1. Roll 1 color combination of Model Magic into 12 balls. Press down to make disc-shaped checkers.
2. Roll a different color combination of Model Magic into 12 balls. Press down to make disc-shaped checkers.
3. Allow checkers to dry for 24 hours.

(We made most of our checkers differently. We rolled out the Model Magic and used cookie cutters and Play-doh cutters to make our checkers. Hannah chose Stars and Hearts. Max chose Stars and the suggested method above.)

I love how it can be wrapped up for easy storing!