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{Tip O' the Day} Winter Boredom Buster!

I don't know about you, but my kids are OVER being stuck inside every day this winter! One of my tried and true solutions is this winter boredom buster - it's so easy and it keeps your kiddos busy for a while! Just use painters tape on your floor to make hopscotch! It's easy, free (if you have painters tape or masking tape handy!) and you can even vacuum over it, so it can stay for a while!

I set this up in about 10 minutes and my girls just ran and jumped and played on it for an HOUR! That's a lot of pent-up energy expended INSIDE!

Other ideas for painters tape - you could make race track for cars, roads for princess carriages, or a mini four-square court if you're brave!

What ideas do you have for Winter Boredom Busters? Post a comment - I would love to hear them!

Easy Fabric Gift Bag Tutorial

 

This year I'm trying to cut back on my wrapping paper usage, so I made some of these easy, festive,and reusable fabric gift bags. So can you! If you can sew in a straight line, you can make these!

Materials Needed:

Fabric

Ribbon

Tools Needed:

Sewing Machine

Iron

Safety Pin

Ruler

Fabric Marker or Washable Marker

 

 Start out by laying out your fabric on a flat surface and laying the gift on top.

 Move the gift about 3" down from the top of the fabric, more if it is a thicker item.

 Find out how wide you want to cut your fabric by laying the fabric over your gift (just like when you wrap it with wrapping paper!).

 Then add an extra 1-2" past where you need it. Mark with a washable or fabric marker.

 Also mark the right side of your fabric so you know how tall you want your bag. Gee, I really did a great job keeping that ruler straight, huh?

 Now cut out your fabric piece. This does not need to be an exact science, I didn't even use a ruler!

Now take your fabric and fold down the top edge about 3/4". This will be the casing for a ribbon drawstring to close the top. My ribbon was about 1/4" wide, if you're using a wider ribbon, measure your ribbon and add about a half inch so you have plenty of room for it to fit.

 Press your seam with a hot iron.

 Now it's time to sew! Using a straight stitch, sew a straight line down the edge.

 Whoa! Looks like Santa needs a Chiropractor! No really, you can see the finished top seam here.

 Now fold your fabric in half with right-sides together (that means the correct side of the fabric is together). Line up your side and bottom edges as much as possible. Feel free to pin them if you would like - I was livin' on the edge and went pin-free!

 Sew with a straight stitch down the side and across the bottom.

 Here is what it should look like!

 Now turn it right-side-out - it looks like a bag, right? Yay!! Now find where your seam is. Cut two tiny holes with a sharp scissors pretty close to the seam. Try not to cut through to the other side! Cut it wide enough to fit your safety pin through.

 Cut a length of ribbon that is double the length of your bag plus a few inches.

 Tie a double knot on one end. Attach a small safety pin to the other end.

Push the safety pin end into the little hole you cut and start feeding the ribbon around the top until it pops out the other side.

 Pull it out enough to tie another double knot in the 2nd side (you may have to cut a little of this ribbon off as it can become frayed while you're pulling it through) and VIOLA! You are done!

Have a very Merry Christmas!
jesi

{Handmade Baby Gifts} The Holidays are Coming!

Here is my newest applique design - a FOX! Isn't he cute? This bib is so new it's not listed on my Etsy site yet. BUT I'll have a bunch of these at all my upcoming Craft Shows! Look at the sidebar on the right for a complete list of upcoming shows!

A great customer of mine wanted to cover up her little boy's shirt and bow tie at a wedding reception with... a shirt and bow tie! Here you go!

For Little Ghouls and Goblins

Check out these super cute Halloween inspired items from my fellow Etsykids members!

 Halloween Costume Cupcake Toppers from Your Blissful Day

 Halloween Twirl Skirt from Chew Chew's Closet

 Ghostie Hair Clips by marmalade creations

 Happy Halloween Fabric Banner by The Polka Dot Tot Shop

Happy Halloween Patchwork Flannel Blanket from SweetieBugs

{Handmade Baby Shower Gifts} New Bib Designs!

I have been busy making some new bib designs! Here is a really cool gender neutral bib with retro lamps fabric. Appliqued on top is a green whale in black thread. The back of this bib is black fleece.
Here is one of my popular horse profile bibs! This one has a beautiful pink and mint green fabric in the back, and a pink checked horse appliqued on top.
I also found this great green floral fabric and appliqued a coordinating stripey green elephant on top. So cute!
Here are some other favorites from fellow members of the Etsykids Team!

Super cute bacon & eggs felt hair clip from marmalade creations:
Biker Dude cloth wipes set by Applesauce Crafts:
And this amazing dress made out of (my favorite!) a vintage tablecloth! This is by Chirp & Bloom:
Happy shopping!
jesi

Handmade Appliqued Kitchen Towels

*New Product!*

I have been making these appliqued kitchen towels for a while now as gifts for family and friends, and finally had some time to make some for my shop! Perfect for it you love the look of Hip Violet, but didn't have any kids to buy for!



Check out my Etsy shop for a full selection!
jesi