Monday, July 28

Spiffy Craft Show Set-Up

My sister and I are crafters from way back (you can check us out here and here). And we have always loved a good craft show. We started years ago, I don't remember if it was in high school or even before, with a small display and dabbled in a bit of everything. Since then we've honed our skills, focused on our interests, and worked on making more interesting and eye-catching displays. We're always looking to improve, but are really happy with how far we've come. So these are some of our favorite tips and tricks for craft-showing (it's a verb).

 

1. Find Your Groove
After spending years dabbling in everything from painting to card-making to jewelry to bags to Christmas decorations, we've found it really helps to pare things down and focus on the things we really enjoy. For my sister, that means she works with silk screening. She's really good at it, and it's definitely a rarer thing so she is always unique!


My favorite is sewing, so that's what I spend most of my time on. This is definitely a more popular field so I try to stand out by creating my own unique patterns and products.


Thursday, July 10

Ikea Hack - Kura Bed Tent Makeover

I promised a lot of tutorials when I posted Big Brother's room reveal (check it out here)... and we're finally going to tackle one! So let's start with one of our favorite upgrades - our Ikea bed tent hack.

Big Brother loved having a tent, but the one from Ikea was made with a crazy blue fabric that just didn't match anything. So I grabbed some new fabric and a tape measure and got to work.


I took apart our original bed tent and copied the pieces to make our new-and-improved version. And yes, you do need to have the Ikea bed tent because we'll be using the poles and hardware from the tent and just switching out the fabric. Kind of a bummer if you don't have one already (sorry!) but if you do you're well on your way to a totally sweet and one-of-a-kind upgrade!

Here's what you need to make your new tent:
  • 5 yards quilting cotton fabric (we used red for a nice pop in the room, but a patterned fabric would be really fun too!)
  • thread
  • 1 yard 1" elastic
  • Kura bed tent poles & hardware
Start by pre-washing and drying your fabric, then cut out the following pieces:
  • 2 body pieces @ 81 x 31" 
  • 3 pole sleeves @ 67 x 2"
  • 6 elastic reinforcing tabs @ 8 x 1.75"
  • 1 top sleeve @ 53 x 2"
  • 2 pole pockets @ 5 x 3.5"
  • 6 pole pocket reinforcement @ 4 x 2.5"
  • 4 curved ends

Tuesday, July 1

Stroller Friendly Diaper Bag {free pattern & tutorial}

Ok, peeps. Get ready. We're about to make the sweetest, most versatile, storage-packed diaper bag in all of time and space. And the best part? It's totally stroller friendly!


That's right. All the storage & organization you need attaches securely to the handles of a standard stroller.

 

With just a few snaps it converts to a convenient messenger style diaper bag. Haul those baby stuffs in style, mommas!


And back again to a hands-free stroller bag!


If you're planning any summer outings you won't want to leave home without this. It's great for anytime you'll be doing lots of walking and don't want to lug a bag around. In fact these pics are from our trip to the zoo on Big Brother's birthday! Plus with it securely snapped on the handles, the under-stroller basket is open for lunch boxes, jackets, or baby carriers.


The shoulder strap is permanently attached on one end so you can't lose it. When you're ready to wear your bag, just snap the shoulder strap on at the other end and you're ready to go.


Want to put it back on the stroller? Snap the stroller straps and tuck the shoulder strap inside the bag or into one of the back pockets. It will be there when you need it later!


The water bottle pockets on the side are perfect if you don't have cup holders on your stroller.


And did I mention tons of storage? The finished size is 16.5" wide, 11.5" tall, and 4" deep with twelve pockets! Let's take a closer look. The front flap has a zipper pocket built in.


 The flap also has a clip for when you want it to stay closed. Big Brother has decided his personal mission is to keep it clipped at all times.


There are water bottle pockets on each end (with elastic tops to keep your drinks snug).


When you lift the flap there are two smaller zipper pockets on the front.


Baby Brother not included.


On the back there are two open pockets - perfect for keeping a burp rag handy!


Under the flap there is also a zipper closure. Flaps are super convenient when you need to be in and out (and when it's hanging on the stroller!), but we all know nothing is worse than a diaper bag tipping over and spilling EVERYWHERE. One zip and you know your stuff isn't going anywhere. Problem solved.


And inside that zipper? So. Much. Room. For all the stuffs. This is a pack-it-in-the-morning-and-go-all-day kind of bag. We fit everything we needed for an entire day at the zoo!


And you can keep it all organized with a whole mess of pockets. Two open pockets on the front, another zipper pocket on the back, and two more elastic water bottle pockets on the sides. Be still my organizing heart.


This is what I had in my bag today: baby toys, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug repellant, coconut oil (great for diaper rashes!), disposable diaper bags, wallet, pen, jackets for the brothers, back-up pants & undies for big brother, full backup outfit for baby brother, three double-stuffed cloth diapers, wipes, extra socks, roll-up grocery bag, water bottle, sunglasses, and burp rags. For serious, you guys, this bag is in it to win it.


Subscribe