Halloween Costumes

I know I already made my daughter an Alice costume, but looks like we're going with Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Sweet Pea instead.

I used this idea for the Olive Oyl collar:  http://blueeyedfreckle.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutorial-17th-century-ruffle-collar.html.  The ribbon stuff I used on the sleeves would have been too stiff for a collar. I originally bought it for the collar, forgetting I needed ruffles on the sleeves, too, so it actually worked out.  Here's a gross tidbit: the knit fabric I used for the collar was from the sides of the In-N-Out shirt I took in.  Ok, that's not so bad, but I really don't think I washed the shirt before I took it in; therefore, the collar was the sides of my sweaty workout shirt!!!!!  I haven't told anyone that . . . yet!

She noticed on the movie cover that Olive Oyl had red earrings; hence, non-matching buttons on thread around her ears.

She also wanted black hair, so we splurged on $5 black hair spray, which, I might add, put a nice black ring around the bathtub when we washed her hair out!

I learned how to make the sailor collar here:  http://www.godsavethequeenfashions.com/Making_a_Sailor_Collar.html.  It turned out a little shorter in front than I expected, but I was able to still get it to work without re-making the front of the shirt.  I think I can do a better job next time.

I can't remember where I read to get some stockings and stuff them for Popeye arms.  I found some microfiber (I think) knee-highs that I cut the toes off of.  I wrapped quilt batting around his arms, then put the socks over and tucked the ends under.

I used a $1 sale baby costume pattern for the red Sweet Pea outfit and snagged the collar off of a 30+ year old sailor dress of mine (it was so conveniently buttoned on).  I wanted to make a new collar for the baby, but I think I've run out of steam.  I like the red suit because we can use it for Christmas, too!

Made a new hat!  I think I feel a tutorial coming on!

4th of July Cake

For combined YW/YM's tonight, they had a cake decorating contest.  My husband's teachers were given the 4th of July theme.  This is what they came up with.  The boys actually frosted the cake themselves.  Evan brought all the printouts to cut out and stick on.  They put pictures of the democratic presidents on the left.

It had sparklers on the top; hence, the burn marks.  They also played the national anthem while the cakes were being judged.  They only got 3rd place!  (out of 6).   Rip off, they said. 

Photo Blocks

Made a new one of these at RS last night for the baby to match the ones for the older kids.

What I don't like about canning . . .

Another resized shirt!

Many years ago when I had a job (you know, one not at home), I helped out with a conference for LDS Employment in Las Vegas.  Some of us were given In-N-Out shirts for being there.  Mine was huge.  I've used it for exercise and for something that fits while pregnant.

Since I've been resizing shirts lately, I thought I'd resize this one after a Shade shirt that I have.  Not that I plan on wearing Shade shirts very much, and not that I plan on wearing an In-N-Out shirt anywhere (especially because there's a big controversy at my husband's office as to whether In-N-Out or 5 Guys is better.  I'm thinking 5 Guys, but I haven't been to In-N-Out for a really, really long time). 

I cut this one a little bigger than my Shade shirt, and it's still a little tight in the chest -- tighter than I like, but luckily I'll only be exercising in it!

Now I can start shrinking shirts that I actually like -- like my BYU shirt.

Reusable Swiffer Duster

I love Sew Much Ado.  I made this Swiffer Duster with her tutorial!  So easy and fun!  This would be a great RS craft night project.

http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-reusable-swiffer-duster-cloths.html

Simple Dutch Oven Bag Tutorial

1.  Use your lid to measure for the bottom of your bag.  Cut a circle an inch or so bigger than your lid all the way around.

2  Cut a strip about twice the height of your Dutch oven and long.  I thought mine needed to be 34" long, but it really needed to be a little less.  It's better a little longer than shorter because you can always make it a little smaller very easily by cutting.  Geometry wold have come in handy here.
 

3. Pin the bottom to the side, straight stitch, then zig-zag your edge.

I sewed my strip into a tube, then attached it to my bottom piece.  In retrospect, since my length measurement was a guess anyway, I shouldn't have made the tube.  I should have pinned my strip to the bottom all the way around, then stitched my ends together at the appropriate place for a perfect fit.

4.  Zig-zag your top edge.

5.  Fold down your top edge all the way around and stitch down.  I felt it was too bulky to fold under; that's why I zig-zagged.  I folded this one down 3/4".  You could do 1", or whatever.

6.  Drop your Dutch oven in to see where to secure the belt.

7.  Secure with pins.  Take out your Dutch oven.  Straight stitch securely!

8.  Put the Dutch oven back in.  Fold up & secure.

9.  Cute as a button!

You could get really creative and use some old pockets on the sides, or cut off belt loops and use them to secure the belts (strap/handle), rather than just tacking them down.  I just didn't want to take the time!

Took less than an hour.