I'd like to say a great big THANK YOU to HeartofMary for a great tutorial!  I love this: http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/tutorial-city-backpack.html
It wasn't actually very hard.  It took longer to cut everything out and get it all interfaced than it did to put it together.  It's a great small backpack for kiddos or quick trips.  This one is made from medium-weight denim, cotton, and "craft fuse" interfacing on both layers.  


Back and straps. I had to use d-rings instead of real slide thingies for the straps because that's all I had at the time.  

Under the flap:  

Backpack shown on a 4-year old for a size reference.  

Well, my nephew was born one month ago, and I finally got the package for him mailed today.    In my defense, he was born 3 weeks early, but I suppose that still puts me behind.  Oops!    Anyway, I thought he probably needed some hand-crafted goodies from his good ole' Auntie, so here goes.  
A taggie football from this tutorial: http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/01/how-to-make-taggie-football.html



Wall letters for the little man-- just simple wood letters from Hobby Lobby decoupaged with cute papers:  


Simple double-layer flannel burp cloths and a diaper clutch:  


Simple Summertime blanket-- 2 layers of cotton, no batting:  

I've never posted over here before, so, "Howdy!"  Here are a bunch of lightbulb ornaments I painted for the year.  I hate that these types of bulb won't be sold after 2012.  Maybe there will be a "black market" for illegal lightbulbs.   
Here they are: 

Grinch and Cindy Lou Who:


Cat in the Hat


Reindeer:


Snowmen/ladies:


Santa/Mrs. :


Penguins and another version of Santa and snowman:



Here are a few spoons I painted: 

I'm so thrilled with this!  I was totally inspired by Vikingmom's post which I just bumped (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=312186.0).  I made this for my niece whose mom is really into 50's/rockabilly stuff.  I just hope it fits!  This was made in a size 3 (I hope), but it is shown on my size 5 kiddo-- that's why it's a little short and tight.


I don't know how to shirr, so I used elastic in the back and super long ties. (Maybe too long?? )
 


I also added a little netting to an underskirt to help give it a little flair.  I will probably make it longer next time...  



The dots are from Wal-Mart and I had to make the bias tape because I'm cheap.  Next time I'll save myself a couple of hours.   
Do you think she'll like it?  
  

I just made this for a nephew's birthday.  Isn't this the greatest fabric?  It's Michael Miller's "Merryville."  Anyway, after months of searching for the perfect playmat, I saw this blog a couple of weeks ago(http://jcaroline.typepad.com/jcaroline/2008/07/merryville-play.html).  I hurried to  order the fabric on Ebay and made this.  It's just backed with denim and there's a little topstitching to keep things in place if it's washed.   I only used a fat quarter-sized piece of the fabric, so I still have 3 more panels left out of the yard I bought.  The mat ended up roughly 17X21". 


I added an attached zippered pouch for the cars:


Here it is all rolled up:


My son thought this was for him, so he's been asking where it is all day.  I guess I'd better go get started on his.   

Here are a couple of towel/head wrap sets I made for 2 of my nieces.  These are for 7 year olds, so they required cutting some towels down to size.  My house is full of towel fuzzies, but I think the results were worth it.     Let's hope they like them:


Here's the head wrap in action:

wrong board-- Sorry! 

Here's my daughter's coat from Vegbee's new pattern.  I'm so excited!  I received my pattern on Thursday afternoon and made this on Friday.  I couldn't wait!!  As you can see, I haven't added the buttons yet.  I haven't decided whether I want to do covered buttons or what color to go with if I don't.  Any suggestions?  I made this out of twill for the shell and quilting cotton from Hancock's for the lining.  I'm not sure if the color is very true to life, but it's a dark plum color with a colorful candy "filling".    I'm not sure the colors really go together, but oh well...  it's done and she's thrilled!  There have been so many cute kid coats on here lately, and I couldn't wait to jump on the bandwagon.  I have two older daughters who want coats too now.  I think I might try to increase the pattern size since it only fits up to a size 4.  I don't know whether I'm actually capable of such a thing, but I might have to try...  Does anyone have any tips on that?? 




Here's a poor shot of the covered buttons I FINALLY finished.  My camera is having a hard time getting a shot of the fabric on the buttons, but it's individual "candies" from the lining.  I'll try to get a better picture in the sunlight tomorrow. 


Well, I tried last night and again this morning and I just can't get a good shot of the buttons up close.  Poo!!

Earlier in the year, someone on here posted the idea of taking an adult skirt, sewing down the sides, cutting it off, and making it into a kid's skirt.  I can't find the post now, but thanks to the originator of this idea!  I found this women's a-line skirt at the thrift store for a buck or so and decided it would be great for daughter #2:

It had a zipper down one side, so I wanted to keep that.  I also wanted to salvage the waistband if possible.  I ended up cutting the yoke of the  new skirt out of the top middle of the large skirt.  I cut the ruffle of the new skirt from the bottom of the old skirt.  That helped me skip the hemming part, since it was already done.  (I hate hemming.  )  Here are the leftovers if you're not too confused yet: 
 
I sewed the sides of the yoke together and gathered the large strip of fabric from the bottom of the original skirt to become the ruffle of the new skirt.  Here it is: 

Well, I'm on an applique kick lately thanks to a lot of you Craftsters!  I decided to use applique to make a special birthday outfit for one of my nieces who is turning 2.  I used the Grand Revival tutorial for the skirt (http://grandrevivaldesign.typepad.com/photos/ruffled_skirts_tutorial/index.html) and directions from Jayneysews for the applique process (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=226296.0).  The froggy fabric is from Hancock's and the dots from Wal-Mart.  What do you think?   








Everyone cross your fingers that it fits!