weekend project: bedtime story pajamas

i'm so excited to have finally made up a pair of real pajamas for cole using the fantastic bedtime story pajamas pattern from oliver + s, the best kids pattern line in forever.

every pattern is that perfect combination of modern and classic, and thankfully for me, not by nature a reader of instructions, they are foolproof. well designed, simple and illustrated, the step-by-step instructions are easy to walk through. this was a quick project - about 2 1/2 hours start to finish.

they're mainly constructed using a 1 metre piece of funky monkey flannel (similar options here) that i've had in my stash for a while. turns out though that i didn't have quite enough... so, rather than try to drum up more or shelve the project, i dug out enough of a different flannel to make contrasting sleeves and ties.

since they're called bedtime story pajamas, i thought it would be appropriate to get a photo of cole during his actual bedtime story... it started out well enough - he loves to read together, but it soon turned into an episode of mug and wrestle. good to see they don't impede his movements! ;-)

weekend project: a wee bunny

recently, while catching up with the lovely crafty blog so happy, i was drawn to an adorable baby bunny made from a free wee wonderfuls pattern. it looked like such a sweet little creature, perfect the nursery - handy since we're in the midst of another family & friends baby boom! of course, once i downloaded the pattern, i had to make one right away:

this one is made from japanese linen/cotton on the back and a panel of the softest unbleached organic flannel on the tummy. the nose and mouth were embroidered freehand and the eyes are painted on using non-toxic fabric paint. it's stuffed with organic cotton filling. oh, and i added a little touch of blush to the cheeks for fun.

it was a quick project - just an hour or so - just the thing if you need a last-minute but perfectly thoughtful baby gift.

weekend project: smocked sundress

spotted this smocked dress how-to over in etsy's the storque. it's a step-by-step guide to making the adorable sundress from heather ross' weekend sewing, using the instructions and diagrams right from the book! there's still a bit of summer left (or a lot, depending where you live!) so there's no time like the present to try this one.

i made this dress recently and was so surprised by how easy it was. smocking ahoy!

weekend project: upholstered toddler bed

gabrielle blair aka the rad design mom came up with this inexpensive (about $40), easy, functional and - perhaps even above all - adorable toddler bed design. complete step-by-step instructions over at design*sponge.

cole is fifteen months old now, and the other day some stranger mom at the park asked me if he still slept in a crib. i have the feeling that i looked at them blankly, blinking for a few moments while wondering if they were crazy. um, yeah - the bed with the bars that prevent him from a) escaping b) rolling out in the night c) escaping and d) escaping? yeah, he still sleeps in a crib. but in a year or so this will be awesome. ;-)

weekend project: birdie snack shack

since it's summer, i'm guessing you're out enjoying your deck, balcony, patio, porch, backyard or stoop a lot lately. why not add a little something for the birds too? love this adorable birdie snack shack diy birdfeeder from the good folks at design*sponge. it uses just a couple of inexpensive items and could be painted to your liking. i'm sure the birds (and possibly a squirrel or two) will dig it.

weekend project: tea in a jar

ok, my weekend projects have gotten really, really easy lately. can you tell it's summer and it's hot and my time sitting at the computer is spread too thinly? well, worry not - i will pick up my s#%t soon but in the meantime why not make something cool to drink?

saw this post about tea in a jar over at amy karol's angry chicken blog the other day. i love real iced tea, unsweetened for me, and think this is a great idea. concentrated brewed tea that you can add to a glass with water and ice, stored in a small jar in the fridge. perfect! it would be great to have on hand when the urge to make tea-flavoured summer cocktails strikes too.

weekend project: can stilts!

we're a ways off making a set for our little guy, but i can't resist the lure of these awesome recycled can stilts. you could make them adult-sized with some giant cans anyway - how rad would you look wandering around on your own set? ;-)

how-to from zakka life, found via ohdeeoh.

weekend project: outdoor chandelier

easy peasy. can't get much more simple than this project - making an outdoor chandelier from a wire hanging basket, a few crystal drops and some jam jars filled with candles. head over to sunset magazine for the details.

weekend project: father's day tie

father's day ties - high up there on the list of conventional dad presents along with hammers, golf balls and whatever this year's new fangled car washing accessory may be. one definite advantage is that, in theory at least, i could make a tie myself...

i really want to make one of these amazing ties from the purl bee for jamie, but am hestitating only because they do seem to have a lot of steps... you may know how i am about steps.

but they're so cool! and i was recently reminded how expensive good ties really are - and how many truly awful ones there are out there - when we were buying some fancy new duds for jamie's business trip to japan. at those prices, and with rather limited options, it makes sense to diy... plus, if i could gather my wits and make a dress shirt too, i would have utter creative control over the upper half of his wardrobe! ;-) so i'll jut have to add this to my list. pretty sure it won't get done in time for this father's day, but someday...

weekend project: stencil something!

"it is a truth universally acknowledged" (le sigh) that it's much easier to post about projects you plan to do than to actually find the time to do them first, photograph the steps and results... most of the weekend projects i've posted here over the last few months are still firmly planted on my lengthy and varied to-do list, but with all the good intentions in the world they'll eventually get accomplished.

but this week's project was born out of a random trip to ikea earlier this week and so easy that i managed to accomplish it in no time at all. considering how sunny it's been the last few days, that sounds like the perfect amount of time to spend inside this weekend...

i picked up a magnetic bulletin board from ikea for $10 the other day. we needed something new to help us separate our "to-do's" - bills, grocery lists, expenses etc - from the random detritus on the fridge. the only place we have to hang something like this is the very narrow wall near the door, and this was just the right size at about 16" wide by 23" tall. i hestitated because it was so boring and plain - that is, until i realized that i could stencil something on it quickly to make it a little more interesting.

i chose a stencil from my ed roth stencil 101 book, used a little low-tack spray adhesive to hold it in place and then just sponged on some cheap-o amsterdam acrylic paint (in olive, if you're curious) using a stencil sponge brush. i initially did a pair of stags (you know - a couple of bucks - har har) but i didn't like it after i'd added the second, so i quickly wiped it off using water, soap and a little olive oil before it could dry. then, i used the scruffy side of a kitchen sponge to give the remaining stag a slightly more weathered look.

and voila! you could make this more original by cutting your own stencil, masking some cool lines or something or enlarging an existing stencil (my original plan, but desire for a rapid completion - aka laziness - won out). and all in all it cost next to nothing. i would give spray stenciling a thumbs up - it would be even faster! i'd have gone that route if jamie hadn't chucked all my montana gold spray paints after i'd left them on the deck in the winter...

weekend project: plant a hanging basket of herbs

planting anything is a definite to-do on my list as soon as we're back from holidays. last year i was focused on keeping a fresh human alive and my plants suffered from the divided attention. or make that my "fend for yourselves, plants - i haven't slept in days!" attention... slowly the died off, one by one. currently two lifeless japanese maples (named prince harry and oliver cromwell) are all that remain of what was once a bountiful balcony garden. they're not coming back to life, so although that makes me sad, i get to start over, which is nice...

one thing i need to do for sure: plant a moss-lined basket of herbs.

we use a wire basket that attaches to the balcony railing since we're not allowed to drill holes in the balcony for hanging things, but i love the idea of this three-tiered hanging basket of plants. so easy, so rewarding.

you'll need:

• a large 3-tiered hanging basket (like the kind used in the kitchen for fruit & veg)
• potting soil
• sphagnum moss
• herbs
• this step-by-step how-to
• diligence in watering and at least six hours of sunlight per day ;-)
  

weekend project: oilcloth lunchbag

this week's weekend project: make an oilcloth lunchbag. a project that has before and after steps that are just as nice as the project itself (that would be shopping for fabric and then eating food in the park!). if you have no oilcloth then any sturdy fabric would do, in my opinon...

i've been meaning to make one for ages, but every pattern i have come across seemed needlessly complicated. i know, i know - it's just a simple sack, but still - if i have to reread lengthy instructions a few times while scratching my head and taking a break for coffee, then it's not intuitive - and with my attention span i need my intuition when it comes to sewing...

i was delighted to find, and now to share, this super easy how-to, from the lovely martha. the instructions are so easy they're all right here:

cut main piece 29 1/2 by 8 inches and two side panels, each 12 1/4 by 5 inches.

1. fold long panel, inside out, into u shape with 5-inch bottom.

2. make 1/4-inch cut at bottom corners of side and middle pieces so bag folds smoothly. sew-in side panels, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. turn right side out and top-stitch all around, 1/8 inch from edge.

images and how-to from marthastewart.com.

weekend project: the un-paper bag

you really never can have too many tote bags, regardless whether it's to carry your groceries, as a stylish handbag substitute or merely to store silly stuff in. and why not make a truly stellar tote? so easy and so much potential for personalization.

this week's weekend project is the easy un-paper bag from purl soho. using two half-yards of fabric (one for the outside and one for the lining), a few other bits and bobs and a set of the truly yummy inazuma handbag handles from japan, this is a sure-fire compliment magnet.

weekend project: ironing board cover

i use our ironing board a lot, particularly when you consider that i almost never iron clothes. it's pretty much the second most important part of any sewing project - just barely after the sewing machine itself!

we had to buy a new ironing board recently. for about seven years we'd been using one that we found in the closet of an old apartment. it was shabby and creaky, i think it was homemade to some extent, smaller than a standard ironing board and it threatened collapse nearly all the time. eventually, the top wore out altogether, so i went out to buy a new one.

the new one is fine - funtional but nothing to write home about, assuming that you would write home to discuss mundane household objects. but having a snazzy cover for the top would certainly perk it up quite a bit! this ironing board cover tutorial from the workroom/make something is just the thing:

weekend project: papier-mâché vases

i'm always thrilled to find ways to put discarded household objects to good, crafty use. and readymade magazine is always a terrific inspiration. cue the weekend project:

papier-mâché vases using plastic recyclables as a base shape. practically free - or actually free, assuming you have a bin of recyclables under the sink and a few basic craft supplies kicking around.

such a great idea, and so easy that there's enough time in a weekend to make a whole bunch of these charming vases.

weekend project: chalkboard wall

what is the weekly weekend project? quite simply, it's a great recycled idea for a crafty diy project that (in my slackerish estimation) could easily be completed with a lazy weekend's worth of effort and a minimum of fuss.

for the first installment i thought this rad chalkboard wall was just perfect. at only about $40 and using mostly items you have around the house (a wall!), it seems like it's definitely doable. the end result would be just as enjoyable for adults as it would be for kids, i think. head on over to ohdeeoh for the easy instructions.

i want to do this so much but, as we rent, i figured it's better kept on my mental wish list for now. not that it doesn't sound like fun to paint over chalkboard paint before we move along! we do have a blank masonite board taped over the fireplace to serve as a baby deterrent that i think would make an excellent mini chalkboard wall. off to buy chalkboard paint as soon as this heinous cold passes. fyi - locals, you can find chalkboard paint locally at opus.