Creative Guest: “Hold My Hand” Mittens by The Boy Trifecta

 

Hey everyone! I'm Emily from the The Boy Trifecta, and I am so excited to be the creative guest on Ucreate today. And a little terrified. But mostly excited.

I am lucky enough to have three awesome boys - Riley (8), Quinn (2), and Sawyer (4 months). I started sewing to make cool stuff for them, and started my blog to share cool boy projects (although I've been known to make girly things on occasion). I love to sew, but prefer to see something I love and figure out how to make it, rather than use a pattern. Yup, this girl loves a knock-off. So, when I saw these, I knew I could definitely make them, and would have to anyway because they are no longer available for sale (major hat-tip to Jaimie at C.R.A.F.T. for finding and posting them!).

 

I love the functionality here. My two year old rips off mittens (and shoes, and socks) as quickly as we can put them on him. With these gloves, we don't have to worry about forcing him into mittens which will certainly be ripped off and lost in a heartbeat. He can just tuck his sweet little hand into the small mit! Perfect. So let's get started!

 

First, gather your supplies. I'm using an old sweater for the main part of the mitten, and some leftover fabric for the small mitt. You'll need less than a fat quarter for the small mitts. You'll also need a sewing machine, coordinating thread, two pieces of paper, and a pencil.

Next, we're going to make our mitten templates. Trace your hand on a piece of paper, leaving enough room around the outside of your hand to allow some finger movement, and your preferred seam allowance. Let a little person help if they want.

Cut TWO templates by placing your tracing sheet on top of a second sheet of paper and cutting both at the same time.

Next, take one of your templates, and place it diagonally across the other template, so that the edge of the mitt hangs off of the edge of the bottom mitten template, and the thumb and mitt of the top template form a "V" around the thumb of the bottom template.

Now we are going to edit our top template by: 1.shortening the thumb so that it end just inside the edge of the lower mitt 2. getting rid of the wrist portion of the mitten 3. slightly narrowing the upper mitt. See the faint lines on my template? That's what you're going for.

Now cut along the lines you've drawn on your template. You should have two pieces now - one for the main mitt, and one for the smaller mitt.

Ok, now take those templates to your cutting table, and cut 4 from your main fabric and 4 from your mitt fabric. (I'm using a different fabric to demonstrate the small mitts here so you can better see my stitches)

Now it's time for the fun part. Grab your small mitt pieces and head to the sewing machine. Place right sides together and sew all around the mitts, leaving a few inches along the straight edge for turning.

Clip the corners and cut notches in the curved portion of your seam allowance so that your corners are sharper and your curve is smoother once you turn it right side out. Using a turning tool (scissors, knitting needle, crochet hook, pencil - anything with a bit of a point) turn your mitts right side out and topstitch along the straight edge, sewing the opening shut.

Repeat for both small mitts. Now grab your large mitt pieces. Place them right sides together, and sew only along the straight edge above the thumb. If you are using a knit fabric, use a zig-zag stitch or a serger.

Turn right side out.

Grab one of your small mitts and place it so that the thumb of the small mitt makes a "V" across the thumb of the large mitt. The finger portion of the small mitt will cross the seam you just sewed in the large mitt.

Pin small mitt to large mitt, and edge stitch around the curved edges of the small mitt. Leave the straight edge open so a little hand can fit in there.

When you're done, it should look like this:

You're almost finished! Now, just fold your main mitt right sides together and finish stitching around all the edges except the bottom, where your hand will go. Again, if your fabric is knit, use a zig-zag stitch or a serger. Turn it right side out. LOOK! You've got a "hold my hand" mitten. Repeat for mitten 2. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure on your second mitten, you place your small mitt on the OPPOSITE side from the mitten you just created. This way, you will have a left mitten and a right mitten. Basically, if your mittens are laying on a table, you should see the main body of the small mitt when the thumbs of the large mittens are facing each other. Are you thinking WHAT IS THIS LADY TALKING ABOUT?  See the original photo montage at the top of this post, and check out the top left photo for further clarification.

This final step is very important: Grab the cutest kid you can find and take them for a spin!

Thanks for having me, Kari!

If you make a pair of "hold my hand mittens", I'd love to see them! Upload them to The Boy Trifecta flickr group!

Christmas Pillows!

 

Don’t you love Jen over at Tatertots and Jello?! I call her the “subway art queen” and one of her latest projects proves this…

 Subway Art Pillow Tutorial 

While you’re there check out these gorgeous ornament pillows…

 Painted Ornament Pillow Tutorial

Isn’t she AMAZING?!

Craft Apron Tutorial

 

Need a gift for the crafter in your life?? I’m lovin’ this apron by Rosey Corner Creations!What a great way to have your must-have craft supplies at your fingertips!!

Utility Apron Tutorial

How cool are all of those fun pockets…Carol’s fabric choices are fantastic!!

Christmas Advent Calendar {buckets}

 

Check out Beckie’s awesome advent calendar over at Infarrantly Creative…

 Christmas Advent Calendar Tutorial

Creative Guest: Pom Pom Scarf Tutorial by Life Through The Lens

 

 

 

Welcome Kristi from to Ucreate today sharing this gorgeous Pom Pom tutorial!!

Kristi’s creativity and photography skills are absolutely amazing!!

Make sure to stop by her blog Life Through The Lens and get to know her and say “hi”!!

 

 

This year I wanted to find a craft that my eleven year old daughter could make (with little adult supervision) for her friends for Christmas gifts. We found a scarf that we both liked but, it cost $30.  We knew that we could make one for less than half that price...and so we did.

 

This is a super simple scarf to make and a lovely gift to give to that special girl on your list...

Supply list:

yarn-chose as many coordinating colors as you like and

I found that the softer yarn makes a fluffier pom pom

 

scissors

 

pom pom maker-you can make them with a pom

pom maker from Clover or make them by hand

 

quilting needle-the eye of the needle is large enough to get the yarn

through and the point of the needle is dull enough for a child to use

 

Here are some helpful links for making pom poms:

you can buy a clover pom pom maker at amazon.com

clover pom pom maker instructional video on youtube.com

the traditional method of how to make pom poms at domestifluff blog

Make your pom poms, fluff and trim them

Double thread your yarn so that it measure 5 1/2 feet

(5 1/2 feet seems to fit the average height girl but, feel free to

adjust the length of the yarn to the height of the person receiving this)

Double knot the end

Find the middle of the pom pom

Start the needle from the bottom

Pull it through the very center of the pom pom

Push the pom pom on down to the double knot and trim the

excess yarn so that it blends with the other pieces of yarn

Double knot at the other side of the pom pom-

this will keep the pom pom from sliding around

Measure 1 1/2 inches from the last double knot and

then made another double knot for my next pom pom

(you can eyeball it if you want or if you're anal like me...go ahead and measure)

Thread your next pom pom on and then double knot again and

continue so that each pom pom has a double knot on both sides

Here's what it begins to look like...

Finish stringing the pom poms and when you get to the end just double knot the yarn and trim so that it blends in with the rest of the pom poms...now you're done! You can wear it alone or pair it with another scarf...

I hope you enjoy making this adorable pom pom scarf...

Crochet Flower Headband

 

 

I’ve always wondered how to make these super darling headbands! Cami at You Seriously Made That? shows us how…

Crochet Flower Headband Tutorial

Just think of all the different colors and looks you could come up with!!

DIY Barn Door!

 

So maybe you are one of the lucky ones and have access or have stumbled upon a barn door for your home decor!..or maybe you’re like me and have the hardest time finding old windows and doors!! This tutorial is for you…

Barn Door Tutorial

Kierste from Brown Paper Packages shows you how to make your own version and I’m crazy about it!!

Leather Flower Necklace

 

Check this gorgeous leather necklace by Regan at Stitch In My Side…

Leather Necklace Tutorial

Such a fabulous neutral accessory that can go with almost anything!!

Creative Guest: Faux-Fabric Paper Snowman by WhipperBerry

 

Hi, I'm Emily from WhipperBerry.

I am so thrilled (and slightly intimidated) to be a creative guest here today!

Thank you, Kari, for inviting me.

I love fabric snowmen, but as some of you may know, I don't sew! So the challenge became how to make a faux-fabric snowman out of paper. Ta da! And here we go.

Faux-Fabric Paper Snowman Tutorial

Supply list:

• Heavyweight white paper* in large sheets
• Water and spray bottle
• Rubber bands
• Hot glue gun
• Packing paper or white newsprint

Optional accessories—such as:

• Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
• Burlap, ribbon, or fabric
• Buttons or brooches
• Wood pieces
• Embossing powder and heat gun

*I used 180 gsm handmade paper, in 22”x30” sheets, made out of cotton, silk, and agro waste (such as sugarcane waste, bark fibers, or jute waste), from Under the Sun—but any heavyweight, fibrous paper will do.

Instructions:

Cut a circle from the white paper approx. 20 in. diameter (for larger snowmen; 15 in. for smaller ones.)

Roll sheets of packing paper towards the center until you have a balled circle. Secure with hot glue.

Add layers until you have formed a ball, approx. 5 – 6 in. diameter (3 – 4 in. for smaller snowmen).

Now comes the fun part! Take your white paper circle and run it under your tap. Yes, you read me correctly. Get that paper wet! Wet the top and bottom thoroughly.

This is when you need to work quickly, because as soon as your paper gets wet the clock is ticking to get it into position before it tears, pills, or just becomes unworkable. Set your packing-paper ball in the center of the wet paper and start gathering the paper up to the top. If the paper is too stiff, spray it with a spray bottle. If you work it too much, it will look like crumpled paper, and we are going for more of a gathered fabric look, so be quick!

Once you have it gathered at the top, and it looks the way you want it to, secure the top tightly with a rubber band.

Now, cut another paper circle out of your heavy white paper approx. 12 in. diameter (for larger snowmen; 9 in. for smaller ones). Cut a small circle (approx. 1 inch) out of the center of the paper. Cut the hole to fit snuggly over the top of the gathered paper ball. Cut it smaller at first, gradually increasing the size as needed, so as not to become too big.

Once the hole fits snuggly over the secure rubber band, push the paper down as far as it will go. Use a pair of sharp scissors to snip the rubber band without cutting the paper. Remove the rubber band carefully. This should cause the wet paper to expand and hold the new circle in place.

Roll and twist another piece of newsprint or packing paper, and wind it around the paper sticking out of the hole. Secure it with hot glue. Try to shape an even form ball of about 2.5 – 3 in. diameter.

Using your spray bottle, wet the white paper circle that is now secured underneath the ball. Wet both sides, and start gathering it at the top the way you did the bottom ball. Again, remember to work quickly. When completely gathered on the top, secure it with a rubber band.

This is the basic snowman—now use your imagination to make it your own! I sprayed mine at this point with marshmallow glimmer mist so it would have a shimmered frosty look.

I made a top hat for the dad, a wide-brim church hat for the mom, and a cute beret-like snow-hat for the daughter.

For the daughter’s beret, I made it much the same way I did the head. I cut a circle out of paper approx. 4.5 in., and cut a hole in the middle to fit over the gathered paper. after removing the rubber band, I wet the paper and gathered and twisted it in the center while laying it flat like a beret. I added a wool ball to the top that Heather made using Whitney’s tutorial. For the top hat and wide brim hat, I cut a circle the size I wanted for the brim, and then cut the hole in the center. After making sure the fit was right, I sprayed the brim with silver sugar glimmer mist, and then coated it with embossing powder and set it with my heat tool. I then put in in place atop the head, and cut the rubber band. I then built the rest of the hat right on the head.

Embellish your snowmen with accessories of your choice. I used burlap, fibers, and buttons (as well as a cute little scarf crocheted out of yarn by Heather).

For the dad’s sign, I used Woodsies from Michael's—and I sanded and inked the edges with distress ink. I printed the words on my computer, and tore the edges before gluing it onto the sign.

I dabbed Snow-Tex on the top of the sign, and on the hats, to look like melting snow. I rolled paper for their noses, and used little black embellishments for their coal eyes. Have fun, and decorate them to match your style and décor!

I hope you have fun making your paper snowman family. Thanks for letting me share. Ciao!