Baby Sensory Beanbags

 Panda loved the Scented Thanksgiving pillows I made the other day. They were a new texture, a yummy smell, and just the right size for his tiny hands. That gave me an idea; so yesterday I made him several bean bags filled with different sensory items. 

First I picked out several different fabrics from my scrap bin and cut them into 4" squares. I tried to choose different textures and patterns as well as colors. Next I sewed them into little pillows (leaving the bottom open for stuffing). Then I stuffed them with scrap fabric and an added a sensory item:

Red upholstery fabric + Dog toy squeaker

Green mushroom print flannel + Dried lavender buds

Thick tan striped trouser cotton + Homemade egg shaker (described in next step)

Yellow felt + Crinkly cellophane

Cranberry velor with gold embroidery + Jingle bells

Burlap + Cinnamon twigs (because Panda loved the Thanksgiving ones so much)

Red starry fleece + Fiberfill (because things don't always have to "do" something)

Denim + Rattle

 To make the egg shaker bean bag I put some rice in a small tin and sealed it shut with some duct tape (left over zebra duct tape from Ehlers Danlos awareness projects). Yup, that simple. After they were stuffed I sewed the pillows closed and placed them in a basket for Panda to find.

I was able to make these all with things I already had on hand. Panda loves them and has played with them pretty much constantly since he got them yesterday. I want to make a knitted square and possibly a vinyl square for a total of 10. Then we can use them for counting games when he is older. This would make such a great gift  that I had to post it. Sight, scent, touch, taste, and sound, all covered by these little bean bags. I hope this inspires you. Be well and Have fun!

Holiday Poppers/Crackers

 These poppers do not pop, but they are pretty and oh so much fun! We will be using them to reveal our baby's gender this Christmas for visiting family. Some of the charms inside are not pictured to keep the secret for now, but some good holiday ideas would be jingle bells, candy, tiny ornaments and/or charms.

You will need:

Tissue paper
Wrapping paper

tape

Ribbon

Cardboard tubes

Fun things to stuff inside

We used the cardboard from label makers but toilet paper tubes would also work. For stuffing we used silver bells with gender appropriate ribbons tied to them, charms that say "It's a ___!", tiny safety pins that are the appropriate color, and candy.

 First, stuff the cardboard tube with goodies and then roll the cardboard tube in tissue paper. Leave an inch and a half to two inches of extra tissue paper on each side. Give the extra tissue paper a little twist on each side to keep the goodies inside while you tie the ends off.

 Next use some ribbon to tie the ends.

 Wrap some wrapping paper around the cardboard tube and tape in place, curl the ends of the ribbon, and trim off the access tissue paper.

 

And there you have it. Another fun and easy craft for the holidays. Place them in a pretty bowl for your guests this Christmas and New Years and Have fun!

Easy Ornaments

 Just a quick post today. These ornaments belong to my sister. They are super easy and catch the light beautifully.

To make them you will need silk covered Styrofoam balls, sequins, beads, and pins...

 Sometimes some pretty trim is nice to.

Just use the pins to attach the beads and sequins. It's that easy and the end result is oh so pretty. Take care and have fun!

Quick No Sew Ornament

 

 In the past I've made similar ornaments by sewing little pillows. This is a quick and easy alternative. You will need a metal juice lid or a circle of cardboard, felt, ribbon, fabric paint or what ever you choose to embellish your ornament with, and hot glue.

First cut two circles that are slightly larger than your juice lid, Then glue the ribbon in a loop for hanging. Next sandwich the juice lid with hot glue between the two circles of felt. Finish embellishing the ornament with buttons, felt stickers, ribbon, fabric paint , or what ever your heart desires. For this one I used a felt snowflake sticker and white fabric paint.

Let it dry and it is ready to hang on the tree. Have fun!

Clothespin Reindeer Tutorial

 

 When we were little we received tiny reindeer ornaments made from clothespins. I don't remember where they came from but I always thought they were adorable. This is my sister's reindeer from way back then.

This is the remake that I will be using for this tutorial. I used miniature clothespins from the craft store so I had to use seed beads for the eyes, noes, and holly berries. If you use regular clothespins you can use googly eyes and pom poms instead. You will also need three clothespins, glue, some green felt, a tiny bit of white felt, and some embroidery floss for hanging your finished reindeer.

 First, cut out two holly leaf shapes from the green felt and glue to a clothespin as pictured. This will be the head of your reindeer.

 Next, glue on the beads or pom poms and googly eyes. Allow to dry before moving on to the next step.

 Once the face has dried glue the three clothespins together as pictured. For fun add a tiny teardrop of white felt to the back to make a tail.

The End!

I will be posting several ornament ideas and tutorials throughout the holiday season. Keep in touch and 

Have fun!