Simple DIY Custom Designs with Fabric Yo-Yo’s

The crafty ladies of DIY Dish are having fun with Yo Yo’s.

  Making Yo Yo’s is actually one of my favorite things to do with fabric scraps or stained clothing that would otherwise go in the garbage or donated! Plus it’s something that’s so easy, I can do it while watching TV. Toss them in a drawer and I have a bunch whenever I want an easy custom sewing embellishment.

It's a Handmade Holiday PLUS a Giveaway

Every year I toss in some handmade gifts to all our family and friends. It's cost effective plus it is fun for me. A creative outlet to rid myself of the nervous holiday energy that builds up this time of year is vital for my sanity! It is also fun to see the recipient's expression when they realize "I made THAT!!"

For those of you who don't consider yourselves very crafty, You Can Make This is at your rescue. They have a complete library of crafty tutorials ranging from easy and beginner basics to more complex. They cover the whole spectrum of Do-It-Yourself projects. Sewing. Embroidery. Quilting. Painting. Printables. Scrapbooking. Knitting. Crotcheting. Even polymer clay. They have ideas for the home, wearables, teen and boy projects and a great selection of homemade toy tutorials. I love it! Their patterns are easy to read and end up looking as if Courtney, the site's creator, made them herself!

With the holidays just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to showcase some quick and easy gift ideas you can give to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and oh yes…even your family! You can enter to win eBooks from www.YouCanMakeThis.com and learn some fun new techniques, tips, and ideas not only for the people on your list, but also creative ways to decorate your home!

To personalize your gift giving even more this year, You Can Make This has created a free download for some fun gift tags. Each of them coordinate with ideas found as part of the DIY Gift Giving Series videos that can be found at www.youcanmakethis.com/blog , as well as designs and patterns found at www.SWAKembroidery.com and www.YouCanMakeThis.com.

PSSST: You can also enter to win hundreds of dollars in gift certificates just for watching the videos that are part of the DIY Gift Giving Series and answering a question on the You Can Make This blog! I've been entering for my chance to win and so should you!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway!!!

Winner's announced: Deborah's comment #22 and Annie's comment #2 were the two comments randomly drawn!

You Can Make This has generously offered TWO Frugal Front Porch Readers a bundled package of downloadable instructions/patterns for the Kimberbell Kids 24" Doll and Gift Giver patterns.

Here's the entry details

Mandatory Entry: Visit You Can Make This and tell me your favorite toy pattern
Bonus Entries: (please include appropriate links to your entry for validation)

• Share this on twitter and/or your other social media sites - 1 entry per site but please don't spam your followers
• Blog about this contest - 5 entries
  
• Comment on any other post - 1 entry
  
• Follow or subscribe to Frugal Front Porch - 1 entry
• Follow me on twitter or facebook - 1 entry
• Comment on a blog post at www.youcanmakethis.com/blog - 1 entry
• Purchase a pattern from You Can Make This - 5 entries
  

The giveaway is open globally but you will need a valid email address and have Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to receive your prize. You can get the free Adobe download here. Giveaway closes Thursday, December 18th Midnight CST. Winner will be drawn courtesy of random.org and an email notification sent to the winner and the sponsor. The prize will be emailed directly to the winner from the sponsor ASAP to give you plenty of time to make it a last minute gift for the holidays!

*Disclosure time > I received a free pattern as a courtesy for offering this giveaway to you! I have not been compensated in any other way. All banner links to You Can Make this are my affiliate links but you text links are simple links.

How to Make a "Green" Holiday Ornament

FAST Fabric Ornament

One of our many holiday traditions includes getting the kids a new holiday ornament. Every year I either make the ornaments or we buy them one that reflects their personality. Usually it's something like a Scooby or Baby's 1st Christmas ornament.

The last few years, I've taken to making the ornaments but I suppose they reflect more of my crafting style at the time instead of their personality. Oh well, at least I try! I've made ornaments from gold wire, bells, mini glass balls, and other mediums. Some have endured the years. Others haven't faired so well. Anyway, I enjoy making them and the family seems to like them, so it's a win-win situation.

Since I've been learning to sew over the last year, this year's ornaments are...

...Fabric ornaments.

September: National Sewing Month

This month is National Sewing Month. There's lots of buzz about it already on the internet. The timing is fantastic since in just a few months Christmas will be here! I know! I know! I know! I'm already talking about the BIG holiday! There's lots of project links already published in honor of the month. Skip to My Lou is hosting a MckLinky for all your sewing tutorials.

Like I said, timing is perfect. I'm currently on the hunt for some boy themed ideas. I've googled and searched but shockingly there aren't that many original boy sewing projects out there. Quilts and monster softies are cool and in the plan but I'm hoping to find something a bit more original and FUN. I've appliqued shirts and sewn wallets but I certainly hope to find some inspirational ideas this month.

I'd like to make some role play clothes for my 3 year old. Chef hat and apron. Super hero cape and mask. Things like this. Crayon roll and a modification of the crayon roll to use as a game organizer for the kids' video games. Other than this, I'm just not sure what to make. Especially for the 8 year old. Maybe a locker organizer or hanging organizer for his room?? Maybe even some monster house shoes. Feel free to comment with a few ideas...even if you don't have a tute-if it's something I think my kids will like then, I will try to figure out a way to create it!

In the meantime, skip on over to the MckLinky and see what gifts you can sew this year!

Boys Denim Wallet

After sewing those fabulous Friendship Bags earlier this week, my oldest step son asked if I'd make him a wallet. Sure! Simple enough right? I figured there would be TONS of tutorials on making a basic wallet for the little guy! OK, he's ten and maybe not so little!!!! Any who, I could only find three tutorials for making a guy's wallet. One involved working with leather, another was labeled for boys but looked more girly to me, and the other required material I don't have on hand. None seem to fit my needs so off I go to make my own version.

Not too bad if I do say so myself and most importantly, he loved it!

I upcycled an old holey pair of denim jeans and an equally old and holey western style shirt, tossed in a bit of felt and WHA LA! A boy's denim wallet was born.

Outer Wallet Fabric 10" x 5"

Inner Wallet Fabric 10" x 4 3/4"

Inner Credit Card Pocket 9 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Top Pocket 9 1/2" x 3 7/8"

Measure 1/4" from the edge of the fabric (wrong side),

mark with a straight edge & pencil. Spray with starch, fold on line and iron. Stitch the hemmed edge in place with a basic running stitch.

Place the inner credit card fabric in the center of the inner wallet fabric. Right sides on both. Stitch sides and bottom with running stitch leaving top open.(Notice the top of the denim is hemmed. Fold over [approximately 1/4"] twice, press and stitch.)

Measure approximately 2 3/4" from the edge of the denim and stitch in your credit card holder. Flip the wallet around to other side and repeat! I used painter's tape to mark my guide.

Assemble the wallet. Line up the denim fabric with wrong sides facing each other. Stitch as close to the credit card fabric as possible without stitching over it. Using a seam ripper, fray the unhemmed edges, trim the excess to approximately 1/4".

Fold and press each side for several minutes to help the wallet keep it's form. Add any embellishments to personalize for a fabulous boy's wallet.

Proudly submitted to:

My New Sewing Passion: Friendship Bags

I am participating in the Quit Gallery's Friendship Bag Swap in honor of International Friendship Day. Being a newbie to the art of sewing, the project is small enough I can complete in a few hours without a lot of frustration. PERFECT! I've already whipped out two of these and plan to turn out a few more this week to hone my sewing skills.

I should get my partner's information by August 25th. I CAN'T WAIT! Deadline to mail the Friendship Bag is October 6th but I'm sure I'll have mine mailed way earlier!

These would make perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors, hair dresser, or anyone you want to give a chic little gift.

Applique T-Shirts

Hand applique is a great method to cover up stains, holes or even dress up a plain tee. It can be done in a flash with very little expense. T shirts are easier to applique than you might think. Here's a list of items you'll need to get started:

T shirt
Coordinating fabric*
Embroidery thread & needle
Image for t shirt**
Freezer paper
Heat n Bond Fusible Interfacing
Iron
Scissors or Pinking Shears
Pencil
Embroidery hoop (optional)
Fabric paint (optional)

*Use outgrown, stained, ripped, or otherwise unworn clothing to reduce your expense on this project and save it from the landfill.
**Someone with artistic talent, can sketch their own image like I did but you can also find great applique images from coloring books. I suggest you start with a simple image until you get comfortable with the process.

1. Cut down a section of coordinating fabric to a size slightly larger than your image.
2. Trace your applique image onto a section of freezer paper. If you plan to applique multiple fabrics (eyes, lips, hair, etc) then a traced freezer paper image for each fabric is necessary.
3. Using medium heat iron setting, iron the freezer paper to the RIGHT side of your fabric.
4. Cut down a section of Heat N Bond Fusible Interfacing and iron to the WRONG side of the fabric. Follow the package directions.
5. Cut out your image from your interfacing, fabric, freezer paper sandwich and gently peel away freezer paper.
6. Arrange your image on your t shirt RIGHT sides up.
7. Set aside all pieces except the bottom (or base image) of your applique cut out.
8. Iron bottom image to the t shirt per package directions.
9. Stitch around edge with embroidery thread.
10. Add the next image layer and repeat steps 8 and 9.

An embroidery hoop will help hold the t shirt taught if you have trouble free hand stitching around your applique. Another alternative is to run a bead of fabric paint around the edge of your applique.

See my step by step photo's to help guide you along.

I spruced up a plain long sleeve t shirt I bought on clearance for $3. I already had the other supplies and used old holey t shirts long abandoned for the yellow, white, and orange fabrics. I intended to machine applique the entire project with a zig zag stitch. After starting with the fish body, I discovered I'm just not that good at it yet so I switched to hand stitching. The rest was done by hand very easily. The eye's pupil was back stitched with black embroidery thread.

It took me about two hours while fighting with the sewing machine, watching TV, chatting with hubs, and keeping the cat out of my potted plants. I could have done it MUCH quicker stitching it ALL by hand! {laughing} My next project is to embroider a race car J Man drew a few weeks ago. Cross your fingers and toes everyone!

25 Cheap Ideas for Summer Fun

If you're like me you're wondering what to do now the kids are out of school. Maybe a big vacation isn't in the budget this year! Even if it is you still need something for the kids to do the remaining 18+ weeks of summer! Here's a list of free or almost free activities to get your summer off to a fun start.

1. Summer reading program. Our local library conducts a Summer Reading Program every summer. Goals are set and prizes are awarded to each child who reaches them. The program is free if you borrow the books and return them on time.
   
2. Story time. Most libraries and major bookstores also conduct weekly story hours. Larger cities may even have a daily story hour. Check with your local library or bookstore for details.
3. Visit a bookstore. Major bookstores have a variety of services you can utilize for free...as long as you stay away from the coffee bar! The bookstore in my hometown even has a small movie screening room where classic/educational movies are shown at no cost.
4. Biking and hiking. Many state, city, and community parks offer free biking/hiking trails. Remember to put trash in the designated areas to help preserve nature's beauty.
   
5. Museums tours. While large museums can charge a hefty price for entry, many small community based museums operate on a donation basis. Also check with the larger museums for discount days and special events targeted for summer activities.
6. Pitch a tent. Camping doesn't have to cost anything. Pitching a tent in your back yard or living room can be a special treat for even the biggest of kids. The convenience of a bathroom and your own groceries makes this a virtually free activity. If you camp in an RV, here's a listing of places to camp for FREE or almost free.
   
7. Hit the playground. Playgrounds are free and there's usually one in every community.
8. Go to school. Many schools open their gym doors during the summer months to encourage youth activity in the summer. Check with your local school for details.
9. Watch a movie. While going to a movie theater can easily break the bank, there are great ways to significantly reduce the cost. AMC theaters offer special promotions on food, showtimes, and bulk ticket buying. Drive-ins, matinee's, and theater specials are a great way to enjoy a movie at a low cost. If the theater isn't in the budget, renting movies can be much cheaper with the many $1 rental options these days. Be sure to check for free rental codes for Red Box online.
10. Hunt for Geocache. This is a relatively new sport utilizing GPS coordinates to hunt for treasure. If you're cell phone is already equipped with GPS then you're ready to go. Many state parks (including all Minnesota State Parks) are getting in on the sport. They provide free handheld GPS units for use on park premisis. Check with your state's park website for details.
    
11. Search for benchmarks. If geocaching is a little intimidating for you or you don't have access to GPS unit then benchmarking may be for you. Simply stated, it's a hunt for survey markers and/or landmarks. We did this last year after moving to Hallock to help get to know the area better. It worked!
12. Fun at festivals. Summer time is the time for festivals but be forewarned some charge at hefty price while others are totally free so be sure to call ahead for pricing.
13. Go swimming. Lots of community pools are free (or nearly free) to it's residents. Our local pool offers FREE swimming classes courtesy of the Red Cross and the school district.
    
14. Visit your state's parks. Summer is when state park's kick things into high gear. There's special programs from hiking to swimming to camping to fishing to horse back riding. Most of these programs are low to no cost and family friendly. Minnesota helps pay for park improvements and maintenance through parking passes. A daily pass is around $5 while an annual pass is $25 which is well worth it if you plan to visit a park several times. Be sure to check with your state's park website for schedules, pricing, and details.
15. Get in the garden. Grab some seeds and dirt then get dirty. We're growing watermelon seedlings on the counter till their big enough to put in the garden but you can plant any seed to see what happens. Grow them in the garden, pots, vases, or any container you have lying around the house.
16. Make music. Pull out pots, pans, cereal boxes, empty flower pots, shoe boxes, or whatever you have around the house and beat the tune of a different kind of drummer! Try filling wine glasses with different levels of water to see if you and your kiddo can make music by rubbing the rim of the glass.
    
17. Get artsy. Take art outside with sidewalk chalk. Paint a flower pot, bench, or section of wood for a decorative addition to your front porch. Grab leaves, flowers or twigs to paint with or make a nature collage.
    
18. Bike Rodeo. Organize a bike rodeo or neighborhood ride with the neighbors and their kids. Make sure everyone's knows to wear the proper safety equipment when riding. If you're organizing a rodeo then you'll need a liability waiver.
19. Sew something. If you need a break from the great outdoors then, organize an indoor sewing activity. Yarn, carboard cereal box, and a hole punch can make for hours of fun for a little one. For older kids, sew up a nifty drawstring bag.
20. Get cooking. Kids are ALWAYS hungry during the summer months so make it easier to feed them by getting their help in the kitchen. Here are some fun snack ideas kids can make with a little help from you!
21. Take a tour. Many businesses, factories, farms, etc offer free tours to the public. Check online or call for details.
22. Go on a bug hunt. Grab a magnifying glass, camera, bug book, and a journal for a fun backyard activity guaranteed to keep the kids busy all summer.
23. Bird watch. If birds are your thing, then have the kids put out a few bird feeders and identify birds that visit your yard. A cheap bird feeder can be made with wood or a pinecone smothered in peanut butter and coated with birdseed. Make sure to hang them near windows so you can enjoy the view.
24. Water Water everywhere. Grab a sprinker or water guns for some water fun to beat the summer heat. To avoid increasing your water bill, use collected rain water to refill water guns.
25. Get sporty. Join in a football scrimmage, soccer game, baseball team, tennis, volleyball, etc to keep the kids active all summer long. Make sure everyone stays properly hydrated and check for pricing before signing up.

What are a few of the things you have planned this summer?

Sewing Applique Ebook Giveaway Ending

Don't forget the What's in a Name? Giveaway is ending tomorrow May 20th midnight.

This easy to follow ebook will teach you how to sew unique custom applique pillows with anyone's name. This is the PERFECT graduation, wedding, or birthday gift!

There will be 2 prize winners. Only a handful of entries have been received so the odds are in YOUR favor.

Multiple entries available and the contest is open to anyone with an email address.

Enter now and enter often! Good Luck!

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Upcycled Applique Pillow

I told you about my new sewing machine a few days ago! Since then, I've been sewing away. I've practiced all the different stitches on fabric remnants to get a feel for my new machine. I have tons to learn about sewing. Serging, lining, interfacing, measuring, cutting tools, and tons more but I like to dive right in and see if I can at least tread water! That's just the type of person I am! If any of you have book suggestions or sewing websites, I'm all ears!!!

My first project was to make my daughter an applique'd pillow for her birthday. I don't have much of a fabric stash, other than a few bits of fabric I bought a few years ago when I discovered Printable Fabric Sheets + Heat N Bond + Fabric Puff Paint = Great looking canvas bag designs! Since I haven't built up a fabric inventory, I used some of our clothes we've either outgrown or worn too much for daily wear. My pillow turned out better than I even expected plus I feel good knowing I've kept a few things from going to the landfill.

This pillow is slightly larger than a typical travel sized pillow measuring 18" x 14". The denim came from a pair of jeans with way too many holes either in the front or at the rear pockets - Not exactly wearable! The hot pink fabric (see photo 2) as well as the red, rainbow and blue fabrics in the letters M and A are left over fat quarters I used years ago to make my daughter's fabulous Girl Scout bag! I should clean it up and show it to you!!! All the other letters were created from shirts and shorts cast aside long ago. The light pink fabric I appliqued her name to was the bottom of an old Girl Scout camp T Shirt that received virtually no wear. No one can wear it now and it wouldn't fetch much at a yard sale or consignment store so I created a better use for it! The only thing I bought for this little pillow was the cotton fiber fill. I would have used plastic grocery bags if I thought it wouldn't get used much but, knowing her, I'm sure it'll get plenty of use! I'm so proud of how this turned out, I even managed to match up all my seams!

My next projects include making a Nintendo DSi carrier for J Man, a quilt, and an apron...oh and turning the other part of those jeans into a hand bag!

My New Baby

I may have mentioned my last sewing machine kicked the bucket during our move to Minnesota last year! Well, I've made due without it, hand stitching when hemming a seam was necessary but, enough is enough. I couldn't wait any longer. It was time for a new machine. I've never done much sewing other than Christmas stockings for the kids and a few other minor projects even though I've wanted to learn to sew for quite some time. Now with kids' outgrown clothes piling up and no consignment store nearby to rid me of them, what better time to learn? This is the machine I bought earlier this week during our monthly trip to Walmart. I love it. I would have loved an embroidery machine but those are awfully expensive for a beginner! This machine is a happy medium, simple enough a beginner can use but versatile enough I can grow my sewing skills for years to come!

Brother's Limited Edition Project Runway's CE5000PRW is a fantastic machine. It has 50 built in stitches with 87 stitch functions, a self threading bobbin and automatic needle threader. It come with several feet attachments and can even sew with dual needles. It's so lightweight so I can easily move it to the kitchen or the bonus room and not feel like I hauling a bowling ball around. The computerized LCD screen makes choosing a stitch pattern simple. It will even tell me which foot should be used for each stitch. It's idiot-proof! I'm so impressed with my new baby I couldn't wait to start stitching away. The last few days I've just been practicing the different stitches on scrap fabric. I like to get a feel for how she works before I go nuts on a project. Speaking of sewing projects...I plan to start one this weekend. I thought about making...

a few softies (but I don't have any cotton filler)

or even a hollow egg in honor of Easter

but, I think I've settled on making a case for my son's Nintendo DSi and my camera too!

Hopefully I can use fabric from the kids pile of outgrown clothes to make some awesome cuties. I love upcycling and repurposing old things to something new. Sewing is the perfect answer.
What do you recommend for this sewing newbie?