Category Archives: Tutorial

How to do a turned-under edge on a homemade patch or applique

Posted on April 27, 2013 by

I’m stuck at home with an eye infection today, and since my day was already ruined I figured it was a perfect time to do boring mending. And while I’m at it, I thought I’d share the technique I used. … Continue reading →

Posted in My kids actually are funny (and sweet and wonderful), Sewing, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Butterfly Valentines

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

Mabel was just pointing out to me that it’s always night when we finish a craft–and I always want to post it on my blog right away, so the photos are always dark. This is so true. Just possibly I … Continue reading →

Posted in Kid Crafts, Papercraft, Tutorial | Tagged | 3 Comments

Convert lace-up kids’ shoes to slip-ons

Posted on August 18, 2012 by

I noticed recently that Rose keeps her shoes tied in permanent knots, with the ends bunched up and tucked under. And I remembered that when Mabel was in The Secret Garden and had a tricky costume change, my friend Jenny, … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative miscellany, Tutorial | 1 Comment

Reversible buttons for a reversible jumper or overalls

Posted on February 17, 2012 by

This was one of those simple, obvious things that took me 7 years to figure out. Short version: to make a reversible button fastener for overalls, make buttonholes in both the bib and strap. Then tie two buttons together with … Continue reading →

Posted in Sewing, Tutorial | 4 Comments

How to allow me and other Firefox users to comment on your Blogspot blog–a PSA for my cousin Betsy and others using the Embedded Comments option

Posted on January 7, 2012 by

July 2012 update: Whatever was causing the problem has finally been fixed, and I can now comment on blogs that use the embedded comment box. Yay! — In spite of the wordiness of this post, scroll to the end and … Continue reading →

Posted in Tutorial | 3 Comments

Dollhouse dinner plates from printable shrink plastic

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

This is an idea I’ve been wanting to try for several years now, ever since I heard of printable shrink plastic, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it turned out. My process could use just a little tweaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative miscellany, Kid Crafts, Tutorial | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

More fun with shrink plastic

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

I raided my mom’s craft punches today and borrowed lots more fun shapes to play with. My photos are, once again, dark, but several of these projects are gifts that are going out the door first thing in the morning, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kid Crafts, Tutorial | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Shrinky-dink flower earrings

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

I’ve been dying to play with shrink plastic ever since I saw this link on Pinterest, as well as the things my sister Lili’s been making for her Etsy shop. (If you see something you want  in a different size, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kid Crafts, Tutorial | 4 Comments

Homemade Toffee Lollipops

Posted on November 25, 2011 by

My sister Suzy has made these before and I wanted to eat them all myself, so I’ve been wanting to make some of my own. Tonight I finally got around to it. (Then I couldn’t wait until morning for better … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes, Tutorial | 23 Comments

Popsicle Stick Photo Puzzles With Mix-and-Match Faces

Posted on November 12, 2011 by

Here’s a link for instructions to make puzzles from a 4×6 photo and craft sticks. Now, here’s the twist I came up with: I used Photoshop to make all the photos the same size, so when my kids play with … Continue reading →

Posted in Kid Crafts, My kids actually are funny (and sweet and wonderful), Tutorial | 9 Comments