Quiet Book Pages 1 and 2

I've been working away on my quiet books for a few months now, but haven't posted anything yet. The main reason is that the first book I finished is a gift and I didn't want to give away the surprise! I have started the other three as well, and am finishing all three copies of a page before moving on to the next. I now have two completed pages to show. Here are the first two pages from my son Jack's book. I will post the pages all again when I have them sewn into the final book.

Page 1: the child's name. I turned the books sideways so I had more room to layout the name. My son's name is the shortest of all the books I am working on, so his was easy! The letters are double layer felt, with snaps for attaching.

Page 2: A favorite in all the books I used for inspiration...The apple tree! Mine are double layer red felt on a felt tree backing. I used snaps to hold them on. I realized too late that my two snap pages are back to back... I guess they have to perfect the snaps before moving on to the rest of the pages... Ha!

Car Ramp 2.0

After looking at pictures of car ramps, I was able to design and make a much better second model. It's actually a better ball ramp at the moment because we don't have the right kind of car to roll down it without flipping over and stopping. Both have been fun though....

Jack really likes the bell at the bottom.

clothespin card hanger...

My last little project for the week involved helping me find a place to display greeting cards. After my birthday last week I had a few... I put them on the window ledge, but the wind kept blowing them off. I had a few clothespins laying around, so I painted them black, with a few green accents to match the room. I was going to hang each from a ribbon, but decided in the spirit of my mom (who used to staple gun everything straight to her walls) to hot glue right on the window grate. I love it!

inspiration!

After my attempt yesterday at making a car ramp, I was inspired to take a look at what is available. I found lots of really great ideas and will be thinking about recreating a look for Jack. I may also pass on the inspiration to my wonderful father-in-law who has all the tools to actually make it a reality.

These first two are by Melissa and Doug. I really am a fan of the ramp/garage!

This one is by a company in the UK. The web address is on the picture. Very cute!

Then we have the Plan Toys version of the Garage. Definitely more simple.

And last the Ramp Racer... I think it looks fun, but Jack might get more use out of something a bit more involved... Will have to think on it.

Not the most impressive looking... but drives great!

This craft certainly isn't going to win any awards, or be featured for its looks, but it works! I was at home this afternoon with a pretty cranky kid, so I decided we needed a new toy. Jack loves driving cars, so I made him a garage/ramp to drive on. He was really into the whole making process and got in the way the entire time. I made it quickly and didn't buy any of the supplies I used, and it shows :o) Hopefully it will keep the little one busy and maybe inspire me to make a nice one out of wood sometime (which is what I would love to do). Anyone have any great plans or ideas for a wooden car ramp?

On another note... after my birthday this last weekend, I have officially started my new sewing machine fund. I would really like a new machine that can also do some embroidery.... dreams.. :o) At least I've started saving...

cute, easy kids curtains

I saw this idea a few years ago in the nursery at my moms church. I am not sure where they got the idea, so I don't really know who to credit. When I finally got around to the project I tweaked a few things. First, I tore my strips into various lengths (the original was all one length), and I used lots of different colors instead of just one. After tearing all the material, I clipped the top of each piece so I could tie it around the curtain rod. SO simple, just tie on all the strips and arrange how you like! I decided to tie back into sections to still let in some light. These curtains were actually made when I first did Jack's room, but I had to add more fabric this week because his new room is bigger and the window was wider... So they got a little freshening up!

Simple Wall Decor

The last few weeks we have been busy painting and reorganizing our small home. When you live in around 700 sq. feet, you have to make the most of it! Anyway, we painted the hallway, so I had to take everything off the walls, and had some new ideas for rehanging my pictures, I think it turned out pretty good! I simply drilled three holes at the top of the wall. Got out the hot glue gun, some ribbon and my cheap walmart frames ($2 each) to create three picture strips. I think the glue will hold because the frames are plastic and pretty light. We have travelled quite a bit over the past few years, and now some of our favorite shots are displayed in a stylish fashion! The best part, only three holes to drill! :o)

It was hard to get an angle on all three rows, I had a better shot of just two...The ribbon at the top is just hung over the screw I left slightly sticking out of the wall. So easy!

Baby shower onsies

This project was actually completed about a month ago, but I just got the pictures. This was a baby shower craft that we did for my dear friend Christine, to anticipate the arrival of her daughter. I got the idea from some hand sewn onsies that had been given to me at a shower. I thought it would be even more fun if we all made them together. I bought plain onsies, felt, buttons and colored thread and it was a simple project. The final products range from detailed to simple, but are all super cute! I didn't make all the onsies featured here, but am posting them all for ideas.

Old Lamp = New Lamp

Okay, so I was able to work around the mess this weekend to make one project. We've had this lamp that we bought in Thailand years ago. In our old apartment we had a study that was done in red, so it worked perfect. Now, in our new place, no red.... so I've redone it for a night light in Jack's "green" room. :o)

I took the lamp apart, then tore off the red paper. I just glued in the new textured green paper and done!

Remodel Project

The supplies are packed away... at least for now, because we are finally getting around to painting and switching the bedrooms in our apartment. I want to make the kids room the larger one and our office/my sewing space/laundry the smaller one. Here are a few shots in progress, after pictures coming soon!

Stashing everything in the spare bath for now...

A before shot of the office, soon to be kids room.

Now painted (you can see the green wall), filled with furniture so we can finish the hall and other room....