The Adventures of Jingles the Elf

Sadly, as my household has been in the grips of a nasty upper respiratory plague for the past several weeks, I haven't even stepped foot into my sewing room. Even before that, though, I've been either too busy, too tired, or just downright not in the mood to sew. I'm sure that will rectify itself soon. I do have a few items to blog that are finished, just as yet un-photographed. Maybe once the under-nose redness goes away entirely and I feel less like Rudolph.

In the meantime, I've been occupying myself with the antics of our newest friend, Jingles the Elf. Has anyone heard of the Elf on the Shelf idea before? I hadn't, although it has apparently been around for a few years now. A friend of mine introduced me this year and I'm having quite a lot of fun with it.

The idea, after purchase of your Elf on the Shelf and accompanying book (available at multiple retailers in the US such as Hallmark and Books-a-Million, abroad I have no idea) is to place him somewhere in your home and give him a name. His story will give you all the necessary details and tell you that he was sent by Santa to keep an eye on the children of the household and magically report back to the North Pole each night. When he returns in the morning, he will find a new place to 'hide'.

He likes mischief, this little elf, and he seems to keep finding himself in a bit of trouble with Mommy in our house. More than once, after the girls race downstairs to find him, have I heard, "Oh, Jingles! Mommy's not going to like that!" (followed by giggles).

I'll admit it. I might be having as much fun with it as the girls. Every evening after I tuck them in, I start thinking of my next 'adventure' for Jingles. And there are tons of resources to help your creative juices flow. Just Google "Elf on the Shelf", or better yet - look on Pinterest. So, I can't take full creative credit for the following Jingles Antics; I've just put my own touch on them. :)

December 1st - Sleigh ride, anyone?

December 2nd

December 3rd - Botched re-entry.

Also December 3rd - We spent a few hours at my parents' house later in the
afternoon and Jinlges put up our tree for us while we were out. :)

December 4th

December 5th - Panty raid?

December 6th - Date night with Angelina Ballerina. She likes his sparkly tie. ;)

Decemeber 7th

December 8th

December 9th

 What will he get himself up to next, I wonder! ;)

And P.S. Steph, we're working on more salt dough ornaments this afternoon. I'll post some photos once they are finished! Glad you like them!

Salt Dough Ornaments

I'm working on getting photos posted of the last few things I've finished. Some have been completed for months, it's just difficult to get photos, so they never get posted. It's on my to-do list. But in the meantime..... salt dough ornaments.

Every year, I buy a personalized ornament for our family Christmas tree, and two more for each set of parents. They aren't particularly cheap, so I thought this year I'd try my hand at making my own. They're not quite the professional versions I normally purchase, but I think I like them even better. Isn't handmade always more personal?

In case you'd like to create your own, the recipe is SUPER easy. 1 part each salt and water to 2 parts flour. Mix salt and flour and add water. Mix until doughy, knead on a flat surface using more flour to keep from sticking. You can using cookie cutters or hand-mold. I baked them for about 45 minutes at  200 degrees (they should sound sort of hollow when you tap them). I painted them with regular craft paints. I haven't sealed them yet, but I'll probably get around to that part tomorrow.

I made a few other shapes for the girls to paint, too. Butterflies, snowmen, and candy canes. Fun for kids AND grown-up kids! ;)

My Other Creative Outlet - Digital Scrapbooking

I use Mixbook.com, which is hosted online and is free, but there are lots of programs available both online and for purchase. I find this program to be somewhat limited, but very malleable. You can upload your own things like backgrounds and stickers in addition to your photos. They provide you with pre-made themes or the option of a blank slate. You can create and tweak until your hearts content and then have the books printed for a pretty reasonable fee.*

This is the family album from last year. I think I'm finally satisfied with it, and it will probably end up being the family Christmas gift for my parents and my in-laws this year. Simple gift idea that every grandparent will love! :)

| Learn About Mixbook Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

*I am not affiliated with Mixbook in any way and have not been paid in any form for my endorsement. I just find it to be a good program and enjoy using it.

A Good Start: The First Finished Object

After a quick start of the the initial planning stages of the Colette Patterns Fall Palette Challenge, I hit some time snags. I took my family to the beach for a few days the next week and had to finish up another project that had already been started before I could feel composed enough to begin. (That project will be coming up soon... just need to find and apply the perfect finishing touches first! Here's a hint.)

I started out with the most versatile of my pattern inspirations, Vogue 8747. It's an adorable button-front blouse with some gathers at the bust.  My palette called for an ivory color top, and this one was perfect. I made it in a rayon challis with a lovely feel and drape.






It frayed quite a bit, so I finished all the inside seams. As the color was so light and a bit opaque, I had another reason for doing that - you can see the seams from the outside. I didn't want a lot of bulk, so I just turned under the seam and stitched it, rather than using seam binding.


They need to be pressed a bit to lay nice and flat, but it keeps the fraying to a minimum and looks uniform from the outside.

Why do all my photos look exactly the same? I need to go to modeling school. ;)

Next up, I think, will be a pair of green stretch sateen pants. Or maybe one of the knit shirts. I'll probably decide tonight and get started.

Snuggly Things for Small People

Every now and then my attention shifts from garment sewing to something crafty. Most often, when I get in a crafty mood, it's to make something for my kids. A few months ago, after a particularly fierce battle over the only character print pillowcase in the house, I decided to make them each their own special pillowcase. We trotted over to Jo-Ann Fabrics and they picked out a print. Lilly chose princesses (to no one's surprise) and Evie chose Mickey Mouse (her current unconditional love).

I made my own pattern, if you can even call it that. I measured a 20" by 33" rectangle on the fold, sewed one short side over itself by 3" for the 'facing', and closed the other two with French seams so there would be no frays. Both pillowcases took me an hour and a half total to finish. And, boy, are they loved.

Evie won't go anywhere without 'Mickey' - including naptime, bedtime, the minivan, the swingset in the backyard, the beach... :)  It's nice to be appreciated.

Yesterday, as I was considering fabrics for the Colette Patterns Fall Palette Challenge (PS - That's MY moodboard featured! What an honor!), my thoughts drifted to the cooling weather. I got another kid-crafty idea and took the girls to Jo-Ann again. This time, they each picked out a yard of their favorite character fleece (Minnie Mouse and Angelina Ballerina). a few snips around 3 sides and a no-sew finish (I just tied knots in the fringes) gave them each a new snuggly, comfy blanket to help guard against the new chill in the evening air. And something else to tote around the yard.

The Plan for the Challenge

I think I've figured out which patterns I'm using. I have a few fabrics that are definite and a few that may change, but this is the basic plan.

Are you participating? How's everyone else doing on their inspiration and pattern boards?

Fall Palette Challenge Inspirations

I'm thinking of throwing my hat in the ring for the Colette Patterns Fall Palette Challenge 2011.  My sewing time is usually fairly scant (I have 2 kids under 5) but it seems like, recently, I've been getting a bit more accomplished. I guess time will tell if I have enough time and energy to actually complete the challenge, but I've been creating an inspiration board anyway.

Color palette by COLOURlovers and Inspiration Board by Pinterest

Clockwise from upper left corner:
Navy ensemble: Note To Self Blog via Eat & Love
Buttons: Design Work Life
Green Dress with navy sash: Anthropologie
Grey, green, ivory suit: via Abby Daigle
Grey flower: French Vanilla Home Blog
Navy polka dot top: Anthropologie
Green shoes: via Maria G
Yellow heel: heels.com
Green & ivory ensemble: Tulips and Flight Suits via Talbots
Blue shoes: Chie Mihara

I guess I need to start looking for patterns and then some fabrics! So much to do! Anyone else thinking of joining the Challenge? I can't wait to see all of your inspiration boards, too!