Dinosaur Fossils

I came across the coolest Web blog a couple of weeks ago that has the most FANTASTIC crafty ideas for kids. I actually gasped when I scrolled through all the ingenius ideas before my eyes. Check out her blog: That Artist Woman.

Making dinosaur fossils was our first project. The kids love to go on scavenger hunts outside and I thought this was a great way to peak their imaginations. So, I picked a Saturday and invited Logan, their best friend from across the street, to come help us out.

I have to warn you, this project takes all day until it is completed, so luckily I had other activities planned out to keep them entertained until the fossils were finished.

We started off by making the salt dough. SUPER FUN!

such a great moosher

Drew and I even got into the fun!

Then it was time to cut out our circles in the dough. You could probably make these any shape you want, but we followed the instructions from That Artist Woman. You have to roll the dough out, keeping it about an inch thick. We used a coffee mug to cut our circle size.

Then they pressed leaves, flowers, and plastic dinosaur toys into the dought to make the fossile shapes.

Then it was time to bake them. My advice…let them burn if you want. You aren’t going to eat them and if they are not hard enough after baking, they will get soggy when you paint them and add the modge podge. So, after twe hours of bake time, the kids finally painted them.

after the paint dried, we coated them with modge podge. Then let that dry.

After it is dry, the kids can hide them, toss them, or whatever they want. It was a great way to keep them busy and they play with them almost every day. Check out That Artist Woman’s blog for more fun and crafty activities. We will be doing more soon!

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time flies

Yes. Here I am again. The one who can’t seem to make starting a new class in school, my husband working two jobs in one week with virtually no sleep, kids in  end of the school year activities, sick puppies and still write a blog. Sorry. But, this just means I have a lot of catching up to do.

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I woke up this morning thinking, “This is going to be a good day. I am going to accomplish EVERYTHING on my list. First thing…check on the pool and go buy pool shock. Needless to say, I was shocked when I looked out over the deck.

No, that is not sea foam…I don’t know what it is. I am almost in tears since the kids have been waiting THREE days to jump into that water. I feel like I have disappointed them. So, off to the pool shop with a sample of water to fix this problem.

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On a lighter note, I do have good news. Last week was an eventful week for the Robertson household. Jessie and Connor had their last choir performance. They did great. They sang songs about Noah’s Ark…”the animals, they came in, they came in by twosies twosies…” SO CUTE! The kids graduated from their cubbies class at church last wednesday earning their little cubbie bear for thier vests. They were so excited getting ready to go.

Then, when it was time for the kids to go up front and say their pledge and sing thier song, Jessie started to cry reaching her arms out for me. She cried the whole time. Through the ceremony, during play time, and even at the ice cream social afterwards. I felt so bad that this was the way it ended for her. I still don’t know why she acted that way. Girls.

Connor on the other hand was full of energy, poking Mr. Bone while he was talking, giggling with Logan, walking all over the stage. He played until it was time to leave. I am glad one of my children appreciated it.

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The last day of the first year of preschool was last week too. I remember how my heart felt when I took them to their first day. I remember coming home and feeling empty, crying, and talking the entire time on the phone with my best friend…who by the way assured me that it gets easier and eventually I would appreciate the time to myself…

You know what…she was right.

Jessie, Connor, and I made their teachers little gifts. I didn’t want to give them something cheesy and the kids love to craft. So, we made them “mini” Household Notebooks”…inspired by my friend (who is having a baby boy by the way) in Wyoming. She made me one. I will post about it later. She can make one for you too. Just go to her BLOG and click on House hold Notebook. They are very practical and rewarding and helpful in keeping everything about your home organized. Ans she is so creative when putting the book together. Thank you Lacey!

Here are pictures of the covers of the ones we made for Jessie and Connor’s teachers.

And that was that. We grabbed our gifts, drove to school for the last day (hot dog lunch party) and our summer began.

I am so glad they enjoyed it. I have no regrets putting them in this year. They have grown from it and so have I.

So, BRING ON THE SUMMER!

Rag Doll Tutorial

I was asked to show how I made my rag doll (posted a couple of weeks ago). So, here is a tutorial on how I make them.

BEWARE: I am not a professional rag doll maker! I made this up as I went along. I would LOVE to see how your doll comes out if you follow my directions AND/OR if you change anything. Happy sewing!

For this tutorial, I made the doll bigger because it was easier to turn out the peices and stuff them.

I drew out the pattern peices free hand on regular printer paper.

Once you cut out your pattern, lay the peices on the fabric. (The fabric should be folded in half to make two exact peices.) When the fabric peices are cut, place them together and sew around the edges. The body (below) needs to have an open space on the upper thigh for stuffing, leave the top of the head open, and sew all the way around the arms. Turn the body and head right side out.

To turn the arms, take a stitch ripper and slice a hole towards the upper inside of the arm. Make sure you still have a left and right arm.

Now it is time to stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can stuff the parts as firm as you like, but make sure not to stuff the ears because they will look funny if you do.

Sew the openings using a slip stitch.

Now for the dress.

Measure how long you want the dress to be. I cut along the edge closest to the neck of the body. Then cut diagonally on both sides to make an “A” frame.

Place the right sides together and sew the two sides. Then hem the bottom of the dress 3/8 inch to prevent fraying.

Find some ribbon to sew around the neck and sew it onto the dress; leaving a small space in the front to tie the bow.

Using a long straight stitch, run some thread through the ribbon all the way around the neck to pull it taught.

Once the dress is secure to the body, attach the head. I used a whip stitch (looks kind of like Frankenstein stitches).

To make the eyes, I used a black sharpie for the center and a blue marker to edge around the outside of the circle.

I used rouge for the cheeks and rubbed it in a circle motion. The smile is sewn on with pink thread using a back stitch. To make the thicker parts of the smile I just made more stitching.

The hair is made with yarn. I made 6 bundles of yarn and sewed each on seperately onto the head, using a back stitch to create the part.

The angel wings are optional. I free hand drew a pattern for the wings. Cut out two peices of fabric and batting. Make a sandwhich with the material and sew around the edges, leaving them with the raw cut.

Then just sew the wings to the back of the dress.

Sew the arms to the sides of the doll, over the dress making sure they are attached to the body.

And then…TA DA! You have a cute little rag doll.

 

 

 

cherry apron

I had a special request to make a vintage apron. If anyone remembers, awhile ago I had an order for 9 of these.

I asked my friend what her kitchen looked like (being the OCD human being I am, everything has to match in my mind). She says, “Coca-Cola red.” Well, when I think red and vintage, I think cherries. I looked and looked for real cherry vintage fabric, but couldn’t find any…not even online.

So, this is what I came up with.

This shows the inside of the apron. I used a sheer fabric with a floral pattern that lets the cherries come through and embelished the pocket with a big red button. I like it. It is really fun and cheery…I might make one for me.

I hope you like it Beth!

rag doll

My husband and kids went out of town

I am home alone…for three days

I had so much homework and and other things to do I just couldn’t go with them.

The first night they were gone I couldn’t sleep. The last time I looked at the clock it was FOUR in the morning (I am NEVER up that late)

Earlier on Monday, I talked to my friend and found out her daughter was really sick. When I finally fell asleep, I dreamt I made her a boo-boo doll. So, that is what I did on Tuesday. I had no idea how to make one, but I drew out a pattern and started creating her. It took me three times until I got her body made…whew!

This is how she turned out.

I like her. I am going to make one for Jessie too. I might try to make hers bigger. This one is only the size of my hand…perfect for holding or carrying around. She can easily fit into any bag.

I think she will make my friends daughter smile…and that is what it is all about.

Free giveaway!

It is time! My etsy shop is open and, as promised, I am giving away an item that would be in my shop.

I have had many compliments on my beach bags that I make.  So, after little convincing, I am going to give one away…

TO YOU!

  To enter the giveaway all you have to do is

 leave a comment.

 that’s it!

 it doesn’t get any easier than that!

 I am going to check the post on Saturday afternoon and announce the winner.

 How am I going to pick the winner you ask?

 there is this really cool random number generator and IT will be completely fair…

 I can’t wait to know what you think

 about my bag

 about my etsy shop

 about my blog

and I would LOVE to know about you!

or you can just say “Hi.”

 Good Luck!

another day

This is just another day.

Little special moments that made me dash for my camera.

Sweet moments that reminded me of why I LOVE being a mom.

plus…I haven’t had any homework this week, which has been AWESOME!

I made NINE of these grandma’s aprons for someone special. They were a request and I wanted them to be special and different and vintage looking. She LOVED them and that made my heart smile.

Yes, if you are wondering, the chickens have officially become pets. AND, since they are babies, they needed a bedtime stroll through the house before being put away for the night. We are REALLY enjoying our new little (temporary) family members.

Stay posted for the announcement of the opening of my etsy shop, anlijeco. I am getting REALLY excited.

I am planning something special for the day I open up the “web” doors…something like a FREE give-away on my blog. It will be easy to win since all you will have to do is leave a comment and I will draw a LUCKY number from the total number of comments that are posted. Of course it will be something from my shop…so keep checking in!