Tag Archive | "how to make"

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Gingerbread House – Log Cabin Style

Posted on 10 December 2009 by MommyKnows

Lizzy and I spent the evening making this gingerbread house log cabin.

gingerbread log cabin

They have a gingerbread display at school, and of course tomorrow is the deadline. I wouldn’t want to take my time, plan, that would be too easy.

gingerbread log cabin w/ chimney

We started with a kit and embellished (and embellished and embellished). I need to remind myself (often) that ‘less is more’. OH WELL!

We built the chimney out of Honey Maid Graham Crackers and white chocolate, the bricks are Nabisco Shreddies and just like last year our roof shingles are Frosted Mini Wheats.

Are you making a gingerbread house this year? If you have … share a photo with us (leave the a link in the comments or email it to me and I’ll share it for you).

MK xo
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Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)

Posted on 21 October 2009 by MommyKnows

Edit: I have been having problems with the comments (some getting through, others not). I am hoping the issue is fixed, however, if you have trouble posting a comment please let me know –> kim (at) mommyknows (dot) com. Thank you!

Sam is home sick. He’s definitely not well, but not unwell enough to lay in bed all day. Truthfully in a non-H1N1 world he’d be at school. They sent him home yesterday, as he was pale, complaining of a sore throat and didn’t go out for recess. Apparently, if he doesn’t go out for recess … he IS sick.

I think he has a cold, nothing more. He is stuffed up and not much else.

He was definitely up to helping me make a lunchbox out of Kool-Aid Jammers drink packets.

you'll need 15 clean dry packets

You’ll need:

Sewing machine
Thread
15 clean, dry drink packets
Tape
Ruler (or measuring tape)
Stick on velcro fasteners

Slice open the bottom of each packet. Wash, rinse and dry each one out.

bottom

Your lunch tote will consist of 5 parts: 1 front and 1 back (each 2×2 packets each), 2 sides (2×1 packets each) and a bottom (2 overlapped packets)

5 pieces you'll need

If you are a competent sewer, you could just start sewing these parts. However, because I am a beginner, I decided to tape my pieces together first.

tape pieces

You don’t need to tape each and every seam. Just here and there, enought to keep them from slipping and sliding while you are sewing.

front or back

The front and back are made using a 2×2 pattern like the piece above. The sides are 2×1 stacked vertically.

The bottom is a little different.

measure the width of the bag

You’ll need to measure and then overlap two pieces to this length.

Once you have the 5 pieces taped and ready sew up the seams.

sam sewing

We used a zigzap stitch with a bright coloured thread. Sam did most of the sewing. In the above photo he is sewing up a back piece.

front or back

I think the orange thread Sam picked out looks great.

sewing the bottom

Here he is sewing the overlapping pieces that make the bottom of the lunch sack.

Once you have your 5 pieces made, you can start piecing them together.

sides and bottom

Start by sewing the sides to the bottom piece. You’ll end up with a long narrow strip.

5 pieces sewn together

Next sew the back and front to the bottom. You should end up with the above. Sew up the 4 side seams, I sewed from top to bottom, carefully lining up the top edges taping with a tiny piece of tape and then sewing.

lunch bag

If you want a ‘brown bag’ style sack, you could be finished now. Sam and I were making this sack for Lizzy and I wanted her to be able to close her lunch sack.

I cut the 15th packet in half, folded over the cut end and sewed it to the top of the sack.

fastener

Then we added adhesive velcro fasteners.

velcro closure

Below is the finished product:

finished lunch sack

I hope you like it! What kind of creations have you made from recycled items, or what’s on your list?

MK xo
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