More Doll Sandals - From a Wallet & an Eyeglass Case

For Christmas, I gave my husband a new leather wallet.  The other day, his old wallet was in our donation pile.  A little while later, I was cleaning a drawer and found an eyeglass case.  That too was going into my donation piles until inspiration hit me, why not make more doll sandals from these two items?  Do you want to make more doll sandals too? Follow along as I walk you through the steps as pictured above.

LEOPARD SANDALS:

1. Gather together the following supplies:  Leather wallet, eyeglass case, 1/4" wide ribbon, glue sticks, elastic thread, scissors, heavy cardboard, tacky glue and two rhinestone brads.
2. Trace your dolls feet and cut out a pattern from cardboard, allowing about 1/8" extra to the dolls feet pattern.   You'll need two cardboard pieces per shoe. Use that cardboard to cut out the eyeglass case - remember you'll need a right foot and a left foot so don't forget to flip that pattern over when you cut out your second piece from the eyeglass case.
3. Use an emery board to sand the sharp edges of edges of the cardboard.  Caution:  you'll want to do this step over a garbage can or outside because it's a little messy!
4. Measure the arch of the dolls foot to see how much ribbon you'll need per shoe.  Cut the ribbon to size making sure to add at least 1" extra to tuck under the cardboard patterns. You'll also need about 1 1/2" of ribbon for the back of each sandal.  Wrap the size of your doll's ankles with the elastic thread.  Tie a knot to make a circle with the elastic thread.  With this smaller piece of ribbon, wrap one piece of the elastic thread inside the ribbon.  Glue the ribbons in place on both sandals.  Now using the tacky glue, glue on the second cardboard which has been covered with the back side of the eyeglass case.  (Pretend that you're sandwiching the ribbon between the cardboard.)  Until the glue dries, I use binder clips to apply pressure.
5. Use either hot glue or tacky to attach trim onto the edges of the sandals.  I used some 1/4" rhinestone trim.  Lastly, I added two rhinestones to each outer side of the sandals, directly onto the ribbon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

LEATHER SANDALS:

      6.  Open the leather wallet.  Using a cardboard pattern (see step 2 and step 3 above, cut 2  pieces of leather per sandal.  Again, do not forget to flip your pattern so you have a right and a left sandal.  If you have a cutting board and rotary cutter these are perfect tools to use to cut all the following pieces: 

•      Two 1/2" wide straps back straps
•      Two 1" wide toe straps
•      Two 1/2" wide strips to cover the edge of the sandals

      7.  Attach the rhinestone brad into the outside toe straps about 1" from the edge of the strap. I used a tack to punch a hole through the strap and then separated the brad on the inside of the sandal.  Glue the other strap in place by trying it on your doll's foot. Glue the toe straps to both sides of the cardboard. Sandwich together another cardboard and apply pressure until the glue dries.

      8.  Using hot glue, attach the leather stripes to the edges of the sandals.

A girl can never have too many sandals - right?  Now, which pair should she wear with her new summer outfit? - xoxo Grandma

Shared at:  The Dedicated House, Nap-Time Creations, Crafty Allie, 2 Crochet Hooks, Creating My Way to Success

Favorite Blogs - Blog Award

A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from 2 Crochet Hooks announcing that their blog was awarding my blog the 2014 Blog Award. I didn't know what this award was so after reading their blog, I learned that this award was suggested by Melissa Baker at Forgetting Mess Pausing Time, member manager at the Better Blogging Network.  I felt very honored to know that someone out there in the internet world likes my ramblings about my creations.

So, I thought I'd join in the fun with 2 Crochet Hooks - because who doesn't love those that make you special - right? So, I'm going to nominate 6 blogs that I enjoy.

1.  Sews n Bows, Amy is realistically-funny!  I love smiling as I read about her creations, blunders and business budget plus I just love her constant support and encouraging words as I've learned my way around the blogging world!

2.  Kid Approved - Olga is one sewing wonder.  She comes up with darling projects & she has a great sense of humor like in this post - you won't believe what happened to her!

3.  Skirt Fixation - Audrey sponsors a contest called Challenge Create Adult Edition which I like to keep my eye on as I'm venturing out and sewing a few things for myself.

4.  Creating My Way to Success - Jill has a wonderful collection of 500+ clothes upcycling projects and since I love refashioning, this is a perfect place of inspiration for me. 

5.  Nap-time Creations -  Emily is the kind of person you wish was your next door neighbor only she's living far far away, just like my children. She features fun recipes, great sewing projects and this time of year; has a summer fun series - that's inspiring.

6.  While She Was Sleeping - I enjoy reading about Jenya's creations, HERE is of my favorite posts of hers. Once you read that post, you'll know why I enjoy this blog. 

I hope that I've introduced you to a new blog today!  - Go get inspired and then get off the internet and create something wonderful!   xoxo Grandma

Linked to: 2 Crochet Hooks

Happy Summer Treat Bag - a Free Printable

What's more summery than watermelon?  Print out the header for this full color Happy Summer! treat bag HERE.  Fill a baggie with treats and staple the header onto the top of the baggie. Have a great 4th of July weekend! - xoxo Grandma

Linked at:  Nap-time Creations

The Joy of Pop-up Books

When my grandchildren visit, we read a lot of books. Their favorite, of course, are my pop-up books - no surprise there! The older grandchildren loved reading about Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.  All of these books are illustrated and engineered by Robert Sabuda.  

One fun thing that my grandchildren really liked about "Alice in Wonderland" is looking through the hole that Alice fell into while following the white rabbit.  

They love "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" because of it's hot air balloon and the emerald glasses which are included in this book. 

"Peter Pan" has pirates, pixie dust and London. What child doesn't like those elements in a story?  When I read about the magic pixie dust, you should have heard the questions I got to answer... yup, pixie dust would sure be fun for a far-away grandmother to use.

All these books are a little long to read as bedtime stories (unless you're in no rush to put your kids to bed), but we had fun breaking it up and reading half of each book a few nights in a row.  

I hope you enjoy reading to your little ones - in three days I'll get to read to my grandchildren again!  Do you have a favorite book you like to read to your children or grandchildren? - xoxo Grandma

Linky parties:  Paisley Roots, Nap-Time Creations

Book Centerpieces

If your fridge is anything like mine, you probably have at least a half dozen wedding announcements displayed on it. It is that time of year! With so many weddings scheduled during the summer months, I wanted to share how to put together a classy, yet simple, wedding table centerpiece.   

These book centerpieces were used at one of my daughter's wedding luncheons.

They are so simple to assemble, and give a vintage, yet classy, feel to table decor.

• Gather two to three books per centerpiece.  
• Remove all book jackets before assembling, so just the hard cover shows (as shown in photos below). 
• Wrap book stacks with a piece of netting, lace, and ribbon and tie in a knot around the books.  
• Under the knot, tuck at least 3 pieces of dried eucalyptus. The eucalyptus will add a nice aroma to these centerpieces.  
• On some of the stacks of books I hot glued onto the knot a satin rose. On other stacks, I tied a bell, heart or even a miniature decorated lock into the knot of lace/netting/ribbon. 
• Drape about 18" of white pearl garland on top of the arrangement.

Place the wrapped stack of books on top of doilies. As you can see, these centerpieces are very simple and romantic looking.  I was told by several guests that they enjoyed reading the titles, which provided some fun conversations during the luncheon. Happy wedding planning! 

- xoxo Grandma

Shared:  2 Crochet Hooks, The Dedicated House, Nap-time Creations

Easy Sewing - Turning a Men's Dress Shirt into a Summer Tunic

When my husband saw this shirt on me, he actually commented and said he liked it. That never happens. It's a miracle!  So, if you like it too, get ready to sew up an easy summer tunic!  It's pretty simple, just follow this step by step tutorial.  You'll want to allow around two hours to complete this project. Not too bad for creating your own shirt, right?

SHIRT BACK:

Here's what you'll need to get started:

1. One men's plain tee shirt - the larger the size the better...you need the length to make it into a tunic.  
2. One men's dress shirt - unpick one pocket to use on your new shirt.
3. Thread
4. Scissors

To determine how long to make the back of your shirt, line up your plain tee shirt on top of the men's dress shirt.  Place a pin along your cutting line or mark with a washable maker.

Don't laugh (or get mad), but at this point, I must have gotten excited to finish this project because I forgot to take the rest of the step by step photos.  But here are the rest of the easy steps:

10.  Sew the side seams together.
11.  Sew the sleeve arm seam together (see step 4)
12.  Pin the sleeve to the arm hole and sew in place.
13.  Using the bias tape you cut in the preparation steps, fold the piece in half and iron the edges into the center.  Now fold the bias tape in half and iron.
14.  Sew this bias tape enclosing the unfinished neckline inside.  

If you have any questions about making this tunic, please leave me a comment and I promise, I'll try to help you.  It's simple and such a cute new top to wear this summer! 
xoxo Grandma

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Featured on: All Free Sewing

Easy Sock & Felt Stick Pony - A Tutorial

Before I left on my latest trip to the midwest to help with my newest granddaughter, I made this stick pony.  I wasn't sure if my grandson would like it, but if you take a look at these photos, you'll clearly see it was a fun toy for this energetic two-year-old!

If you'd like to make one too, here's a list of supplies and instructions:

Supplies Needed:  

• Plastic eyelashes (Darice) - cut 2 pieces 1.25"
• Two animal eyes - brown 12 mm
• Three colors of felt - I used tan, dark brown & white
• Batting - poly fill
• Cording - 44" - cut 6", 4" and 26" for the bridle, the remainder is to wrap around the dowel
• 2 bells
• Scissors
• Thread
• One sock
• 5/8" wooden dowel - our first dowel was 3/8" wide and within one day, this strong boy had broken it.  5/8" was much stronger & after playing with it for a week, it's still intact.
• Hot glue
• 2 - 1 inch metal rings

Instructions:

• Mane: cut two pieces of tan felt 9" x 4.5" 
• Sew the two pieces together down the middle to form the felt mane.
• Cut 1/2" hair slants (see photos).
• Bangs:  cut two pieces of tan felt 4.5" x 2" 
• Sew down the middle of the felt mane.
• Cut 1/2" bang slats.
• Find the center of the heal of the sock - pin the bangs onto that spot.
• Pin the mane behind the bangs in the center of the sock's leg.
• With a zigzag stitch, sew the main & bangs onto your sock.
• Download the pattern for the horses eyes and ears HERE.
• Sew the inner ear to the outer ear with a straight stitch.
• Fold the ear in half with the inner ear inside the outer ear.
• Hand stitch the ears on both sides of the bangs to the sock.
• Cut out two "whites" of the eyes from white felt.
• Cut a tiny pin hole through the whites.
• About 2 inches below the ears, place the eye whites. 
• Poke a pin through your hole & cut another tiny hole.
• From the outside of the hole, push the brown plastic eye through the hole.
• From the inside of the hole, attach the metal ring around the plastic eye post.
• Behind the whites of the eye, glue the plastic eyelashes in place.
• Stuff the sock with the fiberfill or batting.
• For the bridle, wrap the cording around the toe of the sock as pictured, looping it around the metal rings and then gluing it in place.
• Add the bells to the rings on the outside of the bridle.
• Glue or sew in place two tan nostrils toward the toe on the sock as pictured. 
• Insert the pole inside the sock all the way to the top of the heal, making sure a little batting is wrapped around the wooden dowel.
• Apply a little hot glue around the inside of the dowel and carefully push the sock around  the pole from the outside.
• On the outside of the sock, add hot glue to the tip of the cording, right where you glued the sock & dowel together. Wrap the cording around the sock, spiraling down & adding extra glue as you go to the underneath side of the cording.
• Give the stick pony to a child and watch them gallop around and feed their pony a little grass.

My grandson started to feed this pony tree trunk, so I told him that his pony eats grass, hay or oats... that's why you can see the pony's mouth so close to the grass in the photos. 

This little guy loved the eye lashes.  After I put them onto the horse, I wasn't sure if I liked them, but after watching him rub his fingers back and forth through the lashes, I decided they were a fun addition to this pony.  Also, the bells are a must for a stick pony! My grandson liked the jingling sound they made as he pranced around his backyard.  What is it about toys that make noise?  I guess its every kids' dream to prance around on a horse. This little project brings it to life.  Enjoy! 

xoxo Grandma
Shared at these parties:  2 Crochet Hooks, Nap-time Creations, Simple Simon & Company, The Dedicated House, Paisley Roots