Skirts With Matching Head Wraps (DIY Fabric Head Wraps)

Wendy's little girl is starting radiation this week. I got to talk to her for a couple minutes on Sunday. It was so great to see her spirit shining even when her body is going through a really rough time.  I told her that I got some super soft yarn to make a hat for her. She told me she did not want a hat. Well, not to be pushy, I started thinking what else she might like or need and make it fun.

I went through my fabric stash and was able to find a couple of fun cotton prints. I had enough to make a couple simple skirts for her with matching head wraps. My youngest sons were happy to be my model and both stood patiently while I worked out the simple pattern.

 It is super simple to make these. Once they were cut out, I just serged the edges. I looked at enough chemo/radiation head wraps to know that most looked...well, too much like chemo/radiation head warps. I wanted to make her something fun and functional. Simple, yet girly. (Although my boys now ordered these head wraps from me in pirate print.)

 I cut the fabric on the fold and just drew the pattern on the fabric (wrong side). I had to guess for measurements, but basically you need to measure the length between the ears (wrapped around the front of the head). Measure from the front of the head, down to the hairline, add 1 inch or 2, to form the triangle. Connect the lines, add straps to the pattern, cut, serge (or add seam allowance,  fold over, sew) and done.

 Here is the basic shape.

Baby Bottle Planters

While I was cleaning up the other day, I came across these sweet half-sized baby bottles that I just haven't been able to bring myself to throw out.  They've been sitting around for quite some time, considering my youngest is now 6 years old.  So, I went to the garden store, bought some little plants which are hopefully of the care-free sort and planted them.  They seem to have survived the transplanting process, i.e. squeezing and shoving them inside the bottles, so now I have a sweet mini garden.

Have a happy day!
Janice

Not Sure How to Say This.....

Life has been challenging and this poor blog has gone through some changes. It has been neglected for longer periods of time, we quit participating in Linky Parties and are not being a bigger part of the craft bloggers' community. But right now my own challenges (which are not that bad, really and I will post about it later) pale in comparison what our friend is going through. Wendy has been part of Show, Tell, Share since the beginning. She has shared some really amazing projects. She makes  fun birthday cakes for her kids. She is an amazing mom and fearless when it comes to the table saw.

About a week ago Wendy's little girl was diagnosed with a highly malignant tumor on her brain stem. She had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as they could and now they are waiting to see what happens next.

It has not been easy to see a little girl who I knew to be full of life, vigor and joy to battle such a serious disease. You may remember her from a previous post, when I made her a fun summer jumper. 

I knew that she was going to be spending a lot of time in the hospital I planned a few projects to help (hopefully) to cheer her up. The first one was a hospital gown with a cute print. She loves animals and these puppy dogs were so happy and cheery.

 I got to see a picture of her wearing it. She was smiling and playing. Her sweet spirit still shines through the hardship she has to endure.

Wendy and her family are doing admirably. I know there are times when it is not easy. So please, keep them in your prayers and your thoughts.

I am planing on making her a small, portable fabric dollhouse next with painted peg people. If you have any ideas on what to make or get for a little girl in a hospital, please pass them along!

As always, thank you for reading!

Ballerina Sock Monkey

My daughter was given a home made sock monkey at church (a reverent monkey that folds its arms.)  It was looking kind of naked to me the other day, so I decided to make a skirt and shirt for it.  It consists of gathered rectangles and elastic- super duper simple.  She pays more attention to the monkey now!

 

www.idealeon.com

 

Thrift Store Findings!

Hello, everyone!  I am back home after over a month of visiting first one side of the family and then the other side.  We had a good time all around and lovely weather to boot, first in Austria and then in the Philly area.  I had the good luck to visit one of my favorite thrift shops, the Care and Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton, PA.  These super shops are run by a Mennonite group and there's actually five shops in all: clothing, books, furniture, variety and outlet/discount.  They always have sales on their already low prices and this time I really lucked out and got this fantastic set of red and white melamine (or melmac) dishes AND for half price.  Aren't they lovely?  I was SO thrilled since I've been longing for something like these for the longest time and here in Germany they cost over $5 a plate.   Altogether my new set cost about $20!  Yippee!

Besides those I also treated my daughter to this sweet set of painted aluminum plates for her play kitchen.

And to wrap things up, I also got these 4 lovely pairs of cloth gloves... just because!  So elegant and classy and I love the fine details.  I think my 3 daughters and I will all have fun with those at some point.  What a super visit!

 

Have a great day!
Janice

Gypsy Head Jewelry

When I was a teenager I went to a local Renaissance Festival and fell in love with head jewelry I saw there.  I wanted to make some ever since.  Last year I finally found affordable supplies to make some to sell in my etsy shop.  I've also grown interest the last few years in India and Pakistani traditional clothing, along with other cultures in the regions round about.  So, here's a 'gypsy head jewelry' inspired by the coins and bells that you might see in current 'tribal' or 'gypsy' belt jewelry.  I originally bought the 'coin' charms/tags to stamp letters and words on.  I'm just a renaissance festival nerd.  I love dressing up!