Idaho Bound...

The summer just flew by, now its fall already and I have a lot to catch you up on...

First, I failed at finishing my summer Pinterest project list. I'm still working on it and have several more projects and posts to update you all on later.  Part of the reason I failed was because I rediscovered the awesomeness of laser cutting and got terribly sidetracked making a new line of wood jewelry and accessories for the shop. I've started featuring a few of the new products in stores including Space Montrose and Cherry Tree Creative as well as Etsy. I'll have everything new up on my new site after we  move but more on that later. 

Second, we had another beautiful baby boy, Rory, in August.  He was a bit earlier then expected but he is happy and healthy.  His big brother adores him and we've all adjusted well, including the furry half of the family. You can see some adorable photos of Rory that our friend took at Nichols Pixels Photography on Facebook. 

Lastly, we have decided to move back home to Boise, Idaho. With baby #2 finally here we've decided we'd like to be closer to our families. I would like to continue expanding my business and my husband is looking to further his career which is difficult to do without more help and support from family and friends. We leave Texas the first of November before the worst of the winter weather starts in. It is going to be quite a change in weather and scenery that will take some getting used to. As much as I absolutely adore Idaho and the northwest I am not a fan of the cold. Snow, beautiful; cold and wind, brrrrrr! But we are terribly excited even though we will miss Austin and the sunshine dearly. I have made some great life long friends here and have had a blast being a part of Austin Craft Riot. 

So, as for my shop, I've cut everything back to a minimum on my website and Etsy. Once we get moved and settled in a couple weeks I will be updating my website with both new and old goodies. I will have three main sections in my shop; screen printed home goods, laser cut jewelry and accessories, and state themed gifts.  For the moment I intend to keep a few other fan favorites including bottle cap charm necklaces and game board clocks but as far as their future I'll have to see where they fit into the larger scheme of things. I started a catalog in the spring and will have new line sheets and updated wholesale information up as soon as possible. Any questions, requests or concerns can always be answered at lostlittlethings@gmail.com. 

As always, you can see more photos of the family, the shop and follow our big move on Instagram @Ilovelostlittlethings or on Tumblr at http://ilovelostlittlethings.tumblr.com.  

Time to get packing!

Handmade Baby Shower Gifts

Recently one of my best friends had a baby shower and I wanted to send something special with the handmade gifts I got from Petite Pensieri and Baby Bolt. I saw this really cute DIY cloud toy online so I thought I would make a version of my own.  You can find a pattern and full instructions HERE at ReFabulous. This is my version...

As always I challenged myself to hand draw my own pattern. I also used scraps of ribbon I had left over from other projects instead of fabric. And with a piece of ribbon I added a hoop at the top so they could double as car seat entertainment. 

As a bonus I made a little raindrop with jingle bells in the middle so it sounds like sprinkling rain. :) 

Upcycled Succulent Planters

Well this project wasn't on my official summer DIY list but it was one that just screamed at me after our cheap muffin pan was official ruined in the last wash. It was perfect timing for me to propagate some of my spring succulents. I also had a rusty bread pan I picked up in a batch at a yard sale a while back that fits perfect in my kitchen window seal.  It was in need of some yummy smelling herbs. 

So this is my version of a succulent centerpiece perfect for your indoor or outdoor table; wedding or summer party...

I opted not to drill holes in the bottom of my pan as I want to potentially use it on my nice dinning table. However, I recommend drilling small holes if possible because succulents require very good drainage.

I used a variety of succulent shoots I had from other plants and mixed in a few new cacti and store bought plants. Make sure to use cacti/succulent soil to encourage proper drainage. I added some decorative white rocks to help contain the soil and make the colors pop.

For the bread pan I simply added some small 3-4" basil and lemon thyme plants, filled in with good soil and added decorative rocks. You could use herbs or flowers and these would also make great party or wedding table centerpieces. 

DIY: Felt Masks for Kiddos

HAPPY FRIDAY! I had so much fun making the felt robot masks for Gabe's birthday I decided to expand our collection during my hiatus from shop work earlier this spring. They are really easy to make if your good with glue and/or a sewing machine.  For a printable version of instructions click HERE.

What You Need: 

Paper, pen and some creativity or...

a PDF pattern (Click HERE for a free copy of my panda bear pattern)

Felt in different colors (8"x11" sheets from the craft store are great and usually cost 4-$1)

Extra black, brown or grey felt works great for double layer/backing

1/4" black elastic to make them wearable...

or if preferred you can glue them to a wood stick like a masquerade mask

Fabric or quick drying tacky glue

Sewing machine and coordinating thread

Fabric scissors

Yarn as needed for lion manes, horse hair, etc.

Embroidery thread in different colors to add whiskers, details, etc. 

To start we picked out a few of bubs and my favorite animals and I drew up some patterns then scaled them to kiddo and adult sizes on my copier. If your not comfortable drawing your own patterns and know how to search you can find free patterns online or you can buy PDF patterns from Etsy artists. Click HERE for a free copy of my panda bear pattern. 

We had to test try them for size before cutting into the felt... :)

After I got all our patterns drawn and to size I made an extra copy of each so I could cut out the overall animal pattern and all the little pieces for the layers. I then started marking and cutting the felt in all the different colors.  I went with typical animal colors but you can get as creative with it as you want! As you can see I even coordinated my lunch while working with foxes. 

In addition to cutting the colored mask pieces I cut a second overall piece to double the felt strength and make a back so I could hide my elastic in between. 

After I cut out all my pieces I set the second backing piece aside and used quick dry tacky glue (in moderation so it doesn't seep through the felt) to glue the smaller eye, ear, and nose pieces onto the larger mask. We double checked they fit and sized the elastic band to fit around the head at the temple.  

At this point if your not big on sewing you can glue them to recycled cardboard and a flat stick to make a masquerade mask. You can find more detailed instructions HERE. 

After the glue dried I pin the elastic band about 1/2” to one inch on either side of the mask, roughly at the temples, then pin the backing; hiding the elastic between the two pieces.  I just used simple brown and black threads in a straight stitch on my machine to finish off the masks.  If you prefer you can also hand stitch with embroidery thread. It works best to sew around the outer edge of the mask then stitch the smaller pieces in place as needed.  At this point I also added extra felt and orange yarn in between the mask and backing on the lion to create a mane. 

(When it was all said and done Gabe wouldn't try the finished masks on so we experimented on the other kiddos, hehe)

If your feeling extra creative you can finish your mask off by hand stitching details to create textures, whiskers, patterns, etc. with different colored embroidery thread.  I stitched whiskers on the lion and texture around the owl eyes as you can see below. I also made duplicate sizes in a couple of the animals so I could have fun too. :) 

Now he finally wears the masks on occasion (his robot still being his favorite). I think he looks like Night Owl in this one...

Summer DIY Project Series

I have a total love-hate relationship with Pinterest. I spend days at a time where I don't want to put my phone down then weeks where I just can't stand to look at another pin because I feel so overwhelmed (and sometimes bored with it).  In this new world of Pinterest we as interior designers, crafters, moms, cooks, gardeners, adventurers, etc. feel pressured to make more, do more, be better, be super moms and Martha Stewart wannabees because they make it look so easy...right? 

Feeling pressured to make stuff for upcoming baby showers, birthday parties, summer and the second baby on the way I've recently read some blogs and articles regarding the stress affects of Pinterest on moms. How we feel pressured to make everything and give our children huge, extravagant parties they don't need. Here are a couple that stood out: 

Today Moms: Pinterest Stress...

Chockababy: Operation Free Mom

Huntington Post: Pinterest Stress...

Real Moms Guide: Feeling Pinterest Pressure

Inspiration to Action: Confession of a Pinterest...Survivor

Even after reading all of this I still love (hate) Pinterest. I made fruit leather and jerky before the site ever existed; I've made baby toys and Christmas gifts from scratch for years; and I spent my childhood watching my mom go out of her way to put together elaborate holidays even when it was just the four of us. So as overwhelming as it can be sometimes, I am a visual person and Pinterest has allowed me to not only share my loves but find new ones.  

With a slow, hot summer ahead I decided to narrow my stress by creating a manageable DIY project list of my favorite pins then limiting myself to going on the website for the next couple months (I would just keep adding and adding...).  

My goal was one page, 20ish projects that I could pick and choose from; accomplishing maybe one project a week this summer. Well, it turned into two pages and about 40 some projects when it was all said and done because there are so many! I picked out some personal projects I've been drooling over, some handmade Christmas and baby shower gifts, and some fun things to do with/for Gabe and new baby.  I don't imagine I'll accomplish even half of them but its a nice reference to have them all in one list to pick and choose. Because its already terribly hot out I limited my gardening projects and I have a separate checklist of recipes I want to try as well. Although I consider myself very crafty and a decent cook some of these projects will probably end up on www.PinterstFail.com.

With each project I intend to post my accomplishments and failures here on the blog.  I've posted a link to my entire DIY list below in case anyone wants to check out all my favorite 2012-2013 Pinterest projects and/or do some for yourself. :)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2C_jEK0IskBYlVpUzN6ek1BWnM/edit?usp=sharing

Holiday Crafting

As always I'm swamped with holiday shows and more busy then I like to be because I'd rather be baking and making holiday crafts this time of year. As busy as I've been I'm managed to squeeze in a few projects...

1. Snowflakes made with lace from a torn table cloth (thrifted) and pieces of broken embroidery hoops I'd been saving. Scissors and a little hot glue and I'm in love!

2. I haven't done this since I was a kid and its been all over Pinterest lately so I decided to make bubba hand & foot prints in salt dough for all the family. I also used cookie cutters to make the scraps into state shaped ornaments. You can find lots of recipe variations online but HERE is the one I used. 

3. My holiday masterpiece is this new woodland wall hanging. I took one of my wood round chalk boards from the shop and screen printed my vintage deer in white acrylic. Then I used a paint pen to draw on the holiday banner and snowflakes. My penmanship could use some work but I like it so much I might make them to sell next year. 

What are your favorite family holiday crafts and/or recipes? 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! 

Handmade Star Wars Costumes

 

For Halloween this year my husband decided he wanted a Jedi outfit for his office costume contest so we decided the whole family would go Star Wars. Knowing I had a bunch of left over linen and brown felt from another project I decided to challenge myself, using only stuff around the house and a $20 budget for all three costumes.

Jedi Youngling: Gabe's outfit consisted of a wrap around linen undershirt, a sleeveless felt robe, my old belt, an emergency light from the car as a light saber, and booties made of daddy's old socks and stripes of felt. Super easy and cost under $5. 

Obi Wan Kenobi:  Wade's outfit took the biggest part of the budget because I purchased, on sale, some light weight brown fleece to make his robe nice and fitted. A black undershirt, linen wrap, belt, boots, silver hairspray, and light saber made for another easy, cheap costume. Not to mention my boys looked pretty awesome! 

Princess Leia: I'm still missing some files here and there from my computer crashing so I don't have a great one of my costume but it was pretty basic. I had a white sleeveless dress already so I whipped up a cowl neck and long, draped sleeves to wear on top with this belt and matching grey boots. The belt is made of felt, white foam scraps and left over google eyes spray painted silver; all items I had on hand from old projects. Because my hair is short I made a head piece by gluing stripes of felt left over from Gabe's robe into buns then onto a headband.

Besides making a surprise appearance at daddy's work, Gabe also dressed up and we all went to Cedar Park to play in the Halloween games, bouncy houses and see the petting zoo and fire trucks. He was pretty pooped after carrying around R2D2 (aka "ot") around all day.

Chicago Renegade Road Trip!

Well shockingly I got into Chicago Renegade this September so my friend Casey and I decided to road trip it 1/2 way across the US in my "new to me" mini van. It was quite the adventure but well worth it!  

We saw a lot of these along the way...

After realizing one of my doors wasn't locking properly (with thousands $ of merch in the back) we took a much needed break in St. Louis on day two of driving. Crab cakes and local beer at Broadway Oyster Bar were a delicious treat. 

Two and a half days of driving we finally hit Chicago a day before Renegade. We rented an apartment near Albany Park on the north side of town. The neighborhood was lovely and there were lots of fun places to eat and shop second hand treasures. Our roommate Oliver (the owners adorable cat we begged her to leave) was quite the character and the apartment even had a little piece of Texas on the mantel. 

One of our first tourist stops included Millenium Park with The Cloud (aka the bean) and famous Crown Fountain. It was a gorgeous view of downtown and the weather was perfect.

Chicago Renegade was fun and CRAZY busy all weekend! I of course loved how my booth turned out, sharing again with my partner in crime GemJunkie. I was surprised how many Austinites we ran into outside of the few vendors who had taken the trip too.  People who were moving to Austin, people who had just moved from, and those just visiting on a random week. I ended up moving my chalk sign to the front of the booth because people wanted to take pictures with it. Made my day.

We spent the last day of our trip just running around town being tourists. A quick stop to the Shedd Aquarium was a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and cityscape. We didn't make it to the Navy Pier but you can see it in the background below. 

The "must do" tourist attraction on my list was to visit the Skydeck in the old Sears building (now Willis Tower), the tallest building in the world.  At 103 floors up my nerves kicked in as I finally found the courage to step out onto the floating glass floor. I'm terrified of heights! I couldn't even look down to take this picture but it was an experience I will never forget. 

We ended the long weekend with some famous Chicago style pizza at Gino's East and got ready for the two  long days of driving back to Austin. 

Other then a visit to the Little Rock in Arkansas, some late night drinks, bbq and an overnight stay in Memphis for my birthday, we hauled butt back to Austin. It was a fun trip but a long one and we both missed our babies. :)

Handmade Robots & Aliens Birthday

Yeah! We had a wonderful first birthday for Gabriel with lots of family and friends. Everyone had fun breaking our fancy recycled robot pinata, playing space games and dress up in robot masks and alien eyes. We had delicious bbq with the help of Wade's brother and a wonderful handmade cake from our friend Amber. 

It was a nice day. 

Robot pinata made from recycled boxes, tissue paper, ribbon, scraps of felt & foam along with old spray paint lids.

The felt banners and party favors were my favorite! Robot masks made out of recycled felt and 1/4" elastic; alien eyes made out of felt, bobble eyes and headbands. 

Gabe enjoying his first real taste of sugar with a homemade vanilla cupcake and cream cheese frosting made by grandma.

Our friend made this adorable three foot long robot cake with chocolate, spicy chocolate and chocolate ding dongs. It was amazing! 

The kids enjoyed coloring spaceships on paper plates, tossing bean bags, playing matching games and tinkering with Gabe's new robot activity mat I made just for this special occasion.

DIY First Birthday Projects Underway

This year we had so many ideas for a first birthday party that we could barely narrow it down. But after going back and forth we finally settled on a robot & alien themed party. I immediately started drawing up ideas for a robot sized pinata, flying saucers bean bag game, robot and alien masks for party favors, etc. 

My DIY projects started with a simple "first birthday" banner with felt...

Then I kind of went felt crazy! But its cheap and easy to work so...

I've started in making vintage robot style masks for all the kids and spaceship themed bean bags for our toss games. 

My attempt at making alien eyeball headbands turned out successful!

Trying to come up with fun games for the older kids to preoccupy themselves I found paper plates make great flying saucers. :)  Stay tuned for more details when we get closer to Gabe's first birthday in July!