Raspberry Hat & Green Leafy Mittens

I love this pattern! The hat is from Crochetmilie on Etsy and done in a two-row repetition of single crochets and bobble stitches. Super simple and looks amazing when done.

The first time I saw this pattern I knew exactly how I’d display the hats in our next farmer’s market. A basket of raspberries. 🙂

The bobble stitch might make this pattern a confident beginner pattern choice, but if you mastered the technique of a good single crochet (the right tension, etc.), the bobble stitch will work well for you.

The green leaf mittens is a pattern I put together myself; I should probably do a quick tutorial on it. Let me know if that’s something you’d like. It has a ribbed cuff at the wrist and is thumbless – perfect for babies!

If you’d like to purchase the finished product (the hat and matching mittens), it’s up on my Peanut Butter Jelliez Etsy site. Use the code WORDPRESS to get a 20% discount.

Customize Your Sneakers/Day 2/Pattern Drafting

Did I mention my Toy Story-obsessed granddaughter? Today I’m going to cut into my precious stash of Toy Story fabric to make these shoes. I’m kinda nervous about that.

I used the fabric pieces of the shoe I removed and separated yesterday as my template. I included a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the old shoe (except for the bottom) fabric. The tongue doesn’t require a seam allowance.

In addition, I cut I used the back support piece from yesterday’s cutting and made two the same width, and two double the width (and longer, which I’ll cut when I begin sewing it).

Each shoe will have two layers of fabric: the external (in my case, the Toy Story fabric) and the lining (in my case, some denim).

If your fabric is thin, you’ll want to reinforce it with interfacing; I used ShapeFlex 101 for my Toy Story fabric, which is actually a Cotton Lycra (Cotton Spandex if you’re Canadian). I didn’t use interfacing on my denim; it’s sturdy enough. The back support should have a heavier interfacing (DecorBond) or several layers of thinner interfacing.

Apply the the interfacing to the pieces of fabric that need it.

Cut two heel cups (using the original as your template) out of the same fabric you’re using for the lining.

It looks disappointingly “homemade” instead of trendily handmade, doesn’t it? From the looks of the after pictures from people who’ve completed this project, it all comes together in the next two steps. If it doesn’t, well, I guess it’ll be one of those project fails. *fingers crossed*

That’s it! This took me under a half hour to do.

Other Posts in this Series:
Customize Your Shoes – Introduction
Customize Your Sneakers/Day 1/Prep the Shoes

Customize Your Sneakers/Day 1/Prep the Shoes

Today I’m tearing up a completely ok pair of Converse runners. The only thing wrong with them? They aren’t Disney Toy Story 4 sneakers. I have a 4 year-old granddaughter who’s obsessed with Toy Story. So I’m going to convert these perfectly acceptable sneakers to perfectly AWESOME sneakers.

Step 1: Protect your work surface. I used a towel over an old cutting mat in case there were any acetone nail polish removers spills or splashes. I used Sally Hansen remover.

Step 2: Working off one shoe (save the other; you’ll need it for reference later), I removed the insole. Jackie at Sky Love Creations* cautioned that they might need some acetone to remove the glue, but the insole came out easily.

 

Step 3: I used an old toothbrush to spread the acetone nail polish on the glued areas of the sneaker, waited a couple of minutes and then tugged the fabric off the sneaker. It was a little resistant in some place, but a little extra nail polish remover did the trick.

Step 4: Unstitch one of the uppers (fabric pieces) to use later as a template for the fabric part of your new shoes. You’ll also want to remove the plastic heel “cups” that you’ll find nestled between the lining fabric and main fabric.

That’s it for today! It took me under an hour and I was so pleased to see my progress matched what was posted in the Facebook group.

*This project is off a June 2019 “Shoe-a-Long” from the Facebook page of Sky Love Creations.

Other Posts in this Series:
Customize Your Shoes – Introduction

Customize Your Sneakers

I’ve been want to try this for a loooong time.

So when when Facebook group Sky Love Creations* offered up a “Shoe a Thon” in June, I was all over it.

Prior to the start date, a list of 18 supply items was posted, but I was pleased to discover that I had everything in my craft stash. It included items like shoes (they supply the foundation and Sky Love Creations recommends old Converse Chuck Taylors, fusible fleece, DecorBond (I’m subbing Pellon craftfuse 808), fabric fo(available at most fabric shops), grommets (you’ll also need a grommet tool), basic sewing supplies (machine, needles, seam ripper, thread, bias tape), washable glue stick, fabric glue, rubber cement, a utility knife, an old scissors, acetone nail polish remover, bristle brush, disposable aluminum pan.

It’s a long list, but I suspect most crafters have much of it on-hand.

Join me tomorrow for Step 1 of the process.

*Skye Love Creations – Sky Love Creations is an online custom fabric shop with some brilliantly awesome fabric choices.

 

Mini Muggle

I just can’t stop finding new projects for the new little granddaughter in our lives. Her parents love all things Potter, so this week I put together a romper and bonnet set for her for Easter. I might have to give it to her sooner, though.

The romper pattern is the Avonlea from Little Lizard King. This was my first sew up of a Little Lizard King pattern and I found the instructions easy to follow and the project itself was a quick sew. I chose not to use the optional bib and ruffle pieces because I wanted the fabric pattern itself to be the feature.

And the Menta bonnet. I can’t stop making these. They’re so cute and they’re fabulous scrap busters. Menta bonnets for ALL the outfits!

I really like the Menta patterns as well. I’ve got all the slipper and boot patterns, also great for scrap busting. Pairing the bonnet and/or the slippers with this romper is the perfect baby gift.

TIP: the smallest size of Menta slippers also fit 18″ dolls (American Girl, Journey, Our Generation, Maplelea).

Disney Cruise: A Taste of Disney

Cruising has changed over the years from an extravagant all-inclusive voyage available to a wealthy few, to less all-inclusive experience that’s also less extravagant in terms of food and other options.

People often want to equate their favorite cruiseline dining experience with their favorite five star restaurant, but the truth is, cruise dining options have changed. Food in the main dining room is often more mainstream. Great food, to be sure, but not always phenomenal food. And great food is, of course, high subjective.

We like Disney dining. There are lots of choices and, if you don’t see anything you like, your servers will move heaven and earth to accommodate you. The portions are quite small, which allows you to order multiple items. We treat main dining as a bit of a tapas experience, ordering several of each course and then sharing (there are typically six of us).

Do you drink soda? Most mainstream cruiselines charge extra for soda; Disney doesn’t charge for fountain soft drinks at meals or beverage stations. Soft drinks ordered (canned) through room service, bars and lounges are charged out to you.

To get an idea of the calibre of food you can expect, here are some Disney cruise recipes (Palo and Remi are extra charge restaurants, but the rest are included with the cost of your cruise):

Osso Bucco with Safron Rissotto

Marinated Lamb Chops (Cabanas)

Chocolate Souffle (Palo)

Strawberry Cheesecake (Enchanted Garden)

Baked Salmon Royale (Royal Palace)

Collette Champagne Cocktail (Remi)

More in this Disney series:

• When to cruise
• Choosing a cabin
• Cabin Verandahs
• Which Ship?

Disney Cruise: Which Ship? An Introduction

At the time of posting, Disney has four ships: Wonder, Magic, Dream, and Fantasy. While all four Disney ships have a great deal in common, there are also lots of differences.

These next few posts will deal with some of these similarities and differences, but for today I want to give an overview of each ship.

The Disney Wonder. I start with the Wonder because we’ve sailed it twice and our upcoming trip through the Panama Canal will be aboard the Wonder.

As one of Disney’s smaller ships, the Wonder has a crew of 950 and a passenger capacity of 2,713. There are 875 staterooms spread over 11 decks. It’s the second oldest (but recently refurbished) ship in the Disney line, with its maiden voyage in August 1999.

The Disney Magic. The Magic is the first ship in the Disney fleet, making its maiden voyage in July 1998. Like its sister ship the Wonder, it has a crew of 950, a passenger capacity of 2,713 spread over 11 decks. But there are differences! Stay tuned to future posts.

The Disney Dream. Ah, the Dream. It holds a special place in my heart because it was our first Disney cruise, the cruise that spoiled us for all other cruise lines. The Dream’s maiden voyage was in January 2011. Bigger than either the Magic or Wonder, the Dream has a crew of 1,458 that cater to the needs of 4,000 passengers spread over 14 decks.

The Disney Fantasy. The newest ship to be added to the Disney fleet, the Fantasy made its maiden voyage in March 2012. Like its sister ship the Dream, its crew of 1,458 serves 4,000 passengers spread over 14 decks.

Which ship is the best? That depends entirely on who you ask. Some prefer the more intimate, small ships, while other prefer the bells and whistles of the larger ships. But each ship has its own unique appeal.

More in this series:

• When to cruise
• Choosing a cabin
• Cabin Verandahs

Tamsy Time

Ok, this is one of my favorite outfits simply because it’s so easy to change it up.

Four pieces – a skirt, shirt, scarf or belt, and a tam – can be mixed and matched in a variety of ways to create different looks.

I like the full tam, skirt, scarf, shirt look to create a sophisticated school look. And I’d add to that a couple of books and a backpack.

You can find a tutorial on how to make your own books for your doll here; and a great pattern (I’ll review in an upcoming blog)  for a backpack here.

The rose and black tamsy, the candy cane tamsy, and the green and black tamsy are available while they last on Etsy.

 

Crocheting: The Lala Loopsy Baby Hat

I love, love, love the Lala Loopsy Baby Hat by designer Marilyn Sehn.

And so I jumped at the chance to make one for my new baby granddaughter. This was such a quick, easy project! If you have the most basic of crocheting skills you’ll be able to do this.

Stitches include the Magic Ring, single crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch – except for the magic ring, the most basic stitches you can have in crocheting.

I’ve posted a pic, but please excuse its quality. I wanted to get this up quickly so the above picture isn’t blocked or tidied, but I’ll update later with the baby attached. 🙂

Disney Cruise: What’s Standard in Cabins

For people new to cruising – and even those new to Disney cruising – what’s included in the cost of your cruise can often be confusing. Today we’ll talk a bit about what kinds of things you can expect from your cabin, regardless of type of cabin.

A Seating Area With a couch, TV, and desk

LCD flat-screen TV on a swivel arm, with remote control and these viewing choices:

• Disney movie and TV favorites, including recent and classic Disney and Pixar films, plus Disney TV channels such as Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD
• A selection of recent theatre movies
• Popular TV networks such as ABC, ESPN and other favorite entertainment, lifestyle, news and music channels
• Cruise channels , including activity listings, previews of Port Adventures, daily schedules, and – our granddaughter’s favorite! – a bridgecam that offers a real-time view from the ship’s bridge

A leather-upholstered ottoman with hollow inside storage

More storage space in the form of functional cabinetry in the living area

Queen bed with lots of space for luggage underneath.

• Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
• We unzip our biggest suitcase, open it, and slide it under the bed. Our other luggage fits easily underneath the bed or in the closets provided.
• A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas

A full bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub

iPod docking station

full-length mirror

Closet Space

• We find the closet space ample. Most cruiselines, and especially Disney, find a way to utilize every inch of space

Refrigerator

• Perfect for leftover room service nibbles

In-room safe

hair dryer

phone with voicemail messaging

individual climate control

More in this series:

• When to cruise
• Choosing a cabin
• Cabin Verandahs