Laptop Bag

Pattern: Laptop Bag from Nicole Mallalieu
This bag is for my husband so to "man" it up a bit, I used VERY heavy duty canvas, sewed the webbing into the base so it runs along the edge of the bag, included a 50mm buckle on the strap and added buckles on the front. I divided the inside into two pockets - one for the laptop and one for other stuff. It is lined with corduroy and instead of interfacing, I used 5mm rubber. It gave the bag extra structure and extra padding.

Fairy Wings

Project: Fairy Wings for Horse and Bug
Using template plastic, we made fairy wings for Horse and Bug. The kids decorated them with textas then sprinkled fairy dust (aka glitter) on them. It was easy to attach Horse's wings using an elastic loop. Bug was a little more challenging, given that he is, well, flat! So his wings stay on using magnets - one on his front and one on the wings at the back.

Refashion: Art Smocks

Refashioned: two men's raincoats ($1 each from Op Shop)
Into: two waterproof, easy to wipe art smocks
Pattern: Lincraft Back to School #1016 (50c from Op Shop)
I got sick of having to scrub off paint and soak clothes after each painting session!

Safety Ear Muffs

Project: Safety Ear Muffs
Made using $2 headbands, some foam and felt. The trick was to hot glue gun the headband into the foam.

Library Bags

Pattern: A simple boxed corner, lined bag
The kids helped me make these by stamping their hand prints on one side and footprints on the other. I then asked them to draw a picture of their face (I drew the circle) then embroidered their names and the picture they drew on the bag. They picked the colour of the fabric I lined the bags with.

Tagusaurus

Pattern: My Design
Another three Tagusauruses

Zipper Purse

Pattern: Make Up Purse from Nicole Mallalieu
I made this one smaller and longer than the original pattern.... just for something different!

Recycled: Marble Run

Recycled: a couple of cardboard boxes and cardboard tubes
Into: a marble run
It's amazing what you can do with cardboard, sticky tape and a stanley knife!

Builder Wooden Doll

Design: Inspired by my boy's love of all things tools and building related (and a certain character)
Tutorial: How to Craft a Gnome by Myrtle & Eunice
Extra help & felt: from Trudi at Me & Ewe

Dog Bone Softie

Pattern: My Design
After reading Hairy Maclary's Bone way too many times to remember, the dogs in our house got their own bones today. I sewed and the kids helped to stuff them.

Car Sun Shades

Project: Car Sun Shades
Pattern: My Design
After seeing how expensive car sun shades are, I was on a mission to make some. I bought the suction cups for just under $8 at Clark Rubber and the fabric from Ikea for $4. The binding around the edge is made from fabric my stash and the eyelets were from the Op Shop for $1.

Repaired: Jeans

Repaired: Jeans
This is just one pair of the 5 pairs of jeans I repaired for three out of four family members! All had holes in the knees so I attached a piece of fabric on the back of the knees by stitching across in about 2cm lines. This should give us lots more wear!

Recycled: Safety Goggles

Recycled: an old pair of sunglasses from the Op Shop
Into: a pair of safety googles!
After my boy was given some store bought safety goggles, my girl put her order in. So I refashioned this pair of sunglasses bought from the Op Shop. I removed the glass and arms, coloured in the logo, threaded a ring through the screw hole and attached some elastic. And they worked a treat!

Refashion: Gathered neck top

Refashioned: a man's shirt (at least I think it was a man's shirt!)
Into: a women's top
Tutorial: Peasant Blouse by Made by Lex

Beret

Pattern: Beret from Nicole Mallalieu

Cape and Crown

Crown Tutorial: Superhero Headband by Curlypops
Cape Tutorial: Superhero Cape by Puking Pastilles

More capes and crowns...

Portable DVD Player Carry Bag

Pattern: My Design
As it will be moved around a bit, I made a padded carry bag for our portable DVD player. It has 3 compartments - one for each screen and one for all the cables. It is padded using old towels and has a solid base using 3mm plywood.

Fleece Kids Hats

Tutorial: Pom Pom Hat from Nicole Mallalieu
As the kids are a bit too little to make pom poms just yet, they helped me cut the strips for tassels instead.

Magic Wands

Project: Wooden Magic Wands
Made using wooden stars cut by my Dad many, many years ago, nailed onto pieces of dowl. Then decorated by the kids with textas, sparkling pipecleaners and fairy dust (aka glitter). And there is some ribbon stapled on the back too.

Kids' Pants

Pattern: Burda 9828 (Tool kneepads)
Pattern: Knit'n'Stitch (Cat kneepads)
It's best to check the length of the pants before sewing on the kneepads.... or they might become anklepads!

More pants....