DIY Wednesday: Glucose Meter Cover

Hello There!

It's time for another mini tutorial. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my pregnancy and got the pleasure of testing my blood sugar every day. Since I was going to be carrying around this meter, I figured the cover could be spruced up from the plain old black.

Now, this cover isn't all that refined. I could have been a bit more meticulous with the finishing of it, but it does the trick and only took me about 20 minutes to make the cover.



Step One: Grab a Tape Measure & Figure Out What the Heck To Do



Here is the case for the tester. Plain ol' nylon case. So, I first measured it. I could have made an entirely new case. That probably would have looked nicer..maybe I'll try that in the future. But I just wanted to make something that I could sew right on top of this nylon case.



So, I made a simple retangle based off these measurements. I cut the fabric with 1/2 inch allotements around the case for the hemming. I ironed the 1/2 of an inch under, then I did a stitch all the way around a 1/4 inch from the edge.

I went ahead and made some pockets. I measured the area on the front and back of the case and cut pockets to match (once again allowing a 1/2 inch for hemming). I ironed the pockets so a 1/2 of an inch was tucked under. Before attaching the pockets to the main piece of fabric, I went ahead and did a stitch along the top of the fabric, a 1/4 of an inch from the edge. I then attached the pockets with a a 1/4 inch stitch.

Step Two: Pin It

So next I pinned the fabric to the cover. Now, I realized that I shouldn't have made square corners. I should have rounded the corners. No matter, I tucked the fabric under to fit the corners.

Step Three: Sew Dos Fabric

In order to get really close to the zipper, I used the zipper attachment on my sewing machine.



Finished Cover

DIY Wednesday: Bibs

Hello There!

It's time for a little tutorial about making your own bibs. I don't have a pattern to give you. I personally just grabbed a bib I liked already and tried to mimic the design. It worked out for the most part. To make 12 bibs, it took me about a day.

As I stated, I really didn't use a pattern. I received this bib as a gift and thought it was pretty darn cute. So I just gave myself a 1/2 inch allowance around the bib for seams (could have gone with a 1/4 inch, which is more standard, but I like to give myself a bit of room for mess ups)

After I cut out all of my bibs and made my first one, I realized the hole I cut for the neck wasn't nearly large enough. I then had to go through and eye ball it and cut each hole bigger. So watch out for those neck holes! Also, you have to take into account the overlap for the snap/Velcro. Make sure the bib isn't fastened when you use it as a pattern.

I always try to lay everything out so I only have to do one cut. This means that the edges might not be as sharp (since you're cutting through so many layers), but I save a ton of time.

After I cut out the fabric, I pinned the two right sides together. One side was a cotton print and the other side a soft plush...the soft plush likes to move. So pinning was absolutely necessary with this type of fabric.

Step Two: Start A' Sewing



I did a 1/4 inch stitch around the outside of the bib. I left an opening at the bottom in order to pull the right sides through the hole.

Once you've done this stitch, pull the right sides through. Iron the bib and make sure that there is enough fabric at the opening to allow your next stitch to close the hole up.





Sew a 1/4 inch stitch around the outside of the bib. (Blue bib is the store bought one, the pink one is my creation)

Step Three: Snap, Velcro and Buttons




Now, you have to figure out what fasteners are your cup of tea. Velcro is probably the easiest option. You just have to attach it to the bib with some thread. But, babies are quick to figure out that you just have to pull on Velcro to unfasten it. That's why snaps and buttons might be the best option. Buttons are too time consuming for me. Even with my sewing machine's auto button hole and button attachment tools and tricks, the process is drawn out. So, snaps it is!

Snaps are pretty easy. They come with directions. However, I soon discovered that the spool of thread/hammer trick wasn't going to do it for me and this thick fabric. Once I grabbed a pair of needle nose pliers, I was in business. I suggest having extra snaps on hand, because once you destroy a snap there is no saving it. My mom says that the snap tools are actually much easier, but I didn't want to spend the extra money on the tools. (the pliers worked just fine!)



This is a bib with Velcro. I ran out of snaps and had some extra Velcro sitting around.

Finished Bib with Snap

DIY Wednesday: Weekend Projects

Hi Everyone!

I have loads of tutorial type of posts to get to eventually (bibs, blankets, changing tables, cloth wipes etc.), but I don't quite have anything ready to post yet. I even have some posts that aren't baby related! (Shocking, I know)

I crafted pretty much all weekend (and Monday and Tuesday), and I got LOADS of stuff done. Mostly baby related stuff like bibs, burp cloths, binkie holders and blankets. Most of it is for Baby Lila, but I did make a little bit for fellow expecting friends.

Weekend Projects



Left to Right: Bibs, Burp Cloths and Binkie Holders. The bibs are backed with super soft fleece material and have snaps (and a few with Velcro). The burp cloths are pretty simple pre-fold Gerber cloth diapers jazzed up (Gerber diapers are wonderful for burp cloths, but terrible as actual cloth diapers)

Monday & Tuesday Projects



Left to Right: Two contoured burp cloths, Gerber diaper burp cloth with matching bib, three traveling changing pads (the rolled up fabric), large receiving blanket (owl fabric) and a huge pile of cloth wipes (cut up flannel fabric).

I'll be explaining the process behind the bibs, travel changing pads, binkie holds and cloth wipes in forthcoming posts!

Idea Thief: Changing Pad

Hi There,

As a soon to be mommy, I'm constantly on the hunt for fun, easy baby projects. This is one of the them (and I'll be trying it very soon!)

Check Out Fussy Monkey & her DIY Changing Pad

Idea Thief: Nursery Glider Re-Cover

Hi Everyone,

I love to cruise One Pretty Thing to check out fun ideas. I found this one today. I already planned on recovering a glider's cushions, but it's awesome that I have someone who did it before and figured out what to do!

Check Out: Lil Blue Boo

DIY Wednesday: Coffee Cozies

Hi Everyone!

I have a long overdue project for this Wednesday. I am a self professed coffee addict, which usually means lots of lattes. I saw this project online a while ago and finally decided to take a stab at it when I was making things to donate to the PIN Auction.

I have step-by-step directions on how to make a wonderful coffee cozy for you hot beverages (or cold...I wrap them around a diet coke every once in a while)

I got most of my steps from a Tutorial by House on a Hill. I also mixed in some other advice I found on the internet.



Step One: Cut Out the Fabric



There are several ways you can make a pattern. There are patterns floating around the internet or you can do what I did and use a old paper cozy from the local coffee shop. Give yourself at least a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You will need to cut 2 pieces of fabric (outside and inside) and batting. I used the same fabric for the outside as I did for the inside, but you can have a solid inside fabric if you would like.

Step Two: Attach Hair Tie



There's no special trick to attaching the hair tie, but you'll want to use the piece of fabric you're going to use on the front/outside of the cozy. Place the hair tie in the middle and make sure half the hair tie is on the fabric and half of it is off the fabric. You are going to sew the hair tie on to the front of the fabric. Use a zig-zag stitch and go over the hair tie repeatedly (10 or so times). Stitch a 1/4 inch in from the edge of the fabric. If you go in too far, the stitch will show when you're done (and that's just not pretty).



Step Three: Attach Layers



Pin the layers in this order: batting, outside fabric with the fabric design facing up, and the inside fabric with the fabric design facing down.

Step Four: Sew Layers Together



Now, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew around the layers. You will want to leave a 2 inch opening on the bottom (to use to turn the cozy inside-out).

Step Five: Turn the Cozy Inside-Out



Pretty simple, but turn the cozy inside out through the two inch opening. I used a pen to push out the corners.



Step Six: Iron the Cozy Flat



Iron the cozy flat with the two inch opening folded in. Make sure you have tucked enough fabric into the opening so the 1/4 inch seam will be sufficant enough to keep the opening closed.

Step Seven: Sew Around Cozy



Sew around the entire cozy 1/4 inch from the edge.

Step Eight: Attach Button

This step is pretty easy. You will just have to fold over the cozy to see where the hairtie will hit on the other side. Mark the place with a pen through the button holes. I have a button attachment for my sewing machine, so I just followed the directions in my sewing machine manual. If you don't have this attachment, you could handsew the buttons.

Step Nine: You're Finished! Go Get a Latte!

Idea Thief: Baby Owl Art

Hi Everyone!

I talk a bit here and there on Baby Center. There was an awesome thread today with all sorts of craft ideas. MichelleLouie posted these wonderful art pieces. I'm definately going to have to steal the idea for some owl art. I've decided to do the nursery in owl, so this is perfect!

Thankfully she has a blog and you can check out her art!

http://ytloudesigns.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/petit-collage.html

Change Change Change

Hi There!

As you can see, I have decided to make a few changes to the blog. I thought I would try a new layout. I've been working on it for a few hours, and I think I have most of the kinks ironed out (except I can not figure out the stupid links for the About, Contact, FAQ sections...oh well. I might just go without)My coding skills are quite lackluster so if you see any problems, let me know!

Also, I noticed that I have more fans and more people reading the blog lately. That's quite exciting to me! I enjoy being able to share the projects I do. Mostly because I don't do them for money (yet...maybe someday in a land far far away) so it's the only way I can share them with the world.

As a result of these new fun developments, I have enabled the comments feature. I had disabled it for the past year, but I think it's time to accept some comments. We shall see if anyone actually comments or just visits. I'm happy with either.

Enjoy my blog! Soon, I will be posting some new projects I did. I started a few too many at once, and I have only photographed them partially. I still need to photograph my finished products.

-Krista

PIN Auction

Hi Everyone!

Happy Monday everyone! I wanted to let any fans who read my blog (and I
have no illusions its a large number) know that I have donated a
photography session to the Public Interest Network Silent Auction which
is Thursday, February 4th at 7:00 pm at the Eagles.

The Public Interest Network (PIN) is an organization at the law school.
The organization raises funds in order to give grants to students. These
grants allow students to take public interest internships that would
normally pay nothing. For more information or to donate visit:
http://elizabethburleson.com/PublicInterest.html

If you are the winning bidder, you can choose from the following sessions:




Smile.
This is a portrait session. Think senior pictures, maternity, head
shots, children or boudoir. Just you, me and the camera.



Promise.
This is our engagement session.



Kin.
This is the family session I offer. Two to eight family members. You can also add the dogs.

All sessions will be held outdoors unless some prior arrangement is
made. (This condition is due to the labor of hanging my backdrop. Being
6 months pregnant, I'm trying to avoid lifting the backdrop at all costs.)

All sessions include 7 picture touch-ups, 2 disks with all pictures (both raw and touched-up) and a copyright release for all images.

The session must be redeemed by May 7, 2010 or the winning bidder must
be willing to wait until late June or early July to redeem. I'm due May
21st and I'm guessing I might not want to take pictures right after
childbirth. Weird I know. ;)

These sessions range in price from $60 to $100 normally.

In addition to donating a photography session, I am in the process of making both therapy sacks and coffee cozies to be auctioned off. These are being made under my craft blog.



If you have any questions about the auction, please don't hesitate to
e-mail me at kristambenson@gmail.com. I won't be at the auction since
I'll be out of town starting Thursday through Monday.