I love taking photos of my two girls! They're just so darn cute and I want to capture every stage of their little lives with images that I can treasure forever. While I like to take photos with natural backgrounds (like the beautiful outdoors), I also like to experiment with creating interesting backdrops with easy and inexpensive materials that I have in my crafty arsenal. My favourite materials to use as backdrops are simple fabrics and white banner paper - both of which also work really well ask backdrops for product photography if you're a DIY mommy that sells her creations!
Sew a One Yard Chevron Dress
I'm loving all things chevron lately (the retro-inspired zig-zag pattern) and my 3 year old daughter has a big thing for dresses. I thought I'd combine our two current loves and make a simple little girl's dress for the summer! I purchased one yard of fabric and used almost every bit with hardly any waste (only the few inches I chopped off the straps). One yard of fabric could make a dress for a young baby (there would be extra fabric, then) all the way up to a size 5T (the dress would be shorter, then). This is a very easy project with tied shoulder straps, an elastic waist and sweet ruffle detailing on the hem - perfect for a summer picnic!
Make a Mail Holder Bulletin Board
Here's how to make a DIY bulletin board that doubles as a mail holder using fabric, a bulletin board a glue gun, and a recycled ice cream pail! This is a cheap, easy and practical project for your home.
Make a No-Sew Splat Mat
When babies begin eating solids, they're SO messy! No matter how many bibs you put on them or how high their high chair, food will make it's way to the ground. Also messy? A busy little toddler who loves to paint, to colour and to snack. I have one of each type of mess-maker and I've found the perfect, easy solution - a "splat mat" (or "messy mat")! I can place this wipeable, machine-washable mat underneath my baby's high chair or on the floor for my toddler to snack or craft on. This is such a simple DIY project, and I've created a way to make an adorable, unique splat mat that requires NO SEWING!
Sew a Princess Dress
With this free pattern and tutorial, sew a pink & white satin princess dress with gold ribbon and a rose embellishment for your toddler. She'll love to dance and spin in this dreamy little dress that is perfect for dress-up time!
Sew Boutique Soother Clips
With this free tutorial, make an adorable soother clip for your baby or for a unique baby shower gift! These simple fabric soother clips are made with a scrap of fabric, a suspender clip and a pearl snap. Instructions for adding an optional ruffle or rosette embellishment are included.
Free Fruit of the Spirit Wall Art Printable
This free printable 5x7 subway-style sunny yellow artwork is based on Galations 5:22-23 on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Print this art for free at home, frame it, and hang it on your wall for encouragement!
Sew a Boutique Blanket
I love soft, cuddly blankets! My favourite combination for a blanket is to sew it using cotton on the outside and buttery soft minkee fabric on the inside. The result is a substantial, high-quality blanket that is wonderful for a baby, for a living room throw, or for a bed! Minkee (or "minky") fabric can be very thick and slippery. It also is a pain to cut because it can be so furry - fuzz can fly everywhere! In this tutorial on how to sew a "boutique" blanket, I'll share how I work with this fabric. It's a little tricky, but the results are beautiful.
Sew a Baby Necktie
by Christina Dennis Little neckties are so cute on babies and toddlers! They're such a fun way to dress up a plain white tee or shirt with a pop of colour and whimsy. This tie design features a velcro neckpiece that can be adjusted as Baby grows from 6 months to 3 years and over....
Free Nursery Wall Art Printable
Download this free nursery wall artwork based on the 1958 poem by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton: "Oh cleaning and scrubbing
will wait till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned with my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep."