The bunny thing started off with making this pom-pom springtime animal tree. It has been something I’ve wanted to do with my kids for a while. It was something my mom did with us growing up. Each Easter she would get out the pom-pom animals and we would hang them on her pussy willow branch tree. My childhood ones where much bigger and fluffier as they were handmade pom-poms. We didn’t get these made in time for Easter but next year they will be ready to pull out and hang up to bring in the season. They are a very simple. Glue a couple large pom-poms together. Take 2 small pom-pom and glue onto the face for the rabbits cheeks. Cut the ears, eyes, nose, feet out of felt. I used Fabric-Tac to glue them. My favorite glue. Take a needle and thread and put through the middle of the pom-pom, tie a good knot. Leaving enough string to hang the little cute critter up with. If your making homemade pom-poms make sure the yarn that ties all the pieces together is extra long so that another knot can be tied at the end, leaving you something to hang him up on. I almost forgot, another pom-pom for the rabbits tail of course. When making the duck or chick it’s just 2 pom-poms glued together and felt parts. The kids really enjoyed this project and it’s funny seeing how each comes out unique.

Then we had the real baby rabbits thing happen. The kids were so so so excited to have found them. Rescued them from the chicken pen and a hen pecking at them. They so wanted to keep them. I completely understand how they felt. If you have ever held one that fits easily into the palm of your hand, you’ll know what I mean. Part of me even wanted to keep them. They begged, while I sat there looking at them. Then I gave them a little information, even went online and showed them. Gently highlighting the “they are wild, hard to hand raise, easily stress out and the out come is not usually good” part. They finally agreed that the mommy should raise them and back to the barn they went. This was not done without tears. These sad feelings of having to let them go brought back memories of past pets that had passed away. More tears. None the less, I was glad they made the right choice and all on their own. A good lesson to learn. Being spontaneous and taking on something can be a great things in it’s place. Sometimes you need to think things through, weigh your choices and then make a wise decision that is good for everybody. They did that.

I started making a little quilt for my youngest, who really wanted to keep the rabbits. It’s not fully done as my sewing machine tried to eat the fabric. Tearing up my bobbin holder, I think that’s what it’s called? The quilt will be small enough that she can wrap up her easier to take care of stuffed rabbit. Stuffed toy rabbit.
If anyone is wondering,  the bunnies are doing fine. They come out at night jumping and running around.  They seem to be getting faster and bigger by the day.

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since Thanksgiving.  That seems like months ago!  Well, I can say for sure, we are into winter as you can see from the picture below. This was the beautiful sky and trees that I saw this morning. So, what better day to stay inside where I’m warm with a cup of hot chocolate and cupcakes baking.

These cupcakes were baked with a food allergies child in mind using Cherrybrook Kitchen cake mix. And decorated by happy little helping hands.

There were several people that requested the pattern to the sock horse. The pattern is in the Horse Craft book that I borrowed from the library and wrote about a couple post back. But if you can’t find it at your local library and don’t want to purchase it. I put together a basic idea pattern from what I could remember from the book.  If you need any help understanding my quick scribbles and notes just let me know. It’s pretty simple.

I didn’t forget about you ladies. We’ve just had a lot going on.

Added: info to step 3.

Disclaimer: I’m not the best at following directions, including patterns. I sort of just dig in and work it out as I’m going. I’m sure there is probably a more professional way to go about this style of box but this is how I made it. So forgive me, if it’s a little confusing. I will try my best to make some sense out of all this. If you have any questions just let me know. With that said, let’s do it. And please do share with me, if any of you craft up some of these cute containers.

 

1) First decided what size of a container you want. This one will be 6″ X 9″.  I went ahead an drew my pattern on the wrong side of the outside fabric. You can also just use a pattern you made out of paper. If your box is to be 6″ X 9″ make sure to add a 1/4″ to it. So my rectangle was 6 1/4″ by 9 1/4″. Then once you have the rectangle or square drew, then add the 4 side flaps. These will be your side walls. These are 3 1/4″ for a finished side of about 3″ tall. And when your done you will have a piece of outside fabric that looks similar to that in the above picture.

2) Now cut out your inside linning fabric. I use my first piece of fabric as a pattern. Trace it. Then add about a 1/4″ to a 1/2″ to the length of each of the 4 flaps. So it will make them a bit longer than the outside lining was. If you are wanting a larger amount of lining to over lap the edge of your finished box, then add more. This can be alter to what ever you want. More or Less over hang.

3) Now you need to cut another piece out of firm stabilizer. Use your first piece or paper pattern again. But this time cut about 1/2′ off of the 4 flaps. You don’t need the stabilizer to go all the way to the edges as you will be turning it down.  Added: In the first fabric box I made I did not cut a 1/4″ off of the flaps sides (the V corners) but with this one I did. You can see in the picture of me sewing up the corners that the stabilizer is a little smaller than the inside lining fabric.  I’m not sure which is the best way if it matters. I will have to make a few more to see which way is the best way.

Confused yet? You should have 3 pieces now. The outside fabric that is close to your finished size. The inside lining fabric that has longer flaps than the outside fabric and stabilizer that has shorter flaps than the outside fabric.

 

4) Now take your inside lining fabric and attach the stabilizer to the wrong side of the lining fabric. If you have the iron on kind, do that. I didn’t so I had to sew it on as well as help make the shape of the box bottom. Sew along where the box bottom dimensions are. See the picture below. Leaving the 4 side flaps alone. Make sure to keep the fabric nice and tight or you will end up with loose and wavey fabric like I did. I had a good excuse as I was having a very import conversation with a toddler that just had to help. It’s ok as this box is staying her with a horse loving girl.

 

On to the corners…..

5) Now start turning it into a box shape. You take your inside lining fabric that has the stabilizer attached to it and put right sides together on the corners and sew them together (pic below). Do this to all 4 corners.

You will end up with up this.

6) Now on to the ouside fabric. If you are wanting to embellish it or embroidery it, probably should do it now before sewing it up.  Do the same thing with this piece of fabric as you just did with the lining. Corners Right sides together, sew them up.  All 4 of them.When you are done. Turn it right sides out. 

 

7) Take the lining box you made and place it inside the outside fabirc box that has the right sides out.  Work it around, there should be inside lining evenly sticking up above the outside fabric.  Once you are happy with it. Pin it in place.

 

You can turn it down once and sew it.  I didn’t want to see 2 seams so I turned mine down about a 1/4″ and glued it, using Fabric-Tac.  If you didn’t want to use glue because you will be sewing through this, you could opt for the iron on fusible web. 

 

If you do use glue make sure it is completely dry before going on to the next step. And make sure to glue the corners nicely.

 

9)Turn it down on more time. How ever much you like.  Sew it completely around like pictured below.

 

Now you have your box.

 

10)You can leave it like this or tighten up the sides, by sewing them like the picture below.  Pinch the corners together to see where they meet and sew it up nice and tight. Using embroidery floss or a double thread is best.

 

And your finished and have a cute box to fill with goodies.

Update: Some how my tutorial post disappeared and I don’t have the slightest clue where. So I will try again…

Supplies needed

1. sugar cones
2. round christmas bulbs, plastic that looks like glass is best for Children
3. cotton balls
4. glitter
5. spray adhesive
6. liquid glue    I use Fabric-Tac, it grabs fast and dries quick
7. varnish or liquid seal

 

Step 1

If using a sugar cone seal it with a varnish or liquid seal. You can also use light weight cardboard to make your own cone.

 

 

Step 2

Apply a fair amount of glue around the edge of the cone. Placing the cone into a cup or container makes working with much easier.

 

 

 Step 3

Place cotton balls or part of cotton balls on top of the glue. Letting some of it hang over the edge of the cone.

 

 

Step 4

Apply a fair amount of glue on top of the cotton balls in the same area of the cone’s edge and the previous glue was added (see picture). You do not have to wait for the first apply glue to dry. Now, add your Christmas bulb on top of the cone. Make sure to leave the bulb hanger up so that it can be hung on the tree or where ever your heart would like.

 

 

 Step 5

This picture is a little messed up. A this point the bulb should be attached to the cone.

Using the spray adhesive, lightly spray the top of the bulb. This step should be done by adults. If you are unable to go outside to spray, I spray into a old box or down into my trash can bag. Before the glue dries sprinkle with what ever color and amount of glitter is wanted by child or yourself. Let dry.

Now you can leave it simple like the one in the picture below or you can embellish it with a fake cherry, polka dots, the childs name. Last add a string or wire hanger.

 

 This is a great kids craft for the winter and holiday season. It’s simple and easy. This is a picture of the one my daughter made last winter.

I was hoping to post the tutorial today but my computer is not on his best behavior and it’s getting a bit frustrating so I think I ‘m going to give it a break and go color with my little one.