Category Archives: Crafts + DIY

Heart to Heart: free valentines!

Crafts + DIY


Back in the day, Valentines was all about those little colorful cards in teensy white envelopes. Pastel candy hearts said cute things like: PUPPY LOVE and BE MINE (as opposed to WHATEVER and BITE ME—since when did Candy Hearts get all cynical?). To me, Valentine’s Day was never better than when we were in elementary school. Sure, once you got older and found an honest-to-goodness sweetie, the whole dealie took on a more romantic vibe. But there was nothing better than racing home, clutching that paper bag “mail box” all crammed full of tiny colorful valentines—and blushing like crazy when you realized you got a card from that cutie in homeroom!

Because we love you so, we’ve tracked down some super cute little freebies you can print out yourself, just in time for Valentines. Thanks to all these lovely artists and bloggers for their generosity. We heart you!

OK, first up, the adorable Bunny Cakes has designed these sweet little valentines that make great cards OR adorable goodie bag tags!

The most excellent Danielle of Thompson Family Life created these stunners for her readers. How cute are they?

My girlie Pilgrim, of Draw Pilgrim, came up with this exceptionally clever little idea. Apfel-tines! Sweet little stickers to put on apples. YAY!

“You are the cheese to my macaroni.” Hee. Doesn’t get much better than that! Look at these cuties from the lovely Style Crush.

Secret Agent Josephine has these Top Secret colorful cards just for you and your awesome little ones!

These little valentines baggies are SO cute and pretty—and FREE! Well ok, you need to buy the baggies. But still. Amazingly sweet. Thank you Twig and Thistle!

Check out this sweet card from Indie Fixx. She made it for her sweetie but is sharing it with you too!

These are SURE to be a hit with Wolfie. The brilliant crafting mama over at Zakka Life came up with these rockin’ valentines that fit over heart shaped lollipops! They print out three to a sheet. “Bweedle deedle bwowowow!” [that’s me playing air guitar over this cool score!]

And because you know we love our retro-a-gogo, we will round out the round up with these awesome vintage valentines (for you to print out!), courtesy of the fine folks at tip nut.

We HEART YOU ALL lovely friends! Tweet and share the love!

xoxo

Alix & Dottie

Put Your Party Hats On!

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Parties, Things We Like, , , ,

The Peach is turning one in less than a month! That means a first birthday party! Whoo hoo! There are so many choices and so many darling birthday ideas out there that I’m kinda overwhelmed.

But the one thing I do know is that I must must MUST have a fun set of party hats.

When I was a little girl, a party wasn’t a party until you had a party hat.  Wearing a party hat says, “I’m take partying so seriously that I have a special hat for it.”

Even though I ‘m not sure what the theme of the party will be,  I’m totally crushing on these custom paper party hats from Mary Had a Little Party.  Mermaids! Cupcakes! Giraffes! Oh my!

Warning: Mary is too clever for her own good–these party hats are just the tip of the awesome iceberg that is Mary and her party favors.

I’m head over heels for these stinky cute felt ones from Etsy seller CosaBello. Such wonderful detailing with embroidery.  And I adore  a good blanket stitch! And I know someone who would particularly like the rocket one…

Martha Stewart has a simple tutorial on how to make your own party hats–ooohhh–just imagine these made out of some yummy paper from Paper Source! Afterall, you know Martha knows how to throw a parTAY!

Or you can get this great pattern from Etsy seller Stylish Celebrations. I particularly love the ric-rac edging on it.  I think of ric-rac as the butter of the notions world! It just makes everything better!

So many cute hats–I don’t know which to choose! And I still need to come up with a  party idea for the Peach’s birthday! Any ideas? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Knit Wit :: Retro Modern Crocheted Dressies

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Style: Modern, Retro Modern

Howdy gang! OK this one goes out to my girl Dottie. This is totally her kind of post! Growing up I had the most amazing godmother. My Tante Judy was very creative and a talented seamstress. She knit me the BEST little dresses (in fact, you can see one here). Because of this, I’ve always had a fondness for little vintage knits. Aren’t these just the cutest?

This is where I admit to you that, while I’m a creative person and love craft projects, I can’t figure out knitting to save my life. Don’t even get me started on crochet. I want to learn, really I do, but I think I have a knitting block. For those of you who are talented Knit Wits, bravo! But for the rest of us….check out these charming knit dressies from Melanies Masker. Born out of “Yarn-O-Mania” (their words!) and filled with quirky details, each yummy design is so vibrant and cute. I’m also so in love with the photoshoot they did, where all the sweets are made of yarn too. Clever, clever!









“Hello Dottie…it’s me. Yeah….so while Alix is out shopping I found a free dress pattern for you to make! You’re going to love it. Seriously. Take a look at this awesome little jumper!!!”

If you’re a Dottie, download this adorable pattern at penelope craft (click “free patterns”).

If you’re an Alix, go shopping at Huset and snag a Melanies Masker dressie. They’re 40% off right now!

Smitten with Mittens

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Style: Modern,

Nothing says childhood winters more than mittens.  Can’t you just imagine them wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate? After all, mittens keep your hands warmer and are much easier to get on a little squirming hand.

Wearing my green “alligator” mittens during winter is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Although I couldn’t find the exact ones I remember for the Peach, I found a lot of other great  mittens–like these bee mittens or these ladybug mittens from Kidorable.

There is actually a whole set of bee and ladybug accessories for kids that looks like it could cause some trouble with my bank account.  Perhaps that would make up for the botched bee costume I made for the Peach…

Zooni has the sweetest mittens I’ve seen in ages, including this very cute and not too scary dinosaur mitten.

One of my favorite ones are the almost heartbreakingly cute  squeeze me mittens by Oeuf.  It makes you want to go for walks, doesn’t it?

Here they are in use. So. Stinking. Cute.

For those kiddos that pretend they are Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s  Nightmare Before Christmas, I highly recommend this  Sourpuss mitten set that comes with a scarf and hat to boot! I’m in love!

Keep those little paws warm and looking like little paws with this stinky cute set of mittens from Bear Hands.

But there is something truly lovely about a traditional knitted wool mitten, like this exquisite pair of hand knit in an aran pattern.

I’m sure all of you crafty types out there have already knit a pair or two of mittens for your little honey.  And if you haven’t, here is a wonderfully easy pattern that could have you be cranking out a pair of mittens in an evening. Or you can go big with this fabulous Scandinavian pattern from Etsy seller, Randi K Designs.

But whether you make them, buy them, or borrow them, mittens on your little kidlet can’t help but make you smile!

Viva Los Cotton Monsters!

Crafts + DIY

When I was growing up, monsters were scary things that hid in your closet or under your bed—but not any more. Meet the insanely adorable Cotton Monster. Hand made by the wildly creative Jennifer Strunge, each little monster is a wee work of art. These little loveable creatures are made of vintage materials and are so gosh darn snuggly you can’t help but love them. Jennifer says: “Each monster is different, and made from recycled clothes and materials, so I never have one set color palette to work from…I really let the materials dictate what the monster will turn out to be…so it’s important to me that they are recycled, and in a way, given a new life!

Wolfie’s Auntie Freckle (my lovely pal Jenny) sent him one when he was around three. Dubbed “Monty” (because he couldn’t really say “Monster”), he has been a fixture on many a flight to grandmama’s house! Cotton Monsters can double as a pillow and the mouth contains a secret pocket for storing things like sweets or little trains. Wolfie likes to use the arms to tie Monty on like a little back pack when we travel. How cute is that?

Jennifer makes them in all sizes. The larger one’s are a tad pricey but they are so well made and unique. People flip for them, so if you want one snag it ASAP! Her Etsy shop sells out all the time.

:: Visit COTTON MONSTERS ::

:: Cotton Monsters on Etsy ::

Interview quote from Plush You Interviews!