Category Archives: Crafts + DIY

Dottie’s Kraft Korner :: Hart & Sew’s Doll Suitcase.

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Well, you know we love Rachel Denbow from Smile & Wave. We’ve chatted with her in the past and she featured our girl Alix’s sassy vintage ensembles.

Well, she also hipped us to the perfectly lovely blog of one of my favorite Etsy shops for vintage clothing, Hart & Sew.  Turns out she is also a most marvelously crafty gal. How stupendously amazingly crafty is she?

Exhibit A: doll suitcase.

I know, right?

Doily as rug?  I’m weeping with craft joy here.

Oh wait, where is the doll? Why right here.

And what is a doll without a doll wardrobe. Amirite? Totally.

Errr. This doll is better dressed than me. Dolly, where did you get that sweet gold leather purse?

And your pad, Miss Dolly, is more stylish than my first three apartments!

Oh yeah, that was some deelightful craft porn to inspire me to dust off the old sewing machine and see if I can make magic happen this weekend!

Thanks again, Hart & Sew for raising the crafty bar!

It’s the Modern Kiddo Ornament Party! Featuring Kristin of klt:works!

Crafts + DIY, Downloads, Holiday Kiddo, , , , , , ,

While poking around my inspiration files, I stumbled upon this photo from a 1966 issue of Better Homes and Gardens:

It’s fun to make your own ornaments and there are boatloads of fancy tutorials out there…but there was such a charming simplicity to these that I loved. It got me thinking, what’s more fun than a simple ornament that you can simply cut, glitter up and hang on the tree with a ribbon?? So I reached out to some of my fabulous friends and asked them if they would create a special ornament especially for Modern Kiddo readers….and I was thrilled when they said YES! Just you wait til you see these amazing creations. We’ll have one-a-day (“plus vitamins!”) for the next few days as we count down til Christmas.

Today we are pleased as punch to feature these adorable winter woodland creatures ornments from my amazing friend Kristin—of klt:works.

I know, HOW CUTE ARE THESE LITTLE GUYS??? The ladybug, the owl and the leggy bird…each as festive as the next!  Simply click here to download the ornament sheet and print it out. You can print on thicker paper OR print on regular paper and then use a glue stick to glue the sheet to a thicker paper or construction paper. Use scissors to carefully cut around each critter. A hole punch at the top completes the ornament and yer ready to hang! (Can we also discuss that AMAZING CARDBOARD TREE?? Kristin you are so awesome….)

I love the stripy baker’s twine Kristin used, but a ribbon or even plain string would work dandy! Leave them “as-is” or embellish with a touch of glitter (just image the lady bug with sparkly spots!).

Download your ornament here. Ornaments are for personal use only!

This is the lovely lady behind these fabulous ornaments:

Kristin is an incredible artist who creates the most fabulous pieces—lucky for us she sells a selection of them at her Etsy shop (the mobiles and kiddo clothing are among our faves!). She also has an always inspiring blog, klt:sketchbook that I love to pop by. If you are a long time Modern Kiddo reader you will remember this fabulous room tour we did of her little guy Sayer’s bedroom. Speaking of Sayer, I have to show him off again. He is SUCH a cutie:


I love Sayer’s caps….totally adorable! And the kitty tee is klt:works, of course!

Please show this talented lady some love! Be sure to visit her site and Etsy shop—and while you’re at it, add her on Twitter and Facebook! You can find here here:
Twitter: KLTworks
Facebook: KLTworks

Kristin, thank you so so much for this charming ornament! We heart you big time!

Download your exclusive modern kiddo* klt:works ornament here.

And if you haven’t checked out my special Vintage Christmas Music Mix, download that too!

I’m Giddy (Giddy) For Christmas.

Crafts + DIY, Holiday Kiddo

This is an extra action packed post today, my friends. A little bit of holiday crafting DIY, a peek at a super stylishly cute kiddos AND some totally fun gift ideas for little girlies. Did I mention they are ALL FROM THE SAME fabulous lady? Mmm hmm. I don’t know if she really knows this, but my friend Teri is one of my heroes. She is so creative, cool and fun. I first met her when Wolfie and her little girl Audrey were in kindergarten together last year.

Aren’t our kiddos the cutest?? Hee. But I digress. Meet Teri. Artist. Crafter. Designer. Entrepreneur. Mama. All around amazing girlie.

Teri is always coming up with the best art projects and I am constantly amazed and inspired by her. We’ve been plotting a girlie date and I’ve been wanting to “interview” her for you guys, but honestly she and I are both so busy we haven’t been able to get it together. So I’m taking it upon myself to simply share the magic of Teri with you guys! I know you’re going to love her, if you don’t already. In addition to running a very successful business, giddy giddy, she also has a fabulous blog where she posts all kinds of amazing things. Take a gander at some of these cool holiday projects.

The Push-Pull Advent Cards.

This year, rather than get a traditional advent calendar, Teri decided to make “Push Me, Pull Me” post cards. They function much like a classic pop-up book…and are truly awesome. I’m so in love with them. See more of them here.



Last year she inspired me with her fantastic Diorama Ornament DIY. These ornaments are available at Paper Source and so much fun. Just paint ’em up and glue little fun odds and ends inside. It’s a perfect way to use up misfit toys.


Awesome huh! And check out these adorable snowglobe holiday cards. I just LOVE them!

Isn’t she fab? But just you wait. The marvelous Teri also makes clothes. I know, right? Her two beautiful daughters make gorgeous models. This is a little up-cycled dressie that I’m in love with:

This gorgeous skirt ensemble looks like it walked off the pages of a couture magazine!

And I know it’s winter, but how fun is this re-imagined romper?? It’s perfect.

All this fabulousness would *almost* be annoying (how does she find the time?? i’m such a slacker!) except she is truly the sweetest, cutest, kindest chica around.

THE PERFECT GIFT IDEA!
So believe it or not, Teri also has a day job…. she runs an amazing business, giddy giddy, makers of the ORIGINAL Felt Hairclippies for babes and little girls. I’m sure you’ve seen them (and I’m sure you’ve seen all the people ripping her designs off as well….grrrrr.). I love these clips and if I had a little girl she would be wearin’ them.

All giddy giddy products are super cute and as an added bonus, they are all hand made. Her business employs crafters and sewers in a fair trade environment in rural Philippines, where Teri’s family is from.

In addition to hair clips, she makes other cool products like cute satchel bags, hair clip holders and even hats.

Aren’t they the cutest? That owl bag is amazing. And I bet you’ll be wanting some of these barrette’s for yourself too! See more and stock up for Christmas at giddy giddy over here!

So I hope you are as inspired as I am by all of this. Be sure to visit the giddy giddy blog.

Thank you sweet Teri for being such a fabulous inspiration—and also a lovely friend.

Meet Blanche.

Crafts + DIY

I always wanted a vintage dress form.  It is the cross section of beauty for a girl who loves sewing and loves vintage.  I’ve been looking for one for about a decade. But a month ago in a random search online, I found the perfect one off of Craig’s List. No picture. It just said vintage dress form for sale.  The lady who was went to FIDM in NYC in the late fifties/early sixties.  She took the class mannequin with her when she graduated.

As I twirled the gorgeous dress in great shape, I noticed the name “Blanche” written in pencil on her shoulder.  The lady told me that the students would name the mannequins after their least favorite teachers.  She said Blanche was something of a “tough ole bird” but was a great seamstress who had a great eye for style.

The lady selling the dress form said it still had the original linen and apologized for the stains. I like the natural aging patina. And I love thinking of all of the gorgeous dresses and outfits it wore in the sixties straight from the minds of young fashion students.  Cost: $60.  I tossed three twenties at her and ran.

So Blanche is now the patron saint of our dining room and quickly became fast friends with the Peach, who now likes to stand next to Blanche for photos! Hurrah!  I managed to get a toddler to stand still long enough to capture the vintage goodness of her little outfit.

Vintage dress with striped tights from Kawaii Kids and Livie and Luca red shoes. And boy is she tired.  This was the best photo I could take out of the six that I quickly snapped.

So, now that Georgia has a friend to stand next to, hopefully, I’ll be able to take more outfit shots of her and share some of the vintage goodies I bought for her over the years.

PS: And don’t you like our new header? From MK’s BFF, the lovely and so so talented Ms. Pilgrim.  It is perfection, just like her and the perfect way to welcome in this special time of year.  Thank you Pilgrim for giving Modern Kiddo the perfect holiday outfit. YOU ROCK!!!!

Cool Thanksgiving Crafts for Kiddos

Crafts + DIY, , , , ,


image: i love india

Everyone, I’m sure, has a memory or two involving the words “Thanksgiving” and “crafting” from their childhood. From pilgrim hats made out of black construction paper (with tin foil buckles of course!) to the classic hand-print turkey, it seems like crafts and Thanksgiving are made to go hand in hand. As I went on the hunt for fun Turkey Day craft projects to share with you, I was a bit amazed at how many variations on the same projects were out there! I decided it would be fun to try and find some alternatives to the ol’ hand print turkey to share with you. My only criteria? CUTE AND EASY.

Let’s start with a bang….


How beautiful and cool are these fall harvest crowns?? They are fabulous yet so easy to make. And really, who doesn’t want to wear a crown? Perfect for your little prince OR princess.

From Dana Made It.

I’m also loving these super simple-yet-chic button napkin rings. Easy enough for a five year old to do but snazzes up your table beautifully!

From Copy Cat Crafts via The Crafty Crow.

I think these birdie gourds look SO playful and fun—and you’ll never look at a gourd quite the same way.


Again, little fingers should have a grand time crafting up their own birdie, but they are clever enough to make a fantastic centerpiece!

Found via the crafty maya*made.

And these leaf place settings are perfect for your artistic little kiddos. All you need is a silver pen and leaves from your backyard.


Via the marvelous Marie, from Make and Takes.

If you’re like us (non-fall-havin’ San Franciscans), here is a way to make your own foliage! Pretty and easy-peasy tissue flowers:


From Smooth Pebble

Our girl Pilgrim has created this beyond adorable printable that can be incorporated into all kinds of fun decor. She has two versions, one in color and one in black and white for your little one to color in themselves. Head over to Draw! Pilgrim to download it yourself! Hurrah!

And finally…..OK, OK, I know I said no turkeys…but  I couldn’t resist. Just look how cute this little feller is! He’s made of a handprint traced on gingham—I mean honestly, who doesn’t love gingham??


From Bella Dia.

Ooh…wouldn’t brown gingham napkins be lovely for Thanksgiving dinner?? Hmmm, note-to-self: buy some brown gingham and make cute napkins this weekend!

So there you have it friends. I hope you found some fun inspiration for Thanksgiving! Do you have any favorite crafties you like to do around this time of year? Let us know!