Fancy Burp Cloths Tutorial

Every new Mom needs a stash of burp cloths.  Burp cloths have come a long way.  You can now purchase ones that are different colors and have little sayings on them.  I am old school though and find the cloth diapers are the best burp cloths known to man.  That being said, it is time to update those plain white cloth diapers. Wouldn't some nice fabric added to it make cleaning up the baby spit up and slobber a prettier process?

If you can sew even the tiniest bit, you can make these and impress a new Mom or soon to be Mom.

Supplies Needed:

• package of cloth diapers (found in baby section of major super stores)
• leftover fabric of different colors-approximately half a yard for 2-3 burp cloths
• optional embellishments: ribbon, decorative lace, ric rack for edges, etc
• matching thread for fabric and white thread
• sewing machine
• iron

1.  This is the most important step of all!  Wash the cloth diapers and the fabric you will use prior to doing this project.  Notice the picture below.  The left is the pre-washed cloth diaper and the right is the washed.  These will shrink.  If you don't wash the cloth diapers and the fabric first, they will shrink and bunch and not look so pretty.  All your work will be a waste and you don't want that.

2.  Take your cloth diaper and measure the inside portion that is thicker.  Measure both the width and length.  I am not providing these measurements as yours will differ depending on the level that the cloth diapers shrink.  

3.  Now cut at least 1/4 of an inch larger for both the width and length (on all sides) of your fabric. Notice below how much the diaper shrunk from the first time I prepared my fabric prior to washing.  Don't make that mistake!

4.  With your fabric right side down, fold in a 1/4 of an inch or 1/2 inch (in my case) on all sides of your fabric.  Press with your iron to get a straight firm edge.

5.  Check that your measurements are accurate on each cloth diaper and make any adjustments by folding in or out and re-ironing.  See picture below.

6.  Flip your fabric so that it is right side facing up. Place any embellishments under the fabric, such as ric rack or ribbon under the edges.  I didn't have these on hand so I didn't add them. Pin the embellishments and fabric to your cloth diaper or be lazy like I am and tweak it as it goes.

7.I start at one corner and go to the next corner.  Keep your needle down at the corner stop sewing, release the footer tension and turn your fabric and cloth diaper.  Then drop the footer and sew to the next corner.  Do this all the way around and you will only need to cut thread at your starting/finishing point.  This also gives a more polished look to the burp cloth.

When you are finished you have a beautiful burp cloth to give as a gift or add to your diaper bag.  A package of cloth diapers has twelve in it, therefore you can make a couple for a gift or a ton for yourself.

I made two of each for each of my friends who were pregnant.  Here is the stack of them.

I hope this tutorial helps you whip up some easy baby shower gifts.  Let me know what embellishments you added, if any, to make these gifts even more special.

Dressed Up Wipe Cases Tutorial

Over the last year, I have been surrounded by pregnant friends.  There is a major baby boom going on, I am sure of it.  With all the Moms to be, there was a need to make some gifts.  I love making my crocheted baby blankets, but I also like trying out some new items.

In the next few posts, I want to share with you how to make Dressed Up Wipe Cases, Fancy Burp Cloths and Nursing Covers.  These are all items I was oblivious to prior to having children and now I wouldn't know what to do without them.  Of course, you can do without these, but they sure make life a bit easier and prettier!

Last year, I came across someone with a wipe case that was all dressed up.  I immediately thought, "I can do that!"  Off I went to test it out.  Well, let me tell you the first time was a huge fail.  My glue gun left huge clumps of hot glue all over the fabric and case, it was horrible.  The next time I took more care so that the case would look great.  Let me share with you how to make these cute little gifts.  Here is a preview of mine:

Supplies Needed:

• wipe cases (found in the baby section of any store practically, very inexpensive)
• quilt batting or felt  (small amount or leftover from other projects)
• pretty fabric (great way to use up some leftover pieces)
• ribbons, buttons, flowers and in other embellishments
• glue gun
• glue sticks
• scissors

1.  Get your glue gun heating up.  While you wait empty the wipe case of the wipes.  You will want to open up the case to work with it easier.

2.  Cut two pieces of batting or felt to about 9 by 5 (check that these are the dimensions of your case).  It doesn't have to be perfectly cut as long as it covers the top of the case.

3.  Glue down the batting to the case with your glue gun.  Squiggles, lines, doesn't matter how you get it to stick.  Do this for the top and bottom.  Trim any excess it makes it hard for the fabric to adhere to the case otherwise.  You just want the exterior to have an added softness.

4.  Cut two pieces of fabric to approximately 9 by 5.  Once again check to make sure your case has the same dimensions as mine.  Perfection isn't needed again as we will trim and cover with ribbon.

5.  Position the fabric on one side of your box.  Make sure that it is centered to adequately cover all sides.  Glue the fabric to the batting.  Then apply a strip of glue directly to the edge of the wipe case (every 3 to 4 inches) and press down the fabric.  Trim any excess that goes over the closing of the case.  Repeat this process all the way around on both top and bottom.  Here is what your case will look like afterward.

6.  Now it's time to add some pretty to your case.  You can get as creative as you like here with embellishments.  I used a 1 inch ribbon on top.  Measure out your ribbon to fit the case from side to side. Center it on the case and glue from the middle out.  Glue on the edges as well.

7.  I bought a matching ribbon that was 3/8 of an inch (I think) and glued it to the edge of the top and bottom to cover up my fabric edges.  Start this at the back of your case and work around.  Either fold under your finished ribbon at the seam or use a lighter to seal the edges of the ribbon and glue down.

I didn't have buttons or a flower to add, but I liked just the touch of ribbon.  Here is how your case should look when you are finished.

There you have it.  A simple gift that makes changing a diaper a bit more enjoyable.  I made three for friends and since I was making them, I needed one for myself as well.

I hope you find this tutorial helpful.  I would love to hear what embellishments you would add to your cases and see your pictures!

Easy Enchiladas

My friend, Cindy, makes wonderful enchiladas.  She shared her easy recipe with me.  This would be a great meal to take to a friend!

Ingredients:
1 1b. lean ground beef
1 package of taco seasoning
1 large can of enchilada sauce
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
corn tortillas
sour cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet.  Drain any remaining fat off the beef.  Add the taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup of water. Mix in about 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.

Spray a 9x13" pan with non stick cooking spray.

Pour 1/3 of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Fill a tortilla shell with the meat mixture.  Fold the edges of the shell in and place it, edges down, in the pan.  Repeat until all of the meat mixture is gone.  Pour the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas.  Top with the remaining shredded cheese.  Bake on 350 degrees for 30 mins. or until the top is melted and bubbly.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top.

Enjoy!

Oriental Chicken Salad

I have a new salad to share with you that is perfect for summer.  A lady from church passed this along to me and it is a favorite of our family now.  What is nice is you can dress this up if you want all the ingredients or just use what you have on hand for a delicious salad either way!

When I make this salad, I typically don't have the sesame seed, almonds or even green onions on hand.  It doesn't matter though.  It still tastes great with the remaining ingredients!

Pam's Oriental Chicken Salad

1/4 cup sesame seed, toasted
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 large head of lettuce (or chopped romaine-what I use), cut into bite size pieces
4 to 5 green onions sliced
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (I usually grill it on the George Foreman and then slice it)
2 packages of fried noodles from a Chinese Restaurant (usually less than a buck each) OR fry wonton noodles that you have cut into fourths.

Dressing:

6 TBSP sugar

2 TBSP soy sauce

6 tsp.  red or white wine vinegar

½ c. vegetable or canola oil

¼ tsp. pepper

Sprinkle of ginger

Cook chicken and slice into bite size pieces.  In a large bowl, combine toasted almonds, sesame seeds, green onions and lettuce.  Combine all ingredients of dressing and stir (or shake in a container) well.  Add chicken, fried noodles, and dressing to salad right before serving (warm chicken will wilt the lettuce and you don't want the noodles to get soggy).  

Enjoy this fresh and light salad!

A Great Thing-Little Me Tea-A Giveaway with 6 winners!

Little Me Tea is a GREAT THING!

It's a drink, for children, that's caffeine free, all organic, with no added sugar. I know we're not used to buying "Tea" for our children; but, just look at the benefits and you may just change your ways.

Little Me Tea has two flavors of tea. Julia's Tropical Tea is a unique combination of organic, caffeine-free white and Rooibos teas  blended with hibiscus and chamomile, then sweetened with organic tropical fruit juices and vegetable juices. Zane's Grape Tea is unique combination of organic, caffeine-free white and Rooibos teas blended with hibiscus and chamomile, then kicked up with organic red grape juice and vegetable juices.

The chart above shows how Little Me Tea compares to other available children's drinks.  It's amazingly clear that this tea is a GREAT THING!

It's such a GREAT THING that not only will your child's health benefit from drinking Little Me Tea, your child will enjoy it. It's tasty!

Would you like to try it for your child or for yourself as so many adults have been reporting how much they like it and the benefits they're seeing from drinking it?  Little Me Tea is shipping 6 of our followers a winning prize pack. Each prize pack contains a carton of Julia's Tropical Tea and Zane's Grape Tea.  This one is easy to enter and you have great odds!

Here's what you need to do to enter.  Remember, leave a separate comment for each entry!

Comment 1: Are you an email subscriber to Our Seven Dwarfs? Leave a comment telling us you are or subscribe and leave us a comment telling us you are a new subscriber.
Comment 2: Do you follow Our Seven Dwarfs on blogger? (see sidebar under Follow us) Leave us a comment telling us you do or become a new follower and leave us a comment telling us you follow OSD now.
Comment 3: Do you like Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook? Leave us a comment and tell us you do or like us and tell us you did.
Comment 4: Visit Little Me Tea's website  and leave a comment about the benefits of tea.
Comment 5: Like Little Me Tea on facebook and leave a comment telling us you do.
Comment 6: Follow Little Me Tea on twitter (it's under Big Organic Life) and leave a comment telling us you do.
Comment 7: This is the bonus comment: look at the comparison chart above and leave us a comment telling us what impresses you the most about this chart.

You will have until Saturday, June 11th at 11:59 pm EST to enter. We will announce the winners, that's right 6 WINNERS on Sunday, June 12th.

Good Luck!

Triple Stitch Crocheted Baby Blanket

I love making baby blankets for friends and family who are expecting.  The process can sometimes be a love-hate relationship.  I love making blankets, but hate how long it takes to complete just one.  As you know, I have issues focusing.  If I focused for a few nights, it wouldn't take me near as long.

I've gotten away from my old tried and true pattern and have started experimenting with new ones.  This pattern was from Kristi of RAKJ Patternss and is called the Triple Stitch Blanket.   Kristi has some great patterns and she is always offering specials on her facebook page.  Make sure to check it out.

I used Lion Brand Baby's First Yarn in Sea Sprite.  This is a very chunky and thick blanket.  It was very quick and easy to whip up.  Next time I think I will use a less bulky yarn (probably back to my favorite- I love this Yarn from Hobby Lobby) as this one took 5 skeins and it wasn't a inexpensive yarn either.  Other than the cost, this is a perfect baby blanket!  I hope my friend's little man will love it!

Decorated Clipboard Tutorial

If you saw the Monogrammed Totes I made for Ryan's teachers, then you got a sneak peak at the clipboards that I made for them as well.  Here are the clipboards:

These are super simple to create and personalized for anyone.

Supplies needed:

• A wooden clipboard (under a dollar at Walmart or a dollar at the Dollar Tree).
• Various scrapbook papers
• Scissors or a paper cutter
• Small amount of paint to match scrapbook papers (for edge of clipboard)
• Foam brush
• Mod Podge (matte or gloss, your preference)

1.  Pick out the papers that you would like to decorate your clipboard with.  I used three different ones.

2.  Measure the clipboard and cut your papers to fit how you would like them to appear on the clipboard.

3.  Paint the edges of the clipboard in a matching paint color.  Allow to dry fully before moving on.

4.  Apply Mod Podge to the clipboard.  Take your paper that goes closest to the clip and apply it to the board.  Scrape it down to get rid of any bubbles.  Apply remaining pieces to the board and allow to dry.

 5.  Apply vinyl name to front if you choose to.
6.  Finish the clipboard with a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the papers and vinyl.  Allow to completely dry.
7.  Repeat this process for the back as well.

Here are the two boards that I made for Ryan's teachers.  Learn from my mistake and allow the papers to dry before applying the top coat of Mod Podge.  That is why I had a few bubbles show up.

There are so many nice personalized gifts you can make with clipboards.  You could make your to-do lists look exceptionally pretty, or your weekly house schedule, shopping list or menu plan.

Happy Crafting!

Recycling At It's Best

I used to throw away the negative part of the vinyl.  Not anymore!  I've learned it makes a great stencil.  In my earlier "Peace, Love, and Happiness" post, I showed you how I cut vinyl to put on the poles.  Well, I saved the stencil part of the vinyl, added some symbols and voila... I made more signs using scrap 1x4 wood.  All these materials are left over from other projects.  With just a little time, I was able to create a great gift.