Felt Mailbox and Letters

I made this felt mailbox set this past weekend for my middle son for Christmas. I used the mailbox tutorial I found at Giver's Log. I did not have to go out and buy any materials for this project, so I was able to frugally make this set. I even had the purse magnet set already which is used to allow the flag to be able to go up and down. I have seen similar sets online for around $50. I feel like the savings was worth any time spent on this project.

(In case you were wondering, I do realize I addressed one of the envelopes to my son from himself. Good thing the names are interchangeable.)



I used felt for all of the pieces instead of a woven fabric for the outside. I had plenty of felt on hand and thought it might be easier. I am pleased with how it turned out. I hot glued the magnets to the top of the mailbox and the flap, but would use Velcro if I made one of these again. When I tried to sew magnets inside as per the tutorial the felt was too thick for them to connect.



I used the tutorial from Lu Bird Baby for the letters, but didn't totally do it the same. I decided to use craft foam to make letters. I like that the stamps and "address labels" can be interchanged.

If the reaction James had when seeing what I made for his brother is any indication of how Joshua will like this gift then I think it will be a hit. James asked if he would be allowed to play with it too, and I told him I am sure it will be more fun when used by more than one person. :-) Now, I just need to find something equally cool to make for James who is seven years old. Let me know if you have any suggestions or links to some good tutorials?

Felt Mailbox and Letters

Homemade Christmas 2009

I will be posting more and more homemade Christmas gifts as the time draws closer to Christmas. I thought I would post what I have made so far, and then update this list weekly. I guess I have accomplished more than I thought I had. There are still many projects waiting in the wings. Some cut out and ready to sew, and some are still just ideas in my head. If you want to know details about the projects then just click on the name of the item right above the picture.

Crocheted Afghan

Brain Dead Afghan

Mini I-Spy Quilt

Another Mini I-Spy Quilt

Patriotic Pillow

Canning Jar Pin Cushion

Crocheted Hat and Scarf

Fleece Skirts

Fleece Pillow

Blue Crocheted Hat and Scarf Set

Toddler Backpack

Felt Mailbox

Crayon Rolls

Reading Pillow

Fleece Pants

Farm Playmat with Crocheted Animals

Crocheted Hats

Rag Wreaths

Felt Lego Case

Felt Sword and Shield

Name Pictures

Footprint Art

Wood Ornaments

Rice Heat Therapy Bags

Homemade Christmas 2009

More Leaf Fun

Today is a rainy day and we have spent all day inside. However, a week ago I shared pictures of my two youngest children playing in the leaves on a beautiful day. (See post here.) The next day my two oldest children got to join in the fun.



I was so happy watching the four of them play without a care in the world. My oldest son had been sick again and it was wonderful to have him almost back to normal.



He has been sick three times since late August. I am praying that his immune system will start getting stronger because I always want him to smile and have fun with life.



My daughter has always loved playing in the leaves and that day was no exception. (She can light up a room when she smiles.)

So, on this rainy and dreary day I am thankful to have a wonderful family with whom I can share both rainy and sunny times and all days in between.

Visit Heavenly Homemakers to see more Gratituesday posts.

More Leaf Fun

Toddler Backpack and Pants for Me

I am so happy with the way this toddler backpack turned out. It is going to be a Christmas present for my littlest guy. I used a cotton woven fabric for the outside. I followed the tutorial from Blueprints. The tutorial is really easy to understand and the backpack went together quickly. There is no zipper, just a little Velcro to keep the flap shut.

Front View


Back View


While I was sewing I decided to make myself some fleece pants and I must say that I could wear fleece pants all the time. I love them and used my fleece waistband tutorial with success. I now understand why my kids love it when I make them fleece pants. Now when is fleece going on sale at Joann's again?...

Toddler Backpack and Pants for Me

Fleece Waistband Tutorial

I promised a tutorial for how I make fleece waistbands, so here it is. I would love to know what you think. I can always make changes if it doesn't make sense. I am just tired of looking at it. :-) I hope it helps someone.

Fleece Waistband Tutorial

Fleece Waistband Tutorial

Swagbucks

I recently jumped on the Swagbucks bandwagon. If you have never heard of Swagbucks then click on the picture below to find out more and sign up. Basically, if you do searches online you can win Swagbucks. You can then buy items from their store with them, or trade them in for gift cards.



I was skeptical at first, but just this week I cashed in 45 Swagbucks and got a $5 Amazon gift card code. I was able to use it to purchase two birthday presents for my son. Combined with Amazon's free shipping I felt like I got a great deal.

Swagbucks works for me and I recommend doing searches through them. Check out what other bloggers say works for them at We Are THAT Family.

Swagbucks

A Beautiful Fall Day

I have not posted a Gratituesday post in several weeks. It isn't that I don't have things to be grateful for because I have many things for which I am thankful. Yet, it just seemed like I was being redundant, and life was getting so busy. However, I never want to cease praising God for His bountiful blessings. So, today I want to share some pictures from the fun we had this afternoon on this gorgeous fall day.


Earlier this afternoon I took my two little boys (and the two girls I babysit for on Tuesdays and Thursdays) outside to play. My husband had made a huge pile of leaves for the kids and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.


Joshua, my 4 1/2 year old, enjoying the sunshine and leaves.


Joseph, my 1 1/2 year old, having fun in the leaves. On a side note, my daughter is upset that this little guy is going to have his first haircut on Friday. I am sure he won't look like a baby anymore. :-(


A bean field across the road ready for harvest.


The corn in the field next to our house is nearly ready for my uncle to harvest.


Our maple tree that produced all of the leaves for kids.


Some acorns hanging on our oak tree.

I enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine, and the opportunity to take some pictures of God's wonderful creations. Head over to Heavenly Homemakers to check out more Gratituesday posts.

A Beautiful Fall Day

Weekend Sewing

I was able to squeeze in some sewing time this weekend and made two pairs of pants for my daughter. She was so excited which always makes my efforts worthwhile. They are nothing fancy, and were made with the same patterns as in this post.



First, I made some light purple fleece pants from a remnant I purchased at Joann's for $3.57 for a 1.194 yard piece of fabric. The regular price would have been $10.73. I was thrilled and my daughter loves how comfortable and warm her new pants are. The best thing is that they are a custom fit for her. Many times I have had to alter store bought pants for her because her waist is so small.



Then I made a pair of brown fleece leggings with a fleece waistband. I know they are two different shades of brown, but no one should ever see her waistband since she will be wearing the leggings under skirts. :-) Plus, the fleece is leftover from all of the projects I have been sewing lately.

I will hopefully be posting a tutorial soon about how I make fleece waistbands. A reader asked me a question about how I make them and I thought a tutorial would be the best way to explain.

Weekend Sewing

Pillow and Crocheted Hat and Scarf

I decided to use more of the leftover fleece from these previous posts to make a pillow for my daughter's bed. It is fairly large and was truly one of those projects where I was totally winging it. I machine appliqued her initial to the fabric before sewing everything together. The pillow is made of one large rectangle and two circles and filled with stuffing. I hope she likes it.



I also finished a scarf and hat set that I crocheted for my oldest son. It is a basic hat stitched in the round and a simple scarf like I made for my daughter. I am not sure how I feel about the horseshoe on the scarf. My son loves the Colts and I was trying to figure out how to add one to the scarf. I basically made a short chain and then hand stitched it to the scarf. My husband said it needed to be less wide. I asked my daughter what it looked like and she said it looked like a Colts scarf. So, I went with her opinion and called it done. :-)

I am on a roll with my Christmas sewing. I am hopeful to start sewing and crocheting some toys soon. I have found some really good tutorials that I am itching to try out.

Pillow and Crocheted Hat and Scarf

Fleece Skirts

I didn't really mean to take a week away from blogging here, but that is what happened. I have been posting regularly on my other blog if you want to see some of the preschool activities we have been doing at Pocketful of Posies.



Last week I posted about a few things I stitched up for my daughter. I had been wondering what to do with some of the leftover fleece, and decided to make her two skirts.

I didn't use a pattern, and they are very simple. I made fleece waistbands because my daughter likes them and they require no elastic.

There is still some fabric left, so I may make her some throw pillows. I am trying to stretch my $15 as far as I can. So far, I have made 2 skirts, a pair of pants and a shirt. Not too shabby in my opinion. :-)

Fleece Skirts