Thursday, August 24, 2017

DIY Apron in minutes!

As we continue our "play kitchen" themed posts, I HAD to share this easy DIY with you.  I'll be honest, this was a gift from mamaw (my mom) but it's so easy that I can tell you how to do it in 3 simple steps.  Better yet?  It's totally customizable! Pick the color, pick the design, pick the name, pick the fabric print! The options are endless! Even better yet? It doesn't have to be just for play.  Let your kiddo(s) wear it while they help in the real kitchen or... make one for yourself!


DIY Apron in Minutes!



[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  Purchasing through these links does not cost you anything extra but it does pay me a small commission which helps me keep doing what I'm doing.  Thank you for supporting my blog!]



Step 1: Buy a blank apron.


I'm not sure exactly where she purchased this one but a quick amazon search will bring you to a wide variety of options. This one comes in several bright colors for under $5 a piece or you can snag this 12-pack of assorted colors for under $9.  (the assorted pack is more the style of our apron and I love it. I might have to buy this and make some more aprons for my daughter and their friends!)



Step 2: Add a name/design


Using your Silhouette (or pre-made heat transfer letters if you don't have a Silhouette) design your name and cut out from heat-transfer vinyl. You may also add a design under the name for a little extra something.  These can be purchased for personal use in the Silhouette Store, or create your own. [Don't forget to mirror your design when working with HTV before cutting or your letters will be backwards!]



Step 3: Make a pocket.


Using any spare fabric that you have (or go buy some new) make a basic square shape.  Fold under the edges and sew onto the front of your apron for a finished look.  My mom got this fabric because it matched well with the blue apron and it was 'cooking' themed but my son is OBSESSED with the avocado on it (he loves avocado and guacamole!) so good job mamaw!






That's it! Seriously.
It's crazy easy and super fast. I think I'm going to buy that 12-pack of different colored aprons and make several of these for my son's little friends. Russell wears his almost every time he plays in the play kitchen (which is about 467, 842 times a day) and loves it so much.  Well worth the few bucks and couple minutes I'm sure it took to make.  What would yours look like?






Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Felt Pasta DIY

If you follow me on facebook (if you don't, you should) you've seen me share numerous updates on the ah-mazing play kitchen that my husband built for our kids.  I can't wait to share the deets with you but blogging takes time and time is something I don't have a lot of these days.  Nonetheless, I wanted to get the ball rolling to sort of force myself to make time.  Because, y'all I really want to share my projects with you.



To get things moving along, I'm going to share a few posts of some smaller kitchen details.  Then I'll get myself all excited about it and stay up until 4 am some day and share the whole thing... because that's how I work.

Today's topic: Felt Pasta!

Seriously though.  It's insanely easy (and quick) to make and even more adorable.

[Ravioli]



Step 1: Buy felt.  I got mine at JoAnn fabrics on the bolt. I bought a TON of this fabric because I planned to make a variety of pasta noodles.  It was plenty because an entire batch of ravioli takes about 2 inches of on-the-bolt felt.  Really.  Also get some batting. I prefer the kind that is on a roll because it can easily be cut into a square shape but it doesn't really matter. Anything between 1/2-1 inch is perfect.

Step 2: Cut your felt into squares using straight scissors, making them slightly larger than you want your finished product to be. You will need two squares per ravioli.  I recommend cutting them with a straight edge first, then pinking shears later only because I like the front and back "zigzags" to line up perfectly and that's hard to do before you sew. Also cut small squares of batting for the center puffy part of the ravioli.

Step 3: Sew up three sides of the ravioli, leaving room on the edges to trim with the pinking shears. Stuff your batting square into the opening that you made and stitch the fourth side shut. Finish with the pinking shears to complete the "ravioli look"



Felt is the perfect material because you never have to turn your seams. Just stitch everything on top and the edges wont fray.  It's a beautiful thing.



[Spaghetti]



Step 1: Buy felt. I used the same felt for the spaghetti and ravioli.

Step 2: Cut the felt into strips making them as wide and long as you desire.




That's it.  Yea, this one is super easy. Because the spaghetti is so skinny, the felt can be torn if roughly pulled apart. Luckily, it holds up great to normal wear and since it's so easy to make it's really not a big deal. (we haven't replaced any of ours yet but do have a couple "stretched out" pieces)


Bonus Step: Marinara Sauce: I LOVE this sort of mixed red color felt.  This was also purchased at JoAnn fabrics but over in the craft section in a 8.5x11 size piece. Just cut a few pieces of this for the perfect "spaghetti sauce". The color is so dimensional it's just perfect for this!




If your kid loves Parmesan cheese as much as mine does, clean out a real container after you've emptied it and put it in the play kitchen. I didn't fill it with anything but he loves pretending to sprinkle cheese over the top! Boom- fun and free.





Felt is so easy to work with and it's so cute compared to some of those cheesy store bought play foods.  It looked so yummy, even his little sister wanted to try a bite!