My Super Heroes

Some days it is a tossup whether us parents or our children are the bigger fans of the super hero movies. But there is no doubt that our 3 year old is dead set on being a super hero now and when he grows up.

Captain America & Iron Man

He loves to wear his store bought costumes, but they just don't last. So I decided to create a T-shirt costume that they could wear most days, even in town. Here they are!

Iron Man

Red T-shirt, stitch on triangle or circle shaped chest reactor.

Store-bought mask and gloves.

(Crocheted gloves pattern @ Louie's Loops, or buy on Etsy)

Thor

Black T-shirt, stitch on circle breastplates and belt from pattern below

Attach red satin cape, rouching/gathering at shoulders.

Captain America

Blue T-shirt with star on chest, easy iron-on patches in stores

Shield (many easy to complicated ideas online) or buy one.

The IRON ONS

(print the Thor design in reverse)

The girls wanted in on the fun, so I used images I found on Google to make iron-on t-shirts for them. We had My Little Ponies as My Little Avengers, and Hello Kitty as Hello Avengers. You can find so many images mock-avenger teams, from Disney characters, Legos, and more. My son's favorite shirt was iron-ons of the Super Hero Squad characters, with their logo on the shirt pocket. Below is the Lego Avengers.

Follow my Pinterest board for more Super Hero Fun:

http://pinterest.com/modestmommies/super-hero-fun/

Prioritizing

Today's Tuesday Tip: Figuring Out What's Important.

I have a hard time prioritizing my day. I'm also a nitpicker when it comes to my to-do lists. Always have been the type to rewrite it if it looks too messy, or clear off the things I've done to not be overwhelmed by the look of a long list. While it's great to see my accomplishments crossed off, it helps me focus on what I still need to do. My husband will leave his up until it's all crossed off, he loves to see what he got done. (Unless I get crazy and write a new one for him too!)

Hanging them up side by side, it can get competitive to see who can cross off the most. Motivation!

So after many rough drafts, here are a few versions of my printable to-do list for you! Note the short/long term goals can be folded over or cut off so you can think about them, but put them away when you feel overwhelmed.

 

My Accomplishments of the Day

The Procrastinator's To Do List

The Husband's To Do List

(feel free to add your extras to this one :)

 

And the more simplified 2/sheet:

 

What Mommy Did Today!

Things I can help Dad with

 

You saw this on Modest Mommies!

HOW TO SEW A GIFT BAG

These are simple directions to sewing a gift bag which costs less than a craft store tote and more durable than a paper gift bag. Taking credit for this design myself. Please use freely for your crafty gatherings!

These bags were used as "diaper bag" gift bags at a Sibling Shower. A real hit with the kids.


1. Cut 12” Grosgrain Ribbon for Handle.



2. Cut fabric on fold 8” by 10” (opens to 8”x20”). Sew together two sides, leaving one 10 inch opening on top.




3. Sew two bottom corners by first folding into triangles with bottom seam in middle. Sew about 1.5” from tip. Cut off tip. This will create a flat, rectangular bottom of the bag.




4. Pin Ribbon Handle to center on each side of bag, into folded top seam (about ½ in - width of sewing machine foot).


5. Stitch seam down middle.


I chose to first cut all fabric and ribbon. Then sewed step #2 for all. Finally I completed each bag individually. It went rather quickly, sewing 22 bags in about 2 hours. No fussing with closures or liners.

I had a Crocheting Christmas

A sampling of my new hobby… the personal, hand-made gifts were a hit!




Granny Square hat with chained swag edge and contrasting flower. We were thrilled with this cheapo yarn (Red Heart Super Saver) that turned out this beautiful pattern of color!




Honey-Buns Girls Hat (my own creation)
I started with a chain of 20, ch1, turn, 20 sc, ch3, dc to end of row. Then I began a pattern of 3 dc in one, ch2, skip 2, 3 dc in one…. increasing each row. I then somehow went around the edge of the project with dc in every sc. Connected the top with 6 rows of dc's. Added the braided neck ties and pom poms at the top points. Maybe someday I'll count it out accurately for you all!


BOYS QUICK CAP (my own creation)
Cowl made into a hat with pompom top.
Ch 45. Taking care not to twist the ch; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around; join with sl st in first sc - 45 sts at the end of this rnd.
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), turn, dc in each sc around; join with sl st in top of turning ch.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each dc around; join with sl st in first sc.
Repeat Rnds 2 and 3 until piece measures about 4 rows of double crochets.
Next: Ch 1, turn, dc in every other sc; join with sl st. Ch 3, dc in every other sc. Finally stitch closed, leaving 4" tail of yarn.
FINISHING
Make a pom pom with a 4" yarn tail to tie to hat.
Take hat and pompom tail through top of hat to inside of hat. Tie tails together until secure. Clip off excess.
(Similar "Easy Beanie" pattern here.)




This is my 7 hour mistake turned favorite. It was my first project. It seems to be a Beret Cap with brim similar to the one in this tutorial. Lion Brand has a pattern for a newsboy cap that would look similar.



Beret hat I made with matching mittens. Rose ring on left glove.
Family of Mittens Pattern by Lion Brand Yarn




Double Crocheted Scarf with chained swag/lacy edges and contrasting flowers.


My favorite free crochet patterns website:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/

Crochet a Nativity

Free Nativity Dolls Pattern by Red Heart Yarn

Plushie Peeps

I found an online tutorial to make plush marshmallow peeps bunny, a perfect toddler gift for Easter. I wanted to share it with you, as it is simple and fun to sew!
The bunny is about the size of an adult hand when complete. I found that stuffing it firmly, it will have more wear and looks best.
 

Go to this website for a printable pattern and instructions:

http://dandelionsandlace.blogspot.com/2011/03/marshmallow-bunny-plushie.html


http://dandelionsandlace.blogspot.com/2011/04/marshmallow-chick-plushies.html