Lil Duckie Arts

The hardest thing I’ve ever sewn–Baby Chenille and Flannel Burp Cloths

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Shauna

If these aren’t the most challenging sewing project I’ve taken on, then they at least come pretty darn close! The crazy part? It’s a rectangle.. you sew straight lines.. really, there’s no skills required! So what the heck was my problem? I’m going to blame it on my chenille and flannel choices not being compatible.. or maybe it’s my sewing machine. Totally not my ineptness!

I fell in love with this fabric at Fabric.com. I couldn’t pass it up, especially with a few baby boys on the way for some family and friends. And then I chanced on a post about chenille/cotton print burp cloths over at How Does She. I figured that my flannel would pair beautifully with some fluffy white chenille, with the added benefit that flannel will soak up messy baby spills a bit better.

I made 2 different sizes. The greeney-turquoise ones are 7” x 13” when finished, and the yellow ones are 8” x 15” when finished. I think I prefer the larger size, as it sits over the shoulder a bit better.

When I started sewing with the chenille, it just would not stay where I put it against the flannel, no matter how many pins I used, how much I held onto it while sewing, or even if I used a walking foot on my machine. I didn’t give up though, as that chenille is just too soft, fluffy, and cute to pass up. I couldn’t skip it and go back to just plain flannel on both sides! I persevered, and ended up with some slightly wonky finished products, but I’m certain the cuteness factor makes up for it…. right?

Happy baby to you, friends!

Posted in baby, sewing | Tagged baby, burp cloths, chenille, flannel, sewing | Comments Off

Retro doily birthday card

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Shauna

Hiya,

Are you feeling like you’ve taken a bit of a trip back to the 70’s while looking at this card? Me neither…. Um yes, the colours are a bit 70’s or 80’s-esque. Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, and Calypso Coral are all quite bright and give that shocking contrast.

I’ve used the gorgeous new Paper Doily Sizzlits Die here, from the Occasions Mini Catalogue. I just love how it turns out, even though I had to use my paper piercing tool to punch out all the little bits. I added that 2” circle in the middle to give the cupcake a more solid/bold background to sit on, which made it really pop.

I made this card for a super awesome special friend of mine because when I thought of using retro colours, she jumped to mind – maybe because we did an 80’s theme wedding shower for her. Bonus – she’s got a February birthday! Happy Birthday, Sara!

Materials Used:
Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, and Calypso Coral Cardstocks and Inks.
Rich Razzleberry button, and Lucky Limeade Baker’s Twine
Create a Cupcake and Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess) stamp sets
Cupcake builder punch, Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die, Circles #2 die, and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Posted in birthday | Tagged birthday, card, cupcake, retro | Comments Off

iPhone Cover Sewing Project

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Shauna

Heyya!

I got all busy with my sewing machine – can you tell? We almost get along even. Except that I sort of broke her. In making this project I broke a needle, which seemed to also throw the machine out of whack. Now the bobbin casing makes a lovely grinding noise each time it moves.. which is with every single needle movement. Fun! Oh, and it does this even when I use my other bobbin casing, so it’s some problem with the housing or something. Yeah I know, I should take it in for some fixin’ up.

I persevered and finished this project despite the awful grinding noises – my machine’s only sign of protest.

These are great! You can clip them to the inside of your purse so you always know where your phone is.. or even to a ring on the outside if you need it to be extra super handy. I got the tutorial over at Erin Erickson’s Blog. It’s pretty simple to follow. One change I made was to use some fleece for the padding, since I didn’t have any batting.

I think these would be super handy if you used a little carabiner clip instead of a key ring. Clip on, clip off..

Posted in sewing | Tagged case, gift, iPhone cover, sewing | 2 Comments

Rue Des Fleurs Vintage Birthday Card

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Shauna

Hello there,

I had a lot of fun with today’s card. It’s all kinds of girly in a style that’s making me so happy right now. This was my favourite card in a recent Vintage Cards Class. The umbrella stamp and the DSP are both from the current Occasions Mini Catalogue (available until the end of April). Did I mention that I’m in love with so many products from this catalogue? You could almost replace a husband with that stuff.

The colours I’ve used are Pool Party, Whisper White, Soft Suede, and Ridinghood Red. Such a simple and effective combination!

I used my markers to colour in the parts of the umbrella that I wanted, then cut it out, added some glitter and a pearl and called it a day.

That birthday stamp is from the Create a Cupcake set. The white circle’s from Circles #2 die. I’ve also used the Modern Label Punch, and a doily Die-namics die from My Favorite Things.

Posted in birthday | Tagged birthday, card, Rue Des Fleurs, vintage | Comments Off

Butterfly Matchbox

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Shauna

Heyya!

It’s a crafty project! And useful, to boot! You could put little candies in this matchbox and give to a friend – or eat and refill. Me? The candies didn’t make it that far. I’m using this to house my various paper clips and other such paper attachment type thingamos. It looks pretty cute sitting there being useful on my desk.

It’s very easy to make, and I’m really quite fond of the little ribbon pull. So much easier to open that way. I’ve used the awesome Everyday Enchantment DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalogue. It’s my very favourite item in there, and that’s saying a lot since it has to compete with some pretty darn awesome stamp sets!

You cut out the matchbox using the Bigz XL die, assemble, then punch a hole in one end of the “drawer” part. Tie a piece of folded over ribbon in a knot and slip one end through. You could use adhesive to stop it from moving around at all, but I didn’t bother. Add some super cute Beautiful Wings butterflies, and you’re set!

Colours used: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, and Pool Party. I’ve also used the Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, and a piece of Linen Thread.

Posted in craft, friendship | Tagged box, butterfly, craft, gift, matchbox | Comments Off

See-your-baby Style Nursing Cover Tutorial

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Shauna

Hiya,

Well, first of all.. I have a baby, ya’ll! She’s a precious little love bug. Little miss Lila came into our lives on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 8:50am, weighing 8lbs, 1oz. Sleep’s still an issue for me, and this is the first time I’ve gotten onto my computer in 12 days.. but I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

Now, back to the project! I wanted to make another nursing cover, so this time I thought I’d take on the challenge of making one with a second piece of boning lower down, so that the fabric doesn’t cover baby’s face. It turned out really well!

I got the original tutorial over at Freshly Picked, then modified it a bit to suit my needs, and the added piece of boning. You should be able to click on any of my photos to get a larger version and see more details.

Materials:
(2) 1” D-Rings (they sell them in packages of 2. If you can only find 3/4” D-Rings, those will work too)
1/4” Boning (16” and 22”)
2.25” x 28” piece of fabric (your long strap)
2.25” x 10” piece of fabric (your short strap where the D-Ring will attach)
28” x 38” piece of fabric (the body of the nursing cover)

Here we go, Follow my tutorial below!

Continue reading →

Posted in baby, sewing, tutorial | Tagged baby, nursing cover, sewing, tutorial | 2 Comments

Valentines Heart Box

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Shauna

Need a little gift box for someone special? Give this one a try. It wasn’t exactly a 5-minute project, but it was fun to have the box come to life and get to decorate it and make it all pretty. Yep, I like butterflies.

You can fill this up with chocolate, especially some hand made dark chocolate mint truffles.. or any little gift that would fit in there. Even a gift certificate would find this to be a good home.

So how’d I make this? The top and bottom are layers of the new Scalloped Heart Framelit die. On the inside bottom I used the next size down.

For the sides/wall of the box, I cut a few 2” strips of DSP and glued them together so I’d have about 18” total. It’s best if you use a string to measure your size ahead of time, and add an inch.

Score lengthwise at 3/8”, fold inwards, add a long strip of sticky tape, then cut little hashes all along that little folded/scored edge, perpendicular to it. Peel off the tape backing and carefully glue this down to your heart base. Since I had a smaller heart already glued down, I just followed along its edge. When you’re done, add a second smaller heart to cover up all those little folded pieces.

It doesn’t open like the usual chocolate heart box you’d get at the store. I made some little hinges out of ribbon, and then covered them up with the ruffled ribbon you can see around the edges. They still show on the inside.

Embellish! Add fun things!

Materials:
Poppy Parade and Pool Party Cardstock. Everyday Enchantment DSP (Sale-a-bration)
Big Shot with Framelits Hearts collection Dies, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die
Ribbon (disc), Linen Thread, and Basic Pearls.

Posted in craft, love, Valentines | Tagged box, butterflies, craft, heart, love, Valentines | Comments Off

Clean and Simple Valentine

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Shauna

Did I mention I’m loving this whole spring in February thing that we’re getting right now? Love. Love love love. Yes, sunshine, you can stay for a while.. Please don’t leave me.. (aaaand it left me).

About the card… Another Valentine’s card – what, what?! Yep, and super clean and simple, to boot. You could make this in just a few minutes, thanks to some items in the new occasions mini catalogue. This time around I’m totally happy with how it turned out. So basic.. but I’m loving the textures.

If you don’t do the whole February 14th thing, you could easily save this card for some other random day. No one’s gonna judge. March 7th just for fun? Sounds good to me. Give it with a smile and a great big hug.

Materials:
Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler Cardstock, and Basic Black ink.
Linen Thread
Big Shot with Textured Impressions Adorning Accents folder, and Fashionable Hearts Embosslits die.

Posted in love, Valentines | Tagged card, Clean and Simple, love, Valentines | 2 Comments

Simple Valentine Heart Card

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Shauna

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? I sort of do, despite any commercialism type arguments that I always hear. I just like the build-up of hearts and pink and prettiness that goes along with it. And hey, I get to make cards with said hearts. You could argue that I should be showing my love for Mr. Duckie on other days – why do I need Valentines’s Day for that? I don’t.. but I like the excuse for an extra date (although we’ve been known to delay it by a day or two).

Anyways, I made a card. I can’t decide how I feel about this card yet. It might be a touch too simple for me. Apparently that’s possible.

Materials:
Whisper White, Basic Black, and Real Red Cardstock. Basic Black and Real Red Inks.
Stamps: Valentine Defined
Accessories: Mini Library Clip, Big Shot with Framelits hearts, and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.

Have a good one,

Posted in love, Valentines | Tagged Clean and Simple, heart, love, Valentines | Comments Off

A Gift for a Friend

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Shauna

Hellooooooo!

Recently my friends threw Nathan and I a baby shower – co-ed, which was great! I’m convinced the co-ed-ness makes it so much more fun and so much less stuffy. One friend in particular did most of the planning and organizing cuz she’s cool like that (and loves me – it’s mutual), so I decided to make her a little thank you gift.

I just wrapped it up in some kraft paper and decorated it up. I’ve used a Fancy Flourish Die-namics die from My Favorite Things, out of some Stampin Up! Designer Series Paper. 2 of the butterflies are from Martha Stewart punches, and the smallest one is from the Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Wings die. I just cut them out of a book of fairy tales and added some little purple gems.

Simple, but pretty.

Posted in craft | Tagged butterflies, craft, gift, wrapping | 1 Comment

A quilt 16 years in the making

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Shauna

Hi there,

Yep, this quilt took 16 years to make – I’m not even exaggerating. It might have been 16 1/2 years, even! When you look at it, it doesn’t look all old and dated, or maybe I have my rose-coloured-mommy-to-be glasses on?

It’s a quilt that has a bit of a back story. You would too after that long, although a lot of it is closet time (sad face). Back when my sister was born – we’re talking July 1995, my grandma made her one of these quilts, which requires a heck of a lot of hand stitching. Poor grandma’s thumbs. Anyways, she figured I might like one to make for a future baby or something, since I enjoyed the whole arts and crafts thing. I was only 12 at the time and got about half-way through the project one summer before it got pushed to the back burner (the top shelf of my closet).

I dug out the quilt a few months back and decided it was time to finish up the project. Many hours of hand stitching later (my poor thumbs this time!), and it’s finished! It’s had a good bath too.

Here it is.. Totally not quilted at all. I’d call this a cheater’s quilt, but I know how much work actually went into it. It’s all one piece of designer fabric, with a layer of batting. Grandma machine stitched along many of the vertical and horizontal lines. After that, we’ve hand stitched all around each of the teddy bears to give it that quilted look. Fun!

So it’s sort of 90’s-esque, but not overly so. It’ll probably serve as a great play mat before it’s ever used as a blanket.

Posted in baby, sewing | Tagged baby, blanket, quilt, sewing | Comments Off

3 Minutes to Decadence

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Shauna

Brownies don’t photograph very well, do they? Seriously, it doesn’t matter that this looks like a pile of ick. It’s just too good and too easy to make for me not to share the recipe. The real dangerous part? You microwave your very own portion.. and you can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time. Yeah, not good at all! At the end of the day, when I’m ready to crawl into bed, I often crave something sweet, and here it is.

The original is a mug brownie recipe from Julie Van Rosendaal, and oh my goodness did she ever do something right! You can change it up by adding a bit of peanut butter – cut out some of the oil, or chocolate chips.. ooooh, or caramel chips! They’re delicious in this. Top with some black cherry sorbet and you’re golden.

If you have 3 minutes to spare, you can enjoy this ooey gooey deliciousness. I found the portion was a bit large, but sometimes that’s totes not a problem, right? Don’t worry, you can make a half portion super easily!

How it works:

Mix up your dry ingredients really well. You can make a big batch then measure out your portion if you like. Add the oil and milk (or water, almond, soy milk, leftover coffee.. you’ve got a lot of options here!), and any add-ins.

Stir it up so everything’s moistened. Gross.

Microwave. 1 minute for the full portion, 45 seconds for a half.. but you should check on it since your microwave might be more or less powerful than mine.

Here I plopped it onto a plate. It wasn’t too happy at me for that.

Dress it up!

3-minute Mug Brownie
Adapted from The Family Kitchen

Single Portion:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 Tablespoons cocoa
pinch of salt
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil, or 1.5 Tbsp. oil and 2tsp peanut butter
2 Tablespoons milk or alternative (water, coffee, soy milk, almond milk, etc)
2 tsp. add-ins such as chocolate chips or caramel chips (optional)

Mix dry ingredients really well. You can mix a bunch of little packets in ziplock bags to use when you get a future craving – just shake them and squish them up until mixed well. Add them to a microwave-safe bowl.
Stir in oil and milk and add-ins until combined, then microwave for about a minute.

Half Portion:
Mix up any multiple of the dry ingredients and store in a container. When you’re ready to use it, measure out 5 tablespoons of your new brownie mix into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in 1 Tbsp. oil, and 1 Tbsp. Milk, and your add-ins. Microwave for about 45 seconds.

Enjoy!

Posted in Recipe | Tagged brownie, dessert, microwave, Recipe | 2 Comments

Rue Des Fleurs Vintage Thanks

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Shauna

Hello again,

Today I’ve been having lots of fun playing with some items I got in my Occasions Mini order. If you haven’t seen this catalogue yet, you really need to take a look. There was just so much that I didn’t want to live without ;-) The items there are available until the end of April.

In case you missed the little bit of cheekiness on this card, check out that image – it’s a boostier filled with flowers. Sort of goes along with the sentiment – “Thanks for the support.” har har.

The colours used here are Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Very Vanilly, and Daffodil Delight. Everything’s been sponged with Soft Suede to give it a nice aged look. Kind of like the old tea dying we used to do, right?

The stamps are from the new Rue Des Fleurs set, and the DSP is called Attic Boutique. I’ve used some of the brand new dies that I’m crazy excited about! There’s the ruffled scallop Adorning Accent Edgelit die, and then the Labels Collection Framelits dies. *swoon.* A piece of Victoria Crochet Trim finishes off the look.

Cheers,

Posted in thank you | Tagged card, thank you, vintage | Comments Off

Fresh Vintage Birthday Card

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Shauna

Heyyo!

Backache, please go away.. don’t come back another day.. You’d think I’d take the hint and not be on the computer quite so much, seeing as it contributes a bit to the backache.. but most things do.. like card making, and I’m not giving that up!

This one’s using some materials from the upcoming annual Sale-a-bration! That’s right, just a few days to go! For every $60 purchase, you can choose one of the free items from the sale-a-bration catalogue, and there are some gorgeous options! I’m a little bit in love, not gonna lie.

This card uses the Fresh Vintage Stamp set, paired with the most beautiful Designer Series Paper ever – Everyday Enchantment, and the Elementary Elegance stamp set. See what I did there? So many great free things you can get!

The colours here are Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Soft Suede, and Calypso Coral. That ribbon’s the beauuuutiful 3/8” Ruffled Ribbon. I’ve sponged all the edges with Soft Suede ink too.

Other items: Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2” circle punch, Backgrounds 1 – Texturz Plate, Circles #2 die, and the Big Shot.

Posted in birthday | Tagged birthday, card, vintage | Comments Off

Little girly baby dress

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Shauna

Man oh man, I need to work on getting better pictures. Someone give me some light to work with!

I had fun making this little baby dress. It looks big on the hanger here, but might fit a 3 month old cutie. It was pretty straightforward to put together, too. I made another (coming soon!)

You can find a pattern and tutorial over at Prudent Baby. Just pick out some fabric that you love, some lacy edging, and some single-fold bias tape.

Maybe soon I’ll have pictures of a real life baby in this dress :o

Posted in baby | Tagged baby, dress, sewing | Comments Off