All Saints Day Sale!

In celebration of All Saints Day this week,

 

 

I'm offering 15% off all of my Felt Saint Dolls

in my Etsy shop now through Friday, November 2nd!

 

Woot Woot!

(fist pump)

 

Just click on the "Only For Likers" tab on my facebook page to get the coupon code!

 

Please note, that you must put in the coupon code upon check out on Etsy to redeem the discount.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These dolls are made to order,

so now is the time to buy if you're thinking of purchasing one for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't see the saint you're looking for?

 

Etsy convo or email me for information about purchasing a custom saint doll.

handmadebymegk@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Happy All Saints Day!

Ben's 'Tow Mater' Costume

So if you 'like' me on Facebook

or 'follow' me on Instragram,

you've seen my previews of Ben's Halloween costume as it's come together.

 

But here's the grand(e) finale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He's the cutest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It all started when I went to Costco and the cashier helpfully placed all of my groceries in these two boxes, and as he was doing so (I was helping, I promise), I got a twinkle in my eye.

These boxes look like Mater!

yes. that's how my twisted brain works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some hot glue, paint, and random items of reuse later...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mater.

 

It was really perfect, although I wouldn't go so far as to say ordained,

especially since I got a disapproving "Meg---unnnnn." from my mother after I responded with an "I'm not sure" to her question of what Ben would be for Halloween.

 

 

 

He's a 1.5 yr old,

so he's not going trick or treating and he can't eat most candy,

so I really thought this would be a safe bet since I just needed a couple pics

and I can reuse it for his birthday which is looking more and more 'Cars' themed (surprise!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used paper plates for the wheels and the exposed motor.

I should note that Ben is SUPER disappointed that the wheels don't function (Mom fail, I guess).

 

 

toilet paper and paper towel rolls made for a perfect rear bumper and rounded headlights.

 

Some string for the chains.

 

And some plastic caps for the lights.

 

His arms fit through the windows and the box actually already had little holes for him to hold on to.

 

 

 

Yay!

Halloween quota complete,

and I'm not even doing it the day of Halloween!!!

Winning.

 

 

 

 

And then he was done.

Ha.

 

 

Any great costumes out there?



Monster Birthday Invites

I got this in the mail yesterday.

I just had to share.

My gifted mother has struck once again.

She made these adorable tri-fold invitations for my even more adorable nephew, Matthew's, monster birthday party.

He's a Halloween baby,
so I guess it's some kind of poetic justice that he wanted his birthday to be monster-themed.

 

 

So cute right?

I love my family.
Happy early birthday, Matthew!

Washcloth Bunny Tutorial- Stocking Stuffers for Around a Dollar

Preface:

Don't leave me any nasty comments about how I'm 'celebrating' Christmas in October.

I need the jumpstart.

I wanted to get something together for a little stocking stuffer for my nieces and nephews.

And I needed it to be simple.

And I needed it to be cheap inexpensive.

And I needed something that would be good for children of all ages...

So here's what I decided:

Boo Boo Bunnies 

Everyone had one of these guys as a kid, am I right?

And probably all of you know how to make them (but there's a step-by-step if you scroll down nonetheless).

Here's what's great about them:

They are great for all phases of life.

Afterall, as my college-aged cousin just proved, you're never too old to run into a wall playing kickball.

(or something like that)

For babes: Dip the ears in some water, stick in your freezer, and they can chew on it for a teething relief.

For toddlers: cold compress for when they fall over for the fifteen billionth time today.

For young/old kids (and adults): for bruises, scraps, etc etc etc.

Also they're cute.

So here's how I make mine.

Take a regular old square wash cloth and cut off any tags, stray threads, etc.

Then fold the top corner over just a bit.

Then roll it up from the bottom corner to the top.
Make sure it's as tight as you can get it.

Fold that in half.

Then fold your ear side over to the rounded side.
Position your ears how you would like them.

Tie them in place with some white yarn.
Make sure it's really tight.
You can also use a rubber band, but those cramble over time.

Optional: Embroider a little face on the guy.




















Cover your yarn with some pretty ribbon.
I used a lot of my scrap pieces.

For the tail, I use the 'fork pom pom technique'.
wrap white yarn around your fork.

Then tie around the middle and knot.
Cut the sides of the yarn and trip up the strands so they're somewhat even.

and attach to your bunnies 'backside'.

Look they're even mulitiplying like rabbits! har har har.

 

I apologize for the poor photo quality.

I just snapped some pics with my phone as I went.

 

Speaking of snapping pics with your phone:

Are you on Instagram?

We should be friends.

 

@handmadebymegk

DIY Crocheted Turkey Hat

It's October.

Which means it's almost November.

Which means that I've already started Christmas gifts... awhile ago actually.  

But before I start sharing all of that with you,

I thought I would share this crocheted turkey hat for Thanksgiving.

 

I got an order for a Thanksgiving baby hat, and I just had to make one of these guys.

You've probably seen them around, especially if you're a Pinterester.

 

Yarn:

Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Cocoa and Fisherman.

 

Hook:

Crochet Hook I/9- 5.50 mm

 

I used this pattern for the drumsticks.

 

Side note: she has some pretty cute patterns for crocheted toy food it you're a fan of that. I am personally more into felt food, but different strokes. :)

 

Your turkey leg should look a little something like this.

I did change the pattern just a hair, though.

At Row 14, I changed from my Cocoa yarn to the Fisherman.

Row 14: BPSC (back post single crochet) i,n every other SC around. *This will help separate your "meat" from your "bones".

Row 15: SC in each stitch around.

Row 16: 2 SC in each st around.

Row 17: decrease around in spirals until you have 1 stitch left. Bind off and hid your ends.

 

*don't forgot to stuff and shape as you go.

 

 

After I made two drumsticks, I made a simple baby hat, and then attached my turkey's drumsticks to the sides with a yarn needle.

 

Simple simple.

Happy Way Way Early Thanksgiving!

Outdoor Furniture Remodel

I'm back.

I know you were all waiting around to hear from me...

 

yeah anyway,
I've been at my in laws' house for the better part of the week,

and I was finally able to work on a project that I've been itching to do for awhile now...

bringing this outdoor glider back to life.

My mother in law inherited this beaut from her mother,
and it has been well-loved.
Too loved to get rid of.

In a phrase, it needed to be saved.

After looking it over a couple months ago, we quickly determined that the cushions were fine, and just needed to be reupholstered, and
the frame just needs some elbow grease and a fresh coat of paint.

Can I even tell you the best part???
Thanks to Joann's Columbus Day Sale, I was able to do this whole thing for less than $20.
Not even a joke (and Joann's didn't even endorse me for this).
I scored 6+ yards of print canvas (less than $2/yd!!!!),
a couple yards of striped canvas,
covered buttons,
and matching threads.
boom.

With the big cushions finished.

Sides.

Some accent pillows.

I added some zelcro straps to fasten these suckers down but keep them removable for crazy weather and such.

Maybe this is crazy, but I've never made covered buttons before. (???)
It's so easy! I was shocked.
It's the little things, am I right?











It's difficult to see them in the pics because of the print,

but I'm a big fan.










And done!



Oh yes! I can't believe I almost forgot this amazing feature: the back folds down to make a giant outdoor bed thing! what? yes.

All it needs now is a cup of tea.
 

Happy Feast Day, Saint Therese!

 

 

First off, a very happy day to everyone

and happy feast day to Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower!

 

 

 

Here's a 'real' picture of lady of the day

(obviously not a real photograph, although those do exist)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and here's my felt doll of Saint Therese.

She was one of the first dolls that I made.

 

I made her with a slight sense of urgency for a couple reasons:

I love her (and that would've been enough),

a lot of other people love her (I got a lot of requests),

and there are a TON of resources for children and adults on Saint Therese, so she is fairly familiar to people who may not have a strong devotion to one (or any) saint in particular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel very blessed that the response to the saint dolls has been so positive,

and I have been getting more and more requests for new saints everyday.

For that reason, I haven't had a heck of a lot of other things to share with you (but I'm NOT complaining!)

:)

 

So here are some of the saints that I've been able to complete since I first shared the Catholic Saint Dolls with you...

 

 

 

Saint Bernadette

praying her rosary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Joan of Arc

ready for battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Cecilia

patron saint of musicians

tuned up for her jam sesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love her flower head band.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the latest addition,

after a flood of requests from you people

 

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

another one of my faves.

 

I was unsure for awhile how to do his hair,

but ended up just using felt, and I'm pretty happy with the result.

 

However, I have to mention that the most difficult part of this one was getting just the right degree of receding hairline... is that inappropriate? probably. but it's true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anywayzz,

I love hearing from all of you

and I especially love that so many people are psyched about the saints.

 

I have gotten a SLEW of requests for Saint Gianna (no surprise there).

 

What other saints would y'all like to see?

I have a list going and would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Also, for all of you thinking about ordering for Christmas, I will have a cut off date which I'll be posting to my Etsy shop soon. Keep in mind that these are made to order after purchase, and are completed in order of purchase. :)