Highchair Re-do

Sometime ago I shared my adventure of re-doing an old highchair for Amar'e. Well, even though it turned out amazing....something went wrong in the painting department and the tray became very sticky along with the arms, and the top of the backrest.  Almost like the paint and primer never dried right, or the cleaning up after meals broke down the paint. Whatever the reason, I knew we had to re-do the chair for her and now for the next little one that is coming. I came across this blogger who wrote about painting and sealing a wooden highchair for her little one, and I couldn't wait to give it a try. Well, the result is awesome!  Andrew and I sanded and scraped off all of the sticky, tacky paint and it came off like gum stuck to the underside of a table.....yummy! Then, Andrew took the chair outside and gave it hell....which means he painted it. We ended up using 2 cans of the spray paint and a good amount of the sealer. Word of advice: buy an extra can of sealer so you can redo the sealing when needed. Anyway, here is the blog post that lead to the this wonder re-do of this great highchair:

Color: Seaside

Teaching Myself to Craft: Boho Bracelets

 I came across this bracelet craft on pinterest, and I loved it so much and had to try it. It looked so simple to do, and gathering the supplies was just as easy. I plan on making a bunch for friends and family, in different colors. Here is how I did it: 

Materials: 

• Synthetic suede (or any other material that you think would be suitable)
• String
• Chain
• Wooden beads 

 Supplies. The original suggestions called for a nut. I was making them using a nut at first, and I felt like it was too heavy, so I started using wood beads instead. Much lighter.

 Step one: Fold your backbone material in half and loop at the middle point. I used a synthetic suede. This will be your hook for your bead. 

 Step two: Tie your sting of choice on. I used only one knot to keep it on. Tuck the tail down for the next step.

Step three: Wrap string down bracelet over tucked in tail of string. Take care to keep the synthetic suede stacked. It makes the bracelet look neater. About 3/4 of an inch should do it.

 Step four: Place chain on top of the stacked synthetic suede and continue to wrap string around suede and chain. Wrap in between balls of the chain.

 Step five: Once the entire chain is wrapped, continue to wrap string around synthetic suede for about 3/4 of an inch.

 Step six: Tie a knot at the end of wrapping as close as you can possibly get it.

 Step seven: Slide on bead or nut or, whatever you may be using and tie another knot. Dont knot trim your excess synthetic suede until you have tried it on for size.

 Perfect fit!

Maybe one day I can craft on a full time basis and sell my creations in an online shop. Throw some photography in there and we are happy!

Happy crafting my friends!

Teaching myself to craft: felt veggies

I love handmade items and have envied people who are talented enough to create such wonderful things for their children and family. One day I decided that Amar'e was in need of some homemade goodness, and thought that felt veggies would be fun for both of us. Fun for me to make, and fun for her to play with. I bought a pattern from Esty and got to work. When I was through I was so amazed and proud that I hand stitched her felt veggies. These veggies have come in handy while I am trying to make dinner and she wants to do what I'm doing. She makes great soup with them in which she sips on and says "mmmmmmmm". Such a cute thing to watch. I definitely want to encourage the kids to cook good food for themselves and their future families, so I guess this is start for her. As for Damien is he old enough to help with the food preparation, in which he does sometimes. I wish he would help more often, but I am working on that.

Teaching Myself to Craft: Highchair

I want to share something that I am extremely proud of. Something that took a lot of time and effort. Something for my daughter made by her mother. I have to admit it upfront though, I didn't come up with the idea, but when I saw it I knew I had to do it. I got the idea from my favorite blogger Drea of ohdeardrea. Awesome mama of super cute Marlowe. So I was cruising around in her blog one day and happen to go to her home tour tab where she had a picture of this awesome highchair and cushion. She mentioned that she made both of them. Right then and there something inside me clicked, and I knew I wanted had to make one for Amar'e. So I did. I went to the local thrift shop and searched and searched and finally found an awesome 25 year-old high chair for $5. Score!! (I actually found three and I picked the strongest one) I took it home and started to sand it down. Andrew and I sanded our little hearts out for about four days. We tighten up the dowels before moving on to the painting. The color was inspired from a toy Amar'e got for Easter. The real challenge was that I had never used a sewing machine before (expect for in home-ec), but I was determined to learn how, in order to make her a cushion. I got a machine and cruised the web for ideas of cushions patterns and found one that I liked. I also fell in love with the pattern fabric and I ordered it right away. The cushion material is extra special because it is laminated cotton. Super easy to keep clean because it is wipeable. Score!! So here is what the chair looked like before I started my project:

(I accidental deleted the real pictures I took of the chair before the start of the project. This one is from Google Images)

 Above is the finished highchair in need of a custom cushion to be complete.

 Custom cushion making.

Cushion complete!! I was so extremely happy about how this project turned out. I am so proud of myself. Of course I have to give some a lot of credit to Andrew for so much help with sanding, tightening, priming, and painting. Damien was also a HUGE help by keeping Amar'e busy during painting sessions.  

 Amar'e enjoying her new highchair

 Little copycat!

 This is the toy that inspired the color for the chair.

 With the extra material that was left over from the cushion I plan on making a bib for Amar'e.