Reversible Cape Tutorial for Capes for Kids

Since I posted the capes I made for Milo's preschool earlier this year, I've had a few people ask me for a tutorial. I never made one because I thought the blogosphere was a bit oversaturated with cape tutorials. But folks continue to ask, and so the masses must be appeased! And what better reason than to make a cape for Capes for Kids? If you recall from my previous post, Capes for Kids had a goal of giving 2300 handmade capes to the kids of Newtown. Well, they were contacted by a Newtown board member asking for 900 more capes to include all of the 5th and 6th grader in town for a total of 3200 capes. As of this morning, they were still 700 capes shy of that goal. If you'd like to donate a cape, you'll need to get sewing right away! They would like to deliver by the end of next week.

Mail completed capes to:
Camie Mollica
31 Cedar Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Reversible Cape Tutorial

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Crafting for Sandy Hook

Like many of you, the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary has left me tearful, heartbroken and uncertain of how to help. How do I reach out? Giving money to a charity doesn't feel like I am doing enough.

And then this morning someone reached out to me about a project called Capes for Kids. She wanted to use a picture I took of capes for Milo's preschool in a flyer for their cause.

And it finally dawned on me: I can help by helping you help. I have a platform here that reaches thousands of crafty, talented folks who would love nothing more than to give something from their hearts, made by their hands to the kids and families of Newtown.

Below I've compiled a list of handmade projects benefiting the families of Sandy Hook Elementary and the Newtown community. If you know of a project, please add a link in the comments and I will add it to the list. 

Capes for Kids

Capes for Kids is accepting donations of handmade capes for the survivors and the children in the Newtown community. If you don't sew, monetary donations are also being accepted to help purchase capes. Visit the Capes for Kids Facebook Page for updates and more info.

Beanies for Brave Students

Snappy Tots is accepting donations of hand-knitted beanies in the Sandy Hook school colors. If you don't knit, you can "adopt a box" for $15 to help ship the handmade beanies. Please visit the blog for more info. 

Binky Patrol

Binky Patrol distributes handmade blankets for kids in need of comfort. They are collecting donations for Newtown kids. Visit their page on Volunteer Match for more info.

Pillowcases for Sandy Hook

Quilter's Corner in New Millford, CT is collecting handmade pillowcases. Visit the Quilter's Corner website for more info.

Animals for Newtown

FreshStitches is teaming up the Happily Hooked on Crochet Club of Danbury, CT to donate handmade stuffed animals to the kids of Newtown. Toys may be knit, crochet or sewn. Visit FreshStitches and/or Happily Hooked on Crochet Club for more info.

Cards of Love and Encouragement

Cards of Love & Encouragement will be sending cards to the teachers and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary. They don't have to be handmade, but it is encouraged. This would be a great one to do if you have kids who would like to reach out to the kids of Sandy Hook. Visit Me & My Silly Family for more info.

Drawn Together

Amber of Damask Love is collecting art supplies to be used in creative kits for the Newtown Youth & Family Services Center. The center provides counselling and support to children and their families. Visit Damask Love for more info.

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

image via Instructables: How to make a 3d snowflake

This is another fun, easy project you can do with your kids. The Connecticut PTSA is requesting handmade paper snowflakes to make a winter wonderland for Sandy Hook. Visit the Connecticut PTSA website for more info.

Other sites to check out:

Crafting for Cause

If you're unable to make a handmade contribution, there are a number of handmade shops donating a portion of profits to charities for Newtown. Visit Crafting for Cause for a list or to add your own links.

Cookies and Crafts for Sandy Hook

On Friday, December 21st, Crazy for Crust is hosting a blog hop and asking bloggers to share a craft or recipe and a tribute to Sandy Hook. They have also compiled a list of  shops and businesses supporting Sandy Hook. Visit Crazy for Crust for more info.

I hope you can find something on this list that you can contribute to. And, please, if you know of any other handmade projects benefiting Sandy Hook Elementary and Newtown, share the link in the comments below. 

Easy Washi Tape Gift Wrap

I recently ordered a bunch of washi tape from The Sewing Post on Etsy and I've been having lots of fun with it. I never bought it before because whole rolls are kind of pricey, and I wanted tons of different colors and couldn't decide what to get. But this shop lets you buy smaller, sample spools and so I picked up 15 assorted rolls of 1 yard each for about $15. And there's, like 220-something choices of colors and patterns. (By the way, this isn't a sponsored post. I didn't receive any money or free product. I just thought it was a good deal and the shipping was quick and everything, so I wanted to share a great Etsy find!)
So, anyway, our little nephew just had his first birthday party and I this is how I wrapped his gift. The washi tape adds such fun, bright pops of color to plain brown kraft wrapping paper. The bunting detail was super easy, too, made with a Sharpie and triangles of washi tape.

December?!

It's December! Say whaaaaat? I have been going, going, going for weeks. My Etsy shop took a crazy turn when someone posted one of my INdiscreet tampon + pad cozies on Wanelo. The thing started trending like mad, and has been sitting pretty in the top 100 of their "Most Popular" products on that site. Which is awesome, but I was totally unprepared for it and have been scrambling to keep product stocked, get orders out, reply to all the daily convos, etc.
I'm now at the point where I have to figure out how to move this from an extra pocket money, little "thing" I do now and again, to a real business. And, frankly, decide if that is even what I want! I've never had much patience for production work, and making the same thing over and over and over is difficult for me. It doesn't hold my attention as I want to follow my creative impulses and move on to new projects. I should say that I am so, so flattered that there are people who love my designs so much that are willing to fork over their cash in exchange for these things I make! But I need to figure out a business plans that allows me to continue producing my bags without spreading myself so thin that I lose out on creating and designing, which is where my real passion lies. I'm sure some of you have ventured down this road before me, and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Anyway! Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! I have managed to squeeze in a couple of handmade projects that are not for the shop, but they are for Christmas gifts, and, alas! I can't show them here until after December 26th!

I have one more upload going up for Etsy this week (I hope) and then I'm shutting it down until the New Year. Then I have some exciting projects in the works and I hope to share them with you all soon!