Thumbprint Critters

Thumbprint Critters - Too Cute for Baby and Toddler Keepsake Clothes!

I cannot believe how easy these were to make!  I saw a little boy at the park yesterday with this on and asked the mom where she bought it.  She told me how she made hers and I rushed home and broke out my fabric paints!  Unfortunately I had to wait for my baby to finish her nap before starting my new craft.

For the toddler t-shirt I dipped my babies thumb into yellow paint to make the baby ducks, then let it dry.  After it was dry I painted her thumb green and made the froggie.  Her part was DONE!

Next I drew in the legs and faces with a Sharpie - not recommended.  It blurred after the 1st washing.  Splurge on the fabric markers, its worth it.  I used fabric paint for everything else and it hasn't had a single issue.


I was having so much fun with this that I had to make my favorite flower handprints too!  She's always in a onsie so I grabbed one of her white onsies and began the thumb print process again.  Once the duckies and frog was dry I painted her hand red and made a print high enough to draw a stem on.  This fabric paint dries quickly so make it fast!

Both of these shirts are worn pretty regularly and I've had no fading and TONS of compliments!  These are definitely keepsakes.

Turn old jeans into a backpack just in time for the new school year!

If you have an old pair of jeans lying around, you can sew a unique backpack for yourself in just a matter of minutes.  Even for the homeschoolers, this is a great way to motivate your kids for the new school year! 

Things You'll Need:
Old pair of jeans
Scissors
Sewing machine
Thread
Straight pins
Old bandanna or necktie
Trimmings (optional)

Step 1
Cut a pair of jeans off 2 inches below the crotch. Measure so that the jeans are the same length on both sides.

Step 2
Measure two long strips from the legs of the jeans. They should be the width you want doubled, plus 1 inch for a seam allowance. Cut each piece. Fold each strip wrong side together. Sew in a ½-inch seam. Turn right-side out.

Step 3
Turn the jeans wrong-side out. Pin one end of the strap on each side of the jeans. Stitch across the bottom. Remember to back stitch. For reinforcement, stitch the seam again.

Step 4
Pull the backpack and straps right-side out. Use a straight pin to gently ease out the corners.

Step 5
Pin the loose end of each strap on the inside after pulling them over the top of the jeans. Fit the backpack on your shoulders. Adjust the length of the strap, if necessary. Sew it in place with two rows of stitching.

Step 6
Thread an old bandanna through the belt loops to make the drawstring closure. Or, if you have an old necktie and would prefer to use it, that works as well. Purchase cording too, if you prefer.

Step 7
Add patches to personalize your backpack. Or, you can embroider your name on it. Another option is sewing trimmings on it. Yet another idea is using fabric paints to decorate your backpack.