CoCo Levine Cupcake Queen Headband

Audrey Davidow, the author of CoCo Levine, Cupcake Queen: Fabulous Adventures in Cooking, Crafting and Friendship, is with us today to show all of you how to make a fabulous cupcake headband. CoCo Levine, Cupcake Queen tells the story of a little girl who lives in a world full of glimmer and shimmer. In just the same way, Audrey has put together a fun tutorial full of all the girly glitz you can find in her book.

Keep reading for the Cupcake Headband tutorial and for a peek at CoCo Levine, Cupcake Queen...
Read more »

Under-an-Hour Jersey Hat

A few weeks ago, I made an Under An Hour Silkscreened Scarf. While I was at it, I whipped up a little jersey hat. Clare loves that the silkscreened pattern makes her hat and scarf a matching set, but this is also a great t-shirt project. The best part is that you still have time to make a bunch of these for Christmas gifts!

So easy, check it out...
Read more »

Prudent Baby Gift Guide: Hostess Gifts and Gift Wrapping Ideas

Whether it's a Christmas party, brunch, lunch, linner (dinner and lunch) or dinner, chances are you have a hostess to say thank you to and what better way to do it than with a homemade gift. Now that you have a gift in mind you will need to wrap it. Maybe with a felt bow? Tissue Paper Flower? No need to fret all your hostess gift giving ideas can be found right here...

Simple Serger Napkins


Tea Cup Candles


Reversible Napkin Rings


Wine Bag

Cookie Cutter Confections


Modge Podge Vase


Fat Quarter Apron


Recycled Calendar Coasters


Soft Pretzel Candy Canes

To Wrap them with...

Felt Gift Bows


Tissue Paper Flower


Magazine Gift Bows


Drawstring Gift Bags


Origami Gift Boxes


Doily Gift Wrapping

Prudent Baby Gift Guide: Gifts for the Home

Running around trying to think of some last minute gifts? If you have an hour you could throw together a pot holder or keep the kids busy by painting trivets. If you have a little more time on your hands (because you were good and got all your shopping done ahead of time) sew up some curtains or a bolster pillow for a friend. What other gifts for the home have you made this holiday season?


Pot Holders


Painted Cushions


Sham Pillow with Zipper Closure


Table Runner


Kid Art Trivet


Lace Bowls


Succulent Wreath


Bolster Pillow


Curtain Panels

Making Your Own Pattern

We often hear that new sewists are intimidated by drawing their own patterns, so we were thrilled to see Katy from Sweet Verbana made a fantastically easy Make Your Own Pattern Tutorial that everyone, yes everyone, can do!

Make sure to stop by Sweet Verbana's to check out many of Katy's other tutorials like the adorable Maxi Dress, an infinity loop scarf (perfect for winter) and even a learn how to do reverse applique (I'm seeing Holiday gifts!).

Don't go anywhere just yet, keep reading for the Making Your Own Pattern Tutorial after the jump.

Read more »

Introduction to Cheater Quilts

Cheater is such an ugly word for such a beautiful thing. Cheater quilts are a perfect project for new sewists or folks with little time for craftiness. Featuring fabric designed and printed to look like patchwork or applique, a cheater quilt allows you to skip the huge task of doing piecework on a quilt. All you have to do is quilt and bind. I quilted this lovely baby quilt in about 30 minutes. All that's left to do is bind it, which can be done quickly on the machine or heirloom quality by hand. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on the different ways to bind a quilt.

But I know the big question, right? What is that gorgeous fabric? It's Jay-Cyn Designs Storyboek for Birch Fabrics - Field Stroll Cheater and the back (which I think would be so cute for Christmas) is Field Friends Coral. Both are on sale right now at Fabricworm.

And the baby... is Gordon, who is totally man enough to pose with a pink quilt. Thanks buddy, I owe you the boy version.

Read on to learn more about how to make a cheater quilt.
Read more »

Halloween Homemade Playdough Pals

Ghosts, ghouls, witches, and goblins are making their way to Halloween parties and we don't want them to leave empty handed. Give those little Halloween haunts a spider or bat full of sparkly play-dough oozing out.

Or a witch with icky sticky and slimy threads of hair. Your little trick-or-treaters are sure to love this spooky party favor.

See how to make your own Halloween Homemade Playdough Pals with Sparkly Playdough recipe and instructions after the jump...

Read more »

How to Make A Hamper from A Pillowcase

A little while back Jaime spotted a totally adorable Pillowcase Hamper Tutorial made by Sarah from Emmyloubeedoo. It's a vintage pillowcase turned into a gorg way to store laundry - obviously, we had to ask if she would please, please guest post this one-of-a-kind creation for us. Thankfully, Sarah agreed and is very excited to share her tutorial below.

Make sure to stop by her site, Emmyloubeedoo, to see many more creative tutorials such as the Foxy Pillow and the Sunshine Swimsuit. She even shows us that no spot is too small for a creative nook in her Sewing Room Re-Reveal post. Take it away Sarah...


Hello Prudent Baby readers! I'm Sarah and I'm crazy excited to be here today! I blog over at EmmylouBeeDoo where I share my sewing and crafty projects. Come over and say hey!

So do you want to make a hamper?! For like, less than 10 bucks with one of those vintage pillowcases you've been collecting fo-evah?!

Yay! Let's, then! Get the full Pillowcase Hamper Tutorial after the jump...
Read more »

Cookie Cutter Confections: A Simple Party Treat

Here is a simple last-minute sweet treat to use as a party favor or kid-friendly activity.

Read on for the quick DIY


Read more »

Make Your Own Hair Clip Board

Does your little girl have a plethora of hair clips that get lost or scattered all over the place? I have found hair clips in my pillowcase, behind the toilet, in the refrigerator, and once in our dog's food bowl. I need a hair clip organization solution. So, today we are going to turn this storage problem into something pretty by showing you how to make a framed hair clip board with lovely fabric. Now those clips will also be a work of art of sorts. And you could also use your board to display photos, cards, or maybe even earrings?

Colleen from Thumpkin (so cute, check it out) whipped up this beauty and is going to show us how to make a hair clip board after the jump...
Read more »

Genuine Germ Drops!

Louise from I'm Feelin Crafty made up a batch of our Monster Spray, and it was so succesful at vanquishing the beasts in her child's closet, that she was inspired to create these germ drops. We loved them so much, we asked her to share. Take it away Louise...

I'm so honored to be posting here at Prudent Baby! Wow! Yep, I'm blushing again!
Have you made Prudent Baby's Monster Spray yet? We concocted some spray of our own earlier this year. And let me tell you.... It gets rid of our monsters like nothing else! There are those nights where we have to spray down the room. And there's been at least one night that Daddy ran around the outside of the house spraying a 'No Monster Barrier' around the house while chanting 'NO MONSTERS, NO MONSTERS, NO MONSTERS'! Who knows what the neighbors thought about that, but who cares, our little guy was able to sleep peacefully! So then when the medicine comes out for the boo boos and all I get are screams, I had an idea... Genuine Germ Drops!

Find out all about Louise's Genuine Germ Drops and get the free downloads after the jump...
Read more »

Make for Baby: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials

Is there anything cuter than a little mop of hair with an adorable homemade hair accessory? No, there is not. That's why we've rounded up the cutest and easiest free tutorials for how to make baby hair clips, headbands, and hair accessories for the little ones in your life. From beaded hairpins to feather hair clips to no-sew headbands, we've found a free hair accessory tutorial that's just right for your baby's hair. Get the links here: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials.

Pin Cushion Ring: 5-Minute Project!

Remember how we were all confessing over on Facebook that we can't help but hoard tiny scraps of fabric? Here is a project that gives us pack-rats the last laugh. Make a pin-cushion ring (or a dozen!) It only takes 5-minutes, assuming you don't have to drink a beer to get the cap.

Here's what you do...
Read more »

Sock Vase!

Novelty kneesock + generic glass vase = instant party decor

1. Cut off foot of sock & finish edge (or don't)
2. Slide over vase
Voila!

Need cute knee socks for a project? See my knee sock slideshow on Babble.

See the rest of Quinn's Animal Birthday Party 

How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

You may have seen me mention on facebook and twitter that I'm contributing to Soleil Moon Frye's new online show Her Say. Here's a fun clip where I teach you how to make chalkboard paint in any color you like for just a few bucks. We use it to whip up some little vases you can use as table settings and a travel chalkboard tile. It's so easy! Let me know if you try it. And you can check out more of my hersay videos here.

Towel Time!

Summer is around the corner, and that means water play time! Whether you have a luxurious waterfall swimming pool, a pb-approved tub o water, some sprinklers and a hose, or simply a bathtub, you're going to need some towels. Our towel projects are some of the most popular tutorials here on Prudent Baby. Take a look and get to sewing!

Check out our Towel Time Tutorial Round Up after the jump...
Read more »