baby binkie clips

It's Baby Week at Little Birdie Secrets! We have so many baby crafts to show you we decided to feature them all week long. Even if you don't have babies of your own right now, each of these items makes a great handmade gift for the moms and babies in your life. And if you leave us a comment this week you'll be entered in our drawing to win some darling baby items from this week's posts! Add a link to this blog on your blog or Web site and you'll be entered twice. Oh, baby!



Our first baby post this week has to be one of the easiest, and most appreciated, baby gifts you could give. Most babies love their binkies (my second wouldn't touch one--grrr!), but they also love pop them in and out of their mouths, or toss them and watch you pick them up 200 times a day. And when it's something that's meant to go in their mouth, you feel this annoying urge to wash them off each time. This simple baby binkie clip solves all your flying-binkie problems. Until your baby learns how to open Velcro, that is. But at that point it may be time to lose the binkie anyway. . .



Baby Binkie Clip Tutorial



What you'll need:



*15 inches of ribbon

*Mitten/suspender clip (we found them in a package of 2 at JoAnn in either silver or gold)

*Small piece of Velcro (either in strip form or small dots)

*Fray check (optional)

*Fabric glue (optional--if you want to sew everything you don’t need it)

*Sewing machine and matching thread





Okay, let's get started!



1. Apply fray check to both edges of ribbon to prevent fraying. If you don't have Fray Check, just sew a small hem on each end of the ribbon.



2. Thread ribbon through the mitten clip and fold over about 1-2 inches. Sew a square and then a diagonal line down the center to secure it.






3. Separate Velcro and use fabric glue to adhere pieces about 1 inch apart on the other end of the ribbon. Or sew in place if you prefer.





4. Attach binkie by threading ribbon through ring and securing Velcro.





5. For a little extra cuteness, glue a large coordinating button to the top of the clip. We suggest E6000 or a plastic/glass glue to really make it stick.





Clip the mitten clip to baby's collar, shirt, or waistband and just watch her try to throw that thing! Oh, and don't forget to make one to coordinate with every outfit!

framed magnet board

We showed you one magnet project and we have another waiting in the wings, so we thought it was time to give you something on which to stick those magnets! Here's a tutorial for a very easy magnet board.

Magnet Board Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Any picture frame
*Spray paint and newspaper (if you want to paint it--you may like it the way it is!)
*Piece of sheet metal the same size or larger than your frame
*Ruler or measuring tape and marking tool
*Metal snips and gloves (if your sheet metal needs to be cut down)

Okay, let's get started.

This frame was on clearance at Ben Franklin for $4. It was cute, but Stacy wanted a punch of color, so she covered it with a quick coat of red spray paint. No sanding required. Then she measured the dimensions of the inside where the picture would normally go.


Next she took a piece of sheet metal, found at a local hardware store, and marked the measurements from the frame on it with a measuring tape and a Sharpie.


To trim it to the right size, use heavy metal shears. Or, ask your hardware store to cut it for you (some may do it for free, others for a nominal fee). Don't forget to bring your dimensions with you to the store!


Slip the metal into the back of the frame like you would a picture and replace the backing.


Uh, is that not the easiest magnet board in America? We know we have some international readers--can you come up with something easier than that? I highly doubt it, but send us a note if you do! This is such a great size because it can be hung on the wall or, if your frame has a stand, it's perfect to stand on a desk. Cover it with pictures or reminders and, of course, with your favorite magnets.





Look for frames at garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Restyle it with a coat of paint and your magnet board will be both hip and cheap. Two of the birdies' favorite things!