Crafts: Graduation

My son graduated from preschool today, and he took cap and gown pictures mid-May. I had no idea this was done for preschoolers.

Despite my surprise, I knew Cloud9's Happy Drawing owls (designed by Ed Emberley, my childhood artistic hero) would make excellent graduation attire.

I used the Little Man Tie Tutorial from Very Homemade, and Cole's graduation tie is simply perfect. The velcro neck strap makes it painless to put on and take off - essential for an impatient mommy and child. Plus, it's just right for the occasion and looks great.

I thought: Cole is going to be the smartest-looking kid at graduation! But I bought two yards of the owls. I only needed a fat quarter to make the tie. Then I decided: I need to be a grown-up and share. So I made two more ties (not pictured) and a graduation dress for Cole's friends.

For the dress, I used the Frog Legs and Ponytails Caroline pattern (purchased here), which is ideal for novice apparel sewers like me. I paired the owls with Emberley's black scribble, for a graduating owls meet composition notebook look. I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and I think the little beauty and her mother are too.

I still have over a half yard of the owls fabric left. Who knows? Maybe Cole will want another Happy Drawing owls tie for high school graduation.

Congratulations, Class of 2012!