Me Making Do

The New Glade® Expressions™

2012-02-08T01:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you seen or heard of the new Glade® products? Glade® has come out with some really cool new products the new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist and the new new Glade® Expressions™ oil diffuser.

The new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist comes in a new stylish holder that releases a longer-lasting, finer mist of fragrance. Cute enough to leave out in the open so you can use whenever you need to freshen a room. It is designed to fit in with any decor so whatever your style is it will go with it. It is easy to use, just squeeze for easy comfortable spraying. It is refillable with your favorite new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance. Satisfaction is guaranteed or you can just mail back the original UPC code and purchase receipt within 30 days (just fill out the form at http://bit.ly/xMScbO if unsatisfied).

The new Glade® Expressions™ oil diffuser comes in a trendy non-spill holder that matches any decor in the home. It's fragrance lasts up to 30 days and doesn't require any electricity. Satisfaction is also guaranteed (just use the form at http://bit.ly/xMScbO if your unsatisfied). There is a coupon for $1.50 for any new Glade® Expressions™ that can be used at Walmart to take advantage of their everyday low price. Click on the link to take you to the coupon http://bit.ly/zus6F5).

Available Fragrances:

Pineapple & Mangosteen

Cotton & Italian Mandarin (Only available in Fragrance mist form)

Fuji Apple & Cardamom

Spice Lavender and Juniper Berry

Free Space Doll Pattern and Tutorials

2012-01-31T17:05:00.000-08:00

I had taken the links down for the Space Set I had planned on making it a pattern to buy but have decided to bring them back and leave them up as a free pattern for all of you as a thank you for following along. Thanks for all your comments and encouragement.

Just click on the links below to take you to each pattern page.

Doll Pattern

Doll Sewing Tutorial

Space Clothes

I will try to get the space shuttle tutorial finished and up in the next few weeks.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

2012-01-30T12:45:00.001-08:00

When I was a little girl my parents would take us to the local ice cream shop and we were able to pick out whatever we wanted. I remember getting a frozen banana dipped in chocolate more than I ever got Ice cream.Not that they even taste quite the same but I have always loved chocolate chips in Banana Bread and maybe it just goes back to my love of chocolate covered frozen bananas.

The other day I found a banana bread recipe that called for yogurt, so I decided to try it out, and my family loved it so I thought I would share in case any one else was looking for a good banana bread recipe. I just added chocolate chips of course.

Of course my family can never wait until it cools, so here it is with gooey chocolate chips

Here is my tip for mashing your bananas just place them in a bowl and mix with the blender. Easy peasy mashed bananas!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Makes 1 8-inch loaf

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips

Adjust a rack to the lower middle position of the oven and preheat it to350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.

In a medium bowl, stir together the bananas, yogurt, eggs, melted butter and vanilla, blending well.

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry, just to blend–do not over mix. Mix in chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 50-60 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn it out and let cool completely on a wire rack.

recipe adapted from Piece of Cake

Painting with Homemade Chalk Paint

2012-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

So I decided to try my hand at Chalk Paint, however I didn't have any so I decided to make my own. I was too impatient to order and wait for some to come in, plus I guess I'm just cheap too. Besides I had everything on hand that I needed to make my own so why not right?

I used Art is Beauty's recipe for Homemade Chalk Paint I found it on pintrest and pinned it here.

All you need to make it is....

1/2 C. Plaster of Paris

1/2 C. Hot water

mix together then add:

1 1/2 Cups of paint

Mix well.

I used an off white paint and mixed some of it with a blue I had to make a light blue as well. I love how the paint turned out!

Here is one of the pieces that I started with, an old coffee table I had already started to sand and had planned on painting. So I finished sanding a little more and added a coat of primer before using the chalk paint. It was pretty glossy so I didn't want the paint to come off.

I ended up attacking a t.v. hutch with the paint as well. I didn't get a before shot of it but it was looking pretty gross, believe me! I didn't add primer to it and the chalk paint seems to have stuck really well to it. I did some distressing on them and it took quite a bit of muscles (which I don't really have) to get the paint sanded down. I still need to apply a wax and get new handles or paint my old ones. But what a difference the paint has made on these two pieces. I think I am hooked on the chalk paint now. ;)

(ignore the wood blocks under the hutch, need my hubby to help get them out.)

At least now my front room is starting to look a little better. I don't have to be so embarrassed when people stop by with my clashing furniture. Next on the list is some curtains!

So what do you think?

Happy Day

2012-01-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

Inspired by my dad, I made a printable of what he always said at the end of a conversation.

It's amazing the difference just a couple words can make in someones day. I always felt happier each time I heard him say them. So have a Happy Day and enjoy this free printable!

Getting Organized

2012-01-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

I love Pintrest don't you? I admit I'm a little addicted to it, but sometimes it really pays off. Like the other day while browsing I found this 2012 Declutter Calendar.

I saved the calendar and printed off January and have started on it today. I did two today trying to catch up on the week I missed. What a great way to organize your house and do those things we I tend to never get to. If I follow this plan my house will look much better this year! Now if I can just find a way to get the kids to help cooperate. Ya right!

Here is the direct link to the site with the calendar.

Make sure to come follow me on pintrest!

I Love You Printable

2012-01-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

I have always loved the song I love you a Bushel and a Peck, or at least saying it to my kids. I think my mom even used to say it to my sisters and I when we were young. I decided to make it into a printable I could have out all the time.

I was running out of ink in my printer so mine didn't print out really great, but you got the idea right? I will have to reprint mine later but this will work till then.

Feel free to save and print these out yourself or for personal use gifts only please.

I made them in several colors so you can pick the one or one's you like to print.

If you have any problems printing this out let me know and I will save them to pdf.

Enjoy! Happy Day!

Memories of my Loving Father

2012-01-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

We had the privilege to spend Christmas eve with the most amazing man I have ever known. My Father Roger Lane Willis. He sang Christmas songs with us and took the time to take pictures with all of the family.

Proud grandpa with his posterity.

Loving husband and father with his wife and daughters.

He posed with each of his daughters that were there. I will treasure our picture forever.

He took time to counsel his grandson, my son.

And took a picture with my children.

A few days before a few of us were at his house telling stories, laughing and having fun together. I captured this beautiful picture of him and my daughter together.

So many memories we will forever have to cherish of this loving kind man. So many lives he touched with his service and friendship.

He went to spend Christmas in heaven free from all the pain he has been in. I am happy for him and the knowledge of where he is now. But I miss him dearly he is not only my father he is one of my best friends. I love him so much I will miss our nearly daily talks, or him bringing me by something to help him create. Things he would then take to people to brighten their day. He was a great example of what I want to be.

Here is a poem one of my aunts gave my sister that she read for the service.....

Christmas with Jesus

I see the countless Christmas trees

Around the world below,

With tiny lights like heaven's stars

Reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular

Please wipe away that tear

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear

But earthly music can't compare

With the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you

The joy their voices bring

For it's beyond description

To hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,

Trust God and have no fear

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you imagine Christmas

With our Savior, face to face?

May God uplift your spirit

As I tell Him of your love

Then pray for one another

As you lift your eyes above.

So let your hearts be joyful

And let your spirits sing

For I'm spending Christmas in Heaven
And I'm walking with the king!

Author: Wanda Bencke. (1998)

As my dad would always say at the end of every conversation....Happy Day!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:46:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

From our Family to yours!

A Few Christmas Features

2011-12-14T08:27:00.000-08:00

Make sure you come link up what your Christmas Projects here.

Scraponique has made some of the most beautiful ornaments these adorable Hearts are just one of the many you will want to check out.

These Joy Stocking Hook Inserts by Revamp Homegoods are a cute way to make those stocking holders a little more festive looking.

Winner & Features

2011-12-09T07:35:00.001-08:00

The Winner for the giveaway with Jessa Irene Gifts is....

Jerri

Congratulations, I will be contacting you shortly!

Check out these fun Christmas projects from the link up...

The Domesticated Mama made this cute Christmas Tree Shirt.

Wildflowers & Whimsy made an adorable Christmas Dress.

Thanks for linking up! Make sure you link up your Christmas projects here.

A Crafty Creative Christmas Roundup & Thanks

2011-12-07T05:16:00.001-08:00

A Big thanks to all of those who helped with A Crafty Creative Christmas this year! I couldn't do it without you all from everyone who helped with posts to all you who come to read THANK YOU!!!

Here is the roundup of all the projects that were shared during the series....

Frosty Snowman T-Shirt by Brassy Apple.

Rolled Sheet Music Ornaments by The Thriftress.

Jumbo Christmas Lights by Jane of all Crafts.

DIY Wooden Event Calendar by Tattered & Inked.

Felt Mistletoe Hair clip by Cook Clean Craft.

White Christmas Scrabble Plaque by Mine for the Making.

Christmas Bunting by Vanilla Bean Girls.

Book Ornament by A Law Students Journey.

Feather Christmas Tree by Rhinestone Beagle.

I'm not sure what happened to the picture of the next one but Cup of Delight shared Yarn Wrapped Trees.

Sunglasses/Eyeglasses Sleeve by To Sew with Love.

Felt Rock Candy by Sweetie Pie Bakery.

Shirt Flower by T-Shirt Diaries.

Christmas Pillow Boxes by Simply Sweet Home.

Breadwarmer Basket by Anne from Craft Gossip.

Bakers Twine Ornaments by Lolly Jane.

A Roundup of Christmas Crafts by Sassy Sites.

Mittens Ribbons by Flamingo Toes.

Christmas Printable by Holiday Haven.

And lastly my Lace and Leather Ornament.

Don't forget to come enter to win your set of these adorable mice over here.

Thanks again everyone!

Don't forget to link up your Christmas projects here. I will be featuring them through Christmas!

A Crafty Creative Christmas a Simple Lace & Leather ornament

2011-12-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

Link up your Christmas projects here.

Make sure to enter the giveaway with Jessa Irene Gifts here.

Today I have a simple Lace & Leather Ornament to share with you.

Here is what you will need:

small glass ornament
flat stretch lace
leather trim
mod podge
leather trim
glue gun
glass beads (optional)

1. Start by removing the end off your bulb. (Oh lovely you can see my reflection in the bulb Oh well).

2. Coat your bulb with a thick layer of Mod Podge. (sorry about the blurry pictures in these first two).

3. Wrap a piece of lace around bulb, coat with Mod podge and secure with small plastic hair bands on the bottom and around the end. When dry trim off excess lace and hair bands.

4. Replace the end back on your bulb. Glue leather trim around the top.

5. If you want add a little lace bow and pearls.

Your done! how easy was that?

I hope you have enjoyed this year Crafty Creative Christmas. Come back tomorrow to see the round-up of all the crafts shared and don't forget to link up your Christmas projects here. I will be featuring Christmas Crafts linked up through Christmas.

A Crafty Creative Christmas with A Holiday Haven

2011-12-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Enter your Christmas projects to the Christmas link up.

When I first started blogging and hadn't a clue what a feature was but I was so thrilled when someone featured my first post on their blog and that was Jessa from A Holiday Haven. I love Jessa's site she has so many fun Holiday inspired ideas. She has been sharing free printable and was so sweet as to design some just for us. Thank you so much Jessa! Jessa is also doing a great giveaway for us she is giving away a set of these adorable Christmas Mice.......

Head on over HERE to enter.

Here is what you need to do for the printables.......

To print: Click on the printable to view it full sized. Click again to make sure it is fully expanded. Then select 'file' and 'print' from your browsers menu to print or right click on the printable and choose printing options from there. If you have any trouble try saving to your computer and printing from there. (Personal use only).

Thanks so much Jessa! Make sure you go visit her at A Holiday Haven and say hi and remember to go enter for your chance to win a set of her adorable Christmas Mice.

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest Flamingo Toes

2011-12-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you entered your Christmas projects here?

Hey everyone I am so excited to announce today's guest who needs no announcing the she is famous for all her anthro knock offs miss Bev from Flamingo Toes. I had the opportunity to actually meet Bev a while back and she is the neatest person! Please welcome Bev!

Hello Me Making Do readers!!My name is Bev and I blog over at Flamingo Toes!.

I am so excited to be here today as part of Heather's A Crafty Creative Christmas series!!I was lucky enough to meet Heather a few months ago and she is just as sweet in real life and she is on her blog! :)

So I really am loving all the cute gift wrap ideas Anthro has right now. I made their cute gift tags a few weeks ago - and I've had my eye on their sweet Mittens Ribbon too!I thought they'd be perfect to share here.

Here is my version:

And here's Anthro's:

Aren't they fun?

Here's what you'll need to make your own set of tiny mittens!

Old Sweater Felt Yarn Sewing machine (or you could probably do it by hand if you want)

Draw out a small mitten pattern. Cut out 4 mittens of felt and four from the sweater fabric.(if your sweater is really thick, you can skip the felt.)

Make sure you cut out 2 facing left and 2 facing right.

Take a set of mittens and place them right sides together with the matching pieces of felt.Sew across the top edge with a small seam.

Turn the pieces right sides out, like the mitten on the right (above). Place the two pieces with the right sides (sweater sides) together.Sew around the mitten, leaving the top open.

Clip the part point between the thumb and mitten and trim around the curves.Turn right side out.

Repeat with your other mitten.

Cut a length of yarn the length you'd like for your package. Knot each end and sew the knots to the inside of the mittens.

Now you've got a super cute gift decoration!!

Wrap up your boxes with your super cute mittens!

I hope you like them!

I'd love for you to stop by Flamingo Toes sometime and say hi! You can check out my other Tutorials here.

Thanks so much for including me in the series Heather!!

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest Sassy Sites & Winners

2011-12-03T06:35:00.001-08:00

Sorry guy's I meant to have the winners up last night but had no electricity half the day then when that was fixed we had no phone or internet so now that every thing is working The winner of the giveaway from Simply Sweet Home Giveaway is:

Amy

The winner for the Patterns from Sweetie Pie Baker is:

Cheryl

Congratulations ladies I will be contacting you shortly!

Today's guest is the sweet and sassy Marni from Sassy sites. I'm so excited to have her guest posting here. So welcome Marni!

I am so excited to be here at Me Making Do today! Just to give you a little idea of who I am... Sassy Sites is a place where you will find everything YOU create! Why? Cuz I LOVE sassy sites!!

I take my favorites and most popular finds from link up parties and pinterest and feature you! Every Monday, I do a "made by me"- and that's the only day that I am actually 'crafting'. :) Every other day is about your SASSY SITES! Today, I thought it would be fun to show you some of my favorite Christmas finds that have been spotted around blogland. Heads up... it might be YOU!! ;)

_________________________

framed christmas tree from

Better Homes and Gardens

_________________________

Santa Breakfast from

No Fuss Fabulous

_________________________

Santa Party Mix from

Cookies and Cups

__________________

Santa Pillows from

The 36th Avenue

_______________________

free printable subway art from

eighteen 25

__________________

and this is one of my MOST favorite Christmas finds! Now you will have the proof to show your kids that Santa was really in your home on Christmas Eve night!

I caught Santa! from

Capture The Magic

___________________

Speaking of Christmas...

We are having a Sassy Christmas party over at Sassy Sites through the whole month of December. A different Christmas theme link up party for each day! Come by and take a look!

Thanks Heather for letting me guest post today!

Merry Christmas to all the Me Making Do readers!!

XOXO,

Marni

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest Lolly Jane

2011-12-01T18:39:00.001-08:00

Don't forget about the Christmas link party!

Sorry this is so late getting up I was wanting to post the winners with this but we have a ton of snow here and electricity has and Internet has been down. I just barely got some electricity so I will post winners and pictures of our snow later ;)

Today's guests are the fun duo from the blog Lolly Jane and the have a fun craft to share with us so please welcome Kelli & Kristi!

Winner for the patterns from Sweetie Pie Baker is:

Winner for the giveaway from Simply Sweet Home is:

Hi 'Me Making Do' readers!

We're excited to be here today to show you Bakers Twine Ornaments!

First we'd like to introduce ourselves. We are twin sisters Kelli & Kristi from Lolly Jane and our little corner of blogland is filled with home improvement tips, craft tutorials, holiday decor, recipes and a good furniture revamp or two. We love how small touches of decor can customize a space and instantly make it yours.

Today we'll be showing you how to re-do inexpensive ornaments on the cheap.

We re-used our frame/wreath/burlap combo from THIS fall project to create the look. To make your own bakers twine wrapped ornaments, follow our way-too-easy tutorial:

Directions:

1: Gather supplies: spray adhesive, twine, ornaments.
2: Spray adhere ornament, wrap twine continuously.
3: Wrap as many as you'd like, as many colors are in your scheme.
That's it. Simple, right?

Enjoy your cheap-o face lifted ornaments (:

We'd ♥ to catch up with you on FB, Pinterest or Twitter (:

Thanks for having us, Heather!

XOXO

A Crafty Creative Christmas Party Features

2011-12-01T07:20:00.001-08:00

Have you entered your Christmas projects here?

Have you entered for your chance to win 3 patterns from Sweetie Pie Bakery here?

Have you entered to for you chance to win the giveaway from Simply Sweet Home here?

Wow can you believe that it is already December? The count down to Christmas is now on.
I was going through all the crafty links in the Christmas link up and here are a few that caught my eye.

A fun and frugal Christmas gift using a pringle can ribbon and trims you can have adorable Bangle Bracelets like Shakespears Stage made.

With only a few supplies you can make fun and whimsical Tissue Paper Christmas Trees like Ali Lylly did.

Or how about this Pottery Barn inspired Wreath Again by Ali Lilly. She save alot of mula by making it herself and it looks just as great as the one from Pottery Barn!

Don't forget to link up your projects! And don't forget to enter all the great giveaways going on just look at the top of the page for info.

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest Anne from Craft Gossip

2011-11-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you entere your Christmas projects here?

Have you entered for your chance to win 3 patterns from Sweetie Pie Bakery here?

Have you enetered to for you chance to win the giveaway from Simply Sweet Home here?

I'm so excited for today's guest Anne and her really neat craft she is sharing with us today. You may know her better as the sewing editor over at Craft Gossip. Please Welcom Anne!

Hey everyone!! My name is Anne and I'm the sewing editor over at Craft Gossip. I am so inspired by all of the creativity out there in the blogosphere, and I use the Craft Gossip sewing blog to highlight awesome sewing projects and tutorials every day. If sewing isn't your thing, we have editors for a wide variety of crafts. There's sure to be an area (or two, or three) that matches your crafty pursuits. Check us out!

Thank you, Heather, for inviting me to be part of your Crafty Creative Christmas series!! I'm excited to show you a quick, easy Christmas gift you can make. Or, you can be selfish and keep it for yourself. I won't tell.

Years ago, someone gave me a bread basket with a fabric napkin to wrap around the rolls and little warming pouch that tucked underneath. When Heather asked me to be part of the Crafty Creative Christmas series, I thought that it would be neat to make a similar breadwarmer basket you could use at your Christmas dinner or give as a Christmas present.

My version of the breadwarmer basket has a large square napkin made from two layers of fabric so it's reversible. My photo above shows it with the green side out. The lining is kind of a olive yellow print. The little warming pouch underneath the napkin is a beanbag filled with rice.

I've designed it so you can make the napkin and the warming pouch from just two fat quarters of quilting cotton. Even with designer fat quarters, this project cost me less than $10 to make. It's also a quick project, so this would be a good gift for friends, coworkers, teachers, etc. I think this would also make a nice hostess gift, especially if you filled it with warm bread!

What you need:

2 fat quarters, each a different print. I preshrunk my fat quarters, but that's just me.

1 1/4 cup uncooked rice

Inexpensive bread basket. There's really a lot of flexibility in the size/shape of the basket you use. The bread basket I used was roughly 4 inches tall, with a 5" diameter at the bottom and a 12" diameter at the top.

Here's how to make it:

1. Cut a 18" square from each fat quarter. Sometimes the fat quarters aren't cut exactly square, so it may be that you can only get a 17" square. That's fine. Save the strips you cut off the ends. We'll use them to make the warming pouch.

2. Layer the squares right sides together. Stitch around all four edges with 1/4" seam allowance, leaving 2" open to turn it right side out.

3. Clip your corners. I tend to be brutal, cutting first across the corner and then trimming a little more off of each side.

4. Turn the napkin right side out, and press the edges straight and the corners as sharp as you can.

5. Topstitch around the napkin close to the edge. Your topstitching will sew the opening shut.

6. Your reversible napkin is done!!

Now, on to the warming pouch.

7. Remember your scraps left over from when you cut your fat quarter down to a square? Piece them together and then cut two 6 1/2" squares. You could piece them so there's a solid color on each side, or piece them so there's a contrast stripe. It's up to you, and really it won't be seen that much anyway. I opted for stripes.

8. Now you're going to sew these squares together just like you did the larger squares for the napkin. Place the pieced squares right sides together and sew around all 4 edges with 1/4' seam allowance, leaving a small opening so you can turn it right side out. Clip your corners. Turn it right side out and iron your edges all nice and neat.

9. Get a funnel and fill your little pouch with 1 1/4 cup uncooked rice. I couldn't take a photo of this step because it took two hands to hold the funnel and pour the rice.

10. Now all we need to do is sew that opening shut. You have a couple of choices. You could just topstitch all the way across the side with the opening, or you could do what I did and topstitch all the way around the pouch. I will say that it was a bit of a pain to keep shifting all that rice away from the needle, but because I was using contrasting thread I thought it looked nicer to have the consistency of the topstitching around all 4 edges.

Whichever method you choose, be careful when you take your filled pouch to your sewing machine. You don't want rice spilling out everywhere while you're sewing!! I just used my fingers to keep the rice pushed out of the way while I stitched.

Your breadwarmer basket is done!!

The warming pouch can be zapped in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and then placed in the bottom of the basket.

Lay the napkin on top and then fill with rolls or fresh breads, and close the napkin up over the top. The heated pouch will keep your bread warm and toasty while it's sitting out on the table. Mmmmmm!!!

A Crafty Creative Christmas Gueast Simply Sweet Home

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you entered your Christmas projects into the Christmas link up here?Have you entere the Sweetie Pie Bakery Pattern giveaway here? Todoay I'm so excited to announce that we have have the very talented Jerri from Simply Sweet Home sharing a Christmas craft with us today. Jerri is also doing an awesome giveaway for us today so make sure to go check it out over here, you wont want to miss it! Welcome Jerri!

Hi Me Making Do readers! My name is Jerri, and and I'm really excited to be guesting posting here today for A Crafty Creative Christmas!

I'm a loving wife. My husband Mark and I are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary this December. We don't have any kids yet, so our world revolves around two "cat children."

I'm the owner of the blog Simply Sweet Home where I feature recipes, product reviews/giveaways, and other fun ideas to help make your home a "simply sweet" home. And I also have an Etsy shop called Simply Sweet Creations, where I sell handmade jewelry and accessories.

Today I've got some Christmas pillow boxes to share with you. These could be used to put little candies in, to hand out at your Christmas party, or you could use them as favor boxes. I've also used these to put jewelry in.

What You Need:
Card Stock
Wrapping Paper
Glue Stick
Tape
Scissors

First choose some festive wrapping papers. For small boxes, paper with smaller patterns works best.

Take a piece of wrapping paper, and use glue stick to cover a piece of card stock with the paper. (If you'd like the insides of your boxes to have designs too, you can add paper to each side, but that's not necessary.) Now you've got some festive material for your pillow boxes!

If you have a Cricut or Silhouette machine, you can easily cut out your pillow boxes using that. But if you're like me, and you don't have one, then you'll have to cut these out by hand.

To do this, you'll need a template like this:

You can find a printable version here. Or you can go to Google, and just search for "Pillow Box Template," and you'll find others.

After you print out your template, cut it out, and then use it to trace the pillow box on to the plain side of the cardstock. (Don't worry about tracing the fold lines)

After you've got the pillow box cut out, fold it long ways (like a book), down the middle, as shown below:

Photo Credit

At this point I used tape to make a seam from the two sides.

Next just fold in the flaps on each end, and you've got a pillow box! You can also add names tags, bows, or other embellishments if you have to fancy it up!

Thanks again to Heather for having me on today! Hope you guys will stop by my blog some time!

Don't forget to go check out the awesome giveaway Jerri is doing for us over here.

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest T-Shirt Diaries

2011-11-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you linked up your Christmas projects here?

Today we have the fun and Crafty Robin from the T-Shirt Diaries sharing a fun project with us. Welcome Robin!

Thank you so much for letting me share this easy Christmas gift idea at:

I am more than honored to be able to guest post and hope to like it.

The idea started because I need to have warm ears when I run.

I also have a serious need to look cute when I run, and shop, and pretty much do just about everything. So how do you look cute with a headband? Add an easy flower made of an old upcycled shirt of course.

You will need:

Headbands (I bough mine at JoAnn Fabrics for $1.49 each)
An old satin shirt or skirt (Thrift it! You will find amazing designs, colors, and prices)
Hot glue
A candle
Brads
A sparkly button (optional)

Start by cutting your repurposed satin fabric (This was an old Limited brand shirt) into six circles of varying sizes.

I like to stack them on top of each other to make sure that they are truly varying in size. Not necessary, but kind of fun.

You will begin to singe the edges of the reused fabric. I like to work with a relatively new candle and then I just slowly work the fabric around as it melts into a crinkly round floral leaf. Make sure that the edges are truly singed so they do not fray.

Once you are done you will stack the upcycled satin rounds from largest to smallest and work your brad through the middle of it. You will pierce the brad through the headband.

Here is the front:

Take a little hot glue and glue the bottom leaf to the headband.

If you were going to add a little sparkly bling you would place a button or jewel on top of the brad.

Now put on your headband and enjoy!

Thank you so much for letting me share this headband tutorial at A Crafty and Creative Christmas and please come visit me at www.thetshirtdiaries.com for more fun eco-friendly holiday gift ideas.

Happy Upcycling,

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest and Giveaway with Sweetie Pie Bakery

2011-11-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you entered your Christmas projects into the Christmas link up here?

Today we have the funJessi from Sweetie Pie Bakery, you may know her from her famous Sweetie Pie Bakery Felt Food Patterns which she is sharing one with us today plus giving three away, how exciting! So please welcome Jessi from Sweetie Pie Bakery!

Hello! My name is Jessi and I blog over at Sweetie Pie Bakery. I often blog about sewing and raising my two little red heads, Ephraim and Aeris. I love sewing clothes, refashioning and felt plushies-you can check out my projects here. I also have a shop with loads of felt sewing patterns!

Today, I'm sharing a FREE pattern with you all for some Felt Rock Candy!

This is a such a fun sparkly treat and would be a great little stocking stuffer. You can click this link to download the free pattern. It comes in a recipe card format-sweet, right? ;) And since we're Sweetie Pie Bakery, and so sweet, I'm offering a GIVEAWAY!

One winner will receive their choice of any THREE patterns in the Sweetie Pie Bakery shop! This giveaway is only open to Sweetie Pie Bakery followers.

Keep in touch!

To enter this giveaway:

1. Be a follower of Sweetie Pie Bakery leave a leave a comment here letting me know that you are.
2. Visit Sweetie Pie Bakery Shop and let me know which three patterns you would choose.
3. Be a follower of Me Making Do and leave a comment letting me know you are.
4. Blog, tweet, facebook this giveaway and leave a comment here letting me know you have.

This giveaway ends December 2 at midnight comments after that will not be considered!

A Crafty Creative Christmas Guest To Sew With Love

2011-11-26T07:22:00.001-08:00

Have you linked up your Christmas projects here?

Today we have another very talented guest blogger and she has a great gift idea to share wth us all. Please Welcome Lelanie from To Sew With Love!

Hi there, Making Me Do fans! We are the ladies behind To Sew With Love and we are really excited to be guest-posting for Heather today.

If you are a DIY-er like us, then you would most probably be making handmade items as Christmas gifts.

Today, we are sharing with you a quick tutorial of a eyeglasses/sunglasses sleeve. It would take you less than 15 mins. to make one! I am making many of these to give away on Christmas.

The measurement I used for this sleeve is 8" (W) x 9" (L), however feel free to change it depending on the size of the sunglasses or eyeglasses.

You will need:

1 inner and 1 outer fabric

iron-on interfacing

lace

faux pearl bead

First and foremost, iron-on your interfacing on the wrong side of each of your fabric.

Take a round item (I used a roll of packaging tape) and trace unto one of the edges of your fabric pieces.

Following your traced round edge, cut it carefully with a pair of scissors.

Get your outer fabric and sew on the lace.

With the remaining lace, I created a flower by creating pleats and had handsewn it on the fabric and added a faux pearl bead on top.

Sew on your tag. You can sew it on your inner fabric or on the outer fabric if you'd like your tag outside. Make sure you sew it on the side of your piece (the rounded edge will be the top side of our sleeve)

Place your fabrics right sides together (so the interfaced sides will be facing you). Sew them together with straight stitches leaving an area unsewn (2") so you can turn your piece later.

Cut the tip of the these edges.

Clip the rounded edges.

Carefully, turn it inside out.

Mark until where you would be sewing it close.

Topstitch the top of your sleeve (with the rounded sides) but only until 1" after the blue mark (as seen above)

Fold in half, inner fabric facing you, and sew two straight stitches with backtracks only to close the side.

Lift your foot with the needle down and turn your fabric until your fabric's side is parallel to the length of your presser foot.

Sew all the way down.

And the bottom.

Turn it inside out and you now have your sunglasse or eyeglasses sleeve!

This sunglasses sleeve, however, is a part of a bigger set comprised of a carry-all, a make-up bag made out of this tutorial we shared months ago and of course, the sunglasses sleeve!

Here's another shot of the set!

I hope you liked our tutorial and hope you can use it to create gift items this yuletide season!

If you have time, come and visit us at

Thanks, Heather, for having us here and have a fun, creative and crafty day everyone!

Hugs,

A Crafty Creative Christmas guest Cup of Delight

2011-11-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

Have you linked your Christmas projects here?

We have a fun and creative guest today. I love her blog and all the fun projects that she shares! Welcome April from Cup of Delight!

Hi ya'll! I am excited to be guest posting here today at Me Making Do-thanks to Heather for having me! My name is April from Cup of Delight and I love creating things.For Christmas, I try to make as many gifts and decor as time permits.

Today, I am sharing with you how to make a cute yarn Christmas tree. I was inspired by a similar tree I saw at Target and thought, "I can make that!"

Here's How I did it :

Materials:

yarn
Styrofoam cone
felt
twine
wooden buttons
2-gauge wire
a couple stick pins
glue

How To:

Wrap yarn around cone. I secured the end by wrapping around it and I secured the last end by gluing it to the bottom of the cone.
Glue button to top (this will cover that part of the Styrofoam).
Wrap twine around sparingly.
Glue on wooden buttons.
Make felt stars by tracing a star pattern or cookie cutter (that's what I used) on freezer paper (found in grocer store-this stuff is amazing for appliques!). Cut star from freezer paper then press on felt with iron for a few seconds. This will make the star shape stick temporarily to the felt. Cut around paper to make felt star shape and then peel off the freezer paper. Glue stars onto tree.
I also used the cookie cutter to help me shape the star topper. Take 2-gauge wire and bend and shape around the cookie cutter to make the star shape-this may take a few tries of shaping. Twist the ends of the wire together to close the star. Wrap star with twine and tie ends together to secure twine. Shape star again around the cookie cutter-the twine helps stabilize it. Glue star on top and secure in the back with some straight pins through the twine.

Have fun creating! And please stop by and visit me at Cup of Delight sometime. Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:46:00.001-08:00