Vanilla Joy

Painting for the Artistically Challenged

Kelsey — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:00:03 +0000

I do handmade. I don’t do “art.” I am not really artistic but look what I painted! That little blue flowery canvas in the far corner is my best “art” success. If you’re artistic, you can make up your own pretty little designs, but I used my Cricut. Of course. Using acrylic paint, I painted the whole [...]

Handmade Dish Towel Bibs

Kelsey — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:05:24 +0000

I really do love the tablecloth bib from a few months ago, but I only made one and bias tape isn’t my favorite thing so I wasn’t real keen on making a whole handful of them. But a bib made from a dish towel is something I can really put into production! Except I didn’t [...]

Craft Book Giveaway – Williams-Sonoma: The Art of Preserving

Kelsey — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:00:18 +0000

THE PRIZE One reader will win a copy of The Art of Preserving: Sweet & savory recipes to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. MY REVIEW I love preserving and I love this book. It’s my new favorite preserving book and here’s why: the recipes. the reference materials. the design. I’ve browsed my fair share of canning/preserving books, and many of them are an [...]

Best Sun Hat Pattern

Kelsey — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:55 +0000

I’ve been on the search for a perfect sun hat pattern and I finally found it in a great little sewing book called Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase. Because it’s in a book, I can’t very well give you the pattern here, although I wish I could because I know you [...]

GIVEAWAY – DownEast Basics

Kelsey — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:14:42 +0000

One reader will win any New Arrival item from DownEast Basics! MY REVIEW I am totally in love with the whole fabric flower/ruffle craze and DownEast has some fantastic new items that are so feminine and beautiful. My favorite new item is the Flower Path Top, which I wear as much as possible – I love the [...]

GIVEAWAY – Shadowcase

Kelsey — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:52:04 +0000

THE PRIZE One reader will win a Shadow Case of her choice from Shadowcase.com. REVIEW Today’s review is written by a Vanilla Joy Review Mom, Keri Garcia. I’ve always admired the shadow boxes down the frame aisle in the craft store. And I’ve always thought they would look so cute in a child’s bedroom. But my lack [...]

Review Friday: Shoes and PJs

Kelsey — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:28:32 +0000

It’s Review Friday! We’ve got Robeez and Karen Neuburger and some dinnerware coming up a little bit later this year… ROBEEZ SOFT SOLE SHOES Robeez recently sent me this pair of baby boy shoes to review, and this was my first experience with the soft leather soles. They definitely are not for walking in gravel, but I [...]

How To: Car Seat Belt Shoulder Pad

Kelsey — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:00:27 +0000

You can buy shoulder harness pads for kids car seats, but Elliot hasn’t had any and I wanted to make him some to match his carseat. I used scraps and it was a quick and easy sewing project. Cut 4 pieces of fabric (I used flannel) 6.5″ x 6.5″. Cut 2 pieces of thin batting, flannel, or [...]

Cutting Cantaloupe 101

Kelsey — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:00:26 +0000

Cantaloupe is one of my favorite summer fruits, but cutting it up is kind a pain. At least the old way – I used to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, cut each half into 6-8 slices, and cut the rind off each slice. That’s the loong way! The fast way is to cut [...]

Tuesdays with Trish – Sailboat Race

Kelsey — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:00:36 +0000

It has been hot, Hot, HOT here this week. We turned to The Toddler Busy Book for some outdoor activity ideas and came up with a makeshift sailboat racing game. Here’s what you’ll need: cookie sheet/jelly roll pan straws milk jugs lids Line up your contestants, give each a straw, and blow the lid to the finish line! You [...]