H is for Handmade

Guest Post: Love Script Necklace Tutorial, by Megan

2012-04-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

**UPDATE**
I have been receiving a lot of emails in regards to the gauge of the necklace. I recommend using either an 18 or 16 gauge wire. Please remember that the higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire is. Choose wisely depending on the word you wish to form. Thanks for your patience and support!

Got the Monday/post holiday blues? No worries because today is a special day! Why? Because I get to showcase one heck of a gal! Allow me to introduce you to the ever so talented and charming Megan Lewis of Four Girlies. Yep, that's right folks. Not only is she creative and lovely in every sense of the word, but she is the mother to 4 beautiful daughters - A stellar mother, at that! Seriously folks - the kind of mom I aspire to be! A big round of applause for Megan, please!

Hello I am Megan, a mother of four girlies that keep me busy. I love to get my creative juices flowing and making stuff. Sometimes I think that I use crafting and creating as therapy, but I mostly do it because my girlies love it and we work on things together.

Today I am happy to be showing you my tutorial on my

Love Script Necklace

Materials that you will need:

-chain of your choice (a great way to refashion an old necklace!)

-2 jump rings

-clasp

- 16 gauge wire

-round nose or needle nose pliers

-computer/printer

First, you will want to find a cursive font on your computer. It's important to find a font that connects all the letters together. Once you have selected a font, print it out at your desired font size.

(Don't have a good cursive font on your computer? Go here to download some great free fonts!)

Now you can lay your wire out over the text and form your wire to your font.

Next, attach the jump rings to each side of your letter and to each end of your chain

Finally, finish with a clasp of some sort and wear!

The options are endless you could spell anything.

I have made a few personalized necklaces for gifts too!

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Want to see more of Megan's skilled work?

Just check out her tutorial on her light letters

How about this adorbs tent she made for her girlies?

And be sure to check out Megan's blog for some seriously unique and creative party ideas! With four daughters in the home, there are bound to be some good times. Like this cereal party! Be still my beating heart! CEREAL PARTY!!??? Indeed!

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Thank you big time to Megan of Four Girlies for gracing the cyber pages of H is for Handmade! It's an honor and a pleasure!

March DIY Club - Terrariums!

2012-03-23T14:15:00.002-07:00

Last night was our monthly DIY club and I have to say that this craft was one of my favorites! Our project this month was terrariums! I think I really liked it because it brought on a nostalgia of summer with the smells of soil and sand, the varying shades of green in all the various plants - a sign of life and existance, of thriving and flourishing! I have Spring fever in a bad way so this event was just what I needed to remind me that it is now here. Officially!

Everyone was in charge of bringing their own supplies, which included:

-rocks

-plants

-glass container

-decorative items (miniature deer, rabbits, owls etc..)

-sand

-charcoal

(soil and sphagnum moss were provided by Nicole)

Rounding up these items was just as fun as making them, as I got to dig in my garden and pull up some of my very own succulents that have been neglected during the long winter months! For the other items, I got to stroll the isles full of plants and supplies at the nursery. I may have even teared up at the faint smell of fertilizer with the anticipation of warmer weather and blue skies! If I am ever having a bad day, I can always find healing and happiness in the garden department at Home Depot or my local nursery!

(I forgot my camera, so crappy phone photos will have to do!)

We had a great turnout with about 15 women! So many tiny plants and pretty glass containers!

Nicole getting dirt under her nails!

Karisa trying to place her plants just right!

Meet my new friend, Megan! She made multiple terrariums...all of which were totally fab! She gets to take them home to all four of her daughters, whom I'm quite sure will love them! She has a cute blog - please be sure to check it out!

The terrariums ranged from tropical to desert. I loved seeing all the different varieties!

Amy shows off her desert scene with all the sand layers and brightly colored cacti!

ME! I did more of a high desert scene. My container was a trifle dish with a lid and it worked perfectly! I liked the idea of a lid because it works as a greenhouse and you rarely have to water it. The plants will just keep recycling the moisture in the container.

I was so excited to get it home and see it on my dining table! I loved how it turned out and what a difference it has made in the room!

As you can see by the layers, there is a bit of a science to it. The layers shown are: (bottom to top)

1) 1.5" of rock for drainage

2) thin layer of charcoal for filtering moisture

3) 1" sphagnum moss to hold moisture in and to keep soil from sinking into the rocks

4) 3" of soil for root growth

5) plants

If you are interested in making your own terrarium, check out these great sites for a how-to, maintenance and list of supplies:

Apartment Therapy

The Fern and Mossery

Yankee Magazine

There are a lot of different ways of making a terrarium, depending on if you are using a closed container -vs- an open container so make sure you do your your homework!

Multiple Vase Centerpiece - Tutorial

2012-02-15T15:25:00.000-08:00

If there is one thing my soul is needing needing right now...it is sunshine! I want to Springtime to be here. NOW! We have been fortunate enough to have a mild winter here in Utah, but I am still craving the warmer days that allow us to ride bikes, take late night strolls through the neighborhood and above all, to see the beautiful colors that spring and summer gift us with! Since we are still a few months away from the warm and color filled days of spring, I decided to make something to help brighten up the inside of our home instead!

A multi-vase centerpiece!

Materials that you will need:

-various sizes and shapes of vases

-a large plate

-spray primer

-spray paint in desired color

-super glue (make sure the glue is specific to what your vases are made of: ceramic, glass, metal...)

I first went to my local thrift store and selected a variety of vases that I liked the shape and size of. I choose glass and plastic to work with, but I think tin or metal would work well, too!

After I found my vases, I then selected a plate with a large enough flat surface to fit all the vases on. I had to try out a few as some of them had larger rims that wouldn't allow to vases to sit flat.

This plate SCREAMS 1989! I so remember this decorating trend from my childhood!

When I was at the thrift store, I saw that the vases were priced anywhere from $3.00 - .50. I can see how this project would get pricey so make sure you select one's that won't break your pocketbook!

First, start by soaking your vases in warm water with dish soap. You will want to remove any film or buildup on your vases so that your primer has a clean surface to adhere to. I wasn't sure if I could put them in the dishwasher as some porcelains and glass won't stand up to the heat. Plus, you will find there is A LOT or crap inside of used vases that you will need to get at by hand!

HINT: CLICK! Arrange your vases onto your plate to your approval, and then take a picture of it. This will allow you refer to the photo and place them back the way you like after the pieces have been painted and glued without any wonder or worry of how you had them set up previously!

Now apply your spray primer. It should only take 2 coats at the most. Remember that primer is NOT paint so it will go on thin and won't give it "color". It simply needs to create a bondable surface for your paint. Allow ample time for your primer to dry (refer to directions on can) and then apply your spray paint. It took 3 coats or paint for a few of my pieces, as they had darker images or color that needed to be covered up.

You are now ready to apply the glue to the bottom of the vases and placed onto your plate. This is where your photo comes in handy! Let dry.

Once your glue has dried, use a cup to fill each vase with water and add your beautiful blooms!

**Hope this project brings a little color and warmth into your home this winter!**

P.S. Wash by hand with a soft cloth and warm water when done using. Remember: Anything handmade is to be hand washed!

Cost of materials:

Vases - $2.50

Plate - $.50

Primer - $4.50

Spray Paint - already had on hand ($0)

glue - already had on hand ($0)

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Total: $7.50

Loved your visit! Until next time...

New Year, New Ideas

2012-01-04T15:39:00.000-08:00

So, who's ready to seize the new year?! Any big plans? Anything exciting coming your way in 2012? Do you have any DIY projects on your resolutions list? Any craft challenges you want to tackle? As for me, there is always a mile long list of projects that call my name, new skills to learn and ideas that need to be transferred from head to hand. After going through some of my bookmarks and Pinterest (of course, Pinterest!) I found some ideas that I need to start right away!

I have never been a fan of creating resolutions or goals that are to be kept throughout the year, but rather place myself in events or circumstances that will still leave me with a sense of accomplishment. Things that I have longed to do for quite some time but have not yet pushed myself to do. That is why this idea from Delia Creates is right up my alley! We made a bucket list of things we wanted to experience over the past summer, and I can honestly say that it was the BEST 3 months (it's a short season in Utah!) in our family! We were active, spontaneous and always had something to do thanks to our little list. I like the idea of using the clothes pins for either seasonal ideas or for a year long wish list!

Making the memories is important, but remembering them is JUST as important! This gem of an idea comes from Brooke Reynolds of Inchmark. Brooke is the Senior Art Director for Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Kids. She says "I started writing down the funnier moments of the day. I keep a jar on my desk, and when the kids say something particularly worthy or recording, I grab and scrap of paper and I quickly jot it down." Such a great way to capture those opportune moments that we would otherwise soon forget! I think it would so fun to read them all out loud come the next New Year's day to reflect on the moments that made us smile throughout the past year!

Caroline (pronounced: Caro-Leen) of Armelle Blog came up with a great way to reuse, repurpose and recycle your old calendar. She simply cut out the graphic from her old calendar by using a die cutter and glued it onto a new piece of paper and template that she printed out from her computer! I have the pleasure of knowing Caroline personally and can honestly say that she is a creative genius! Be sure to follow her blog and check out her Etsy shop to see all her jewelry creations - you will not be disappointed!

Happy New Year to all of you and as always, thanks for reading and keeping this blog alive and well! I sure do enjoy all that it is!

Santa Silhouette - Tutorial

2011-12-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that us crafters love making our own holiday decor, ornaments and gifts! What we don't like is a craft that costs us a lot of money and takes a lot of time to make! Ugh. No thank you! I ~~want~~ need my precious time for baking cookies, watching cheesy Hallmark movies and buying presents! Here is a VERY easy and inexpensive project that I whipped up this last week:

A Santa Silhouette!

Materials that you will need:

construction paper (color of your choice)

frame - with backboard

background paper (I choose brown postal paper)

Scissors and/or exacto knife

pencil

glue

Begin by measuring the backboard of your frame and cutting your background paper to size. Glue it down and let dry.

Next, find an image on the Internet by googling "Santa Silhouette" and select a Santa that you like. Print it off from your computer. I chose this copyright free image.

This part is a little tricky, but I know how crafty and talented you all are and I have faith that you can do it! You can either cut out your printed image and trace around it onto your paper, OR if you are like me and needed a larger image to fit into your frame, I had to free hand it! Which was fine, because I wanted to personalize it by adding more detail to his hair, hat trim and pom-pom.

Hint: Trace or draw your image on the reverse side of your paper. That way you can flip your image over when you are done and you won't see pencil and eraser marks.

Next, start to cut out your image using your scissors or if you have hard to reach areas, you will need an exacto knife.

Position your silhouette onto your background paper and glue down.

FYI: I painted my frame black. Burgundy isn't my thing!

Easy peasy, right!

Cost of materials:

Postal paper - $Free (I had it left over from this craft)

Construction paper - $1.50 at Michael's by using a coupon from here. Just click on the "craft coupon" button on the top of the page
Frame: thrifted for $1.00

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Total cost: $2.50

Time to make it: 45 minutes

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Project Soft Book: COMPLETE!

2011-12-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

A HUGE project that has been a long time in the making is now complete! A project that took presidence over any other craft for the past several months. Hooray it is finished...kind of!

Several months ago, my DIY club decided to take on a major task. One that would go into the record books for our club and be talked about amongst ourselves well into our old age. We decided to make a soft book for our children! A 20 page soft book! My dear friend, Nicole, was the ringleader of the group and had it organized, scheduled and perfected. There are rules to this kind of thing, ya know! All 20 of us signed up to make a specific page that we would design and then hand produce 20 of that page. We had to sew each background, each decoration and each activity onto our page - no gluing! Nicole also figured out a good size ( 9X12) and what material (canvas) was best. We also had to sign up on a list so stating what we were going to make so that 2 people didn't end up doing the same page. At the end, we would swap our pages and end up with 20 activity pages for an incredible soft book! We got together several times over the past few months to work on the pages and it seemed like the challenges and the work was never ending! From cutting the canvas, shopping for materials, hand cutting all pieces then sewing it all onto the 20 pages - I can say this definitely was a labor of love!

Well, the end finally came on Tuesday night! We got together and swapped the pages, celebrated and rejoiced! I was so incredibly happy with the results and felt very lucky to be part of such a talented and amazing group of women! I just marvel at each of their pages and imagine them working so diligently on them - with care, precision and passion!

A HUGE thanks to all the crafty and amazing women in our group! Several of them have blogs too so feel free to stop on by their blogs and check out their talent yourselves!

Nicole with Elsa Bags

Caroline with Armelle the Blog

Susan with Freshly Picked

Eva, Stephanie and Kristin with Sycamore Street Press

Karisa with Pretty Handsome Paper

Dear Tia working so hard on getting the pages bound together!

Caroline is a multitasker! Shoot the breeze and sewing all at the same time!

Susan is a team player! She helped trim the canvas pages to size, removing fringe and dangling strings and made them easier to sew!

The gang is all here! 15 women, one house, one mission!

Karisa was a total trooper the whole way! She worked on her pages at 9 months pregnant, then showed up with new baby Harper by her side to get it all done!

The work!

Amy, Kristin and Eva taking a break with a few sips of Diet Coke and good conversation!

No party is complete without a table full of delicious treats to fill the bellies!

I am up to my ears in soft book pages and I could not be happier! Now I am off to the fabric store to buy some bias tape for the edges!

Have any of you made soft books?

Do you belong to a craft club?

Have you ever gotten yourself into the middle of a project and realized you may be in over your head?

Published!

2011-10-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

I never thought in my widest dreams that it would happen! But, it did! Someone took a liking to something that little ol' me created and they wanted to put it on the pages of a magazine!

I was contacted by the kind people of Mollie Makes magazine out of the UK a few weeks ago and they asked if they could publish the tutorial for my Infinity Scarf. (It is the #3 search on Google for "Infinity Scarf tutorial", ya know!) The issue was doing a feature on tartan fabric and lucky for me, my scarf fit the needs and style of the magazine. I am so thrilled that they contacted me and even though I highly stressed about having to recreate the tutorial and all the photos in high resolution for printing purposes, it was well worth it! I could not be happier about this opportunity! A big thanks to all the people of Mollie Makes for "making" it happen! Dreams really do come true!

P.S. Be sure to check out Mollie Makes blog! It's right along the lines of spectacular!

Pssssst! When I did this tutorial last year, I got a few emails from readers wanting to know where the plaid fabric was purchased. I got it at JoAnn's and when I was there 2 weeks ago, I saw that they had it in again this year! Run and grab it before it sells out!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

DIY Rain Boot Liners - Tutorial

2011-09-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

It's inevitable. It happens every year. There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. It's called: Winter. Earlier this summer I bought a sturdy pair of rain *boots for a family camping trip that I have since fallen in love with! I just wanted them to be a little softer, warmer and more comfortable so I came up with the idea of making my own liners - instead of paying the costly price for the designer brand ones sold in high end department stores. Besides, I am not one for labels showing on my attire. I loathe them. I think these are a pretty good, if not better, substitute!

Materials that you will need:
3/4 yard of fleece
decorative *fabric of your choice - at least 1/4 yard.

I used a plaid scarf to make mine!

I found a tutorial awhile back on Prudent Baby for a pair of slippers with a free pattern provided. I decided to use their template and instructions to make the bootie part of the liner. Click HERE for the pattern.

Next, I laid down my boot to measure how high and how wide I wanted the leg of the liner to be. I then cut two pieces that will fit appropriately inside of the boot.

You should have the following pieces before you can begin to sew.

I followed the instructions from Prudent Baby and I sewed my foot pieces to the "horse shoe" looking piece. Start at the toe of your pieces and sew along one side. Then come back to the toe and sew along the other side. This will assure that your 2 pieces will line up correctly and you won't have issues when you get to the heel. Leave the back open - do not sew closed, yet.

After sewing those 2 pieces together, you should have what is a makeshift looking slipper with the back still open.

(excuse the dry white legs!)

Next, I folded the leg part of the liner in half to find the center and then pinned it to the top of the bootie. Doing the same steps as before, start sewing from the center and then along each side so that it will match up in the back.

You should have something that looks like this when you are done! This is also a good point and opportunity to size things how you want them. Do you need to take in the leg, trim the height of the liner, take more in at the heel...etc?

Once you have custom fit your liner, you an sew up the back to close it. They should look like this.

Now measure you leg opening and cut your fabric to A) the measurement of the width of your opening PLUS an extra 1/4" for a seam allowance and B) twice as high as you want your fold to be. You will want to cut your fabric to be twice as high as your fold so that you can see the fabric detail on the inside of the boot as well!

Now, fold your decorative fabric in half lengthwise and widthwise and sew it closed to make a tube. If you want to close the bottom up, go ahead, but it is not necessary. I left mine open.

Next, with your liner turned right side in, slide your inside out "tube" halfway down into it.

Does that make sense?

Now you can sew along the top of your fleece to attach your fabric. Then sew it again at the bottom of the decorative fabric to attach it to the wall of your liner so that it doesn't ride up while wearing it.

You are done! Now splash around and show off your styling wellie's that are one of a kind!

Decorative fabric: $5.00 - taken from a scarf

fleece: $2.80

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total cost: $7.80

*Because inquiring minds want to know: Boots were purchased at a Farmers Feed and Supply store called Cal Ranch. Plaid fabric was a scarf I found at Forever 21 for $5.00.

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Your Ideas, My Projects!

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

There are a couple things that I am finding to be really great in my life: 1) That I can be gone for over a month, vacationing up a storm and not having to stress about what to create next for this blog...because it really doesn't matter. At all. The stress level is pretty much minimal when you don't "have" to blog, but instead "get" to blog. And 2) That I can always turn to people like you for some inspiration and ingenuity because sometimes, I just need a little shove in the creative department. Who doesn't?

(Thanks for sticking around and not caring. I mean that in the most sincerest and flattered way possible!)

That is when Pinterest comes in handy! Kind of. While Pinterest is by far the most inspiring site around, it only takes a few short minutes to be humbled and hit by the mighty realization that you may just not be the coolest crafter/dresser/decorator/chef around like you may have thought! I am always so amazed at how clever people are. Like, "HOLY CRAP" clever and "I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF THAT" clever! I have found things that blow my mind, people who clearly think on a whole other level than I do, and projects to keep me busy until my hair turns gray. It's quite addicting and oh so thrilling!

Do you care to join me on Pinterest? You can find me right HERE if you do.

I have been working on 2 projects this past week. One was found on Pinterest, and the other one I showed awhile back on this here very blog awhile back. I don't just show other people's projects for my health, ya know! I actually DO make them!

The mini side ironing table was the brain child of Elizabeth at Oh Fransson

and the sewing caddy was the brilliant idea of Joy over at How Joyful.

Use a TV tray to make a mini ironing board to have next to you while sewing. This concept has changed my life! HINT: These TV trays can be found and are sold individually at Target for less than $10.00!!

Another HINT: If you don't already have a piece of scrap fabric for this project, when you go to buy some, simply buy a quilter's fat quarter. It fits it perfectly and usually costs less than $3!

The sewing caddy can also be made from 2 fat quarters!

Pretty smart, eh?

I sure do like all of you creative people! You keep my wheels spinning!

A Positively Splendid Kind of Day!

2011-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Guess where I am today? Besides being at Echo Lake here in Utah and waiting for my turn on the boat, I will be at Positively Splendid - the magic of cyber space allows me to be in two places at once! Hallelujah for that! The name of the blog is so very fitting because Positively Splendid is...well, pretty positively splendid! Making an appearance on Amy's (not "me", Amy) blog is pretty thrilling as I have been a fan for quite some time now! Aside from feeling totally cool about being a guest on her blog, I am also pretty excited about the DIY project I am featuring! I will be showing you how to whip up your very own curled paper ceiling pendant! Go check out today's tutorial and then scroll through all her grandiose posts from the past and get ready to be inspired!

(I wonder if I could get any more exclamation points in this post?!!!??!!!!!!!!)

Free Circus Printable - Done!

2011-07-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I found a free printable for a Victorian carousel and have been smitten by it ever since! It honestly made my heart pitter patter with glee when I saw it! I posted about it here but didn't get much feedback on it. Maybe the photo that the website provided was less than appealing (much less!) or maybe my taste in whimsical decor is not so main stream? (I'm perfectly o.k. with the latter of the two.) Who knows...but I thought I would throw it out there again anyway, just in case you missed it or were turned off and/or misled by the crap photo.

I finally got around to making one for not only myself but for my good friend Nicole who just had a baby boy! After making it, I fell even more in love with it because the detail and illustrations are too darling for words. What a great present it will be for baby Reyn's nursery and I can't wait to give it to them today!

You can make one too by clicking on this pdf link and downloading it to your computer!

http://www.vam.ac.uk/files/file_upload/45900_file.pdf

FYI: It also makes cool shadows on the wall!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Soap Box

2011-07-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Has anyone strolled the aisles of Target recently? If so, you may have noticed a certain pillow propped proudly on their shelves. A certain pillow that strangely enough, looks EXACTLY like the one I did a tutorial for on this here very blog...in November of 2009! I know, I know "quit flattering yourself, Amy", as some of you may be saying, "you are tiny and no one even knows who you are or that this blog even exists!" But in all actuality, this pillow has been featured on several blogs and design sites, both small and large, so the chances of a designer for Target spotting it and taking credit for it are actually quite high. What do you guys think...should I be flattered or should I be angry? I think at this point I am leaning toward the latter. Arrrrggh.

Take a looksies and see what you think!

Mine (and ALL mine!)

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.
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stupid Target's version

I'm sorry, but the resemblance is a little too uncanny!

Everyday Lounge Pant Tutorial

2011-07-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am posting at 6:00 p.m. on a Wednesday. So what?

I bought these lounge pants from Target for $6.00. They are basic, available everywhere and a staple in most women's wardrobes. I love me some casual pants (that can't be proper English!), but all signs are pointing to the fact that if I wore these around town, I have completely given up on life. My husband likes to jokingly refer to sweats as "quitters" because he thinks that people who wear them out and about (i.e. dinner, movies or shopping) have totally surrendered in caring about themselves. Since I haven't thrown in the towel (nor do I ever plan to) on wanting to look presentable, I have, however, joined the ranks of wanting to be comfortable. There is a way to do both!

I turned my Quitters - with a capital Q, into fashionable everyday pants. I'll be happy to say that these babies have made an appearance at Target, the grocery store, our road trip and yes, even dinner! They seem to be perfectly appropriate for every event in my life. Maybe that says a little something about me!?

I think these would also be good to wear for:

post maternity

bike riding

evening walks

the farmers market

a swimsuit cover up

thrift shopping

going to the park

going on picnic

you name it

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I first started off by pinning them where I wanted them to be gathered at my leg. I did this while still wearing them, standing up really straight and looking into a mirror. I measured up from the hem and pinned the other leg at the same spot.

Next, I cut them off at the pins. Remember - you will have a 3"- 4" cuff on the bottom so take your final length into account before cutting!

I then measured up 4" (allowing for a 1/2" seam) from the bottom of the cut off leg piece and I cut them once again. This 4" piece will be used as your cuff for around your calf. Do this on both legs pieces.

I took my pants and sewed a base stitch 1/2 above my newly cut bottom edge. It doesn't have to look good because you will pull it through and remove it later.

I put the pants back on and started gathering the leg to get the right width for my calf. Tie off your thread strings once this is done so that your gather won't slip.

I opened my cuff piece by cutting the seam off and then I measured around the opening of the leg on the pants. I trimmed the length of the cuff to the measured size. I left my pants right side in and sewed the top of the cuff to the bottom of my pants so that right sides were together. Basically, just turn your cuff piece upside down backwards!

Hint: start sewing from the hem on the inner of the leg

Once I got to the end, I just sewed up the side into the seam of the pants.

I then took out the base stitch as it's not needed anymore

And that's it!

I also added a little flair by using up the left over leg material that was cut off and make a cargo pocket. I also made a bias tape with some scrap fabric and made a new drawstring belt and topped the pocket with it as well.

Is this something you would wear around town? Do you think they are utilitarian as I do? Do you think I will wear them till they are worn thin, practically see-through and borderline indecent?

You bet I will!

Blog link ups are a great thing! See where I am this week! Click here!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Thanks and Take a Peek!

2011-06-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today I am featured over at Whatever Dee Dee Wants with my DIY kid's placemat. I am participating in her Terrific Tuesdays series. Each Tuesday throughout the summer, she presents a kid friendly craft to not only help keep the wee ones occupied on those long summer days, but also to help parents devote their time and attention their kids...and just their kids! I really love this concept because I firmly believe in the saying, "To a child, Love is spelled T-I-M-E." Making memories with our children is crucial and if you can rid your summer of those dreaded words, "I'm bored", then it's double the points! If they don't want to make art, I'm sure the garden always needs to be weeded!

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Also, I have a few things on my to do list this week. Or should I call it my "get to do" list, because really, making this stuff is a privilege - not a chore! I went through my bookmarks, new and old, and gathered together some pretty little projects. I think I will go ahead and share my list with you today!

Custom paper tape by Just Something I Made

This very simple tutorial for a lace shirt from One Pearl Button found over at My Girl Thursday. You will squeal when you see how easy it is to make this!

Scallop cut offs found at Green Eggs and Ham. I love me some scallops!

Decorating with masking tape! Brilliant ideas found at How About Orange.

Make your own sugar cubes with this tutorial from Nifty Thrifty Things.

Obsessing over these fabric covered pots by Lavender and Limes!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Hand Towel Apron With Zipper - Tutorial

2011-06-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

The ladies in my family have this REALLY stellar tradition where we save up all our money/gift cards that we received at Christmas, made from craft shows or was returned from paid taxes and together we go on an all day shopping adventure! While we like to buy a few things for ourselves, we also like to pick up ideas for future craft projects along the way! As we stroll the isles of merchandise and finger through the racks of clothes, we often find ourselves saying, "I can make that for so much less!" We get a lot of inspiration for anything that would make life a little more pleasant and more affordable by doing it ourselves! With that being said...

I present to you the "apron with zipper attached hand towel"!

Step 1: Wear your apron. Step 2: Unzip your dirty towel from apron Step 3: Wash your dirty towel!

I spotted a this nifty design in a fancy boutique and it had a price tag of $40.00. Pleeeaaase! I loved the concept because really, that is all I use my aprons for: wiping my hands, drying off a spoon or dabbing my little one's messy mouth after his licked the brownie batter out of the bowel. But I knew I could easily make it for less than $15.00. And that I did!

It only requires a few inexpensive materials, some of which you probably already have on hand!

Materials that you will need:

hand towel

separating zipper

existing apron ( to be used as a template or to be refashioned!)

1 yard of fabric (if you don't have an apron to refashion)

Sewing machine

Before I get started on the tutorial, there are a few hints that are going to help you tremendously! I learned them by trial and error, so you can thank me later for saving you so much time and hassle!

**Please read before beginning this project!!**

First: Find out what sizes and colors of zippers your local or closest sewing center carries. Make a physical or mental note of it and shop for your hand towel. Make sure you buy a hand towel in a length that is the same length as a standard zipper. Remember that zippers are measured from component to component - not from the ends of the fabric.

Second: For some reason, stores do not like to carry long length zippers in fashionable and fun colors. At least where I live (dang you, Utah!). I ended up using a 27" basic black zipper because I gave up trying to find something better! What I'm trying to say is, "good luck finding a 31.5" hot pink zipper!"

Third: When buying a hand towel, take your measuring tape with you because often times, the size of the towel is not printed on the tag. I noticed most towels varied between the sizes of 25"-30" in length.

Fourth: Buy a zipper and then choose your fabric last. Find one that matches both your zipper and towel. Trust me on this. I started with my fabric choice and after returning 3 towels, 2 zippers and searching 5 sewing centers, I almost gave up!

Let's get started! If you are either using an existing apron to refashion, or are making a new by using an existing apron as a template, you will want to lay it out and then take your hand towel and line up the bottom of it, to the bottom of your apron. This will show you how long the fabric part of the apron will need to be. (my hand towel happened to be the exact same length as my template apron - PURE COINCIDENCE!)

After finding the length, either cut off the bottom of your apron, allowing enough material for a seam or if you are making a new one, fold under and pin the apron. This will be used as your template.

If you are making a new apron, lay your template on top of your fabric and cut out with enough material around the edges for a seam allowance. Lay your hand towel down to see if your widths are measuring up, if needed.

If you are refashioning an existing apron, simply hem the bottom and skip the next step as it does not apply to you!

Fold all edges under (twice for a more finished look!) and press with a hot iron then sew.

Once all your edges have been hemmed, you are ready to sew your zipper on. Separate your zipper and sew one side onto the bottom of your apron, and one side to the top of your hand towel. I chose the ever easy and trendy "exposed zipper" method.

Next, use your fabric scraps to make and sew on a strap for the neck and for the ties. And you are finished!

My cost:

fabric: $4.00 (on sale at Hancock Fabrics)

towel: $3.00 (on sale at Target)

zipper $3.00 (from local fabric shop)

______________________________

total: $10.00!!!!

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, you pricey Boutique you!

*I love link parties! Click HERE to see who I've partied with this week!*

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Ready, SET, go! DIY Kids Placemat

2011-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Several years ago (according to the article, March 2006, to be exact!) I clipped this idea out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine for a kids DIY placemat. I didn't even have a child back then but knew that someday I wanted to sit down make this craft with a tiny little person beside me! It's not only a great tool to teach your children the proper way to set a table, but it's easy to clean and saves your table from getting messy!

I love that my little guy is now old enough to do things like this! He gets so eager to dive into an art project! It makes my heart smile!

Materials that you will need:

poster board
4 sheets of paper
scissors
glue
laminating machine

Cut your poster board down to desired size. I read that a standard placemat size is 18"x14" but I made his a little smaller so that it could fit into a drawer in the kitchen.

I gave him a piece of paper to practice tracing his circles on. He pays so much attention to detail and was so careful! He was cracking me up!

After all his practice, it was time for the real thing!

We then traced each of the shapes for the glass, dish and napkin on separate pieces of paper and cut them out. I hand drew the utensils - sorry I don't have a template!

Mr. Little Jeans put glue on all the shapes and we placed them onto the poster board.

After we were done, we drove to a local store called Utah-Idaho Supply to get it laminated. It is a supply house for educational instructors to buy resources for their students and classrooms. It is such an amazing store and the price to get it laminated was less than $3.00! I highly recommend going to a store like this rather than a copy or office supply store because it will save you so much money!

He is now a pro at setting his own place setting and I am happy that I got to craft it up with my favorite little man in the whole world!

Loved your visit! Until next time....

DIY Sundance Catalog Poster

2011-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to read are magazine articles, news segments or blog posts on how to achieve a designer look for less! Whether it's clothing or a room remodel, it can always be done! Who doesn't love a budget friendly result?

While recently browsing the Sundance Catalog's website, I came across this beautiful "Eggs of the Avian" print....

I fell in love with it! But then, my eyes wondered over to the price and a loud gasp was released from my lips after it's discovery! While it is lovely in it's entirety, I unfortunately cannot afford this $495.00 piece of art. I really wanted to find a way to create it on a budget and was bound and determined to do so!
(The original is quite large but I only need something to fill a small space on my wall)

Here is what I came up with:

I found this FREE downloadable print over at The Graphics Fairy. I hate to admit it, but I actually like the vintage charm of this one better than the Sundance version! I know that if I take a pdf to a printing shop (Staples or Office Depot does it for only a few dollars), I can have it made into any size I need as long as the resolution is high enough.

*For yet another similar egg graphic click here*

I then spotted this reclaimed 11X14 barnwood frame to finish off the look at Hobby Lobby for only $15.00! If I use a 40% off coupon that they so frequently send out, it would only cost me around $9.00!
(This frame can also be found at Michael's! Hooray!)

What do you think? Is it a close enough match? I think saving a whopping $475.00 makes it a perfect match!

As soon as my spring cleaning, prepping the yard/garden for the new season and a little family vacation is complete, I will start this very project!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

"Knot" Again! T-Shirt Tutorial

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

I know I have said it on here before, but I just NEED a break from any piece of clothing with a ruffle or bow embellishment! My closet is full of them - the stores are full of them. I always know when I need to get a grip and step back from an obsessive trend. For me, that time is now!

(hey world...it's me, Amy!)

While still liking a good embellishment, I wanted a shirt that avoided the above mentioned but still had a little flair! Knots! Why not!? This project is super easy, repurposes an old shirt, takes less than an hour and uses very little supplies - most of which you probably already have at home.

Materials that you will need:

-iron

-heat and bond (light weight)

-1.5 yards ribbon

-scissors

-1 shirt in good condition

-1 shirt to be repurposed

-ruler or tape measure

-sewing machine

At the last minute, I changed out my ribbon from the orange ribbon shown in the picture. When I looked at the front of it, this is what I read! Undetermined content doesn't belong on my chest! I decided to go with a black grosgrain ribbon instead!

Start by cutting out a piece of your heat and bond into a strip that measures 2.75" in width. Measure the length of your shirt and add 1/2" to the length of your heat and bond. This will allow your strip of fabric to be folded under when you are ready to sew.

Be sure to cut a curve at the top of your strip to fit the curve of your collar.

When your strip has been measured and cut, place it down on the old shirt that you want to repurpose. Find a section that fits the strip of heat and bond and iron it down. You may have to use the back like I did.

Cut the fabric around the strip of heat and bond with a 1/4" allowance on all the sides.

Next, remove the backing from your strip. Fold your fabric over with the use of the edge of your hot iron and press the sides down onto the adhesive. Be careful not to get the hot iron onto the adhesive - keep it strictly on the edge where your shirt is folded over.

*Sorry, photos for the next 2 steps were accidentally deleted!*

Now, lay your strip of fabric, adhesive side down, on the center of your good shirt. Make sure to measure and pin. Use your iron to press the strip of fabric down on your T shirt. Be careful not to stretch or pull the shirt while ironing as to not offset the strip. Fold and adhere the bottom 1/2" of your strip under your shirt for a more finished look.

Once your strip has been ironed down, you are ready to sew it on. Try to sew as close to the edge as possible.

Next, you want to cut your ribbon into 7" lengths. 1.5 yards of ribbon will get you 8 pieces. Lay your pieces of ribbon down the front of your shirt measuring and pinning as you go. I spaced mine out at 2".

Now you can sew your ribbons on! I used a horizontal stitch about 1/2" in length. I tried to use a vertical one, but the knots felt flimsy and would flop from side to side.

Tie all your ribbons in a knot. Depending on your ribbon, they may look crooked.

I went back over the ribbons and did a tiny stitch (not to be noticed) to hold them in place by walking my machine over them a few times. It may seem redundant to sew them on twice, but this was the only way I could figure out how to get them to be sturdy and hold them in place at the same time. Trust me, I tried other ways!

You are done! How did you do? Was it easy enough for you to get it done in between folding the laundry and making dinner?

As with all my projects, if you decided to tackle one and have a photo of it, I would love to see your work! It always makes me so happy! Simply email me at the address in the right hand column so I can tell you how amazing you are!

*Click HERE to see where I have linked this project up to this week!*

Loved your visit! Until next time....

The Good And the Bad

2011-04-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello dear followers! I cannot even tell you how much I have appreciated you hanging in there and patiently waiting for me to get back online! I would check into my blog every few days to see if there was any news, emails, questions or comments that I needed to tend to and was always so thrilled to see that you all have stuck with me and that I had even gained a few new followers! Much thanks to you all - I am so happy to have you visit and support this little blog of mine!

Well, I have bad news and I have good news.

I will start with the bad first. My pregnancy was unfortunately unsuccessful and we lost the baby at 16 weeks into it. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through - especially because I have hyperemesis with my pregnancies during the first trimesters. I really thought all the hard work, the hours of bed rest, the sacrifice of not being able to spend quality time with my husband and son would all pay off in the end when I finally got to hold the little baby in my arms. I am heartbroken that it won't. The ONLY reason why I am telling the news on this blog is to let you know why I haven't felt the need or desire to blog again but also because people always anticipate a pregnant blog author to post about their pregnancy and any fun baby finds, DIY baby projects, ideas for a nursery and then await for the big announcement when the baby has finally arrived. I too love to read those kind of things from some of my favorite bloggers around the web who are expecting and it always makes me feel like I am one of their closest friends! I love being allowed to read the details and happenings of their exciting time and how much they look forward to their new addition and how they are preparing for it! I will continue to read their incredible blogs and cheer them on from my living room! It really should be a time of celebration and sharing! I simply just wanted you, my friends, to know why I can't share such things with you!

The good news is that I am doing well! I am healthy again, my spirits are up and I have been making up for lost time hanging out with my loving hubby and my favorite silly little 3 year old! We have an amazing support system of family and friends around us and our faith in God to lift us up whenever we are down! It feels good to see Spring around the corner, to feel the sun on my face and be able to see my apricot tree in blossom. Those are all the things that help a wounded heart heal! We are so hopeful for the future and this little bump in the road will not detour us in any way. Also, on a good note, while taking the needed time off, I have been brainstorming and getting inspired about some new DIY projects to post on here and I have a few goodies up my sleeve! It feels good to get back in the saddle again and I look forward to moving on, pressing forward and finding happiness in working with my hands once again!

See you real soon!

Allow Me to Explain

2011-01-11T11:28:00.000-08:00

See this tree?

This tree and me are the same.

With that being said, you may understand how sitting at the computer is quite unappealing to me at this time. I am unfortunately not one of those women that gets to skate through the 9 months of gestation! My pregnancies are filled with medicines, IV's and a lot of rest so that both baby and me stay safe and stay alive! Since I am only in my first trimester, I have to take it VERY easy. I will be putting this beloved little blog on hold for the time being so that I can care for the beloved little baby inside of me, instead! Please hang in there and know that I will be back in the blogging world in no time! While I am on leave and spending most of my time lying in bed (or hanging my head in the toilet), I will be taking full advantage of my down time by conjuring up some good craftiness for you when I return! Thanks for all of your support and understanding! Until next time....

List Them and Love Them

2010-12-31T10:03:00.000-08:00

Resolutions can seem a bit daunting at times. Especially come September when you realize you have fallen short in your ambitious intentions and the year is nearly over! Instead of making demanding and dreadful resolutions (i.e. loose weight, run a 1/2 marathon, cut out carbonated beverages from diet....), why not make goals that you look forward to doing, that will enrich your life and that you will have fun with? Love your resolutions! For example: build something with power tools, go see a foreign film alone, enroll in an adult education course at your local community college or maybe start a gratitude journal? Does anyone remember the Friend's episode where Monica got her credit card stolen? That's what I'm talking about! Last year I made a goal to enter cookies into our State Fair's competition and it was so much fun! It was something that I was completely unfamiliar with and I was appreciatively introduced to a "culture" that was all very new to me! I will do it again this coming year!

Here is a simple printout that I made where you can jot your aspirations down on. Tape it to your mirror, your fridge or the inside cover of your daily planner. Seeing them each new day will be a slap in the face friendly reminder of how thrilling it is to empower ourselves by learning something new and how riveting it is to step out of our comfort zones! Maybe if the resolutions are on pretty stationary, it makes them a little less intimidating?

P.S. I only put 5 numbers on the stationary - why overdo it? Let's just keep it sweet and simple, shall we!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Saved!

2010-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you guys, but I am a little overwhelmed with all the last minute details before Christmas on Saturday! I still have so much to do! I promised myself that I was going to be really on top of it this year. I was going to start early so that I could avoid days like this. I told myself that I was going to take it all in, savor the season and not get caught up in the whirlwind and chaos. I have failed miserably! With that said, I have not had the time to craft up any projects for you guys! I have, however, saved ideas from other crafters/bloggers that I think are beyond fabulous! Thanks to them, and their kindness for posting the how-to's on their blogs, I have been saved from posting my own tutorials and will now get to take the week off. I will now go and enjoy my time with my family and get back to my "handmade holidays"!

There are a few really great tutorials by Autumn over at Design Dump on how to add some seriously beautiful package toppers using felt. Find them here and here.

Lola Nova shows you how to make this adorable d.i.y. Christmas tree garland by sewing fabric scraps and trimmings to card stock paper.

Lisa over at Moore Minutes had the best idea! Her family has a tradition of taking a picture of their tree every year and hanging them up to see how they have changed! Love this!

This lovely little excuse to give your loved ones a big smooch was made by Kacey at Stay at Home Artist. I think I will hang one up at every doorway!

I was really excited to see this tutorial for this holiday poster by Lisa at Her Beautiful Mess. I think the simplicity in it's design is so perfect for our little modern eclectic home!

My search for the perfect tag came to an end when I spotted these free printable gift tags by Eat Drink Chic via For the Love. I am really hoping they will help relieve some stress come wrapping time!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Scrap Fabric Tree - Tutorial

2010-12-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

As promised - here is a nice little craft to start off your already busy week! I used items that I already had on hand so I actually didn't need to buy any of the supplies. But if you do, it still would be pretty inexpensive. This craft also only took me 40 minutes to complete so it may even be something you can fit into your festive schedule!

Materials that you will need:

scraps of fabric (I choose fabrics in reds and greens but feel free to use whatever you have on hand)

paint

paintbrush

canvas

glue gun

glue sticks

Start by painting your canvas. It may take a couple of coats but if you use an acrylic paint like Folk Art or Ceramcoat, the dry time is very quick! I chose Folk Art's metallic Champagne color because I liked the shimmery look of it.

While your paint is drying, start cutting long thin strips (about 1/2" wide) out of your scrap fabric. Once your strips have been cut, you can now cut them down to approximately 1.5" in length. Your cuts and sizes don't have to be perfect because it actually looks better when there is a variance in measurements.

After your canvas has dried, measure out and draw a triangle in the middle of it. This will be your template to guide you on where to glue your fabric.

Now take the strips you have just cut and begin to glue them onto your canvas. Start with the bottom layer and work up.

Hint: If you are only working with a few colors, it helps to not only keep your cut scraps in separate piles by color, but also by fabric.

When you are done gluing your fabric and your tree has taken shape, you can add any kind of embellishment to adorn the top! I purchased a frame from a thrift store for $1.00 and painted it red. I also added a piece of brown fabric for the trunk of the tree.

Voila! You are done! See, that wasn't so bad - now you can get back to your cookies and present wrapping! I know I need to!

Click HERE to see a list of blogs that I linked this project to!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Gift Giving Ideas

2010-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

I am sorry for the lack of posts and also lack of tutorials! I have been so very busy this week and it seems as though the holiday festivities began very quickly this year! My family made a pact to have a "Handmade Christmas" so I have been working my little hands away at making some wonderful things for the wonderful people in my life! It has been so much fun sitting at my table letting the creative juices flow while listening to my Christmas station on Pandora radio and eating homemade cookies! To cover up my absence from this blog, I have provided a little band-aid of a post: I have dug deep in my archives and rounded up a bunch of my tutorials just in case you feel so inclined as to participate in a handmade holiday as well! If you are anything like me, any ideas are greatly appreciated not only for all those hard to buy for people, but to protect the ol' pocketbook, as well! I will be back next week with some DIY crafts just for YOU...I promise! Thanks for hanging in there!

Felt Chrysanthemum Pillow

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Beehive Bazaar Goodies!

2010-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Oh joy! As I mentioned before, 'tis the season for winter art and craft shows! It makes me gitty just thinking about it! This weekend my precious and sacred spare time will be spent at this year's winter Beehive Bazaar. I am counting down the hours until it starts! And when it does, it starts with a bang! There is a raging VIP party on Thursday night starting at 9:00 - with a small admission fee of $4.00. And guess who will be helping you check out at the registers? ME! If you are in the area, please come and support this incredible show and stop by the checkout counter and say "hello"!

I know, I know - not all of you can attend these markets but you can still check out the goods via the vendor's Etsy shops or blogs! Isn't modern day technology wonderful?

I am really looking forward to seeing what Suzanna Clements with Sorry Clementine has at the show! After strolling her Esty shop, I am in totally in love with a lot of her pieces. Check out that collar - so lovely! I think her mix of fabric is excellent! Especially this one and also this one! Her prices are pretty exceptional, as well!

Please sign me up for one of these! Ironing may just be the bane of my existence, so adding a little flair like this pretty ironing board cover by Paula Hogan with Compelled to Craft may just be my answer to happier steam presses!

Angela Flicker with The Artists House has done a pretty good job at blowing me away! Her sewing skills are above and beyond impressive! Her work is flawless and her attention to detail is impeccable! I can't wait to visit her booth and I will try my best to keep my drool from pooling on the floor.

Is there a baby in the house? There isn't in mine and it makes me a little sad because now I don't have an excuse to buy these Freshly Picked baby mocs handmade by Susan. Maybe one day she'll make them in a women's size 7.5 and I'll gladly wear them around town making grown women cry with envy.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? How about a green one? Then you better check out Sycamore Street Press! Eva and the gang (Kristin, Stephanie and Amy) at SSP make the most beautiful paper goods and have taken letterpress printing and design to a new level - their products are printed on 100% recycled cotton paper made from garment remnants and they also use soy based inks!

Annily Green makes these incredibly cool clutches to hold all that I need: Debit card, phone and red lipstick! Her designs are modern and innovative with parallelogram shapes and vibrant colors. Her talent doesn't stop there - she also makes some killer pillows and canvas wall art!

Hope to see all you locals this weekend!

Loved your visit! Until next time....