Mimi's Dollhouse

Mermaid Party: Mermaid Tail Tutorial (Guest Post)

Leanne Leeper — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Hello! My name is Leanne and I am so happy to be stopping by from …And Away We Go!! to share a quick DIY Mermaid Tail Tutorial sewing project! My great friend, Jen, recently threw an amazing “Under the Sea” party for her daughter’s 3rd birthday. These tails, along with a ton of amazing goodies, were waiting for every little mermaid that attended the party. Adorable right?

The supplies required for these tails can be found at your local fabric/craft store: Sequinned stretch fabric, organza and elastic band.

To get the correct sizing for the tail, wrap the fabric around your little one’s waist, making sure there is enough room for them to walk. The fabric should be long enough to reach their heels. This extra length will ensure that you have enough fabric to fold over for the waistband. Once you have cut the fabric to the appropriate size, fold it in half (right sides together), pin and then sew the edge of the fabric to create one long tube. Then, cut one end of the tube into a point, to create the mermaid tail.

To create the organza ruffle along the tail fin, fold a length of organza (12″ wide) in half length wise. Pin the raw edges of the organza to the tail fin (right sides together), leaving an extra 3″ at the tip of the tail and adding pleats every 3″. Next, sew along the angled tail fin to attach the organza. Once the organza is attached fold or roll the excess at the tail’s tip under and add a few stitches. Attach a separate organza ruffle to each side of the angled tail fin.

Once the front of the tail is complete, pin and then sew a folded length of organza to the back of the tail. For this skirt, I chose to remove the angled fin and cut the skirt straight across the back. However, if you have the time and supplies, the back of the tail would look great finished in the same way as the front.

Now that the bottom of the tail is complete it is time to add a waistband. To do this, turn the skirt inside out and roll the fabric along the waist down approximately 1.5″. Sew along the bottom edge of the fold, leaving an opening of about 2″. Thread an appropriate length of elastic band through the waist of the skirt using a safety pin. Sew the ends of the elastic band together using 3 or 4 rows of stitches to ensure that it will not come loose. Tuck the elastic into the waistband and sew the opening shut.

To add the ruffle to the top of the skirt, simple gather a length of organza and pin, in bunches, 3 or 4 times across the front of the skirt. Add a few stitches to each of the gatherings, allowing the organza to drape between gatherings. You can add a second length of organza to the back of the skirt, in the same fashion.

…and there you have it! An adorable costume for your favourite “Little Mermaid” or a memorable keepsake from a fantastic party!!

Thanks for the super cute Mermaid Tail Tutorial, Leanne:)

Author information

Leanne Leeper

Blogger at And Away We Go

Hello! My name is Leanne, I am a mom, a wife and a teacher. I absolutely love creating, but with two little ones to chase around my projects have to stay quick and easy! I'd love for you to stop by and check them out!

Monster Party: Cute Monster Party Feature

Holly Lasha — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Who says monsters have to be scary? Not these ladies. The only way these monsters are scary,is if they are scary cute!! I am completely in love with Monster parties. If I can’t get one of my daughter’s to have a monster party soon, I might have to borrow someone else’s kid. There are just so, so many completely amazing and creative things you can do with cute little monster designs. Every time I see a monster party, it makes me smile. This party is definitely no exception….

Today, I am sharing one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE PARTIES…and that’s saying something!! This adorable cute monster party was styled by Bridget from Bridgey Widgey and Toni from Missionary Munchies for Toni’s 2 year old twins. Seriously…it is scary cute!!!

See,I told you it was cute! Checkout the adorable favor cones and the candy wands. I LOVE the use of googly eyes to make all the dishes and treats look like little monsters. Perfection!! The awesome part about google eyes, they are basically impossible to screw up! You don’t even have to think too hard…food+googly eyes=instant monster!

This is one of my favorite cakes EVER. I love how such a simple design looks so amazing and is absolutely perfect for a monster party. I mean come on…eye marshmallows on sticks…genius!

Monster cookies that are almost too cute to eat!

The jucie bottles are simply emptied water bottles filled with colorful juice. Easy and Economical.

Of course, the photo booth is to die for. This was a grocery store display that was re-purposed for a kid friendly, monster photo booth. LOVE IT. LOVE. IT.

Vendor Credits:

Party Styling: Bridgey Widgey and Missionary Munchies

Photography: Posh Photography

Here are some helpful links for monster party supplies:

Wanna throw a monster party?

Purchase Printable Monster Party PDF Packages in my shop:

Author information

Holly Lasha

Hey Ya'll, I'm Holly. Thanks for stopping by my page. We are all family here, so grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and stay for awhile. I'm a crazy crafting momma with two beautiful little girls that I can't stop photographing. I love parties, french fries and Sci-fi (not necessarily in that order). If you like what you read, leave a comment and let me know or shoot me an email if you have any questions at holly@mimisdollhouse.com

Giveaway: DSLR Camera Giveaway

Holly Lasha — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

One of the greatest purchases I ever made (or really my husband made for me as a Christmas present) was my DSLR camera. It was love at first sight:) While it did take me some time to learn how to use it properly…and even after years of practice, I’m still learning everyday, but I love the picture quality and I drag that thing with me EVERYWHERE.. My biggest obsession: photographing my kids. They changes so much and I don’t want to miss a bit of it. So me and my camera BFF…we go together like two peas on a pod! Beef and Mash potatoes, Justin Bieber and teenage girls…you get the picture.

My love affair with my camera is why I’m super excited about the DSLR Camera giveaway we are apart of this week…Wanna win your own DSLR camera? How about a $1000 photo shopping spree? Heck yes! Scroll on down to the Raffle-copter entry form and enter. It’s Easy Peasy!

You have the opportunity to win a $1000 Photographer’s Dream Shopping Spree. You can pick out anything you like from DSLR cameras to camera bags to accessories and lighting and more. Or you can opt for $1000 USD transferred to you via PayPal so that you can shop to your heart’s content.

There are quiet a few amazing bloggers and vendors who came together to make this amazing giveaway possible including Spaceships and Laser Beams, Yumtastics, Go Against the Grain, Life Revolves Around Them, Mimi’s Dollhouse, Not Just A Mommy, Angelina´s Dream Parties, Twinkled Spice Boutique, Hello My Sweet, Party Snobs, Inkberry Cards + Design, UR invited, Petite Bebe, Party Printables, Unlimited Party Themes, Party On! Designs, Vanessa Hankins Photography, My Garden Party, Dorothy Kurzydlowski Photography, Sugar Sugar Cakes, DimplePrints, Creative Juice Cafe, Miss Party Mom, PaperCandee, Creative Designs by Toni, Paige Simple Studio, Calamity Kate’s Kitchen, Simply Creative Printables,The Way The Cookie Crumbles, Michelle’s Party Plan-It, Paper and Style Co., And Everything Nice, Samantha Walker Designs, Simply Sweet Parties, Events by Kate, Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams, One Inspired Party, Kima’s Konfections,This Nest is Best, Triple M Good Parties and Myour Stories Designs. And that’s not even everyone!!!

More than 60 people are contributing to this contest. To see the complete list, take a look at the Rafflecopter form. As small businesses and blogs, we would never be able to offer such a cool prize, so it’s a lot of fun to be able to combine forces and giveaway something so special.

Prize Details: The winner can select up to $1000 in camera equipment or supplies (including all sales taxes and shipping) to be delivered to the single destination of their choosing. The winner has the option of receiving $1000 USD in PayPal funds in lieu of receiving their prize.

The winner will be selected randomly via Rafflecopter. The odds of winning are dependent on the number of people entering. Should the winning entrant(s) not respond within 48 hours of being emailed, another winner(s) will be selected. Please ensure spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com is on your safe email list. We would hate to have to redraw another winner!

Rules: This contest is open worldwide from May 17, 2013 at 12:01am EST to June 6, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. All entrants must be the age of the majority in their own country. Should unforeseen circumstances occur, this contest could be cancelled at any time. Void where prohibited by law.

Enter Using Our Rafflecopter Form

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This blog did not receive any money to participate or promote this contest. This giveaway is in not way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, PayPal or any camera-related company. As one of many participants, we are not responsible for logistics or prize delivery. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie at Spaceships and Laser Beams by emailing spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Author information

Holly Lasha

For the Home: Necklace Holder Tutorial

Lauren Johnson — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Have you experienced Anthropologie? I mean the store, not the 101 class you took freshman year to fulfill the Gen Ed credit. It’s amazing. I had perused it a bit online but never really got into it. Then I went in one beautiful Saturday afternoon. OH-MY how my perspective on life and shopping has changed. This is the first time I have relished slowly walking through a store to gaze and smell and touch and soak up the extravagant items. Oh its loverly. I bought these bowls.

I bought them so I would have enough for all the gals in my book club and enough for all the tables at Bunco night. Also it was my birthday, and I wanted them {and they were super discounted}. There are eight and they’re all different. So if one breaks and I have to buy an extra that doesn’t match from Goodwill, it doesn’t matter cause they already don’t match. Genius? Yes, I concur.

I also bought these here Drawer pulls cause it was my birthday. They don’t match either. I like it that way.

I have recently purchased an Origami Owl Locket {they’re fabulous}. That plus my current necklaces makes four necklaces. Four is enough that they now officially need a home other than a hanger in my closet.

Earlier that day I had pulled apart these pallets for my not yet completed head board project.

Most of them popped off pretty nicely with a little elbow grease but one broke all jagged right in half-ish. Well I threw it across the yard and kept going. Eventually I had one pallet all pulled apart and was way too pooped to start on another.

Anywho, I came home with the knobs {and the bowls and a few dresses cause it was my birthday and I had never seen SO much stuff SO marked down}, ready to make this adorable necklace holder I saw on Pinterest. It was just a picture and didn’t click through to a link {nothing more annoying, am I right?!} so I was on my own, but you don’t have to be, since I put together this necklace holder tutorial.

I had some left over nice clean pine in the garage that I pulled out, but quickly decided it wasn’t rustic enough. I didn’t want to use my hard earned pallet boards and I sure as heck wasn’t pulling any more part today. But wait! The broken in half-ish board that I threw across the yard! It was pretty jagged on one end so I trimmed it up with a jig saw. You could pretty much use any saw to trim it

up though. Or not, if you like the extra rustic look. {if you don’t have access to a saw go get a 1 inch by 4 or 5 inch board from Home Depot and have the nice man cut it for you}

*Side Note* Always use eye protection when using a saw, drill, Dremel or anything. And I’m not just saying this cause I work at an eye Dr. Even with protection I’ve gotten bits in my eye and it is NOT awesome.

Then I measured and marked my distances and drilled holes. I don’t freestyle well.

I lined up the drill bits end to end with knobs and tried to find the closest size. The first two drill bits I used were too small. I just kept going up a size till I found one that would let the knobs slip easily through without being too wobbly. *WARNING* You can drill a hole bigger but you can NOT drill a hole smaller! Don’t go too big too fast. If your wood doesn’t already have left over nail holes you’ll also need to drill some holes near the top for the hanging wire.

Next step was sliding in the knobs and screwing the nuts on the back. Finger tight then I used a little wrench.

Make ‘em nice and tight.

I had about half an inch of screw hanging off the back, which I sliced off with my Dremel, that I had just received for {did I mention?} my birthday. How handy! Now if it’s not your birthday and you don’t have a Dremel ask a few gal pals if they have one. Then make them a batch of brownies and borrow theirs for the afternoon.

Now it’s wire time. I had a left over spool of wire about one mm thick that’s nice and pliable. I fed it through the back and out the front then took a pencil and wrapped the end around with pliers till I got a nice little curly Q.

Slam a nail in the wall and toss some necklaces on and you’re done!

After I made mine I made a few more for some friends. I used a few different colors for each of their specifics and one I even painted first. I loved how all of them turned out. Not including shopping time, it probably took less than 30 minutes. I’m sure there are lots of ways to make this awesomely your own. Enjoy!

Author information

Lauren Johnson

I am Lauren Johnson, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother to one precious little girl and one awesome little man. I Will try any craft once, If I like it I’ll try it again. I am a working mom who believes home making is an art to be delighted in. Woodworking is my current fave, but I can and will pop back into sewing or digital scrap-booking at a moment’s notice. Cooking doesn't always happen, but when it does it’s delish, and for every salty I usually make a sweet cause that’s the best part. I’m excited to share my favorite crafts, recipes and tips with you. I hope they delight you as much as they do me!

Strawberry Party: Strawberry Lemonade Stand Play Date

Holly Lasha — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Have I ever told you that I love Spring/Summer time? Well…I do. Love. It. A couple weeks ago, I was feeling the Springtime, warm weather bug. I decided to put together a little play date in the park for my daughters. They LOVE Strawberry Shortcake. Obsession LOVE. It’s super cute to me because I can remember this little pair of Strawberry Shortcake tennis shoes my dad had on display in his office for years that were mine when I was little. Now my babies love Strawberry just as I did. I guess some things from the 80s coming back in style aren’t sooo bad.

Starting with Strawberry Shortcake as a jumping off point, I decided to put a little twist on an old classic….THE LEMONADE STAND. So, strawberry shortcake+lemonade stand=STRAWBERRY LEMONADE STAND (of course).

With a fun and girly mixture of Pinks, Reds, and Greens and some yummy fresh fruit, it was a match made in Heaven.

This Strawberry Lemonade Stand ended up being one of my favorite spreads to set-up. The girls had a great time (and so did my fabulous photographer Rachel and I). Here’s my Aubrey “selling” her lemonade. The lemonade is my Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy with a little pink food coloring added to the mix to give it that classic strawberry lemonade look:)

My girls:) Aubrey has that far off look in her eyes like she’s dreaming of princesses and fariytales (I really think she was rolling her eyes at me though!) My Emma LOVES drinking through the striped paper straws. I also love using the straws in place of sticks to display the cupcake toppers (those are strawberry cupcakes btw…Aubrey’s FAV!)

Here is my Emma having fun with the mini banner. She kept saying “E-M-M-A, that’s my name!”

The Lemonade banner was super easy to make. I took small paper flowers and glued the Lemonade banner cutouts to the front. Then I punched holes in the flowers with a whole punch and strung the banner on bakers twine. Easy Peasy.

These fantastic strawberry shaped cake pops were made by Candy’s Cake Pops. They tasted just as good as they looked, maybe better!!

My Berry Berry Sweet Girls:)

These ADORABLE Strawberry Shortcake dresses were made by Lover Dovers. They were absolutely perfect and matched by Printables PERFECTLY. If you haven’t checked out their retro dresses and aprons…you are seriously missing out on some much needed cuteness!!

These super yummy Strawberry Shortcake Jars were super, super easy to make!! The little spoons were one of my favorite details of this spread. Aren’t they “berry sweet”??

The vintage berry baskets were wrapped with red and white baker’s twine and filled with fresh strawberries. I used the cupcake toppers as little tags in the twine for each basket.

Here is a great shot of the SUPER easy to make Strawberry Buckets. And of course one of my all time favorites…the canvas chalk board.

Do you have a tooth ache just looking at it? It was a beautiful day and a great deal of simple sweet springtime fun.

Vendors:

Printables, Treats and Party Styling: Mimi’s Dollhouse

Photography: Rachel K Photography

Strawberry Cake Pops: Candy’s Cake Pops

Strawberry Shortcake Dresses: Lover Dovers Clothing

Wanna throw a Strawberry Party or make a Strawberry Lemonade Stand?

The Printable Strawberry Party Decorations are available for purchase in my shop:

Author information

Holly Lasha