mbellished

Mbellished Shirt

2010-08-29T19:21:00.001-07:00

When I was in Utah last month, my mom and I made a few stops at the DI (Deseret Industries/Thrift Store) I found so many great things, including these 2 *Brand New!!*, 'Shade' brand, t-shirts. With all the great tutorials I've seen out there, I knew I could use the 1 shirt to dress up the other. However, I could never decide, so I came up with my own version. I got this idea from a skirt I have that has a similar pattern. And I didn't have to cut any flowers out or sew anything on by hand. My kind of stuff. :)

First, I took the "extra" shirt and started cutting one long strip of fabric from the bottom, and just continuing on up the shirt. That way, I didn't have to sew any pieces together. Super smart, I thought!

Then I just pinned the long strip on the front of the other shirt in a pattern I liked. I have been a slacker in the past at pinning things on, only to have my project end up a disaster and in the trash, so I made sure this time that I used a lot of pins. It only took an extra few minutes and I'm so glad I did!

Close up....well kind of.

Then, I just sewed down the middle of the strip. There were a lot of stops, pivoting the fabric and pulling out pins, but really, it didn't take me too long and I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I especially love that the sides of the fabric curl up and cover the stitching! This is a perfect project if you are concerned with your sewing abilities, because no one will see them!!

I'm now going to be on the hunt for t-shirts, so I can make some more of these. Contrasting colors would be super cute too! You could even spell out words or other shapes!!

Happy sewing!

More Organization

2010-08-29T19:14:00.001-07:00

As you all might know, I LOVE anything dry erasable. Weird fetish, I know.

Here's another thing that is dry erasable....

Magnetic Picture Holders. (I bought mine at Walmart)

And guess what.

They're not just for pictures.

I used mine for individual dry-erase boards

for each member of our family.

It's a great way to keep track of the individual things that are happening

in our family....to stay organized....and to help mom feel like she has

some grip on life and all it's craziness!!

It was super easy.

And they look CUTE on the fridge, which is a bonus!

Just pick some cute paper...light enough that you can see yourwriting, and cut it to size. I used rub-ons to make my titles and adhered them directly to the paper.

And wha-la! Super EASY PEASY!!

Other options.....

Have fun getting organized!!

Quick and Easy

2010-08-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy summer and I'm sorry I haven't posted much. I have projects EVERYWHERE that are wanting to be finished or started. Now that school has started...(Can't believe school has already started!!), the house is a tad bit more quiet during the day. Hopefully I will have lots of great things to start posting!!

I did this cute craft for my daughter's very plain and boring bedroom. (I did it in just a few hours!!) Remember, we are renting, so I can't do much, but I wanted to do "something" and here's what I came up with....

I saw this CUTE idea HERE. I love this website. They have AMAZING ideas.

You can download the pattern HERE. (great website, by the way, with free patterns!!)

And Viola! I think it turned out super great. The pattern is for a needle case, but obviously you just trace the pattern pieces onto scrapbook paper. You could do it so many different ways! I'm thinking about doing something similar but in black and white for my bedroom.

Have fun with it!

Getting Organized...

2010-07-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

I am a BELIEVER in doing those small things that help keep busy moms and dads "SANE".
With so much INFORMATION coming at you ALL.THE.TIME. it sometimes feels like you are going crazy. Well, at least I do. :)

Which is why I am a huge list maker.

This is what I did today.....

I bought these cute little clip-boards at the DOLLAR TREE a few weeks ago.

Seriously, LOVE that store.

I already had a master list for all of our websites, passwords and other "computer" information.

It was in BIG need of an update.

On my computer, I typed a list

of all the websites we use that require passwords.

I also included some account #'s,

and a few other things that we seem to

need "accessible".

I also changed the 1 list we had to 3 lists...

1 for me,

1 for the hubby,

and 1 for the kiddos and random stuff.

That way, it will be easier to find what we are looking for

on the smaller lists.

I did everything in alphabetical order, by website

then our user name,
then our password.

**Remember, there are just some passwords you

want to memorize and not have out for everyone to see.

But it's a good idea to write them down and keep in a safe place!**

Obviously, I'm not going to take a picture of

our "lists" and put it out there for the world to see....
but you get the idea.

This is what the finished product looked like.

I added the name of whose list it is

at the top, and of course, had to add a flower

for good measure. :)

I hung them RIGHT BY THE COMPUTER, so

it would only take seconds to get the information I need.

And trust me....the hubby will thank you.

(And you will thank yourself!)

Shoes , Glorious Shoes!

2010-07-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Okay....let's talk shoes.
Every girl loves em'.
Well, most girls do.

I had a sweet friend actually buy me a pair yesterday
that she got a great deal on! Can you believe it?
Now that's a good friend!!! :)
It's funny though...the pair she bought me, I
already had that same pair in my closet.
Great minds MUST think alike.

I decided to do a shoe-redo
on them, to give them a little bit of a different look...which
led me do a few other "shoe -redo's AND staying
up WAY past my bed-time.
But way worth it, as I am so happy for the next
opportunity to wear my "new shoes!!!"

Here goes.

BEFORE

A little TURQUOISE lace.

(my new favorite color,

along with everyone else!)

I just cute a few short pieces,

ran a running stitch along the bottom,

gathered it a bit and tied it off.

And yes, I hot glued them to the shoes.

Not too much glue.

Enough to hold it, but not so much

that when I want to take it off and do

something else, I can.

AFTER

Oh, my heck. I'm so pleased with myself.

Adorable!

Shoes #2

BEFORE

I bought these from Walmart a while ago. $3.00

Can't beat $3.00!!!

First I took off the bow and the trim.

I also decided I wanted to make them into slip-on's so I

cut the heal off......

"oh, no....what did I do?".....

Well rather than stop midway through,

I continued on.

I cut a piece of fabric that covered the shoe and then some.

then I slit it up the center a bit.

I'm sure there is a tutorial out there

that is more precise, but I just do

things on a whim and figure it

out as I go. Not so smart sometimes,

but I am very impatient. :)

And just mod-podge away! (Yes, I said MOD-PODGE!!!)

I put the shoe ON, to help keep it's

form while I mod-podged and rubbed the material on.

It was pretty helpful.

Don't be stingy on the mod-podge.

Remember, when it dries, it dries clear.

You want your material to be wet with it.

After the outside of the shoe is done,

Trim up the inside and keep enough material to turn-over

to the inside of the shoe. With the rounded part, make

slits in the material and turn those under as well.

Mod-podge really good!

I let them dry overnight.

In the morning I trimmed up the sides with a razor blade,

running the blade just on top of the sole.

If you find any parts that aren't adhered...re-modpodge and let dry.

And there you go!

My favorite part???

I cut slits in the sides of the shoes and ran ribbon

through them. I can change the ribbon out

to whatever I want!

Or leave plain.

And NO ONE is gonna have these shoes!

And last but not least...

I got these cute American Eagle Sandals for

a STEAL, on the Payless Shoe Source website.

$3.00

There were already super cute with the white

ruched ribbon, but I added some embroidered flowers just

for some extra "ooomph". Black rhinestones in the center

make the flowers "pop".

Can't wait to "sport" all my "new" shoes.

Now if I could just be brave enough to leave the house in this lovely

115 degree weather!!!

Now go rummage through your closet ladies,

and see what shoes you can "re-invent"!

Have fun!!!

Participating in...

http://

2010-07-13T00:19:00.000-07:00

My sweet sister-in-law and I did a shower for our niece this weekend.
I was in charge of the decorations, the "thank-you-for-coming" gifts, and a few of the game prizes.

(My sis-in-law, Anna & me)

I went ALL homemade. It was a lot of work, but fun. And it turned out great. Her wedding colors are red, orange and yellow...in the more "autumn" tones, so I decided to work around that.

My favorite, was this little creation. I gathered some twigs/branches and spray painted them an off-white color. I stuffed them in a vase that I took from a friend, who was getting rid of it. I also painted that - straw yellow. As for the flowers...yes, each one is handmade. I made all different kinds, in different shades of her wedding colors. Each flower is actually a clip, so they can be worn in the hair, as a brooch, or clipped to a purse or bag. This was the "thank-you-for-coming gift, and as everyone left, they got to choose their flower. It was funny, because EVERYONE put theirs in their hair and sat a chatted for a bit. I should have taken a picture!

The cute little bird cage, I got from Michaels. I gave it a light coat of "ocean blue" spray paint, and glued in a bird. I LOVE birds.

For the prize gifts, I just bought a few dollar note pads, mod-podged them in much cuter paper....added a flower/bow, a pen and some cute words. I think they turned out pretty cute. I also made a couple packages of cards. Each set had a variety of different occasion cards. Something EVERYONE could use.

Remember my 'love notes' post? Well, I made one for the bride as my shower gift. These are so fun and cute, but also so inexpensive and easy to make!!

Dressing up the "beverages" added to the "decor"

AND, I never once had to tell people what they had

to choose from!!

See those flowers?

My adorable friend help me make those!

You can get the instructions here.

I think they turned out great....and they won't ever die!

And the best part....

My sis-in-law picked up these little beauties for dessert. Heaven! These are from the cupcake shop called "Sprinkles". And they are DE-LISH-OUS! I'm going to have to try all the flavors. My throat is tickling just thinking about it!!!!

Enjoy!

2010-07-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in:

Go check it out! There are some wonderful ideas,uplifting messages,AND, great giveaways!!!

Delicious Cake Mix Banana Bread

2010-06-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

OK, so it might not be as healthy as the "real stuff"....

but it's just as good. Might even be better!

And who's counting calories anyway?? lol!

Ingredients:

Cake mix (you choose!)

1 pkg banana pudding (3.5 oz)

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

Optional:

nuts

chocolate chips (our favorite!)

blueberries....etc.

Preheat oven to 350.

Mash bananas and add all ingredients. Mix well and pour

into 2 large or 5 small loaf pans. (I spray loaf pans with 'Pam Baking Spray')

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

There are so many flavors of this bread you can make...

Here's some of our favorites!

Banana Strawberry Bread (use a strawberry cake mix)

Double Chocolate Banana Bread (Choc cake mix and Choc chips)

Banana Chocolate Chip (Vanilla Cake mix with Choc chips)

Banana Blueberry (Vanilla Cake mix with fresh blueberries)

Gonna Try: Lemon Blueberry (Lemon Cake mix with fresh blueberries...mmmm. )

So many possibilities.

And I usually have everything on hand...I just pick up a few boxes of

banana pudding here and there and I usually have plenty of cake mixes on hand....

When our bananas start to "turn".... like they always do, (my kids beg for bananas at the store, and then never eat them!!) , it's time to make some banana bread!!

Enjoy!

Blog Award

2010-06-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Me? Really?

It might seem like a small thing

to some of you out there, insignificant really.

But I'm just tickled pink.

Thank you Carol @ TheAnswerisChocolate (which I whole-heartedly agree!!)

for picking me. It always feels good

to hear someone likes your "stuff".
Especially someone with good taste!

Go check her blog....it will now be one I check on

daily. Such great ideas...and right up my alley.

The guidelines for accepting this award are...

Thank the person/people who gave it to you.
Tell 7 things yourself.
Pass the award on to 15 bloggers,

whom you have recently discovered,

and think are fantastic.

Here Goes:

1. I love rollerskating and Xanadu. I "rock" on 8 wheels! (not to brag)

2. I can't stand silence. My ipod is usually strapped to my arm or a movie is playing in the background.

3. I am addicted to Dr. Pepper. Addicted. Today, I am trying to quit....again.

4. Even with no makeup, I wear 8 hour-wear lipstick (my fav)EVERYDAY. Sometimes I put it on before bed. ? I know. Weird.

5. I LOVE thrift stores, Garage Sells, and Junk at the side of the Road.

6. Peppermint IceCream is BEST with crushed up Saltine Crackers. Try it!

7. I have the most amazing, supportive and loving husband and 3 of the most

precious, fun and happy little turds (kids). I am so blessed.

I am passing this award on to:

1. deliacreates

2. noodlehead

3. imakestuff4fun

4.ohsohappytogether
5. thethriftyba

6. livelaughmakesomething

7. lucykatecrafts

8. greensubmarine

9. droppedstitches

10. mydeartrash

11. thestylesisters

12. lachateaudesfleurs

13. remodelaholic

14. eighteen25

15. everycraftyendeavor

Now go check out these blogs....they are so fun and inspiring!

Update your Purse!

2010-06-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is OBSESSED with purses. In fact, I haven't had to buy a purse for a LONG time because I just borrow one of hers. She has so many, she never misses them!
When I was visiting her recently, I snagged 4 of them to take back home with me. She gave me the "OK" to dress them up a bit.

Here's the 1st one.....cute huh?

Gonna make it Cuter!....

First I sewed a little ribbon loop on the purse itself. I singed the edges so they wouldn't fray and just sewed each end down. I did it this way, so I wouldn't be stuck with only 1 look. I can change out the color, type and size of flower, whenever I want a new look.

Here's how I made this particular flower.

1)For this size, I used 3 different fabrics and cut 4, 4x4 squares, of each fabric, totaling 12 squares.

2, 3, 4) Next you fold the flower once, then twice....making a square.
Then fold the flower a third time, creating a point on one end and the edges all on the other end.

5, 6, 7, 8) With sharp scissors, cut the ends into a half circle. You will basically be making it look like an ice-cream cone.

9) Opening it up, you've got a flower with perfectly shaped petals. **The deeper the cut, the more pronounced your petals will be. Play around until you get what you like**

10, 11, 12) After cutting all 12 squares into a flower, fold them twice and then feed them onto a needle, variating the fabric. Pull both ends of the thread (not too tight!) and knot.

13) Next take a small circle of felt and glue on the back end of the flower. Make sure you have your petals arranged and spaced how you want. The felt is going to hold it all in place.

14) On the other side, use a button, a brad or some kind of jewel to put in the center. Super glue on...this too will hold it all together.

15) On the back side, I glued an alligator clip on. I always cover mine in ribbon AND put a piece of Velcro, (the scratchy side) on the inside. This helps your clips stay in your hair....great for active little girls!!!

16) I also put a brooch clip on, in case I want to wear it on my shirt.

Get a new look anytime you want. Stay tuned for my "updates" on the other purses!

Color my world "happy"

2010-05-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

**Warning**

There's lots of COLOR on this post. Cover your eyes or

get some sunglasses if it becomes too bright.

Here's what I've been up to.....

I have always been obsessed with pictures.

I LOVE pictures.

A while ago, I was rummaging through snapshots of friends and family.

It "stung" a little because they are so far away now. I only have 1 friend here. (Thanks for going to lunch today, YOU. :) Yeah, don't feel sorry for me. I KNOW. I need to get out and meet some people. I will.

In the meantime, I decided that it is SO pointless for these lovely faces to sit tucked away in

my various boxes. Especially, because it is these faces that bring me so much joy.

Here's the fun part.

With my love of thrift stores (they have a TON of frames) and spray paint,

I came up with this.

I know, I know. That's a lot of frames. And spray paint.

And COLOR. Maybe it was all the fumes I breathed in, but

I LOVE all the colors. They are so upbeat and fun.

Just what I need right now.

($2.50 frame from WallyWorld. It was black plastic crap,
and took A LOT of coat of spray paint, but I love
how it turned out! I added some ribbon, jewels and a fabric
flower.

This frame is my favorite. It was $1.50 at Goodwill and my husband
rolled his eyes at me when I picked it up. (yep, I got him to go with me...probably never to return) It was an ugly off white color. I spray painted it green and then added the blue paint
where the flowers popped. So cute. But that might be because my darling little sister is in it!

And here's how I displayed everything.
It sure adds some sunshine to our drab little rental.

And I guess if I ever get sick of the colors,
I can spray paint them again.

I also did this. This is the sewing machine

stool I inherited from my lovely Grandma B.

It was plain brown wood with an ugly brown leather seat cover,

that actually stuck to your butt if you sat on it too long. :)

This is so much cuter.

Hope this inspires you to

do something colorful and fun in

your neck of the woods!

Cute Art Box

2010-04-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

In our small house, little messes like this, seem like they are BIG messes.

And it just plain, drives me n.u.t.s. I have a little of my dad's OCD in me, I'll admit,

and I like things neat and tidy. I mean, who doesn't?

My sweet daughter has taken to coloring and cutting lately. It's pretty cute.

But she can leave a pretty big mess. And has yet to discover her love

of cleaning, like her mama. And this mama is getting tired of cleaning

up this (above) multiple times a day.

Here's my solution:

I bought this cute little box at DOLLAR TREE yesterday.

I love things that are practically free. Even better, free.

But you can't beat $1.

It was cute and all but I wasn't in LOVE

with the paper on it. Of course, I knew I could dress it up just fine!

I got into my 'stash' of scrapbook paper, and cut pieces of paper to fit all the sides,

including the inside.

For the scissors, on the inside of the lid, I made a

couple slits in the paper and put some elastic band

in. I secured it with tape, but right before I

mod-podged it to the box, I put hot-glued on the

elastic so it wouldn't pull out.

I mod-podged everything to the box and

then sealed it with a good coat of mod-podge.

I LOVE mod-podge.

If you don't have a bottle, go get some this

weekend. It will change your "crafting world"!

So here's where I think I'm so smart. (we'll see)
I only gave my sweet little mess maker a
few crayons, instead of a big bucket. Hopefully
this is easier for her to "maintain a clean workspace". hahaha

I also cut scrapbook paper into smaller squares
to put in the box.
Maybe my printer paper will last longer. (probably not though)
See this cute flower I made out of ribbon?
Go here for the tutorial. (you have to watch the whole tutorial and
wait for their 60 second tip) These ladies rock.
And so does hot glue, which is what I used
to stick it on.

To keep it closed, as the girl is
walking around and moving her work space
from room to room, multiple times....
(She's my little "chick"
that follows her mama around the house.
Except sadly, I can't claim that I have
chicken legs. hahaha. Well I thought it was funny.....)
I used some ribbon, and some double stick Velcro.
I glued a button at the end so her little fingers
could easily work it.

And there you have it. That's my solution for one mess in my
house. Now I just need to to figure out about a dozen more and
we are good to go!

Enjoy!

Recipe - German Oven Pancakes

2010-04-15T00:48:00.000-07:00

Mmmm. We used to make German Oven Pancakes all

the time when we were kids. Probably because they are fast, easy and don't require many ingredients. And we were in and out of the kitchen before my dad could get mad. (He's a little OCD!)

I make these for dinner every so often, usually when the hubby is gone and I don't have to cook any meat! Obviously the kids LOVE them! Who wouldn't!

German Oven Pancakes

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup flour

3 large eggs

1/8 cup sugar

dash of salt

2 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 400. Put butter in 9x13 and melt in oven.

Mix the rest of the ingredients. (I just whip it up with a fork. It's ok if it has little lumps)

Swish butter around dish to grease the bottom. Don't worry about the sides. Increase the temperature to 425. Pour batter into pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until edges start turning golden brown.

*For me and the 3 kids, I have had to make a 9x13 and an 8x8 to "fill" everyone up. I just 1 1/2 the recipe, because the measurements really don't have to be exact! If you have kids older than 10, especially boys, I would plan on at least doubling the recipe. :)

Our favorite toppings:

-Powdered sugar

-Syrup

-Fresh fruit, & whipped cream. (pictured above)

-Powdered sugar & laughing cow cheese. (just try it!)

-Homemade strawberry jam.

I haven't tried it yet, but I think it would be delicious to cut this up and make a monte-cristo sandwich out of! Next time for sure!

Enjoy!

Project 11 - Love Note Frame

2010-04-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

Since we've moved into a smaller home, I have no wall space for all my little nic-nacs n' such. I used to have a BIG magnetic, dry erase 'LOVE NOTES' board, that the hubby and I used to write "sweet somethings" to each other. I can't find a place for it here, so I decided to make a smaller one....

It is so easy.

1). You need a frame WITH the glass. Mine was already painted green

2). From scraps of fabric, I chose a background & then another that I cut a heart out of.

3 & 4). Next, I just sewed the heart to the background fabric. I went around it about 5 times and my goal WAS to make it look messy and not perfect.

5). When putting the fabric on the frame mat, I used double stick tape. You could use a spray glue as well. Put the frame together and you are ready to write something "lovely" to the one you love...."write on the glass!"

6). Hang. Don't laugh. Or be grossed out. Mine is hanging in my bathroom. Right by the bowl. Now the hubby doesn't have any excuse. :)

Project 10 - Key Chain Clip

2010-04-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

I've heard these called "key fobs"....I don't even know what fob

means. ? But I decided I wanted a cuter one. I made one last year

and it wasn't very cute. But I have been using it anyway.

This one turned out MUCh better.

(before I give "my" instructions, please note: I like crafting

the quick and easiest ways possible to me. The way I do

things probably aren't "the "best" way...but just "my" way.

Just so you know.....

1) I cut a piece of muslim to about the size I wanted the key chain.

I then cut the background piece of fabric the same length, but two and half times it's width.

I also cut 2 pieces of stitch witchery the same size as the muslim.

2) I layered the stitch witchery, then the muslim in the center of the fabric piece. I ironed that into place. Then I put the other piece of stitch witchery on top of the muslim and folded one side over and ironed. **Warning: only iron to the edge of the folded fabric...if you iron the stitch witchery, you will have a glue mess on your iron!

3) Fold the other half over and iron.

4) Take the main piece of fabric and cut the same length and about 1/2 the width of the background fabric. Iron the raw edges under.

5) Cut another piece of stitch witchery, the same size as the main piece of fabric and iron to main fabric to the background fabric - 6) This makes it SOOO much easier when sewing it.

7) Sew along the edge of the main fabric on each side.

8) Put a key ring on and then fold in half, right sides facing each other and sew ends together...going over it a few times.

9) Flipping it back around, I moved the seam up to the middle of the key chain, put a few stitches in it to hold it in place, and added a yo-yo flower with a button.

I think it's cute anyway.....and if I can do it, anyone can.

Project 9 - Mod Podge Wooden Letters

2010-04-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend gave me this "PRAY" sign.

I was going to put it in the boys' room, but at the

last minute, decided to change it up for my bedroom,

because I probably need the "reminder" the most.

I first picked out the paper and traced the

letters on the back side.

After I traced the letters, I cut them out. I didn't

worry about doing it perfectly, because I knew I was going

to give it a distressed look.

To mod podge I give the back side of the paper a coat,

and then the surface I'm covering a coat. This gives

it a good seal.

After it dried, I took my black inkpad and ran it all along the

edges of each letter and across the off-white surfaces, to

give it a distressed look. I then painted another coat of

mod podge over the whole thing to seal it.

I'm thinking this is going to look pretty cute in my room.

And hopefully it will do it's job in reminding me

to say my prayers!

Project 8 - Bathroom Jars

2010-04-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm back. Spring Break is over and the boys are back in school. I am back to having lots of free time, which means more time to craft! Yeah for me.

I decided to "dress up" the glass containers in my bathroom that hold cotton balls and q-tips.

All I did was add some ribbon to a piece fo felt with hot glue.

On the other piece, after tying off string on each button, (to make it look like they were really sewed on), I hot glued those on too.

Then I put some double stick velcro on each end and wrapped them around the jars. Now I can take them off and do something different if I get sick of em'.

Just a little something to "dress up" this plain little bathroom.

2010-03-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

I didn't wake up today with this project in my head.

But I am in this room multiple times a day and HATE it.

It is SO ugly! (sorry if any of you reading this have this same border in your home!...if so though, it's gotta come down!)

I also didn't want to tackle this room because 1) We are in a rental. This is not my bathroom. and 2) I didn't want to spend any money and my husband would have killed me if I did.

But I had to. So I got creative.

I ripped the nasty border off. It only took about 20 minutes. After giving the walls a good scrub down, I took some of my white craft paint, watered it down pretty good, soaked up the paint with an old t-shirt rag and wiped the walls down. I gave each wall a good 2 coats. And because the walls here are textured, I had to rub the rag in all different directions to get the paint in all the pockets. It lighted it up pretty good. I took a clean, wet rag and went over the walls to make it look even.

And there you have it! And now, if I want to do any more decorating in my bathroom, I don't have decorate around that, well....NASTY, wall paper border!

2010-03-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Don't mind the hair. I just pulled out all the bobby pins. But cute dress, eh?

Project 7 - Lengthening a skirt/dress

2010-03-27T23:12:00.001-07:00

First of all, I just have to say...."I hate my legs. I inherited my dad's legs, thank you very much, so needless to say, they aren't very attractive. Because I'm a girl of course. And guy legs on a girl?....again, not very attractive. And mostly, I hate my knees. I actually don't really have knees. Not the cute kind anyway. (you all know what I mean).

So how does this apply to my latest project?

Well, I like skirts. And 'nowadays', it seems harder and harder to find a cute skirt at just the right length. Factor in that I'm 6 feet tall (and 1/2 inch), and there is nothin. Nothin!

So....I've have to get creative.

Here's the latest.....

My mother-in-law spotted this cute dress at Ross ($14.99) when we were out spending the day together. I immediately thought "too short", but she urged me to try it on. Obviously I bought it. But not because it was the right length. It was a cute fit for my body. But definitely needed to cover up "those knees!"

Onto the project.....lengthening a skirt/dress.

I had this material on had. I cut four equal strips of it, and sewed those together, making one long one. I didn't cut it to the same length of the skirt though. I have messed up too many projects with my "calculating" skills, so I decided to play it safe and leave the extra material alone until the end. I zig-zag stitched the one side and finished off the other side, that would be showing. **I took extra care to double fold and iron this into place so that it LOOKED GOOD in the end and not "messy", as past projects have looked in the past.

Next, because I wanted the new fabric to look like it was originally part of the dress, and follow the hemline, I took a white pencil and measure around the fabric about 3/4 inch all the way around. Then I just had to match the new fabric up to the white line. Make sure the fabrics are facing the same way!

And last, just sew around the skirt. Nice and slow. I usually get impatient and start to rush....resulting in something that really does look homemade. When I got to the end and had extra material, I finished sewing it to the skirt, and went back and sewed the beginning and the end of it together. It worked perfectly!

I am excited to wear my "just the right length" skirt to church tomorrow. I'll have the hubby take a picture. Not of my knees of course!!!

Project 6 - Covered Button, Double Sided Necklace

2010-03-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

(if you can, click on the picture to get a better view of the necklace...these pictures don't show it very well.) After making covered button clips yesterday, I found myself browsing the internet (for faaar toooo long!) for other covered button ideas. There are so many cute ideas out there.

I saw a necklace on etsy and decided I could make something similar but "not the same" on my own.

The double sided necklace is completely my own! :) You'll see, because it is kind of a "ghetto" way of making it.

(I'm sure, somewhere out there, there is another "brilliant" woman who lay awake last night, and came up with this idea too! ;)

I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Here's what I did:

1). Get some material. I used scraps that I inherited from my Grandma B.

The black is tulle, so white flowers can show through.

2). These are just paper scrapbook flowers. I dotted the middle of

each with a black pen.

3). I used a little glue to set the flowers where I wanted them and

covered with the tulle.

4). Use the botton covering "tools" to complete button.

(See previous post)

5). First button is complete...set aside.

6). For the second button I decided to use some lace...again from Grandma.

To back the lace up, I used the golden fabric again.

7). After covering the botton in the gold fabric and lace,

I glued an antique button on the front. To get it to lay flat,

I removed the shank from the button and then just hot glued it on.

8). Now I have 2 buttons. I filled the concave back side in

with a few pieces of stiff felt...with hot glue.

9). I then used a hook screw (find them at a hardware store...for picture hanging)

and glued it in. Make sure to turn in the correct way so it hangs correctly on the necklace.

Hot glue the middle of one button and glue it to the other side.

Voila! You have a cute, interchangable necklace.

Project 5 - Button Hair Clips

2010-03-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

We cut bangs on the little girl and she and I both hate them. She hates them because they don't look like a princess. I hate them because they are always in her eyes, make her look like a rat head, and I can't see her big 'blues'. I needed more hair clips to sweep those bangs out of the way. I love fabric covered buttons. Especially in the hair. Here's how I did it:

1). You can purchase button kits at most craft stores. I got mine at JoAnns. Make sure you get the kit that has the "tools" in it. Then you can purchase just the refills. You can get different sizes, *however, you need to purchase the same size "tool" kit for each size.

2). Pick some fabric. Some instructions say to cut circles of fabric. I just cut some scraps of squares. I also cut little circles of bunting to give it a little padding and for shear fabrics.

3). Layer the fabric, (center the design where you want it on the button) next the bunting (optional) and then the button shell. Push all 3, into the mold.

4). I trim the material a little bit.

5). Tuck the sides of fabric.

6). Place back of button over tucked fabric and press down with (blue) pusher. *Before doing this, I remove the button shank with plyers....optional.*

7). Now you have a covered button.

8). Because the button back is a little concave, I hot glue a piece of stiff felt inside.

9). And last, I clue the cute covered buttons onto alligator hair clips, covered in grosgrain ribbon. And voila! No more messy bangs!

Project 4- Picture Frame

2010-03-24T21:50:00.001-07:00

I bought this frame at the Salvation Army Store.
It was $1.50 and falling apart, but not broken.

I cut a new mat, spray painted the frames,

And voila!, a new and very cute, I must say, picture frame.

Project 3 - Mouse Pad

2010-03-23T23:55:00.001-07:00

We've been needing a new mouse pad. Ours was ugly, falling apart, AND we don't even use Verizon. Trying to be frugal, I came up with this. Yep! All by my little self.....

1 & 2). Ugly, lame mouse pad

3). Materials: Shelf Liner/Rug gripper "stuff", plastic folder (or chipboard) and material.

4). Cut the gripper in the shape of a circle. Pick any shape you want. I then cut a "just smaller" circle of some "plastic", that was actually a folder divider. This is so the mouse pad has some weight and stiffness to it. Then cut a circle, a little bigger, than the gripper, out of the material. I cut mine with pinking shears to give it some "cuteness".

5). With some I free handed the parts of a bird and 6). ironed them on the back side of material scraps. Cut them out and iron them onto the front of the mouse pad material. I also glued the gripper to the plastic with hot clue, to keep it in place

7). Last step: zig-zag the material onto the gripper. **As seen in the picture above, and by trial and error, I had to place a strip of material on the gripper as I sewed it. The gripper kept catching on the sewing foot and gathering the material. Afterwards, I trimmed the material as close as I could on the stitching.

8). Voila! Dang cute mouse pad!!

Project 2 -

2010-03-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

Before

I don't remember when I bought this. I do remember
the husband rolling his eyes when I put it in the cart.

It's been back and forth from counter top to cupboard.
More in the cupboard lately because it was starting to look a little drab.

After

I decided to spray paint it and give it "new life".
I just gave it a couple coats...sanded the center design and edges and there you have it.
A new little fruit holder for my ever-so-dreary, rental, countertops.

Project #1

2010-03-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

Such a simple little project, but I woke up on St. Patty's and didn't have anything cute for Belle to wear except her green stripped shirt. I remembered I had this pin that was my grandma's and decided to make it into a hair clip.

First) I covered my clip in a cute green and white ribbon scrap I had.
Second) I removed the pin from the clip. Just pulled it off with some pliers.
Third) Glued the Shamrock pin to the hair clip and viola! Cute hair clip for the cute girl.

Easy peasy!