Sneak peak ;O Kids Bathroom

A few more finishing touches need to be made but really just a few so far I <3 it!!!!

Once a funky gold mirror - now my true coral love!

The before picture is still stuck in jpeg land :D but imagine large contractor mirror and pukish colored walls that about sums it up :O when it's all done I will be sure to provide a before so you can appreciate how refreshing the after is! Happy Spring Break!

MIA doing DIY =) classic!

I have been totally MIA from what seems like everything! What have I been doing....well feels like nothing but that's not true ;) Almost completed the kids bathroom, decided to go with a Lego theme for the boys room a forever work in progress and attempting to fix up the bonus room which BTW houses a desk area, tv, futon for guests, toddler art table, and my sewing corner it's so difficult to cram all of that into ONE room and trying to make it flow has been mind boggling.....SO I decided to work on each corner at a time and hopefully if I keep a color scheme in mind it will all fall in place (one can hope!) So here is a little taste of  where the Magic happens for me....MY Sewing corner (which is ever growing) still not complete but work in progress and the new BONES are up =) also note I put together the right book shelf, yes the one that was put together properly.....my hubby put together the left one its minor but the very top piece is upside down :O tee hee!

PARDON my cell phone pictures I was too lazy to fetch my other lens....

 

Before

In Progress 

.

A quick break down of WHAT is here (in case you need one too!)

2 white (larger then I thought would be) bookshelves 27.84 ea @ Walmart
1 Ikea jokkmokk Table I found this one at goodwill last year for 14.99
1 long shelf(wider then I thought, from precious shelf set up) for across the top about $10 bucks :)
I squeezed the shelf's together on one unit and put in a tension rod to hang works in progress or done items.
The chair is a yard sale score that's been floating around for a while it was originally forest GREEN with a lovely country plaid seat then it was black with a not so great cream linen seat( it was at the dining room table for a time...ewe is all I have to say!) now it's white with yellow CHEVRON!
the lamp - squint you might see it is from target clearance $15 with a cheap shade trimmed in POMPOMS (luv those things!)


The whole faux built in cost under $100 bucks plus I have ample storage and room to cut and sew on!

Still need to work on organizing, and getting some pics up or a cork board....hmm...so many ideas!

Todler Messenger bag turned over night bag

so cute! my pic is a little washed out - no time to edit!

My intention was for Ava to have a small bag she could fill with diabetic supplies, snack and toys. Usually she carries around a used grocery bag ;/ which is fine, she's all re-use, re-duce but she's beginning to look like a little old bag lady these days and quite frankly she needs to be responsible for her diabetic supplies sometimes too! I am SICK of her handing me stuff to carry ALL day! I feel like a bag lady too ;) so I searched the net and came across a super cute bag http://tiptoetango.com/2012/01/16/messenger-bag-tutorial/#comment-522

I should have re-thought the dimensions(for my lil' toddler) but I didn't even question it till I held up the outer sewn pieces to her so now it's an over night bag instead. Which will be great for us when we bum our way into daddy's work things next week in Portland ;) So now this one is finished and I think I will be moving on to the one in my One Yard Wonders book ;p oy!

There is a couple things I didn't do to save time, obviously I didn't quilt the outer layers.....I did however heat and bond my felt and fabric together so it wouldn't shift.

I also didn't do any interior biz :) I did plan on it being reversible but didn't sandwich the handle right :O oops!

Thirdly this WASN'T a time saver by any means!!! I decided to make my own ruffle (I didn't want to have to shower, get Ava ready, prepare a snack and go to the fabric store just for trim, but the ruffle is what really made me decide on this bag....WARNING do get ready, get child ready, prepare a  snack, go to the fabric store  and skip making your own! tee hee! It still needs a button she has her heart set on a heart :) IF you do decide to make your own mine was made very similar to this...http://tiptoetango.com/2011/12/28/ruffle-napkin-tutorial/ I did 2" cuts for the ruffle....I know I just said don't do it but I love these napkins!

This WHOLE bag was made from bit's and pieces of fabric and felt I already had, so this could potentially be a great STASH buster project. Oh and my strap is about 9x33 which is way too long for her but great for what it is now, an Over Night Bag***

the interior of the flap

BIG Thanks to Tip Toe Tango for the adorable inspiration!  http://tiptoetango.com/

FREE Pattern - Crocheted Face Scrubbers

***Free Pattern***

Cotton yarn face scrubbers are great for cleaning your face removing makeup and gently exfoliating. Lather with mild face wash, scrub rinse and scrub some more. Gentle enough to not irritate skin and small enough to dry and re-use. When they get dirty just toss them in the wash. Environmentally friendly and way better for your skin then synthetic material. Quick and easy enough to whip up ton's for gifts like mothers day ;) wink, wink.

Supplies: 

Cotton worsted weight yarn(I use sugarncream) 

G hook (gauge isn't important just be consistent in hook size when making multiple)

Yarn needle, to thread in the ends

DC = Double Crochet

This is a great beginner pattern for working in the round too! 

Face Scrubber:

Ch3(counts as DC)

In 1st chain of ch3 (3rd from hook) 13 DC slip st to top of ch 3 to create a circle(total of 14 DC made)

Pull tail tight to close circle 

Ch2(counts as DC) 

DC crochet in same st as ch2, 2 Double in ea st around (total of 28 stitches including chain 2 ) 

slip stitch to top of ch2 cut yarn and tie off 

Weave loose ends on the back side to finish and press flat (you shouldn't have a cupping problem if you do get them wet lay them flat to dry)

Your done!!!  How easy! Tie them up with a little tag and it's a great easy gift!Or use them for your beautiful self...Soft enough to use for cleaning little ones too.

Don't Crochet?! These are being listed @ www.adoremade.etsy.com =) gladly do custom colors too!

The Boys space themed 7th birthday party

Warning lot's of pictures ahead!!! We had a BLAST (pun totally intended!) But sleep overs!!! That's for the birds I NEVER want to do that again and in my opinion every one was well behaved!!

sign posted on front door

Birthday Boy! he chose the shirt :O

Favors:Milky way fun size, glow sticks, space erasers and other fun things :D

My BABY!!! Handmade paper mache moon pinata!!! It turned out perfect!!!

Cake pops: I used colored candy melts and tooth pics to create continents and gasses etc....

Shooting star cheese

Flying saucer crackers

Alien Head grapes

Rocket Fuel

"Meat"eors

Party central

The crew minus the boy - he was having a moment!

She dressed her self! I did make her some adorable ruffle space pants - no go!

game: Pop the alien -Green balloons with alien faces drawn on stuffed with candy :D

Some of them were extra tricky!

DOG PILE

Glow stick dance party!

Pinata time!

Gluten free cake pops: easy peasy - I use gf cupcakes from whole foods much em up with the frosting on roll them into a ball and dip in candy coating each cupcake makes about four which is great for her!

the moon cake pop complete with alien dude!

The Mrs! Me the party maker, cleaner upper, baker etc...

so much boy girl stuff in 1st grade its unreal!

Moon shoes!

Awe

Sweet girls no boys party would be complete with out them :D 

  

Logan and his BEST bud!

Happy Birthday to my little man! Your an amazing smart handsome mix of two of the greatest people on earth if I must say so myself! It was a BLAST to celebrate another wonderful milestone in my little mans life! looking forward to more....with maybe less party ;)

Enjoying one of his gifts, a book about space ~ me enjoying my favorite moment of the day with him....I adore the end of my days with this little guy, thought I should finally capture the moment just the other night! This picture is burned in my heart forever!

Happy Valentines Day!

Little Ladies Heart Hair - how to found on Pinterest

Mom Tattoo T-shirt DIY

I won't lie we are lucky girls, the little lady and I, loved tremendously by a couple of handsome lads! Every year Valentines rolls around and we don't do much maybe a little treat for the kids a late dinner just me and hubs.....We love eachother a lot all year round there is no way I could show my family how much I love them in just one day but it sure is a nice reminder to celebrate LOVE! Happy Valentines Day! 

I whipped up a little "tattoo" T for Ava's Open Gymnastics Gym play date realizing her dress from last year wasn't going to cut it! Literally this took me a half hour and had I known it was going to turn out so darn cute I would have documented my DIY! But I will do my best to break it down and hopefully inspire a little creativity, and HECK this would be great for mother's day too....I can just see the hubs and the little man sporting these bad boys come mother's day ;)

Mom Tattoo T DIY 

Supplies - Red felt, scrap of white felt, freezer paper, black fabric paint, heat and bond lite(optional but helps hold it in place to stitch on) 

1:Print MOM on to a piece of freezer paper(cut it to paper size print on the non shiny side) 

2: Use and exacto knife to cut out the letter be sure to save the middle of the O

3: Iron freshly made MOM stencil on to scrap white felt

4: paint over stencil with black fabric paint and allow to dry

5: Cut large heart shape out of red felt (I decided to use the heat on bond after I cut my shapes so I just cut it slightly smaller then the heart then ironed it on according to the directions)

6: Cut white felt into a long strip (like picture) fold length wise and cut an angle to create the points I cut with a slight curve instead of straight on for a little character

7: place "MOM Ribbon" over heart and straight stitch on not going over the edge of the heart

8: Heat and bond heart with sewn ribbon to shirt I used a pressing cloth so as to not melt the felt

9: Stitch the outer of the heart with a longer straight stitch for a hand stitched look(not I did not stitch the over lapping "ribbon" tails down, it gave it a fun ribbony look) :D 

10: Enjoy Valentines Day!

Sweet Practically Free Art

Cell phone Pollaroid action ;)

This weekend I cleaned and purged my sweet little ladies room after an awe inspiring visit to another equally as sweet(type1) friends house. Said friends room was so organized the toys were out of sight and just seemed so much more serene then Ava's toy isle style bedroom (More pics of her new sweeter more serene bedroom soon). Upon cleaning up and purging I realized she has NO art! She did have fun tissue poms but one naughty monkey(the little lady herself) jumping on the bed decided it would be fun to rip them down and jump on them :O ugh terrible 2's! So again why buy when you can DIY and completely personalize ;)

DIY Embroidery Hoop Art: 
Embroidery Hoop ( I got mine at good will for .99cents!)
Fabric(enough to over lap about an inch) my fabric is a vintage sheet I have been holding onto ;)
Other textiles - Ribbon, felt, canvas, buttons, lace, ric rac - here you can go crazy!

For my specific hoop I printed the letter a onto heat and bond. Ironed it onto a small piece of canvas, heat and bonded the back of that and ironed it onto felt then went crazy with my FUN stitches on my machine. a couple of rolled felt flowers and bow and some buttons and it's PERFECT! Lay fabric over inner hoop, lay outer hoop over top and tighten the screw as you pull fabric taught(takes a little finesse mine ended up not being taught as I like), fold over excess fabric and glue down so it will lay flat on the wall.  She loves it too!

Matilda Who ;)

Matilda Jane's Knit Pants

My Version :D

I am super excited about today's outfit/ DIY!!!! I was recently invited to a Matilda Jane trunk show....while I was perusing their website and making a wish list I came across these adorable Strawberry Lemonade pants only exclusively available(whatever that means) and I remembered the pink stripe knit fabric I have been holding onto since I scored about a yard of it at an estate sale this summer for 50cents! I have not made an actual garment from knit fabric but for 50 cents how can you go wrong?! I am however fortunate enough to be the owner of a killer craigs list deal serger(not to be confused with craigs list killer;) so really why wasn't I sewing knits long before today!!!

Label- says made for a special princess :)

SO I set out with my basic pant pattern my .50 cent knit fabric and my handy serger and I did it!! Complete with funky little brown label! Matilda Janes website is a never ending inspirational site. I still plan to attend said party and maybe purchase some adorable pricy things for the little lady ;) other wise I will be making my own version of their ruffled pants!

So once again before you buy why not DIY!

DIY your own Matilda Jane Knock off Pants: all you need is knit fabric and a pants pattern and a little courage OH and some inspiration www.matildajaneclothing.com


Tips for sewing knits use a serger!! If not pin like crazy twice what you would normally pin. I had no issues with the fabric what so ever :O shocked still!

DIY Pretend Salt & Pepper

Pardon the cruddy pic, it's early AM :)

I went a little over board on the kids play kitchen accessories. All of it was quick and easy because I had a big list to tackle in order to get it all done by Christmas. Some of the accessories include: Apron's, Chef Hats, Felt Cupcakes, Plastic Eggs, utensils, dishes, cook book, etc,etc....the list goes on and on, a lot of it I made or purchased very inexpensively. My kids especially love the Salt and Pepper (they also love to put salt on their food at the table, the play ones have actually curbed the novelty of real salt shakers;). I thought about making them in felt but wanted them to have sound like real ones, that's when the light went OFF! Dur! Paper! So here's a quick little super satifying fun to play with DIY - you'll be thinking to your self why didn't I think of that!

DIY Pretend Salt and Pepper

Supplies:

Salt and Pepper shakers (dollar store or .97 @ walmart - for the pair)

1 piece ea black and white paper plus a piece of paper to catch punched holes (I used computer paper and kids construction paper)

Hole Punch

Step 1 put your husband to work while he watches sports(he'll love you for this)

Step 2 Have him fold the paper in half and in half again (4x the work in half the time) :D

Step 3 hole punch like crazy onto extra piece of paper (it takes forever this is why you have the hubs do it, you don't want the hand cramp TRUST ME!)

Step 4 use paper as a funnel to pour your salt and pepper in your shakers

Step 5 twist lids on very tightly or if your worried about the little monsters taking them off rub glue around the threads before doing so ;)

You did it!!! They will LOVE it!
The best part?! This whole craft cost me .97cents! What's stopping you now?!
The important stuff! Please do not re-use this tutorial as your own idea - you may however share it all you want and are more then WELCOME to sell any finished products you make using this tutorial(if you have the time and patience to do so!)

This to That! Nasty old cabinet makeover to play kitchen

DIY Play Kitchen

 We had a tiny plastic play kitchen that Ava got a couple years ago which was great but they were quickly out growing it and as much as they play with it I thought about purchasing a good quality wood one but that just wasn't in the budget - so of course we set out to make our own(DIY)! I'll give you a quick break down to hopefully inspire you to do the same and keep the cost down :D
The nasty and I mean NASTY old cabinets are from Re-Store I paid $25 bucks for the pair. I picked the wider one for it's height which we took the kick plate off of so it wouldn't be too tall(we had to add a top and back to it with scrap ply-wood) and I picked the narrower one for the fridge and because it's front some what matched the other(I had my husband add a bottom to it to make it taller and cut half circles out of the front for a retro flair) I am fairly certain these are from the 70's!
Sink aka stainless bowl $7 - Cash and Carry restaurant supply store you'll pay about 30% less then retail.
Paint is country white color place satin - Walmart $16.97 for the gallon and we still have lot's to spare!
Pulls for "oven" and "fridge" Lowes $4.27 ea
Faucet also from restore $5 bucks(we had to check back several times to find one we wanted, so be patient!)
Oven burners are soccer ball wood things from Joann's $1.27 each flipped upside down and spray painted with black spray paint then nailed on with the nail gun.
Oven Light - Tap light from dollar store
Most everything else we had! So if your looking for something that I didn't mention please feel free to ask. Just takes a little creativity and man power to create your own custom Kitchen! And my kids LOVE this thing. The WHOLE neighbor hood loves it! 

So cost break down -

25
7
16.97
4.27x2
1.27x4
________
about 60 bucks!

In all fairness I did go a little crazy since it was a Christmas gift and purchased a few new things for them to enjoy! Like the tiny colander(TJ maxx 5 bucks) and kids cook book(goodwill) and I made them matching chef hats and easy Velcro aprons from fabric I owned. The pans are from dollar store and the felt cupcakes I mad too ;) tutorial for that soon! Again, see something I didn't mention just ask ;)


Special Thanks to Papa for coming down here to paint it - aka my professional painter! I don't think we would have finished on time with out him!

Valentine Felt Flower Headband Tutorial

Will you be mine?

Supplies:

Supplies(minus glue gun)

Felt scraps of pink, red, white and moss green(optional)
1/4 in Elastic(size chart below)
Hot glue gun
Sizzix (big kick)
3-D Bigz die flowers ( for this tutorial I used just the smaller flower)
Scissors

I rarely use my Sizzix for paper, usually just felt occasionally fabric. I use polyester felt a lot because wool felt is a little harder to come across in this small town(at least in any good colors). But it does work better on wool felt, with that said it still works great for any felt!

Size chart (this is the length of elastic you'll need to cut based on age)
Preemie: 12 inches
Newborn: 13 inches
Baby: 14-15 inches
Toddler: 16-17 inches
Child/Tween 18 inches

1 cut small squares of felt in pink, white and red just a little bigger then the flower on the die run all 3 pieces layered up through the Sizzix.

3 layers of felt sandwiched between to cutting boards and die

(don't mind my colors just what I had left in scraps)

2 Roll the flower holding it some what flat and starting with the little narrow part towards the outside of the 

spiral

begin rolling here

hold rose flat as you roll

3 Roll flower almost all of the way up leaving the rounded center to cover the bottom of your rose. Cover the bottom whith glue and press the center part over the glue Wa-La one rose done repeat for other two!

glue and cover with what was the center

flip down any loose parts and gently glue and press back together

4 Cut a small triangle and elastic according to size chart put a line of glue down the middle of the triangle and line up the ends of you elastic not overlapping(it will be too bulky and cause red spots or dents if you over lap) the triangle shape is KEY for the out come ;)

 

5 Glue roses to each corner making sure they are tight on the front and touching(if they are too close it might bow out but will lay flat when on :) just make sure you cant see the triangle from the front. And your DONE!  You can also attach small green leaf shaped felt if you desire or leave it the way it is. I added leaves for an example :D I hope you enjoyed! 

The important stuff! Please do not re-use this tutorial as your own idea - you may however share it all you want and are more then WELCOME to sell any finished products you make using this tutorial(if you have the time and patience to do so!) 

Tip - You can go crazy with color's or cordinating these with out fits for you little one - not crafty?! feel free to contact me or check out www.fortheloveboutique.etsy.com you can see in the "supplies" picture I cut out a ton! Which means many are being listed soon!

Thanks A Bunch! Happy Valentines Day! 

~Mrs.M