Egg-cellent project for this weekend

Sorry couldn't help myself with that comment. ;)

I am procrastinating, no wait, I'm diligently preparing my house for my out of state guests... ;)

Well, I am going to share with you another blog idea, from Char she has some really creative stuff and tutorials on her site. When you have a few minutes, or if you're just procrastinating (unlike me- lol) look around her site. Click on the picture or here to go directly to her egg project.

Her latest creation is super easy and should be fun for you to do with your kiddos this weekend in time for Easter egg hiding on Sunday. :) I love the way her eggs turned out; the contrast between the colors and white is super cool. You could probably even dye them one color, apply the rubber cement and dip them again for a two-tone/multicolored egg. So much fun! :)

Have a great day!

What to do, what to do...

I am going to *try* and put up some projects this week; however, I have family coming to visit from out of state tomorrow and several other appointments that will make it difficult to do any crafting of greatness. :/



With that disclaimer, I will really try to get some crafting done, because:

a. I will need to do something to keep me busy

b. I will need something to keep the kids busy for their spring recess

c. both a and b



Yeah, the correct answer is "c"... I will try to post, but not promising it will be done at a decent hour. ;)



Have a great week everyone!

Winner! :)

The contest has ended and we have a winner!! :)


**drum roll please **

(sorry for the grainy pic, screen capture sized down to fit)

The lucky winner is commenter #2- Stacie

Congratulations!!

Thank you to all of you who participated. This was so much fun! I am going to have another giveaway soon!

So keep checking back to find out when! :)

A family tree of a different kind...

I saw this project on a blog that I follow and just *have* to share it with you. You can either click on the picture above or here to see how to do this fun project!

You all know I love any project that incorporates kids, and this project couldn't be done without them! :)

I have some canvas pieces, burlap and some fabric that has just found its new inspiration. I'll post pictures of our family trees later this week. :)

Have a great day! :)

Last day for contest!! :)

If you haven't signed up already, today's the last chance to do so before the contest ends tonight at 11:59 MST.



Even if you have posted a comment, if you post again, I will give you another entry. This contest is super easy to enter, and your chances are good if you have multiple entries! :) Just click here and leave a comment! :)



Good Luck! I'll post the winner tomorrow!

Dollar Tree + Hobby Lobby +$3 = 2 unique pieces of art!

Not that I need any excuse to go to Dollar Tree, but... I have found several picture frames there that just needed some where to go, and it might as well be my wall. ;)




I was inspired by so many of the blogs out there that have silhouettes, and thought that I could do something a little more colorful than the traditional black and white silhouette; with that thought that's exactly what I did with the following project. This project seriously only cost me $3 between Hobby Lobby's 50% off sale on scrapbook paper and Dollar Tree's frames- even if Hobby Lobby didn't have the sale, it would only have been $4. :)



Well... here they are- compliments of Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby -which I can't believe I *haven't* been there before today. That place is awesome! So many possibilities! ;) I even bought some fabric there for a wallet that I'm going to post here in a few days- as soon as I finish my 4 sewing projects in-progress that are in front of it... ;)




Supplies:
1 sheet of black scrapbook paper
1 sheet of red print scrapbook paper
2 birdhouse picture frames
2 pics of kiddos (silhouettes)

Roll of Masking tape (not pictured)
Scissors (not pictured)


Step 1: Cut out most of picture surrounding your kiddo (or whatever else you are silhouetting). Note: Leave some border, for the next step, you can see what I mean in the photo shown in Step 2.


Step 2: Tape picture to black scrapbook paper by making a loop with the tape then sandwiching the picture and black scrapbook paper together.



Step 3: Carefully cut out your kiddo's silhouette. (I don't have the expensive cutting machine, so I did mine the old fashioned way. ) ;)






Step 4: Cut the background paper to fit the frame. (I used the glass to measure it for an accurate fit.) Forgot to take a picture of this step. :/


Step 5: Center your black paper silhouette on your background paper.



Step 6: Put in frame. Enjoy your unique one of a kind piece of art! :)


That's it!

Two more days left!

I'm really excited about the amount of people checking out the blog. Here is a picture of what you're signing up to win!



You will get 3 of these adorable hair ties for you or any special little girl in your life. All you have to do is comment on the link below by tomorrow (Saturday) by 11:59pm MST and you're entered! It's that easy!



Let me know what color(s) you would like for your prize! If you have your friends come over and comment have them let me know that too, because that becomes a *bonus* entry for you!! Also, if you post it on your Facebook, Twitter, your own blog you get *bonus* entries for each of those too. Just remember to post a comment on the link below also to let me know so you get credit for them. :)


Here's the link to the contest.


Good luck!! :)

Check out another giveaway! :)

Kristen's Custom Creations is giving away a necklace and book combo. It is one of my favorite books to read to my kids. I love this book, it is so precious. The link is here to her site, check it out and make sure to tell your friends too! :)

Bonus entry for first giveaway!

Several more ways to get entered into the contest...

Option 1:
If you get a friend to post a comment on here *and* have them mention who they heard about my blog from (gotta give credit where credit is due!) you will get an additional entry (per friend)for the hair tie giveaway!! :) This one is fun, because both you *and* your friend get an entry! :)


Option 2:
If you link my blog to your Facebook, Twitter, your own blog, you will also get an additional entry per media method!! Make sure to leave a comment letting me know what you've done (Facebook, Twitter, etc) so I can have it counted properly. :)


The potential to have several entries is very easy and simple... which means more chances to win! :)

Here's the link to the giveaway for easy posting. :)

Have a great evening everyone!!

If I can get 50 followers by this weekend March 28th...

Contest has ended. Come back soon for another giveaway!

**** Freebie Alert!! ****

I will give away 3 hair ties for your little girl or for yourself!

Follow me on here and leave a comment with the color combinations you would like.

I just had someone let me know of another option for this freebie... they can be made into a headband if hair is too short for a hair tie or barrette. We can figure this out if need be with the winner later! :)

I will post the winner on this Sunday, March 29th. :)

Good luck!!

Super easy dress

I am really excited to share this project with you! This is a dress that I have been making for my daughter for years. I have modified it as she has grown and will do my best to let you know what you will need for each size up to a girl's size 8- if the size you want isn't listed, let me know and I'll let you know what amount of fabric/cuts you will need. These are so easy to make, they take about 1 hour-uninterrupted ;) so you can make a few of 'em to match for Easter, pictures or just playing around during nap time. :)

The hair tie is a newer idea that I found a similar idea on another blog, but hers was for a pin and you had to sew the layers; like I said similar, but different. The tutorial for the hair tie is posted here.


Make sure to read through the directions first before beginning, if you have any questions let me know and I'll clarify. Some of the steps do not have pictures, because I was unable to capture it properly. I'm also assuming you know how to sew a little bit to do this project.

Alright enough writing... ready to make a dress like this?






Here are the supplies you will need:

1 t-shirt/onesie in child's size (long or short sleeved- I used long sleeved today, but have made it with short sleeves and tank tops for summer)

Coordinating fabric (amount will vary on size of dress- see chart below)

Size Chart/Yardage needed: **Note: this will make your skirt 1 solid color/print **
0-6 months: 1/2 yard
6-12 months: 2/3 yard
12-24 months:1 yard
2T-3T: 1 yard
4T-5T: 1 1/4 yards
6-6x: 1 1/3 yards
7-8: 1 1/3 yards



Not pictured:
Sewing machine

Scissors or rotary cutter

Cutting mat (optional but used if you have rotary cutter)

Measuring tape/ruler/Shape cut- plastic guided cut ruler (not sure the technical name, but this is what I used- see photos below)

Iron

Here we go!! :)

Step 1: Cut your fabric for correct size listed below. Save your remnants for hair tie, if desired. **Note: I usually cut the widths 7", 8", 8", 10, 10" , etc. first the entire width of the fabric along the length of the fabric and then trim them to size. **

Size Chart/Layer width & length and amount needed of each:
0-6 months: (1) 2"x 25", (2) 3" x 22", (2) 5" x 24"
6-12 months: (1) 3"x 25", (2) 4" x 22", (2) 6" x 24"
12-24 months:(1) 4"x 25", (2) 5" x 22", (2) 7" x 24"
2T-3T: (1) 5"x 25", (2) 6" x 22", (2) 8" x 24"
4T-5T: (1) 6"x 25", (2) 7" x 22", (2) 9" x 24"
6-6x: (1) 7"x 25", (2) 8" x 22", (2) 10" x 24"
7-8: (1) 8"x 25", (2) 9" x 22", (2) 11" x 24"





You will end up with 5 rectangles when completed: (1) small/top layer, (2) medium/middle layer and (2) large/bottom layer.

Step 2: Sew with 1/2" seam the (2) medium pieces (short sides) together to make (1) long continuous piece.

I am making a size 6-6x dress, the length of this piece is now 8" x 51". **Actual length will vary due to size of dress.**

Step 3: Sew with 1/2" seam the (2) large pieces (short sides) together to make (1) long continuous piece.

I am making a size 6-6x dress, the length of this piece is now 10" x 77". **Actual length will vary due to size of dress.**

Step 4: Prepare to cut your shirt. Read chart below photo before proceeding to Step 5.

Size Chart/ length needed:
0-6 months: 4"

6-12 months: 5"

12-24 months: 6"

2T-3T: 7"

4T-5T: 8"

6-6x: 9"

7-8: 10"

Step 5: From top of shoulder, measure down (from chart above) length and cut shirt. Set shirt aside for Step 12. *Save remnant for hair tie, if desired. **

Step 6: Take your largest width rectangle (10" in my case) and your medium width rectangle (8" in my case). Line up your width edges as shown below. Pin in place. Repeat for opposite end.

Step 7: Pleat your longer/bottom layer to the medium/middle layer. (This will make the lower part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 8: Take your smallest width rectangle (7" in my case) and your medium width rectangle (8" in my case). Line up your width edges as shown below. Pin in place. Repeat for opposite end.

Step 9: Pleat your medium/middle layer to the small/top layer. (This will make the upper part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 10: Fold skirt in half, pin in place. See photo below for clarification.

Step 11: Sew edge of skirt. You should now see what your skirt to the dress will look like. :)

Step 12: Take your t-shirt from Step 5, and place neck first into your skirt. **Note: The bottom of your shirt is going to be sewn to the top of your skirt. ** See photos below for clarification.

Step 13: Pleat your small/top layer to the t-shirt or onesie. (This will make the upper part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 14: Turn dress right side out. Hem and pin bottom layer to desired length. Iron to hold crease.

Step 15: Sew bottom hem.

That's it! :)

*******

You can make this with 2 different colors of fabric with a coordinating fabric in the middle; the yardage chart for that is below. You make the dress exactly the same way, except your fabrics are different colors.

Two-color Option:
Size Chart/Yardage needed (top/bottom, middle): **Note: this will make your skirt different colors: top and bottom layer match with different/coordinating print for middle layer **

0-6 months: 1/3 yard, 1/6 yard
6-12 months: 1/2 yard, 1/3 yard
12-24 months: 1/2 yard, 1/3 yard
2T-3T: 2/3 yard, 1/3 yard
4T-5T: 2/3 yard, 1/2 yard
6-6x: 1 yard, 1/2 yard
7-8: 1 yard, 1/2 yard

Matching hair tie

Now that you have a dress, here's a cute hair tie to make and match your creation! :)

This is how to make the hair tie to match your Super Easy Dress. :)

Supplies:

Fabric scraps from the dress (t-shirt & cotton print)

1 rubber elastic band

Scrap of craft felt (about the size of a half dollar)

3 cookie cutters (I bought mine at Jo-Anns; they came in a package of 6 for $1.99; if you don't have the cookie cutters, you only need 3 of the same shapes that are small, medium and large)

Not pictured:

Hot glue gun (I used a low-temp one for this project)

Pins

Scissors

Step 1: Fold one of your fabric scraps (this will be used for your largest size shape) into fourths.

See photos below for any clarification.

Step 2: Repeat Step 1 for other fabric scraps. You should have 3 squares that are large enough for your large, medium and small shape.

Step 3: Trace your shape onto your fabric with a pen.



Step 4: Cut out each of your shapes. Note: it is easier to cut all 4 shapes when the layers are pinned together. You won't have to cut each shape out 4 times. :)

Step 5: Fold each of your shapes into fourths. See photo below for clarification.

Step 6: Place a drop of glue near the center of each of the fourths to hold its shape.

Step 7: Arrange your shapes, to where it looks like the original "whole" shape. Note: I left mine spaced apart so you could see what I mean.

Step 7: Cut your scrap of craft felt into a circle. Approximately the size of a half dollar.

Step 8: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your large shapes with no spaces between them. See photos below for clarification.

Step 9: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your medium shapes with no spaces between them, rotate the shapes 90 degrees; so you won't have a space between each seam and layer, and have it look like it is four separate pieces. See photo below for clarification.

Step 10: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your smallest shapes with no spaces between them; rotate the shapes 90 degrees so their seams line up with the larger shapes below. See photos below for clarification. (Sorry the photo is so dark, but you can see what I'm trying to say best in this photo as far as the rotation goes.)

Step 11: Use another scrap of your middle layer fabric and make a knot. Trim the ends off.

Step 12: Place a large dot of hot glue into the center of your shape, place knot from Step 11 on it and press in place.

Step 13: Turn over shape, place a large drop of glue in center and place rubber elastic band in glue. Rotate to have glue cover rubber elastic band completely. Note: let glue completely cool and dry before putting in hair. I don't think that anyone would put this in their hair while still setting, the low-temp glue gun takes about 10 minutes to completely cool.

That's it! :)