4th of July Ideas

I've been neglecting this blog, I know, but what better reason to post than a holiday worth celebrating with friends and family? These beautiful, festive pictures make me want to throw a festive, domestic party! We'll probably just settle for a bbq. Maybe next year.

Appliqued Onesies

Remember when your baby is just too tiny to put in real church clothes? I've seen these on a couple babies and think they are just darling! My little man is definitely going to be sporting this darling piece!

This is perhaps the easiest little project I have ever done. Seriously you could make a whole package of onesies in less than 10 minutes! And you can do this project even if you don't have a sewing machine... isn't that awesome? And the price to make these is under $2/shirt.

What you need:

1. Onesies
2. Fabric (use your scraps, you just need a little!)
3. Fabric Fusion Applique Paper (1 yard will go for ages...)
Note: There is non-sewable applique paper, and sewable... this depends on whether you want to sew a stitch around the edge of your design for a more finished look. The non-sew is a little more stiff and harder to sew through.
4. Scissors
5. Iron

Directions:

1. Follow the instructions on the Fabric Fusion Applique paper. Basically, you lay the applique paper over the back side of your fabric, with the paper side up. Iron it on low for 2 seconds until it sticks.
2. Cut out your design.
3. Peel the paper off the fabric and place the design on your onesie. Iron for 8-10 seconds until it sticks to the onesie. Done!

Here is the pattern I used to do the tie: (Just click to enlarge, and then print.)

Superhero Towels

Months ago I did a post about the reversible superhero capes. I think they are darling, and I think it is a great project and gift idea... but let's face it- by now we have all seen them and it isn't as creative of a gift anymore. I was browsing through Martha Stewart's crafts from last year and came across this great project. It isn't something I have seen before at boutiques or stores, and I think it would be a darling gift for any little boy in your life. I plan to improvise a little on this project by making it into a hooded towel. This is really easy to do, and you can CLICK HERE to see some easy instructions on how to make a hooded towel. (This website has some other ideas to dress up a hooded towel in case you have a little girl or don't care for superheros.) I have to admit, this is a cool find for me. Hopefully someone else can put this idea to use too.

Tools and Materials
Bath towel
Washcloth
Superhero Cape Template
Reflective fabric
Adhesive agent, such as Steam-a-Seam
Disappearing-ink marking pen
Straight pins
Applique scissors
Button-covering kit

Superhero Cape How-To
1. Download and print the templates, then choose one of the shield shapes and an additional shape, and enlarge the images 400 percent. Cut a piece of reflective fabric into a 12-by-12-inch square. Trace the shield template on the square, then flip the template over and trace again; the templates are in halves, so you'll wind up with a whole symbol. Lay a piece of adhesive agent on the reverse side of the reflective material, cut out the shield, and using a pressing cloth and iron, affix the shield to the towel.

2. Place the lightning bolt or other symbol over the washcloth, and trace the shape using the disappearing-ink pen. Place the washcloth over the shield, and pin in place with straight pins. Sew along the traced line using a straight stitch, and cut away the excess washcloth with applique scissors. Save the scraps to fashion a button. Finish with a zigzag stitch along the lightning bolt.

3. To make a button, cut a circle of fabric that's twice the diameter of the button. Follow the instructions provided with the button-covering kit. Sew the button onto the cape. Measure your child's neck, and sew a scrap of the reflective-fabric shield in the appropriate spot on the cape to form a button loop.

Easter Gift Idea

It seems like around each holiday, we are looking for creative and festive ways to give a gift to those we associate with. Whether it is your neighbors, someone you visit, teachers, co-workers, friends/family, or even a small party favor... we are always trying to come up with a holiday inspired gift. When I saw this idea over at "Creative Holiday Gift Ideas blog", I had to document it for future use. I can see myself using this darling yet simple idea for years to come. It sure beats slaving over several dozens of cookies, yes, this is my type of thing.

INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.
My changes: I did M&M's first, then Peeps, then put combined brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs in baggie. I didn't like how the crumbs made a mess in the jar. Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. (Makes 9 to 12 bars.) *Option - leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed. *This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available.
**Here is a card you can print with your jars... they are 3x3 size. **

A Mother's Day Gift Idea

I thought this was a darling, inexpensive gift idea to give to the Grandm-a's in your life. Nothing melts your heart more than tiny little hand prints. For someone like me, who only has one child at the time, I thought a hand print and foot print would be just as darling. It would also be a cute piece to hang in your child's room. This is definitely an idea I want to try.

More Kids Wall Art

I am expecting a little boy in a few months and I have an animal themed nursery. I don't have anything hanging over the crib yet, and I thought creating three pieces of art, such as this, and printing them on to canvas would be darling. One thing I love about printing onto canvas is that it is safe. I think it looks so good to have art hanging over a bed, but always worry about doing so in case there were an earthquake or something... shattered glass... it makes me shudder. But the lightweight, and fabric of canvas art give me piece of mind without sacrificing style.

Easter Inspirations

I am a slacker these days, I have been terrible at keeping up the old blog. But I was having a little spring fever today and decided to check out some spring time decorating ideas. It was refreshing. I have to share these cute ideas. I am thinking about getting the girls together to make some of these cute cupcakes or something. Maybe host a cute little Easter party for the kids or something. A little party would open up lots of fun ideas. I think I've convinced myself.
*All images are courtesy of the amazing Martha Stewart team! Love their stuff.*

Nursery or Kids Room Art

This project is just calling my name...

What you need:

• Three 5 x 5 Paper Mache art boards ($2.99 at craft supply stores)
• Ribbon for hanging
• Scissors
• Acrylic paints and paint brushes
• Card stock for printing your design
• Permanent spray adhesive

Handmade nursery wall art

Steps:

1. Remove rope strands from the boards and discard.
2. Choose a style of ribbon and cut 3 strands the exact same size.
3. Apply your base coat to cover the brown paper mache. Paint everything, including the back side.
4. Start painting! It helped me to sketch out my design on the computer before diving into painting. I used acrylic paints and paint brushes. All three boards were given a different pattern in the background.
5. I drew the elephant in Adobe Illustrator and chose two colors for the elephants. Then I printed them out on card stock and cut them out, leaving a little white border to help them stand out against the painted backgrounds.
6. I tested out the placement before adhering the paper elephants to the boards. Using permanent spray adhesive, I adhered the elephants to the boards. Tie on the ribbon to hang and your done!

easy do it yourself project

i love home decor pieces like this that you look at and say "oooh... i could make that!". and wouldn't this be a great piece to add around thanksgiving time? although i have to admit that i think it would be cute all year long.

i could change the world, one furniture piece at a time

this is my new baby right now. i found a blog BETTER AFTER that basically shows before and afters of furniture projects. this first one is by far my favorite i have seen. i LOVE it. to update, my chairs are taken apart, and i am getting ready to start refinishing the wood. i really hope this project works out and doesn't put a damper on my burst of confidence. i will take pictures along the way.
(ADVICE: in case anybody actually looks at my blog, and is thinking about attempting this, i wanted to give some advice. i spent a few trips to DI and Savers and have found that it is a waste of time, and that even if there is something cute enough their prices are too high. so don't waste your time shopping there. simply click on your local craigslist a few times a day and eventually something will come up.)
i also am a huge fan of the two tone furniture- where you refinish some of the wood and paint the rest. my sister in law jamie found a kitchen table that she loves this way. i don't dare mess up your beautiful table until i am pro at this jam. (all pictures courtesy of Better After)

all i need is...

a little girl! after being inspired by all the furniture restoration, i came across this pottery barn picture. when i look at it, all i see is old furniture that has been updated. i could SO do a little girls room right now. and good news, i found some old chairs with charm to reupholster. hopefully i will pick them up today. so give me a week or so, and hopefully they will be a cute result.

reupholstery

i've been even more inspired by "chickie designs". between the dressers and this chair, i am really pumped about beautifying some ugly pieces of furniture. i think i will hit up the local D.I. today and see if i can find something cheap and unappealing to the eye. both projects seem like they would be incredibly easy. besides there is a corner in my living room that is calling for attention, and i think a buffet table and chair would look fantastic. i hope i find something. please tell me i am not the only one who sees this and wants to change the life of a poor ugly chair? love love love it!

one mans trash is another mans treasure

i have been inspired by this girl over at "chickie designs". she finds old dressers on Craigslist, at D.I., garage sales, etc for $10-$15 and paints them black and replaces the hardware for $1-$2/knob. the end result is a cute updated piece of furniture for under $30. i would love to do this in white. i don't know that i am brave enough to do a project like this with a 2 year old wanting to help, but maybe i will work up the courage. think how many pieces you could add to your house- dressers, nightstands, buffets, tv consoles! so, here is a secret, not mine, but worthy of sharing.