Crochet Lessons

A friend has been teaching me how to crochet. Mmmm... this is not a very mommy friendly craft. I am supposed to remember a series of symbols, the six stitches they represent, and how to make them and then the kids interrupt and I have to try and figure out where I am....

For instance, I am supposed to make 1 slip stitch, 1 double stitch, 3 triple stitches, 1 double stitch, and 1 slip stitch. Then S says, "Will you make me a peanut butter sandwich?" and I say, "AHHG, where was I?!". Maybe when you know how to make each stitch without thinking it is easier to keep your place. If not, this may be a very short series of lessons. Here is my first completed project- the ever popular hot pad.

Cute Movies

On the Garners recommendation I ordered Tammy and the Bachelor from Netflix. It was cute- so, I signed up for the sequels. Tammy Tell Me True/ and Tammy and the Doctor. I really liked Tammy Tell Me True and laughed a lot. Tammy and the Doctor wasn't quite as cute but I did still have fun laughing. The basic plot for each story is that, Tammy, raised on a houseboat by her grandparents ventures out into the world and finds that half the time she doesn't know what people are talking about. They are cute romantic comedies.

Big Flower Hair Clip

Another two minute hair clip. Take a large silk flower. Remove the center.

Then use a button or an adorable scrapbooking brad for your new center. Add a piece of wire, or a classy garbage twist, to attach a button to the center of the flower and to the hair clip.

Again, if you'd like to secure everything and prevent pulling hair add a small drop of hot glue to the exposed edges- These can be attached to headbands, hats or directly to the hair. You're little girl is ready for spring!

Cute Ponytail Holders

I don't know where I saw this on the web- sorry to the clever person that started this.... you just take a ponytail holder and a cute button with a shank back and put them together.



If they won't stay together the way that you like add a drop of hot glue.

Now it is ready to wear.

Super Simple Floral "Scrapbook" Barrette

Warning: This week there will be lots of hair clip type posts! Ok- this one takes about two seconds to make. Use your Michaels fifty percent off coupon and buy one of their adorable Reflection silk flower brads in the scrapbook section. Use the brad on the back to attach the flower to a hair clip-


if you want to hold it securely and prevent hair getting tangled add a drop of hot glue to the top of each brad tip. You're done!

oh, I forgot to take a picture of the finished project- so sad!- and I gave the clip away so I can't take one... but you are creative you can imagine it! :o)

Ribbon Hair Clips or barrettes

My sister Jennifer taught me this and our other sister Letia taught her. My nieces have been making these for I don't know how long- so, yeah, I'm the last to know, but they are new to me. So, here is a mini tutorial.

Get some ugly metal hair clips, some tacky tape, and some ribbon. Target has these rolls in their dollar section. There is enough ribbon to make two barrettes from each color. Gather scrapbooking brads, beads, buttons, and silk flowers.

Roughly measure your hair clip (usually 4 1/2 to 6 inches). Cut ribbon allowing some extra- you can trim off what you don't need later. Cut tacky tape and apply it to the ribbon back.

Apply the ribbon to the hair clip, pulling gently for a nice smooth finish.

Hot glue any embellishments on top. All done. Sorry, these last photos are so washed out- just trust me- they turn out CUTE!

PIcture Frame Makeover

I found this gaudy picture frame on clearance at WalMart. It was even more shocking in person. I dry brushed brown paint over it- and then was disappointed because the paint was matte and the gold was glossy. It looked weird! So I put a coat of Modge Podge over everything and that evened it out nicely.

Then I thought it looked too brown- but sanding doesn't work very well after you Modge Podge it so I went to Hobby Lobby and found this stuff that I LOVE! It's called Rub 'N Buff and you apply it with your finger. They have different types of metallic finishes too.

I framed another calendar picture and now I'm a happy camper.(Oh, that word that is cut in half says "believe" and I got it at Mervynns two years ago).

Pictures

I love visiting my sister Kathy's house because she has lovely religious pictures everywhere and it brings a beautiful feeling into her home.

Inspired by her, I've been wanting to add pictures of the Savior to the rooms in my house. I would love to go to Deseret Book and buy a bunch- but that is WAY out of my budget.

I ended up buying two 2009 calendars at 50% off. I cut out a picture I liked and framed it in a cheap WalMart frame (shown above). I also bought a few matted 5x7 pictures and framed them in beautiful frames from Hobby Lobby (at 50% off). I'll try to show a few as I get them put up around the house. I already like the difference it has made in my home.