CUTE baby hats

As I flipped through my favorite blogs I found a link to these adorable baby hats that are only $2.25 -seriously add a big flower and your baby will be stylin'- oh, and they have about ten colors to choose from- and they have sizes for adults, too!

I found the link for this hat at shanty2chic and in their next post they show how to make fabric or ribbon roses using a hot glue gun- extra easy!  Umm, so yeah, for today's post I'm just sending you to another blog!

I am so getting some of these to embellish and use as baby gifts!!!

Necklace and Earrings in Purple

Last night we had a quick visit with our friend whose daughter just passed away.  He bore such a strong testimony of prayer- noting how his family is being strengthened through this difficult time.  He also witnessed that families are meant to be together for eternity and that we can look forward to the fulfillment of that promise.  They are such an amazing family.

In other news:  I decided to try my hand at making a multi-strand necklace.  I know the necklace would look better if I was wearing it- so you could see how it hangs and all- but really, don't you start to feel weird posting pictures of your chest?! - With so many made over t-shirts, blouses, necklaces, etc. it's starting to feel freaky.

 Anyhow, making the necklace was easier then I thought it would be- you just use a bunch of jump rings to connect everything.  I added that tiny touch of green to match my purple and green skirt.  And I made the necklace slightly asymmetrical like those found at J Crew and Anthropologie.  Do you like to make jewelry?

Homemade Shelf

I thought I'd share the awesome shelf my husband made for our son's room.  He's a whiz!  He designed it himself.  I still have a big bunch of books to bring in- but it has already made our bedtime routine more fun because all of junior's favorites are on hand.  Here is how he attached the shelves.

Since I'm talking about books (again) The Candle Bible for Toddlers is my favorite storybook for teaching little ones Bible stories.  My children love to read it to each other and they remember the stories! 

My heart is sad today.  Our dear friends daughter passed away this week.  She was a beautiful girl who had been married for less than a year.  She had a severe asthma attack on Saturday and went back to her Heavenly Father on Monday.  Her family has asked that we all remember how dear our loved ones are and how frail this life can be.  So, give your children an extra hug and let them know how much you love them.

Old Shoes

I'm going to try and clean these shoes today- I'll let you know how it goes----

More Dinosaur Wall Art

I finally finished the Dinosaur painting for my son's room.  This took me forever.  I traced coloring book pictures onto a canvas and then filled in with acrylic paints.

 I mounted the picture on black foam board and framed 31"x17" it (plexiglass for safety).

I'd recommend not framing the canvas or selecting a canvas that has normal frame dimensions (16 x 20, etc.)- odd sized frames are more expensive-

Making Dinosaur Wall Art

I found some 7"x7" canvas wall hangings at Dollar Tree.  They had flowers and birds printed on them.    That style didn't really go with Jr.'s theme ;o) So I changed them up a bit.  You can use blank canvas- it's just more expensive.

To make these dinosaur wall hangings you just select a base color and paint them.  I wanted a textured-kinda-rough look.  So I used several layers of paint.  I mixed different amounts of brown with the red paint to get slightly different colors.  I left some places "messed up" on purpose. 

Find free dinosaur patterns on online coloring pages or search google images- dinosaur silhouettes.  Trace and cut out your dinosaur patterns from scrapbook paper and mod podge them onto the canvas.

I learned that the lighter colored papers with simple, smaller prints looked the best.  It's really quite simple!

Story Time and Children's Book Review

I love books.  I love libraries.  I love to read. I love to read to my children.  I'm totally guilty of having bedtime last far too long because we are having so much fun reading together. 

This is a picture of my married daughter reading to her baby and my other children listening in (because you are never too old for a good book).  One time while going through a bummer time in my life a counsellor suggested I go back and read some of the books that I enjoyed as a child.  It was great- I still pick up a good kids book every now and then just for fun, just for me :o)

Here are a few old favorites that I just added to my "Mama/ Grandma library"- I used to read these to my baby sisters.  I love the gentle words and sweet illustrations! Babies and Baby Animals by Gyo Fujikawa.

I've read this sweet gorilla book to children for many, MANY years.  The surprise ending is great and it reinforces that no matter how old we get we are still lovable.

I also purchased a  copy of this vintage book, The Silly Mother by Lois Duncan, that my mother used to read to me.

Make a swimsuit modest

I'm tall so finding modest swimsuits can be discouraging and expensive.  When I found a miracle suit at Ross for $13 that matched the swim shorts  I already own I snatched it up- downside: it had a plunging neckline.  That turned out to be an easy fix.  I just purchased 1/4 yard of  coordinating swimsuit fabric at Hancocks (they had stuff that matched better- but I just grabbed some).  Cut a piece that looks to be about the right size- with right sides out fold it in half so there will be a smooth edge. 

Then pin the added piece in place (I added almost 5 inches) and top stitch in place using a ball point needle, normal thread and a long straight stitch. 

I also used some tear away paper underneath to keep the suit moving through the machine and to eliminate pulls and snags.  After sewing in place carefully trim away excess fabric.

 It took about ten minutes and now I can play in the pool with the kids and not have to worry about flashing everyone!

Make a VERY SIMPLE bed

This is my first attempt at woodworking (I mean using the saws and everything).  My husband was the teacher extraordinaire.  He stood by and told be what to do for each step.  He helped some too.  This is the simplest bed ever.  We just used a 4 inch post- cut it to the height we wanted and  ran a board between the posts.  As you can see we used a basic bed frame to hold it all together. 

My husband made the cool cream colored trundle bed a few years ago- it's just a piece of plywood with a two inch piece of wood around the edges-and good quality wheels underneath.  A trundle bed like this is a super simple- but oh- so functional- piece of furniture. If you don't need the extra bed just leave off the mattress and use the board as a Lego or train table.

I debated about making the new bed higher so that it could be a "hide out"- and sure enough, about the first thing my 5 yr. old son said was, "why didn't you make it higher so I could play under there?"  Live and learn.

5/12/10 - I forgot to mention that I am thinking about adding a wall mounted headboard- another simple project!

The Case of the Crafter's Curse

Do you know if garlic wards off evil crafting curses?  If so, I'm going to smell like spaghetti sauce!  I don't know what the deal is but just about every project I've touched in the last month has been a depressing failure- seriously, can I spit now?!   I know a temper tantrum won't help- but then again maybe it will-- screaming and stamping my feet now.  so, I'll calmly share my crafting woes and try again another day.

First I made the horrific looking dress shown below- I mean, on it looks even worse!!!!

Then I made curtains for my sons room.  Now, I know you always pre-wash your fabric- but I don't because I like working with it while the sizing is still in... but I paid for it this time.  While attaching the cool looking eyelets the curtain became soiled.  I tossed it in the wash only to have the dryer burp it out 12" too short.  I know I can add something to fix it- but it would be nice if something went as planned!

I purchased the cute purple fabric the same time I purchased the moo-moo dress material.   In an effort to complete projects that I have purchased the materials for I made a skirt.  When completed I gagged and then I cut off the tacky looking waistband and picked out the rumpled looking hem.... and I don't even know how to fix this one.

Today, I thought I'd leave the sewing arena behind and try some decorating.  I bought a mirror and painted the frame.  I spray painted the bright brass picture holder (yard sale find) with ORB.    Placed it in the previously selected spot and ta-dah--- plop.  It was too short and won't work at all for the intended use.... I can't return said mirror because the frame is painted.... are you weeping with me yet?!

I know in the eternal scheme of things this isn't worth batting an eye- but I am so ready for some success- any tiny, little minuscule bit of success.... where's the garlic?