Another Copycat Project

This has been a project on my long to-do-list.  I think I bought my fabric three months ago.  Now that it is getting lighter earlier in the mornings, I find myself waking up earlier.  So, one day I decided to finally pull out my fabric and just get it done.  I am so glad I did.

I have been needing a scripture cover desperately.  The packing tape I was using to hold the binding together was not really the best look.  Now nobody can tell how worn it is.

 I got my tutorial from Delia Creates, which I might add is one of my favorite blogs.  I was surprised at how quickly it came together.  Hooray for great tutorials!!!

Baby Beanies

Another quick baby project--a great tutorial from Make It and Love It. 
I bought a cheap (25 cents) XL turtle neck from Old Navy's clearance section and threw two of these hats together one morning--one for my little babe, and one for a neighbor's.  The tutorial was really easy to follow, and I am really happy with how they turned out.

Don't you want to make one now?

ABC Art

I created a little ABC art for my kids.  (I used digital art work from www.sweetshoppedesigns.com).  It took me awhile to find a frame that I thought would work.  I wanted it to be colorful.  I ended up finding one at the thrift store, painting it, and sanding it down a bit.  I love how it turned out.

**I saw this first on another blog, but cannot remember which one.  I had it saved, but my computer crashed and I no longer have the link.  Sorry.

A Cloche

I have seen a few of these "cloches" around the blog world and decided I had to make my own.  I admit though, that I had never heard the word "cloche" before.  I looked it up and it means a bell shaped cover.  So there you go.
Anyway, a couple weeks ago I was at my local thrift store on 50% off day (Hooray).  I scored my supplies for $4.

 Yes, I know they aren't the prettiest, but isn't amazing what a little paint will do?  I love it.  Oh, and to glue them together, I used E-6000.  Beautiful, and such an easy project.  Now if I only knew what to put in it.  I guess that is the next project...

Ruffled Binkie Clip

Okay, as I said before, I have baby on the brain.  I decided to make a binkie (or pacifier) clip.  My other two kids used binkies, but I never had clips for them.  I am loving all the RUFFLES out there, and I thought it would make for a perfect binkie clip.

Supplies needed:
-Scrap Fabric
-Clip (I used a name badge clip.  A 20 pack is about $2 at Walmart in the office section).  You will need to remove the plastic piece that is attached to the clip

Step 1:  I started off with a long strip of fabric.  Mine was about 22"x2 1/2".

 Fold it in half (right sides together).  Then sew along 3 of the sides, close to the edge.  The side that remains open needs to be a short edge.

Step 2:  Turn right-side out.

Step 3:  Sew a basting stitch (your widest stitch) down the center.  Make sure you leave plenty of thread at the beginning and end of the strip.  

Step 4:  Gather your fabric to make your ruffle.  Do this by pulling the bottom thread.  You have to pull the fabric and play with it until you reach your desired ruffle.  Once mine was ruffled, it was about 12-13" long.  Change your stitch length back to normal and sew down the same stitch to secure the ruffle.
Step 5: Sew a quick rolled hem on your unfinished side.

Step 5:  Take the side with the rolled hem and push it through the hole in the clip.

 Step 6: Sew this flap down.  It doesn't have to look pretty because it will be covered.

Step 7:  Make a button hole about 1-1/2" from the other end of the fabric.  If you need a tutorial for button holes, here is a great one.  Then sew on your button.  Make sure you sew it on the right side so when it loops around, it will go up through the button hole.
Step 8:  Make a fabric flower.  Hot glue it to the clip.  This should cover that seam.

 And there you have it.  All done!  Now I just need to buy some binkies!

Old Window Love

About 6 months ago I was given an old window.  It had rusty mesh in between the panes, which I knew needed a change, but it took me up until now to figure out just what I wanted to do with it.  I must admit, my husband was awesome.  He helped me carefully take it apart to get the mesh out and replace it with chicken coop wire.  I LOVE how it turned out.  

 I cleaned it up a bit, but I left the paint as-is.  I wanted the aged look.  I also spray-painted my coop wire a brownish-gold color.  It really is hard to tell, but I just didn't want the wire such a shiny silver.  I am excited to hang things from the chicken coop wire, depending on the season or my mood!

 I also added these knobs.  My husband was against the knobs, but I really wanted them.  I bought some cheap brass knobs from Hobby Lobby.  Then I painted them.  I used a teal color and brown.  I just kind of mixed the paint as I went.  Then once they were dried I sanded them down a little.  I think they turned out great.

I am so happy with the finished product.  Too bad it took me so long to figure out what to do with it!

Mitered Blanket--No problem

I hit 30 weeks last week.  This is always the point where I realize that the baby is coming...and QUICK!  Time always seems to fly the last couple months--at least for me anyway.  So I have been in Baby-mode, trying to get everything ready for her arrival.

I have had this fabric for a receiving blanket for awhile.  I wanted to try something new with the binding.  I have never done the mitered edge look.  I think I have always been a little scared of mitered edges.  But I found this great tutorial online, and decided to give it a whirl.   I was surprised at how easy and quickly it came together.  I love how it turned out.  All this baby stuff is getting me SO excited to see that little girl!

The tutorial I followed was pretty self-explanatory.  I was a little confused about the pinning in step 2.  I wasn't sure what it was supposed to look like once I had everything pinned.  So, in case any of you have the same problem, here is a picture.

So for those of you who may be a little afraid of mitered edges, be afraid no more!  Hooray for online tutorials!

Hanging those Earrings

There are so many great ideas for jewelry holders out there.  I finally decided I needed to have one.  My earrings have been in a little dish for the past, um, 8 years.  Yeah, I know.  Not the best idea.  So I dug out a plain frame that I had with my craft supplies, some 22-gauge wire, and some paint.  

Pretty simple.  Adds a little beauty to my boring bathroom.  I like it.  It's nice.

 I painted a couple coats of green (I know, the pics aren't great).  Then, I sanded down my corners and edges.  I finished it with a coat of watered-down brown paint.  

 I then just doubled up my wire.  Created some loops different sizes and directions.  Then I stapled the wire to the back of the frame. 

Voila.  Earrings hung.  No more searching for the match.  Beautiful.

Granola Anyone?

Who doesn't love a bowl of granola?  I know I do.  I love this recipe.  It is pretty easy, cheaper than buying it, and it makes your house smell HEAVENLY!  I hope you enjoy!

Dry Ingredients:
6 c. Rolled Wheat (found at Health food store)
2 c. Wheat Germ (also at Health food store)
2 t.  Salt
8 c. Rolled Oats (can be 5 min. or old fashioned)
2 c. Brown Sugar
--Can also add chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, coconuts, dried fruit
Wet Ingredients:
1 c. Light Vegetable Oil
1/2 c. Honey
2 t. Vanilla

Mix dry ingredients well.  Add wet ingredients a little at a time, mixing well.  Spread on a cookie sheet.  Bake for 2-1/2 hours @ 225 degrees.  Stir every 1/2 hour.

**FYI: When I make this, I 1-1/2 the recipe.  However, I use a lot less oil than it calls for (only about 1/2 c.) and make up the difference with honey and water--mostly water.  Just make sure you have a total of 3-3/4 c. liquid.  Also, because you are using extra honey in this situation, I keep the brown sugar at 2 cups.  Then I spread it onto 2 cookie sheets and bake for 3 hours rather than 2-1/2.  When I take them out to stir it, I rotate the pans on the oven shelves.

We have a rule at my house:  Only 1 bowl of granola a day.  Otherwise it is gone WAY too fast!

ENJOY!

A Little Love for a Little Baby

My good friend just had a baby, so this past weekend I put together this little gift:

Consisting of:

 The best bibs EVER.  They have sleeves and cover everything, which means clothes stay clean.  They are easy to clean and care for.  Plus, the little applique detail adds something a little fun and personal.

And this light-weight flannel blanket.  Pretty easy, but I am happy with how they turned out.  Oh the fun of new babies!

**I can't wait to hold my little one in just a couple months!!

Mother's Day Cards

With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, I thought I had better get some cards in the mail for my mom and for my Grandma.  I remembered a fun idea I first saw on Little Birdie Secrets.  Did you know you can Sew on PAPER?  Fun possibilities!  

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! I hope you get spoiled on Sunday! (I know you deserve it)