Another "Paper Bag" Dress

I made another little paper bag dress. The only difference is that this time I made my own binding.  Sounded too hard or time consuming at first, but it wasn't so bad and it's MUCH more affordable than paying for your own.  To find out more about making bias tape for your own binding, check out Dana's explanation at MADE and
Ashley's explanation on Make It and Love It.

Kid Slippers

Found a cute pattern online for making little kid slippers at Made by Rae.  My kids didn't want dragons - although I thought they were awesome.  So I took them to the fabric store and let them each pick out their own fabric.  They were so excited and they love that they got to pick out their own designs.  I've finished 3 pairs, 1 more to go (the baby doesn't need any yet).  Here's a sample of how they turned out.  

Now their little tootsies aren't so cold on our tile floor.  (Plus they like to slide around in them)  The only thing I did different is that I used suede for the bottoms and lined the bottom with fleece.  She used sherpa material, but I already had the suede and it worked out great.

A Change Can Do You Good

I'm a big advocate for changing things up and doing something new every so often.  Keeps life interesting.


I got brave enough . . . finally. . . to chop off all my hair. I've always wondered what it would be like to go super short, so I finally mustered up the strength and went for it.

 

Before

After

Contrary to popular believe, short hair is much harder for me to maintain than long hair.  I actually have to style it and use product every day.  No more putting it up and out of sight.  I really like it, but I'm also still adjusting to doing it and seeing myself because it's so different.

Happy Easter

All I Want For Chirstmas is . . . .

What a cute little guy!

Burlap Easter Basket

I had picked up some brown burlap in (my favorite) remnant bin at JoAnns.  I know you can do a lot with it, but I just hadn't found the right project to test it out on.  Until I saw this on Life in Wonderland.

It turned out pretty good, just don't look too close.  I also should have used more stiffener on the handle (contrary to how the picture looks) because it doesn't actually stand up on its own.  It was my first time using the stiffener, though, so I thought it went pretty well.

New Apron

Okay, don't laugh, but the apron I've been using is an apron I made in my 8th grade Home Ec class.

It looks terrible. It's stained from overuse and  I've needed to replace it for so long there is really no excuse.

Finally, I did it.  I made myself a new apron.

I used a tutorial I saw on Craftiness is Not Optional.  I wish I had bough some black fabric for the ties, but that is neither here nor there.  I did add some pockets on the front, though.  I think it adds a nice touch. 

Finally, I can look cute while I'm cooking without messing up my clothes.

Dresses and Bowties!

In preparation for Easter, I've been working on dresses for the girls,

AND as an added bonus, I'm also making some little matching bowties for the boys. 

Thank you Lego Batman for making the color purple cool to boys.  Can't wait to get pictures on Easter now.

Just Some Pictures of the Kids

It's been so long since I've posted anything about  the kids, I thought I'd throw them a bone. 

Two of A's favorite things to do lately - mess with the kid's computer and sit inside the laundry basket.

We had "Crazy Hair Day" at the school.  The boy's had half combed, half spiked hair for the occasion.  M would not participate because she has an issue with doing her hair in any way except plain braids or pony tail.  She drives me nuts sometimes about it.

This is after kindergarten's pirate day with a treasure hunt.  The boys were posing.

My two little guys just had their first soccer game this past Saturday.  Dude, why are the kids all so huge?  My poor little guys.

This is what happens when you ride your dump truck down a steep driveway sitting on your knees.  You land nose first into the street at the bottom and get blood everywhere.  It was awesome.

Skirt into Baby Dress

I loved this white skirt, but it has seen it's better days.  Time for an upcycle.

I cut out a simple shape and used some ribbon to finish off the arm holes.  This is basically the same as a "paper bag dress" pattern.  Here's what I got:

Cute and very simple. Perfect for summer.

Refurbished Porch Swing

I found this little beauty out at the curb with a whole bunch of other stuff ready for the trash.  But I knew we've been wanting a porch swing for a long time.  The frame was good - not even rusty -

 
but the fabric seat was trashed.

I thought, I could fix that!  So it was off to the fabric store to look for some new fabric.  I found the outdoor fabrics and then thought, Whoa!  $20 a yard that's like $100 in fabric alone.  Yikes.  Maybe the swing will go right back into the trash heap where I found it after all. As I was talking to the lady at the cutting table, telling her about my price tag problem, she told me to look in the red tag fabrics and see if there was any there.  She walked me back and pulled out 3 or 4 choices that had a much more reasonable $8 a yard price tag.  What a steal, right?  One fabric immediately stood out and I got it right away.  
Next, I needed the batting for the inside - again, I needed outdoor appropriate stuff and it is a little more expensive, but thanks to Joann's 40% off coupons, I had it covered.  I was able to use the batting (as seen above) for half of it, it just needed to be cleaned off a little. 
So for about $60 of $70 I was able to make this porch swing new again.  Pretty good deal considering we would have paid 3 or 4 times that for a new one. 

Here's the "new" swing!

I actually wanted to repaint the bars white, too, but Jared talked me out of it. I think it looks pretty good -especially for my first time covering a swing.  I'm excited to have a place to relax and read a book while the kids are playing outside or cuddle with my hubby on those warm summer nights.  Yay!

Baby Gift Sets

I have a new project that I've been working on.   I'm trying to get some cute baby stuff together so that I can have baby gifts all set when I need them.  I've been picking up some cute flannels and getting busy.

So far, my sets are made up of bibs, burp cloths, booties and reversible hats.  I especially love this little pirate material above.  So cute.  

Hooded Towels

If your kids are anything like mine, keeping a towel on after swimming or a day at the beach is not easy. They drag it behind them or are so encumbered with holding it on, they can't help carry any of the rest of our stuff.  By the end of last summer, I was tired of carrying everything.  It was only too late in the year that I started to see a ton of cute inexpensive ways to make your own hooded towels.  I was no longer motivated to make something that we wouldn't use until next year.  Well, I was at Target (my most favorite store) and they had some towels in their "dollar section" for $2.50.  This was what I've been waiting for.  I picked up 2 turquoise ones because I knew it would match all the towels that we already had.

So here is what I did.  I started by taking out the end seams of the towel.  Mostly because they are really thick and it would be hard to sew on.

Next I cut the towel into strips for the hoods about 11 1/2 inches wide.  I cut across the width of the towel because the edges are already finished.  Those finished edges will be on the front of the hood and save you some sewing.

Next, I sewed along the top edge of the hood.  Fold your strip in half (with the finished edges together) making sure the right side of the material is in.  I folded down about 1/4 inch then folded it again.  This double fold will keep the cloth from fraying.

Now I found the middle of my towel and lined it up with the middle of my hood.  I did another double fold and pinned it to the towel, then sewed it on.

That's it. You're finished and this is what it should look like.  I also like that it doesn't ruin the original towel.  When the kids grow out of it (if I haven't worn the towels out yet) I can just pull out that one seam and the hood comes off.  Nice, huh?

Here are all 5 of my finished towels (although the baby didn't enjoy her head being covered up and tossed hers off). Now I just have to look for the 5 turquoise heads at the beach AND the towels stay on even if they aren't holding them on. 

I think I might try the same principle for making hooded baby towels for gifts, too!

Paper Bag Flooring!?!

I don't often post things that I haven't made myself, but I am blown away by this one.  I saw this post and it makes me wish I had stairs or a place to do this.  So cool!  This flooring is actually made from paper bags.  I can hardly believe it.

You can read the details of how it is done at Tater Tots and Jello.

Spring Banner

I picked up this cute FREE printable banner from At Second Street. 

Adds just the right feel for spring time!