Trash bag

Last week I had been too sick to participate in Trash to Treasure Tuesday. I am so happy it has rolled around once more. Go visit Kimm @ Reinvented sometime today try to look at as many links to treasures unknown that you can.

Over the years I have gotten quite a stash of canvas bags that are covered in advertisements. Mostly from Home Shows. They generally end up going to good will. Not this time though.

This morning I decide to make them a little more eye pleasing.

I found a scrap of fabric large enough to cover the logo. Left over ribbon, wonder under and hot glue.

I think it turned out great. You could also spruce up reusable shopping bags this way.

Fourth of July Fairy

My good friend Layla asked me to do a tutorial on how to curl ribbon. I was in the process of preparing photos when I saw Little Birdies Secrets had done a wonderful tutorial on these little princess wands. They do a good job on explaining curling ribbon here.

I love the wands and wanted to make some for my girls to hold at all of the Fourth of July Parades and Fireworks.




I love them. My son, age 5, wants a wand too. We have been watching a lot of Harry Potter movies lately. So, tomorrow I am painting a dowel blue or black and coating it with the glitter paint for him. I know, someone is going to get their eye poked this weekend. It will probably be me.

My next post is my 100th post. I will be holding off until Monday to announce my give-a-way. Meanwhile, be sure to become a follower to be entered to win.

Topped with a bow

My girls don't have a whole lot of hair and what the little ones does have is in the shape of a mullet. So, girlifying them is very important and tricky. I gathered ribbons and elastics. (not pictured here is those little disposable back elastics, they work well for this.)

Cut a 3-5 inch length of ribbon...

or fabric of varying lengths.

Seal ends.

Tie in a knot around elastic.

Girlify like crazy.

Works with curly ribbon too.

Have a ribbon swap with friends and you just may end up with every color you will ever need. Because the ends are sealed, if an elastic breaks, just tie ribbon to a new elastic. I love these because they are small enough that they don't over power a little head and you can use several per hair style.

These are very cost effective and easy to make.

Gumball gift

Last week I was serving my kids a late lunch on the front porch. When I turned to go back inside the house I found a birthday party invitation on the front door. My friend had woke up early in the morning and taped the invitations on a million doors.(What a gal, she didn't leave anyone out.) I usually don't use the front door so it had gone unseen until 12:50 pm. The party started at 1:00 pm! I knew my friend would not have been offended had we shown up with no gift, but who wants to be that person. So I grabbed a jelly jar. Covered the top with a round tag, it fit perfectly. Added some matching ribbon. Filled the jar with gum balls(thanks to me for buying the giant container of gum) and rolled a $5 bill up and stuffed it in the center of the gum. It turned out well for a last minute gift. I was going to attach a note that said: A gift so you can "chews" what you want. Don't "blow" it all in one place.

You could also fill a jar with quarter, dimes and nickles. The note could read: Don't ever "change".

What are your last minute use what you have in the house birthday gift ideas?

Bib Clip Tutorial

I noticed a lot of people viewed my bib clips when a put them on Etsy. Since there were no sales I guessed most of the hits were from people looking for idea's. So, here it is. A tutorial to make my bib clips.

You will need:

Ribbon

Hot glue gun

Office clips (for paper)

scissors

In the past I have tried small clothes pins and other clips. What makes the office clip ideal is the metal loop. It keeps the ribbon from pulling off. Measure the length of ribbon around your baby/toddlers neck. (not ideal for newborns) About 8-9 inches should do. (be sure to measure your little one for the best fit.)

To keep ribbon from fraying seal ends with fray check or melt with flame.

Fold the metal loops to upright position.



This is the tricky part. Choose a back side of the clip. Pull ribbon from middle of clip to outside. Glue.



Position next clip and check to make sure you have it on the right side, then glue in place.

Your done! Bib clips are great, they eliminate the need for carrying a dirty bib around. Just use a napkin at a restaurant or a paper towel while traveling. I think most of my readers prefer to make their own crafts, however, if you don't want to make them check out my Etsy site on my sidebar.

I did it!

Don't ever give up. Try, try again. I got the socks out one more time. Setting the machine to zig zag did the trick.

Be sure to stretch the sock out as you sew.

Finish the ribbon ends with fray check or burn them,

Cute feet not included. Hot glue clip to present topper and there you have a matching bow and sock set.