Star Spangled Dress

Last night I realized that I didn't get the girls anything to wear for the 4th of July! I knew I could go get an outfit, but I wanted something more than just something to wear once. I found this fabric at Walmart for $2.44 a yard and thought it was perfect! I am in the process of making them matching dresses to wear to the festival we are going to tomorrow night.

I made my own pattern for the dress. It is a lot like the Pillowcase Dresses I made last summer, with the exception of a more A-Line type skirt than the straight line. If you are uncomfortable making your own pattern, you could buy New Look 6578. Just use the front panel of the dress and cut straight across the neck line instead of making a scoop and straps.


I think the best, and cheapest, way to make a pattern is to buy the paper bag looking wrapping paper Dollar Tree sells. It works great!

Supplies:
1 yd. material
60" bias tape/ binding
12" thin elastic ( I think I used 1/4")
pattern paper/pattern

1. Fold your paper in half and make your pattern. The pattern shown is for Arya's dress; she is about a 2T. Fold your material in half and place pattern on top. Cut out. Repeat for back of dress.



2. Sew the front and back together, right sides together, from the bottom of the arms down. Fold over about an 1" on the front and the back to make a casing for the elastic. From here, I followed the directions of the Pillowcase Dress starting at #5 to the end.


I made my own Bias Tape for this, but you could buy it also. I have $2.50 invested in each dress!

Sugar Cookies & Icing

I made these cookies for Jaiden's school program. I was really happy how they tasted and they were fairly easy to make. Just make sure that you plan to make these before you need them because they are time consuming!

Sugar Cookies with Icing

Cookies:
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

Add:
1 egg
1 c. butter (2 sticks)
1/2 c. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream all ingredients together. Use your hands to mix well to keep dough from being crumbly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for several hours. Roll out dough to about 1/8" thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 375* (190*) for 12 minutes. Allow to cool before frosting.

Icing:
2 c. powdered sugar
4 Tbl. milk
4 Tbl. light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix together well using an electric mixer. Dip cookies into icing. Allow to set for a few minutes, then add sprinkles if using. Allow icing to harden before stacking.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

(Original recipe for the cookies can be found Here from allrecipes.com)

Old Glory

I really don't know where this idea came from, but I am glad it came! I really like this flag! It was easy to make, no sewing required, and best of all, I only have a $1.20 invested!

Materials
Wooden plaque (Walmart $1)
Wooden star (Micahel's $0.20)
Scrap of red checkered material
Scrap of blue checkered material
Scrap of muslin
Wood stain
Mod Podge
Hot glue or E-600
White paint


1. Stain your plaque, I used Minwax dark walnut. After it's dry, scuff it up. I beat the corners on the cement, drug the face of the plaque on the cement, and I used a hammer to beat in some places. I made sure to sand any rough parts.




2. Take your red checkered material and tear it to size on all four sides. Use a layer of Mod Podge on the wood to glue it in place.







3. Tear a small square from the blue checked material and use Mod Podge to glue it in place. Tear 2 short strips and two long strips from the muslin. Use mod podge to glue in place.

4. Paint star with 2 coats of paint. When dry, take it outside and rough it up the same as you did the plaque. Use hot glue or E-600 to hold it in place.

5. If you want to to hang on the wall, attach a small hanger to the back.