Turkey Guest Blogger

Be sure to stop over at Sun Flowers at Home today! Ginny is running a series called 10 Days of Turkey and I am the guest blogger today! I posted the instructions over there to make this super cute turkey with your kids.
Thanks Ginny!!!

What I've Been Up To

Now that I've had more time, I have reopened my etsy shop. I have been working on several different items to try to get some more money coming into this house to pay bills.

Ryan has even gotten on board and has found beading bookmarks to be very addictive! Just don't tell the "man club" on him for making beaded bookmarks!




Here's the link to my shop if anyone would like to check it. I am very open to comments, opinions, and suggestions about the store items!!
Etsy Shop Link

Photo Coasters

This is what I made Ryan's grandmother for Christmas. I love how they turned out! I think she will love them!

They are so easy to make and make such a nice gift! Here's the original post from March where I listed the instructions.

Homemade Holidays #5

This is post #5 for the Homemade Holiday Series

1. Toddler Belt

2. Clay Pot Bird Bath

3. Wind Chimes

4. Rose Ear Rings

5. Neck Tie Onesies

6. Colored Pencil Roll

7. Beach Glass Necklace

8. Covered Headbands

9. Grill Buddy

10. Princess Pavilion

11. Women's Underwear

12. 6 Pocket Bag

13. Toddler Girl Underwear

14. Bath Toiletry Recipes

15. Christmas Tree Hair Bow

16. Sayings to go with Gifts

17. Quick & Cheap Gifts

18. Stethoscope Cover

Homemade Holidays #4

Here's installment #4 in the Homemade Holiday Series.

1. Snack Bag

2. Shirt Stencils

3. Edible Crayons

4. Fabric Covered Night Lights

5. Red Cordial

6. 2 Hour Tote

7. Tepee

8. Cupcake Bath Bomb

9. Memory Game

10. Headache Band

11. Momma Doll

12. Superhero Cape

13. Mermaid Tail

14. Cloak

15. No Sew Cloak

16. Fabric Doll

17.Bath Mat

Handmade Holidays #3

Here is installment #3 in the Handmade Holidays Series.

1. 52 Apron Patterns

2. Seat belt Sleeves

3. Ribbon Jeans

4. Herringbone Bracelet

5. Basic Baby Bib

6. Trendy Diaper Bag

7. Handmade Napkins

8. Casserole Tote

9. Cat & Dog Toy

10.Grocery Bag Lunch Sack

Homemade Holidays #2

This is installment #2 to help you make your holiday a homemade one!

1. Lip Balm

2. Draft Stopper

3. Marble Magnets

4. Dish Soap Apron

5. Oven Door Dress

6. Miracle Hand Lotion

7. Dog Visors & Bandannas

8. Kitchen Towel Purse

9. Doll Wardrobe Closet

10. T-Shirt Dresses

Gift Embellishments

I'm really not sure what I am going to do with these yet! I got the Santa and polar bears off of a 12 pack of Coke. I thought they were too cute and something could be made from them. I thought maybe I could punch a hole in the top and hang them off of gift bags or use as a name tag on a gift.

On the Santa, I used Mod Podge on the beard and hat then I sprinkled it with white glitter. (Click on picture to make it larger)


For the bears, I did the same thing, only I glittered the small bear.


Anyone have any ideas??

Homemade Holidays #1

If a lot of you are like me and trying do homemade gifts for the holidays this year, here are several links to give you some gift ideas:

1. Fish in a Bag Soap

2. Cookie Tin Purses

3. Crib Sheet Pattern

4. Lip Balm Cozy

5. Fabric Headband

6. Toddler Art Smock

7. Felt Doughnuts

8. Link to Felt Food Tutorials

9. Jewelry Mirror

10. Custom Calendar Using Your Photos

11. More Felt Foods

This is a new series of posts I plan on posting every week until December 21st. So, check back every Tuesday for new links so you can have a Homemade Holiday. Also be sure check out Thursdays for "Handmade Holidays".

Pot Holder Extravaganza

I am making pot holders for some of the women in my family for Christmas and I thought I would share them with you.

Some tips:

1. Always be sure to use 2 layers (or more) of Insul-Bright no matter what the pattern calls for.

2. Always use a 100% cotton batting like Warm and Natural.

3. Always use 100% cotton fabric.

My grandmother bought some "puffy" pot holders at a craft show because she thought they were "nice and thick". When she tried to use them, they were worthless! The lady used a high loft poly blend batting with no Insul-Bright. The might have looked thick, but they did not protect her hands against the hot pan at all! "Puffy" and "thick" doesn't mean they'll hold up to the heat.

Here are some different links for making/using pot holders:

To make the finger oven mitt:The Idea Room

Pot Holder Purse: Sewabration

Vintage Pot Holders: Tip Nut

Pot Holder Pouch: All Free Crafts

Kitten Pot Holder: Craft Town

Crochet Christmas Tree: Craft Bits

Make Up Bag: Craft Blips

Quiet Book: Obsessively Stitching

Denim Pot Holder: My Recycled Bags

Christmas pot Holder: Crafts and Fabrics

Pot Holder w/ Binding: Imagine Fabric

Oven Mitts: Savvy Seams

Another Oven Mitt: Design Sponge Shop

Pot Handle Cover: Blair Peter

Hanging Pot Holder: Fire Flies & Jelly Beans

Crochet Pot Handle Cover: Dish Cloth Diaries

Which Witch is Which?

I think these witches are just so cute! They do take a little time to make them, but the result is just adorable!

I will have the full instructions on Monday to make them. I have two shows this weekend and just do not have the time to write the instructions right now. I will however, list the supplies in case anyone wants to gather them over the weekend.

Supplies:
2 ft 4x4
6x6 square 1/4" plywood
2-2" wood screws
green paint (Walmart Colorsmart Rhubarb 94304)
black/navy paint (Walmart Colorsmart India Ink 96404)
purple paint (Walmart Colorsmart Fortune Teller 94503)
green spray paint
raffia
12" dowel rod
1/2 yd. black felt
1/2 yd. Halloween fabric (for dress & arms)
3/8" acorn dowel cap

Extras:
glue gun
masking tape
3 small paint rollers & trays
pinking shears

Skills:
basic wood working
sewing

Ballerina Tutu

This is an easy, no sew, and inexpensive gift to give to any little girl. Jaiden and Arya just love to
put on the tutus and spin around. Jaiden says the tutus makes them feel like princess ballerinas, and we all know that there is nothing better than a princess ballerina!!


Supplies:
47" - 2" wide white satin ribbon
3 yards tulle for main color
1 yard tulle for accent color

1. Cut the tulle into 2"x 22" strips. I found it much easier to use scissors than to use my strip cutter. Put strips in groups of 6. You need 5 groups of accent and 18 groups of main color.

2. Find center of ribbon and knot one group (6 strips) of accent color on the ribbon. I do not know my knot names, but it is the kind where you find the center of the tulle and pull the ends through.

3. Put 3 groups (3 groups of 6) of main color on each side of accent color. Repeat until finished. You should end on each side with the main color.

Furry Flip Flops

My mom made these furry flip flops for the girls and they just love them!
They are really easy to make and right now, you can get flip flops on sale at Hobby Lobby for $0.50! All you do is wrap yarn around the strap of the flip flop! There is are endless possibilities with the huge assortment of yarn and different colored flip flops! You could even mix two colors for a totally different look.

Smith & Stanley Candy Creations

I was surfing ETSY last week and I came across the really neat candy creations by Smith and Stanley. I just thought these were too neat not to pass along!




A BIG THANKS to Rose Marie and Linda for allowing me to post their photos and their projects!!!!! Be sure to visit their ETSY shop, Smith&Stanley, to see more of their neat creations!!!

(I have no affiliation with this seller)

PVC Sling Chairs

These chairs are so nice for outside! The fold for easy storage and the covers are washable! I have tested the chairs up to about 45 pounds in weight.

I have about $10.00 invested in each chair and I sell them for $20. I have been making them for about 2 years now and they sell fairly well. Nice to use camping or any outdoor activity. The are so lightweight, that even the girls can carry their own!


Chair Cover Supplies:
13"x26" fabric for front
13"x26" fabric for back
13"x26" fleece interfacing

1. Layer the pieces together, wrong sides facing. Sew around all edges, leaving a space for turning.

2. Turn right side out. Fold 2 1/2" to the back on each end and pin in place. Sew.



Chair Frame Supplies:
About 15' of 1" outer diameter PVC pipe
8- 1" PVC elbows
6- 1" PVC T's
drywall sanding block

1. Using the drywall sanding block, sand any marking off the PVC pipe.
2. Using a miter saw, cut the pipe into the following pieces:
4- 3 3/4", 6- 6 3/4", 4- 12", 3-14"

3. Start by making the bottom frame.Take 1-12" piece and attach elbows to both ends. Attach a 3 3/4" piece to one elbow and a 6 3/4" to the other elbow. Attach a T to both pieces you just placed with the "stem" of the T facing inward. Repeat with another 12". Now join the two frame pieces together using a 14" inserted into the "stem" of the T.


4.To make the back frame: Insert a 6 3/4" piece into the T on each side and top each piece with another T with the "stem" facing towards you. Insert a 6 3/4 piece on the top part of the T on both sides. Top each piece with an elbow. Join the back frame with a 14" piece.

5. Insert a 3 3/4" piece into the T on the front of the chair and top with an elbow. Repeat for other side. Insert a 12" from the elbow to the T on the back. Repeat for other side. Insert your last 14" piece to complete the chair frame.


6. Make sure all of the joints have been pushed together really well.

Honey Do Belt

What more does a husband need other than a list from you! I have had so much success selling my "Daddy Tool belts" that I decided to give these a try. I know Ryan hates summer because his "honey do" list keeps expanding as the weather gets warmer!

These belts are really simple to make, if you have the right supplies. I use my T-Shirt Marker program to make the iron-on on the belt. I bought this program about 2 years ago at Office Depot for $20 and I make all kinds of things with it. It's a great investment if you want to make your own printed shirts. I got my canvas waist aprons at Oriental Trading, but I think you can find them at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I got all of my stuffers at the Dollar Tree

Supplies:
canvas waist apron
iron-on transfer "Hubby's Honey Do Belt"
screwdriver
work gloves
tape measure
paint brush
carpenter's pencil (Home Depot or Lowe's)
picture hanging kit
card stock
safety pin

1.Prepare transfer and transfer onto apron.
2. Using card stock, make a card with emergency numbers (I used Publisher).

3. Arrange items in pockets of apron.
4. Attach emergency card with safety pin to apron.

Bubble Gum Necklace

This is something quick and easy I made for the girls. I just took thin, satin ribbon and tied it around one end of a bubble gum wrapper. If the girls want a piece of gum, all they have to do is twist open the end.
I used purple ribbon, but you could use blue or red for a boy. Makes cheap and easy classroom gifts.

My Only Hole-In-One

I have a lot of golf balls, so I have been inspired to do some golf related crafts. This is a really fun plaque to give to the golfer in your life.

Supplies:

Wooden, square plaque
wooden #1
2 doll pin stands
2 golf balls
picture wire and tacks
green paint(I used Kelly and Hunter)
drill
hot glue gun
card stock

1. Paint plaque and doll pin stands with darker green.
2. Paint #1 with lighter green.
3. Drill a hole through the #1.
4. Attach wire and hanger on back of plaque.
5. Glue doll pin stands and #1 to plaque.
6. Glue golf balls to doll pin stands.
7. Make and print out sign "The Only Hole-In-One I've Ever Had" on card stock. Cut out.
8. Glue sign to plaque.


I found that hot glue worked much better than E-6000 glue. Also, if you can decorative paint, just paint the sign right on the plaque.

Golf Ball Lamp

Here is something I made from my Jar Lamp. I filled it golf balls, tees, pencils, and green paper shreds.






This would make a nice gift for Father's Day!

Jar Lamp Fillings

Here are some ideas to put in your Mason Jar Lamp.

1. Sand & seashells
2. Spools of thread
3. Dried fruit peels
4. Pennies
5. Glass beads
6. Pine cones, pine needles, and other "nature"
7. Fabric balls
8. Fabric scraps
9. Candy
10. Paper shreds
11. Paint the outside
12. Buttons
13. Wine corks
14. Buttons
15. Potpourri
16. Cinnamon sticks & other spices
17. Colored sand
18. Cookie mixes (like the cookie in a jar)
19. Game pieces (checkers, dice, and etc...)
20. Dried flowers