When I first started this blog I mentioned a few different things that I thought were cool.  Of course my list of "have to do someday" has grown.  Here are some more things that I would like to make someday.

Wouldn't these snack and sandwich bags be so much fun to take to the park?  You can find a tutorial here on Saltwater Kids.

I got a sweet deal on a super cute table cloth from Target. I'm going to make some changing pads similar to the tutorial here.  Jill from Homemade by Jill made this tutorial for Celebrate the Boy month.

I saw this dress on Shabby Apple's website and the first thing I thought was "I could totally make that."  We'll see how it turns out.  If this dress wasn't $72 I might consider just buying it...oh wait...no I wouldn't...I'm far to cheap for that. :)

I finally found some watch bands so I can make some of these.  Tutorial found here. 

So those are some of the things that are on my mind.  Now I just need to find the time to do them.  I'm trying to get my house cleaned out and getting ready to start packing in the next month or so.  The move is getting closer and I can't wait.  :)

Happy Wednesday!

Super Find!

A lady I go to church with was getting rid of everything in her house.  (They're moving her to a nursing home.  A little sad but the reality of life sometimes.)  I got a call saying that she had a lot of material that needed a good home.  She used to work for the Gerry Factory here in town which made coats, sleeping bags, duffle bags, etc.  She was telling me about how the NFL contacted them asking them to design some warm jackets for the coaches.  So she designed the first coats that were used by the NFL coaches.  Anyway, a lot of fabric was an understatement.  I seriously thought that I had died and gone to heaven when I saw the 30 metal trash cans that were filled to the brim with material.  That didn't include the 15-20 bolts of slick jacket material that were sitting along side.

I haven't gotten to go through all of it yet but I came home with 6 huge bags of material, a bag of serger thread, sleeping bags, rain jackets and these lovely zippers.

Check them out.  Now I can't complain (or go take some from my mom) because I have plenty!

Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll get the chance to check out all of my finds!  Aren't you so excited for me?  :)  Oh and don't you love my cool jar?  Thanks Andy!  You're the best.

Snazzy Capris

I made matchy capris for the girls for their birthday.  They were super easy...yes...you can make them in a sinch.  I made both of the capris for less than $4.  So much cheaper than buying them plus you get the satisfaction of making them on your own. :)

I personally can't sew great using store boughten patterns.  It seems like I end up using my seam ripper more than my sewing machine.

All you need is a pair of shorts or capris for a pattern and some super cute material.  Don't forget to add at least 1/2" for seam allowance.  I added a bit more just to make sure that they were big enough.  It's always easier to make things smaller.  If you're looking for more tips, you can go here or here for a tutorial on how to make shorts.

I planned on doing a tutorial with these but it seems like I always forget to take pictures along the way.  (I have a hard enough time remembering to take pictures of the finished project.)

I used elastic for the waistband but just in the back.  The front of the waistband is straight...so that the pants will lay straight instead of being bunched.

(Yes, I put her right next to a pot of flowers so there was tons of dirt to play with.  Otherwise she just tries to climb on my lap instead of posing.)

I added pockets too.  They aren't very deep.  They're more for just looks.

You could make the bottoms look like a cuff too.  That was my plan but time was running a little short. :)

I thought that the girls looked super cute and I'm happy with them.  I secretly want to make me a pair.  I might have to but probably with different material.  Matchy is good but I don't want to take it too far. :)

Happy Wednesday!

Barbie Birthday Cakes

I finally have gotten some pictures off of my memory card!  Yippee!  :)

We had the girls' birthday party last week.  Here are the cakes that I made.  This was my first time using fondant.  I've tasted the fondant that you can buy and personally I think it's super nasty so I attempted to make my own using some tips found here.  I liked the taste of the fondant.  Next time I think that I need to make a little more and not roll it out so thin...and make sure that it is really cold with I work with it.

Compared to the melting princess castle that was a huge disaster from Joselyn's birthday last year...these are super amazing!  But anything is better than last year's cake. :)

Make it and Love it has a Make a Cake Series that you should check out.  She's really amazing.  She has a neat blog that has lots of ideas.

 Ok!  So I know that I promised pictures but for some odd reason, I can't get my pictures off of my memory card.  I'm going to try to work on it tomorrow cause I'm just a little tired.  :)

Question for you all.  Lately I've had some extremely random comments left on just one post.  (Comments talking about all kinds of drugs and stuff.)  I'm almost positive that it's spam but how do I stop that kind of stuff?  Anyone out there know?

We are getting ready for Joselyn and Macey's birthday party tonight!  As we speak I'm trying to finish 2 Barbie cakes.  Wish me luck.  (A little prayer wouldn't hurt too.)  Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the cakes along with the super easy capris that I made the girls. 

Sorry for the lack of posts but I'm trying my best to stay above water...soon I'll be a posting mad woman...well...I might just be a mad woman. :)

Happy Wednesday!

Travel Desk

When I decided that I was going to take a great adventure across the plains I knew that Joselyn would get a little bored of being in the car.  I randomly found this travel desk and had to make it.

I just came up with the measurements on my own because the pattern didn't make much sense to me.  Here's what I came up with.  (Please forgive the foot prints from dirty shoes.  I took these pictures after our trip...The poor thing did get a little abused.)

So one side is a pillow and the other side has a board that makes it easier to draw on.  You can slip the board out and wash the travel desk.  (On my list of things to do this week.)

I made some pockets for things such as crayons, lipgloss (of course), princess Aurora doll, fruit snacks and coloring books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sides fold in and stay closed with a button so it's easier to carry, throw, step on, lay on...you get the picture.

If I were to make it again, I would do a few things different so if you're thinking about making one, let me know and I can give you my measurements and a few of my post finished suggestions.

Happy Wednesday!

Where in the world have I been?

No, I didn't get kidnapped...well I kind of did I guess. :)  The girls and I spent a week in Nevada with my Grandma.  We had a lot of fun.  On the way out we stopped at Ikea.  I was in awe the whole 3 hours that we were there.  (Yes, 3 hours with 5 kids...we were a sight.)  I knew I was in love when I walked up to this:

It's hard to tell in the picture but they have some very lovely material.

We took the kids to the Peppermill Casino to eat at the buffet.  My dad actually wired the Peppermill back when it was first being built.  The kids loved all of the lights.  They walked in an just stared with silly looks on their faces.

On the way back we stopped to eat at the Mayan in Salt Lake City, UT.  (Yes, I know I look trashed...I was.  I had a horrible cold and had been driving all day.)

 

We also went to the Salt Lake Temple grounds to show the kids.  It brought back some very special memories for me.  I can't believe that 5 years ago I was planning a wedding and getting married in this temple.

It was fun to spend some time with Grandma.  By the end of the trip we were a little tired, sick and ready to see our Daddy!

Little Mermaid Shirt

So I have lots of bags of clothes that really should be donated to goodwill.  Let's just say that I'm a bit of a pack rat and I can't throw anything away.  I'm determined to make as many things as I can using random stuff I have laying around the house. 

Yesterday I made Joselyn this:

From this old T-Shirt of mine (that I can't really say that I ever wore.):

Ruffles and Stuff just posted a tutorial for it yesterday.  Go here for the scoop.

It was pretty simple and fast to put together.  It was pretty baggy on Joselyn so I shirred around the middle to make it a little smaller.  When I first made it I thought it looked like the dress that Arial wore when she first got her "legs"...you know the dress that was made from a sail?  (Very frumpy!)  But it ended up looked pretty cute on.

I braided some straps and criss crossed them in the back.

It's frilly but fun.  (Obviously it's fun to stick your bum out and make silly faces too!)

It's super fun to run from your mom while she's trying to take your picture.

You could make it longer and have a super cute summer dress.  If I didn't think that I would look like a whale in it, I would make one for me too. :)

 

Happy Wednesday!

Snazzy Bracelet

These bracelets are so easy to make.  You just need some beads, ribbon, stretch cord and a needle and you're set.  You can leave it like this or even tie a cute bow to close it....

Or you can add a clip on the back and you'll have you athat will hold your temple name.

I made a similar bracelet for my moms for Mother's Day.  So simple!

Wipe Cover

It seems like there is always someone in my life that is having a baby.  It's hard to get everyone a gift and still have food on the table.  :)  I'm sure you've seen the little wipey cases every where but I've made tons of them in the last 6 months or so.  Unfortunately I lost all of my pictures off of my camera card so this is the only one that I have pictures of.  I made it yesterday and it seriously only takes about 30 minutes top.  (My kind of project.)

They're really simple to do.  Just get a wipe case and trace around the edges of the front and the back and then add a couple inches so that your material will cover the edges of your wipe case.  Trace the top of the case again and use that pattern to cut batting for the top of your case.  Now just use your super handy hot glue gun and put the batting and the material on.  Cover your edges with some ribbon and you're done.  Super easy huh.  You can go here for a more in depth tutorial because I'm sure that was super confusing but I have a baby who has a death grip on my leg and is crying "momma, momma...baba!"

Happy Wednesday!

My First Apron

Back in February, my brother got married to this sweet girl, Jerree!

For her bridal shower I decided to make her an apron and give her other "neccessary" items that go with an apron such as an oven mitt, Salt and Pepper shakers (that were filled with ideas on how to spice up your marriage) cute panties and of course tall, black, high heels.

This is the apron I made her.  It was my very first apron that I made.

Since then, every bridal shower or birthday that comes up, you can count on me making an apron.  (Kind of silly but it's easier than coming up with a new idea.)

Re-purposed Cardigan

I was lucky enough to snatch Kevin's grandmother's clothes before they were taken to goodwill. (He thought I was nuts.) I was going through it awhile back and found some exciting pieces that I want to re-purpose.

I found this Sweater:

I cut the sleeves off and sewed them back on so they were 3/4 sleeve.  I took the sides in a bit and shortened the length.

With the leftover fabric from the sleeves, I made little flowers and put some cute beads in the center.  (Thanks Melissa for the beads.)

I'm happy with how it turned out. It only took me about 45 min from start to finish which was even better.

(Please excuse the blurry picture.  My "little photographer" doesn't always have the sturdiest hands.)

Happy Wednesday!

Now off to cleaning cupboards I go.  :)

Latest Apron

My best friend's little sister is getting married in a couple of weeks.  I made her this apron to give to her at her bridal shower.

You can tie it in the front:

Or the back:

And there are these cute little ruffle pleats along the edges:

Luckily I have a super cute little sister who is so kind to be my model!

Last Minute Mother's Day Idea

We made these cute little flowers to put into a potted flower.  The kids dipped their thumbs in paint and made the petals and center of the flower.

Then I hot glued them to a straw and stuck them in the pot.  Super easy and darn cute if you ask me.

Hope you have a GREAT Mother's Day!