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Friday, February 28, 2014

Flower Hair Clip

I know everyone is starting to get restless and excited in anticipation for spring. What better way to get your little girls ready than these adorable flower hair clips? They are so incredibly easy I literally made them in like 5 minutes!




Supplies:

Most artificial flowers can just be pulled apart from the stem and any remaining stem pieces {like in the picture} can be cut off with scissors. However, there are some with wired stems. In those instances I would use wire cutters to remove the stem as close to the base of the flower as possible. Run a strip of hot glue across the center of the felt circle, squeeze the clip open and attached the felt circle to the bottom of the top part of the clip {I hope that makes sense}



Put hot glue all over the top of the felt circle and attach it to the bottom of the flower. Be sure to press the felt to the flower all the way around so it holds really good. To take care of the ugly green spot, hot glue a gem to the center of the flower. This is where you can also add glitter to the petals if you choose. I just put a little bit of glue on the tips of the petals and sprinkled glitter onto the glue.




McKenzie is dying to get more flowers in other colors to make more. I also want to get shorter clips to use with the smaller flowers in the bunch for pigtail clips.




Wednesday, February 26, 2014

DIY Photo Canvas

Every time I've had family pictures made, I have wanted a canvas print. But holy-moley they cost so much! Then I started seeing tutorials pop up all over Pinterest to make your own canvas and I knew I had to try it. As with every project I try for the first time, I learned some things to do different next time {which is great for you!}.




It begins with this awesome app I was introduced to by Melissa at The Happier Homemaker. The app is called Waterlogue and it turns your picture into a watercolor painting.


So cool, right?!


So, here's what you need for the canvas:
  • A picture {printed on regular computer paper, nothing fancy. I wanted a border of canvas around my pic so my image was 9x9}
  • Canvas {because my pic originated on Instagram I used a square canvas, 10x10}
  • Liquitex Gloss Gel Medium {either gloss or matte is fine, I used gloss}
  • Old English Furniture Polish
{Important Reminder: You will be putting your picture face down on the canvas so your final image will be reversed. If it is important that your image remain as it is originally, be sure to print your picture as a mirror image.}


The first step is to evenly brush a thin coat of Liquitex onto the canvas. It is important that it is smooth without any globs. Then place your picture face down and smooth out all the bubbles. You want to make sure every bit of the picture is pressed onto the Liquitex. Let this dry over night.



In this step you have to remove the paper leaving only the ink print of your image. It is best to work slow and in small sections at a time. In order to remover the paper you must soak the paper with water and rub it off. To do this I used a rag dipped in a glass of water and then squeezed it over the area I wanted to work in. You want enough water to soak the paper good but not enough to leave a puddle. You will get the feel of how much water to use. I also found it best to rub the paper off with my fingers rubbing in a circular motion. This way I was able to feel the smoothness when I reached the ink. Be careful because you can rub the ink off leaving a splotch of bare canvas. If you are going for a distressed look it will work as long as the area isn't too big.

When all of the paper is removed I wet my hand in the sink and gently rubbed the entire canvas to remove any remaining pieces of paper. This is also where I scuffed up my edges so it wasn't such a harsh line. I tried several things {a rough sponge, my fingernail, a wire brush} each creates a different kind of look. Let me know what works for you. I wasn't totally thrilled with any of my methods, but they did work. Then let the canvas dry.


When you go to check the dryness of the canvas don't freak out when it's all cloudy like this. That's where the furniture polish comes in. Using a rag, rub the canvas with furniture polish and it will remove  the cloudy paper residue.


loved how it turned out and I can't wait to make more! Let me know how yours turned out. Did you use a regular picture or did you fall in love with Waterlogue?


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Anchor Bracelet

I really like the whole nautical and anchors look. Last night I went to HomeGoods and that was the theme of just about the entire store. Then, while browsing Polyvore, I came across this super cute {but super pricey} anchor bracelet and decided to make my own.


I used this cotton braiding cord in 2 different colors and this really cute anchor/rope toggle. I didn't want to fool with o-rings and clamps so I decided to use the anchor toggle as my main focus instead of using it as just the clasp.


I cut a total of 4 pieces of cord at 18" each {2 white and 2 blue} and looped them through the ring on the anchor. Then, I had McKenzie hold the anchor while I braided the cord because taping it to the table wasn't working for me. I did a fishtail braid.

Using the above picture as a guide, here's how to fishtail braid: I separated the cord into 4 parts - 2 same colored strands per section {white, blue, blue, white}. Take left white over left blue, then right white over right blue and left white. Next, take left blue over what is now the left white and then right blue over right white and left blue. {I hope that makes sense because explaining how to braid without demonstrating in person is not an easy task!} 

Once I braided all the way down the cord I tied it off to the rope piece of the toggle in a knot and cut off the leftover.


I'm so happy with the way it turned out, I can't wait to make more bracelets to go with it! Plus, McKenzie is hounding me for one now.



Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Get More Out Of Your Child's Clothing

Am I the only one who finds it completely ridiculous that children's clothing, although a fraction of the size of adult clothing, is the same price? Then on top of that, they outgrow the clothes in a month. 

Blows my mind!

Well, today I'm going to show you how I get more wear out of my little man's clothes. It works great for long sleeve shirts that you buy for winter {once it's too hot to wear them} and for onesies or rompers {they still fit great minus the major wedgie!}.



This is so easy you'll be wondering why you haven't been doing this all along. The only thing I use that's not pictured is a straight edge to guide my cut. If you don't have a rotary cutter, scissors will work just fine {I would suggest turning the article of clothing inside out and tracing a straight line to use as a guide if cutting with scissors}.


Once you've got your guide set in place all you have to do is cut. Since knits won't fray you don't have to worry about sewing a hem. {When cutting long sleeves I would use a short sleeve shirt as a guide for sleeve length.}


It's like getting a whole new wardrobe for free and I do love free stuff :)


Little man loves trucks so the digger shirt was a big win!





{Speaking of free stuff}
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a box filled with my favorite things. I've teamed up with Hooked on the Howards so you get double the chances!


Sunday, February 16, 2014

Favorite Things Giveaway!!

I'm super-duper excited to announce my first giveaway!! I teamed up with Carissa from Hooked on the Howards to give you double the chances to win an awesome prize. Each of us put together a gift basket  of our favorite things so don't forget to go see what's in Carissa's basket here.


{Hello My name is Amanda and I am a Bath & Body Works-aholic!} If you've read my previous posts then you know it's a trait I've passed down to my daughter :) I can't help it, their stuff is just so awesome. The other day my sister came over and the first thing she said when she walked in the door was, "Your house smells like I just walked into Bath & Body Works." Love it!!


The products I use most {which are included in the giveaway basket} are: wallflower plug and bulbs, body mist and lotion, mason jar candle and anti-bacterial foaming hand soap. Since I'm here in Florida {the only state not covered in snow} I decided to send the lucky winner some Floridian love in honor of spring!



{Is this box not gorgeous?! I seriously want to go back and get one for myself!}


And no favorite things gift basket would be complete without something edible or crafty! So, I've also included Mod Podge {because I use it....a lot!} and chalkboard spray paint {because who doesn't love chalkboard spray paint?!}. My favorite edibles...the new flavor of Prego spaghetti sauce Bacon & Provolone, amazeballs! and a Cadbury Caramello bar, my all time favorite candy.


So let's get to it!



Entering the giveaway is uber easy. Each person has 11 possible entries, you don't have to follow everything to be entered, but the more you follow the better your odds :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


{Please know that no one is paying us to host this giveaway and none of these brands even know we exist, we just love their products!}


What are you most excited about winning?




Linked up here: Manic Monday Linky PartyThursdays Giveaway Linky


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Bathroom Makeover Reveal

The time has come! The third and final bathroom makeover post...the reveal! McKenzie was so happy with the way everything turned out, which makes momma happy :)

{In case you missed them, here's Part 1 and Part 2}


The last project was spray painting Ikea spice racks and using them as shelving to store all of McKenzie's body sprays and lotions {we share a Bath & Body Works addiction}. I also grabbed a vase I had stored in a kitchen cabinet to take care of all those hand sanitizers.



We currently rent, so adding color without painting can be tricky. These DIY's added the perfect pop of color to these lifeless white walls. Even better, this whole makeover cost less than $25! Enjoy the before and afters. I definitely enjoy the afters!









Craft Dictator