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:

• Artificial Flowers
• Clips
• Felt Circles
• All Purpose Glue
• Glitter
• Hot Glue Gun

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.

Linked up here: Craft Frenzy Friday, Friday Pin Fest, Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party

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.

I 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?

Linked up here: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, The Makers Link Party, Happiness is Homemade Link Party, That DIY Party, Spotlight Saturday Link Party, Lovely Ladies Linky

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.

{Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a box of my favorite things!}

I linked up here: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, The Makers Link Party, Fluster's Creative Muster Link Party, Craft Frenzy Friday

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!

Linked up here: That DIY Party, Spotlight Saturday Link Party, The Makers, The DIYers

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 Party, Thursdays Giveaway Linky

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!

DIY Headband Holder

So, as I've posted before, I am re-doing McKenzie's bathroom in order to de-clutter the clutter. My initial post, in case you missed it, was the Jewelry Display Board. Here's part 2:

I spray painted my oatmeal container before wrapping it in the fabric because my fabric was see through so keep that in mind before glueing your fabric right away.

There is really nothing to this project, it literally took me like 10 minutes. Just lay your fabric right side down and wrap it around your canister. I used mod podge to adhere the fabric. If your fabric has a pattern like mine, make sure it lines up where the ends meet. {To keep the fabric from fraying later on I also mod podged over the seam.} Using the mod podge, wrap the fabric tightly around the bottom and top side of the canister.

Do the same for the lid as well. Once you glue the ends down, run some mod podge over them to keep them from fraying later on.

After the mod podge is all dry you can add your base. I used a candle holder. Before I glued it to the bottom of the canister, I made sure I got the candle holder centered and then traced an outline as a guide. Then I used a lot of hot glue to make that sucker stick good!

And wallah!!

I wrapped my lid separately because I had originally planned to keep brushes inside the canister. However, I didn't think it through enough because the skinny base made it tip over when I added the weight of the brushes. The skinny base does hold up perfectly for the headbands and a wider base would work great for using the canister as a brush holder as well!

Stay tuned for the third and final bathroom makeover project. I will also be posting all the before pics that motivated me to do this makeover. What organizing projects have you completed?

Check out some of my favorite Link Parties:
That DIY Party, Spotlight Saturday Link Party, Peace, Love & Chocolate Pinky Linky Party, Get Your DIY On

Baby It's Cold Outside!

For this Florida baby, the recent drop in temperature has made his little toesies cold! When you live in Florida the term winter wardrobe is not in your vocabulary. Heck, the term winter isn't in your vocabulary! That being said, these flannel pj's were the perfect diy for this week.

This project didn't cost me a single penny because I already had everything. Even if you went to buy fabric and thread, with Joann coupons you could easily do this for like $5 bucks, if that!

What you'll need:

Fabric

{I made size 12m pants and only needed 1/2 a yard}

Coordinating Thread

Elastic

{For the waist band. I used 1 inch knit elastic}

Sewing Machine, Pins, Scissors, Fabric Pen, Etc.

Iron

This is where I cheat. I picked a good fitting pair of pants and traced them on the fabric as a template. To do this, fold your fabric in half right sides together. If your fabric has a one way pattern make sure that the pattern is in the right direction so you don't end up cutting your pieces upside down {I've done that!}. Fold the pants you are using to trace in half as neatly as possible. Now lay them on the fabric and begin tracing. Be sure to leave ample space at the top for the elastic band and at the bottom for the hem. You also want to leave enough space around the entire pant for seam allowance. I like 1/4 inch seams, but as long as you add enough space you can do any seam size you prefer. In case you are wondering, I left 1 inch for the hem and 1 and a 1/4 inch for the waist band. Trace the pant once on one side then flip them over and trace once more on the other side. When you cut out your pieces, be sure to cut through both layers of fabric. You should end up with 4 pieces total.

Keeping both sets of fabric together {you should have 2 sets of fabric, each with 2 pieces right sides facing each other}, pin from the waist to the start of the leg and sew. Only sew the portion you pinned. Do not pin or sew down the leg portion. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of each section you sew to lock your stitch. Once each set is sewn together, press open your seams. I also chose this time to press my hem since I already had the iron on. You can sew your hems first like I did here or you can sew the pant legs together and do your hems last. Either way will work however, it's probably a cleaner finish to do to the hems last.

After you have pressed open your seams of both pieces, put them together right sides facing in. Line up your center seams first and smooth out the fabric on each side. Pin the pieces together starting with the inside of each leg. Sew the pieces together starting at the bottom of one leg and working around to the other. Then, pin and sew the outer sides of each leg. If you choose to do your hem first be sure to line up the bottoms of each leg piece so that your hems are not offset. If you decided to save the hem for last, you can press and sew your hems at this point.

Once you have pressed all your seams, fold over and press your waist band. Here's where I cheat again. That same pair of pants you used to trace out your fabric, use to measure your elastic. Without stretching them I lay them on my cutting mat and measure the width. Then multiply that by 2 for the entire width around and add 1/2 an inch to sew the ends together. There are several different ways to do the waist band and I'm sure there is a way much easier than mine, but this is what works for me.

Sew your elastic band ends together and slide the elastic into the fold of your waist band that you pressed in the previous step. Make sure the elastic is all the way up into the crease and pin {I pin at the 4 seams}.

As you sew the seam around the waist band, stretch the elastic until the fabric is completely smooth. Don't stop stretching the elastic until you have sewn around the entire waist.

Here's what the finished product should look like. Be sure when sewing your waist band not to sew the elastic, that way it will stretch and relax as needed when putting the pants on and off.

Here they are in action, totes adorbs!

When I showed the pants to him he immediately started to take off the pants he was wearing so that he could wear them. Makes a momma proud :) I love when my kiddos get excited about something I've made them!