Friday, February 26, 2010

Polymer Clay Pendants

I love making these polymer clay pendants. The original tute is here. Here is my version:
Take your polymer clay and roll it out using a spray can. You can mix colors or leave solid. Then stamp an image onto the clay.You can get creative on how to cut it out. A steak knife, exacto knife, or look around your house. I took the bottom of a glitter jar and here and it gave sort of a bottle cap effect.You can also get the hole into your pendant a couple of different ways. Here, I took this end clasp here to make necklaces and punched it through two times to make a hole.Or you use a paper pierce or something else sharp to wiggle a hole into it.When you have made all that you want to, bake according to instructions on package. I might do a little longer than suggested so it is not still soft. After they cool down, paint with white paint, then wipe most of it off, leaving only white in your stamped image.
After that dries, you can spray with spray shellac to give a shiny finish.
I bought big jump rings, opened them up and put them through the hole in the pendant, then closed them up using pliers. Then you can slip them through a chain. Another idea on how to attach to a necklace is here: (Toward the end of the video, they say how to attach it)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Baby legs that stay on

When I saw these baby legs made out of knee high socks from Little Birdie Secrets, I knew I had to try them out. Great idea. I liked them because it made little outfits season less. All of those adorable rompers and summer skirts could still be used in the winter (which is looooong around here!) And isn't there just something so adorably simple about a baby in a little romper?
Anyway, I tried them out but this is more of what ended up happening. Not exactly the look I was going for.
They kept falling down!
But, I still really wanted them to work. So I sewed some onto some existing diaper cover ups (baby panties, pantaloons-what are these things called? From here on out, I will call them diaper cover ups), that didn't really match any outfit anymore.

For some reason this picture isn't exactly right. After you make your baby legs using the above tutorial, turn your diaper cover ups inside out and your baby legs inside out. Then put your socks onto the outside of the diaper cover up. (The picture shows inside) Then, pulling tight as you sew, sew the baby legs onto the diaper cover up and turn inside out. There, done. Easy.But, what if you don't have any extra cover ups, and need more than you have? You can make your own diaper cover ups. Here is how:1) Take an existing pair that fit well and trace onto paper, about 1 - 1/2 inches bigger. Only trace around half, then fold the paper in half so it will be equal. Cut out and pin onto your fabric (I used an old knit shirt). Repeat to make 2.2) Then I used my rotary cutter to straighten out the edges. Sew the sides together, using a zig zag stitch. Then for the top fold over twice and iron. Sew around, leaving an opening for your elastic. Pull your elastic through using a safety pin, then sew the elastic ends together and sew the opening closed. Now you sew the crotch area closed.
Then you ready to sew your baby legs onto your cover up. Trust me, this was no fancy sewing job. The cover up itself doesn't really look that great, but I figured no one would see under all the cute rompers.My model is not so happy anymore!If any of this was confusing, here is a similar project with additional tips or you can ask me and I will try to help the best that I can.
So, now go extend the life your of your baby girls summer clothes!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Easy Bedroom Decorations

I made these for my little girls' rooms. You can buy the big letters at Roberts. If you use their 50% off coupon, you can get them for $3. Then I just painted them and added some flowers and ribbon and hung them on the wall. It took about 30 minutes to make one, including drying time.
If you are looking for an easy project, this would definitely be one!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

English Muffin BBQ Pizzas


Ingredients:
English Muffins
Shredded Cheese
Cooked, shredded chicken*
2-3 Cloves Garlic, minced
Desired amount of red Onion, finely chopped
EVOO
BBQ Sauce (I used KC Masterpiece)
Method:
Turn your oven on to broil. Saute your garlic and red onion in EVOO until tender. Then mix everything but the English Muffins and cheese together. Top the English muffin with BBQ chicken mixture, then cheese. Then broil for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melty.
*Chicken tips-I have been cooking up batches of chicken and then freezing them for quick meals like these. (We also did hamburger and seasoned it with taco seasonings for quick tacos, nachos, cassseroles-it makes crazy nights nice!)
Also-I shred the chicken in my mixer. It makes it easy and clean.
Everyone ate this meal without complaint and asked for more. Miracle.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Easy fruit smoothies


When you just can't get to Jamba and need your smoothie fix-here is an easy one. It only has two ingredients:


One cup pineapple-orange juice

One heaping cup of frozen strawberries

Blend together.

Yum!

Of course this would work with any fruit/juice combo.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Visits from leprechauns

We don't make a huge deal about St. Patricks day around here, but a few years ago my sister told me that they had a leprechaun come to their house in the night before St. Patricks day and turn their milk, eggs, and waffle batter green for breakfast the next day. I thought that sounded fun so we invited one to come to our house to do the same thing. The kids love it of course!


Saturday, February 20, 2010

Another easy fun breakfast

Sometimes I don't want to put in the effort and time to do fun things with the kiddos. But last night for dinner, I was in the clean- out- the- freezer mode and made a quick fun dinner out of Eggos, frozen blueberries, and frozen strawberries (thawed) and Cool Whip. The kids loved and didn't care that no time went into it.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Ribbon Necklaces

So, on my project list was these ribbons headbands. But, of course I got distracted and decided to use ribbon to make a necklace for my woodsie pendants using the same concept as the headbands. Ribbon necklaces are popular, and you can make ones that cost next to nothing.
I don't why I'm obssessed with pendants but I love making them. Not that I can wear them because as I uploaded pictures, my baby already ruined the first one shown. Oh well.

I finished mine two ways. Here is the first one:


Thread your pendant onto a ribbon cut to your preferred size.Dip one end into E-6000. I like this better than jewelry glue because it washes off your hands when you are done.Didn't get a picture of this, but put your end with glue into an end cap with loops. (Findings aisle at the craft store), then squeeze shut with pliers. Let dry. Then open up some jump rings and attach to the loop.Then you add the clasp of your choice to your jump rings.The other way I used my sewing machine. Cut the ribbon to length and then cut a piece of elastic the length you desire. You can also use a ponytail holder.
Fold the ribbon around the elastic and pin.Using a zig zag stich, go back and forth a few times to sew together.Repeat on other end and there you go.Sorry for the crappy picture. It's hard to take pictures of yourself or make your kids take good ones. I'm not sure if I love the back. Maybe the ponytail holder would look better. Or shorter elastic. Or you girls with long hair could pull it off. I will have to think on it. Let me know if you have any great ideas.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Valentine's Day Gift

I don't know about the rest of you, but I always have a hard time thinking of something to get my husband on Valentine's Day. This year I decided to make something. And this is what I came up with:
I found this box around my house and I cut the top off.
I found some red "valentine-ish" paper and traced around the edges of the box.

I cut out the measured pieces and used Mod Podge to stick the paper to the box.

This is what it looked like with all the sides covered with the paper.


I used my digital scrapbooking program (that I love!) to make little signs that said "Happy Valentine's Day" and then underneath it I wrote a reason why I love him. I printed them off and then glued them to white cardstock and cut them into strips.

I folded them in half and filled little bags with some of his favorite candies and then stapled the reasons I love him to the tops.

I also made little coupons for various things like going to lunch at his favorite place or something we could do together. (With a new baby coming we just might need coupons to get out of the house! ;-) I put all the coupons in a little bag and sealed them together.

Then I stuck all the treats and coupons in the box with some tissue paper. And glued the "Happy Valentine's Day" message on the front.
What do you get your husband for Valentine's day? I am sure I will need another idea for next year!