Show Daddy Some Love

I see all of these cute little boy onesies and tees with a necktie everywhere.  Why not make a one for the little girls so the little ladies can show daddy some love!?  Who says girls can't wear ties, or suspenders!? 

I had purchased this tank last year for a family fun magazine craft idea for my daughter, but I never got around to making it before she outgrew it.  Luckily, she has a younger cousin.  Last week, I visited my family in SC and my mom, sis-in-law and I got a little crazy with the sewing machine.  We made tie tanks, crabs, anchors, seahorses....you name it.  I'll share them all, promise.  But for now, here's how we did the tie tank.

You'll need:

1 Tank or T-shirt
Scrap fabric, I chose pink with white polka dots
Heat n Bond
Fusible Webbing
Tie Template
Copier
Sewing Machine (Which I don't have.  So do as I do, and find a mom, aunt, or sister that sews and beg them to do it for you!  BTW, thanks Mom)


I am absolutely amateur, so if you're like me and have no clue what Heat n Bond or Fusible Webbing is click HERE and HERE.  I bought mine at my local Wally-World (Wal-Mart).  You could also find it at Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, or plan ahead and purchase from www.createforless.com for a good price.

For the tie template, I had one leftover from some father's days card and paper projects.  I found it HERE.

Here's how:

Print and Cut the template, then enlarge it to fit your tank using your copier.  Cut a rectangle of fusible webbing 1" larger than your tie template and iron it to the inside of the tank.  Also cut a rectangle of Heat n' Bond 1" larger than your template and iron onto your scrap of fabric, following package instructions.  Then, using your paper template as a guide, trace and cut out tie shapes.  Peel back the Heat n' Bond and iron your two necktie pieces onto the front of the tank.  Then, sew the edges using a zig zag stitch.  That's it!

Project Time: 1 hour Max!

She's working it, no!?

This project linked up here:

Boredom Buster

 

Got some cranky little ones around?  Here's something fun to do when they tire of swimming at the pool.  It would also be great for VBS, at a party, or for a classroom or Sunday School class.

How To Make Your Own Colored Sand

Here's what you need:

*Large bucket of sidewalk chalk
*Salt

Here's what you do:

Using plastic containers, take one piece of chalk and pour about a cup of salt over it.  With your fingers, roll and rub the chalk into the salt.  Eventually, the chalk turns into colored sand.  Experiment with 2 pieces of chalk for darker colors, more salt to lighten colors, etc.  We used the bottoms of old milk jugs and poured the extra into ziploc bags.  But if you're the more tidy and organized type, you could also buy ziploc or tupperware style containers to make and store your colored sand in.

Tip:  
I found the best bang for your buck for sidewalk chalk was at Michael's for $4.  Use one of their 40% off coupons, even better.  Best price I found for salt was forty cents (!!!) at the Dollar General.  Just to help you estimate, 1 container of salt will fill one large bottle.  Or, you can buy one container of salt per color of chalk and have plenty of extra made for future projects.

How To Make Layered Sand Art

You need:

*Funnel

*Plastic bottles with lids

*DIY colored sand

*Small measuring scoops

Here's how:

Using the scoop (the extras from  powdered oxy clean work well), add colored sand to the clear plastic bottle, layering as much or as little as the child likes. Each child's will be different as they decide what colors to use where.  Fill to the top and screw on the plastic lid.  Be careful to keep the bottle upright, as shaking it or turning it from side to side will mix all the colors and ruin the layered effect.  Kids can then add stickers, labels, tags, ribbons, etc. to their bottle if they want to!  Any plastic bottle will work and kids can experiment with different shapes and sizes.  Basically, just use whatever is in the recycling bin...once you've washed & dried it, of course.

You can easily fill an afternoon just making the sand, and the next afternoon making the bottles.  My kids were easily occupied for an hour or more rolling chalk into salt.  Cousins and grandparents got in on the action too, and we took pics of all the fun we were having! Only, now I can't find them.  Which brings me to this request, please don't judge the quick Iphone pic.  Sometimes, that's all I've got around.  Actually, I just couldn't find the first pics we took of this project and today, I was just too lazy to get the big camera and go through all the fancy editing.  But!!  This is a super fun activity and I wanted to share - So....enjoy!

Bleached out Tee's!

I recently stumbled on a new magazine in Barnes & Noble and fell in love.  I was inspried by the custom bleached shirts I saw and decided to give it a go myself.  Here's what I did.  Using my computer, I printed numbers and anchors from clip art images I have on a print shop program.  You could also use clip art from Word or Google images.  With my copier, I enlarged and/or reduced the images as needed to fit on the tees.  I used card stock so that once I cut the images out, I had a template ready to go.

 Using my templates, I then traced the shapes onto freezer paper.  I cut the shape from freezer paper and ironed them onto my shirts, following the instructions listed directly on the freezer paper box.  Be sure to iron the edges down really well.  I didn't do that on a few shirts and the bleached leaked under the stencil.

 
Make sure you have an area outside prepped for business.  We put black plastic sheeting down to protect the landscape and everyone wore gloves, aprons and art smocks.  The kids also wore protective googles (aka swim goggles).  We inserted cardboard squares inside the shirts.  We filled squirt guns and spray bottles with bleach, undiluted.  We liked the spray bottles best, and liked changing the nozzle for a streamlined or full spray.  The squirt guns were harder to fill and leaked a bit too much.

Once the kiddos had sprayed down the shirt with their preferred spray pattern, I took a hose and washed down the shirt.  The water also released the freezer paper pattern.  We then took the shirts inside to machine launder and dry.

Instant Custom Tees!!

Tips:  Some colors worked great.  We had great luck with red, navy, and teal.  Grey and pink did not turn out as well.  Don't be afraid to let the clorox sit long enough to see the color start to change.  I was nervous about burning holes into the shirts and didn't leave the bleach on long enough for some of the tees.

To find out more about the magazine that inspired this project, check out this post.

This project is linked up here:

Design Dazzle's Summer Camp

Tip Junkie Tip Me Tuesday
Creation Corner's Friday Link Party 

Freckled Laundry's Air Your Laundry Friday

Just Beachy!

Need a fun, cute & quick idea for picnics this weekend?  I thought these would inspire you. I made them a couple of years ago for the fourth.  Just any old box recipe muffin or cupcake mix will do.  Cover 2/3 of the top of the cupcake with white icing (again, store bought for convenience) and top with "sand" (aka brown sugar).  Fill in the remaining top of the cupcake with blue icing in wavy patterns.  Top with an umbrella (a little hard to find, so buy them when you see them and keep them on hand).  And top with a "lifesaver" candy.  Instant cute cupcake!

Now, ain't that just BEACHY!?

For other beach and fourth inspired fun, check last year's post here.

This post linked up here:

FOR....EHHHHV....ER

Yeah.  Let's just say it's been a while and leave it at that.  I've been so busy "doing" with no time for "blogging".  But I've snapped thousands of pics since my last post, so I've got plenty of future material.

BUT!!! 

Moving on.

Picked up this magazine in B&N last week....and LOVING it!!

 

 

 

via

 

Trying my first project from this mag on Sunday.  Can't wait.  Lots of fun, I just know it.  So, go get one.  Tonight.  You'll love it, I promise.  At $7.99, you'll pay a little too much for it, but such is inflation.

Happy Crafting!

And the Awards Go To....

It's the Stylish Blogger Awards, and I got one!

Nanny Nanny boo boo.  Just kidding - Woot!  

A big all caps THANK YOU to Three Sisterz for nominating lil 'ole me!  If you're unfamiliar with Three Sisterz, head on over to their blog, or check out their super cute store on etsy!

With this award came some bloggy homework for me.  I am a HUGE procrastinator when it comes to all things "work" related, but I have finally gotten my act together. 

Here was my assignment:

1.  Thank and link back to the blog that nominated me.  Check!

2.  Share 7 things about yourself. Yep, major procrastination. 

3.  Award 8 recently discovered great bloggers.  I think I might have  hundreds saved on my google reader.  Hold on, this might take a minute.

4.  Contact the bloggers awarded and let them know.  Easy, I got this!

So here it goes.  

Seven things about me:

1. I'm a procrastinator.  Did I mention that already?  You know that saying, "A day late and a dollar short"?  That's me and my bright ideas.

2.  I'm all over the place.  I'm a "Jill of all trades, Master of none".  I dabble in writing, photography, cooking, crafting, a little stitching, cake decorating, interior design and room-momming. Yes, it is a verb.  If you've ever been a room mom, you already know it's an action word.  But, I'm definitely not "Martha" in any of these.  My projects usually involve a little more "what not to do" than anything else.

3.  If I had known anyone was ever going to actually read this blog, I would have given it a much better name.Something hip.  Something cool.  Something SO NOT Lizard Rae.

4.  I have always wanted to go to Italy.  Specifically, Venice.  And one day, I will.  And when I do, I'm staying a long time.  As GAWD is mah witnessss!!!!  Sorry, went a little Scarlet there on 'ya, which brings me to #5.

5.  I'm a G.R.I.T.S.  For those of you who need translation, that's a "Girl Raised in the South".  A Southerner.  A displaced Southerner for most of my adult life.  Which is the worst kind, because displaced southerners are always lamenting over getting back to "God's Country".  Which I WILL do, one day...right after that trip to Italy.

6.  It's funny how in college, I was perfectly comfortable wearing nothing but a skirt so short my butt was hanging out - in front of a crowd of 80,000 people at Death Valley.  GO TIGERS!  But, NOW....after two kids!?  Huh.  I am rockin' a head-to-toe burka every time I go to the beach or pool.  The kids ask me if I know how to swim.  Sho-nuf I know how to swim!  And I'm sure I could hold my breath longer and swim shark laps around those smack-talkin' minnows.  Not to mention, kick some marco polo booty.  And I would...but there is just NO chance I'm taking my burka off to get in the water.  Besides, sun damage is bad for you.  Now I know why my mom never went swimming....It's just like she told us.  She didn't want to get her hair wet.

7.  I may be a diplaced Southerner first and foremost.  But now I am also a displaced Virginian, Michigan, South Dakotan, Iowan, Arkansan, and Texan...and back to Virginia.  Somehow, I truly feel connected to each of those places and I still miss all the faces I ever met along the way.  Living in 8 states in the past 12 years was by no means easy, glamorous, or particularly good for mental health.  But I wouldn't re-write it any other way.  Except maybe I would have never left South Carolina, or Arkansas, or Texas....or!!! Oh nevermind.

And now.....the hard part.  Whittling down my hundreds of "blogs I'm a huge fan of" to just the top 8.  None are necessarily "small" or "recently" discovered, only most are recently discovered to me...'cause I still consider myself a newbie to this whole blog world.  So, I apologize if I'm awarding someone whose already received it 50 times or more.  But, if your name is listed below...give yourself a pat on the back...'cause you're awesome!

I now pass the crown to:

1. BoNJouR! I have no idea exactly how tumblr works yet, but I know I love everything this blogger "tumbles".  So thank YOU!

2.  California Callahans is a blog I instantly liked when I saw state of California header.(like)  Her name is Leah.(like)  She met her Marine husband in middle school.(like)....MIDDLE SCHOOL, people!!! They move around alot.(like)  She shares yummy recipes  and they make cool stuff like map pin boards and silverware silhouettes (like).  What else did I need to like???  I fell in love with the blog the first time I saw it.

3.  Lee La La is another blogger than hooked me simply with a header.  What can I say, I'm a visual person.  She had me with the newsprint heart cut-outs and pink typewriter.  Her "This blog is ME" post is inspirational to anyone out there (like me) just looking for a creative outlet and doing their best to navigate blog-land.

4.  3 Meadow Lake Cottage  For the love of all things beachy,would you just head over there and check it out already!?  It's like she and I dog-ear all the same magazine pages.  While working as an interior designer, I made color charts for clients like the ones she posted here.  If you're looking for a little color inspiration, check those out.  And yes, Benjamin Moore paints are the best.  Just my personal opinion.  Did I mention this blogger has triplets!?


5. I indulge my artistic side over at House 8810.  The photos  never fail to inspire me.  And it's kind of random and all over the place, like me.  I like that.  I can't help it, I get bored easily.  Their DIY projects are vintage-y cute, like this baby bonnet shown here.  Isn't it kinda freaky how it is on a baby doll instead of a real child?  I had that baby doll.  I still have that baby doll.  My daughter now plays with that doll.  Her name is Samantha.  We need to sew her a bonnet!  But if I never get around to actually making the stuff I see there, I can just go buy things in the shop!  Yay! 

6.  D.I.Y. Louisville  These ladies meet twice a month at a coffee shop and have an "alternative approach" to crafting, which they describe on their blog as, 

"What's alternative crafting, you ask? It's a no-holds-barred approach to making stuff. No rules. No guidelines. You make stuff you want to make, the way you want to make it." 

-D.I.Y. Louisville

That one simple statement appealed to the rebel preschooler in me who thought coloring outside the lines was way more fun.  It appealed to my child-like entrepreneurial spirit that wanted to pick daffodils from the backyard and sell them at my roadside flower stand (Mom - you should have TOTALLY let me do that!) It appealed to the college kid in me who wanted to paint what I wanted to paint and not what I was assigned...and therefore duked it out with the professor that looked like a walrus in front of the whole class. Is anyone else hearing the Fleetwood Mac anthem, "You can go your own way, go your own waaaaaaayyyy" drumming in their head?  They also appealed to my love of popcorn with this great recipe for Tim's Popcorn Seasoning.

7.  Here's another anthem for you to sing the rest of the day.  "We like to party, we like....we like to party!"  And these girls know how to "do it up right" as all good debutantes must.  If you're throwing a party and need an idea, check out Anders Ruff.  There's some serious eye-candy there to inspire you.  Come to think of it, there's all kinds of candy there.  And they have a shaaaooop on etsy (insert my annoying high voice).

8.  Pink Postcard.  Simply because I want her front door and her pug is really cute.  And she provided me with an "i told you so" moment for my mom...proving some people dig my "roadside daffodils" idea.

-Congratulations bloggers-

 Now, style ye therefore and blog it forward!

Leprechauns Are Coming

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

Photo Living Locurto

I just downloaded a new St. Patty's themed wallpaper for my iphone, and you know what that means! I'm scrounging for ideas! The first cool thing I found was, of course, the iphone wallpaper. Free!, 'cause you know cheap is how I roll. And I'm nice, so I'm sharing where I got it with you. Just click on the iphone wallpaper link and follow the instructions. While you're there, check out the home page of Amy Locurto, who claims to be a "fun" mom because she doesn't worry about the dishes piling up. Come on, why don't you just say it... you've got a maid, right? Kidding aside, hop on over to her site 'cause there's lots of cool stuff there!

I'm also digging up ideas and printables over at Fantasy Jr. If you click on that link, it will take you directly to the St. Patrick's Day printables section. So much to look through there, but a good resource if you're in charge of classroom parties, a teacher, or just want to find something fun to keep your own kids busy!

If you were following this blog last year, you'll remember I made a fruit rainbow and pot of gold jello snacks, along with the lucky charms poem to take into the classrooms. If you're new here, you can find those ideas here. There are so many cute printables out there now, and I really loved the pot of gold idea. Somehow, I've got to work that in again this year...but with a new twist.  From a quick little google image search, I found tons of ideas.

This is inspiration:

Images from Craftomaniac, Family Fun and Edible Crafts

I'm seeing rainbows...lots and lots of rainbows.  And rolos.

Must go shopping for supplies!  Later tonight, we're off to see the Globetrotters.  This weekend, we attend 3 birthday parties (one of which I'm hosting).  And my coupons expire for the shutterfly photo books I need to make and order.  So you won't be hearing from me for a couple of days.  But when I'm back, I'll have lots to share.

Coming up in my next posts will be

1. How to create your own display wall
2. Avacado Pasta & Calico Salad
3. Coffee Cupcakes, Tiramisu Shooters & Russian Tea Cakes
4. Cousin Campout Weekend
..........AND
5. I announce my Stylish Blogger Awards

I know, you're excited now right?  I'm such a tease....

happy weekend everybody!

Valentine Explosion

It's been quite the little Valentine explosion over here today. Baking, crafting, making paper valentine's and packaging them up into goody baskets. Filled in the day with a quick trip to the store (Target, of course) to pick up a few extra supplies. Then, we were off to take school pics of classroom parties. Now, I'm squeaking in a few minutes to get a special dinner made of breaded & baked chicken, ranch noodles and a salad. Wow, I'm getting hungry. I'll share recipes tomorrow and I'd throw in a few pics too...only been burning out the camera lately and it's as dead as a doorknob. Must charge. Instead, I'll be spending the evening in the kitchen...then sitting on my booty to enjoy all the yummy goodies.

Oh! And there's a contest going on over at Eiden Photography, which you can check out the details here. But!!! You must enter by uploading a picture onto the facebook fan page (here) and you must do it by midnight. There's a prize for the winner!!

hearts,
Leah

How Did You Spend Your Saturday?

This is how I spent mine.

Prepare your special red velvet recipe. Mine is Duncan Hines. Generously spray mini-bundt pans with baking spray (with flour). If you don't have a mini-bundt pan, you can find them here.
Follow the baking instructions and cool on a wire rack. They're going to come out looking like this....

Once they've completely cooled, drizzle melted chocolate over the tops with a spoon. I use this chocolate. Let the chocolate start to cool before sprinkling with nonpareils. If you sprinkle to soon, the colors start to bleed onto the white chocolate.

Once you've decorated the mini-cakes, place them in a refrigerator to cool and set the chocolate completely. Place them into a clear baggie and tie with ribbon. Simple and cute. You can still run out to the store and get these made by tonight!


The stamping idea came from here. I just adapted it a little based on paint strips and stamps I already had on hand.

Happy baking and happy stamping!

Happy 5th To My Little Snow Princess

Last month, we were able to celebrate our "baby" girl turning 5. She requested a "ice princess" party. With her birthday one week before Christmas, I gave myself a break this year and did the whole "book it" thing instead of trying to handle it all myself. We booked the Ice Skating Rink, they gave the kiddos lessons, pizza, drinks, and cake was all provided...along with a helper who even wrote down the "who gave what" list for us. It was awesome. I have to admit I've always been reluctant to book a party like this. I've always felt it's not as personal and have preferred to do all the little details myself. Ehhh, I'm over it. She had a blast and I hardly lifted a finger. Enjoy the pics!

The kids had a 30 minute lesson from the rink staff...which was great since most have never skated before. I kept the party small at 8 kiddos. Big bro was happy to have 30 minutes to himself to practice his speed laps. Both of my kids are wild on ice skates!

At this age, it's all about barbies, squinkies, babies and jewelry for this girly girl!

Happy Birthday big girl....now STOP GROWING UP!!!

The Way I Roll

This month, I've done nothing but juggle. I feel like every day is full to the brim. Not only with the basic needs of feeding, dressing and caring for the kids, but also baking, cooking, cleaning, putting away laundry, driving the shuttle bus. There always seems to be soooo much to do, and so very little time! Of course, now my husband is essentially working 3 jobs. I know, I just consider that blessed - we've gone from jobless 2 months ago to balancing 3. The 3rd being launching his photography website. I have so throughly enjoyed helping him with that. I love editing, posting, uploading all the pics -who knew? Who knew Mike was so creative as well? I guess when you have a little time in life to find peace (or be jobless) you gravitate towards your natural interests. With a little effort and a lot of hard work, a little "passion" can turn into something great! So, we juggle, and we keep a lot of things up in the there at all times. But, I've come to realize, that's just the way I roll - and I really like things that way!