Every Summer I feel the need to buy a new beach bag. There's just something about a fresh bottle of sunscreen, a fluffy new beach towel, a new magazine and a great big, new beach bag to throw it all in! As you can imagine though, these things can really add up. If you're like me, you have a Summer budget to maintain while the kids are out of school. With a bit of fabric you already have at home or a quick trip to the fabric store {or the hardware store?}, you can whip up a new beach bag in no time. Today I've gathered a handful of DIY tutorials that will help you have your new bag and be soaking up the rays by the seashore in no time! Honeymoon Beach Bag - You don't really need to be going on your honeymoon to make this bag. But, if you were headed out on your honeymoon, this would … [Read more...]
Sewing Your Own Flannel Receiving Blankets
Before my daughter was born, I was aimlessly walking around in a fabric store when an elderly clerk struck up a conversation. I mentioned that I wanted to make some things to use when my baby arrived. She suggested making receiving blankets because the commercial ones are never big enough. I made a few of these blankets that very afternoon. Each one cost less than $3 because I got the flannel on sale. Here’s how to make your own flannel receiving blankets: Materials Two yards of baby flannel. I like to use two different but coordinating prints, but you can use whatever you like. Coordinating thread Preparation The first step is to ask the girl at the fabric counter to cut two one-yard pieces of the flannel. If you’re using two different fabrics, it’s obvious. But if … [Read more...]
DIY Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bags for Kids
Halloween is only a couple of weeks away. It is certainly time to start thinking of what your kids will carry that night to collect all of their treats. Plan early so you don't just hurriedly hand them a plastic grocery bag. Send them out with something CUTE. Today I've gathered 5 DIY Halloween Trick-or-Treat bag ideas that you can easily make for {or with} your kids! /1/ Hand Print Ghosts Candy Bag - There's something about a hand print {or a foot print} craft that gets me every time. This bag is no different. Your child will love smearing wet paint all over his hand and then pressing it to the bag to create his very own ghosts. Then, you can personalize it for even more fun! /2/ Little Monster Trick-or-Treat Tote - With only a few pieces of felt and a little time, you can have a … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Heart Bunting {a Budget Friendly Craft}
When is the last time you saw something in a store that was meant for one thing and you thought of an idea to use it for something else? It honestly doesn't happen to me very often, but the other day was different. I went in to Dollar Tree to let my daughter spend her $5 from the tooth fairy and while there I stumbled upon glittered heart table scatter. My first thought was, "why would I scatter this all over my table?" That's when it hit me. These glittered hearts would make the PERFECT bunting when all sewn together! So, I bought a bunch of bags, went home and got to work creating this tutorial for YOU! Without further ado, the perfect Valentine's Day Heart Bunting. {Did I mention it is budget-friendly?} First, gather your supplies. You'll need: glittered heart table scatter {or … [Read more...]
How to Sew a Simple Bunting
You've seen them all over Pinterest, in Etsy shops and maybe even in your friends homes. You know they've got to be simple enough to make on your own. But, how? I'm here to show you today how to sew a simple bunting in just a few easy steps. If you can sew a straight line then you can sew a bunting. First, gather your supplies. You'll need: Supplies for a Simple Bunting: a sewing machine thread that coordinates with your fabric choices a pair of scissors at least three coordinating prints of fabric {unless you want only one} a self-healing cutting mat* a rotary cutter* a quilter's ruler* {*The last three supplies are optional. If you don't have them, don't worry. You can cut your fabric by hand, it's just easier and quicker with these tools.} Let's get … [Read more...]
11 Modern DIY Baby Shower Gift Ideas
In 2013, about 4 million babies were born in the United States. There were at least that many baby showers and possibly ten times that many gifts purchased. That's 40 million gifts. I wonder how many among that number were handmade?? My guess is not many. A handmade baby gift holds a meaning and value to the pregnant mommy that is second to none. A handmade bath towel or pair of booties is going to be treasured by that mommy for years after her new bundle of joy uses them. If you can sew or crochet, you can make a handmade baby shower gift. If you can use a pair of scissors or stamp with a stamp, you can make a handmade baby shower gift. I've got 11 Modern DIY Baby Shower Gifts with their tutorials to prove to you that YOU can do it! /1/ Cloud Mobile - This mobile is perfect for a … [Read more...]
