New App called Story

I am really enjoying this new app from Disney called Story.  It allows you to share 20 pictures at a time with friends as an album.  The best part is it does all the work. Super simple with not too many bells and whistles so it is exactly what I need to actually get it done!

Update: Lollipop Bouquet

A while back I posted One Step Away...: 40 doesn't really suck... for a guy friend turing 40.  I decided to go a little nicer for my friend turning 50.  Fun to bring to a party right?

I got the jar at Hobby Lobby for 50% off and I used my 40% coupon for the styrofoam ball (those suckers aren't cheap!)  Add some ribbon, tag, and lollipops and there you go!

Variation: Use Blow Pops and say "Hoping 50 doesn't BLOW!"

Update: I'm still here!

If you are a teacher, you know that some things just don't happen during the school year. I didn't stop sewing or crafting, but I did stop blogging about it.  Since I use this blog to remember what I've done, I really do need to update!

 So here are a few projects I've completed since I last posted:

A few teachers and I decided to have a booth at our school's December Craft Fair.  It was hard pricing things and I would much rather gift my creations, but it was good experience!

I also mass produced a ton of gift card holders for the season. 

I shopped Amazon for most of Christmas, and I was feeling guilty on Christmas Eve waiting on a package from UPS.  So when he delivered the package about 6pm, I left a card, a liter of soda, and some holiday popcorn.  :)






All of my friends are having babies and grand babies so I used this handy dandy You Tube video to master making self binding receiving blankets.

Here are a few that I whipped up...

             

 I even made a coordinating layette bag 

to go with the one for Shelby at Dazzle! 

One of my best friends was having her second baby and really fell in love with this guitar print.  We searched and found it at the cutest little fabric shop called The Stitch Lab in Austin.

Remember, I just started sewing, and I am self taught, 

so she must be a REALLY good friend...

We quilted together a bunch of coordinating fabrics as starting point. I also backed it with minky (again, she is a REALLY good friend).

I also patched together a summer receiving blanket!

Then we decided I could figure out curtains and tada!

Last but not least I conquered the bumper pad and bed skirt.

Brooks Roland Bonn was worth it!

I also was able to conquer my fear of zippers by making a bunch of these cute key chains for my library volunteers:

I owe my victory to Erin Erikson over at Dog Under My Desk.  Her tutorial made it a cinch!

My volunteers loved them!

Sew love sewing for gifts!

I am excited to be going to a family baby shower for a friend.  This will be her fourth baby, so I wanted it to be extra special.  Since I have been trying to teach myself to sew, I figured I would try some baby items!  Thanks to the internet and Pinterest, I found the confidence and ideas I needed!

I made this small lovey quilt to fit right over the baby in a carrier.  I didn't have a pattern for this, but I did read tons of tutorials before I started.  I learned that cute bumpy fabric is not so fun to sew (stretches).

I wanted to sew something on a onesie, but I couldn't decide, so I just ironed on a few cute sayings.  

My favorite new things are these fun and complicated, but not too complicated, drawstring bags!  I have made several thanks to the great tutorial at In Color Order.  I used this bag as a grab and go for this busy family.  I put an extra onesie, wipes, a few diapers, ziplocks, and hand sanitizer in it for a quick alternative to a diaper bag.  I also found a great tutorial at The Blissfully Content Life for  a cute diaper changing roll that I created with matching fabric.

And of course, I had to create an owl for the new little guy!  I tried two new things:  I made a bow tie from ribbon and I upcycled a jean's pant leg for the back of this one.

My neighbor has a newborn and I can't wait to get started on his gift now!  Sew much Fun!

Flip Flop Flowers

Since I am one to love a great tutorial, I thought I should pay it forward with an original of my own!

Last summer I decided that I wanted to embellish some of my more favorite flip flops since I struggle to find ones that fit.  (picture a long flat foot)  Here is a super easy picture tutorial on how you can make your very own flip flop flowers!

Here are the supplies you will need:

inexpensive flowers (Dollar Store)

multicolored brads (Clearance at Hobby Lobby)

snap clips 

pair of flip flops & safety pins   

First take off all of the blooms.

Then deconstruct the flower by pushing stem through the front of the petals.  I save some of the smaller plastic pieces to add volume in between petals.

Then you just reconstruct the flower using as many petals parts (I always stick to an odd number) using the brad as the stem that holds them together.  

Now slide the brad's prongs through a small snap clip.

Use some pliers to wrap and smoosh (like my technical term?) 

the prongs around the snap clip.

Just takes a few minutes to make a whole bouquet!

Now just take those favorite (worn in) flip flops and give them some new life!  Just add a safety pin where you would like your flower to be.  Sometimes I wear it on the outer side strap as well.

TADA!

and TA-DONE!

I also make extras of each flower for pins, hat embellishing, and hair accessorizing.