Tutorial: Scripture tote

If you're scrambling for a last minute gift for your daughter, mother, sister, or friend, this is a simple but useful homemade one. The first one I ever made was actually for a boy, so if there's a guy in your life who could use one, give it a try using appropriate colors/ribbon(handle material) and embellishments! Sorry for all the super bright pics, I didn't have a chance to edit them and I knew if I didn't post this while I had the chance, it probably wouldn't happen :)
Materials Needed:
1 placemat
2 yards of ribbon
needle (or hot glue gun) and matching thread
flower/other embellishments
Directions:
1. Lay placemat horizontally and place your ribbon 2-3 inches from the side in straight line, and sew down both side of your ribbon.
2. Repeat on the other side, just make sure to use the same measurements.

3. Decide how long you want your handles and pin them on the opposite side (wrong side/inside) of the placemat. Turn under about an inch of the ribbon from the bottom to reinforce and keep from the ribbon fraying. Sew each side of your handles on. Make sure to reinforce or sew over a couple times so it's nice and strong! Nobody likes breaking handles ;)
4. Fold placemat in half, so handles meet, and sew a straight line down each side5. Fold your corners the opposite way so it looks like this: (kinda hard to put into words, or it's just late and I need sleep)
6. Sew a straight line across your corner, about 2 inches down from the tip.
7. This is what the bottom should look like after you sew the corners:
8. You're almost done! Sewing is out of the way, easy right?! Now turn your tote right side out, and add embellishments.

9. For silk flowers, I take them apart, completely discard the plastic parts, then reassemble the layers again. Hand stitch your flower on the front of your tote. On this tote, I added a pearl for the center which can be hand stitched, or hot glued on there. I've even hot glued my flowers on, but if you do that, glue each layer one at a time.
There are endless possibilities, have fun!
Merry Christmas :)
Linking up to:
Keeping it simple
Craftastic Monday- Sew Can Do
*Brittney*

Christmas in our home

With a week until Christmas, I finally got my house decorated! Whew! I can't believe it took me so long to get it done. I had my tree up by December 1st, but everything else was put on hold due to a crazy busy schedule. Here's a look at what I managed to do this year on my budget:

Each year I pick up tree branches from tree lots to use for decorations, and a nice added smell to the house. Add a strand or lights for a couple bucks and use what you've got.

Poinsettia from a Christmas party, Nutcracker from Goodwill.

Homemade stockings, polyfil "snow" and a couple wrapped empty boxes. ( I need some more up there!)

I moved this little nativity around so many times. This is where it is as I type, up high enough for it to not be touched by my kids (who have already broken just about every piece). I used to put this in my room as a little girl, and now this year it's in my home :) I couldn't find anything else to put on these candlesticks, and it's a little different, but I think I like it!

Some more of those tree branches (garland)

This little inlet in our dinning room is always fun to decorate.

Old window pane with my ornament wreath hung, spiced up a little with a few vinyl snowflakes.

Wooden blocks

homemade "Merry Christmas"banner

Light up snowman(or woman)

Of course, I wish I had more time this year to make more fun things, but I guess next year I'll have to start earlier! Merry Christmas :)

*Brittney*

Call me Martha...

Or something like that... She would probably have a cow if she saw how I made these and the details of them! I'm no Martha, but I'm so happy with how my stockings came out. This was my own pattern made up with my favorite method, "trial and error". I was kinda picky about the shape of my stocking (I know, I'm strange...it's just a stocking, right?!) so I drew out a pattern from newspaper, it seemed to work pretty well!
When I pulled out our Christmas decorations from the attic, I realized that I only had 3 matching stockings! Last year for Parker's first Christmas, we were in CA with our family and I never had to buy one for him, so this year he didn't have one here in our home. I figured I could manage a few stockings! I originally really wanted a red print, but when I came across this fabric that could be used on either side and resembles snowflakes, I knew it was made for my project. Only 3 are hanging in this picture, but I made 4 today...it's that darn 3 thing again...only so many stocking holders around here. I've got to fix that soon, SANTA is coming next week! If you're interested in a tutorial, leave me a comment, I'm planning on making a couple more. Merry Christmas :)
*Brittney*

*Brittney*
Linking up to:
Creative Itch
Someday Crafts

Super Saturday

Last weekend our ward (church congregation) had a craft day "Super Saturday". It was intentionally just in time for Christmas so things could be made as gifts or Christmas decorations for the home. Here are some of the projects we did, well the ones I got pictures of at least!

Ribbon Bracelet- $1 each

Small handbag/Scripture Tote- $5

Seasonal Wooden Blocks- $7 found at Brown Paper Packages (love this blog!)

^side note: do not attempt to sand 112 wooden blocks...it's NOT fun!

Light up Snowman-$3

Ornament Wreath-$15-20

We also had Christmas cards using stamps that I didn't get pictures of, they were SO cute too! Thanks to everyone who helped, I needed it! This was my first time putting one together, AND attending one! So happy with how the day turned out, but more happy that it's over ;)
Merry Christmas!

*Brittney*

A little late but worth the wait...

I showed you some of the costumes that I had worked on for Halloween and I figure it's about time I gave the update :)
My kids and I took a last minute trip to CA, due to my Grandpa passing away :( Although the reason for going was tough, it was great to spend some time around family. We just so happen to be there for Halloween too, which made it extra fun for my kids to be with their cousins.

Skylee's fairy costume was a hit! If you'd like some directions, let me know. I'd be more than happy to share how I did it :) I made a tutu dress using lots and LOTS of tulle, and wings from a couple wire hangers covered with nylon, then spray painted with added glitter (didn't get to do everything with the wings I had in mind though...)


Parker was my little owl. I could not believe how people reacted to his costume, they LOVED it! I'm proud of how it turned out, although there are of course things I wish would have turned out better...like the hat :/ Adorable? YES. Easy? maybe (if you are a better sewer than me) Fast? NO! Worth it? YEP :)
This is Dexter, the son of one of my good friends, Megan. She wanted Dexter to be Gloworm, and I thought that I might be able to help. Of course there are no patterns for it, but using a bunting pattern and some imagination, her and I figured it out. I made up the body, and Megan made the hood/hat. He looked so CUTE, don't ya think!?!

We had a nice trip, and enjoyed time and Halloween with family. If you have any interest in making these costumes and you want some more directions, leave me a comment :)

October Fun

Last year I realized I didn't really have much in the way of Halloween decor, so I made up some cute cheese cloth ghost, and a little festive banner made out of scrapbook paper. I was proud of myself considering I had just started crafting! At the end of the Halloween season, I took them down, nicely put them in a little box and set them in our garage so my husband could put them in the attic when he had a chance. Well...before he got that chance, he changed the oil in my car and decided that nice little box would be a perfect place to set the can filled with oil. It also just so happened that the oil spilled out, and ruined my newest homemade Halloween decor. :( Which means that I had to make a couple more things this year to make up for it, plus my skill level is slightly better this year :)
Here is a look at some of the Halloween decorations I've made around my house so far this year. I still plan on making a few more, as time permits (haha)! As with everything I do, it's fast, inexpensive and easy :)Forgive me that I don't have all the links to where I found some of my inspirations, I'll find them again, and when I do I'll be sure to link up!

-These little silhouette plaques were so easy, and cute. I found the templates at the Pink Peony and stenciled them onto scrapbook paper/cardstock, that had been modge podged onto old plaques (found at the Dollar Tree, they usually have lame saying on them :P ) I used permanent marker to outline the template and then painted the rest in black.

-For another project I've been procrastinating on, I had these 4x4 wooden blocks hanging around, and figured I'd make a pumpkin. Ever seen "Spookley the Square Pumpkin"? This in my version :) Painted the block orange, sanded the edges, then hot glued a stick to the top and a little green bow to finish it off.-At the Dollar Tree they had a little bag of these skeleton heads, so I picked up a couple and threw them in one of my hurricane jars, then tied a little ribbon around it.
-I'm sure this isn't an original idea, but when I saw this at this doilie at the store it stuck out to me as a nice web, add a few plastic spider rings and done!
-A while back I got a couple awesome old windows from a friend who was moving, I still haven't gotten around to refinishing them, but for Halloween they're perfect! So in the meantime, I made a tulle wreath and hung it there for a nice display.
-I'll admit, I bought the glittery spider at Target ;) but the pumpkin I made, well at least painted! Using contact paper, I cut out the letters and placed them on the pumpkin, sponged on white paint and then peeled of the paper. I intentionally scratched the paint afterward to add some character. And even though the saying is "beware", I couldn't help adding ribbon.
-My "Spooky" banner :) I used burlap triangles, and foam letter stamps to make this. After stamping the letters on, I hot glued the burlap pieces on a strand of twine.

-Here's my eclectic pumpkin patch, I'd still like to make a sign of some sort and maybe organize them better, but this is what I've got for now. The lone white one is an unfinished project...I've got lot's of those right now (not to mention that bookcase is in need of a face lift )!
SOOOO, there ya have it! Hope you find some inspiration for your own home. Little pieces of seasonal fun are so worth it. I love the change of decor for a few weeks :)

*Brittney*

P.S. Check back soon for an update on 3 costumes I've been working on :) (Owl, Fairy, and Glow-worm)

Homemade Halloween Costumes

Just because I haven't posted in a while certainly doesn't mean I haven't been crafty :) I decided I'd make both my kid's costumes for Halloween this year and knew I had to give myself an early start. The first Halloween event on the calendar is October 16...that's only like 3 weeks away! I had no idea how long it would take me to complete this task, I mean, it's me...I'm not the best seamstress or decision maker :)

Skylee(3, almost 4yrs) is a fairy this year. She still needs some awesome wings, and a few other final touches. Her dress is made of LOTS and LOTS of tulle. I ordered the tulle online for way less $ than if you buy it in a store. I bought 25 or 100 yard, 6" width spools (that way they were already cut). There was NO SEWING involved with her costume, just knots tied onto a strip of non-roll elastic. Add a ginormous flower and call it good :)

Testing out it's spinning capabilities, that's what matters most you know!

Parker (18mo) is an owl. To complete his owl-look, he still needs a hat, and some talons :) When Skylee and I decided on her being a fairy, I wanted Parker to coordinate. I thought fairies are kinda woodsy, owls are too! And believe me, there are no good looking owl costumes out there for purchase... which forced me to create something ;)

Don't mind that ugly band-aid on his cheek, that's a different story!
For now, he's a tough owl

Parker's costume was much more time consuming, frustrating, and full of trial and error. I had no pattern, hardly any skills, and limited fabric. My original idea didn't really work out, but right now I'll just focus on the good :) I used felt for the wings and body shape, with a zipper in the back. Each feather was glued on individually(which is what took so long!). He's wearing brown pants and shirt underneath for a little more comfort, felt was a little itchy. I can't wait to be done with this, but I'm really happy with how it's turning out.
Any suggestions would be great! I'd love to hear your comments :)
*Brittney*