Oil Cloth Bibs {A Super Easy Tutorial}

Let me just start with this... if I can sew these bibs then I know anyone can! I like to pretend I am a sewing expert but most of the time my projects just don't quite look like the oh so perfect sample does. But alas, I am still learning ;)

I mentioned in my previous post about finding some beautiful and funky looking oil cloth fabric at a local home store in Edmonds. When I saw the fun patterns I had to pick up a 1/2 a yard of 2 of my favorites.

With freshly cut fabric in hand, I got to work on my latest project: easy clean oil cloth bibs. Did I mention how easy these are to make, because they are!

1.) Cut the bib pattern out of your fabric and velcro (click for pattern)

2.) Sew the velcro on the fabric as shown on pattern
3.) And finish the bib off with some single fold bias tape in coordinating color
4.) Put on your model and enjoy (in my case the stuffed bears will have to do!)

My next oilcloth project: receipt checkbook cover. :)

Fresh Baked {baby onesie cupcake tutorial}

This adorable gift idea comes straight from the oven for that special mom-to-be in your life. Simply gather your ingredients and start 'baking'.

These cupcakes look good enough to eat. In fact, my cousins lil one thought they were real cupcakes for her and not her new baby sister!

les fleurs {a tutorial}

"Beauty is God's handwriting. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair day and every fair flower." -Charles Kingsley

Nothing is more fun than to get a bouquet of beautiful flowers. They just put a smile on my face. The flowers were the one detail I loved most about planning our wedding. But what could make flowers even more irresistible? A baby essentials flower bouquet, of course!

Today was spent crafting these precious little buds. All you need is: wire cutters (or scissors), floral tape, artificial flower stems (or wire) and an assortment of baby booties, caps and mittens.

Take the artificial flowers off of the stem. Cut any wires poking out. Insert the flower stem and roll one of the baby items up into a rose bud. Hold the bud tight and begin wrapping the floral tape. Create a few of these buds to make a cute bouquet for a new Mom or place in a galvanized bucket or vase as a centerpiece at a baby shower. These sure do make me smile!

Got Ribbons?

Is it just me or does everyone else end up with tons of extra ribbons in your craft collection? You collect them over the years from various packages and presents but you don't really know what to do with them all. Well since it is the 'Great Baby Boom of 2011' and just about every one I know it having a baby, I've got babies on the brain. I decided to put those extra ribbons I have to good use crafting adorable baby stuff.

Ever heard of a tag blanket? Neither had I, but apparently babies love them. Why, I'm not really sure, but if they like 'em, then I'll make 'em! It's really quite easy. I followed this tutorial but instead of using just 2 different type of fabric on each side I decided to use some coordinating fabric squares to make it patchwork on one side.

Baby crafts are the most fun because they are all so dang cute! And I can't wait to give it to my little niece when she arrives this fall or my BFF's baby coming next spring or my cousin's newest addition. What did I tell you about the baby boom!?! Now all my excess ribbons will be on cute little blankets for little babies' enjoyment and I will keep collecting ribbons until the next baby boom. :)

Vintage Filler Tutorial

This last weekend, my Mom and I went to the Ruffles and Rust antique show. Tons of great vendors were there with some of the best in vintage glam. Although I LOVED what they were selling, my pocket book did not like how much they were selling for, so my thing at these events is to soak up all the inspiration I can for fun DIY projects and such. I picked up an old beat up vintage book for just such a project:


Vintage filler is as easy as 1,2,3. First you'll need 1 shredder, 1 vintage book (or any paper of your choice) and start shredding; it's that simple!

This fun filler can be made out of old books, old sheet music or anything really! If you have old papers or books that aren't old and you want that vintage look, try tea dying the paper. Once you have your shredded paper filler, you are ready to use it in decorating around the house or in gift bags for presents. Whatever you end up using the filler for, I know you'll love it!

Our Daily Bread {a tutorial & recipe}

"And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water" -Exodus 23:25a

God has blessed us and placed us into a great church with an amazing church family. Our pastor, Pastor Paul, is very knowledgeable and one of those teachers who will tell you about biblical concept over and over again in church. Although at the time you wonder why he keeps explaining the same things, you finally get it when it sticks with you and you can see it in your daily life. That's what he is trying to do; get His word into our hearts so that we can be fed by His word each and every day.

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." -John 6:35

October is pastor appreciation month and in honor of that, Jeremy and I gave our pastor some yummy pumpkin bread along with a 5 minute pillowcase bread bag (inspired by this 5 minute bag). It is just a small token of our appreciation for him and how he speaks the Lord's truth into our hearts each week!

{Tutorial Time:}


Find a cute pillow case to use for your bread bag and cut 18 inches down the length of the pillow case.


Then cut 11 inches along the width of the pillow case. Turn the pillow case inside with the right sides facing each other.


Finally, sew along the side and bottom (I used a zig-zag stitch) and then place the wrapped loaf of bread into the bag and close with a ribbon. Enjoy!

Fall into Knitting

Here in Seattle we are quickly moving into our fall and with it comes the rain and cloudy days. And as much as I enjoyed this past summer, I have to say that I am actually enjoying the start of the new season. The cold rainy days always make me feel like bundling up on the couch and working on a knitting project.

While surfing through some crafting blogs I stumbled upon this awesome project. Not only is it cute but it is EASY. I am a very beginner knitter and can only knit squares or rectangles. That gets kind of old pretty fast. You can only have so many scarves and pot holders. Knitting a hat was totally out of the question, until this project came across my path. I am excited to get to knitting again while snuggled on my comfy couch in my home away from the rain. It's much prettier when I'm not out in it. I love fall in Seattle!

'Christmas in July' Week: Ball of yarn ornaments

I know, so random, huh!? Our local christian radio station had an add for the Michael W. Smith Christmas show coming here in December so it got me thinking. Then I started humming some festive Christmas tunes (who doesn't love doing that, even in July!?)

Some time ago while blog surfing I stumbled upon these adorable yarn ball ornaments. So while on the topic of the most wonderful time of the year, I made this little tutorial. You can never be too prepared so why not get a jump start on the holidays? :)



Funny side note; since it is July and not December and we don't have a Christmas tree in our house right now, I had to go outside to take pictures on one of the evergreens at the local park. No wonder the other park goers looked at me funny!

Banner Day: A Tutorial

My first tutorial to be exact! *Disclaimer alert* I am no Martha Stewart, but I enjoy crafting and creating pretty things, even if they don't turn out exactly 'as pictured'. They are made with a whole lotta love.


A banner day, indeed!