From a belt to a headband }{ diy

And the boxes are still crowding almost every room...

On the other hand, I'm taking this move as an opportunity to purge, clean out, de-clutter. With that comes some reorganizing and considering the fate of many possessions. I'm no hoarder, but I also don't like to waste. I see potential in a lot of random odds and ends. If it sits in my to do list for too long however, it's time for it to go.

So, this month's theme on the blog will be reorganizing and repurposing.

As part of that theme, today's post is about changing a fabric belt into one (or many) headbands. It's so simple and easy, you can even do it without a sewing machine (although the machine makes it that much faster).

Materials: your old belt, some elastic, measuring tape, scissors, needle/sewing machine and thread

Steps: 

1. Measure your head around the area you want to wear your headband.
2. Measure your belt from one end to about 4 inches less than your head's measurement and cut it.
3. Cut about 2 inches of elastic (depending on how stretchy it is, you may want to make it a bit shorter or longer).
4. Fold the raw edge inward twice (1/4" * 2) and iron (optional but makes it neater).
5. Place one short side of the elastic in downside of the folded edge and pin. Sew edge.
6. Place the other side of the elastic on the downside of the other edge, pin, and sew it in place.
7. Wear your band.

I asked my sister who's living with us to model the headband for me. She's a little shy but reluctantly agreed. Thank you, sis!

Won't you share your repurposing projects?

3 weeks and 3 projects }{ Valentines Day roundup

Alright, I have a confession: I hate moving. You're thinking "no way that's true, she's moved around like a gypsy!" Fair enough. But I really dislike the packing and unpacking, especially since this time I'm also trying to get rid of as much as I can.

Point of the rant above: I'm still working on getting settled in. The crafting materials are still packed, so what's a girl to do? I thought about digging through my old photos that I haven't shared with you yet. Then I had a better idea. Why not do a roundup of some possible Valentines Day projects? There are only 3 weeks left, and this gives you some options.

Project #1: 3 Heart Tea Bags (by Design Sponge)

Aren't these just adorable? Give yourself a valentine or make some to share with your friends. Valentines Day will be that much more enjoyable, no?

Project # 2: Pie box (by Twig and Thistle)

Well, technically this project is a printable. But I had to include this awesome little box! Nothing says I love you like a little apple pie, yum!

Project # 3: Hearts throw pillow (by Diary of a Quilter)

This project is a bit more involved, but isn't it worth it? Gorgeous! Must.make.one.now.

I hope you try at least one of these. Handmade Valentines keeps the sweetness without the consumerist "Hallmark" holiday feel, right?

Kisses!

Happy New Year!

I still coming up for air and 2012 is a goner.

Hold on to your seats kids, this ride is about to get funkier.

But seriously, 2012 was a year of complete upheaval in my life, so rather than doing a retrospective, I'm going to look forward to 2013 and many life changes.

In 2013 I'm moving to Portland, OR. Yep, one more move, but this time we're settling down. (I hope)

There will be at least one less student fighting and slaving away trying to complete a PhD (moi). My sister is coming to stay with me for a whole year (this is a good thing).

And I'm planning more changes at a more individual level. These are heartfelt goals that I intend to use as a guide not just resolutions to discard by March. I plan to live a more focused, intentional life.

I vow to:

Be kinder and more accepting of others.

Smile more and more often.

Listen more and speak less.

Make the time for those I love.

Stop and think positively.

Simplify life.

Reach for a minimalist approach (i.e. get rid of "stuff" cluttering my life).

Organize different aspects of life.

That last one includes planning the blog and posting more regularly. More to come on that.

Here's to a new year.

sorry about the quality of the picture - my camera went to Portland already and I'm still in NY for the next 2 weeks

Salt dough ornaments }{ tutorial

Dear friends, I'm beat. I wish I could tell you all that's going on. Soon.

But the Christmas/holiday season is here and if that doesn't inject a hefty dose of energy into a crafter, I don't know what does. The princess and I have been doing small little projects almost daily. On the weekends we go a little crazier and do more involved crafts, like this one. It can be done in one day, but why would you want to put more rush into your holidays?

Materials for the dough ornaments:

• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
• cookie cutters
• chopstick or a pencil
• rolling pin
• cookie sheet
• parchment paper
• aluminum foil

Materials for decoration:

• white craft paint
• sharpies
• glitter paint
• brushes

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 250F.
2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. It quickly becomes a pliable but firm dough. It's super easy to manage this one.
3. With some flour on the rolling pin and surface, roll the dough until it's about 1/4" thick. The thicker you make it, the longer it takes to dry (believe me, the princess didn't want to roll it and ours came out very thick)
4. Cut shapes with the cookie cutters. Make a hole for the string with the chopstick or pencil
5. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the ornaments carefully on the sheet. Cover them with foil and bake it for 3-4 hours (depending on thickness).
6. Let them dry for a while (we left them alone overnight).
7. Paint them with the white craft paint and let it dry. Our dried quite quickly because we used a blow dryer on the paint.
8. Draw designs with the markers, add glitter, or finish whatever look you want to give them. This part is up to your imagination.
9. Cut some string and put through the holes. Tie a knot and voila, you have ornaments ready to hang on your tree.

I don't know why she's so serious. She was smiling a second before.

We had so much fun making them, and the princess is so proud of hers she took them to school to share with her friends. This is an easy but fun way of making ornaments with the kids.

Felt Christmas tree }{ Crafting with kids

A while back I came across this project from Olives and Pickles on Pinterest, and I knew I wanted to try it with the princess. We love Christmas projects and this was easy and fun.

I also had this tray frame that I got on sale and that begged to be used for framing something fun. I put the two together - let the princess make some art and then frame it with the tray. My plan is to use it for different seasons and holidays. Simply change the background and the art piece as the year goes by.

Materials:

• green and brown felt
• yellow felt or gold card stock
• buttons of several colors
• glue
• silver glitter
• a large piece of card stock in a color that contrasts with green and gold
• a frame

Steps:

1. Draw a Christmas Tree on a sheet of green craft felt (or you can use a template) and then cut it out.
2. Cut out a small square of brown felt to be the tree trunk.
3. Draw and cut the yellow felt or gold card stock in the shape of a star.
4. Gather some buttons, the glue, and the glitter. 
5. Let the child decorate the tree. With older kids they could actually do the previous steps as well, but I decided to have it all ready for her to make it a quicker activity. She can get tired quick if it's too hard and involved.
6. Add the tree and the trunk in the frame facing down.
7. Place a contrasting card stock sheet on top of the tree for a background. I chose silver since it's sparkly for Christmas and out of the card stock I have it provided the biggest contrast.
8. Close up the frame and place it somewhere where everyone can see, and show your kiddo how proud you are of their work.

So I did turn the original project into a little art project rather than math play. The great thing about inspiration is that you can turn something you find into something entirely different and have two activities instead of one.