So, I love the car mats and other boy-themed mats I’ve seen out there. The only thing is, I have a daughter, too. She has a vivid imagination, and is particularly enchanted by dollhouses and things like that. I wanted to make her something portable for our trip too, and after an EPIC FAIL attempt at a mini travel dollhouse, I came up with this.
I’m sure something like this exists out there in Craft Blog-land, but I haven’t seen it, so I just came up with the pieces on my own. I used the same tutorial I did for the Car Mat.
Now these little guys
have a place to play.
Thanks again to Serving Pink Lemonade for the inspiration. Yes, I stalk her blog.
Do you have one of those inexpensive, fold-up doll strollers? Did your kids wear through the fabric as quick as mine did? All three of my kids have used and loved our doll stroller, and it has been through several makeovers. Making a new stroller seat is easier than you think it would be. Here’s the old one in all its glory. I know it only cost about $10, but you’d think they could make the fabric just a LITTLE more sturdy, considering it is small children who will be playing with it!
I basically followed this tutorial from vixenMade. I did a few things different: 1. I used a seam ripper to separate my pieces, because I was worried I would screw something up if I didn’t use the exact same-size pieces. 2. I didn’t have any bias tape, and wasn’t in the mood to go buy some, so I used ribbon folded in half to sew around the rough edges. It worked fine, but you have to be really careful to catch all the layers when you sew. 3. I didn’t create a buckle because, frankly, my kids can never open those things and are constantly yelling “Mom, come open this buckle for me!” I’m really tired of it. Vixen’s stroller was just like a built-in fabric buckle, but I didn’t even do that. Simplicity, folks. That’s how I roll. So, here’s my brand new doll-stroller! Well, at least it looks brand new…. Now little Ellie has a place to sit (instead of being dragged with her dress hanging from one of the handles)! I’d say this is a pretty easy project, so if your doll stroller has seen better days, give it a try!
Linking up to party this week- come check them out with me!
Today is my son’s 5th birthday. I know every mother says this, but I really can’t believe he’s five already!
The days go slow, but the years zip by…..
He’ll be having a very “Lego” birthday. A lot of his presents are either Legos or have a Lego theme. Right now he’s especially into the Star Wars and Ninjago Legos.
So, I thought this Lego Man Birthday Shirt by Liz on Made on Maple (which, by the way, is a blog by my super-talented sister in law and her super-talented friend!) would be the perfect thing to wear for his birthday. She thoughtfully provides a pattern for us to use. The only alteration I made was keeping the pants and shoes together, as I am a lazy sewer.
There are so many great ways to celebrate a birthday. We’re still kind of establishing traditions, but this is what we do for our kids:
We decorate with a special birthday banner my sister in law made.
We open Mom and Dad’s presents in the morning as soon as they wake up, then everyone else’s presents later with cake.
We let them choose what kind of cake they want. This year I’m making…..a Lego cake. Of course.
Daddy takes the birthday child out for a one-on-one lunch.
Finally the birthday child gets to choose a restaurant for dinner. Right now that’s pretty much always Peter Piper Pizza (like Chuck E Cheese for those who don’t have a Peter Piper nearby). Hopefully someday that will evolve into a more varied and delicious restaurant choice :). We have cake and open the rest of the presents after dinner.
So, I love the car mats and other boy-themed mats I’ve seen out there. The only thing is, I have a daughter, too. She has a vivid imagination, and is particularly enchanted by dollhouses and things like that. I wanted to make her something portable for our trip too, and after an EPIC FAIL attempt at a mini travel dollhouse, I came up with this.
I’m sure something like this exists out there in Craft Blog-land, but I haven’t seen it, so I just came up with the pieces on my own. I used the same tutorial I did for the Car Mat.
Now these little guys
have a place to play.
Thanks again to Serving Pink Lemonade for the inspiration. Yes, I stalk her blog.
Today is my son’s 5th birthday. I know every mother says this, but I really can’t believe he’s five already!
The days go slow, but the years zip by…..
He’ll be having a very “Lego” birthday. A lot of his presents are either Legos or have a Lego theme. Right now he’s especially into the Star Wars and Ninjago Legos.
So, I thought this Lego Man Birthday Shirt by Liz on Made on Maple (which, by the way, is a blog by my super-talented sister in law and her super-talented friend!) would be the perfect thing to wear for his birthday. She thoughtfully provides a pattern for us to use. The only alteration I made was keeping the pants and shoes together, as I am a lazy sewer.
There are so many great ways to celebrate a birthday. We’re still kind of establishing traditions, but this is what we do for our kids:
We decorate with a special birthday banner my sister in law made.
We open Mom and Dad’s presents in the morning as soon as they wake up, then everyone else’s presents later with cake.
We let them choose what kind of cake they want. This year I’m making…..a Lego cake. Of course.
Daddy takes the birthday child out for a one-on-one lunch.
Finally the birthday child gets to choose a restaurant for dinner. Right now that’s pretty much always Peter Piper Pizza (like Chuck E Cheese for those who don’t have a Peter Piper nearby). Hopefully someday that will evolve into a more varied and delicious restaurant choice :). We have cake and open the rest of the presents after dinner.
Memorial Day is just around the corner, followed shortly by the Fourth of July (say what?!) This wreath will be a great decoration to fit the festivities.
I used beaded necklaces and a scarf from the dollar store. I’m not sure why, but I always feel like patriotic things need a little sparkle. Thinking of fireworks maybe?
This was a 14″ wreath form, and I ended up needing 32 necklaces to complete the whole circle. So for about $10 you can make a wreath like this too! I used hot glue at the beginning and end of each necklace and wound the red and white together. My son mentioned that it looked like a candy cane, so maybe I could change the scarf out at Christmas time for a green one! Thanks bud! I love things I can use more than once 😉
Also today is the last day for our Silhouette chipboard promotion. Seriously, if you’ve been thinking of trying it, this is the best price you’ll find.
I’m getting hooked on washi tape. It’s really kind of adorable, and there are so many fun things you can do with it. I am trying to resist the urge to buy one of every color and pattern I see. Target even has some. Did you know that? I found black polka dot in the scrapbook section, and a few multi-packs in the office supply area.
Both Very Jane and Groopdealz are featuring a washi tape deal today. Did you see? Go over and check them out!
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to make a version of this Birthday Countdown Frame by Love and Sugar Kisses. Now that I am in possession of washi tape, I decided to try it out on a frame, and came up with this:
I was going to create a tutorial, but I somehow stopped taking pictures halfway through. So you get half a picture tutorial, and half words. Sorry about that. It’s been a crazy week.
Frame (I used an 8×10 from the dollar store)
Washi Tape- I used three different patterns
Mod Podge or Sealer (optional)
Craft Glue and Glue Stick
Cardstock and/or patterned paper
Mini Clothespin
Embellishments
Chipboard numbers or large number stickers (optional- I used my Cameo to cut my own)
Estimated Cost: no more than $10 (much less if you have supplies on hand)
Estimated time: 30 minutes
I started with a frame from the dollar store. I picked out some washi tape that fit well for a birthday theme, and simply pressed it onto the frame. As you see in the 2nd picture, I did cut the corners on an angle so it lined up with the frame and didn’t overlap.
You could certainly paint first, or use a white frame, if you don’t like the natural wood showing through. This was meant to be a quick and easy project, so I don’t mind the wood. As you see in the third picture, I did, however, use a third washi tape on the outer edges of my frame, pressed down onto the back so I didn’t have to trim or anything.
Here’s how my frame looked at this point.
Next, I took it outside and sprayed a good coat of sealer all over the empty frame. Some of my washi tape doesn’t adhere as well to the wood, so the sealer helped it stay in place. A thin coat of Mod Podge would work, too. But if your washi tape is staying in place, you can skip that step.
Okay, here’s where I stopped taking pictures.
1. Use the back of the frame as a template and trace a rectangle onto heavy cardstock of your choice to fit the frame. I used white, and actually Mod Podged it on to the cardboard piece for extra stability.
2. Choose a contrasting color of cardstock and cut a smaller rectangle. My pink rectangle was about 5 1/2 x 7 1/2, but you can just eyeball it.
3. Use a glue stick or a very thin coat of Mod Podge to adhere your contrasting rectangle to your base cardstock.
4. Attach your mini-clothespin to the upper center of your smaller piece of cardstock with a dab of glue. Let dry, then cover it with a torn strip of washi tape.
5. Embellish as desired. I used an old party hat from a birthday card I got years ago, and cut the “happy birthday” from yellow cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo. I just used a glue stick to adhere the words, and craft glue for the party hat.
1. Choose a cute piece of patterned paper or cardstock. Cut into 1.5x 2.5 inch rectangles. Use scalloped scissors to embellish the edges, if desired.
2. Use number stickers, chipboard numbers, or your craft cutter to cut numbers as desired. We only count down about two weeks before a birthday, so I went up to 15. You can cut as many as you want.
3. Adhere numbers to your rectangles with craft glue or glue stick.
Now I have a cute way to count down to our birthdays!
I’m linking up to some of these great parties- come along with me!
Also, don’t forget to enter all the great giveaways happening this week. They can be found here. You won’t want to miss tomorrow- a final giveaway and a BIG announcement! See you soon!
Hi everyone! This is just a quick note to let you know that I am guest posting over at One Creative Mommy today. I’m sharing an easy and delicious neighbor gift as part of the 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Event.
Here’s a sneak peek: Go here for the full post and free download! While you’re there, take time to enter the group giveaway. Also, she is offering a free download of her popular Don’t Eat Pete Multiplication Game throughout the series, so go back every day for the next piece! Thanks for your support!
With all the crafting for the home, sometimes I forget to craft for the kids! It’s probably been 4 or 5 years since I did this with my kids, and last time I didn’t have a Silhouette. I remember hand cutting a tree and leaves. Not so much fun!
This time around I had 3 pages of leaves, a tree and a title, all cut out and put together in an hour!
Here’s our Thankful Tree, to which the kids are adding a leaf to each day with something they are thankful for!
Do you have any traditions to help the kids with an attitude of gratitude?
With all the crafting for the home, sometimes I forget to craft for the kids! It’s probably been 4 or 5 years since I did this with my kids, and last time I didn’t have a Silhouette. I remember hand cutting a tree and leaves. Not so much fun!
This time around I had 3 pages of leaves, a tree and a title, all cut out and put together in an hour!
Here’s our Thankful Tree, to which the kids are adding a leaf to each day with something they are thankful for!
Do you have any traditions to help the kids with an attitude of gratitude?
have a place to play. 
Now little Ellie has a place to sit (instead of being dragged with her dress hanging from one of the handles)! 
I’d say this is a pretty easy project, so if your doll stroller has seen better days, give it a try!
While you’re there, take time to enter the group giveaway. 
Also, she is offering a free download of her popular Don’t Eat Pete Multiplication Game throughout the series, so go back every day for the next piece! Thanks for your support!
Do you have any traditions to help the kids with an attitude of gratitude? 