How to make a headband holder using oatmeal cans: What I'm Makin' Monday

As I've mentioned before, Lil' J literally has HUNDREDS of hair bows. She wears one almost every day, and has at least one that'll mach every outfit.

I made a hair bow holder using a picture frame, a headband tree, and now, I have another way to store her bows.

I'm thinking I'm going to incorporate some random act of kindness with all of these bows we have. She sometimes gets a comments on her bows from other moms while we're out. Maybe I'll keep a stash with me to share with little girls who notice Lil' 's bows. It'll help me de-stash the overabundance and do something nice at the same time.

If you're looking for a way to organize headbands you have all over, here's one way. It frees up some space by creating a place to put bows inside and around.

Remember how I got oatmeal cans from a woman off Freecycle? Well little did I know there are a couple of sizes of oatmeal cans. I had the small kind, but the large kind are best for this project.

I bought two cylinders for about $3 each, poured the oatmeal into tubs, and got to work.

Here's what you'll need:
Oatmeal can
Scrapbook paper (or fabric)
Modge Podge or glue
Sponge or paint brush
Scissors

Step 1: Measure the height of the cylinder and cut the excess paper off so it'll fit height wise.

Step 2: Spread modge podge or glue the canister.


Step 3: Stick the paper to it. If it doesn't fit all around (mine didn't) then cut a little extra paper to close the gap, and glue.

Step 4: Cut a circle piece of scrapbook paper to fit on the lid and glue in place.

Step 5: Wait for it to dry and add hair bows.

TADA!

Easy enough right? Some people use candle stick holders to act as a prettier base, and if I find some at a thrift store I may add that element.

Hope this helps someone else who's overflowing with bows. Have you made anything crafty or delicious lately?

DIY DSLR Camera Lens Puppet {Tutorial}: What I'm Makin' Monday

I sometimes do the craziest things to get my toddler to laugh while I'm photographing her. At times I run and jump over her then turn to snap the photo, sometimes I sing songs or make funny noises, and sometimes I threaten to tickle her. I usually don't have to do much though cause she's one happy girl.

Ruffle sweater dress: Re-purposed by mommy (tutorial); Shoes: Immauel's Closet; Bow: Simple Little Things

I have a fun little butterfly lens puppet from Tiny Tots boutique, and I've been meaning to attempt to make my own for some time now. The other day she saw my butterfly one outside of my camera bag and took it to my camera and tried to put it on. She's quite the clever one. It gave me the push to surprise her with a new one.

I decided to go with her favorite Seaseme Street character: Elmo. Without using a red scrunchy, and using things I already had around the house.

What you'll need:
1. Red fabric (probably something soft and simple like cotton. I didn't feel like going to get some so I used some thrifted red velvet fabric I've had stashed for a year. You could even use a piece of an old red t-shirt you don't need anymore)
2. White and orange felt
3. Black buttons
4. 1/4in elastic (or cord elastic would work).
5. Scissors
6. Hot glue
7: Needle and thread
8. Sewing machine/thread if you want to sew it, or iron-stitch if you want a no-sew version

Step 1: Cut the fabric out. I cut mine 17in long and 4.5in wide.

Step 2: Cut the eyes and nose out, the eyes in circle shapes and the nose in an oval shape.

Step 3: Cut the elastic. I cut mine about 10in long to fit all of my lenses, some with lens hoods.

Step 4: Fold the fabric in half hotdog style with the outsides facing each other (inside out) then sew down the side of the fabric (or use iron stitch here and iron down the edge for no-sew version).

Step 5: Flip the strip right side out.

Step 6: String the elastic through by using a bobby pin, or just sliding it down through.

Step 7: Sew the elastic ends together, (or tie it together if using elastic cord or doing a no-sew version).

Step 8: Tuck one end of the fabric tube into the other then sew the two ends of the fabric together, making it like a scrunchy. (If doing a no sew version, iron another piece of iron stitch here).

Step 9: Map out where you want the eyes and nose placed on the scrunchy before gluing, maybe place it on your lens first to see how it will all look. Then hot glue eyes and nose on the scrunchy.

Step 10: Sew the "eyeballs" or buttons on using a needle and thread.

Go take pictures of your little one and watch their face light up at your funny-looking camera.

TADAAAA! Love it? She does!

If this is too daunting, there are other etsy shops like this one, who sell a version of these. 

Would love to see your creations, craft, food, or just bragging about something you've done!

Feel free to grab the button so others can know to share their craft ideas.

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DIY Halloween Candy Corn Hat Tutorial (no-sew): What I'm Makin Monday

I'm totally into everything Halloween right now, Halloween crafts included. So when I got this craft idea from Cambria Laine I was thrilled to try it out.

How adorable is this little candy corn hat? It takes moments to make and it doesn't require a sewing machine. Cute right? Here's how it's done.
Supplies needed:

 3 pieces of felt. (1 yellow, 1 orange, 1 white. In my area these are about 25 cents each)
Scissors
Stitch witchery (or heat n' bond) (you can sew this instead if you wanted).
Pen
Iron
measuring tape

Instructions:
1) Measure around your baby’s head, add about 1 inch ease for each side to allow for seams/etc.
(Write the measurement down, divide that number by two and add two inches. Save this number for later use.)
Example: My child’s head is 18 inches. Divided by two: 9 inches. I added 1 inch. = 10 inches :)

2) Cut the strips of felt in half the lengthwise so you have long enough strips to work with.

Begin assembly!

Overlap edges of each of the three strips of felt about 1/4 inch.
**Make sure you’re doing it in a “orange, yellow (middle), white (top) candy corn pattern.**
My stitch witchery is too wide so I had to cut a few 11-12 inch pieces and slice them down the middle making 2 strips out of each piece.

3) Using stitch witchery, iron together at each 1/4 inch overlap (repeat for each layer) to fuse them instead of sewing. (Or you could sew them).

4) Cut off half the height of the white strip...I think it looks more proportionate this way. (It was an oops after thought!)

5) REPEAT steps #3 & #4 for other side of hat.

6) Fold up about a 1/2 inch of the orange edge (for a more finished brim) and use a piece of stitch witchery and your iron to fix it in place.

7) On the wrong side of the fabric (back) mark your measurement (from step #1 above).
*I used my 10 inch measurement from above.* Cut off the excess.

8) Fold in half vertically. Put a small pen mark where it folded together at the CENTER of the top (on the white part - but make sure you mark the back of fabric). Then put a small mark about 1 inch on either side of this center mark so there are three at the top.

9) Take a ruler and draw a line from one of the outer marks to the bottom corner of your fabric. Repeat for other side to create a triangle type shape.

10) Take the triangle and lay it on top of the other uncut piece. Use it to trace for cutting second side of hat into a triangle.

11) Lay two pieces of the stitch witchery (cut in half so it is thinner) up and around the sides and top of the triangle. Set other half of hat on top like a sandwich face down and iron the two layers together.
Note: Make sure you put the stitch witchery on the RIGHT side of the fabric (the side that will be showing when your hat is done.) This sounds backwards but when you turn your hat right side out it’ll be nice!

12) Turn right side out and enjoy!

With all of Lil' J's hair and my imperfect cutting, mine came out a tad bit smaller than I had hoped. So I used hair clippies to pin it to her head. Still cute if you ask me! Just keep that in mind when you're cutting. What do you think? Adorable, no?

Take lots of pictures of your cute baby wearing the hat and be sure to come back and share one!

Made anything lately? Craft, recipe, tutorial, etc? Show it off an link up below! Grab my button if you like or just link back here to keep the hippidy hop going.

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DIY Play Dough: What I'm Makin' Monday

I'm once again reviving my Domestic Diva section of my blog. I'm determined to try new things, make new things, and show it off so you can all tell me how awesome I am.

Ok, so making home made play dough isn't exactly putting me in the ranks for the Martha Stewart network. But I've never done it before, and thought others may find this tutorial helpful. First, prop your kiddo in the kitchen so they can see how it's done. But give them some food or something fun to play with so they're entertained from below and not too close to the heat on the stove.

Here's what you'll need. (I forgot to add the Mr. Oil to the photo shoot so I drew him in).

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 (4gram) packages of kool aid
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons oil

1) Boil 2 cups water on stove.

2) While that's starting to boil, in a large bowl mix flour, salt and kool-aid until it's blended. (spoon works)

3) Add oil to boiling water and; remove pan from heat.
4) Add everything from the bowl of dry ingredients to the pan of water and mix until cool enough to knead.

5) Knead (roll, pinch, fold in half repeatedly) until it's blended well. Add extra flour as you need until it isn't sticky. I usually use at least a half cup flour on the counter to start.

VOILA playdough! (You may have to let it cool for a half hour or so to be safe).

PLAY!

I washed out one of my old face wash pad containers and stored it in there. Lil' J helped me decorate the label.

*Store in refrigerator (as there are no preservatives or chemicals) stores for several months.

A big thanks to Cambria Laine for the idea.

What do you think? Lil' J wasn't sure what to think at first, but once I started making it into shapes she got into it. Snoop wanted to eat it at first but is a good boy when you tell him to "leave it." He did sneak one of the play dough balls away while I wasn't looking and took it to the livingroom, but luckily it didn't get smushed into the carpet.

And there you have it! A new toy!

A friend of mine is giving me a sewing lesson today. I bought a pattern to make a dress for Lil' J and she said she's translate it for me. If all goes well, I'll show it off next week. Of course it won't be a tutorial, but just a show off session.

Made anything lately? Craft, recipe, tutorial, etc? Show it off an link up below! Grab my button if you like or just link back here to keep the hippidy hop going.

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Also linking to:
Sumos Sweet Stuff

DIY Anne Geddes-Style Flower Hat Photo Prop: What I'm Makin' Monday

I've been pondering how I could unleash my inner Anne Geddes and spruce up my 365 Photos (I didn't give up, I just haven't uploaded last week's yet. Maybe tomorrow.) a little from time to time. I've been admiring her photos of little babies dressed up as animals, fruits, veggies, and flowers since I got her recent book.

Lace Ruffle Pettiromper from BNB Boutique; Flower Hat, Homemade!

One of her signatures is little babies with little flower heads in flower pots. See what I mean? But where do you find those flower hats? I found some on etsy and from photo prop stores, but the cheapest one I could find was still $35 plus shipping.

Hmm, I bet I could make one of these on my own. I thought.

I wasn't sure when I'd tackle this project, it's just another one of those craft things I put in the back of my mind and complete who knows when.

But lo and behold, when I went shopping for an American Flag at the dollar store I saw pretty flowers and decided I'd make one with supplies from the Dollar Tree.

Here's how I did it with NO instructions. Just winged it and hoped for the best.

Supplies:
Flowers (I bought 6 Dollar Tree Bouquets) $6
Baby beanie $1
Hot glue gun (already own)

Step 1:
Pull the flowers off the stems. This isn't hard as they aren't glued, just tug a little and POP! They're off!

Step 2: 
Cut the beanie down to the size you want. Note: If you cut the elastic/scrunchy part off it may not stay as well. This hat was too big, so I cut a bit off the bottom.

Step 3: 
Starting at the center top, glue a flower to the hat. Glue more flowers around that one.

Step 4:
Repeat until the hat is covered.

Step 5: 
Make sure all of the hat is covered, and the glue has dried. Find a cute baby to model it in a flower pot and TADA!!

An Anne Geddes style hat for $7!

You're welcome! Have you made anything over the past few weeks? Link up! It can be a recipe, a picture, a craft, anything! I'll be sure to stop by and feature one in next week's (or whenever the next Makin' Monday post is) Makin' Monday!

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I've Got Nothin': What I'm (Hopefully) Makin' Monday

Once again I haven't been feeling crafty enough to make anything this week, nor have I been motivated to cook. So I have nothing to report on what I've made over the past couple of weeks. But, since I've been freaking out about the fast approaching deadline for planning Lil' J's party I thought I'd make a list of things I want to make, and maybe it'll help me get organized at the same time.

I was planning her birthday party when she was a month old but stopped because it seemed so far away. Now I'm kicking myself for not just planning the whole thing right then and there. Time FLEW!

I'm thinking of changing the party venue to a place that will be free instead of the space we rented for $75. I have about a week to scope out my friend's pool and decide.

Oh, did I mention I want to do a bug-themed party? I'm thinking ladybugs, dragonflies, butterflies, those sort of things. I think a friend of mine is going to help me come up with the graphics but here's some of the general ideas I have so far to make or buy.

As for other things, here's what I have in mind to make:

A birthday banner. I like the idea of mixing and matching the patterns, and I like the flag-type of banner.

Source

Actually, in searching for a photo of that banner I found a ladybug birthday party blog post and now I'm oober intimated.

Anyone who's planning on coming to this thing, just know that I'm not THAT organized, crafty, or rich enough to pull that off with help.

I'm thinking of making either ladybug cupcakes for the party.

Source

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 As well as a cupcake stand.

Source

And either making or ordering a ladybug smash cake for pre-party pictures. Anyone know how they got the ladybug's antenna to stay upright like that?

Source

I'm getting good at taking photos but I'm leaving the birthday party and pre-party professional photos to Forever Bliss. So I can just sit back and enjoy it all. But before it all even gets going I'd love to capture her first taste of cake doing something like this...

Source

Then frame some of them for her birthday party.


I still need to get my invitations designed and ordered, and set a menu, plus figure out how to add the other bugs into this party. Maybe I'll do dragonfly cookies or something. Or maybe other bugs will just be on the invite.

I'm also not sure what we're getting her yet but I'm thinking it'll be a new rear-facing car seat, cause she needs one. I'm pretty sure other than that she'll be more fascinated with eating the wrapping paper.

So sorry I'm cheating on my Makin Monday post this week. I'm too tired to add my linky stuff right now but if you made something link up in the comments so I can check it out! And feel free to continue to share your party advice! I love it all!

And Happy Memorial Day!!

Sorry if there's typos, I'm writing this after being up for I don't know how long and I'm too tired to read this over a third time before bed. It was post now or never. Don't judge me.