Lollipop Baby Washcloths

I made these several years ago and now I have seen them on Pinterest so I thought I would whip up a batch for my blog. These are really cute and can be used for table centerpieces at a baby shower or as a gift.

Items needed:
baby washcloth
baby spoon
ribbon
tulle
tape & small rubberbands
*something to put the lollipops in:
  bucket, sippy cup, baby bottle, flower pot decorated - your choice

Fold the washcloth until you have a long strip and then roll it around and around (here I show the 3 stages) then use a piece of tape to hold it closed.

Put a piece of tape on one side and press it into a baby spoon (for the stick) and wrap  tulle around it - securing with a rubber band and then tie a ribbon around it.

You can also cover with tulle only securing each end with rubberband and ribbon for a piece of "candy"

Fabric Rosettes - Blingy Style

These fabric rosettes are so easy and fun to make. You can use them to decorate so many things - headbands, wreaths, barettes,  belts, to name a few.

What you will need:
1. fabric cut in strips - depending on the size you want - I am making these with 36 inch strips - 4 inches wide.
2. hot glue/glue sticks
3. embelishments - your imagination can run wild
4. sewing machine - I use the loosest setting to make the fabric ruffle

Fold the stip wrong sides together - sew down the side on your loosest setting and this will draw the fabric up to a nice ruffled edge.

Starting at one end - fold it around to the size you want the bottom of the rosette to be and add a dot of hot glue to hold it. Continue around and around - adding a dab of hot glue each round. When you are to the end - tuck it into the middle and glue. Add your emblishments and wah - lah! A pretty fabric rosette! These are going to be added to crochet headbands.

One Dollar Twenty Cents = Maxi Skirt

I literally threw this skirt together tonight. Not that impressive - what was impressive is the price I paid for the fabric. A whole dollar and twenty cents for 1 1/2 yards and it is a beautiful rayon print.

My basket is full of bargain fabric - I see so many little projects right here!

The Liebster Blog Award

The Liebster Blog Award

Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest." The Liebster Blog Award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers, and recognizes the blog author's creative writing and dedication. It also helps to bring blog owners together to exchange ideas and information.

I am really excited to announce that I was nominated  by Robin at Love This Life to receive the Liebster Blog Award.

I am quiet honored and makes me feel great that other people enjoy my blog!

My Duties

As a Liebster Award recipient,

it is my honor to pass the award along to five fabulous bloggers.

Who Do You Love?

Please visit the following blogs.

The Winters Family

My Life

Sweet Freedom

Bless This Mess
No Place Like Home

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Liebster Award Rules—Spreading the Love:

To accept the award, you are asked to:

Thank and link back to the person that awarded you.

Reveal your five selections for the Liebster Blog Award.

Inform the other five bloggers by leaving them a comment on their blog.

Copy and paste the award to your blog.

Singing About My Singer {Sewing Machine}

I realized I never have posted a photo of my new sewing machine. The one that is in the picture at the bottom of my blog is of my old one. I bought this one right after we redid the sunroom and turned it into a sewing/craft room. I have been really happy with it. It is so easy to fill and load the bobbin (my last one was a pain in the patootie)

Here is the item description:
The SINGER Stylist 7258 Sewing Machine boasts an array of features that make creating elegant garments and gifts for yourself and others fun and exciting. Set up is a breeze with horizontal thread delivery, automatic needle threader and top drop–in bobbin. With 100 stitch patterns and 6 styles of fully automatic 1–step buttonholes, creating one–of–a–kind pieces that express your personality is a breeze. The Stylist also includes adjustable stitch length & width, programmable needle up/down, easy push button stitch selection, bright LED work light, free arm with accessory storage, feed dog cover (for free motion sewing) and 10 presser feet to accommodate any sewing project.

• Features: Automatic Needle Threader, Portable, Free Arm, Built-In Storage, Built-In Thread Cutter, Computerized, Multi-Style Buttonhole, Stitch, Width, Length Adjustments, Reverse Stitch, Built-In Light
• Includes: Extra Presser Feet, Seam Ripper, Screwdriver, Spool Holder, Bobbins, Feed Cover, Owner's Manual
• Number of Stitch Patterns: 100
• Bobbin Type: Top Drop-In
• Buttonhole Steps: 1 Step
• Presser Feet Included: Blind Stitch Foot, General Purpose Foot, Buttonhole Foot, Embroidery and Darning Foot, Zipper Foot, Overcast Foot, Rolled Hem Foot
• Dimensions: 12.0 " H x 15.0 " W x 7.5 " D
• Warranty Description: 25 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

You can see where I ordered it from here

Goodbye Folding Doors - Hello Deco Curtain

I cannot stand those crazy folding wooden doors that come off the tracks whenever they get good and ready. Drives me nuts! That is just what kind of doors our spare bedroom had. I took care of that easy enough and totally happy with the way it looks now.
I bought a nice heavy cloth shower curtain that matched the room decor from Kohls. I also bought a plain shower curtain rod and wooden curtain rings. I painted the rod and the rings bright orange with spray paint. For the valance - I just put up a regular curtain rod, also spray painted orange and then added complimentary colors for the valance.

I think it looks great and no more fighting those folding wooden doors!

Close up of rods and curtain rings

Simplicity Patterns - What to Sew First?

What to sew first? I bought all these neat Simplicity patterns for 97 cents each at Walmart and can't wait to get busy! I am thinking the pattern for the giant letters will be a fun one for the grandgirls this summer when they are here for 2 weeks.
There were a few others that I wanted to get but they were out of stock. I think this is plenty to get me started on some new sewing projects!

Five Question Friday

1. Groceries are high right now what is easiest way you have found to cut back?

I try to buy everything we need for the week in one shopping trip. Usually we make trips to the store during the week and of course we always spend more when we do that. I am also trying to get into the habit of using coupons more.

2. What are the top 3 things on your "bucket list"?

I really don't have one. There are things I would like to do - but I haven't just set down and make a list.

3. Would you rather give up AC or heat?

Heat - You can always put more clothes on - can't always take clothes off!

4. What's your favorite cocktail??

I am not a cocktail drinker - but if I were to have one - it would be a Bloody Mary. I love tomato juice and I love olives.

5. What was your first job & how old were you?

My first real job other than babysitting was at our little local dariy bar - called the Eagles Drive Inn. It was a blast. Teens ran the place and it was the local hang out in my small town

http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/ 

Girls Shirt made from Scrub Top

I was shopping at Garden Ridge and found a huge bin of Scrub Tops for 99 cents each. They aren't made too great but I thought the fabric was perfect to use to make something else from them. This cotton is very thin and light weight but makes a cute top when added to the top portion of a cut off tee shirt.

I have a lot of scrap tee shirt parts from making tee shirt dresses for my grandangels. I just cut enough of the scrub top to make a nice length when added to the tee shirt. Pockets and hem already done for you so once you sew to the shirt you are done!

Girls Skirt made from Scrub Top

I was shopping at Garden Ridge and found a huge bin of Scrub Tops for 99 cents each. They aren't made too great but I thought the fabric was perfect to use to make something else from them. This cotton is nice and heavy and perfect for a little girls skirt.

I simply cut off the top to give me enough to turn down and put elastic through and there you have it. Pockets and all! This was a size small scrub top and this made about a size 6 skirt.

Catching Up On Scrapbooking

It has been awhile since I have posted any of my scrapbooking pages. I have been working on 5 different pages for about a month and finally got 2 of them done.

If you would like to see some of my other scrapbooking posts - here are a few links

My very first scrapbook post

2nd post

3rd post

Yarn Wreath

These turned out so much prettier than  this photo shows.

A very simple project - and inexpensive to make.

Items needed:

foam wreaths (whatever size you prefer - I happened to have the largest and smallest sizes)

1 pound of yarn

fabric & embellishments

Simply wrap the yarn around the foam until all white is covered and tie off.

I made one long ruffle and then hot glued it to the wreath - wrapping around and around to make a big flower. I then hotglued clear jewels to the center of the ruffled flower. You can embellish in any way you like - using flowers, ribbon, wooden letters, etc.

Polka Dot Cutie Top

Easy Stitch n' Save Pattern by McCalls M6009

I bought this pattern for sizes 7 - 14 and really planned to make the size 7 as a dress for Lily. Some how I forgot to cut it down an ended up making the size 14...ha! Oh well - Middle grand - Brooklyn - will have a dress or top - not sure which just yet! I am thinking it will still work as a dress with leggings. If not, then a top with capris. I actually tried it on and it fits me, too. I may have to cut it down a little more to fit Brooklyn. I don't think my oldest grand - Alayna - would wear it. (she is a bit of a tomboy)
I still have fabric left so I am going to try to make one for Lily - if not, then I am going to buy another yard. I would like to have their pictures taken this summer with them both wearing something I made for them.  I think this would be perfect.
Here is the actual top/dress - whichever it turns out to be. It was fun and easy to make.