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Free Patterns

Free "Ariel" Bag Pattern

8/31/2017

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Free Bag Pattern from Homespun Mom
This is a fun bag for anyone who is learning to sew and wants to make something super functional.  The bag itself is easy to make and can be made in different sizes.  It's one of my very favorites to make in almost any print or pattern.

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Baby Bunny Pattern

8/15/2017

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Free Baby Bunny Sewing Pattern
I had this pattern saved from long ago from a sweet little blog called Wee Wonderfuls.  You have to check out her other patterns.  I went ahead attached her pattern below but you have to check out her adorable creations.  It's been years and years since I made this little guy and gave it away as a gift.  You will love making this one.

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Scalloped Apron

7/31/2017

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Free Instructions for this Scalloped Vintage Quilted Apron
This has been one of the most favorited posts of mine on Pinterest in recent months. I had neglected to ever find the original pattern so I have been getting emails from readers need it. You're in luck, I've posted it below. Here's the original story behind the apron.

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Recycled Terrarium for Kids

7/10/2017

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My kids and I decided to get a little creative with some throw away containers and created an Terrarium.  It was so fun and educational.
​The last few weeks I have taken the time to do a few fun things with the boys.  One of them that I wanted to share was how we made our own terrarium.    I try to look at everything before I throw it away to see if it has a new life.  This cookie container from the grocery store looked like a perfect container for the kids to make a terrarium.

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How to Roast a Mini Marshmallow

7/10/2017

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Roasting Mini Marshmallows on the Table top with kids
Sometimes kids come up with the cutest ideas.  How can we roast mini marshmallows?  With the help of an adult, candle, toothpicks, and...

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Wedding Silhouettes

5/12/2017

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I was commissioned to do silhouettes for a couple that is getting married. She said she could think of 100 ways to use their silhouettes. Can you? I am super excited for them and just incase you are wondering what a before and after looks like...here's their before.

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Pirate Pouch for Booty

5/10/2017

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When I was trying to come up with some cute and very cheap party favors for the little pirates coming to the birthday party, I searched high and low and finally found some little items but I needed something to put them in.  I remembered my little one coming home from church with a felt pouch they made to put stones in.  So, I called on a friend who came through and brought me the left overs from the lesson and boy was I excited.  These are super easy to make and take very little time and are PERFECT for giving away their favors in.

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Planner Cover

5/8/2017

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Download Free Pattern Here
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Big Shorts to Little Shorts

5/1/2017

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​I LOVE thrift store shopping and these little shorts are exactly the reason why.  The shorts were originally a boys 18 shorts, high quality, usually very expensive but I got them for around 25 cents.
Here's how:
I have a pair of shorts pattern that I made using craft paper and a pattern I had in my stock pile.  It's the size I need it and ready to use.  I cut the seam in the shorts inside the crotch of the pants and laid them out side seams together.  My pattern is laid with the side seams together as well.  I cut away.

I did end up cutting a small piece of an existing pocket hole, so I stitched it up and cut away any excess pocket fabric on the inside.

I do french seams because they are easy and durable.  Open each side of the shorts up, lay them wrong sides together and sew the outside edges close to the edge on both sides of the short.  

Press out your seams right side together and sew 1/8" further in than the previous stitching underneath.  The result is a seam that is not exposed and will never fray.

Measure your elastic this way.  Have around 1" that over laps so that the elastic can be connected securely.

Attach the ends of the elastic by over lapping them around 1" and sewing multiple stitch lines to connect the two.

Place the connected elastic in the back of the pants on the inside right at the edge.  You will then attach the opposite side of the elastic to the front of the pants near the edge.  Attach by pinning.  You are basically pinning all 4 "corners" together as shown above.

Sew the elastic at the edge of the shorts about 1/8" from the edge, stretching the elastic as you go from "corner to corner".   You will then do an overcast stitch around the edge to prevent fraying.

Fold the elastic down towards the inside and sew along the edge, stretching as you go.
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DIY Eye Spy Bags

2/21/2017

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I spent some money today buying trinkets and plastic charms and all kinds of tiny goodies and found a new store that I LOOOOOVEE! It's called...Tiny Things Are Cute. I'm seriously in love and I feel an addiction coming on. So, I'm getting prepared to make about 20 of these little suckers.

Materials Need:
8 oz of Poly-pellets or white rice

4" x 4" Heave clear vinyl

1 Fat Quarter for back and binding

1 Sheet of Printable Fabric (optional) or

1 Coordinating Fat Quarter

20 or so small trinkets

1 sheet of felt in a solid color

Let's Get Started:

1. To make your own front that is printed on fabric you will need to use a photo shop program. Create a 7" x 7" graphic to work with. Start by giving your graphic a border 1" inside by making a 6" x 6" border. Just inside the border you can simple add text or you can add text and graphics. I found many of the little pictures to match the items going into my bag by Googling for the images. I space the images and text out all the way around, just inside the border. Add a 3" circle to the center and print on your fabric.


If you can't find printable fabric you can try this technique...

To print anything you want to on fabric, cut white muslin and freezer paper 8 1/2" X 11". Iron shiny side of freezer paper to back of fabric. Send paper and fabric through an ink jet printer. Press printing when finished to help set ink.

2. Cut the center circle out very neatly as shown.

3.Place clear vinyl under printed fabric, centered with window. Sew close to the edge to secure vinyl to fabric. Turn over and trim vinyl 1/4" away from the stitch line.
4. Cut a piece of felt 7" by 7", this will be a solid back ground for your bag. Cut for back and binding 11" x 11". Lay felt centered on the wrong side of the fabric.
5. Fold edges 1" in all the way around so that they lay against the felt edge. This will leave a 1" fold to work with.

6.Lay printed fabric face up centered with felt, fold back fabric over 1" and line up with the 1" border on your printed fabric. Begin sewing fabric down near the center of one side.

7. As you come to a corner tuck in the corner to create a 45 degree angle and stitch down as you go around, just back over it and then forward again.


8. This is how your back will look. When you are about 2" from finishing your binding, stop open up the hole an funnel in your pellets between the felt and the printed fabric. Then add your trinkets and finish sewing up your binding.

If you don't want to print your fabric and just make a list you can add a small pocket on the back fabric before sewing to insert a card but I suggest adding a printed card and applying vinyl over the top of it so that it will never get lost. Then just make a square window with the vinyl on the fabric for the front of the bag. There are many versions out there of this bag but this is my favorite way of making them.

I now have purchased trinkets in bulk and pellets form Hobby Lobby. They can be found in the section where supplies are kept for making dolls and stuffed animals, I've even used pellets out of knock off beanie babies from thrift stores but I think it's just as cheap to by the pellets. Good luck!

P.S. Visit this link for more information on printing on fabric and images.
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Free Apron Pattern and Tutorial

1/3/2017

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When my boys were little I made them these little chefs aprons complete with hats and oven mitts. It was a year when money was tight at Christmas so I made these to go with a cookbook I bought them and a few colorful utensils. It's been close to 7 years and we still have these hanging and ready to use. The smaller one was passed down and the hats have gone MIA but they still love their colorful aprons.
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Download Here
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Chefs hat and oven glove are also available.
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A Grateful Jar Full of Stars

1/3/2017

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A dear friend shared an idea of writing something you are thankful for every week all year long on a little sheet of paper and putting it in a jar to reflect on at the end of the year. I immediately thought of how fun this would be for my kids but with a twist.

A Jar a Full of Stars

Once upon a time I used paper stars in a jar as incentives for my first graders. They loved it when I handed them a little paper star for doing well. I could whip on up fast and their eyes would glow. The could keep them or add them to a jar we were filling for a party day or cupcakes for good behavior. This is a twist on the stars those babies loved.
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So, I grabbed some pretty scrapbook paper and started cutting 1/2" strips of paper.
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I will cut all these in half and stick thing in a smaller jar for the kids take one out when they are ready to write on a strip something they are thankful for that week. Then we will fold them up and make a little star for our jar like below.
You simply start tying one end of a stripe of paper (1/2" x 5.5") in a sort of knot. You don't want one end to be long, so you can tie it closer to the end or tear the extra off. Begin folding the strip around the knot, pretty paper side out. You will have a flat little pentagon with a tail that needs tucking in. Now to make the star.
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With your finger nail, press in the 5 flat sides of pentagon. It will puff out the and create a little dent. You now have a star.
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We are excited to fill our jar with stars with things we are grateful for this year.
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Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:35
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Bible Bag | Cover Tutorial

1/3/2017

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This is one of my favorite patterns. I have made so many of these over the years for other and I still carry the one I made nearly 7 years ago for myself. I hope you enjoy this pattern.
A reverse applique and monogram was PERFECT for this pattern.


DOWNLOAD HERE


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DIY Non-Slip Lingerie Hanger.

1/2/2017

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DIY Non-slip Covered Hanger Tutorial
It's the perfect gift for the upcoming bride or to hold your items that have delicate straps.

Dress up all your ugly wire hangers that are always getting tangled in the laundry room closet so they'll look pretty and presentable for guests or to give with gifts.
Here's How:
1. Using craft paper, trace your hanger, add 1/2 inch to the sides and 1 inch to the bottom
2. Use the template to cut 2 pieces of fabric.
3. With right sides together, pin and sew the sides, slightly less than 1/2 "or 1/4" in at the seam.
4. Stop 1/2" short of the center at the top to leave space for the hook to slip through.
5. Hem at the bottom all the way around.
6. To make the hanger cover non-slip, add to small buttons to the end of each hanger directly on the seam line. (shown is 1" away from the curve of the hanger at the end.)
I made these as a bridal shower gift years ago.
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Make Your Own Window Paint

1/2/2017

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Thanks Aimee for letting me share this quick and easy tutorial for window paint.
I am excited to be here! My name is Kristy Neeley and I have 4 kids aged 1, 2,4 and 6. We have a good time and they keep me busy! I also write a fun crafty, healthy, DIY blog at www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com .
This particular project is very easy and you may already have all the supplies you need on hand.
We had a lot of fun with this!
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To get started all you need are four baby jars, 4 colors of tempera paint and liquid dish soap and a paint brush to mix it all up with.
First start by adding the desired color of paint to the jar.
Now just add a little dish soap.
The more soap you use the thinner the paint will be and the easier it will be to wipe off when it is dry.
We liked a bit more paint then soap since our paints were kind of thin to start with.
Now have a ball! My kids sure did.
This also works great for signs on cars for sale or houses for rent.
A set of a few different colors made up in baby food jars makes a great gift for kiddos. You can even add cute labels to the jar. You can find a huge selection of free printable labels from my blog here.
Hope you have as much fun doing this as we did!
Come visit us anytime for more fun crafty, healthy, DIY ideas!
www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com
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Farmhouse Book Shelf

10/16/2016

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I posted a really great bookshelf for the boys room.  The instructions were SO easy that I thought I'd give it a go with barn wood I rescued to use in Jake's room.  I figured his bed would be next but I suppose I was feeling too ambitious with that thought so a simple bookshelf would have to do.


So, you can see it was obviously a success.  I was able to put an arm load of books on the shelf for him to read, right at his level.  James said he'd have them all over the floor and using the shelf as a step to the window.  He's probably right but for now it is featuring some of our favorite books.
P.S.  See the boxes that are stacked and one of them says "Toys".  That was one of my favorite projects that I still haven't shown you.  I love them!  they hide those plastic bins and give them such great personality.  The bottom one is supposed to have a race car on it but I'm slacking.


To see how these shelves are made, visit here and follow the link provided. 
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Farmhouse Window

10/16/2016

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I have had a "cornice board" of sorts envisioned for Jake's room for a LOOOONG time.  I was thinking a couple of boards nailed together with some of the old barn wood from Papaw's old barn that fell in would be all that I needed.  DH did better than that.  He incorporated the hinges from a few barn doors that were long gone and this is how he did it...
He cut the long board into 3 sections making the side boards come together neatly in the corners and added "L" brackets.  
He added the hinges to another board and piloted the holes for the board it would hang from, the one that will be attached to the wall.
We leveled the "cornice board and marked where the wholes would be for the "L" brackets.  Because this is a window with a header there was no need for anchors, just long screws were used.  The "L" brackets were removed from the "cornice board" and attached to the wall.  The board and the "L" brackets were attached together again on the next step.
We (akhem...DH) added the lower hanging board from the hinges.  All holes were marked and pre-drilled before hanging.


I couldn't be happier.  Jake's "fishing" themed room is slowly taking shape.  Next...the bed!

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When You Feel Less Than Sufficient

10/13/2016

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This week has been physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. Do you ever feel that way too? Like you can't fit it all into your schedule, that the unexpected circumstances that arise are deflating your will power, that the more you feel you are doing good for others you in turn feel depleted and tired? Yeah. (long sigh) Me too.
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I sometimes feel like I have too many irons in the fire. I have a direct sales business, an Etsy shop, I take orders, sew clothes, enjoy home improvement, love to cook, have laundry on a rotating schedule, hired a house keeper to help clean (praise!), shuffle babies back and forth to visitations, kids in AWANAS, choir practice, church, Bible study, and at some point I need to find time to shower. Didn't that just exhaust you reading it?

There's even more when you talk about the kids school and exercise and shopping. Geez!!! No wonder I threw my tired self down on the couch last weekend and checked out.
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Custom jewelry orders are coming in. That's just God showing out. He promised me the marketplace was where I would find my provision for my family. He is true to His promises. I'm truly blessed!
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I love working with my hands and I keep them busy for sure! Only tonight as I laid in bed and all was quite and dark I felt a real stirring deep inside me. I was being called to my prayer closet. It gets real deep in there. I sat down, read my devotional, 2 chapters in my Fervent book, filled out 3 prayer cards, then closed my eyes. I took a deep breath that traveled to my soul and back. I exhaled my prayers spilled out. Every hurting friend who had asked for prayer, for all the tired mommas, for my children, my husband, for myself, for everything I asked Him for wisdom. For myself, I cried that I was overwhelmed and not feeling sufficient and asked for guidance. Do I slow down? How? Do I rest? When? Am I really over loaded? No! I'm just not careful. I'm not focused. You can't be in the world and have it all together. I can't worry about elections or arguments on Facebook. I can't keep scrolling through videos and newsfeeds. I can't keep reading status updates from every person on my list who has a thought or checks in. I can't worry about those things.

Focus!
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The work is never easy. However no matter what I do or how hard I work 1 Corinthians 3:7 says....
"...but God who gives the increase."

1 Corinthians 3:8 says....
"One will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
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I labored. I shiplapped my laundry room, painted, and tiled that sucker this week. I worked hard. My hands hurt and my feet hurt but the effort was worth it. Even if it is just a laundry room.
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I shared all this to say...

I am tired...

So I prayed with a weary body and a weary mind tonight. Lord, am I doing too much. Am I? Sometimes it feels amazing to accomplish so much and sometimes it is plain exhausting. The Lord gave us all gifts and talents. I give Him glory for anything I accomplish. As I prayed over my Bible for words of wisdom I opened right to this well known passage.

The Virtuous Woman

I read through Proverbs 31 and took a deep breath. A sigh of relief this time. Every single verse made me feel better about how I have so much that I am doing for my family. How can anyone of us live up to this "Virtuous Woman" role described here?

Many of us already do.

I encourage you to read through it. When you're feeling overwhelmed read this passage. It is encouraging. It's not about living up to this expectation. It's about slowing down and being careful and thoughtful towards whatever role you have.

It's about being deliberate and thinking through what needs to be done. Picture it, a woman quietly rising early and starting her day, providing, caring for, offering herself at all times to help her family and others. It's almost like a dance through life. One that is fierce and gentle.

I picture a ballerina and how graceful she is. How she floats through the air and her points are perfect. What I didn't see was all the hard work and bloody feet it took to create the illusion of grace and weightlessness. When she bows out, the audience applauds. Behind the curtain she is proud and exhausted; energized and worn.
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I can do this. You can do this.

Praise God we were built to do this!

I am sufficient.

We are sufficient.

Proverbs 31 says we are.

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Naptime Hustle

10/4/2016

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oh. Precious naptime.
Our mornings are so busy cleaning, laundry, shuffling kids off to school, packing lunches and backpacks, appointments, and so much more.

During my sewing time and the babies naptime my mind does a great deal of thinking. I get locked in on one situation and turn it over and over in my head. Today all I could think about was a falling out I had with a friend a year ago. I have forgiven and she says she has too but still things will never be the same. So my thoughts churn and the feelings begin to burn and then I think.

LORD RESCUE ME! Capture these thoughts and bind them up. I can not waste another second on them. There is just too much good to focus on.

It's happened before they I have heard an audible voice say "Let Me handle this". It's such a good feeling to know my Lord tells me what I need to hear. I always think back to that moment at my sewing machine nearly 8 years ago. It caught me off guard. I didn't even know it was still possible to hear our Lord so clearly.

So, I think about that moment and how it is something I need to hear from time to time but because He did it once with great impact on me, I should never forget.

​In my time with churning thoughts I churned out this little beauty of a dress. The pattern is featured in my previous post.

​If if you ever give it a try please let me know.
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Quick Hair Bow Solution for Little Girls

10/3/2016

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Back in the spring I invested in a bag of fabric flowers to help me out with matching hairbow a to outfits. As a first time girl mom I am learning how cute baby girls are with hair bows. Or as 1 of her 4 brothers calls them "bowbows".
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All these little flowers came sewn onto a fabric mesh they needed to be trimmed away. And here comes the the fun part... KAM snaps.
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I simply followed the instructions they came with my snap kit and added the female end to all my flowers. I tried my best to center them.
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The kit I invested in had several color snaps to choose from so I was able to match most nearly perfectly.
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Next I added button embellishments to dress up each flower. My buttons came mostly from a vintage stash my Granny gave me years ago.
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Next I cut little slivers of felt and added a the male end of the snap. This piece is going to go on the clip for the hair bows. I can also add a snap to existing headbands so that I can quick change the color of the bows.
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I simply hot glued the felt and snap to a few clips. They are pretty but they'll be his by the flower once it's snapped on.
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KAM snaps can be used with any type bow and I'm sure you know the perfect baby girl to wear them.  KAM snaps and fabric flowers were purchased through the Amazon marketplace.
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My Favorite Tunic Pattern

10/3/2016

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This easy pattern is a McCalls. I have a few free ones I've downloaded but this one was worth the 99¢ on sale. It makes it easy to make the same dress style until she is much bigger.
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This pattern is perfect for a beginner. Once you master adding elastic, you've got it.
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Homespun Leather Baby Shoes

9/30/2016

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Cooler weather means little toes need covering. For a baby girl that is about to start walking I wanted them to be flexible and versital. She can flex her toes and feet. The leather is upcycled and is super soft. The buttons are hand sewn from my grandmothers stash of glass buttons. Velcro dots actually secure the leather straps that are lined with a soft cotton. The soles are cork that are covered with cotton fabric. Cork is thin and flexible while being sturdy. I had to sew the toe end several times to cut down on the length of the shoe since her foot is so tiny. She typically only wears 0-3 month shoes now.

The he pattern I used is in my Free Patterns link above. The only difference is the piece that wraps around the back of the heel a bit.
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Top 10 Best Furniture Painting Tutorial

8/8/2016

1 Comment

 
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A few weeks ago a friend came over and I shared with her some of the simple techniques I found and she since has invested in her own tools and paint to complete projects she has been wanting for her home. This is so easy it's addictive.  The results are instant gratification and worth the time to learn a few tricks.  Below are my top 10 favorites....so far.
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16 Beautiful Ways to Use Grandma's Doilies

8/8/2016

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We all secretly loved grandma's doilies but putting them under items to protect furniture does not allow you to see their beauty and doesn't seem practical.  
I inherited a stack of doilies, some were handmade and some were store bought but each were beautiful and I wanted to look at them. While watching Gilmore Girls I used the doilies, a large quilt hoop, fabric and a glue gun to make this piece for my  living room.

I have moved it around on a few different walls and have hung it going both directions.  I have some pieces left that I'd like to hang as well so I've found 14 more ideas that I love. Enjoy!

Click Here for Tutorials
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Oh Baby (shoes)!

8/8/2016

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There is NO way that God did not intend for me to have a daughter.
I made so many things for my boys but making these to cloth a girl has
struck a cord in me. Of course, I'm not basing that theory on shoes alone.
Click FREE PATTERNS at the top of this page to access the pattern used for these shoes.

The beauty of this simple pattern that it is versatile and it evolves the more I use it.
I have started using a heavy interfacing for the sole lining of the shoes and adhering fabric
to the interfacing and simply cutting them to fit.

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  • Home
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