Yo Yo Flowers

Yo Yo Flowers

I have seen these little cuties all over the Internet for some time now..and I wanted to try them out for myself.

Boy did I have a blast making these!

Here's how I did it:

I bought a bandanna for a $1 and used one of my kid's plastic bowls as a template.

I made sure the bandanna was upside down, then I traced & and cut the circle out.

I used a needle and thread to do this basic stitch all around the edge of the circle.  It does NOT have to be perfect.  In this picture I was only a quarter way around, but you want to go all the way.   Making sure that the underside of the bandanna was facing me..

Once you've sewn all the way around, turn it right side in, and pull the thread tight...and you get this little cutie!

I then sew the middle up a little, just for extra security.

Next I hot glued a button in the center.

Here is what my six Yo Yo Flowers look like all done...I realize this is a different pattern, the other was just an example....these too are made from a bandanna :)

You could attach hair clips to the back side and wear them in your hair, or attach them with hot glue to a head band...they could go anywhere.

Here's what I did with mine:

I bought this fake flower bouquet at the Dollar store

I pulled all the flowers off and reattached the base of the flower..as seen on the left of the picture...I just used hot glue to attach them back on.  I pick this bouquet because of the flower base..and this is why......

I hot glued the gorgeous Yo Yo Flowers right to the base and they look FANTASTIC!

I bought this vase at the Dollar Store too, and spray painted it light blue..Cute eh?!

This is so much fun, what a great gift to give to someone :)

These flowers are so easy to make, perfect for older children that can handle a needle and thread. 

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to ask..I'd love to help you!

Have a blessed day and go make some Yo Yo Flowers.. 

all the cool people are!

Record Bowl

Record Bowl

Hey kids..how are ya?!

Sorry I've been M.I.A. lately..I've been busy getting my kids ready for their vacation :)

So I'm kid less for a whole week..YES! I can craft all day long with minimal interruptions..awww the good life!

Ok, enough about me...Here is what I did:

I went to my local thrift store and bought some records...I had to get Blondie..cause Hello! Blonde's RULE!

Sorry all you brunettes and red heads..you're a close second, no worries :)

And I bought a Pyrex Glass Bowl..only $5.99!  

Set my oven to 200 degrees..DO NOT go any higher than 200 degrees, toxin's will get released and that is a bad thing...

I put the bowl on a cookie sheet and the record on the bowl.

The cool thing about this Pyrex Bowl is there is a little circle in the middle..so for me, I was just able to line the center of the record with the circle on the bowl.

Make sure it's good and centered, then put it in the oven.

This is not a "set it and forget it" project..keep your eyes on it.

It will begin to melt around the bowl..once it's touched the sides of the bowl, and can't melt down any further I take it out..it takes approximately 3-5 mins

When you take it out, pinch it into the shape you want..work fast, cause it will harden very quickly. 

Mine always fall with about 5 or 6 waves in it..so I just pinch those and even it out...Make sense?

If your bowl hardens, and you don't like the shape it's taken..throw it back in and start over.

The shape of your bowl depends on what size glass bowl you use when melting it down.  I like mine more wavy cause it's uniformed..to each his own ;)

And you're done!  Here I used it as a fruit bowl for the photo..and yes those are plastic pieces of fruit that I stole from my 4 yr old son's bedroom...don't judge lol!  but I will have you know that the lemon is totally real OK lol!

Throw your keys in it, put potpourri in it, use it as a fruit dish, a napkin holder, or what ever your little heart desires.  

My son's teacher last year..who is the BEST teacher ever and totally AWESOME..is super into music, so I made her one of these for Teacher Appreciation Day and she loved it.

So the next time you want to surprise the music lover in your life with a really cool gift, make them a record bowl and they will be delighted!  How could they not be, it's so rock'n!

Toodles!

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce

Today I made my super yummy applesauce and I thought that I would share this will you!

You can get a copy of my recipe HERE

So here's what I did:

I started out with 12 beautiful apples.  I used 4 different types of apples, so 3 of each kind. 

The more diverse your apples the better your applesauce will taste :)

Then I cut, peeled, and sliced all the apples and tossed them in the Crockpot.

I added some Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, a little bit of Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Water.

I let it cook on high for 4 hours stirring the apples one an hour.

This is what the apples look like after 4 hours of cooking...wish this computer had smell-a-vision (totally a word)..cause this smells heavenly!

This is what it looks like after I mash the apples with my potato masher.

This Applesauce is sooooo good that even my 11yr old son says he wont eat store bought ever again, he loves mine so much...ok maybe I paid him to say that...LOL..no really he did say that :)

I like to have a bowl of this while it's warm, but I have to say it gets its full flavor once its cooled in the fridge.

Have a fabulous day!

Homemade Icecream in a Bag

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

Yes, you heard me correctly lol...I made Ice Cream in less than 5 minutes with minimal supplies and you can too!

Here's what I did:

I gathered my supplies:

• Half & Half (1 Cup)
• Vanilla Extract (1/2 Teaspoon)
• Sugar (2 Tablespoons)
• Kosher Salt (1/2 Cup)
• Gallon Sized Freezer Bag
• Sandwich Size Baggie
• Sprinkles or other toppings

Fill the Gallon sized bag half up with ice, and 1/2 cup of Kosher Salt

Fill up Sandwich sized baggie with 1 cup of Half & Half, 2 Tablespoons of Sugar, & 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Seal the Sandwich baggie (make sure to seal it tight, you don't want leakage)

Put the baggie into the Gallon sized baggie and seal that bag too.

NOW..SHAKE IT BABY! You will need to shake the bag for about 5 minutes or until the Ice Cream is solid

Mine took about 3 minutes but I've heard it can take up to 10 minutes.

Work those arms!  Let the kids shake it, they will be so proud to make their own Ice Cream!

I put on some gloves while I did this cause after a minute into it my hands were frozen..just a suggestion.

This is what it looked like when I took it out of the big baggie.

You can eat it right out of the bag, or cut the tip of the corner and squeeze it into a bowl :)

And Ta-Da! You have Ice Cream!

I have to be honest here...it is AWESOME!

Seriously VERY YUMMY!!!

So go let your kids make some Ice Cream or just make some for yourself cause it's fun and delish!

Have a great day!

Fused Plastic Bag

Fused Plastic Bag (Recycled)

Howdy!

Is everyone having a great day?  I know we are, the sun finally came out..Yahoo!

Today I made a recycled bag out of old plastic bags from the grocery store! 

This is so easy and fun, you're going to love it..and if you don't just stroke my ego and tell me you do..pretty please lol :)

Here's how I did it:

I gathered 6 plastic grocery bags

Cut the tops off or the handles if you will

Then I put some wax paper down on my table, then put 3 bags on top of each other, the colored side facing inwards.  I plugged in the iron and had it on medium-high heat.

Then I put a couple pieces of computer paper on top of the bags and ironed on the paper.  You want to keep your iron moving during this process. You will feel the bags flatten and melt together as you iron back and fourth.  Do this for about 20-30 seconds.  Then flip the bag over and put the paper on and iron again.

This is what you end up with..a firm piece of fused plastic.

Then I repeated the process with the other 3 bags stacked on top of one another..again with the printed side facing inwards.

I put the two pieces together, trimmed them to equal size,  and stapled around the two sides and bottom.  Make sure your staples stay in a straight line..They don't have to be perfect but it's better if they're somewhat even.

Now I covered the sides and bottom with white duct tape.  Use which ever color you like.

I then added some handles as well.  I just Duct Taped them on.

After I was done doing that I turned the bag inside out...or right side in lol :)

This is the end result!  SO COOL!  Is it perfect..No...Is it glamorous..No..is it functional..YES!  Did you recycle to make this..YES!

This is the ideal bag for shopping at farmers markets..or to use as a grocery bag...or just use it for a book bag.  It's fun, cheap and easy to make.  I will for sure be bringing this the next time I hit up my local farmers market :)

Enjoy and have a fabulous day!!!

Popsicle Stick Easel

Popsicle Stick Easel

I have these Jumbo Craft Sticks..aka Popsicle Sticks..and I thought I could make an easel out of them...and I did :)

Here's what I did:

I got 5 Jumbo Popsicle Sticks 

I put the sticks in an easel position and then traced it with some card stock..it came out like a "Y" shape

Then I broke out the old hot glue gun and hot glued the "Y' to the sticks

I then glued the two remaining sticks together on top of one another and then glued that to the front of the easel to make the "A" shape.

I took it outside and spray painted it with my Chalkboard Paint..seriously LOVE that stuff!

And here's the finished product!  Pretty cool eh?  That's my pug Obi..isn't he adorable?!

My husband won't let me have a pig so I got the pug :)  He snorts like a pig though!

And because I used Chalkboard paint I can write a message on the easel :)

Here is a picture with just the easel

I did add a few drops of hot glue to the top of the sticks once I liked the position of the easel

This would make a fun gift for anyone...I'm going to put a pic of my boys on the easel and put "My Boys" in chalk on it.

Have a great day!

Doily Bowl

Doily Bowl

Today I am going to show you how to make a Doily Bowl!  

Cool eh?  I think so :)

Here's what I did:

I bought a Doily at The Dollar Tree..yes I do shop other places too lol..

but when I see things at the Dollar Tree I can make neat stuff out of I just have to snag it!

Then I bought some Fabric Stiffner at my local Craft Store

 I put the Doily in a bowl and soaked it with the Stiffner, making sure every part of it was saturated.

I used as little as possible of the Stiffner, just enough to make sure it was all covered.

I covered the bowl that I wanted the Doily to take shape after with Press n' Seal..only because I didn't have Saran Wrap.

I put the wet Doily over the bowl and shaped it to the bowl

I let it dry over night and this is what I got.....

A bowl made out of a Doily...and this baby is stiff too, it'll keep its shape.  

You could also put ribbon through the holes, that would be pretty too.

It's so delicate looking yet you could throw your car keys in it, use it as a fruit bowl, or what ever your little heart desires :)

Enjoy!

DIY Stickers

 DIY STICKERS

Hey guys!  First of all I'd like to apologize for not posting as regularly as usual.  I have been so slammed with Summer stuff!  However I haven't forgotten about you and in fact I think about you often :)

So enough with the sappiness let's get started here..Today I made my own stickers..SO MUCH FUN!

Here's how I did it:

I found this Shelf/Drawer Liner at the Dollar Store for a buck...yes you heard that right $1! 

I couldn't pass it up.  It has a smooth surface and it's self adhesive, and I just had to get it :)

I broke out my Sharpies...I LOVE SHARPIES!!!  Just in case you didn't know :)

 I scribbled on the paper with my Hot Pink Sharpie...SO pretty..and then cut a butterfly out with a craft punch!

I love this!  Seriously so stink'n cute..is it weird I'm that excited about a DIY Sticker??  

I just think it's a ton of fun, your options are endless!

I drew a little stick figure for my 4yr old son..yeah I'm creative all right LOL :)  He liked it, that's all that matters right?

Then I broke out my StazOn stamp pad (permanent) and some of my stamps and made this..then cut it out with a craft punch :)

Seriously with all the stamps and craft punches I have I could make a gazillion stickers...

You could use them as labels, for scrap booking, cards, letters, or just for fun. 

You could make one that says "this book belongs to____" and put them inside your books..I mean seriously I could go on for days with ideas for this stuff :)

This would be an easy & fun craft for a sleep over, birthday party or just a rainy day. 

Get Creative and Have Fun With It!

(Oh and just as a side note: I did try running this paper thru my printer, and it worked however the ink was bubbly on the surface and wiped off easily. So I do not suggest printing on this paper.)

I hope each and everyone of you has a fabulous day filled with love and laughter!

Till next time!

Duct Tape Rose Pen

Duct Tape Rose Pen

I have mentioned my love for Duct Tape several times in my other posts, so I thought I would share with you how to make a Duct Tape Rose Pen :)

Here's What I did:

I broke out my Red Duct Tape, and a Pen

Keep in mind you can use ANY color of tape you prefer, and there are lot's of design prints out there now

I cut small piece of duct tape (1 inch) and covered the end of the Pen

Then I cut a 2 inch piece of Duct Tape

All your Rose Petals will be made of a 2 in piece of tape

You start by folding over one corner, but make sure to leave enough sticky on the right side

Fold over the other corner, and you should have this shape as shown above

You have just made your first Duct Tape Rose Petal..Congrats!

Now you take that petal and wrap it around the pen, as shown above

Here is the side view of my first petal on the pen

Now keep making petals and placing them around to form your rose

Here is my finished Duct Tape Rose...I don't like to make mine too big, because the Duct Tape gets heavy, and it's hard to hold the pen up.  

I used some Light Green Duct Tape and made some leaves the same way I made the petals, and my Duct Tape Rose Pen is now Complete!

Happy Crafting!