Coke Can Charm

Today I'm over at Arizona Mama showing off my latest repurposing craft, a Coke Can Necklace. Check it out Here!

Dimensional Magic Jewelry

I have been on the lookout for a locket for a little while. I'm being picky about it because I know I will be wearing it for the next few years. (I never take off my current necklace.) I saw this cute charm that was made by Polish the Stars. Her's is actually glass and it's customizable! But.. I'm kinda a DIY girl. So I found a bracelet with a metal ribbon slide that said hope. I put my tiny picture down and put the dimensional magic over the entire thing, giving it that glass-ish look. After it dried (wait the entire 24 hours to touch it! Mine has a finger print!) it turned out great and I just added a ribbon to it. Now I can wear a bracelet with my two favorite boys on it until I find my perfect locket. When I do, I was thinking a little strap of leather could make this a boy-ish cuff bracelet for the little man when he gets bigger.

Diaper Bag Replacement Purse

Don't you hate it when you clean so well that you can't find anything you need? Well I think I did that. I can't find the pattern I made for this purse anywhere. It was just a piece of tissue paper so it might have accidentally been tossed. It's so frustrating. Well I created it, so I can probably create it again when I need it. My mind is already onto a new pattern, so I won't be recreating it any time soon. I will show off the finished product.

My new purse turned out really well. Some women go shopping for clothes or purses when they need a little pick-me-up, and I go fabric shopping instead. I stayed up really late the night I got my fabric, first I was just watching White Collar (my new favorite addiction!) while cutting out the pattern. Then I just had to stay up a bit longer to sew it all together. I was going to add on to it, but I think it is good the way it is!

I designed this with the features I liked from my diaper bag, but made it much cuter. It has a little less space than the diaper bag, but I can still fit a ton in there!

The next time I will be sure to put a stabilizer in the strap though. As you can see in the pictures it tends to fold up and crinkle. It could also use a top stitch around the opening, but when you have stuff in it, it doesn't really need it. Hope this gets you excited for someday when I create a tutorial, thanks for checking it out!

Coke Can Bracelets

I'm over at Arizona Mama today showing off my newest obsession! I've made tons of these but this is the one that I wear! Go check it out and let me know what you think!

New Wallet

I've been wanting a new wallet, so I finally made myself one. My Pinspiration was this envelope system wallet and this clean and simple clutch.


I followed the lined zipper purse tutorial pretty closely, except my dimensions of the fabric were 4x8". I made 5 of them, and then I made my own zipper pull charms with coke can scraps.For the zipper pulls, I used my metal stamps that I won from beaducation. I pounded my envelope category names into the coke can. I went with Eat, Shop, Play and Save. I bent the edges, punched a hole and added a jump ring. Now I can try to remember what that money is for each time I go out.The clutch I made to fit my zippered pouches. I did it a little bit differently than the tutorial, but I used the basic layout and added an extra pocket behind my smaller two. I also put my magnetic clasps into the lining only so that they didn't show through the outside, and didn't stitch all the way up on the sides, so that my other pouches would fit better.

Nursing Cover / Bath Apron

I'm just going to say it, I think I'm a genius.(Thanks to my friend Shenanigans and my husband to making me feel justified in thinking it!) Why am I? Well I have an awesome nursing cover (I really do love it, and use it all the time) that my aunt made me. It's a blanket with a strap. When I was packing light to go hiking I didn't pack it because of space. I did pack a blanket, and if I would have made this strap sooner it would have been perfect. This strap clips onto any blanket or thing that you already have. Receiving blanket? Nursing Cover, done. Large shirt? Done. Towel? Bath Apron, done. See, I told you I was a genius.

You can make your own, or you can just pick one up at my etsy shop. Make sure to get one for all of your friends too. Any suggestions, comments or agreeing with me on my genius-ness? Leave a comment for me, I'd love to hear it!

Hair Scarfette

I needed some practice sewing stretchy fabrics, so I pulled out something I've been meaning to do for years.

I had a scrap of stretchy fabric that I use as a headband, but the edges needed to be finished and it could be cut so that it had a straight line.

I first trimmed the scrap. One side had tons of fabric the other had almost none, so I made it matching and even.

Then I folded over the edges and ironed them so that it would be easier to sew. I also pinned them.

On the sewing machine I changed the tension so that it was a bit looser, and the stitches were a bit longer than normal. As I sewed, I pulled the fabric tight.

That was pretty much it. Using a straight stitch and pulling the fabric tighter turned out to be my simple fix. Happy Sewing everyone!

Cloth Height Charts

I was stuck in a recliner for awhile on bed rest, and I wanted to make a height chart for my baby boy that I was waiting for. I had been taking up a little bit of hand embroidery, and I thought that a cloth one would be perfect, and I could work on it right then.


This is the first one that I did. Click on the picture so you can zoom in to see it better. I was allowed to do stuff while sitting. So I cut the fabric, while sitting. I then ironed the edges under, while sitting. I cut fabric for the tree, while sitting.

I then stitched on the tree trunk and treetop, while sitting, what else? My sister helped with those, while sitting next to me. Those and the clouds are all done with a very simple running stitch. We also added a bird, he was stitched with a running stitch but then I used some back stitching for his legs, a french knot for an eye, and the satin stitch for the beak.

For the lines and numbers going up the side, I put the cloth in an embroidery hoop to make it easier. I measured and marked the lines with a tape measure and stitched them with a split stitch.

For his name I wanted it to be bigger and more special, so I used a bold chain stitch.

I didn't worry about finishing off the edges because most of them were stitched over at some point. For the top and bottom I basically hemmed them with hot glue and slid the dowels in. The top just has yarn tied to it.

I showed off my masterpiece at work, and my boss wanted one for his little girl. I told him he was crazy because it took me about 6 hours to make this one. He offered to pay me for one hourly so I made this next one.

I did this one a little bit differently. I knew I didn't want to stitch all of the lines, that was the most time consuming, so I bought a fabric paint pen.

With using a fabric pen, my edges wouldn't be finished as well, so I ran them through the sewing machine first.

The design is also majorly different, I had fun cutting out the pieces and arranging them. I pinned them all down and started on the bottom pieces first and continued to the top layer of pieces until everything was sewn on. Sometimes I had to move stuff around to get to the pieces underneath. With this one, I used too many little pieces and that was really time consuming.

I did a tiny bit of embroidery on the ladybugs, using a french knot for the spots and antennae ends. I made a long stitch to separate the wings and for the length of the antennae.

Once everything was sewn on I used the fabric pen to make the lines and numbers. This one was shorter because the girl it was for was a lot taller to begin with than my unborn child so I made it to start at 18 inches. She also had a less of a chance of reaching six feet, so it is a few inches shorter there too.

On this one I sewed the hems for the dowels, because if they were to fall apart in years to come I didn't want to fix them.

I still did the embroidered name, using the chain stitch as before.

With the two different versions that I learned from, my next one will be even simpler by using a simple design like the tree and by using the paint pen. Thanks for reading!

The Wild Olive is a good place to learn the basic embroidery stitches if you want to make a fancy one of your own. Thanks for reading!

Linked to:
Somewhat Simple

My Purse(s)

First of all, I love reading Nice Girl Notes. It is always so entertaining to read! She is going to be having a link party so everyone can be nosy and see what kind of crap other people carry around in their bag. I have a crafty blog, so I'll show you the crafty side of my purse(s).

Purses? Plural? Yes, I switch almost weekly, sometime more sometimes less. It saves me from actually cleaning out my purse, I just put the stuff I need into a new one!

The two I have been back and forth in the last few weeks are these ones. Both of which I have sewn.


The first one I made pretty recently from an awesome goodwill find. I would have done a tutorial, but I never took any pictures for it.

It started off as a vest that kinda reminded me of a grandma. (no offense gramma!! i just wouldn't wear it) But it had a really cool design on the inside and was a great color. I took the pieces apart, used the front pocket pieces as the front and back and used the rest as strips for the sides and strap. Lots of seam ripping took place, which is why I will never sell this one.

The second one is a tote bag I made for school a few years ago. It was made from the flannel that my sister used to make pajama pants for me. I carried my binder in it for quite awhile. I just barely started using it again and I realize it's not as heavy duty as my vest purse. I'm a much better sewer now. If sewer is a word.

I took everything from both purses to show you, luckily there wasn't anything gross this time around, but I still feel that I need to explain what everything is.


Ok, let's start from the top, and work our way from left to right.

Massage Therapy Textbook- For homework I should be doing instead of crafting
My Laptop- When I'm not on it, it's usually open and on in my craft room or in my purse just waiting to be used, and yes it is very small, made just for my purse
My Wallet- My husband bought it for me when I was trying to get him to go after-christmas shopping (which is my favorite) he hoped that if he bought something for me my shopping hunger would be satisfied
My Great Big Book of Everything- You can read all about this amazing little notebook in my post here
Unopened Paycheck- It's a couple weeks old, don't you just love direct deposit?
Laptop Power Cord and Mouse- Power cord is self explanatory, but a mouse is Extremely important. I have been through about four mice in the past 6 months. First I abused the touchpad that is in the laptop so it didn't work, then I broke my regular mouse, then my dogs chewed my super fancy brand new mouse so I used an old one that also broke and now I'm using my husbands from his computer and he might kill me if I break this one.
Christmas Party Reminder Magnets- I made these for work they turned out super cute but I put the wrong date, so I had to redo them and the redone part falls off, so I took the bad-looking ones home so no one would see them. It also reminds me that I have to work on the actual invitations
Crumpled Old Receipts- You never know when you might need one of these, finding the right one is the problem
Rhino Caffe Menu- I'm doing a craft fair there on Saturday, and have those to tell people about it, and so that I had their address. That size of paper is alot easier to keep track of than a business card.
Random Business Cards- These are hiding under the computer cords. I have a few of these and never really use them. I always want to, but they get lost at the bottom of my bag.
Pens and Pencils- It doesn't matter how many I have in my bad it still takes too long to find one, so I stock up
Thumb Drive- Everyone has a different name for these things. What do you call them?
Coupons- I used to shop only with coupons, now I can't ever remember to use them
5 Gum- "I don't always chew gum, but when I do I prefer 5 gum."
Emery Boards- I can never have too many of these either, there's a few more in my wallet, I never know when I need one!

I feel exposed since I just broadcast my entire life to you from the bottom of my purse, but I hope you enjoyed being nosy!

Hair Bow Holder

The frame came from a yard sale. I think I paid 50 cents. I had the ribbon and fabric and paint on hand, so it was a really cheap project. And I will be using it to sell the hair bows at a craft fair next month so it will be useful to me to display them and to the luck person to end up with this holder.

Sand and paint the frame. I chose the color because it matched the princess crowns on the fabric. (Sorry for the lack of pictures, I forgot to take any until after I finished!)

Use the cardboard backing to measure your batting. I still have not bought batting, so I used 2-3 layers of fleece from another project. Cut out the batting to be the same size as the cardboard.

Use the cardboard to measure your fabric. Give it an extra 2-3 inches around the edges to make sure you have enough to glue to the back.

Layer your fabric first, then the batting and then the cardboard. Stretch the fabric tight and glue to the cardboard with hot glue.

Finish gluing all around. Measure your ribbon to be 4-5 inches longer than the cardboard. I like a lot of extra to make sure they are glued on tight.

Glue one side of the ribbon, make sure there is about 2-3 inches worth glued down. Pull very tight to the opposite side and glue down.

Do the same with the other ribbon and your done!

This is very close to the Ribbon Memo Board I did a few months ago, but I don't want to use staples to poke little fingers, since I was only gluing to the cardboard, not the wood.

Hand Stitched Flower Idea

First you will need to make a circle stencil if you don't already have one. Find a cup or bottle that would be a good size for the final flower. Trace the edge of the cup with a marker.

Next, cut out the circle.

Take your circle and pin it to the fabric you will be using. I used a very thin cotton, so I double the fabric over a few times. You will need eight total circles when you are finished.


Also cut a small square out from your scraps to sew the pieces of the flower on. Now you will fold your circles in half. And then in half again. Take the first four folded circles and arrange them into a circle on top of your small square. Stitch these to the square. I only hand stitched them, it was easier for me, but you can also use the sewing machine.



Next, place one of your folded circles over your flower. Layer it on top of where the bottom two circles meet. Stitch these next four on one at a time so that you can over lap the corners in the center a little bit. Do the opposite side next, and then the last two sides.


You're almost done. Lastly, sew on a button for the center. Your flower is finished. What you do with it now is the fun part.

You can put it on a lampshade, or put it on a hair clip, or pin it to a purse or shirt. Make a pair to spice up some shoes. The options are overwhelming! I'm not sure where mine are going to live yet.




These are available on my esty store. CLick Here to view.

Hot Glued Fabric Flower

This fabric flower was made from some of my tablecloth scraps from when I reupholstered my chair. It was super quick and easy. All you have to do is cut a long strip of fabric, mine was about an inch and a half wide, and dab some hot glue at the very end and twist the fabric to make a roll and you glue it in a spiral to make it look like a rose. Glue your end to the back and cut a piece of felt and hot glue that on the back also. I added a leaf and a clip.

Cuter T-Shirt Idea

This was a shirt that someone gave me, I loved the style of the shirt but it said something weird on it, in a font that made it only fit for kids in high school, and not my style.

First, I found some extra fabric I had laying around (actually a pair of white boxers that had been tossed into my scraps after my husband decided he didn't like how they fit) and I cut a square out that covered the words.

The next step to making this fabric look cute is to make a stencil. I like to make my own stencils because then they're personalized and because I don't have to buy them. To make your own stencil, find an image (or if your artsy, draw one!) on a google image search or clip art. Then put it in word or paint and make it the size that you want it to be on your t-shirt and print it out on the card stock. Then you will cut it out. Keep in mind that sometimes if you don't use a stencil image that there can be center pieces that will fall out (Think about cutting out an "A" and how you need the middle triangle to be there), so draw lines of parts you need to keep when you cut.

After you've made your stencil it's time to paint it onto the fabric. Fabric paints work best, but I've found that acrylic paints still work, they wash fine and only fade a little. I sponged my star shape on and then brushed the silver on around it. I also stitched on a button in the center.

When your fabric is finished it's time to take it to the sewing machine. I used a zig-zag stitch to keep the frayed ends from fraying too much and sewed a big square around the writing on the shirt.

Hope you can use this idea to make something even cuter!