Pinterest

Many people have told me that I really need to check out Pinterest, but it took me a while to actually check it out. If you have not joined this site, you must! If you love crafts, DIY, sewing, and Pages upon pages of beautiful inspiration, you need to check it out! You can create "boards" with any and all of your favorite things, and you will also be able to add a pin to your browser so that you will be able to pin photos and tutorials and images that inspire you. These can be pinned to your Pinterest board from anywhere on the web! This is a great way to collect inspiration that you can come back to at any time, and you won't have to worry about trying to hunt it down again, because you will already have it saved to your Pinterest boards!!! You can also add images of things that you have created, to share with others. There is so much more to this awesome site, but REALLY, you need to check it out!

The Ugly Butterflies

So here are the ugly butterflies that I found at an estate sale recently.  The only reason I got them is because my 2 1/2 year old is really into butterflies right now.  I knew I could paint them, so I decided what the heck, they are cheap.  Here is what they looked like before.

Here they are after a couple coats of paint, and a touch of glaze~

Much better, and now my daughter can see butterflies everyday.

Child's couch recovered

I am just beginning the process of learning to sew, but I think I did a pretty darn good job recovering this garage sale couch that my daughter wanted.  This couch was pretty stained, and the foam pieces were pulling apart, and it was in serious need of some TLC.  I took before and after pictures, but didn't get pictures of the process since I am new to the sewing world, and was kind of learning as I went along.  I am glad that this is now something that I can have in my living room that doesn't make my eyes hurt! On the bottom of the couch, there is a zipper, so the cover can be removed and washed (necessary when you have young kids!).  I removed the zipper from the original cover to use on the new one.  You could also just use elastic, and make a casing around the bottom of all of the fabric, thread the elastic through, sew the ends of the elastic together, and just leave it open at the bottom.

Here is the couch before~

Here is the couch after~ (I still have to attach the velcro to keep the seat fabric down when the couch is open, but it is much better)

Look at these lines though, perfectly aligned.  Way to go me!

Mod Podge Letters

Ok, so these letters are super quick, easy, and cheap.  These can also be easily made to match the decor and color scheme of any room in your home.  I initially bought the plain unfinished (the cheapest) wooden letters.  I then went to good old Hobby Lobby, with my daughters comforter, and bought various designs of scrapbook paper that matched with the colors, Ink chalk pads, and ribbon.  Once home, I:

1. Decided which order I wanted the papers to be in

2. Traced the letters onto the back of the appropriate paper

3. Cut the letters out of the paper

4. Covered the wooden letters in Mod Podge and carefully placed the paper letters over top of them

5. I used Ink Chalk pads around the edges (to give a more worn feel to them)

6. I mod Podged over the finished letters, and allowed them to dry

7. Attach your ribbon of choice to the back of the letters (the ribbon may need to be attached slightly off                                    center to allow the letters to hang straight. If you look at my "L" you will see what I mean.)

8. Hang and enjoy

Here is the Finished product~

You can also do a multi pattern letter, which I will explain and show very soon.  Actually, the only reason I don't right now is because I am too lazy to go and take a picture of it at the moment :)

Such cute clothing

Dana over at "Made" has so many tutorials for adorable childrens clothing! If you are looking for cute ideas for DIY clothing, you must stop by and visit her tutorials!

Made tutorials

Kids swimsuit tutorial

With summer quickly approaching, we are all thinking about the darling swimsuits that we will pick out for our youngsters. If you are having a problem finding that perfect suite, why not make it?! Check out these ideas from Dana at "Made".

Swimsuit Tutorials