Tissue Paper Tassles

I don't know why I haven't been making these all this time! They're so easy and you don't need a lot of paper! Have you ever tried to make those paper balls or flowers that uses tons of tissue paper???? 

I'm making these for my son's first birthday cake smash and for July 4th!

Since July fourth is around the corner, I'll start with that....

SUPPLIES:

Tissue paper (1 makes 4 tassels)
Scissors
Glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

I'm a visual person. Sometimes I don't understand directions until I see it myself.

So, if you lay the tissue paper with the creases running across, fold in half (down) once. (Update: it actually doesn't matter how you fold it. It all depends on your paper size. Just make sure that each one you make is folded in the same way so they are the same length)

To make it faster, I did TWO sheets at once.

Next, Fold from left to right...

Then one more time...

(Update: Before cutting, I found that if I unfold it and cut the pieces into 4's first, it's much easier. Do what works for you!)
Now, cut from the bottom up leaving about 2 inches of space (do not cut through).

Start unfolding it once... & cut 

The right side will be 2 pieces. You'll have to unfold the left side one once more time & cut. This will give you the 4 pieces.

Open one piece and start rolling... my little man loves to help. (instead of "rolling" it, I just kept folding it in half, then half again... repeat. It was easier than rolling.)

Twist and glue (I didn't glue because I was too lazy and always rushing to beat time)

So Easy!

I only used 1 tissue paper each color and got a total of 12 tassels. 
The red tissue paper has glitter in it. Cute huh!?
I hung it with some twine...

His Stars & Stripes Crochet Hat didn't turn out the way I envisioned it.

Here is my baby's Cake Smash session. I used 3 different colors. If you're interested in a crochet hat pattern, go check out the free Crochet Newsboy Hat Pattern!

DIY Glass Photo Magnets

Okay, I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I found several tutorials on Pinterest and all of them used Mod Podge. I waited for a day for them to dry and they still didn't look right. I ended up peeling them off the pebbles and gluing it with E6000 since I was already going to use that to glue the magnets to pebbles. I'm so glad I decided to do this because it looks so much better!

What I used:

Gem Accents ($1 from the Dollar Tree)
E6000 
Magnets (I would choose a size that is slightly smaller than your pebble)
Photos (or Scrapbook paper for fun designs!)

What I did:

Okay, as I mentioned before, I mod podged the pebbles to the photos first. Then after a day, I cut around the photos and decided I didn't like the way it looks. I ripped it off and glued it back on with just a tiny little dab of E6000. You don't need much. Once you press down, it covers the whole photo. As you can see in the below photo, the Mod Podge wasn't smooth.

So, every time I print photos from Costco, they come with these 4x6 photos that has tiny little prints of the photos I ordered. I always kept them because I thought maybe I'd use them someday. I'm a bit of a hoarder. I hate to throw away things. 

When I was at Walmart, the smallest magnets they had were slightly bigger than my pebbles. These were self adhesive magnets. If you get regular magnets, use the E6000 to glue the magnet to the pebbles. 

I attached a few and really didn't like the way it looked. I had just one little magnet on my fridge that I used on one of the pebbles. It looks nicer because you can't see the magnet from the front. I debated whether or not I wanted to order them from eBay or Amazon but I have no patience to wait for that.... then I remembered we had a pair of scissors that can cut through the magnets! So that's what I did. Although it's not pretty, it will do! haha

From left to right:

• A small magnet I found on my frig that was perfect!
• I cut the magnet so that it's smaller than the pebble. It's ugly but you can't see it from the front!
• The magnet (uncut) slightly bigger than the pebble.
• If you look closely, you can see the magnet from the front on the last pebble.

DIY Gift Bag

It's my little sister's birthday (Okay, it was a couple of days ago) and I made her a Crochet Slouch Beanie. I have tons of gift bags that I've saved to reuse but I wanted to make one just for her. I found a video tutorial here that uses two 12x12 scrapbook papers. Years ago when I thought I'd have time to make scrapbooks, I went a little crazy and bought tons of scrapbook paper. I've actually found good use for them even though I'm not scrap booking. I've used them to make cards, bunting & other crafts. 

I used double sided paper like they did and decided that I would make the edges prettier. I didn't reinforce the bottom of the bag because I know that the hat is very lightweight and it's not necessary.

I used a purple sheer ribbon that I purchased at the Dollar Tree awhile ago and purple tissue paper. The hat fit perfectly in the bag. I printed these cute labels from here. 

Again, the tutorial can be found here.

Upcycled Newborn Hat & Headband (from a sweater)

I recently made a Newborn Pant from this same sweater. A few days later, I was able to make the knotted hat.. and with the scraps, I made a little flower tieback.

I used the front of the sweater for the pants. One sleeve was big enough for the hat. I can make TWO hats out of the sweater with both sleeves. How cool is that?!?!

First, I cut the sleeve into what looks like an upside down funnel.  

Then, I sewed the edges together with the sleeve inside out. I made sure to triple check this time since I failed to put the right sides together for the pants (still kicking myself on the behind for that!).
Now, flip it inside out so the RIGHT side is on the outside. Tie a knot and you're done!

For the tie back, I used a scrap pieces and cut out designs (if that's what you want to call it).

Using a needle and thread, stitch through the inside (opposite of where you just cut).

Glue 3 beads to the top and and elastic band to the bottom side. I used the same yarn I used for the drawstrings on the pants so it matches.

DIY Lego Pinata

My eldest son turns 5 in less than a week! I can't believe how much time has passed. We tried so hard to get pregnant and when it finally happened, we were so happy! Once he arrived, the next 2 arrived shortly after. With all the craziness that is raising 3 little boys under 5 years old, time seems to slip by without notice! It's bitter sweet.

I held him the other day and stared at him while he laughed. He had no idea why I was just staring at him but whatever he thought I was doing kept him laughing and giggling that infectious laugh. *sigh* my little baby boy who I haven't stopped to really stare at isn't looking so little anymore :(

Anyway, I can go on forever reminiscing about him being a little baby. In the end, he will always be my baby...

Back to the pinata. He asked for one for his birthday. We were at a birthday party where they had one and he asked "When it's my birthday, can we have a pinata too mommy?" This was November. He still remembers 5 months later :)

I probably should have just bought one because there's so much to do and so very little time but being crazy me, I decided to make one. I was thinking something easy and perhaps already a boxy shape because I plan to use a cardboard box. My husband grabbed one of his beer boxes. Perfect! A Lego pinata! lol

Supplies I used:

36 Pack Budweiser (King of beers!)

Paper Cups

Tissue Paper (tissue for gift bags)

Scissors

Ribbons

Glue Stick

Hot Glue

Directions:

 Before you start, cut an area for the opening (to put candy/treats inside). I just made the opening of the handles larger.

Cut the cups to the desired size. Cutting the bottom like this (see photo) helps me use the tabs to glue the cups to the box.

Cut strips of tissue paper. I used red because the box was mostly red. Mine were about 4 inches. These will be folded in half so they will be 2 inch strips.

Glue the cups to the box.

Use a ribbon or whatever you want to tie the top.

How fun is that?

Upcycled Newborn Pants

I have a newborn session with a baby girl this weekend. I always try to make something new for each baby. I crocheted a few hats not sure what size would fit.

I also found a tutorial here (template included - yay!) for making newborn props out of sweaters. I've made a set of newborn props for my son's photos last year. I have a pink sweater that needs to be up-cycled so I decided to make a set. I only had time to make the newborn pants.

What you'll need:

Sweater
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Coordinating thread (which I didn't have!)
Yarn (drawstring)

Instructions:

So if you visit the site here, there's a free template you can print. I love people who share their talents and allows me inspiration and access to free tutorials. THANK YOU! ^_^

I was actually able to make one pants from one side of the sweater. I was disappointed when I finished but that was my own fault (you'll see why).

1) Cut out your sweater and fold

2) Fold sweater and pin template - Obviously, the side that says "fold" should be where the fabric is folded. Do this twice. You should have 2 pieces.

3) With the RIGHT side facing each other, pin the top side edges 

4) Sew those edges and trim excess fabric off.

5) Fold so the seam is now in front and back. Pin the inside leg edges and trim excess fabric.

6) Fold top down and pin. Sew around the waist.

7) I used a yarn needle to thread bulky yarn through. I thought maybe pretty lace would look cute but I couldn't find any.

So here is why I'm disappointed. When I thought I double checked to make sure my fabric was facing the right direction before my first sewing... I thought I was "good" so I never checked again as I'm too busy rushing and taking photos. When I finally finished, and stood back to look at it, I notice one side was different than the other side. This is why it's important you make SURE that BOTH sides of the RIGHT side of the sweater (fabric) is facing TOGETHER! UGH! Oh well. I will make this work. I am not taking it apart for sure! Lesson learned... kicking myself on the behind and maybe, just maybe, if I have time. I will make another since I only used one side of the sweater. I was hoping to use the other side as layering pieces.

Click here to see the tutorial on the hat & tieback :)