Baby Activity Tree Mat

Creative name right?... not,  Seriously I pondered about this title forever and I've come up with nothing, except what it is and its a Baby Activity Mat that is a Tree. Anyway, a few months ago I was contacted by Pellon and asked if I was interested in becoming a Pellon Artisan. Fancy right? So, I created a project for their website and anyone can get the tutorial for free, yay! You do have to create a log-in but once you register you can get any of the tutorials by any Pellon Artist. 
And for my first project I present the Baby Activity Tree Mat.

I wanted to make something I could roll up, throw in the car and take with me for my older "babies". I have a playmat but my kids outgrew the activities by about 3-4 months. So, I included zippers and buttons and velcro on mine, which is always a good time :)

My older "model" checked it out while my bebe was sleeping. It's perfect for tummy time too (just keep a close eye on the younger ones with the buttons). So go check it out HERE, all of the supplies are listed as well as the directions.

Gold Dipped Wine Glasses

Have I told you about one of my favorite BBF's? That's short for best blog friends mmkay. Meet Melissa from Cupcakes OMG. She is beyond awesome, one of the most stylish people I know and she's hilarious. Melissa is a self named "snarky narcissist" and isn't afraid to tell it like it is, whats not to love? Not to mention she is an incredible cook - everything from healthy paleo recipes to decadent cupcakes. She is originally from Houston but lives in DC so when she was home for the holidays we got together to do a little craft project. 
Enter the Gold-Dipped Wine Glasses (tutorial found via Say yes to Hoboken)

View original tutorial HERE.
Melissa and I spent hours catching up and dining on my Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and Macaroons that she made. Then we got down to business. 
All you need is gold spray paint, tape, newspaper and the glasses.

 We wrapped the wine glasses with craft paper and painters tape. Can I just say how much easier it is to take pictures of a craft when you have a model.

Then we took them outside to spray them. Two lights coats worked better to prevent drips.

Wait to dry (and take pics of yourself or eat more)

Take the tape off. You could stop here and you would have some really pretty glasses, be we are over achievers. So we added a monogram with etching cream. 

I used my Cameo to cut out our initials but you could use vinyl and an exacto or even the negative space from a letter sticker. 

Then apply the etching cream, it can be found at most craft stores, I buy it online... its cheaper. Also it says to leave it on for like 5-10 minutes, but I keep mine on for 20-30 otherwise its too faint. And you really have to slather it on. As you know etching cream is my friend as seen HERE, HERE and HERE.

Rinse it off and we are done.

I definitely wouldn't put these in the dishwasher. They have held up so far with a few hand washes. I am just really careful on the paint dipped part. They can really fancy up your boxed wine :/ 

And be sure to go check out Melissa's Post about our crafting extravaganza HERE and tell her hi :)

Oh Snap...

Do you guys remember this picture from last year? Remember when I tried to use my adorable sons to persuade you to go vote for me to get a free ticket to SNAP? 

Well I'm back at it... they are older and still really cute, see...

So have you heard of SNAP? and are you dying to go like me? SNAP is right up my alley, its a craft and DIY social media conference and anyone who is anyone will be there... hello that includes me, clearly! The amazing people at SNAP the Conference are offering another free ticket to the event in April. They want to know why I should get a free ticket... here are some of my reasons....
1. have you seen the guest speakers... ah-mazing!2. my 2 yr blogoversary is the week before... best blog bday present ever3. i need to get my shop on at the queen b market4. i want to learn more about wordpress, seo, and feeds5.  i need to be around other crafty women... i live in a house full of (cute but gross) boys
so starting on saturday January 21st pretty pretty please go vote for me to win a free ticket!!! I am number 5. And if I win, I promise the best recap post ever! Thank you thank you thank you!!! (dont worry i will remind you again :)
VOTE HERE

Mini Journals

I'm still catching up on all of my gift posts that I couldn't show you because I was way to busy to blog about anything they were gifts and I didn't want to ruin the surprise :) I found this tutorial for Journal Covers at a blog called Bloom. It's a cute blog about gardening and quilting but I seriously fell in love with the Journal Covers she made. I actually wanted to make an exact replica but it was the night before my son's school party and I was under prepared. So I came up with these for his teachers. They are so sweet to him and because I used to be a teacher I know about teacher gifts. I mean I know its the thought that counts and I'm not complaining but I don't really trust baked goods from your house that traveled an hour with your 7 yr old before they got to me... just saying. 

It took me no time at all to whip these two up and I think they really loved them. Head over HERE to find the full tutorial. (I'm telling you the original is much prettier and I will be making one in the future :)

In the original tutorial she mentions a certain art journal that I have never seen, but I think she is located in Australia... kinda far from Texas. So I found these at Walmart and had to just figure out the correct dimensions. 

And Finn helped me wrap them too, so cute.

Happy Journaling.

Little Girl Table Runner

Back in December, we went to a birthday party for a friend of Finn's (does anyone else know a ton of people with December b-days like we do?) Anyway, most of Finns friends are girls which is fun for me because on their birthdays I get an excuse to sew for a girl. And lets be honest, it is usually more fun to sew for girls. 

I got her a cute little play cupcake set with a stand but I wanted to add a little something extra. So I made the easiest, most girly table runner ever. And some cloth napkins because every girls needs some :)

For the table runner I just serged a strip of blue paisley fabric and added a pink polka dot ruffle with a cupcake ribbon right down the middle. I had been saving the cupcake ribbon for the perfect thing and I think this was it.

Throw in the cloth napkins...

...and its time to play. I might go over her house and play tea party because as we speak one of my sons is running over the other one in his motorized car and they both think it's funny... not quite the same as a girly tea party. 

Another Camera Strap Tutorial

First tutorial of the year, yay. I made another Camera Strap as a gift for Christmas. This one is a cover which I love because you can take it off to wash it... and I get sick of things really easily. It also includes lace which is always a good thing. Firstly, you need to measure your own camera strap and because this is a cover, it needs to fit snug.
What you need:-1/4 yd fabric for front of strap-1/4 yd fabric for back of strap-lace or trim-thread 
Add about one inch to the length and one inch to the width of your current camera strap. Once you have your dimensions, cut a piece of the fabric for the front and a piece for the back. I did the same fabric for both. Also, I used fat quarters so I actually sewed two pieces together to get the length.

I serged the ends and hemmed them but if you don't have a serger, just fold, press and hem.

Pin the lace to the right side of the fabric on the front strap, lining up the edges.

Sew the lace to the front piece.

Pin right sides together and sew.

Lastly, flip the strap right side out and  top-stitch the lace down. 

A cute and easy gift, and once again, I need to make myself one :) 

Also... shout out to my husband on his birthday... love you babe! Birthday wishes for him are welcome.