DIY Sponge Stamps for Kids

 I bought these transportation sponges quite a while ago. I wanted to use them for preschool, but I did not want the kids to get their hands all dirty when they dipped them in paint. Enter the laundry detergent cap. I had been saving these- because somewhere I had seen them re- purposed into something- I don't recall what or when. BUT they made great handles for these sponges.

Here is the trick: Gorilla Glue. It works really well, as we only had one come apart, while washing them out. You need to let the Gorilla Glue dry for a while, and follow the instructions on the bottle when using! You also need to apply pressure to the things being glued together.

After carefully rinsing out the paint, I still have 9 of the 10 of these that I made. Pretty good. So they are ready to go for the next time we use them. Start saving those laundry detergent caps and lids- you just never know when you might need one!

Thanks for reading!

A Place for Everything: My Craft Cupboard

I'm in major "nesting" mode. I am cleaning and organizing everything. I have also been watching this show.

I love Peter Walsh. I watched him years ago on Clean Sweep, so I was happy to see him have a new show on OWN.

This is my craft cupboard. I have had this little cupboard since I was 7 years old. My dad built it for me for Christmas one year, and it has followed me around since I left my parents home. I love it.  (Although I really want to paint it...any ideas on a "caute" color?)

Over the years my little cupboard has had a lot of uses, but this one is here to stay. With the help of that darn Target {seriously they should pay me}, I found all these cute little bins in the dollar area.

And they fit in the cupboard perfectly! The top shelf is old plastic salsa or condiment containers from Costco. It is a pain to get the smell out, and the sticker label off the jar, but- it was free so I was all for doing the work so I could reuse the container.

I went through drawers of junk, and plastic bins of paper crafting stuff, and organized every last little brad, nail, clip, button, ribbon, piece of chipboard, and tac.

The small drawers hold adhesive and ink pads. The cupboard holds 8 by 8 paper, and empty albums.

The other things, like pens, markers, and scissors, have to go up really high- so my kids don't have an art party! I'm sure I could add some cute labels to the little buckets- but you know, I have boys- and they will just come and pull them off! Plus, I can see what is inside of them, so it works for me.

Enough Already has really taught me that you have to set limits for your stuff- as you organize and that is exactly what I have been doing - through every area in my house. Let me just say- I have a bin of scrapbook stuff, and a bin of sewing stuff,vinyl letters & signs, home decor, and more- for a yard sale and  for donating....along with 1/2 a garage full of other stuff! It feels so good! I have more to show you....hope you love organizing as much as I do! :)

Here are 10 tips for decluttering your home.

Is anyone else doing some decluttering/spring cleaning? I'd love to hear what you plan to keep and toss!

Happy Decluttering!

Fabric Book Pocket/Sling {Fabric Book Holder} Tutorial

I needed a solution to the never-ending pile of books on the top bunk bed. Let's face it, I am not climbing up there everyday, and therefore, books were piling up- up there.

Here is my solution- a fabric book sling pocket thing!

I saw a similar idea in Family Fun magazine. And if you don't subscribe to Family Fun, you really really should! (I mention it so much on here, they should pay me! ha ha ha)

I made my pocket kind of deep so the books don't show unless they are really big books. You can make yours as deep as you wish. We used 2 U-shaped curtain rods-because these are very inexpensive. You can see here- how it looks with the rods and with things in it.

If you use these rods please note: I used 2 sets- a part from the set from Target and a part from the set from Walmart- both will run you about $3-4 dollars. The reason I did this is because one set  from one particular store did not have enough space in between the two rods. You have to make sure your rods have enough space between them for putting books in and out of this opening. This is the reason I used a set of rods from Walmart, and a set from Target- to get two different sized rods with enough space between them for books.

HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC BOOK POCKET/SLING:

you will need:

2 pieces of fabric 45 inches wide, and 30 inches long- if you want your books to show make it about 25 inches long instead.

2 long strips of heavy interfacing

thread/sewing machine

an iron

2- u-shaped curtain rods or 2 double curtain rods (or holders and dowels that fit)

1. On the shorter ends of one piece of fabric, iron on the interfacing across each end. This is where you will make a casing later.

2. NEXT with right sides together,  sew the two pieces of fabric together, leaving an opening to you can turn it right side out. It is a good idea to pin the fabrics together when you do this.

3. Turn the fabrics right side out and press.

4. On the shorter ends, fold the fabric over to make a casing. The size of your casing will depend on the rods you are using. I made my casing just over an inch wide, and my rods were about a 1/2 inch in width. Press this and then sew along the long edge only.

5. When your casing is finished, fold your fabric in half so that both casings are lined up. Press and iron well.

6. Now you are ready to hang up your book pocket with your curtain rods.

When your rod brackets are hung, thread the rods through the casing of your book pocket, and you are done! Hang it up and fill it with books!

I plan to make more of these, so I will try to get a better tute w/ photos. It was pretty easy, so hopefully the above instructions will help you out if want to make one. Let me know if you have any questions and happy sewing and happy reading!

A Good Buy: New Lamps!

Sometimes you buy something because you NEED it. And it turns out to be a good investment. Other times, you buy something because you WANT it. Sometimes it is a mixture of both-a want and need.  I am no Thrifty Decor Chick (she is amazing :)), but I have been known to make some good- GREAT purchases in my life. Being that I am married, I often have to convince my husband that my "purchase" is a great buy. And usually, I am right-about the great buy-and my husband will agree. ☻

 Case and point: the story of the lamps. For a long time I have been wanting, NEEDING new lamps. Well, a few weeks ago I found these beauties at Home Goods for 29.99 each, after looking all over for some lamps. I bought them. Even though my husband wanted me to sell our current lamps first. (then we would have no lights in our great room-so I had to do it my way. Plus, when you see something for a good price, you buy it, if you need it, right?) Well, 29.99 isn't fantastic, but it is decent for a lamp. These were solid and and good size, and after looking, the price was right. Well now here is the AMAZING part of the story (but you will have to scroll down to see the picture....)

Our current lamp, below, I bought when I purchased my first home. They were on clearance, at ShopKo. (oh how I miss you - ShopKo....) While they did not really fit my style, I liked kokopelli's at the time (2001), and the price was right: all three were a total of $30. THAT was a very good purchase. The day after buying my lamps above, I sold these for $50 on Craig's List. I had a line-up of people who wanted them too. Dang- I could have asked more $....but oh well.  I was only asking $40, but so many people wanted them. (I live in the Southwest, so these are the style here....)

So the grand total for my new lamps was $10.  Now that is a GREAT BUY! (I'm so glad my husband listens to me when it comes to these things....:))

Make a Diaper Clutch from a Placemat

This is just about the easiest baby thing out there that you can make! I am sure I saw this on some blog somewhere...forgive me for not remembering where!

I currently have 2 babies in diapers- and my youngest has to wear {2}, yes 2 diapers in two sizes at once, due to his surgery. So the plastic zip bag in the car and diaper bag were getting old pretty fast. ☻

Here is what you do to make this:

1. Buy a placemat at the dollar store.

2. Wash it.

3. Iron it. I used a little spray starch since it really wrinkled when I washed it.

4. Fold it so it creates 2 flaps.

5. Sew on some velcro for a closure. (make sure you mark where you want your velcro so it matches up. I just eye-balled it. )

6. Sew the sides on the larger flap to form a pocket.

Stuff it with diapers and wipes and add it to your diaper bag! Couldn't be easier or cuter.

I am thinking of personalizing it by adding an initial, ribbon, ric-rac, or something and giving it for a baby gift.

What do you think?

He likes It!! (He loved putting any and every thing in his mouth these days!)

Infant Car Seat Tent Cover

The Thrify Chick, who recently passed away, posted this great tutorial on a simple car seat cover
for your infant car seat. I used it to make one for my car seat. I made a few little changes:

I added a pocket on the corner for a pacifier, your keys when shopping, etc. The pocket was 7 by 7 inches before sewing. I also used sew on velcro for closing the pocket and for the straps that attached to the car seat. I also positioned the straps a bit differently, but I think I might move them. Even in the summer, I always take a light blanket with me when going out with the baby. I really like this idea- because this can be used for so many things- and it is attached to the car seat- so there is your lightweight blanket- build into your car seat. ☻

Keeping Kids Occupied while Shopping

Now that we have three kids under four, shopping will really be a...chore (ha ha- didn't meant that to rhyme) .... My kids really love carrying the plastic shopping baskets at stores. The baskets are about as big as they are, so it isn't really easy for them to carry. Yesterday, at JoAnn's we found these cute little baskets for a dollar. They were pink- and no boy of mine will be carrying a pink shopping basket! So my husband spray painted them-aren't they cute? And how much fun they have had going to the grocery store with daddy, and using these baskets! I think they will be a regular addition to our grocery shopping trips. (because not every store has mini shopping carts for the kids to push- which is one reason we so love Trader Joe's...) They both did very well with them- until the very end of the trip-when the almost 2- year old had had it- but what do you expect- it was nap time :)