DIY Suspenders...

DRAB 2 FAB Suspenders
 Inspired by my spunky, five year old tomboy!

Dressing her is often times challenging. She only wants to wear her brothers hand-me-downs, & she is as stubborn as they come about what she wears. {She must get that from her dad!:)}
She has her own little fashion sense that we like to call,...
"Finley's Fashion"!

 It's  eh..rrr.. interesting, to say the least! 

Let me just share what the second she gets home from school looks like.

  Back pack on the floor, stripped down to her underwear and immediately changes into a polo shirt, buttoned all the way up & with a popped collar {YIKES!}, her brothers tie, basketball shorts, and "woody" {cowboy} boots! Oh, and how could I forget her fake glasses with the lens popped out.?
{These ones are actually a 3D pair from the movies!} 

Just writing about it cracks me up! 

I admit, I was a little up tight about the whole self expression thing at first. Mostly for fear she would be teased for her outrageous choices. But I have, in time, totally embraced it.
 I love that she knows who she is, and she is completely comfortable expressing it!
Although I don't let her wear her after school getup when we go out, we have found a balance where she can express herself while still looking adorbs!

I was so in love when all the cute bow ties for girls became the trend. Mainly because I knew Sundays would be easier to get her dressed If  she could wear one with her shirt and skirt. The tie under her dress every week, was finally solved!
HALLELUJAH!
 That's where the idea of the suspenders came in. Another Sunday accessory  bribery!
 I knew I could get away with them being a little more girly, so long as she got to choose the majority of her ensemble. PERFECT! A Win/Win! 

So here is how it's done! 

First, I measured the length from her hip, right where her pants sit, to the top of her cute little tush. 

{Going over each shoulder the way suspender do.} 

I made sure to add an inch extra on each side to sew the buckle on. 

Then, I gathered my Materials!
Stretching Elastic Waste Band, {color & width of your choosing}
Old piece of Clothing {I used a 12 month old dress with a rip in it}...
 or a Quarter Yard of any cute fabric
 A Sewing Machine with thread to match your fabric
Old suspenders {what I used}, or a package of four Suspender Clips
 Old Buttons or Beads

The old Dress with a rip.:( I saved it because I was so in love with the fabric.
Gotta ♥ her disgusted look on the right, when I told her what we were using it for she said, "GROSSNESS"!

I cut her measurement to two matching pieces of Stretchy Elastic Band, then I cut the fabric to the width of each piece of elastic.
Next, I sewed one straight line down the middle of the fabric holding it in place.
You can create any look you want before sewing it permanently. I chose the ruffled effect!
{Anytime I can get away with frilly, I will!}
{Keep in mind I left an inch and a half up front for the clip to be sewn on, and about two and a half inches in the back for stretch and also for a clip.}
I added a skinny layer of fabric down the middle again, for more ruffle, and a cute button near the clip on all  four ends.

 VIOLA! AND 100% FREE!
We have one very silly and very excited 5 yr. old! Can you stand the cute factor!?

Or the ENORMOUS amount of personality this girl  tomboy has!? For days!

Now to make them for all my girls. And in every color!
Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

CREATED by Hanna

OCT. Conference Printables...

Conference weekend are some of my most favorite weekends. Like many, our family tries to make these days extra special. They often consist of nature drives and hikes in the mountains in between meetings, preparing special meals, snacks and desserts for each session, Visiting grandma and grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins, building massive LEGO creations with dad, playing games and activities that go along with each of the speakers, and listening to the sweet and tender words of our dear Prophet and his Apostles.

The messages from this months Conference did not disappoint. I felt like many of the talks given were with me personally in mind. And guess what, they were! They were given for each, and with each of us in mind. I soaked in all of the words that were spoken and found myself re-listening to many of the talks over, and over again. Don't you just love the warmth, wisdom, and the rejuvenating strength you feel to do and be better!? I can't get enough of it!

Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from Oct. 2013 Conference.

FREE 5x7 PRINTABLE's

If you missed out on hearing any of these beautiful and encouraging words, Click here and listen to them. I promise you will feel so inspired and uplifted!

Created by~ Hanna

Vintage High Chair Revamp.....

Found this puppy for $10.00 at the DI. I usually wouldn't have paid that much, but it was vintage, and in GREAT condition! I actually used crafting Toll Paint this time. Just painted a few coats, and let some of the old wood show through. Love the way it turned out, and used it at my latest photo shoot. (I Forgot to get a picture of the before, so I found one that was close to the original by googling vintage high chairs.)  

BEFORE

AFTER

 Don't you just ♥ how fresh a coat of paint can make things?

Inexpensive Baby Shower Idea..

ROBOT THEMED BABY SHOWER!

It is amazing what you can do with some vinyl, balloons & some old Cd's. I threw a baby shower for my cousin, and she wanted everything Robot. I myself am a robot enthusiast, so I couldn't have been more excited! I looked for some silver disco balls everywhere, to hang above the table but my sister gave me the idea to use Cd's instead! CLEVER and INEXPENSIVE! I think I had over three 98 degree Cd's. Sad but true, I was a HUGE boy band fan! I still don't think I am over my whole JT crush! What a Heart Throb!

The INVITES!

These Robot stickers come with six on each sheet at the dollar store! Just back them with some card stock and attach the Info!

 The MENU..

ROBO FLOATS ( root bear floats)

NUTS & BOLTS ( Chex mix & Peanuts)

BOT BITS (Pez)

I personalized everything with baby Coopers name in Vinyl. Oh so Cheap!

I wish I would have put the balloons behind the table for pictures, but the rest of the room was filled with Silver, orange, lime green, & white balloons!

I also strung the extra invites and hung them above the bay window, and over my entertainment center.

I even let my kids help by decorating our baby gifts to look like a Robot. We used it to let people know where the gifts go.

I even let my kids help by decorating our baby gifts to look like a Robot. We used it to let people know where the gifts go.

Baby GIFT IDEA'S:

 I forgot to take pictures, but my cousin is sending some so check back. I had robot onesies made with cooper on the butt, and also I made some cute robot wipe cases to match.

The GAMES we played:

To go along with the robot theme, we played all A-BOT mom. It was a questionnaire all about the mother to Be's pregnancy. Then we played a Baby Bot diaper game. I numbered diapers filled with various items that had to do with robots, like Nuts, Bolts, screw drivers, tape measure, etc. The guests had to guess what was in the diaper by feeling it for 30 seconds. It was so much fun that I think I might throw a Robot themed Birthday party for my son!

Old sewing Table to NEW Kitchen Island..

This is one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my house. I made it out of an old sewing machine table, purchased at the DI for $6.00. I did this project over five years ago, so I'm sorry that I didn't have pictures for the whole process.  I found this picture on the internet to give you an idea of the before.

BEFORE 

The one I bought didn't have the sewing machine in it.

So, first purchase your sewing table.

Then remove the old sewing machine, unless you can't see it. 

Next, paint it the color you'd like, and sand the edges. I didn't prime this time because I wanted it to chip away and look more worn over time. I used a semi-gloss Charcoal paint. 

Then, Drill holes at the bottom of the legs and screw in wheels. These wheels lock so that the table can stand still, and unlock for a moveable work surface ( I took them off of an old file cabinet I had lying around. ). 

Finally, attach bathroom hardware. I bought the cheap Mainstay set at Walmart. It came with knobs, hooks, and a towel bar.

Here is the final product!

AFTER

Here is one of my favorite things about the table. It has a secret compartment on top, where I store all of the sharp knifes in my house. Isn't it FAB?

If you don't have enough counter space in your kitchen, think twice before throwing out an old table or dresser. It might make the PERFECT kitchen Island! 

Glass Goodie Jars....

I love displaying things in Glass jars around my house, and absolutely ♥ed how these ones turned out! 

First, purchase your jars. You can use all shapes and sizes. I found all of mine at the DI, (Local thrift store) from .50 to $1.00. 

I like to find uniquely shaped jars with chunky knobs.

Then you need small glass items to attach to the bottom of the jar. I found candlestick holders & small glass cups (also .50- $1.00 a piece).

Next, clean them up and purchase glass adhesive to attach the two together. I use this small window adhesive & primer found in the auto section at Walmart for Under $4.00 (they come together)! I have tried other adhesives, but I LURVE this one! First apply the primer all over the area you are going to glue,top and bottom. Then,  DIRECTLY after the primer, add the Glue and hold items together for 1 minute.( I usually hold it a little longer, just to be sure!)

Aren't they Lovely?

Can't you just imagine these at a childrens birthday party, filled with all sorts of yummy sweets? I can't wait to make more!

I filled them with Valentine Candy for February, and rewarded my kids with a little treat when they made a good choice. They loved it! This is such an easy project to add holiday decor into any home.

Now all I need to do is purchase some vinyl for my cricut and make cute little labels for each one! Aren't the Knobs divine?

I Hope that everyone had a beautiful Valentines day and that the rest of your month is filled with love!

Small Dresser ReVamp & More...

I can't even lie and say that I bought this painted like this. As Embarrassing as it is to admit it, I painted it years ago, hated how it turned out, and sent it down to the dungeon (My basement) because it was so hideous!

I knew that someday I would fix it, and today was that day!

( dresser was purchased at the DI for $4.00)

First off I took out the drawers.( *I save all drawers for later project possibilities!)

Then, I hammered the CRAP out of the poor thing, and hollowed out the middle.

Next, I brought out my Kirby Vacuum ( shout out to the parental unit!)  for some sanding!

Off to my pile of wood in the garage for some inspiration!

Voila.... Left over bead board!

I cut the Bead Board down to the size of the bottom, back, and sides of the inside of the dresser. Then, I painted it with Turquoise Toll Paint (My all time favorite color, Found in the craft section of  Walmart. ),  & added Dark Walnut Stain in the cracks, and along the edges. 

Next, I painted the dresser Antique White & nailed the bead board in place.

This is how it turned out!

( I also stained the antique white dresser)

I wanted something to go on top of my dresser, so I purchased this frame for .50 cents at the DI.

I painted the frame the same Turquoise, and the Bead Board the same Antique White, and stained both.

Then, I nailed the bead board to the picture frame, and added some old hardware to the sides to create a tray!

Isn't it FABULOUS?

( Antique Picture Frame and Artichoke Candle stick accent also found at the DI for .50 cents a piece!)

For now it's in my front room, but I think I might move it to one of the bathrooms, and add some white towels, bath salts, & coral accents!

*I hope you think twice about getting rid of those Hideous projects that don't turn out the first time!

♥ Hanna

I'm participating in~

Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Get Your Craft on Thursday

A Soft Place to Land
Blue Cricket Designs
Beyond The Picket Fence
Shabby Chic Cottage
Fireflies & Jelly Beans