T-shirt Throw Pillow

I made this pillow for my son Truman for 2 reasons: 1) to preserve his two favorite shirts in a way he would like, and 2) because I was sick of him wearing only these two shirts.  You decide which reason influenced me more to break out the sewing machine.

Truman is almost 11, and this pillow is going to be one of his birthday presents.  The thing is, I know the main reason he wore these two shirts all the time was more because they were always in the top of his shirt drawer than anything else.  I don't think he has even noticed that the shirts are gone, because now he is wearing whatever 2-3 shirts are currently in the top of his drawer.  I need to go in his room and rotate his clothes if I want to see him dress with any variety.  But I digress . . .

Start with two shirts (clean & pre-shrunk)

Use a template to cut out equal-sized squares
(I used a 12-inch square of corkboard I had lying around)

Cut four rectangles the same length as the side of your squares,
you determine the width
{PS- the fabric I used came from a $2 red tablecloth
I bought at the D.I. specifically for this project---sweet.}

Sew right sides together on the tops and bottoms of your t-shirts

Cut four new lengths to match the long side of your sewn shirts

Sew right sides together along both sides of each piece, then sew
right sides together of both finished squares, leaving a hole for stuffing.

Stuff that pillow like a Thanksgiving turkey!
{I used stuffing from an old body pillow,
fluffing each piece before adding it to my new pillow}

Sew up the hole and present it to your intended recipient with love.

I like this project because it is super simple--much easier than making a t-shirt quilt, but still meaningful to your little basketball camper :).  Right now, Truman is sporting his 2012 basketball camp shirt about 50% of the time, so maybe in 2013 he'll get another pillow after attending Cardinal b-ball camp again.

~TeAchEr GiFt~

Seriously this is a super easy project to tackle, and the effects of letting our teachers know how much we LOVE and APPRECIATE them is even longer lasting.

I heard from a friend recently "I don't do teachers gifts because I can't afford it." 

GASP.....cough....Gasp again...

I am one of those peeps who believe in showing appreciation for our teachers and all of their hard work. 

It doesn't even have to cost money or you can spend hardly anything! 

It is the thought the matters, right?!

So here is a quick and simple gift idea.

First get out some frames. If you don't have any then hit the thrift stores or dollar store.

These are 5x7 frames that I already had on hand.

Next, pull out your tole paints, spray paints, whatever you want to bring your frames to life!

 I used a spray paint I already had on hand.

Then design, in your word perfect, word pad,  or photo editing program, a favorite quote.

And if you don't want to come up with one on your own...I did all the work for you.

I found this fun quote and designed it with a chevron background!

(Just right click, save in your files, and print. This is a 5x7 sz., but you could re-size it smaller too.)

After your frames are done drying, give them a light sanding.

 

Print out your quote or the one above and simply frame it!

All for the cost of $0.00

Inexpensive Gift Idea

So me and my hubby are in between jobs, which makes the gift giving part of the holidays a bit tricky.  I am sure many of you can relate to something similar. So this year we decided that this will not put a damper on our holiday cheer, but that we will do a HOME MADE CHRISTMAS!

A few things we are making the kids are: Quilts made from all the old levis I have been saving, swords from scrap wood we have. ( I have three boys,this could be dangerous) Hooded towels, with monster and superhero themes, and a friend of my sisters is giving away cute puppies so we are also making them a dog house (also from the scrap wood pile).  

It has been a lot of fun making things for them!

I also wanted to think of something for my sweet neighbors and friends and this is a affordable, great gift, and made with love!

So, here is my idea.

Found these at wally world 2.00 for a package of two.
Saweet!

They come really big, so I can make two hand towels out of one flour sack.
Now I have 4 hand towels at 50cents a piece!
Can we say FABULOUS!!??

Fold, measure, iron, and cut!

I sewed the cut seam with the same color thread

 There are so many different ways you could make these, but I liked this cute bird template I found on pinterest. Which inspired this design.

I also used stencils and black fabric paint on this project.
I got these two inch ones at Wally World, but you could also just make your own.

So go get some  inexpensive fabric or pull out your scrap fabric.

 Here is the finished product.
So easy and versatile.
I don't know any woman who couldn't use a few extra hand towels in there kitchen 

Happy Holidays 

 

 

Inexpensive Gift Idea

I know in past years we have showed you this same concept over and over. 

And I am sure you have seen variations of this same idea all over blog land!

With Christmas fast approaching it is a good one to show again just in case you are needing some last minute gift ideas.

You can check out similar posts here and here and here!

I have tried gorilla glue and a few others glues, but the silicone is my FAV for glass!! 

Works like a charm!

So first collect your glass vases, glass candlesticks, stemware, etc.

I get mine at the dollar store, DI, Ross, etc.

Then buy yourself some of this goodness!

I feel like Gorilla glue breaks easily- this adheres perfectly, clearly, and holds!!

Dab a glob of the silicone on the vase and stem - 

VOILA!

Beautiful candy dishes, decor, and candle holders!

 The kids made these ones for their teachers!!

And of course I have made tons for my own home.

An inexpensive and elegant piece no matter what you do with it!

Inexpensive Partical Board Frames

Hanna created this idea years ago. 

And it has never gotten old or out of date! 

It is something that anyone can do very inexpensively and easily!

The variations and possibilities are endless!!

PARTICLE BOARD FRAMES

First get some particle board.

This is SUPER inexpensive to buy, but usually it is a wood that is left over a lot on job sites. So ask a friend or contractor for their leftovers.

(This is one our sister Sharla created while she was here for a visit)

Cut the particle board down to whatever picture size you want!

Next, Paint your particle board. 

We used black spray paint. 

But it takes a lot of coats, so tole paint is a little easier with this project!

 Then, get some old picture frames.

DI, Dollar Store, and Yard sales, are all good places to pick up frames for .50 cents or less!

The one below is a Dollar Store frame!

Paint those as well.

 While your picture frames are drying, take your painted particle board and apply a coat of modpodge. This seals the particle board and makes the board pop out.

 Now get your dried picture frames and line them up on your board the way you want them to be displayed. Use a backer and small pin nail to secure the frames.

(TIP- After the frames are hung with pictures use some double sided tap at the bottom of the frames to keep them securely in place. This allows the frames to not move, but you can still replace the pictures as needed!)

 To give the top of this frame a little more Pizazz, we found an old 1x4 laying around an cut it down to fit the frame. Then we painted the 1x4 white,  applied a piece of vinyl to it , and then painted over top of the vinyl black. So when we pulled off the vinyl we had a stenciled design.

Next we pin nailed the 1x4 in place.

And VOILA...a frame that cost $3.50 to make.

Here is another variation.

The corner lines are just sanded in to create a faux look of a pieced together frame!

And there you have it! 

An easy and inexpensive gift idea that will WOW your friends and family!!

Go now- I know you want to make some!

Gift Idea

Who doesn't love a good, relaxing, moisturizing, bath?
I make this recipe all the time and keep it in a large air tight jar.
But it is perfect for any gift giving occasion.
And incredibly inexpensive and quick to make!

Homemade bath salts

* 1 cup fine sea salt
* 1/2 cup Epsom salt
*1/2 tsp liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer) (optional)
*few drops of essential oil (opt.)

I never use the liquid glycerin. I sometimes add a few drops of essential oils, but most of the time I don't. I just add a few tablespoons of this to my bath water.
And trust me it is soothing!



Plus, I know you all can decorate a jar all cutsie for a gift!
So give it a whirl!

Baby Shower Gift Idea

BABY SHOWER GIFT IDEA

Here are a few of the projects that have been keeping me busy lately:

Baby shower gifts for my sisters

These were so fun to do! I wanted to use a Mason jar but had to get a little bigger of containers to fit there stuff. I just rolled up the outfits and tucked them down inside. Then put all the other things in and made it fit! Wal-mart sells those cute labels with ingredients for a girl or boy on them. It added just an added touch of "cuteness" to a plain old jar!

Father's day gift idea

INEXPENSIVE GIFT IDEA

So my Super talented and beautiful friend Kellie had this Father's day idea on her blog. I totally thought it was so cute and decided to copy her. She had each child hold a letter, to spell DAD. I ran to Roberts to get some letters and of course there were no A's left so I got an I, a heart shape, and a U. For I love you. But of course as fate would have it, I put my painted letters and heart in the sun to dry and when I came back to get it Max (my dog) had chewed up all the pieces! ( I swear he eats everything!! Including the siding off of our old house) So in the aspect of time, I just decided to add, with photo editing, the words "I love you". I think it turned out cute, but definitely not as cute as Kellie's kids holding letter's! Seriously, check her's out~ it is amazing and soooo cute!!!

So if any of you are looking for something super quick and inexpensive, but also sentimental, to do for your husbands! This is it! The frame cost $3.00 and the prints for 3 -4x6's cost .58 cents, so my whole total was $3.58. I know my husband will love this. It is something he can put on his desk at work!