Feathery hair piece

Alanna is a girly girl to the max! "Hair pretties" are her favorite accessory and she is always asking for more. So, I decided to make her one. This is what I came up with.



I didn't take photos while I made it, but the process is easy to follow. Here is how I did it. First I took three pieces of ribbon, cut to 12" long (1/2" wide), and braided them. Using a glue gun, I simply wound it up into a disc. I did trim the braid down because the disc was getting to big. Just make it as big as you like. To finish the disc, I glued the ends to the back of the braided circle.

For the petals, I made them using V & Co.'s tutorial. I made it a bit different than the tutorial, however. I only cut the ribbon about 3" long and ended up trimming them before gluing them down. Just make them the length that looks best to you. I did not use two layers of petals and I did not glue the petals to a felt circle, though you could. I just glued them to my braided center.


My favorite clips are alligator clips. I covered it with the same pink ribbon I used for the braided center.


Then, I glued the flower to the clip and then glued the feathers behind the flower, shoving them between the flower and the clip. One thing to note, I made sure the feathers would lay against Alanna's head when she was wearing it. It just looks better than if they are sticking out all over the place.

Needless to say, Alanna LOVES the clip!!! She wears it even when it doesn't match her outfit... yikes. Maybe I need to make a variety of colors!

Sick, Sick, Sick

I know I have been MIA for so long now. Life has gotten in the way of the things I enjoy doing. This week, the flu has been circulating through our family of 6. Two are still healthy and one is sick for the second time in less than a week. yuck. But mostly I have been busting my tail to make ends meet since my husband has been out of a job since May. The crazy life.

I have some things I'm working on tonight, so check back shortly for more fun things.

Hemming Jeans Tutorial

Last spring a friend of mine asked me to hem some jeans for her son. It instantly brought back memories from when I was a child. I am pretty short and my jeans were always too long. The one time my grandmother hemmed my jeans, I felt like a total nerd. They were so ugly. I searched online to find tutorials for hemming jeans. I found tons of them. However, the problem with all of them is that the way the original hem is sewn on, it flips up and needs to be ironed all the time. So, this time, she asked me to just do a normal hem. But, I was determined to find a way that would look good and not need any maintenance. Here is what I came up with.

1. once you have pinned the appropriate length, fold the extra length inside the pant leg.

Then fold the original hem just beyond the new length as shown below.



2. Line the new length close, but not over, the original stitches. Start sewing as close to the edge as possible. Refer to the photo below. I went around this stitch 3 times.


3. Fold the extra length out.

Now trim this excess off, leaving about a 1/4 in.


4. Run a zig zag stitch around the raw edge (or use a serger if you are lucky enough to have one).


5. Run a strait stitch up the two side seams of the pants just to tack down your new hem.


When you are finished, this is what it should look like. It is not noticeable when the jeans are on and no ironing is needed. The best part, no nerdy hem on the bottom!

Recycled Headboard

Last week Dan and I made an upholstered headboard for our daughters bed. Isn't it cute? The best part, it only cost us about $12.00



The absolute best part of this headboard is how cheap it was. Yes, VERY cheap! First, Dan took an hold headboard and used it for our base. It was a simple, basic, ugly headboard we were just about to throw away. We had a piece of plywood leftover from the play kitchen we made (My S.Y.T.Y.C. entry) that we cut to cover the front of the old headboard. You can kind of see what I mean from the picture below.

Next, we needed padding. We quickly learned how expensive high density foam was and scoured our house for alternatives. Dan had an idea... we had bought these little foam mats for camping.

These things are supposed to help prevent you from feeling sticks and rocks while camping. We bought them for the kids because they were cheaper than air mattresses. Well, the kids kicked us off the mattresses and Dan and I were left on these stupid things. Now, I'm not old, but at the age of 27, I woke up ridiculously sore. useless. I guess that's what I get for making them sleep on this instead of something comfortable. Needless to say, we were NOT planning on using these again. But, that's when it dawned on us... padding for the headboard. It isn't as soft as we would have liked, but it worked and it looks great. Once we stapled the pads on, we put quilters batting over the top and then attached the fabric. Once that part was done, it looked too plain. So, I added a pop of color with some coordinating fabric. I sewed two simple hems down the sides. Then we centered it and attached it in the back. Easy.

The only things we purchased for this project were staples, fabric, and quilters batting. Totaling about $12.00!!! I had a coupon for the fabric! Awesome, right?!?!?!

Alanna's bedding will be done in the polk-a-dot fabric and two other coordinating fabrics as well. We will have pillows, curtains and lampshades coming up soon. Stay tuned for that!

out of my rut... maybe???

I can't believe how hard it has been to get out of this rut! But, I think I might be ready to dive back in. Over the last week I made an upholstered headboard by recycling an old one, for my daughters room and made some beanbags for the little ones. Nothing crazy. Nothing extravagant. But, I have so many ideas floating through my head for fall/winter clothes for the kids. FINALLY! I know.... winter clothes in this head? School starts in 3 weeks, though!!! I need to be prepared! My husband will be out of town for the weekend so I think it might be on to recycling some clothes for them. Stay tuned on that!!!

I have some photos to add for the headboard and beanbags, but am having trouble uploading them. I'll add them tomorrow though. Until then, goodnight everyone!

Desperate for crafting

Since my husband lost his job two months ago, life has been sooooo stressful and frightening. We've been in a similar situation before, but we didn't have 4 children then. Scary.... that's the best word to describe this. I'm desperate for crafting. I haven't had time because I am doing everything in my power to push my photography business in every way possible.

That is the exact reason I seriously need to start creating something other than photography. It calms me. It gives me peace. I need to.

So, besides being busy, why am I not? Well, besides being broke, I don't have the creative juices flowing much at all. I think it might be time to force myself into getting myself back there. Hopefully I come up with something soon!

In the meantime, we are currently up for Best Milwaukee Photographer and would appreciate your votes!!! http://ctvr.us/realife Thanks in advance for taking time to do so!

I leave you with one of my latest favorite photo from a recent session. Well, it is actually three photos.

Getting back to the swing of things

After a week of craziness, I'm getting things back to normal around here. Last week a friend of mine miscarried what would have been baby number 5, on a rainy day. It was so emotional and difficult to watch her go through it. I wanted to give her something just to let her know that I was there if she needed anything. However, I'm not a fan of real flowers for a moment such as this... they die. How sad is that? I just don't like to give them as a gift for a sad situation. So, I made some that would last! This was our "rain" themed craft for the day as the kiddos helped me with it.

I simply used a similar process as that of the flower party lights and attached them to floral wire. I then arranged them and stuck them in a small bud vase. Nothing big. Just small, pretty and sweet. I snapped this picture in my car before I dropped them off to her. Don't they just brighten the sad, dreary sky behind it?

And on the light side, the other day I opened my cupboard and this is what I found.

This is what happens when you are a mom of three little boys. "Scary" things find their way in little cupboards and corners to frighten Mommy. It just made me smile and I had to share. So adorable.