Meet My Girls...

I am so excited about these. I made them as Christmas gifts for some of the younger girls in my life. I think they are the sweetest things. I forget how much I paid for the clothespins but I think it was a couple of bucks for 30. I also bought a heavy duty craft glue that works on practically everything. It was also a few bucks. The fabric for the clothing was scraps I had from old stained up clothing. I used paint for their faces. I tried using sharpie markers but it bled a lot and that annoyed me so I painted the sweet little faces on.

If you are interested in making your own they are simple. There isn't really a method, though. I think you have to apply your own style. I spent a lot of time looking up these dolls on line and they are all dramatically different. If I get around to it I plan on making a doll pouch for the girls. Of course I will post photos.

Refurbished!

About a month ago I told you about some curbside shopping I did! Here are my results! I've gotten mixed responses and my feelings aren't easily hurt so be honest and tell me what you think. The entire refurbish cost about $15. We spent the most on the knobs. We could have probably found some used ones if we kept looking but we didn't have time for that since I did need the dresser for Avery's clothes!

BEFORE

AFTER

Handy, Cute, Cheap & Easy Aprons!

What happened to the days when women wore aprons in the kitchen? It wasn't just for looks you know - aprons protect your clothes. A couple of weeks ago I was cooking and stuff splashed on my shirt. I thought "not again". Silly me. Then I was browsing the internet and viola - everyone is making aprons. So, when I was at Goodwill I picked up a pillow case with a ruffle for 25 cents! I did a little cutting and some sewing. I came up with an apron for me and a little sweet one for Elise. I would have taken a picture of her in it but she is refusing to wear it. Once I start wearing mine I think she will like hers!

Old Vinyl....Repurposed

Last spring, during a pottery class, one of the ladies was talking about some of the activities she was planning to do with the kids in her summer program. I was so intrigued by one of the cool things they did with the kids...they melted old record albums and made them into bowls. They did theirs in the hot summer sun but I decided to brave it and try it in the oven. I started with four albums I snagged on Freecycle. Oh, and don't feel bad - they had some scratches and probably wouldn't have been very good to listen to anymore. BTW...when we went to get them Jude was totally fascinated. He wanted to know what records were! Ha.

Okay - here is what I did...

Looked at the pretty albums & preheat your oven at 200 degrees.

Find a heatproof bowl to set the album on. As you can see I used a metal mixing bowl. Put it in the oven. Set your timer for 3 minutes. Wait. Suggestions for killing time: eat a peach, paint your toenails, sweep the kitchen floor, flip through a magazine....

OK - time is up. Use oven mitts (so don't paint your fingernails while waiting)!! Remove the bowl. With oven mitts on your hands form the old record into the shape you like. It cools pretty quick. After a minute or two I used my bare hands (it was easier).

I did 4 albums. They make a nice set, don't ya think? I have no idea what I am going to do with them. Another website suggested lining them with parchment paper and using them as a chip or popcorn bowl. Who knows....

This one was my favorite.

Here is why I think this is a great craft...

• It is unique.
• Very quick.
• EASY.
• No clean up!