Bling Shoes

I saw these on Pinterest and thought "oh no, way to much for a little girl!" As I continued to scroll through Pinterest, I kept coming across them. They soon began to grow on me and I wanted them for my daughter! * Lightbulb!* Another Adventures in Pinterestig project!

Details:

About $26 to make

Time consuming- about 1 hour

Not to difficult if you can deal with tiny pieces

Materials:

Shoes- I love Converse! $17.99 Target

Bling- I used Bling on a Roll by Recollections. $4 Michaels

Toothpicks

Ribbon- of your choice. $1 Michaels

Amazing Goop- borrowed mine

1.

Clean the rubber where the bling will go. I used soap and water. Rubbing alcohol might work well too. Makes sure it's really dry.

2.

Put your bling on. The Bling on a roll are jewels with a tacky back, all connected. I actually used this as a cheat! I just pealed and placed! They sticky is pretty gooey and they aren't moving very easy BUT I have not let her wear them yet! So, I used the Amazing Goop on the 2nd row (second as in second strip) down. I just squeezed a strip of Goop and placed the bling on top.

**Here lies the frustrating part. Making the bling look good and line up. Different size shoes will line up differently. My shoes were Toddler 6. Towards the bottom I cut the jewels into singles and placed them where they looked good and fit. I used the toothpicks to help place them.  It took time and patience's! And by all means, it's not perfect!

3.

Thread the ribbon for laces. This is an option. Of course the ribbon will bunch up, get dirty, come un-tied a million times a day, but it's up to you!! It does look adorable!!

Notes:

*Now, this project is in no way useful, needed, super easy, cheap or practical but it does look cute! Not one of my favorite projects but I tried it and probably won't do it again.

* There is special glue, tools and more expensive quality jewels out there but I wasn't doing this to resale and make money. I did these to try out and give my daughter some cute shoes that she LOVES! They grow out of them before they even wear them out!!

* So have fun. Put bling all over the shoes if you want! You can be as creative as you like!!

The Pinterest inspiration:                                                    What I did:
(This one did not have the original
website attached to it.)

Famous Footwear has cute converse for cheap.

 

 

Melted Heart Crayons

These are so cute!! They really weren't that hard to make but having never done it before, there was some trial and error. Remember, I'm not really that creative so some things that would be common sense to some, really aren't to me. This is why I do this blog! For us "creatively challenged" people!!

The project on saw on Pinterest, for one, didn't really give detailed instructions, and two, glued these hearts to card stock with little messages on them for Valentine's Day. A lot of the comments from that project were about not being able to keep the hearts on the card stock without hot gluing. I don't want the kids to have hot glue on their crayons! So, I was determined to make these for my sons class and make them just as adorable without the hot glue!

Details:

            Cheap! Most parents have a million broken crayons around the house!

            Easy (once you use my detailed directions).

            Not to time consuming, especially if you have your husband help cut the crayons!

            So many different shapes you can use for any occasion!

Materials:

          I used hearted shaped, silicone molds from Target. about $2 (last year)

          Crayons. Best to use all the same brand. Free or about $1-4 anywhere

          Blade or sharp knife

          Baking sheet (not pictured)

          (I didn't use the colored pencils pictured)

1.  Preheat oven to 230.

2. 

          

Strip your crayons of all the paper. The quickest way I found was to gently cut the paper down the crayon lengthwise. Then it just falls off in one piece. I also found out the hard way that using crayons of all the same brand work much better! When I used all different kinds, some melted and some didn't. I ended up throwing some out.

3.

Cut the crayons, with the blade or knife, into about 1/4 inch pieces and place them in the silicone molds. Again, I learned the hard way, make sure they are all about the same small size. I know, common sense to some I'm sure, but me.......I just don't have crafting common sense! By the way, I made my husband cut up most of the crayons! It wasn't hard at all, I just wanted him to help!

Fill the molds all the way to the top but make sure as it melts, it won't spill over. Try to arrange the pieces so that you fit as many as possible in each heart. You want them as thick as possible so the kids don't break them as they color.

4.

Place the silicone molds on a baking sheet. These helps when you take them out of the oven they stay even and don't spill.

5.

Place on the middle rack in the oven at 230 for 15 minutes. I did 5 minutes at a time to watch them carefully. Remember all ovens are different!

6.

Let cool for at least 30 minutes. I'm sure it depends on how thick yours are. My first batch I let cool over night only because I pulled them out at 11pm and went to bed.

Then "pop" them out. They come out pretty easy. I think the silicone is the way to go with these. I couldn't imagine trying to get these out of something hard.

               

Then I put them in a cute bag with a note on it! Must easier then hot gluing them all to card stock!

* My son goes to a Spanish immersion school so they are in Spanish and I've blocked out his last name. They say "You Color My World!"*

 BUT because I'm a busy mom and had a whole lot of things to do this weekend, I ended up making little simple baggies. They were much quicker! Besides the kids wouldn't appreciate the nicer one anyways!

** It says "You Color My World!" **

Notes:

So, I changed up the original Pinterest post a bit and came up with my own ideas. Over all a great and easy project! I will do these for Halloween and Christmas too!

Have fun!!

Next Project!!

I'm so excited to start working on this project!! It's such a great idea and perfect for giving out as gifts to the grand parents! Now, this one that I found on Pinterest involves a lot of power tools. It's not that I'm not capable or not willing to use them, but I want to make it easier and just as fun!! Stay tuned!!

Valentine's Day Clothes Pin Pot

I came across this on Pinterest and thought it was so cute and so easy!

Details: Very easy and very cheap to make! Something that the younger kids could make too!

Materials:
                      Walmart and home: total= under $4!!
              Empty and cleaned out tuna cans. I used the smaller one but the bigger size will do.
                     20 clothes pins (for the smaller can)- about $3 for a pack of 100
                     Paint of any color - I had on hand
                     Soil (only about 1cup)- free if you use dirt outside
                     Seeds or plants of your choice- seeds are cheap or replant an outside flower

Directions:
                1. Paint clothes pins any color you wish! You can paint the whole pin inside and out
                            or just the outsides, up to you.



                       2. Pin them on the can. You might want to poke small holes in the bottom of the can
                          for watering.   ( I forgot to!)

3. Put your soil in and plant your seeds!!

Likes: I loved that this was so easy!! The kids had a blast painting and pinning! Now they get to watch their plants grow! There is so much you can do to change this up. Paint Christmas or Halloween colors, use glitter, write love notes on each clothes pin. The creativity is endless!!!

Dislikes/Changes: Not much to change!

The one I saw I Pinterest didn't paint the clothes pin, it look really nice still. They also showed using it as a votive holder.

Create your own master piece and share with us!!

Baby Doll Diapers

My 2 year old daughter recently started using all her diapers to put on her dolls. Although it was very cute, she was wasting diapers which are expensive. So to pinterest I went and this is what I found.

Details:
                   So easy!!!! So cheap!!! I do recommend sewing the Velcro on. The sticker Velcro just
                  doesn't hold. Fits almost all her dolls. You can tweak the pattern a little to adjust the
                  size as needed.

Materials:

            
                  Scissors
                           Loop and hook ribbon (Velcro) about $4/yard
                           Felt 12 x 8.5 pieces. Any color you want. $0.24/each
                           Diaper pattern found here     
                           Sewing machine or hand sew

Directions:

                        1. Fold felt squares in half
                        2. Print out diaper pattern on card stock and cut out
                        3. Lay pattern on fold (as shown above) and cut out pattern

        
                      4. Open felt, like above.
                      5. Cut Velcro. Scratchy side into small 1" squares. Soft side into a strip about 1.5".

                        6. Place Velcro as shown above
                        7. Sew the Velcro into place. (my mom did mine)

Now you have cute, cheap and quick and easy baby doll diapers!!

Likes:
              I like that they are cheap enough to loose! I also like that you can have a variety of colors!!
              The Pinterest post I got this from have wonderful prints!!! I looked into it and there is
              nowhere in my county to get printed felt. But I found it online at : Hobby Lobby.
             ADORABLE prints there!!
                       

Dislikes/Changes:
             I haven't had them very long but I think the felt will probably get "pilly". But like I said, cheap
             enough to make more!

Here is the picture I went off of:

    

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap (safe for top or front loaders)

I was spending a fortune in laundry soap! I wash a couple of loads a day! I had once scene on TV the Duggers (if you don't know who, that's ok) make their own soap. Brillant! I'll give it a try! * The picture above was an after thought after I made my batch so the bar soap is missing*

Details:
                    Easy. Super Cheap!! A little time consuming but worth it. Can be used for top or front
                     loaders!!

Materials: 
                         All bought at Walmart, in the laundry soap isle all next to each other:
                       4 Cups - hot tap water
                       1 Fels-Naptha soap bar about $3
                       1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda about $4   
                      ½ Cup Borax about $4
Directions:
                      1. Grate bar of soap (I used my cheese grader) and add to saucepan with water. Stir
                          continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. It didn't
                          take to long.
                     
                     2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket (I used the cat litter bucket)  half full of hot tap water. Add
                         melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved.
                         Getting a paint stir stick would help, or if your husband has the stir extension for
                         his drill. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight
                         to thicken.

                    3. The next day stir. It was really thick and hard to mix. It was really chunky but I kept
                        stirring until it was mixed really well. Then fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser
                        half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water.

                    4. Shake before each use. (will gel)

- Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
- Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
- Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
- Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!


Likes: LOVE IT! The clothes come out smelling so clean and fresh!! While making it, the scent was strong and I was worried but the clothes hardly smell at all. Just fresh and clean! I still use my liquid fabric softner but I will soon make homemade softner too! My mom uses white vinager in her rinse cycle for a softner. The clothes feel nice too! Not "filmy". I recently put in a load with chocolate stained clothes (sat and dried all day) and they came out perfectly clean!! The soap will store for a long time!


Dislikes/Changes: None!!

Calming Glitter Jar

I am always looking for ways to get my kids to calm down when they are out of control or frustrated.  Sometimes my son gets so worked up and upset he screams and cries and thrashes about. (He's 6 and currently being evaluated for ADHD). This glitter jar is a way for him to focus on something else and calm himself down for 5 minutes. A calming, "mind jar". I found this on Pinterest and looked into it. One of the many uses is for "processing" kids! To help them focus on something calming for 5 minutes. It also works as a fun timer for kids for just about anything! Brushing teeth, reading time, homework, etc.......

Details:
                  Super easy!! Not too expensive. You might have a lot of this on hand already!

Materials:
           

            Walmart:  Glitter jar, color of your choice . About $5
                                   Glitter Glue, color of your choice. About $3
                                   Mason Jar. I bought a 12 pack for $6.99 on sale
                                   Corn Syrup amount depends on how thick and slow you want it to settle
                                   about $6.99
                                   Food coloring of your choice, a couple of drops
                                   Warm water

Directions:
                            
                       1. I mixed 1 tablespoon of glitter-glue with about 1 cup of hot water, stir until the glue
                           "melts" and mixes. I also added more water to fill the jar once the glue melted.
                       2. Add food coloring and a tiny tub of glitter. The amounts depend on how you want it
                           to look.
                       3. In the original post I got this from, that's all they did. But I found that the glitter
                           settled really quick. Not enough time to focus and gather thoughts. So I added
                          corn syrup, 1 tbl at a time until it was the "thickness" I wanted.
        * you can add glitter and coloring as you want. I just kept mixing and adding until I liked it.*

Likes:
           My kids have really responded to it!! At first when they are upset and I suggest the glitter jar and tell them they can't get up until it's clear, they yell "NO!" but once I shake it and place it somewhere close to them, where they can see it, they stare and calm down quickly.

Dislikes/ Changes:
           I should probably glue the lid on. One day these kids are going to figure it out! Also a smaller jar would work or a plastic jar (empty mayo jar maybe). I know one of them is going to throw it out of anger!!

The original inspiration:

     What I made:

Let me know what you think! Post your ideas, comments, projects!

Entryway Organization for Kids

My kid are 6, 4, and 2. Now that 2 of them are in school we have a lot of stuff that needs to go in and out! I am the kind of person who needs to be organized and have everything ready for the next morning so that it all flows smoothly. It was kind of expensive but but worth it in the end!

Details:
                  Time consuming, needed that second person to help make sure everything was even and that the layout looked ok from a far.

Materials:
                  From Wal-Mart:
                                      Martha Stewart wall organizers $14.99 each
                                      Monkey hooks (the little "as seen on TV" hooks that go through
                                      drywall so you don't need a molly) LOVE THEM!

                           From Staples:
                                       7" x 11" combination white board ( or anyone you like) $15 each

                           Other:
                                         I already had a ton of scrap booking paper to use behind their names.
                                         printed pictures out on my printer
                                         push pins, magnets all junk from around my house

Directions:

                  1. Stand back and picture how you want it to look! It can be any combination
                               you want!
                          2.  I used a laser picture hanger thingy to make sure all the hooks would go in
                               straight.
                          3.  I hung the organizers first and worked my way up. 
                          4. The boards came with 3M sticky squares to hang with, so I used those.
                          5. I use google calenders so I just printed their personal calenders and hung them
                              on there with push pins. Now I only have to print a new one each month!
                         6.  I personalized them with magnets of things that they like!

Likes:

           I really like all things about this! It's functional and the kids like it! It looks nice too!

Dislikes:
           Nothing really. It can get cluttered if you let it.

** This is the one I found on Pinterest that gave me my inspiration:

This is what I did:

Post your comments and ideas for everyone to read! I would like to hear and see what you did different!

                                    
                                    

Little Girls Bed Canopy with Lights

I think this was my very first Pinterest project!! I made this Nov 2011 for my 2 year old daughter. I had 2 boys first so my poor daughter is just consumed with everything girly! I don't think she minds! I will tell you how I made it but you can substitute just about any part. Again, I'm not very creative so you might come up with a better idea! Read the whole blog before you buy anything. At the end of the directions, I add "likes, dislikes, problems, improvements". All the after thoughts of the project. And of course add your comments! Tell others your creative notes about this project! Last note: In the future I will include better step by step photos.

HOW TO MAKE:

Details: No sewing needed. Under $30, some items on sale. Check thrift stores!

Materials: Hula Hoop- Wal-mart about $7-$10
                 3 Sheer Curtains- Wal-Mart  about $5-$10
                 short strand of florescent Christmas lights (it was right before Christmas)
                 8 24" strings of strong holding fishing line- Walmart about $3
                 Hook for hanging- Walmart about $3
                 Spool of 1" white satin ribbon- Walmart about $2

Directions:
                 1.  I wrapped the hula hoop with the white satin ribbon. I didn't attach it anywhere except the beginning and end. I secured the ends with scotch tape because it's clear. I didn't wrap it "perfect". Some areas the ribbon is closer together then others but I have never noticed since I put it up.

                
                2.  If you choose to have lights, wrap them around the hula hoop. Remember to leave enough slack to plug them in or just know that you will need an extension cord. I used florescent lights so that they can be left on for long periods of time, they don't get hot to the touch and they aren't very bright. She can sleep with them on or read a book.

                3.  Tie the fishing line around the hula hoop in about 8 spots, trying to evenly space it out. You can make the lengths of the fishing line as long or as short as you need for hanging it above the bed. I knew I didn't want it touching the ground and I didn't want her to be able to reach and hang from the hula hoop!

              4. Gather all the fishing line, pull and hold them up above the hula hoop and tie them together in a knot close the ends of them. Make sure they are all even. Sorry I don't have pictures. I decided to do this blog long after I did this project. This is where I had the hardest time. I couldn't make mine even enough. It took forever! I'm sure there are easier ways to do this but never having done this, this is what I came up with.

             5. My curtains had a sewn seam at the top and bottom. I threaded a piece of fishing line, about 12" long, through the top seams of all the curtains (together on one string), held both ends of the string in one hand and "pushed" all the curtains together. You want the curtains to gather into a "circle". Kind of like if you had a hard shower curtain ring that you had to gather all the curtains on. Tie the line making sure it's tight.

             6. The gathered 8 pieces of tied fishing line from the hula hoop will go up through the center of the gathered curtain. The curtain will now hang and flow over the fishing line, down over the outside of the hoop!
                

             7. Hang from a hook in the ceiling!

** Now this is where I tell you the things I wish I could change about it and what doesn't work for me.**

Problems:
            It moves a lot! If my daughter opens, pulls, closes or touches the curtain, the whole thing moves. Once it moves, the hula hoop hangs crooked. I do have it in the corner of the room up against the wall so I might take some extra fishing line and tie the hoop to the wall in couple of spots so it can't swing so much.
           Wish I had lights with white wire instead of green.

Likes:
            I can keep the curtains open or close. Also I made it long enough to tuck behind her bed so it doesn't swing into her face.

Extras (after thoughts):
          You can always decorate the curtain, get colored sheer curtains. Or put weights in the seams on the bottom so it doesn't move so much. I also bought princess ribbon to sew onto the bottom of the curtain but never made it. There are soooo many things you can do to personalize it!! Have fun!!

This was like the one I saw on pinterest:

And this is what I came up with:



How different and creative can you get?!?!

Welcome to My Pinterest Madness!!

       Welcome to my madness!! I am a mom of 3: 2, 4, and 6, a wife, home owner, business owner, full time RN in the ER and Recovery Room, my sons cub scout den leader, the organizer for our local mommies group and my sons room mom! I also, like many of you, am addicted to Pinterest! I denied my friends Pinterest requests for months thinking that I'm not creative enough, I don't have time to sit on the computer, blah, blah, blah... I finally decided, after many friends hounding me, that I would look into it. I think I was home sick one day and tired of "stumbling" on the internet so I explored Pinterest. Wow!!! I couldn't get an account fast enough!! It was love at first site! So, after many months of tormenting my poor husband with Pinterest ideas and projects all over the house, I have decided to put it down where others (who might care, unlike my husband) would like to see what I have done and learn from my many mistakes! I am not in any way, shape or form creative, organized or talented! My little sister won that it the gene pool. I am just your average, working, busy, mommy brain, wiping kids running noses and car pooling, kind of mom!
       I will try to keep this blog organized. My plan is to post the Pinterest picture of my project ( say that 10 times fast!) that I am currently working on, as the most recent blog. That way you know what to expect soon. If I can figure out this blog stuff, I will keep a gallery of images of the projects I have done so you can browse them and click to go to it. If you have a request or question, feel free to email me at anytime! I will get back to you as soon as I can.
      I hope you enjoy my adventures and that I might inspire you just a little!
PS. I am in no way a writer either. So there will be MANY graphical errors! Sorry! : )