how to make a bow tie

Little gentlemen need little gentlemen attire...plus it's just too darn easy and cute not to make!

Directions stolen from here...then slightly altered...

1. 1.5" ribbon, 8" long .

2. Fold one end as shown

3. Fold the other end. This is the back view of the bow

4. Top view

5. Fold in half , I dabbed hot glue to keep it in place.

6. Side view of step 5

7. Fold one of the edge in half, and hot glue.

8. Fold the other edge, and hot glue.

9. top view.

10. Cover the elastic thread by wrapping 3/8" ribbon around the center. Then hot glue the bow on lined alligator clips.

and youre done!

and oh yes, it can be a hair bow as well!

Oliver's cousin Layla <3

If you were wondering if you could spray paint anything, the answer is yes! And I have to admit that I indeed do. Case in point my door knobs. Here is what they looked like before...

But with a bit of primer and a coat of rubbed bronze spray paint I now have door knobs that match the new light fixtures we've (aka my husband) have installed. The only down side is you will want to spray paint everything you own this color.

So how cute are these little boxes I found via how about orange found via style me pretty!?! So adorable! The best part is the designer Kathleen from twig and thistle shares, so you can have your very own favor boxes!

DIY:

To download the pink polka dots, click right here. To download the yellow stripes, click right here. To download the pink flowers, click right here. To download the yellow waves, click right here.

All you have to do, is print the template onto an 8.5×11” piece of card stock with a color printer. Score along dotted lines with a bone folder and a ruler. With an x-acto knife and ruler, cut along solid lines. Fold box together and tape shut with double-sided tape where indicated.

Does your heart want a Kelly handbag but your wallet disagrees? Well now both your heart and wallet can be happy- free kelly handbags! Printable versions of the Kelly handbag, new printables come out with the new seasons so be sure to go back.

Find your wallet her new home here!

Does reapolstering jump start labor?

I hope so!
So since baby Oliver doesn't realize how much fun birthday parties are, I have been keeping myself busy with this:


I found two wing back chairs on Craigslist for $20! This one which I refer to the boy and another one with curvier lines whom of course is the girl. Boy chair is currently under going some plastic surgery, when finished he will have a new chocolate brown fabric and bright white legs and I'm thinking him and his wife will look stunning in our soon to be sitting room/library! Oh I am very excited, and a bit nervous since I have never so much as sewn a pillow case before.

I will keep you updated as I go, here is what we have done so far:

1. Pulled staples, one section at a time. This may seem easy enough, but it is VERY time consuming! We are using a flat head screw driver to loosen the staples and then a pair of needle nose pliers to pull them.
2. Vacuum up bugs! We made the dreadful mistake of begining this project indoors and without bug killer by our sides. Who knew antique furniture could be so disgusting! I suggest keeping bug killer and the vacuum nose by your side, spray then suck! Other treasures we have found in our chair: hercules doll, dvd, hair brush...
3. Trace fabric pieces onto our new fabric, cut out, and label where it goes. We are also sure to keep all other metal and cardboard pieces and label where we took them off (just in case).
4. Sand chair legs and prep for painting.

So that's where we are so far on our waiting for baby project. I will keep you updated as we go so you can hopefully learn from my mistakes and perhaps even be inspired to do your own reapolstering project!

DIY Deer Head

This may have to be my next DIY project! Honestly, I can't decide If I love it or just think it's silly, but either way it makes me smile. I came across the idea reading the inspiring MadeByGirl blog, excerpted from the upcoming book "Dorm Decor", you can find their blog and the templates for the deer head here.

Here's what you'll need to make this little guy above:

Deer templates
1 20″ x 30″ piece (3/16″-thick) foam core
1 6″ x 7″ piece (1/2″-thick) foam core
60″ length (30″-wide) wrapping paper
1 6″ x 7″ piece of contrasting paper
Craft knife
Cutting board
Spray adhesive
Picture-frame hanging wire
Awl

Make the pieces

1. Using the deer templates:
From the 3/16″ thick foam core, cut:
2 deer heads
1 deer body
1 deer nose
1 deer antler
From the 1/2″ thick foam core, cut:
1 mounting board

Cover the pieces

2. Using spray adhesive, spray one side of the nose piece and adhere it to the Wrong side of the wrapping paper. Use the craft knife and the cutting board and cut out the nose piece. Repeat for the other side of the nose.

3. Repeat to cover both sides of the two deer heads, the deer body, and the deer antler pieces.

4. Using spray adhesive, adhere the contrasting paper to one side of the mounting board. Cut it out using the craft knife and cutting board.

Hang the deer head

5. On each deer head piece, cut a hole 1″ below the top edge and 3/8″ inside the back edge with the awl.

6. Assemble the deer head as shown in the photograph.

7. Thread wire through both holes several times and end by wrapping the wire around itself for a hanger

Make your own plastic bag pom pom

http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/diy-eco-happy-pom-pom-gift-topper.html

My sad attempt at trying to make the world a more beautiful place.