Bringing back the Wanna Make it Wednesday!

Bringing back the Wanna Make it Wednesday!

I haven’t been reading blogs much (since Dex has entered my world) but since I have been on vacation and had other people playing with my kids I have had a little more time to pleasure read.  I found a few awesome things that I am going to share with you…so I can find them on my blog to-do list later because I am nice and share well with others.

First up…I am so totally 100% in love with this project!  Not so much the making of it because I’ll be honest…it looks like quite a bit of work and while the tutorial is good a novice like me would feel more comfortable if it were a little more detailed.  O’well, I love it and NEED to make it!  Check out the project yourself at A Happy Wanderer, which is also one of my new favorite blogs for sure!  Love it!

These are also super cute!  I have seen quite a few similar projects but I just had to share again.  I love fabric-covered headbands!  I think they are super cute and would even make a simple and fun gift.   Alisa Burke shares her tutorial.  Check her out she has beautiful photos and a ton of great posts.

And I am totally in love with this knock off Anthropologie purse.  I am totally thinking this may find it’s way to a loved one for Christmas this year.  I wonder if they would love it as much as I do though?!?!  Either way, if you want to make one too check out The Little Apple Seed for the {FREE} pattern!

Sooo...what do you wanna make??

It's a Small World!

You know that saying, well it applies to blog world too!  I am not sure if you remember a few months back in this Wanna Make it Wednesday post about this cute purse and...

 .....the Handmade Holiday Challenge that The Boy Trifecta is hosting on her blog 

ANYWAYS.... randomly enough Emily (the woman behind Boy Trifecta) not only followed me, but had purchased patterns from me before!  She had ordered 10 patterns not even knowing how to crochet yet!  Can you believe it!?!?  I had contacted her about some advertising and she told me that she had bought from me before, needless to say the dots all were connected and my little heart was all warm and fuzzy in this small blog world!  We had already encountered each other but didn't have a face to put to a name or any reason to think much about it!  So Emily is officially a bad ass and is now a crochet whiz!  She made this hat for her Sawyer, yeah, she is extra cool in my book because she has an adorable Sawyer too!  Now, I am desperate to make one of these for my Sawyer!  Wouldn't he rock it?!?!

Well, I wish I could sit here and say I have a bunch of handmade gifts whipped up BUT I don't :(  I did finally do one last weekend and it was even for one of my own kids!  Awwe yeah!  Unfortunately it is for the one child that occasionally hops on my blog so I can't share with you quite yet but know that I am working on them!  Next up, a superhero cape for my nephew that doesn't blog ;)  I also hope to get to a few more soon!  I feel like I am finally getting my post baby groove back...today anyways, no promises for tomorrow!  Now to get my hook and black yarn so I can get this hat on my SJ's head!

If you haven't head over to The Boy Trifecta, grab a button, link up your projects/tutorials and check out others!

Advent A Long

How about a Wanna Make it Wednesday on a Saturday???  I really wanted to wait and post this on Wednesday so I am not bombarding you, BUT I love this and it's sort of an Advent a long so just in case you didn't see it already I thought I should post it now so you if you want to join along you won't be too far behind!  

Check out this beauty!

The little ornaments go into the countdown pockets and each day someone would get to hang a new ornament.  I am in love with it!

Like I said, it's sort of a craft a long to make an Advent calendar.  I love these things and have always wanted one but hate how the majority of them are gift driven whether it be candy, small presents or trinkets.  I love that this one has nothing to do with getting anything.  Homemade by Jill is hosting the craft along based off of this calendar from Inchmark's site on her blog.  Each Wednesday she will post that week's 'assignment' to keep everyone on task!

To see more of Inchmark's calendar click the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Wanna Make It Wednesday on Thursday...

Man I am doing so good with my Wanna Make It’s lately!  What is this, like at least 4 weeks in a row?! Granted a few have been bumped to Thursday BUT I am still totally counting them!
 Woo Hoo me…ok done patting myself on the back!

Ready for this week??

Quiet Books.  I love these books every time I see them!  They are so cute and I love to think they would be one on those handmade gifts that will be saved forever and ever and in 2040 my kids will say “mom these are so cool and old fashion” ha ha!  Seriously though…they might!  These definitely aren’t the ONLY quiet books out there, but they are super cute and have me newly motivated to make one…or two if I really get motivated.  There are bits and pieces of each one that I love!  Now to just get busy with my own!

I love this button name page by Homemade by Jill.  She has a ton of free patterns for pages on her blog along with tips and tricks she learned along the way!  HERE is the link to the post of her finished book.

I shouldn't be surprised, but was when I saw how many people had posted their quiet books from childhood 30 years ago!  See...I told you, vintage toys ;)  Sew Can Do shares pictures of her childhood quiet book along with what she is making for her kids too.  I love that her mom added the year to the book.  I will definitely have to do that too!

I love the idea of having a few puzzles!  Crafty Chic shares her puzzle pages.  I haven't seen this idea on any other ones and LOVE it!  The puzzles are each kept in the pockets on the left and worked on the felt square on the right!  She also shares a handful of other pages as well.

Sugar Bee Craft Edition shares her experience with leading a Quiet Book Group!  Group ladies, each making 2 page sets XX times and swapping.  I kind of like that idea!  Though, I'd probably be controlling and want my kids to have one that just I made :)  because I am a total psycho like that!  Either way, her post is great, she is a confessed project quitter and finished this!  She also gives a really good rundown of the specifics.  Here are a few of my favorite pages of hers I also love her tic tac toe page, counting bead page and a pretty much all of them BUT I didn't want to steal every picture from her post :)

These adorable barn pages are from her groups project but the template is on the Homemade by Jill blog

the little finger puppets inside the barn!  Ummm... love it!

and last but not least the Craft Pouch had a few super cute pages that I may have to 'borrow'.

I think this one is my most favorite and know Sawyer would love it!  He has a thing for cars and more specifically the wheels themselves.

I also love the faces

Ready to start but would like a little more instructions on the specifics of building your book?  Head over to Modest Maven.  She shares a printable instruction sheet with the sizes and steps that she used for her craft group.  It would definitely be a big help if you want to take some of the guess work out or get together with a group of friends.

Desperate to make one but aren't feeling creative enough to think of the page themes?  Maybe you are too busy or just don't want to make one?  Check out these stores!  They offer patterns for tons of different themes and even some finish made quiet books.

Shelley Wallace Designs

CopyCrafts

Everyday Celebrations

Like I said, there are a ton of ideas, patterns, tutorials out there; these are just a few of my favorites!  I am seriously so looking forward to starting this project that it has kept me moving on my craft room redo!

Good Luck!

Wanna Make It Wednesday

With the holidays fast approaching I am (once again) tossing around the idea of a handmade Christmas.  I hate how commercial and greedy the holidays can become. Every year I say that we are going to simplify...buy fewer gifts, make some items, draw names, start an ornament exchange, and just really soak up and enjoy the family time. Every year I still spend $1,000's on things no one needs or probably even remembers a few days later. I love, love, love giving gifts. Especially when I know it is just what they will love. I always wonder what people think about handmade though. My guess is that some people really can love and appreciate it while others prefer store bought. I also don't think people realize that handmade doesn't always mean cheaper. In fact sometimes I think it's cheaper to just buy an item than make one. I have really never given many handmade items for gifts. I have given them yes, but more as a just because gift; for birthdays and holidays not so much. If I do give handmade for a holiday I still will usually buy something as well and then of course I have spent twice as much! I did make my 2 little cousins superhero capes for their birthday and they seemed to love them (so did the adults)....so maybe handmade is ok? I am going to challenge myself to make a few items this year. Attempt to simplify life and my budget. Having a baby in the middle of November does present some challenges and probably means I should get started though! So anyone with me? I know I could go back through past Wanna Make It's and find tons of inspiration and probably a few gift ideas to get started!

When I saw this purse I thought it was so cute. The fabric is a bit busy for me but I love the big floppy bow and think it would be an adorable purse and a great gift! In fact my sister Kate loves purses so maybe this will find it's way under her tree this year?

The pattern is free over at RobertKaufman.com so the only investment is fabric and your time. Sounds like a good place to start!  You can find the post here.

I also think this little baby skirt is so precious.

 New baby in the family, you could whip a few of these up and even pair them with these little jewelry onesies. So sweet.

The skirt is a tutorial from Homemade by Jill that she shared at Kojo Designs and the onesie is from Lynette at Get Your Craft On.

Just Another Day in Paradise shares the patterns/tutorial for all of these great hand puppets! They are so cute, super inexpensive to make and a great gift for you handmade holiday list! I am in love with them. Seriously. Head over to see Larissa at Just Another Day in Paradise to get the patterns yourself.

The Boy Trifecta shares her tutorial for this amazingly adorable purse!  

She has it broken down into a 2 part tutorial. 
Part 1
Part 2


She also (like me) procrastinated just a bit too long and is now challenging herself to making 1 handmade item for Christmas a week.  Go read more about it and join in with her.  She even has a fun button to steal for your blog!  Enjoy!

Wanna Make It Wednesday...on Thursday

Wanna Make It Wednesday may pop up on Thursdays for the next month or so until the baby shower giveaway is complete!  If I have a giveaway on Wednesday it will be Thursday, if not it'll stay on it's usual day :)

Is anyone else ready for the fall flavors??  I love pumpkin any and everything and look forward to October so I can feel ok about eating and making pumpkin foods.  I think these Double Kissed Pumpkin Cookies from Picky Palate look absolutely delish!  My favorite things...pumpkin kisses and chocolate chunks!  How can they not be good?!?!  I bought the ingredients the other day but really need a new cookie sheet or two.  I am thinking of trying those silicone things.  My cookie sheets always look crappy really fast!  I actually tend to just use parchment paper on top of the skuzzy pans but maybe one of these days I’ll upgrade.  

I have linked back to I Am Momma Hear Me Roar more than once but we are going there again!  I love this upcycled scarflette and can’t even tell you just how easy it is!  Seriously anyone can make this!  It’s the perfect project for sweaters you may no longer wear or that thrift store find.  I love the color and the HUGE buttons!  

Also if you don’t follow I Am Momma yet, you should…but if not go check out these cute bowties!  If you are looking for a new pattern she recently released one for the retro pointed bowtie and it is just TOO adorable!!  I think Sawyer could totally sport it!  You can go buy the pattern here at her Etsy shop Roar...and then make and send me one or five ;)

The bow ties are seriously so cute and she has about a million other ADORABLE pictures of these cuties!

Next up…Just a Girl shares her craft room renovation.  I love the hutch she redid and this pegboard.  The hutch won’t be happening here, but the pegboard just might!  I love it so much I am trying to think of what I could use it to organize so I can justify making it!  Ha ha!  If you want to make one yourself head over and get the quick run down, looks pretty simple to me.   I am thinking Goodwill for a frame, Home Depot for pegboard and I'm set!  Just to decide what to put on it!  Hmmm...scissors, hooks, I mean I have tons of stuff just not stuff I need all that often.

Now, what do you want to make???

Wanna Make It Wednesday

Wanna Make It Wednesday is back...well for this week anyways!  Gosh I wish I could stick to my blogging schedule better these days!  It seems like the more pregnant I get, the more projects I find to do, and the less time I have to do them!   

This was just too cute not to share though!  

Growing up my sisters and I had a naughty girl bench, I hated that damn thing!  When we got in trouble we had to have time out on the naughty girl bench, one minute for each year old we were.  Needless to say as the oldest I had the longest stretch and I always thought that was unfair!  Now that I am all old and mom like I am finding myself searching out my own naughty girl bench…and then I stumble upon this adorable thing!  

I LOVE it!  I actually went and ordered my sticker already!  Now to just buy and paint the stool, you know in all that spare time I was talking about earlier in the post!  Hop over to Little Miss Momma’s blog for the tutorial and more importantly more pictures.  She has a picture of her son on his new naughty spot and it’s so cute!  He looks so bummed, I am certain I will see a similar face before long.  If you want to order a Naughty Spot vinyl of your own you can find them here at Staker Sensations along with a bunch of other great options at a really amazing price!

Next up…I think I dig this hat.  Well, I dig this hat on her!  I wish I were a hat person, having fairly short hair doesn’t usually work with hats unfortunately.  Either way, this is adorable, gives directions to make it in any size and looks like it takes about 5 minutes to make!  Check out Mary Janes and Galoshes for the tutorial.  Check out her blog while you are there, she has TONS of other amazing ideas there.

Just in time for Halloween...quick and easy project...perfect


Halloween luminaries!  Last year I made these Mod Podged ones that I saw on Not So Idle Hands.

I loved them, but I didn't seal them and living in East Texas where it seems to rain every other day they obviously didn't make it long.  Lesson learned; seal anything outdoors.   Sort of a DUH moment I know.  

I just stumbled across these and love them too!  Maybe even a little more!  Crafts by Amanda shares her tutorial to make them yourself.

Now just the tough decision of which ones to make this year...and to seal them of course!


I am not a huge Halloween fan...or a fan of the holiday at all but I thought these were cute too!


Cupcake Kisses 'N Crumbs shares her super quick tutorial on how to make these Halloween countdown blocks. Super easy and cute! I also like that for a few dollars worth of wood she has plenty of left over to make them for Thanksgiving and Christmas which is a little more my thing.

I think all these wood projects I keep seeing around are trying to tell me it is time for me to buy a saw.  Don't you?

Wanna Make it Wednesday

Ahhh...so many Wanna Make It's!  I actually pushed a few off for next week so you don't get bored and bail out halfway through this post!

I am in love. I seriously have been thinking of these hats since I saw them last week! I Am Momma Hear Me Roar posted a tutorial for the boys! Yes, blog world is dominated my girl projects so when I see a cute boy thing I get really excited! I want a boy that will wear them! Oh and a stack of shirts to use to make them. I thought for sure about making them for my nephew but Sawyer's shirts would be too small. Hmmm....Goodwill maybe?

Anyways, go make a few of these and tell me all about it so I can be jealous and have a pity party ;)

Another ADORABLE pattern from Cheri of I Am Momma but it's over at Moda Bake Shop.  I have already told my mother that if baby O is a girl she will be making these for her!  I can sew basic stuff but this....this might be above my skills!

So cute right?!?!  The huge ric rac, the knotted straps...the ruffled leggings.  Love, love, LOVE it!  Head over to Moda for the tute!

Next up a tasty little treat for you. Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes. Best Part (to me anyways): everything came from a box! Ahhh hells yes! I attempted 2 from scratch recipes last winter and both sucked! Give me box brownies any day! Mmmm....Ghirardelli Double Fudge..... ok back to lemon, oh how I love lemon. I want these. I need these. Please make them for me :) You can get the how to for these little lovelies at Life With Liane.

and last but not least....Dana over at Made shares another great tutorial/pattern. The Perfect Diaper Cover. These are too cute and great for photographers to make a slew of!

A whole lot of sewing link ups today!  Maybe I sign I need to bake some muffins and sit at the machine this weekend??

Now, what do you want to make?

Wanna Make it Wednesday

Wow...I am 3 for 3 so far this week! Woo hoo! Finally back to blogging on the regular!  Maybe I am getting my groove back???  If only I could tackle my vacation pics!

I think people must have been out enjoying the last of summer these past few weeks; I have found less things that I am desperate to make! Good for my list...bad for wanna make it Wednesday!

Never fear...I have a handful of things today!

First up...I just found this blog (linked from another blog that of course I can't remember at this moment) sharing her tutorial for The Anyday Banded Shorts.

I love these little shorts! I seriously want a pair in my size!! Love them! Love her pics of them. Love her blog. Go check out Create and Delegate...good stuff over there. Oh and I forgot to mention she used Knock Off Woods plans to build her own headboard!!! Bedroom furniture is on my to do list, but I must admit I am a bit scared.

Next up...a diaper bag.  I never seem to make things like this...you know, practical things :)  This is a great tutorial, I wish I had the attention span to tackle it!  If you are in need of a new diaper bag this one is for you!  Head over to Warehouse Fabrics Inc. for the tutorial.

These bracelets would be great for the upcoming holidays!  Robin at Ruby Mines shares her tutorial for knock off DIY version of Chan Luu Turquoise Wrapped Leather Bracelet that sports a $295 price tag!!!  I will admit that while I love the look of the real turquoise that $295 is about $280 over my budget.  Robin's tutorial is great!  I can't wait to go search out some great stones to make one! 

and last but not least Make It and Love It shares her tutorial to make these super cute, super easy, super CHEAP hair accessories. 

 I think they are so cute and will help pull together that messy I didn't shower today ponytail look ;)  Head over to Make It and Love it and see all of her great pics.  Oh and while you are there bookmark the recipe for Sweet Pork Tacos.  It is AMAZING!!!  We make it monthly in our house :)

Now, what do you wanna make???