DIY/// A Party Garland Thats Fit for a Boy



You need:

 Fabric (size depends on how much garland you want)

 Yarn

 Rotary cutter

 Rotary mat

Instructions:

Cut your fabric into strips approx. 1-2 in. x 10-12 in. (You don't need to worry about them being perfect.) Next, take one strip and fold it over the yarn as shown in photo 3. Tie a knot. Repeat in 6 in. intervals.

I'm making several garlands like this with assorted solids and prints and stringing them with crepe paper streamer. I'll share photos after Ethum's party next weekend!

I've made a tradition of making handmade decorations for each of his birthday parties.

Here's bad photo  year one + two:

felt circle garland.

      

vintage upholstery sample bunting.



-Amanda

TUTORIAL: DIY Boys Pajama Pants - How to Add Pockets.

Hi! Today, I'm going to show you how to add pockets to a plain pajama pants pattern.

Supplies:

• sewing machine.
• pajama pant pattern.
• scissors.
• a pen.
• fabric for pants, according to pattern.
• fabric for pockets. (the size will vary depending on the size you're making, but shouldn't be more than a fat quarter.)
• paper for pattern-making. (this can be anything, even newspaper.)
• coordinating thread.
• a wooden skewer, crochet hook, or other tool of the shape.
• an iron.

Instructions:

1. Follow instructions for pants pattern up to the construction of the waist and hem.
2. Draw a pattern for pockets. Make sure to include enough fabric for 1/4 inch seam. Cut out the pattern you just made and lay it over fabric to be sure you like the size.
3. Pin the pattern to the pocket fabric and cut out 4 pockets.
4. To make pockets, take two of the pocket pieces and lay one on top of the other, right sides facing each other. Do this again with the two remaining pieces.
5. Stitch a 1/4 inch seam all the way around the pocket, leaving the top open.
6. Now you are going to turn the pocket right side out. You can use the wooden skewer or crochet hook to assist you.
7. Next, iron the pockets and pin to the front of the pants.
8. Stitch as close as you can to the edge of the fabric leaving the opening for the pocket, open. (as shown in photo below).
9. Continue on with the instructions listed on the pants pattern to construct waist and hem.
10. Yay! You did it!

Go here to see the first pair. If you have any questions at all, please comment or email me.

-Amanda

[by the way... you have no idea how long I had to chase Ethum around the house to get that last photo. ahh!]

DIY /// Laundry Detergent.

Inspired by my friend Jocelyn who recently made her own and this tutorial found on Amanda Soule's blog, I decided to make my own laundry detergent. Don't feel intimidated. For some reason, I did at first...'thinking' about making some for months and buying detergent from Target in between those thoughts. ha.ha. Finally, I decided to go for it!

Supplies:
1 1/2 cups of Borax (you can find this at Target or most grocery stores)
1 1/2 cups of  Arm and Hammer washing soda (I could not find this at Target, but did at the grocery)
1/2 cup of baking soda
1 bar of soap (anything will do but I used Canus goats milk lavender soap from Whole Foods)

Instructions:

1. Gather supplies.
2. Combine Borax, washing soda, and baking soda.
3. Finely grate the bar of soap.
4. Add grated soap to Borax mixture.
5. Pour into a jar or container.



voila!


For every large load, I use approximately 3 tablespoons. It takes about 5 minutes to make, costs about $3, lasts us for several weeks, and it's all-natural. I love having the ability to just make more when I run out instead of  late night emergency runs to the market to purchase the pre-made stuff. Plus, all of the ingredients are multi-purpose. You can do it too, I promise! If you have any questions at all, feel free to comment or e-mail me.

-Amanda

HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY.

Happy birthday husband! Yous a honey bee-





We've been celebrating Dave's birthday for almost a week! We never know when he'll be called out to work so I took every opportunity I could to par-tay. On the first day, he opened gifts. I am so bad at keeping secrets from him (aka I can't help but give the gifts once I have them). I'm a terrible wife, right? On the second day, I made the 'tunnel of fudge' cake from Cook's Illustrated Best Ever issue. The third day, I made a steak dinner with asparagus, homemade hollandaise sauce, and Rebbecca Rather's sweet potato biscuits (we call this a man meal). Day four, ehh... wasn't that exciting but he got to pick out the movie we watched that night. Couch dates are about as good as it gets right now. We don't have a babysitter anymore, as Dave's parents moved back to OKC. And on day five (today), we went to Tacos A-Go-Go for lunch and then we dropped him off at home to catch a few Z's before heading to work for an overnight shift. womp wooomp. It stinks that he has to work tonight but I think we got a lot of celebrating in. 

                      
                            

Dave, you are such a great husband and papa bear. We do love you, so much.  I hope you know how much we appreciate everything you are and everything you do. Smooches! xo

-Amanda

[banner was handmade using pages from a catalog and an exacto knife.]

DIY // WOODEN SPOOL ORNAMENT.

SUPPLIES:

• Empty wooden spools
• Craft glue
• Small paint brush
• Glitter
• Buttons with toggle
• Ribbon, lace, or twine
• Scissors
• Wooden skewer

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Collect your supplies.
2. Use the paint brush to apply the glue to the wooden spools.
3. Sprinkle the spools with glitter.
4. Allow them to dry for about an hour.
5. Thread the buttons onto ribbon and tie a knot.
6. Pull on one side of the ribbon so that the knot goes into the hole (out of visibility).
7. Hang them on your Christmas tree or tie them onto gifts.



Ta-Da!