wood easel makeover

I bought this easel back in May and it has taken me a while to finish it.  I found it at a yard sale for $5.  Not to bad right.  It is really sturdy but kind of boring so we decided to beautify it.

First I grabbed my two little helper and sanded the whole thing down.

Then I used some fun green paint and now its fun, functional, and pretty.

I might mod podge some pretty pink paper over the red but for now its good.

Sweet baby plates

For my "use your own picture" challenge this week I decided to make my own version of this craft found of Fingerprints on the Fridge. (hers are adorable-she uses a white plate and stick the picture to the front. Really you should go check it out).I used a clear salad sized plate (walmart for around a dollar), fabric slightly bigger then the plate, and cute baby picture to fit the middle (need a 5x7 for this size of plate), and spray adhesive.Your picture will need to fit like this. You can print out a 5x7 and then cut it down to fit but I decided to take out a step by using Microsoft word. I opened a new document and inserted my pictures. I changed the shape to a circle. The size I needed was a 4.25" circle so I sized and cropped until my picture was the right size of circle. I then printed both off on one sheet of photo paper. Then cut them out.Next I sprayed the front side of my fabric with spray adhesive. Make sure to get everywhere that is going to touch the plate (you can wash the fabric to get it off your fabric scraps so you can use them for a different project)



Place the picture in the center of the fabric.



Turn your plate upside down. Line it up so the picture is in the center of the plate (fabric and picture face down) and start smoothing the fabric out over the plate. Go clear to the edge. The spray adhesive will allow you to lift and replace the fabric as needed to get rid of any wrinkle. Turn it over and cut off all of the extra fabric. Make sure the edges are glued well.

Enjoy those sweet babies. I'm not sure if I'm going to hang them or set them on little stands. What do you think?

Olivia age 2 weeks

Aubrey age 2 weeks

Keepsake Pillow

I made this frame back in August when I first started my blog. (you can see how I made it here)and I finally turned it into this cute pillow.Here's how I made it: I started off with the embroidered piece, 4 brown fabric pieces the length of each side and 2" wide, and the pink corners are 2"x2". Pin right sides together (two of the sides) and sew.Pin the pink square to the ends of the top and bottom pieces and sew. (I had to cut my brown fabric 1/4" so they lined up correctly but you may not needs to-check before you sew)

Pin top and bottom pieces on your pillow front right sides together and sew.

Lay right sides together on your fabric you are going to use for the back. Pin in place and cut out to get the correct size.

sew around the pillow and leave an opening to stuff. Pull pillow threw so Its right side out and stuff. hand stitch shut. You now have a sweet pillow to help you remember those tiny hands and feet.

Don't forget the next challenge link up starts tomorrow! The theme is education and learning-share those great teacher's gifts, fun learning tools for your kids, ways to save school memories, last day of school ideas, etc. There is a lot that can fit into this category so please share any new or past crafts you've made. Mine isn't quite done but I'll be sharing it on Thursday! See you tomorrow.

Preppy Sundress

For my "use your stash project" I decided to make this adorable sundress for my daughter. I used this free Oliver + S pattern. I loved the argyle fabric from hobby lobby and I really like how the dress turned out. I made the size 6 but its a little wide. I think next time I will make the size 5 but add some length. I think this pattern may have helped ease my fears of making clothes a little-but I think I need a lot of practice.



Aubrey HATES dresses so she wasn't in the best mood to take pictures. So this is the best I could do-I was just happy she wore it.

Magnetic Paper dolls

A sweet relative that knows how much i love to craft emailed me about her ward craft day (church) and asked if I would be interested in the magnetic paper dolls she was doing. Of course I said yes! I bought a set and she provided everything to make mine up (so convenient) but I found this tutorial to make your own if you are interested. I didn't really like the cover for the tin that came with it so I made my own. I think it turned out cute. Right now its attached with glue dots but I am planning on using my spray adhesive once I dig it out of a box in the garage. I love how they turned out and can't wait to use them in church on Sunday.

What fun toys have you made for your kids? I'd love to know-my kids always want me to make them stuff.

Felt Playhouse

Well I have had this done for a few weeks-I just keep forgetting to take pictures. I guess its not completely finished-I haven't finished sewing all of the extra little pieces. I ran out of stuffing and just haven't gotten any yet so just imagine how much cuter it will be once all of the fun stuff is added. Also just ignore the fact i really should iron it.

The front-little mail box, door flips open, and I have some cute flowers for the girls to pick that go in the little pot.



Doggy house with door, flowers have Velcro so they can pick and move them around.

The back-missing the little birds.

The garden-strawberries for the bush, apples for the two trees, and carrots for the dirt.

My little ones don't mind they have been having a great time playing with it. They love bringing in their stuffed animals, books, and snacks. They also love going in and out of the doors.This is such a fun project but a ton of work. I'm so happy ours is almost finished and even more happy my girls actually like it. I show you all of the fun little extras once they are done-however it might be a while. Fireflies and Jellybeans have a great felt house along if you are interested in making one.

Brazillian Rice and beans

Well my sweet husband served his LDS Church mission in Brazil. He loved the people, the country, and the food! One thing they eat almost daily is Rice and Beans. It was his favorite and set out to learn how to make it. Well it has been several years and he finally figured it out (this is the only thing he cooks).
I was hesitant to share this recipe because it is a little different. I really think it might be my favorite meal (and not just because my husband cooks most of it). Also its NOT spicy at all and both of my kids love it-a small miracle.

Let me just say this is not the rice and beans you would get from a Mexican restaurant-these are Brazilian style. Black beans with any type of meat they had thrown it it (Don't worry we don't use mystery meat) and very mild flavored rice. This is how we make it as a main dish for our small family. We have made it without the meat and it makes a really good side dish.



Brazilian Black Beans
1/2 bag of black beans
1 ham hock (looks weird but it makes it taste better)
1/2 of a large onion (chopped)
3 to 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/4 pound of sausage
1/2 pound of Bacon
1/2 tsp. of salt (you may want to add more depending on taste)

(you can use more or less of anything depending on taste also you can change the type of meat-we often use what we have at home)

1. Soak your bean over night

2. Add your beans, ham hock, and water (enough so its about an inch higher then the beans) to the crock pot. Cook on low for about 6 hours (or until the beans are done). It will be closer to 8 if you use more beans.

3. Remove the ham hock (you can cut it up and add it back into the beans but we usually don't)

4. In one pan add your onion and garlic and bacon. cook until finished. Add it to the beans

5. In a separate pan cook your sausage. Add to the beans

6. Add your salt and let it simmer for a few minutes (until the rice is done).


Brazilian Rice-I use this recipe.
2 cups white rice
1/4 of an onion chopped small
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups hot water


1. Saute your onion and garlic in the vegetable oil.
2. Add your rice. Stir it around so it is coated in oil and let it brown for a few minutes.
3. Add hot water and salt.
4. Cover and turn the heat to low. Let it cook for 20 minutes.


To serve: Add rice to your plate first and then cover the rice with the beans. I like to mix mine together. Its really yummy! We also like to serve it with Brazilian soda.