Here’s a fun and easy Thanksgiving craft that the little one and I made just in time for Thanksgiving.  What is she most thankful for?  Her Belle doll of course.  Ahhhh to be a 5 year old:)  Simply Vintagegirl was our source of inspiration.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I was looking for a summery craft to do with the little one (Who’s 5 now by the way.  I guess not so little any more:), and found a tutorial for these adorable paper towel butterflies.  It’s a fun project that you could do with kids of any age.  All you need is paper towels, food coloring, and pipe cleaners.  I’m not sure if my little girl had more fun making them or having butterfly races afterwards:) 

Want to make some of your own?  Check out Make it and Love it blog for a great tutorial.

I love the Fishman Dress cargo pocket idea my husband came up with.  Not over the top, but any phan is sure to recognize it.

P.S.  Happy Birthday Matt!  Love you.

I find that the projects my daughter and I enjoy the most are the ones where I let her lead the way.  Take for example her latest creation.  We started out with a shoe box, leftover craft supplies, and the idea of a fairy house.   I helped when needed, but I gotta say from the pom poms to the carpet this house was all her:)

She must have checked for fairies a hundred times through the course of the day.  The evening ended with an excited squeel when she discovered pixie dust (pink glitter) in her house.  After many conversations about what the fairies did while they were there, “Did she take a nap?  Did they have a party?  Did they eat lunch at the table?”, it was time for bed.  Sweet dreams little one.

Tara over at Scoutie Girl posted a great question this morning.  Why do you DIY?  I love doing things myself and it didn’t take long to come up with a list.  So here are my top 3 reasons I’d rather DIY than buy:

1.  Individuality- I love creating unique items that no one else is going to have.  Take, for example, the head band pictured above.  Could I buy a headband at the mall?  Sure.  Could I buy one like this?  Probably not.

2.  I’m vain-  Ok, I don’t really think I’m vain:)  I do, however, love when I get complimented on a skirt or headband that I’m wearing.   There’s nothing better than being able to answer “Thanks.  I made it myself.”

3.  The creative process- This is what keeps me coming back for more.  I enjoy and treasure each step of creating.  Starting out with a piece of fabric.  Coming up with a design.  Cutting out the pieces.  Sewing it together.  Admiring the finished piece.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

Last week I found a set of 3 suitcases for $1.  Score!  I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with old school style suitcases, but I knew something would come to me.  This one was the perfect size for the little one.  After a fun morning spent painting she’ll be traveling in style:)

A dear friend’s birthday was the inspiration for this dress.  She’s been wanting a patchwork dress for a long time to wear to concerts and festivals, but there was a problem.  Support.  That’s right, support.  I’m sure many of you ladies know what I’m talking about.  Hippie style patchwork dresses are gorgeous, but the back is open so no bras allowed:)  After quite a few nights of thinking it over here’s what I came up with:

Instead of an open back with a drawstring I faux smocked the back panel at the top.  That along with wider straps makes it perfect for wearing bras or tank tops underneath.

I really enjoyed the entire process of designing and creating this dress.  It was just the best feeling to see the smile on her face as she pulled the dress out of the box.   Happy Birthday Jamie.  Love ya!

Inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Soulemama

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I’m not sure if anyone else does this, but for our family holiday parties the kids break open a pinata.  Usually, someone will buy one at the store and all the kids will take a crack at it.  This Easter, two of my aunts really out did themselves.  They made a pinata for each kid.  I was amazed at what they could do with balloons, paste, newspaper, and crepe paper.  Each balloon had a unique design made out of crepe paper.  When it was Hana’s turn at bat I was hoping that she wouldn’t want to break it.  She, of course, cracked it open and candy flew everywhere.  Sadly the pinata was destroyed.  At least there was Kit Kats inside.  Mmmmmm, Kit Kats.

I’m so glad I finally found the time to try out Rosie’s circle skirt tutorial.  The tutorial is very well written and easy to understand.  I used a sheet I found at a thrift store.  It makes a great one day project.  It took me under two hours to make.  The yoga style waist is so comfy.  If I would have seen this tutorial when I was pregnant I would have lived in these skirts.

You can check out Rosie’s tutorial here.  Not a sewer, but love this style of skirt?  Rosie sells her skirts at:

*Hello Bluebird in West Reading, PA~ http://hellobluebird.net
*The Hodgepodgery in Harrisburg, PA~ http://www.thehodgepodgery.com
*Simply SOTA in New Hope, PA~ http://www.simplysota.com/

You can also check out her Etsy Shop, where she sells them from time to time.