Farfalle Pasta Hair Bows

This project can work for both girls and boys! Use them as a hair adornment or pin on as a bow tie. One for each side of a little girl’s hair looks adorable and one in the center of a baby boy’s shirt looks charming. Make one in each color for every outfit of the day.

These are actually pretty durable and they keep their shape unlike ribbons or cloth bows. They look as neat as a picture and never appear floppy or disheveled. This project is great for families who have children of a wide age range because regardless of your artistic ability, as long as the macaroni is thoroughly covered in paint, they come out looking good every time.

Simple nail polish works well on the macaroni’s surface. This was a huge selling point for me. Instead of washing paint out of cups and cleaning brushes you simply screw the nail polish lid back onto the bottles. Best cleanup ever!

These are good homemade gifts that your children can make and give to friends or family during the holidays. In my personal opinion, it almost looks like something you’d buy in the mall. In fact, I would actually wear these! And I bet no one would even realize that it used to be pasta. It can be you and your child’s little secret.

Materials Needed: 

1 box of Farfalle pasta

40mm barrette hair clips or pins

a few colors of nail polish

hot glue

Instructions:

 1.       Using the nail polish have your children color each of the macaroni pieces in any way they like. I recommend coloring the macaroni in one color first.

2.      After that coat has dried you can add more details. Some decoration suggestions are hearts, polka dots, stripes and flowers.

3.      An adult will have to help with this next step. Add a dab of hot glue to the back of your macaroni. Then press the top of your hair clip or pin clip into the glue.

4.      Let dry and wear!

Rainbow Streaked Mermaid Hair

The girls and I had some hair fun on Monday. Molly decided she wanted to have a rainbow and Lily a red streak. Since it's going to be summer soon I gave in. We used Manic Panic which should wash out in 5-6 weeks. Everything turned out good except the aqua blue. That disappeared immediately after we rinsed it out. But I think the rainbow look is still evident.

To do this I just sectioned off her hair with foil and clamped the foil with two clips at the top corners while I brushed on the colors in 4" chunks. Then I folded the foil on both sides wrapping the hair. I also used a hairdryer to heat up the foil while waiting for the dye to set. I read that this helps intensify the color.

Manic Panic is about $10 for each jar of color. If you don't want to spend $60 on the six colors of the rainbow, just get the primary colors and mix to make the secondary ones. Also, I bought mine at Sally's and they had a two for one sale, which always helps;-) To get the mermaid waves in Molly's hair I used the Hot Shot Tools ceramic deep waver also bought at Sallys.

More Nursery Plans....

So, as you might have remembered I've been redoing my old sewing room for Henri, making it into a proper nursery. I was going full force and then my momentum just kind of petered out. I have the room painted, curtains done, bedding sewed but I'm still figuring out the decor. I want it to look like a boys room but still have a soft baby feel. So, my color scheme is orange, grey and white, not too feminine, right? I also thought about doing an accent wall in white birch trees which I'll admit, seems like an awful lot of extra work. BUT, if I do I'm thinking of adding these Lovebirds by Etsy seller Pancakes for Breakfast (love that name BTW). You might not be able to tell from the photo but they're fairly large, about 2 feet in length and thick, about 1" deep. Love to dive in and do this. 

Gutter Gardens

This is totally cool! Buy a rain gutter and attach to house or would also work along a deck. Would be cool for renters or people with townhouses and barely any yard. And so much less expensive than planter boxes. Via Juneau Empire. This 10 ft. gutter is only $5.23 with the end caps it's $12.19.

Mini Swiss Dot Bridal Veil Tutorial

Yes, I really do love this swiss dotted mini bridal veil from BHLDN. Make your own using my blushing veil tutorial and just shorten the veil by a lot. Buy some white dotted tulle here or also on etsy here.

Saddening News from the Craft Blogging World

Today, I was incredibly saddened and shocked to hear about the very tragic death of craft blogger Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up.

Kathreen had just signed a book deal to write, Family Road Trip, which was to document her family's one year trip around Australia. I won't go into details about the accident but you can reference the news story below.

I've featured her on this blog many times and I'm sure many of you have heard about her as well. Kathreen was a very prolific writer on her blog and incredibly creative in her personal life. I only knew her through blogging but from the small amount of contact I had with her she seemed so very kind and personable. She is very well known in the craft blogging community and her loss will surely be felt. I just wanted to express my sadness and urge others to pray for her family and children.

Here is a news link to the story.

Your Styling Inspiration

#getnoticed

Do you see things in others that you like to mirror in your appearance? A neatly tied scarf? A braided hairstyle? A particular shade of lipstick?

I often get my inspiration for what I wear and how I look by noticing how others put themselves together and choosing what I like or what I don't like about that and going from there.

Most days I just slip on a dress, put on some lipstick and eyeliner, and I'm out the door. Other times, I like I like to go all out. Buying new makeup shades, trying out new hair techniques. Sometimes it's a failure. But other times I find something that I use for years to come.

This hairstyle for instance. I began wearing my hair like this about 15 years ago, usually when my hair is dirty or greasy. It's so easy and looks like I intentionally wanted an updo and not hiding dirty hair.

How do you decide how you style yourself?

America's trusted brand for 65 years, Dial® continues to deliver clean, healthy skin for you and your family.

Dial® Healthier Skin. Healthier You.®

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

Mother's Day 2013!!!!

I know this post is about a day late but I wanted to share my fantastic Mother's Day with you. I might say it was the best? Mother's Day I've had.

First off, Brian spent Saturday with his mother since she had plans on the "official" Mother's Day. Later that night, we (his parents and us) went to the drive-in for the first time this year (which I love!) I get the memory foam mattress, blankets, pillows, remove the third row and turn the second row seats around and make a little bed in the back of the minivan. Ann (Brian's mother) brought tons of snacks and the refreshment stand at the drive-in has literally anything you'd want to eat during a movie (ie homemade fries, barbecue sandwiches, funnel cake). It's cheap and it's awesome.

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What Makes You Noticeable?

#GetNoticed
I asked a couple friends to tell me what they first noticed about me when we met. Here's what they had to say. Oh, I feel so bashful now.

Cheila Huettner

She and I looking stylish at one of her New Year's Eve Mad Men retro dress parties.

How we met:
Kathleen and I met through the internet! As shady as it sounds I followed her blog and noticed that one of her photo shoots was held in my town. I was in blog awe of her amazing sewing creations and impeccable style.  I took a chance and contacted her and we got together for coffee and fabric shopping.  It was a perfect first meeting date. 

What did I notice?

The shallow fashion diva within me noticed what a fantastic outfit she was wearing which has continued to be the case every time we hang out. The other distinguishing thing I noticed when we first met that continues to impress me about Kathleen is her amazing humbleness.  Kathleen is probably one of the most creative people I know and yet she is consistently modest about her creations making her wonderfully approachable. So even though you might be hanging out with the queen of sewing/design/style, you feel like you've just linked arms with a kindred spirit.  

Beth Hunter

Both of us showing off the wine frocks.

How we met.

I first met Kathleen at a church Mom's group. We were placed at the same table and shortly realized we were both professional bloggers and connected instantly.

What did I notice?

The first thing I noticed about her was her beautiful dark hair and her vintage-chic style.

Abi Knaub

Us after her wedding during the photo session.

How we met.

We met when we were 11 years old in the school orchestra. We both played the flute.

What did I notice?

I noticed that she was petite like me. Her shy smile let me know that our friendship would be special.

So what do you think your friends would say about you?

America's trusted brand for 65 years, Dial® continues to deliver clean, healthy skin for you and your family. Dial® Healthier Skin. Healthier You.®


Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

Make Your Own Raj Tent!!!!

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I've been loving Raj tents lately, especially the octagonal shaped ones. But they are SOOOO expensive. To give you an idea of how expensive I found a similar company who rents them starting at $2,000. I also found this ebay seller who will make and ship one for you for $1,300. I love these for weddings or any kind of outdoor social event. So I've been looking for ways to make my own without too much work or money.

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1. FIRST, I found this portable tent on Walmart's site for only $149. That's the cheapest hexagonal or octagonal shaped tent I could find. If you know of any cheaper please let me know. Now the canvas top may not be what your looking for but the hexagon shape is great! What I would do is ditch the curtains then paint the roof canvas with outdoor paint in a bright color of your choosing. Then follow the steps below....

2.. Wrap the poles in ribbon.

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3. Here's the key! Make a wrap around with tassels. You could use Velcro tabs to secure. I would cut a long piece of fabric in the scallop shapes then cover the raw edges in contrasting bias tape. Then maybe use a long piece of embellished ribbon like this to add to the top.

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4. Hang two colored curtains from the inside and wrap around the poles with more tassels. Flowy fabric like chiffon would work well. As you can see from the photo below the fabric only has to extend about a foot and a half from the corners.

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5. Hang lanterns from the corners.

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6. Then if you really want to go all out start on the inside of the tent. Drape complimenting colors of chiffon fabric from the edges to the center.

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7. Hang a chandelier from the center.

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8. Finally I don't think this is necessary but it would be a nice finishing touch. I might even add some rod finals to the tops of the poles. Here are some ones that would work well. But you might be able to find something at Home Depot or Lowes for cheaper. Paint gold. To find more like this, type "rod finals" in google search.

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