Wipe with style

One of my favorite things that I've made of all time is the wipes clutch.  When it was new to the baby world, I thought it was the cutest and most clever thing ever.  I figured out how to make it thanks to the help of a friend since they were selling for double digits and have made them for gifts and myself ever since. 

Since I'm not the best when it comes to tutorials, I did go out in search of one to post.  It is complete with a template and everything.  So not only did I provide the tutorial for you (here you go), but I tested it out.  Here's my finished product...

But it is different from how I normally make them and I'm not sure if I like it as much.  So I guess I will tell you how I do it, but this is not an official tutorial, it is best if you read the other page first and then what I say will make more sense.

So the things I do differently:

-First of all, I have used a few different kinds of fabric and have found that home decor fabric is my favorite.  It is more durable and there are cuter patterns, at least where I look.

-I trace the wipes container and use that template for my batting that way I don't have anything to trim anything.  

-I put batting on the top and the bottom of the container.

-The make a second template for my fabric by tracing around the container but making it between 1/4 to 1/2 larger than the other template.  This is so that the fabric will cover the edges.  

Side note: You could just use the template already provided in the tutorial for both the batting and the fabric.  I would just round the corners where the dotted line is and not cut on the fold of the fabric.  Instead cut 2 separate pieces of fabric.

-You glue only the edges of the fabric down exactly like the other tutorial tells you but of course, you continue all the way around since the fabric doesn't connect on the back part.

-When when you put the trim on, you put it all the way around as well- again because the fabric doesn't cover the back.  The picture shows the difference looking at the back.  Sorry about the bottom one.  The trim is coming undone and I haven't fixed it, not to mention the purples are 2 different colors (my bad for not taking a sample with me to the store when I ran out).

And the finished product...

Since purple trim on the above flap is darker than the bottom, I kept this one for myself.

Happy wiping!

DIY: Cute clothespin Magnets

This is super cheap.  The only thing I had to buy was magnet strips which cost 79 cents at JoAnn and if you don't have clothes pins, they are only $1 or so.

Supplies:

-Patterned Paper

-Glue

-Scissors

-Magnet strips

-Clothes pins

-Paint brush

-Pencil

Step 1:

 Cut magnet strip to fit pin

Step 2:

 Attach magnet to pin- The ones I got had adhesive, but a glue gun will work too.

Step 3:

Trace pin onto paper and cut out

Step 4: 

Glue paper on to side of pin that doesn't have magnet using glue and brush.  Wait for it to dry and put a coat of glue on top of paper to seal. 

Enjoy!

Summertime = water!

We live in a very cold state, so when summer FINALLY comes around, we are itching to go to the lake or pool or just out on the deck.  We decided to get a kiddie pool to put on the deck because having 2 kids so close together means having naps all day long, at least until my girl grows out of her morning nap.  

We have a pathetic stash of water toys so I found this VIDEO tutorial and got to work.

I'm not looking forward to the day we have to put these away.  Maybe someday we will live somewhere closer to the equator.

Altered clipboard

I found the cutest tutorial for altering a clipboard and really wanted to make one but what would I use a clipboard for?  I own 1 clipboard right now and it sits in my desk draw holding blank notebook paper.  

Well, I still REALLY wanted to do this tutorial so I brainstormed.  One idea was a gift because if ever you find something you want to make that you wouldn't use, there's always someone you can give it to that will appreciate it, right?  But I did finally come up with an idea of how to use a clipboard and that is to hold my weekly menu.

Okay, enough of that...here's the tutorial.  I went with a smaller clipboard but the rest is pretty by the book.  I really wish there were more uses for the old clipboard, at least around my house, so I could make more.  I'll keep thinking but in the meantime, don't be surprised if you get one of these as a gift from me.

Hair bow holder tutorial

Having a baby girl brings on a whole new meaning to the word accessorize. I mean, I never realized how much more we women have to own in order to look good. Because the pile of hair bows on my dresser was starting to get to me, I decided to jump on the band wagon and make a bow holder. It was super easy and pretty cheap.

Sorry for lack of pictures. Hopefully I don't confuse you too much. I think it's pretty self-explanatory if you look at the finished project but that's just me.

Supplies:

-Frame (I used an 8x10 because I had one but I recommend an 11x14 if you go buy one)

-Spray paint

-Ribbon

-Cute Paper

-Hot glue and glue gun

-Scissors

-Pencil

1: Remove backing and glass from frame and spray paint your frame. Let dry.

2: Take your back and trace onto paper. Fit paper into frame and trim if needed. I had to trim mine only a tiny bit.

3: Decide how you want your ribbon to run- vertical or horizontal. Mine is vertical. Measure ribbon by running it from top to bottom of the inside of the frame and cut all your strips. Your ribbon should be at least 1/4 inch longer than the opening in the frame. The number of strips you cut will depend on how close you want your columns/rows of ribbon. Mine are about 1/2 inch apart and I thought 4 columns looked about right. I just eyeballed it though.

4: Turn frame right side down and place your ribbon where you want them to go. Then mark on the frame where each end of the ribbon is so you know where to place the glue.

5: Glue the ribbon on where the markings are. You want your ribbon to be glued to the part of the frame where your paper in going to sit so your paper can then go in as the background. Glue each end of the ribbon on pulling it across the opening of the frame.

6: Place paper in frame and put backing in place.

You are finished! Now go put those bows away because they have a new home.