Lyds had something on each of her bedroom walls, except for one, and I had no idea what to do.  I came across this site and decided it would be a easy, free, and quick way to dress up her wall.  And if it didn’t work out, hey, it was free because I had all the supplies on hand, and non invasive, so it can be removed anytime.

You need:

• Scrapbook paper (any square size: 12×12, 9×9, etc)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Adhesive Wall Putty

Directions:

1. You want to use two pieces of scrapbook paper that are the same square size.  I used 12×12, 9×9, and 6×6.
2. Fold the up and down, like a paper fan.
3. Crease each folded piece of paper in half.
4. Glue the outer strips to each other to make a semi circle.  Do the same thing on the other piece of paper.
5. Next, glue them together on the outsides.
6. Get adhesive wall putty, and roll it into a ball about the size of a ping pong.  Put it on the wall.  Stick the middle of the decoration into the putty, and you’re done!

Have you done any neat wall art you want to share?

I made Baby Legwarmers in two different ways.  The first way: a knee high sock went from this to this.

This way took less time than the second way, but it didn’t look as good, and the

legwarmers kept sliding off Abs’s thighs at church.

So, the tutorial is going to be how to make legwarmers that look the top 3 legwarmers in this picture:

Supplies

• Ladies Knee High socks
• Thread

Directions

1. Cut the sock right above the heel.
2. Then cut off a 3 inch section of the heels.  Then cut off the toes.  You don’t need those anymore.
3. Using the middle pieces: turn them inside each other, wrong sides together.  You’ll use this for the bottom cuff.  I liked mine to be about the side of the existing cuffs, so, I cut the middle piece to about 3 inches.
4. Now just place the leg pieces INSIDE each cuff, raw edges lining up.
5. Pin together and sew around the raw edges with a zigzag stitch for stretch.
6. Turn them out the correct way, and you’re done!

Abs comes home from church each Sunday and Wednesday with at least two sheets of art work that she made in bible class.  We’ve run out of magnets and fridge space.

I think I’d like to “display” her paintings on her color block wall, but I’m not sure how to do that.  Any ideas?  What do you do with your kids’ art?

So far, I’ve made these two dresses from old shirts I had.  They are definitely not perfect, but Abs likes them, so I guess that’s what matters.

This was a super simple project.  Can’t believe I didn’t make one sooner.  Here’s a tutorial for you:

1. Lay a dress or shirt of your toddler’s on top of the shirt you’re going to cut.  Make sure the necklines match up and fold the sleeves in on the toddler shirt.
2. Draw around the top item with disappearing ink pen, and then, cut around the lines.
3. Cut around the neckline.
4. Then cut the back side of the dress to be closer to the neckline
5. Sew up the sides with a straight stitch and then a zigzag stitch.
6. Then sew around the arm holes and stitch the back part, too.
7. Then, cut the neckline in the middle on the back part (where the tag used to be), and sew the ends onto the back of the dress, to make spaghetti straps.

You’re done, unless you want to embellish more.  The first one, I decided to make some flowers with the left over fabric.  (I was a little worried that the flowers wouldn’t hold up in the wash, but they stayed perfectly intact!)

For the second dress, I made ruffles.  I’ve cut out 4 other shirts, but I haven’t gotten around to sewing them into dresses, yet.  Any ideas for other ways to dress up the dresses??

Oh, I learned from making the first one that I should’ve make the bottom part of the dress more like an A-line.

I also made these bows to match the dress themes:

Let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any questions.

I’ve been asked several times how I made the following projects:

The answer is with Freezer Paper Stenciling.  It’s super easy.  I’d say the hardest part is cutting out your design with an exacto knife.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Freezer Paper (I got mine at Walmart in the section that has Aluminum Foil, Wax paper, etc.)
• Exacto Knife (also purchased at Walmart, in the sewing section)
• Fabric Paint (I got mine from Hobby Lobby and Walmart.)
• Iron
• Paint sponge/brush
• Cardboard

I’ve made up a video to describe the process for you.  One thing though, at about 50 seconds into the video, I gave the wrong info. . . .  You actually put the middle sheet of paper waxy side UP (not down, as said in video).

Some extra information . . .

• ****I’ve been told by one person that she had a problem with printing her image (the paper got really stuck).  Sooo, you might wanna be on the safe side and trace your image onto the paper side of the freezer paper.
• Freezer paper is rolled up like wrapping paper.  I like to cut mine in 8.5×11 inch sheets, so they can go directly in the printer.  If you don’t want to print onto the freezer paper, you can print onto a normal sheet of paper and then trace the image onto freezer paper.  Regardless of how you print, you want your design on the freezer paper to be on the paper side because you want the waxy side to be ironed onto your fabric.
• Also, cut the image with an exacto knife on top of cardboard, cutting board, or a rotary board.
• I open the shirt and insert a cardboard in the middle, so the paint won’t bleed.
• You can use tweezers to remove the small bits of freezer paper after you’re finished painting.

Any questions?

So, it’s still not 100% done, but I just can’t wait any longer to show you pictures of Abs’s new big girl room.  Now why didn’t I ever take pictures of the room before when it was just an office/guest room??  Oh, I know, because it looked awful!  So, sorry you don’t get the full effect of before and after shots.  Just imagine an ugly off white wall with ugly brown doors and brownish, ugly carpet.

Okay, here are two pictures I found of the day we started doing the redo.

And here are the “after” pictures

I made her wall letters.  Here are instructions of how to make your own.

We painted a block wall (I talked about it here).  Eventually, I’ll do a tutorial for you.

J painted her doors; they used to be a nasty brown wood.

The window treatments are made from tulle.  A friend made the bow holder.

J and his dad made the clothing rack.  The shelf has picture of Abs at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks old.

Still lots of work to be done.  I want to make tissue paper flower pom poms.  We need to convert her crib to a toddler bed.  And we need to get new door hinges and knobs.  And I want to make a wall decal and vinyl lettering.  Oh, and J’s going to build her a low play table that we can put her baby doll house and barn on top and store her toys underneath.  But overall, we’re pretty satisfied with her room, and she loves it!

Sorry about neglecting the site . . . again.  Things have just been so crazy around here with still being pregnant sick, having appointments, getting Abs’s big girl room ready, new baby planning, moving furniture, organizing, and prepping for Abs’s birthday, along with the usual housewife stuff I need to do.

Our house looks pretty rough right now– as far as clutter and organization.  I’m typing from in the DINING room.  We used to have an office, but now, that’s turning into Abs’s big girl room.  As I look around the dining room, there are SIX tables/desks in here: the kitchen table, my computer desk, J’s computer desk, my sewing machine desk, Abs’s play table, and the new baby’s changing table.  Wow.

Over the weekend, J and I cleaned out the office/guest room/storage closet.  Then he tore out an intercom and patched it up with drywall, primed the room, and painted the baseboards.  Then, we tediously measured and taped off one wall.  Thank goodness my measurements I had done earlier in February were accurate!

Then, I took Abs over to my parents to take a nap so Abs and Baby wouldn’t be around all the fumes and noise.  Earlier that week, our friends offered to come help J paint the room.  Yea for good friends.

And here’s what the other walls look like:

Definitely very pink.  Oh well, Abs loves it.  So, we just have to replace the outlets and switches and covers, get new carpet, insulate the windows, figure out what I’m gonna do for window treatments (any ideas, when the windows are narrow and don’t touch the ground?), move in her furniture, and it’s all hers.

If I get any comments/emails about the block wall, I’ll try to do a tutorial of how to make it happen . . . but not this week.  I’m getting my braces off (!), buying stuff for Abs’s party, making the cake and dip and drinks, etc, and working on Abs’s video of year 1-2.  I can’t believe she’ll be TWO on Sunday.

**Oh, and by the way, since our Vday project, here’s what I had to do for J: 1) Write and perform a rap song about J, 2) Watch a Sci-Fi movie of his choosing (YUCK!).  Here’s what he drew for me to do: 1) Bring Wifey a blizzard, 2) Play wii with Wifey.  Now, who do you think got it rough?!

***Go here to see Abs’s (mostly) completed room.***