{Applique T-shirt Tutorial}

I saw this great photo on pinterest for a shirt I couldn't wait to make for my daughter and my niece.

So here is how I did it, and what I would do different next time:

So I gathered my supplies: shirt, fabric, heat-n-bond, ric-rac

I cut out myfabric circles and then the heat and bond slightly smaller and ironed them on to fuse.

Then placed them on the shirt where I thought they would look nice.

And fused them in place, as well.

Then it was time to see how much and where I would need the ric-rac.

after laying out my ric-rac and figuring out the lengths I would need and where to place them. I used fray check on the edges of the ric-rac that would be seen.

I sewed the ric-rac first so I could tuck it under the edges of the circles. Next time I would sew the ric rac first and then add the circles afterward wherever it seemed to fit best.

This was the setting I used on my zig-zag stitch. I needed it to do a fairly wide stitch but close together to look more like a satin stitch. You could do your stitch length further apart if you want to, would just give it a different look.

This is me SLOWLY making my way around the edges of the circle. You can see how it was necessary to do this if you can make out the fraying of the fabric at the edges.

Ok so let's be honest, zig-zagging around several circles is NOT easy. It wasn't gorgeous. It had some issues but it was necessary to keep the edges from fraying. One tip for next time would be to fuze the fabric to the heat-n-bond BEFORE cuttting out the circles. That would have prevented the fraying and possibly completely eliminated the need for the added time of zig-zagging the edges. I would also use fabric glue on the ric-rac next time. I think those two tips would have made this so much simpler.  Now one more picture of the finished project. My sister seemed excited about this one I made for my niece. I now need to finish my daughter's shirt.

 

{Pinterest challenge project}

My Challenge project is the Laundry curtain cover

Found here: http://pinterest.com/pin/188085607/

So I wanted to do this for the space above my utility sink. It contains a hanging bar for clothes that cannot go in the dryer so they can drip dry over the sink. It just doesn't look very pretty.

 So it was a pretty simple process. I just measured the space across and how far down I wanted it to hang. Grabbed up a tension rod from Walmart for $2.67 and hemmed 3 sides. The top, I folded over 3/4 of an inch and sewed it to create the pocket for the rod. 

 Then it was done. I used fabric I already had on hand and that would fit the space and add some color and personality. I put the fabric on the rod and put it up. Nice and easy.  This is a shot from the back door. There are 2 sets of cabinets like the one you see. Next plan is probably to paint it and clean off the area above the cabinets.

I like how it turned out, really cute, and you can't beat projects that make things look nice for under $5.

DIY cleaner

DIY Oxyclean type product.

I found this recipe for making your own oxyclean on Pinterest (feel like you have heard that name a lot lately).

These are the ingredients it used: Peroxide, Washing soda (I used baking soda), and Water.
Recipe is :

• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of peroxide
• 1/2 cup of baking soda/washing soda.

 

I used the only spray bottle I had around, but read you should keep it in a dark bottle because the light deactivates the peroxide. I also noticed that the baking soda can get clumped in the spray nozzle sometimes. Shake it well before use. I am going to switch to one of the oxyclean bottles I have, or another cleaning bottle like shout or something.


I washed several items that I used this on and soaked it for at least 20 minutes, including set-in stains ( like months old), and dirty cloth diapers. Everything came out nice and clean and smelling fresh.

I also read that if you have grease stains, like from my hubbys work, you can use Dawn liquid to take it out......something else worth noting.


What homemade products do you make and use? What tips do you have for using products in usual ways?

{ Quick Cute Dessert}

I saw this on Pinterest and thought, I can make that simple and easy. I like a good cookie to be crisp or crunchy on the outside and gooey and soft in the middle. This turned out perfect.

I just took pre-made, refridgerated cookie dough- chocolate chip of course, and pressed it into this small dish. I had preheated the oven as the directions on the package said, and just watched it until it looked like I wanted it, mostly that it is browned a bit.

This is what it looked like out of the oven. You can see where it is sunken in the middle- called a soft spot by my granny. This is what I looked for since I like it gooey in the middle.

I snapped another pic of it looking straight into the dish. I plunged a fork into it to check how soft and tender it was. It was just as I liked it.

 

I couldn't wait to take a bite, so this was the last picture before it was gobbled up. I highly recommend trying this dessert. Hubby and I kept sneaking in the kitchen for another bite. Yumm Yumm!!

{Things I Love}

First of all: Pinterest
 If you have not been to pinterest yet, or joined, let me know. I will send you an invite. You can find my boards listed under Begin to Craft.


Ok So here are a few images and projects I am looking forward to doing soon. You can find all these images on my pinterest boards if you follow me. They will take you directly to the original hosted page. If This is your project, or blog that I am featuring, feel free to grab my button for your site.

found at poppytalk.blogspot.com

So, here I want to add a curtain in my laundry room to cover where clothes hang to "drip-dry"

found at remodelaholic.com

And then I want to add a counter above my washer and dryer so that I can leave my basket  Thirty-one large utility tote on top without it being thrown off or to put things on it to remember the next day, OR decorate it. Like this other picture

found at houzz.com

There are also this great idea to use in the kids playroom to show their craft projects

http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2010/01/favorite-projects-and-tutorials.html

Do you have any projects you love on Pinterest?

 

I saw this project and when I was in the Dollar General yesterday I saw some $1 frames that I thought would look just awesome. Now to decide how many and what papers to us. This is a copycat from ballarddesigns.com

Oh and I also saw this idea that I could use with my window panes and add knobs or hooks to hang at our back entry way to organize our stuff going out the door- Also could work in the laundry room which is at our back door and make it look a bit nicer!!

found at tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com

Now I can't wait to share with you what I found at my favorite thrift store yesterday. I spent just over $3 and got several things for some projects, and one for a Christmas gift. And my store has been getting a lot of fabric. I am just so excited! Love Love Love!!!

So what have you seen on Pinterest that you can't wait to get started on, or wish your home looked like? Any plans to get started?