Laminated Paper Dolls!

Another check off my Christmas list this year! I just finished two sets of paper dolls made for my daughters and nieces. I've had these in the back of my mind for awhile now. I made them using the paperdoll cartridge with my cricut. This cartridge should be a first purchase it you own one! I use it to make all kinds of things for projects, and everytime I do my daughter begs me to make extra pieces for her to play with. You can even make tabs on the clothing to use a real paper dolls. She would play with them for a few hours, but at the end they were ripped, bent, wet, you name it. So I wanted to make her a set that would last. After cutting tond of pieces I ran them through the laminator and then hand cut around them. I then added velcro.

Here are some people!

And here's the back view of an outfit to show you how they stick. To line them up I used one person as a pattern then laid the opposite piece of velcro on the first, stick side up. I then simply laid the outfit over it so it would naturally go be attached to the right place.

Here are some of the cute little sets I made.

And then of course I made tons of extra clothing and hair. I wanted to take it a little farther so I made a few simple backdrop using the paper doll cartridge. The delima here was I can't laminate 12 in papers. And staples wanted 4 dollars a piece for them. Spending over 30 to laminate two sets was not keeping this project cheap. So I stuck them in 12X12 scrapbooking page holders I already had and cut off the edges! Then I put velcro in each corner.

To hold all the pieces I bought scrapbook cases from Micheals ($4.00 half off). In the shallow side I places velcro pieces in each corner so she could attach her background. Then I glued a strip of ribbon across with velcro on one side. This keeps the papers nice an tidy.

And here is a view of the case sitting up ready to play!

Or she could lay it down and take it in the car!

Here is the outside of the case, you can see the velcro in the corners. I can't decide....should I decorate the outside....or add more velcro so she can play on top too??

I really love how this came out! And I know she is going to play with it tons because as I was making it I couldn't keep her away from it. I know she's not suppose to see it but she kept coming in and it was only the pieces! I guess it's no different from a toy commercial right??? lol. She keeps asking me for some for her. So I know she's going to be excited! Total cost was $12.00 for two sets! I only had to buy two cases and a pack of velcro dots.

If you want to make your own but don't have a cricut there are many options. Micheals has all kinds of foam and paper cutouts. I saw some people there that would work great! Also scrapbooking stores may have lots of diecuts you could use.....or print off paper doll clipart and laminate! Have fun :)

How to - remove scentsy from your walls,counters,floor!

I am really happy to post this! I know that scentsy is incredibly popular and just about all of my friends use it. And why wouldn't you it makes the house smell great, it's safe, it lasts...and it's so much fun picking different scents for your house. We have a warmer in about every corner of the house. The only down side is once in a while it get spilled. We keep our "main" warmer right by our door with strong scents that fill our down stairs. We like to be welcomed by the scents :) This weekend we had a bunce of people over at our house for bible study and it got bumped and wax ran down the wall and around it. (my fault I had it too full!). The wax actually ran down to the floor so I had to figure out how to get it off...without spending an hour picking just for it too leave a greasy residue. So here's what I did! Here's party of the yucky mess...

Step 1: Turn your Iron on medium ( I set mine on polyester).

Step 2. Lay a paper towel over the spot then set the iron on top. I found folding the towel works best.

Step 3: Count to 15Step 4: Lift the iron and the wax will have melted onto the iron! (sry for my grose super old iron!)And for the wall I did the same thing. Remember to keep the iron completely on the paper towel, and wipe you iron off well when your all done. And don't leave it too long. I counted to 15 and it was perfect. There was still a faint oil mark on the wall so I wiped it down with soap and hot water. It's still there but very faint and way better then this!All better! Quick and easy :)

Word Books

Recently we began homeschooling our three year old. She has already learned her letters and sounds and has been really interested in words and wanting to read. So on our 12 hour car ride a few weeks ago I took one of her unused crayola books and wrote a word on all 10 pages. We explained how the letters strung together to make words and begun to teach her them by sight. A week later she knew all words, and we started another set of 10. I knew I needed to create more "books" for her to learn in groups. So I came up with these...and she is already excited about them. I started with these papers from the dollar tree. I then folded and cut them in half so they would be smaller. I want to be able to tuck them into the diaper bag so I can pull them out when we're in line at the store ect. Then I wrote down lots of easy small beginner words with permanant marker. I laminated them because I want to keep them for the twins. Then my awesome hubby hole punched them and we stuck binder rings in them. All we had to buy was the word papers which were $1.00 and made 60 of them. I'm really happy with how they turned out! The rings make them movable so we can take them off re arrange them put them in common set...all kinds of things. And since they are laminated she can even practice writing the words! Oh how I love my laminating machine.

As we were doing this I thought of several other similar ideas....add them to my list I guess :)

How To - Make An Easy Sew Fleece Blanket

Wahoo! Another Christmas present done...and it's only September. Today I made a blanket for my littlest Bailey Jade. I had intended to make these last year for the twins...but this year it works out even better as they are in the snuggly blanket loving phase. Remember the new sew blankets that were all the rage a few years back??? You just cut and tie??? Well I have made my fair share of those and they are easy....but after a wash they seperate...the knots untie..and shortly they don't look so great. So a few years ago when I was making one for my oldest I decided to add a seam in there. I loved the outcome..and decided it looked even better with no knots! I had one on the Christmas list for each of the twins...but this year I was able to put their names on :) It only took be about an hour to do. So here's how:

**Sorry about the photo quality and such I used my point and shoot camera thinking the lighting was good. Lesson learned.

Material need (forgot to snap a pic!): 2 Fleece, Sewing machine, thread, scissors I use 1 yard for a baby blanket, 1.5 for a toddler/kid blanket, and 2 for an adult size.


Step one: Cut off any white edges if you've bought a print.

Isn't this cute!!! I was so excited to find this Strawberry Shortcake fleece at good ole Wal-mart!

Step two: Lay the fabric out on the floor good side down. (the print is brighter on the good side)

Step 3: Lay second fabric on top of it. It you have any straight matching lines you can line them up like I did at the top. You want whichever fabric is smaller on the top, you may have to switch them.

Step 4: Go around and pin the blanket at the edge smoothing the fabrics as you go. I pin every 3 or so inches. Step 4: Cut off the excess fabric of the bigger piece so it lines up with the smaller top piece of fleece.

Your blanket should now look like this. If your wanting to embroider, at this point I pulled back on corner and hoop them embroidered so I knew it would be in the right spot.
Step 6: Sew a seam all the way around the blanket about 2.5 inches from the edge. To keep a straight like I put a piece of tape at the length I want the blanket today. I used a clothing sticker today so it could be clearly seen.

Step 7: All the edges should now look like this!

Step 8: Start at the corner and cut two lines to make a square. Then continue cutting 1in strips all the way around the blanket...becareful not to get too close to the seam. Once your done cutting you may tie knots in the strips if you want. I perfer the fringe look :)

And here it is! I know she is going to love this!

And just to show you...here is an Abby Cadabby one I made over 2 years ago. See how nice it looks still? Although I am thinking I may have to take it apart and put her name on it now.

Happy Weekend!

It's Friday! Which normally means...baking day. However, this week I am happily cake free and spending the weekend at the beach with my family. Just sharing a quick little milestone I met last weekend...my first wedding cake!

The bride chose a simple design. A Fondant covered white cake with black scroll work, the cake was yellow. I was happy with how it came out. And while I am at it...here's some cupcakes I made for the shower a few weeks ago. This was my first go around with the foil lined cupcake wrappers. Wow, I love them. I will be ordering lots more. They held their color and each cupcake came out perfectly shaped. I will share more info when I order more. :) I'm writing this in that car on the way to the beach house..then it's no internet for a few days (this is big for me!) I did however bring some crafty things to do...couldn't resist! Happy Weekend!

How to - make a covered wipes case.

Story time! For three years now I've been dreaming on an embroidery machine. I LOVE all things monogramed and customized and appliques are my favorite in kid's clothing. I started wanting one because I use to run a hair bow site (pre-twins) ..but I just never wanted to fork out the dough. And we are so blessed to have a grandma who whips up just about anything for us no matter our insane request, she's amazing..but 700 miles away. So this week it finally happened. The hubby decided he was going to get me one and did so last Thursday (insert squeal)! This is my early Christmas/birthday present bought early so I could use it to make Christmas/birthday presents :) When I first got it I have a wedding cake to make and other things to do so it sat patiently waiting for me. Then when I finally opened it....what to make? Well that was easy......we only have half a dozen friends having babies this fall (all boys!). So awhile back during my bowsite times I met a lady who made these wipe cases and willingly showed me how! I went right home and altered it a bit till it was how I liked it. I have always loved these and couldn't wait to make one with a name on it. So first up was little Mr. Judah, which I'm actually posting about before giving to her (sry Amy if you see this!) because the little man is 6 days overdue. I will share the rest of the things after he gets here....ok I won't hold you up anymore! here's how you make these adorable things.
Supplies: Glue gun, fabric glue, scissors, quilt batting, fabric, ric rac, paper, and wipes case.

Step 1: lay the baby wipes case on the paper and trace with the pencil at an outward angle. (making it a little larger) Cut out to use as a pattern.

Step 2: Trace pattern onto fabric and cut out two pieces. I embroidered mine but that's not a must...if you really want a name but no machine consider iron ons.

Step 3: Fold you quilt batting over and cut two squares. You don't have to fold it over but the double layers looks much nicer in the end. *I should also note that this stuff is kinda pricey. So I would take a half off coupon into Joannes or Hobby lobby. But once you buy it you will have it for dozens more wipes cases...they make great presents!

Step 4: Using the fabric glue, glue the quilt batting on to each side of the wipes case.

Step 5: This is where you want to be careful begin by laying you fabric over the wipes case centered. I then start with a small line of glue along the center of the edge in the back. I then glue the right side and then the left along the back. Then I do the same thing on the front edge of the wipes case. And then each side wo I can stretch it nice and even with no lines.....I hope that makes sense...clear as mud?

Step 6: Starting at that back centerpiece I begin to put a small line of hot glue on the edge of the fabric. Do it 2 inches at a time so you have time to get it straight before the glue hardens. Go all the way around the edge and then do the opposite side. Becareful don't glue it too close to the point where it opens!

Ta-da! But be prepared because everytime you open it...somebody will be asking where you got it :) And don't fret it you don't have an embroidery machine.You can add many thing to bling it up. Here's one I made 2 years ago and we still use! To match my ACU purse.

I have so many more things I have done lately in line to get posted! Stay tuned a lot more to be posted in the coming weeks!

Back to School Idea - Teacher Gift

Hey guys! I know it's been awhile but for any of you that actually know our family know that nothing goes as planned. In the past two weeks we had to take an emergency trip home (Indiana), all while Virginia was hit by a earthquake and hurricane in the same week I am suppose to make my very fist wedding cake! But like I said if you know our family that's just how we roll, it's our millerkindofworld. But don't worry despite all the things going on I have been in craft idea OVERLOAD! I have already been dreaming up Christmas present ideas and planning the kids birthdays. I have been working on many projects and I will be sharing them as I finish them.

For today though I wanted to share an awesome back to school idea. My good friend Shar found this idea on How Does She and wanted to try it for her daughters kindergarten teacher. The other night she came over and used my cricut to cut out the letters and the apple and in know time she transformed a bead box into this adorable gift for her teacher! Who wouldn't want to sit this on their desk?! I love the chocolate touch! Shar finished it up with a bow and a sweet little note from their daughter. And as shar points out even the scissor challenged could make this :) You just need a bead box, paper, and glue. She used the cricut to make the letters but you can use sticker letters or paper letters or simply write it on there.

Hope this inspires you!