New Monday: I'm getting a Cricut!

I am FINALLY getting on the Cricut bandwagon. I have been wanting one ever since a family friend had lent us her's. But I didn't get just any Cricut machine, I got the Cricut Expression. No, it's no the Expression 2 though, I didn't need anything that fancy. I haven't gotten it yet, I ordered it through Amazon along with some cartridges, but I cannot wait until I get it, I can just imagine all the new designs I will be able to offer!

Here are some awesome things that people have made from the different Cricut machines that I found on Pinterest:

Faith Abigail Designs

scrapbook.com

Momless today

Sadly, I do not have an Etsy mom to feature for you today, but, that doesn't mean I don't have some amazing things for you!

I <3 Pinterest, no, wait, I adore Pinterest! If Pinterest were a man I would serenade him and then have his babies. Well, maybe that's going a bit far, but you get the idea. At least once a day, usually at night once the little one is down for the evening I go on Pinterest and browse my favorite categories and then I pin, I pin like crazy. Today, I'm going to share some of my favorite DIY pins.

I actually have some jersey knit tee's that I had butchered trying to refashion, still in my closet, and since I've been dieing for new accessories I think this would be a fun, free way, to update my look. You can get the full instructions here

Another fun, cheap, way to accessorize. Turning craft popsicle sticks into bracelets! You can do so much with these, decoupage them, glue sequins, drill holes in the wood and add charms... the possibilities are endless! View the steps to greatness here.

You know those cheap, $2 flip flops you can get at Target or Wal-Mart or those drug stores? Have you ever tripped over them only to have the strap break off? Well, don't toss 'em! Update them! Here are the instructions

This is super cute and a good use of ribbon or even fabric scraps! Which I have plenty of. You could use a wooden bangle bought at the craft store or one found in a yard sale for $0.25. Find out the how-to's here

Which one's can you not wait to try? I think I'll try the jersey knit bracelets since I already have the material and then I'll try the ribbon covered bangles.

Homemade Pencils

Why buy something when you can make it yourself? You'll be potentially saving money, learning a new skill, and can be something for you and your children to do together.

I've been toying with the idea of including pens and pencils with stationery gift sets in my store. While I was trying to figure out how to do this I came across this really neat tutorial on how to create you're own twig pencils from Boys Life Magazine Looks simple enough!

It'd be a great summer project for you and your children to get together to do and once school comes around they can use their one-of-a-kind pencils in the classroom.

Perhaps the next time I go on one of my walks around the park I'll take a baggie with me to collect twigs and try my hand at making a few of my own.

Hello Sunday, Goodbye Weekend...

Alas, another beginning of another week and the ending of what feels like a wasted weekend...

I'm not very good with managing time, I am a horrible procrastinator (Unless I'm suddenly hit with inspiration), which is not a good habit for a single Mom, because when you have a child, at any age, you better get things done that you need to get done pronto because you never know when they may need you (Right now I'm procrastinating on an order with this post, ha!).

I would very much like to make my Saturdays more productive, so, I will be combining "Healthy Mondays" with posts of weekend projects that I did, or worked on.

Now, this next weekend is Mother's Day and things have been so crazy around my house I don't know if any plans have been made for that Saturday, but if they haven't and I have the money, I might make a magnetic chalk/ bulletin inspiration board. Do you have any projects your just itching to get to?

To Do:

Magnetic Chalk/Bulletin Inspiration Board

Shelf

Sunglasses holder

Tessa's first scrapbook page

Upcycled cigar box

Reupholstered fold-up chair

Refinished Desk

Awesome Last Minute Easter Egg Idea

So I was watching "Unwrapped" on the Food Network last night and they were talking about, well what else? Easter of course!

One of the segments they did was about a book called "Easter Eggs." It was filled with different decorating ideas, they featured a few of them but only two were my fave.

The first one is a great idea if you have any chalk board paint left over from a project.

Just give the kids some sponge paint brushes, hand over the chalk board paint and chalk and let them have a blast drawing designs on their chalk board eggs!

The second one I thought was fabulous.

Take a nail and a hammer and gently punch a whole at the top of the egg. Then, take a wooden skewer and insert it into the egg, poking a hole out the end, to remove the yoke and egg whites, push it out with the skewer repeatedly. Once you think it's all out, boil it in water to sterilize for 5 minutes. Then take a pastry bag filled with melted chocolate and use it to fill the empty egg (I noticed they did it while the egg was still in the carton, perhaps to keep the chocolate from dripping out?) Allow the chocolate to harden, crack open, and enjoy your chocolate egg! How cool is that?

Enjoy your Easter weekend! I know I will. Today, I have family visiting and Tessa's Dad will be here. We'll be going to the park in our Easter clothes to take pictures. Tomorrow our church is having a service with potluck and Easter egg hunt for the kids. I'm VERY excited, it will be Tessa's first Easter!

Super easy fruit smoothie

I'm not even kidding! In fact you'll probably laugh at me because it's so easy!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

5 medium to large strawberrys
1 Ripe banana
6 ice cubes

I sliced the fruit and placed it with ice inside a blender and well.... blended it, haha. It came out pretty good. You can add sugar or honey to taste. My smootie is sitting in the freezer right now thickening up. I'm gonna go see if it's ready to be devoured yet. :)

DIY Foot Scrub

Some of you might remember my DIY brown sugar body scrub. As much as I like using this scrub myself I felt it wasn't strong enough to give the attention certain places REALLY needed, such as my feet.

I don't know anyone who doesn't have a problem with dry, callused feet especially at the end of winter and who wants to show off those toesies when it's sandal season? Many of us seek professional help, other's just walk out in sandals as is and many of us just hide them, am I right? So, I created a DIY foot scrub and it really helped!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Course Salt
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Olive oil or almond oil
Jar or two

Measure out your dry ingredients and pour them into a bowl then measure out your 2/3 cup of oil of choice and mix well. Once it's mixed and the clumps of brown sugar are de-clumped, pour into your jar over the sink so as not to make a mess everywhere, and VOILA! Your homemade foot scrub.

I suggest using this with your feet either dry or slightly damp, you can try it in the shower but it seems to dissolve too quickly to really make too much of a difference. Be sure to rinse. Make sure there are no open sores on your feet as the salt will cause the sore to burn.

With Mother's Day coming up, this would make a very nice gift for the Mom in your life, just tie some twine or a nice ribbon around and attach a lovely note and there you go!

Tip:

For even softer feet, use the scrub before going to bed, rinse and pat dry. Then rub just olive oil over your feet, wrap in cellophane and then cover with a sock and go to sleep, your feet should be sooo much softer when you get up in the morning and ready for a little nail polish!

"Green" Easter Grass

Isn't this prettier than that fake stuff?

So I was watching Kathie Lee and Hoda the other day and they were talking about a very "green" Easter grass (literally) for baskets.

Instead of using store bought grass for your baskets, why not grow wheat or rye grass in them instead? Just line the basket with plastic and add a few stones in the bottom for drainage, add soil and plant seeds accordingly. In ten days you'll have a beautiful lush basket. Don't forget to water.

I like this because it's eco friendly, you don't have that fake grass that gets everywhere (seems like months after Easter we were still vacuuming it up). Once the egg hunt is over you can use it as centerpiece at the dinner table for days and it's just prettier.

If you don't want to put the money into buying the soil and then the seeds and then having to grow it ahead of time; here's another idea that is virtually free. Save up your junk mail and newspapers, paint them green or another easter-y color (even white would pretty!) and run it through the shredder or have the kids help you cut it up into thin strips; you can even have them help paint the paper and who says the paper has to be painted a solid color? Let them finger paint on it! This DIY will save you a few dollars, and give you and the kids something fun to do together.

Oh yeah... about my weekend project

I almost forgot about my planned weekend project. Well, I did find a dress, but guess where? In my closet! Not sure how it will turn out because the material is difficult to work with and right now I really wish I had a manikin, because just when I think I have it pinned all nice and even, I lift it up to see where the hem falls and it turns out the back is shorter than the front. Lame. I have yet to finish it so I'll keep ya posted.

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!

Hello everyone, I hope your Sunday is filled with SUN... Get it? SUNday? Although there is nothing sunny about my Sunday, it's been raining all day so far.

So what are you guys up to? Today, like every Sunday, I'm rushing to get myself and the little one dressed and out the door to church with the help of my mom. By the way, having a cute little baby in your lap while making funny noises makes it really hard to concentrate on the sermon, and if you have kids then you know what I'm talking about.

A couple of weeks back I bought a PDF pattern for baby shoes from sewingwithme1for Tessa's Easter shoes. Mom and I finally got around to sewing them, however they aren't done yet. I don't want to show you the steps for it because I'd hate to take away from sewingwithme1 sales but once it's finished I will definitely put pics up of the finished product.


So stay tuned!

I CHALLENGE YOU!!

So I was doing some cleaning and organizing today and I realized I had some spare jars that use to be candles but had been used up. I ended up using them for holding cotton balls and my hair ties that seem to disappear into thin air. Hopefully I solved the problem.

And so, I came up with this challenge for you my readers.

Rules of the Challenge:

1. Become a follower of my blog

2. Join my fan page

3. Tweet about the challenge

4. Post on Facebook about the challenge

5. Most importantly, you HAVE to do this one, is submit a photo of a repurposed/ recycled jar that you have done yourself, in JPG format to littlemisscards@hotmail.com, no bigger than 1000 x 1000 pixels.(If you do not submit a photo you will not be entered into the challenge). Please include the same name that you will use in your comments in the email so that there is no confusion. Also, I will be posting photos on the blog unless you do not wish me to.

6. Once you have done most of these, or all of these, please post a comment (seperate comments for each one) that you have done so. Be sure that your email address is included.

Winner's will receive a ten card set with their monogram of choice and will be picked at random through random.org you have until April 9th midnight.

Happy DIY!

Here are some ideas to get you started

Kara Paslay Designs

Design * Sponge

The Go Green Blog

DIY projects from around the web

This one I found via Indie Spotting. The idea comes from Brassy Apple I thought this one was so cool I just had to share with you. I wish I had more time on my hands, I would love to try my hand at this one. Here's the full tutorial.

I think this one is such a fun decorative idea, and so easy! You could do so much with this one. you could leave the vintage keys as is and experiment with different types of backgrounds like fabric, scraps of wallpaper, vintage book pages or paint the keys a bright color. Don't you just love Liz Marie's dresser?

Wouldn't this be awesome in a Shabby Chic room? This is a great idea for the avid gardener looking to do something a little more than just putting their flowers in a vase don't you think? Abby's Paperie Garden has a lot of beautiful stuff on her blog, but I think this one is my fave.

I think this save-the-date idea is darling! So easy and so inexpensive, too. I've received save the dates before and usually once the wedding is over they go in the trash. But these are so cute it would stay on my fridge forever! So you know with these your money will be put to good use, and not the trash. I found this gem on Bubby and Bean.

This one would make a great gift for a friend. Its a DIY of lounge pants that I found at A Spoonful of Sugar. Don't they look comfy? I think I just found a new sewing project.

I hope you found some new projects to keep you busy, I'm dieing to try out those lounge pants!

Back to the Drawing Board...

Yesterday, I made a blog post about a DIY project from this weekend, and after about a day of using my seat cover, it broke. One of the straps popped out of its seam. So, I will be removing that from the DIY page.

I have a better idea for a cover now, however I won't have time this week. This week I'll be doing a lot of cleaning since this weekend my sister, her husband, their four kids and Tessa's Dad will be coming in this weekend to visit. Its going to get crowded.

My weekend

"Hey Boo Boo, it's a picinic basket!"

Saturday was a beautiful day here in Porterville, California. It was sunny and 65 degrees, perfect yard sale weather.

Quite frankly, I was surprised I even had the energy to go out Saturday morning and thrift. Friday night Tessa just would NOT sleep, she was tired but she decided screaming was a better use of her time. It took Mom and me, both to get her to finally go to sleep. We weren't even sure we would feel like getting up in the morning, but we did.

We set out with the little one about 8:45 am. In one yard sale I found a couple of toys and two really cute dresses for Tessa, she LOVED the toys. I love them, too, they're easy for her to grab onto and aren't hard like her other toys so I don't have to worry about her accidentally hitting herself with it.

Tea for two anyone?

I found an old picnic basket for my bike! I was so excited, I very rarely reach my goal when I'm out and about at yard sales. I was thrilled with my find. We found another yard sale with three different picnic baskets, there was one that was much nicer than the one I had picked up earlier but wasn't as deep. Mom bought a little glass tea set for Tessa when she's older and a stone vase/pot for herself. I found this really cool vintage lamp, i would guess from 60's or 70's, but when I plugged it in at home it turned out it didn't work very well. But I only paid $.50, so its not like I was at a huge loss. Once we were done, we picked up some breakfast and headed home. We had a very good morning.

My sewing project started off a little rocky. I had everything measured out and pinned together, it was actually turning out quite smoothly. But when it came time to turn it right side out, I realized I attached the straps wrong and had to take it all apart and start over, bleh.

So after much seam popping and re-pinning here is the final result.

 First, you want to measure your seat and figure out how much of the seat you want to cover; do you want it to cover the entire back portion or just where your back will be touching the seat? Do want it to cover the seat part so your booty doesn't get burned when you sit? So measure accordingly. Mine is 20 inches long and 12 inches wide. You also want to measure the width of the head rest so you know how far apart to attach the straps.

Next, pick out your fabrics, I chose two coordinating fabrics with different patterns. The top fabric is more of corduroy material and the back fabric is just your everyday cotton material. You don't have to, but its best that one of the materials is thicker than the other so your back is more protected from the heat.

Tip: you could put batting in between the two materials for a little extra comfort and extra protection. 

My two fabrics, right side facing me

Cut out your two pieces of fabric according to the size you want, I left an extra half inch on all sides for seam allowance. Then cut out your straps, I made mine an inch in width and twelve inches long.

My straps, I used the cotton fabric since the corduroy would be hard to fold

To sew the straps, I folded the raw edges inward, toward the wrong side of the fabric and then folded the strap in half length wise so that the raw edges were on the inside and pinned it together (don't worry about the ends). If your having trouble keeping the raw edges in place, iron them down and then fold, then pin. When you sew your straps your only going to do a top stitch along the sides, again, don't worry about the ends. Don't forget to do your back stitch!

This is where I messed up, I didn't tuck the remaining strap inside, don't pay attention to the fact this is ribbon, not my strap

Now, pin your two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing each other. When your doing this, pin your straps to the outside of one of the fabrics and then tuck the remaining length of strap in between the two fabrics so that when you make your turn, the straps will be on the outside. Be sure to pin your straps apart according to the width of your head rest.

Once its all pinned together start sewing, remember to leave at the most, half inch seam allowance. Don't sew all the way around, leave at least 4-5 inches of unsewn fabric so that you can turn it right side out. Before turning it right side out be sure to trim the excess fabric if you need to, especially the corners.

Once thats all said and done, do a top stitch along the hole to close. Now your all done! Take the straps and tie it around the head rest! I attached each strap to one of the bars underneath.

I have to try this out to see if it will keep my back from getting sweaty during the summer, but its supposed to be in the 70's all week, perfect for testing it out.

So many projects, so little time

I have a list of projects I want to do about as long as my arm and finding time to do them is tough! Yesterday while I was driving my leather interior car (which makes my back soaked with sweat) I had the idea to sew a very simple seat cover. But when?

I want and need to do the first page of Tessa's scrapbook, I very much need to upcycle that cigar box thats sitting on my shelf, I want to find an old chair and reupholster it, there's a book I want to alter and turn into a childrens poetry book for Tessa, I have a few ideas for new cards... There truly just isn't enough time in a day and there's too many things that have to be done NOW!

How do you sellers juggle your shop and your own personal projects?

Fabuloooouuus!!!!

Everything is just absolutely, fab today. Tessa has been in a good mood all day, the weather is perfect, I'm having a great hair day and I had a delicious smoothie from Jamba Juice. Yummy. I think the equally yummy Michael Buble sums it up.

 New listing today, just as promised. Its a monogrammed set of ten cards, with the letter "A" tied up in a pretty blue ribbon, the buyer will receive ten resealable envelopes along with the card. This set would be great for yourself, a loved one or a newly wed couple. I will be adding the whole alphabet eventually, only 250 more cards to go! Phew!

Here's a DIY project for you. I think this is such a great idea. Not only will it help organize those pesky papers that flood your desk but you'll be bringing an old antique back to useful life in a new way; its a vintage photo album turned file organizer. If you think this is as cool as I do you can find the instructions at countryliving.com

Two new cards and DIY for ya

I've added two new items to Little Miss Cards. One is for a 5 1/2in x 4 1/4in monogrammed notecard with the letter "A" the other is so you can pre-order your monogrammed card with whatever letter you would like.

I used a white card stock and embossed designs in two of the corners and created a border around the monogram; which I did using an ornate stamp and then the letter "A" stamp over that. The inside is blank and with this card, the buyer will receive an envelope constructed from kraft paper.

So here's my DIY of the day (possibly the week). This one will only take 5 minutes and just in time for Valentine's Day, too!

My Dad had given me some birthday money and I was considering buying a moisturizing body scrub, but why buy something when you can make it yourself with just a couple of ingredients from your kitchen cupboard?

What you need:
1 cp of brown sugar
2/3 cp of olive oil (Almond oil will work as well)
A jar or two

Mix the two ingredients in a bowl well until all of your brown sugar has absorbed the oil, and then over the sink, pour your body scrub into a jar. (I used a little vanilla extract to add some scent to it since I don't like the smell of olive oil)

To use, shower as usual and then use the scrub at the last and rinse!

Ladies, this would be a perfect way to pamper yourself and get your skin all glowy and touchable for your Valentine's Day date (I was thinking of a caress on the arm, get your mind out of the gutter!).

Men, this would be a very nice and simple gift for your lady (And you if your into soft arms.) As an idea for the packaging, just go down to the thrift store and pick up an old canning jar (be sure to wash it before putting the scrub in), get some twine and attach a card with a sweet note and instructions for use and then put in a pretty bag or box. Want some extra points? Tell her you made it yourself, chicks totally dig that stuff.

Design*Sponge

www.designsponge.com

Design*Sponge is my go to place when I want to try a new DIY project. I have a list as long as my arm that I have accumulated just from that web site of things I want to do. So, this weekend, I'm going to attempt one. This is one I've been wanting to do for a long while. But I'm going to tweak it a little. Instead of making it a notebook, I'm going to turn it into a brag book. My Mom has been bugging me to make one for her so she can show off her beautiful grandchildren to the ladies at work

Instead of using a decorative paper I'm going to use a swatch of cloth that I've been hanging onto that I know I will never use otherwise. Wish me luck!

If you would like try this out for yourself you can get the instructions here