Tee to Headband

Bed rest --> Day 8 = another DIY project using my old tees!!!  I'm quite obsessed.  They're recycled, easy, convenient, soft, and free -- all things I love and need in my life right now.

This particular headband is sized for my {soon to be here} baby girl.  This is a newborn headband, however, the same exact tutorial can be used for child or adult sizes just make the braided bit longer.

Tee to Headband:  Newborn version

What you need:

- Old T-shirt

- Thread and needle

- Hot glue gun/fabric glue (optional)

- Scrap felt (optional)

- Scissors

Step 1

~ Take your old t-shirt and cut { 4  } - 2 inch (width) strips

[ I cut my strips vertical but only used the length (hem to collar) of the shirt for this particular headband.  To make a longer headband you could cut horizontal (side to side) then cut that "loop" of fabric on one end to open it up in 1 longer strip. ]

Note:  This particular shirt had a colorful pattern on one side of the shirt.  I cut the 3 strips for the braided headband out of the plain blue side and the 4th strip from the colorful side to be used in the fabric flower embellishment

Step 2

~ Take 3 of the strips and put a safety pin through all three binding them together.

~ Braid the strips into one long braid

Step 3

~ Measure the length desired for your headband.  If the braid is longer than needed, cut the excess off.{ for this newborn version I needed it to be about 13 inches.  If this is for a child or an adult it's best to measure with the actual persons head. }

 ~ Secure both ends of the braid by tacking it with a quick and simple stitch.  { I used the most basic stitch but went back and forth a couple of times.  This can easily be done with a sewing machine, but until I get one, I hand sew! }

~ Bring both ends together (being sure the braid is not twisted) and sew the ends together.  { Technically this can be done in place of the above step but I wanted to ensure this braid was NOT coming undone so I did both. }

Step 4 

(For newborn/baby headbands only - for children or adults this is optional)

~ Cut an additional small piece of fabric from the t-shirt (approx 1 inch x 2 inches)

~ Wrap this piece around the joint part of the headband that you just sewed and sew them together a smidge above where they meet the headband {you want this to be somewhat snug around the braid, but not too tight}.

~  Once this is sewn together, turn this loop inside out.  It should look like so...

Note:  This is to add softness to the joint since it will be going on a newborn's head.  For an older child or adult headband this wouldn't be necessary.

Step 5

~ Set the headband aside

~ Create the fabric flower embellishment { see tutorial here --> If you're using fabric/hot glue  Fabric embellishment  / If you're using needle and thread Tee to Tank, Step 3}

Step 6

~ Add flower to headband

Options :

- Needle and thread

- Hot glue

- Fabric glue

- Attach to a hair clip for easy change out

Since this version was for a newborn I stuck with needle and thread.  I liked the all over color scheme and didn't want the hassle of the flower being removed.  I chose to sew the flower to the "joint" of the braided bit.

Love it!!  Can't wait to put it on my little girl.  And these were so easy to make!  I have 11 days left of bed rest.  I see many more headbands {and variations} in my future!  The possibilities are endless...multiple flowers, different types or colors of flowers, flowers with beads and rhinestones....but wait...there's also a completely different headband style to come :)

{{ Tutu }} Cute!

My creativity (well, more like my physical energy) has stalled the last few months.  I only have 4 weeks until my little bun in the oven is here.  I've been wanting to make a tutu for her newborn pictures, because, let's face it....who can deny the absolute adorableness of a newborn baby girl in a fluffy tutu and a big bow???  If you can, you're heartless! j/k.

There were several version and tutorials out there.  I've made adult sized ones before, but they weren't necessary the best version for a newborn.  Then there is the elastic version which is great - IF - you have a sewing machine or want to take the time to do it by hand.  I was looking for something more simplistic and I found this. {A HUGE THANK YOU to the creator and author of this blog/tutorial}

Here's what I came up with {and I'm quite pleased!}.  Now to find (or make) some frilly white or pink bloomer then this outfit will be complete and just waiting for our Baby Girl to arrive!!!

Butterfly Dreams :: Wall Art

I have 11 more weeks.....until Baby Girl is here!  So much to do...and so much wall space still to cover in the nursery.  I'm trying to be both creative and frugal since we all know that baby additions can cost a pretty penny if you're not careful.  While brainstorming I noticed (again) my wall art now displayed on the living room wall adding so much color to a mostly bare room.  Ah ha!  I have extra wood left over.  Even better, I have extra material left over from the Owl {Always Love You} Friend.  Score!  No additional shopping trips needed.  I see both savings and loveliness in my future.  What became of my left over scraps, odds, and ends?

Butterfly Dreams Wall Art

And here's the how to (my 1st ever tutorial!)...

What you need:

Wood squares (or a canvas)

Pattern material

All purpose glue

Accessories of your choice

Picture hangers or 3m double sided tape

Step 1:  Cut the material a few inches (squared) bigger than your board or canvas.  I originally purchased my wood from the hardware store and they cut it down into 12x12 blocks.   There were 12 but I used 9 in my DIY Wall Art.  You can use any size of wood or canvas though, whatever meets your needs (and your wall space).  My material was cut to 15"x15".  Lay the material good side down and place the wood square on top in the center of the material.  (Note:  You might want to iron your material first to ensure there are no wrinkles when flush on the wood).

Step 2:  Apply glue along one side of the wood about 1/4 inch from the edge.  Fold material over and secure to glue.  Repeat this step for the opposing side.

Step 3:  Apply glue to the wooden corner of one of the flaps that has not yet been folded (refer to  pictures).  Fold corner in, then down (refer to picture).  Apply glue along the wood 1/4 inch in, and be sure to include a larger dot of glue on each corner. Fold entire side over onto the glue.  Repeat for the opposing side.

Step 4:  Flip boards over.  Choose embellishments.  

For the gray flowered pattern material I chose a ribbon that would bring out the pinks (A ribbon that was actually received around a chocolate box at work.  The ribbon was up for grabs and I just had to have it!).  I also found a beautiful pink flower and chose to use a pink button for the center.  I used the all purpose glue to adhere the ribbon to the material, wrapping it around the back.  I used a hot glue gun to adhere the flower since the texture was different and would take longer to dry with the regular all purpose glue.

For the pink material I chose to use flower petals (left over from the DIY Mobile I made for the nursery) and the butterfly punch my sister-in-law has been using for the baby shower invitations.  I used a silver cardstock for the butterflies and adhere them using the all purpose glue (after folding the wings up slightly for a 3D affect).  I also used pink buttons for the center of the flowers to give the two different wood squares a "matching" affect.

Step 5:  Attach hanger of choice to the back of each wood square.  I chose to use aluminum picture hangers.  The DIY Wall Art on my living room wall was actually hung with 3M double sided foam tape. (Note:  If you choose the 3M double sided tape, use a little glue in each corner of each square, let it dry, then apply double sided tape.  This seals the wood in case there are any air holes or natural oils which would cause the 3M tape to peel away).

 And finally, an hour later, my finished projects!!!  I am in love.  I can't wait do get them hung on the wall.  I ADORE that these will actually match Baby Girl's Owl friend pillow that will be placed in her crib. 

 Look for pictures of the finished nursery to come in the next month!!

Tutu & Flowers Mobile

I'm not sure if it's the "nesting" kicking in or if I've finally found my crafty bone again, but I am on a role with projects and I hope to keep the momentum going.  There are still a few more *adorable* things I'd like to make before Baby Girl arrives - not to mention, I need to start her scrapbook.

After finishing the adorable Owl {always love you} Friend/Pillow I decided I would start on the mobile.  My inspiration was this.  I already had the perfect round styrofoam wreath to work with (my $0.25 yard sale find!).  After playing with the colors a bit; and realizing that my tulle was a little too sheer for the visible styrofoam, I attempted to pain the styrofoam gray.  What a joke!  Styrofoam is porous but also slick.  The paint was both running off and seeping into the pores all at the same time.  This was not going to work.  Back to the drawing board! (The mental drawing board atleast - and back to the nursery.)  When I returned to the nursery I remembered the mobile assembly that came with the crib we had purchased while we were pregnant with Logan.  During that pregnancy I had decided to remove the animal toys attached to the mobile and hand sewed felt stars and a moon and reattached them.  I dug out the assembly.  Three of the 4 stars were missing, but the moon was still there.  OK, so now I have a mobile assembly, white tulle, fishing line, and flowers.  The "circular" design is out, but this crisscross design could work....

The result: a simple but beautiful mobile full of "things" that hold significance.  The moon - Baby Girl's angel brother's moon...as if he's always watching over her.  The gray pearls - the same pearls I used to make pearl necklaces as gifts to my bridesmaids (aka sisters) for our wedding.  The white pearls - the pearls I used for the necklace to wear for my wedding day.  The tulle and flowers -- all for Baby Girl.  When I showed Ryan the finished product he gave me a very genuine "that's cute" followed by "I don't say that word often, but it's very cute.....nearly brought a tear to my eye."  (Yes, I totally just spilled the beans....he's inconceivably smitten with his unborn daughter!  Such a hard external shell but such a softy on the inside.

I can't wait to see the whole nursery come together.  It's going to be elegant, cutesy, peaceful...it's going to be *perfect*.

Owl {always love you} Pillow Friend

My 2nd Pinterest project -- COMPLETE!  Also, my first official "nursery" project done.  Check, check!  Baby Girl's nursery theme:  pink & gray walls, a cherry blossom tree, and two little owl friends sitting in a tree {k-i-s-s-i-n-g?  Not just yet!).  When I first found out I was going to have a daughter I began contemplating what one thing I could give her at birth that she could keep for always.  Natural instinct -- a doll.  I thought I could sew her a raggedy Anne type dolly, after all, I've hand sewn one before, when I was 10 years old.  A doll seemed a little cliche.  So what else?  Then I saw it.  A DIY Owl.  How perfect!  I found the perfect pattern too.  I am IN LOVE with my creation...and even better...I sewed it all by hand!  I do not currently own a sewing machine (although I'm thinking a future investment in one would be good).  My only other option:  to hand sew this little friend.  Can I just say...I am *smitten* by how cute this little owl turned out to be.  I will always tell my daughter "Owl always love you" while wiggling this adorable owl friend in front of her baby face.

The credit for this project and tutorial goes to Toad's Treasures. {{Thank you, Toad's Treasures.  This is definitely a "treasure" find}}