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!!!

More Wall Art - Scrapbook Style

Nesting.  Crafting.  Resting.  More Nesting!  Thank goodness for nesting though.  There are quite a few "empty places" in my house that need a decorative touch! 

Here are some projects I worked on last night.  All of them were scrapbooked (or used scrapbooking material) and some picture frames I either had laying around or purchased at the dollar store.  I decorated my guest bathroom and a wall in our master bedroom for under $5.00 (for BOTH!).  It doesn't get much better than that and I am quite satisfied (and proud) of my simple creations.

Guest Bathroom Wall Art:

Picture frames - Dollar Store - $1.00 each =$2.00

Scrapbook Paper - Michael's - 7 for $1.00 ($0.15 each) = $0.30

Large Butterfly Wall Decals - Sheet of 8 - Dollar Store = $1.00

Blue/White cardstock (scraps) - Free

Small Butterfly - butterfly punch - Free

TOTAL COST:  $3.30

p.s. the additional butterflies from the wall decals sheet are now on the mirror adjacent the picture frames so it all flows :)

Master Bedroom Wall Art:

Scrapbook Frames - gifted by sister-in-law = FREE

Scrapbook Paper - Michaels - 7 for $1.00 = $0.45

Printed Pictures - $0.19 each = $0.76

Johnny & June letters - Scrap paper - Cricut to cut = FREE

Flowers/Embellishments - scraps on hand = FREE

Lyrics to song/Scrapbook paper - Printer/scrap paper on hand = FREE

TOTAL COST:  $1.21

p.s.  Johnny & June is our "nicknames" based on the Johnny & June Cash love story and the basis for the theme of our wedding.

Stay posted for more projects!  I'm working my way down the list and it feels great to have 2 items ticked off!  Love my new artwork and newly decorated walls.  It's refreshing.

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!!

DIY Wall Art

My first Pinterest project complete!  And I could be more pleased.  My house has been sitting stale with little to no decoration and bare gray walls.  Between nesting and my desire to make our home both cheerful and homey, I decided to take up some DIY projects rather than spend a fortune on artwork that means nothing to me.  Ryan like the idea of Wall Art -- quite literally, pieces of wood covered in coordinating scrapbook papers.  I love how this turned out and it adds so much color and life to our living room!  Now all I need is to find the right sconces to go on either side and the wall above our couch will be complete!

For instructions visit this blog:  DIY Wall Art (I manipulated her step by step a little...all part of the DIY process!  But her tutorial is great!)