CLICK HERE for the tutorial!

Oh, right. They always look like that. My little guy went through a phase of yanking off any and every bib, which didn't do any favors for his clothes. So I started using dish towel bibs. They are easy to pop on over his head but he can't yank them off (for now). And best of all, the towel is a generous size to cover his entire body from neck to leg. I just tuck it under him around the edges and his clothes stay clean.

These are super-easy to make... all that's required is a dish towel, a little ribbing, and a teeny bit of time. Unless you decide to embroider fancy schmancy decorations all over them, then you may need a little more time. (So basically if you're the Mom, you'll probably be like me and make the quick, easy one. If you're the Grandma, you'll probably fancy it up a bit!)

Here's my little guy who's obviously happy because his clothes are un-gunkified under that bib.

CLICK HERE for the
Dishtowel Bib Tutorial!!!

CLICK HERE for the
Box Crate Bookshelves Tutorial!!!

Here's what I made him, and what every mama needs for the daily job of keeping that "tiny hiney" a HAPPY hiney... If you don't have babies, don't throw this project aside! Bookmark it for the next time you need a cute baby gift for someone special! (More on that in a minute!) It's a super-simple project that any mama will graciously thank you for!

I introduce you to... waterproof changing pads! I use these to sit on top of my son's actual changing pad so that the cover doesn't have to get washed all the time. These pads are easier to make than spare covers, and quicker to change out as needed. (There were some days while he was a newborn I'd actually go through 2 or 3 in a day.)

And, they're versatile! You could stash one in the car, or make a few extra to stick in a changing basket in another room. (A changing basket is just a basket with diapers, wipes, a changing pad, and any creams you may use inside it. If you have multiple rooms you may end up changing the baby in, it's handy to keep the changing supplies in a second room for handy use.) If you're looking for a cute, practical baby gift for someone, it doesn't get much better. How about putting together a changing basket with all the essentials? Or if you're feeling insanely crafty you could make a basket out of diapers, like this:

(photo source)

No? Well, ok then. How about we just stick with the changing pads. If you're giving them alone as a gift, you could roll them up and tie a ribbon around them for added cuteness, then skip the gift wrap. That's pretty down-right doable!

Well, here are the front and back of Jeremiah's changing pads:

And here are the first changing pads I made...

Which have been ever-so-handy over the past year with my little guy, Austin:

Babies are the BEST! Even if they do have stinky hineys from time to time.

CLICK HERE for the
WATERPROOF CHANGING PAD TUTORIAL

(Note to my email subscribers: You still have to visit my actual website post (HERE) to leave me comments.)

I've heard from quite a few of you using my Fleece Ear Flap Hat Pattern & Tutorial! Here are the ones who sent me pictures...

Ann from Toronto Canada used it to make her 10-month-old daughter's Minnie Mouse costume, which helped keep her warm while trick-or-treating in the cold. The great thing about these hats is they can still be used for every-day-cuteness all through winter, not just for Halloween...

Caitlin, from Fredericksburg, TX used my pattern to make her son's first Halloween costume. She says she's far from a seamstress but this was so simple that she already has plans for another one. Here's little three-week-old Eli as Yoda for his first Halloween...

Sarah B. Of Liverpool, NY used my pattern to make her son's Halloween costume as well (he's Loki, from the Avengers). The fabric she used wasn't stretchy so it took a couple tries to get it to fit right, but she loved the pattern and said it didn't take her long at all...

Tracy R. used my pattern to make several hats last year as her first sewing project. She used it again this year to make her son a mohawk hat to match his coat because she couldn't find any in stores without skulls allover them. (I feel your pain... I don't get the attraction to skulls either and they are on lots of boys' clothes.)

Andrea R. made the ear flap hat with matching scarf to velcro in place and even some gloves too. She posted about it on her blog, HERE.

Renee K. made some creative additions to my pattern to make this polar fleece vikings hat for her granddaughter...

Angela D. of Maryland made several hats with embellishments, and is sure she'll make more in the future. Here's her favorite one...

Don't you love how versatile the pattern is? You can really do what ever you want with it! I have even heard from one woman who will be using the basic pattern (w/out embellishments) to make 100+ hats to send to an orphanage in Asia!!

Teri B. used my Rag Quilt Tutorial to make a couple lap quilts:

and some doll-size rag quilts for her granddaughters:

She also used my rag bag tutorial to make a couple rag bags!

Sandra R. used my Sassy Shelves Tutorial to make some Hello Kitty shelves for her daughter!

If you've used any of my tutorials to make something of your own, don't forget to send me a picture of your results! It's always fun to see what you've made! Thanks Ann, Caitlin, Sarah, Tracy, Andrea, Renee, Teri and Sandra!!!

If you haven't heard all the rave about "green" cleaning, you really need to check it out! What's that you say? You're not a tree hugger and you don't actually LIKE cleaning? Oh, I see. Neither do I. But what if I told you that you could get the job done faster, easier, and healthier? Have I ever steered you wrong... really? No, I didn't think so. Green cleaning is for people who like to breathe... surely you fit that category. It's also for people with asthma or allergies or sensitive skin. It's also for people who don't want their child or grandchild accidentally poisoned (it happens every thirty seconds!). Just check it out already, will ya?

Once you're on board to try Classy Cleaning, just be ready to spend an arm and a leg buying fancy schmancy cleaners so you're sure to have the best-of-the-best. Just kidding. That's not how I roll. Actually, my Home Brews will save you some mega mooh-lah, so what's not to love?

First you'll meet a couple of my friends... Vinegar and Baking Soda... but don't think that just because they are so stinkin' cheap that they can't stand the competition.

Then you're in for a real treat, when I share my tried-and-true Home Brews...

Super Simple Surface Cleaner That Rocks!
(To clean almost any surface around the house)


"Scrub-a-Dub, No-More-Grub" Paste!
(A non-abrasive wonder-paste)



Volcanic Cleaner
(For extra pizazz, use this cleaner
and keep the "yuck" from running amuck!)



BETTER-than-Bleach Disinfectant!!!
(This cheap, easy solution has been
lab-proven MORE effective than bleach!)



Wood Care
(Dusting & polishing furniture AND hard-wood floors!)

Laundry Room
(All my tricks for super-clean, spot-free, static-free, bleach-free clothes)

(I also link to a non-toxic soap concentrate and my favorite cleaning products)

Last, just turn on the happy little working song to put a spring in your step, and get to work! Happy Cleaning!

I know you know what I'm talking about. If not, just pretend you do. So then you get home with your loot, relieved to be done and hoping he doesn't grow for a good long time, only to realize that EVERY.... yes I said EVERY single drawstring is FAKE?!?

Yes, every single drawstring in the above photo is fake. There is something wrong with the world. So now your choices are either:

A- return these fake, pathetic pants to the store, hang your head in failure and start over, even though apparently there are no real drawstrings to be found anyway...

B- let your kid run around with his pants around his ankles

C- remember that one time you were reading this on Tracy's Treasury and thank your lucky stars that she gave you a tutorial about how to add an adjustable waist to any pair of pants!

Although altering is THE most annoying sewing on the planet, it was the quickest fix to my problem. If you aren't familiar with adjustable waist pants, they look something like this:

until you yank on the elastic and re-adjust it to make the pants as small as they need to be. Then you can re-button as your kid grows, so the pants grow with him:

Ever since I discovered adjustable waist pants, they're the ONLY thing I buy for my boys' jeans and khakis, but for the run-around-comfy-cotton pants... they don't sell adjustable waists... just a bunch of fake drawstrings and some laughably-too-large elastic waistbands.

Now before you think my kid must just be a beanpole to have this problem, I will tell you that he's right smack in the middle of average sized for both height and weight, meaning that he should be able to shop "off the rack" and his poor mom shouldn't be racking her brains over altering his clothes. If you know a clothing manufacturer personally, please send them my way. I'd love to do some consulting for them, because I think they're crazy and need some major help.

But if you would like to know how to add an adjustable waist to nearly any pair of pants, then

HERE's the TUTORIAL!!!

And here's the best pant model I've ever met in my life: (he really knows how to work it)

We received two different covers as gifts but both were so elaborate with straps and velcro and extras that they were a major pain to use. I gotta say that simple is better!!! Here's what I came up with for a cover that fits both high chairs and shopping carts, with no ties or velcro... it just stretches on. No need to buy a store pattern, just follow my tutorial. I wish I had this with our first son!!!

Click HERE for tutorial!

If you've used any of my tutorials to make something of your own, don't forget to send me a picture of your results!

HERE's my Bible Cover Tutorial

This is my latest sewing project, and HERE is the tutorial!

This is excellent if you're new to sewing, or want a basic project. (You can omit the ruffles and it's still pretty super. I'm just in love with my ruffler foot attachment.) It's also fabulous if you just want to be sure you're never stranded without a spare roll of TP nearby

And with the scrap of fabric I had left, I cut out a 5x7 rectangle, ironed it & put it in a spare picture frame to use as a message board. You can write right on the glass with a wet-erase marker like you would a dry-erase board. A message board like this is cute on the counter or wall, and can be used to leave notes for each other or write a bible verse.

Here's my very serious sous chef:

He's ready to whip up some yummy treats. Or, rather, to watch his spaceship take off...

Here are the score cards...

You just add your buttons to the card for each point you earn. When your card's full, you win!

This is great for the youngin's because it's simple enough for them to be in charge of keeping their own score, and they don't have to know how to add yet. Our 3 1/2 year old is a pro at it! Our 10 1/2 month old likes to eat the hacky sacks.

Would you like to make your own? HERE's the tutorial! Happy Hacky Sacking!

She says she'd like to make another one in the future. Thanks for sharing Katie!!

If you've used any of my tutorials to make something of your own, don't forget to send me a picture of your results!

HERE's my Bible Cover Tutorial

Click HERE for the tutorial!!

After giving up on the curly bow directions from Hobby Lobby, Denny J. of Kansas stumbled upon my Curly Hair Bow Tutorial and said it was super easy to follow. She made this cute little bow to match her daughter's Christmas outfit!

Now she plans to make a few for her nieces too. Thanks for sharing Denny!!

Do you have any darling little girls in your life? I'm pretty sure they need some cute, curly, girly hair bows. I probably should have mentioned this before Christmas, but oh well! There's always birthdays!

HERE's my Boutique Hair Bows Tutorials Page!

PS- I have a few other bows & a bow holder on that page as well

They're perfect to add on to Christmas gift tags...

And they make a great gift for the kids to make and give themselves too!

Who wouldn't want a yummy-smelling gingerbread man???

Click HERE for my Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments Home Brew!

This is officially the quickest, easiest DIY idea on my site. If you have Christmas cards running amuck, try this simple way to display them! Just clip them to a ribbon running down your kitchen cabinets. As you get more cards, add another ribbon.

Something about Christmas begs everything to be sparkled, doesn't it? If you love sparkles but not the mess that comes with them, then these ornaments might just make your Christmas very merry!

They're super sparkly, super easy to make, and best of all... all the glitter is on the INSIDE!

All you need is a clear glass ornament, fine glitter, and some FLOOR POLISH! Now I know you need a little more sparkle on your tree! CLICK HERE to go to the tutorial!

And I ended up with these...

I made them to match this tree skirt I made last year...

Here's a closer look at mine... it has a triple layer of ruffles! A girl has to have her ruffles you know.

And here's my hub's... no girlie frills here... though I did sneak in the cute star stitch on the patches

And our boys' coordinating stockings... Since pom pom thingies were deemed too "girly," I used a simple piping edging, which I find rather classy.

.

Would you like to make your own? Here's the tutorial! Merry Christmas!!!

Imagine my dismay when I was wearing a a brand new pair of pants and I splattered them with oil the FIRST time I EVER wore them. I was heartbroken, but what is a girl to do? Oil splattered pants just aren't my style.

FREEZER PAPER to the rescue! Yes, you heard me right, freezer paper. Who knew it was so handy?!? It's cheap too. Just check this out!!! You can't see any oil splatters now can you?
And, just look at how a freezer paper stenciled tiger can brighten a little boy's day, taking his sweat pants from drab to fab!

Want to know more?!? I thought so. CLICK HERE!!!

Somehow, I think the paci completes the full Yoda look, don't you? Precious!

Teri B. from Kansas used my Rag Quilt tutorial and found out that her local quilt shop would cut and fringe her squares for her, which gave her a "shortcut" method to making her quilt. She says "This was my first quilt EVER (and I'm a grandma in her mid-fifties) and it was done in less than two days time..." **

**Quilt shops have unbeatable fabric selection, but fabrics cost more per yard there than in chains like Hobby Lobby. Teri says in order for the quilt shop to cut her fabric for her, she had to buy extra so it'd fit their cutting machine, so in the future she'll probably cut her own.

She also used my Hacky Sack tutorial to make these cute little hacky sacks for her grankids to play with!

***Remember: If you make any of the projects on my site, please send me a photo with your finished results! Thanks Angelina and Teri for sharing your photos!!!

I digress... What I'm trying to say is that I added more pictures to the Baby Legs Tutorial AND I added a simple Hacky Sacks tutorial that you can make with the foot portion of the sock.

HERE's a five minute project for ya.... This is a quiet square... it has a basic maze sewn on it (two lines in this case for a baby, but could be made more elaborate for older children) and a marble inside the square. The child can maneuver the marble through the square, and it is a handy/non-bulky "quiet toy" to keep in your purse or diaper bag.

Did you know you can make your own slushy ice pack from just alcohol, water, and a ziploc or freezer bag?
Super Simple Slushy Ice Pack recipe HERE!!!

Now, what to do with that slushy ice pack? How about making an adorable Boo Boo Bear or Boo Boo Bunny??? Boo Boo Bear Tutorial and Ideas Here!!!

Does your mail end up strung along your kitchen counter?
Would you like a handy spot to quickly sort it, like this?


Here's a handy mail sorter tutorial!

I got a new sewing machine!! Woo Hoo!!

And, as an added bonus it even does up to 4x4 embroidery! So, as if I needed any more project ideas floating around in my head, now I keep an eye out for free embroidery machine designs and cute things to embroider! So you'll have to check back on my new Embroidery page for project ideas and embroidery machine downloads!

RAIN GUTTER SHELVING. You don't know
what you're missing! Tutorial here.

If you love the look of vinyl lettering, you're going to love this! You can make your own personalized wall decals out of fabric!!! What a fun way to add style, personality, and texture to the walls! And no worries, Mom! It peels off cleanly when you're ready to remove it.

Make Your Own Wall Decals! Tutorial HERE!!!

These simple, cute hats can be made plain, with pom poms, or animal eyes/ears sticking out the top. I have a downloadable pattern available to print for babies to adults! Check it out!

Fleece Ear Flap Hat
Pattern & Tutorial!

See how to make your own Baby Legs!

Here's how to make a Scrunched Valence!

This window valence is pretty simple... it's just a regular valence with a twist (or rather, some scrunching).

Make your own Roman Valence!

Make your own Peek-a-Boo Nursing Cover!

These go by many names, but what I like about this design is the stiffened neckline that can be propped open for latching and positioning or pressed flat (closed), as desired for modesty.

Click here for more DIY Baby Room Ideas

How to make your own Wall Canvases

Here's how to make your own Scrunchy Scarves!

Click HERE for instructions...

See this Paint-It-Up Facelift Project...

Here's how to make a Rag Quilted Tree Skirt!

As if I don't have enough bags already! I didn't have a cute one in these exact proportions though. This fun little bag is made by rag quilting squares together in the shape of a bag. It's super simple, and (in my humble opinion) super cute! The size is perfect for carrying a couple binders or notebooks, your Bible and class material, etc.

HERE's how to make
one of your own...

If you know a little cowboy
who needs some dress-up
cowboy gear, HERE's how
to make your own Western
Sheriff costume...

HERE's how to make your own Artwork Clippie Board...

Discover the Possibilities of Mod Podge...

"How to Make Your Own Custom Dress Mannequin"

"How to Add Style Lines" to Your Dress Mannequin"

Tutorial Videos for sewing different seams & zippers

Why not revamp it into this?

Here's a close-up on the crackle finish...

Would you like to learn how to apply
a crackle finish to your furniture?

HERE's HOW!!

Wacky Watercolors!

They're super simple to make. HERE's How!