Video Blog - Rag Curls

Have you ever wondered how to make rag curls?

Watch and learn how!

Discovery Fridays: Thanksgiving Decos

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching! It is a beautiful time of the year, and while I believe we should be thankful each and every moment...it is nice to have a holiday dedicated to thankfulness.  My husband's parents and sisters will be visiting us for this holiday, and I wanted to make the time special and memorable.  I wanted to decorate...but I didn't want to have to pay an arm and a leg for decorations.  So here are some creative things that you could do for very little money to make this upcoming holiday special. :)

Why not make a beautiful fall wreath - with paper and glitter?  It is definitely much cheaper than most wreaths you could buy.  I also love this one as it is unique, sparkly, and, yes, inexpensive. :)

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What about making a garland with leaf shapes spelling out "Give Thanks," "Be thankful" or something similar? It is very inexpensive and a simple afternoon project.

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Many people have vases, popcorn (unpopped), and candles lying around the house.  Why not combine these for a beautiful centerpiece?  Check out this (and other) decoration idea from My Heart's Desire!

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Simply Vintage Girl has an amazing idea of a "Thankful Tree."  I love this idea and hope to implement it this year.  Ever played that "game" (for lack of a better word) where everyone goes around the table before the Thanksgiving meal stating something they are thankful for?  I've got to admit, I was never a fan of that game.  Not because I'm not thankful, just that by the end everyone was coming up with crazy and silly stuff because they didn't want to be repetitive.  I also just don't like talking in front of people, and I know many people are the same way.  So why not set up a thankful tree where everyone can leave their thanks.  This allows for a beautiful decoration, a place to leave thanks, and, when people have nothing else to do, it would be fun to read about what other people wrote!

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Something cute to hold utensils is also a great idea, and the Idea Room came up with a winner (at least in my book).  This could work for both plastic and regular utensils, and it would just add a little spice to the table or buffet.  I am definitely going to print these out and use them for this holiday season!

Photo Courtesy & Free Printable

What are some of your ideas for this Thanksgiving? I hope that you all have a wonderful, thankful season!

Discovery Fridays: Kiddo Gifts

For my last installment on kid gifts, I thought I'd hit a broad range of age here... Some of these can be used for little kids and big kids, but they were just a couple more ideas I found and really wanted to share!

I can remember being a little girl and really wanting to have beds to put my stuffed animals and dolls in.  So why not make some sleeping bags for their special toys?  Creative, inexpensive, easy, and just plain fun!

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If you know a family that is often on a road, a portable checkers game is an excellent idea! This idea from Stacy Vaughn is brilliant! (I don't know where some of these people get their ideas -- but I wish I was that creative!)

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As a little girl, I can remember wanting to cook with my Mom all the time.  She made me an adorable little apron that I still have to this day.  I am sure any little girl would love an apron like this! And if you changed the themes, some boys might even want to help Mom cook, too!

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So there are a few more hand-made gift ideas for kids! What other ideas might you have for all the different ages?  Happy crafting!

Discovery Fridays: Toddler Gifts

Last week we came up with a few ideas for baby gifts... And this week I thought we could look at a few toddler gifts along the same lines! Hope you enjoy more gift project ideas! :)

Quiet books are amazing.  They are quiet and keep the kid quietly playing with his book.  They can be very simple...or completely beautiful.  For my little boy, I so want to make him a beautiful quiet book.  I believe my Mom and sister may help me with some of the pages and that will make it even more special!  One lady has come up with some AMAZING quiet book pages and patterns - and I do hope to use some of them. :)  Here are her links, but I think the idea of a quiet book is just to be creative... Use your imagination and have fun! Most likely, the toddler will love it no matter what!

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As a toddler, kiddos can definitely begin to learn their letters.  But a toddler is less likely to be interested when sitting down with a book and studying.  So why not make all the letters out of fabric scraps.  The toddler will be entertained by the bright, fabric letters and Momma will be thrilled to have the toddler learning at the same time!

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At the toddler age, little people love coloring.  But, quite honestly, combating that flimsy cardboard box can be trying and impossible.  So why not make a cute crayon tote?

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Want something a little larger, extravagant, and certain to bring squeals of delight?  Make your own tent out of hula hoops and sheets! I can't wait for when my little one is old enough to use this idea!

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How about something that allows a toddler to have their own "space" while out and about...but is also very cute and useful? Moms might like this one, as well, as it has a distinct purpose! Create a nap mat! :)

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What other ideas do you have for toddler gifts?  We'd love to hear some of your thoughts!

Video Blog - How to Make a Swirly Hair Bun

I rarely ever put my hair up in a swirly hair bun

without someone asking me how I do it - 

and so I finally decided to make a

video to show others how.  :)

Discovery Fridays: Baby Gifts

Christmastime is steadily approaching! Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year as it is a time of giving.  I love giving!  However, oftentimes as I walk through the store I am very much turned away by all of the plastic and impersonal gifts.  They just don't mean anything.  This is where my love for creating comes in.  I LOVE making gifts! Some of the hardest people to make gifts for are babies, in my opinion.  In reality they shouldn't be - if you gave them a cardboard box filled with paper they'd probably be very content! But I like to make things that are just a little more creative. :)  So here are some ideas to entertain the littles or help the parents out! I hope you enjoy them! And if you have other ideas, I would love to see them! :)  Happy creating!

If you are a Mom, older sister, or baby sitter...or if you are just someone who is around kids a lot...you have probably seen a baby methodically sitting with a diaper wipe container quite contentedly pulling the diaper wipes out. This is actually a great coordination skill, but it wastes the wipes, and it can be a source of irritation for a Momma.  So why not provide a baby with a diaper wipe container filled with his own fabric scraps! You can make those scraps complex, or just squares of fabric... Either way, that baby will enjoy pulling the fabric out of that wipes container!

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Fabric blocks are another great idea.  You can make them simply with fabric and cotton stuffing, or you can put bells and crinkly paper inside to make noise, or you can appliqué to the outside. Use your imagination! The baby will love them no matter what - especially if you use bright colors! This is a great use for fabric scraps.

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You know those ring stacking toys?  The plastic ones? Babies love them (at least in my experience) and they are also great for coordination and size identification.  But the plastic ones just leave me feeling like something is missing.  So why not make your own?  There are several tutorials out on the web which are very easy...and oftentimes you can even make them with fabric scraps!

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Babies and Moms, alike, are often fans of soft, cuddly blankets. My favorite material for baby blankets is minky.  It's sooo soft and cuddly.  My little boy has a small one with minky & flannel and it is my go-to blanket, especially when we are out and about, as it is relatively small.  It is warm (a must for our location) and soft. So why not make a small blanket that will provide for some cuddletimes between Mommy and Baby?

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Hooded towels for bathtime is a "must" in my book.  But the little ones are soon outgrown and are often made of thin fabric.  And the big ones are ridiculously expensive.  However, you can easily make some for about $6 by using a regular towel and a hand towel! Genius, cute, useful, and inexpensive! :)

Photo Courtesy & Idea Source

There are many, many other ideas out there, but I hope you enjoy these selected few! More gift ideas coming in the upcoming weeks! And please share your ideas if you have any, as well. :)

Discovery Friday - Dish Water Cell Phone

    My sister works part time at a home restoration company.  One day while talking with the plummer, he was telling her about his problem of constantly getting his phone soaked and what he has to do to dry it out.  (Being a plummer and having your phone get soaked... Somehow that is just a disturbing image)




The plummer told Chip that when his phone gets really wet, he simply places it in a zip lock bag or sealed plastic container with RICE!  The dry (D-R-Y)  rice pulls the moisture out of the electronic. Some times it takes a day or a few days depending on how wet the phone is.  If the phone is working again but a few of the buttons aren't then it just needs to be placed back in the rice for awhile longer.
        Only a few short days later, Chip was washing the dishes when she reached in the water and pulled out her cell phone!  She still had no idea how it got in the water or how long it had been there but it most certainly was NOT working.  She placed it in a bag of rice and it worked!  It gives an amazing extra flavor to the rice too.  Yummy!  (No, really, I'm joking... Please don't eat the rice if you try this. )

So there you have it!  A way to fix your wet cell phone.  I imagine this would probably work on other small electronics as well.  Great information to have but hopefully you will never need it!

Additional comment!  After I scheduled this post, my mom managed to send her cell phone through the washing machine - on the HEAVY cycle!  She thought her cell phone was done for but she decided to try the rice trick anyhow and it WORKED!  

Discovery Friday - Kitchen Organizing

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Amazing what a bit of good kitchen organizing can do!  Here's a few ideas that might help you to organize your kitchen.  (Or if your like me, save the pictures and ideas for when you have your own kitchen!)

What a fun and easy way to organize canned food! >>

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 The above picture is not actually organizing per-say, 

but using an old ladder for decoration - 

what could be more fun and creative!

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What a fun idea!  Use a cheap cookie sheet to create a menu board to plan out your weekly menu!  I am going to make one of these someday! 

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And of course, refrigerator organizing!  I love this!

First Video Blog - How to Make a Cross-Over Twist Hairstyle

Discovery Friday - Tablecloth Skirt

        I recently found a heavy duty table cloth at a 2nd hand store that was in excellent condition.   I took it home and immediately turned it into this circle skirt.  Then, I cut up an old dark green skirt of mine and made it into the contrasting hem.  It was really quick, simple, and I really like it!

       Clothing doesn't have to be new nor does it have to be expensive and it most certainly does NOT have to fit in to what our culture says is fashionable. 

          My first goal when I make or buy clothing is that it would be modest and pleasing to the Lord - instead of something that would attract men to look upon me lustfully.  After that, I seek to make my appearance feminine so that there is a defined line between what is masculine and what is feminine and then I chose clothing that fits my own personal and unique style!

I hope you will be encouraged to do the same and maybe even be inspired to try making your own clothes. Try it!

Discovery Fridays - Nooks & Bedrooms

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I adore nooks and uniquely decorated bedrooms and so I decided to share a few that I have found!

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What kind of creative bedroom or nook ideas do you like?  

~ Missy

Oh! Just one final picture! Can you say - WOW!?

Discovery Friday - Mud Rooms!

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Messy mud rooms can be such a pain to organize but I found a few really awesome,

 nicely organized mud rooms for inspiration!  Enjoy!

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Do you have a messy mud room?  Look for unique organizing ideas and then share them with me!

~ Missy

Discovery Friday - It's All About Kids!

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 I absolutely love working with kids and am always open to new ideas to keep them entertained!

Stick active glow sticks in balloon and then blow them up!  A fun, glow in the dark must try!

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Who would have guessed that just a simple glove could make such a cute creature!

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Now that's simple and very cute!

 A cloths pin, Popsicle stick airplane!

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A marble racetrack made out of a swimming noodle and a shoe box!  This will keep kiddos entertained for hours!

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Use an old shower curtain to make a driving track for toy cars!

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For those of you who like bigger, more creative projects, use an old cabnet to make a cute little stove!

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Discovery Friday - Home Made Summer Dresses

Yes, summer is half over, but I somehow managed to finish my summer dress in time enough to wear it before fall arrives!  Actually, in truth, I have not yet finished it completely - But it's done enough for pictures!

My summer dress!  First, I chose a pattern that I liked  and then I raised the neckline and the back of it to make it more modest.  When I started the dress I had no intention of making the sleeves a different color but after making the sleeves that were on the pattern, I didn't like them at all and thought I would try something else!  I rather like the effect.  I also added the simple empire waist strip of blue that ties in the back.   This dress was supposed to turn out to be a simple, casual go to town dress but it turned out quite a bit more dressy then I had planned.  I stand out a bit in it, I'm afraid, but I still like it a lot.  I just wish I had been able to finish it closer to the beginning of summer.  Maybe I can make a fall dress and finish it in time for winter!

Chip made this 50's wrap dress last year.  

Since then she lost a lot of weight and had to put a lot of

pins in it to be able to wear it!  I guess she now has a bit more 

sewing to do on it.

Well, it's obviously a bit to late in the year to inspire you to make a summer dress of your own.  But if you start now you might be able to make a dress in time for fall!  If you have never made a dress before, I encourage you to try it!  You can start by finding a cheap sheet in a 2nd hand store, then buy a pattern that you like.  They often have pattern sales where you can get a pattern for 99 cents.  That's about the only time I ever buy patterns.  I hope you will try it and then let us know about it!  Have fun sewing!