Korker Bows makes the Day better!

YIKES!!! I have one crabby little girl today.

Ya-know, the little girl who screams "NOOOO" at you while you're walking threw Costco. With huge crocodile tears running down her face, throwing herself back and forth all because you wouldn't let her bring her balloon in with her. The little girl who starts running threw the State Supply store and will absolutely not stay with you so that you can just pick out some dang Shampoo to wash your hair...Wait? Wash? Hmm?? (HAHA Kidding)
Thankfully, she made it out alive. ;-) But, I held off on getting some shampoo...the 3 other sets of shampoo and conditioner will work for now. Yeah, I'm a shampoo & conditioner addict. Especially now. Showers are like: heaven these days.
They're warm, quite, clean, refreshing and Oh so very nice!
Anywho, I thought I'd take some time to clear my mind and blog a little. About a little girl. Who even though is having a rough day. I mean come on. Who doesn't? I do like at least once a week! (Maybe even more than that!)
Well, I wanted to share with everyone these cute Korker Bows I made last week for my little girl. Stinkin' CUTE!
I was really impressed with myself! Especially that it actually worked. So here's what I did:

1. Grabbed some Dowels I had stashed away in my craft closet.
(I had just bought these in Dec. for Allie's b-day and never got around to doing anything with them)
They have all sorts of sizes of Dowels. The smaller Dowel you buy the tighter and curlier your ribbon will be.

2. Then you take your Ribbon and wrap it around the Dowel. You have to make sure you make it nice and tight and that it doesn't over lap each other. Or once you un-wrap the ribbon it will kinda be funky. (see pic below)
(You'll figure this out fast once you start doing them)
A helpful *hint* is to take pins or clips to help you hold the ends of the ribbon in place. I didn't have any when I did this. So, I just tied the ends. But, I wished the whole time I had clips! lol

3. Pre-Heat your Oven to 200 Degree's. Then take your ribbon wrapped around the Dowels and run them under the faucet and get them wet. Put them on a cookie sheet. And then bake them for about 10-12ish minutes. You'll need to watch them to make sure the ribbon isn't burning. Take out of the oven and let completely cool.
(I wrap mine at night while I'm watching TV and bake it right before bed. Then let it sit over night still wrapped in the dowels for the next morning.)

4. Un-wrap your ribbon and stare in "awe". :-)

(Notice the top ribbon? That's what I was talking in step 2.)

5. Cut ribbon about 3 inches.

6. Put Korker Bow together. There are SO many ways to put together your bows. But for me, the easiest way was to lay them in my hand how I wanted them to go. And then in my other hand pinch them all together in the center.

Then take thread and tie them all together with a double knot. I forgot to take a picture of this. But If your little girl is hard on her bows like mine is. I would then take a needle and thread them all together threw the center.

Take hair clips. Helpful *hint*: Go to Sally's and buy the metal hair clips there! You can get a TON for cheap there!

You can either leave them metal or cover them in cute matching ribbon.
I like covering mine in ribbon but, sometimes finer hair doesn't work very well with the ribbon and hold the bow in the hair...
Hot Glue the clip on and
*Wa-Laa*

Love love love
Here's the other one I made. The butterfly makes it so adorable!

Here they are together:

Super Cute and Super Easy!
And Yes. Since then. I've boughten to much ribbon so that I can make more of these for Allie! ;-)

I love my Allie. Even on HaRd Days! After all. She did pick me to be her mom...such a big responsibility!

Glitter Playdough

Whew. Look at me go! ;-) I'm a posting fool! haha Well, I have lots of posts to catch up on!

Stupid Neuralgia! :-(

I'm really not used to being sick...having to take medicine at certain times a day. Every day. Feeling tired...all of the time. Having family call and see how you're doing and then having to sorta fib to them and tell them you're fine. Mostly I am. It's just frustrating when you're sick every day. When you really don't want to be. So lying and telling them you're fine seems easier. It helps keep the frustration and constant reminder that you really aren't fine. And gives you hope that maybe if you tell yourself over and over again that you are fine, one day you really will be fine. Who knows? Maybe one day that will happen. But, for now I'll keep hoping! ;-) I have a new Endodontist who's really amazing and has lots of hope for me. I've been holding onto that for dear life. Everyday I remind myself I've got him on my side. Lot's of people on my side. Amazing friends and family.
*tear*

ANYWHO, onto the fun stuff! I made Glitter Play Dough...like a month ago. lol. For Allie's Birthday Party. Very cute. And very simple and cheap! Glitter play dough is a great gift (you can even attach cute cookie cutters to it for them) and little ones love it. Even though most moms cringe when they think of play dough. It's still fun every once and awhile.
So, I thought I'd share how it's done.

Here's what ya need:
4 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Cups Non-Iodized Salt
4 Cups Water
8 Tsp Cream of Tartat
4 Tsp Cooking Oil
Food Coloring
Craft GlitterWhoops! Forgot to include the oil I used....
This recipe makes A TON of play dough...We still have lots left over...and it's still good! I can't believe it! ;-)
Next, you'll want to mix the food coloring into the water first. This helps you get the right color for your dough before you start cooking it. Stir that and then add everything else except the glitter.

Cook on med to low heat, continually stirring until done. Careful not to burn. You have to be patient as it's cooking..here's pictures of the process as mine cooked:

It will be super hott when it's done. Dump on the counter and let sit for minute.
Next, take your glitter...

And knead as much glitter into it til' it's as sparkly as you desire! ;-)

It was hard to take a picture of how cute and sparkly it was. But it turned out SO adorable!

I ended up making Pink and Yellow for her party. And then wrapped them in sandwich bags with ribbon. I made cute little hair bows for the girls hair too...very cute, simple, cheap party favor! ;-)

What else can I add glitter too?



Courtney

Guest Bathroom

So, they other day Tim was giving Allie a bath and I walk in to see what they're laughing about. He stands up, turns around and says:

"Ya-know what babe? We really need to spice up this bathroom!"

I think I went into shock at that point because I don't remember to much after that! haha
I'm mean seriously...this bathroom is in need of some serious help!...way to boring and WHITE for me! ;-)

We have added a cabinet over the toilet for medicines and Allie's hair junk but besides that, nothin'!

Tim never gets into decorating. (I don't blame him...) And I think he regrets those words coming out of his mouth because ever since then I've been taking him serious and getting going on it!

So, okay I'm in need of some help!!
I've decided I want to go with a blue wall color. But, I always second guess myself. I hate that about me. Always trying to pick the "prefect color" sucks! haha
I've tried really hard to take the pictures as best as I can so you can see the colors but they're a little bit different than on the walls than here in the pics...but, hopefully you'll be able to get the idea!?

So the color painted on the wall is Buxton Blue by Benjamin Moore. My favorite paint ever! I really love this color. I bought the sample paint so I can see it and I still really like but, there are other colors that are appealing to me too.

From right to left the colors are:
1. True Blue
2. Blue Mound...very similar to the Buxton Blue
3. Serene Sky...a little lighter but, I think it's nice and fresh
4. Venice Beach...more of a teal color

Here's some more pics to help you see the colors...


Anywho, watcha think?

How did I live with out her before?

This girl makes everyday *a-mazing*...I'm still, to this day. 23 months later. confused as to why she chose me to be her mom...?

Allie, I can't believe you're almost TWO! You're already so big, how can you get any bigger?

You are so brilliant. You've already learned "NO". It's been a joy. :-)
(can you hear the sarcasm)
Truthfully, behind your back. I think it's the cutest thing in the whole world. But, I will never admit it to your face.
(Unless, you catch me laughing at you one day. I know it will happen and that's when we'll be screwed!)
I love how much you love to read, sing and dance. Your fashion choices are just to die for.
And your love for animals is so awe-inspiring. You're kind...(unless someone has one of your toys. lol) Coloring with you is one of my favorite part of the days. Snuggles with you are so yummy. Amazed that others tell me how good you are in your Nursery class.
(You must get that from your Dad)Thank you for being so Silly and making me Laugh every day.
(Who knew dog kennels, mom's shoes and onion rings were so much fun?)
Thank you for somehow understanding mommy didn't feel good this week and being patient...how do they do that? Creep into your heart and do the sweetest things sometimes?
I know I'm WAY bias here but, I have the greatest 2 year old!

I wish I could be like her sometimes...but, I think I'm good with the whole throwing myself on the floor in public and having a melt down...even though sometimes it's very tempting. ;-)

YAY, for having an okay day and not feeling to bad. Hoping for positive vibes and that everything starts to get better!!?!!

Hug your babies today...*LOTS*!

Courtney...

Cowboy Crayons for SALE! :-)

SOoo, despite all of the headaches I've had these days (...literally), surprisingly I've been able to do a little work today.

I'm really excited for Christmas and have all ready decided to start working on gifts for everyone.

(All which will be hand made this year...yippie for me ;-) lol

Anywho, I had once shown off these adorable Cowboy Crayons that we put together for our Super Saturday my church does every year.I've been working on putting sets together to sell at a Bazaar this up-coming December and have some time to sell extra's.

If anyone was/is interested, you are in luck! I am now also selling them. On my Etsy site. :( Poor Etsy Shop. I've neglected it so...
So here's the Run-down on them:
- $10 for a set of 8 (In the pictures above there are only 7 but, there will be 8.)
-$3 for shipping
-Payments with PayPal
- They are Crayola crayons
- Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Black, Brown, Blue and Purple
-And please, keep in mind that every set can vary a little since all of them are handmade!
(Fabric and Ribbon will be the same. Star will look the same, paper might be a different color.)
Any further questions, just ask!

Aren't they SO cute?
Umm, *Yeah*!
And little ones LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

Happy Christmas shopping! :-)

Courtney...

Link to Etsy Shop where you can buy them!
Spoiled Rotten Designs...

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was really fun for us this year.

Well besides the terrible two's part of it all.
All of the melt downs added that special touch to our memories! ;-)

Allie LOVED being "Blue" from Blue's Clue's! She continues to wear her costume daily. With her ears and mittens on. While she watches Blue's Clue's. What joy. ;-) HA!
Unfortunately, these are the only pictures (I'm serious, the ONLY)
she would let me take of her in it.

(On our way to the Trunk or Treat we do at our church every year)
(Front)
Tim thinks she just looked like a:
"Blue Woolie Polka- Dotted Sheep with bug antennas. lol
People got it though, and of course she loved being called "Blue"!(Back, I forgot to add the tail!) :(
Notice I had to put her on our table so I could get some decent pictures.
Oh, the toddler "Blurs" stage! ;-)

(Ears)
OH man, was I surprised she kept these on. I was originally going to order a Blue's Clue's costume but, knew she would not keep the hoodie part of it on. So long story short. The head band ears worked! :-)
(Feet "Paws")
Had to make her mittens with Blue's Paw print on them:

(These by the way, are now covered in Chocolate! lol)

And of course, we couldn't forget about her Handy Dandy Notebook! :-)
(Thanks Regan for your help!)

Tim had lots of fun handy out candy while Allie sat and ate her candy
And this picture pretty much sums up our Halloween! haha

(Enjoying the moment mom, Terrible Two's little girl, and a multi-tasking dad)

Happy Halloween!

Courtney

Halloween Bandanna Skirt Tutorial

So, a few weeks ago I came across these Halloween Bandanna's on an end-cap at Wal-Mart:

Cute Right?!!?
I'm not the Bandanna kinda girl but, I thought these were perfect to try and make a skirt for Allie. And for my first ever Bandanna skirt, I am one happy woman! Especially since it took me maybe a half hour to put it all together!

It's so easy! See:

Step One:
Fold in half and steam iron
Cut in half on the fold
I forgot a picture here but, Trim off and inch off of the sides. Your bandanna will have writing on the side and I didn't like it. So I cut mine off. Then fold the bottom hem under to the wrong side and iron in place. *You do not need to double fold because it's already hemmed at the bottom.

Step Two:*This step is optional. But, I thought it added a lot to the skirt. So, I made some ruffles to stick under the skirt. Pinned it in place on the wrong side.

Flipped it over and sewed a hem straight down...repeat with the other half of your bandanna
Here's what your skirt will look like on the right side:

Now, pin the two pieces together, wrong side out and sew straight down.
Back stitching at each end.
(Sorry the picture is sideways!)

Step Three:

This step happened on accident! ;-) I had realized that once I had sewn both ends together I had forgotten to make a spot for the elastic! Whoops! lol
(And I ended up thinking it turned out really cute anyways, so oh well! ;-) But, if you know what I mean with the elastic go ahead and do it the right way. If not, here's what I did:
Turn the top of your fabric over so the right side is now on top of your wrong side. You'll have to take some measurements with your elastic to make sure you have enough fabric turned over. Now, sew a stitch at the top. (In the picture above it's the only seam you see)

Then I made another seam to create a "pocket" for the elastic.

(Here's a bigger picture for ya...kinda confused? lol)
Making sure to leave an opening so I could run the elastic through...measure your little ones tummy around before you cut your piece of elastic. I cut mine to 19 and 1/2 then I trimmed off about two inches once it was in the "pocket" on the skirt.


And, of course I couldn't get to far with out my little helper to come and help me! :-)

Once your elastic is all the way through snip off a little extra like I mentioned above and sew the two ends together.
And here's what it looks like:

*love*
My "Oops" turned out to be great! ;-) lol

And because I know it's like next to impossible to capture a "still" picture of an almost 2 year old I grabbed one before I put it on her!
Umm? Adorable?
YES!Of course I couldn't stop there! I had to make her a bow! hehe ;-)

I was able to catch one good picture of her this morning...it wasn't easy but I got one! :-)

How much do you think it cost me to make? What? Only $2? I know, it's great! The Bandanna was a dollar. I might have used .25cents worth of my elastic and .75 cents for the 1/4th of a yard of tulle I got.

Enjoy your Thursday!!
Courtney