Sew a Zippered Pouch

Here's another sewing project for you to try! I created a zippered pouch that has almost entirely hidden seams so there's no reason to be afraid to give it a try. Don't worry if you haven't had a lot of sewing experience. The best way to learn is to try!

What you'll need:

• 2 pieces of outer fabric, I used 100% cotton, 8" wide by 6" tall (for a final pouch size of 7" x 5"), ironed
• 2 pieces of coordinating inside liner fabric, same dimensions as above, ironed
• 2 pieces of your liner fabric at 2" x 2"
• 2 pieces fusible interfacing, which can be purchased by the yard at craft stores. I got a yard from Hobby Lobby for $2.99. Fusible interfacing adheres to the fabric by heat, instead of being sewn in. I cut my interfacing to 7.5" by 5.5". You can do some research if you have more questions about it!
• A 7" polyester zipper of coordinating color to your fabric choice. In my experience, polyester zippers always work better than invisible ones.
• Thread you don't mind being visible for two small parts
• Mod Podge and glitter + paint brush (optional)
• Sewing machine + basic sewing tools; ruler, pencil, fabric scissors
• Iron and ironing board 

Easy Pillow Cover

My first sewing project for my blog, but don't worry, it's an easy one! My sister lives in the dorms and the pillows on her futon happen to be a plain and worn shade of green. Because the pillows are otherwise usable (so there's no point in buying new ones), I decided to cover them with some fabric. This is a simple sewing project as it doesn't require any special fasteners such as zippers or buttons, because overlapping fabric on the back of the pillow holds the cover securely on.

What you'll need:

• Cotton fabric, amount depends on the size of your pillow, so read more below
• Sewing machine + matching thread
• Other sewing basics: pins, fabric scissors, thread trimmer
• Ruler or measuring tool, and fabric marking tool

Kids Craft: Homemade Pumpkin Garland

I was a busy bee this weekend and came up with two Halloween crafts for you all! This second one is a little bit more complicated but still not very difficult. I hope you'll give it a try!

Pumpkin Garland

This project will keep your kids busy for a while making their own mini jack-o-lanterns but they'll need your help with the hooks and overall garland making!

Supplies needed:

• Styrofoam balls, I got a pack of 12 for $3.79 at Hobby Lobby. They're small and perfect for the project!
• Paintbrushes and paint: I used orange, black, and metallic silver. If you have multiple kids on this project, feel free to involve more styrofoam balls or have them all be pumpkins! My plan was to have alternating jack-o-lanterns and silver balls.
• Little jewelry pins, found in the jewelry aisle at Hobby Lobby. Check out the later photos for a better image of them. $1.99 for the pack, and I didn't use them all.
• Wire bending tools
• Cord for your garland, and make sure it can fit through the loops on the jewelry pins. I just picked an affordable black one.
• Egg carton (not pictured, but it's nice to have it)
• LOTS of newspapers

DIY Mini Cards

DIY Mini Cards

A fun and easy new craft for this post: your own mini cards! Put whatever you want on them. These are a great way to save money and personalize your cards for any occasion.

DIY: Labels for Travel Bottles

 

Hello, travelers! I want to share with you a neat craft that involves reusing those little hand sanitizer bottles that we all have from Bath and Body Works. They are great for holding all kinds of things, and I use mine especially for my facewash and toner when I travel home and elsewhere.

To help keep everything straight, I made my own labels. Follow along to make your own!

DIY Easy + Cheap Custom Notepads

I don't know about you, but I am a list-maker. And not a technology list maker, because it's a bigger pain in the butt for me to type things into my phone (and have them auto-corrected to the wrong word) than it is for me to scribble it down. I love notepads! And what could be better than a personalized notepad? An obligatory final product photo:

These notepads are seriously so quick and easy. Once you have the process down, you'll be making them for all of your friends! They make great gifts because people will be so amazed when really it took little effort and money :)

DIY: Hand Painted Barn Board Canvas Wall Art

Hey all, I am so excited because this is my official first post on my new blog! And I have a fun project to share. You know that DIY canvas art is all the rage right now, and is rightfully so because it is so much fun and so rewarding to make your own artwork. 

While browsing Pinterest, I found a really cool DIY on A Beautiful Mess where she used a gel medium and instead of just gluing the paper onto the canvas, she gets the ink to be more absorbed and have more texture. Hers was with a personal photo, but I wanted to go a different route. I happen to absolutely love vintage barn board-related art and wanted to give that a try.