Calendar DIY by Cutesy Bootsie

Hi, I'm Brook from Cutesy Bootsie.  I'm so happy to be guest posting here while Sarah takes care of her new baby (and herself, I hope!).  I blog about things going on around me, what I love to wear (and what I wish I was wearing), places to shop (darn you, Target!) books to read, and crafting!  My craft of choice is knitting but I also like projects that are more instant in their gratification.  I have an obsession with a passion for paper, office supplies, markers, pens, and organization.

Today I want to share with you a super simple calendar project you can use to keep yourself organized.  I've used it to help me keep my blog planning on track and organized but I've also seen it used to plan menus, kid playdates and summer activities, and homework project planning.

Here's what I used:

• 8x10 picture frame - mine came from...Target! 
• colored paper or card stock
• computer
• printer
• washi tape - I'm seriously obsessed!
• dry erase markers

There are some great websites with free calendar printables.  I really liked CreativeMamma.com and the tomkat studio.  Because I used colored card stock instead of white paper, I didn't print in color.  Truth be told, it would have been way cuter to be printed in color on white paper.  Lesson learned.  But I didn't want to waste it so my autumn calendars will be fancier than summer.

printed!

Then I used my washi tape to mark off what I knew was already planned and going on before I added anything else to it.  Not only do I love washi tape, I really like that it is so easy to see the days that are busy.  This is better than my old trick of just drawing an arrow across the days.

Then you throw it all in the frame and use the dry erase markers to write on the glass.  Voila!  An easy calendar you can continue to edit all month long!

Thank you to Sarah for allowing me to share my little crafty side!

Just Because I Can

So here's the thing. Do I actually *need* embellished burp cloths? Pretty containers? Cute travel changing pads? No. But do I *want* them? Yes. I just couldn't help myself:

Burp cloth tutorial here.

Haha! Do you think I made enough of them?

I wrapped these plastic containers to hold both reusable and disposable nursing pads. Do you like the water droplet paper I used? It's my own inside joke :)

I made three travel changing pads from this super easy tutorial. They're made from a vinyl tablecloth (so easy to clean!) that cost $3.25 at Big Lots!

I'll be giving this one to a friend!

There's one more sewing project I'll be trying to do before the baby comes (this floor pouf). So far, I've had a lot of fun putting my crafty powers to good use!!

The Fruits of my (Long) Creative Process

My creative process (when I'm trying something new) is embarrassingly slow. Here are my steps:

1. See a great project on Pinterest.
2. Think about doing the project.
3. Hoard some Joann's/Michaels coupons to get the supplies I need.
4. Spend two consecutive Saturdays at the craft store to get the supplies. (A big deal since the nearest store is 12 miles away!)
5. Think about doing the project.
6. Wait until I have a Saturday FREE of any extra errands or responsibilities to do the project. (Because I can't be interrupted and projects sap my energy!)
7. Actually do the great project.

But let me tell you... when I actually DO accomplish a project, I am just grinning from ear to ear - I am so proud of myself!

So let me present to you the latest projects I've finished:

A nursing cover (tutorial here)

I have to admit, I'm in love with that fabric!

Burp cloths (tutorial here) 

I'll be making more of these with some baby boy fabric I ordered :)

What about you? Have you crossed any crafty projects off of your list? Is your creative process like mine?

 

Baby DIY Projects

I've been strolling around the internet lately, looking for simple tutorials that even my beginner sewing skills can handle. There's a lot I want to make before the baby comes in July! Thankfully school ends May 31st, and I'll (presumably) have a whole month to make stuff.

Check out these adorable baby DIYs!!

1. Crib sheet

2. Swaddle blankets

3. Nursing cover

4. Changing pad cover

5. Burp cloths

6. Travel changing pad

If you have any relatively simply baby DIY ideas, feel free to send them my way ;)

PS: Have you taken the poll yet at the top of the sidebar? What do you think I'm having?!

Interchangeable Flower Belt

When I was in New Jersey over the summer, my sister and I created an interchangeable flower belt.

Here are the materials we used:

* one piece of felt

* scissors

* glue gun

* fake flowers

* one ribbon belt (super easy tutorial here)

Step 1: Cut the flowers off of the stems.

If you run into a flower like this where the tip of the stem is very 3D, then follow these simple steps:

Step 2: Use your glue gun to glue one piece of felt to the back of the flower, then another piece of felt over top for the belt to slide through:

Step 3: Once you've finished creating all the interchangeable flower parts, slip one onto your belt:

Step 4: Model for the camera!!

PS: Isn't my sister beautiful?

PPS: Winners!

The winner of the Seek First giveaway is Mallorie Owens

The winner of the Tell Your Girlfriends giveaway is Beth

The winner of the La Luce giveaway is the Washburn Family

Sewing Machine Adventures

I wish I was better at sewing - I'm really only a beginner! I recently made this half apron from two pillowcases (tutorial here) for my sister:

It's a good thing it's not something you wear outside of the house because the stitching is anything but straight (I even had to glue down a section in the back). Oh and the pocket flaps are frayed because I forgot to fold it under before sewing. Um, and the pockets may be slightly uneven.

So I told my sister not to inspect it too closely... Someday I will master the sewing machine, but until then I'll be a happy paper crafter (and plug away at the sewing machine whenever I find the time!)

I can't be perfect at everything and I need to be okay with that :). That's what's on my heart today!

(Linking up with Casey)

Kitchen Remodel - The Big Reveal

The kitchen was the only part of the house we weren't totally in love with when we bought this house two years ago. Maybe you can see why:

We talked about remodeling it someday, but I always thought it was just one of those things we were going to talk about but never do.

Then one day in May (during my husband's one week break between classes) I came home to find that Max has taken off all of the kitchen cabinets. SURPRISE! We're redecorating.

What started off as a one week project turned into about three weeks. Max didn't realize that it would take two 12-hour days just to peel off the 45 year old wall paper. Since we were repainting the cabinets, there was a lot of sanding to be done. In fact, there were lots and LOTS of tedious steps. Here's just a snippet:

I'm excited to show you our new and improved kitchen! Ready!? MOVE THAT BUS!

Print from Laura Amiss

 Blue and White

 I love our deep freezer!

 Original paintings from Blue Egg Watercolors

Curtains from IKEA

 Rug and towels from good ol' Target

Recipe box - I should really use it more!

My heart is full - I love my new kitchen and I love my husband for all the sweat and tears he poured into it!!

(Linking up with Casey today!)

Interchangeable ruffle headbands

I finally dusted off my sewing machine recently and gave it a whirl! I saw this tutorial for interchangeable headbands and knew I just had to try it!

I made eight of them - I got a bit carried away:

I wanted to model one for you, but I couldn't pick just one! So took pictures of them all:

I think they turned out pretty cute! Husband may need some convincing, though!

What projects have you been working on lately?

Sunday Night Blues

Do you ever have the Sunday night blues? You know, that sinking feeling you get when you realize that your weekend is practically over and you have to work in the morning?

Yeah, that.

I've got a bad case of the Sunday night blues.

Fortunately, school is almost over and summer vacation is just 14 weekdays away!

Here's a snapshot of what I've been doing all weekend:

We're remodeling our kitchen! I can't wait until it's all finished so I can show you before/after pictures.

Oh, and I wanted to thank you all for weighing in on my shopping dilemma. Set A got an overwhelming amount of votes, so I'll be ordering it first thing tomorrow! Y'all have great taste!

And be sure to check out my feature over at Aisle to Aloha -- I'm afraid with the Great Blogger Blackout of 2011, it was overlooked!

Have a great Sunday night everyone!

Success!!

Do you remember when I shared the flower belt tutorial I found on Ruffles and Stuff? I've been meaning to  give it a go for ages now! Well, the three day run of snow days I had this week (did I mention I love being a teacher?) gave me all the time I needed to dust off my sewing machine and try it!

I made three and used some fake flowers that were on sale at the craft store. Don't you love how they turned out? They look so cute around my favorite cardigans!

It's definitely addicting! I'm kicking myself for not having any black grosgrain ribbon on hand. I want to make some with felt flowers next time!

What projects are you up to?

Handmade with kids

There are a few times a year where teachers are expected to help the children make gifts for their parents. I'm thinking specifically of Christmas and Mother's Day.

Every year, I feel a bit of pressure. What did last year's teacher do? What is easy, inexpensive, and not totally lame?

Thankfully, since I work with special needs kids, I only have six kids to worry about. And fortunately, there are fantastic people like AmberLee Fawson to help me with ideas. She's put together this fantastic Giver's Log for anyone you want to give a handmade gift to, old or young.

I've decided that I'm going to have my kids make these super cute personalized soap bottles pictured here:

You can find the tutorial here.

I think mom and dad will be pleased, don't you?

My "Meaning-to-do" List

It's both a blessing and a curse to have so many interests and hobbies. Sure, it's great to never feel bored, but it also kinda sucks to feel like you never have time for all that you want to do in the day.

Especially annoying are those things that get in the way of your hobbies like your Day Job, and Running Errands, and Keeping House. (We don't have kids yet, but I'm sure that's another big one that gets in the way of "me-time"!)

So I have this bookmarked list of things that I've been meaning to do. I got my first sewing machine last year (thanks, Santa!) and I've been collecting easy projects that I'd love to try.

I'm hoping that sharing these with you will motivate me to get started!!

First up, I'd love to make my own business card holder. Prudent Baby has a great tutorial here!

This potholder-makeup pouch looks simple enough for a beginner like me (and so much cuter than the plastic bag I usually throw my stuff in when I travel)! Obsessively Stitching shows how to do it here.

I'd love to make a set of these DIY moleskins from Honestly... WTF to give my coworkers as gifts!

I'd love to make a bunch of these (no sew!) to accessorize my wardrobe this season. Check out the tutorial from Make Grow Gather.

I'm lusting over this scarf/bolero/shawl from Happy Find. It looks a bit more complicated, but if I want it bad enough, I can do it.... right?!

So what's on your meaning-to-do list?

My small sewing project

I'm definitely a beginner when it comes to my sewing machine. (I'm much more comfortable with paper crafting.) So I always get super excited when I try something and it actually works out!

Recently I made a little camera case for our new Canon. I didn't have a pattern to go from, or anything! So I'm pleased as punch that it actually looks decent:

Just don't look too closely at the stitches :).

What crafty endeavors have you been up to?

Hand carved stamps for everyone!

As you know, I enjoy making (and selling) cards. I love using rubber stamps (well, and paper, and fun inks, and embellishments, and ribbon, and, and, and....). For a while now, I've been wondering how difficult it would be to carve my own rubber stamps.

I've been inspired by the lovely Olga from Cupcake Tree. Just look at this cute little owl:

And this darling goldfish in a bowl:

I also found this wonderful video tutorial if you're interested:


Stamp Carving from Geninne D. Zlatkis on Vimeo.

Talk Crafty to Me also has a fabulous post that spells out the tools and materials you'll need to get started. This may just be my next summer project!