New for 2015

I have been wanting to update EVERYTHING for some time now! The blog, etsy, pinterest, etc. Well I decided today was the day. This was not my first choice, however since I am on day 3 of being sick I decided I had to do something while laying on the couch. I have no ambition for anything else! Coffee doesn't even taste good, thats always a sign that something is not right!

We are also literally right in the middle of my sons new bed room re-model and I am hoping that tomorrow is the day that gets done! My house is in shambles!

So back to the re design! I knew I wanted fresh, clean and simple. I looked into having a blog designer do it but I really didn't want to spend that kind of money, bedroom re model took a big chunk!
So I put my google search engine to work and taught myself how to do everything I needed!

My Header was created in PSE using some digital papers. I cleaned things up & removed what was no longer relevant then added the things I knew I needed to have (long ago)! Who knew it was that easy to add a hovering PIN IT button! Google it! Step by step instructions!

The one blog I have to give  huge shout out to is Greatfun4kids she has not only a tutorial on installing social media icons, she also has a variety of free icons you can use and seriously the easiest install instructions out there!

Soon I hope to feel better and start working on my new home line for 2015 and some great new valentine projects!! I can't wait to share them with you! For now I leave you with some images that are inspiring me here on my couch!

I am not sure if pinterest is good or bad for when you are sick. Good because I get great new ideas. Bad because I am too miserable to do any of it! Here's to a better tomorrow!

DIY burlap wine gift bag!

Do You Need a quick and easy last minute gift? Make a burlap wine bottle gift bag! 

It's really easy and you only need some scraps of fabric and some ribbon! 

Cut a piece of burlap large enough to fit around the bottle, then add 2-3 inches deepening on how roomy you want it. 7x15 should be good for most bottles. 

I used my Sizzix to cut some snowflakes that I will appliqué onto the bag using heat n bond. This snowflake is by Tim Holtz! His stuff is amazing! 

Using a needle, weave some ribbon through the burlap to use as a tie at the top of the bag. I placed this about 3 inches from the top. 

 

Cut a 1 inch square out of the bottom corners. This will give you a more flat bottom bag. 

See down the side and across the bottom. 

Now line up the bag side and bottom seams at the cut corners, sew the small corners together. 

Trim excess burlap to clean up edges and turn bag. 

That's it!! Insert bottle and you have an instant gift! 

I made some tags to add too! Such a fun and quick project! 

Now if you have more time, you can make adorable reinderr out of the left over wine corks! 

I love making these! They are so easy and my kids love to help!! 

Happy Tuesday! 

Missy

DIY Christmas Pennant Banner

Now that its December, Christmas decorating is in full swing!!

Today I'm going to show you how to make a super easy Christmas banner! 

You will need: 

Burlap triangles (hand cut or store bought)

Paint

Stencil brushes

Round stencil sponges 

Twine

Frog tape- straight and chevron shape tape

Let's get started! 

First if you made your own burlap triangles you'll want to sew along the edge to keep them from unraveling!! You can buy these ready to decorate at almost any craft supply store. I have seen them at Hobby Lobby!

Next, lay the triangles in a protected work surface. For the stripe and the chevron you'll want I add tape where you don't want the paint. 

Next, use your pushes to carefully apply paint. Let dry, this usually only takes about 30-40 min. 

Let's the chevron and stripes begin to dry. For the polka dots I free hand them using a round sponge stencil tool. 

I believe these are from Michaels. Add as many polka dots as you like! I wanted 2 different sizes so I used a small and large sponge!

Once dry and you have removed the tape you are ready to add them to the twine. I like to leave about 3' on each end for hanging. 

I attach mine using a zig zag stitch to ensure they stay in place! Also a piping foot is great to help keep the twine in pace while sewing! Simply sew along the top edge until all the pennants are in place! 

That's it! Your done! 

Super easy and fun to make! It's a great project for the kids to help out with! 

Have fun! I would love to see your creations! Find me in Instagram and tag the little green bean to show me your work! 

Missy

Tutorial time! How to really use your ruffler foot

There are some great tutorials out there on how to use your ruffler foot, but what I learned yesterday was mind blowing! You can use it to make ruffles and attached them to your item as you make them! All in one step! How did I not know this?

Because most rufflers do not come with any instructions! 

My ruffler broke and I had to get a new one. I actually read the info that came with it and so wish I would have know years ago about this little trick! 

Let me show you how to do it! 

First you need to attach the ruffler to your machine. 

Simply remove the existing foot. 

Place the fork arm over the needle clamp hub. Place the other arm over the pressed bar and use the screw to attach to the machine. Make sure it's righted with the screwdriver. 

Make sure your needle clears the hole in the ruffler. 

Now that it's attached you need to set it for the size ruffles you want. You will see a 1, 6, 12 and *. 1 will ruffle every stitch,6 is every 6 stitches and 12 is every 12 stitches. The star is a simple straight stitch. This allows you to sew a straight line without having to remove the foot.

I often use the 6 option. Next set the stitch  length in the machine. The smaller the number the deeper the ruffle. 

There is also a depth adjuster in the foot itself. You will need to play on some scrap fabric to get the desire ruffle depth.

Screw the depth adjuster clockwise for deeper ruffles.

Once you have decided how you want your ruffle you are ready to sew! 

Place the fabric to be ruffled under the ruffling blade first. 

Next place the fabric that you are attaching the ruffle to under the foot and lower the presser foot. 

I make sure that there is a slight overhang of the fabric the ruffle is attaching too so that I know it hasn't slipped to the side. You are ready to ruffle! Make sure you do not back stich. And that you use a straight stitch.

 Sew the entire ruffle in place. Once your done you may want to tack it on each end. That's it! You have just ruffled fabric and attached it to your item! 

Turn ruffle over and top stitch to finish! 

Beautiful ruffles and all in one easy step! 

You can buy a ruffler foot at most fabric stores or easily find them online!

Happy sewing!

~Missy

Pinterest craft night- make your own snow globes.

Tonight the boys and I made some snow globes. They are all over Pinterest right now. I read a couple different tutorials and I'm here to tell you what works and what doesn't! I was having a panic attack when I thought I was having my first Pinterest fail moment! Then I realized the cause. So I'm here tonight to prevent you from having my same fear. 

1. No need for styrofoam. It's messy, glue melts it and it makes the water cloudy. 

2. Canning jars or old sauce jars are the way to go, jars without seals leak. Trust me. 

3. You need lots, I mean lots of glitter. 

4. Don't go crazy buying a ton of stuff to put in them. Unless you are using really large jars, not much fits on that lid. 

Now that you know what not to do, I'm going to show you step by step what to do! 

Here's what we are going for! A cute snow globe, it's inexpensive and the kids can help make it!

Supply's: 

Jars- canning or some type of jar with a seal. 

Ornaments or figurines. Make sure they fit in the mouth of the jar and they are tall enough to see. 

Glycerin- cake supply aisle at Michaels

Distiller water 

Diamond dust and a chunky white glitter

Small pliers (if you bought ornaments you'll want to take out the eye screw.)

And a hot glue gun. You don't need any fancy epoxy or other glue hot glue works great! 

Step 1. Remove eye screw or hooks from ornament with pliers. 

Next use hot glue and apply to the base of the ornament. Press into the inside of the lid. Hold until the glue dries and its secure. 

Now let that sit a moment , fill your jar almost to the top with water. Add some glycerin. I didn't measure. I just dumped it in! Add lots of glitter! 

Now you are ready to add the lid with your ornament. Carefully add to the jar, it may spill if you have too much water. Screw lid on tight. Turn it over! Now if you need you can add more glitter and glycerin. If the glitter falls too fast you need more glycerin. Be sure to shake well! 

Now you can leave the bottom as is it add a ribbon or lace. I like how the lace made it look more like a real snow globe with a base! 

Simply add hot glue around the outside of the lid, and then apply your trim.

So there you have it! Very easy to do, and hopefull you can avoid the mistakes I made! 

They were fun and now the kids each have their own snow globe! They would make great gifts for the grand parents or teachers! 

Happy crafting!

Missy

Time for a flash sale!

Well I was finally able to buy my own domain name and yesterday I finally became a .com! Yay! To celebrate I am having a sale this weekend only!! 

Stop by my etsy shop and use the coupn code to enjoy 10% off your entire purchase!! Nov. 15-16 only!! 

Thanks for stopping by!! 

Missy 

Christmas decor in the kitchen

I love when everything just comes together! Christmas is my favorite holiday and I alsways decorate around the 1st of November. It usually takes me hours but over the years I have grown to love some of the more simple things that are easy to put up and take down!

This blue box sits on my island I try to keep it cute but often find pencils, Legos and other misc items in there (that's just part of my life with boys I guess) but for Christmas I decorated it with ornaments and some cute little candy cane stripe trees! Very easy and inexpensive to do. 

Sprinkle an assortment of ornaments in various colors and sizes. I even used some mini garland balls that I spray painted silver!

I wrapped this adorable snowman and snowflake wire garland around the outside! And that was it! 

So many fun things to do! My kitchen is red and turquoise which was so fun to decorate this year! 

Last year I made this table runner from fabric scraps and a matching mini ruffle tree skirt for my tiny white tree. I didn't get to make it until late December, so I am glad I get to put it out early this year!

It was fun to add simple elements of Christmas all around the kitchen! Even the window gets dressed up! 

That's the kitchen! All ready for holiday baking and gatherings! 

Maybe I should bake some snicker doodles! 

~Missy