Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea - Free Printable Tag

I know for most of your this is a little late... but my school decided to celebrate Teacher Appreciation week at almost the end of the school year. If you have already had yours this year, Pin this idea and save it for next year! 

As someone who spent two years working in an Elementary classroom I know how good it feels to be appreciated by both parents and students. I would get all kinds of fun and interesting gifts. 

BUT... the all-time best gifts were those I could use in the classroom! Hands down! 

Now that my oldest is in school I get to show my appreciation to her teachers. Here is what I came up with for this year. 

I bought one of those clear, plastic paint can looking things at Michael's. I know JoAnn's has them too, although they are slightly different in size. I'm sure you can pick one up at any major craft store. 

Once I had my container I went school supply shopping! One of my f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e things to do! YAY!!!!  I bought crayons, pencils, and glue sticks -- the most requested, and most USED items in my child's classroom. 

Now comes the fun part... getting it all to fit in that container. I found that the packages that the pencils came in didn't fit in the container... which was honestly okay by me since I like to cute things up a bit. I opened the pencil packages, tied the pencils together with some baker's twine and they fit PERFECT! 

Then I just arranged the crayons, and glue sticks so that you could see a little bit of everything as you look in the container. Then I kind of stuffed the other stuff into the middle. 

I used my Silhouette (which I love) and some vinyl that I purchased from Pick Your Plum to create some cute vinyl letters for the outside of the container. 

Once I had it all done and ready to go I put together a cute tag for my daughter to sign. I am currently debating whether to tie it to the handle or attach it to the lid.... jury is still out on that one... but it's printed and waiting for her to sign in the morning! I punched two holes in the top and tied some baker's twine to it {you can see it on top of the lid in a couple pictures}. 

I have also made this printable available to you guys! So, be sure to Pin this post so that you can save this tag for the next teacher gift you are giving!!

I saw a similar version on Pinterest and LOVED it so I created my own! 

Download yours here.

{This printable is intended for Personal Use Only.}

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What did you do for your children's teacher(s) this year!?! 

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Designer Pillow Cover Tutorial {beginner level sewingl}

It seems like almost everyday those deal websites (ie. Groopdealz, Very Jane, Zulilly, etc.) are running deals on designer toss pillow covers. Even at $10.00 plus shipping they can still be pricey. But they are so gorgeous! 

Right now is that time of year when I get a little antsy to do my spring cleaning and update my decor to be in line with the changing season. So this week I decided to spruce up my home for spring and summer and add a *pop* of color by making some of my own designer pillow covers for cheap! I'm talking like $4 for the cover... total! 

Want to learn how to make your own?? It is a beginning level sewing project. If you know how to measure fabric, cut fabric, iron frabric, and sew a straight line this is the project for you!

Here is what you need:

{These instructions are for ONE 16"x16" pillow. Be sure to adjust your fabric measurements accordingly}

• 1/2 yd home decor weight fabric (50-60" width) - I bought mine from fabric.com here (If you order more than $35 they will ship for free!!)

• measuring tape

• cutting mat and rotary cutter {or just fabric scissors}

• iron

• thread and sewing machine

• serger {optional}

I know my pillow is 16" but just to be extra sure, go ahead and measure the length and width of your pillow. Mine was 16" on the dot! 

Time to cut your fabric. I added 1" to the measurements I took (16"+1=17"). You will need to cut three pieces:

• 17"x17"

• 17"x12" {2 of these}

**HINT: If you are using a pillow of a different size just add 1" to your length and width measurements. Then subtract 5 inches on one side to get the measurement for your two rectangle pieces. 

Be sure your iron is nice and warm {and set to manufacturer recommended settings} and take one of the rectangle pieces. Place it right side down and fold over one of the long sides (17") about 1/2" and press. Because of the weight of the fabric I was using it wouldn't really stay down. So, I used a quick spray of starch to keep my ironed folds in place. 

**HINT: If your fabric has a definite top and bottom to the fabric you will want to fold over the top of one of your rectangle pieces and the bottom of the other. 

Then fold it over again and press. {repeat for the second rectangle piece} 

Again, if you have a pattern with a top and bottom your pieces will end up looking like this once they are both ironed. See how the folded edge is on the top of one of the patterns and the bottom of the other.

Next, take your pieces to your sewing machine and run a straight stitch about 1/4" from the folded edge. I chose to add a second stitch next to it for a decorative look, but once stitch is totally fine. 

Grab your square (17"x17" piece) and lay it face up. Then take your rectangle piece that has the bottom edge folded and lay that face down on top of your square piece matching the top two corners.Then take your other rectangle piece (with the top folded over), lay it face down on top of that and match up the bottom corners. Your two rectangle pieces will overlap a couple of inches. 

{I goofed on my first one and switched which rectangle piece was on the top -- you can see it in my picture. When you do it like my instructions say, when your pillow cover is done the top flap will lay over the bottom flap on the back of your pillow -- one of mine is the opposite. Really, it's okay either way.... so if you goof on your first one don't go ripping out all your seems!}

Pin all the way around your pieces. Yes.... ALL THE WAY AROUND. The part of your cover where your two rectangle flaps overlap is how you will be turning your cover right side out. 

I chose to serge around the edged of my pillow cover because it is easy and gives a great finished look to it. If you don't have a serger, just sew a straight line around your pillow leaving a 1/2" seam allowance. Be sure to snip the corners a little before turning it right side out but be careful not to snip through any of your threads. 

Here is how the back side of your cover should look once the edges are sewn. 

Use your iron to press the stitching around the edge. 

Turn your cover right side out using the opening between the flaps. Press the sides with your iron. 

Here is how the back looks now...

... and here is the front. 

Now, just make a few more!

The envelope opening in the back makes it easy to take off and clean, or take off the cover entirely making it easy to change up your decor every now and again! 

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MIA lately...

... here's why...

My poor baby had a cold a few weeks ago that turned into an ear infection. After a week on antibiotics she was starting to get worse. Back to the doctor we went for another round of stronger medication this week. 

I'm hoping this will do the trick and I will be able to make a big blogging comeback!!! 

It always makes me so sad when my babies are sick. :( 

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Reusable Wipes for Cloth Diapering: Tutorial and Giveaway!!

I am brand new to the cloth diapering world, but I absolutely love it. Like, love love love it!! Why? Well, besides the whole "more environmental" aspect of it, it is a lot cheaper, it's totally easy, and seriously... could those cloth diapers be any cuter!?!? I. Think. Not. 

Today I set out to make my own reusable cloth wipes for diapering. It's been tricky using the regular Huggies and Pampers wipes with reusable diapers -- yah, it kinda defeats the purpose of saving the environment -- but I was having to make a pile of used wipes for the diaper change and then carry them to a trash can to throw them away. 

Now.... I have cute, super soft, reusable wipes that I can just wet with a little bit of water, wipe my little one clean, and toss in my wet bag with the dirty cloth diapers. Then dump it all in the laundry and I'm good to go! 

I order some of the softest ever  fabric from an Etsy shop called Vancouver Bamboo. The shop is located in Canada (duh!) but they will ship from the U.S. My package arrived within 2 days of it being shipped. The owner was so awesome to deal with. I ended up overpaying a little for shipping so she threw in an extra 1/4 yard to account for the extra $ I spent. Love it! Great customer service. Great! 

Okay, enough gushing over the shop, back to this amazingly soft fabric. It is 100% Organic bamboo terry cloth. Here is the one I purchased. 

{photo courtesy of Vancouver Bamboo}

It is called the Baby Terry fabric and is perfect for the cloth wipes I made as well as cloth diaper inserts, wash cloths, bibs, and so much more!!! 

So... how did I make them!?! Simple. Cut a 8" square out of the fabric and serge around the edge. That's it. Easy peasy! If you don't have a serger you could ask around for someone who does to see if they could do it for you, or fold each side over twice and straight stitch along the top. 

If you want a double thick wipe, sandwich two squares -- right sides together -- sew around the square leaving an opening of about 2". Snip your corners, turn your square right side out and stitch around the top to hold the two pieces together and close the opening. 

Honestly though, if you like to sew and you don't have a serger you should get one. I used credit card points and redeemed them to Wal-Mart to buy mine. It has probably been the BEST thing I have redeemed points for... ever! 

I made a ton of these little guys and filled up an empty Huggies wipes box. Oh yah... did I mention that!??! These are the perfect size to store in there. Just fold it in half and plop it down in. 

BUT.... I actually ended up making a couple extra. Lucky you! 

Want a chance to win some!?! I though so. ♥

I tied up 6 of these cute guys as a gift to one of you lucky readers. {yah... I love you guys!!!}

 If you don't use cloth diapers... use them for wash cloths, hankies, face wipes after meals... or for yourself! They are so soft you'll want to! Promise! 

Here's how to win:

• Take 2 seconds and become a follower on the blog and leave a comment that you did (with your email so I can tell you when you win!)

• Leave me a comment. About anything!!! Tell me about the weather. Tell me your favorite cloth diaper brand. Tell me your dogs name. Doesn't matter, just say something. ☺

• Share this post on Facebook or on your blog and leave me the details. 

That's it! Easy huh? 

The winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday April 3, 2013 so be sure to get those entries in!!! 

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Welcome Spring!!

Yesterday was officially the FIRST day of Spring, and really, our weather here couldn't have been any better! 

We spent some time in the backyard yesterday afternoon where we found a patch of clovers that had several lady bugs in it. I happened to be in the house when the big kids discovered the lady bugs and the way they were screaming you would have though they discovered gold! Ha! 

My cute little one had her first real grass experience. It was so fun watching her discover something new!

{Don't judge me because of the pacifier. She was trying to eat the grass.... so I gave it to her to keep her little mouth busy! lol!!}

She loved pulling up the grass and touching it with her cute chubby fingers, but she wasn't all that sure about crawling on it. 

How is the Spring weather treating you!?! Is it nice or still a bit on the cold side!?!?

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