DIY Toddler Swimsuit

My little girl needed a new swimsuit as she'd outgrown her old one. So we hit up the stores and the web in search of a new one. For the ease of potty-going, I wanted a two piece. But I didn't want my beautiful girl's precious body exposed in "sexy" or unnecessary ways. And it turns out, even at 3T, swimsuit designers are going for scanky. :( Boo.

So I decided to make one! I mean, how hard can it be?! (I'm super cocky sometimes.) I bought swim fabric at Joann's, as well as a set of "stretch" needles and ballpoint pins (which I'd read online were necessary). I had thread and elastic on hand. And I searched around on blogs for tips/advice/tutorials/etc. I found some good advice but nothing that was just what I wanted, so I waited.

Then, yesterday afternoon, I felt antsy and bored. So I just screwed it all and winged it! It took me all afternoon and a very patient model, but it went surprisingly well... And I LOVE the finished result!!

So, so pretty! Mmm, I love it! And Jolie Bug most certainly seems to approve! :) Hooray for a successful crafting endeavor!! And yay for a modest, happy girl!

Toy Story Bday Invite

Credits:  Original idea found here.  Gill Sans (pulled this way and that), Gill Sans MT Condensed, GROBOLD, and Infinite Justice fonts used.  GROBOLD and Infinite Justice have been "stroked" in the layers tab.  Buzz and Woody characters thanks to zcool.com.com via  all-free-download.com. Gorgeous boy thanks to Tori & Nelson. :)

Mickey Mouse Invite

Credits:  Mickey Mouse image via Jennifer Collector of Hobbies.  Polka dot paper via Stampin D'Amour.  Red and yellow papers via Erica Zane's Eat Your Veggies kit.  Word/paper strips and scribble art are also from that kit.  Black textured paper (used behind photo) is via Design by Choukette, filed under Blog Train Street Story Pt5. Fonts used are Mickey's Merry Christmas, Walt Disney and Mickey Ears.

Christmas Card 2012

Credits:  Photo by InJoy Photography. Chevron paper by Libby Pritchett Designs via A Spoonful of Sugar kit. Green paper (used for flags) from World Wide Christmas kit by Cen's Stuff.  Snowflake watermarks in background in Erica Zane's A Touch of Winter kit.  Banner via Misty Cato's Date Bit Templates 1.  Font is KG Two is Better Than One via DaFont.com.

Lego Party Invite

Someone's having a LEGO party!!

Credits: The chevron paper (image, really) came from Finding Nana.  The LEGO man (minus the smiley face... I added that) came from a coloring page found via Cleo Livin' Life. The fonts used were Legothick via Urban Fonts and Berlin Sans FB.

I'm kinda loving it all.  Hopefully the birthday boy does too!

Girl Date

Credits:  JUMP mini-kit by Jenn Barrette, stitching from Erica Zane's Grow kit, ribbon from Zoe Pearn's Sweet Little Thing kit, font: Blue Highway D Type

New Craft Room!!

I have a new craft room!  Here it is in all its glory:

I love that it is crisp and clean with elements of warmth and personality.  But it wasn't always that way!  Oh no, it all started with a couple of DI finds (that I bargained down to $40 for the pair thanks to a) their being there for over a week, and b) the fact that the right cabinet's door was broken.

Here are the cabinets BEFORE:

Ugh.  Although I am pleased with the result, the work and money that went into refinishing these babies was a beast!  (They ended up costing me around $150, including the original cost of the cabinets, sand paper, frog tape, primer, and ten cans of creamy white spray paint (!!).  Still significantly cheaper than buying new, even from Walmart or IKEA or some similarly inexpensive place... but sheesh!)  If I never see another can of spray paint, it will be too soon!

 And here is the desk I scored off KSL ($35, no refinishing necessary!):

And the sweet little vanity chair that belonged to the seller's mother ($10, also KSL):

Put them all together, and what've you got? ... A pretty and practical CRAFT ROOM!!

I'm pretty much in love.

And here is a peek at the insides of the cabinets.  I love how beautiful it all looks folded nicely and organized!  And I really love that I can assess my crafty inventory with a mere glance!

         

Hooray for a new craft room!  Let the creative juices flow!!