Thinking Thursday: Fun Bookmarks

I am by no means a creative and crafty person in this crazy craft world! But I did make these for some friends at Christmas and I loved doing it. I have always thought bookmarks are so personal. There are so many different kinds! I love the pretty ones! I love the weathered ones! I love the ones with charms and jewels! I am no prejudiced!

These were so easy. I thought of this quote one day while I was standing in the bank:

"Writing might seem vast as an ocean-the expanse unbearable. Dip your toe, then submerge yourself."

It pretty much summed up how I was feeling about writing at that time. I know after a lot of research that it is how many writers feel!

So, I typed it up, cut it out, put it on some cardstock I had sitting around and slapped on some contact paper. I loved how it looked old and weathered.

Some Stuff I Made

I am taking a small one day break from recipes. I do make other things besides food! Just not recently because I am so tired from being pregnant and 3 kids, but really, the sudden burst of energy should come soon, right?! Or does it not come with the 4th??=)

I have never made a wreath before. I have seen a lot of cute wreaths around and complied some ideas together to make this. (My 2 year old loves to pet the bird.) I got a dollar store wreath and wrapped it with some fabric I got awhile ago at DI (for 2 bucks for 3 yards!) Then made some rosettes and added a dollar store bird. My 6 year old had the idea to make a nest for the bird. I like her thinking!

This was fun and super duper easy. My kids love it. I use these pictures from these websites and printed them (free) . My color cartridge didn't work for some reason, but still pretty ok! I used a jam jar, pickle jars, soda bottles. Fun all around!

I couldn't resist putting these rolls in. I put the recipe here, but tied them in knots. This time I made small rolls and liked them even better! My family did too, in fact, they ate about 20 in 2 hours. Seriously! Come on, it's the weekend!=)

Meet My Friend: Ris C Handmade

Hi Belle's Bazaar Readers! I am Marissa from Ris C Handmade and, like Heather, I am pretty new to the world of craft blogging. I was so excited when Heather asked me if I wanted to do a guest post for her. Heather and I met almost 10 years ago at BYU Idaho. We were roommates in an apartment with 6 girls. It was my first year of college and first time away from home and hopefully I wasn't too much of a pain. That was also the year that Heather met her husband, they were so cute and in love ;)

I am a stay-at-home mom of two, a three year old daughter and a 15 month old boy. After my daughter was born, I started making stuff for her and now I just can't stop. I love making things and being creative. It keeps me sane. My mom was always crafting while I was growing up so I guess that is where I get it from. I am also very cheap so usually when I see something I like, instead of buying it, I make it. You can check out some of my stuff on my blog and in my Etsy shop.

I feel like I am always making stuff for my daughter so this time I made something for my little boy. I love bow ties on little boys and this crocheted one is so cute and easy. Anyone with basic crochet skills can do it and I will show you how. For those that can follow patterns, you can find the pattern below. If you want more in depth step-by-step photo directions, head on over to my blog post.

Little Guy Bow Tie Crochet Pattern
by Ris C

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size H Crochet Hook
Yarn needle
1/4" elastic and fabric-tac (or some other way of putting bow tie around your little guy's neck.)

Bow:
Round 1: ch 7, hdc across (start in 2nd ch from hook): 6 hdc
Round 2-20: ch 1*, turn hdc across: 6 hdc
Sew round 1 to round 20 to form a cuff and then pinch center, sew through, wrap yarn around and knot to keep pinch in place.

Center:
Round 1: ch 4, hdc across (start in 2nd ch from hook): 3 hdc
Round 2-9: ch 1*, turn, hdc across: 3hdc
Wrap around center of bow and sew in back to form the center.

Lace a 12" or so (measure neck) piece of 1/4" elastic through back of the center piece and glue ends together with fabric-tac. If you do not have fabric-tac, use a sewing machine to zigzag back and forth a few times to secure the ends together.

*Technically you are supposed to chain 2 for a hdc, but for me, 1 chain seems to look better. Just do whatever works best for you. It all depends on how tight or loose your stitches are.

You can also make them a little smaller and attach them to hair clips for your little girl to wear.

Aren't those just adorable! Thanks, Marissa for this great post. You have a great talent! And your earring are beautiful! Be sure to check her out, friends!

Advent Calendars aren't just for Christmas!

A woman in my church, one of the craftiest women of all time, came up with this! She is amazing. I wish I could take credit for this, but I can't!

Anyway, I think the picture speaks for itself, but if not, here's the directions:

1) Get a mini muffin pan (about $7.99 or so at Target)

2) Cut scrapbook squares out and put embelishments on them.

3) Cut up a stickable magnet and put on corners of paper to stick to muffin pan.

4) Put something fun or an activity in each hole.

You could use this for back to school, thanksgiving, easter, halloween, etc, but you would only have to make some new cute covers. My kids loved this and it's great because once you make it, it's done!!

Pebble's Halloween Costume

My dad is a big fan of my kids and thought that my youngest should be Pebbles for Halloween. Her hair is usually up in a firework ponytail, so much of the time, she looks like Pebbles! I am a sewing novice. I have done blankets and can hem and such, but have never attempted anything from a strip of fabric. I measured using a dress that fit her and after some adjustments, got the dress over her head (just barely!) Probably should have used elastic? I also attempted to make a diaper cover without much luck. She has some seriously chubby legs! So, her diaper cover became a cute hat. I was so proud of me and she was a doll!!

Diaper boxes turned storage boxes

I should have kept the thousands of diaper boxes I have acquired aka paid for over my five years of mothering. But I came across this awesome and easy secret!

1. Cut scrapbook paper to size.

2. Paint sides and bottom with craft paint.

3. Mod podge the paper on.

4.DONE!! And much better than paying $10 for a storage box.

I use mine for photo storage, kids clothes, blankets.