Doll Bed for Barbie-sized Dolls: A Childs Craft

When I was a little girl I felt compelled to give my dolls all the comforts of a real home. So when I first saw this idea I knew I had to make it! I was still young and the idea was in a library book about mice. They talked, and lived just like humans, of course. They made their furniture from discarded things they 'collected' from the humans... and they made this bed in the book.

I thought it was pretty cool & a fabulous idea. My Mom helped me to make the bed & later she surprised me with bedding: a mattress, a quilt and a bedspread with two matching pillows! I loved them & yes!.. I still have them. Maybe I'll dig them out soon and post a few pictures. In the meantime, let's get started!

Items needed:

4 pencils
4 thread spools of the same size
1 empty cereal box

Pencils @ 12 for $1 from the Dollar Store!

STEP 1:
Cut off the top, bottom & sides from a cereal box. Glue the two pieces
together with the plain side out. 

STEP 2:
After the glue has dried, use a hole punch on each of the four corners.

STEP 3:
Choose four spools of the same size. Insert pencils.

STEP 4:
Slide pencil up from the bottom, through the holes.

All Occasion Letter Blocks

One of the greetings I used in December.

These types of blocks have been around for several years, so they may not be a new idea, but they sure are worth making! They're a great way to draw attention to a special day, a special person or just a special sentiment. They can spell out over 80 phrases/greetings and can be used for any occasion. If this isn't your style, choose a different base color for your blocks (I've seen it done in black with primary colors for the lettering) and possibly a different font for your letters. Decide which room you'd like them in and go with that style and color scheme. These work well on shelves, counters and even the fireplace mantle. They can also be set on a table when decorating for a special occasion such as a birthday party or baby shower.


These were for Valentines Day.

Materials List:

16 wooden blocks, 2 3/4 inches

Craft paint for base, and four colors for letters

Alphabet stencils, 2 inch

Stencil brush

Tack cloth

Brown craft paper for homemade heart and clover stencils

Medium color wood stain (for weathered look)

STEP 1: Sand all sharp edges off of the blocks to give the blocks 'softer' corners. This step can be eliminated if a more modern and crisp look is desired. Use your tack cloth to remove any sawdust created by the sanding.

STEP 2: Paint your blocks with the base color you've chosen. Apply 2 to 3 coats on all sides to ensure even and complete coverage.

STEP 3: This step is important and will actually be helpful later when using the blocks. Choose the side of each block that will be the bottom and number them on the bottom from 1 to 16. Your stencils can be used for this step if you would like to use the numbers along with your letter blocks later. Otherwise you can simply use a sharpie marker.

STEP 4: Following the chart below, and using your letter stencils and stencil brush, start with one color and do all the blocks that will have that color, making sure the correct letters are on the correct numbered block.

EXAMPLE: The block that you numbered with a 1 on it earlier will now get a yellow N, a yellow D, a yellow H and a yellow E. Then find the block that you put a 4 on the bottom, and on its' sides put a yellow Q, A, I and 4, one letter per each block side, and so on...according to the chart below.

Painting Chart:
Yellow: Block #1: N, D, H, E. Block #4: Q, A, I, 4.
Block #9: A, B, C, D. Block #13: S, O, A, C.

Red: Block #2: E, I, P, heart. Block #3: M, P, G, &.
Block #6: L, A, W, S. Block #16: F, I, K, M.

Blue: Block #8: V, O, H, R. Block #11: H, E, L, R.
Block #12: S, D, N, W. Block #15: T, V, U, O.

Green: Block #5: L, O, R, E. Block #7: E, T, J, clover.
Block #10: Y, G, C, E. Block #14: T, N, W, Y

For the style of the blocks seen in the photos above, lightly sand fronts and edges of each block after letters have dried. Wipe with a tack cloth. Wipe a light coat of wood-stain over all six surfaces of each block, immediately wiping any excess off. Allow to dry according to wood-stain manufacturers' directions. The stain isn't necessary but will give the blocks a more rustic & weathered look, if desired.
The following two messy pages are my original scribblings... showing what can be written with the blocks. Just find the block with the corresponding number and use the letter it lists.

Best Deep Conditioner, EVER!!



My daughter, Abby, with her super shiny hair!
Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Photography, AZ.

 We've all invested our hard-earned money on products that we're told will produce amazing results. Too bad they aren't true.
Now I know what you're probably thinking....this is probably one of those same claims. But if you try this, I won't get rich. So I have nothing to gain by you trying it, and you have nothing to lose by trying it....except about a cups worth of a condiment that you'd be better off health-wise using on your hair...not your sandwich.

Any brand is fine, just not low-fat!

Any guesses? YEP!
Mayonnaise!

My youngest daughter, Abby, and I have both used it and loved it! So if you've got dry hair & want to try something with no chemicals, give this a try.

What you'll need:

1 cup regular mayonnaise (not low-fat)
1 cheap plastic shower cap

This is an overnight treatment. At bedtime, spread the mayonnaise over dry hair, combing through with your fingers to distribute it evenly. Cover with the plastic shower cap. As an added measure of protection, cover your pillow with an old towel in case the shower cap slips a bit during the night.

The next morning, just shampoo and style your hair as usual. Oh, and enjoy your silky hair!

Homemade Baking Powder

  Make your own baking powder.      

Ever find yourself in the middle of a baking project, only to find that you're missing an ingredient that you consider a staple?... you never even checked to see if there was any... you just assumed it would be there?

Well, I have! Many times. I check for odd ingredients but not the common ones. It was one of those times that I went to grab my baking powder and there wasn't enough to do the recipe. So I decided to look on the internet. There were actually many different recipes, with different ratios of the key ingredients. This is the one I adopted:

1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Makes: 1 Tablespoon

It only takes a few ingredients.

Combine. Use immediately.

If you plan to make more than you need and want to store any remainder for future use, add:

Make sure to mix well. Add cornstarch to store.

1 teaspoon corn starch to the original mixture. This will help absorb any moisture present and keep the powder from reacting before you need it. Store in an air-tight container.

TIP: Did you know that most commercial baking powders contain aluminum? Sodium aluminum sulfate, to be exact. Make your own baking powder and keep your baked goods aluminum-free.

Breakfast Croissants

Quick & easy treat for the whole family.

Around our house, breakfast is a favorite. We love breakfast food..biscuits with sausage gravy, orange-cranberry pancakes, fried potatoes, breakfast burritos, waffles....You get my point, right? We LOVE breakfast food. I didn't even start on breakfast breads... donuts, coffee cake, danish...and so on. Speaking of danish, my daughter Laurel just made some awesome danish a few days ago and posted the recipe on her blog: CaliforniaLaurel.blogspot.com. You can view the recipe and pictures here.

Of course, we have breakfast for dinner as often as possible. We even go out for breakfast late at night. (I know we aren't the only people who do this or Denneys wouldn't have a 24 hour breakfast menu!)

So with all that said, here it is Valentines Day. I had to run to the store early this morning because we had no sugar for our coffee! So I thought of grabbing some type of fresh-baked donut or something for my husband to get this special day started off right. (He's a great fan of all things 'pastry') Then I remembered our croissant trick...buy a roll of crescent rolls and add a few goodies and...Wa-LA! Fresh, hot, delicious pastry...for a fraction of the cost! Here are the details:

STEP 1: Buy crescent rolls. Mine were $1.98 on sale.






On the left, raspberry jam. On the right, Nutella.

          
             STEP 2: Before rolling, add yummy stuff.





These are the only savory croissants I made.  They have
brown-sugar ham & cheddar cheese.

  



These actually got more yummy stuff on top before
 the went into the oven.

  
            STEP 3: Bake according to package directions.


      STEP 4: Once out of the oven, add more yummy stuff.




The lemon drizzle on the left, and the plain drizzle on the right,.. just
to give me something to help the almonds stick.

 



On the ham & cheese I sprinkled a few bits of shredded cheese. On the
'cinnabon' I had smeared butter & cream cheese inside. The I had sprinkled
the inside as well as the outside with cinnamon & sugar.

 

    STEP 5: Eat. (At this point, they can't help it... they're yummy!!)




These actually didn't need this since there were only a few different flavors,
but I like to scribble across my parchment what flavor they are..just in case.

                            

Yummy White-Chocolate Dipped Oreos

This is one of those recipes that are so easy, but turn out so yummy! I usually buy these around Christmas time, then one year we decided to try and make our own. They turned out great and we've been making them ever since. My daughter, Abby, actually made this batch and decorated them for her Valentine....

All you need is a bag of Oreos and a 12 ounce bag of white chocolate chips.


Heat the white-chocolate chips in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted.




Use a second fork to help slide the cookie onto the tray.



A finished tray of dipped Oreos.



Abby had fun decorating with a few different motifs.



How to Clean a Coffee Pot

My favorite coffee mug is no
longer with us... :(

     To keep my coffee pot, or carafe, clean and fresh, I like to use the following quick-clean method.

      Not only will the carafe look great, but the coffee itself will have a fresher taste...and nobody likes stale tasting coffee!

 STEP 1: Pour just enough salt into your coffee pot to cover the bottom of the pot.

 STEP 2: Add a few ice cubes. Shake & swirl. Move the pot in a circular motion to move the ice & salt around the bottom. 
STEP 3: Clean the pot and filter basket with warm, soapy water before using. Rinse thoroughly.

      

         
For a quick & easy method to clean your coffee maker, click here.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker



Yummy coffee starts with a clean machine.


Cleaning our coffee carafe is something we think about more often than our coffee maker. The carafe is seen more often....every time we pour a cup of coffee!

But the coffee maker isn't thought of as often. Yet, if the coffee maker isn't clean it can cause the coffee to taste badly or can cause the machine itself to function inadequately. Here's an inexpensive and chemical-free method, with a common household item! White vinegar. So let's get started!



Vinegar can be purchased at the grocery store.

STEP 1: Fill the carafe with one part white vinegar to two parts water.

STEP 2: Pour the vinegar & water solution into the coffee makers reservoir and turn the maker on to brew a pot.

STEP 3: Once the brewing cycle is complete, shut off the coffee maker and allow the vinegar solution to sit in the carafe for about 15 minutes. Dump water.

STEP 4: Using fresh water, fill the carafe again. Pour this water into the reservoir and 'brew' this water only through the coffee maker. (No vinegar solution) Shut off the coffee maker again and let the pot cool about 15 minutes.



I have a Gevalia coffee maker. Free with membership.


STEP 5: Repeat step 4, 'brewing' water only through the machine. Allow to cool 15 minutes before discarding water.



STEP 6: Clean the carafe by following the directions here.

Apron for Valentines Day

I had so much fun making this for my daughter, Abby.
The pic on the left shows the bodice better while
the pic on the right shows off the waistband.

I bought each of my daughters an apron a few years ago and I still love the design. My daughter, Abby, has outgrown hers since it was a childs size. I saw these cute fabrics and decided to make her a new one for Valentines Day.

STEP 1: I cut the bodice as two triangle shaped pieces. The dark ruffle going across the front must be added first, then attach the ruffle to the small area on the top right. Then follow the stitching down the front to attach the two triangles to each other. Finish the edges of the two triangle pieces with a small turned hem on each side. Next I cut out the two neck ties. (2" wide x 20" wide. Cut 2) With right sides together sew one short end & down the long side. Turn right side out, iron, topstitch along edges. Sew one tie to each triangle top.

STEP 2: Next I worked on the waistband. First the left and right ties must be sewn, turned, pressed and top-stitched before the waistband is sewn. (2 1/2" wide x 25" long. Cut 4.) Then I cut the two pieces which make up the waistband, which are cut exactly the same and later will be sewn together as the front and back of the waist. (3" wide x 17" long. Cut 2.) I placed the waist pieces with right sides together and stitched only the left and right sides first, making sure the ties are sewn in at the left and right sides. Set aside.

STEP 3: Now I needed to cut out the top ruffle. (7 1/2" wide x 38" long. Cut 1 for top ruffle.) Then I sewed a small hem up the two sides and along the bottom. I ran a gathering stitch across the top, gathered the ruffle until it was the same width as the front of the waistband. With right sides together, I sewed this top ruffle to the front waistband piece. Now I cut out the 'under' layer. (12" wide x 20" long. Cut 1.) I sewed up the left & right sides with a small hem. Next I sewed the under layer to the front waistband, with the right side out, directly behind the top ruffle. (It will drape down behind the top ruffle, only stitched to the top ruffle at the waistband.)

STEP 4: Next, I cut out the second ruffle. (7 1/2" wide x 38" long. Cut 1 for second ruffle.) I sewed up all four sides with a small hem. I ran a gathering stitch about one inch from the top, pulling up the gathers to fit the width of the under layer. I then sewed it to the front of the 'under' layer, positioning it just where the top ruffle ends.

STEP 5: Now I cut out the bottom ruffle. (7 1/2" wide x 38" long. Cut 1 for bottom ruffle.) I sewed a small hem up the two sides and along the bottom. I ran a gathering stitch along the top raw edge, pulled up the gathers to fit the width of the under layer. Then I sewed the bottom layer to the very bottom of the 'under' layer, with right sides together.

STEP 6: Lastly, I went back to finish the waistband. If I typed the previous instructions correctly, the two waistband pieces haven't been sewn to each other at the bottom. Turn and press these bottom edges. Sew together by topstitching on the outside front of the waistband.

Napkin Rings for Valentines Day

Easy 'Conversation Hearts' napkin ring....

While recently shopping at Cost Plus, my husband and I purchased some red plates and bowls....just two of each, for the two of us. (Ya know,..for romantic meals) I picked out some different cloth napkins to go with them but couldn't find any napkin rings especially for Valentines Day.

I gave it some thought. What could I do that would be quick and easy...and fun? (not to mention cute & inexpensive) Well, the following is what I came up with...

What you'll need:

Plastic shower curtain rings. (I got these @ Target, 12 for under $1.50)
Hearts for decorating the rings. (I found these in the Dollar Spot @ Target)
Glue gun
Red Sharpie marker

STEP 1: The first thing I did was tear out the red ribbon that was attached to each heart.


STEP 2: Next I used the Sharpie marker to write sayings you might find on a conversation heart.



STEP 3: Now I hot-glued a bead to the top of each heart, to cover up the hole left there.



STEP 4: Lastly, I hot-glued the hearts to each shower ring. I divided mine up since there were only a few green and blue hearts. I didn't want to end up with, say, all pink hearts at the end.

Sleep Mask

Quick & easy project. I LOVE mine! 

                                                                                                                                                                                   








I am an extremely light sleeper...with every little noise waking me up...every movement of the bed  startling me...and of course, if there's even the teeniest little bit of light....well let's just say I can be a little un-'bear'-able! (yes....I act like a moody bear being wakened too early from hibernation!)

So I thought about buying a light-blocking sleep mask to see if that might help (I already wear earplugs every night for the noise...the movement thing...well, I'm still working on that). Then I thought, HEY! I should just make one!

So I looked on-line to find a pattern and came across an awesome website, Prudent Baby, with a great down-loadable pattern and clear step-by-step instructions. (I win!) Check out their tutorial here.

I had great fun making one for me (the flowers) and one for my daughter (she's loves Super Hero stuff, so this fabric was perfect for her).  Here's to a good nights sleep!

Homemade Root Beer

Homemade Root Beer tastes great with vanilla bean ice cream!

A nice cool Root Beer float is always a favorite of my husbands....and then I came across this recipe and I thought, "Why not?"....

 I'm not really a big fan of root beer so I didn't feel qualified to do the 'taste-test', but there were plenty of others in the house who tried it out. There are only 3 ingredients and it takes only a few minutes! This would be a great recipe to do with kids, since it's so easy, quick and has pretty reliable results.

3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cups hot water
1 liter cold seltzer water
1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp Root Beer concentrate (sold in the spice section along with extracts and other flavorings) 

STEP 1: Dissolve the sugar into the hot water. (I just put my water in my glass measuring cup and placed it in the microwave for 2 minutes.)

STEP 2: Add the Root Beer concentrate and let cool.



STEP 3: Combine the cooled root beer mixture with the cold seltzer water. Serve immediately.

Cake Stands: DIY

 

The cupcake motif was cut from a napkin & Mod Podged on.

Of all the great finds out there.... this has to be one of my favorites! The supplies are so inexpensive yet the end result is fabulous!! I found this idea on Pinterest and I'm sorry to say the link is no longer available! I had saved the original pic I viewed, so there's that, at least.



This is the original picture I saw on Pinterest.

STEP 1: Purchase clay pots and saucers.

STEP 2: Glue together. (I used Gorilla glue....but next time I will try out E-6000. I've seen it used on numerous other craft websites...and the Gorilla glue expands.)

STEP 3: Once dry, paint the whole thing. I used spray paint for some of mine and craft paint for others.

Just paper in the dish with a ribbon around the edge.

STEP 4: Embellish!!! I used scrapbooking paper on some of mine, ribbon on others,...then there were beads, lace, sequins, cut-outs and I even just did a little painting on some. Just do something fun! (I used Mod Podge to attach all of my embellishments.)

Paper in dish with some ric-rac on the edge.

Paper doilie attached with Mod Podge in the dish. The chocolate
cupcakes are pincushions and in the foreground
are tile coasters with a cupcake motif.

STEP 5: Once dry, spray with a finish to protect your paint and embellishments.



Paper in dish, then I painted some snowflakes on the rim.
The poinsetta paper makes a cute Christmas theme.

Painted red inside & up over the lip of the dish, then added  snowflakes.
Another cute dish for a Christmas party!

STEP 6: Cut out a circle of felt and glue it to the bottom of the cake stand to protect any surface it may be set on.

Paper inside dish then with a ribbon and silk flowers
attached to the front with Mod Podge.

Fabric doilie glued into dish with Mod Podge.

Paper in dish with cut-out words from same scrapbook design.
Then I just painted on multi-colored dots.

Paper in dish with same circles cut out and added to base.

My daughter found this mug a few years ago (Target... I think)
I decided to try to paint the same design onto a large cake plate.