Jack Sparrow and his Girly Pirate Crew

Ahoy me hearties!

Thar be a tutorial for ye wee scallywags o'er at The Ribbon Retreat Blog.

If ye be wantin' to be makin' some pirate garb worth
tradin' all yer buried treasure fer, 

then make haste and sail on o'er for a swahbuklin' good time!

They be pleasin' to me eye and do me jolly heart some good! Arrrrrr!

I'm linking to the following parties: Eighteen 25, Tatertots and Jello, Skip To My Lou, The Southern Institute, The Gunny Sack, Making the World Cuter, C.R.A.F.T, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, Creations by Kara, Polka Dots on Parade, Fabric Bows and More, Someday Crafts, Six Sister's Stuff, Whipperberry, My Repurposed Life,

Well, hello there!

Remember me? I'm so sorry I've been MIA this week!

 I've been eating, sleeping, and breathing Halloween costumes! 

I'm happy to report that they were complete just in time for the kids' school Halloween carnival.

 I was literally sewing on buttons and adjusting ribbon like 15 minutes before we left for the school!

Now that they're finished I can breathe a big sigh of relief and enjoy the festivities!

Oh, you want to see them, do you?

In that case, check back later this evening to see what I make out of this:

This:

And this:

I know you're just so excited!

My kiddos also had crazy hair day at school and rocked it! Maggie and Isaac wanted half white and half black (which kind of blended into a grey, dangit!) and Daisey went for a blazing hot pink! 

Don't they look awesome?!

Ghostly Chocolate Covered Pears

I saw these white chocolate covered pears at The Idea Room  last year and knew I needed to make some with my kids! Amy used white chocolate chips but I had white chocolate melts on hand so I used those instead and they turned out great! 

I have to admit that although they're adorable, I was a bit skeptical on how good they would taste. Let me reassure you that they are wonderful! The taste of a crisp pear mixed with sweet white chocolate is to die for!

My kids loved making them AND eating them, so that's always a plus!

Grab some pears and some white chocolate at your next trip to the grocery store and have fun making memories with your kids while eating a semi-healthy treat. You'll be glad you did!

I'm linking to the following linky parties: Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hypo, I Heart Naptime,  Eighteen 25, Ask Anna,, Six Sisters' Stuff, Tatertots and Jello, Coffee and Their Kisses, Gingersnap Crafts, The DIY Showoff, Sun Scholars,  Serenity Now,  My Repurposed Life,  Flamingo Toes, Fabric Bows and More, C.R.A.F.T., Under the Table and Dreaming, The Southern Institute, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, Skip To My Lou, The Girl Creative, The Gunny Sack, Between Naps on the Porch, Sumo's Sweet Stuff,

Ribbon Circle Halloween Bow

Hi friends! This bow is the perfect accessory for your little trick or treater! 

It's oh so cute and super easy to make! 

Check out my tutorial at The Ribbon Retreat Blog.

And, if you think it's cute sitting on a table, just look how cute it looks on!

I'm linking to the following parties: Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hypo, I Heart Naptime,  Eighteen 25, Ask Anna, , Six Sisters' Stuff, Tatertots and Jello, Coffee and Their Kisses, Gingersnap Crafts, The DIY Showoff, Serenity Now,  My Repurposed Life, Flamingo Toes, Fabric Bows and More, C.R.A.F.T. Under the Table and Dreaming, The Southern Institute, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, Skip To My Lou, The Girl Creative, The Gunny Sack, Between Naps on the Porch, Sumo's Sweet Stuff,

Ghost Footprint Pillow

I'm over at The Ribbon Retreat Blog today with
Maggie's little Ghost Footprint Pillow. 

Grab your little helper and head over for a tutorial.

Happy Crafting! Have fun!

I'm linking to: A Bowl Full of Lemons, Eighteen 25, Tip Junkie, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe,  The Blackberry Vine, Craft-O-Maniac, Skip to My Lou, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Gunny Sack, Cherished Bliss, Polka Dots on Parade, Fabric Bows and More, Someday Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Today's Creative Blog, Creative Jewish Mom, Creations by Kara, Bacon Time,

Blog Lovin'!

I've won an award! Thanks to Aimee with It's Overflowing. I feel so loved!

Make sure to go check out her blog. It's filled with crafty goodness!

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Send it along to 15 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!

Seven Random Things About Me:

1.I once ate an entire watermelon when I was pregnant with my 2nd child.

2.I'm a licensed cosmetologist.

3.I have a deep love affair with diet coke.

4.I'm the oldest of 5 children.

5.I don't like pancakes.

6.I color coordinate my closet.

7. I'm 4'11" and I drive a Suburban. People think it's hilarious. Yes, I can see over the dashboard, thanks.

I'm passing this award on to the following bloggers:

Small Fry & Co.

Sew Woodsy

Deck the Halls of Home with Joy

Auntie Lolo Crafts

Coffee and Their Kisses

Avery and Winslow

Sara's Art House

Just Deanna

Real Life, One Day at a Time

You Seriously Made That?

Two Girls Being Crafty

Madigan Made

La Famille

A Crafty Southern Chick

Mess for Less

And, for your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of me with a pig.

Cute and Spooky Halloween Mobile

This is another Dollar Store/ Scrap Busting project.

I wasn't quite sure how it was going to turn out but I love the end result!

Grab your ribbon and fabric scraps and head over to

The Ribbon Retreat Blog for my tutorial!

Happy crafting and have a great weekend!

I'm linking this project to the following parties: The Crafty Nest, Naptime Crafters, My Repurposed Life, The Southern Institute, Serenity Now, Whipperberry, Simply Sweet Home, Somewhat Simple, Sew Woodsy, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Polka Dots on Parade, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Eighteen 25, Tatertots and Jello, Just A Girl, Be Different, Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, Itsy Bitsy Paper, A Fish Who Likes Flowers, The Gunny Sack, Making the World Cuter, The Southern Institute, Under the Table and Dreaming, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Tip Junkie, Funky Polka dot Giraffe, The Blackberry Vine, Skip to my Lou, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Bacon Time,

Micro Fiber Pumpkin

First up from my collection of misfit Dollar Store purchases is this Micro Fiber cleaning cloth. It's fluffy and orange and needs to be turned in to a pumpkin!

I gathered up my scissors, a needle and orange thread, Old Blue (my trusty glue gun),a stick from my backyard, 2 plastic bags (not pictured), a green scrap of fabric(not pictured).

I cut the cleaning cloth in to a circle.

Then, using my needle and thread I did a running stitch all around the circle.

When I reached the end of the circle I pulled the thread tightly, so the circle gathered, much like a yo-yo.

I used plastic bags to stuff my pumpkin with, but you could use fiber fill or beans instead. After stuffing the pumpkin I pulled my thread and tied it firmly in a knot,

leaving enough space to add my stick. 

I knotted my thread 2 or 3 times to secure it.

I stuck my stick in the middle, secured with hot glue and added my green fabric for a pop of color.

Not bad for $1, if I say so myself.!

Little Miss Maggie helped stuff the pumpkin and wanted one of her own. She asked if I'd make one for her barbie dolls.

Using my scraps and some green pipe cleaners I made her a whole wagon full!

The Barbies played with them for hours.

But, now my pumpkin is lonely! I think I need to go back and get some more. Really, you could use any fabric to make this simple pumpkin but I love the color and the fluffiness of the Micro Fiber cloth.

I'm linking this project to the following parties: The Crafty Nest. Naptime Crafters, My Repurposed Life, The Southern Institute, Serenity Now, Whipperberry, Simply Sweet Home, Somewhat Simple, Sew Woodsy, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Polka Dots on Parade, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Eighteen 25, Tatertots and Jello, Just A Girl, Be Different, Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, Itsy Bitsy Paper, A Fish Who Likes Flowers, The Gunny Sack, Making the World Cuter, The Southern Institute, Under the Table and Dreaming, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe,  Blackberry Vine, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Bugaboo Mimi Mr and Me, The Artsy Girl Connection, Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hypo,

Dollar Store Craftiness

You never know when inspiration will hit.

Last week I was at The Dollar Store looking for pool noodles,

so I could make more fabulous wreath forms, but there were none to be found.

Summer is gone and so are the pool noodles.

Of course I couldn't leave the store empty handed,

so I browsed around and here is what ended up in my cart.

Stick around to see what I turn this collection of misfit purchases into!

Happy Halloween Banner

It's Halloween Banner time and you know you want to make one! So, fly, pounce, slither or creep over to The Ribbon Retreat Blog for a fabric banner tutorial.

Your mantle will thank you.

See? It makes my mantle happy!

I'm linking to these parties: Skip to My Lou, The Crafty Nest, Naptime Crafters, My Repurposed Life, The Southern Institutes, Serenity Now, Whipperberry, Simply Sweet Home, Somewhat Simple, Sew Woodsy, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Polka Dot Parade, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Eighteen 25, Tatertots and Jello, Just A Girl, Be Different, Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, Itsy Bitsy Paper, A Fish Who Likes Flowers, The Gunny Sack, Making the World Cuter, The Southern Institute, Under the Table and Dreaming, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, The Blackberry Vine,  Skip to My Lou, Sumo's Sweet Stuff,

Fabric Circle Halloween Wreath

Yep! Another wreath! But, not just any wreath, a funky orange Halloween wreath, complete with a spider! Although time consuming, this wreath was a lot of fun to make. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. What? You want to make one just like it? Well, my friend, you are in luck. I just posted a Fabric Circle Halloween wreath tutorial this morning. Pop over to The Ribbon Retreat blog for instructions. Happy cutting, gluing and wreath making!

I'm linking up with the following parties: Tatertots and Jello, Six Sister's Stuff, Be Different, Act Normal, Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, The Idea Room, C.R.A.F.T.,  I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Ask Anna, The DIY Showoff, Embellishing Life,  Craft-O-Maniac, The Gunny Sack, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Cherished Bliss, Creations By Kara, Fabric Bows and More, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Making the World Cuter, Mushki Loves, Project Queen, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, My Li'l Pumpkin Patch, Skip to My Lou, Naptime Crafters, My Repurposed Life, The Southern Institute, Eighteen 25, Itsy Bitsy Paper, A Fish Who Likes Flowers,

Candy Corn Trees

I rescued these "cones" from the waste basket in my mother in law's sewing room. They are large thread spools. I just knew that they could be used for something!

So, I bagged them up and brought them home.My husband just looked at me and shook his head. He's not thrilled with my trash rescue efforts. That doesn't sound good. I promise my house doesn't look like a scene from "Hoarder's", but I will admit I have boxes of trash crafting suppliesfor future use in my basement.

When I saw these on Pinterest I knew just what to do with the spools.

I love me some candy corn! I really, really do. I was the weird kid who would trade my chocolates for candy corn on Halloween.I didn't discover my love for chocolate until I was pregnant with my first baby and she demanded Snickers!

Anyway, decorating with candy corn goodness seemed like the perfect way to give the old spools new life. I love the look of the tissue paper but I didn't have any. I did have yarn. So, what I came up with was yarn wrapped candy corn trees.  Say that 5 times fast!

This project is simple enough that you don't really need a tutorial. But, it's my blog and I'm going to do one anyway.

The first thing you'll need is a base of some sort. I used the old spools, but you could easily use Styrofoam cones or even make your own cone out of card stock.

You'll also need:

 yarn(white, orange and yellow)

scissors

hot glue

I hot glued the spools together to make different heights.

Begin by gluing the yellow yarn to the base of the cone.

Wrap the yellow yarn about halfway up the cone

and you'll be ready to start the orange yarn. 

Cut and secure with glue.

Glue the orange yarn to the cone and continue wrapping.

When you're almost to the top of the cone cut off the orange yarn.

Secure with hot glue and start wrapping the white yarn.

Wrap up to the top. You could be done at this point but,

I know this gluey mess would bug me and have to cover it up.

Cut off the white yarn, leaving a long tail.
Dab with hot glue (don't burn your fingers)

and wrap the yarn in a spiral, gluing every so often.

Glue the spiral to the top of the cone.

Wrap any remaining yarn around the cone.

Tuck in the end.

Ta Da!

Repeat with the other 2 cones.

Display proudly in your home.

It makes me happy just to look at!

I'm linking up with the following parties: Tatertots and Jello, Six Sister's Stuff, Be Different, Act Normal, Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, The Idea Room, C.R.A.F.T.,I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Ask Anna, The DIY Showoff, Embellishing Life, Craft-O-Maniac, The Gunny Sack, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Cherished Bliss, Creations by Kara, Fabric Bows and More, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Making the World Cuter, Mushki Loves, Project Queen, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, My Li'l Pumpkin Patch, Skip to My Lou, The Southern Institute, Eighteen 25, Itsy Bitsy Paper, A Fish Who Likes Flowers,

Zipper Flower Embellishment

The Ribbon  Retreat now carries ZIPPERS! Yay! I'm so excited!

If you don't know how to make a zipper flower embellisment, you're in luck!

I posted a tutorial at The Ribbon Retreat blog today. I'd love to know what you think and see photos if you make one of your own.

They're especially cute attatched to red hats worn by adorable 5 year olds!

I'm linking this post to these parties: Skip To My Lou, The Southern Institute, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Polka Dots on Parade, Ginger Snap Crafts,  The Project Queen, Someday Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Lolly Jane Boutique, Somewhat Simple, Serenity Now, Coffee and their Kisses, Be Different, Act Normal, Six Sister's Stuff, Tatertots and Jello, Whipperberry, Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hypo, C.R.A.F.T., I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Maniac,

Wreaths

5 years ago I wouldn't have been caught dead with a wreath on my door.

5 years ago when I thought of wreaths, I thought of this:

We all remember the wreath craze of the eighties and nineties. 

Ribbons and flowers and Christmas trolls? Well, I wanted nothing to do with it!

Until I saw this:

{image via design sponge}

Simple. Felt. Gorgeous!

Yep! Since I saw this wreath I've been a little obsessed quite fond of wreaths

and making them for every holiday.

My bestie, Clarissa and I got to work making wreaths for Valentine's Day.

We had NO idea what we were getting into!

We spent hours making and gluing felt rosettes on to our wreath forms.

I have to say I was quite pleased with the final result!

More recently my niece had a birthday and moved in to a new house.

I wanted to make a wreath with burlap and fabric flowers for her birthday present,

but once again my urge to craft hit me late at night.

I didn't have any burlap, so I had to make due with tan corduroys.

A few months ago in a graceful moment  

I split those corduroy pants right down the crotch!

I knew I held on to those pants for a reason!

All I did was cut the corduroys into strips and
wrapped them around a wreath form,

hot gluing every so often. Then, I made a "batch" of fabric flowers and

 hot glued them on to the wreath.

What do you think?

I'm linking up with Weekend Warrior with Ask Anna, Craft Catwalk at Embellishing Life, Six Sister's Stuff,  C.R.A.F.T. Making Monday Marvelous, The Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming, Sunday Scoop at I Heart Naptime, Craft-O-Maniac, Think Pink at Flamingo Toes, Stitch n' Niche at Coffee and their Kisses, Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello, Made By You Monday at Skip to My Lou, Making the World Cuter Monday, Creative Me Mondays at The Southern Institute, Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple, What's in the Gunny Sack, Metamorphis Monday Between Naps on the Porch, Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Too Cute Tuesady at Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Tuesday Time Out at Reasons to Skip Housework, Centsational Girl, Crafty and Tell at Cherished Bliss, Toot Your Horn at Silly Little Sparrow, Turning Daunting Into Doable at Project Queen, Take a Look Tuesday Sugar Bee Crafts, Wicked Awesome Wednesday at Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sugar and Spice at Seven Thirty Three, Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design, Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home, The Creative Spark at Clean and Scentsible, What's Up Wednesday at Sew Woodsy,  One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons,
Turquoise Lovin' at Sweet Little Gals, Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo,