monster pouch and happy halloween!

Happy Halloween!! I hope you're having a great one!

In honor of this spooky holiday, I will share with you a fun d.i.y. monster pouch that can be whipped up any time!

Truth be told, I didn't intend for this to be a monster, or a Halloween project. But while I cut out the shapes, I couldn't think of any animal that would look quite right. You can't go wrong with a monster, so I decided to do that! And since today is Halloween, I think this project is very fitting. :)

You will need: felt, fabric scissors, velcro, and a needle + thread

 Step 1. Cut out your felt pieces. Start with a rectangle (it can be any size, depending on the size you want your pouch to be) and then cut another piece the same size, with a half circle added to one end.

 Step 2. Cut out four circles for the eyes and some triangles for the teeth.
Step 3. Sew the shapes on the rounded flap. Use same color thread as the felt (I needed purple and black). When you sew them, don't pull the thread too tight or the stitches will be easily spotted.
Step 4. Sew the velcro on the top rectangle and under the flap, so when the flap is shut, the velcro pieces will stick to each other.
Step 5. Sew all around the edges of the pouch, leaving the area underneath the flap open.

 Ta daa! Isn't he cute? You can use your pouch as a goodie bag, coin purse, or to hold any small items.
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Tonight I'll be hanging out with some friends who hand out free books instead of candy in their front yard! How cool is that?!

What are you planning to do tonight? If you've already done it, how'd it go?
xo. Kate
(ps-did you check out Google today?)

diy paperclip bookmarks.

I love paperclip bookmarks. They take two minutes to make and slip right into your book!

This rosette bookmark is my favorite. To make the rose, follow these steps: 1. Cut a rectangular piece of fabric. (Make sure your fabric is thin enough to easily twist) The rectangle can be any size. I think mine was 2x5inches 2. Tie a knot in one end 3. Start wrapping the fabric around the knot, twisting as you go. 4. Glue the paperclip on the back of the rosette. 5. Cover with the end of the fabric.

This bow was cut from leggings from a costume store. They were so cute I had to save them. Just hot glue the paperclip on. So easy!

I bought a bag full of adorable flower cabochons from Mindy Mae's Market. This is just one of them that didn't come with a match. It looked great as a bookmark! Hot glue this one as well.

For this button bookmark, sandwich the paperclip between the buttons, and hot glue them together.

These are sooo easy and are perfect little gifts to slip into cards or goodie bags.
Have a fabulous day! <3
xo. Kate

Sequin Belt

I was searching through old craft supplies and found this stretchy sequin trim. I thought it would make a perfect belt, so I made it! Seriously, this is the easiest thing ever.

Supplies:

Sequin trim (stretchy or not)

Needle + thread

Velcro

STEP 1: Cut your trim to fit your hips/waist

 STEP 2: Hand sew on velcro (different sides - hook + loop) to the ends of your sequin trim

Done! Didn't I tell you? SO easy. You can get creative and use practically anything as your belt.

xo. Kate

Tie-it-in-a-bow Headband

 I just love this headband. I needed something red in my wardrobe and this is perfect. It can have a casual look or an elegant look to it... and It only took two minutes to make! Seriously guys, this is so easy.

Supplies:

Trim/ribbon/strip of fabric

Hot glue gun

So this is how you make it - cut your trim long enough to fit around your head and tie it in a big bow at your neck. Hot glue the ends so they don't fray (and then continue to burn your fingers like I did). DONE! Didn't I tell you? SO easy!

You can also double this as a skinny belt. Wouldn't it look adorable with a cream colored shirt?

xo. Kate

Bullseye Ring

This is such a FUN ring to make! It took me only a few minutes and the ring makes me happy when I wear it. Here's how to make your own....

Supplies:

felt scraps

sequin + bead

needle + thread

elastic scrap

fabric scissors

 STEP 1: Cut your piece of elastic to fit your finger, with an extra inch for sewing.

STEP 2: Cut out circles in all different sizes and layer them together.

STEP 3: Thread through the felt circles, the sequin, the bead, and all the way back.

STEP 4: Thread the ends of both threads through the elastic and tie it off.

STEP 5: Stitch the ends of the elastic together to make the ring form. Measure your finger as you do this.

 Done!

 Have fun with this and get creative! Wouldn't it be so cool to wear the Target logo on your finger? ;)

xo. Kate

Kids craft: Wooden wall decor

Here's a fun and easy project for kids to make their own wall art!

Remember these cute little things? Yep - Jenga blocks. I'm pretty much convinced you can make anything out of 'em.

Today I will be sharing with you how to make your own mini wooden wall decor out of Jenga blocks. This is a fun project to do with your kid of any age, and so easy to personalize!

Supplies:

Three Jenga blocks

Paint (mine's Martha Stewart Multi-surface high-gloss, and Multi-surface glitter)

Paintbrush

Hot glue gun

Pencil

Small piece of wire

Let's get started...

Start by drawing out your design on your blocks. It can be very intricate or very simple, like mine.

Here's the fun part... paint!

I painted the edges as well to add a little pop of glitter.

Let the paint dry. Now, take your hot glue gun and glue the blocks together. If you are doing this with a child, be sure to do this for them.

Once glued, stick the wire in and secure it with hot glue...

...and Voila! You (or your child) have cute + fun wall art. Wouldn't it look so nice as part of a gallery wall?

xo. Kate

4 Ways to Wrap Gifts

1. Characters

This is a fun way to dress up gifts for kids. Cut out pieces of cardstock to create fun faces and glue them to a solid-colored bag. Almost any character from movies, cartoons, books, etc. will work! Why not try Sesame Street Characters, Spongebob, animals, Muppets, or a smiley face? (tutorial here)

2. Washi Tape 

Use this colorful tape to dress up any present. You can buy it in the office section of Target, as well as here, here, here, here, here ANNNDD here!

3. Candy technique

This is one of my favorite ways to wrap presents. Instead of folding and taping up the sides, bunch up the excess wrapping paper and tie a ribbon around it. It looks like a giant piece of candy! Make sure to keep the ends long enough to tie.

4. Stamping

A perfect way to add interest to a boring box or bag is to stamp it. It's such a simple but cute idea! If you don't have any ink, you can also color the stamp with a washable marker instead.

Have fun making your gifts extra special! xo. Kate

Lemon Coin Purse

Hi there! Today I have a fun tute on how to make your own coin purse that looks like a lemon slice, inspire by this pin. Perfect for Summer!

Supplies:

Two sheets of yellow and white felt (Michaels or Joann)

Needle + thread or sewing machine (white and/or yellow thread)

Fabric scissors

pencil

a large circular shape to trace around about the length of a pencil

Velcro

Let's get started...

 Step 1: Take your two pieces of felt.

Step 2: Trace your large circular shape with pencil on the yellow felt.

Step 3: Cut it out with your fabric scissors

Step 4: Cut the circle in half

 Step 1: Trace another half circle on the white felt.

Step 2: Before cutting it out, draw another half circle on the inside of the first one, but slightly smaller. Cut it out.

Step 3: Sew it on one of the yellow half circles.

Step 4: Cut yet another half circle out of yellow felt, but make this one even smaller than the white half circle you cut out.

Step 1: Cut that yellow half circle into four triangles.

Step 2: Sew the triangles on.

Step 3: You're finished with the front part!

Now take both of your yellow half circles and stitch on the Velcro. Once you've done that, stitch all around the entire curved section of the lemon, leaving the straight edge open...

And you're done!

What I love about this purse is that it can be used to hold anything for any purpose. So many possibilities!

Have a extra-fantabulous day! xo. Kate

(don't forget to link up to the Summer link party!)

DIY Spool Necklace

This spool necklace is super easy and takes no time at all! I shared it at Through the Eyes of the Mrs. yesterday, in case you missed it!

Let's get started...

Supplies:

Medium-sized wooden spools ($1.99, Joann)
Embroidery floss
Chain (stolen from an old necklace!)
Metal jump ring
Elmer's glue

1. Start by wrapping your thread around the spool.
2. Finish wrapping and make sure it is as tight as possible.
3. Slide a jump ring over the thread and glue the rest of the thread down tightly (spread the glue across the thread with your finger)
4. Slide your chain through the jump ring, and you're done!

What do you think?
xo, Kate

linking to:

Color a Pot with Sharpie

I love adding fun little pieces to any part of my room for simple storage! This little pot can hold trinkets, bobby pins, paperclips, a plant (of course!), etc. on a desk or by the bed. Here's how I prettified it...

1. Sketch out a simple design with a pencil.
2. Trace over it with Sharpie
3. (optional) Add something cute on the bottom or inside!
4. Add color with more permanent markers. Be sure to test the color before on the inside/bottom of the pot to make sure it shows up (only a few did for me out of several colors).

Cute! What will you use yours for?

Kid's Craft: Coffee Filter Flowers for Mom

Happy one-day-early Mother's Day! In case you missed it, I shared these sweet flowers over at The Train to Crazy. If you've never been there, go check her lovely blog out!

Since mother's day is coming up super-duper soon, these flowers would be a great quick and easy craft for little ones (I did mine with a three-year-old) to make for their moms or grandmas.
Let's get started...

Supplies:
Coffee filters
Pipe cleaners/chenille stems
Washable markers (must be washable for the tie-dye look)
Spray bottle full of water
Newspaper
Beads (optional)

Step 1: Color a design on your coffee filter. I found it works best if you add lots of ink to each part.
Step 2: Put it on top of newspaper, and spray it with water. The more you spray, the more the colors will mix.
Step 3: Lay outside to dry.
Step 4: Layer them (totally optional) and pierce the center with a pipe cleaner. Fold down the bit that is poking through so it won't slide off. (If you bead the stem, fold the end over the same way too.)
Fluff the flowers as much as you please!

Enjoy your flowers or give a bouquet to Grandma! xoxo Kate
Linking to:
 

Dollar Store Mirror Redo

Today I can't wait to share with you this simple $1 mirror! This was over at See Vanessa Craft last week, in case you missed it.

I have been in desperate need of a mirror in my closet. I found a cheap mirror from Dollar Tree about a month or two ago, but it was literally falling apart. Creative instincts told me to grab the glue gun and start working!

Materials

Dollar Store mirror ($1)

Ribbon scraps (I had them on hand)

Small beads (beads are optional, but they add a nice touch)

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Fabric scissors

Tape

Hot glue gun

Needle + thread (for beads, optional)

Total Project Cost: $1 (woo hoo!)

Directions

Wash off your mirror. I had to pull tape and hardened glue off of the frame sides.

Lay out the ribbon. Take your needle and thread your way through your beads. Knot both sides. Lay that out as well.

Starting with the bottom-most ribbon, wrap it around and tape the ends in the back. Continue with each ribbon (and beads)!

Glue all four sides of the frame back on. It may be a tight fit over the ribbon, but it should fit. You can finish with gluing the ribbon on the back, but the tape stayed on just fine for me.

You're done! Could it be any easier?

Notes: 

(1) Grab a hair clip and clip it onto the ribbon. It can give the mirror a new look any time you feel its time for a change!

(2) Even though this mirror can hang on its own, the stand in the photo gives it a nice touch. It's also from Dollar Tree.

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