Creating Clothespin People: Hours of Fun on a Budget

At the beginning of every summer I tell myself I'm going to do more 'crafty' things with my girls. I have three of them and they all love crafting. I have to admit, I'm not really into crafting lots of things that I don't have a purpose for. I love sewing - especially when I'm sewing for a purpose or something I can and will use. I like making jewelry and other things, but getting out the glue and paint and glitter and all sorts of other crafty things --- not so much. I decided, though, that this summer would be different. I'd try to overcome my own dislike of making big, sticky messes and let my girls create things, to a certain degree. And you know what? They LOVE it. As it turns out, they are much more creative and imaginative that I thought they were and I love watching them.

A few weeks ago, I found a package of old fashioned clothespins at a local thrift store for $2.00. There were about 24 clothespins in there and I thought, "Hmm...these would be fun to make dolls with!" So, I bought them and a few days later, when I started hearing those all-too-familiar words, "I'm bored", I got them out. I decided to put a few pieces of scrap fabric in a bag with some yarn and my hot glue gun and then brought the bag out to the kitchen table {where all of our messy crafting is done} and then called my girls in. They went nuts! I gave them free reign of it all after a quick lesson in hot glue gun safety and they got right to it. They worked at least 2 hours on it before we had to go somewhere. And guess what they wanted to do the next day? A couple days later, their cousins came to town and they joined in on the fun. We ran out of clothespins quickly.

So, I went in search of more old fashioned clothespins and found something even better! While the girls had used the round clothespins previously, Hobby Lobby had the same type, only they are flat on the front and back. This gave me another fun idea - paint them! So, I bought one bag of tall flat ones and one bag of round ones.

As soon as we got home, I brought out my stash of craft paints and paint brushes and tried not to panic thinking about the mess that could happen and sat down with my girls to paint some people! I painted a few to help give them ideas of how to paint them and then I let them go crazy! They sat quietly at the table painting people and complementing each other on their work for FOUR hours!!! I could not believe it. No electronic devices, no TV, no fighting. Just happily painting together. Best.Day.Ever!

They ended up painting close to 40 people in one day. We can't wait to do this fun craft again! And they actually play with their clothespin people. I've found Pin People in all kinds of places in this house.

We ended up having some super heroes, pirates, girls, boys, fashionistas, and even Rapunzel in our little Pin People Family. There's even one that looks like Michael Jackson, although that wasn't the plan. It just sort of happened. I guess you could say it was a Pin People Fail. Makes me laugh every time I see it. My kids have no idea who that even is, but looking at it cracks me up! Can you pick him out?

They are easy to store and easy to play with at home or on the go. It's a great way to keep your kiddos busy this summer while encouraging their creativity and enhancing those motor skills. They're learning and growing without even knowing it!

Sewing Up Some Creativity this Summer...

With all the activities the end of the school year brings, I start finding myself needing a little inspiration to create things. And about this time of year, I like to get started on my summer bucket list.

I've been searching the web for some ideas for sewing up some summer creativity and thought I'd share them with you in case you're needing a little creative pick-me-up, too.

{source}

What do you do with your earbuds when they are not in use? I sometimes keep mine in a ziplock baggie, but most of the time, I find them bunched up in a wod. And who wants to take time to untangle that mess? This little earbud case would be a great project to make with your kids if they have their own set of earbuds in a wod. And I love that it's attached to a key ring. Click the link for a step by step in pictures. *This is the only link I could find to this project - it does not state who the true owner of this pic is.*

{Source}

I'm getting ready to re-do my girls' rooms {finally!} and although two of my daughters share a room, they have very different likes and personalities. So, I'm trying to make their room look nice and simple and uniform while adding their own flair to each side of the room. A little tricky, but so fun. This pillow would be something my 8 year old would love. She's a cat lover and it would be so easy to make a pillow similar to this for her bed in colors that follow the theme of their room. If you like this pillow, you can buy the kit for it here. Check out the link for lots of neat kits for creativity.

{Source}

With all the fun outdoor summer activities coming up, we always need our first aid kit nearby! We have a big one in our car, but it's a very good idea to have one in your purse or backpack or diaper bag or whatever if you're out and not near your car. We love hiking, canoeing, etc and usually have a first aid kit handy, but I think I could use one for my own bag on other occasions. This one looks like an easy one to make yourself and you can tweak it to carry the items you want. Go check it out! And while you're at it see all the other fun things Positively Splendid has on their website! You'll love it.

Where do you get your inspiration? What will you be working on this summer?

Monogram Wreath Makeover {Summer Edition}

A few years ago, I made a monogram wreath. I LOVE monograms and have them in several places in our house. They are timeless and I think they'll always be in style in some form or fashion.

You can view the tutorial for the monogram wreath here. As the seasons have passed and my tastes have changed, I have madeover the same monogram wreath just by changing out the floral stems, picks, and ribbon, etc. I love this wreath and haven't found one I like better for my front door so I keep using it over and over and over.

Here's what it looked like a couple days ago...

And now it looks like this...

This is one of my favorite versions I used last year...

With a better looking door, I was motivated to get out and scrub the porch clean and put new plants in my large porch planter, get new cushions for the chairs and add some hanging plants. I'm loving it! Now, all I need is a glass of iced tea and a good book.

I'm sharing this with these parties.

Like Life is Sew Daily on Facebook!

Swimdress Makeover {Tutorial}

It's getting to be THAT season....you know, bathing suit season, and I felt like I needed a new suit. I've been wearing the same tankini for 10 years. {Actually, I did buy a new tankini top last year, but that doesn't count.} So, I started the daunting task of looking for a suit when I came across a post I saw on Facebook about Target having swimdresses on sale for $15 with free shipping. So, I clicked on over and liked the bandeau swimdress and bought it knowing I could return it if I wanted to. Well, it came a few days later and I loved it!! I bought the indigo one. The only thing I don't care for is how the strap goes from the middle of the bust up around the neck and leaves an opening in the bust. That's just not my style, so a makeover was in order. I intend to fix that one soon, but today I was at Target and decided to look through the swim section for some swim shorts when I spotted the exact same bathing suit I had just bought on a clearance rack. Only it's red, and I love red. So, I checked the tag: $6.56. I couldn't pass it up. I may take the blue one back, not sure yet. But I went ahead and 'fixed' the red one. Here it is! I'm thrilled with the results.

Recycled Sundress

Yesterday I was getting ready for a long, hot day at the zoo and realized I had nothing cool to wear. Since it is only March and the temps have been unseasonably warm, my wardrobe wasn't prepared for that. So, I started looking through my closet and saw a knit sundress that I had worn last year. Somewhere between then and now, it had shrunk and was a little too short for me to be comfortable wearing. BUT I noticed it had a built-in waistband. I decided on the spot that I could cut the top off of the dress and make myself a nice, cool skirt out of it and I did. It took me all of 2 minutes to cut that top off and the skirt is the perfect length! Now I'm digging through my closet trying to decide the fate of each and every piece I have in there! Nothing is exempt. So, stay tuned for more recycled pieces coming soon! What's in YOUR closet that needs a makeover??

I'm linking to some of these parties!

Pillowcase Shirt or Dress {Tutorial}

 

Pillowcase dress pattern are everywhere and I don't claim to have the best one, but I made one today for my four year old to wear as a shirt this summer. {Although she's wearing it today in this 82 degree weather.} These dresses/shirts go great with leggings or biker shorts and can be worn all Spring and Summer! When the weather is chilly, just add a lightweight cardigan or put a t-shirt under it. I bought this fabric at Wal-Mart for $1.50/yd. I used 1/2 yard, so this shirt cost me .75 cents to make. It's adorable!

I'm linking up with some of these parties!