Busy, busy, busy!

   I have been so super busy lately, I swear my brain is going to explode! We are getting so close to the big move, and the closer we get the more hectic things get! I am trying to get the organizing done so we can pack, trying to get the driving thing done so I can get my license, and trying to schedule time with all the people we want to see before we leave...all while crafting on the side! 

   About 2 weeks ago I signed the title to a new to me car, a 2001 Kia Optima that previously belonged to my Aunt. I have spent quite a bit of time in the car getting ready for my drivers test on July 9th at 2:00pm. Super excited and super nervous!! I think I am mostly nervous about the maneuverability aspect of the test more than the actual driving. But I am determined to pass!! 

    
 
   I started a crochet project that I actually intend to finish! I learned the bobble stitch after stumbling on this blog, colourinasimplelife. I love all her designs and patterns and am currently working on her puffed daisy hexagon pattern. I plan to do at least 2 daisies a day and eventually join them to make a blanket/throw. This is the first non generic pattern I have ever done and it turn out properly. And by generic, I mean the patterns I did before consisted of nothing but simple stitches like double crochets, treble crochets or single crochets, haha. Also, I think this project will be the perfect thing to work on on the drive to Florida, since reading in a moving vehicle makes me car sick.

   Speaking of Florida, we are coming up on the 2 week mark. 2 weeks from tomorrow we will begin our journey to our new lives! We are driving my car down, or rather my Dad is driving us down there in my car, and then he is flying home. Right now I am going through all of mine and my daughters things, condensing it as much as I can to fit in the trunk and back seat of my car. It's amazing how much stuff 2 girls accumulate! In my car I plan on packing, 2 adults, 1 child, 1 cat, about 6 pairs of shoes, 4 bags of clothes, about 200 books, some toys and a couple boxes of crafting supplies and bathroom supplies. I think I can do it!!  Btw, regarding the picture to the right. It's a dry erase board made from a picture frame! I simply took a plain piece of paper (you can use whatever color/pattern you wish and even fabric!) and put it in the frame, painted the frame and then used a dry erase marker on the glass of the frame! So simple and cute, plus great way to recycle old frames!!

   I am still trying to decide the look I want this blog to have so be patient if you see lots of changes on here. Eventually I will buy a URL (when I have the money to do so!), but no worries I will post about it before changing it so anyone who has bookmarked/follows this blog can update it.

-DIY/Craft- Homemade Sidewalk Paint

I have seen many pins on Pinterest regarding homemade sidewalk chalk. So I figured why not try one out?

Ingredients are super simple and you probably have them all sitting in your kitchen right now!

• Corn Starch
• Water
• Food Coloring
•  You can either use bowls or a muffin/cupcake pan to make these in. Depends on how many colors you are making and how much you want of each color.

Okay so add equal parts water and corn starch to the container(s). Mix well with a spoon, you don't want any clumps

 Then add some food coloring. It is really THAT simple

 You don't want it too runny or too thick which is why it's a good idea to stick with the equal parts water and corn starch.

Happy painting!!

-DIY- Braided headband

So, every month I will feature at least one diy/craft project that I find on Pinterest. I will do the craft, taking pictures at every step and then I will post the craft and step by step instructions followed by any comments I want to share. I am super excited about this. 

For this month I chose the braided headband made from an old t-shirt. I am currently going through my clothing and putting ones that don't fit or are no longer worn in a separate pile. Or ones that are in disarray.  Finding ways to up cycle them in to something useful again is really great! Okay, here we go!

Okay so I am sure everyone has seen the braided headbands in stores or on TV. I have seen them go anywhere from $5 to $20 each. I will show you how to make them for little to no cost. And it takes less than an hour!

 First gather your supplies, for this project you will need:

• An old t-shirt. Any color will do, in fact the more colors the more fun your headband will be!
• Scissors. Make sure they are sharp! Fabric scissors are best.
• A ruler. 
• Needle and thread. Try to get the color as close to the color of your shirt as you can. I used white because that was the only color thread I have.
• Elastic pony tail holder

 

Okay, supplies gathered? Let's get started!

 Step one:  Cut 3 strips from the bottom portion of your t-shirt. I made mine about 1 1/2 inches in thickness. You may make it thicker or thinner depending on your preference, however, the thinner you make it the more difficult it becomes. After you do that, cut the strips again making them in to one long strip of fabric.

I drew lines only so you can see how thick I made mine.

Step 2: Tie your strands together. This makes it easier to braid them.

 

Step 3: Put the knotted end under something heavy, I used my laptop. Or you can safety pin it to your pants to keep it from moving. And braid baby braid!

  

Step 4: Sew the end of the braid together. You can use a sewing machine or hand sew it. I did all of mine by hand since I do not own a machine. (MUST GET ONE!)

 Step 5: Cut your elastic pony tail holder in half. Or use one that is broken...if you have thick hair like me you probably have a few of these laying around!

 Step 6: Sew one end of the elastic pony tail holder to the end of the braid you sewed together in step 4. Make sure to sew around the elastic as well to make sure it is secure.

Step 7: Cut a small rectangular piece of the t-shirt, this will act as a cover for the sewing you just did. To make it more attractive looking. Fold the piece in half, wrap it around the elastic part where you just attached it to the braid, and secure with a pin to keep it in place. Then sew the seam. This part must be done by hand.

 

Step 8: Measure where your headband will fit best with the elastic. I did this by wrapping it around my head like I would if I were wearing it and then cutting off the excess. 

Step 9: Repeat steps 4-7 (skipping step 5 obviously) to complete your headband. And there you have it!

 

I hope these instructions were easy for you to follow and that the photos helped. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them! Happy crafting!!

 

Saving money!

I will admit I am a cheap ass when it comes to spending money. Even if it's someone else offering to buy the thing for me. I LOVE a sale. That being said, the Monster, my Mom and I all 3 went to the mall today. We stopped in many stores and looked and while there were loads of things I wanted, my cheap ass just wouldn't justify the prices they wanted for certain things. We headed into Wet Seal and went towards the back because that's where most of the sales are. And of course they had a 5 for $20 sales on shorts, leggings, tanks and t-shirts! OOooh! My Mom offered to spend the $20 for me to have some nice, warm weather clothing. I picked out some cute things I think. May even wear the leggings and flowered tank tomorrow for our cook out! It's been awhile since I have gotten new clothes and I am so happy.

clothes I got

savings and total spent

Also, time for an update on the green onions. Here is day 5! I am really getting excited that this is working out so well! I love green onions and use them in many different recipes, now that I can save money on them by growing them...makes me EXCITED!

  

Oh, and stay tuned. Monday the Monster is going to do her very first entry! No idea what it will be about so check back and see!!

Hospital visit and update on green onions!

So, with the very warm days we have had lately, I fell behind in making sure to drink plenty of water and ended up in the emergency room. It is very important to make sure you drink enough fluids or you end up dehydrated. < click link for information on dehydration (symptoms, treatment...). I spent 4 hours at the hospital and received 2 liters of fluids, some anti nausea medication and pain meds for the killer headache that I had. I definitely feel a million times better than I did! So thankful that I went and got checked out.




Now, going back to my entry about green onions (click green onions to go to that entry). I had to trim a very tiny bit off them so they would actually grow. Checked them earlier today and they are starting to grow! I am SUPER excited about this. Keep checking back for more updates!!

Growing green onions from the bulbs.

So, I am sure everyone has seen this post on Pinterest: Grow your own green onions. (link goes to my Pinterest page where, yes, I have repinned this.) Well, I am currently trying this one out! I am really curious to see if it works or not. I will update periodically with pictures to let you know how it's coming along. And just to have somewhere to base our observations on, here is a picture of day 1.

Tada!

So, I have tried this whole blogging thing at least 100 times. But not going to dwell on that. Going to move on with this blog. I don't know 100% what I wish to accomplish with this blog. I do know it will have crafts, DIY, recipes and of course rants. I am a single mama so this will be a blog about parenting as well. I may even let the little monster (as I so lovingly call her) do some of the blogging once in a while! I think she would love that! There will be pictures and all kinds of fun stuff. I am really excited to try this again. And, if it doesn't work this time then I will give up the blogging thing.