Tooth Fairy Pillow Tutorial

I found this great tutorial on how to make these cute tooth fairy pillows at HdMac's Crafty Blog and More. Aren't they adorable?

Fantastic Cooking Blog

I have become quite a fan of a cooking blog called Dinner's on Me. I tried to pick out just one post that was a favorite - but there are so many, I couldn't decide. All of her recipes look like things I would like and they seem pretty easy to pull off. I also enjoy her good tips. If you need some new cooking inspiration, I think you will enjoy her blog too.

Fabric Wall Decal

I found this great idea at a blog called "How about Orange." She made the cutest decal for her door out of fabric and starch. This method will allow you to put some fabric on your walls without damage. I love this idea and I really enjoyed her blog. Take a few minutes to check it out.

Cool Placecards and other Table Setting Ideas

I found this article at Sunset.com with some great ideas for using natural items as placecards and centerpieces on your table. Click here to take a look.

How to Apply Vinyl Lettering

I have a vinyl lettering business, and I am often asked for instructions on how to apply vinyl lettering to a wall, or other surface. I decided that it would be a good idea to post these instructions, so that if I am unable to just hand over an instruction sheet, I can refer people here and they will have access to my tips.

How to Apply Vinyl Lettering

1. Be sure that you are applying to a clean, dry surface. Dust, wax, oil, etc. will all prevent the vinyl from adhering well.
2. Mark your wall or object with a pencil, or other removable medium to ensure correct placement.
3. Slowly remove the lettering from the backing. The vinyl should remain on the application tape. If not, press the backing back into place and rub firmly - then try again.
4. Hold the vinyl in position and stick. Be extra careful here, once you have put the vinyl in place, there is no going back. You might want to find another person to assist you with this step, especially when applying large pieces of vinyl.
5. Rub the entire area firmly with your hand or even a sharp edge of a ruler or credit card, making sure that all air bubbles are pushed out. The vinyl is pressure sensitive and will adhere better the harder it is rubbed.
6. Slowly peel off the application tape by grabbing the top left corner and pulling downward. Your vinyl lettering should adhere to your surface with no problem. If some does begin to lift off, simply place the application tape back over that area and rub firmly, then continue peeling the tape.

How to Remove Vinyl Lettering

Warm up the vinyl using a blow dryer on low. Carefully peel back the vinyl. Vinyl lettering cannot be used again.

Tips

1. Vinyl lettering will adhere well to most smooth, or semi smooth surfaces. It will not adhere well to rough surfaces, such as heavily textured walls, cinder block, stucco, or unfinished wood.
2. Do not apply the lettering to freshly painted walls. Allow the paint to cure for at least three weeks before applying vinyl.
3. If you need to clean the vinyl lettering, do so with a mild soap and water and non abrasive cloth or sponge. Do not use products containing alcohol or abrasives.
4. Vinyl lettering comes pre-spaced. You can apply it as-is, or get creative and cut and apply it to fit your style.
5. If you find the lettering is resisting pulling away from the paper backing during the application process, it sometimes helps to warm the backing slightly with a blow dryer.

*Vinyl lettering should not damage paint when removed - however, there may be fading issues, depending on where it is placed (i.e. in a sunny location.)

Pizza on the Grill

I found this really fun blog today. It is called Lost Button Studio and it is full of great ideas. I especially appreciated her post about how to make pizza on the grill. I have always wanted to try this, but have been too intimidated. Her tips and instructions are really helpful, and I think I might just give it a try now.

So click here to check out her pizza post and be sure to take a look around at the rest of her blog. I think you will really enjoy it.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

It's zucchini season around here. I actually love zucchini - but at this time of year, even I have a hard time using everything that I have grown and been given. After preparing it every way that I can think of, today I made a really great chocolate chip zucchini bread that I found on Food Networks website. It is one of Paula Deen's recipes. I made a couple of changes, such as substituting yogurt for half of the oil. I was really pleased with how it turned out. Click here to take a look at the recipe yourself. I highly recommend it.

Easy Bookmark

I made this easy bookmark in about 10 minutes yesterday. I just found some cute clipart and printed off two of the same image on cardstock. Then I glued them back to back on the top of a jumbo paperclip and tied a ribbon onto the clip. I think this could be even cuter with stamps, embellishments and better ribbon - but I was in hurry, so I used what I had.

Child's Artwork Collage/Display

I saw this great idea on The Long Thread. What a fabulous way to preserve all of your little artist's best work, without it cluttering up your whole house, or just gathering dust and taking up space in a box somewhere.

1st Year Milestone Scrapbook

Jenny at Crafty Chicks created this adorable monthly milestone scrapbook for the first year of her baby's life. I wish I had thought of doing this for my little boys. Love it!!!

Adorable Apron Giveaway

Isn't this apron cute!! I just ran across this giveaway at a great blog (Posh Point of View) Click here to take a look. You will love them!!!

Other Uses for Plastic Baby Food Containers

I have a 7 month old baby, so we have quite a few of those plastic baby food containers hanging around our house. For some reason, I feel a little guilty about throwing them out. I have been asking around a little and found that people have quite a few good ideas about how to recycle these little containers into useful things.

• Throw a pacifier in one of these containers and it keeps it clean and easy to find in your diaper bag or purse.


• Use them as snack containers for older children.


• Store homemade playdough in them.


• Use them to hold salad dressing, or other condiments, when packing a lunch.


• Put a couple of antiseptic wipes and band-aids in them and you have a portable first-aid kit.


• Make tub toys by poking a few holes in them and then let your kids fill them with water and watch the water flow out through the holes.


• Paint storage for craft paints, or for touch up paints for your house.


• Use them to store chopped onions or celery in your freezer.


• Store spices in them. Just label and they stack neatly in your cupboard.

Thanks to all of the smart and creative people who came up with these great ideas. If you have any other ideas about what to do with these containers, feel free to comment and share your inspiration.

Baby Closet Size Dividers

I found this great tutorial on how to make cute size dividers to help you organize your baby's clothes. This is a great idea!! Please click here to go to Armelle Blog and check out her amazing creativity!

Magnetic Art Display

I was over at TipJunkie's blog today. I love her Teach me Thursday tutorials, and she had featured one in particular that I loved and wanted to share. It is from Wisdom of the Moon and is a cute and functional magnetic art display strip. I love it! What a great idea. Her tutorial is very good and I think I will be heading to our local home improvement store today to copy this one. Click on the link below to see it for yourself.

Wisdom of the Moon: Magnetic Art Display

Girly-Do's

I ran onto this site about a lot of fun and cute ways to do your little girls hair. I only have boys, so I can't take advantage of all of her good tutorials - but I can imagine having a lot of fun with this blog if I had a daughter who would sit still long enough for me to copy some of these darling "do's".

Click here to check out her blog.

Paper Dolls

Do you know a little girl who is a fan of the Berenstain Bears? If so, she might enjoy these cute (and free) paper dolls I found. I am thinking of printing these up and making a set for my niece. Click here to check out the family of paper dolls and all their outfits.

Frozen T-shirt Contest

I just took my boys to a birthday party and they played a fun summer game. The host had taken several adult-size t-shirts, wet them down and folded them neatly, then put them in separate ziploc bags. Then she froze them. She handed one bag out to each child and instructed them to remove the t-shirt, unfold it, and put it on over their clothes. The first one to accomplish this was the winner. The kids had a lot of fun. It took a few minutes, because the frozen t-shirts were hard to unfold. I thought it was a pretty cool activity for a hot summer day. : )