I heart faces: pets

This weeks challenge is pets. This is Luke, our new puppy.  Being a border collie and his herding tendencies he prefers the kids to all be in a group. This is him trying to get my little guy to join the herd by pulling on his sleeve.

More DIY Easter Basket Fun: It's All About the Boys

Last week I posted about the cutest girly Easter baskets, that I attempted and succeeded in making. But, I couldn't leave the boys out. This week it's all about the boys!

The first thing that came to mind, when thinking of what to do for the boys, was bow ties. What's cuter that a little man in a bow tie!

I then called my mom. Why? Well, she is the greatest, I love her, and we like to chat. I also had a little favor to ask. You see, I do have a sewing machine and I can sew, a little. But, when I want something done right I typically contract the job out. My mom is an amazing seamstress and so she is used to me calling on her and requesting her services.

She did attempt to show me how to make these simply constructed bow ties on skype, but totally lost me at ,"and then you sew a seam here." I gave her my puppy dog eyes and she giggled. A few days later I received a package from New York. Not only did she supply me with the cutest bow ties, but she also sent me all the necessary accessories I needed for the baskets too. She is amazing! Love you Mom!


What you will need:

bow ties made with love

ribbon

scissors

hot glue gun

buttons

collars and cuffs off of old shirts

Wire and the appropriate wire cutting tool. Don't use your good scissors to cut your wire, your mom will yell a you.

How to assemble:


cut off the collar and the cuff

find the center of your basket and lay the collar over it

get an idea of where you want to place them

then cut them so you just have the ends of the collar

make them the same size

two ends of the collar

glue them on

I took the cuff and glued one end up to shorten it a bit

Then glue the cuff over the top of the collar ends. I thought this was an adorable way to cover up the frayed ends of the collar. With the button on one side and the button hole on the other, cute!

glue the bow tie on in the center

leaving the ends unglued for now

glue the ribbon around the basket hiding the ends under where you will be glueing the bow tie down

I added glue anchor points around the basket to hold the ribbon in place

use the wire to attach the buttons

twisting it on the inside

So stinkin cute.

The only thing I wanted to add was suspenders. Up and over the handle. I still might look for some and see how I can attach them.

Tuxedo baskets done for two adorable boys!

Happy Easter!

I heart Faces Photo Contest: Wind

This weeks I Heart Faces photo challenge is wind. 

DIY: Easter Basket Extreme Cuteness

Do you ever have a really cute idea and then all of a sudden that idea takes on a life of it's own? Formed a path in your life head that your not really sure you wanted it to take? Happens to me all the time.

I did a three day photoshoot at a candy store a few weeks back (post coming) and they had this adorable easter basket for sale.

I knew when I saw it that I was going to have to make something like it for the girls. Now, I could of just left the thought at that, make one for the girls that is. But, the way my brain has always worked is, think big. So instead of just keeping it small, I always tend to go a bit extreme.

The thoughts began.

"I could make twenty or so of these and sell them for Easter. It's okay that Easter is only a few weeks away. They are so cute! Wow, they came out really cute! Maybe I can make a business out of this. Get an Etsy store online. Make Easter baskets, tutus, hair bows, purses. I'll become the tulle queen! I also need to have a boys line?"

So after a few minutes of thinking down this road. About the part where I'm trying to come up with a great location for my tutu shop, I remind myself how many hours are actually in a day. I remind myself of what I already have on my plate. I also come to the conclusion that I'm not completely in love with this idea of knotting tulle around baskets. All day. I like tulle but not that much.

Yes, they are cute, but I'm good with just two.

So with that said I thought I would share the cuteness with you so you could make one, instead of buying one from "Tutus By Linsey."

To put it bluntly, make your own!!

No sewing, glueing, or anything fancy! Melissa you can do this!!!

Maybe a little patients, but really you don't even need much of that. As long as you stick to just making one or two that is.

What you will need:


Tulle

This was one of those small decisions that had me in the tulle isle for quite sometime. I finally decided on these four colors. You don't need to have four, you could do any sort of combination that you want. One, three, seven colors! I purchased two yards of each color. Later you will find that I ran out, so buy more than I did. I would say six yards total per basket. Give or take depending on the size of basket you have.

A Basket
I used wire baskets to make it easier on myself. This way you can tie the tulle right onto the basket instead of finding a way to attach the skirt later on. You could use any sort of basket though, you would just need to knot the tulle around elastic or ribbon and then attach that around your basket. I went to goodwill and found a plethora of basket options. I was happy to find two cute wire ones. It was half-off day, so it only cost me about $5.00 for both. Score.

Isn't this basket super cute just the way it is? But, just wait, it gets overwhelmingly cute!!

Scissors
Some sharp scissors.

Ribbon
This is optional, but enhances the cuteness! So, I would say it's required.

That's it. I'm telling you, it's super simple.

First, fold your tulle in half and cut it into strips. The size you make the strips is totally up to you. I did them about, I don't know what does that look like? 1 1/2 inches? I don't get technical when I get crafty. Sort of like how I cook, just wing it! My mentality with this sort of thing is, it will all work out in the end. But, if you are the kind of person that likes it to be exact, then by all means measure away.

Then go down the line and cut along the folded end,

so you end up with two separate strips.

Do this for all your tulle colors.

Now your ready to start knotting,

after you take a sip of your delicious mocha that your wonderful husband made you with a cinnamon heart on top. Yes, he's the best! I think I'll keep him.

Take two of your strips and fold them in half.

Make a loop.

Lay that loop over the top of the basket, thread the other end through the hole in the basket, then bring it up and through the loop you made. Making a knot.

Continue with your pattern.

This is where I ran out of tulle on this basket

But I had finished miss Ella's earlier.

Isn't that the most adorable easter basket you have ever seen? Seriously!

The details
On this one I covered the handle with ribbon,

added bows, and ribbon strands.

I also wrapped ribbon all around the top edge. This isn't necessary and I might not do this with Abby's because the holes on her basket are very small. But, I love how it finishes it off.

You could also cut around the bottom to shorten up the skirt, or cut your strips smaller. I lean towards the, "go big or go home" look. I do know that it looks a little like an adult tutu on a child sized basket, but I love it!

So, just fluff and your done!


Now, I wasn't kidding when I said I needed a boys line. I can't leave the boys out.

I bought these baskets for them. Brand new target baskets for a fraction of the price. Goodwill rocks!

Think bow ties, buttons and possibly suspenders. I know, gaggable levels of cuteness.

Cute enough to sell, but we're not going there!