Tutorial Tuesday!

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday - If you are new here, this party is to showcase your weekly tutorials. What counts as a tutorial? Anything to "teach me stuff" counts - a recipe, a kid's craft, a DIY project, how you got your baby to sleep through the night ... I'm not picky.

Click to see my weekly tutorial: Reverse Applique Scarf

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using your name and a the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



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Alabama's Reverse Applique Scarf

During our Soul Sisters Getaway we worked on lots of fun projects like Tassel Necklaces, Funky Frames and Clipboards, and Cookie Decorating 101 along with the ever-popular activities of wine-drinking, junk food eating, and shopping. It's tough being a girl!

Joy planned our final project, Scarves inspired by Alabama Chanin's book, Alabama Studio Style. This book emphasizes sustainable, wearable art made from recycled and organic materials.

Leafing through this book and Joy's materials inspired us all. Using t-shirts, scissors and embroidery thread we each created a great scarf using reverse applique method like the Layered Tee Tutorial I once blogged.

Alabama Studio's Reverse Applique Scarf

Supplies:

Old, large-sized t-shirts in assorted colors (Hubby's extra large is perfect)
Scissors
Embroidery thread and needles
Stencils
Chalk

Directions:

We began by cutting our t-shirts through the front and back, like this, leaving the shoulder seam intact:



We cut two t-shirts (two different colors) the same way, then layered them together, shoulder seams facing in.

Using embroidery thread, we sewed the two layers together using a basting stitch around the outside edge until it looked like a crazy, one-armed, drunk seamstress had gotten a hold of it:



Using chalk, we drew a simple pattern onto the top layer of our material. You can use a stencil or freehand this. Personally, I feel like this step was enhanced by wine and cheesecake...but maybe that's just me.



Then we stitched, stitched, stitched! Stitch around the pattern using large stitches in a contrasting embroidery thread then cut out the center of the top layer, revealing the layer of fabric underneath. I swear every time we cut out those shapes it was a a big TA-DA!!!



You can use your imagination when it comes to stitches, patterns, colors...Go crazy, girl!



Come on, this is cool!



Get to work raiding your Hubby's closet, I feel a Christmas gift coming on!

Come on back tomorrow to link up with Tutorial Tuesday. It will be your turn to Teach Me Stuff!

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Stuff I Learned

Check out this Dress Tutorial from Anarkali!



I love Donna's recipe for Frosted Windows this Christmas!



This No-Sew Playhouse is so fun!



I love Vintage Wanna Bee's photos and her Headbands are darling!



I think we should all know how to Tailor Our Own Clothes

And make some Egg Nog Pumpkin Layered Mousse while we're at it!

We might as well Organize Our Toys to top it off!

Marijuana + Pregnancy? Feedback Friday

The Momlogic Newsletter landed in my inbox this week with a story about the increasing trend of doctors prescribing medical cannabis to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. The article goes on to cite quotes from many women who admitted and even raved about the treatment.

Some further research into this topic revealed several opposing views. DrugPolicy.com states that marijuana use during pregnancy can lead to birth defects and cognitive deficits.

Many pro-cannabis sources quote the often cited research of Dr. Melanie Dreher concluding that no known difference could be found between exposed and non-exposed infants.

Blogger, Jessica Katz wrote about her severe, 24 hour a day, morning sickness and her doctor's suggestion to try medical marijuana. Jessica opted not to try it...what would you do?

It's Feedback Friday!

Would you consider using medical marijuana to treat severe morning sickness while pregnant?

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It's 2 O'clock - Let's Shop!

This Holiday Shopping edition of "Let's Shop" features 10 great gift ideas for $20 and under! Check it out...

1. Portable Fold-Out Speakers - $15

These Portable Fold-Out Speakers are actually made from recycled card stock! I love how they make it possible to listen to my music where ever I am and keep extra papers from the landfill. Buy Now


2. Guitar String Bracelet- $20

These unique bracelets are actually made from recycled guitar strings! What a great environmentally friendly gift. Buy Now



3. Puttle- $15

When looking for family games, I like to choose those that are simple enough for everyone to understand, yet challenging enough for adults. This Puttle game is just that. A cross between golf and bowling, it can be set up anyplace inside or outside and challenges every age. Buy Now

Look how fun the Puttle tournament looks!





4. Pop Up Cup- $12

My hubs has lots of travel cups for his morning coffee. So, here are my main complaints... They don't stack neatly and the lids are constantly falling all over the place, and I can't put them in the dishwasher because it will damage their insulating qualities. To the rescue - Pop Up Cup! A collapsible, insulated, lidded cup to use on the go! Buy Now

Check out the Flatterware video to see this thing in action:




5. Clip Headphones- $13

Got a runner on your list? I have these Clip Headphones and, trust me, they stay in place while I run. It's a great gift for the exerciser on your list. Buy Now


6. Cupcake Kit- $20

I love this little Cupcake Kit! This cookbook comes with cute liners and decorating accessories! Buy Now


7. Microplane Classic Zester- $18
I have had a Microplane Classic Zester on my list for the last 10 years. For some reason it's not something I've ever purchased for myself though I've pined for it. Maybe this year? Buy Now


8. 100 Best iApps- $15

Have a hard-to-buy-for techie on your list this year? My kids are glued to their ipods and this 100 Best iApps guide will show them some of the hottest apps out there! Buy Now




9. Rubber Neckers- $14

My kids received a book of travel games once and it made life on the road that much more tolerable! I love to give books to my nieces and nephews and this book/game pack would make a great gift for family traveling from out of town. Imagine the thanks you will get from kids AND parents when the ride home is actually fun! Buy Now

10. Family Talk- $10

So, I have three boys...actual conversations that don't begin with "Mooooooommmmm!!! He's bugging me!" are kind of slim. I love Family Talk cards like this in the car to spark some fun conversation. Ever notice how most of the talking happens in the car? These are awesome stocking stuffers! Buy Now

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Why Don't You...Host a Cookie Swap?

My neighborhood Cookie Swap is right around the corner and it provides an opportunity to catch up with friends and the added bonus of lifting the burden of baking numerous cookies this holiday season.

There is plenty of time to organize one for yourself. Here's the plan...

I used this cute "Winter Holidays" Evite template for my invitation:


The rules are simple -

Ask for participants to list their cookie when they RSVP

Bake 1 dozen cookies for each participant + 1 dozen to sample during the party.

Bring cookies packaged in dozens to swap.

Bring enough copies of your recipe to share.

The hostess has only to provide refreshments since guests will snack on the cookies and the guests spend one afternoon baking several dozen of the same cookie and go home with several different dozen cookies. Many times, I come home and pop mine straight into the freezer for a future get together!

Have fun!

**Don't forget to hop on over to Tutorial Tuesday for holiday inspiration AND an opportunity to win a beautiful necklace from T's Etc!**
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Tutorial Tuesday with T's ETC!

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday - If you are new here, this party is to showcase your weekly tutorials. What counts as a tutorial? Anything to "teach me stuff" counts - a recipe, a kid's craft, a DIY project, how you got your baby to sleep through the night ... I'm not picky.

Click to see my weekly tutorial: Silhouette Art

This week's giveaway is offered by Teri from T's Etc. - a long-time bloggy friend you might recognize as Mama Thompson!

Teri has stocked her Etsy shop, T's Etc with lots of goodies for Christmas - check out some of my favorites...

Mini Glamour Cuff



Purple Passion



Lemonade



Teri is offering one lucky participant in Tutorial Tuesday one of her handmade necklaces (a $30 value!) this week!

Want to win?

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

Visit T's ETC then comment below to tell me what necklace you would choose with your gift certificate.

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using your name and a the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



<center><a href="http://www.HopeStudios.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss202/hopestudios/2-2.jpg" /></a></center>

Silhouette Art

I've seen plenty of this pricey custom Silhouette Art around blogland lately and really wanted some...but, it's a little rich for my blood. There has to be a way to make this myself!

This is an awesome handmade Christmas gift for this year, so let's make some

Silhouette Art!

Supplies:

Artist canvas
Acrylic paints
Paint Brush
Transfer Paper (from your local craft store)
Digital photo

Choose a digital photo with a lighter background so the subjects stand out, like this one:



Upload it to Picnik or your favorite photo editing program to create a silhouette. Use Picnik in the following way:

Click the "Edit" tab
Click "Exposure"
Slide the "Contrast" slider to the right to create more contrast between the subjects and the background.
Now, click the "Create" tab
Last, the the "black and white" option

Your photo will now look like this:



Take your photo to your local copy center (I used Kinko's) to have your photo enlarged to the same size as your canvas. In my case, I enlarged it to 20x16 inches for right around $1.00.



Lay your transfer paper between your canvas and enlargement and trace the outline of each figure and the details you'd like to include:



You will have what looks like a rough pencil sketch when you are finished:



Fill in your sketch with the paint color of your choice. After one coat of paint your painting will look like this:



See the uneven quality of the paint that has that amateur look? We don't want that! Here's what to do - thin some of your paint down with water and apply one to two additional coats over the entire silhouette until you have an even, professional looking finish like this:



Finally, let your painting dry overnight, then thin your paint down even further using water until you have a "wash", a very watery version of your original paint. Dip a rag into the paint and "wash" the surface of your painting by rubbing small amounts of this watery paint onto the entire surface of your painting. This will soften the overall look so you don't have a stark white background.

If you accidentally apply the paint too thick, simply dip your rag into water and wipe. If you don't apply it thick enough, go over it with a few coats of the wash.




Come on back tomorrow to link up your own tutorial for Tutorial Tuesday!

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Sunday Funny

My sister forwarded this JCPenney commercial for a laugh:

Stuff I Learned

Cutest Ruffle Leggings!


Replacing your car's floor mats with an Oriental Rug could be the coolest idea I've seen in some time...



This could end all sibling battles in my house! Decision Dice



Turn an ordinary t-shirt into a cute Shrug!

It's 2 O'clock, Let's Shop!

Are you planning to hit the stores this Black Friday? Stay put for a minute and look at my latest obsession! I'm freaking out over this brilliant idea for updating the ordinary wooden building block...

They put magnets in them, people!

Introducing the new eco-friendly, Tegu Toy Company. Listen to the amazing founders explain how Tegu Toys came to be:



I know, you're freaking out now, too, right?

I have to say that we bought a bag of wooden blocks for my boys when my oldest was 2 years old. He is now 12 (as of yesterday) and my boys play with those blocks at least once a week to this day. Oh, how I wish these Magnetic Building Blocks were available way back then...sigh...

Wooden blocks are one of the best investments you could make for your child. You will get your money's worth over the years and this updated version just expands the possibilities. I know what is going to end up under our tree this year...shhhh...

Buy Now