DIY: Plastic Bag Holder

I try to carry reusable bags when I remember, but, there are times when I forget. Or when my hubby has to pick up some things on his way home from work. So we have a lot of plastic bags around our house. I had been keeping them in a bag in the kitchen but I was having to take all the bags out just to get one. While we were at the grocery store the other day I spotted some plastic bag holders and figured I could just make my own! This is another project that I just used fabric scraps that I had in my stash.

 To start I took two pieces of fabric 8 inches wide and 20 inches long and sewed them right sides together. On one side I left some room at the top so I could create a space to hang it from.

Then I hemmed the edges of those pieces.

Next I stitched a portion of the top closed.

After that I just made an elastic casing, on each side, and added 8 inch elastic pieces. That's it, easy peasy, this whole project took me maybe 10 minutes to complete and now the plastic bags in my kitchen are organized! 

 

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Point and Shoot Camera Neck Strap

I love taking pictures! And if you follow me on twitter (which you should, just click the button with the bird to the right) Then you know that I just got a new 1-hour battery charger for my camera. Usually it takes my camera battery 5 hours to charge! So if I don't prepare ahead of time there is no way I'm getting to take any pictures. 

In light of this new camera charger coming I decided to make a neck strap for my camera. The little wrist strap that came with it just doesn't cut it for me. If we're out and I'm chasing down a kid, or pushing someone on a swing, I can't have my camera on my wrist. But a neck strap is perfect for me!

I didn't measure the length I needed for the strap, and then ended up having to take it apart and add an extra piece for length. So measure out the length that's best for you before you cut anything! For me 35 inches was best. Cut two pieces of material 3 inches wide and half the length you measured. Sew those two pieces right sides together along the short side. Then sew it right sides together down the long side.

Turn it right side out.

Take apart the wrist strap that came with your camera. 

Cut down the end of your new strap so it can fit inside the plastic piece.

Slide the small string piece that wraps around the little bar on your camera, onto one of the new straps. 

Stitch a portion of the small piece of your strap closed. Then pull the stringy piece down and stitch the rest closed. I used a zigzag stitch so that I could sort of "fake a serge" around the edges. 

Now thread your strap through the plastic piece, I used a hair pin to pull it through, and attach it to your camera! 

What do you think?

DIY: Book Sling

 

I saw this when I was looking around on Pinterest and just knew I had to make it. All the tutorials I saw for this required that the sling be bolted to the wall. Like this one I found at Penny Carnival, which is what I based my sling portion off of.  But we rent and can't really do much to change how our place looks. So I figured out a way to put the sling up, without messing up the walls. 

To start you need to gather your supplies. For the sling you need fabric, wooden dowels, thread, and pins. For mounting it to the wall you need two double rod brackets, some sort of wall safe adhesive, and wood to act as a buffer. I used Oval Rossette fittings. 

For the sling portion I just took some fabric sewed it up right sides together, snipped the corners (to reduce bulk), turned it right side out, and top stitched the opening closed. here are some pictures to help you see what I did. 

Then once that was all sewn up I used the dowels to measure out the casing.

After I finished up the sling I started on the mounting. I took my wood piece and my rod brackets (that I got at walmart for $.97!) and put them together. If you get a different kind of bracket just attach it to the wood as you would to the wall.

Then I took my UGlu (that I won in a giveaway! Yay!) and attached it to the back of the wood. You can use any kind of wall safe adhesive just make sure that it will hold the weight of the books.

 Next I measured the space where I wanted to put the sling and "glued" the wood with the brackets to the wall. I ended up with a great storage solution and a cute addition to my girls' play space! 

What do you think would you make this? 

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DIY: Fabric Refresher

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I don't know about you, but around here I'm constantly needing a to refresh something. Whether it's our couch, carpet, or curtains. With two kids things get messy and start to not smell so fresh. It's normal in our house to keep a bottle of fabric refresher spray on hand. But to be honest I don't like the smell of them. Or spending the money on them. So I decided to create my own! 

It was really easy to make and it's safe on pretty much any fabric (do a fabric check before hand just to be sure).  All you need is a spray bottle, baking soda, and your favorite fabric softener. 

First I put about two tablespoons of baking soda in a water bottle.

Then I added 12oz of fabric softener.

Lastly I added warm water to the mix and shook it up. 

That's it! It couldn't any easier. The baking soda absorbs any odors and the fabric softener leaves a nice fresh smell. I love using this stuff and the scent lasts longer than most commercial fabric refresher sprays. This has become my secret cleaning weapon. After I finish cleaning my living room I give my couch and curtains a quick spritz and the house smells great!

Is this something you would try?

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DIY: Sneaker Makeover

Since the weather is getting warmer we figured it was time to get our girls some new shoes to run around in. After all who wants to be wearing boots in 60 degree weather? So we found these sneakers at walmart for $5. I couldn't resist! But I know my kid. White sneakers for a 3 year old, bad idea. So I decided I would just dye them! 

We went outside for 30 minutes and this is what her new sneakers looked like:

As you see my decision to dye them was for the best! But before I dyed them I wanted to clean them up a little bit. So I used my hubby's secret sneaker cleaning trick. He uses an old toothbrush and toothpaste. 

Yes, you read that correctly. When we get to the end of a tube I just stash it under the sink for him to use, and it works like a charm on the rubber part. 

Can you see the difference?

I love this trick!

Once I got both of the sneakers cleaned I started the dye process. We decided to dye them denim blue, because she wears denim skirts 95% of the time when out playing. 

I used the bucket method to dye them. So I took a huge bowl, that I normally use for cleaning, and filled it with HOT water. I'm talking steaming hot. Then added the dye to the water and stirred it.

I wet the sneakers with clear HOT water. Then I dipped the sneakers in, moved them around for a bit, and let them sit for around 30 minutes.

Then I rinsed them with cool water until the water ran clear. Once the water was clear I squeezed them a little to try and pull out any extra water. Then I set them to the side to dry.

As they dried they got a little bit lighter but I still really like the color. The whole process took less than an hour and now 'A' can run in the grass without me cringing. :o)

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

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