{Tutorial} Easy Peasy Headband

I love projects that you can whip up in less than ten minutes (unless you are like me and have to get out your sewing machine and supplies every time you want to craft :) ).

Sorry for the flat hair- one of those never-got-out-of-my-workout-clothes days

Supplies:
Ribbon of your choice
Thick hair tie
Thread

Instructions:
1.  Measure head and cut ribbon.  I had a 22 inch head and cut my ribbon to 19 inches since the ribbon that I had was a little stretchy- or else I would probably cut it to 21 inches.

2.  Loop one end around your hair tie and sew it together and make sure you backstitch all the was across as well.

3.  Do the same thing to the other side making a complete circle, but make sure to test it around your head with your hands to see if it will fit.

See! Easy Peasy!!!  Once you know the technique you can do fun things like the headband I made for Easter with ribbons and stuff you have around the house.

I just went up to step 2, braided the three ribbons and then continued with step 3.  I made a bow and then used my handy dandy glue gun to adhere it.

As always, I would love to see if you make one and what other fun ideas you make for your headband!

Year of Plenty {Lemons}

As most of you know, we moved into our house in August of last year, to the land of nearly deads and newlyweds (as many people call it).  One of the things that I feel in love with was the fruit trees in the backyard, one lemon, the other kumquat.  This year, this was our surplus of lemons (plus another 6 full plastic grocery bags) from our "organic" tree (I don't even water because it does so well).

We have been making lemonade, lemon muffins, lemons in water-tea-anything liquid, and lemon bars.  Here is a great recipe for lemon bars if you have this many lemons on your hands too!

Summer Lemon Bars

1/4 cup butter
2/3 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
Mix and put into a 9 X 13 in pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp. flour
Juice of one to two lemons
Mix and pour over the other mixture and bake for 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle powdered sugar over while warm, let cool and then serve!

{Repurpose} Baby Dress

It is spring and in this household, it means that I go through everything and donate as much as I can.  It tends to be a hard process because I always end up going through the bags again and see what I can keep or repurpose.

This shirt has some history.  It was my sister's, which she purchased at my alma mater, San Diego State University.  She then gave it to me and I wore it for our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding.  I just couldn't donate it, and after LB it doesn't fit anymore.  So I decided to make it into a dress for LB.  It was my first time to make something without a pattern.  I intended to make a 6 month dress, but I think it turned into a 12 month dress instead.  Here's the final result, what do you think?

Flower Detail

Linked up here (and also our latest party to join Homemaker in Heels).

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  It was our first Easter as a little family and it could not have been better.

Our Little Family

HE IS RISEN Mark 16:6

Happy Good Friday and Earth Day!

Isn't this such a great day, Good Friday and Earth Day.  So many people have been choosing one or the other and for me I love the fact that Good Friday starts the celebration of our Savior and maker of the earth, Jesus.  I also love that it reminds me that we are to be good stewards of this earth.

I have not always been the best steward of the envrionment but I have been trying to get better and take small steps.  We recycle anything we can.  We try to always take one car, or carpool with our family nearby if possible.  I am really strict about saving electricity.  My next endeavor is cloth diapering.

Image from Fuzzibunz, isn't it just the cutest.

I bought 18 fuzzibunz one size and can't wait for them to come to make the transition.   Not only will it save tons of money (at least $50.00 a month) but it also saves waste from entering the landfills.

Happy Good Friday and Happy Earth Day!

{I have been doing tons of crafts and I should have them up tomorrow- thanks for your patience!}

Slow Cooker Suppers

I have to admit something to all of you and it is not pretty.  I am having an affair...with my slow cooker.  I absolutely love cooking dinners in my slow cooker for a number of reasons but here are a couple of the top ones:
1.  If you are entertaining, you can make the mess earlier in the day, throw everything in the slow cooker and then clean up so your house looks (almost) spotless when your guest arrive- which is harder to achieve now that LB is here.
2.  Dinner is already prepped and almost ready by the time you would normally start cooking, therefore when it has been a long day and cooking is the last thing on your mind, the food is done and it saves you from eating out or eating fast food.

{via}

So in honor of my little love affair, I am posting a great shredded chicken recipe that is made from things things laying around the house, making it so easy to make!

River Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup vinegar
1 1/3 cup oil (I used olive)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Throw all the ingredients together in a bowl (minus the chicken) and whisk.  Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray add chicken breasts and then pour liquids over.  Cook on high for 5 to 6 hours, shredding chicken thirty minutes prior to the end of the cooking time.  Serve and enjoy!  I use mine for make-your-own-burritos-bar.

{THANKS}

So today was less than ideal.  It started off great with a Momspace at our church and I was able to enjoy great fellowship with my sister in law.  I was so grateful that I had a SIL that I could do that with. But the less than ideal part was that LB screamed the whole day, which is so unlike her.  I think she must be teething...but at 3 months?!?!?  Has anyone else experienced teething so early?  The only thing that calms her is sucking on my finger or hand and practically gumming it raw.

But on a good note, I am so thankful for all of you.  I'm at thirty followers as of today and that is beyond my wildest dreams!!!  I would love to offer guest posts on here to my followers so if you are interested, leave a comment and we can chat.

{Recreate} His and Her Mugs

While I was blog surfing the other week, I came across these super cute mugs over at Our Seven Dwarfs.

Image from Our Seven Dwarfs

I have a friend who is getting married in May, and I also get to be in the wedding (which reminds me I need to pick up the dress)-- mommy brain moment-- and she is in love with mustaches.  I followed the instructions that the gals over at OSD layed out but I just cute the vinyl with scissors since I don't have a shilloute machine.  Here's how mine turned out (excuse the pics, my DSLR was out of battery juice and I was wrapping them so I took the pics with my point and shoot):

For him

For her

She loved them at the bridal shower!  Thanks to Our Seven Dwarfs for the tutorial!

Vinyl Questions for everyone: Does anyone know of a permanent vinyl that works well with the cricut machine?  The vinyl I used is non-permanent, so it can peel off but I don't know where to get any other kind.

{Wishes} Wednesday

So this has been striking fear into my heart since I had my LB.  What would this be...the thought of wearing a bathing suit this summer.  The weight has not melted off like you hear in those "I-left-the-hospital-lighter-then-my-pre-baby-weight" stories, but I am by the pool or at the beach almost everyday of the summer.

Here's what I wish I could wear:

Image from macys.com

Not only is my weight an issue, but I also was one of the lucky gals blessed with linea nigra, and you are suppose to keep it out of the sun until it disappears, and the midwife that I saw said her's disappeared after 11 months.  I'm only three months out.

Image from Bluefly.com

So this is the one I am thinking about getting. It has a really cute back, but I am nervous about ordering it online because nothing ever fits me right.

So to all of you, where do you buy your bathing suits?
What did you wear after you little ones were born?

**After re-reading this post, I feel like I am complaining a little about my weight, but as my mom says if that is the worst thing that I am worried about then I am pretty blessed. She's right :) **

{Giveaway}

I know I was going to wait until I had 25 followers until my first giveaway, but I am a person who cannot wait for anything.  I tell people what I bought them or made them way before I give it to them.

So my fist giveaway is over at Eisy Morgan.  Make sure you go check it out and thanks to each and every one of YOU.

{Made} Birth Announcement

We spent all weekend up the the High Desert of Cali- and boy did we have fun visiting all our friends but I am so happy to be back home!

My SIL recently had a baby (I had two pregnant sister in laws while I was prego and one had her precious baby and the other is due any day now).  My SIL asked if I could help design her birth announcement and of course I agreed!  She found this one at tiny prints.  Here's the one that I designed for her:

We sent the design to costco and got 50 prints and envelopes for less than $20.00 including tax.  What other store can you do that at?!?!?  Hope you liked it and Tuesday I have a SURPRISE so I hope you come back!!

This post is linked up here.

{Spotlight} Saturday with Nikki from Delightful Designs

Hi there everyone out in blogland!  I would like to introduce you to my new friend, Nikki, from Delightful Designs.  She's the master brain behind my super cute new graphics.  Scroll down on this spring Saturday an get acquainted and then go give her some blog love!

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Hello there Copy Cat Corner Readers!

My name is Nikki and I am a 20 something newlywed, dog mom and graphic designer.  My husband is Charlie and we will celebrate our one year anniversary in June.  We have a crazy 3 year old blue heeler named Buddy, and he thinks he is a little boy.  I have two blogs- I am the fashionable wife on my personal blog, which I started almost a year ago.  And I recently started a business blog for my graphic design business Delightful Designs.

With the weather finally turning warmer, I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces for spring and summer (I am the fashionable wife!).  I love writing about fashion on my blog and showcasing my favorite pieces that I find (even if I can't afford them).  So, here are some of are my top picks for the spring season.

There are so many cute things coming out for spring and summer, and you should make sure that at least a few of these items are incorporated into your warm weather wardrobe!

I mentioned that I also have my own business, Delightful Designs.  I left my job at a magazine earlier this year and started my own graphic design business.  I opened my etsy shop (nikkihodum.etsy.com) recently and offer social media graphics for bloggers and etsy shop owners.  I specialize in customized graphics such as headers, logos, business cards and more.  I was so happy to be able to help Jenna with her graphics when she won a giveaway.  I love helping other bloggers and etsy shop owners come up with looks that they love.  To see more of my work, you can check out my blog at delightfuldesigner.blogspot.com and my etsy shop nikkihodum.etsy.com.  

Thanks so much to Jenna for letting me guest post for her!  I so enjoyed working with her to create her custom blog graphics!  

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Thanks so much Nikki, please grab my "Featured On" button (that you created :) hehehe )

<br /> <a border="0" href="copycatcorner.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g409/teamdemarest/CCCbutton.jpg"/></a><br />

{Recreate} Shilhoutte Onesie

I stumbled upon this super cute project at "The Life of Jennifer Dawn".  Look how cute this is:

Picture courtesy of The Life of Jennifer Dawn

One of my dear, dear friends, LP, had her fourth baby the other day.  She decided that she was not going to find out the sex of the baby, and after only being at the hospital 28 minutes, she had a beautiful baby boy, Parker Berry.  She called me right after having the baby because she had an unmedicated birth (which I advocated) and she beat me for shortest time at the hospital (I was only at the hospital and hour and a half before little LB was born).  She had decided early on not to have a shower so I already gave her a gift, but last minute she is having a shower this weekend, so I whipped up this adorable (and frugal) gift (I think total I spent less than $4.00 with tax).

Here's Baby Parker Berry

Here's the project that I recreated:

Do you think that she will love it? I sure hope so!!!

Thanks so much to Jennifer Dawn, please go visit her and see all her cute projects. Please grab the button below.

<br /> <a border="0" href="copycatcorner.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g409/teamdemarest/CCCbutton.jpg"/></a><br />

Welcome Back Friends

I am all done with getting my new designs and  I hope that everyone likes them, Nikki over at Delightful Designs designed them for me- don't worry she will be featured on here very soon!  Thanks to all my followers, all TWENTY ONE of them!!!  Thank you so much!  We are four followers away from our first giveaway (if I can contain myself) so if you have any friends, please tell them to join, and you can do that by adding my new button to your blog!

<br /> <a border="0" href="copycatcorner.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g409/teamdemarest/CopycatCorner.jpg"/></a><br />

Isn't that just the cutest!!! Also, if I have featured you on my blog before (Polka Dot Bungalow & RocknRegalia) please grab the other adorable button below.

<br /> <a border="0" href="copycatcorner.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g409/teamdemarest/CCCbutton.jpg"/></a><br />

Thanks everyone for the support!!!

Hold Your Horses

Just a little update: I am currently in the process of designing my blog- so I am stock piling crafts, post and ideas so that it can be a big unveiling when it happens! So pretty muck keep checking in, you won't want to miss it!!!

{Tutorial} Easy Flower Headband

So I should be sleeping because LB has been down since 7:30 pm, but I have been trying to catch up on crafts and finish a little girl dress that I am repurposing (more to come on that later).  I have promised myself that I will be in bed by 9:30!

Here's a super easy tutorial to make CHEAP cute baby girl headbands.

Supplies:

Velcro (both sides- most of us have this laying around)

Silk Flower that you LOVE

Gems (I used my coupon for the craft store)

Hot glue gun

Instructions

1.  Pull part the flower with your hand and separate the petals- you can do this by pulling off the "pollen" with your hands.

2.  Hot glue gun the soft velcro piece on the back of one of the flowers petals.

3.  Glue the other petal rotated on top of the one with the velcro on it and then put a large glob of glue and then place the gem in the middle.

4.  I already had a headband made with velcro on (tutorial to come later on that) and then place it on your model! LB wasn't to sure about this!

That's LB trying to smile in her summer outfit because it was 85 degrees today.

Thanks for stoping by, this post will be linked up HERE!

{Wishes} Wednesday

Hi there, I hope everyone's week is going well!!! First and foremost I would like to take the time to thank Eisy Morgan for hosting a blog design giveaway by Delightful Designs (and I WON!!! now my blog will be oh so pretty) but also featuring one of my crafts!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Please go give her some blog love!!!

Now onto my wishes, I'm still a little obsessed with my camera lately, which I blame on LB, and might not be able to live without one of these great camera straps from Polka Dot Bungalow.  That link is to her etsy shop but she has an adorable blog as well!  Look at these two camera straps- I can't decide between to two!

Image courtesy of Polka Dot Bungalow

 

Image courtesy of Polka Dot Bungalow- this is the Pray for Japan camera strap cover and 100% of all proceeds go to Japan.

{Tutorial} Family Name Board

I love to make handmade gifts for almost anything, weddings, engagements, babies, housewarmings, almost anything that you can give a gift for. This tutorial is on making a family name board and are perfect for weddings and housewarmings, and are surprisingly easy to make and have supplies on hand for.

**I'm typing with my LB in my lap so any errors please forgive due to limited mobility, hehehe**

Supplies:
-Board From Hom.e Depot (I buy the white, finished board thats 6 feet and have them cut it into four equal   pieces.  The cuts are free since it is under four cuts, and the whole board is about $16.00 so that works   itself out to $4.00 a board)
-Desired color of spray paint (Use the colors you have at home, but if you want to buy a new one Micheal's   carries spray paint and you can use your 40% off coupon)
-Vinyl (for whatever machine you will be using, I have a Cri.cut)
-Picture hanger
- Optional (Glossy finish spray paint)

Instructions:
1.  Spray paint board desired color- I always do at least two coats to make sure the color is nice and saturated.

Board Before:

Board After Spray Painting:

2. Cut out vinyl and arrange on board. Depending on the name the sizes will have to be different, but I used 4" for the "F"s and 2 inches for the rest of the letters.

Sorry for the blurry pic- I didn't use the flash and was on MF I think :/

3. Peel of the backing of the vinyl and apply on board (spray with glossy finishing spray if desired, and voila! Your board is done! If desired, nail in the picture hanger in the back, but these also look great on easels surrounded by pictures.

Linked up at these partied listed HERE