I was so inspired by Stacy's easy butterfly quilt that I headed right over to her house to use her Sizzix die cut machine. I had Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday fat quarter bundle ready and waiting to be made into a cute baby girl quilt. This quilt comes together really quickly, and it's so cute!

Machine quilting a quilt is my favorite part of the process, but my hands and back get so tired. It's difficult to keep the fabric moving under the darning foot when you're stippling--the fabric is just too slippery. I've seen quilting gloves at the fabric store, but I'd rather save my pennies for more fabric. So I decided to do my hands a favor and figure out how to make my own quilting gloves.

One-Step Quilting Gloves Tutorial

Supplies:
*Pair of snug-fitting gloves--I used an old pair of stretchy winter gloves
*Fabric puff paint


1. In order to create friction, draw lines and shapes over the palms of the gloves with fabric puff paint. I let my kids help me decide what shapes to draw--it doesn't really matter what you draw. Allow to dry according to paint's instructions (mine was four hours). That's it!



I've never used actual quilting gloves, so I can't compare the quality, but these worked beautifully for me. Here's my finished quilt. . .


I hand stitched a little butterfly trail with embroidery floss before adding my batting and backing.

I am in love with this green polka dot fabric I used for the backing. It wasn't part of the Girl Friday line (I found it at Hancock's), but it was such a great contrast to all the pink. Can't wait to give this to a sweet little niece that will be here next month!

I think I am obsessed with butterflies these days. I have two more butterfly projects coming up in the next few days, including my project for Craft Camp over at Skip To My Lou. So be sure to stop by again soon!

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My crafting idol is named Bethany. She is amazing in every way. Even the way she stores her glitter is unique. She has just started a blog, ribbonglitterandglue.blogspot.com, and we're so excited to introduce her to you!

I'm so happy to share with you, all the friends of Little Birdie Secrets, one of my favorite things in my craft room. These vintage salt & pepper shakers make a really pretty AND functional storage solution for one of my most loved supplies...glitter! I can't go into an antiques store or thrift store now without searching for shakers. Like so many other vintage finds, I love the idea that each of these shakers has a story...think of all the dinner conversations they've overheard!


All shapes & sizes - some are simple, everyday-use type & others are intricately cut crystal with beautiful patterns. All together they make a fun display & keep my glitter within easy reach when I need to add a little sparkle to my projects! Hope this inspires you to use the ordinary for a creative storage solution!


Happy crafting...
Bethany

If you're as enamored with Bethany as we are, visit her blog and check out her latest post of card ideas. Here's a sneak peek!

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Thanks for entering our ginger blossoms giveaway! The lucky winner of a vegi basket is...

Congrats! We have sent your email to the sponsor.
If you didn't win, ginger blossoms is being so generous and offering a special discount for our readers. You can get 15% off any order over $30.00 before shipping, and a free set of cookies with any order over $50.00, just put the cookies you would like in the comment box at checkout. You would only need to have a promo code for the 30%, and that would be LBS15. What a great deal! I might have to get some goodies for my kiddos!

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Have you seen this fabulous tutorial for a scrappy clutch over at From An Igloo? My friend Megan spotted it and suggested we try to make one. Of course I was game! There are so many times when I just need a little clutch to go out with friends instead of dragging my monstrous mom purse loaded with diapers, wipes and smashed fishy crackers. This is the perfect little clutch to fit a few must-have items. The best part is the chance to use up some scraps of fabric you have lying around!


It was a fun project to do with a friend; it's always fun to chat while you work! Head on over to From An Igloo and follow the tutorial. You will be so happy with this little clutch. I use mine all the time!

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Are you going to make a special treat for Dad on Father's Day? Matt emailed us with a round-up of great tie cakes he has on his site. Click here to check it out and to get some ideas for a cake you can make for dad. There are so many cute ones, I might have to try one out. I love this one below. It's great how they also used cupcakes to spell out "Happy Father's Day Daddy".


And if you just don't feel up to making a whole cake, try these adorable cupcakes featured in Family Fun this month. These kill me! So cute!

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Time for another fabulous giveaway. Lucky you. Ginger Blossoms has adorable products for kids. I love all of the felt food. It looks tasty enough to eat!



Ginger Blossoms also has a program that I really admire. The owner started "Cookies for Cancer" after she lost two important people in her life to cancer. Now she gives 50% of every cookie purchase made on her site to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. That's a purchase to feel good about!


Today Ginger Blossoms is giving away a vegi basket worth $30! Visit their site and find your favorite item and then come back and leave us a comment telling us what it is. For a second entry become one of our facebook fans and let us know. This giveaway will end Monday, June 14th at 11:59 pm PDT.

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I am a writer. I love to write. I used to keep a journal. Faithfully. It was my creative outlet before I started crafting. But then life got in the way (you know, marriage, kids, laundry), and I picked up a couple dozen hobbies. Now I hardly take the time. But writing your story is one of the most important and precious gifts you'll ever give or receive. We're guest posting over Make and Takes today about how to kick start your journal writing. Join us there for ideas to help you write your story. . .

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I was lucky enough to meet reader Michelle Hartley when I worked for Lasting Memories. She came to my flower demo and asked if by chance I was one of the Little Birdies. We struck up a conversation and this guest post was born! I thought it sounded so cute and hilarious I couldn't resist. Plus the whole thing cost less than $3 to make! The even more hilarious thing is that shortly after seeing her pictures, I saw a QVC segment featuring these mini derby hats for grown women! Ha! Michelle's little girl is the cutest thing ever, and she wants you to know that this is not a "costume," it's "normal clothes." You gotta love a little girl with her own unique fashion sense!


Michelle was inspired to make this by the return of the cocktail hat and some feathers she saw contestants wearing on American Idol. So without further ado, here are Michelle's simple instructions for a derby hat headband!

I bought the headband (plain white plastic for $.59) and wrapped it in black grosgrain ribbon. I decorated a doll's hat (found it at a craft store for about $.79) with ribbon, rhinestones, and feathers. Then, thinking that a glue gun may actually lose a battle to a two year old I actually stitched the hat to the headband. So far it has proven far more durable than I expected - having even survived the might steps of a 5 year old big brother!



We love the sense of community that our blog is creating. If you have a project you'd like to share with our readers and the crafting community, send us an e-mail with the instructions and pictures, or a link to your blog with the tutorial.

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CSN stores recently gave me a gift card so I could try out some of their products and review them. It was so hard to choose something. They have pretty much every product under the sun on their sites! I love cooking so I finally settled on some of their cookware to test out. I received the items in the mail the other day and I had to get cooking!


I picked a covered frying pan and a stainless steel mixing bowl. I was a little surprised to see the frying pan because I thought it was going to be much larger, but I guess I should have measured since it had the measurements listed. It is a really great heavy duty pan and I know I will use it for years to come.

I was so excited to get the stainless steel bowl because I have always wanted one, but they are so expensive. Stainless steel lasts such a long time and it will be a great, durable bowl to use. It is really large too which is great for the big batches of things I make. It fit my chex mix wonderfully. I am able to toss it all in that bowl without any pieces trying to escape.

I was very happy with the service I received from CSN stores as well. My items came very quickly and were packaged very well to protect the items. I was very happy with what I received from them!

This weekend I plan on filling my new bowl with a delicious salad recipe that Mandy gave me. You will want to try this one out. It is delicious!

Spinach and Swiss Salad
1 (10 oz) bag spinach
1 large head iceberg lettuce
1/2 red onion, chopped
3/4 c. sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 c. grated Swiss cheese
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. cottage cheese, drained
Mix together in large bowl.

Dressing:
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. cider vinegar
2 c. vegetable oil
1 T. poppy seeds
Combine all dressing ingredients and mix well. Best after chilling overnight. Pour on salad just before serving and mix well.

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Someone recently accused me of having a little bit of a crush on Elizabeth Kartchner. She is absolutely fabulous, and so is her new scrapbooking line, Dear Lizzy. I think I own it all. You see, I don't really scrapbook--I just collect scrapbooking supplies. My husband thinks I'm going to end up on that show Hoarders. (I'm really not that bad--he just has a low tolerance for clutter.) In order to prove him wrong, I'm doing my best to use up my supplies. So I put together this 12 x 12 framed magnet board that serves as an interactive scrapbook page. Change the pictures as often as you like and use it to decorate your favorite little girl's room. I am almost as in love with this Dear Lizzy fabric paper as I am with that sweet baby face. {BTW, since this picture is actually of my little guy, this magnet board is now available in my Etsy shop for someone out there that actually does have a girl!}

Framed Magnetic Scrapbook Page Tutorial

Supplies:
*12 x 12 frame (I found mine at my local Ben Franklin)
*12 x 12 fabric paper, or any patterned paper or piece of fabric
*12 x 12 tin sheet (this one is by Paper Accents, but you could also cut your own or have some cut at a home improvement store)
*Flair buttons (these are Dear Lizzy for American Crafts, but check out the adorable custom buttons over at Button Boutique, too)
*1/2" magnets
*E-6000 glue

1. Remove frame backing and glass from 12 x 12 frame. Discard the glass carefully (or save for another project--I'm working on one!).


2. If you're using Dear Lizzy fabric paper, it has an adhesive backing. You can peel off the paper and stick the sheet to your tin piece. Or not. I opted to not so I could change it later if I wanted. In that case you'll just put it in the frame on top of the tin piece. If you are using a piece of patterned paper or fabric, you can attach it to the tin with glue, or not. :) I really like this particular pattern of fabric paper because it already looks like a designed scrapbook page with zero work by me!


3. Put the tin piece back in the frame, paper side out. Put the frame backing back in place.


4. Now it's time to make some button magnets. If you're using American Crafts Flair buttons, peel the adhesive off the button and glue on a magnet.




Stick them on your board, add a picture, and you're done!





I wish all scrapbooking was that quick and easy. Even easier? Buy this in my Etsy shop! Done and done.



This post was sponsored by...

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Recently, my mom, sister and sister-in-laws visited me for a girls weekend in Seattle. All I have to say is...F-U-N! We ate way too much, laughed way too much, and shopped way too much. After they all went home, I missed them and felt the need to send a little card their way to thank them for the great time we had. Since the memories were made in Seattle, I just had to pull out my little space needle stamp that I NEEDED for myself after Stacy featured it here.


Hopefully the gals enjoyed this little tribute and I hope you can use it as inspiration for a card of your own. Stay tuned for more about the girls trip. We made adorable necklaces that I will be sharing with you sometime next week!

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School in our area doesn't get out until the third week of June, so I am just now beginning to think about teacher gifts. I know many of you are nearing the end of school this week or next, so we thought we'd do a little teacher gift round up from some of our most pop-u-lar past tutorials. Hopefully one of these quick-and-easy projects will be just right to honor your child's wonderful teacher!

Cupcake Bath Bombs with a Bath Mitt



Tile Coasters


Washer necklaces


Stationery Box


Buttercup Bag (from Made By Rae)


Bookmark (have your child help with this one!)


Custom Notepad


Schultute Gift Cone


Looking for more? Check out last year's round-up, or head on over to our friends at One Pretty Thing and Skip To My Lou for more great teacher appreciation gift ideas!

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