My Favorite Things!

Back by popular errr, no demand!  I just felt like it... okay!?

An adorable little Homemade Felt Pizza setup from Chris, Erin and Jayce!  Have I mentioned that I ♥ felt!?

A great post about getting motivated to organize from Steady Mom.  Not that I need any help in that department or anything.  Yeah... that was a joke.

There is NO way that I could keep up with this fantastic mini bolt fabric storage, but it makes my selective OCD tingle and that's always a good thing in my book!

I have a little tradition of picking out every holiday's shirts that I'm not going to end up making for my kids but that I think I will.  This reindeer applique shirt is the Christmas version of my seasonal failure.

This Bibbee dress from Innocentia looks a little detailed for my mediocre sewing skills, but it sure is adorable!  You could make them in all different colors or alternating colors for more than one little girl without being too matchy-matchy.

I'm also fooling myself into thinking that I'll make some of these handmade paper bows instead of slapping on a 5 cent squashed mismatched bow as we're running out the door... if I remember a bow at all!

Happy Holidays!

My Favorite Things

I'm in super homeschool mode right now, so I'm really excited to try this rainbow measuring activity from Mama Jenn!

I will never in a million years get around to making this fabric magnetic meal planner for my fridge, but I think it's adorable!

We're also committing to "unplug it" one day a week this summer. There is no way Mr. Wright will be able to go without Sportscenter for a WHOLE DAY, so ours will only apply to the daytime, but if I tie it into our library day I'm sure we can make it!

I thought this baby doll washing activity looked like fun! Little Man can surely find a plastic toy of some sort to wash if he objects to soaping up a baby...

I think all my kids will enjoy sewing up the sides of some punched foam sheets like this activity from Skip To My Lou!

I really need to clear off my craft table so I can start sewing again, then my favorite things will be more crafty!

My Favorite Things

Mousepads and bathrooms, beanbags and placemats, these are a few of my favorite things! Be thankful you can't hear me sing that...

I am SO going to alter a mousepad like this for the kids' computer like Kimbo from A Girl and a Glue Gun!

Ashley from Make It and Love It whipped up this bathroom makeover with some extra fabric... I wish I could pull that off!

Someday I'll get around to making a few of these adorable beanbags for my monkies to jump on!

I thought these set-the-table placemats were so smart, so I'm going to print out a few and get my little ones to help me set the table before meals.

Sweetie pie would ADORE this kindergarten level sewing activity I saw on Flipflops and Applesauce.

I HATE hemming because I have to measure every inch or so with my tiny hem gauge. I think this pressing guide may just change my life!

I'm also planning on using this fantastic PVC pipe as a curtain rod tutorial in a few places around my house! How cool is that!?

I hope you enjoyed my favorite things!

My Favorite Things

Does anyone remember way back in the dark ages when I did "My Favorite Things" on Sundays? It was how I justified reading blogs for an hour every day... oh, except I still do that for no reason. Anyway, I stopped doing it when I started Handmade Holidays because I was running out of links but I'm ready to bring it back. Of course it's still me though, so in typical Mrs. Wright fashion I'm sure I won't post every Sunday (especially since it's already Monday), but hey, I'm kinda trying.

I've been dreaming about adding shelving like this closet redo at It's The Little Things That Make A House A Home. That 'after' makes my (selective) OCD feel so nice.

And a much less glamorous project, but still useful- a reusable swiffer pad from old towels! I'm planning on making two and using one wet and one dry.

I'm slightly obsessed with felt and have an entire cabinet plus a huge pile on top stuffed with felt so I'm really excited to try these felt monster softies for my own little monsters!

And while I'm checking out my felt idea folder I'll share the felt dolls and clothes that I'll never make.

Oh, and the felt vase I'll never make.

I'm going to use some of my dusty scrapbooking stash to make this paperclip matching activity to keep in my purse for those sanity busting moments.

And since I don't like leaving my house or being outside in the cold this indoor ice skating in your living room looks perfect for my kids and me!

Someday I'll follow this tutorial that shows you how to make adorable counting bean bags that my kids would probably throw at each other seeing who can make their sibling cry first.

Need more links? Check out all the past versions of "My Favorite Things" by clicking HERE!

I'll save some for next time since my list of things I'll never get around to making is getting kind of long ;) Back to the dishes and laundry... in a few minutes... I think.

Handmade Holidays, Week Five (Decorations)

This week I'm out of energy to pretend that I'm going to accomplish some kind of masterpiece craft for every single person I know, but since I'm cheap and like to go all out for Christmas I wanted to share some links to some seriously fantastic holiday decorating ideas.

If you need to catch up here are the links to the previous editions of Handmade Holidays:

Week One, Kids

Week Two, Women and Teachers

Week Three, Teenagers

Week Four, Men

And away we go...

I'm a sucker for felt, but you would not believe this felt Christmas tree and gifts! Start now for next decade year!

If you can't pull off the whole tree then just make some felt ornaments!

And I have the perfect fabric to procrastinate on this table runner with!

I almost don't want to share this cookie cutter wreath so that everyone will think I'm genius once they see mine (right after I finish the table runner...)

I probably have a better chance of getting this ornament wreath done though, since I have a bagillion unbreakable colored balls from my toddler proofed trees of Christmas pasts.

or I could whip up some cute little scrappy stockings!

And I definitely need to check out this post with a million different advent calendar tutorials!

Whew! Now that I've fake decorated my house for the holidays I think I need a nap! This really Works For Me and check out all the other Works For Me Wednesday submissions HERE!

Handmade Holidays, Week Four (Men)

This is the week of my crafty linkin' series Handmade Holidays that I've been dreading... hand making something for a man that they'd halfway enjoy is about as easy as getting that smell out of my washing machine. I don't have a ton of ideas this week, so please leave comments if you have an idea for men, or just buy them a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader calendar and move on to hand making something for someone easier!

If you need to catch up:

Week One (Kids)

Week Two (Women and Teachers)

Week Three (Teenagers)

For Men:

Sew a laptop sleeve!

Personalize a tie with his initials!

Make golf club head covers from old sweaters!

What guy doesn't need a t-shirt with a fake tie on it!?

Uhhhhh, that's all I have. Guys are hard. That's why I usually just get Mr. Wright electronic gadgets. Happy Wednesday!!

Hand making instead of buying really works for me!

My Favorite Things!

My favorite things from blogland this week...

Sew a gift card holder for the upcoming holidays!

Make these adorable magnets with all that extra scrapbook paper!

Make your own planner with this tutorial! This post made my OCD feel good...

An amazing idea to create your personalized inspiration books!

Some great tips on photographing children!

Sew a toddler dress from an outgrown shirt and an old skirt!

Make your own laundry soap with just three ingredients!

Have a great week!

My Favorite Things!

My favorite things I stumbled upon while I was supposed to be folding laundry, making a meal plan, vacuuming, making calls, sweeping floors, running errands... oh yeah, and taking care of my monkeys kids...

My Sister-in-law got me addicted to Taste of Home magazine, so I was thrilled to see that some of their back issues and a few special editions were free in digital form!

Clearance sheets from Target + this post about DIY blackout curtains = no more classy blankets hanging over our windows!

A cute way to (cheaply!) decorate for Halloween using some themed paper and/or get the kids involved to make their own!

Another cute Halloween decoration is this adorable fabric trick-or-treat banner!

A home made counting book with photos of things kids see everyday!

Three words. Corn. Dog. Muffins. My kids will go nuts

!

My Favorite Things!

I love jumping from themed day to themed day strategically avoiding talking about the lack of housework being done. I didn't think it was that bad until my mom stopped by and took one look at my kitchen and asked if I was out of clean dishes yet. Ouch. That almost hurt my feelings. In fact, I took a break from any kind of cleaning to recover. That's it... I was recovering. That's why I didn't fold that laundry...

I digress...
My Favorite Things!

I thought these cupcake collars from Chica and Jo were really cute, although I'm a bit serious about non-edibles getting in the way of me devouring a cupcake. I'm all for the 'cupcake in a muffin tin to eliminate the paper' movement.

I also found an adorable, handmade wooden memory game made from cheap wooden pieces, scrapbook paper (if only I had 800 unused pieces of scrapbook paper anywhere *ahem!*) and good ole' mod podge. I swear if they quit make Mod Podge I'm pretty sure the whole planet will stop spinning.

This idea was one of those "why didn't I think of that!?" things. Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog shares a great tip for anyone who uses homeschool workbooks or even mazes and tic tac toe! This simple tip will save me a TON on copies, and I bet I can even snag some cheap clearance page protectors this time of year!

These tips from Digital Photography School are meant to be for taking better wedding photos, but I thought the ideas would really help anywhere!

I would never, ever get off my butt and do this festive wreath from Tatertots and Jello, but I highly commend her for doing it. Plus even if I did get around to doing it I would leave it there until Spring and the spray paint the whole thing baby blue for Easter. That's just how I roll.

Have a great week! Hopefully I'll get around to those dishes and laundry someday... maybe.

My Favorite Things!

I've totally slacked on the blogging front this week due to sheer laziness. Don't panic, I didn't do my dishes or laundry either... I know everyone was sure that I ditched the blog to take control of my life. Yeah... didn't happen. I spent the week avoiding housework, eating too much, reading blogs and running errands. Exciting, isn't it?

Anyway, here are some cool things that I found online this week while I was supposed to be doing everything else...

Craft rooms to drool over!
http://www.oneprettything.com/?p=6876

A great use for flashcards from the dollar spot!
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/09/flashcard-garland.html

A fun way to decorate pumpkins... with a power drill!
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/2009/09/twinkle-twinkle-little-pumpkins.html

I picked up some clearance sidewalk chalk the other day just to do this!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2009/09/rainy-day-fun-reusable-art-mat.html

A great idea for catching stained clothes before they set in the dryer... if I ever did laundry of course!
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/09/11/tip-for-washing-stained-clothes/

I hope you found something new this week!

My Favorite Things!

These are a few of my favorite things from the web this week! I hope you find something new!

Painting with shaving cream!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2009/09/marbled-sunset-painting.html

Getting kids excited about chores with fun cleaning buckets!
http://orgjunkie.com/2009/09/kids-chores-create-a-cleaning-bucket.html

Placemat project of the week!
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/09/cute-placemat-handbag/

A great idea for old makeup containers!
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/09/pretend-makeup-for-girls-sooo-cool.html

Make your own foaming soap!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2009/09/make-your-own-foaming-hand-soap.html

My Favorite Things

Late Summer/early Fall is the best time to catch adorable (cheap!) summery placemats at a fraction of the original cost. Stock up since I'm fairly sure that there are at least a thousand things you can do with a placemat. Seriously. I only have two projects today, but maybe I should start a new blog with a placemat project of the day... I'll fit that in right between sitting on my butt and avoiding the dishes!

A clutch/diaper changing station from a placemat!
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/08/diaper-clutch/

A library tote from placemats!
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/08/placemat-library-tote/

Make your own sanitizing spray!
http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-home/easy-diy-sanitizing-spray/

Adorable clothespin magnets!
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/08/clothespin-magnets.html

I am SO doing this adorable chair makeover!
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/07/office-chair-makeover.html

ABC pancakes! What a fun way to learn!
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/2009/08/abc-pancakes.html

Freezer ham and cheese crepes! This is on my 'fill the freezer' list!
http://www.fabulesslyfrugal.com/2009/08/fabuless-freezer-cooking-ham-and-cheese.html

I hope you find some new favorites!!

My Favorite Things

The I'm running super late edition!

Skirts a plenty!
http://thirtyhandmadedays.blogspot.com/2009/07/can-you-ever-have-too-many-skirts.html

My favorite, favorite, favorite thing from the week! The wedding video that's sweeping the nation!
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheKheinz#play/all/uploads-all/0/4-94JhLEiN0

Cooking frozen pizza on the grill!!
http://controllingmychaos.blogspot.com/2009/07/pizza-on-grill-fresh-or-frozen.html

Pink popcorn balls!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2009/07/pink-popcorn-balls.html

My new favorite blog!
http://handmadegonewrong.blogspot.com/

Make an arm band for an iPod for those weird running people!
http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/07/arm-band-pouch.html

The best housewarming gift ever! I've actually given this before...
http://www.mommysideabook.com/money-matters/a-very-practical-yet-inexpensive-housewarming-gift/

I hope you enjoyed my favorite things!

My Favorite Things

I'm entirely too lazy today to hijack everyone's pictures and upload them again to show these links, so think of them more as a present that you have to open to see...

Playing and learning in one! Let your kids draw, write letters and make a huge mess with shaving cream!
http://www.livinglocurto.com/index.php/2009/07/learning-with-shaving-cream/

If I ever used the thing it might be in need of a little boost- here's a great article on how to clean your vacuum!
http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/29/spring-clean-how-to-put-the-voom-back-in-your-vacuum/

An easy and adorable solution if you run out of cupcake papers!
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/2009/06/parchment-cupcake-wrappers.html

An adorable way to simply alter the look of any lampshade to match any decor!
http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/06/ribbon-lamp.html

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies... need I say more?
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/2009/07/peanut-butter-fudge-brownies.html

I hope you enjoy them!!

Day 97- My Favorite Things

My favorite things I found in blogland this week...

Turn a garbage bag into an art smock!



You'll never guess what's in this chic do-it-yourself container!!

Make a beanbag toss game!

A wonderful charity project to do with even the youngest kids!

The best way EVER to pack kids for a trip!


I hope you enjoy this small slice of my bookmarks, and come back next Sunday for an all new edition of My Favorite Things!

Day 90- My Favorite Things

I read a LOT of blogs, like a scary amount, so I've decided to share some links to my favorite things. Hey, it beats hearing about my laundry pile, right?


A cute 4th of July craft using your kiddos hands and feet!
http://seren-zipitydoda.blogspot.com/2009/06/little-red-white-blue-project.html


A mouse pad for the kids!
http://www.currentlycrafting.com/2009/03/make-mouse-pad.html


A cash wallet for Dave Ramsey/envelope system followers!
http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/05/cash-wallet.html


A cute printable meal planner!
http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/mondays-free-download.html


A skirt from dishtowels!
http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/02/how-to-make-skirt-from-dish-towels.html

I hope you enjoy a few of my million bookmarked posts!