It’s nap mat season again! Can you believe it?
Since Quinn is joining big sister at school this Fall, she needs a bed roll of her own.
I followed the original nap mat tutorial with the addition of Ouinn’s embroidered name. If you would like instructions for a removable pillow, follow Jaime’s tutorial. If your daughter loves her mat so much that she wants one for her doll, check this out.
LINK LOVE
Macrame is back in a serious way. Heather Moore (Illustrator, fabric designer and all around woman of many talents) shares a DIY for this hanging succulant garden on her blog Skinny Laminx.
Download this adorable set of FREE luggage tags at One Charming Party.
Make and Takes serves up a mouth-watering lemony quinoa salad. I still can’t stop laughing when I hear quinoa.
And these Petite Yarn Bows have made the rounds but I can’t resist them for Fall. Love a quick yarn project with the bonus excuse to use a cute button.
Love the look of original paintings but can’t swing the pricetag for large artwork? Until then, try Oh Happy Day’s DIY for How to Make Abstract Art. LOVELY.
In her Motherhood Mondays column, Joanne Goddard shares a thought provoking piece on How to Talk to Girls. I’m implementing immediately. So inspired.
Take DIY pictures late at night like me? This DIY Lightscoop might improve your flash-laden photos.
I got lost in this lovely space for a while.
My busy little girl always wants to bake a cake, and I say no because I am mean, and tired, and sick of cleaning. But really how cute is it that my baby girl wants to make a cake? I am shamed… and inspired by Size too Small’s 1 Year 12 Cakes. Just so sweet and simple.
Make for Home: 25 Easy Tutorials for Making Your Own Kitchen, Dining, and Organizational Stuff
Did I mention that I started a club?
Like rainbows of the handmade variety?
Turn your waterbottle into a tripod.
Curious how you clean your veggies?
Make for Baby: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials.
How Would You Describe Your Child in Just One Word?
How can it be back-to-school already?
DIY Lunch Bags: 10 Cute, Simple, and Free Tutorials to Make Your Own Lunch Bags
Make for Baby: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials
Is there anything cuter than a little mop of hair with an adorable homemade hair accessory? No, there is not. That’s why we’ve rounded up the cutest and easiest free tutorials for how to make baby hair clips, headbands, and hair accessories for the little ones in your life. From beaded hairpins to feather hair clips to no-sew headbands, we’ve found a free hair accessory tutorial that’s just right for your baby’s hair. Get the links here: 25 Free & Easy Baby Hair Clip Tutorials.
My Summer Vacation: More than Piña Coladas. But also Piña Coladas.
I was recently invited on a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico sponsored by the Mexico Department of Tourism. Originally, I was going to bring along the boy but realized at the last minute that he didn’t have a passport. That is when my little trip to Mexico actually turned into a true vacation BUT with that freedom came a bit of responsibility.You see, I have been working on some creative projects that require more hours and inspired productivity than I can muster lately. When it turned out that I would be on my own, I knew that I had to take advantage of the change of scenery and free time and get to work. It turned out that Mazatlan was the perfect spot for making creative progress and it got me thinking about working vacations and how to get the most out of them. Mexico was ideal for my little “artist retreat” but you could even do this in your own hometown. Jaime takes her book writing to Palm Springs. If you could get away for even a day, don’t you think you could be inspired to get so much done?
Here are 5 ways Mexico got my juices flowing (and many, many photos…)
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How to Make a Paper Mache Table (for under $20)!
As part of My New Backyard, I decided to make a little paper mache table after spotting this one at West Elm. Paper mache is probably not the best idea for an outdoor table, but since this was made with recycled cardboard and newspapers, it cost me all of $10. Why not? I also sealed it up pretty well, and I’ll show you how. 
You could make a paper mache table in any style for indoor use and it would cost you a fraction of store bought furniture. And bonus: it was a really fun project to do with the kid. Learn how to make a paper mache table after the jump!
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Snappy Hot-Mess-Mommy Dress
About half-way through sewing up this dress, I realized that I was designing myself a Snappy Toddler Top. HA! So the next time you sew up something for baby and say… “I wish I had that in my size,” go for it!
There’s no pattern for this one, just use the front of a tank-top that fits to trace the pattern for your front and back neckline and then follow the tutorial for the Snappy Toddler Top. Use some pretty flowing fabric like voile or cotton lawn from Anna Maria Horner. I sewed the top of the shoulders but wish I had done the snaps. They would be awesome for breastfeeding.
Make for Home: 25 Easy Tutorials for Making Your Own Kitchen, Dining, and Organizational Stuff
We’ve shared with you 25 Easy Projects to Make Your Own Gear, Bedding, and Nursery Stuff, as well as 25 of the cutest and Coolest Free Tutorials for Boys Clothing and 25 Free Dress Tutorials for Babies and Toddlers. So, how about making something for yourself now? Here’s 25 Free 7 Easy Tutorials for making your own kitchen, dining, and organizational stuff. From placemats to aprons to oven mitts, these 25 free tutorials will have you cooking in style. Many are ideal first-timer tutorials, and all will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen this summer. Find the round up here: 25 Easy Tutorials for Making Your Own Kitchen, Dining, and Organizational Stuff.
How to Make A Simple Canvas Awning
This awning is the simplest thing in the world. After struggling with how to provide some shade over the pallet bed I made for My New Backyard, I finally abandoned all my crazy plans and got back to basics. Though it’s not particularly fancy, I love the way my canvas awning turned out.
Let me show you how I made my simple awning, maybe you will find some inspiration…
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