FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

It is with great reluctance and a knot in my stomach that I announce this week’s surprise prize but before we get to that let’s talk about who wins a yard of my (gulp) pom-pom trim! Can you believe that no one has claimed it yet? Will this be the week?


And the winner is Mama Bear…

who had two great comments on the Zipper Pillow Post…
I did fear the zipper…until your quick & pretty makeup bag tutorial. I made a bunch of those and have moved on to other zippered bags. I actually look forward to putting in zippers now!

and
Jocelyn/Melinda B – my trick is to use zippers that are at least an inch longer than you need. Then you can keep the zipper pull out of the way at all times!


Great tip Mama Bear! You are the Zipper Master! What color pom poms do you want? Go ahead and send us your email address using the contact form and we will send you your prize.  Winners have 5 days to contact us before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader.

Find out next week’s Friday Surprise Prize after the jump…
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The Craft Room Redesign Project: Advice for My Thrifty Finds?

This craft room redesign project has been crazy fun so far, much less daunting then expected, thanks to all of your help here and on facebook. I’ve been scouring craigslist, ebay, local thrift shops, goodwill, and a nearby stored called TINI (stands for This is Not Ikea) for vintage and inexpensive stuff to outfit the new room. One piece I actually found just sitting on the street. Here’s what I’ve found so far!




Any advice on what to do with it all? Leave me a comment, you could win some of Jacinda’s pom pom trim in the color of you choice! Check out some more finds and questions after the jump…
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March into Organization: The Kiddos

Ah ha! Bet you thought we were done with these organization posts. Jeesh, back to the fun already! But no worries, there are no closet cleaning tips here. Promise! Just adorable little projects to keep the wee ones treasures in order.

Toy Storage Tips: Nooks & Crannies


Spring Critter Book Plates


How to Sew an Oilcloth-lined Lunch Tote


Stuffed Animal Storage Solution


How to Sew A Crayon Roll


How to Sew a Crayon Apon


How to Sew a Drawstring Backpack


Dollhouse Table


DIY Ribbon Pacifier Clip

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Cookie Crumb Truffle Pops


Here’s something fun to do with stale cookies or that sugar cookie dough that’s leftover after you’ve cut out all of your cute shapes: Make cookie truffles. I added popsicle sticks for extra fun.

Find out how to make Cookie Truffle Pops after the jump. What do you do with cookie scraps besides eat them all furtively while no one is looking? Let us know in the comments, you could win a fancy yard of pom pom trim in any color you choose!
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Two Minute T-Shirt Dress


OK, so here’s a dress you can sew out of an old t-shirt in literally two minutes (even faster then our most-popular-tute-ever the Ten Minute Onesie Dress). I showed this to you awhile back as part of a bigger post on doing more with less, but I wanted to share it with you again because it is Scarlet’s MOST FAVORITE DRESS EVER and it took two minutes to make.

You guys seemed to like the Recycled Ruffle Sleeve Bubble T, and a bunch of you mentioned adding some old tees to the sewing pile.  I have the same pile so I tried to use one of them to make the quickest, easiest, simplest possible dress.  It seriously doesn’t get any easier than this, it doesn’t even involve any cutting. Also, this unicorn t-shirt was from Wal Mart, it’s pretty cute right?Get the Two Minute T-Shirt Dress Tutorial after the jump…

And remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and you could be the proud new owner of a yard of Jacinda’s pom pom trim in any color you like!
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How to Build a Raised Garden Bed



Inspired by Jaime’s beautiful garden and childhood memories of eating sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes straight from the vine, we have started planning our own “backyard farm.” This will be a major experiment for us. Will it survive the Texas heat? Will my children pluck all of the seedlings out of the dirt? Will the critters come and carry away my bounty? We are learning as we go with the help of our (more garden experienced) friends Drew and Brookes, the interweb and hopefully you, oh wise gardening Prudent Mamas.

This weekend the men-folk build two 4×8′ raised beds. This is how they did it…
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How to Sew a Zipper Pillow

STOP! Do not turn away. You are going to conquer your fear of zippers right now.

I’m going to show you how to sew a pillow with a zipper closure and you are going to like it. It is VERY easy, a complete beginner project, and the results are polished goodness. Look at that pic above, you can barely see the zipper even though it’s right up in your face.

You can use vintage fabrics like these, new fabrics, old sheets, a sweater, tea towels, a dirty t-shirt, something fabulous from Fabricworm, anything your heart desires – but when we are done you will be sewing zippers like a pro.

Learn How to Sew a Zipper Pillow after the jump…

Tell us the truth: do you fear the zipper? And do you fear it a little less after reading this tutorial? This week’s favorite comment walks away with a fancy yard of pom pom trim!
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