Star Gazing Chart Template

I was recently given an Uncle Al's Star Wheel by a friend of mine who is a high school science teacher. I had been meaning to print one of for some time now so when she handed me one, I was thrilled! I have always loved to look up to the sky and see all the bright stars and try to find various constellations. The endless and vast space amazes me!  I grew up in Montana and we were fortunate enough to see the Aurora Borealis on a few occasions. It was spectacular! The one thing that I love about the night sky is Polaris, a.k.a. the North Star. There is something so gratifying about a star that is constant, never changing and reliable. I know that when I look up to the sky, it will be in the exact same place every night - no matter what! I think our universe is pretty amazing! 

Click here to print your own star chart, or I have also attached them at the bottom of the page that you can print! Instructions for assembly and use are printed on the wheel.

I took my little man out to gaze at space with me last night. He told me the stars that blinked red and blue and flew across the sky were his favorite. I felt bad telling him that those are called airplanes! 

He'll figure it out one day! 

 

Even if you only see 1 or 2 constellations, it's just a good excuse to sit outside on a blanket and cozy on up with a loved one! 

Other interesting starry links:

PBS documentary: Seeing In The Dark

Suite 101

Amazing Space

Google Images (Sorry that Brittany Spears had to go and ruin the vibe!)

Exposed Zipper - Tutorial

I think I am a little burned out on the ruffle craze. I feel it's a bit over saturated. Maybe that is why I have been pretty enamored with the exposed zipper. It's a 180 from ruffles and a nice refreshing break! I like it's clean line, industrial look and eye catching detail. What's also great about it, is that it is easy to accomplish this look yourself with just a few simple steps. I guess it's the one thing zippers and ruffles do have in common!

I started with this dolman sleeve shirt I bought at Old Navy earlier this year. I think a scoop neck or boat neck would work best for this project.

It just happens to have a seam that runs down the back of the shirt. A nice, but not needed detail!

I bought a zipper with metal teeth because the contrast of fabric and metal hardware is really what it is all about! I measured how far down I needed to cut my fabric and marked it.

After making the cut, I then cut pieces of fusible bonding the length of the zipper. I used a hot iron to press the zipper to the shirt to stabilize it while sewing. This is soooo much easier than pinning it!

I used the fusible bonding to hold the top edges over the collar of the shirt.

I also used it to hold the bottom fold of the zipper down until I could sew it. I first used a piece to hold the fold, then another to adhere the zipper to the shirt.

Next, I stitched along the outside edge of the zipper making sure to run along the bottom and back stitch along the top where it meets the collar.

And that was it! It was so easy! It only cost me $4.00, took me about 45 minutes to complete and I love the statement it makes!

I like my zipper on the back, but don't be afraid to try it on the front as well!

Linking this project to my favorite sites! Find them HERE!

Guest Post - DIY Graphic Tee, by Nick Yarro

You may be thinking to yourself, "Who is Nick Yarro?" I am Nick Yarro. I am Amy's nephew and the guest blogger today. I am 13 years old and just started 8th grade. I am witty. Probably more witty than you :) I like football, video games and hanging with my friends. I think girls are pretty cool too and they seem to really like my new deep voice. I spent my summer at the pool, riding my bike and vacationing in Mexico. I am currently eating my weight in food each day because that's what boys do at my age. I am a typical teenager but I would like to think that my sense of style and creativity sets me apart from the other kids. In my free time I like to wear fedoras, make movies and design T-shirts. Here is how I do it. 

Supplies that you will need:

newspaper or cardboard

tape

t-shirt

all purpose spray paint. Nick is using Krylon, but any brand would work.

(other supplies you may or may not need: scissors, garbage bags)

Start by laying out your shirt flat on the ground and slide either your paper or cardboard between the layers. This will give it rigidity and also keep the paint from leaking through to the back.

Make sure that your back collar is covered so that the paint doesn't get on the inside of your shirt.

Now begin to make a pattern with your tape. You may want to sketch something on paper first. Press the tape down firmly and rub your finger along it to make sure you don't have any bubbles.

Smile and take pride in your work.

Hold up your shirt and show everyone how cool your design is. Then listen to them oooo and awww.

Place your shirt on a clean, paint friendly surface.

Start to spray your shirt especially around your design, making sure you have a nice layer of color over your taped areas. This will make give more of a contrast when the tape it removed.  Allow paint to dry for at least 30-45 minutes.

When the paint is dry, run it through the washer and dryer. This will make the shirt soft and wearable and the heat from the dryer will help set the paint.  It will also remove the paint odor.

You now have a new graphic tee that will set you or your kid apart from the rest!

Lace Earring Holder - Tutorial

Here is a great user friendly way to store your earrings and have them be accessible from all angles! I really liked some of the ideas that I have seen on other blogs with embroidery hoops, frames with chicken wire etc..., but I wanted something that I didn't have to take off the wall or lift up in order to get my earrings off. The solution? Lace!

I went to my local thrift store and found this framed water color. I immediately tossed the water color and it's mat in the garbage but kept the cardboard backing. I then painted my frame. Coincidently, the paint color I had was Queen Anne's Lace! It's all so serendipitous! 

I paid $3 for the frame which is still, in my opinion, a bit pricey for a thrifted frame. But, I figured that since I had all the other materials I needed on hand, that this would be my one and only expense for this project. I can handle that.

I dumped all my lace out on the table and rummaged through it. I wanted to see all my options and play with the colors, widths and textures.

I started by taking the cardboard backing and measuring a piece of fabric by it. I allowed for a 1" fold on each side and trimmed it accordingly.

Then, I began to place my lace on the fabric. I pinned it and measured it

so that I knew it was straight. I trimmed it to the length of the fabric and I then sewed each piece on.

I sewed along only the top of the lace so that it could be flipped up to attach and remove earrings easily.

After my lace was all sewn on, I pressed it using a cool setting as to not burn the lace. This removed all puckering and helped my lace lay nice and flat.

Next, I laid my cardboard down on the back of the fabric and used double stick tape (you can use hot glue or craft glue) and began folding my edges over.

Hint: Fold one side over and then do the direct opposite side (i.e. top then bottom). This will ensure a better and more snug fit than if you just went around the frame in order.

After all my sides were folder over, I set it into the frame and used the wire that was already provided by the previous owner.

Then I was ready to adorn it with my earrings and favorite hair clips and hang it either on the wall or back of my door!

The lace is perfect for both earrings with posts and lever back earrings. 

Hair clips go on and off in a breeze, too!

Ta-Da! It took me only an hour to do and for $3, who can complain? Not this lady!

*Also, click HERE to see the where I linked this project to and support all that is handmade!*

One Inspiring Father - Joel Henriques

Gosh, here I was thinking that I was doing a great job by letting my child watch Nick Jr. - "It's like preschool on TV" until I bumped into this blog. Allow me to introduce you to the man that has changed the face of the crafting blog world and has also taken it by storm. My friend Nicole posted one of his crafts on her blog awhile ago and I have been hooked on his blog ever since! Joel Henriques of Made By Joel, pretty much does it all, people! He sews, he embroiders, he is a wood worker, an artist, a genious and most importantly - a wicked awesome Dad! The crafts and art projects Joel features on his blog are most often geared toward children. Joel's 2 darlings are the inspiration for his work, and what 2 lucky darlings they are for getting so many great handmade treasures, games and toys from their father! He is dedicated to bringing natural, simple, hands on and educational fun to his home and he really is someone we should all tip our hats to. Be sure to check him out  - and let me just warn you, it is impossible not to smile when seeing how delighted his children are while playing with their creations!

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Here are some of my favorite art projects that are featured on his blog:

Wall Hanging Box Aquarium

Pop Up Puppets

Cereal Box Marble Run

Small Cardboard Cutouts

Walnut Boats

Slotted Building Discs

Modern Doll House (with handmade modern furniture to boot!)

Joel also is nice enough to provide his readers with free templates to download! Be sure to scroll his site for some good, free fun for your kiddos!

Linked Up

Link ups (a.k.a blog hops) are brilliant! They are perfect for a) the person who has created something and would like to share it with the world and b) for the person who is wanting some new ideas and tutorials to test their skills as a DIYer or c) for the person who wants to be introduced to new craft sites and their authors. I am all of the above! There are a lot of great sites out there that feature a link up list and they run on separate days of the week so you get to spot some handmade goodies 24/7! Here is a very short list of my favorites. Just click on the icon!:

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Mondays

        

Tuesdays



 

Wednesdays

 



Thursdays

     


Fridays

   

Saturdays

   

Sundays

  

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For a larger list check out these blogs:
Paisley Passions
Making the World Cuter
Tools are for Women Too