DIY Angry Bird Backpack

When we bought my son's backpack for school, I was surprised that he wanted a plain Jane backpack.  No Spiderman. No Batman. Not even Spongebob. He chose a black, red and grey backpack.  But I was not surprised that Joshua already had something in mind for his plain Jane backpack. He wanted an Angry Bird backpack...more specific, he wanted the black bomb bird and the red angry bird.  So this was my solution to his 'simple' request.

I found Angry Bird clip art online and traced it with freezer paper.  I cut out the images and ironed them onto the flaps.  Cheri at I Am Momma-Hear Me Roar has a really good tutorial on freezer paper stenciling.

Right about this point is when I regretted the whole idea of the freezer paper.  See how I burned the nylon around the black edge of the flap...ugh! But I just carried on...the only option I had was to try to make it better.  So once I was done, I went back and painted in the burned part with fabric paint. It doesn't look that bad. And the best part is that Josh didn't notice...or at least he didn't say anything.

So, I painted the flaps with fabric paint, including the beaks.  I added googly eyes with fabric glue.  

A week later into kindergarten and the eyes are still on.

Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out, burned flap and all.

It's the perfect backpack for Buddy to wait for Joshua every day.  We NEVER leave home without Buddy...

not even on the first day of school. 

Sam's shirt tutorial.  Rose clip tutorial. Joshua's shirt tutorial. 

So far, Buddy has perfect attendance 

and he doesn't mind waiting in the backpack until the end of the school day. 

That is when he gets to come out of the backpack and ride the bus shot gun with his best bud, Joshua. 

I love you with all of my HEARTS...shirt

I made this shirt for my 3rd grader on her first day of school. 

It matched nicely with the Charming Rose Hair Clip I made for her. 

Our town Wal-Mart was in renovation mode this summer so I bought several shirts for a buck a piece.  

I used two of those shirts to make this one for Sam; the solid one fit and the flowered one was a size 5 (way too small for Sam).  It didn't matter since I knew I would use it somehow. 

I cut up the flowered shirt...

and cut out as many hearts as I could. 

I pinned them onto the solid pink shirt...

and went to town sewing across each heart with contrasting thread. I didn't bother stopping when I came to the edge of a heart; I just kept  sewing.  I made sure to back stitch each line before and after the stitch.  

I like the rawness of the look.

It didn't matter if the stitches were kinda wonky or uneven...

I even added hearts to the back of the shirt.

Then I cut in-between the stitches.  

You can use these 2 tutorials (here and here) for further details on how to do this. 

To the sleeves I added the ruffle that was on the neckline of the flowered shirt. 

I just cut it in two pieces and sewed them on.

It just seems to complete the look of the shirt.

And so off Sam went to be a 3rd grader, 

heart shirt and all.  

I'm glad that she's never too big to be Daddy's girl...

doesn't this picture just melt your heart...?

Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes....

Sorry for being absent this week.  School started and all of us here are trying to get used to a new routine. I'll be back next week with some back-to-school sewing projects that I've been working on for my kids.


I have been busy making some cosmetic changes to the blog.  I finally figured out how to add pages and page tabs. Please feel free to click on the new tabs.  I'm still working on the party link tab...I'm adding all the link badges a little at a time.  I also made some new buttons and faith stickers that I am quite proud of.  I hope you like the changes. I think the blog is user friendly now.   


Also, just a heads-up...I will begin hosting a link party every Friday beginning on September 9th.  So get ready to Rock!  I know, I know...kinda cheezy, but hey, it works...you know, 'roca' means 'rock' in Spanish. 


Anyhow, I'm super excited with all the changes going on and I hope you will continue to join me as I Make and Create.

Have a "Cowabunga" Day!!

Aguacate con Crema Agria

Here is a simple yet flavorful avacado dip that will have 

you and your guests double dipping at your next party.

You will need:

3 large ripe avacados

1 small tub of sour cream

1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup of Chile a la Mexicana (recipe here)

salt to taste

1 bag of tostada chips

Wash cilantro, chop and set aside.  Slice avacados and remove seed.  

Smash avacados. 

Add sour cream, cilantro and Chile a la Mexicana. Mix into a creamy blend. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Dip...

and dip again

If you have any dip left, just cover and refrigerate for later...but that's a big IF and I seriously doubt you'll have any left over.  It's that good.  

Easy Backpack to Shoulder Bag

My daughter loves this backpack, BUT it was way too small for her.  She's had it since she was two years old.  Anywhere she went, Deery- Lou had her back.  

So entertaining the idea of giving it away sent Sam into pleading mode; "Please mom...can't you make it bigger?"  Hmmmm?  That got me thinking.  I could make it "bigger"...  

All I did was seam rip-off the straps, 

sewed the straps into one long shoulder strap, (I used the handle to connect the two straps.)

hot glued shut the openings left from seam ripping-off the straps,

 and reattached the now shoulder strap to the sides of the backpack. 

Deery-Lou no longer has Sam's back...now they walk side-by-side. 

I'm positive Sam will continue to treasure her "new" purse for many more years to come, especially since the straps are adjustable and she can make it as "big" as she needs it to be. 

You Decide My Skirt's Fate

I have this skirt from Gap.  It is an A Lined circle with panels so it flares out at the bottom. I really love the style and how it fits, BUT I want to do "something" to it.       

I hardly wear it because it is too simple...

Our sweet Sofie Girl ... 

I want to do something creative to it.  And this is where I need your help...I can't decide what I want to do to it.  I've pinned way too many skirts on Pinterest and now I can't make up my mind. Here is what I've chosen in no particular order...

1) Sew on circles and add a matching trim?

2) Paint or sew on a floral design?

3) Paint words? Maybe on one panel or along the bottom?

4) Sew on circles in a pretty pattern? Maybe going up one panel?

5) Paint or applique a pattern around the entire bottom of skirt?

6) Change out a panel and add a trim to bottom?

7) Add different rows of lace?

I am going to leave the decision up to YOU; my readers, followers and anyone that just stops by and leaves a comment.  There are 7 choices (see why I can't make up my mind?) to pick from.  To vote just leave me a comment (voting ends August 19th) at the bottom with your favorite one.  The number with the highest votes wins and I will go with that.   Once I finish with the skirt, I will definitely show you the outcome.  Thanks in advance for your help.  Can't wait...

Finger Friendly Nachos

At least once a week, I prepare a meal that requires using only fingers to eat. How I came up with this "tradition" is still vague, but the kids think it's great to eat with their fingers.  I love the challenge of trying to come up with a different utensil-free meal every week. But sometimes I revert back to an all time favorite.  Here is a finger friendly yummy meal that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less.

You will need:

1 box of Velveeta Mexican Yellow Cheese

2 packages of cooked breakfast hot (spicy) sausage links

1/2 cup milk

1 can chopped tomatoes and green chile

1 can sliced jalapeños

1 bag of your favorite tortilla chips

Cut the cheese (ha! never thought I'd write this in a blog...) into four pieces and place in a glass bowl large enough to hold all your ingredients. Add milk and microwave until all cheese is melted.  I microwave the cheese and milk 3 minutes at a time and it usually takes about 6-7 minutes to get the cheese melted.  Make sure to blend the cheese and milk until you get a smooth mixture. Chop each breakfast link into 6 pieces.  Add links and drained can of chopped tomatoes and green chile to cheese and mix.  Microwave for 2 minutes more.  Serve over a pile of tortilla chips and top with jalapeños.

And that's it.  Dinner is served...

now go wash your hands, it's time to eat.