Favorite Pins Thursday: Sewing & Fabric Edition

Since my trip to Missouri Star Quilt Co. a few weeks back and getting to sew with Jenny, I’m obsessed with thinking about new sewing projects. It’s mostly what I’ve been pinning this week. Not making quite yet, mind you, but pinning. You gotta start somewhere, right?

Here are some of my favorite sewing and fabric related pins from Pinterest. Enjoy!

14110265835_025e82bb43_z
Original Source

diy shower curtain from fabric layer cakes
No Original Source, Image for Inspiration Only

resin fabric scraps
Original Source

poetry skirt
Original Source

stuffed animal sleeping bags
Original Source

Anya Top and Shorts by Green Bee patterns, pinned by Craft Forest

Original Source

fly to the moon
Original Source, This is wallpaper, but I think it could recreated with fabric scraps

this took forever diy tags
Original Source

4772908181_f713a7fbc2_z
Original Source

The internet isn’t going to curate itself, so I better get back to pinning!

xo, Jennifer

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13 DIYs and Crafts for Teenagers

13 diys for teen boys from craftforest.com

My oldest is turning 13 this week. 13?! I wanted to tell you tons of stories about holding him for the first time, that he said (and still says) hilarious things like “La Petite is for chumps.” when asked how his day was at preschool, and that I can’t imagine meeting someone more interesting, challenging, kind, and creative…BUT when I told him I was gonna write about him he said “no mushy stuff, Mom. I mean it. None.” So, no mushy stuff, guys.

We had a great time looking around at diy projects for teens together. He actually said things like “oh, man we HAVE to make that“, which is pretty cool, and pretty rare. So here is your official 13-year-old’s stamp of approval round-up of cool crafts.

DIY Marshmallow Shooter
He asked his grandma for marshmallows for his birthday just to make this one. Looks like a winner, crafters!
diy marshmallow shooter
Source: Happiness is Homemade

DIY Speakers
We use a drinking glass for our iPhone family dance parties, but this is really cool and perfect for his room.
all-for-the-boys-diy-speakers-title
Source: All for the Boys

iPod and/or Cell Phone Case
Riley actually turned down having his iPod screen replaced because he was sure he’d break it again (and again and again…). So this is the perfect DIY for us!
ipod case
Source: Closed Etsy Shop?, no tutorial

The Classic Duct Tape Wallet
He remembered making these when he first started getting allowance and got all nostalgic for way back to 3 years ago. Both kids get duct tape in their stockings for Christmas each year and he knew just the right roll to make his next one.
diy duct tape wallet for boys
Source: Frugal Fun for Boys

Make your Own Light Saber
I know a bigger boy who is turning 39 on his birthday that would probably like this one, too!
diy lightsaber
Source: NewarkFarnell

Craftstick Bow & Arrow
He pretended this was cool for “younger” kids, but then started looking around for supplies. And the case reminded him that he needed something similar for Nerf wars. Teen approved.
diy kids bow and arrow craft
Source: All for the Boys

PVC Bow & Arrow
And for a larger scale version…I wanna play with these, too!
PVC-Bow-and-Arrow-Tutorial
Source: Skip to My Lou

Giant Jenga
“Awww, sweeeeet” was the quote. So I think that’s good, right?
diy backyard jenga
Source: KID Collective

Paracord Bracelets
I asked him where, how, and if these would save his life one day and he wasn’t sure. But he was pretty sure that they looked “cool, real cool”. There you have it!
diy paracord bracelets for teen boys
Source: Artchoo!

Lego Desk Organizer
Great use for all the long forsaken landmines legos on the floor in his room.
Lego-desk-organizer
Source: Kid’s Activities

Lego Terrarium
While we’re decorating with Legos, these are fantastic. We have so many mini figs, this would be a great way to see ’em all the time!
lego Terrarium
Source: Babble, Original tutorial not found

DIY Nerf Gun Bullets
We had a Nerf war in the park over the weekend and lost nearly all the bullets. This will come in handy for sure!
nerf gun bullets
Source: Instructables

Ninja Stars & Target Practice
Enough said. Lola wants a Ninja party for her birthday now, too.
NinjaPartyActivity (7)
Source: Craft Interrupted

Bonus #14: Dream Bank
I’m adding this one because I love the idea of visual savings (for all of us) and he’s already talking about saving for a car. This one that was sold by Uncommon Goods would be perfect. We’re gonna be inspired by this one and make our own.
dream bank
Source: Uncommon Goods, but they no longer carry the bank so it’s probably okay to tell you to make your own. Right?

So to set the record straight, boys like crafts. Pre-teen and teen boys, too. So go make stuff with your boys!

xo,
Jennifer, Old Mama & Riley, Teenager

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A Perfectly Crafted Road Trip

diys for road trip sanity from craftforest.com

We’re hitting the road and wanted to share some of our favorite DIYs to make the trip a little easier, on everyone!

1. All heads need a travel pillow or a special case for their home pillow with room for books and a lovey.

2. Grab a lunch box and fill it full of yummy…art supplies!

3. Keep them entertained with road trip games like this felt tic-tac-toe or this really cool upcycled bubble wrap game!

4. Happy, healthy, and full bellies are a must. Check out this round up of healthy snacks we shared earlier this week.

5. Hitting up some roadside attractions? Make sure everyone is safe with these genius cell phone number bracelets for the littles!

6. Have everyone keep track of their favorite memories with these diy travel journals perfect for every age!

These quick ideas will hopefully help you keep your sanity. Are we there yet?!?!

Happy travels families! You’ve got this.

xo, Jennifer

Patriotic Porches: Red, White, and Blue

Here’s a little 4th of July weekend inspiration!
These porches are beautifully decked out in red, white, and blue. I just want to relax with a giant glass of lemonade and a good book! That sounds like freedom to me!

liberty pillow
Via Pinterest, No Original Source
let freedom ring
Via Creative Cabin

flag porch
Via My Best Friend Craig

raised in cotton
Via Flickr

cgbanneronporch_thumb
Tutorial Via Centsational Girl

red white and blue with quilt
No Original Source

100500315.jpg.rendition.largest
Via Better Homes and Gardens

patriotic porch swing
Via Inspiration Lane

patriotic porch quilt
Via Eleven-O-One

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Sew Summery: DIY Dresses & Skirts

I’ve never been a huge fan of shorts, when summer hits I’m all about the dresses and skirts. You can never have enough in my book!  Here are some that are on my sewing to-do list for me and Lola.

Summer Chevron Dress
chevron dress
Via One Little Minute

Yoked Knit Sundress
Yoked knit sundress modelled
Via Kitchy Koo

Summer Dress from 2 T-shirts Could make one for me, too!
summerdress2
Via PolkaDot Chair

The Perfect Summer Swing Dress I think I’d wear this one every day!
summer swing dress
Via Merracks Art

Bandana Skirt
bandana skirt
Via V and Co.

Kimono Sundress
kimono sundress
Via Freckles in April

10 Minute Maxi Skirt
maxi skirt
Via Sew Caroline

And a little something to wear with the skirts:The Perfect Tank Top
Free-Tank-Top-Pattern
Via Simple Simon and Company

What are you sewing this summer? Please share pics and your favorite tutorials! We could all use a little diy boost to our summer wardrobes, right?