Freezer Paper Stencils and Baby Onsies

Today's tutorial is on Freezer Paper Stenciling.  I's seen it done on some adorable blogs as of late (Especially this one and this one), but had never attempted it before, and I was super surprised at how easy it was to do.  I was mostly surprised that I actually LOVED doing it.  I decided on a whim the night before Shambray's baby shower that I was going to make her some onesies and this is the result. 

Adorable?  Naturally.  You wanna learn how to do it?  Do ya? Huh?  

Ok, you talked me into it.

Freezer Paper Stencils.  

You will need the following:

-Fabric paint (I got this multi-pack of puff paint at Walmart for $10)

-Clothing item of your choice (I'm going to do some of my shirts next)

-Freezer Paper (NOT WAX PAPER or you will never get the stencil off your clothes.  Freezer paper is dull on one side and kind of shiny on the other side, and it is the same type of paper your butcher wraps cuts of meat in.

-Iron

-Your design

-Cardboard cut to fit inside the clothing you are stenciling to prevent the paint from bleeding onto the other side.

-1in foam brush (these are about 60 cents at Walmart)

-small dish for your paint

-Something to cut it out with.  I used my Cricut Machine with the program Sure Cuts a Lot.  You can read my opinions/reviews on such here.

1. Iron your clothing item

2. Lay your Freezer Paper shiny side down and cut out your design.  Remember to save any inside pieces as you will use them.  As a side note my settings for cutting freezer paper on the Cricut were Blade 2, Speed 1, and Pressure 3.

3. Lay your design shiny side down on your clothing item and iron in place.  Make sure that all of the edges are ironed down tight.  Do not use steam.

4. Squirt out your paint and dip your foam brush in it.  Less is more and you can always pour out more paint later.

5. Paint on your color making sure your paint does not go over the sides you don't want to paint.  Apply as many coats as needed for nice, even coverage.  Allow paint to dry (at least 20 minutes)

Another nice thing to note, this stuff is a lifesaver when it comes to cleaning your brushes, or cleaning it off the carpet if you happen to knock the brush off the table.  I'm speaking from personal experience here.

6.  Once the paint is dry, remove the freezer paper, making sure to get all of your little inside pieces out.  I find tweezers and a needle are the best tools for the tiny ones.

7. If you are doing an image with multiple layers, paint the first layer then wait for it to dry and remove the freezer paper, then iron on your second layer.  Make sure to iron on all of your little details. 

8. Paint on your second layer, allow to dry, then remove the freezer paper.

These were so popular that I got a request for another one.  It's one of my favorites.

If you think of any other cute sayings you'd like to see please comment below.  These designs are for sale at my Etsy Store, though if you live in Utah feel free to email me your request and I'll waive the shipping.

How to copy your DVDs to your computer

I have been working on backing up all of my DVDs to my external hard drive as of late, and it's been quite the process, but so worth it!  I can rest assured knowing that if Cleo chews up a DVD or if it falls onto the floor and gets scratched, we have a backup copy of it.  Plus, it's a lot easier to carry around our laptop and hard drive than it is to tote around our massive DVD case, and that's even with them out of their individual cases!

Currently they are all sorted according to rating (I couldn’t find my PG-13 tag, so you’ll have to imagine it. 

Imdb.com was a great resource for finding out what the ratings were, as I got rid of my cases a long time ago, and not every DVD has the rating right on it.

After they were sorted, I used three different programs to get them into the format I wanted.  All of the programs below I downloaded for free, and they each have their download link attached.

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad!

This post is dedicated to all of the little obsessions in my life.  
*Note, these are listed not in order of importance or level of obsession, but merely in the order that they come to my mind today.


1.  Rainy days.
I know, this is cliché, but for me a rainy day is not an obsession in enough itself.  I love rainy days with no work, school, or other obligations, and when my house is clean.  Days where I can cuddle up in bed with my hubby reading a good book with the window blinds open and the rain streaming down the windows.  A day where the rain becomes an excuse to be comfortable.  These days are kind of rare lately (especially the no work and clean house part) and they are some of my all-time favorites.





2. Technology
I an a bit of a tech freak.  I LOVE figuring out how to make computers/phones/TVs/technology in general do what I want it to.  It's such an empowering feeling!  Some of my latest tech enhancements are:
*BTW, no laughing at this.  You may have known how to do these things for years and good for you, but don't steal my steam by saying it's juvenile or easy as pie.  However, if you have a better way to do it, that I would LOVE to hear!*
     1. Hooked up my entire tv surround sound system to work with my tv, dvd player, and comcast DVR.  Next, I will connect it to my computer so I can use it as a 2nd monitor.
     2. Found an amazing appstore in Amazon's appstore.  They are offering a free download of one of their paid apps each day.  All you need is an Amazon account.  I have been using it for about 2 weeks now and have had no problems with it so far.  Plus, since Alan and I use the same Amazon account, he can download any of the ones I've ordered for free on his phone as well.
     3. I just downloaded a whole bunch of stuff from my dad's computer, including a bunch of photos and music that I thought I'd lost.
     4. My cricut now works perfectly with my computer thanks to sure cuts a lot!  I LOVE this program!  It is so easy to use, and can cut any font on your computer using the cricut.   It was $50 to download, which is less than most cricut cartridges. You can also cut anything based on a JPG image, so you can use any clipart you can find.  As a warning, Provo craft is suing Sure cuts a lot for copyright infringement, and the last I heard they had reached a settlement where all future updates to Sure cuts a lot will not be compatible with the cricut.  So all of 
those SCAL users out there make sure you check before you do any updates to it!
     5.  I have reorganized my external hard drive, so that everything is where it should be, and is all properly labeled.  This is something I have been meaning to do for a long time, so it really is a relief to have it done.   
     6.  I have copied about half my DVDs to my computer in .iso format, which is basically a virtual copy of the entire DVD, special features included!  This is great for Pixar movies in particular, which have so many special features and shorts on them.  Now to find a program that will copy them in AVI format so that I can easily watch them.  My plan for these movies is pretty far in the future, but I plan to get an android tablet sometime in the future, so we can load all of our movies on there for roadtrips.  Plus, when we have kids it will be really easy for them to just touch the movie they want to see to play it, and we won't have to worry about them scratching the dvds.



3.  Crafting
This one encompasses the areas of Crating, Cooking, Sewing, Scrapbooking, Interior Decorating, Thrifting, and all of the other things featured on the amazing blogs I follow!  I can't believe how creative you all are!  I hope that if I ever get rich enough to not work full time, I would be as enterprising and ingenious as you are, rather than ending up with a messy home and my butt permanently glued to the computer chair or the couch in front of the TV.  Seriously, this is why I do not work from home, even though my work would allow it.  I would never get dressed.  EVER. Ok, maybe on Sundays for church, but that's only once a week.  


There are so many things I want to try!  One of my first priorities is going to be making me some new clothes.  I mean, I certainly have enough clothes to wear, but I cycle through the same clothes over and over, and they are all so plain!  I have maybe 3 shirts with any sense of style to them.  I really want to make me some more skirts too.  Particularly ones as amazingly simple and adorable as this one from No Big Dill



Isn't it gorgeous?  The best part is that it's so easy!  just one seam in the back and then an elastic waistband!  The fabric she uses is also really low maint, no ironing required!  Wrinkles just add to the skirt's character!


4.  Blogging 
It's really a relief to put some of my thoughts down.  I was importing this blog into facebook, but honestly, I prefer forcing people to go to my site to read it.   I get so excited when I get a new follower, and I love seeing new comments!  I can be free to express my thoughts, and if anyone has a problem with what I say, they can just stop reading. ^_^  I have had a goal lately to include at least one picture with each post, and I really think that it helps.  I know I have a tenancy to skip most posts without a picture, and I don't think I'm the only one.


5.  Becoming an authority on random subjects.
OK, so maybe not an authority, but I love to know enough about a given subject that I can offer an opinion on it.  Some of my favorite topics as of late have been childbirth, foster care, 
adoption, technology, crafting, medical, blogging, etc.  It is so nice to know things!


6.  Camping 
The worst thing about this winter is that I have not been able to go camping!  As tech savvy as I am, it is so nice to just get away from everything for a while!  It's especially nice going with a bunch of family, with all the dogs, and a river nearby!
  
Family picture right before going down the green river.  This was after 5 days camping with no shower, so please forgive the crazy hair on all of us.


7.  Playing Cards
For years my family has played card games as a family.  One of our favorites in my family is Nertz, especially now that most of us kids are old enough to play it.  I can't tell you how many times I pulled out my cards at debate tournaments.  I always had at least on deck in my purse, and I now have an entire box of them in my car.  My love for games was only strengthened when I married Alan, because his family also are avid card players.  It's the main activity at camp-outs, and in the above picture the table behind us is covered in card decks.  Our favorites include Nertz, Hand and Foot, Mormon Bridge, Golf, and Slamwich (which is called Egyptian Ratscrew when played with face cards) 


8.  Roadtrips
I think this is the one I have been craving most as of late.  I really REALLY want to just get in the car with Alan and drive to some far off location.  Seattle is first on my list.  I went on a Seattle road trip soon after graduation and it is to this day one of my favorite memories.  There is something so freeing about driving through the country with a good audiobook on the radio and a friend by your side, eating snacky foods and stopping at random little tourist locations on the way.
  
Alan and I went on a roadtrip to Cali on our honemoon, and despite all the disasters along the way, it was still a blast!

Outside the San Diego Temple just about to head home from the trip.




What are a few of your favorite things?

Glass Etching

I have been inspired.

It all started today when I was looking for some cute sayings to etch on the bottom of my pyrex dishes for Enrichment tomorrow.  I could just do my last name, but I would rather do something like this


Or


Those links take you to A Girl with a Glue Gun.  Her tutorials are great and super easy to follow!

Oh but then, I came across this lovely web site.   Chris Sommer is a wiz with glass etching!  As a warning, there are some glass etched topless mermaids on there, so the site isn't 100% safe for work.  I now have a goal to be as amazing as him at it!  I'm going to start training by getting a bunch of dollar store picture frames and mirrors and practicing.  I'll post the ones I don't use personally on Etsy, so I can pass all of my supplies as "a way to bring in a little extra money" rather than a vain attempt to boost my crafty self.  I mean seriously!  Aren't these fabulous?

I would kill for this bathroom.  Pity mine doesn't have glass doors.


So pretty!  And this one I could probably actually do with my Cricut really easily.


I love how much detail he puts into it.  I don't know if I could get to the point of where mine look this good, but I could so handle the solid shapes ones.




Would anyone be interested if I did any glass etching?  I was thinking of doing something similar to this for a first attempt.  I would be happy to take requests, and it would be a great starter project.



What do you think?

Oriental cravings

I should not blog while hungry. Seriously, it's bad, there are so many good recipes I've found and so little time and energy to make them with!. Today's kick is oriental food.

I am aching to try this lovely looking Wonton Tutorial by Gourmet Fury. Seriously! Don't they look so good! And so easy too! I have some boneless ribs at home that would be wonderful for it. The wonton wrappers you can get at just about any grocery store in the special produce section (walmart has them for sure).

I'm loving homemade sushi as of late! It's a lot easier to roll than I was expecting, and I love being able to put only what I want on it. There are some great video tutorials on Youtube that are great for learning how to roll it on your own. It's actually a pretty affordable meal at home depending on what you use. Alan and I love a California roll (rice on the outside) with crab, (we use imitation, I know, shame on us, but it's way cheaper and a lot easier to work with) cream cheese, avocado, and cucumber! It's especially good with a little eel sauce and a touch of spicy mayo. *EDIT: If you are looking for an alternative to the seaweed wrap for your sushi, you can use this really simple egg wrap.

My only problem with it is that I'm having real difficulty finding a good sushi rice recipe. I use a rice cooker, so the good recipes that don't require a bunch of ingredients are currently eluding me. If anyone knows of a good one please let me know!

I love the adorable little Bento boxes from Lunch in a Box. She totally makes me want to get up an hour early to make Alan and I one for work. She lists prep time for each of her boxes (most are half an hour or less, though they would probably take me significantly longer, hence the hour early for work), and there's almost 100 pages of bento goodness on her site!

I think the kitty's legs are mozzarella cheese or possibly tofu, but I could be mistaken.

(And yes, that adorable thing in the corner of the bagel box is an OctoDog, with the tutorial on that link)

Most of the dividers are silicone, so they bend and mold around the other food. My favorite are the silicone cupcake liners, because they are multi-purpose, and according to the great Alton Brown, the only single-purpose item that should be in the kitchen is the fire extinguisher.

If you're looking for a great date night with a fun twist, I love Sam Hawks Korean Restaurant in Provo, Utah. It doesn't look like much at all, but the food is SO GOOD! I love the beef Bulgogi

It's a korean BBQ beef that is to die for! You wrap it in lettuce with rice, kimchi, and other awesome goodies. If you're going in a group (5 or more) it's a good idea to call ahead and let them know you're coming, also if you know what you want order it then. They're a really small restaurant, but they are so worth the wait!

Yum!!

Creative laced tank/vest tutorial

I am planning to make one of these

With this tutorial by Ucreate

I'll probably also do it in black, with a stretchy jersey knit for the bottom rather than the lace like the example pic, Though I'm still deciding which colors to do it in. I seriously just need to spend a day of sewing at my parent's place, because my mom has the most fabulous collection of fabric, sewing machines, and crafting paraphernalia I've ever seen. One of these days Alan will have his tricked out garage and I will have my craft room sanctuary, but for now, I am happy to drive the half an hour over to their house, rather than dig my sewing machine out and re-thread it with the black, white, or brown thread that I have available.

This one's for you Shambray!

Now seems like a good time to promote some lovely tutorials by some fabulous people.

First, this Family Tree picture frame by The Bird's Papaya

So cute! This would be adorable with pictures of each family member!

Secondly, this Receiving Blankets Baby Wrap by Shannon Makes Stuff

Her design is so cute and definitely would help keep your little ones snugly wrapped!

Flaming Gorge - only 3 more days of work!

I am so excited! I have been waiting for this trip for such a long time!

I'm also freaking out, because, let's face it, I'm sure I'm going to miss something. Fortunately I have saner heads involved when it comes to food, so I won't spend $50 on fruit rollups and forget something crucial like chicken. I'm planning on going shopping through my mom's pantry for part of our foodstuffs, and we'll head to costco, where she will be the only one allowed to put anything in the cart. We'll see how that goes!

In other news, our cars are almost fixed! The Sentra's strut issues will be fixed tomorrow, and I'll be taking our rodeo in to get the gear shift welded back on. Yes, this is the same gearshift that we were supposed to get fixed when I broke it off in December. We've just had a screwdriver stuck in there for a temporary fix, but I'm getting sick and tired of it. Plus, it's the one we're actually taking with us, so it's important that I can stand driving it.

On the trip we will probably be listening to New Moon, at Alan's request. He's watched all the movies with me, and wanted to know all the details that are in the books, but not in the movies. We've listened to Twilight already, and Alan is DEFINITELY on team Edward ~_^ Funny that he's chosen a side, while I'm still comparing the two. Ok, I take that back, he's primarily on Emmett's side, because he think's that Emmett is the best character, but I digress...

I have been really worried about my camera on this trip. I ordered this lovely bundle for it, which should arrive today! Our poor camera has been out of commission for months, because we haven't been able to find the battery charger. I really want to take it with us on the raft, but I'm afraid of getting it wet. Thus far the best idea I've found is a somewhat awkward one, but if the military does it to protect their guns (pun not intended) why not? I also figured that I could get some colored ones for some cool filter effects ^_^

Kaiti and Kyli are planning on coming with us on the trip, so that should make it even more fun. It'll be good to have some young blood with us until Marianne and Joe arrive. We've got the tents and such all ready, though I'm gonna get all of the extra tarps in case of rain. I'm hoping it won't be too bad, but the 10 day forecast gives me cause to worry.

I'll update with pictures when I get back!

Designer sweatshirt tutorial

I LOVE this hoodie idea from Alisa Burke! I can't wait to make one of my own!