Kid Painted Scribble Mug

I'm sure you have a little something on your list that you'd like to get on your special day, but what could be better to receive than a little handmade something from one of the most special little people in your life?  I love handmade cards and pictures, but it is even more fun to receive artwork that you can actually use every day.  That's what makes this Scribble Mug a perfect gift for any Mom, Dad, or Grandparent.  You don't have to be a trained artist to create one either.  This special mug was made by my 2 year old for her Mimi on Mother's Day. 

To create your own Painted Scribble Mug, you will need an oven safe mug and a Pebeo Vitrea 160 paint pen in your favorite color. 

My little artist doesn't always have the best aim with her art supplies, so I laid out a newspaper for her to work on and made sure she was wearing her smock.  All ready to paint!

Look at her go!  I'm not sure they teach you to grip your pen that way in art school, but whatever works!  I kept turning the mug so she would be sure to cover all sides.  She loved the fact that she got to paint her own project. 

Do not paint any areas that might come in contact with food.  Also try to leave a space at the top of the mug where you would drink.  After the mug is painted, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.  Place your mug in a cold oven.  Heat it to 300 F and bake for 35 minutes.  Allow to cool.

Here's what her finished project looked like.  As you can see, you don't have to have a design all figured out to create something cool.  I love that it is her own design and she loved that she got to be involved in making her own craft.  Her Mimi loved it too.  Now every time she drinks her tea she will remember how much she is loved! 

 

I helped her out with the mug handle, adding Mimi's name.  You could also add the year.  How fun would it be to make one of these each year and document how your little one's creativity evolves. 

 

Dad's aren't always the easiest to buy for.  My hubby doesn't even wear ties to work, so the boring choice isn't even an option.  I honestly think that the thing he would like best is a handmade gift to remember his little ones by.  I bet your little ones would love to create this Scribble Mug just as much as Dad would love to receive it!

Felt Mailbox & Letters

There are so many projects that I made before I had a blog.  This was one of the reasons why I started Love Bug Living, sharing these ideas and hoping to inspire others.  Now I see these projects I made and wish I had photos to share how I made some of them!  One of the projects that I love is this felt mailbox and mail I made for my daughter.  I don't have pictures on how I made these, but I hope the finished project will inspire you to create your own process.

I made this fabric and felt mailbox using plastic mesh sheets to help structure the inside.  I love how it opens and closes with the velcro to keep the door closed.  The flag is also attached with velcro so that it can be turned to show whether there is mail in the box or not. 

I made a bunch of mail for the mailbox as well.  For these postcards, I used two sheets of felt sewn together with ribbon to represent the writing and buttons and more felt for stamps.

I also made letters in much the same way as the postcards.  Then I made felt envelopes to hold the letters.  More ribbon for the writing, velcro to seal the envelopes, and even velcro stamps.

The envelope was a simple project.  Simply fold a rectangle of felt over to create a pouch and sew the edges.  I made a triangle flap, but you could also leave it square.

 

Here is a collection of the postcards, letters, a card, and a box for mailing small items I made.  All fit nicely in the mailbox for easy storage.  Hope this project has inspired you to make your own mailbox and mail for your little one!  

Simple Block Quilt

 

 

This week was the week I was totally going to get back on track.  I had things to share and big plans to get my posts done.  You know what they say about the best laid plans!  Monday night was the beginning of what felt like the end!  I got one of those 24 hour stomach bugs that actually feels like forever since you are so miserable.  Luckily the hubby was home on Tuesday morning to help out with my little one, because I was pretty useless.  I wasn't even able to get out of bed until Wednesday.  With a whole day wasted, I've spent the rest of the week playing catch up.  Story of my life!

 

Today I thought I'd share the quilt that I made for my second daughter.  I've always had a love of quilts and blankets.  My house is filled with simple fleece blankets I've made.  I've made a few quilts, mostly as gifts.  My first was for a co-worker when I worked at a dental office in high school.  I made a baby quilt for her new baby.  I also made one in college for a boyfriend that was graduating.  When my first baby girl was born, I knew I wanted to make her her own baby quilt.  I really didn't use a pattern, I usually just figure it out as I go.  I finished her quilt just days before she was born. 

 

When my second daughter was born, a quilt just didn't happen before she was born.  Not much gets done when you are chasing a two year old around.  Years later she asked me where her quilt was.  I told her I would make her one.  It only took about two years on and off and it was complete!  I swear it does not take that long to make!  It's just that I am so easily distracted when it comes to projects. 

 

I'm a little afraid to call this a tutorial.  This is more of a guideline to winging it when it comes to making a quilt.  I don't claim to be any kind of quilt expert, but quite the opposite.  I just thought I'd share how I made this quilt.  It's a simple way to create one without the intimidation.  Probably not the most recommended way though!  

 

My daughter and I began our quilt process by picking out many types of fabrics that coordinated.  She really liked the cupcake fabric, so we picked other materials that would match it.  I just started cutting six inch squares and laying them out in an order I liked.  I wasn't worried about making it a particular size since it was just going to be a throw blanket.  If you do know your dimensions, make sure you factor in your seam allowances.  Keep cutting squares until you have enough to make a quilt in the size you want.  I will add a border later, to make the quilt a bit longer and wider.

 

After you have your squares laid out how you like them, start pinning your squares together into strips.  Sew the squares together using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Be sure to keep your strips in some kind of order so you know how you had them laid out before.  I took a picture of them laid out, just in case I needed to refer to it later.  Turn your strips over and iron your seams open.  Now you can pin your strips together, matching up your seams as best as you can.  Sew your strips together.  Turn over and press your seams open.

 

 

 Now is the time to add your border.  I made mine 6 inches wide.  If you want your quilt even larger, you could add two or more borders.  Cut your border fabric, pin in place and sew on.  Press your seams. 

 

 

Now it's time to quilt your front and back pieces.  You may be able to find a piece of fabric that is wide enough for the back piece.  Mine was not, so I sewed two pieces of fabric together, leaving a seam in the middle.  I tried to line this seam up with one of my quilting seams when I matched the front and back.  I made my back piece larger because I was folding it over the front to create my quilt edge.  My back fabric was four inches larger all the way around.  If you are using a separate piece as a binding, you can make your pieces closer in size.  I'd still recommend leaving the back a little larger in case things shift.  You can always trim it after you have quilted the pieces together.

 

Cut a piece of batting that is the same size as the front of your quilt.  Lay out your front and back pieces, wrong sides together.  Your batting should be in between your front and back.  Pin all three together with quilting safety pins.  These pins are kind of bent in the middle, which makes them easier to use.   Pin them all over to keep from slipping. 

 

My quilt sat like this for a long while, just waiting to be quilted.  Sad, but true.  Hopefully you are able to push past your distractions, unlike me.

 

 

To machine quilt your quilt, sew along the seam lines on the front of your quilt, sewing all three pieces together.  I like to start in the middle of the quilt, working to the sides.  I always start at one edge and sew towards the other.  That way if things shift, they will shift evenly all the way down the quilt.  Roll the extra part up to keep it up out of the way when you are sewing.  This can get bulky when you are sewing the far edge, but rolling it helps to keep it more manageable.  Sew down the seams in both directions. 

 

Now your quilting is done and it's time to create your binding.  These steps may be helpful if you are folding your back piece forward to create your edge.  I feel like this process is a bit simpler than attaching a separate binding.  It also creates the look of a second border piece, since it is a bit wider than traditional binding. 

 

1.  Fold over your corner once, and then again over the edge of the front of your quilt.  Pin in place.



2.  Fold one side edge over so that the raw edge meets the raw edge of the front of the quilt.




3.  Fold this same piece again at the place where the seams meet.  Your binding should now be folded about two inches over your front piece.  Pin in place as you go.



4.  When you get to the next corner, fold it over in a triangle until the folded edge meets the front edge on the top of your quilt.




5.  Fold top edge down so that the raw edge meets the front raw edge.




6.  Fold this edge over your front piece, creating your completed corner.  Pin in place.  Continue this process all the way around your quilt.  Sew your edge in place, by sewing along the edge where your back fabric meets the front border fabric.

Your quilt is now complete!  Hopefully it didn't take you as long as it did me.  My daughter received it for her seventh birthday.  I love when I finish a project like this.  It always feels like such an accomplishment.  I guess now I better start the quilt for my third daughter.  She's two and a half right now, so I guess I only have four and a half years to get it done!

 

Embroidered Felt Bookmark Teacher's Gift

If your kids are in school, you probably know that this is Teacher Appreciation Week.  I'm always trying to think of cute and easy gift ideas to make that teacher's may actually use.  I usually do a little gift during this week and look for something bigger for the end of the year.  The class typically puts together a gift basket from the whole class, but it is nice to have something little for my daughters to present themselves along with their homemade cards.  This year we decided to make our favorite teachers embroidered felt bookmarks!

If you are good at that kind of thing, you can hand embroider whatever design you would like.  I decided to take advantage of my sewing machine's under used specialty stitch feature and machine embroidered our teachers' names.  I really want to find more uses for these specialty stitches.  They can be so much fun!

I then cut out the embroidered section with pinking shears to give it a more decorative look.  I cut out a second piece of felt that was slightly larger than the first piece in a contrasting color.

I slipped in a folded piece of matching ribbon to one end of my bookmark and pinned it in place.  Finally I stitched around the edge of my smaller felt piece, sewing the two pieces together and securing the ribbon in place.  Your embroidered felt bookmark is ready to hold your place.  These felt bookmarks are great for package toppers or as party favors.  Show your favorite teacher just how much you appreciate her with this Embroidered Felt Bookmark!

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day Mod Podge Photo Bookmarks

Looking for a last minute DIY gift for Mom or Grandma for Mother's Day?  What Mom doesn't love pictures of their little ones?  Make her a personalized photo bookmark!  Easy to do with supplies you most likely already have on hand.  The kids will love to help as well.  You will need small photos, paper bookmarks or just cardstock, a single hole punch, mod podge, and ribbon.

I printed my photos off my computer using the contact sheet size.  They were perfect for my photo bookmarks.  If you don't have precut bookmarks, cut your decorative card stock to the size you want.  Punch a hole into the top, which is where you will put your ribbon later.  Now decide where you would like to place your photos.

Add a layer of mod podge to the back of your photos and put them in place.  Allow them to dry for a short time.  Now you will apply a layer of mod podge over your entire bookmark.  Allow to dry completely and add another layer of mod podge.  Repeat until you feel your photos are adequately attached.

 

After your bookmark is dry, loop or tie your ribbon through the hole you punched.  You may want to cinge the ends of your ribbon to keep them from fraying.  To do this just hold the ends close to a candle or lighter flame.  You will see the ends cinge.  They do not need to touch the flame.  

Your bookmark is ready to hold Mom's place in her book as well as hold her heart as she gazes on her little ones.  This would also make a great gift topper with a sweet note and the date on the back.

Pulled Pork & Cream Cheese Po'Boy

 

One of my hubby's hobbies is to smoke BBQ.  He doesn't get to do it too often since it can be so time consuming.  He can take up to fifteen hours to smoke a Boston butt to make pulled pork.  Cooking that long means that he will have to be up through the night as well.  This last Saturday we had a full day on Saturday with a community garage sale in our neighborhood, our girl's soccer game and some errands.  He started smoking the pork at about 6 pm.  Such dedication!  He set his alarm for every hour and a half to check on it throughout the night.  He even slept on the couch so he wouldn't wake me.  I guess you know he really likes his BBQ if he is willing to do all of that! 

We also really like pressed sandwiches in our house.  Something about the warm, crusty bread and melted cheese makes it all taste better.  Pressed Cuban Sandwiches are one of our favorite go to quick weeknight meals.  Back when we were dating, we would like to visit a local restaurant that served pressed sandwiches called Po'Boys.  Yummy sandwiches and one of the only places I knew that served tater tots.  We took the kids a few times, but they were less excited about the tater tots.  Baffling, I know!  Sadly, they are no longer in business.  One of their sandwiches did inspire us to make our own Po'Boy.  We took my hubby's love of BBQ and combined it with the yumminess of cream cheese to make our own Pulled Pork & Cream Cheese Po'Boy.  If you don't smoke your own BBQ, don't worry, you can find ready made pulled pork at the grocery store.  Oscar Mayer even has some.  Just make sure it is the sauceless kind.  I made my Po'Boy lower in fat and calories by using fat free cream cheese and 2% milk cheese slices.  Super easy and another great weeknight meal that the family will love.

Pulled Pork & Cream Cheese Po'Boy
by Love Bug Living

French bread
cream cheese
Swiss cheese slices
Pulled Pork (homemade or sauceless prepared)

Cut your french bread loaf in half lengthwise.  Spread both sides of bread with cream cheese.  Add your pulled pork.  Top with your cheese slices and top with your french bread.  Place your sandwich on a hot griddle or flat skillet over medium heat. Using a griddle press, press down on your sandwich as you heat it. If you don't have a press, use another pan with a hot mitt on it and press down your sandwich. Flip and press down again. Heat through and serve.

Don't like pulled pork?  You could also used shredded chicken or turkey.  Great idea for those leftovers or meat pulled off a rotisserie. 

 

 

The Boston Tragedy

Words can't express what I'm feeling about the events that took place in Boston.  I was left with a feeling of helplessness as all I could do was watch the events that took place on my TV, waiting for any word of how all of this could have happened.  Hoping that it would come out that it had all just been a big mistake.  That this couldn't have been planned for the purpose of hurting innocent people. 

For anyone that has run a marathon or any big race, you know that the race is the finale.  Preparation starts many months beforehand with dark, early morning runs while everyone else is sleeping, endless miles each week, speed workouts and cross training sessions.  You research the best foods to eat for your body.  You pass on fun outings with your friends because you know 5am runs come fast.  With the Boston Marathon, these preparations start even earlier.  You can't just sign up to run this race, you must first run another marathon to even qualify to enter.  It isn't just any old time either.  These are the fastest and most dedicated runners that qualify for Boston.  Some can prepare their whole lives and never reach that BQ (Boston Qualifier). 

For those that have trained, it simply is not fair that this kind of thing should happen at a place like this.  It is like the Super Bowl of marathons.  The best of the best have come to prove themselves, hoping to make it to the finish line.  That finish line should not be a place of dread and despair.  It's not fair to the runners, the proud fans, the lovers of the sport, or our country.  It's sad to think of the person or people that thought out and planned this horrible tragedy.  What makes a person think that it is a good idea to hurt others who have done nothing to them?  We may never be able to understand, but we can't let them win. 

Good will always overcome evil.  You saw it in all the clips as people rushed in to help those that had been hurt.  Not caring or thinking about their own safety, but only of those that could not help themselves.  There were police, EMT's, race officials, first responders, runners, and fans that did what they could to help the situation.  It was quite amazing that it all actually looked quite organized even in a time of panic and confusion. 

We do not know what will become of this situation, but we can't let it make us fearful.  We can not let evil and fear dictate how we live our lives.  I don't want to be afraid every time I attend a race, or parade, or sporting event.  These should be a time of joy and accomplishment.  I am proud of all the Boston runners and fans.  Proud of them whether they were able to finish or not.  Proud of the people that led others to safety.  Proud of our country.  I will pray for all of those affected by this tragedy.  I will continue to run races and to cheer on others that run.  I will live my life, not in fear of evil, but in pursuit of all things good.