Persevering Momma

Taking The Day One Spoon At a Time

Will It Be a New Addiction? Breaking In My Cricut.

by Leave a Comment

I recently made the decision to purchase a Cricut bundle online to start making crafts because ever since I had my son I just love making fun new crafts and I want to step up my crafting game. If you recall I made many party supplies for my son’s first birthday last year from scratch, but would love it if they look a little more polished than they did last year. If you would like to purchase the Cricut Explore Air™ Machine + EVERYTHING Starter Set you can do so on their site.

So far I have just set up my Cricut and an area where I can work in my messy craft room/office. I have repurposed my mother-in-laws sewing cabinet to hold my Cricut and supplies on it until I have a full room to myself (Who knows when that will be. Haha)

The Cricut Explore Air 2 can be hooked up to your computer with Bluetooth or via USB. I personally didn’t want to hook my laptop up via USB so I invested in Bluetooth for my laptop that didn’t come with it. If you need something like this I found my Bluetooth adapter on Amazon.

Using this adapter allows me to work on my laptop at my desk while being able to roll across the room (only a couple feet away) in my computer chair to set everything up for my projects with the Cricut. Since I share the room my set up is on top of a closed sewing cabinet that isn’t currently being used. If we didn’t have it full of sewing materials I would probably just use it to store all of my crafting materials. On day I will have it’s own set up with storage for all of my crafting materials. In the meantime this set up looks like it will work.

Be on the watch for more updates because I just ordered the needed materials for some of my son’s birthday crafts!

Happy crafting!

Making Ghost Prints With Your Little One!

by Leave a Comment

I just love making crafts and I’ve been struggling to come up with some awesome crafts for each holiday that I can make worth my son. Some people might think I’m crazy because he is only 8 months old and doesn’t really understand what we are doing, but I think it’s great!

We bond everyday when he nurses, but I want him to have fun with me as well. I know I can play with him and I do, but playing with daddy will always be more fun because he is able to play rougher and be a lot more out there than I can be. That’s why arts and craft time is something special I can do with him.

After a lot of thought and a lot of research I realized simple crafts will have to do! This crafts is great to do with babies and or toddlers!

Simple Paint Ghosts!

You will need minimal supplies for this craft and if you look hard enough I bet you can find everything you need at your home!

  • Black construction paper
  • White washable paint
  • Black marker
  • Scissors
  • plastic container

See what I mean!? This is going to be so simple and so much fun!. Before you begin I would suggest that if you have a baby you strip them down to their diaper because if your child is squirmy like mine you will get paint all over them! Once you have them stripped down you will want to get your work space ready.  I laid out a painters tarp and did the work on top of that because it could catch any stray paint and not make a mess on the table or carpet.

You will then set out all of your materials.  The plastic container needs to be big enough to fit your child’s hand and foot.  I used a simple butter container that we had clean.  Pour enough paint to lightly coat the bottom of the dish and place a hand in the container coating your child’s whole palm with paint.  Once you do this you will bring it to the paper and press their hand down firmly onto the paper.  Repeat this step for the other hand and both feet.

Now, you wait for it to dry, but while it dries you might as well clean up your child and wash the remaining paint from the container that was just used.

After drying you will then cut along the outline of the paint leaving just a little black perimeter of the print to create the ghost.  When you go to draw on eyes and a mouth you will want to turn the prints upside down so that the fingers and toes are pointed down. I drew tall oval eyes and a little oval dot for the mouth, but you can get creative and draw them differently if you would like.

Ta Da! Ghost Prints you will always love!

Once I had completed them I decided to date the backs of the little ghost prints so that I can put it in my memory box that is filled with great little trinkets from Raiden’s first year of life!  I think it is a great little way for me to commemorate his first Halloween.  If you decide to make a set of ghost prints leave a comment here and/or use the hashtag #ghostprints and #ParsimoniousPash on Instagram so that I can see all of your cute little ghost prints!

Guide To Cross Stitch: Where To Begin

by Leave a Comment

Cross stitch patterns are available in thousands and thousands of designs. Not all cross stitch kits are sold with printed fabric. Some are sold with blank fabric plus a chart that shows the needle worker where to place each stitch.

This technique is called counted cross stitch. In a stamped cross stitch kit, a chart guide is stamped onto the fabric. This avoids the need to count stitches. You simply make pattern stitches on the fabric and match embroidery floss colours to the stamped fabric colours.

Look at the Printed Pattern

To begin, unfold the canvas fabric to look at the pattern. The kit may come complete with a tapestry need that’s blunter and longer than an ordinary sewing needle plus coloured embroidery floss.

If the kit did not include these items and you are a new cross stitcher, you will need to purchase them from cross stitch patterns Australia.

You may find a chart on the kit packaging that tells you the specific colours of floss you need to buy to create the design.

Thread Your Needle

Embroidery floss is typically sold in bundles comprised of six strands. Separate out the strands of each colour needed according to the instructions before you threat the needle. Many patterns require two strands.

Find the Center

Identify the pattern’s center by creasing and folding the fabric. Begin there, and stitch outward. Stitch an X from corner-to-corner in each coloured square if your fabric is printed. Match colours of floss used to colours stamped on the fabric. Don’t venture into white areas of the fabric. Stitch where colours are stamped on it.

Make Uniform Stitches

Note that every X is comprised of two stitches—one from the upper right to lower left corner and the other from upper left to lower right. Your completed design will look fuller and more expert if you maintain uniform stitches. For instance, make each stitch in the same manner, placing one stitch on top each time.

Anchor Embroidery Floss

Anchor ends of the embroidery floss by placing it beneath other stitches on the fabric back as you start and complete each group of strands. Instead of knotting the strands, work this way to preserve a flat, clean face of the finished craft.

Select Your Fabric

If you’re an experienced needle-worker, you can make intricate or simple designs on even-weave, linen, or Aida cloth. Determining the fabric count, or the number of threads per inch plus the stitch methods – over one or over two threads – and the design stitch count will determine the finished work size. Calculate the size of fabric needed to start the project if you’re an experienced needle-worker.

Calculate Thread Count

To begin, have a calculator on hand. To create a cross stitch, make a cross stitch pattern or use a cross stitch pattern you like. Know the fabric thread count. For instance, Aida is available in a range of thread counts, from 6-count to 18-count. Even-weaves and linens are typically sold in 28 or 32-count.

Determine the Design Height and Width

For many projects, even-weaves and linens are stitched over two separate threads. Start by dividing the thread count in half. For instance, a 28-count even-weave is stitched as a 14-count. Check the pattern for design count, or the stitch count of design height and width. If a design count isn’t provided on the pattern, it’s simple to determine it:

  • Imagine that the design stitch count is 140 x 112 stitches.
  • Divide each dimension (height and width) by thread count. Divide 140 x 14 to determine the 10-inch width. Determine the height by dividing 112 by 14 to know the height is 8 inches.
  • The design will be 10 inches x 8 inches on the 14-count fabric.
  • Calculate the allowance of space surrounding the design. You want a margin for the design and enough space to complete the project. If you plan to frame the design, save about one inch (or more) to lace fabric on a mount board.

For example, if you want a four-inch allowance, double the amount (8 inches) and add to the design size. This means your fabric size in 18 x 16 inches.

DIY Music Themed Birthday Party Decorations And Snacks

by Leave a Comment

Throwing a birthday party can easily get really expensive.  I made sure that I tried my hardest to stretch every dollar I spent because we had between 30-50 people at Raiden’s first birthday and we needed to provide appetizers, dinner, and cake for all of these people.  Even with us making a majority of it the money just kept flying out the window.  That is why I decided to not buy the expensive music themed birthday party decorations and instead made them myself at home.

They were a huge hit and everyone was asking me how I made them so I thought I would share with you how I made the various different birthday party decorations for Raiden’s first birthday party.

DIY Music Themed Birthday Party Decorations

DIY Record Platter

Supplies Needed:

  • Record
  • Candle Holder
  • Hot Glue Gun and Glue

* Supplies listed are for one Record Platter; if you want to make multiple platters you will want to get more records and candle holders.

Step 1:

If you don’t have these items in your home I recommend going to your local thrift store and/or dollar store to find the items.  I found “candle holders” from Dollar Tree that worked perfectly.  They were the ones that hold the candle on the bottom and your put the scent oils on the top.  I loved that they had a bigger surface area so that the record had more stability.  Once you have them home you will want to wash them so that they are clean before you begin crafting.

*I didn’t take the paper off of the center of the record, but I believe that you will have better results if you do this.

Step 2:

Get your hot glue gun ready.  You will need to be fast so I recommend you have someone help you with this step.  You are going to put glue along the rim of the candle holder and place the record centered on it so that it is glued in place.  You can use a different glue if you want, but this worked real well and was real fast to do.  Now, I had the paper still on the records and noticed that they can easily come apart if they are jostled too much because the glue is adhering to the paper not the record.  I plan to attempt to redo them without the paper, but have not had the chance.  They did hold up through the entire party.

Step 3:

Clean the record with a soapy cloth or wipe so that it is extra clean when you place food atop them.  You wouldn’t want to put food on something dirty.

DIY Music Snack Bowls

Supplies Needed:

  • Snack Cups (Bought at Dollar Tree for $1)
  • Permanent Marker(s)

Step 1:

I went to the Dollar store and bought their snack cups in the party section.  They came in packs of 8.  I was able to find black and red cups, but our stores were out of white ones.  You will want to pick out whatever colors go with the color scheme of your party and you will want to buy permanent markers as well.  I needed silver and black markers for the red and black cups.  I was able to get these at the Dollar Tree as well, but I know that not all stores have the same products so you may need to buy them elsewhere.

Step 2:

Set aside some time because this is time consuming.  In order to make these DIY music snack bowls you will need to be patient while you had draw music notes onto your cups.  You can choose to draw big or small notes.  We drew half big notes and half small notes to change it up a little bit.  I sat and watched a movie while I drew on the music notes.  It really helped to make it feel like it wasn’t taking as long as it really was taking.

birthday party decorations

DIY Snack Boxes

Supplies Needed:

  • Snack Boxes (I bought boxes like these from a local shop)
  • Marker
  • Construction paper
  • Straight Edge
  • Glue Stick

There aren’t really steps for this craft.  Once you have your boxes you will want to cut out half dollar sized circles for each box.  You will need two circles per box.  Once the circles are cut out you will want to glue them onto the box.  When you glue them you can put one slightly higher than the other so it looks like they are different notes or you can keep them level.  That is up to you.  Once they are glued on you will then use a straight edge to draw the lines of the music note.  It really isn’t very hard or all that time consuming.  We only did a note on the front of the box, but you can do it on multiple sides if you so chose.

birthday party decorations

DIY Microphone Cupcakes

Supplies Needed:

  • Cupcake Pan
  • Tin Cake Pan (rectangular)
  • Cake Mix (we did yellow cake)
  • Ice cream cones (if you can find them the colored ones are awesome)
  • White Frosting
  • Silver Sprinkles

*I found this cupcake pan made for making cupcakes in ice cream cones after the party, but if you think you will make them more than once you might want to invest in this pan.

Step 1:

Make the cupcake batter as directed on the box and set aside.  If you did not buy the pan I found on Amazon then you will need to get crafty.  I cut out circles for the cones out of the tin cake pan and placed it upside down on the cookie sheet and places the cones in the holes.  Once you have them set up you will portion out the batter.  You will want to fill them like you do a regular cupcake pan.  Only fill them around half way because if you over fill them they will make a huge mess and not turn out how you want.

Step 2:

Let the cupcakes cool before you begin frosting them.  You will want to spread the frosting on nice and evenly.  If you are really good you can pipe the frosting on to make them look rounder like a microphone.  (My hands are too shaky and weak that I struggle with piping bags.)  Once you have put the frosting on you will want to use your silver sprinkles.  You can use any kind.  We used a fine sprinkle and a little silver food dye spray on each cupcake and everyone seemed to love how they looked.

And there you have it! Once all of these birthday party decorations were made I felt like I good take a sigh of relief and know that everyone would be able to tell the theme of the party.  In addition to the birthday party decorations listed above we did also make bowls out of records, but that is a post for later. (My hubby wants to write all about it because he is so proud of his bowls.)

If you are looking for more ideas for a music themed party then you should check out my post on a DIY Music Themed Birthday Banner and DIY Music Themed Highchair Banner for a first birthday party.

If you have any ideas on other music themed party decorations please let me know because I would love to try them as well!

 

DIY Music Themed First Birthday Highchair Banner

by Leave a Comment

I loved planning my son’s first birthday party, but boy was it expensive.  I looked high and low for a music themed birthday highchair banner, but when I did finally find one it was too late and I needed to create one myself.  I was feeling overwhelmed and thanks to my sister and hubby we were able to get everything completed before the party.

DIY Music Themed 1st Birthday Highchair Banner

Supplies Needed:

  • 3 different 1/4 yard pieces of fabric
  • Burlap (8″x10″)
  • Ribbon (I used this ribbon)
  • 1 piece red felt
  • 1 piece black felt
  • Fabric Glue (I used this glue.)
  • Scissors
  • White or Silver Marker or chalk

Step 1:

With scissors cut the 3 fabrics that you bought into 1″ strips.  You will want them long so make sure that you cut the fabric with the rectangle vertical. My banner contained 4 strips of each fabric, but if you want them spaced closer together I would suggest making 6 or 8 strips of each fabric.

Step 2:

With scissors you will want to cut your burlap.  If your piece is larger than 8″ x 10″ you will want to cut it to this size.  I folded it in half height wise and then cut the bottom at a small slant and when you unfold it you will have your flag bunting.

Step 3:

If any of your fabric was folded or has creases in it now is when you will want to iron it.  The fabric won’t lay nice on the ribbon if you don’t do this.

Step 4:

Grab your felt and trace a number 1 onto the red fabric and a Quarter Note onto the Black felt. Once this is done cut the shapes out and glue them onto the burlap with the fabric glue.  I put the music note under the Quarter Note and really liked how it popped.

Step 5:

Assemble your banner.  I measured the front of my son’s highchair and added some extra ribbon length just to be safe before assembling my banner. You will want to create a pattern with your fabric as you tie it on. We tied it on with a tie knot so that the strips laid nice and pretty. Mine had two sets of the fabrics on either side of the burlap and mirrored each other (meaning that the same colors were in the center and they patterned out.  Once you have it all spaced out you will want to glue on the burlap to the ribbon.

Step 6:

Adhere to the highchair with tape or slide the ribbon under the removable tray to help keep it in place.