Nifty Thrifty: Personalized Vases

I was honored to plan my Grandma Nativa's 80th birthday this year. I wanted it to be a picture perfect birthday party with out being frivolous with money that I don't have. I'm excited to say that I didn't lift this idea off another craft blog like I typically do, I came up with this idea just for grandma.

Step 1: Gather the following items to complete your vase: Spray paint, modge podge,rubber bands,glue gun, ribbon.


Step 2: Look around your home for containers that you may already have. In my case I use my old gel bottles, sugar free juice containers and old Tupperware. Measure each container for photo sizing. Spray paint or paint each container a few days in advance to allow the paint to dry

Step 3: Find your favorite photos. Add text to the photos. I use photo shop, for those of you who may not have a photo editing program you can do this at any local digital printing store. I requested words that describe my grandmother from each of my family members.

Step 4: Use modge podge as adhesive for the photos and use the ruberbands to keep photos secure. Allow photos to dry overnight. Use modge podge to create a textured finished look. I used 4-5 coats for each vase.

Step 5: Add ribbon

Step 6: Add party favors.

Step 7: Add flowers


Step 8: Pat yourself on the back and be prepared to receive a lot of complements. Everyone loved these vases, grandma felt special to have these homemade personalized vases at her surprise party.


Stay tuned for more about grandmas surprise birthday party...

Nifty Thrifty: Nursing Pillow aka Boppy

I was planning on purchasing a Boppy but when I went to Wal-mart I was disappointed that they were $20.00. In my mind thats a bit pricey for a pillow. I thought I'd stop by Kmart and the Boppy was priced higher for $30.00. I found the Boppy pattern online for free and the only thing I had to purchase was the stuffing. I used scrap fabric from a previous project and a blanket handed down to me from a good friend.



It took about an hour to make this and the total cost was only $4.47! I was happy with the results:)



Next Project: I haven't decided yet but either a bed for our dog Skofeild (his birthday is this month too or a protective cover for my husbands new toy the Nook.

Nifty Thrifty: Baby Shoes

I wanted something durable for baby shoes so I stopped by a few thrift stores. I found some canvass fabric, about 3 yards for a dollar at the thrift store. These shoes were my first pair ever, they didn't turn out as nice as I would have liked but I'm sure improvement will come with time and experience. I gave this pair to my little friend Ossie Sorber, he's almost 1 year old and they were a little big. I need to make adjustments to the pattern so that I can make a pair that will fit out son.

Birds eye view
I used extra scrap fabric that I had purchased at Nancy's fabric store. My next pair I plan to use my serger so that the edges don't fray. I've been looking for other things that I can add such as buttons, various shapes would be nice but it's hit and miss when it comes to the thrift store.

Side view
If your interested in making these, the tutorial and pattern are on the Stardust shoes blog .

Next sewing project: Boppy (they typically cost $20 at Wal-mart but I can make it for about $7.

Nifty Thrifty: Budgeting for baby

Last week I received this early birthday surprise in the mail! I was overjoyed when I opened the boxes, I didn't expect such a nice gift, Thanks mom:)



I couldn't wait to put my new machines to use so I found a few sewing blogs that have inspired me. See my blog list, under the title "Sewing, a talent I'm trying to develop." I found a great pattern for burp cloths on Jills blog.

I hit up the only two fabric stores in town, in search for the perfect fabric for my first sewing project. I was disappointed to learn that fabric is so expensive, especially for an armature sewer like myself. I took a sewing class in college so I know the basics, but I don't feel comfortable spending $5/per yard for fabric.

Yard sales are popular around here, I stopped by one and found a box full of nice fabric. I selected a few of the nicest fabrics, most were over 3 yards each! I only paid $1.00, what a bargain!! Later on this week I stopped by the thrift store near our home and found 1.5 yards of Polynesian print fabric for 50 cents and 3 receiving blankets for $1.00 each.

Here are the finished products! My next project: Baby shoes, I'm so excited!

I made 5 of the Polynesian print burp cloths.


I made 7 burp cloths with the used receiving blankets.