Special Daddy Pillow DIY

On the 16x22 panel. Cut it into 2 sections - I would guess I make one piece about 14" wide and the other piece 8" wide, but there's no set measurement it has to be.

Then take those inside 16" sides and iron the hem down. This is going to be the flaps for your pocket opening.

Next take the 16x16 front piece and line your tie up. Place it however you like, but I always seem to put mine off-set. Just make sure you allow for the seams. Cut off the excess, pin it down and sew it on! I like the contrasting thread with the dark tie, but you could make it blend if that's your preference.

Then put all your pieces together with the fabric facing in and pin in place. (Notice how my bottom piece is NOT facing the right way!  Uh, yeah, maybe I should view my pics before I start sewing!!)

 

Sew around all 4 sides and once you're finished, I trim off all 4 corners. This makes sure you have nice sharp corners when you turn it right-side out.

 

Stuff your pillow insert in and then get started on the next one! 

I make my pillow covers with a flap in the back so I can remove the pillow inserts and change out the covers whenever I want. My pillow forms are 16x16, and I like them to look really full so I cut my fabric to be 16x16 as well. I figure with the seams, this gives me about a 15x15 "hole" for the pillow so it looks nice and plump! This could be modified depending on how you like your pillow to look.

Let's start with the tie pillow. First step, go to your thrift store and find an old tie for cheap. I pay about 50 cents for mine, and I like the ones that are old-fashioned looking. Then I try to find a coordinating fabric that has more of a feminine quality. I just like the contrast of the feminine print with the old manly tie.

Then I cut one piece of fabric 16x16 for the front panel. The next piece I cut 16x22 for the back panel.

Baked Eggs In a Basket Recipe

baked eggs in a basket recipe

what you’ll need

• 2 slices of bread
• butter
• 2 large eggs
• baking sheet
• bow tie cookie cutter

let’s do it

• place baking sheet in oven
• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• cut bow tie from each slice of bread using cookie cutter
• remove baking sheet from oven and grease lightly with butter
• place bread and bowtie cutouts separately on hot baking sheet
• crack egg into cutout and pierce yolk
• bake 8 minutes or until egg is set
• serve immediately

DIY Memory In A Jar Instructions

DIY memory jars instructions

what you’ll need

• upcycled mason or pasta sauce jar
• hot glue gun
• collected memories and photos

let’s do it

• wash and dry jar
• gather items for jar
• select filler for bottom of jar (sand, moss, dirt, leaves, fabric)
• hot glue filler to secure
• start layering memories in jar, hot glue to secure

TIP: less is more so pick your favorite items or make 2 jars

• make banners with name, year and location
• screw on lid tightly, add exterior embellishments if desired
• decorate your shelves with memories

DIY Personalized Planting Pot Gifts

DIY personalized planter instructions

what you’ll need

• terra cotta pot
• blue painter’s tape
• exterior house paint or spray paint
• foam paint brush
• small point paint brush
• letter stencil
• stencil or stipple brush

let’s do it

• wipe off pot with cloth to remove dust
• apply tape around pot leaving approximately ¼ of pot exposed

TIP: instead of tape, measure and mark with a ruler and pencil. Use marks as a guide for tape placement to create a straight edge.

• paint planter
• let dry
• apply another 1-2 coats, allowing to dry between each coat
• repeat with tape and paint for other half of pot
• remove painter’s tape

TIP: remove  tape at an angle so you don’t pull up the paint you just applied

• let dry another 1-2 hours
• place stencil between colors slightly overlapping bottom color
• TIP: hold stencil firmly with hand since it’s a curved surface
• paint first letter with color used on bottom of pot

TIP: move brush up and down to stencil so the finished letter has crisp edges

• let dry before moving to next letter
• position stencil for next letter and paint
• repeat for all letters
• freehand “the” using small point brush

TIP: pencil in letters on the pot or paper first to create a guideline for painting

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Chunky Guacamole

chunky guacamole recipe

makes 8 servings

what you’ll need

• 4 avocados
• ½ small red onion, grated
• 1 small tomato, diced
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• juice of 1 lime
• salt, to taste
• grater or microplane

let’s do it

• remove avocados from shells; save shells
• mash 3 avocados in bowl with back of fork
• dice 1 avocado and add to other avocado mixture
• add rest of ingredients and mix well
• serve in avocado skins

cheerios sheep treats

What You’ll Need

Makes approximately 6 sheep

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/3 cups mini marshmallows (plus additional for assembly)
• 2 cups either multi-grain and chocolate Cheerios (depending on desired sheep’s color)
• White or dark chocolate chips
• Pretzel sticks
• White and dark chocolate coated almonds (or Whoppers if you don’t like nuts)
• Toothpicks

Let’s Do It

Sheep’s body:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter; add marshmallows and stir until melted
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups of Cheerios, mix together
• Spoon out heaping tablespoon of mixture and use lightly greased hands to mold into egg-like shape
• For legs, melt white or dark chocolate chips to use as glue; break pretzel sticks to ¾” lengths and attach to sheep’s body

Sheep’s head:

• Apply small amount of melted chocolate and press into end of body
• For ears, cut mini marshmallows into small pieces and use melted chocolate to glue them on top of head
• For eyes, dip toothpick into melted chocolate and add two dots to face

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Strawberry Garden Dessert

What You’ll Need

Makes 6 pots (plus additional strawberries)

• 12 medium strawberries
• Orange chocolate melting wafers
• http://www.groovycandies.com/candy/chocolate-orange-melting-wafers-5.asp
• 4 Fun Size bags of Oreos
• 2 boxes sugar-free Jell-O chocolate pudding mix

Let’s Do It

• In food processor blend Oreos into crumbs; set aside
• Make pudding according to package instructions; set aside
• Place melting wafers in small metal bowl
• Place water in small saucepan and bring to boil; lower water temperature to medium-high and set metal bowl with melting wafers on saucepan, making sure water is not touching bottom of bowl; melt wafers while stirring constantly
• Dip strawberries in melted chocolate, remove excess back into bowl and transfer to a parchment-lined plate; place in refrigerator until chocolate is set
• Pour remaining melted chocolate in piping bag with narrow tip; drizzle lines over strawberries to simulate growth rings on carrots
• Line pots with food-safe parchment paper (or insert small cup); fill with alternating layers of Oreo crumbs and chocolate pudding, ending with Oreo crumbs on top
• Add “carrots” and enjoy

DIY GARDEN MARKERS

I LOVE THIS IDEA.
NOT JUST FOR MOTHER'S DAY.
DO YOU HAVE A BRIDE-TO-BE THAT LOVES GARDENING?
A FATHER'S DAY IDEA TOO.

jewelry nickel stamping blanks DIY garden markers instructions

what you’ll need

• jewelry nickel stamping blanks found at your local craft store
• 20 gauge floral stem wire
• fine point sharpie
• colored nail polish
• wire cutters or scissors

let’s do it

• write name of herb on the jewelry nickel stamping blank using a fine point Sharpie
• paint one corners of tag with 1-2 coats of colored nail polish to add a little flair
  TIP: if you mess up with the marker or nail polish, use Goo Gone and a paper towel to wipe clean and start over
• cut floral wire to approximately 9″ using wire cutters or scissors
• sculpt wire into swirl or other fun shape
• thread stamping blank onto wire
• put marker into pot

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paint chips DIY garden markers instructions

what you’ll need

• paint chips from local hardware store or colored craft paper
• scissors
• ruler
• 20 gauge floral stem wire
• fine point Sharpie
• small hole punch

let’s do it

• cut paint chips or craft paper to approximately 1″ wide by 2 1/2″ tall
• punch hole in each corner of paint chip
• write name of herbs on paint chips with marker
  TIP: to create a more artsy garden marker, it’s fun to sketch a little picture of the herb to go along with the name
• hold floral wire in the middle with one hand
• gently bend wire over your finger with your other hand (both sides should be even length when finished)
• thread paint chips onto wire, almost up to curve
• trim wire if needed
• place in indoor herb garden

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