Published :-)

I've officially been published...TWICE!

The excitement of receiving the magazines in the mail, knowing my articles were in there were priceless!!!

Ironically, the two magazines aren't affiliated in any way but I was published in the March edition of both of them.  

One is our local magazine.  My sweet friend, Lee Ann, asked if I'd be interested in doing a DIY piece and of course I said YES! 

She wrote the article and I created the Easter crafts (during Christmas...which was very weird).

I made an Easter-y tree, a chalkboard, and a bright, Spring wreathe (my favorite craft- very Lily P. if you asked me!)

  I love the way it turned out and I am so grateful that she asked me to be a part!

The second magazine is Military Spouse Mag.

  I wrote the article and did the DIY projects for this particular assignment.  

The article was about easy, inexpensive ways to decorate your home when you are constantly changing homes. This was obviously geared toward military families.

 I did a chalkboard tutorial, a personalized family monogram canvas, and some framed children's art.

I'm inspired to seek out more writing and crafting opportunities in my future!

  It really is so rewarding to put time and effort into something and then be able to see the finished results in hard copy.  

I'm hooked!

Sew-For-Yourself: Monogrammed Apron

Step 1: Start with a square piece of fabric.

I chose a light blue and white seersucker...you can use anything for this project!

Step 2: Hold it up to your "client" and get an about measurement of where to cut for the arms.  

This can be made for a child or an adult! 

Step 3:  Cut armholes as shown.

In order to get matching armholes, fold your material in half, length wise after you cut the first armhole and use that as a guideline to cut your second armhole (pictured below):

Now your material should look like this:

Step 4: Hem all edges.

I serged around the edges first and then did a 1/4" hem with my sewing machine all the way around.

 Step 5: Add elastic to neck line.

I cut a piece of narrow elastic, pinned it to each side of the top and sewed straight across.  I chose to use elastic for the neck because now my little "client" can pull it on and off easily without needing me to tie it for him.

Step 6: Add ribbon to sides of apron.

I had a roll of wide, grosgrain ribbon on hand.  I cut two equal pieces and sewed each one onto either side of the apron, right at the base of the arm cut outs.

I added some fray check to the ends of my ribbon to keep it from fraying and looking sloppy.

Step 7: Grab some felt and cut out your monogram letter.

I used black for contrast.  I free-handed the letter C, but you could print out a letter from your computer, cut it out, pin it onto the felt and cut around it if you are looking for a certain font, like a pretty cursive!

Pin the letter on and carefully stitch it onto your apron.

This is an optional step.  I used my remaining pieces that I cut from my arm holes in step 3 to make a pocket.  

Just hem around the edges.

The left is a picture of what the back of your pocket will look like and the right side is what the front will look like:

Then I sewed the sides and bottom of the pocket onto the apron, leaving the top open.

Someone loved it.

He likes to "cook" with me.  In fact, we "cooked" up some chocolate milk as soon as he got his apron on!  He thinks stirring means he's cooking something good...so he get's to do lots of stirring :)

 Look at this kid.  He's so serious.

A little too much flour on his nose.

This apron would make a great gift too!  For birthday people of all ages :)

Easy, functional, fun and "client" approved!

Happy Monday everyone!

Don't forget, there's still one more day left to get your coupon codes for the Valentine Mug sets.

Valentines Day is only THREE weeks away!!!

DIY: Painted Outdoor Rug

I have had a couple of brown, boring runners for a few years now.
 They have never been my favorite but when we bought them, we lived in a home with cold, tile floors and really needed them and they were a good deal, so we have been using them in every house along the way.
They have ended up in the laundry room, in the hall and everywhere else.  I decided to take one of them and paint it to something I liked a little better.
Turns out, I created myself a pretty good lookin' outdoor rug and I'd love to show you how you can take an  indoor rug and create an outdoor one out of it!

Here's what I started with:

Step 1: Tape off your rug.

I took the rug outside, laid it on a tarp and taped off even sections with masking tape for my stripes.
Using a T ruler really helped me to get the lines straight. 

Step 2: Choose your spray paint.  

I picked up 2 colors of spray paint..one in Krylon's Catalina Mist, an aqua color (surprise! surprise!) and the other in a warm brown.  I also used this handy spray paint gun attachment...a MUST have for spray paint lovers.
  Believe me, it will make your life THAT much easier and it's only a few bucks!

Step 3:  Spray paint your heart out.
 I will admit that this rug soaked up lots of paint.  It took about 4 coats per each stripe to get it covered good.
 I also had to be careful not to get the brown paint on the blue paint and visa versa.  I got a little creative and used a couple pieces of poster board to protect the alternate stripe...you guys are smart so I am sure you can figure out your own solution for keeping the stripe colors separate...there are many solutions!  Usually just ends up being what you have handy...cardboard, old rags, etc.

Here is the after!

Originally I had thought I would put it inside but Seth complained that it wasn't "soft" anymore, so I moved it outside and it works like a charm!  I don't know why I didn't think to do this sooner.  It complete's our outdoor living room set up...just need this weather to stay warm so I can put some purty flowers out!

I'm also excited about my new business, Rodan+Fields!
Since I have begun, I have had more time AND funds to do the things I LOVE, including DIY crafts and spending time with my family :)
If you haven't heard of Rodan+Fields, it's a new Anti-Aging skincare line from the brilliant doctors who created Proactiv and let me just tell you, IT WORKS!!!
If you are worried about your wrinkles, dark spots, melasma, acne, or red and sensitive skin, I have GREAT products for you!!!
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KathlynWade@hotmail.com

DIY: Stamp & Paint Baby Sleeper

This is a simple tutorial on how to snazzy up a plain sleeper (or onesie, or t-shirt or pair of pants, or, or, or...)

Step 1: Start with a plain sleeper.

  I found this cute one, brand new at a thrift store.  I loved the simple grey and white stripe design (can't wait to put it on my bebe!)

 Step 2:  Gather supplies as though you're a pilgrim gathering food on Thanksgiving day.

  Okay, you don't have to work that hard.  

In fact, you only need three items: your choice of fabric paint, a foam brush and some letter stamps OR stencils.  I found these large stamp letters at Joanne's on sale one day and had to grab them up and I have used them on tons of projects. 

Step 3:  Liberally apply paint to your stamp, and stamp away!  

Being careful to make sure you line things up nicely.  Don't forget to put a piece of cardboard or card stock in the sleeper so the paint doesn't leak through.

Tah Dah! 

 Make sure to follow the instructions on the back of the bottle of fabric paint.  I have found after you let the paint dry really good, laying a towel over top of your design and ironing over the towel heat sets the fabric paint, allowing for more durability.

  Definitely allow for as much time as possible for the paint to dry before you wash it!

How simple and cute is this?

Inexpensive too!

I'd love to see your painted clothing if you get crafty and decide to paint something :)

Happy Monday everyone...

I hope this is the start of a GREAT week for you!!!

DIY: Wooden Ruler Height Chart

I went to Home Depot and had them cut a $5 board in half for me.

This is about 4' tall.

Choose what color you'd like to "stain" your board.  I choose to use a black (even though I took a picture of a white bottle!)

You mix about 1 part of acrylic paint to 3 parts water.

You can also use wood stain too, whatever you'd like!

I used some paper towels and wiped them all over my board until I got the color I wanted.  Dab excess off with a clean paper towel and let dry.

I used two different rulers. My "T" ruler rocked...I wouldn't have been able to get my lines nearly as straight without it...you can buy them for pretty cheap at any craft or office supply store.  They might even have them at Walmart and Target.

It's pretty much just a T-shaped ruler.

Also, don't forget to measure how far off the floor you will be hanging your chart.  I started at the 6" mark.  That is why I didn't start with the one inch number.

If you have a stencil, that would be perfect! If not, you can also free hand it like I did.  

I can't say enough great things about Sharpie Oil based paint pens.  I've used many brands of paint pens and this one ROCKS!

Caleb woke up before I finished my project.  He supervised.

 I also sprayed a clear coat all over the ruler, just for a little extra protection.

Caleb had some fun with it!

Now...where to hang it?!?

***Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to enter the giveaway!!!!!***