{ satin flowers }

I really love using these flowers for everything. And

since I used them EVERYWHERE for my sisters

wedding, here is the tutorial.... finally! :)

 

 

What you'll need:

* satin fabric

* scissors

* candle/flame

* needle and thread

* pearls, feathers (optional)

* hot glue (optional)

 

Start by cutting out several different size circles

from you satin.

 

 Using extreme caution, hold the fabric near

the flame on a candle. Satin is synthetic and is

very flammable. Be very careful. You only want to

heat the edge of the circle, one at a time, until

it begins to shrivel. Do not hold it directly over

the flame.

 

Your heated pieces will look similar to this.

Stack your pieces largest to smallest.

 Using a needle and thread, sew all pieces

together through the center until secure.

 

Now you can add embellishments, like

pearls....

 

...and feathers!

These make cute hair pieces and are great

as embellishments in larger projects!

 

Alternating colors of satin is another fun

way to make these flowers.

(this is my beautiful sister getting ready for her big day <3)

 

Or add them to a headband..

(my daughter and niece; flower girls)

 

 

enjoy!

 



{ candy bar banner }

I have always liked the ideas of a candy buffet as

wedding favors. It's colorful, fun, and can

be dressed up so cute. When my little sister told

me she wanted to do a candy buffet, I was so

excited! So of course a banner is my first move

to decorate the table!

 

 

I wanted to try a new thing with this banner. I usually

paint letters on them. This time around I visited my

local vinyl and T-shirt shop. They pressed these

letters on in any size and font I wanted! So not only

did I get exactly what I wanted, it took no time at all!YAY!

 

What you'll need:

* burlap

* jute

* scissors

* sewing machine

 

I like to make a template when making banners. It

ensures that all of my pieces will be uniform. I

made a cardboard triangle that measured 5" across

the top. Then, I cut out 9 triangles form the burlap.

I put them in a bag and took them to the vinyl shop.

 

They cut and pressed 3" letters on each flag.

 

Now all I had to do was simply sew a running

strand of jute to the top of the flags using a

zigzag stitch.

 

~simple and sweet~

 

enjoy

 

 



{ marshmallow gun }

It's always a challenge to find enough activities to keep school age

children occupied throughout the summer months! Eventually, all of the fun

things begin to get old and you find yourself with a child (and all of their friends) 

asking for advice on fun, new things to do with their time! Luckily for me,

I have a husband who loves to create things as much as I do! So, Jake

saved the day this time! Thank goodness! 

What you'll need:

* 1/2" PVC pipe (approx. 29 inches long)

* 2 - 1/2" "T" connectors

* 2 - 1/2" 90 degree connectors

* 2- 1/2" caps

* Pipe cutter

* Weld-On PVC glue

* Cotton swabs

* Disposable rags

* Spray paint

* Mini marshmallows

First you need to cut your PVC pipe into smaller pieces: 

1- 8" piece 

3- 4" pieces

1- 3" piece

2- 2 3/4" piece

Using the knob on the end of the cutter, you can loosen and 

tighten the pizza cutter like blade. Tighten onto the pipe and spin

it around. Tighten after each spin until the pipe is cut through.

Lay out your pieces to prep for gluing

Marking your pipes before gluing is the best way to ensure everything 

lines up straight. To mark them, assemble the marshmallow gun prior to gluing.

Using a pencil, mark at the joints ( vertically and horizontally ) and then match 

up these markings once you've glued. It is more difficult to make corrections

once the glue has been applied. 

Line these up when you put your pieces back together after gluing.

**This glue can be a real mess! Try very hard not to get it on your clothes

or anything else you don't want ruined. Lay down a disposable rag

or newspaper to work on. Work in a well ventilated area or outside to

avoid fumes.

My husband used a cotton swab instead of the large applicator that comes

 with the glue to avoid dripping as much as possible. Dip your cotton swab in the 

glue. Wipe a generous amount of glue around the outside edge of the pipe.

Moving quickly, wipe a generous amount of glue inside the fitting.

Now, fit the two together, lining up your markings. The glue grabs fast,

so move quickly to make adjustments easier. Use a disposable rag to wipe

any glue that has oozed out. Avoid getting it on your hands.

Continue gluing the pieces together as they are shown in the image above.

Now spray paint! We let my son paint his own (with help)! It turned out

very colorful! Allow the paint to dry over night.

Now gather some ammo 

(aka: mini marshmallows)

Place one mini marshmallow into the top chamber. 

Now blow bursts of air into the chamber. The marshmallow will

shoot out the barrel of the gun! Make sure you teach your child

not to inhale while they prepare to blow the marshmallow out to avoid 

the chance of sucking the marshmallow back into their mouth and possibly choking. 

The marshmallow gun was such a hit with our son's friends that my husband

is now on back order making them! The best part is that it cost a total of $5! 

{ no-sew homemade american flag tank }

With the 4th of July right around the corner, here is a homemade tank 

for you to try out! Perfect for all the festivities you may be attending this 

Independance Day! 

What you'll need:

* white t-shirt

* scissors

* acrylic paint

* foam brush

* card board

Start by cutting your t-shirt! Simply cut around the neck line as low as you

like. Then cut off the sleeves. You may want to try it on before hand 

to mark where you want your new sleeve holes and neck line before cutting.

Now fit your shirt with some cardboard. Slip it in through the shirt to prevent

the paint from bleeding through to the back of your tank.

 Now start painting! I used red and turquoise. 

I started by outlining some

star shapes with the tip of my sponge brush. They don't have to be perfect.

If you prefer a more precise star, try using a stencil or some vinyl that can be
removed after painting.

Now paint your stripes. I just eyed these up. You can use wide tape
(like packing tape) to stencil in your stripes if you wish.

I wanted my flag tank to look "rocker", so I didn't worry about
perfection!

Allow the paint to dry completely before wearing. Don't wash for 24 hours
to allow the paint to set in. First wash and dry should be separate from any
other garments. After first wash and dry, the paint will be set in and you can throw
it in with your other laundry without worrying about bleeding or color transfer! 

This shirt is even cute turned inside out! :) It muted the colors
to compliment the actual flag!

Yep, I have pretty fun friends! <3

I made this shirt about 15 minutes before doing these photos! And.... it was free!
Enjoy

{ barbie hair make-over } And giveaway winner

{Giveaway Winners}

Congratulations to the two winners of the little blue halos:

Tami Thomson
&
Jennifer Greg

Thanks for participating! If you left an email with your comment, I will contact you
via email. If not, please contact me within 48 hours to claim your halo through
my Facebook page or by email!

_____________________________________________________________________

Barbie hair make-over


Barbie is such a beauty! Silky smooth hair, big eyes, and don't forget 

the incredible wardrobe! But if you have a young girl, like I do, then Barbie's hair

is all but smooth and silky any more and and her clothes actually have to be 

washed with your laundry! 

So, Peach brought me a Barbie today and asked if I could tame her wild

mane. I was doubting my abilities momentarily. But I figured something out.. It's

not as hard as it seems! 

What you'll need:

* Liquid laundry soap (preferably with added fabric softener)

* Boiling water

* Cold water

* Cup

Sorry for the lack of pictures. 

If you can wash hair, you can fix Barbie!

Start by wetting Barbies hair.

Dip your finger tips in your liquid laundry soap and wipe through hair.

Brush soap through hair and remove all tangles.

Remove boiling water from any heat source. Dip Barbie's hair in the water and swish

it around a bit. Now pour the water over her hair slowly to remove soap.

Repeat above step in cold water.

Now brush the hair out and smooth it in place. Stand Barbie up in a cup to allow her

hair to dry completely.  

No more throwing Barbie's away for their nasty hair! :)

{ little blue halo } Giveaway

*This Giveaway Is Closed*
GIVEAWAY!!

I sat down and made a tie back halo for myself a few days ago.

It was just so cute that I went ahead a made a few more, and......

 I'm giving away 2 of them!* 

That's right, two winners! 

The giveaway will run for one week... from Friday, June 1, 2012

through Thursday, June 7, 2012 ( midnight, HST)

Halo's fit age Preemie to approximately 4 years old.

How to enter:

1. Like A Lott Of Ideas on Facebook.

Leave a comment on THIS blog post stating that you completed step 1. 

This comment will be your entry into this giveaway.

Additional ways to enter:

2. Pin this giveaway on Pinterest. Leave a comment on THIS blog post 

stating that you completed step 2.

3. Share this giveaway on Facebook. You must have a link 

back to this blog post

or A Lott Of Ideas Facebook page. Leave a comment on THIS 

blog post stating that you completed step 3

4. Follow A Lott Of Ideas blog through Google 

Friend Connect or by email. Leave a comment on THIS blog post stating

 that you completed step 4.

5. Go to Kandislei Co. on Etsy.com and find your favorite item.

 Leave a comment on THIS blog post stating what the item is and

 that you completed step 5.

Leave a comment on THIS blog post for EACH bonus entry completed stating that you completed the bonus entry and leave a link in your comment. You have 5 chances to win! Good LUCK!

*I will announce the winner on this blog as well as on Facebook.

Please check back to see if you won! Winners will be allowed 42 hours to claim

their prizes. After the 42 hours, a new winner will be chosen. If you

want to ensure your winnings, please leave an email address in your entry posts.

Winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Please note: This giveaway is NOT sponsored or associated with Facebook. There are no returns or exchanges on any of the prizes. Prizes do not have cash value.