White Watch Inspired T-Shirt Bracelet [NO BRAIDING!]

I love the white rubber woven watches that are so popular right now. Thanks to my darling sister, I now own such a watch. Before I received her wonderful gift, I crafted this white watch inspired t-shirt bracelet to imitate that trendy look. [NO BRAIDING!]

What you'll need:

2 one-inch fabric strips cut horizontally from an old t-shirt. I used a lightweight knit with a little stretch. Avoid using the hem of the shirt, but keep the side seams intact, so your strips will be loops.

What you'll do: Follow the photo tutorial below (because in this case, pictures speak louder than words).

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Linking up at Between U & Me, Tattertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, Lines Across My Face

Baby "Box" Car Adventures

The first several weeks of winter spoiled us with unseasonably warm weather. Picnics at the park, afternoon walks, and lots of outdoor play filled our days. Sure we wore jackets, but the sun and warm temperatures made it feel more like early April, not early January.

Last week winter finally came. The moods of those inside the house reflected the gray dreary weather outside the house. The Bean Sprout was fussy, the cat was irritable, and I was bored. We needed an "active" activity to entertain us. It was time for baby boxcar adventures!

After looping an old bed sheet through the grip holes of a diaper box, the Bean and I were soon racing up and down the hallway on our baby friendly race track. The diaper box glides quite well over our carpeted hallway. We were both laughing and giggling in no time. 

When we were tired of racing, actually, I was the only tired one (sprinting with a baby is exhausting ;) it became a vehicle for gathering stuffed animals and toys. Climbing in and out of the box was another source of entertainment. Eventually, she discovered that the box made a cozy little reading nook.

Who knew a diaper box could provide such fun? At the end of the day, the box was tattered and torn and placed in the recycle bin. But that's the best part about this activity, there's nothing to store and nothing to clean up. And in approximately 12 days, we can embark on another adventure when the next box of diapers is emptied :-)

Check out my other activity/craft ideas for reusing diaper boxes here.

My Sunday Morning Playlist

My iTunes library contains a wide variety of artists and genres - Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Garth Brooks, and a disproportionately large collection of alternative rock hits from the late 90's. In addition, I listen to a lot of Christian music. 

The great thing about Christian music is that it spans all genres. Whatever your music style, you will likely  find a Christian derivative. For example, there is Christian Rock, Christian Pop, Christian Rap, etc. The following playlist, however, is specific to praise and worship songs.

This playlist is a collection of favorites that remind me of Sunday worship. This playlist begins with contemporary worship songs and concludes with classic old church hymns. These songs make me happy and we listen to this playlist periodically throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings.  I hope you enjoy!

Praise and Hymns Playlist

Song - Artist

Love the Lord - Lincoln Brewster

Lead Me to the Cross - Chris and Conrad OR by Francesca Battistelli

Revelation Song - Phillips, Craig and Dean

Your Grace is Enough - Matt Maher

Creed - Rich Mullins

Mighty to Save - Jeremy Camp OR by Laura Story

Blessed Be Your Name - Tree63

Christ Is Risen - Matt Maher

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster

Like a Child - Jars of Clay

Come Thou Fount - Jadon Lavik

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin

Great is Thy Faithfulness - Chris Rice OR by Discovery Singers A Cappella Hymns

It Is Well With My Soul - Chris Rice

How Great Thou Art- Carrie Underwood

For the Beauty of the Earth - Chris Rice (piano only)

What a Friend We Have In Jesus - Brad Paisley (guitar only)

Toddler Pillow and Stay-Put Pillowcase

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Envision an old lumpy-dumpy pillow shoved at the top of the linen closet - that's how this project began. Add to the picture a young toddler who's ready for her first pillow. This is the story of how I made a toddler pillow and a stay-put pillowcase, from an old pillow and a t-shirt.

I found this awesome t-shirt (representing my alma matter) on the clearance rack at TJ Max. Not willing to cut up one of my own MIZZOU t-shirts, I knew I just had to buy it for this project. Plus, for only $3, it was cheaper than buying fabric from the craft store.

Because the size of my project would be dictated by the amount of fabric available on the shirt, I began with the pillowcase, saving the pillow creation for the end.


Stay-Put Pillowcase
1. First, I cut along the sides to separate the front from the back of the shirt. Then I straightened up the sides and top. Don't cut the bottom of the shirt.

Before I continue, let me explain the "stay-put" part of this pillowcase. This type of case is less likely to slip off during the night because of its non-traditional opening. Two partially overlapping pieces of fabric create the opening along the backside of the pillow, not the edge of the pillow. 

We will not be cutting the bottom edge of the t-shirt because this nice hemmed edge will wrap around to the back side of the pillow.

Anyways, back to the project...

2. Fold the bottom edge up over the front until the shirt's logo is centered on the remaining fabric underneath.

3. Measure the distance between the top of the shirt to the point where the two layers begin. Add 3-5 inches to that number (depending on how much of a fabric overlap you want). This is the length you will cut the second piece of fabric. The width of the second piece will equal the width of the first.

4. Using the other half of the t-shirt, and starting at the hem, measure and cut your second piece of fabric. 

5. Layer and pin the two pieces of fabric with right sides together. The two pieces should have at least 3 inches of overlap. 

6. Sew along three pinned edges and invert.

The pillowcase is finished!

Toddler Pillow (made from old lumpy pillow)

1. Cut open your pillow and remove the filling. Save the filling.

2. On the fabric of the old lumpy pillow, roughly trace a rectangle approximately the size of the pillowcase you just created. 

3. (Note: Because the pillow will always be hidden inside its case, I took the easy route and didn't worry about appearances or hiding the seems. Feel free to modify this step if you desire a more cosmetic look.) 

Pin and sew with your stitches landing right on top of your traced outline. Leave a generous opening for restuffing the pillow. 

4.  Cut excess fabric from around pillow. Refill the stuffing. Sew shut.

You're finished! Now go put that pillowcase on!

Linking up at Lines Across My Face