Something Different

O.k.  So normally I boast and brag about handmade, creative things.  But, I feel obligated to speak about a product that I was given for free.  (Who doesn't love free?!)  Have any of you ever heard of Bzz Agents or Bzz Campaigns?  Well, I signed up about one year ago, and have received different things to try out and review online and to my peers.  This time I received a razor.  It sounds simple enough; a razor is a razor, right?  NOOOOOO.  I beseech you (busting out the big words today) to give this razor a shot.  I don't know about you all, but to me nothing sucks more than shaving in a shower during winter when you're freezing your bum off.  I mean, the water is hot, you shave, you get goose bumps, your hair magically reappears out of nowhere, you shave again and end up cutting yourself or having some form of razor rash or burn.  (Maybe I'm shaving wrong...who knows).  The point is, if you have experienced any type of irritation from any form of shaving, you should really look into the Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care.  Yes, that's a large name for a tiny razor but it is SO worth it.  I've been using the razor for about a week now and I love that my arms, legs and intimate areas don't seem to be aware that I'm shaving at all.  The blades are surrounded by this pretty cool moisture thing; it's not just a strip; it surrounds the blades almost like a Venus, but it's not shave soap.  It's moisturizer and soother all in one shot, but I don't feel slimy.  (Did that make any sense?  I have a head cold if it didn't...blame the mucous). 

Anyway, Bzz Campaign sent me the free razor and I felt that I should shout from the roof tops how awesome it is.  A blog is my version of digitally shouting aloud.  Here are some reference links for you to visit if you're interested in the product:

The facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SchickHydroSilk

The product page:
http://www.schick.com/us/hydro-silk.shtml

And if you want to become a Bzz Agent and get awesome things:
www.bzzagent.com
 ENJOY!!!

It's Costume Time!

We've passed the halfway point of September and that means it's time for Halloween costumes!  Now I know you've been browsing online prices, in store options and have seen hundreds of costumes on Pinterest. Do you love the ideas on Pinterest but can't find anything suitable in stores?  Do retail prices depress you?  If you answered yes them please imagine there are bright flashing lights and words that say "LOOK NO MORE!!!!" 

Seriously. I adore making tulle costumes. Peacocks, cats, witches, princesses, characters, superheroes and so much more!  Do you want to see some of my work?

From the top left; Alice in Wonderland (child's), Cinderella (adult), Queen of Hearys (adult), Little Red Riding Hood (child's), Rainbow Brite, and My Little Pony. 

I've also done so many more and am working on new ones for this season!  And tutu costumes aren't just for Halloween!  We can also do Santa, Snowmen, Elves, and holiday movie themes as well!  (Nightmare Beore Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc). 

The best part is that these costumes are 100% customizeable and durable enough to last through the holiday and endless playtime after!  

Be sure to contact me via facebook (www.facebook.com/creativecuties) or email (creativecuties.sc@gmail.com) for pricing and customization. And remember, all my costume prices include any hair flair/headpieces, and accessories (wings, wands, etc) and can typically be completed within ten days of payment. Coordinating treat bags available at small additional fee. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Apron Tutorial

So thanks to a number of factors, I happen to have an extra men's dress shirt lying around that my Medic can't wear. So I decided to turn it into an apron and show you how!  Now there are many tutorials online that show how to make this, but I don't happen to have all of those links readily available for you. Any duplication of their wording or "steps" is coincidental and unintentional. 

So, do you have a ton of dress shirts laying around that don't fit your husband/boyfriend, dad, grandfather or even son anymore?  Turn it into an apron!  I've alway heard "waste not, want not" and this up cycle is a great way to reuse something. So what do you need?

-men's dress shirt

-scissors

-needle and thread (or sewing machine)

-ruler

-straight pins

Now what do you do?

Well, you start with a dress shirt like this:

Then you cut the sleeves and back off. Trim as close as you can to the collar, like so:

When you stand and look at your shirt, this is what you should see:

Now we need to shape the apron. I used a seamstress tape measure but anything with a straight edge will work (ie cutting board, ruler, piece of paper, etc). Lay your straight edge on top of the shirt from armpit to shoulder. 

Because I don't have a rotary cutter, I drew a line to mark what I needed to cut. 

Cut along your line, and flip piece you've just cut onto other side to ensure they're even. 

Draw a line and cut section away. Now you have the basic apron. It's time to make it fictional. For straps you have several options. You can use ribbon, or even a different fabric for a unique look. I opted to use the back of the shirt and cut strips for my ties.

Now it's time to pin all out rough edges. 

I pinned one end of the tie straps so they would have a more finished look. 

Now you can thread your needle, or drag out your machine. I opted for machine. Isn't mine pretty??

I started by sewing my straps first 

Then once they were sewn I did this frustrating thing:

Once they were turned the right way, I pinned them to the inside of the apron. 

Time to sew it all. 

Once all the rough edges were sewn, I trimmed all strings and overhang of fabric. (Because I'm that girl). But once that was completed I had my very own apron!

Many thanks to Pinterest for the inspiration. (Even if those directions are in Russian). Now if I can just find more unwanted dress shirts I can show you how I turned one into a dress for Munchkin!!

🌸Jenny🌸

Another recommendation

Since you guys don't seem too interested in what I'm doing I thought I would once again make an entry on something I saw on Facebook or Pinterest and tried for myself. So here goes:

Hardwood floor polish. Yes. Hardwood floor polish. Our home is hardwoods throughout aside from the bathroom and lichen of course. But I saw this thing on Facebook, about a recipe for a hardwood floor polish concoction. So I figured why not. This is the recipe:

I made the following changes:  I don't know about the rest of you, but olive oil is expensive!!!!  I can't afford to just toss it on my floors. So I use a different type of oil. Also, I did not have lemon juice in a bottle. But I did have lemons. (Yes, I'm THAT mom). So there I am, literally squeezing lemons in my kitchen and realize three lemons only yielded about one quarter of a cup. So I squeezed a few lines. I thought 'citrus is citrus'. Anyway. I put the oil and lemon/lime juice into my bucket and added very hot water. Then I sloshed it around win my mop. I wrung it out well as stated in the image and began to mop. I mopped all of the hardwood floors in the house and once the floor was dry, snapped an 'after' picture. (Don't worry. I took a 'before' picture as well) This is what I ended up with:

The before picture was taken with natural lighting, and the after was snapped with the overhead light on. But you get the general idea. It is something that I may make a monthly routine but I will need a second mop. This is why:

There are things these Pinterest and  Facebook posts don't tell you. Enter Jenny. 

1) mix concoction well or it will look like you're just swabbing oil into your floor

2) it takes forever to rinse the oil out of your mop so perhaps you use a second mop entirely for polish

3) the bucket will be oily when you're finished. Dawn dish detergent gets the bucket clean. If you can remove your mop head, toss it in the washer alone and add baking soda to your detergent. It helps. 

If you have a better remedy to keep hardwood floors looking awesome, let me know!!!!!!

Oh, I you want something else reviewed just give me a shout. I love this stuff. 

A few of my favorite things

So, I was introduced to a talented woman named Heather through an auction I participated in. (www.facebook.com/adoorablewreathsbyheather)

She is amazing. And offering so many wonderful thing. Seriously. Lets talk rhinestones. I'm good with them on shoes, bouquets, bow organizers, etc. but a badge reel?  No. But Heather. She can do anything. I was the gracious recipient of a free reel for participating in a giveaway she held. (I paid shipping) oh my goodness it's beautiful!!

See. It's wonderful. And I'm so excited for it to arrive. But that's not all she can do. Her newest product is flamed cell phone cases. Now. You've seen glam, but you haven't seen "Heather glammed". And she can do anything. 

She's clearly a Texans fan but can do practically anything your mind can conjure. Heather hosts multivendor auctions quite frequently and the creativity you'll find on her page (A-Door-Able Wreaths by Heather) is endless an astounding. So when you stop by, be sure to tell her I sent you as enjoy her wonderful things. 

Oh...and her wreaths?  They're awesome. 

July is half over?

Yes. Sadly 2013 is zooming by. I'm not certain to what level it is speeding for you all but for me it is rapid. I seems as if time passes more rapidly these days. Or perhaps I'm just an old lady now. :). 

I wanted to post a tutorial today but no one mentioned anything that they would like to see. So instead, later tonight once my Munchkin is in bed I will post about a favorite product of mine. 

And just in case anyone is actually reading my blog, of you visit the Facebook page and place an order, mention this entry and you'll receive free item with purchase AND discounted shipping rate! 

www.facebook.com/creativecuties 

Dog Days of Summer

It's hot. Summer is in full swing and who doesn't love being outside in the heat?  Most people use summer time to soak up nature's vitamin D, enjoy time with friends and relish in the beauty of the outside world. I bet some of you take your dogs outside with you. Did you ever ask them if they're too hot?  (If you did, did they answer??). My point is that even the fur children in our lives get hot and sweaty. So how do we cool them off and get them to feel like this:

?????

Well, it simple. You Frost Them. Little Dehlia's Frosty Collars are a wonderful New England based company with the most creative design to cool our pups. The owners and designers, Andy and Annie have come up with the most genius idea yet. COOLING COLLARS. Yes. Cooling collars. In a variety of patterns and sizes, this patent pending design is top notch and will keep your furry baby happy in the sun. What do they look like?  Well, like this:

Are those the only patterns?  Nope. Multiple sizes and patterns are available. Even for the patriotic pup in your life

I don't know about the rest of you, but here in the southeast it gets HOT. Add in three long haired dogs like mine and you need Little Dehlia's Frosty Collars in your life by your pups will love you even more for it. So how do you get them?  It's so easy and awesomely simple. Visit www.frostycollars.com

You'll find all the product information, images, products in stock for sale an much more. Social media site links so you can follow their Etsy and Facebook feeds too!  So go, visit Little Dehlia's Frost Collars and let your pups chill.