Sep 24, 2011

TuTu(torial): DIY Fabric TuTu

DIY fabric tutu 
I recently shared this project on The Wiegands. It’s so fun and pretty. So I HAD  to share it with all of you who who missed it. This fabric tutu is very easy to make and you can do it all, start to finish, in ONE nap time. BONUS: If you even semi-regularly sew, you’ll have everything you need.

scrap fabric
What you’ll need:
    • Scrap fabric
    • Elastic
    • Scissors to cut fabric (pinking shears if you have them)
    • Sewing machine to make waistband.

Step 1 
Making the TuTu:
As you can see from the picture, your strips do not need to be perfect, or even the same length. It adds character to your tutu. Some of the pieces we’re not long enough so I pieced them together with the sewing machine. My strips measured 20-22 inches with a few 17-19 inch strips thrown in. The width of my strips were somewhere around 1.5”.  (I did not use a ruler or measuring tape to cut my strips… all of them are uneven.)
Tip: If you have pinking shears, I would recommend using them to cut your strips, as it will keeping the fraying to a minimum

Step 2

For the elastic waistband, I used 1/2” elastic. The length of the elastic should match the measurement of your child’ waist.
Step 3
Now the only thing you have left to do is to tie your strips around the elastic band. (My daughters waist measure 18” and I used 42 strips)
I also added a few places of scrap tulle for fun. Make sure when you’re double knotting, you’re getting the knots some-what close to the center of the strip.

youre done
After your all done, you can go through and trim up the super long strips and make the whole thing even.
Adelyn loves it. I love it. I hope you love it!

TWIRL
You could use just a few different fabrics with matching tones and I’m sure it would be even cuter! Or add more tulle through out it to make it more “tutu”ish.

somersalt
princess



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Note: The strips will fray, but it adds more character. Like I said before, cutting the strips with pinking shears will minimize that fraying. I would NOT recommend washing this in the washing machine.
I’d love to see pictures of your finished fabric tutu’s.
# kristanlynn
xoxo  

Sep 22, 2011

Pumpkin Bread | a recipe

Come fall, and I become a baking machine. Not really, but between Halloween and Christmas is about the only time you will find me baking. Something about baking with a cool breeze coming through the window makes it feel right.
 
pumpkin

 
The other day was pretty cool, rainy and just plain dreary. So to brighten up our moods and get into the fall spirit I baked my FAVORITE holiday treat. PUMPKIN BREAD. OH my… it’s nothing short of YUMMY goodness! It’s probably one of the best things I make. I always make extra for friends and neighbors, and it’s always devoured! Perfect to eat with your morning coffee or to bring to your Thanksgiving Feast.
Ready for the recipe?


Ingredients:
    • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 2/3 cup water
    • 2 cups white sugar
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
baking



Lets BAKE:
  1. Mix pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, water, sugar and vanilla.
  2. In separate bowl, mix: flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
  3. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Mix. Don’t over mix though, you want to mix just until your dry ingredients aren’t dry.
  4. Pour mixture into 3- 7x3 loaf pans.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 – 60 mins depending on your stove. (Loaf is ready when toothpick is inserted and comes out clean). Our stove is super old and totally sucks… so it always takes longer than an hour!

Now, it’s pretty amazing like this… but I always add a glaze. It’s the perfect touch!

Glaze Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 Cup Powedered Sugar
    • 1/4 Cup milk
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon butter
Melt the butter and add it to the rest of the ingredients. (Add the milk a little at a time. You may need less, you may need more.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drizzle over the loaf. Cut a slice and enjoy pure bliss! hah.
 
Idea: Use Bundt pans, put them together and frost for a pumpkin cake!
 
pumpkin cake


Health Tip: Use 1 cup Applesauce instead of 1 cup oil for a healthier recipe. (I’ve never done this, but friends have and it turned out great).
I’d love to hear what you think after you’ve made it.
# kristanlynn
xoxo   

I’ve linked up here, here, here, here, here and here.

Sep 11, 2011

The BEST Play-Dough Recipe

Have you ever made play dough and it just fell apart?? Well… not this time. This recipe will make play dough that is seriously the closest thing to store-bought  you’ll ever make. No falling apart or drying out (as long as stored in a sealed container). It will last up to 6 months.
The secret to this recipe??  
Two things: First, Cream of Tarter… it’s what helps the dough stay together. and Second, not a lot of salt… all that salt dries out your dough!



Ready to make it? Here we go:

Ingredients:
1 C Flour
1 C Water
1/4 C Salt
1 TBSP Vegetable Oil
2 tsp Cream of Tarter
Food Coloring (actual coloring or a kool-aid packet will do)
Sparkles (If you wanna be a fun mom!)
Sauce Pan and Wooden Spoon
Little helping hands.

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Pour in all ingredients. (No particular order… each time is different for us.. and it always turns out the same.)
(I used the NEON food coloring… cause everything is better neon… but feel free to use a koolaid packet sitting in your cupboard.)
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Stir until everything is mixed well.
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Once the mixture is (mostly) clump free. Heat over MEDIUM heat.

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Stir. Don’t stop stirring. After a few minutes it will start to clump up. (I’m magic! Purple to Green. hah. Different dough.. same step!)
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Stir, Stir Stir.Just keep stirring until the Play Dough is formed. It will  form one big clump.

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Remove from heat, and knead by hand. (This is my favorite part! It’s so warm and squishy! hah) Note: I forgot to add sparkles in the mix at the beginning, so I just kneaded the sparkles in and it turned out just fine.
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Once cooled it’s ready to go. Package it up for some party favors or stocking stuffers. (Baby food containers work GREAT! The rectangle ones are Gerber and the round ones are Parents Choice)
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Or grab your cookie cutters, plastic scissors, rolling pin, etc.. and let your toddler go to town.
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What a fun thing to do on a rainy day! Adelyn loves making it. She always thinks she’s baking a cake. hah. The dough is non toxic and edible (it has a bitter taste… you could always add some extract to give it a nice smell and taste… but I didn’t want to give her more incentive to eat the dough. hah)
It’s super fast and easy to make. And I promise… once you make it, you will never buy store bought Play Dough again!
# kristanlynn
xoxo  
I’ve linked up here, here, here and here


UPDATE- answering your questions: 
This recipe yields about a cup and half of dough. 
I use this recipe for each color I make. 
As far as how long it lasts, as long as it is stored right, it should last at leas up to 6 months. I'd suggest wrapping it in plastic wrap (or a Ziploc bag) and then putting it inside your sealed container... and it could last even longer. Every sealed container has air, and air can dry out and/or mold your dough, which is why I suggest wrapping in plastic wrap first.
 I do not store ours in the fridge, but I guess you could if you'd like.


** for those that have inquired, my handmade dolls are available @ stitchedvintage.com