Diaper Cake

 Beautiful isn't it? 

My mother-in-law and I made it.  I can't remember how many diapers we used - it was over eight years ago, but I'll explain it the best I can.

~We used white diapers, not patterned.

~I know we used size 2 diapers.  That way the mother could wait a little while before taking it apart.

~We opened the diapers and wound them around length-ways.  I used a piece of masking tape to attach one overlapping diaper to the next, since I didn't think that would stick to the diaper as much and ruin it.  Seems like I stuck the tape to my skirt first to reduce the stickiness.  We did this until the last layer, where the tape would be seen, then I think we used a loop of inside-out tape under the edge of the diapers.  Prob only 4 or 5 diapers on that last row.

~We used ribbon on the top and bottom edges on the bottom and middle levels, and this helped the last layer of diapers stay put.


Here's what we used as decorations:

• about 3 dozen rosebuds (different shades) already fastened to thin wire.  These we bent the sharp ends over and pushed between the last 2 layers of diapers on each level, and bunched 3 together at the top.
• Small strings of beads, looped over the rosebuds, and hung in a U shape
• Beaded, lacy ribbon around the top and bottom edges of each level.  This helped the hanging beads stay in place.  I'm sure we used tiny bits of tape here under the ribbon, too.
• Extra lace that was wider, that we pushed under the edge of the bottom level, and affixed to the $1 store pan with small pieces of tape
• pair of black shiny shoes
• comb and brush set tied with ribbon
• $1.00 wrapped in ribbon
• lacy socks
• pink toothbrush tied with ribbon
• fork and spoon set tied with ribbon
• translucent pale pink teether
• several light pink hairbows at the base of the top level
• tiny doll for the topper

~In the top level of the cake, we folded the diapers in half length-ways, because the regular width of the diaper was too tall.

We started with the bottom level, and kept wrapping until we got it nearly the size of the pan.  It's a silver pizza pan, and you can barely see it under the edge of the lace.

Then we did the middle until we got it to size, then the top.

~It's good if you have a slim dowel rod or something to go down through the middle to keep the levels lined up, and so the top ones won't fall off. 

~We positioned the doll topper and shoes as the main accessories, then filled in the other pieces by carefully pushing between the layers of diapers.

We probably used a little tape to keep the socks, shoes, and the doll topper in place.

~Remember, your accessories need to have a little color.  The white socks have a little dark mauve in the lace.  You can have everything lacy and dainty, or go more colorful, or more boyish. 

The Mom-to-be that received it said she was going to have a hard time taking it apart!
This was definitely not a quick project, but it was worth it.
I just L♥VE this picture! ♥♥

sMiLeS,

My Favorite Block of Wood

My Dad made me this block of wood when I began homeschooling 12 years ago.
It is a very useful 8 x 5.5 x 1.5 block of wood.

This is what it can do:

For kids to copy and label.

Yes, I used a ruler.  =D

The dry erase board props up books so kids can copy & label drawings.

Isn't my Dad really smart!?!  =)

The block of wood, the clipboard, and the dry erase board all store neatly on a bookshelf.
I have a rolling bookshelf that I pull over to the table during lesson planning or during school, so it's handy to grab my block of wood at any time I need it.

In case you are interested:
►I got my dry erase board at dryerase.com.  I've had it for about 10 years, I think.  Check out the FAQ's!
►Here's how to solve that algebra problem (videos #1, 2, & 3 teach Solving by Graphing).
►The block of wood measures 8 x 5.5 inches.  It is about 1.5 inches thick.  The back of the slot is about 1.25 inches from the edge and is about 3/16 of an inch wide.  It's at a 70º angle.  (or 110º, depending on which way you look at it.) 
At the front of the slot, there is a little of the edge cut off so the top of the opening is wider, making it easier to slide in the board.

Several years before he gave me mine, my Dad had made a bunch of these blocks of wood when my Mom was teaching a computer class at the Christian school I had attended.  She used the blocks of wood and clipboards to hold a brief typing assignment the students had to do immediately upon entering class.  I think it was usually something like a verse from Proverbs and an inspirational saying.  After being typed, it had to be printed with their name on it and placed in their folder.  No goofing off; just straight to their assignment.  If all assignments (not just the initial typing one) for the week were in their folders and accounted for, on Friday there was some free time for games.
My Mom is smart, too!  =)

sMiLeS,

Contact Paper

I like to cover my books with clear contact paper.  I just really want them to stay in good condition.
I do love my books.  =)

I have always loved to read.  As a child, I collected every good book I could acquire, finding many at Goodwill or other places.  I kept every one, even the old raggedy ones.  When I was 12, my Mom got me a big box of used books, mostly Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.
That was my favorite gift!

One was printed in 1925, and I have since learned it was one of the original Hardy Boys that still had the 25 chapters in it.

← I even kept this old book.  It is a book after all, and readable!  =)  See my lovely duct tape?  Well, I was 12!  LOL!

A few years ago, I wanted to fix it up.  My other Hardy Boys books had blue on them, so I cut a blue file folder to fit my book.  I used three file folders before I got it just right!  =\
I looked online for a picture of the cover of the exact book.
Then I cut white paper for the inside front, since the front page was torn and stained.  (The torn page is between the white paper and the folder.)  I lightly glued it all in place to hold it so I could get the contact paper adhered.  I also glued the picture to the front cover of the folder.

  
I wrapped the contact paper around the folder/front torn page/white paper together, and across the next page.
In the back, I ended up wrapping the contact paper around the folder, around both sides of the whole entire back page, and onto the next-to-last page.  The pages in the back were more loose, and there was nothing to connect the file folder to otherwise.

I was pretty proud of my result.  It took me long enough!  I'd say nearly 2 hours, including hunting and printing the picture, and my trials and errors.
It's a sturdy little book now!  =)

If you want to cover a book, and you're new at this, you might want to have a helper to hold the top edge of the sticky plastic as you smooth it onto the book.
If you get bubbles, you may be able to smooth them out.
If not, I prick a tiny hole w/ a pin and let the air out.
Here are directions at wikihow.
I don't start from the spine, tho.  I just fully complete one side of the book, flip it over and press the contact paper to the spine, then do the other side.

GLAD Cookies!

Haha! The girls are going to a sleepover, and Bethany made 2 kinds of cookies - chocolate chip and peanut butter cup. Grandma Shelby and Grandpa Bruce picked up the girls on the way to sing at the resthome before dropping them off at the sleepover, and unknown to them, a box of cookies fell out onto the ground;  Bruce ran over them!
These were soft-baked cookies, and if you look closely, you can see the lid imprint saying "GLAD" in the cookies! hahaha!
Here's the cookies they WERE gonna eat!
JohnDavid called it "road kill" lol!

More duct tape!

More things the girls made w/ duct tape.  =)

Cousin A's pocketbook and tri-fold wallet.

Rebekah made one similar for another little girl, and added a pocket inside.











Rebekah made a camouflage wallet for JohnDavid.

Rebekah made the outside of this wallet and Bethany did the inside.  They made it for their Grandpa whose birthday was last week.  =)

The girls made wallets at VBS. =)

Bethany's wallet.  She used multi-colored tape inside. I like multi-colors!   =)

Rebekah's wallet.  She had watched a tutorial today of how to weave the duct tape.  Awesome!

Mis-matched Quilt

The girls started this quilt yesterday afternoon, around 2:00pm.  They wanted to make one that did not match.  This is it!  They said it was their "ugly" quilt. lol.
The door to Bethany's room was kept shut and we were told not to come in until they were finished.  They finished sewing the binding with GREEN THREAD while watching the Duggars tonight.
Bethany asked, "What if we run out of green thread?"
"We'll switch to orange!" said Rebekah.  =)
They plan on taking it to camp this summer, and Rebekah said it would be the talk of the cabin!  =)

And yes, they completed their schoolwork.  Both days.  =)
Soooo proud I am!!!!!
My Mom's quilts.  She's the one who taught them when they were little.  

Bethany made this! =)

With a $1.00 bill.

Rebekah made this! =)

From an old jean skirt and a pink bandana. 

Diaper Cake!

It really is made with diapers!  Here is how we made it.

MY scarf... well, the one I made

Ok, here's the scarf I finally finished!  I'd started making it sometime last week for Bethany.  SHE decides she wants to make one, too, and makes it Friday after school.  =\  Ok, I'm still doing mine... and she passes me.

So now she has two new scarves, and Rebekah has none.  Well, no new ones, just the one I made last year.  I'll be making her one next... IF I get it finished before winter is over!!! ha.
And I've got to see what kind would suit JohnDavid.  The one I made last year is too short! And I think he needs one a little more 'manly.'  =)
Yes, I can crochet, but the Knifty Knitter makes it neater.  When I crochet, my scarves have a tendency to curve.  =\   
 Rebekah said I was a cheater, lol.  
I said, "A neater cheater!"  ☺

Bethany's scarf

Bethany made this scarf yesterday after school.  Love it!  =)
I'll have to get a pic of her wearing it! 

Thicker scarf - using both sides of the loom

Bethany used 8 pegs (times 2, for both sides) to make this scarf, and used this figure 8 wrap for the first 2 rows, and this zig-zag wrap (faster) for the remaining scarf (without the extra piece of yarn tied in) until the last 2 rows, then switched back to the figure 8 wrap.  For a different look, you can use the figure 8 the whole scarf.

To get started, tie the yarn around the outermost end peg, and begin looping on the end peg that is in the row of pegs.  From left to right, wrap clockwise so that there is only one strand of yarn on the outermost part of the peg.
1. figure 8 wrap
2. how to do the end
3. one wrap will go straight instead of crossing over
4. heading back for second row of figure 8 wrap
(Click any picture to enlarge)

1. after 2 rows of figure 8 wrapping

2. hold the end of yarn while doing the first couple of hooks

3. showing the zig-zag wrap - go down wrapping every other peg in a zig-zag fashion, then back, getting the hooks that were skipped.  Don't forget to hold the end of your yarn for the first couple of hooks.

4. looking good!

She used 8 pegs in length to make this scarf, and it turned out to be 3 inches wide.

When your scarf is as long as you want it to be, cut the yarn, leaving a few inches as the tail.
1.  Starting at the end opposite the yarn tail, lift the loop off the peg and onto a crochet hook.  Go STRAIGHT ACROSS and lift that loop off also.  You'll now have 2 loops on your crochet hook.  Pull the second loop through the first.  Continue this way until you are finished, pulling the tail through last.  You might want to knot the tail to the scarf.
2.  We used this green loom, which is about 16-17 inches between the end pegs, to wrap yarn for tassels and then cut into two pieces.  You can use anything you like.  I think we used about 11 yards, and cut into forty-eight 16" tassels.
3.  Since Bethany used 8 pegs, using a crochet hook she looped 3 strands of yarn through each of the 8 'holes' at each end.  We didn't cut off the tails at either end, but blended them in with the tassels.  You can trim and even up the tassels a little after they are finished.

Finished length: 5 1/2 feet, plus 8" tassels at either end, so over 6 1/2 feet.

Here's one I'm doing.  I'm using all 12 pegs (times 2) on this loom, and it's finished width will be 4 inches.
(finished scarf)

Happy Knitting!

quilts

Ten years ago, my Mom made all the kids and grandkids a quilt!

Here's the quilt she made for me and Travis♥.

This is the quilt my Mom made for Rebekah.  The yellow patterned print is the same as a little dress she'd made for Rebekah when she was about 3.

This is a lap quilt.  It wasn't intended for any one person, but when Bethany outgrew the baby quilt my Mom had made, she started using this one.  So it's kinda Bethany's for now.  =)


Bethany has started her own quilt. In the pic, she only has a little completed, but she now has the entire top done.

I really love these quilts!!!  They are a special keepsake, and now my girls are beginning to sew things.  =)