My little Valentine sweethearts in their Valentine’s Day tutus. Please excuse the pacifier in my 2 and a half year old’s mouth. She needed to be bribed to pose for the pictures.
Follow up… Tutu tutorial
My little Valentine sweethearts in their Valentine’s Day tutus. Please excuse the pacifier in my 2 and a half year old’s mouth. She needed to be bribed to pose for the pictures.
Tutu Tutorial… Something for your little Valentine Sweethearts
With Valentine’s Day coming tomorrow I thought it would be cute to make something for my girls to wear. I decided to make a simple tutu. When I say simple, I mean SIMPLE, and also so cute! I’ve made so many tutus for these girls it’s ridiculous. Their last 2 Halloween costumes were made using this same technique. I’ve also made them as gifts for other people. I’m telling you you’ll never buy one of these again once I show you how easy they are to make. This is what you’ll need…
MATERIALS:
- Red tulle roll (I bought this at Joann’s Fabrics and Crafts, but you can also buy tulle in any color on www.etsy.com. I prefer for this project to use the 6 inch wide rolls of tulle, but you can also buy a few yards off a bolt and cut it into 6 inch strips if you can’t find a roll in the color you want.)
- Elastic band for waist
- Red ribbon
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.Start by measuring around your sweetheart’s waist with the elastic band and cut it to size. No need to sew it closed. Simply tie it in a knot to create the waist band. This is a “no sew” tutu.
2.I like to stretch the elastic waist band around the back of my daughters’ little play chair when working on this because it’s the perfect size. You can stretch it over anything you have. I used to stretch it over my own legs. You just want it to remain stationary because it makes it easier.
3. Next you cut the tulle into strips. I needed around 50 strips for my project but it varies due to different waist sizes. You are going to fold them in half when you attach them to the elastic so keep this in mind when you’re cutting the strips. Make them any length you want. I suggest making them a little longer than you may think because you can always trim them down at the end.
4. Fold your strip of tulle in half and start over the knot you made in the elastic waist band. Bring the folded end behind the knot coming from the top as shown.
5. Pull the unfolded end through the folded loop over the knot in the waist band as shown.
This is what it looks like when you pull the loose end through the loop.
Pull tight over the knot in the elastic to hide the knot
6. Repeat process over and over until you’ve made it all the way around the entire band. Took me about 50 strips.
Almost done with the tulle.
7. Once you’ve made your way around with the tulle you can either stop here or add some ribbon. I like to add some ribbon. Start where the knot in the elastic is and tie a bow with some ribbon. This will make the front of the skirt.
8. Next you cut the ribbon into strips about the same length as the tulle strips. Mine were a little shorter. I cut 10 pieces of ribbon. You are going to apply these the same way you did with the tulle in equal distances apart.
Every 5th strip of tulle I added a strip of ribbon directly over the tulle (not in between the tulle strips)
Pull the ribbon tight.
Keep adding a strip of ribbon every 5 strips of tulle until you’ve made your way around the skirt. (Please ignore my foot in the corner of this shot, haha. Just noticed it lol)
Done!
This is so cute!
These are my girls in their Halloween costumes with their dad. I made their skirts using the same technique and glued feathers on them too. So easy, inexpensive, and CUTE! Please ignore the scowls on my girls’ faces. Nap time was missed this day 
Closer look. I sewed a feather boa around the hood of a sweatshirt and glued googly eyes and a bow on top. Bought all supplies at Michael’s Crafts and orange leggings at Carters. We had the yellow sweatshirts already left over from the summer. They are terry cloth beach cover ups I bought at Target.
For something nice for my girls, I’m planning to have a little family Valentine’s Day “party”. (If you call something a party around here you have a better chance for good behavior… we have a lot of “parties”) Trying to do some fun and special things with the girls to offset the trauma of a move and a new brother all at the same time. Anything involving cake, cookies, ice cream, or candy seems to be working so far. The apple doesn’t fall far, as they say. The same things work for me, haha. Anyway, I’ll take some pictures of the girls in their surprise Valentine’s tutus and post them after the ”party” for you to see. Don’t forget, any left over tulle can be used as a bow for the hair or to be added to their tops. Have fun!!
Etsy Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!!
As you all know, I’m obsessed with everything Etsy. I reference different Etsy sites on my blog all the time. I realize that there are some of you out there that still have never bought anything from the site. I’ve heard so many people say, “I’ve heard so much about Etsy, I should really check it out!” Well, you should!! Here is your opportunity…
Imperfect Joy is hosting it’s first GIVEAWAY! Two lucky readers will win a $25 gift card to Etsy! All you have to do is take a look at http://www.etsy.com and find some things you like that are $25 or less (there’s tons of stuff, trust me). Then leave a comment on this post sharing a link to something that’s of interest to you that you would buy with your winning gift card. Winners will be chosen at random by rafflecopter.com. Please feel free to leave a link to your blog or website as well. The purpose of this post is to promote Etsy and different etsy shops, so make sure you click through the links that people post and browse through the different shops they find. This way you can see how many awesome things you can get for $25 and under on Etsy!
Here are some things that I found that I LOVE…
1. http://www.etsy.com/listing/101010940/chevron-stripe-wall-and-furniture
This is amazing! I’m definitely doing this in my new house! For $18 they send you a stencil to use to paint a wallpaper look on your wall. I’m sure this is a lot of work, but so cool for a feature wall and I’m sure it would cost an arm and a leg to have someone do it for you. There are many other stencils to brouse through too! Awesome idea! www.etsy.com/shop/royaldesignstencils
2. http://www.etsy.com/listing/118075248/yellow-bubble-bib-statement-necklace
These adorable Bubble Statement Bib Necklaces are just $15 and come in many colors. www.etsy.com/shop/HerRoyalBoutique
3. http://www.etsy.com/listing/120293328/personalized-tag-blanket-crinkle-toy
Only $24 for this personalized baby gift, plus you are helping the shop owner raise money to pay medical bills for her child… “I am also a mother of a little boy with a very rare heart condition, known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, in which only 1/2 his heart developed. He had 3 open-heart surgeries in the first 18 months of his life and spent nearly 3 months in the hospital. Putting my love for crafting and vast financial needs together seemed only fitting. Thus, all proceeds from the sale of Crafting4Caleb items goes toward Caleb’s medical bills and ongoing treatments. I hope you enjoy the items that were lovingly made.” This site is definitely worth a look. Who doesn’t love a personalized baby gift? www.etsy.com/shop/crafting4caleb
*Please remember when browsing through www.etsy.com that you should only include shops that ACCEPT ETSY GIFT CARDS!*
Click here to enter OR in the sidebar link labeled GIVEAWAY…
<a id=”rc-39dcdd1″ href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/39dcdd1/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Lazy Lashes
Let me start this off by saying that I am in no way an expert in anything having to do with hair or makeup. I have never gone to beauty school or had any training what so ever. I just happen to love doing hair and makeup. I think it’s fun Over the years I’ve learned how to do a few things pretty well, one being applying false eyelashes. I know this can be a very big challenge for some people and I just wanted to show the simple way I do it so maybe it won’t seem as daunting to some of you anymore.
When I first started applying false eyelashes I was in college and I’d only wear them on big nights out. I love a dramatic eye! The problem was that I would end up glopping on glue and getting my eyes all irritated in the process, leaving me with running makeup and a headache. After much practice I realized I was going about it all wrong. I was putting far too much emphasis on making sure the lashes were glued securely because I was afraid they’d fall off. Not that I would ever want my lashes to fall off, but I’ve learned that it takes a whole lot less glue and stressing than I had been doing for all those years. If you’ve ever had them applied by a professional, which I have for weddings I’ve been in, they always apply them after they put your eye makeup on. I’ve learned that when doing them myself it’s not a good idea to do it that way. You risk messing up your whole eye and having to remove your makeup and start from scratch! I’ve done it a million times and it’s so annoying. This is my method and hopefully it’ll work for you as well…
I start off by buying cheap drugstore eyelashes and glue. This is the kind I always use and I get the lashes labeled “109.” I have no idea what “109″ means, but I think they look the best on me. The brand is Ardell and the lashes retail for $3.89 and the glue for $3.49 . The glue can last for a long time. You can visit the Ardell website for tips on buying the right lashes for you. www.ardelllashes.com There are also many other great brands like Sonia Kashuk for Target that I’ve also used a million times and love www.target.com
I’d like to title this shot, “Scary Beth” because I have no makeup on, haha. I start by applying my facial lotion, BB Cream, and concealer but make sure I start with clean eyes.
I always use these lashes and know they are a perfect fit for me, but you may have smaller or larger eyes than I do. I recommend holding the lashes up to your eye with tweezers to see how they measure up. If they’re too long snip a small section off starting at the outer end. If your eyes are large you just have to measure the outer edge to the outer corner of your eye. You can fill any missed spaces in with extra mascara and liner at the end.
Next you squeeze out a dot of the lash glue onto any clean surface. I like to use the box it comes in because the glue is white and the box is black. Easier to see what you’re doing. The glue is kinda runny. I like to let it sit for a minute before I use it to let it firm up some.
Next you run the edge of the lashes through the glue. Since the glue is a little runny still I like to blow on the lashes a little bit so the glue starts to dry and is more tacky than wet.
Now here’s the real tricky part made simple… I used to start to apply the lashes with shaky hands, so nervous that I was going to mess up and get glue everywhere. RELAX! Just place the lashes on top of your own in the closest approximation to where you think they should be. Sit back and take a look to see if you need to move them to the left or right a little. If you are way off for some reason, remove them and try again. NO biggie. If you get glue on your eye or your lashes who cares? It dries clear and you can pick it off when you get the lashes where you want them. Since you have no eye makeup on to start with you aren’t risking messing anything up.
Once I get the lashes in a spot I like, I use clean hands and pinch them into the base of my natural lashes holding for a couple of seconds in each spot. If I notice the ends won’t stick or any other part is coming off I take a Q-Tip, pull off the cotton on the end, dip it in the glue and dot it on the spot that’s giving me trouble. Important to remember that you don’t need a ton of glue and that the lashes don’t have to feel like they’re on with Crazy Glue either. A little dab will do ya.
Now your lashes are in place and you can start applying your eye makeup in this order; lids, liner then lashes.
After you apply your shadow how you like it it’s time for liner. I think liner is a must when you are wearing false lashes (especially for an amateur like myself) because it makes your lashes look fuller and you can fill in or fix any mistakes. I recommend pressing in a powdered eye liner with a liner brush. Works the best and you won’t accidently pull off your lashes like you could with a pencil.
This looks painful but it isn’t, haha. I recommend applying some powdered liner from below the lash line as well. Helps fill in the gap you may have left between the false lashes and your real ones. This step can make a huge difference.
Lastly you carefully apply some mascara. I always put a couple of coats on because if I’m wearing lashes I’m usually going for a dramatic look. You may not want to add any extra drama, and then you don’t have to add mascara unless your natural lashes are very light. If that’s the case I’d recommend at least adding some. I also like adding mascara at the end because it acts as an adhesive and helps the false lashes stay in place a little better too because it sticks them to your natural lashes a bit.
There you go! The finished product!!!
Like I said before, I’m not an expert. This is just the technique that works the best for me. You may still need to practice several times before you get the hang of it. I suggest you try this a few times before your event to avoid any extra stress when you’re getting ready. This really isn’t hard, and they don’t have to be perfect OR look like natural lashes. Have you seen the Kardashians? Do you think anyone believes they have 3 inch eyelashes?
Someday I’d really like to try professional lash extensions. I’ve seen them done really well and they are so beautiful. I’ll let you know when I do that Not really worth the money and maintenance when I’ll have a new baby and barely leave the house for a few months. Maybe my summer look? We’ll see…
A Letter To My First House, My “Little Money Pit”
Our first house in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, built in 1928.
Moving day has arrived! Time to say goodbye to my first house. This was a great house and served us well. We bought it as a “fixer upper” in hopes to make it into something amazing, and through the past (almost) 4 years we were only able to do some of the work. However, we’re leaving a completely different house than we moved into and have high hopes that the new couple moving in will be able to complete the job because it’s a great house that totally deserves it. At least we were able to make some money with the sale
Dear Home,
Nothing was more exciting for a couple of newlyweds than buying our first house.
I was moving to the suburbs to start my real future with my spouse.
We had been living in a rented apartment and looking high and low
But because of our low budget the houses we saw were just so- so.
I’ll never forget walking into our house for the first time
A house that would have scared others was perfect and had to be mine.
My biggest shock of all was that I didn’t have to beg and plead
For my husband was just as excited as I was and totally agreed
We were both over come with the history and charm
I tried to hold in my excitement and just squeezed his arm
This is where our story was to start
“Our little money pit” we called it and it totally stole my heart.
We would clean her and we’d paint her and we’d make her our home,
A place where friends would gather, a place for little babies to roam.
Little did we know what our future had in store
We’d be cleaning and we’d be painting until our backs were raw and sore.
We had been looking at this house through rose-colored glasses
“Such a great investment” we’d reassure, but still such pains in our asses
As the days and months went by we soon realized our new fate
We’d have to spend every last dollar we made to fix it up and to make it great
Soon we’d get our biggest shock and at first we were all grins
When we found out our expected baby was really a set of twins
Every pending home repair was about to be put on hold
For I’d be staying home with my babies and our bank account would turn cold
Forget about the fact that our kitchen was ancient with red formica countertops
And our refrigerator was so small it could barely store a plate of pork chops
Our bathrooms were original to our 1928 house and had many a leaky pipe
Some windows were drafty even though they were painted shut, but I’m not the type to gripe
You’d be surprised the things you can live with and without when you have no choice
We felt so helpless and scared but we would soon rejoice
This old house is the house that I brought my babies home to
It’s where I heard their first laughs and cries, and their little coos
Where they took their first steps and said their first words
Where they play and sing all day long, sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard
This is the house where we went from a family of two to four
Where we made a house a home, it didn’t matter that we were poor
With all the stress and anxiety that comes with the day-to-day
A feeling of immense gratitude overcomes us and I can honestly say
That now as we’re leaving this house I realize that it taught me what life is about
I feel guilty about the times where I’d feel sorry for myself and pout
With all the crazy stress that this house has caused us
It gave us shelter, kept us warm, and helped us refocus
We now know all about what is most important in life
It’s having happy children, happy husband, happy wife.
A new kitchen and new bathrooms would have been icing on the cake
But material things does not a happy person make
And if I had to live here to learn that important lesson so be it
It wasn’t all bad living in this little money pit
I bless this house with all my heart and I truly pray
That with all its challenges it continues to form families with each passing day
And teach the lessons of life and gratitude that it taught me
and become that beautiful and charming home that I always dreamed she’d be.
I’ll love and miss you always 46 Gilbert Rd!
Love,
Mary Beth
Welcome to the World…
It’s a BOY!!!! Welcome to the world John Daniel Henry!! He’s named after both of his grandfathers, my father John and my husband Tim’s father Daniel. We’ll be calling him Jack. We’re over the moon in LOVE!! We’re all doing great, feeling great, and incredibly grateful and blessed. God is good!!
