{Guest Post} Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Today we have Sarah from The Winthrop Chronicles showing us how to make this lovely Mason Jar Soap Dispenser. It looks simple, I think I'll be making one soon! Be sure to hop on over to her blog and check out all the other awesomeness there. She has great tutorials, recipes and she even hosts a lovely link party!

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Hi, I'm Sarah from The Winthrop Chronicles and I'm so excited to be with you today here at Tutus & Tea Parties. Before I started blogging, I worked as a TV news reporter for NBC and then took early retirement ;) to stay at home with my kids. I have three little ones under the age of 5 and a wonderful husband. I stay pretty busy with potty training and picnics, but I try to find time to craft as much as possible. Because my crafting time is usually squeezed in to nap times, I like to try and think of quick projects. Here is a little tutorial for you guys I hope you enjoy!

first. I made the hole in the top by using this scary looking tool to punch through {seriously doesn't it look so dangerous!} You could also use a nail and hammer.

second. Then with pliers I pulled back the center until the hole was big enough for the soap dispenser.

{Until it looks like this, or however big you need it}

third. Then I hot glued the soap dispenser to the lid.

fourth. I used some burlap, twine and washi tape to decorate the mason jar.

fifth. Pour some liquid soap in the mason jar and put on the lid. 

This took maybe 20 minutes to make, it was really quick. I will definitely be making more, I have a few more bathrooms that still have old boring soap dispensers. They would be an easy and quick gift too!

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Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tutorial with us Sarah! I will definitely show you some pictures when I make mine.


Follow along with Sarah:
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Leather & Lace {DIY Crochet Leather Cuff}

I seem to be on a roll with crochet tutorials! Sorry for those who don't crochet but this one can be adapted to a sewing project if you'd like! {Oh, and don't mind my veiny arms & hands in the photos...blah!}

I participated in the Make a Splash challenge over at Crafting in the Rain and this months material was leather. See what everyone else made here. Want to sign up too? Click on the button to learn more:

I was a little unsure of what to make with leather. I have never worked with it before. Then I saw my Sharp Crochet Hook and *ding*...I thought I'd try crocheting through leather and what do ya know? It worked! I am loving how this cuff came out and hope you do too!

Here's what you need:

• a strip of leather {cut to the length that will fit around your wrist plus room to button & as wide as you would like your cuff - keep in mind the crochet trim will add about an inch of width}
• a sharp crochet hook
• a 1.8 mm crochet hook
• crochet thread
• button
• needle and thread
• scissors

If you are planning on sewing you will need the leather and some lace trim. I don't sew but I'm sure this version can work. If you do it and it works out I'd love to see/hear about it!

Here's what to do:

Using your sharp crochet hook, sc across. I didn't count my stitches or make them even...I just eye balled it. You aren't really going to be able to tell but if you are OCD about being even then you will need to sc in multiples of 3 plus 1 for the base row. Like I said, I didn't count and you can't tell because when it's buttoned you can't see the last stitch.

When you're done with your base row you can switch to the small hook, chain 1 and sc across.

Now we are going to start on the trim. I used a pattern from Easy Makes Me Happy which you can find here. It's the Top Layer Edging she has listed. You can easily use any pattern you'd like for the trim. {since I didn't count in multiples of 3 plus 1 sc in the base row I just ended with a dc in the last sc}

Repeat on the other side.

Now you can sew a button onto one side and cut a little slit a little smaller than the width of your button. I'm sure there's a better way to make a button hole but like I said...I don't sew. It's working out pretty well for me this way so I'm good. You can also use snaps if you'd like...or even Velcro! Whatever goes. :)

If you are going to sew it {assuming you can sew leather} you can just sew on the trim. 

Button it, snap it or attach it around your wrist and rock it!  

I hope you like it as much as I do. If you make one please {pretty please} share it on my Facebook page or email me your finished project.

{Free Pattern} Crochet Mustache Applique

I'm going to start off saying that although I am a hooker {crocheter...don't get it twisted! ;)}, I am in no way a pattern maker. If any part of this pattern is confusing to you or isn't working out for you please shoot me an email or comment below and I will try to help as best I can. 

Materials:

worsted weight yarn

size G hook

tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations:

ch- chain

sl st- slip stitch

sc= single crochet

hdc- half double crochet

dc- double crochet

Pattern:

ch 5
sc in 2nd ch from hook
hdc in next, dc in next, 2hdc in last.

This is how it should be lookin' about now.

ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook & in next 2.
sc in next, 2hdc in next.

Should look pretty much like this.

start on other side of foundation ch.dc in nxt, hdc in nxt, sc then sl st in last

fasten off & weave in ends

Repeat for other side of the 'stache.

You should now have two parts.

Attach each mustache together where you did your last sc,sl st and voila!

You may need to fuss with the ends so they curl if you are using for your face or something. If you are sewing this on as an applique just make sure you sew them so they curl up. 

I am planning on adding these to some cup sleeves and cozies.

How will you use this mustache? 

Share some photos on my Facebook wall or you can email them to me.

{Tutorial} Tshirt to Barefoot Sandals

Did you guys see me last month over at U-Create? You didn't? 

Well, you're in luck because I am going to repeat myself here! 

If you did and made these already I would love, love, love for you to share a photo with me on Facebook or by email.

Bug is turning into such a little girly girl! She loves anything girly {tutus, ballet shoes, frilly dresses}. When I made these for her she wore them all day long and even asked to sleep in them. What's even better is it cost me nothing to make these! I had everything right here in the house to whip these up and you probably do too.

Materials:

-an old tshirt

-scissors

-matching thread and needle

-matching felt

-hot glue gun and glue

-a baby/toddler/child

What to do {I don't sew...like ever...so #1) if I can do this, so can you & 2.) if I use the wrong sewing/clothing term, forgive me}:

1. Cut the bottom hem off your tee. Cut a couple strips of your tee about an inch wide. Cut one side so it is no longer a loop. Pull it so the edges pull together kind of. {It's like making t-shirt yarn - instructions here} You will be using the rest of the tee {or a good part of it} for the flower.

2. Cut a piece of your felt in an oval {mine was about 2" long and 1" wide} Bug is 2 1/2 so if you are making these for a baby you are going to want it a little smaller.

3.  Using these instructions you are going to cut 18 petals for your flower. {my flower was 3" around for Bug. Again, if you are making for a baby, maybe you want to make your flower a little smaller}

4. Take your strips of tshirt and measure from one side of your child's foot, under their foot to the other side. Mark and cut. Cut 6 strips this size. {the tshirt will stretch so you don't need to leave extra room for sewing}

5. Gather all your materials.

5.  Sew three of the strips along the long side of the felt oval.

6. Sew the other sides of the strips to the other side of the felt oval {making it like a ring}.

 I should have sewn them to be placed evenly on each side...oops.

7. Following the flower instructions, make your flower onto the felt oval.

Would ya look at that, you can even wear it as a little bracelet!

8. Take 2 of the strands at the bottom and sew to pinch them together {these will be the straps that go on the bottom of the foot}.

9.  Smile big for saving yourself about $20 and recycling a tshirt in the process!

10. Grab your cute little girl and decorate her feet! 

You can even put them over socks to discourage your little one from taking their socks off in the winter months when they insist their feet won't get cold but you know they will!

Bug loves these! I was shocked because she never wants to wear or model anything I make for her...but she even wanted to go to bed with these on her feet after wearing them all day!

YOU made it:

 Not Always With Thread made some for her little one and herself! Check them out here.

This post has been featured!

{My} Fabric Peony Flower from Creature comforts

I hope everyone had a joyous Easter! We had great fun with the family!

I am just sharing a quick post today to show you what I did for Bug's Easter dress. She was a flower girl for my brother in law's wedding back in September and still fit into the same dress so we decided to use it as her Easter dress. This was her as a flower girl:

I was originally going to use a different color sash but the sash was attached and since I don't sew or anything I didn't want to risk ruining it. Instead, I took off the white flower and added my own in purple {Bug's color choice}. 

I followed THIS tutorial on DIY Fabric Peony Flower Accessories from Creature comforts. It was so easy to follow and I love how it came out.