This wall stencil naming contest from Cutting Edge Stencils is sooooo very dandy! It’s totally free to enter. Just email tara@broadcastbloggers.com with the name you would give the new design above. The contest ends tonight at midnight Pacific Time. Oh and you can learn about all the details of the contest by going HERE. Have a dandy weekend my dandy followers!
Name That Stencil!
Workout DIY
Before Banjo came into our lives I worked out on a fairly regular basis. I loved going to the gym and how great the flowing endorphins made me feel. After he was born that changed. I tried to make it back to the gym, but it was hard to do that with a baby to take care of. Sure my gym had a free child care area, so I thought it was going to be so EASY to get back to the gym. Not a chance! When Banjo was about 4 months old I took him to the gym with me. He just stayed in his car seat and hung out in the child care area. 3 days later he got his first cold. Coincidence? I tried it again a few weeks later and the result was the same… yet another cold. So I tried to switch to an evening workout regimen when my husband was home to watch Banjo. That only lasted for so long. I was too tired to work out in the evening! Like many moms I needed something I could do at home, but I didn’t have the $$$ to spend on pricey workout equipment. Enter workout DVDs from Moms Into Fitness! They sent me their Boot Camp 2 DVD and it’s fabulous. Seriously the best workout program I have ever seen.
It’s so easy to follow and understand. Lindsay Brin explains everything really well and she teaches the importance of having a solid core. Also, how to work that core. Plus, there’s cardio toning workouts that are only 10 minutes long! Perfect for the new mom or any mom who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to working out!
Moms Into Fitness also has other core fitness videos:
How about a workout for pregnancy? Of course Moms Into Fitness has it!
Even app options for your phone!
There truly is a workout for everyone at Moms Into Fitness!
My previous life…
In my previous life I graduated from college and had no idea where I was going to turn for a job. I applied and I applied. I couldn’t find a job, so I applied some more. Nothing came of it, so I just stayed on at the hospital where I was already working. It was in my comfort zone, so why not? That being said I must admit that I’m so far out of the getting hired loop! I mean I’m a stay at home mommy now. Who would want to spend time away from this cutie?
I have no plans on getting back out there in the work force anytime soon. Do you ever think about how you are going to keep your hear in the job world from home? I do! After all, I do want to go back to work outside of the home (even just part time) one day in the future. When kids are grown and in school!
Fortunately for all of us stay at homers Mary Heston blogged about dillema today. Now I’m including this as a DIY type thing, but that’s what it is. It’s a DIY way of staying on top of your job related resources!
You aren’t going to want to miss her great posting!
{DIY} Personal MicroDerm
Do it yourself home microdermabrasion kit? Yes please!
I’m looking a little bit different these days. That picture of me in the About section was taken in the fall. We haven’t gotten any family pictures taken since then, so I’ll just have to give you this sneak peek for the time being (sorry about the taken from my iPhone look):
There’s the new me…minus 40 something pounds!
Guess that I should delete the part about my having a few extra pounds, since that’s no longer the case! However, I am still a 30 something year old. So, something that I still struggle with? Those oh so gorgeous fine lines and discoloration on my face. Okay they are wrinkles and age spots. Why even try to make them sound more glamorous than they actually are? Yes I have them. It’s a given now that I’m turning 33 in a few months. (Gasp! I actually just confirmed with you all my actual age!) Let’s face it. Our skin just changes as we age. All of those years of sun exposure and laughing. Yep I’ve got the laugh lines! Just shows how happy I am. :)
Well, now I have the solution to those problem areas. A few weeks ago I received the Personal MicroDerm and it’s perfectly fabulous! Seriously such a dandy product. Think microdermabrasion without the time and extra cost. Who really has the time to go for appointments at the dermatologist’s office? Not me. How about the $$$ to spend on those expensive treatments at the dermatologist’s office? Again not me! That’s what makes the Personal MicroDerm so dandy! It’s a value that will last and last with use from your very own home. What’s more is it actually works! After the very first treatment I noticed a difference in the way my skin looked and felt. The treated areas became smoother, more refined, and youthful looking. My forehead actually looked less line-y!
The Personal MicroDerm comes with discs for different skin types. The discs have a grit aluminum oxided coating to them. Then the device itself has a vacuum that pulls the skin to the disc that spins. Working the microdermabrasion miracle! It removes a very thin surface of your skin to get rid of dead skin, etc. And starts you on the way to smoother less wrinkled skin! Also included is a very informative DVD on how to use the product. I need to note that it’s very important to follow the directions! Patience is not one of my virtues, but it is an important one to have when using the Personal MicroDerm. I elected to go over an area (brown age spots people) on my face repeatedly instead of waiting until the next week for the next treatment. Not a good idea. Okay… it was a horrible idea that I will never repeat again. The Personal MicroDerm is intended to be used only once a week, because your skin needs time to recover between treatments. So I gave myself a true abrasion and that definitely smarts. Totally my fault.
If you are in the same aging category as me with fine lines, etc. then the Personal MicroDerm is for you! Give it a try, because it will save you time and money. And that’s just dandy!
DIY Hair Remedies from The Wright Hair!
Hair Remedies from The Wright Hair blog!
I use hair tips all the time and don’t think twice about sharing so I have put together some easy hair remedies.
When it comes to hair and keeping it healthy it is better for our hair not to wash it every day. For people such as myself who has incredibly greasy hair I have learned a few tricks to making my 2nd day hair look as good as just washing it.
Getting volume:
There are a couple of things to get volume.
- First you can do a back comb. (this loses its poof over time)
- A 2nd option is using really big rollers and root volume spray. Spray the roots and roll the large curlers leave in for about 5 minutes or until the spray dries.
- An old fashioned way is to Use aluminum foil. Start by rolling aluminum foil in the shape of a cigar. Then, take 1’’ sections of hair and wrap from ends to roots around the foil. Heat up the foil by using a flat iron for 5 to 10 seconds. Allow the hair to cool down before removing foils. The result is big curls.
Beach Hair: Mix a generous amount of table salt into a water bottle and spray into hair. Let set and scrunch dry hair with your hands for a beachy textured look.
Moisturized for Dry Hair: If you have extremely dry damaged hair use olive oil put a small amount on your hair and leave on the hair for 20mins once a week for hydration.
No time for a shower or Hair is to Greasy:
- Dry shampoo by Tresemme is the answer. This product is awesome you spray it on leave in for a few minutes then brush your hair.
- If you don’t have dry shampoo then Use talcum powder put a small amount into your hands and applies at the roots. **NOTE** Be careful! The powder can be messy so do this before you put on your favorite outfit.
- If you have time to shower but your bangs are always greasy as mine are. I put on a shower cap and just wash my bangs.
Accessorize it. Use headbands, flowers, bows or anything else you like. If you don’t have headbands they are easy to make. Use old bra straps, just cut them off and secure them together. Nylons or leggings also make good headbands. I have also used the ties off of shirts. My favorite headbands are using the foam rolls (they can be purchased at Justice or Claires. Flowers can be purchased or made out of flowers from a craft store. Accessorizing 2nd day hair is a good way to class up your style.
Can’t find a Bobbie Pin. If you are out and need a bobbie pin and can’t find one try using a paper clip.
Static. When you wake up or put on a shirt that has lots of static it never fails that the static will end up on your or her hair. Take single fabric dryer sheet and rub it over your dry hair.
Strong Hard Setting Gel: If you need a really strong hold use an old trick of sugar and water mixed, **NOTE** heavy on the sugar. It is easier to apply with a small toothed comb.
***You can find Amber and some amazin
{Guest Posting} DIY 60-Minute Skirt Tutorial
Let’s give it up for my friend and former roommate from the Provo days, Kati! ***applause, applause*** I’m so excited to feature her again, but this time with a fabulously dandy skirt tutorial from her blog From The Blue Chair. Be sure and become a follower of her blog, because it’s a lot of fun!
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Thanks to Tara for inviting me back to share another idea. I describe myself as a quilter, but I am always looking for new ways to sew fun little things for my kids as well. I especially love making skirts for my girls. This particular skirt is so fast and easy. It uses only a small amount of fabric and works perfect with so many different fabric designs. It’s an easy project for someone just beginning to sew. That hardest part is choosing your fabric!
Download the PDF: 60-Minute Skirt Tutorial
View my other projects on my blog: http://www.fromthebluechair.com/
{DIY} Lots of dandy talent!
I know that many of you are way talented and have way fabulous blogs where you post about some dandy craftiness! Well, now it’s your turn to share with us! Go ahead and link your crafty post with Dandy Giveaway & More! Oh and on your personal blog posting please type that you linked up at http://www.dandygiveaway.com.
Also, feel free to share with your crafty friends so they can post their fun projects here! I’ll go first to get this started in case there are a few who aren’t sure how it works. Have a great weekend! See you on Monday for another week of dandy giveaways!
{DIY} Burp Cloth Cupcakes
Back in the fall I helped my mom throw a baby shower for my sister-in-law. Well, I guess I should start with something from a few years back. When Banjo was a baby he spit up a lot. It was seriously out of control. Thank goodness for hardwood floors! One thing that I learned fast was when it came to burp cloths the prefold cloth diapers made the best ones. My mother-in-law sent me a tonof prefolds that she embellished with printed grosgrain ribbon. Perfectly absorbed and perfectly cute! So going back to the fall when I helped with the baby shower for my SIL… I knew that I wanted to make her some burp cloths using prefolds. I also knew that I wanted to make them look cute for presentation and using my favorite among favorites… FABRIC! So I created some burp cloths that incorporated all of the above!
In addition to the prefold cloth diapers and fabric I used these supplies:
- corrugated scalloped bulletin board border
- thin ribbon
- decorative long pins
- felt
- rubber bands
I started by cutting a piece of fabric slightly larger than the center of the prefold diaper. Then ironed the edges of the fabric in to make the seam creased for attaching to the prefold.
Using pins to secure fabric down the center of the prefold:
Sewed around the fabric edge:
The finished burp cloths:
Ready for creating a cupcake…
First, fold the thin part of the diaper in on the fabric (or under if you would like the fabric to show in a swirl at the top of the cupcake):
Then fold in half (long ways) again:
Roll up like you would a sleeping bag:
Secure with a rubber band:
Cover around rubber band with the corrugated boarder:
Add on a felt flower with the long pin in the center:
Tie around a ribbon:
Voila! A Cupcake Burp Cloth!
If you choose to fold the burp cloth with the fabric showing then you will get the swirl effect for the “icing”.
These were fun to make and worked great for decorations on the cake table!
Oh and I linked up this crafty project at these crafty sites here: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
here: http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/
here: http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/
and…
here: http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
and here:
{DIY} Welcome Becky With The Crafting Chicks!
Hello! I’m Becky, one of the 6 “Chicks” who writes on The Crafting Chicks. I am so excited to share some of our crafts with you on this fabulous site. We get inspired whenever we read fun blogs like Dandy Giveaways! It is filled with so many great treats! We at the Crafting Chicks love to inspire you as well!
Create Your Own Silhouette Tutorial
by Nikkala
by Becky
Q’s Play Kitchen (scroll down the post for the details)
by Kirsten
by Jamie
by Jen
Personalized Job Charts (free template)
by Brooke
Thanks so much ladies for letting us guest post. Happy Crafting and stop by to visit us at www.thecraftingchicks.com!





















































































