Upcylce a Chalkboard Into a Beautifully New Room Decor Item: Tutorial

My daughter recently redecorated her bedroom, and believe me, it has been long-overdue for new paint.  She went from Lily Pulitzer hot pink and lime green to a more mature color scheme of gray and dark purple.  The transformation was amazing!  The best and most fun part for her was taking all of the loose change that she found while she was cleaning

Hide Your Craft Room Clutter with Privacy Curtains

To move or not to move has been our question for a long time now.  Boy, I could really use a separate room for all things eWillow.com related.  We are minus one bird now that Adrienne is off to college; however, I just can't bring myself to turn her nest into a craft room.  Where will she chill when she comes home?

American Girl Doll Hula Costume

I've been searching through my files and I realized that somehow I forgot to post photos of this American Girl doll hula costume.  Forgive me!

(Actually, I'm sure I posted it, but I can't seem to find the post.)
The skirt is made from ribbon.  I cut one piece for the waistband and attached Velcro.  I sewed the skirt pieces to the waistband.

I made the flower pieces from scraps that I had in my scrap pile.  If you make one, be sure to use some glittery paper to add bling to the overall look.

Dr. Who Costume: Tutorial

Today I am a very delighted mother for a few reasons!  First, my sixteen-year-old baby still wants to go trick-or-treating.  Second, she finally took it upon herself to plan, design, and MAKE her own costume.  Finally, and the best part of all, is that when she finished and showed me what she had done, she immediately asked, "Mommy, are you going to put this on your blog?"  (Woo hoo!  She is sixteen and she still calls me "Mommy."  Pure joy!)

What does any of this have to do with a papercrafting blog, you ask?  Read on, and you shall see.

Earlier this year, before Adrienne left for college, both of my girls developed an addiction to the Doctor Who television series.  They became, and they remain, obsessed.  (On a side note, I have to say that I am a little sad that they didn't choose to include me in their new addiction.  They probably figured I have enough obsessions already, and hey, they do need clean laundry every now and then.  A new addiction for their mom means less attention-time for them.)  Once again, I digress.  Back to the costume.

Erica (the sixteen-year-old) told me that she needed to go the mall to buy a blue dress for her Halloween costume.  You all know what that means.  Whenever you go shopping to find a specific item you can never find it.  Thankfully, the Halloween-Gods were on Erica's side this year, because her costume came together so perfectly, without any hitches.  ;)  The photo below shows what she was going for:  a "Police Public Call Box," which apparently is a big part of the show.



This is what she came up with:



She found the dress at H & M for $19.95.  For the embellishments, she printed them out on regular ole' computer paper and used good ole' scotch tape to attach them to the dress.  (I was in total shock that she did this all on her own! Not that she's not extremely gifted and talented :), but because I always thought my girls were ignoring me when I was in the eWillow.com studio crafting away!)



The pockets:





She wanted to use white duct tape for the windows, but instead she chose to use heavy white cardstock and scotch tape: 



When Halloween is over, she can just peel off the paper and use the dress again and again.  Brilliant!

*****

Now I'm going to take bets...how many of you think she will be like totally embarrassed by this blog post?  Like "Mom, how could you do that to me? Like take it down like now!"

P.S.  While she is at her bassoon lesson tonight, I'm going to try to find some type of thing-a-ma-jig for her to put on the top of her head for the lamp thingy.  You know I have to get my paws involved in this project somehow.  :)

Dorm Room Decoration: Make a Fun Banner

I'm taking a few days off from blogging because I want to spend every second playing with my girls!  I'll definitely post photos next week of move-in-day and the dorm decorating fun!

In the meantime, here is the finished project that I blogged about yesterday. 

When you make your banner, choose lots of coordinating colors and then have-at-it when you decorate!  I used pearls, rhinestones, ribbons, and stamp sets that coordinated with the patterns in the comforter.



This was my inspiration:







 

 

I also added a little tiny note for her to glance at every now and then.  :)

(If I get a chance, I will post the supplies and tutorial over the weekend.  If not, I will be sure to post as soon as I return from dropping her off; that is if my tears don't get in the way.)