Crafty Texas Girls

8/21/13

Craft It: T-Shirt Hack (How to Cut up a Shirt)

Sometimes you need a 'life hack'--a technique that makes some aspect of your life easier or more efficient. You know like using bread clips to organize power cords or putting pancake batter in a ketchup bottle.

And sometimes, you need a 't-shirt hack'. Like when you get a really big, boxy t-shirt from a race or you are handed a large plain t-shirt that you have to wear to all your child's sporting events. If you're looking for a 'life hack', you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a 't-shirt hack', then you are in luck!

I am helping with cheer again this year (coaching and sitting on the board for our local youth football association). Each game, the coaches wear 'spirit' shirts of some kind. Here is our shirt for this year. So Cute, but lacking a little flair :) So I 'hacked' it. Literally...

1. Gather a t-shirt, scissors, fabric paint

2. Cut off sleeves and neck

3. Fold the back of the shirt in half, cut three small slits.

(Make sure not to cut through the front of the shirt! Only the back)

4. Add glitter paint to lettering (I used Tulip)

5. View of the front

6. View of the back

Now, we are ready for football season.

Have you ever 'hacked' a t-shirt?

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8/19/13

Camera Talk: Shooting in Manual Mode and a Giveaway

On Saturday, I went to Kristen Duke's "Say NO to Auto" Photography Class. I learned a ton about using my camera in Manual Mode. I have to admit, it does take a little more thought to shoot in Manual. But the difference in the quality of photos between Automatic and Manual is amazing.

Like my camera strap? See how the free tutorial here and make one too!

And although it can be overwhelming at first, it is possible to learn! :) I have a Canon Rebel, which I usually shoot in the 'CA' mode with the flash turned off. But after the class, I am ready to shoot in Manual Mode! Below you can see an example of "Manual Mode vs Automatic Mode".

Comparison of Manual vs Auto (Image Source Here)

I now own this book, "Say NO to Auto" which I am going to keep in my bag. It's kind of like a 'cheat sheet' for shooting in various lighting conditions until I get more comfortable with knowing what settings to use and when. Whether you take photos of your kids/grandkids, you are a blogger, or you have aspirations of running your own photography business-- shooting in manual allows you to really capture the moment in the most beautiful way.

See more about the "Say NO to Auto" book here

And since we are talking cameras, I am excited to bring you a really fun giveaway from my newest sponsor, Sassy Steals!

Sassy Seals offers daily online deals on women's jewelry, women's trendy clothing and other handmade crafts. Visit SassySteals.com for women's fashion deals and weekly giveaways!

Sassy Steals instagram @sassysteals.com -- Sassy Steals on Facebook.com/sassysteals.com

To celebrate the joy of capturing life's great moments with a camera, Sassy Steals is giving away a Polaroid 300 plus film to one lucky winner.

The Polaroid 300 takes business card size instant color photos, It is has an auto adjust falsh, electronic shutter 1/60 second, and manual exposure compensation. It has four scene settings to help capture the perfect shot in any light. The camera works with Polaroid 300 instant film and comes in purple, blue or black (winner chooses color)!

Want to win this fun camera from Sassy Steals? Simply use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So do you 'say NO to auto'-- are you shooting in Manual mode? What camera do you use the most to capture the joy of everyday life?

8/16/13

Decorating a Mantle for Fall

*Disclosure: I was sent product to review, but as always- all opinions are my own!

In the past, I have made myself wait until September to start decorating for fall. But this year, I am throwing caution to the wind and starting early!

Balsam Hill contacted me about reviewing one of their wreaths, and that was all the motivation I needed to get in the mood for Fall decor.

I chose the Harvest Foilage Fall Wreath. I have been in love with this style of wreath for awhile, but I could never find one locally that was this full. I am so impressed with the amount of 'goodies' on this wreath.

When I decorate my mantle, the wreath is always the center-piece. Then I build around it with accessories. Getting started, I wasn't exactly sure of my 'theme'. But when I saw the colors of the leaves in the wreath, I decided on Metallics and Nature. (Which really means I want a lot of gold and silver accessories mixed in with pumpkins!) Since the pumpkins aren't out in stores yet, I got started on 'shopping my house' for the accessories I wanted to pair with the wreath. The painted brick fireplace makes a great backdrop for the metallics.

Details on my painted brick fireplace here

I want to add a few pumpkins too, I am thinking I will spray paint them gold. And then mix in some white pumpkins too. I like to keep my holiday decor along the same lines as my house decor, lots of neutrals with a variety of textures.

Are you ready for to get started on decorating too? As a special treat, Balsam Hill is offering a coupon just for Crafty Texas Girls fans. Use the coupon code : CRAFTYTEXASGIRLS10 for 10% off your order. Balsam Hill has so many beautiful products on their site right now, wreaths, garlands, even Christmas trees!

Balsam Hill Online | On Facebook | On Twitter | On Pinterest

When do you start decorating for Fall?

Flashback! -- Here is how I have decorated my mantle in the past.

Fall Mantle by Crafty Texas Girls

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It's Fall Ya'll @ Thrifty Decor Chick -The Scoop -Too Much Time on My Hands -Home Stories A to Z -Tatertots and Jello -The 36th Avenue -Whipperberry -Serenity Now -Love of Family and Home -It's Overflowing -Mom4Real -I Should Be Mopping the Floor -Live, Laugh, Rowe

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

8/14/13

Christmas Preview & Chevron Love

I am already thinking ahead to Christmas. This week I am showing my new Halloween and Christmas accessories at Dallas Market. And of course, they involve a little bit of chevron.

Shop Kelly's Kids Here

And wouldn't you know it, one of my favorite Crafty Texas Girls sponsors shares my love of chevron too. Check out these sweet styles from Kelly's Kids.

Shop Kelly's Kids Here

My site would not be possible without the support of my great sponsors, so please take a minute to visit Kelly's Kids with Jennifer Anderson online, like her facebook page, or share this post!

Shop Kelly's Kids Here

Are you already thinking about Christmas too?

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All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

8/12/13

Handmade Baby Shower Gift: Bow Tie Onesie with Suspenders

Seems like everyone I know right now is expecting a baby.
Well not everyone... but you know how sometimes it seems like everyone around you is pregnant or has a baby? That is where I am:) Which means I get to make cute baby gifts! And even though I am 'all about the girls'-- I found something sweet to make for little guys too!

Using a Gerber onesie, I made a little bowtie and suspenders from some of my favorite fabrics. I stitched them on, making sure to turn under all the raw edges. Then I added some of the same fabric to a burp cloth, turning under the raw edges again. Finally, I used a pattern similar to this one, to make a 'diaper/wipes' holder or one like this. It's a cute way to keep diapers and wipes organized in your bag.

For more gift ideas, click here.

**This idea could easily be done in girl version, choosing different colored fabrics and attaching the bow to the side (like a little brooch!).

And here is the onesie on the cutest little baby boy-- don't you just love him?! His mom sent me this photo several months after the shower. I was delighted!!!

What is your favorite handmade gift for babies?

Check out these fun baby shower ideas by Crafty Texas Girls:

-Little Man Shower

-PINK and GOLD Baby Shower

-"Sweet as Pie" Baby Sprinkle

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Visit my shop, Samantha Conner Designs- fabulous clothing and accessories for the girl who has everything!

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

8/6/13

Trend Spotting: Maps in Decor

I got a new phone cover-- it is from Zazzle. They are always having sales and when an email came through advertising 'half off' all phone covers, I 'went' shopping. This is what I ended up ordering. It reminded me of fabric swatches, had a touch of chevron, and made me think of 'made in the USA'.

Zazzle

Since then I have seen several "USA Map" things have caught my eye. Maps of all sorts are popular in decor, here are a few new twists on a classic favorite.

Child Inspire via Etsy

Embroidered USA

Dwell

Pendleton Woolen Mills

Map by Numbers (This is a paint by number!)

Love Leeves

And this one just made me smile-- an edible map. Yum!

Grateful for Grace

We are making our own tracks around the country this week. We drove from Dallas to Destin. Follow along on our road-trip via instagram @craftytexasgirl.

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Visit my shop, Samantha Conner Designs-accessories for the girl who has everything!

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.