Happy 4th!

Last year on the 4th of July, Poesy was a tiny baby tucked in her bed before fireworks ever started, Hope went with some family to a big fireworks display, and Johnny had to work.  I ended up sitting.  Alone.  It was kind of a bummer of a 4th.

This year was the opposite of last, and I'm very thankful for that!  We got to spend the entire day (and night) together, we watched fireworks, shot some of our own, and the girls stayed up waaaay too late. 

 

 

By the end of the night some of us were getting kinda silly and some of us were done having pictures taken (ahem... Hope).  All in all, it was a pretty wonderful day.  Today I'm paying for those little water squirters the girls got (water EVERYWHERE), but it's okay.  Hearing those little giggles is worth being sprayed in the face... for a little while...  ;)

4th of July Giveaway

Happy 4th of July, folks!  In celebration, today we have a group giveaway!

One lucky person will receive all of these prizes:

Yellow Heart Art is offering this lovely print:

Shop, Blog, Twitter, Facebook

Poppy and Fern is offering a necklace of your choice!

Shop, Twitter, Facebook

Chantilly is offering 2 albums- Up To The Moon EP and Caught Light:

 Blog, Bandcamp (Songs), Twitter

MarMar Vintage is offering a $30 shop credit:

 Shop, Blog, Twitter, Facebook

Drew from Scrappy Happiness is offering a handmade scrapbook:

Blog, Shop, Twitter, Facebook

Flapper Girl is offering a Lady Tie of your choice:

Shop, Site, Facebook

Red Brick Magazine is offering up a custom papercut featuring your name or a short phrase:

Blog, Shop, Twitter, Facebook

To enter, follow or like each of these lovely people (via facebook, blog, twitter, etc).  Leave a comment here with your email address included.  I will draw the winner on Friday, and they will be announced shortly after.  Good luck!

*This giveaway is open to everyone, even if you are not celebrating Independence Day.  ;)

Everyday Styling and Alphabet Bags Winners

Happy Monday, friends!  I have a new post up over on A Beautiful Mess!  I had the privilege of doing an Everyday Styling post where I break down my typical makeup and hair routine.  It was a really fun post to do, especially since I love talking makeup.

(photos by Elsie)

Now, the winners of the Alphabet Bags giveaway are:

If you are a winner, please email me at skunkboycreatures@yahoo.com.  Have a wonderful day!!

Plain Jane Canvas Shoes Restyle

Hi, Skunkboy friends!  I'm Jodie, crafter and stitcher of Lova Revolutionary and author of Happy Stitch.  Summer time is just my favorite and I love a simple pair of canvas shoes to slip on for some quick outings to the park, to take to the beach, and to play with the pooch in!  I picked up a pair recently but decided they needed a little something-something to make them extra cute.  I thought I'd share this little restyle DIY with you, so you can stitch up a cute pair or perk up a pair you have already!

Supplies:  canvas shoes, several colors of embroidery floss, thick hand sewing needle, needle gripper (optional), pencil

Step 1:  Simply sketch out your design on your shoes with a regular pencil, careful to leave some space around the edge.

Step 2:  Begin filling in your design using some easy embroidery stitches.  I used a back stitch for the solid line and a straight stitch along the sides of my shoes.  Use a fill stitch to create a solid shape.  You may also need a needle gripper-- there are a few different kinds to choose from.  Depending on the thickness of your fabric, it may make it easier to pull it through.

Step 3:  When you are finished with each floss color, tie a knot on the inside to secure your thread.  Since it can be a little difficult to make a knot on the inside, try looping your thread around your finger and rolling it down to meet the inside of the top of the shoe.  If you need to, use a dab of clear fabric glue on the inside to hold your knot in place.

Stitch How-To:

Straight Stitch- bring your thread through the back of your design and then down through the top, leave a small space, and then repeat your stitch.
Back Stitch- begin with a single straight stitch.  Bring your thread through again from the wrong side of your design, a few centimeters away from where you finished your first stitch.  Bring the needle back through the same hole where you ended your first stitch.
Fill Stitch- make a series of long straight stitches, very close together to fill your shape.  If you have any fabric showing through, just make more long straight stitches on top.  You can also outline your shape with a back stitch or small straight stitches.

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Thanks, Jodie, for this adorable DIY!  I can't wait to try it out!

Jodie has also just released her first craft book: Happy Stitch: 30 Felt and Fabric Projects for Everyday, and she is giving two copies away!  If you'd like to enter to win a copy of Happy Stitch, just leave a comment saying why you love crafty projects.  :)  I'll pick the winners at the end of the week!