How to Photoshop Tinkerbell in your Child's Hands

This technique is so easy and very cute!

1. Take a picture of your child smiling down at her cupped hands.
2. Find a picture of Tink online and save to your computer. I used this picture:


3. Open Photoshop. Go ahead and do any editing to your child's photo first.
4. Click, "file, open" to load Tink's picture into Photoshop. You might need to resize Tink's photo to make her small. I actually didn't need to using the picture above.
5. Using the lasso tool and getting as close to Tink as possible, outline her entire body.
6. Next click, "edit, copy"
7. Click the PS window with your child's photo, and then click, "edit, paste".
8. Using the move tool, position Tinkerbell in your child's hands.
9. Select the eraser tool, then hold down the "ctrl" key while pressing "+" key to zoom in on your picture (ctrl + "+"), and ctrl + "-" to zoom back out when you're finished.
10. Carefully go all around Tink with the eraser tool to completely get rid of the original white background. Use the shortcut, "]" and "[" to change the eraser size.
11. Save your picture, show your Darling Stinker (and watch her face light up), and don't forget to share with friends and family!

Have fun!

Cheatin' Chili

Here's a super fast, easy and delicious chili that won't take y'all hours to cook!



Ingredients:

2 lbs extra lean ground beef, sirloin or turkey
1 cup of creole seasoning*
1 jar of Bertolli pasta sauce**
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of light kidney beans
1/4 - 1/2 cup chili powder***
2 tbsp (or whatever you want) of Italian Seasoning
Dash or two of Tony Chachere's (or your favorite season-all)
Dash or two (or more!) of cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf

Brown the meat and toss the creole seasoning on top.
Break up any big pieces of meat.
If you use extra lean beef or turkey you can skip draining it.




Drain and rinse the kidney beans.




Once the meat is browned, throw in the rest of the ingredients.




Stir.
Taste test.
Add more seasonings if you like.
Be careful because the chili will get stronger as it cooks!




Cover.
Cook on medium-low at least 30 minutes so the flavors can blend together.
Stir occasionally.




Spoon some into a bowl.
Top with shredded cheese and serve with saltine crackers.



So Yummy!

I don't add any extra salt or pepper, so that's why you don't see it on my list of ingredients.
Also, I try not to make mine too spicy so Serenity will eat it, but you can add extra cayenne pepper and/or Tony's (careful - it has salt in it) to give it a little kick.

Have Fun!!


* This is a combination of fresh finely chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, shallots, garlic and parsely.
We use this a lot in South Louisiana and can find it in all our gocery stores.
Each store has it's own favorite combination.

**I used Bartolli, but any pasta sauce you choose will be fine.

***Add more or less depending on how you like it!

(Crock Pot) BBQ Pulled Pork

I borrowed from a couple of recipes online, took away a few things and added others to make some melt-in-your-mouth BBQ pulled pork today.

Actually I started it last night - you've got to let it cook for a long time!

But oh my it's totally worth it!

It'll feed a small army, so it's perfect for big Football Sunday gatherings.

Freeze leftovers - if you have any!

Ingredients:
4 lb pork butt
3 cups ginger ale
12 oz BBQ sauce (I like Stubb's Moppin' Sauce)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup Sugar in the Raw
1 tbsp Cholula hot sauce
1 tbsp powdered cumin
1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 lg onion, chopped

1. Trim the fat off the pork.
2. Put the pork and ginger ale in the crock pot on HIGH for 8 hours.
3. Drain the liquid and fat; shred the pork.
4. Mix the remaining ingredients with a whisk in the crock pot.
5. Put the shredded pork back in the crock pot, stir and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
6. Serve on a bun topped with creamy cole slaw.


DELICIOUS!


Have fun!

Trick or Treat Bling!

Serenity is wearing a pretty sparkly Halloween shirt from Paperlili!

You'll find a large selection of tees, leggings, and headbands full of awesome bling on their website.

Check out the bling for Boys and Moms too!

Don't forget to fan Paperlili's Facebook page and check out their blog!


I crocheted Serenity's little fascinator to match this outfit.

If you'd like my FREE Mini Top Hat crochet pattern, click HERE!

I bought Serenity's skirt from Crazy 8 a couple of years ago.
If you want to learn how to make a similar one, check out my tutorial!

Have fun!

Panda Dress!!

I love Serenity's adorable new dress from courtneycourtney!

It's made with up-cycled fabrics and the panda is actually from a very cool vintage sheet full of sweet animals!


I'm not sure how many of these with the vintage animal prints on them Courtney has left - they are going so fast!

Be sure to visit her Facebook page and sign up to receive the next email full of dresses!

Learn how I made Serenity's headband by clicking HERE!

Her sweet dolly, Arabella is a Bamboletta!

Have fun!

Double Crochet Flower

Serenity's dress is from courtneycourtney! I'll have more pictures of it soon!

I found the cutest crochet flower from Daisy Cottage Design and had to try it!


The Double Layer Daisy pattern is super easy to make - even for beginners.

I did alter the pattern slightly because I think it works up faster for me, but it's still very easy to crochet.

Here's how I made the two double flowers on Serenity's headband:

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = triple crochet
bpsc = back post single crochet

Crochet Hook Needed:
F, 1st double flower
H, 2nd double flower

Yarn:
Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton yarn

Double Crochet Flower:

Round 1: Start with a Magic Adjustable Ring, 10 dc in circle, join with a sl st, tighten ring.
Round 2: ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 2, skip 1 sc, sc in next stitch, repeat from * around, ch 2, skip 1 sc, join with a sl st.
Round 3: *ch 3, 3 tr in ch 2 sp, ch 3, sl st in sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl st.
Round 4: ch 1, *bpsc around sc post on round 2, ch 3, repeat from * around, join with a sl st.
Round 5: *ch 2, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, ch 3, sl sc in sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl st.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Make two flowers different sizes, and use your glue gun to attach it to a headband or hat.



While you've over at Daisy Cottage Design, check out her FREE Newborn Owl Hat pattern, Petal Daisy Flower and other wonderful tutorials too!

This project is CHEAP!

It can be made with left-over yarn so you don't have to run out and buy a thing!

Sweet!



Have fun!

Mini Top Hat Crochet Pattern

Serenity's adorable Halloween shirt is from Paperlili!

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
bl = back loop
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together

Crochet Hook Needed:
F, but you can use whatever size you want.
Remember the hat can be bigger or smaller depending on the size hook you use.

Yarn:
1 skein of Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton yarn

Mini Top Hat Crochet Pattern:

Row 1: Start with a Magic Adjustable Ring, 10 sc into ring, join with sl st, tighten ring.
Row 2: ch 1, turn (always turn your work in the same direction throughout), 2 sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 4: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 6: (working in bl only on this row) ch1, sc in each sc around, join with a sl st.
Row 7: ch 1, turn, sc in next 9 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc around until last 10 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc, join with a sl st.
Row 8: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 9: ch 1, turn, sc in next 8 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc around until last 9 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc, join with sl st.
Row 10: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with a sl st.
Row 11: ch 1, turn, sc in next 7 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc around until last 8 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc, join with a sl st.
Row 12-13: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 14: ch 1, turn, sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc around until last 7 sc, sc2tog, sc in each sc, join with a sl st.
Row 15-17: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 18: (working in bl only on this row): ch 1, turn, 2 sc in same sc, 1 sc in next sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, join with sl st.
Row 19: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc around, join with sl st.
Row 20: ch 1, turn, sc in next 12 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in each sc around until last 13 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in each sc.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Attach to alligator clips or a headband after embellishing.


Embellish your new mini top hat with scraps of :

ribbon
feathers
silk flowers
lace
various trims
netting
buttons
bows
rolled shabby flowers
pearls
rhinestones
tulle

Whatever sparks your creativity!

This is an inexpensive fascinator.
It'll cost between $5 - $10 for the supplies.
It can be crocheted in about 30 minutes (or a little more depending on your level of expertise).
They are perfect for party favors too!

This tutorial is for personal use only.
If you do make a fascinator using my tutorial, I would appreciate a link back to this tutorial please!
I always try to give full credit to the creative blogs and people who inspire me - you can see evidence of this all over my blog!
I only ask for the same curtsy in return.

Thank you!

Have fun!

Tea Party Birthday

Serenity will be turning 5 soon and we are having a tea party birthday at La Tea Da in Thibodaux.

You can find them on Facebook here.

I've been looking around for fun tea party themed supplies and favors.
There is so much cute stuff online!!

Here's some I've found so far:

Tea pot and cup crayons at Posh Paper Creations on Etsy.

Or you can make your own by carefully pre-melting crayons and pouring the wax into these candy molds:

Here's some adorable multiracial Princesses Have a Tea Party fabric for homemade gifts bags.

Here's some cute tea-themed ribbon for the gift bag handles:

Combine the two to make these fun Tea Party themed gift bags!
Use my gift bag tutorial to see how I made them!



In the cell phone picture above, Serenity is holding a little tea cup (set of 6) that I bought on Amazon.
Only $11.19 and FREE shipping w/Prime.
They are the perfect size for little girls!
You can find the matching teapot ($10) here.
FREE shipping w/Prime too!

I also love this play makeup by Mini-Play.
Just like Mommy's!

Or you can make your own - much cheaper if you're doing party favors for 6 little girls!

I've made some before - but mine didn't turn out nearly as nice as this Mommy's set!

She found all her cute supplies at the Dollar Store.

Check out her entire post on her blog, Meet the Dubiens.

I love these cute non-toxic nails polishes by Piggy Paint.
But at $8.99 they are out of my price range.

AllyKats also has non-toxic nail polish for kids.
They peel-off so you don't need to buy nail polish remover.
Affordable at $4.99!

A cute (and inexpensive) pinata at Amazon!

Tea cup cupcake silicone molds with saucers.
These are too fun!
Even I could decorate these cute!

As for cakes, you can find TONS of idea online.

If I wasn't the worst cake decorator in the world, I would try make this "simple" tea pot cake:

I'm still looking around at tea party fun supplies so I may update this post when I come across something new!

Have Fun!

Remembering 9/11

Remember 9/11 and all the Firefighters who lost their lives struggling to save the people trapped in the WTC towers. 

Please keep in your hearts those firefighters who have developed cancer while wading through unimaginable, toxic dust to find WTC survivors and save others on that fateful day.
You can donate to help firefighters at Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
Also, tune in to Sanjay Gupta's Terror in the Dust.


You can donate to help the families of fallen firefights by going to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

What is a fireman? 

He is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.

He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller than most of us.

He is a fireman.

He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.

A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.

He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.

He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.

He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.

He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.

He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.

When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.

He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it. 

-Author unknown