How to Make No-Sew Barbie Tops from Ribbon -Lots of Options...

I wanted to share an idea for a simple Barbie doll top. All that's required is about 6" of ribbon, some velcro and a hot glue gun. A couple folds in the back create darts and add a little shape. These tops kinda remind me of a tube top, although not as form fitting. I also like that straps are optional. Embellishments... If you have some cute trim, pom-poms, zig-zag, ruffle, etc, you could add it to the bottom. I had just enough silly 4" fringe left in my stash to make this one tunic length, yet sill look cool and breezy for a summer baseball game:@)

These tops were made with 1 1/2" wide ribbon:

✂What I did:

Standard Barbie = 6" of ribbon, Curvy Barbie = 6 1/4" of ribbon.

Fold the cut ends over 1/4" and hot glue in place.

Fold two glued ends in half, and glue together.

Place middle of ribbon over doll's bust. If you turn the folded ends up you'll see that it creates a dart on each side creating shape.

Glue velcro to each side of back.

Add straps and embellishments.

Three more variations:

Use short ruffled ribbon for off shoulder look. 5/8" ribbon with necklace as bathing suit top, and I've added a sheer ribbon capelet to the last one.

5/8" ribbon simply tied in front,

or wired ribbon scrunched up...

📌All of my Pinterest Boards here.

Barbie says, yep, 

all it takes is a little ribbon for a cute top! 

Have a Happy Day:@)

How to Make a Beaded Barbie Necklace & Other Doll Jewelry

I know folks have been making Barbie jewelry for as long as... well, since 1959:@) But I wanted to share my favorite tip for creating an easy necklace for Barbie. You can use any smaller beads that are to scale and any wire (these necklaces were actually made with Christmas ornament hooks). Simply create a small loop on one end of the wire and add as many beads as you'd like. Then create another loop on the other end, but the key is to make sure the beads are tightly pushed up against each other. This allows the necklace to be shaped nicely into a circle or oval. Easy-peasy and pretty!

Other versions:

I made the floral necklace from a thrift store bag of kids beads. It was for my Hawaiian hula outfit, kind of a wink and nod to a lei. Ken says "aloha". And I've used the necklace to wrap around the neck of a Halter Top, pattern here.

A quick pic showing the little loops on the ends. True Jewelry makers and folks that sell things know how to make them tidy, tight little circles. In my world... So far Barbie hasn't complained😉

Dollar Tree baby bracelets make great Barbie necklaces. This is a fun idea for a girl's birthday party or sleepover craft. Simply glue or paint on embellishments.

Side note: The bracelets above also make a great bridal veil:

I've also painted plastic Mattel jewelry 

for a more grown-up look...

 And there are three different earring ideas here.

🌺Make something just for fun and 

Have a Happy Day!

Pumpkin Season! Yo-Yo Fabric Pumpkins, Spiced Candied Peanuts & Barbie Pumpkin Head Costume

In honor of fall I thought we'd have a little ReView of assorted pumpkin posts... Even 11+ years later, these Yo-Yo Pumpkins are still one of my most popular tutorials:@) It's an easy little sewing craft and a great stash buster project. 

Pumpkin Spice Candied Peanuts are an easy slow cooker snack

that's perfect for football parties and the upcoming holiday season:@)

Now, I'm not saying Barbie is calling Ken a pumpkin head, but... I wanted to mention this while they're still at Dollar Tree, turn a recycled Stretchy candy container into a Pumpkin Head for Halloween. Kids will be tickled with this easy Halloween costume for Barbie, Ken and action figure dolls. Simply pull over the doll's head-done:@)

What I started with:

Have a great weekend:@)

Pillowcase Dress with Side Bow for Barbie & Curvy Barbie -Free Pattern & Tutorial

This picture tutorial shows how to make a simple pillowcase type dress (or nightgown) with a decorative side bow for standard or curvy Barbie. It's great for beginning sewers because it only requires six seams and all of them are straight. This is an easy project that an experienced sewer can whip up in no time, and one the youngest sewers should be able to complete before losing interest:@) A belt helps add a little shape...

Or you could leave it loose and casual.

I used a readily available 100% cotton fat quarter of fabric for the pink dress, 

and cotton from a bolt of fabric for the sports dress. 
An old soft well washed recycled fabric will have more drape.

What I did:

Cut two rectangles of fabric 7" x 4 1/2" ~or if using a fat quarter...
Fold fabric over once, using natural fold from fat quarter of fabric, this will be the width of the dress.
Cut down 1 1/2 squares for length of dress (I did decide later this was a little too long for my liking and trimmed 3/4" off of the pink dress and even more off of the sports dress, the final length is up to you).
Note: Using pinking shears would help the fabric not fray, I forgot to use them this time.

The folded fat quarter squares may not create an exact rectangle, just try to refold the fabric a little so the edges meet.
Cut the two sides apart along the fold if using a fat quarter.
Measure 2" down the long side of fabric, make a mark.
Measure 1" across the short side (top) of fabric, make a mark.
Cut diagonally between the dots, this creates the arm holes.

Fold fabric over about 1/4" and sew hem on each side of arm hole on both pieces.

Fold top over 3/4" sew hem 1/4" from bottom edge on each piece.
Fold bottom over 1/4" sew bottom hems.

Place right sides of fabric together and sew 1/4" hem up sides stopping at arm hole, back stitch at bottom and arm hole.

Turn dress inside out so right sides show.
Stick safety pin through one end of at least 16-20" long length of ribbon, feed ribbon through front and back of folded over hole in top of dress.
I used 1/4" wide ribbon for pink dress and 5/8" wide ribbon on the sports dress.

Dress doll, snug up the fabric and ribbon around the doll's neck and tie a bow.

✂Make something just for fun and have a happy day😉

Saturday Snippets: Trash Day Blow Mold, Thrifted Nativity & Guiltless Buffalo Chicken

I was taking a walk one trash day and came across this 44" blow mold on the curb! A ghost holding a jack-o-lantern, I tucked it under my arm and schlepped it all the way home... Quite the sight I'm sure:@)  The electrical works fine, and it even came with a light bulb. This won't be it's Halloween home, that's TBD, I just placed it in the front bed for a quick pic. 

Have your thrift stores started putting out Christmas items yet?

Yep, mine did last weekend:@)

I found this little plastic nativity that could be set out anywhere,

or added to the Christmas tree as an ornament.

The shape, color and starbursts on the sides scream 1950-60's to me.

$1, the raised stamp says Made In Italy.

It could be used as a decoration in Barbie's world too...

And if you love Buffalo Chicken and Wings...

May I suggest this guilt free version HERE-really good stuff folks!

Wishing you a weekend of good food and fun finds:@)

Saturday ReView: Leftover Ham, Pineapple and Noodle Casserole & DIY Slipcovers for $1 Barbie Chairs

If you have some leftover ham in the freezer this Pineapple, Ham and Noodle Casserole is a very nice way to use it up! Lot's of big flavor with minimum ingredients, I like that in a recipe:@) Serve veggies on the side or you can cut back a bit on the meat and stir some right into the casserole.

I'm sure we've all noticed that toys and other items have become a little scarce in 2020... But the 1:6 scale doll house furniture at Dollar Tree is actually made here in the USA, so it's one item that has been replenished regularly. Barbie says that's a good thing:@) I picked up an extra set of the kitchen chairs (you get two for $1), because I thought it might be fun to add a slipcover so I could use them as livingroom furniture. Or with a fancier fabric, maybe diningroom or bedroom chairs. It turned out to be an easier project than anticipated, so I wanted to share the pattern and tutorial.

I used denim from an old pair of jeans for a casual every day look.

Pillow tutorials here.

What I did:

Cut a rectangle, 4" wide by 16" long.

Add 1/4" hem to each short 4" side (I frayed the denim instead).

Lay the fabric over the chair, wrong side out. Let the back side of the chair touch the floor, drape fabric over the top of the chair, push against the bend/crease in seat, and flatten it onto the seat. Place a pin on each side where the back of the chair meets the seat (see pic below).

Sew 1/4" hem up each side of the chair back of the slipcover, back stitch at start and finish.

Turn right side out and push the two corners out.

Sew 1/4" hem (or use Liquid Stitch) down the four remaining unfinished sides.

Note: At this point you have a simple chair covering. Option, glue or sew ribbon to the open lower sides to tie a decorative bow on each side. 

I also made one in a Christmas fabric.

This one has the bottom hems, I simply frayed the denim on the bottom.

Another idea, wrap some ribbon around the lower back...

This Philadelphia Eagles ribbon is 5/8" wide.

The chairs I started with (although mine are hot pink):

Have a nice weekend everyone:@)

Saturday ReView: Fruitcake Fudge & DIY Barbie Clothes Christmas Gifts -Free Patterns

If you're looking for a new candy to present as gifts or to add to the cookie tray this year, this White Chocolate Fruitcake Fudge is very tasty, an easy microwave recipe and very pretty! I like that in a holiday recipe:@) It's also extremely versatile, use whatever fruit/nut add-ins and liquor you like. 

You can find my other fudge recipes here.

If you'd like to create some outfits for the dolls as Christmas gifts, here are links to free patterns for a Ribbon Dress, a Pillow Case Dress, and a Party Dress. You can also click my Pinterest Board for more ideas and inspiration:@)

Happy holiday planning and have a great weekend:@)

How To Hand Pollinate Squash Plants to Ensure Enough Zucchini to Eat

If you've been around Pig In Mud for a while you know my gardening these days mostly consists of adding some vegetable plants to containers. And while we all like to joke about over-productive zucchini, so far this year I haven't been getting any to eat. The ants and bees just haven't done a good enough job of pollinating my plants so they produce vegetables, and I've picked off at least six shriveled hopefuls. So I decided to take things into my own hands (literally) and try pollinating them myself- I feel kinda like a mad scientist:@) The flowers tend to open in the morning and will close by the heat of the afternoon, so this will be a part of my morning routine as long as the plant continues to bloom.

The plant makes two types of flowers, male and female:

Male = Flower on end of long thin stem. 

Female = Flower on end of (potential) zucchini. 

Gently rub paint brush or q-tip against anther (fuzzy yellow part in center) of male flower: 

You'll see the yellow pollen: 

Gently rub pollen on stigma  (fuzzy yellow part) of female flower.

Some folks choose to pick the male flower off of the plant, peel the petals off  and then just rub the anther on the female plant. It's your choice.
I'm just poking the handle of the cheap paint brush into the planter dirt so I can re-use it the next day.
This procedure works with any squash plant, and yes, that includes pumpkins:@)
 I took these pictures around 7AM on Wednesday morning, 6/17/20.
Two days later (this morning), each squash I pollinated is over 4" long!

And that my friends is how we make a baby zucchini...
Soon to be named... DINNER.

Sunday 6/21/20 update, I picked these two this morning:

Have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:
A Morning Cup of Joe
Handmade Monday
Craftastic Monday
Creatively Crafty

Saturday ReView-Two Ingredient Bisquick Biscuits, Peeps for Barbie & Easter Bunny Treat Topper DIY

Just popping in with a reminder about an oldie but a goodie... Don't forget about that box of Bisquick that's in the cabinet or fridge, these Two Ingredient Bisquick Biscuits whip up in no time. And while maybe not the prettiest bun, those shaggy edges make nice crunchy bites. These are a great addition to dinner, or with some jam for breakfast:@) If you're more fond of those famous seafood house biscuits, I have a link HERE, using flour, and an easy Bisquick substitute HERE.

Bisquick Drop Biscuits-Recipe easily scaled down
2 1/4 C original Bisquick
2/3 C milk-I used Half and Half
Stir together until soft dough forms, drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet, bake at 450 degrees 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, serve immediately.

I know folks are divided, seems either you love or ~not love~ eating Peeps... But you have to admit, they are an Easter icon. So I thought it would be fun to whip up a little stuffed Peep toy for Easter. This is a simple project that only requires some felt and either (the correct) glue or a needle and thread.

Since I didn't have matching thread I thought I'd glue mine together... 

After a few failed attempts, the best glue was Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue. 

But... It would just be easier, and faster, to sew it.

I used a Sharpie for the eyes and nose, 

you could sew on small black beads or sew on French knots too. 

My stuffing is a thin 1/4" wide piece of felt folded in half.

You could make yours thicker if desired, and you'll be able to get more stuffing inside if you sew it.

Here's a pattern I found on-line,

Mine is about 2 1/2" long stuffed.

And I'll leave you with this cute Peeking Bunny Treat Topper that's simply made from 

pipe cleaners and googly eyes.
Just a little something to make us smile-instructions HERE :@)

Please take care, stay busy, and have a happy day:@)