Indoor Fountain Craft Upgrade -QVC

I love being outside and working on the garden, but the reality is, by the time July gets here, the mosquitoes are veracious! I kicked around the idea of a lower outdoor fountain, something that sits more like a little pond, but honestly don't think I'd enjoy it with the bugs. So... I grabbed a little Tabletop Fountain the minute I saw it (on a free shipping day-thank you QVC:@) and thoroughly enjoy it. They offered fireworks or a flag in solid red, white or blue. I chose the flag in red. I can hear the trickling water and the light is reminiscent of a candle. 

But that field of stars just wasn't right...

So I got out a little paint and 

Wa-La! 

Love it now:@)

I call it my babbling brook without the mosquitoes😂

Make it yours and

Have a Happy Day!

Barbie/Ken Frankenstein Mask from K-Cup

I love to re-purpose k-cups any time I can, and here's a fun little craft for the kids. Or for an adult to make for doll play... These Frankenstein Masks, or Costumes, for Barbie and Ken can be as simple or elaborate as art skills -and patience- allow. I've made two, one an open face and the second has eye holes and more green. If this is a Halloween or birthday party craft, I suggest an adult have all of the k-cups pre-cut and let the kids color and decorate them. I used Sharpies for the boldest color. 

Bucket head and jagged bangs:

More of a hat look...

And a pull on mask:

I purposely used the most beaten up, dirtiest, well worn, black jacket I had to add to the Frankenstein look. Thrift store grab bag rescue:@)

My Barbie Pinterest Board here.

What I did:

1. Pull foil off of k-cup, tap out coffee grounds, pull out filter. Wash and dry k-cup.
2. The bottom of the cup will be the flat top of the head.
3. Using sturdy scissors, kitchen shears are best, cut off the ridge that had the foil glued to it. But leave two 1/4" pieces at the sides for the illusion of neck bolts.
4. If making open face mask, cut out enough of the cup in a rectangle shape to show the dolls eyes.
5. Make jagged cuts for the bangs.
6. If making eye hole mask, cut an arch between the bolts just high enough to expose the mouth and tip of the nose. Cut eye holes (I used a hole punch. Can use Exacto knife or utility knife.
7. Color with Sharpies as desired.

♻Let's recycle creatively and 

Have a Happy Day🎃

Barbie This and That... Halloween & Christmas

We're at that fun time of year when there's a ton of things going on... Halloween, football, Thanksgiving coming up, cooler weather, and the stores are putting Christmas out. This will be my third post of Dollar Tree Halloween ideas for Barbie. And even though it's been a few years, most of the items are still available. I picked up a pack of skeleton hands figuring I'd come up with ~something~ to make for Barbie... Even the dollhouse gets a few Halloween decorations:@)

My inspiration from Walmart,

Candle Holders:

What I started with:

And I have some leftover for future crafts...

These felt cut-outs make a quick Ghost Costume. I glued some ribbon at each shoulder, and some at each side will help tie the costume on. I was surprised to find out that the eyes and mouth were already cut and just needed to be popped out. There are 12 pieces in each pack, so that's enough for 6 dolls for a sleepover, or if your girl is having a Halloween party. Easy, fast, and cute:@) And of course, you could cut a ghost shape out of felt and draw the face on with a Sharpie too...

The cut-outs:

There are six more crafts here, and another five or so here.

I stopped at the thrift store and found this Santa pants ornament/gift bag and had a feeling it would fit Cousin Rube:@) I cut the bottom of each pant leg open, slid it on up over his belly, and wa-la... The big man is now ready for some Christmas fun:@) 

What I bought for 50¢:

🎃🎅Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Harry Potter Hat for Barbie -Recycled Candy Container

My favorite type of Barbie project is where we take something headed to the trash can and re-purpose it into a toy that sparks imagination and doll play. I knew these Hershey Kiss Harry Potter Hat topped candy containers would fit Barbie and Ken, and the plastic is nice and thin, so it's easy to cut too. Cute! I rummaged through my stash of doll glasses, and added a little black sharpie to the rims of this round purple pair. Used a food pick as a staff, and wa-la, a cute and easy start to a costume:@) 

Maybe make a felt cape here.

Or a red and gold felt tie here.

Or add a scarf.

I picked this doll up at the thrift store so I'd have a more mature looking person for dioramas... Ha, but this works:@) Prefer a witch hat? Paint it black...

What I started with, at Walmart and Target:

Simply cut cylinder piece off from inside hat rim.

Other recycled candy container crafts:

Jack-O-Lantern Tea Light

And Stretchy Pumpkin Head Costume:

📌DIY Barbie Pinterest Board HERE.

♻Recycle something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie Backpack from Party Favor Mini Purse DIY

I found these little purses in the party section at Walmart and immediately saw a cute sparkly Backpack for Barbie. I think I've seen them at Party City too? At 50¢ a piece this would be a fun craft project for a girls birthday party, sleepover, or rainy afternoon. I'm sure they'd have a great time filling the backpack with all kinds of little goodies. The straps get hot glued on and could be made from hair bands, ribbon, elastic or even yarn. I cut two 4" long pieces of salvaged elastic that was about 1/4" wide and it laid nice and flat. Although I do suggest cutting the elastic about 4 1/2" long going forward.

The side view:

The backpacks are great whether going to school or headed to the game!

Crop top free pattern HERE.

The most time consuming part of this project is waiting for the hot glue gun to heat up.

The key is to glue the straps on at an angle (kind of meeting in the middle at the top) so they help hold the backpack up on Barbie's back without slipping back down her arms. I got sloppy with the glue... Here's hoping you or your girl can be a little neater. Just keeping it real folks😉

The purses I started with:

📌My DIY Barbie Pinterest Board here.

Make something just for fun and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Football!!! Eagles Bracelets, Welcome Sign, Serving Platter & Nuts...

We're always excited about football season here at Pig In Mud and this year is no different:@) I started wearing my bracelets to work for what I've declared Fandom Fridays... So naturally, even though baseball season is still in swing, I had to make an Eagles bracelet too. Dollar Tree had the black, gray, and white beads, they work well with my team colors.

📌My Football Fun Pinterest Board here.

I'm looking for a fun Eagles logo to make something for the O in my welcome home sign. In the interim, I fished this old football out of my stash, added a magnet to the back and... Well, this will certainly do for now!

What goes with football? Snacks of course! Wanted to mention I've found several different flavors of Planter's Peanuts at Dollar Tree in the 6oz cans. Regular, Vinegar, Chipotle, and the latest, Salted Caramel. The nuts are perfect for everything from tailgating to couchgating to charcuterie boards. I like this size can too, it's not too big.

And finally, I stopped at Aldi and was pleased to find a couple of these football field platters still on the shelf. They are a nice medium size, about 16" long, not too big, not too small. Oh yes folks, we are ready for some football in Philly:@)

🏈Grab it when you see it, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

GO BIRDS!!!

Heinz 57 Kabobs, Darn Good Baked Beans, Meatball Appy & Labor Day Weekend...

I'm guessing there will be a few BBQ's this weekend and folks might be looking for a little inspiration... May I suggest these Heinz 57 Chicken Shish-Ka-Bobs:@) Easy and very tasty, and if you're not inclined to skewer the kabobs, simply grill up some chicken breast and slather it with the sauce. Good stuff folks:@)

And one of my favorite side dishes are these Darn Good Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar. This is a very nice recipe that starts with three types of canned beans, and will appeal to most folks in the crowd.

Bringing the appetizer? These Three Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs couldn't be easier. Heat in slow cooker, microwave, or in a disposable pan on the grill.

Whatever you are doing this Labor Day Weekend, whether firing up the grill (free apron pattern here), or going out to eat... 

We here at Pig In Mud hope you have a swimmingly good time:@)

Dollar Tree pool and outdoor table set.

🌞Have a great weekend:@)

Dollar Tree Crafting Vinyl Sale 2 for $1

Calling all Cricket crafters... A manager at Dollar Tree told me that Tuesday, September 3rd they will have a sale on rolls of vinyl. It will be 2 for $1.00. I asked if it was just her location or all of them, she believes it's all stores. I personally don't do this type of crafting, so I've never used the vinyl to speak about the quality.

Just wanted to share the info, but I can't confirm any of it, so please don't hold it against me if it turns out to only be the store on Route 1 in Fairless Hills, PA. But a trip to the dollar store is always a fun stop:@)

Have a Happy Day:@)

1:6 Scale Barbie Pumpkin Pie from Bottle Cap & Clay

Barbie asks, are you ready for pumpkin season? Pumpkins are big business, and a fall essential to many people. She got a couple little beauties in her last CSA box from Cousin Rube's Farm. And while it's way too early to think about Jack-O-Lanterns, she got her knife out with something different in mind...

Pumpkin pie:@)

While these Bottle Cap Pies aren't a new idea, this is the first time I've made one for my Barbie World. It was quick and easy, I like that in a craft:@) I took a standard bottle cap, filled it with clay, and let it dry. Then just painted the top to look like pumpkin pie. You can be as detailed as you'd like, make a lattice top, or a top crust with a pretty design. I made good ole standard pumpkin pie. 

I'd like to thank my son for planting the itty pumpkins and gourds in his garden the last couple years. This Barbie size one is from him, and the smallest in this pic. They have been fun😉

Another easy idea:

Lattice pie from masking tape here.

Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Halloween Wreath & Stacking Pumpkins-Dollar Tree

I found some good sized 24" felt Halloween decorations at Dollar tree and thought the skeleton was really cute. I aim to keep the Happy in Halloween:@) Then it dawned on me that it would make a great $1.25 embellishment for my new lit wreath and... Big smiles! I simply sat his boney little butt on the wreath, tilted the head and made him wave. Set my lights to twinkle white on the timer, and every day this October I'll be greeted with a hilariously silly smile. This would work with any wreath we already have.

And I truly love these stacking pumpkins:@) Great now right through Thanksgiving, and the best part? They store ~inside~ of each other saving space. Everything fits into the bottom pumpkin. I bought multi colored, they also have all orange, and all white. 12” high and the bottom pumpkin is about 6” wide. A substantial dollar store find, with a wink and nod to traditional blow molds.

🎃Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Over One Shoulder Barbie Dress from Paper Napkin

The idea for this Over One Shoulder Barbie Dress from a Paper Napkin is, it's a quick craft to help keep the kids busy. I used a standard white every day napkin here. What I love best about it is, it's great for any occasion or holiday, and a good way to kill a little time while waiting for dinner... Simply use a napkin with a seasonal design, thinner cheaper ones work best, and wa-la, Barbie would be dressed to match the event:@) All we need is a square lunch/dinner size paper napkin (approximately 6-6 1/2" square), yarn or ribbon, and scissors. 

✂What I did:

1. Open the napkin to create a rectangle.
2. Gather the fold in the middle and tie with yarn or ribbon. You can scrunch it up or try to neatly fold it like an accordion.
3. Place over one of Barbie's shoulders. 
4. Open the napkin to cover her front and back. Bring sides together and overlap a bit so her body is covered. I suggest having the front overlap the back on the sides.
5. Tie or tape yarn or ribbon around her waist to secure the dress closed.
6. Invite Barbie to dinner:@)

Fits Standard Barbie and our model,

 gorgeous Bubble Gum Pink Hair Curvy Barbie:

Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

School's Out! Barbie Summer Crafts Round-Up

So the kid's excitement of school ending in June, and the anticipation of July 4th festivities has passed, and I'm guessing you may be hearing "I'm bored" right about now:@) I thought I'd put together a hodge-podge of easy Barbie craft ideas, most are no sew, and several would even be good group projects for a birthday party or sleepover. I'll add lots of links, and you can always stop by my Pinterest Board to see everything I've made. Or maybe let the kids scroll through the board themselves, they can pick out a project or two that catches their eye. 

I'll start with the easiest idea,

this No-Sew, No-Hem Sundress literally comes together in seconds.

And I love that we're recycling an old tank top!

Here are links for two more tutorials for no-sew tops, a Handkerchief Top and Swing Top:

Another inexpensive craft idea is using balloons... How to make a Barbie Top or Kelly Halter Dress:

I made a couple shirts using a whole balloon... No real instructions, I think you can get the idea from the pics. Love the one sleeve look:@)

If your girl is a little older and wants to learn to sew, I have a picture tutorial showing how to make a Barbie Dress from a 6" Square of Fabric, or a cute little Pillow Case Type Dress with Ribbon Tie (fits Curvy Barbie too):

And of course Barbie is all about the accessories😉 Some of my favorite projects are recycling things headed to the trash bin into something fun and useful... And pretty!

How to make a Boho Handbag and Unicorn Headband:

And if there's a Barbie in your life, there's probably a Ken too... No-Hem Tank Top and Long Shorts/Bathing Suit patterns:

There you have a few ideas folks, just a little something to help the kids fill some time and stay busy. My Barbie Craft Index is HERE, and Barbie Pinterest Board Here.

🌞Make something just for fun and,

Have a great summer😎