The Best Summer Gifts and Summer Snack Recipes

Strawberry Basil Balsamic Popcicle Recipe

When Amy from Living Locurto asked the members of Amy’s Circle to share their favorite Amazon Summer Must-Haves and Favorite Summer snacks, These Strawberry Basic Balsamic Ice Pops were my first thought. So refreshing and sophisticated. My favorite Summer flavor combo!

But First!

Favorite Summer Must-Haves

It’s time to dish out our favorite things! We’re sharing our top summer finds paired with our ultimate summer snack faves. Check out what we’re loving for the season.
Want to check out more of my Favorite Amazon Finds? Check out my Amazon Store.

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How to Watercolor Paint A Butterfly

Let’s learn How to Watercolor Paint A Butterfly!how to paint watercolor butterflies

Here is a quick video about how to paint watercolor butterflies. My favorite part about this project is that it is a really simple way to learn how watercolor paint reacts and mixes depending on how much water you use and where.

If you try some and post them on Instagram or Facebook, please tag me so I can see! It was basically my happiest moment in life when I got to see some butterflies painted using my tutorial this weekend. Undoubtedly seeing you happy with your painting is the best part of creating tutorials!

After my butterflies dried, I cut them out, bent their wings in and stuck them to the wall with double stick tape. They are so pretty for a spring party or just for everyday happiness. Now that you know How to Watercolor Paint a Butterfly, what else should I paint for you?

 If you love this project, try one of these next:

How to paint watercolor tropical flower Video Tutorial

As we are shaking off the last of winter and getting ready for warmer days, celebrate by painting some beautiful tropical plants and flowers. There is a template so you don’t even have to know how to draw! Just grab your favorite paper, paints and brushes and enjoy an afternoon or evening of relaxing, easy, artwork.

Watercolor Paint Lemons and Bees

Lemons and Bees are two of the most popular motifs in surface design right now and you can paint your own with my Watercolor Paint Lemons & Bees project. Again, it has a tracing template so you don’t even have to draw the art, just trace and paint. It’s so relaxing!

How to Watercolor Paint Autumn Botanicals Tutorial

And here’s one for everyone who is already eager for pumpkins, leaves and all things autumn cozy. Learn to Paint Watercolor Autumn Botanicals, again with a detailed template for tracing.

Now let me see what you painted from watching How to Watercolor Paint A Butterfly!

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The Best Way to Easily Attach Badges for Girl Scouts

Looking for The Best Way to Easily Attach Badges for Girl Scouts? Or looking for a Badge Magic Alternative?how to attach girl scout badges

Hello Campers and outdoor enthusiasts! Over the years both as a Girl Scout and a mom of Scouts, I have tried many, many methods of attaching merit badges to sashes, vests, tunics and Boy Scout uniforms. I’ve also witnessed a few methods that I never thought to try. People will go to some pretty serious lengths to avoid pulling out a needle and thread. Regardless of your preference, the very best way to attached badges and patches to fabric is to teach your Scout how to sew. If for some reason this is not an option, here are the best (and worst) ways to glue, iron, and sew on boy scout and girl scout badges,  in no particular order. Whether you’re webelos, daisy girl scouts, brownies or cub scouts there are Badge Magic Alternatives.

how to attach girl scout badges

Staples:

I will start with a true Girl Scout confession of mine. When I was a Junior Girl Scout and I wanted to quickly add some badges to my sash, I resorted to the stapler. Here’s how that went…

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DIY Woven Coasters

You are going to love the DIY Woven Coasters project.

DIY Woven Coasters
I have been drawn to the art of weaving for a while now, especially after I fell in love with Maryanne Moodie’s weavings on her Instagram. The colors she uses and the designs and textures she creates are breathtaking. After gawking at her designs, I decided to try my hand at making a set of coasters for the blog. I’m so happy with how they turned out! You will need just a few materials and a piece of cardboard for your own DIY loom. Ready to get startedwith this little online workshop? I spent a good evening making a handful of new coasters while watching TV. This would make a neat house warming gift for a friends new sweet home.

DIY Woven Coasters

Check out the tutorial for the DIY Woven Coasters after the jump…

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How to Sew A Heart Tote (with Free Pattern!)

Learn How to Sew A Heart Tote (with Free Pattern!) just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Now your little ones can carry your heart with them wherever they go. I had so much fun making this heart-shaped bag and I can’t wait to give it to little Scarlet on Valentine’s Day. Her enthusiasm for the holiday is raching mythical proportions, eclipsing even Christmas. Every morning she runs into my room yelling “MOMMY IS IT VALENTINE’S DAY TODAY???!?!”

Can’t wait till I can finally say yes, but the pressure is on. Hope I can make it live up to her expectations, let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.

Learn how to sew a heart shaped tote after the jump…
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Free Baby Shoe Sewing Pattern

Do you want to sew with your own Free Baby Shoe Sewing Pattern? Your wish is my command!


When babies are tiny Robeez are great shoes for keeping little feet warm and cute.  BUT they can be a little pricey, so I attempted to create a DIY version by recycling denim that, in all honesty, was just never going to fit me again. After a few tries I think I nailed it, I’d love to know what you think if you try it out.


I think these recycled denim baby shoes would totally work for a boy, and they would also be super adorable in corduroy or even fleece, or maybe with a cute applique or iron-on.  Scarlet wants a pair so I am going to make a toddler version with Jacinda’s hot glue sole too as some around-the-house slippers.

Get the free baby shoe pattern and full tutorial after the jump…
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How to Sew a One-Yard Fleece Hooded Poncho

How to Sew a One-Yard Fleece Hooded Poncho is such a perfect beginner sewing project. Check it out.DIY Baby Fleece Poncho Tutorial ProjectLook at little five-year-old Clare in her One-Yard fleece poncho!! She is 13 now, can you believe it? This project is still such a winner! I thought I would share it again just in case you are here because you received a new sewing machine for Christmas. OR maybe your goal for 2023 is to finally learn how to use the one you have!

Here is the original post and video that we made back in the day.

A while back, Jaime and I appeared on PBS’s It’s Sew Easy and shared a super simple One-Yard Fleece Hooded Poncho project. Since it’s getting brisk outside I’m excited to stitch up a few more for my favorite girls and boys. The best part is all the creative fun you can have adding trim and embellishment to make each poncho an original. Watch the video, as seen on It’s Sew Easy, to see how we made the poncho and then incorporated ribbon, pom-poms, bias tape, suede fringe and embroidery accents.

Need Fleece? Here are some options for Fleece Fabric.

Head on over to the It’s Sew Easy website for many more fabulous sewing projects and showtime information.
1 yard fleece hooded poncho tutorial

Want to try a crochet poncho project instead? Here is our famous Grannie Square Poncho.

A Hooded Baby Towel is another great beginner sewing project that makes a great gift.

Have leftover fleece scraps? Make a Fleece Pom-Pom Garland. So cute for any holiday or as a nursery decoration.

Originally posted 11/12, updated 02/23

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DIY Fox Scarf with Free Pattern

It’s the DIY Fox Scarf with Free Pattern that you’ve been looking for!
Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up with their very own homemade fox scarf? It’s like a glamorous old timey stole, but with less dead fox! Let us show you how to make a fox scarf (and give you a free downloadable pattern too).

I’d like to introduce to my little friend here, Frédéric. He took one foggy afternoon to whip up and has been lazily resting on my shoulders ever since. He is made from the finest of flannels and the coziest minky, and boy is he toasty. Want to make a Frédéric of your own?

The best thing about this fox scarf pattern is that you can make a variety of different animal scarves with it: raccoon, wolf, or skunk perhaps? Round out the snout and ears to make it a bear or panda. The scarf length is also easily customizable to be longer or shorter.

Keep reading for the full DIY Fox Scarf tutorial and pattern…

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