Taylor, Author at TaylorMade

Floral Avery Dress and a Giveaway!

December 3, 2015 By Taylor 3 Comments

Who can resist a cute toddler in a floral dress? I can’t thats for sure :) I jump at the chance to “girl” up my girl whenever I can so when ModKid Boutique asked me to participate in the Merry Modkid Blog Hop of course I said yes!

Bee was in need of some more long sleeved dresses since were (finally) going into winter over here so I thought the Avery Dress would be perfect! I also love patterns that are girly but still a little bohemian. And don’t get me started on these fringe boots.

The Avery is a drop waist dress and there are actually 3 sleeve lengths and a few extras like a pocket and belt loops. I went with one floral fabric all over (it’s a Voile that I found at Joanns) but the pictures of the contrasting peter pan collar were adorable too! I also am a sucker for anything with a lot of buttons… 7 to be exact.

I wish I would have sized up because I think she will only be able to fit into the dress this season; which only means one thing… she will be wearing it a lot :) But that’s OK because its perfect for playing with dolls, or taking your bow off to play swords with your brothers!

Overall we both love the dress! She might not keep a bow in her hair but sister loves a good twirly dress!

Now for a giveaway! Merry Modkid is giving away 2 PDF patterns of the winner’s choice! For any of you who have to get your patterns now, I also have a discount code for you! Also…. Don’t forget to go check out all of the other amazing creations fromthese talented ladies!… Good luck and happy making!

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Discount Code: The coupon code MERRYMODKID25 gets 25% off an entire order on the Modkid Etsy store, valid Monday 11/30 through Friday 12/04 at midnight EST.

Tips for Catching up on Project Life

December 1, 2015 By Taylor 9 Comments

If you are anything like me you have thousands and thousands of photos just sitting on your phone/camera/memory stick. What are you doing with them? Guys… print them and get those precious photos into a book!! You can do it! I was super behind when I started so today I have a few tips to share along with a GIVEAWAY so a lucky reader can make it happen too!!

It’s no secret that I am a huge Project Lifer because it’s the quickest and easiest way for me to save all of our memories but still get to “scrapbook”. I got to try out some Project Life for Stamping’ Up (which was so exciting because you can’t just buy these kits anywhere!). Just like all of the other PL products I have tried the quality and designs of these cards were no exception! I was also super geeked out that I got to try their exclusive plastic page protectors!

TIP: ORGANIZE! I print my pictures out online a few times a year (I usually wait for a snapfish or shutterfly sale) and then when they come in I organize them by month. I use plastic page protectors and a post it note. We have a drawer where “memorabilia” lives like receipts, to-go menus, programs and artwork. I organize all of that into the same page protector and put those into a box. And honestly that is the hardest and most time consuming part, which after a few months takes me under an hour.

TIP: KEEP THE JOURNALING SIMPLE! I’ve noticed when I look at my books (or when I show them off :) no one really reads the long journaling. To save time, I only jot a few words about each picture if any at all. I’m such a sucker for a weekly card! These are my favorites because I can just slip in seven pics, one for each day of the week and then add a card like this with a few descriptions and there you have a page! I also love number stickers for this reason. These are from the “This Is The Life Project Life Card Collection”.

TIP: EASY EMBELLISHMENTS! Spend a few dollars on some good quality stickers, veneer embellishments, stamps and washi tape. These are my go-to for extra “wow” factor. It really takes no time at all to add stuff like this but it makes your album look unique. I love these skinny washi tapes from Stampinn’ Up! I also highly recommend month/days of the week stamps. Trust me, it makes Project Life even easier. Speaking of embellishments I usually go for fun colors that are generic except for one thing… I have so many photos from the Holidays each year I usually get a few packs of Holiday extras! I am LOVING this years “Hello December 2015” from Stampin’ Up.

TIP: DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN! I leave my stuff out for a few weeks at a time, which is hard for people like me who can’t stand clutter haha! But think of it as a pretty mess. If you leave this stuff out, you can walk by, add a few embellishments, write a sentence for two and before you know it you have finished a few pages.

TIP: KEEP IT SIMPLE, VERY SIMPLE. While I do love stickers and stamps etc. sometimes, I just slap my photos in and let them speak for themselves. It helps break up the album (and it helps you catch up faster).

If you work on your album when you can and keep it simple, before you know it you have a beautiful family yearbook! I’m working on my 5th one and Im still hooked!

Stamping’ Up carries a ton of exclusive Project Life products as well as a ton of other stuff for scrapbooking and paper crafting! Their new catalog comes out on January 5th so be sure to check that out! Now for the best part!! One lucky reader is going to win the “This is the Life” bundle, which includes: the card collection, accessory pack and stamp set. More than enough to get you started on your scrapbook “journey”!! Good Luck guys :)

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DIY Bee Costume

November 15, 2015 By Taylor 3 Comments

For our last trick, we have the Bee costume! We call our daughter Bee so when the boys came up with a “bug theme” it was kind of a given that she would be a Bee!

This costume was also super easy and semi-homemade! I found the cutest little ballet leotard in the dance section at Walmart, which she will be wearing often because I can’t handle how cute it is!! I found the antenna (which she hated and wouldn’t keep on haha) at Joanns, it was so cute but sister would just not keep them on at all! The skirt and the wings were mama made :)

For the wings, I used a metal hanger, cut it in half and shaped both sides, Then I covered each side in some fabric that I think is iridescent organza? Then I used electrical tape to connect them and sewed elastic straps on the back for her to wear them. I added the veins with a sharpie.

For the skirt, I tried to find yellow and black striped fabric, I’m sure I could have found it online if I wouldn’t have procrastinated :) But I did wait till the last minute so I had to make my own. I cut 2.5″ strips of fabric and sewed them all together to make the fabric for the skirt, I made the skirt fullness 2 and a half times the waist so it would be flouncy! I added yellow pompoms and called it a day!

She loved the shirt and the bodysuit and the wings grew on her, I just couldn’t get her on board with the antenna! She did like to eat it however.

Here are a few pics of the whole “bug” game.

They had so much fun and it was so a mom dream to see all of my little critters trick or treating together!

For more DIY Costume ideas check our our: LIZARD, ROACH, UNICORN, SKUNK, FOX, POSEIDON, OCTOPUS, BATMAN and ROBIN

Easy DIY Lizard Costume

November 7, 2015 By Taylor 3 Comments

OK, so keeping with our “bug” Halloween theme (you can read about the creepy, crawly Roach Costume HERE) I present the Lizard. And yes, I know a lizard isn’t actually a bug. But like I said in my last post, when your four year old finally decides on something and is super excited about it… don’t burst his bubble haha.

This costume is so easy that I can hardy call it a costume! I love sewing and making elaborate clothing but on Halloween I usually go the “semi-handmade” route. It’s only one night right? My kids do love playing dress up so they get plenty of love but usually not outside of the house after Halloween so I try to use what I have.

I have used (and LOVE) the Bimaa Pattern several times. So I knew it would make a perfect Lizard Hoodie! Here is my secret Bimaa hack: Once you have the pattern, you can line the shirt pattern piece up with an existing or store bought shirt and cut the neck hole to match the pattern. I always buy two matching shirts from the boys section and with the extra shirt I make the hood part using the pattern, then sew them together just like in the instructions… this just saves you from having the sew a whole shirt! So in the lizards case, I bought two green boys tees. I used an olive green knit for the interior of the hoodie, the lizard belly and the eyelids. Then I used black and white felt for the eyes and nose holes and sewed them right on the hoodie exterior before adding the lining. I added a tail to the back of the lizard (using the scraps from the second boys t-shirt).