What do you do with your Stash?

What do you do with your Stash... of fabrics? Hopefully if you read this blog, you know that I participate and highlight a service project each month, where we Craft for a Cause... I do not have as much money as I would like to give to charity organizations, but I can craft and sew! I have collected quite the 'stash' of fabrics over the years that I love to use for humanitarian projects.

This month I am doing a project in conjunction with Hopeful Threads, we really wanted to do a 'Back to School' project, and Kristy came up with a back to school project I have never considered. Did you know in parts of the world girls can not attend school when they are on their menstrual cycle?
     I was honestly shocked, all at once I felt so spoiled and blessed to live in a place that this was NEVER an issue. I knew that we needed to help. We made it a goal during August through our blogs and wonderful readers to make 250 pads... This past weekend I was able to make 10 shields and liners to donate to the cause.

I used a pattern from Days for Girls, a wonderful organization dedicated to help with this issue. For the complete pattern go HERE. {I used the DFG simplified pattern Time Efficient method}

I thought I would share a couple pictures so you could see how easy it is.

This is what I used for from my stash. Flannel fabric, vinyl tablecloth material I had left over from THIS project, and some sew on velcro I had on hand.

I cut my fabrics out using a rotary cutter. I sandwiched the materials according to the pattern. Vinyl>Flannel Square>Folded Flannel Squares{for pockets}>Flannel Square.

Once the materials are in order, trace your pattern.

Sew around the edges. Leaving a fairly large opening to turn.

Sew on a snap or velcro to the wings... You are done with the shields. Then you need to make liners for each shield, that you place in the pockets, which really could not be easier.

I was able to make ten... I know it is not a lot, but I know that it all helps. Kristy of Hopeful Threads and I set a goal through our blogs to have 250 pads donated in the month of August... We have surpassed that goal with 279 pads and an additional 104 shields to be paired with liners! Thank you everyone!  I am either going to donate these pads to Days for Girls, or to my local humanitarian center so they can send them to girls that need them around the world.  Because really no woman should have to go without.

It is never too late to help out. Go to Days for Girls to learn more about how you can help with this project.

I like to LINK up to these fabulous parties, come join the fun!

Weekend Show Off--FEATURES!! 8/29

Well tonight I am having a Design Star Party with my Mom and Sista... is anyone else a Design Star addict? 

 It is a fun show on HGTV, contestants compete in design challenges. While watching the show, I thought it would be fun to have my Mom and Sister help me with the features this week.

Mom's Choice: My mom really enjoyed Good Little Things, before and after porch makeover. She likes how Susan did not spend a lot of money, she utilized things she had, and paint. Go check out her fun Porch Makeover.

Alyssa's Pick: Alyssa loved Polish the Star's funky record clock... I knew she would choose this link she collects records, she wants to make one now for he new place. {She is moving into her first apartment of her own tomorrow!}

Carlee's Selection: I am always looking for new ideas for lunch, I really like The Kitchen's Cookie Frozen Lunchbox Peaches. A perfect quick addition to any lunch box.

And the blog of the week is lucky linky NUMEO UNO... {How often does that happen}!

I don't think this cornbread and cream coffee table from Creative Cain Cabin could be any more darling. I love the colors, the funky distressed feel, the simple accessories... yup, I think it would look perfect in my living room, what do you think Dawn? I am excited to have her as my blog of the week next week!

<a href="http://www.ladybirdln.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Ladybird Ln" src="http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n514/LadybirdLN/weekendshowofffeature.jpg" /></a>

If you were featured please feel free to grab a featured button.

Weekend Show-Off Party!

HooRay for FRIDAY!!  

Guess, what I have some exciting news... I made it, I am going to be a contestant on SYTYC!

Also, you can link up you Crafting for a Cause project HERE for some amazing prizes... and you are supporting a  great cause so it is a win/win!

Also, hold on to your seats, I have an exciting announcement.  Since I am a turkey farmer, we are going to have an AMAZING turkey month here on Ladybird Ln in November.. I want a new post each day on turkey!  We are talking recipes, crafts, thanksgiving ideas, field trips, etc.  If you are interested in being a guest poster let me know.

Enough from me, lets get on with the show, I am excited to have Staphanie Here from My Lil' Pumpkin Patch, only one of the cutest blogs I have ever seen!

Hey Ladybird Ln readers! I am stoked to be here.  I was so thrilled when Carlee asked me to be the blog of the week!  I am so excited to introduce myself to you today.

My name is Stephanie and I blog over at My Li'l Pumpkin Patch.  I am a wife and a mother (to a sweet two-year old, Isaac).  I enjoy creating things for my home, family, and others.  I love all kinds of crafts: sewing, scrapbooking, card-making, painting, decorating, etc.  I usually try to create crafts that are inexpensive (I love to be frugal).  When I'm not crafting, I enjoy spending time with my family.  Some of our favorite things to do are camping, four-wheeling, and watching Netflix.

Over at My Li'l Pumpkin Patch, I share DIY projects, tutorials, and a variety of crafts.  My blog is also home to a new party, called the "Stache Party," which is dedicated to creating crafts from our stash (to make room for more).

I would love to share some of my favorite projects with you:

Isaac's Dinosaur Costume:

 My Felt Pom Pom Necklace:

 Isaac's Felt Playhouse:

Thanks again for having me Carlee!

Thanks Stephanie, let the party begin!!

Ooh la la-Tarts!

I have a very Fancy daughter! She loves everything fancy especially Fancy Nancy! For her sixth birthday she wanted to have a Fancy Nancy Tea Party! Lucky for me Donsuemor, a company that makes fancy French delicacies, contacted me a couple weeks ago and wanted to know if I wanted to take part in their Dessert a Day project... I was ecstatic (that is a fancy word for really happy)! Their is nothing quite as fancy as French cookies! They sent me delicious Madeleine cookies, that we dressed up for the Tea party!

These cookies are truly delicious by themselves, I am amazed at how light and crisp they taste. I decided it would be fun to fancy them up with a little chocolate hazelnut cream and fresh strawberries! Having pre-made {and delicious} madeleine cookies makes this fancy dessert a cinch.

Ooh La La Tarts

1 Pint whipping cream
1 cup Nutella or hazelnut chocolate spread
8 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
24 Donsuemor Madeleines Cookies

Whip, whipping cream until small peaks form, set aside. Combine Nutella, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Gently fold in the whipping cream. Using a tube decorator, ice the flat side of the Madelein cookie, and garnish with Strawberry.

They are DELICIOUS!!

A fun and fancy addition to any tea party, that might have your guests saying Ooh la la!

The girls had a great time and gave the Ooh la la tarts two thumbs up!

We will definitely make these again!

I like to LINK up to these parties.

Crafting for a Cause--Link up your Projects!

I have cute Kristy from Hopeful Threads here today to talk about linking up your great Crafting for a Cause Project, and the AMAZING prizes you can WIN if you do!   YOU HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 31 to LINK UP YOUR PROJECTS

Let the FUN continue!!!  I told you it would!

Ok, here it is. Your chance to show off your support by contribution to our Back To School monthly project! I've attached a link up at the bottom of this post for you to share about the cloth pads you have sewn and where they will be donated. (This should work for everyone, even if you don't have a blog since you can link to any online photo storage like flickr or photobucket as well.) I want to keep track of the progress we are making towards our goal of 250 cloth pads this month, so Please include the # of pads and where they will be donated in your description when you link up. You can follow along with our progress by checking the bus in the sidebar. I hope to see it filled by the end of the month!

No worries if you haven't had a chance to sew yet, there is still plenty of time! And if you sew/donate at least 5 pads, you can add your link anytime between now and August 31st to be eligible for our Back to School Prize Pack Giveaway!!

You can find links to free cloth pad patterns and tutorials on the original post here. Also my walk-through and tips on Serged Pads, Adjustable Absorbency Pads and Simple Pads from posts throughout the month. Truly something for every sewing level!

On September 1st one contributor will be announced as the winner of the following 

BACK TO SCHOOL PRIZE PACK provided by our most generous sponsors!

 
2 Izzy & Ivy Designs Patterns

The Messenger Bag

Addy Jo Skirts

 With a fabulous size range from 1-14!


+++++++PLUS+++++++





Your choice of 3 Whimsy Couture Sewing e-books AND 2 Yards of Designer Fabric!

+++++++PLUS+++++++



 I will be including this Large Coloring Bag pattern AND a stack of 55 of my Scrappy Charms!

+++++++PLUS+++++++





We threw in a couple of prizes for the cause!

A kit to create  FIVE clipboard locker magnets, perfect for back to school!  These are so fun, and even your kids will love creating these!

AND, Custom Graphic design, of your choice!!! I LOVE creating stuff in photoshop, I am not a professional but I would be happy to make the winner a button, or header, or custom printable... Here are a couple blog buttons I have made recently...

I also made a fun blog header over at Happy Hour Projects, so it is more of a hobby, but I really enjoy doing it!

Whoever wins this package is going to be pretty busy, and I know at my house even when I am busy crafting all day, my family still wants to eat dinner.... imagine that.  SO I am also throwing in a $10 gift card to Papa Murphy's!

Good Luck, and thank you so much for helping out!
 You don't want to miss out on this delightful, crafty, back to school fun!

All you have to do to enter is:

• Sew/Donated at least 5 Cloth Pads

• Add your link here with # of pads & where they will be donated 

(description can be added in "Name" section of the Link Up)

That's it!

Super easy to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of young women across the globe and be entered to win some fabulous prizes!!!

Keep spreading the word! The more pads we can make the greater impact we will have!

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Back To School magnet!

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

~Mark Twain

My daughter starts school this week, where has the summer gone? I am an Activity Day (girls 8-12) leader in my church ward, and wanted to find something fun to do for back to school. I found this idea, from a while back, at Dollar Store Crafts, and it was so fun and easy to make!

Items Needed:

• 4x4 chipboard coasters
• Scrapbook Paper
• Modge Podge
• Binder Clips
• Post it Notes
• Magnets
• Odds and Ends to Decorate with

Step 1: Cut your scrapbook paper to the same size as your coaster. Modge Podge your Scrapbook paper onto your coaster. Let Dry.

Step 2: We Modge Podged on little sayings such as Choose the Right, Be your Best, or Be a Friend as a fun little reminder to the girls throughout the day.

Step 3: We split the Post it Notes in half, and then put them on the board with a binder clip. Glue a magnet to the back!

The girls had so much fun making these, below is some of the ones the girls made! You would have a lot of fun making them as well.

Would you like to win a kit to make FIVE? If so link up your Crafting for a Cause project HERE, and you could win a package of five, for your own back to school party!

I like to LINK at these Parties!