Boho chic updo!!!

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Linky Parties

Party? Yes, please!!! 
I look forward to what you show me.

*Please be courteous to your host and link back to Leslie Marquez Designs.

*Please link up only "3" crafts, DIY projects, photography or Recipes.

*PLEASE DO NOT link to giveaways, or craft posts attached to your own link party.   

*Please visit some other links and show some comment love!

Now Lets party!

Bandana Crazy

So I recently inherited, and I am not exaggerating,  like 40 bandanas from my grandmother, and that might be an understatement actually. She was very big into decorating, and would use them for lots of "socializing," (the woman was the epitamy of the 50s-60s housewife who did nothing but entertain and drink martini's, I think thats where I get my love of martini's from, but that's another day, another blog.) So now comes the dilemma, what do I do with all of these bandanas? So, I go to my usual places for inspiration, Pinterest (of course) and Hobby lobby. I found this project pamphlet:

Project Detail : Project Inspiration : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

Now, I will say that some of it is a little teeny-bopper-ish (Yes, I say its a word)so I will obviously update it for adults. But I have never owned an apron. Just never thought about it before. So that will be my first project with the bandanas! Pictures to come! Enjoy!

Kiera's 5th birthday party, Puss in Boots theme!

Kiera's 5th birthday!

Puss in Boots Theme!

We had a wonderful time at Kiera's party. The theme came together quite well, I have to say. I think I have probably doomed myself, just because now I have to keep it up and do all the cutesy stuff at all the parties from now on. But it was really fun putting it together and I am sure I will do more next birthday (there are four children, I should have plenty of practice by the time I am done with kiddie birthdays, if I will ever truly be done). 

 So the decorations I did were a beanstalk (If you haven't seen puss in boots, Jack and the beanstalk is the main idea behind the movie, so I ran with that.) The bean stalk was made out of pool noodles and had 3-d paper dolls of Puss, Kittie Soft Paws, and Humpty Dumpty  that I got off an HP website featuring puss in boots. They turned out really good, and they were super easy to make and free (not considering the card stock and ink it took)

Then we had magic beans, of course!!

Then there were the golden goose eggs!! These are left over plastic eggs from easter that I spray painted gold. I used Krylon Metallic in Brilliant Gold. It didn't say plastic on the can, but for three bucks, I was willing to try it. I figured if it didn't work, I can always use it for other projects. Luckily, it sprayed beautifully and once it was dry, did not flake or rub off, which was actually my worst fear. I (or rather my sister) filled the eggs with Hershey's kisses. What is the equivalent of golden goose eggs, CHOCOLATE!!!

The cupcakes I bought from Sam's. They were delicious and inexpensive and I was able to get them in the colors I wanted. The toppers I made myself. Click here for a free printable.

So that is the Decor for the party. But the highlight of the party was really the bouncy house.

We had a bouncy house, made for smaller kids, with a moon walk and slide with ball pit. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining but not so bad that it was extremely hot. The bouncy house package we got through Fiestas Portable Party Packages , came with a canopy, table and 6 chairs. We all went outside a lot to just hang out and watch the funny kids go crazy!!

Bouncy house on one side, ball pit on the other. 

Nevin couldn't be happier and messier. Which was my fault. The kids started saying that the house was getting hot. So I thought, well, this thing came with an optional water hose attachment. Lets hose it down. Needless to say, everyone was wet and dirty but oh so happy. Whatever, I got over the hole dirt thing years ago.

Kiera got lots of gifts that she loved, but her favorite, which was from Mommy and Daddy was her Fluffling. Yes, you read that correctly, a Fluffling. It is basically a trible (if you recall your Star Trek Trivia) that sings, speaks, and cries. Everything noisy you could think of, it does. I know I am going to be sorry I bought it but it made her happy and there is an off button. I like off buttons!!

That is one happy five year old. 

Happy Birthday, Kiera! 

I love you baby!

This post was featured in a link party at:

Chip Board Letters

So, I frequent Hobby Lobby a lot, but with four kids in tow, usually, I don't really get to "browse." It's usually a race to see if I can get what I need before one of four bombs goes off. I think they think its a game. This comes to mind:

Love someecards.com!

 Anyway, I found these Letters made out of chipboard. I had never heard of it before but it is really inexpensive, super thick Cardboard. I got one in each of the kids initials. I let them pick out the scrap booking paper. and I started decorating them. The best thing about this is they were on sale, so the letters were a buck a piece. Normally they are two, so still, super affordable. This is the final product. 

This is how I did it.

Materials:

Insert Materials picture here

Chipboard letters

Mod podge

Scrap booking paper

sponge brush

pen

scissors

decorations (flowers, gems, etc)

Step one:

Lay the paper down on the table, place the letter upside down on the paper. Remember you want to look at the letter in your hand, then turn it upside down on the paper. (I almost did it backwards when I first started.) Trace the letter, adding about 1/4 inch so you can cover the sides of the chip board. 

Step two:

Cut out the paper

Step three:

Using sponge brush, apply mod podge to the letter, (tried adding it to the paper and it got hard to handle and maneuver the paper straight!) then apply the letter to the paper. Check to make sure you don't have bubbles, or bent paper. I used the table (a flat surface) to squish it down. 

Step Four:
The corners can be a hassle, but if you cut the paper on the diagonal (as shown) then glue it down, it works a little better and after much trial and error, I discovered the best way to do it is to tuck the point under one of the sides when you glue it and trim the piece that goes over it.  Do this to all the sides so they are covered.

Step five:
Cover the entire thing in mod podge. It will seal it so it stays put and makes it shiny. Make sure it is dry completely before moving on.

Step 6:

Decorate!!! Flowers, jewels, ribbon, you name it. This one is going over Nevin's Crib, right above where she could possibly reach. If she ever gets her hands on it, it will be destroyed. The Minions (my kids) are good at disassembling things. 

Hope you like the tutorial! Please pin, blog, post, and share! Happy Crafting!

Please Google Friend Connect Me! I will have a giveaway as soon as I have more followers!

As seen on link party:

Father's Day Gifts

I found on theletter4 blog a really cute and FREE (!) printable to make a super cute Father's Day Gift. I have decided (I think subconsciously) that I need to make a point of making my gifts this year. The gifts are much more personal, because I put my time (which in my life if VERY valuable) and effort into it. This Jelly bean container with a father's day theme is really cute. To bad the hubby is a diabetic, oh well. I will just have to keep looking. But for those of you that CAN give candy as a father's day gift, here is the link to a free printable.

Free Printable! 

They also have a Grandfather printable!!! So Cute!

Friday's Music of the week

I would like to thank my brother, Robert, for this weeks music of the week. He shared her video on Facebook and I am hooked. Erin McCarley is her name and the video for Love, Save the Empty is amazing! Its one of those "how do I not know about her" moments. Enjoy!

Sprinkles of my life is having a giveaway!!!

Sprinkles of life is having a "my very first 100 followers giveaway." There is some great stuff to be had and its a great blog. Check it out!

Love Sparkle Pretty Giveaway!!!

Love Sparkle Pretty is having a giveaway!! Who doesn't love free stuff and especially pretty sparkly things like this.  Go check it out!

Steam Punk Bobby Pins and Charms

These are amazing. I want to make these.

Barbe Saint John - New Treasures from Forgotten Artifacts: Steam Punk Bobby Pins and Charms: Steam punk Bobby Pins and Charms Add bit of steam punk flair to your hair!   Hair ornamentation is highly under rated in my book. It’...

Puss in Boots Etsy Treasury

Since Kiera's birthday theme this year is Puss in boots. I created a treasury in etsy. Enjoy!

'Puss in Boots' by lesliemarquezdesigns

In honor of my daughters birthday theme. She chose Puss in Boots (the movie)

Puss in Boots Inspired Paper... RetroRoxVintag... $7.00	Bottle Cap Necklaces or Zipp... simplycutetoo $12.00
Puss In Boots 1-inch Square ... CapHappyImages $1.50	PDF Pattern - Puss in boots amicafe $6.00
Puss In Boots - 647 / Large ... crystalbouquet $12.50	Puss In Boots Shrek Mouse Pa... pettagsdirect $11.99
PUSS IN BOOTS Kitty Cat Glas... ArtsyDivaDesig... $9.99	SALE NOW 15% OFF Shrek and p... savannamade $6.67
Puss in Boots Cat Mask Piratemask $75.00	SALE 50% Homemade Handmade B... SoapSilkySlim $2.49
Edible Cake Image Design Shr... dhbydesign $9.25	Applique Kitten Yellow Tshir... SimplybyAmy $29.95
Puss In Boots Collector Plat... NANCYSANTIQUES $15.95	CHARM Puss in Boots Fairy Ta... jewelbecharmed $17.95
Victorian Puss in Boots Silv... LaComtesseDeTa... $45.00	Lunch Tote - Recycled Puss I... FarmtownTotes $10.00

Treasury tool supported by threequickquestions.com

Friday's music of the week

Regardless of the blog problems I am having with the home page. here is Friday's band of the week.

This is a band I have been following for years, because I went to high school with the lead singer, Jimmy Miller, but mainly because they rock. Saturate has come into its own through out its life and they are amazing. They have really grown into a quality band. They are played on 94.5 the buzz in Houston, on their Texas buzz program every Sunday. They have won Best Live Performance of The Year on the Texas Buzz Awards in 2011 and many other awards that I am sure as soon as I post this, some one will inform me about. I just can't remember nor find it online. Hope you enjoy.

Austin Craft Scene

In a perfect world, I would live in Austin. Its like being in an artistic mecca but still in living in Texas. I love going to Austin and checking out the craft stores. I recently found this article through Vickie Howell. She is an expert on Knitting and Crocheting. She is one of my craft heroes (possible weekly post???) Anyway, She found an article about Austin and I want to share. 

Austin's known for its weirdness, its music and now its craft scene

If you want more information on the Austin Craft Community, Check out The Austin Craft Mafia. They have listings to websites owned by all my favorite crafty people. Enjoy!

Party Planning

Kiera's 5th birthday is at the end of the month. May 29th. So, planning has been well underway despite her choice of them. She chose the movie "Puss in Boots." It seemed like an odd request but when she kept saying it over and over again, I decided she was serious and to go with it. Until, I realized after looking at party supply stores, there is no pre-made decorations of any kind in the stores. So, I start scouring the internet. Now, if you have seen the movie, you know that Jack in the Beanstalk is a reoccurring theme in the movie. So I started searching and found these websites:

1. Piggy Bank Parties

 2. A pinterest board on Jack and The beanstalk


3. HP has a hole section on Printable Puss and Boots Material

I think from these I can come up with some great stuff for the party. Wish me luck. How-to's to come later on what I come up with. 

If you have any ideas you would like to contribute, I would love to hear them!!!

Friday's Music of the week.

I am a huge music buff. I was a music major in college (before I realized, what the hell am I doing?), so I have a very eclectic taste in music. So I hear by declare Friday's to be Music of the Week day!!! I will introduce you to bands I have discovered, bands I like, bands I have seen in concert. Just lots of Bands.

This week, I am posing the video for Eisley.

I found Eisley by going through a website I love called a beautiful mess. Elise Larson has some great design ideas but her husband is part of a new band called "Sucre`." Stacy, the lead singer, is part of a family owned and operated band called Eisley. I fell in love with both groups immediately. I will post some sucre video's next week. But they have a great sound and great lyrics. Enjoy.

Pin of the week: Finger knitting!

For this weeks, Pin of the week. I did some crafts with my daughters that ultimately lead to Elena knitting ALL day. I highly recommend this one. The pin itself is on my pinterest sight but here is a pic of it.

Link to the pin

Elena, my 6 year old, is always bugging me about knitting but she is not my most coordinated child. I worry that trying to do actual knitting with backfire on me. Elena does not do well with failure. So I have been looking for alternative ways to teach her. This is brilliant. Its from Flax and Twine. 

I sat down with Elena and within minutes she was hand knitting like there was no tomorrow. 

 

Elena picked it up like it was nothing.

 Even started teaching her little sister.

So here is how you do it.

To start with all you need is:
1. yarn

Elena picked pink with silver accent. My girl does loves pink and glitter. Kiera pick a similar glittery one, but my girl puts a spin on it and picks teal with Silver.

2. Your Hand

Start by going under the pinkie, over ring finger, under middle and over pointer. It looks like this...

 Then turn it around and go under pointer, over middle, under ring and over pinkie. It should look like this.

Do it again... and again, until you have two loops on each finger

Then grab the bottom loop and pull it over the top loop and off your finger.

 Do this again

 And Again

 This is what it will look like after the first pass. Not pretty, but wait, it gets better as you do more

 There is what it will start to look like. Pretty cool.

Here is Elena's final scarf. She is soooo proud and has been knitting like crazy. I have created a monster. She got excited at walmart yesterday when she found the bargain bin of yarn.

 Here are my crazy girls, messy hair and all, with their scarves.

Needless to say, everyone will be getting scarves as a gift from Elena this year. I think I will teach her how to crochet next.