Southern Made Simple

Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm

DIY Projects

Fourth of July Craft: DIY Patriotic Ribbon Wand

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With the Fourth of July right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about all of the fun and exciting activities that tend to take place around this time of year. Cookouts, barbecues, pool parties, fireworks, and the list goes on and on! While these events are always fun for grownups and older kids, it can be a little tricky keeping a toddler entertained and not overwhelmed with all of the things going on.

One thing we do every year for Independence Day is celebrate with good food and fireworks at our church’s annual 4th of July celebration. My husband is usually one of the men in charge of setting up and detonating the fireworks (which freaks me out a little,) but everyone always has a fabulous time and the fireworks and sparklers are a huge hit with the kids. However, my 1 year old has never been around fireworks and sparklers, and I’m honestly not too pumped about her being near them. So the wheels started turning in my head trying to find a fun alternative for her that would allow her to enjoy the festivities along with everyone else without involving, ya know, explosives. 🙂

4th of July Craft: DIY Ribbon Wand - the perfect alternative to sparklers!…

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Submerged VBS Craft Ideas

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Affiliate links may be included throughout this post at absolutely no cost to you. I love sharing VBS craft ideas and supplies to help your VBS go as smoothly as possible! Submerged VBS Craft Ideas

School is officially out for the summer here, and many of our local churches are gearing up for Vacation Bible School! I have such vivid memories from my childhood of attending VBS at the church I grew up at. The people at my church always made a big to-do out of the decorations, skits, crafts, etc. I can even remember a few different jingles from the various VBS’s I attended!

It’s funny that I can remember things like that, but I am certain that I couldn’t even tell you what I ate for breakfast this morning. That’s just the way it is, I suppose! But on that same note, I get excited with all of the different ways VBS touches the lives of children and adults in our communities. I mean, if I can remember the things that I did when I was 9 at Vacation Bible School, who’s to say that others wouldn’t remember it for years to come, too? Did you know that every year, VBS is hosted by over 25,000 churches and reaches more than 3 million people across the US? That’s something to really get excited about, y’all!

This year, the Lifeway VBS theme is called “Submerged.”  It’s all about submerging yourself in God’s word and discovering that Jesus doesn’t just see what’s on the outside of people, he sees deep down on the inside.

15 Craft Ideas for VBS Submerged Lifeway Theme #submerged #lifeway #underthesea …

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A Price is Right Themed Birthday Party – Come on Down! (Our Baby Girl is ONE!)

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Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! We warmly invite you to a spectacular little party that is sure to amaze! Start brushing up on your pricing skills and step up your Plinko game, because a very special little girl is finally ONE!

Are you ready, folks? Then COME ON DOWN! You’re the next party participant at Taralynn’s Price is Right birthday party!

Price is Right Themed Birthday Party…

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The 5 Love Languages: A Pallet Project

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When my husband and I married almost 4 years ago, we took part in 3 or 4 premarital counseling sessions offered by our officiant, Bro. Rick. We really didn’t know what to expect the first night, and when we left our first meeting were surprised to find ourselves walking out with a stack of books to read (aka homework). Bro. Rick told us that we’d be learning a new language during our sessions, and we’d be fine tuning the way we talk and communicate with each other.

At first I was caught a little off guard, because I really didn’t think Kyle (my husband) and I needed any “fine tuning”.  We truly felt like we knew each other inside and out, backwards and forwards and in all areas in between. After all, we had been dating for 7 years before we said our vows, and we felt certain that life would not really be any different once we were married. Everything would just continue as it always was, but we’d now get to experience the blessings and privileges that husbands and wives share together. We certainly didn’t consider that we’d be learning a new language – especially when it came to love. We were pretty confident that we had that figured out – or so we thought.

Then we opened “The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman, and we quickly started learning things we never knew we didn’t know.

5 Love Languages Pallet Project…

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How to Whitewash Wood: Step by Step Tutorial

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A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a pile full of treasures at one of my Granddaddy’s old storage sheds. Much to my surprise, there were piles of old doors, window frames, pallet boards and even a chalkboard that was salvaged from an old school house.

Basically, I hit the Pinterest DIY-er’s jackpot. My mind instantly started brainstorming of ways I could re-purpose some of these pieces and use them in my home. I’ve always loved the “farmhouse” look, so I was absolutely beside myself knowing I’d get to give a new life to these old wooden pieces!

I really wanted to jump right off the deep end and paint everything right away, but I decided for the sake of my husband’s sanity that I’d just start one project at a time. The weather has been absolutely beautiful this weekend, so I decided to take advantage of that and break out the paint buckets.

My first project is going to be a piece of wall art for our bedroom made from pallet board. To match the theme of our room, I knew I wanted this piece to be white, but I really wanted it to look weathered and rustic. After I did a little bit of research, I decided whitewashing the wood would be the perfect option to achieve the look I was going for.

A simple step by step tutorial on how to whitewash wood for pennies on the dollar - Southern Made Simple…

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DIY “Starter Fluid” Emergency Coffee Kit

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DunkinCreamers #CollectiveBias

Imagine this: You’ve made it to work, half awake and nearly late. You make your way to the break room to pour yourself a cup of much needed coffee. I mean, let’s face it, nothing good will come from this day until you’ve had your coffee.

You fill your cup only to find that some horrible, horrible person has swiped the last of the creamer, sugar, etc. The thought of taking your coffee any other way than exactly how you like it makes you want to curl up in a hole and cry. A parade of cuddly kittens could not even cheer you up at this point.

Sounds AWFUL, right?! But when you think about it, a scenario much like this happens in public places everywhere on a daily basis. (Let’s take a moment of silence for those poor, poor souls that went without their cup of beloved coffee made perfectly to their liking this morning.) Godspeed, my friends!

DIY Starter Fluid Emergency Coffee Kit + free printable #ad #DDCreamers…

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Sharing a Blissful Moment with Others – DIY Bliss Bouquet

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlissfulMoments #CollectiveBias

Just ten short months ago, my beautiful baby girl made her debut into this world. I dove right into the deep end of motherhood for the very first time, and my eyes were opened to things that only becoming a mother could prepare me for. It’s been an incredible journey, but it did not come without several major adjustments to my life.

One of those major adjustments was the loss of quality “me” time. All of a sudden, I had this tiny little human that depends on me for everything. I am there for her every moment she is awake, and in those very precious moments that she closes her eyes to take a nap, I tend to everything else around me that needs to get done. Very little of that time is spent on myself.

If fact, in 10 months I have only had 3 successful naps! While having a baby is amazing, it can definitely be mentally challenging sometimes. I know every parent out there can certainly relate to this in some way. “Me” time usually doesn’t happen, and when it does, it’s probably not about me anyway!

DIY Bliss Bouquet Tutorial - It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, but it's important to make sure you take a moment to treat yourself {and others} to something special. Creating a bliss bouquet is a fantastic way to share #blissfulmoments with others who could use a reward!…

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Palm “Sundae” Dessert

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Sunday is, without question, my favorite day of the week. I spend a large portion of the day with my church family, and in the morning I have the privilege of teaching a handful of 10-12 year old kids during Sunday School. After learning that using Elmer’s school glue without getting it all over the place is a gift not everyone has, I cut back the amount of craft projects we do together. And by cut back, I mean that we just do not do them, period.

But with Easter quickly approaching, I decided to make an exception. And besides, this isn’t exactly a “craft” as much as it is just an opportunity to put together a fun little ice cream treat while sharing about Jesus! (I don’t expect it to be any less messy than them using glue, though!) 😉

Palm Sundae Ice cream treats - A perfect Sunday School Activity for Palm Sunday!…

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20 Easter Basket Fillers for Babies

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Southern Made Simple is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. Although I participate in these programs and have sponsored posts, all opinions are my own.

When my siblings and I were younger, my mother would always have Easter baskets filled with candy and goodies for us to open on Easter morning. It was mostly candy of some sort (Cadbury Eggs are my favorite), but we’d also find money, toys and trinkets as well.

I definitely want to keep this tradition alive for my children. However, my little one will only be 10 months old during her 1st Easter, so candy is absolutely out of the question! So I started brainstorming about what I could put in her basket this year. I came up with 20 different things that I think would just be perfect!

20 Easter Basket Filler Ideas for Babies…

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DIY Fabric Rag Skirt Video Tutorial

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2015 was a huge year for us as we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. Since it seems like babies grow just entirely too fast, we knew we wanted to capture as many pictures of her during her first year as we could. I started planning our outfits for our Fall portraits around September. I decided to have her wear two different outfits to show off her fun and sweet personality. I wanted her to be photographed in a traditional smocked dress, but I also wanted something funky and a little unconventional.

DIY Fabric "Rag" Skirt + Video Tutorial

A sweet friend of mine sparked my interest when she started making her daughter these super cute little rag skirts. I loved the idea and immediately knew that this what I wanted my daughter to wear in her pictures. Instead of going out and buying fabric (it can be so expensive!) I wound up cutting up 2 old pillowcases and 2 old blouses that I no longer wore. I think the result came out great, an I didn’t even have to make a special trip to the store to buy supplies!

Here’s a step by step video tutorial on how to make a fabric rag skirt:

DIY Fabric “Rag” Skirt + Video Tutorial

I’m so pleased with our final results. Because I used fabric and elastic I already had, it cost me nothing to make. Though if you went to the store and purchased your own materials, it would be pretty inexpensive. And for as cute as they are to see your little one in, it’s all so worth it!

DIY Fabric "Rag" Skirt + Video Tutorial

This is something that would be super cute to do during different seasons and holidays, too! I’m thinking Christmas colors, Valentine colors, 4th of July colors, birthday pastels, etc!

DIY Fabric Rag Skirt Video Tutorial

If you decide to try your hand at making a rag skirt, I’d love to hear/see pictures of how it turned out! 🙂