Baseball | DIY Laces bracelet

I enjoy ripping apart baseballs and making something from them [of course the whole time my son is watching in agony, as if he feels the pain and anguish from each ball as it's being torn apart, and questions my motive the entire time].

Once I figured out how easy and kind of fun making bracelets out of the laces was, I became a laces bracelet machine.

I keep mine simple but I've seen some that have their child's number on them, or bedazzled somehow.

[The next go around my baseball mama bff, Jeanne, and I are going to make cuffs out of the leather and bedazzle the heck out of them!]

First, I always make sure the baseballs I'm using are genuine leather.  That synthetic type, I don't know if this is just me, or what, but it doesn't seem to wanna work with you as much, not as pliable, etc.

Grab that exacto knife and CAREFULLY cut the leather around the lace, leaving enough room to where you can trim it down at the end.

Once you've cut the lace from the ball, cut the lace in half and cut off maybe an inch of the leather from the ends, so you have enough thread to 1) make a loop on one end, and 2) tie on a button of your choice.  Make sure to play with the placement of each as best as you can so it's not too loose and not too tight!  Before you put the button on and tie the loop, I soak the laces in HOT water for a few minutes, then in Vaseline for a couple days.  I did mine for a week, I'm sure you can do take it out in two days.  Wipe off the Vaseline as best you can, then pin it to a cork board, or something you can use to stretch it out straight for another day or two.

Once it's stretched out & straight, you're ready to decorate how you will, and show your support to your little league baseball or softball player!! 

Simple as that!  Enjoy!!

♡tlee

Baseball | End of season baseball goodie bags

As the end of my son's MP2 spring season came near, I panicked. I needed to come up with an end of season gift to give back to the kiddos for having such a great season, and just to let them all know they are appreciated!

First, I came up with the essentials: peanuts and cracker jack [ahh, see what I did there], big league chew, Baby Ruths and my home made laces bracelet [coming soon to a blog near you!]. The peanuts I put in a cello bag and tied with red and blue ribbon [probably a little too girlie, but it was really cute!].

Here was my box o' baseball supplies [and a big thank you goes to one of my closest friends who found the cracker jack and big league chew on amazon for a great deal!]:

[* warning: please make sure to check with your team regarding allergies.. chances are if you've made it to the end of the season you've probably brought snacks a time or two and already know who, if anyone, has an allergy *]

I also managed to find this great site to make certificates of achievement for the boys. I included a group shot taken of the whole team, and then signed them myself. I think they truly enjoyed hearing their name being called along with being recognized for something awesome! After printing them, I rolled them up nicely and tied red and blue burlap thread around them. It was a good touch!  

Even though I couldn't find the -right- color blue, I found red and blue paper bags at Walmart for pretty cheap. I wrote each boys name on a bag, including coaches. I then set each bag up on the floor, and outside each bag I placed one of each item outside the bags, then started stuffing!!

In the coaches bags, I put a little extra in with a bag of Combos, Slim Jims and what I coined as "Kisses for Coaches."

And lastly, here is gift we gave our head coach. The idea came from a fellow baseball mom and great friend of mine!

I honestly think a team is only as great as the support you have from your parents and coaching staff. 

Have a great Thursday, y'all! Almost the weekend!

♡tlee

Baseball | [DIY] Blood [literally] , sweat and baseball keyrings

I'm proud of all my crafts that I attempt. Some more than others definitely, but still even with my worst projects, I can't help but get a goofy grin and share my creations when I'm done.

The baseball key rings is probably my favorite to make at the moment.

Not bc it's probably one of the most simple [but that sure does help] but just bc it's making something fun from something I love.

While making a set the other day, I accidently stabbed myself with the exacto knife.. so crafters heed this warning:

GO SLOW, PAY ATTENTION AND BE CAREFUL!

After almost passing out, almost throwing up [give me a break, I just STABBED myself], and after almost calling the bf to come sew me up, I was fine. I had some crocheting I needed to get done as well, but I figured I'd give my hand the rest of the night off. Literally, it looked nothing more than a papercut, but it went in my hand as far as the exacto knife is long. Ouch.

But, no blood was wasted and I finished them up the next day.

When I made more on Sunday, I went about 10x slower than usual was more efficient.

Here are the "how to's":

1) take your full grain leather covered baseball, and your exacto knife (this is what I've found to work the best... use what your comfy with), and SLOWLY pull out the laces, pulling away from your face/body.

2) Once you've pulled out all the laces, pull the two leather halves off the ball. They will be sticky, which is a good thing!

3) Take your key ring and pull the leather half through the ring, lining up the tiny holes with both halves.

4) Get your teams favorite colors (I use embroidery floss), thread the floss through your needle, tie a knot at the end of your string and go through the bottom of the top half first, so the knot is now on the "inside" of the leather [so it's concealed], then go through both layers [same hole], and slowly pull the floss through. Continue to do a whip stitch all the way around.

And boom. You now have a unique baseball leather keyring with your favorite team colors.

^ GO UVA ^

Personal & hi y'all | Crafts! And a little about me.

Ever since I was younger, I've always enjoyed crafts.  That was something my mom inspired me to do, and something that I continue to this day with my son.  Sometimes when I'm feeling silly, I'll grab a blank canvas and my paint brush, or if I'm just feeling quiet, I'll grab my crochet hook, and attempt to create something wonderful [I say "attempt" bc I'm still getting the hang of crocheting.. but I can make a pretty awesome scarf].

First, a little about myself?  I'm a mother, first and foremost.  It's the best, and hardest, job I've ever done.  How cliché, right?  It's true.  I would never trade that for anything.  I'm also a "baseball mom", to be more exact, which is a very specific and important title [more on that later].  I'm a girlfriend.  To a super wonderful guy.  He helps come up with ideas for me to try next, mostly with my crocheting.  He won't like me saying he's sweet, and he'll deny it, but he is.  I'm a bookkeeper.  How drab.  But, it pays the bills.  And it's something that [sometimes] keeps me on my toes.  I have two fur babies, Tessa [border collie mutt] and Joe [half Maine coon].  And I love my friends and family, close and extended.  Without all the above mentioned, I wouldn't be who I am today.

So here it is.  My simple crafty musings from a simple, crafty [baseball] mama!

Enjoy :)

Oh and PS. The background picture was taken late summer 2013 in Shenandoah National Park.