Archives for 2011

Our Loss

July 24, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

Life can change in an instant.

There’s no easy way to say it…..we lost our baby. It might seem strange, but I don’t have any questions about what happened. I never think about what might have been. As a family, we know everything happens for a reason and we are at peace with our loss. Boo is comforted that our baby is with Grandpa in heaven now keeping him company. We move forward and appreciate each other, our family, our health and many other blessings we have.

I’m feeling weaker than normal and it’s taking me longer than I thought to physically recuperate. I’m trying to be good and rest but that’s the hardest thing for me to do….my instincts are to jump up and do something awesome and fun.

Yesterday, I opened up some mail from my mother and she had included a photocopy from a book based on scripture that was eerily perfect:

“Though many things feel random and wrong, remember that I am sovereign over everything. I can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that you trust Me. Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall, if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy Me.”

I don’t have much of a timeline for my life……if it’s God’s will we’ll have a sister or brother for Boo one day soon!

I remember what my Dad would want me to do….I choose joy.

Lettered Beanbags

July 24, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

Remember these? Click below…..we’ve updated the tutorial!

Monogrammed Canvas Totes (A Tutorial)

July 20, 2011 by Ashley Hackshaw

We are spending time with my husband’s family this week at the beach. I wanted to make everyone something special so I made these extra large personalized beach tote bags.

They are perfect for carrying all of our beach toys, towels and sunscreen down to the beach.

It’s easy to keep everyone’s things straight and they all look pretty cute together on the sand:

I bought the large totes at Marshall’s. You can find blank ones many place on the internet and other suppliers. I used two methods for these bags to give you a few options!

The first method I used is the freezer paper method. Freezer paper is typically used by butchers to wrap meat because it has a waxy finish on the inside and regular white paper on the outside. It can be used as a fabric stencil because when the paper is heated the waxy side adheres to the fabric but doesn’t leave any residue on it when removed.

You can purchase freezer paper at most large superstores. I know for sure that Wal-Mart carries it as well as Dharma Trading.

First, use an exacto knife and cut out the monogram letters into the freezer paper:

After the letters are cut out place the freezer paper stencil face down on the fabric, waxy side down.

Iron the paper (cotton setting) so that it seals to the fabric.

If your paper rips at all or if you “overcut” any of your letters just use some scotch tape to fix it so ink doesn’t flow through those areas:

Take a paint brush and fabric paint…..

…..and begin dabbing it onto the stencil.

I usually do about 2 or 3 coats:

Once the paint has dried thoroughly.

The second method I used was a “one-time” paper screen print. For a one-time paper screen print you need a stretched screen. It can be a silk screen or even just a large embroidery hoop with panty hose stretched tightly. (I recommend investing in an actual screen, you can use it over and over again….the paper part of this method is what is considered “one-time.”

I used my Silhouette to cut out these initials. Or you can just use an Exacto knife.

I used just regular 8.5″ x 11″ copy paper to cut out the letters:

Place the paper onto the bag:

Carefully place the screen on top of the paper:

Put a small amount of screen printing ink or fabric paint on your screen and use a squeegee to pull the ink across the image (or I’ve used a credit card as well if you don’t have an actual squeegee). Use enough pressure so the ink goes through the screen. You can touch up any light areas with a small fabric paint brush.