Top posts of 2013

Its been a great year! Full of firsts and amazing opportunities. I feel blessed and I am so thankful for all of my readers and supporters. This blog wouldn't exist without YOU so thank you from the bottom of my heart. You allow me to do what I love. This has been a year full of tutorials, DIY, fashion, fitness and everything that makes me me, so I am going to start this week with a little post highlighting my top posts from 2013. Enjoy! And make sure to check them out.

 

 Anthropologie Inspired Knot Bedding Duvet {Tutorial}

This has got to be my favorite tutorial I have put on the blog. Mostly because a lot of blood, sweat and yes even tears went into this project. I love it because I am proud of it. I love it and will now probably never change my bedding. This is a great tutorial because it is so detailed and I am a beginner at sewing so seriously if I can make this YOU CAN!!! Thank you to Kojo Designs for the inspiration, I share with you my tweaks from their tutorial to make it even easier for us beginners and more washable for moms or babies and toddlers around. Check it out!!! Favorite Favorite! 

Being a Mom is the Best Job in the World

Yes, I truly believe that being a mom is the best job in the world. No, it is not perfect. No, it isn't always glamorous. Yes, it can be hard....even very hard.But it is the Most rewarding job in the entire world. It has the most sweet moments that I could never ever forget. The love that these two little boys bring to my life is indescribable. It is beautiful and so powerful. Read more of my thoughts on the post.

 At Home Busy Mom workouts {Part 1}

It is no secret how big of a part fitness plays a part in my life. I love to participate and I love to share it. So make sure to check out the three posts I have done so far full of at home workout ideas YOU can do. Look out for some more in 2014.

Sweet and Tangy Meatballs

You have got to check out this family favorite recipe. It is fast, easy and so delicious. Both my 1 and 3 year old boys love this dinner. Who doesn't want a recipe idea that you don't have to fight your kids to eat.

What I Wore {Birthday Celebration}

I love fashion. I love sharing what I wear and I especially love when I can put together a very in style and fashionable outfit for a great price. We all love a deal, we all love to save money and look good doing it right?! This is one of my favorite WIWW from this year. Simple, stylish, comfortable and a little bold.

Easy Superhero Capes

I made these darling capes for Maddux's birthday party this year for him and all of his friends. It was a super hero theme and we took the kids to the trampoline park to let them fly! It was a blast and then best part is how easy and fast these are to make and cheap hello!! Full tutorial on the link.

DIY Pallet Headboard

This is probably my second favorite project from this year and another one I am proud of. I love pallets and the rustic but chic look they can bring into home design. I knew I had to get my hands on some and when I did this is what happened. Full tutorial on the link

Celebrating the Success of Others

Last year in March one of my favorite shows, Studio 5, had this as their theme for the whole month. It really hit me. I feel like sometimes I can be a jealous person. I compare myself to others and I get upset when I do not live up to par. How silly is that. We are all different. We are all unique. We are all made to be true to ourselves. I loved this theme, because it helped me to see the beauty and success and amazing talents in others and how they are able to make the world a better place through those talents and skills.

USA Silhouette Slate Sign

I love this simple, but beautiful sign that I made. It represents so much to me. 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays. I love celebrating the country that I feel so thankful and blessed to live in. We can accomplish anything here. We can be ourselves. It is where dreams come alive. And I am darn proud to be an American.

My Top 5 Packing Tips for a Move

My family moved to a new home in July and it is a lot of work. So I compiled 5 of my favorite tips for helping to make your next move more organized, less stressful and well easier. Go check it out to see what they are.

Crossfit Week one

This fall I started my crossfit journey in our garage with my brother. Go and read how it started, what we are doing and what is means for me in my fitness journey. Already this new year this journey has taken a turn to a gym and is getting more serious. I am so excited to see what this new year and new experience will bring to me in my life.

Ikea Table Makeover

Just a little furniture makeover that was easy, quick, cheap and made a huge difference in the look.

My ten minute Makeup routine

Who likes to take hours to get ready? Not this girl, but I do still like to look put together. I am a mom, I am busy and I just don't have time to take all the time in the world, so after many mornings of trying routines and products out I think I have got it done because well it doesn't take me any longer than 10 minutes. Come and see what I do and what I use.

Wood Chalkboard Banner

Love this gem. Easy, fast, cheap and it can be used all year round, in any room for just about anything. I love to make projects that can be used for many purposes.

Chevron Board backdrop

This ditty just came to be when I felt like I needed a little color and something tall to put behind some of my V-day decor and now I am able to use this backdrop all the time. Full tutorial on the link.

Painting Furniture Series from the Pinners Class

One of the highlights of this last year was being asked to be a teacher at the first ever and very successful pinners conference and expo. They asked me to teach a class on redoing and painting old wood furniture. I was nervous and so excited. Once I had everything set up and the classes started the nerves completely left I was like a new person up there. I love to teach and when it is something I am passionate about it is even easier and more enjoyable. It went awesome both of my classes were sold out and so I decided to share with all of my readers who couldn't make it to the class all my tips and tricks in this series of 4 posts so make sure to check them all out. all four links in the post link above.

Ikea metal trivet to necklace organizer, and mini flip calendar

Another highlight of this year is I was asked to be on Studio 5 three times. Seriously a dream come true. I fell so blessed to say I was on a show I watch everyday and love so much. This post was from the last segment I did on turning ordinary ikea items into something extraordinary for less than $10. So much fun check them out.

DIY Bright Marquee Letters

These are my favorite Christmas decor items aside from the tree. They were so happy "bright" and the glittery goodness made me happy every time I turned the corner or walking in my home and saw them. Make some of your own for every holiday!!!

DIY A-Frame Play tent

As a mom of two boys I knew I had to make them one of these bad boys. I have been seeing them around for a while, but when I figured out how to make my own easily and for much cheaper I knew I had to share it with all of you moms out there.

DIY headwrap Tutorial

This is one of my most popular posts. Headwraps are use right now and I m obsessed. I love them on he fashion side and I love them on the practical side to wear while working out.You can make your own by following the tutorial I laid out for you, or I will be opening up an etsy shop very shortly to sell them, so stay tuned for that announcement and all that goodness.

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following
It really means the world to me 

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along

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My Craft Channel Debute {And the HEADWRAP TUTORIAL filmed}

Do you remember my popular DIY headwrap tutorial from a couple weeks back?

Well I have one upped that tutorial and am now giving you a filmed tutorial. It seems like when we can actually see how something is being done in a video it is much easier to understand. I try my best to show it all and to explain it in pictures, but seeing it live is just plain better.

I was asked by the beautiful My Craft Channel girls to come and film an episode with them. Have you heard of My craft Channel? It is a fun online channel full of so much inspiration goodness, crafts galore, awesome products, tutorials, and much more. You have got to check it out if you haven't already.

 
I got to be on an episode and guest on My Craft Studio with Kristine McKay. I am episode two you can find it at that link or just scroll down. Kristine is a freakin Doll I just loved hanging out with her and Tausha.

I knew right away what I wanted to show you and I was excited to share. But before you watch, I am warning you that I am a complete dork in it.Was I hoped up on something? Jeeze. Hopefully you can get pat all of that.  I don't know why I was so nervous I have been on live TV and did better, oh well it gets the point across just no makin fun, because I really am embarrassed and am crazy for sharing it but I really wanted you to see the turban fold. So here it is let me know if you have anymore questions.

Along with the tutorial there were some fun "Rapid Fire" questions and crazy responses. Watch through to see what was so funny. Why am I so embarrassing? Oh well it was so much fun I don't even care.

Now that we have that out of the way...did it make sense? Do you see how it is easier to see how I did the turban fold there at the end? Also I wanted to make a few corrections now that I have done more of these and have seemed to have perfected the tutorial a little more. Don't use the stitch I was talking about that is two stitches forward one stitch back.... that one works fine but I found a better one. The stretch stitch...duh haha makes sense right. The stretch stitch is just an off centered zig zag it kinda looks like a lightening bolt. If you don't have that setting on your machine you can use a zig zag.This will give it the room it needs to be able to stretch and go back to its original state. Now I am tellin ya they are perfect. So try that one out when you make yours.

Also I have been asked where I get my fabric. The answer is Hobby Lobby and A cute little fabric store called Material Girls here in Salt Lake City.

And last I don't have an official etsy shop yet, but I am working on it so stay tuned because I have decided to sell some headwrap beauties. After many emails, comments and requests I figure I might as well make them for others to enjoy as well. So for those of you who are too busy to make them, or just plain don't want to but want one at an affordable price, let me make them for you. Follow me on Instagram for some sneak peeks and some pre order requests and of course I will be announcing when the etsy shop is up and running.

You can also follow My Craft Channel through their facebook, pinterest, twitter and instagram @mycraftchannel. 

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram 

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

 and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along

{Links below}

DIY Headwrap {Tutorial)

I am going to be talking a little hair fashion today. You asked for it so here it is I finally made a tutorial for my headwraps I make and wear all the time.   If you follow me on Instagram {follow me @whitneyulrich} you have probably noticed my love affair for headwraps! I am a bit obsessed, they are cute, give you a little pattern and sassy in your style, and are perfect for lazy hair days. I also love these because they can be a fashion piece but also just as effective while you workout. You can be as crazy with the patterns as you want to be or you can tone it down a notch and just do some really cute solid colors, or even blacks, whites and greys.

Now that we have my introduction of headwrap love out of the way,  lets talk how you can make your own, fairly quickly and much cheaper. And these ones are extra special because one headwrap can be worn two different ways, as a turban or the wide band style.I was so excited when I figured out how to make these by a few trial and errors and even more excited how easy it was and how fast I could whip them out.

{Supplies Needed}

-1/4 yard knit or jersey fabric {you want these to be stretchy and comfortable} You can get these types of fabric from Hobby lobby, your local fabric stores {I have a list in Utah if you would like it let me know}, and one of my very favorites fabric.com
-Rotary Cutter and/or fabric scissors
-Measuring tape
-pins
-sewing machine or needle and thread
-thread I just used regular thread but you could use the stretchy kind if you wish

{What I did}

A quarter yard will make two headbands {so one for you and one for a friend or your daughter} so first things first cut your piece to the right length. You will cut your knit 19-21 inches long depending on how stretchy your fabric is. Knit you usually need to do a little longer and Jersey a little shorter. If you aren't sure measure your head and cut it to that length. Then your width will be the quarter yard about 9-10 inches depending on how they cut it at the store. And there you have your headwrap piece.

Then you will fold your piece of fabric in half {hot dog style if you don't know what that is long ways like the picture above} with the right sides of the fabric touching each other and on the inside.

Pin it in place I just use two to three pins depending on how much it tries to roll.

Next take it over to your sewing machine for if you don't have a machine you can hand stitch this {I did one by hand and it wasn't too bad of course it took longer but it is doable}. Just do a straight stitch on the opposite side of the fold leaving the top and bottom un-stitched. Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end so it is nice and secure. Also when you are sewing knit or jersey it likes to get stuck in your machine because it is so stretchy so you can put it on a different stitch setting on your machine. It is still the straight stitch but it will do two stitches forward one stitch back. I believe it is just called the stretch stitch and looks like a lightning bolt. You could also use a zig zag and it should do the trick as well.

Once your straight stitch line is complete it will look like a tube with the long side secure and the short top and bottom free. You will then turn your fabric right side out. 

Here comes the part that is a little tricky but if you follow the steps it isn't too bad. First lay your tube with the seam facing down.

Pick it up with one hand holding each side so it is in the shape of a U

Next turn your left wrist just a quarter turn so that the seam is facing away from you like the picture above but just on the left side.

Now you are ready for the fold that makes one side a turban knot.
1. bring your left hand that you have turned a quarter turn so it is touching your right side
2. Then sandwich that left piece over the right piece
3. meeting in the middle of that right piece
4. Then you will take the extra flap and fold it over either the top of bottom making it an S with the pieces sandwiched in each other.

Then it will look like this kinda jumbled mess. Take this over to your sewing machine and sew a straight stitch right along that little S we just made. This can also be hand sewn if needs to be. And don't forget your back stitching.

Next cut off the extra so that it is really close to your seam. This is to get rid of that extra bulk that we do not want. 

Lastly you will turn it right side out and you have your headwrap/Turban wrap in one. All done. Not too bad right? Once you make one you will have the hang of it and will want one in every color. This should only take you 15-20 minutes {maybe longer the first time} and only costs about $1.50-$3 per headwrap depending on how much your fabric is {don't forget to use your coupons}.

 One headwrap two different styles.

So so fun and so many different styles. These would also be such a great gift and I believe Christmas is coming up really quickly.

This is too prove I was not lying when I said I wear them all the time! You will be in love and can spend more time on others things rather than your hair. You can thank me later lol. But really, try one out and let me know what you think.  They are fun to just change it up every once in a while. They go great with the fall and winter fashion coming up. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial make sure to pin it for later and for others to see. Originally posted HERE as a fashion contributor.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram 

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life,  fashion ideas

 and sneak peaks of what I've been working on 

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along

{Links below}