tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49106152957496143502024-02-08T20:12:59.352-06:00This Present LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-65935037190404902742011-08-15T23:27:00.001-05:002011-08-15T23:27:08.570-05:00Sorry, We’re Closed<p align="center">Hi friends, just wanted to let you know that I’ll be stepping away from the blog for a little while.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wptq4WaY8SudcyCduF60GqEbjp6wyEsagOa1RZbo3-FHXTPW01nZGQpdFTgUqC5xv1mbL9s9mPfVPpYjkdah3NJt9Wh3GEErdk2XwYjyqKs8qFmn-bm3U_ebZDQkbuXUDYdSL8nM5ngO/s1600-h/Closed%252520Sign%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Closed Sign" border="0" alt="Closed Sign" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlTDJI1cP8vHFlP1cylXybabCYB3oejztd_Jo7RCguIWieZkLQ57WV9U3P_8BOfg75SEBryx3ms47yoVSfash9hDY8gYdb88HpG0NCHtiqc8dGT4uAg7rluFkug_zV9ToFP9ph5gIsiMr//?imgmax=800" width="300" height="292" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/redjoshuameg/5378885974/" target="_blank">{source}</a></p> <p align="center">I’ll still be posting on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, so if you don’t already “Like” me over there, c’mon over!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-38517391426815847032011-08-08T22:31:00.008-05:002011-08-09T07:40:26.222-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #17 - Dirty LaundryHello friends! Welcome to another edition of Truth Be Told Tuesdays! If you're new here, this is a day for us to share our truths in an effort to support one another in our imperfections. Thanks to all of you that participate each week. It's so much fun when you all join in on the fun!
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<br />Truth Be Told, </font>I don't always wash my stinky, sweaty clothes before wearing them again. Some of you may remember that I<a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/yoga.html"> practice yoga</a> twice a week (I've even <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/truth-be-told-tuesday-7.html">confessed </a>a <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> something about it before!). Sometimes, after class, I come home, take off my sweaty shirt, but <font style="font-style:italic;">don't</font> put it in the dirty laundry! I figure, what's the point in washing it if I'm just going to wear it to go to yoga class again? It's not like I put it on to go to the grocery store or anything (because <span style="font-style: italic;">that </span>would be really gross ;)
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<br />Ok friends (if you <span style="font-style: italic;">are </span>still my friends after that confession), now it's your turn! Tell us your truth!
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-7067856615386022982011-08-02T11:01:00.008-05:002011-08-05T21:03:06.386-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #16 - Oh, Poop!<div align="center">Hello friends, welcome to another Truth be Told Tuesday where we share the truths in our lives in an effort to support one another in our imperfections. First of all, let me say I know I've been a little absent from the blog, but I've been taking advantage of the fact that my husband is home for the summer and I've been <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/workin-for-livin.html">working</a>. I know, exciting, huh? But hopefully I'll be back on track soon since school will be starting and my husband will be back to work.</div><br /><p align="center">And now for the real reason you stopped by... </p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center">Truth Be Told, I have the worst luck with my daughter pooping when I am completely unprepared and without a diaper. I told you about the time I had to let her <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/truth-be-told-tuesdays-10-going.html">go commando </a>on our way home from the mall because she pooped and I did not have a spare diaper. Well it's happened to me 2 times since that incident! (Seriously, that was in May!) </p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8JYCzvs1ROmbe3XL38hXE7S6IgUaoZM6BYxnjLmJc_wggUwG2lg3S2TN4-BrXa8MS4gJ0hEqUegXmGtmpP954laCyyF0OIxnyiDXIMJxnP4H0K54MUinerKiHBLgueqh9AerbayWJ42L/s1600/Diaper"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636297564826193314" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8JYCzvs1ROmbe3XL38hXE7S6IgUaoZM6BYxnjLmJc_wggUwG2lg3S2TN4-BrXa8MS4gJ0hEqUegXmGtmpP954laCyyF0OIxnyiDXIMJxnP4H0K54MUinerKiHBLgueqh9AerbayWJ42L/s400/Diaper" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{Cute clutch </span><a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2009/01/diaper-clutch-tutorial.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">tutorial </span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">over at Diary of a Quilter}</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We we were at a friend's house for a playdate and as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes, my daughter informs me, <strong>"Mommy, I have a poopie."</strong> No problem, I'll just get the spare diaper out of my purse and....oh shoot! No diaper. Oh yeah, I have a spare one in the car, let me just run out and get it...seriously? No diaper there, either? Fortunately, my friend had a size 2 diaper laying around that she let me have (my daughter wears a size 4!). But thankfully, it was enough to get us home. So you'd think I'd learn my lesson, right? </div><br />Nope!<br /><br />The other day, my husband and I decided to take the kids for a walk to a park in our neighborhood. I pushed my daugher in the stroller and my son rode his bike. We made it to the park, the kids are playing, all is right with the world. Then my son comes over and says, <strong>"I have to go potty."</strong> There's no porta-potties around, but that's ok, he's a boy, so my husband takes him to a tree and he does his business. Once again, all is right with the world. About 5 minutes later, my son comes over and says, <strong>"uh oh, I have to go poop."</strong> Oh great! Now what do we do? He can't exactly poop behind the tree in the middle of the park. We decide to quickly load back up and walk home. As I'm getting ready to put my daughter in her stroller, she announces, <strong>"I have a poopie."</strong> OH GREAT! We're in the middle of the park, my son has to poop, my daughter has already pooped, and I don't have a diaper or wipes! So I did what any resourceful mom would do. I laid my daughter on the picnic table, wet some kleenex (thank goodness I had those!) with water from her sippy cup, wiped her bottom, threw away the poopie diaper, put her shorts back on and we high-tailed it home!<br /><br />So now I'm going to start stashing diapers and wipes everywhere! The car, my purse, the stroller...I vow to never be caught in this predicament again!...Until it happens the next time ;)<br /><br />Now it's your turn! Tell us your truth :) C'mon, you know you want to. Confession is good for the soul, right? ;) </div><br /><br /><br />Sharing here:<br /><br /><a href=" http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-16204266454489907892011-07-25T21:33:00.006-05:002011-07-26T08:46:51.835-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #15 - That's not Toothpaste!Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you all are having a great day. I'm off to help a girlfriend paint her kid's room, but I can't leave without sharing this week's Truth Be Told Tuesday with you. In case you're new (yay and welcome!) Tuesdays are a day for us to come together to share the truths in our lives in an attempt to support one another in our imperfections.<br /><br /><font size="4">Truth Be Told</font>, I once reached for the toothpaste in my drawer and accidentally pulled out some Vagisil (sorry if that's TMI, guys!). <font size="4">Fortunately</font>, I discovered my mistake before actually applying said ointment to my toothbrush! Unfortunately, I can not say the same for a friend of mine who did the exact same thing with the exact same ointment!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXV6no_q6fQXz8aXewZY483ZAwmuH4HNI_pIese3-ZekM3DcNKljjvZJZQ2gTbT7uE988B6OttFur3JIFnDW1C_epHvrb9wOM7YujyvpZC2uSnxhemB2ErXVCug7jr0uTWd49JV0Djc4S/s1600/Toothpaste.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXV6no_q6fQXz8aXewZY483ZAwmuH4HNI_pIese3-ZekM3DcNKljjvZJZQ2gTbT7uE988B6OttFur3JIFnDW1C_epHvrb9wOM7YujyvpZC2uSnxhemB2ErXVCug7jr0uTWd49JV0Djc4S/s400/Toothpaste.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633487090286887154" border="0"></a><font size="1"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smilewarehouse/4332367521/">{source}</a></font><br /></div><br />Ok ladies, now it's your turn! Share your "truth" with us...trust me, it's very cathartic ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-88016121127742238462011-07-25T09:17:00.006-05:002011-08-01T22:41:59.526-05:00Kids’ Closet Organization Tip<p>If you’re like me, organizing your kids’ closets is like…well, it’s like trying to organize your kids’ closets! </p> <p>But I did come up with one <em>awesome</em> solution for storing blankets, crib sheets, changing pad covers, etc… I used a simple hanging shoe rack!</p> <p>It’s perfect to fit all of those little things that otherwise don’t have a home (or would have to take up space in my already overcrowded linen closet). And I don’t use all of the hanging space in my kids’ closets anyway, so I have plenty of room for the “shoe” rack.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sapwv5sWltZ9GAG2UiAqe0rvf-SIApN_Xn8CEN6HTGVBI0AWuB-sxsxWxXoJ3CRbkDWAZsrGajBUsTZ59avvJ9d2xDSm1WnDeFqUtBqh6cOvlzXB-gkONlJYoL4kDooXaJ51BV8pl60A/s1600-h/IMG_63884.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6388" alt="IMG_6388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZQi_w1H4qUohMBa-QIH9jt83l7gmDiK6eTeUH6cCV0uJ5jYyQb8w0HiN0Tj_muG3OQpFyjt_Zm3_w9Wg3CmV2I-HscZcZnoAvV0bza-NfuOhmgRTVJSZlSds6eVJaif85N76p8uh7osi//?imgmax=800" border="0" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>It simply velcro’s around the rod. It couldn’t be more simple! I think I bought this one at Ross, but you can find them anywhere (Target, The Container Store) for probably around $10.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYMUV7hHe2HokcB1z9lNsx7XwH8XtygN73Un5kVjtASpCCZk55s5_OeH-iN0A1LLsG9E-YsoeYrPlJL6uzR6hiAi6_tcB27l67s-j-KgojgXR1pTnhyphenhyphen1NKpsayKMZEJjLXT_pVBPHmJGf/s1600-h/IMG_63914.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6391" alt="IMG_6391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD08VuFqYOc-Sl1nGMoEpYjT9UZQ2hZV6jhXPDFIsg9vcYnWRBWk3OMGPeMDI3lgyrygIwue-Mwi6cHZ4HlmS4cpZf8UGHwpDVP40gbB77ceibjHOjYZI9J0LiCCm1i72Z8LJecEUqC6C//?imgmax=800" border="0" width="360" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>Do you struggle with keeping your kids’ closets organized? What’s your best organizing tip? </p> <p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Sharing my awesome tip with these wonderful ladies:</p><p><br /><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" title="Sumo's Sweet stuff"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn03EZxh0J0DKWGBbrlIjvRV4RmOWa0Y21nec0zNYFQ2lrJIdI2ir0Mfrz9AQqKAHoe31q30P6nndTb_fa3oGTejZrg1JSwJwiwngWWTkfXjrhNnibVj3SfMM9lkvCnqYaZWJq4euJcYrB//" alt="Sumo's Sweet Stuff" style="border: medium none;" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" alt="Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/plain-button.png" border="0" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/"><img src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/PartyButtonSmallSize.jpg" border="0" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" border="0" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com/search/label/Anything%20Related" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l525/all_thingz_related/anything-1.jpg" alt="Anything Related" border="0" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href=" http://madeitonmonday.blogspot.com/search/label/Make%20it%20by%20Monday"><img border="0" width="90" height="90"src="http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j401/nolanandjill/makeitbymonday-1-1.jpg"/></a><br /></p><p><br /></p> <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:881be8c0-7a30-40af-a48b-432cb39f4fed" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/organize" rel="tag">organize</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/closet" rel="tag">closet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kids" rel="tag">kids</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/organization" rel="tag">organization</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-17798737727775893752011-07-19T08:11:00.002-05:002011-07-19T08:20:08.842-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #14 – TV as Babysitter<p>Happy Tuesday, friends! If you’re new to This Present Life (yay!), Tuesday is a day for us to share our “truths” with one another in an effort to support each other in our imperfections. After all, no one <em>actually</em> lives the perfect life they portray on their blog or on Facebook <em>all</em> of the time. </p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Truth Be Told</span>, yesterday I plopped the kids in front of the TV so I could catch up on my blog reading. And this morning I put on a show for them so I could catch a few more zzzzzz’s! I’m not proud of using the TV as a babysitter, but it’s the one guaranteed method for preventing calls for “Mooooommmmmyyyy!”.</p> <p>So there you have it, my “truth” for the week. Now it’s your turn! Share your truth with us in the comments section…and trust me, you’ll find that most of us can relate to your truth, so don’t be scared ;) <span style="font-size:130%;">It’s more fun when everyone plays along!</span></p> <br /><br />And if you haven't already, come by and "Like" me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480">Facebook </a>to read everyone's truths over there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-84972401566075005482011-07-18T08:13:00.006-05:002011-07-20T07:47:50.371-05:00Upcycled Pajamas<p>Now that it’s 120 degrees outside, my daughter desperately needed some summer pajamas. I don’t know about you, but it pains me to spend $20 for a pair of kid’s pj’s. So I decided to “make” my own. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXw2QHvBYJHPUDZLcE_udwbTzTrdSpG2E2tMdkEHH-qTLCqQMNpK7f2sKmzyGfVI5ZnymtotuFmF5scou7QkegEPoJ9SGMmC4BoImoz_M4Rdh4y_wNY5nToiC527SPzv-DDKIGl_cSCdh/s1600-h/IMG_6166b5.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6166b" alt="IMG_6166b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEddVDlSPzZdMBn5-EMD1excrwEM-bFOy7ki_GrKN60t_3rQdsMm2RKuE9Sj3b0pL5aUxzxxaiieyeq4mVdBGd0HVtBNo1Z9EgEvTiWZbyf3zGGFUzj7YnDFduktQdbGH2f-35b-x_djjY//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc7UgZbUyMJ-aQYIxNz9vYKsHPLBsJ6tTuFIOaBBdOfGSem88yzKNzan_4jsDb7Xc8GkCGwOouO87NGTqn97PCJKd3EUsjs7YlcVa5NnhKSGqs-AYQbUU4BWGuvXvBtoVr8-QK6MwJVS9/s1600-h/IMG_6178b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_6178b" alt="IMG_6178b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkVueJH3opPd-RCnxO_O_vNKx6oVzu2tnyr3QsOctcwhz_inLeo1wyox0CVQaagXUdklUnVQEeJpUyU9CGRUuza66XjyRI7skRZ0xkd7BVklyzjrvqkPs6oe7_ShaLRFYEJMFBWFX0x9E//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I started by ransacking her closet and drawers and found a pair of winter jammies that was too small and some winter hand-me-downs that fit right now, but will be too small by the time cooler temperatures make their way here to Texas.</p> <p>The T-shirt and shorts outfit could not have been easier to make. I literally just measured using some of her other pj’s and cut the arms and legs off. Seriously, that’s all I did. Since these are just pj’s and won’t last beyond this summer, I didn’t even bother to finish the edges. You don’t have to hem jersey material because it won’t fray. So they went from this:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2Uikx4oOOKm3A-d9sKghH3r5kFvhq3Exu_sq1w_YE6aqWX2jfrkDR9_pFmtzd0TnsSN1mi__x67RHXJNlgXHpmIlLxUv-2L3nvBG0dQ257BWngtwOshqN_TU9xJypDG759_-5VbjiiUr/s1600-h/IMG_6148b5.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6148b" alt="IMG_6148b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7xh1g0yG5F1Sjt25vwh8kJHsWzrOS6ZOTUDfGSmB9CAeC6Kud2I3w0e-gtuKfVrHo6ppq5HiHmr1YCc6iaAAiAWZKsOtTtFgonb_Qn4PKx9qVfF7SXXy0sJWi9kAnvUXQyYa7ip5JDTg//?imgmax=800" width="180" border="0" height="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMFzDUpur1uTWc1DGm1uwcqK271xgfq8DnVVIfu5zXd805G5v5RDdbdp-rgHNiFXT1V_-kJZ52qI0xel8r_Cyr91ENR4j97pG08FGUqzM8ZJhmA9L-LUaEdfReufP_hoJ_aylR5KSbfQR/s1600-h/IMG_6153b3.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6153b" alt="IMG_6153b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO_UrTefJE4s-c0DrCvK9aG9eU7qgJeYeZ1OFRAj7ZAD1J2ydDonmskHqiGzfZcsmZjwCUsTy_Wollu-H6LqwnNnfQOK2VEH0tJpyj602q1z3MnZXAnNmI61pY2eK7vjV1vv2xlcEFTR2//?imgmax=800" width="180" border="0" height="240" /></a> </p> <p>To this:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZNd8Ec7xKSNCzbPFonWM_u2BrHnhxtb14df5Vj-MU2ynHA1Dcxkqdg0n0-1e_TUToPjB8WU_y4TRA7gl1_I7CTb1Gb1tTd1as178Yyy1RuMEN5XjA7gOxTc5_1HoGvtvcS_2DTAyz0lx/s1600-h/IMG_6151b3.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6151b" alt="IMG_6151b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtt0B1nsInVpf1GeUvmcuTrpFriHaFzr6n_VegEF2EgHAOpDG6YF1FNwoZpzav3ZRbCLh4Y5Ma4eJUFn05n48HxjVY9WVLnKh5OAXGHt-7Qqi16KRHhuzDVLVE5KgGE-UQY5hpbtoPQc-//?imgmax=800" width="180" border="0" height="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9TEPITOIqr5vCK6FGUI2dK3q2eOa17ELApXEykBvpD7hTcJlYEQHYMZQKUlz2ox73mYuDrd8KRF2AoXbzbXh6nZr9xhbEWwbVJYqd1vN10j_RAfymOFaynBxF-ZDLPPoC758X3ecd2k0/s1600-h/IMG_6154b3.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6154b" alt="IMG_6154b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZeKAbnsIrV3i46_89vmsaujXf7QsNCmH1LjS0PReob92hT7mbd6g9BBLxKa6bu6DbJAFTwZsyVhpxaFd-947j4UIqOjOrr1WB_KPg5_M3NeJHPGzafqyZnHvSLTE9HkSVfZiGbfRxjk9//?imgmax=800" width="180" border="0" height="240" /></a> </p> <p>The nightgown was still pretty easy, but did require some sewing knowledge. Here’s what it looked like before:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyYtBfHUE0D94v6VU-ESqIYIRoCxR7_9lKSXudx4JlKATMxGIlaME-k4qdp-IOr60JsJ9a7USP0LmkpdecXthFesAY-ol8qM7BnqTMyOmc8iv4ssiKwx5PtjQfQRK6cUVuCLij74O4EIk/s1600-h/IMG_6143b4.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6143b" alt="IMG_6143b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVxVcWuaEtddD2t7o8Z7jm5dwV3fuC9AolF4qBYh80uDb6ZePJg5NQ-9fsd-ZLdvSi7-rRoAtqNqi35Q35_SAsqMtPvJWEpVr-3RflOMh6xcGSwf_JU0-0EP1tmUKrqSf_D7BiUIZ9oUQ//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>First, I cut off the long sleeves and I cut off the legs just above the crotch area.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBKPIB-vz5nxPZc1TkYxclV4j_xOqD6AGVg4lIVUWQBWfwUFWM4UG-m6a1dh4cXmZU3DZrr_l-_4QSpPduBD21ihoeUoZrrndgynP8bmHNpkuJp9l1tsb0XAk5vlokmzmEiYcWoT_TTgo/s1600-h/IMG_6146b4.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6146b" alt="IMG_6146b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKofxsavmfKkOluggldMbxPLSCfFIZF8zOv8C4MuQZ4KJcRuy7ik9ISRzGfy2FGYaT7bpEnQ7j6khvcYsSpTS224pDxOP1c-BGbrDVAuNsOfPa9rIjk43l8SO8f0I9Pi8bXBq4lQb1aoyn//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I could’ve left it like this if I had another pair of shorts to go with it, but I decided instead to make it a nightgown. I had this scrap of fabric that was a perfect compliment to the colors and the apple pockets.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj986CGRWs7o_TKvYHkOChJxca4LnIqed4epdWrAdRIar1OEWG6JqVAEsWPiTJw0U5v0V57o6Bt-CAyci9br2GyGAG_GWduKfcsZXEjaaFwiUOG-IBQeX3xQ749WX-GN3giQP8LQinlMtGh/s1600-h/IMG_6147b4.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6147b" alt="IMG_6147b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2OfXGFGOzT4fkEKjqvpcZ5i0l6Ul8Vh5F3NB0tGXykJaT9JAOzZCK5b_NpkQqWXaKMaIFu_uWM40d-lwElj38-G2FvDpuMy9KhPH1I6VSVzmNbpLYpFMq5e3bPD1nvQ5GvnK7zHxhaZg//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I didn’t take pictures of each of the next couple of steps, but you can see them all in the picture below. Here’s what I did:</p> <p>- <span style="font-size:130%;">Cut</span> your scrap into one long strip and iron it.</p> <p>- <span style="font-size:130%;">Make your hem</span>: Fold one long side up 1/4”, iron it, fold it up 1/2”, iron it and sew it down.</p> <p>- <span style="font-size:130%;">Sew</span> the 2 <span style="font-size:130%;">short sides</span> together and iron the seam down.</p> <p>- <span style="font-size:130%;">Serge</span> (if you’re lucky!) or zig zag stitch (like me) around the <span style="font-size:130%;">unfinished, long edge </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(the top).</span></p> <p>- Put your sewing machine at the <span style="font-size:130%;">longest stitch</span> and stitch all <span style="font-size:130%;">around the top</span> edge about 1/4” from the top. Then pull one thread, <span style="font-size:130%;">gathering it</span> until your “skirt” is about the right width for your shirt. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect. And yes, this step does take a little while and little finesse. Then <span style="font-size:130%;">pin </span>your skirt to your shirt, right sides together, in preparation for sewing.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88IS-m0mt22ekTt8XZ8SPklrIijS08cyo6vAJfOOutvosbEd6DQ-pfPJym1xTK_4DsInpABN9sbGdkn16lYP7hIHo-1cnhfSGi0YsgDr2JE0IePM9MgoH51fgrXJwa7ELF7b_GXpf5Lhu/s1600-h/IMG_6158b4.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6158b" alt="IMG_6158b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoSHoeXjtxXsWaqnxz8Y3G1fBz6Ak2jb4ALCWYwXykzeB-RIgugJhslxAaWSOfjdLX5U3hCXvOLb6myjUdyE8xU91svuqzMOk7_3ek4FwzHbz_ZXM4dryJH3b4PX0FjwfUHDotfhaWeB1//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>Make sure your jersey material lays pretty flat. I used a lot of pins to make sure it wouldn’t stretch too much while I sewed it.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG1KGYGH2M6VO1TlXROvxzHCsLbyp5w0-A2vDqB8561-UJegl4tQn9U6y1OA8z6w3y_X_rWpv7VSUXhOWZBMcM1FQRgYa9jaTbid4qaa2Vxr7vPOtAX1a1-7tI8qqNwaNbYzoimswx73o/s1600-h/IMG_6160b4.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6160b" alt="IMG_6160b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRXNlZewLV_sI_aKsMI4HgbbS_g4vBe_9eR2GudXOhcGHtx2vqaYTcmwWlimuDgP-Uz2H2Qw3nbKHmmLm9CYIrinDz9PrFHuYdqr3I1JYC5iFBWd1PuLOgrTUL66Qe0ZDOVjr2aYPzLqs//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>To save yourself some time, stitch to the left of your gathering stitch and you won’t have to spend time ripping it out. </p> <p>And voila! So cute and so easy!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGQIP-oR0Nh3EN7RF4It6HogjSWngBYEtBQ2BZjJkSN6Vojwk74bvRYUJ6xKKu2jLM0_eMDRutA8MCBUGw4D1NTL1vEtHwEt29kxx1A54T4opdFufTo12YmWIMVRUUvbI17LA0rg57E9d/s1600-h/IMG_6166b10.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_6166b" alt="IMG_6166b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E5gLcNokdJB6vLoyKa_79rzzKx3t0goC6rUEJR_3tLTdeoLOv0uOZLjl6Jxdny3KnVLlmHW6Fr3K79od9ApZFEzjtsqjfPn4op8BxN09Mm5PbyLbgN6c6bmIH10DBgJajYvQ__JOExsp//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I loved these upcycling projects so much. It was a great way to make use of what we already had, I had fun doing it, and it saved me some $$$! I liked it so much, I’m already planning my <em>next</em> upcycling project. My daughter has some little sundresses that are getting too short and I’m totally going to do this to them to make them last throughout the summer.</p> <p>Do you upcycle your kids’ clothes? I’d love to hear what other projects you’ve attempted!<br /><br />Linking up to these fun parties:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/grab_button_150.png" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/plain-button.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" title="Sumo's Sweet stuff"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn03EZxh0J0DKWGBbrlIjvRV4RmOWa0Y21nec0zNYFQ2lrJIdI2ir0Mfrz9AQqKAHoe31q30P6nndTb_fa3oGTejZrg1JSwJwiwngWWTkfXjrhNnibVj3SfMM9lkvCnqYaZWJq4euJcYrB//" alt="Sumo's Sweet Stuff" style="border: medium none;" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/"><img src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/PartyButtonSmallSize.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" width="90" border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLESeL2PJz9BjumnrT0icilXMTWQEPQzvLniDkH36TddtAhP9VBOJaeSlE1vmdJ7grUpX0zfP2uH3NGZLia5ype6qn3ch4rKeM8OhMLoWoUQQTL3cSOAcWQsv7jAzCNWEZ_dYu7tXCDPQ/s320/BlogButton380x100.jpg"/></a><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" width="90" border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvSeZpFuGWtCmCX_CfS5qlhqs7O40Bxi_Qs_DAzRG6hD3kkZiFzZj55FE2deWRCYOoaV6b8TxuU3tTe5XrxIqb9T53XK5mldpSt3IjMqY740Z6WMI6rPOA-PoxAZw_0B9bNS32Qbg9Mk/s320/SugarSpice.png" /></a><br /><br /></p> <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f31d65e0-c862-4c2b-945d-79d9a18cbae9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sewing" rel="tag">sewing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clothes" rel="tag">clothes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/upcycle" rel="tag">upcycle</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recycle" rel="tag">recycle</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pajamas" rel="tag">pajamas</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-7428960510749259222011-07-15T09:34:00.002-05:002011-07-15T09:34:42.805-05:00$20 Shop Credit!!!<p>Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have something special planned for your weekend! Before you get busy with your weekend fun, be sure to go check out my Giveaway over at<a href="http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2011/07/sponsor-love-and-giveaway.html"> Sew Chatty</a>! I'm giving away a $20 <a href="http://www.happybabydesigns.etsy.com/">shop</a> credit to one lucky winner. So come on by and who knows, you might just be the lucky winner :) <br /></p> <p>And in case you were wondering what wild and crazy plans I have for my weekend, here's what I'll be up to...</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoJP5Wm6xsuU8pR4BGvhCd09aS2pjjGMDDPcnzFp-Blv6NpcoMSHWshxMT2nL2ICS8VvPaowFIVFCZOxCv1E7yTQMIRxpaB4uz6xn9ig6HCw5Z7Ujj4lQg6nqV5sOhnm6g4ogPTdFctYW/s1600-h/IMG_6140b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_6140b" border="0" alt="IMG_6140b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW2Y_0VH48xFs2jyOnLpGCVruxyv6NtqyIUtaV6rd3f2JprTce-WRZnqERfZdAVg1SpMGkXWFTwOPMWMDGVxb84nJpafvQqivZCd_hL8RLzuEHg4L8X1GIkJOXZmMD0MO6YFcn7vJxgyK//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p> <br />Exciting, I know ;)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-71293576484502611122011-07-12T21:07:00.007-05:002011-07-16T22:28:41.499-05:00Coordinating Nursery Accessories<p>I know, I know, you thought I fell off the face of the Earth (or at least the blogosphere), but we were out of town for 2 weeks and then I had family in town and I’m just <em>now</em> starting to get back to “normal” life. So I hope all of you are still out there, despite my disappearing act!</p> <p>Remember the <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/baby-bedding-reveal.html" target="_blank">crib bedding</a> I made for my niece? Well I actually made some other fun, coordinating accessories for her nursery. And since we were down in Miami meeting her for the first time :) , I got to help my sister-in-law put the final touches on her room.</p> <p>Here’s a look at her crib bumpers and matching <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyBabyDesigns?section_id=7697347" target="_blank">binky bag</a>. (The lighter color side of the bumper pads will face the inside for the baby to look at, but I wanted to show both sides for the picture.)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqZlQIKgrxZ0Qa2jvW_SPwLBQQKTnbybseu-ezYE9KgFZ5_kAIbI1pRI8rbRUuxtyD44c2qUQMPNlpdDPU-dbtdiMucF8H5ELgXOuRErbLGiR01xvSnY8etQOKQJPF7UaPA2AuQkJruDt/s1600-h/IMG_5959%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5959" alt="IMG_5959" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFSST3Mvd4_LE2_Gw4qUbSZ1MDDLbAerIeEBJY5rZX2qG-ZgefoAwWTlHYbr9cQp9INogeRGm3NwOAe9HtLiPAqWExj-FJLglpPcWFV8g9hG7JCmWdZU04etc9_fqCJINAQWddHAqlGIM//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>And here’s a matching pillow with a sweet little ruffle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoh68hSsAEjHCPmd29B-JMic3gaEtW5EN6CZ2XQQ7m3h9Gn-odD_CMIGkLjksNSby1kJJcpXksWVIH2WDcw_6ZMEBlhKz6gMLZeDJ4JZQ_Kx2a7SVs0KGmaniaa-AyV8bqg8FZGcIJU3q/s1600-h/IMG_5298%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5298" alt="IMG_5298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-fSyv3ZViNaGUdL9oDvCJQCscXGfTZyT1LGxkzQjP0xYxhCc8QPWuJHAGLbEGq6yTE8W5otTmZubW2oOypvsHRKWsJF0gsisexFkHhJ-i3TaIYvz6utTi5ybfsqUDdel2qdiGGg2Fze2//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>I also made this matching door pillow that says “Awake” on one side and “Asleep” on the other. I love how the door pillow turned out so much, I think I’m going to make some for the <a href="http://www.happybabydesigns.etsy.com/" target="_blank">shop</a>!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2XiFhpVMdWe-GT54Wkq0JpIdpum8HYHoLjcutVSpY9LgKHT6gMBpkxTF4Ln92aScAbZi0HS0qoiHMJsZnFH-jJEIgaiEdmRUHTC3a-InoauiamGllmDKPPtDDXu58bOLtB3pxMlM1j9Y/s1600-h/IMG_5304%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5304" alt="IMG_5304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcoJ7aVmSxefeXn9GvQFFZ0WASEcObaOZVFoMl88oBi7t5kCK_XFdeVdmSCsuaPM0rktvaaGKBS2dq6_clAjkesqjYww8JjDLsOuy1Thjd3Qn0rJWUb-QmFlvAD1eIK7b7yS5as1ZY06l//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhg-1Mw5lsj7ngwo9N9MXj-vpOaw-2mDn1r9mdQCKkNaANWqDt31T1HzoDBHToo246WPuj_yGPE1shz_nYtbjCr7H65bOVU-84aMpc9rpk4nKWyw6uKyi7qrA99Wcn_P14Xl5LlXqlK-Y/s1600-h/IMG_5307%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5307" alt="IMG_5307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i8w_naYSnRJSYR7qUy1FPPrcQyZnhpPS5qRbEjpPTYnPObRGMCTWlitUd7N8_dbucqusFw55tQy-tsGeEjMMYMqJ7buFFBJJ5fX5eEO9SC_115yr17Av4cBjC4x6Ltz-4LVfSmRYR5y5//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>And finally, my sister-in-law’s friend asked me to make a Boppy cover using fabric from her bedding. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyavIZuBvmCkpfNF1Qz55NpgKa0_FgEkHSVhKcr3_mNFXTshIDxmmqMFEx4qgJ9XO9servw7IRnqZFrUBQSItavjZYHP_6v0MT4rUxI7SjZPf2-nXSREuENRm3uqOdWtY4gYRUb7W7ZeI/s1600-h/IMG_4881%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4881" alt="IMG_4881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G5XVPzMPp7Sk_4jSah8FStofJHZS9rUIljLmSan-RfTdJu6wk1k1tWelugiscY-X5QkoZI-nbJFI5fhr9KF-Z5-AatBaZN-P5ptMrjf_hjUeegU4tXM4c8moj1fEM0a3b420517gphiz//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nxSODmI-lz53tk0UcqXovo1tUgTCH_JW53fcaFxR_YTsz_PbEACSh-LTpwBYavFeD-Q5ice8HwFYti8sEuuvPkuv9iVR5umhXt-O63AGpDlwRlPjECK31rQ0ir98qXstsBbXr8ZbfbRj/s1600-h/IMG_4879%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4879" alt="IMG_4879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvN3Kd1nD4ijFROWwewN2VXhKOWCr_-15Gxbs0YxK9uoqyR8J9prZEr2JwXcMLO3nZy1UuX2WU5nnEISo3Ib5l0dSrdyw12elA46n8DEAQua23X2C_Dl2jd0FsEO5aDfCKie21o5bUbKV//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>I had so much fun making all of these fun items for my niece’s nursery. And it’s even inspired me to add some new items to the shop (stay tuned for that…remember I’m just <em>easing</em> back in to “normal” life ;)</p> <p>So what have you all been up to? Any fun sewing projects that I’ve missed out on? How are you all spending your summer?</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0e2f9a3a-a1e7-40c6-b244-c053f5544082" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/baby+shower+gift" rel="tag">baby shower gift</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/crib+bedding" rel="tag">crib bedding</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/nursery" rel="tag">nursery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/accessories" rel="tag">accessories</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sewing" rel="tag">sewing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pillow" rel="tag">pillow</a></div><br /><br />Linking up here:<br /><br /><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height= "90" width= "90"src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvSeZpFuGWtCmCX_CfS5qlhqs7O40Bxi_Qs_DAzRG6hD3kkZiFzZj55FE2deWRCYOoaV6b8TxuU3tTe5XrxIqb9T53XK5mldpSt3IjMqY740Z6WMI6rPOA-PoxAZw_0B9bNS32Qbg9Mk/s320/SugarSpice.png" /></a><a href="http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/"><img height= "90" width= "90" src="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g354/lesliejorgensen82/NightOwlCraftingwhobutton.jpg" border="0" alt="NightOwlCrafting" /></a><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net" title="Todays Creative Blog"><img height= "90" width= "90"src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg?9d7bd4" alt="Todays Creative Blog" title="Todays Creative Blog" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com"><img border="0" height= "90" width= "90"src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicPartyFriday.jpg" /></a> <a href=" http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><img height= "90" width= "90"src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a><a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com" target="_blank"><img height= "90" width= "90" src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x134/Rczuk0818/fyfbutton.png" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.thecreativecrate.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img height= "90" width= "90"src="http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab89/stacie004/transbutton.png" /></a><a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img height= "90" width= "90"src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/07/sundae-scoop-link-party-9.htm">Sunday Scoop Link Party</a> at I ♥ NaptimeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-20021837176951123652011-06-20T14:17:00.001-05:002011-06-20T14:17:20.477-05:00Summer Vacation and Shop Announcement<p>I survived my first <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/workin-for-livin.html" target="_blank">40 hour work week</a> in about 4 years…and I actually enjoyed it.  While I am still a stay at home mom at heart, it is nice to get out in the “real” adult world every now and then!</p> <p>But now I’ve switched gears and am preparing for our summer vacation down in sunny Miami!  Woo Hoo!  In a few short days, this will be me…</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1an66oUD_5C9QehqXFCjwIjmsWse-CbMdd3JhMzPpmfBIYgi09yYeLA12jMyFiB1tv0qLA7mcGNFyUc7eJa0Re30xXqlmI8iaQVoYQpOJI3rXzkOjSCB3UNVTjg2xz-mdaZfl8Vp8G4la/s1600-h/Beach%252520Feet%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Beach Feet" border="0" alt="Beach Feet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8-I9-nZgbSq3KvrDNjCRtiZV-rh9Jqy-tyzCbXMpq8BJePLlW1AfLurPi2Oe9ZmIQtC9UKOn9Kdwx26o5NX4TIJ_OHl-EoiD8S9LOjJ6a5zJoOOz8a0rtIycgDQ0Hzfd_UF2XaJO3IwD//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="270" /></a> {<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justmartha/3998898107/" target="_blank">source</a>}</p> <p>My husband and I are even sneaking away for a few nights <em>sans</em> kids!  I am excited for the vacation and to meet my first niece who was born just last week.  Remember the <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/baby-bedding-reveal.html" target="_blank">bedding</a> I made for her?  I have a couple of other coordinating projects for her room to share so stay tuned for those in the next week or so.  </p> <p>I’ll try to blog while I’m down there, but please be patient with me if I’m hanging out at the pool, letting the grandparents watch the kids, sipping on a cold beverage, instead of sitting behind my computer, blogging.  No offense.  Make sure you “Like” my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, if you don’t already, because I’ll probably post on there a little more regularly.</p> <p>And finally I will be closing down the <a href="http://happybabydesigns.etsy.com" target="_blank">shop</a> while we’re away so if there’s something that you’ve had your eye on, go get it now :)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-69386136763551861252011-06-12T21:26:00.001-05:002011-06-12T21:27:02.327-05:00Workin’ for a Livin’<p>Woo Hoo!  It’s our first official week of summer!  And instead of spending it here…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOJGpD4wTd8AQaJAJMy8w02him-SAVDr3SYhm380nS5sD29AH0So4aOty1QLP9ailt4Fs0cbpw_o2g9THh427xKJxKI-MMsLufL54wPwzOfZdIiNX4mKpFnXlsuYpMoGYCg3cAvll6GfO/s1600-h/Beach%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Beach" border="0" alt="Beach" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOv0WHIkICLl5ESSVL6bp9ReB99yuC1sA3AQ71k3MQhEtdWfzEYEq2hKdWNJXFsQYsa_lw2bDdDCkwlS8utaPn2CtFkkxXM-hFelvua9iez0V2RUWB0G6EqmBwUqrSlXDDHIY69cF2cK4//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="240" /></a> </p> <p align="center">{<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyrephotographyaustralia/5667366936/" target="_blank">source</a>}</p> <p align="left">I’ll be spending it like this…</p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-yENhrg-D05eU5gBrEc5dAj3NW8kHWbndvoJ6pXXCGKQbQgN5OIzGqhHM8Ai1eqXIymx2oKsVY-NwjPoBBy-QEkIcm0e2kAd5Ot0ay7Y4O-UZJdP-JTEbZps60csgSDWpYcvo44FocDW/s1600-h/Overworked%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Overworked" border="0" alt="Overworked" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3YxZmr1LwhlW68GRmLqjBtH8PS0VkW3X9Iybq-eY0VK5O0VGYXbI_Jbkb3ur3sUmwWJO-bq6jt2mQYBU6hjwwlHPeoNQXOU3Hhxrh3XRQbVeOFUh6kgzJ2iRDimJnux3C6UWMhuChVIp//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="228" /></a> </p> <p align="center">{<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beforethecoffee/2404849371/in/photostream/" target="_blank">source</a>}</p> <p>Most of you know that I’m a stay at home mom and owner of <a href="http://www.happybabydesigns.etsy.com" target="_blank">Happy Baby Designs</a>.  But many of you probably don’t know that I’m also a medical Social Worker.</p> <p>I worked full time until I had my son at which point my husband and I decided that I would stay at home.  But fortunately, the hospital that I work for has allowed me to stay on and work when I am able to.  So, that means when my husband is home for the summer (he’s a teacher), I work as much as I can.</p> <p>I’ll be working all week and then we leave for a family vacation.  So I might be a little absent from the blog for awhile.  But be sure to “Like” me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook</a> because I’ll probably post updates there more often than I will on the blog.</p> <p>And <em>please</em>, wish me luck this week.  It’s the first <em>full</em> week I’ve worked (outside the home) in over 4 years!!!</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:fddc117f-77e2-49e1-8413-90e3812cc62a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/work" rel="tag">work</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social+work" rel="tag">social work</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/summer" rel="tag">summer</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-6219932515323781852011-06-09T22:52:00.006-05:002011-06-14T21:17:03.056-05:00Garage Sale Selling 101<p>While I was visiting my family in Arizona, I helped my sister have a garage sale in preparation for her move to Texas (yipee!!!). </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWR8AZ86kyz0mqJk4nGlSuAJVpwYTkRMsq93ESzCuhOhcim0pkSH_cEWy_bN0rcyaNMFUFctFRIxIC4OheNhKBzishuU8KbtJ1y-uvTC_HGt2UNmOGrixKoauYAoZERw8arrbYkx5IbJs/s1600-h/IMG_46444.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4644" alt="IMG_4644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FYecV-ZShW_UYO6VSeME1gXToSOV_TMZBXY0VJgkdiVuHd9Mw0Ff0H2a7mfB_iXNUItJoWk2Bcr6u-fIBM33EhkDgLscreVT3JlKoVqsHtEyEz_U2lC-6zsxUzugz6mYTI9FVVWXiNDk//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>She was <em>more</em> than <span style="font-size:100%;">ecstatic</span> when I volunteered to help her. To say she was not looking forward to organizing and working this garage sale would be a huge understatement. </p> <p>So it got me to thinking, maybe some of you are intimidated or scared about having a garage sale of your own. So I thought I’d share my <span style="font-size:130%;">Garage Sale Selling Wisdom</span> with you all. I’ve been a garage sale <em>seller</em> many times and a garage sale <em>buyer</em> hundreds of times. These are some of the things I have learned along the way. </p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">1) Pricing</span></p> <p>Price to <strong>sell</strong>, not to make money. This is a <em>garage sale</em>, after all. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEvC4KMSfgzKq6ri5Vhu6EQPZfwbv8INASHj2d_UrZK5rndt1lhlw6ZOD87D3qC1omR32Nx5jwW6meE8adw65uoqu6iuDcYAQKLAMvRImT4i7doySqv7rQCnuyQXJ2TZcr7jc9oGuAfab/s1600-h/IMG_46394.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4639" alt="IMG_4639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc7I46TXtBgJUE3Gz6bjVeQkYsOe5AlOFnda1QqW63pfHSY8UMNycGBYywZkU7-nvkiF3k83kKUfNt2SlLiX3DW0i82s4Nzo5V7e0zASpUJHTtDLVBE6BupbF3eJHo-D7rt7FWRbmg36b//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>And be prepared that your house will probably be a total wreck while you’re pricing everything before the sale. Here’s what my parent’s living room looked like for days while I priced all of my sister’s stuff.</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g9G_P_7ytQnFviTkPnrDgLu9ovVt02QL4PEq9YaOTz5Vh1Dwdpqw_hXOtPXM1t4K7Q82gYdmQAYGzmKzFOTxh25eWgu_SZDLM98-ysqOgP9xK3Lda5BNmyQ6_kZyip8CFqiRJwUE9qWd/s1600-h/IMG_46404.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4640" alt="IMG_4640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8xwmMRXGo0W-kBObr1p0Ypc43qeLyNcjJmzMK_6-XWe6jy9eOp8bYxlxFhltGo_rbRH_g5fDRj7vQM6-o22U_9MlxgUn1Gc4Lf-tksosiVHd4_MJd8f-HmJt79nubEXoJFLArq4C5RCX//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">2) Signs</span></p> <p>Location, location, location. If you don’t have good signs (arrows, address) at every <em>major</em> intersection and at every intersection <em>leading</em> them to your house, they won’t be able to find your sale. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLqAZqqKrZINuk_3O8EyPemtx_p0OHhaAIOH71bmDZO8oq-wr7iGF22gG2l2Vxg_Y8hnCNr48Ycdk-EsJiAiKPNOHzEwF-0gB6UfV5_NiLCgMBo7nNXqAaBgTZ6kRd9q2GeWTQkT9KiyT/s1600-h/Garage%252520Sale%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="Garage Sale" alt="Garage Sale" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bZCC8pqqTelF1NjrfUVOlwrpJ9Vy0Owfg-xn5C96fh6uwsiIuYrnxHhpyETRgTKat3CLcm8JJLjesQaHBBnUMcVYqI8mIOECmbNtgmysClNTNungsec25e5wkBmEVlaKqAIlOXFAvEBq//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a>{<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/coffeeshoppegirl52/4777779570/" target="_blank">source</a>} </p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">3) Advertising</span></p> <p>Did you know that Craigslist has a “Garage Sale” section. FREE advertising, folks! You should also look into advertising with your local paper. You might be surprised at how affordable it is. You also may be able to chose to advertise in either the print or the online section or both.</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">4) Day of the Week and Time of the Day</span></p> <p>I have my garage sales on Saturday only. Sure, you might make more money if you have it Friday, Saturday and Sunday but man, that’s a whip! I prefer not to lose an <em>entire</em> weekend to my garage sale. And I usually start setting up at 7a, but be aware that you <em>might</em> have early birds. You can say “no early birds” in your advertising, but they’ll still come.</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">5) Display</span></p> <p>Think of your garage sale as your storefront. If it’s an appealing display, people are more likely to buy. Don’t just throw it all out there on a table and expect people to dig through your junk (some people will, but not everyone). </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRbk-3rF0R3djPGNBFVfVZCYbwOVz0uIA-VsxY4uXv8A22nBPJ2tkNM438fPeVDT2bol51OH0sTXYeXT30tUfT_L5P3r6fs2J2GX_9rPvD2zYEAoB-NmGCgx6Es7YSbrnbnF9gjPJe_m/s1600-h/IMG_4645%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4645" alt="IMG_4645" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-MqCmdrinv1_aYVWUQOq4b_azqqVYnk51jUM6I_njCzy8sZz-qrlIuQosiAvGIUBe2PFbHIGk3Ljclz421YufxnHfSP3_HX6cpBuEeqwa3J_-LAMjfCIsFmJaPCKG7dXsZ4vjNnXh9Ze//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> See our book “section” and our game “section”. On the blankets we have our electronic “section” and behind that is our linens “section”. See how easy that would be to shop?</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">6) Haggling</span></p> <p>Please don’t haggle over 50 cents. And cut people a good deal if they’re buying several items. Again, this is a <em>garage sale</em>. </p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">7) Change</span></p> <p>Make sure you have some!</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">8) Donation Pick Up</span></p> <p>Call around to some local churches or donation centers to see if they’ll come pick up all of the stuff that you don’t sell. We closed up our sale around 2p, the guy from the church came and loaded up all of our unsold stuff (and gave us a donation receipt), and we had our feet up, counting our money by 4p.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">9) Sunscreen</span></p> <p>Don’t forget it, or you’ll be sorry…trust me!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyK0mzjMtJ8s2gXpUtKwIGa71X398OWt1N8TFXI6Cn3q0Zmz0_tTBQ-SqvX7UrlBsbgxWZabekljCwXklRUsvD-DyiipB8U20MjsJHl_2_V7VTDbVS6S171jndRwYSMvsyXt5L5TvYeCb/s1600-h/IMG_46474.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4647" alt="IMG_4647" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z3TGBVSBtkTFJhvqUraIrPbWoA6L0Du47vdLkZ6kpxdHqoP0g2qi9KTyuhp9vBmMGGP-zA5cBWows1XFcycUy6WW8mmhxEuNEiphRR7ElW2nyq8sB3Tc43wUktPN3A01EHH_ZS-KENDM//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a></p> <p>Do you have any tips to add to the list? Is there anything that drives you crazy as a buyer? My biggest pet peeves is poor signs! What’s yours? </p> <p></p> <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c5149c33-951c-4e9b-a9d9-65df00f32c44" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/garage+sale" rel="tag">garage sale</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/tips" rel="tag">tips</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/yard+sale" rel="tag">yard sale</a></div> <br /><br />Sharing my secrets here:<br /><br /> <a href=" http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><img height="90" width="90" src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com"><img border="0" height="90" width="90" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicPartyFriday.jpg" /></a><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="90" width="90" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/beccaross_photos/Blog%20Buttons/HomeAndFamily.jpg" /></a><a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img height="90" width="90" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" border="0"/></a><a href="http://laughloveandcraft.com/"><img border="0" height="90" width="90" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l514/LSchwietz/SharetheWealthWednesday-1.jpg"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-46559628568670797252011-06-07T21:28:00.002-05:002011-06-09T22:58:56.204-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #13 - Hiding Out<p>I know that Tuesday is technically almost over, but I couldn't let the night end without sharing my truth this week. For those of you that are new to Truth Be Told Tuesday (TBTT), it's a day when we can all come together to share the <em>truth</em> of our lives...not the life we portray on our blog or on Facebook, etc... To catch up on past TBTT posts, go <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/Truth%20Be%20Told" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 130%">Truth Be Told</span>, <strong>I aimlessly drove around</strong> tonight after getting out of a meeting early in order <strong>to purposefully miss bedtime for the kiddos</strong>. That's right, I hid out to not have to put the kids down for bed (remember, no judgment on TBTT!). My husband had already planned to put them down, the kids had already anticipated that Daddy would be putting them down. And while I could've made it home in time to put them down, I chose to drive around killing time instead. Sometimes, it’s just nice to not have to be on Mommy duty.</p> <p>So now it’s your turn, tell us <em>your</em> <strong>truth</strong>. And if you hide out from your kids sometimes, feel free share that as well (seriously, I can’t be the only mom who does this!).</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:83da135e-2536-4390-be34-17b7c14ba28f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/parenting" rel="tag">parenting</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mothering" rel="tag">mothering</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/truth+be+told" rel="tag">truth be told</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-4844711079245803192011-06-06T14:56:00.002-05:002011-06-06T15:03:01.348-05:00You Asked for it…You Got it!<p>Well friends, for those of you that said you’d like to see my <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/bandana-skirt.html%20" target="_blank">Bandana Skirts</a> in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75394314/bandana-skirt-choose-your-color" target="_blank">shop</a>…you’re in luck! I just added them today :)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26dP6CWGHjObvwN3whtFD0-d4T458qfc6BCfk1YOV_dyRGVyNMTTqpAX4t2jMCFNO_1MA6VOmgOPpuPREEs5qj0WRJYt_TOPoQKZ1Aei9J931lTc2VAlm4Pdn-Q781A5rM5nekEDo6YCm/s1600-h/IMG_5042b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5042b" alt="IMG_5042b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnZKm889QPHeridd4co5ioKQDpYMGtUQGxB2vtR5j3C2zUkVrV424ylP-QJvZbWg4HrfIcOYpfDSleUdu9zmfbz73pmbPwJg68rTl-onhwuN0ZZoutlMTgMTEDvXdSQQngksz0rLcKuJb//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="417" /></a> </p> <p>You pick the color!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixTNpfv_TnEyCdNAXXUJU9clmQFq2vSiQrS1_GEmQ_j0I_fqS_WpCrHtgPZgLKxo67p0pEU1idP-Posd9UYFiBdGAsu882iZtvJexQDzDjsGTlTxC5rVq9JUSwBfY7io00tW-fTmsTHgw/s1600-h/IMG_5049b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5049b" alt="IMG_5049b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBZFCG6GQzg9C79c2hJnNNeG8pCvzhmZ1XN3XDfS8thB0z4IaNA5VVD3UxjFHNuTjyPUT7cC2nCRSQgRk6e9J1FxvLamfPc3LaVP6M_zjSOtieQqXBw36_iB5nrR2h6xMyEnrCwkLstB6//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I also added a few other things, like these adorable <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75399486/dinosaur-crown-pretend-play-or-party" target="_blank">dinosaur crowns</a> for your little dinosaur-lover (they also make great party favors!).</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bPNgziTeJy3soRED665uWtXMe2aThMpFhxyQZIQf7dhnss_r70FkFrYXBPrf5JdExWltnb9aS4RUzC5UIrKODUDD_BR0Eh6058yv5e8YOH6ciUjIr68hYjF6vVcOjkxx-PJzwAzdSX_n/s1600-h/IMG_5053b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5053b" alt="IMG_5053b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPgdnxvxa7y5v4AbdTUvq7QnxGRDKCV8Ox3OutLyg7t8-5GrXohqBKMEksAfxuvekcwuN4WkvuDoGhLIzMn2swRWLo44GzfUj6jvkbEhFRYW6ZZBfqTQLn31gnZHMsmg5IDwS0Xv4V9uM//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr6KIc0ewv670wsUnoGvDwgwAeFVa7-phqWbNUc1D-gMzDtl3KqTg2XFbPUHIBQP6ZQA606Omk8Znr2Pxcxwh_49e13R2auuDtHdUTpZHdrHgOoVIx9B011OptssfV1s5eBFecgjg7a7V/s1600-h/IMG_5056b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5056b" alt="IMG_5056b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZXKWl3EaIXu7M_ccTCNtpw0vLIRQkO_eZsHfj0Z6rsDEIlBLcNI2C7_GffGL_73QyfWV_RO4iAdlsri7crzjQOMvVNsieY9HPLUSelVxYtxGp6EPP2BbkAE3SVYWkner85T7Xs5D4gRP//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>And some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyBabyDesigns?section_id=10004410" target="_blank">Binky Bag/Burp Cloth gift sets</a>. Perfect for a baby shower gift!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidQgEwH8jTfBVOxxNfTeKVvQynUjmehp92q_5sIdG8hloaQ-cjlr7k5OpbApd77MIWbGW6pnU-kXeQxjlGLkGLP19rAiAZSMH8_I-lrd9pT2Ei9hgweHr02tL8LU2qy5zbcrwx7vSZI9h/s1600-h/IMG_5036b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5036b" alt="IMG_5036b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZuLNzRmS312PdiSh29sZ9WTsoLmgKWg_7PLJWbuy_kp9gn5OW2dsTo0ERnxFdg9RyZAGyo_0JeIWUSBuOOuNpGuLPTnZFWU3pzFJRuGiZk75r1ec1jDK5ULt8WnuAszVyHW5YP9OVkEy//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mgcnM9LiM3NOphyMpesjyREGw7KFqdCo3cRMtLPemqn5xvRCF6KUXF3Zz-RBHVFqY_W8Iy0DwPYtIGuq6TB9F9QnyggRDOx1xxvrzYqLIBEEcIPIYspGaBYLAF1aP4bhbpm9ITYgLWkQ/s1600-h/IMG_5023b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5023b" alt="IMG_5023b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuj1QU_ZBIOK3VR1kgIhaynjJjAD2zaX05BUsHlOrA2ZgcSO-L_31Do2MrDXDNs9Bb3_kvw8ApFOdH4XvaqPlwEy6kne5DU6gkFHrlidbJaMaqLy-HUuGgcGlhzXJnl50-UTx7IgToHbU//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8ErHDsxs_kL3hOEFhNtUPiFLrrj_HhkZ8rr-onYE1qos35UIYrNiXFRkGhN8WSGXiTS73nscWaufs5IGCMX04yDAWteTiIW-caIk2rxYOQFfT-Q6ALIq7ln2I9Alurf0SQtCF8qwxwlO/s1600-h/IMG_5031b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5031b" alt="IMG_5031b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSIbFTtEmn0S05pSjJ8eTA7sal1U2_h8hZrB-RQW5stDXPoQ8U6xNZ5Tyt5c23F3FzBgdU6SegRgNnVvsNf_F9_ZPDHOe3dSal5Z8ZEkugpvnL9nwiM814quKSar59J56-Zz-q7Sof33V//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>And consider pairing these gift sets with a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyBabyDesigns?section_id=7830588" target="_blank">bath cloth</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyBabyDesigns?section_id=7697350" target="_blank">blankie</a> for the ultimate baby shower gift!</p> <p>So come by and take a look…you just might find something you can’t live without :)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-30403737523124565732011-06-04T14:09:00.002-05:002011-06-04T15:01:19.541-05:00You Know You’re a Fabric Addict When…<p>…You stand in line at 8:30a with 20 other women (about twice my age, BTW) to get 4 FREE fat quarters at a local fabric store.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrduEyuiuhCBfvbtFSO5ZIvQ7ZVtLK0q5Mq2z8ibgjheteDjKvl7IgsVsEuhNKjeseqjhl6qS_JkcSBXwKA-hpCyTBjxDOnVQoWmMrlDFyiB1s7brtP05-qT9Iy4Nx0ZhRhR7WHBtyYf0u/s1600-h/IMG_5047b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_5047b" alt="IMG_5047b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdZdMUXUS-cErSnii_INKJliqCkFWzrx-s6muddNucuvNp_-5I1rSrm1NgDdxhBma7PM2eibP1oGXc9DXRDk-m-7VOc_FFBrT0_OKfrFZGbBz3nQhyFlyVTR_tvKgut_r2OZM1HmsuueN//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>They were having an awesome sale and I came away with 8 fat quarters and 3 “bits and pieces” for $9.95! C’mon, you seriously can’t beat a deal like that!</p> <p>Now I just have to decide what to make with all of this beautiful eye candy! Hmmmm….maybe some <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/checkbook-covers.html" target="_blank">checkbook covers</a>, or an <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/reversible-fat-quarter-apron.html" target="_blank">apron</a> or <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/craft-vendor-apron-tutorial.html" target="_blank">two</a>. That’s the joy of being a fabric addict, you don’t have to have a purpose for the fabric you buy ☺</p> <p>I did pick up that cute cowboy fabric to make some stuff for the <a href="http://happybabydesigns.etsy.com/" target="_blank">shop</a>, but the rest is just for fun!</p> <p>What are you up to this weekend? Any fun fabric purchases on your to-do list?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-76986816913918788632011-06-02T19:08:00.001-05:002011-06-02T19:10:05.919-05:00Oops! New Layout?Ok, so I accidentally messed with my blog layout (as you can probably tell)! I was messing around with some things (duh!) and somehow permanently changed my layout! Yikes! <br /><br />Bear with my while I try to fix it...or maybe it's time for a new layout ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-16803526754756218892011-06-01T08:34:00.016-05:002011-06-27T13:02:43.127-05:00Easy Bandana Skirt<p>My cousin asked if I could make some bandana skirts as favors for her daughter and her friends for her cowgirl-themed birthday party. They are pretty inexpensive to make since you just use one bandana per skirt and the sewing is definitely beginner level. So of course, I put together a tutorial for you :)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN5S-yGGxOGr-SngMyurxSRxBQi3qg0wjXAQN671VpT8ho2xyRrl48eFxzVIMDhki8NV-W7G4-Xv35wh3oLYBgK4akQBLJC6xOLYRlixUblALqYM8y8sGiG7OnsXSH7qASQeV6Fp9ePIS/s1600-h/IMG_4987b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4987b" alt="IMG_4987b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIMVd0yKgMaIKFQrQTGLD8PJOfOUyKhm89FHmLVPsh9O_st-mvtdFxSsfNTFcPiC9rSjZSUAsGC9Bri0E2fJyVoJctIL6cscsVuPWQnCk0whoXts2xl8VW8LzEN1QXX_DQKkST5ZzO1xO//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>These will fit up to about age 6 or 7 with tights underneath. For older or taller children you might use 2 bandanas to make it longer, or add a strip of coordinating fabric to the bottom to add some length like <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2008/12/tutorial-bandanna-skirt.html" target="_blank">V and Co</a> did. I found the best selection of bandanas at Hobby Lobby. They have some really great colors and they were the cheapest.</p> <p>Start with <strong>one bandana</strong> (unless using 2 as mentioned above). After you’ve washed/dryed and ironed your bandana, <strong>cut it in half</strong>. They are a rectangle, not a square so make sure you’re cutting across the short side (making each half about 10 3/4” long). Also they are a little wonky, so don’t expect your cut to be perfect. But you can correct it later. Just try to get the halves about the same.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-C_f8MDdOdwo2F4XHbPeBwyHZn-jh7-PBK8MmYdPMseq05ZANjQ8a_fAMdMCOneFdox8oTgBFyi1uKkUGeB0FiISFQcGvvneuQMtEABa7hDhtAoa33h3cMxsvOEGcddbpHKfvFRJg6K3/s1600-h/IMG_49744.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4974" alt="IMG_4974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7jTYgFYHT05bBbQPE2BGHvLs9zcQv0udNmQTjytKXxl38pObZBZm0P9Vhizw-IsQFSikVzARAsEa_sw9mZcNiYBPvnRCzen40yGjTWRxrwX_ugXXGt8DjW-qUr_3pk4aW9vbcvUf41Zm//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>Now with right sides together, <strong>sew a</strong> <strong>straight stitch</strong> down each side seam. <strong>Iron your seams</strong> to one side or open it up and iron it (I don’t think it really matters which way you iron it).</p> <p>If you have a serger (lucky!), serge the top all the way around. For those of us (losers) without a serger, just <strong>zig zag stitch</strong> around the top (or you could probably use pinking shears to cut the top). See the picture below.</p> <p>Now, depending on what size elastic you’re using, <strong>fold, pin and iron down your casing</strong> (my elastic was 3/8” so I folded over 3/4”). </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4uWQUwj43qpj4qsl3QgECgTqG1n66ep4Lx40QEwVWtsOvSrj-4PM5-4YYRMHEC3Cin4cbPGyRwi7I2nC5UxkmIrSJqicskbFfDgfryjAO-TFQHIgoJ-TAX4VQbYLoj9XVWM8OZk-sGDO/s1600-h/IMG_49814.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4981" alt="IMG_4981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCXYsg48E2AbgddYiAf92xZbCPbcljwCxmEwYOimFIS7kBeMaW5TVM5FvgclLdeTpDZ-pwQkqaVu9fD273mLmzsmgUGD-6TDFleUAR9-M1vryAoSGHj-Mx-9aHFJnoQkiKmXjW4iTwyP6//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>Next, <strong>sew a straight seam</strong> around the top to form your casing. Make sure you <strong>leave about 1” opening</strong> to feed your elastic through. (I used about 20” of elastic for the birthday girl who wears a 5/6T).</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIjI82sSgRHqJlq02KqaSyS-vl2rAgszZgUKLwBnBRDPtScl2av-lzRXHt9Sdkb8PH6uUNpGn0S9TzQUgZR8R9t75gFOMJ0Vc6Nzo5Ljh2_4WkYLkxAR91tyVdtQxuCc4gIooYva0szba/s1600-h/IMG_49907.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4990" alt="IMG_4990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd5dJvtWOnaQNrL1UelxMWxeWUOI8fdstkNY7TcqjZP80LqRNCsq0Ju4lfn_kH8smxNqymChpajkWb-sXnFewROCSyftCZYfWhUZoSSoTdi1lUJGwLahySyT0TIq3RCW3nOQBUVa8Tsf_//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>Use a safety pin at one end of the elastic and <strong>begin feeding it through</strong> the casing. Once you’ve fed it all the way through, <strong>sew the 2 ends</strong> of the elastic together and then <strong>sew the opening</strong> <strong>closed</strong>.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5QnQ4wV-JEut30kZH4eEV_NvkBXbwUNuZN_x3Mi5B4U7kIEPv245iH0M31eeIcmOXzQseLp7ks-XptfJF3AiW5ZES9IZzpMTns4kU2wcVNEtgmvSisymkvkIt_UbZgx1JTrAl-I8QQgV/s1600-h/IMG_49924.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4992" alt="IMG_4992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-CSEPpwVy1Z9QSZQXjEPXbLgSSDxjW14ywYwZvPouglH-CJG6568R8IAUAPCgjDMM8ZNZUMwPfALBX-RMrt4ixR5bI5LNvXN-VGCsxNDcWXiMVtR-VLHcNXnWmGBBSSu23tLUIG-DmMf//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l8cXHqU3dwRYOOrDvOI1IjbSLw_D1pBgL-po2sTftp8uQxuofat_ei1eYlFY46S94AGrvm1sjSTo8vxipG2nD14lkXdkBPUWCyXtAxaC9QjU_rgkXJHqkr-A7NPgoh1-boq3DS58BZpq/s1600-h/IMG_49934.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4993" alt="IMG_4993" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZqTkXRiGJtoPraA46MgA6x9-fT_nbfjrv_zJUdg6J29uwSbriVQ4VYvkQsdHheYO31kTSmB0G1oF5g81K2ij7VcS5oHjJM99aqcDPwCGu9i_4H3susS9Ie_n955sTuuuvQmc37Ljeq3l//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>And voila! You’re done and you have a super cute skirt for about $1. This was an easy and quick project. Perfect for a beginner!</p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbwQk-3gx9NVki2Qz5aVqH8yG-s7w3M1QZHoRRUPa8R9SJhBITL8Kzp9MH8YLcO64Rrecn3AuQLUVFDAw7gXfvRRRj7i_6iPd1j2WBNRzCBAb-3BfixV90xjr65shZxL9t_S5ojBCrm2E/s1600-h/IMG_4988b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4988b" alt="IMG_4988b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j6Jj2m1rWz_IQreECIW7P6bndmHRKWSC2HTNpraWWMLGwczeGa7_5ZirUpk9uoNeYXA3kKUBywSL2x4JgTKhXvct2CJcCRFj3X1pejiHImzGrOnorSuIPFmHOG22BF-7W0q6mpKgZe_S//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" height="270" /></a> </p><br />And just in case you're not the sewing kind...and since <span style="font-style: italic;">you all</span> requested it, I am now offering the skirts in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75394314/bandana-skirt-choose-your-color">shop</a>!<br /><br /><br />Linking up here:<br /><br /><a href="http://justagirlblog.com/2011/06/show-and-share-dayand-grout.html">Show and Share Day</a> with Just a Girl<br /><a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/05/show-and-tell-5.html">Show and Tell </a>with Blue Cricket Design<br /><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2011/06/blog-link-party-and-giveaway-from-stella-and-dot.html">Strut Your Stuff</a> with Somewhat Simple<br /><a href="http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g354/lesliejorgensen82/NightOwlCraftingwhobutton.jpg" alt="NightOwlCrafting" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xgVs6c-20_LNp_mzdAJRONbQDyA9pjPJK57BJMdsKVt7vq4trSZFJLESd1-f9Mr7ubbbMKJc1tGteAMSSDISh27mb2Yccsbbt0raLUp4re7Aqzy3I5dhk8QgC_7fRLHilGh38fcZi8/s320/wgw+button.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvSeZpFuGWtCmCX_CfS5qlhqs7O40Bxi_Qs_DAzRG6hD3kkZiFzZj55FE2deWRCYOoaV6b8TxuU3tTe5XrxIqb9T53XK5mldpSt3IjMqY740Z6WMI6rPOA-PoxAZw_0B9bNS32Qbg9Mk/s320/SugarSpice.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><img src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HookinupwithHoHnew2.png" alt="HookingupwithHoH" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/christinahibbs/20below.jpg" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/tightwadtips/SSCThursdayButton.png" alt="Transformation Thursday" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/fjnorm/ShowOffYourStuffPartyButton2.jpg" width="90" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://frugaliciousme.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m499/frugaliciousme/pinkalicious-1.jpg" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x134/Rczuk0818/fyfbutton.png" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/beccaross_photos/Blog%20Buttons/HomeAndFamily.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/%20" target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/"><img src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicPartyFriday.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab89/stacie004/transbutton.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/"><img width="90" border="0" height="90" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg309/eyeguy42/mylinkupbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" width="90" border="0" height="90" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/creativeblogbuttonjpg.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-77641249953928033752011-05-31T07:27:00.002-05:002011-05-31T07:32:03.596-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #12 – Messy Kitchen<p>Welcome back to another fun edition of Truth Be Told Tuesday.  If you cruise the blogosphere and Facebook, it’s easy to think that everyone but you has it all together (clean house, beautifully decorated, perfectly behaved children, supermom-of-the-year).  But the truth is, that’s <em>not</em> the reality.  That is the reality that we all portray, but it’s <em>not</em> the truth.  So I have declared that Tuesdays are the one day of the week when we can tell it like it really is.  So feel free to join in on the fun!</p> <p><font size="4">Truth Be Told</font>, this is what my kitchen looks like <font size="4">a lot</font> of the time…</p> <p>Dirty dishes in the sink,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZVOPiLUVOqJYgh6y1aGLYTZUcZlbnzrgASQTRdxde3Iy4ZMGbWu1AeVDnF3SmDQdkYDeiqIksTxYy7JH6wAzmyE_4af-pq7IU-bI4l39EXr9x28H8Bo_kl13lKOM9kYJ5g6VzFk2Eao9/s1600-h/IMG_49104.jpg"> </a>bibs that haven’t been washed…</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4910" border="0" alt="IMG_4910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwKXAvELSP50W6GGrleO-PgDg2eyUY-4n4gYZ6hgPa-sTBtZbgriqP6QXwB1tNs-pShhNI39WQ8h3GgAVJAypUxTmaQoqNPhZnnKjHs7WdAFeiFTbjKnsxJ-pc8_xwpmI8weuvkdGURG5//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="270" /> </p> <p>Recycles overflowing (hey, at least it’s not the trash!)…rain boots <em>still</em> at the back door from a week (or two) ago…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMX_uYIcrgXSLw9NOEcdo0Hfu6g6D-AgeB55KxzWLC8AFnMX3pnFznqGozy6JWRpRS_wF3_MPdFiJt8utwJtaRFpvxBZG-xOfdQKadZOaetO0SsVabWF5_uOzbhSrMAL-vzTWUFBj7B1J/s1600-h/IMG_36654.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3665" border="0" alt="IMG_3665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFYIUI5x4npBB17NK3w-0tgYvkiKjr1bLNp4FQQejMcvpr_MADosy4InPJQewHvLrKgRuAC1G-RsmcQCMgyYzQaS-SmLFrRy34kOYwega-jBsId9oHHsJkpFobnAwf7zQtq1QI5ZcChCW//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>I’ll do really good about keeping the kitchen clean for about 3 or 4 days.  But then I’ll be tired one night and I’ll skip it…and then the whole place goes to pot!</p> <p>Ok, now it’s your turn!  Tell us <em>your</em> truth!  C’mon, you know you want to ;)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-6661506664221813192011-05-27T07:36:00.002-05:002011-05-27T07:44:12.908-05:00Home Tour of Sorts<p>While we were visiting my family in Arizona last month, my dad and I took the kids to tour some amazing homes. Take a look at these beautiful rooms.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Ev5DF8vtZpEBhy-nfb_z_le92DpozshvxUgqPAOcmyXss91U-vwyn3Heib_GwdR6kZPPGTlOpmFYI_y35h7YJPUOD-cBqhEQEWhv661suYMbpZ05qjfKUAjC6aQl4bPEOVmKgiR62sh/s1600-h/IMG_47064.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4706" alt="IMG_4706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ywh4nczu5sKs6nd13Z5CkHRB09uvkhnsCpLkHhvws-jyujS7A4x-ctYslL4_pilTEh_Z0_PqrcJXrnHUSVhakQPjS2F8z_lSpo94sL4WCnPM7TF5j_nLPAOJUJb1V0nKfYszCEr7Pv4G//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1sXAzEKPxFv3J_WLIkJfJe_z5kukUPQE-FkwczpCwMC43fPI2M6TvB_BCp8XrZ5rP7fXBEdWYrxJUZW3WMa17DP_k8ipEI_1psy0hbVnQdUM-QBF1Moy4H2iV2eIXRuJVJ60pUNpnyih/s1600-h/IMG_46834.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4683" alt="IMG_4683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKlg8kGu9uXU3qlEfMKQzHHoskCRAEtLajyFAhyphenhypheng3_9nvYu3OTXDxXhTQO8pT_yR4LkpmTE1RpwmU4on6GTnC_YdzWlpig2zilqdNi9PBPA33d-kyv4yXbMPNGcElr6hzfV14uIAVsR2C//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdXzslHLD1rSX3dLl_GJ54hst1THFNO5Mc4N4IzAtL2wQqP-aqnQsIDxkDikWa3AeVHx31m_AkkSSIXm4okRoWWmsOJtGCgaNTqfV7sLjjwRmckiuVqzmDIWmfi8Pn3st9p04h7o9E6Sn/s1600-h/IMG_46864.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4686" alt="IMG_4686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte-J9kk3iPQlb9AxrF3_IYhqKyUSb-ZoT7OtQln9KWiv-oVYflgmjwbklqTTbr7Qn1iHeJrjQ8RUVQiUwUwHBMjVt967Uwi_Zt9_hd-_kFlG15A162Jk9deXhdW-pmanq8CGO4mirlbqJ//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBR3ZNHfHi1rE4Q-MCSGOYqG2rOq3gYO8YzVaqwyUO397RbvZfG9ZeReavBJwUqb11C491vszvrOkQbtv1IR6C4pnpuhS0mDKG9xlaNbjIZZuDz9qAFtVHPMC9VxOpugxUvstSPV4PkBI/s1600-h/IMG_46914.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4691" alt="IMG_4691" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRRw0Yt05p_6U0eox5FdccFePb4RtzconoaYJW4lkD1Qf_uijlN3pnMDnnK71v2przNZKnhbOwRnzrqrwhfTqKHyXJVACk2aVMSeXfGMQRJEtbnAolrntdY0ZpD2P3PiOLKuONsl5I1ht//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYMoXf9O4wiWPc7qFJVdS381xtlk4c2WLHo0iJyuP1abs9bPHRg6ZEbLtyHp4rQhUwrBUIIJjvKSGY0Z0WsNocOtbTNSqR2CCdGiqoITe_5R-wmAOp3qZ1OaYkIVjVuTA093_H497DKQt/s1600-h/IMG_46934.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4693" alt="IMG_4693" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoei74QshZ5GKYQwPhWmc5EceuQtcGQ-WaQsqxWom8N2KUH5SL76HilTNt1WAn2pnQcRZ2Tgke6y1D6-lslDfAv3wuq4k4ShDCqY8qB17y3YByY4M7_5lnRmHaUdUIAVKx6qyEYG6vGQ2//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bsaA6TdMfs_yCtYDC7YbQ9l0mqoB6UaXf_jMl2k2_ZzmSpX-6ol2RKaosm7B5uQNMkiJPScvxJtD8FL-xi8CvisHAHjtwI5QhVNOaSTqX7hIeDs7bQOS1Fr2w9EdXBYqk2zFscjPQUgo/s1600-h/IMG_47014.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4701" alt="IMG_4701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Nj5-DeoerUWA5zDwGRZ1p_RuyAZMU0BGbfXPHB7qDu9egzJ5cnFpO3Jwl0iyWG9lc128UgJK0XtmoUerR6mGTbb8SRzRfdHpQKd3On1wFVRV9DAqgeyXpv1PBlbmPA6-oz3yKgKhL4gh//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRrbemCv42jaXPJM_l-fG3SKmddsSshjaTZ7KloGhesCZfOSUe8lsQTKfzPaalWwR9B8HoVpl5cIaLY2wVDfakBzo3JpByUNwzBYqgtddgWcDgdjPPqSntmPFyE4hxKJ_9v9N69-y30fB/s1600-h/IMG_47034.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4703" alt="IMG_4703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQl2kSdGqt9r_ipHMPBdxc2FTNosXuNBlLScPI5xcqP44C37W5SNsYu6nIA735kw4RYTToe9Iw5camJiOjRkIx51Yv5MemUPKC297yWA4lKsoBTkA_RB41aqSKKDj8jlCp86j0hXXG_Fg//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Ok, so I tricked you a little bit ;) This was a museum of miniatures! These were all little dollhouse rooms. Aren’t they amazing? Nothing like the dollhouse I had when I was a little girl. </p> <p>This one was my favorite. It was called “Yellow Rose of Texas” and it was staged for a wedding (did you see the wedding cake in the picture above?).</p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmyN5mxRgsE1u7i7V5cruUwBR2mNTTUKJoTdRRCjDmzyp5xGMqS39QZRlJ473XEzkOF0kpVD_iqiC7DId6s_N3musESgO_gH5AszbUvfDoeXogID_j_kxehslEi38I_e50U7FBwyL3IAh/s1600-h/IMG_46884.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4688" alt="IMG_4688" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHjMwyboF246Kvh30haz-m5TVRWV08gK4nTVbBQzE8NoSa2AJWcpUug7GlwN1oqKi4iTm4iiRpXZbQYUJn5mjHwPo6G1rIi8K4a3I-zMygb7pmkTM9G_mdK6XoKKaaY1D_yAvgmlbvyFR//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3fih1AJv1YuDYYrXw6qwP-yBHwjfahkKs56A2m-MV63nLv3NcfSPiI0VCM3wreb3DS73xohXyFuRAiyefaUk-h8oZcKVdAclQbDiguiJ8ENsQ73itpStY44bF1doz1pFa9xqq5hKJWsm/s1600-h/IMG_46904.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4690" alt="IMG_4690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y3jA4Ciu-_ME37g18EX-zEy9GuLnABcAge9shWVK2KrooUauYoid-ci-zdjmUAqAuJC5cgbIPM87ib5LGFQgNsPk5OGMiPJV0h8Ua1TusDH-3gfjZCUtr2ETholuAEO8nB58Ay3nehI5//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWoO7tUTKPO7utS1jkd9fk5EF4X1Ivdm_wQoD-lFJ6zIXHyiY9JIv1vKtIiTEcI2SUPA-c0IZaVGVQ8i9ONjgfgcolGH-6GPfdKx_a8s4k5DvsgEgT_c8vlYaRgK9qL0P8qlnUeux1niG/s1600-h/IMG_46944.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4694" alt="IMG_4694" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6pHZj4aEf_3lovZ_BCVi0oxIYde_mycxVeDWyuy249Fj4gwI8J7HQiDMpoRwyfaelIm5zlLSo3G16mLd-blYXQ52XTfXNDNm6qTWF6UhPkXFwrUi4EevPFUj_jEv-AsJFnN5YaX0SvLE//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFnBkA-jA5AYtYXjA9Q0rUHUgCulFmr3iD79we2QGB7cPt2TC1Hlkmdr0GOwOCljqqBG0J6OEO1h1ATCGIbVEwoL7A6iqD3cOAN2nMzSup25NRZPa9-dHjA9p2EoM86H-FXuF1bg1y4H9/s1600-h/IMG_46924.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4692" alt="IMG_4692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKef5sbcbgkBhTFa7DtpCGlXf2yRvVB9rmeLnyoOIV9yeuJ7tUePZgU7AfVMqOdbmQ1yWI4Uw-kF8dzR3l5a_qDSig6ejibYhO9gzXwWEVa0Pnhtmsz1nYILLF5-mIjiSvzWrvEuJTDnYN//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="480" /></a></p> <p>My daughter loved this “princess” shop :)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhDbPqQA97cSHHFWDkBzV8INsnZap-9pesVjO4AFh-CMchyXBDkns7-zlvFLikZJTnhuexuE98eeq-nA2n_PY7BQGrp80biqGEBR0vY60MRM6Ca4hSlmyEErZlITDGHpLaKVQmYHCaXyA/s1600-h/IMG_46994.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4699" alt="IMG_4699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa_pvsG0Ym-g4NlHNKmZGvQ8lC6o2U6dTc76eSy3GDfGNdJx9EiY0fe95V66AZBPPcIHwlKD7eorgabZuWMMmuvGBOLXBDeyi9u-jSE4PYtX6NkSce9BW0v16AlZPbfncp8ks2VPIWd13//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>They even had a Christmas village display. This was one of the kids’ favorites.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSURsU9eJeNdKa-qNySvMXkQrTaIfVxHSKSDRE0ejbMBjwXdmE0z9U-x0HAnICjRQhYJL_CwySPcJUfAJrN0IR7zcIw32fgSrsMbXr2xf8VSDNy3arINhU-APkycrscxJqVkKSaicK6s9L/s1600-h/IMG_46784.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_4678" alt="IMG_4678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EdfxZi55dkbh7gt1uydfeCYN0wTC6_wHLpVT3YsT3BnsmWJEBtfcf-LI_1SpWbrNuBsYe6pQB6dKiFsGzFR2c7WAkAV2BGZ1wnK9ydy88fbb4t7FOb5cN-ifZCqBpe3fMnuD5A3RuWQH//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a></p> <p>Why is it we all love miniature things? They’re just so cute! But seriously, the craftsmanship that went into these rooms is ridiculous!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-72599144060694221472011-05-24T22:31:00.024-05:002011-05-31T08:22:47.965-05:00Checkbook Covers<p>This week marks the end of the school year for my son. So as any good (or overachieving, whatever) parent would, I decided to make end-of-the-year-thank-you-gifts for his teachers. It was hard to come up with a gift that I thought would be appreciated and used by 3 different women. But I was lucky enough to have bookmarked <a href="http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2 Little Hooligans’</a> tutorial for making a <a href="http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/2010/11/ruffled-checkbook-cover-tutorial.html" target="_blank">ruffly checkbook cover</a>. So that’s exactly what I made. </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtpgavd-yu4np-jdfDt0WNGmSFUIiEZE7q8H2nOf-BxNRnRii4ftglzGaJ6DE2Gl8MQRR3DcL5Hm_c9UpTUzv9HLo3R8F-1hnj6CRHlLmi_oqCXFKpQ4ENVuLAj6u078DLyBUx_iGMLYI/s1600-h/IMG_4897b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4897b" alt="IMG_4897b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03xmvnUN7QUbdUNsZ0AH0BmSHphyawa0DkE9h2Ltpr73ayy5LVp9_XavcKEgmMJ5EgnFqyUawLTMyJCd6nwGIykOMjgGa8XN88Mhjh_11dgpu2B1HcAQiLGo3uoQagf9TUJVdJZvPRcPj//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p>I love, love, love how they turned out! I had so much fun picking out fabric to go together and the ruffle really gives them the cute factor that puts them over the top!</p> <p>Here’s some more pictures because they’re just too cute not to share ;)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxK2HFuF3ZToqTp4NbTFELhYoLeeqVqxQ7wDfATWj4eorm9wsgCLpsFBTYwVLOhhM-qvyF5efK_SsiMgeze544oHiEQmc2cNlCmxps-2DXZZ-4m3Zn3eLZEN7OMWXJ_j6VqrI3ctblzt28/s1600-h/IMG_4899b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4899b" alt="IMG_4899b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcMxfTIJS2b4UHHBOy_uajKmvEuGjP3HBYavGQ54_i0JbaAfobPjl8wBc9LGU0kX-BwpyhYLA_Po08ruckS2Y-L5oHFLG3OYDkehOkttQeelkq0JoHr6BKd9hBk5HaEVpRVMJTh85UuNd//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLXDUU-EUvMq0b4cloaDJAV0Yw0k6Lt13R92_75SoF6raTKn8LJY5CBaPCc-EWdaLtvwYCUqfQTUfYERl6x2Uls8UNlRh9rorgrMmMJx9b7-xA4x-FA2T1iRjemi8R0lvozmSPdAovp6N/s1600-h/IMG_4900b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4900b" alt="IMG_4900b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQyuygAq_S6sxDRi2TA1ehcYft3MnnGR1WU5TG2z1qVGjK_RL52tLy8-cn2R9w_voiQ2-1xj5H1ewGtMVqctQ5PjVpfmVAt6o1TeMI83chbpPAhaHy4wVZpCvDXTdDDf0ahNHea_eojKI//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx4tMDgadmJLi7W8GZQ6cY-AM78xS3fNCEkRxtAlJqgmrHVGMymIKY4m5fX_ab2L2pgfXeHOX7td6LVxwnqMKTF6wK7Le6EFE9mhwusoDmRwRQfSznrdELgsG64J461EbqWLg9p7jbAMy/s1600-h/IMG_4902b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4902b" alt="IMG_4902b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4Pkgce42qtL9oa8LR5jWZ0Xc3kdRl3keM_OhcVT2MEyqYForTjqpTUygxbkL0cLzqhP1daPNIA08yM-gU9jt7lSm_QmQNF18j1BSWdqpAliQFwMehGNE7acxqL26ThURgo666PRwhxBq//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwhNMxTqkem4e1ZIEcGiUlMHZeSefNnzhSVhFd_KZTsT_kZIj3HHnQI1IobhyGlqJNEg3oBc9MsBok_b_atFtRu9VUcQyKJEY3UWeZfiKeTQUEWpR586VtgDOFYI2omhIqeY5fQqGRP_6/s1600-h/IMG_4903b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4903b" alt="IMG_4903b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcg-_PZWiGwUUsZx9yYj-NBCWSLf9FINQiZqLUYcCSQ2tqsofXOrPlHpzvymjnsBSK8OZ7y6qmHyD0TiIEpTmtCH0WQFfIxDZHiFztJbraZKxHV7_zCEpcvQpWrgFNr0f03DTmwH4R8zwU//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHk1ZnA3JPh7oDF1kPGVS4YNBTJkfl8TMmmqnhb9OJYfNQ9w-FxNTgmFOYfndwNiheOc4TFRdvtFPKG9I0V3yh8RK91JROv-mO2nz79rdgtzYafnSpvv7gIBcVg7hiyQNapu3F6Sz4oj3/s1600-h/IMG_4905b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4905b" alt="IMG_4905b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzrEOHqOSr7I1aj6uma2WuV7h-KxcIz_dw3N2-USjS0icNkZ80Rh352vr2RkW9UYzaU8nf7Bh_cdkbp0ey0NoyouYzNJ2QUnCayfKDlevc1mjcj_cG9TvTRFSkxgR3fWQoyXs7XTz80wh//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvGh79vvAFmI739WSMNl2rjJvzLwZKid-5kERcmaZ3JCgPGSJ9djpputJRaeYXmEdFyDZz6crLFYA1oM5cWvwCuX6_f9BvX2Luwdf6wiKrQz1YW5ISxqICEl1Co__-sDxwlraB-agYpIv/s1600-h/IMG_4906b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4906b" alt="IMG_4906b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ_KsTh4LL_EiRT6CNMIlNB7xXgsml-kFwefB_uMIBBBzmdRyQ4BmramsGlOC3na2iFox0bAvcCyMUKTuHQeZPIb1P_4V4tS7bm_jfT53skW_lB3_ceGtC575tp7QBfFJQ6Qs_cll_RQL//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="270" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG_HzJGnkLer7wZnbV93mfSKNO3VifDQ7kYQrQRJLwcLDm_D2UkqqzYl5WBtWu91Qy2As82ZDite-YQ6czTAqF5qoHoGu_V_FK-d55IR4tZRBGk5eZa2zY6hxjGJwP5fDqAt60joJ16V3/s1600-h/IMG_4908b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_4908b" alt="IMG_4908b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAVBtwNgtsvsDl3S6aHEUdjWMGEUD5NBY55p6vTRpieuHyYseRVrEKcY1pUsWrO-kASdUEMPi9RKBllG36ahALYzYa7ZlD-ZzhC1OMlyrw1LbtAl5fch7mUBb6SSKlpXD93MDtBm-757h//?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" height="274" /></a> </p> <p>Didn’t they come out soooo cute? I really ought to make one for myself! These were pretty easy to make (though it took me <em>slightly</em> longer than the 20 minutes it takes her ;). It’s a fun way to use up those fabric scraps and play with pairing up different colors/patterns. I will definitely make these again. And I really hope my son’s teachers love them, too! I figure that even if they don't carry a checkbook, these would be great for coupons, business cards, even cash.<br /></p> <p>What do you usually do as a “thank you” to your children’s teacher? Or do you do anything? What <em>is</em> the proper protocol?</p><br />Linking up to:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/05/show-and-tell-linking-fun.html">Show and Tell</a> with Blue Cricket Design<br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/">Creative Share</a> at Trendy Treehouse<br /><a href="http://www.cherishedbliss.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m504/cherishedbliss/CherishedBlissbutton1.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xgVs6c-20_LNp_mzdAJRONbQDyA9pjPJK57BJMdsKVt7vq4trSZFJLESd1-f9Mr7ubbbMKJc1tGteAMSSDISh27mb2Yccsbbt0raLUp4re7Aqzy3I5dhk8QgC_7fRLHilGh38fcZi8/s320/wgw+button.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://sewwoodsy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb431/ktbright7/whatsupwednesdays-1.jpg?t=1287494472" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The DIY Show Off" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ydn4kd0aaEY/SvO1EQ53tuI/AAAAAAAABt0/h5tFf_uXQiY/S990-R/DIY+Blog+button.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/christinahibbs/20below.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/tightwadtips/SSCThursdayButton.png" alt="Transformation Thursday" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/fjnorm/ShowOffYourStuffPartyButton2.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><img src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HookinupwithHoHnew2.png" alt="HookingupwithHoH" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.decormamma.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/lyndsayjohnson/FFfinalbutton.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /> </a><a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x134/Rczuk0818/fyfbutton.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/"><img src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicPartyFriday.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/%20" target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/beccaross_photos/Blog%20Buttons/HomeAndFamily.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a> <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties" target="_blank"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab89/stacie004/transbutton.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/satnitenew150w-1.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://iheartnaptime.net%20/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/iheartnaptime/iheartnaptimebuttonsundayscoop.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" alt="craft" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x908CSKJhI4/TPp5U0929OI/AAAAAAAAU9w/dCqnDBWHD8U/s400/Chair%2Bon%2Bright%2Blike%2Bheader.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/grab_button_150.png" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/search/label/sew%20darn%20crafty" target="_blank"><img alt="sew many ways" src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/sewmanyways/polkadotsewdarncrafty.jpg" width="90" height="90" /></a><a href="http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/"><img src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/PartyButtonSmallSize.jpg" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/plain-button.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a><a href="http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB8Mw7-kC5DslxLncD-zhSeUSzU8FcEK5ntfVYgsCqbeIKkti9EhEGqbfzylO6xxQqcXpBXKszHu2V4JHwrkiNUFJ8w01DF8MO4YQwpYOTfy3ToxIHS_huTMlF15VtvtU81BkelksjfCH/s320/mwlove.png" width="90" border="0" height="90" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-73898754933053305352011-05-24T08:29:00.002-05:002011-05-24T08:45:53.562-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesday #11 – Dirty Knives<p> For those of you that are new to Truth Be Told Tuesday (TBTT), this is a day for us to tell the <em>truth</em> about our lives. Not the truth that we portray on our blogs or on Facebook, but the <em>real</em> nitty gritty. In confessing our truths, we are supporting each other in our imperfections. And besides all of that…it’s a lot of fun!</p> <p>One of my biggest pet peeves in the house is using multiple knives throughout the day. If we’re not careful, we’ll each use a different knife for every meal of the day and by the end of the day, we’re out of knives. So now we try to use the same knife throughout the day.</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Truth Be Told, the other day I prepared my kids’ lunch with a dirty knife</span>. I looked over to the kitchen sink at lunch time, preparing to make some grilled cheese, and I couldn’t remember which was <em>my</em> knife that day. So I just grabbed the one I <em>thought</em> it was and dug in to the butter. But it made me laugh because I immediately thought of TTBT and knew I had to share this confession with you guys.</p> <p>So now it’s your turn! Tell us your truth in the comments. And for all of you lurkers out there (you know who you are ;) join us! It doesn’t have to be a big confession, you can start out small. But it really is so much fun and the more people we have confessing our truths, the more we support each other in our imperfections.</p> <p>And don’t forget to spread the word on Facebook, Twitter or your own blog!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-68213769410350474732011-05-23T10:32:00.005-05:002011-05-23T10:44:17.222-05:00Rainy Day FunWell it's <span style="font-style: italic;">pouring </span>rain here in our neck of the woods. And I don't mean just a little shower; I mean, hailing, dark outside, water running through the streets, makes-you-want-to-go-back-to-bed rain.<br /><br />Perfect for a little Play-Doh!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9txXueSypZVbJsIEQiMbRvKjF4ZpKUlul2K40XeRWMTuyODHv9J09cT44FpsYfQJQ0fGEk6wn4tVtXyG6se0cQAAQKFCjRtrRJvxYwWIVOKwUu2x_6s8qxaDXajHnHsFMstRT-_Prvz8/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9txXueSypZVbJsIEQiMbRvKjF4ZpKUlul2K40XeRWMTuyODHv9J09cT44FpsYfQJQ0fGEk6wn4tVtXyG6se0cQAAQKFCjRtrRJvxYwWIVOKwUu2x_6s8qxaDXajHnHsFMstRT-_Prvz8/s400/IMG_4845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609936144424157906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">{Please ignore the messy kitchen...I'll have to share that confession in a future <a href="http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/Truth%20Be%20Told">Truth Be Told Tuesday</a>!}</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />What's your favorite rainy day activity? Who gets stir crazy first, you or the kids?<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-16941656662062579262011-05-20T14:17:00.003-05:002011-05-20T14:26:05.115-05:00Simplifying My Life With MORE Facebook<p>Yes, you read that correctly. I am going to simplify my life by spending <em>more</em> time on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Before you think I’ve lost my mind, let me explain. </p> <p>When I was in Arizona visiting my family, I took a break from blogging, <a href="http://twitter.com/thispresentlife" target="_blank">Tweeting</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebooking</a>, emailing, etc… for about 2 1/2 weeks. As I’m sure many of you are aware, <strong>the computer can be a <em><span style="font-size:100%;">major</span></em> time suck!</strong></p> <p>So when I returned, I decided that I wasn’t going to let the computer rule my life anymore. One way I’ve been practicing this is by not worrying so much about posting to my blog daily {gasp!}. I know, I know, if you have a blog, “everyone” tells you that you should post daily in order to keep your readers. Well, I just don’t have that kind of time…or rather, I’d rather not spend that kind of time on the computer. I’d rather spend it with my kids, cleaning the house (necessary evil), focusing on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyBabyDesigns" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>, sewing, etc…</p> <p>But, one easy way I’ve found to stay connected with all of you without having to write a big, long, blog post is through <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. <span style="font-size:130%;">I love that I can just jump on once or twice a day and say hi, share a recipe, tell you I found a worm in the washing machine, whatever! <span style="font-size:100%;">You may not see me everyday on the blog, but I <span style="font-style: italic;">am </span>on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480">Facebook </a>everyday.</span><br /></span></p> <p>So if you are on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, please come by and “<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Baby-Designs/400928105480" target="_blank">Like</a>” me so we can keep up throughout the day! And then we can go back to actually living our lives ;)</p><p>P.S. If you do come by and "Like" me, make sure you say hello so I know you've joined the party!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-6749832529198969102011-05-18T12:52:00.001-05:002011-05-18T12:52:14.646-05:00“What Should a 4 Year Old Know?”<p>This is the first year I’ve put my son in preschool.  He’s almost 4 and up until last Fall, he was at home with me 24/7.  But I felt that he was ready for some type of social interaction in a “school” setting.  So he goes to “school” one day a week at our church.  And he loves it.  He loves his friends, his teacher, the playground, eating lunch at school, doing art projects, show and tell.  But unfortunately, the owner of the school has decided not to return next year.  So we were forced to find another preschool.  After looking into other preschools, I quickly realized that <font size="4">I am in the minority</font>.  I am not concerned about whether or not my son is reading by the time he gets to kindergarten.   I’m not concerned about whether or not he can write is name perfectly.  I’m not concerned about whether or not he can recognize an uppercase “P” from a lowercase “p”.  I’m not concerned about whether or not he can draw a self-portrait.  <font size="4">I just want him to love school.</font></p> <p>A friend of mine posted a link to an article on Facebook entitled, “<a href="http://www.magicalchildhood.com/articles/4yo.htm" target="_blank">What Should a 4 Year Old Know</a>?”.  And I was so glad to read a perspective that was in line with my husband’s and my way of thinking.  If you have children (even if they’re not 4), you need to read this article.  </p> <p><font size="4">In short, every 4 year old should know the following:</font>  </p> <blockquote> <p>- “that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time”</p> <p>- “that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe”</p> <p>- “how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination”</p> <p>- “know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them”</p> <p>- “that the world is magical and that so is she”</p> </blockquote> <p><font size="4">And every parent should know the following:</font></p> <blockquote> <p>- “every child learns to walk, talk, read and do algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does algebra”</p> <p>- “the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children”</p> <p>- “being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest”</p> <p>- “our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them”</p> <p>- “our children need more of us”</p> <p>- “They need fathers who sit and listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need us to take walks with them and not mind the .1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they're a priority for us and that we truly love to be with them.”</p> </blockquote> <blockquote></blockquote> <p>This article is so beautifully written and it’s such a wonderful reminder to let our kids <em>be</em> kids while they’re <em>still</em> kids.  And it’s ok to let them play in the rain.  They’re learning more by splashing around in puddles than they could learn from that battery-operated-blinking-lights-noise-making toy.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfvKTxC3mayPLLePw_EOy6qJMve9gGXQgVLSzkWiy23nd0p30w_y3Tfx72-thoujB4wJ-yULAPZ_UbDlm3APW6jM9B0ZEEH51qmfNnf98_1zjZ8FB4CrMomdwexl0Etj5K6gCorMUSXhD/s1600-h/IMG_00834.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0083" border="0" alt="IMG_0083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BPickTlJInLWUJzegV9HpGOgWlK0lPOANDaibhm_wbaO8ybGc_PRhFGrouA3pDICnSzNACDfovXq3FJZ136VeRErj_OBT2lQZL3rBlDobQBtc5YWpEVfybC8rGwvjtme8ZhyphenhyphenFtcIMud3//?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910615295749614350.post-52648839314595341852011-05-17T07:57:00.002-05:002011-05-17T08:03:47.361-05:00Truth Be Told Tuesdays #10 – Going Commando<p>No, not me, just to clarify (although that would be a good Truth Be Told Tuesday confession!).</p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Truth Be Told, I let my not-yet-potty-trained 2 year old go commando</span> when I didn’t have a diaper to change her in to.</p> <p>Last week I took my daughter to the mall to play after we dropped my son off at school. Right as we were getting ready to pack up and leave, she informed me that she had a “poopy.” I said, “ok, let’s go change it and then we’ll go home.” But as I reached in to my bag to pull out the diaper and wipes, there were none! YIKES! I tried to talk her in to sitting on it until we could get home (ew, yuck!), but she didn’t go for that idea (surprise). So I did the next most logical thing. I took her diaper off, wiped her bottom with some Handi-wipes I THANKFULLY had in my purse and let her go commando. I was sure to stress to her that she wasn’t wearing a diaper so she couldn’t “pee” until we got home (which thankfully is only about 10 minutes away). And thanks to all of the green lights I hit, we made it home without any accidents. But you better believe the car is now stocked with extra diapers!</p> <p>Ok, now it’s your turn. <span style="font-size:130%;">Tell us <em>your</em> truth</span>. This is the one day a week when we get to confess what our lives are <em>really</em> like. The rest of the week we can pretend that we have it all together and that our house is spotless and our children are perfect and we are the model parent. But for today at least, <span style="font-size:130%;">let’s embrace our imperfections!</span></p> <p>And as always, if you like Truth Be Told Tuesday, <span style="font-size:130%;">spread the word</span> so everyone can get in on the fun!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4