8.30.2012

Group Giveaway at The Grant Life {or win some loot!!}

Want a $15 gift card to Michael's? How about a whole heap of prizes? I'm participating in the August group giveaway over at The Grant Life. The Michael's card is from me. The other sweet loot? From some awesome bloggers! Check out these sweet prizes:


1. $15 Michaels Gift Card - Covered in Mod Podge
2. $15 Shop Credit - Paper from Heaven
3. $10 Target Gift Card - Beach Monkeys
4. Brass Hex Nut Bracelet - Ma Famille de Trois
5. $10 Amazon Gift Card - Raising Bean
6. Large Ad Space - Sunkissed with a Twist
7. Medium Ad Space - A Night Owl Blog
8. XL Ad Space + 3 Ruffle Ric Rac Headbands - Wildflowers and Whimsy


a Rafflecopter giveaway {Click on the link. For some reason the actual widget won't show up for me}

Bubble Skirt Tutorial {or another Ribbon Retreat project}

Incase you missed this over at The Ribbon Retreat, check out this quick and easy bubble skirt tutorial. This sucker is a great beginner level take on the bubble skirt.


I think bubble skirts are just adorable on little girls. I finally have myself a walking little miss to start rocking the bubble skirts. I want to make ten of them! I think that Riley Blake's Chevrons are just wonderful. I knew I had to use them for my first bubble skirt for my little miss.

Want to make a bubble skirt for the little miss in your life?

You'll need:
Two coordinating fabric {I used Chevrons Medium in Navy and Aqua}
Elastic {3/4th inch for newborn to eighteen months, 1 inch for larger sizes}
Matching thread
Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies


I'll walk you through how to cut pieces based on your little miss's measurements. First, measure your little miss's waist. For me, it was 18 inches. Add a 1/2 inch and that's how much elastic you need to cut. So my elastic was 18 1/2 inches.

All of your fabric is going to be cut selvedge to selvedge. This allows for a nice and fully skirt. Also, it's one less seam you have to finish!


Now, let's work on length. Measure from your child's waist to where you want the skirt to fall. I measured to the bottom of the knee. For me, it was 11 inches. Now, subtract your desired waistband size from your length. I wanted a 2 inch waistband so that left me with 9. Add 1/2 inch for seam allowances and you get the length you need to cut for your outside piece {or 9 1/2 inches for me}.


For the inside piece of your skirt, subtract three inches from your outside piece. This left me with cutting a 6 1/2 inch piece of my coordinating fabric. From your coordinating fabric you'll also want to cut your waistband. Remember earlier how I subtracted 2 inches from my outside? That's my waistband width. However, I need to double that to 4 inches for cutting.


Now, let's get sewing! You're going to start by pinning your inside and outside skirt pieces right sides together along the width of the fabric.


Sew these pieces together using the width of your presser foot as your seam allowance {my favorite seam allowance!}.


Open up your two skirt pieces and turn them wrong sides together, lining up the raw edges. This is what the inside of your skirt will look like. See the cute little bubble!


Now, take your waistband and fold it in half, hotdog style.


Flip you skirt pieces over so the outside of the skirt is on top. Line up the raw edges of your skirt with the raw edges of your waistband. Pin well!


Sew your waistband to your skirt using a 3/8ths seam allowance.


Now, finish your seam. I used my pinking sheers. You can also zig-zag stitch over the edge to prevent fraying.


It's time to thread your elastic through your waistband. Using a safety pin, thread the elastic.


Be sure to pin the end of the elastic to the casing doesn't eat your elastic.


Sew your elastic in place on both sides by going over it with a zig-zag stitch several times.


Now, pin your skirt rights sides together.


When you sew your final seam, you want to make sure you use a seam allowance that will hide your selvedge. For me, this was a 5/8th seam allowance. Since you've incorporate the selvedge into your final seam, there's no need to finish it.


Now, find your little miss and give the new bubble skirt a whirl!


So I know I got a little final product picture crazy with this post. I'm bias and think my little miss is as cute as they come. Therefore, I wanted to share this cuteness with you all! ;)


I was given this fabric by The Ribbon Retreat in exchange for creating this tutorial to be posted on their site. I am a big fan of The Ribbon Retreat and that's why I remain a Contributor. All opinions here are 100% my own. Check out my Disclosure page for more info.

 

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8.27.2012

Guest Post at The Grant Life {or more baby presents}


My wonderful friend Kelley from The Grant Life is taking a little vacation. While I'm super jealous, I'm also glad to help a vacationing girl out!


Come on over to The Grant Life for a Monogramed Baby Blanket tutorial. It's the perfect gift for any new baby in your life!


8.26.2012

What's Cookin' #17


This is my last week home before I start my field placement. I'll be "working" {I used quotes because they don't pay me} for 20 hours a week. Its going to be a big change as far as amount of time I have to get stuff done around the house, run errands, and do things just for me. I'm getting a little nervous.

I'm going to have to start changing up how I meal plan. Two days a week I won't be home until like fifteen minutes before we normally have dinner {ie when Emma wants dinner}.

Sunday: Ground Chicken Tacos 

Monday: Pizza night

Tuesday: Italian Herbed Chicken with couscous and zucchini

Wednesday: Mizithra with Brown Butter Pasta {hopefully with homemade Italian bread!} and salad

Thursday: Cajun chicken with fries and corn

Friday: Orage and chili shrimp with rice and snap peas

Saturday: Chicken Verde Enchiladas with corn


8.23.2012

Duck Counting and Matching Game {quack quack!}

{I originally shared this tutorial over at Johnny in a Dress.}


My mom always bought presents both for the new baby as well as the siblings. It’s a habit she passed along to me. Bringing a new baby home changes the dynamic of the whole family. I think its fun to spoil the older siblings a little. It lets them feel extra special at a time when a lot of fuss is being made about the newest member of the household.

One of my daughter’s little playmates is about to become a big brother. Milo just loves my little miss. He calls me “Emma Momma” and is very sad when he sees me without my little miss. Lucky for my husband, Emma doesn’t return his affection. She’s not too big on boys being anywhere near her.

In addition to my little miss, Milo loves ducks. His favorite pastime is feeding ducks at the park. Thinking about what I wanted to make this soon to be big brother, I knew it had to involve ducks. So, this little duck counting game was born.

What you'll need:
Yellow and white foam
Duck outline
Sharpie
Scissors
Clothespins
Mini popsicle sticks
Gorilla glue


Find yourself a duck outline {I just searched Google Images} and trace him onto your yellow foam.


Then, go to town cutting out your 10 yellow ducks.


For the white squares, I used my quilting ruler and rotary cutter to make 1x1 inch squares. You could always guestimate {like my technical terms} or use a ruler to draw the squares and cut them out from there.

Next, write your numbers on your ducks using a Sharpie. Also, draw in the duck eyes. Then, write in the numbers on your white squares.


Go ahead and glue the popsicle sticks to the back of your ducks. I used Gorilla Glue because its what I had that would stick to both foam and wood. I wanted it to be a firm hold that would survive a two year old. Keep in mind, hot glue will eat away at the foam.


Also, glue your clothespins to the pack of your numbers.


These little ducks will let your little one count and match numbers. Also, the clothes pins are great for practicing fine motor skills. 


Now you have yourself a counting and number matching game for the little duck lover in your life. I’m very excited to give Milo his new paddle of ducks! {Yep...a group of ducks is called a paddle}.

8.17.2012

Guest Post at Johnny in a Dress {or Quack!}


I'm over at Johnny in a Dress today as apart of her All Things Baby Series. While Natalie is getting to know her new bundle of joy, I'm sharing a fun gift for new siblings. Stop on by and learn how to make this adorable counting duck game!


 

8.16.2012

August Wreath {or holding on to summer}


Another month, another wreath. That's how it's supposed to work around here anyway. I missed last month. This guy is a little late. Hopefully, its the first step towards getting me back on track.


I decided to run with really bright colors. Since August is the last month of summer, I feel like its my last chance to go so bright. I wrapped my wreath form in a white cotton from Hobby Lobby. If you look closely, you can see that it has big white polka dots on it.


I purchased the felt circles from MarieMayFavorites. I just mixed and matched colors felt colors and then hot glued them together. They looked a little plain so I jazzed up the circles with white buttons.


The green polka dot fabric is something I had in my stash. I don't know why it was in my stash. Since Emma was being awesome and taking an extra long nap, I decided that this wreath just needed a bow. I mean, what else are you going to do with a little extra nap free time!?!


Any suggestions of what I should do for September's wreath?




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8.14.2012

Just a Moment Monday {on a Tuesday}


I'm in need of some mamas with suggestions! My little miss is now fourteen months old. She is a beautiful eater. She'll eat anything we put in front of her....the first time. We're at a point where there's very little she'll eat more than twice a week.

I know variety is a great thing and will make a good eater. However, I'm feeling like I don't know if she'll eat anything I'm about to put in front of her at any given meal. It's making things very stressful...especially because I'm about to start working outside of the house 20 hours a week for my social work field placement. I'm all the sudden not going to have the same kind of time to keep coming up with new things.

I would love suggestions for quick and healthy snacks and meals that you're little one loves. Do you have any go-to favorites? Is there something you were totally shocked that your kiddo love?

Please and thank you!

8.12.2012

What's Cookin' #16


Today has been a beyond lazy day. What goes best with a lazy day? Breakfast for dinner! Nothing fancy around here tonight. Just some yummy pancakes and hopes that the little miss decides she likes them this time around!

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas Verde and corn

Tuesday: Parmesan Crusted Pesto Quesadillas with Heirloom Tomatoes with Spanish rice

Wednesday: Tomato and Sausage Risotto with crusty bread

Thursday: Grilled Black Bean Burritos and corn

Friday: Lemon Chicken Pasta and salad

Saturday: Ground beef taccos