Behind every crafty woman....

Happy 1st Birthday Adalynn!!!

It's difficult for me to admit, but behind this crafty woman lies an even craftier husband! What can I say, he's got skills when it comes to all things handy! So for Addy's 1st birthday we wanted to make something special and I had my eye on this gorgeous wooden kitchen set. It was over $1200!!! That is an absolutely ridiculous amount to spend on a play kitchen. Fortunately, Jeff is always game for a new building project and Gavin and Gage are super helpers when it comes to playing with tools and sewing. Needless to say, after a few trial and errors we gifted Addy the most beautiful play kitchen I could imagine and the best part is that we as a family made it especially for her (and it cost less then $350)!

Wardrobe closet

Dress-up central...mirror on order

Vintage style Apron Front sink

Oven

Vintage style Refrigerator and Freezer

Functional Photobooks

Our Wedding 2002

Most of the talented mom's that I know are marvelous at scrap booking, but I hate to admit that I have neither the desire nor the time to complete a project of that magnitude for my children. I know that sounds horrible, but maybe when they are older. I can't even fathom doing one book, let alone three (because you know that I would get a ton grief if I were to only do one). I on the other hand settle for online photo book creations because I can take as long as I'd like to and there's no mess to clean up. Here's a great site I found that isn't as extensive as shutterfly, but is much more economical. Right now they are have a sale. YES A SALE! Up to 100 pages for the price of 20 and the books start at $16.95. The site is www.winkflash.com. Our family has made a few different photo books through this site and we haven't been disappointed. Hope you can relish the discount and go splurge on a little something for yourself.

LEMONADE!!! Enough said!

Image from www.newsalerts.com

What better way to celebrate summer's rapid approach than LEMONADE!!! This is by far the best recipe I have tried. I hope you enjoy it! It also taste great using less sugar or sugar substitute instead.

Ingredients:
2-2 1/2 c Sugar
5 c water, divided
1 Tbsp grated lemon peel
1-3/4 c lemon juice (about 6 lemons)

Directions:
1. Combine sugar, 1 c. water and lemon zest in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Remove from heat. Stir sugar mixture with remaining water and lemon juice. Store in pitcher and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve over ice.

This recipe for Old-Fashioned Lemonade is from Best of Taste of Home Spring 2009

The Art of Charts

Honestly, I get asked frequently how I manage to do it...manage three kids, two pets, a husband, a house and my sanity. The truth is I don't. I manage what I can, prioritize, consume large amounts of caffeine, learn to let things go and CHART! As ridiculous as it sounds my guys do great with charts! I had always used them in my classroom (they worked wonders), but never really thought to use them at home until about six months ago. Then again today I was thinking how chaotic life is...I decided that  need to revisit the land of peace and order. I have found that single day charts work the best (my guys are small). Having immediate results that are tangible are even better and one chart for multiple kids is an amazing way to make peer pressure positive not negative.That being said I hope this idea helps you too.

Chart I used for getting the kids to take family pictures

Supplies:
Computer
Microsoft Excel/Office (other word docs work too)
Uploaded photo of child
Clip Art


Directions:

1. Start by making a grid (# of rows for # of children AND # of columns for desired behavior+1). I have three kids and want them to work on seven things. My chart is 3x8. Set aside a row for each child (I kept mine in birth order to make it easier on me). 
2. The first column is for their picture and the subsequent columns are for the desired chore or behavior. I have recently added phrases to my chart because my oldest wants to "read." It's not necessary, but is nice to have. Pair clip art with the desired task. Remember LESS IS MORE! This is especially true when starting out. 
3. Repeat step 2 until all tasks have clip art to match.
4. Ok...now that you have that done do a quick print preview to make sure it fits on one page...Mine needed to be adjusted to landscape instead of portrait.
5. If all looks great hit PRINT
6. Discuss the chart with your child before using it. Have them help you decide an appropriate reward. It can be overwhelming so offer choices. Example: "I know you are going to do great. When you earn stars in every box would you like to walk to the park for bubbles or have a movie night?" Two options generally is enough. They might think of one on their own, but by beginning the conversation like this they will know what type of prize you are willing to give.
7. Once you have decided on the reward start your chart. I like to have my guys draw their own happy faces or stars on the task that they completed. If they do not complete it, they don't earn a shape in the box. Without all of the shapes they don't get the reward. IMPORTANT: FOLLOW THROUGH!!! This only works if you hold your ground. Younger children may require more than one opportunity, so start simple.

Paint Perfect

He's soo excited I couldn't get him to hold still!

Yeah Spring has sprung! What better way to gain back sanity than send the kiddos outside for hours of entertainment with minimal effort. My boys love this activity, as did I when I was little. A special thanks to my mom for the great idea!

Supplies:
Old paint brush (several styles if possible)
Bucket or paint tray if using a roller
water
food coloring

Directions:
Fill the bucket or tray 2/3 full of water and add 2-4 drops of food coloring. Turn the kids loose to paint wooden fence, deck or even stucco. Beautiful part is that as long as the color isn't vivid you can't see it when it's used. The wetness makes the wood appear dark then dries the same as before.

Hop to it!

Jump for JOY because this project is easy!

Every baby deserves a cute swaddle blanket and some fashionable burp rags without spending a fortune. I decided to make my own (although this one was a gift) because I got sick of looking at pale blue and light pink. This little craft project was super easy and the blanket only took 15 minutes!!! The burp rags took longer because I'm super picky and couldn't make my mind up on how to finish the edges.

Supplies:
1 1/4 (I bought 1 1/2 yards) yards of flannel fabric in two complementing patterns/colors
2 cloth diapers (mine are Gerber)
sewing machine
thread
scissors (rotary and self healing mat if you have one)
dinner plate
Iron

Directions for Blanket:
1.) Pre-wash fabric if desired...sometimes I do...sometimes I don't. I would if I were quilting but I haven't seen anything bad happen to this project by skipping this step. That being said, if you are nervous and don't want to chance it knock yourself out, just don't forget to press the fabric before starting the next step.
2.) Square off fabric. This can be done by pulling the corner up to outer edge to form a triangle. Cut along the edge to square the fabric off. (Once you open it, it'll be square :) Do this with both colors.

 **Cut along this line***

3.) Trim off any strings from pre-wash.
4.) Compare both pieces of fabric. Make sure they are roughly the same size...OBVIOUS RIGHT?! Wrong! I wasn't paying attention once and bought fabric that had different widths :( Added some extra work and wasted money
5.) Fold fabric into quarters.

6.) Put dinner plate on the open ends corner and mark with a pencil or similar color washable marker..even a crayon (I've used all three). Thanks to Pam Barkdull for teaching me this fancy trick!!!

7.) Remove plate and cut along the line.

8.) Repeat with other fabric
9.)You should have a 2 rounded edge squares now. Turn them right sides together and sew around using 1/4" seam allowance. Make sure you leave at least 6" unstitched to turn your blanket right side out.
10.) Turn blanket right side out and smooth the fabric while turning in the edges of the opening (pin in place if you like)
11.) Sew the entire edge of the blanket leaving 1/4" seam allowance. HINT: start with the un-stitched opening.


Directions for Burp Cloth:
1.) Measure the length of the burp cloth and subtract 2".
2.) Decide on how wide you would like the center section then add 1". (Mine was 6" finished, 7" raw)
3.) Cut your fabric to these measurements.
4.) Fold the edge (length) of cut fabric over 1/2"and press. Repeat other side.
5.) Center the fabric on top burp cloth leaving equal distance between the two sides and equal distance from the top and bottom. Pin in place.
6.) Stitch the length of the fabric to the burp cloth. Repeat the other side. Hint: the top and bottom of the fabric should be open.
7.) Measure the bottom of the burp cloth and add 1". This will be your length.
8.) Cut two strips of the contrasting fabric 3" wide by the length from step 7.
9.) Fold the edges of the strip in 1/2" and press.
10.) Sew the pressed piece of fabric right side up to the top of the burp cloth. This should overlap the center portion by roughly 1". Repeat on bottom side of the burp cloth.

Sorry, but my phone decided not to save the last few photos :(  I'll post more when I make the next gift set

Eco-Chic for Earth Day

Earth Day is approaching quickly and I decided to make a cute reusable bag to celebrate. The kids love it for playing pretend "Trader Joes" and I love it because it's not ugly.

Supplies:
Fabric (I chose two contrasting)
-12"x28" of one color
-6"x14" of another (I didn't have this much so I used leftovers)
Sewing Machine, Thread, Scissors
About 20-45min to complete

Directions:

1.) Fold over the 12" side of the main fabric twice (each fold should be about 1/2") Press or pin in place...Unless you are like me and way to impatient. Then stitch along the seam to hold in place.

 

2.) Repeat with the other 12" side

3.) Fold your main fabric with WRONG sides facing each other to make a 12"x12" square.(mine came out more of a rectangle)

4.) Use a basic straight stitch (1/4" seam allowance) to sew the three unfinished edges of your square. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SEW THE TOP...that's the area you just finished cuffing.

5.)Flip the material inside-out and Repeat Step 4...Congrats you've just made a French Seam!

 6.)Set bag aside and start on the handles
7.)Cut your fabric lengthwise so you end up with two 3"x 14" strips of fabric
8.)Fold the fabric WRONG sides together and stitch the length of the fabric on the open side.DO NOT STITCH THE ENDS

 

9.)Turn the fabric right side out...This is the most time consuming part of the whole project :( I had to use a butter knife to push the extra fabric through.

10.)Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the second piece of handle fabric

11.)OK the handles are done but now you need to center the seam like this so that they are easier to sew on and they look pretty this way.

12.)Lay the handle smooth side up and stitch where the handle meets the bag (mine was about three inches from the edge of the bag)

13.)Repeat this on the other end of the fabric. Hint: make sure the fabric handle is spaced evenly from both edges of the bag AND that it is sewed to the same side of the bag. 

14.) Now stitch the bottom of the fabric handle 1/2" lower to add more support. 

15.)Repeat with the other handle