Gotta Love Those Links: May 11th

It's been a while since I've done a links blog, so I thought I'd share some inspiration from around the Internet. Just in case you're wondering where the recipes have gone, they will return. I'm expecting our second little blessing and cooking hasn't exactly been appealing to me. I'm hoping this phase passes quickly, and I can resume experimenting with the many recipes I have on my waiting list. You'll be the first to know when I'm ready. Well, OK, maybe John will know first because he'll actually have to eat it. :-) Anyway, back to the links.

Skip To My Lou has provided a great tutorial for sewing cloth napkins, particularly on finishing the corners. I love the fabric she used in the bottom example!

I really like this key holder How About Orange created. This would be a great catch-all for our house!

I have toyed with the idea of making yogurt at home, but the whole process was kind of intimidating...until I found this. Nourishing Days gives step-by-step directions for making yogurt in the crockpot. It looks so easy, I can't wait to try it!

I think these birthday counting cards are SO cute for kids! It really lets you get creative and personalize it for your little friend. Chez Beeper Bebe even gives you the template to make it easy!

On a non-crafty, non-food note, here is a great article about why it is GOOD for us to nap. It gives suggestions for making the most of your nap. And here is a handy nap alarm clock to make sure you rise when needed. :-) It has pleasant sounds to wake up to, which puts me in a better mood than hearing a rooster crow loudly in my ear.

Well, I hope everyone had a fabulous Mother's Day weekend! Hopefully you were able to spend quality time with your mom or your children. Have a great week!!

Gotta Love Those Links: February 5th

Can you believe that Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching?? It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating a new year. As I am writing this post, I am listening to my daughter scream in different tones from her room (where she is supposed to be napping). She's not upset at all, just exploring the noises her voice box can produce. Anyway, onto the links.

Wonder Time: Bottle Cap t-shirts-- What a fun way to spend a spring afternoon--outdoors, doing something crafty with your kids. OK, so it isn't quite spring yet, but this project gives me the bug. There are so many different things you could do with this shirt. For a boy, a tractor or car with bottle cap wheels might be appropriate. You could do ice cream cones, lollipops, fruit, whatever your imagination can concoct.

The Farm Chicks: Happy Little Spice Drawer-- I do A LOT of cooking at home, and I'm constantly sorting through my spices in a cabinet trying to find the right one. I LOVE the idea of putting the spices in a drawer so you can just look down and see which one you need. I also really like the idea of using empty baking powder tins for those things you use most often. I just threw one away, too! Oh well. I'm sure they'll be more.

Blissfully Domestic: Shower Curtain Play mat-- I think this would be a great way to encourage creative play at home (or in a classroom). It seems easy (and cheap) to make, and you could definitely involve your kids in the process.

The Smith Family: Canvas Wall Hanging-- If you've ever been to IKEA and looked at the fabric they have to offer, you will know where the inspiration for this piece came from. I have stood drooling over the fabric, not knowing which one to pick or what I would do with it after I got it home. I love what Tanya's done with just a little fabric and a simple wooden frame. It totally changes the dynamic of the wall!

Maple Creek Blog: Tote Giveaway--These totes are too cute to choose between. Leave a comment on her blog. Get a chance to win.


I hope you've had an inspiring week so far. Tomorrow is Friday! The weekend is in view. Enjoy!

Gotta Love Those Links: January 29th

Everybody had a good week so far? Looking forward to the weekend? I am. I have been LONGING for a nice, warmish day to hike. It has been forever since we've been and I'm seriously contemplating bundling Kaelan up in everything from her closet and packing rain gear so we can just go.

Anyway, on to some neat things I ran across this week.

I love this cute makeup bag from Grace Violet. It would be perfect for the "baby junk" that occupies my purse (and keeps me from having to lug the whole diaper bag around). Maybe I'll win one. :-)

This is an awesome giveaway from Boogers, Screams, Headaches, and Dreams. There is so much to choose from! Congrats on the 200th post. I'm sure I'll be there someday.

This project looks like so much fun from Craft Stylish. They give directions for taking an old sweater and turning it into those cute mary-jane-like slippers you see at the store. Now, I've just got to learn how to crochet.

If you've already started thinking about Valentine's Day, here is a cute idea for a Valentine's vase from Good Housekeeping. I'd bet you could do the same thing using any recycled item (tin can, plastic container, etc.). Ribbon could also be substituted for the fabric.

This is a cute idea from Martha for a warm Valentine's tea treat.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Gotta Love Those Links: January 22nd

Here are the links I'm loving this week. Some really neat ideas!

Apartment Therapy: How to build a simple indoor swing (for winter)--This one makes me want to go get the stuff and start today. It looks so easy, and I can just imagine how much fun Kaelan would have with this!

Photojojo: The Perpetual Photo Wall Calendar--Talk about everyday art! This could really spruce up any wall in your house. You could use any kind of picture that you could imagine. Can you see your kids holding up signs with the numbers on them? Or maybe pictures from your favorite places around the city. There's so much room for creativity here that it really becomes YOUR calendar.

Fit Brains: Scientifically Based Brain Fitness Program--Just for fun. Make sure you give your brain a daily workout in one form or fashion. This is a neat place with lots of FREE games in a variety of categories. Remember the adage: Use it or lose it!

Altering a shirt that is too short

In my closet, I have a lot of shirts that are just too short for my taste. I prefer to think that over the years they have shrunk. I have toyed with a lot of ideas for turning these shirts into useful items, you know, to help save the planet and everything. I actually made Kaelan a hat and scarf set out of three t-shirts. She's not particularly fond of wearing the scarf, but if I can get her mind off the scarf, she's fine. Anyway, I digress. For these shirts, I decided to see if I could fix the length.

I started with one plain white long sleeve t-shirt that hit right at the top of my pants and one brown t-shirt that was entirely too tight to be worn in public. Anyone know how to turn these pictures around?Using my handy dandy rotary cutter and mat (to avoid slicing my hardwood floor) I cut the brown shirt right across the chest under the armpits. This creates a tube which I shortened by turning wrong sides together.
I then pinned the right side of the brown tube around the right side of the white shirt as shown below.
Make sure the yucky edges of the brown shirt (that you cut) are matched up nicely with the bottom of the good t-shirt. Next you're going to sew across the bottom of the three layers.

There are some things to note when you do this.

• Make sure that you sew above the seam on the shirt so that it doesn't show when you're finished.
  
• Make sure if one shirt is smaller than the other one that you create darts by folding one shirt over (you can see this in the picture below). I chose to do this on the seams on the sides of the shirt. If you do this, make sure that the darts face the back of the shirt and not the front.

When you are finished, you might want to trim down the extra fabric along the seam. This was my finished product. Again, anyone know how to turn these pictures around?? So sorry!!
Hopefully you, too, can help save the planet and turn around global warming (cooling??) by refashioning a shirt.

Kaelan's Birthday (Logistics)

For Kaelan's birthday, being the aspiring Martha that I am, I wanted to do as much homemade that I could. I made homemade cupcakes.

I enlisted the help of my fearless husband for the making of the cupcake toppers.

I made a banner that said her name.

I decopauged a notebook for guests to leave her a crayon drawn greeting by following the tutorial here thanks to Grace Violet. I even made her birthday present. It was my first attempt at doll making and I found the process extremely rewarding and slightly addictive. For her birthday, Kaelan received a Molly Monkey, courtesy of mmmcrafts Molly Monkey pattern.


I have to say that the more I craft, the more I get into it. I'm even going mostly handmade for Christmas. Yup. I've already started. :-)