Kate's nursery: DIY Ruffle Quilt

 

Kate's ruffle quilt is what I planned her whole nursery around.  However, I will warn you...although I love it, it took a really really long time.  If you're going to take this project on don't make the same mistake I did by ruffling everything by hand and buy a ruffle foot for your sewing machine.  I promise you'll thank me.

 

I used the basic idea from this tutorial to make this quilt.

 

So many ruffles.  This really did take so much time.

 

Here it is after it was all sewed together.

I used this minky swirl fabric in ivory to back it.  I used the same for Lily's baby quilt and loved it - and so does she.

Kate's nursery: DIY ruffle crib skirt

I decided to do a simple crib skirt for Kate's bedding.  Elegant and classy.

 

 

 

I measured the crib mattress and made a square the same size of cream fabric.  Then I measured from the floor to the bottom of the mattress.  I cut two blocks of fabric the width of the mattress (plus 1 inch for seam allowances).   I cut the height so once I sewed the 4" ruffle on and accounted for a 1/2 inch seam allowance it would be the same height as the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the mattress.

 

 

I pinned the ruffle to the fabric and sewed into place and surged the edges.

 

 

I did a 1/2 inch hem on each side to finish the raw edges and sewed each of the 4 sides to the cream square I had cut out the size of the mattress.

I love the way it turned out.  It is simple with just a ruffle at the bottom but I think it fits the room perfectly.

DIY Swaddling Blankets

 

I love buying fabric.  I can't help myself when I find something I like so when I found these cute prints on sale for $2.25 per yard I had to take advantage.

 

 

This project was super easy.  I just bought 1 yard of each fabric I liked and surged the edges.  I did it because it was easy and cute but it turns out I LOVE these swaddling blankets.  I prefer them to any of the store bought blankets I have - cotton, flannel or even the pricy muslin ones I have.  They are the perfect size and swaddle perfectly.  I use them every day.

I highly recommend this super easy project.  (If you don't have access to a surger you can just do a rolled hem using your sewing machine.)

Make your own bird feeder

One day this summer I taught Lily about birds and we followed it up making our own bird feeders.

 

 

To make the filling I just mixed peanut butter with birdseed, unsalted peanuts and cashews.  No recipe - just mix it like you would rice krispy treats so it sticks together but isn't too creamy.

 

 

To make the feeder, I just got a paper cup and cut two small holes toward the center at the bottom of the cup. I strung the yarn through so we could hang it in the tree outside.

 

 

We filled the cup with the filling and hung it on the tree outside.  (We also filled our hummingbird feeder we got at our local nursery which is in the background in this picture)  We have been enjoying watching the birds coming to get a snack the last few weeks.

Kate's nursery: DIY Custom mobile

 

As I got out the mobile I had purchased for Lily's nursery to set up Kate's bedding, it occurred to me I could probably strip the fabric and sew my own to make a custom mobile that matched the bedding.  So 8 days before I had the baby I set to work, and 4 hours later I had the perfect mobile.

 

The mobile above is what I purchased for Lily at Target just over 3 years ago.  I slipped off the dark brown fabric that covered the arm and used it to sew a cover in the same ivory velvet I used in her crib quilt.  I sewed the fabric twice as long so I could bunch it all the way down the arm.

 

I took off the pink and brown umbrella part and used it to make a pattern for an umbrella using the other fabrics I used for her bedding.

 

Instead of reusing the stars and moons that were hanging from the original mobile, I decided to make fabric puff balls instead.  These were easy but time consuming.

 

 

I started by tracing and cutting 100 2-inch circles for each ball.  I folded the fabric so I didn't have to trace and cut each circle individually.

 

Then I used this tutorial and ping pong balls to make the balls.

 

 

Each ball took me about 1/2 an hour.  The finished balls were just about 4" in diameter.

 

Aren't they adorable?  They would even look cute just hanging like this.

 

I pinned the ruffle to the umbrella I cut out and then pinned the puff balls at each corner.  I sewed and surged around the edges to secure and slipped it over the frame.

 

 Although this project took a little while, it wasn't too hard.  I am so glad I did it because it was the perfect mobile for this room.  We use it every day now that Kate is here and I love the way it turned out.

Kate's nursery: Framed name over crib

 

I wanted to add Kate's name over her crib but wanted to stick with the formal and girly theme I decorated the rest of the room with.

 

 

First I chose a font I liked and printed out her name using Microsoft Publisher.  Then I cut out each letter.

 

 

I traced each letter upside down (so the marker would be on the bottom of the letter and not show through the fabric).  I used 1/2 inch foam board I found at Hobby Lobby.  I cut out each letter in the foam board using an exacto knife and then used the leftover fabric I had from making the bedding to cover each letter and hot glued the fabric in place.

 

I covered the back of each picture frame in fabric and used hot glue to secure that fabric in place as well.  I got rid of the glass for each frame and then hot glued each letter to the framed fabric I had prepared.

 

 

See my fully pregnant belly as I look down at her name?  I didn't get around to finishing Kate's nursery until about a week before she was born.

Stay hydrated this summer

This post brought to you by Kraft Liquid Enhancers. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now that I am nursing it is more important than ever that I stay hydrated but it's so hard for me to drink the amount of water it takes to stay healthy.  I am still trying to lose that baby weight so I don't like to "drink my calories" by sipping on sodas, so my favorite beverage of choice is Crystal Light®.

Our family loves Crystal Light®.  In fact, we love it so much whenever we go on vacation we stop by a grocery store the first day to pick up some for our hotel room.  True story.  It tastes great but only has 5 calories per serving so I can drink as much as I want without having to worry about how it is affecting my weight.

I have been spending a lot of time this summer outside with my little girl and we often make up a pitcher of Crystal Light® to take outside with us.  I try to make sure that Lily doesn't get dehydrated, but she isn't always interested in drinking the water I want her to.  She is obsessed with pink though, so giving her "pink juice" is the perfect solution.  It gives her water just enough extra flavor to make it exciting.

Kraft® Liquid Enhancers, including Crystal Light® and Kool-Aid® can be found at unbeatable prices from Sam's Club.  Make sure you stay healthy and hydrated this summer, and remember kids get dehydrated way faster than adults.  Make it easy for yourself and pick up some Kraft® Liquid Enhancers today.

The secret to getting out slivers pain free

 

Summer is filled with a lot of barefoot outside fun at our house, and unfortunately some slivers too.  Luckily, holding a toddler down while she screams to get her sliver out is a thing of the past at our house thanks to Orajel.

 

One day as I was trying to hold Lily down myself (unsuccessfully) to get a sliver out it occurred to me I could use Orajel to numb the area before I tried to get the sliver out and things might go a little more smoothly.  I was right.

 

Just put a tiny amount of Orajel where the sliver is and wait 5 to 10 minutes.  Then you can poke and squeeze and pull to get the sliver out and your kid won't feel a thing!  It makes for a much nicer experience for both of you.

Things to do in Utah County with kids this week: June 24 - June 29

Looking for things to do in Utah County, Utah this week? Take a look at all of the fun (and most of the time free) things to do in Utah County!

Monday, June 24, 2013
Half Price Swim Day at Lehi Legacy Center
Halfway prize for Provo Summer Reading Program
Family Night on the Farm at Thanksgiving Point
Museum Mondays at Thanksgivng Point
Family Mini golf & BBQ night at Cascade Golf,  5 pm
Castle In the Sky Free Film Screening at Orem Library, 6 pm
Orem Concerts in the Park: Michael McLean & McKenzie Turley, 7 pm
Family Picnic in the Park & Lehi Idol, 6:30 pm
Outdoor Movie Night - Rise of the Guardians in Lehi, 9 pm

Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Make and Take Crafts at Provo Library, 10 am
Van Gogh to Play Dough, 10 am
Live Bird and Raptor Show - Free - Hutchings Museum, 11 am
Mornings at the Museum - Museum of Peoples and Cultures BYU, 11 am
Josh Turner at SCERA Shell, 8 pm
Outdoor Movie Night - Soul Surfer - Lehi, 9 pm

Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Live Bird and Raptor Show - Free - Hutchings Museum, 11 am
Family Western BBQ in Lehi, 4:30 pm

Thursday, June 27, 2013
Make and Take Crafts at Provo Library, 10 am
Van Gogh to Play Dough, 10 am
Live Bird and Raptor Show - Free - Hutchings Museum, 11 am
Mornings at the Museum - Museum of Peoples and Cultures BYU, 11 am
Stock Parade - Lehi, 6 pm
Guys and Dolls begins at Hale, 7:30 pm
Lehi Rodeo, 8 pm

Friday, June 28, 2013
Hutchings Museum FREE Admission Day
Miniature Float Parade - Lehi, 6 pm
Film Screening: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (PG), 6:30 pm
Lehi Rodeo, 8 pm
Utah Symphony at Sundance, 8 pm

Saturday, June 29, 2013
Chuck Wagon Breakfast in Lehi, 7 am
Provo Farmer's Market, 9 am
Grand Parade in Lehi, 10 am
Freedom Festival Children's Parade, 10:30 am
Boutique and family fun day in Lehi, 11 am
Horseshoe Tournament Lehi Sports Park, 1 pm
Orem Concerts in the Park, 7 pm
Lehi Rodeo, 8 pm

For a complete list check out the calendar here.

Strawberry Days

It's that time of year again!  Strawberry Days is going on in Pleasant Grove now through Saturday.

 

 

I took my girls last night to get strawberries and cream.  It was definitely the best $1.50 I've spent in a long time.

 

 

Don't miss out!  Stop by Strawberry Days this week between noon and 10 pm and treat yourself to a cup of fresh strawberries & cream.  The strawberries and cream can be found at the south west corner of the fair.

 

 

The also have a bunch of booths and carnival games and rides set up, but we kept it simple and just kept to the strawberries.

Adventure Time Bedding - FREE PATTERN!

One year ago I posted the Adventure Time room I put together for our nephews who were staying with us temporarily.  I promised a tutorial for the comforters but never got around to posting it...so although it has been a long time coming (and after many requests) here you go!

 

I made a pattern using Microsoft Publisher.  I printed out my giant-size pattern and taped it together.  I will tell you that I did this project again just two months ago for a paying customer and it was a lot easier a year ago when I wasn't 8 months pregnant.  Crawling around on the floor pinning the biggest pattern I've ever made with a basketball-sized stomach is not something I ever plan on repeating.

 

This comforter is reversible.  One side has Jake and the other has Finn.  Although no single step is particularly hard, it does take a long time to do this project.  However, I haven't been able to find any sort of Adventure Time bedding for purchase so making it may be your only option.

 

 

For the Jake side, I just got golden colored fabric from the store and sewed it together so the seam ran down the middle vertically.  I printed out the pattern and taped it together.

 

 

It's easiest to work on a large hard surface so I ended up moving my kitchen table and working on the kitchen floor.  I find when I work over carpet the fabric bunches, I end up pinning the fabric to the carpet, and sometimes I snag the carpet while I cut.

 

I got a bunch of black fabric and ironed Heat'n Bond to the back according to the directions on the package.  Then I made sure the fabric was nice and flat with no wrinkles and pinned my pattern to the black fabric.  I cut out the fabric along the lines (as pictured below) and used scotch tape to tape it onto the golden fabric.  After it was taped around a few edges to hold it in place, I moved it to the ironing board and ironed the black fabric in place.  (MAKE SURE TO REMOVE THE SCOTCH TAPE ONCE YOU GET TO THE IRONING BOARD BEFORE YOU IRON)  The Heat'n Bond on the back of the fabric secures it to the golden fabric.

 

 

Then I ironed Heat'n Bond to white fabric and used the same pattern to cut out the eye circles in white.  I used scotch tape to put the white parts where I wanted them and then moved it to the ironing board again to iron the white circles in place.

 

After everything was ironed and secured, I used a zig-zag stitch to go around the edges of all of the black and white fabrics just to be sure they won't fray or come up when laundered.

 

Okay...for the Finn side.  For this side I bought 3 sheets from Walmart.  I bought the white and bright blue in twin size and the teal in the size of comforter I was doing.  (Last year I did twin size, a couple months ago I did a queen size)  Walmart sells them for pretty cheap so it's cheaper and more convenient than buying fabric.  I also bought some flesh-colored fabric for the face.

 

 

I printed out the pattern and taped it together.  I spread the flesh-colored fabric on the hardwood floor and made sure there were no wrinkles.  I pinned the pattern to the fabric and cut out the shape of the face.  Then I pressed in a 1/4 inch edge all the way around the face.

 

I used the pattern to cut the top of the white twin sheet and pressed in a 1/4 inch edge all the way along the cut on that as well.

 

I used the pattern to cut the curve of the bright blue sheet and pressed 1/4 inch edge all the way along the cut.

 

I then spread out the teal sheet making sure there were no wrinkles.  I placed the white part where I wanted it and pinned into place.  I then placed the bright blue part where I wanted it and pinned that into place.  I used a zig-zag stitch to sew along all the edges and then laid it out flat on the floor, again making sure there were no wrinkles.

 

I used some of the leftover black fabric from the Jake side to cut out the circles for eyes and traced where the smile is on the face using the pattern and a pencil.

 

I pinned the face in place and used a zig-zag stitch to secure in place.  I ironed the eyes on and used a zig-zag stitch along the edges of the eyes to ensure they don't fray.  I used a regular stitch on my sewing machine with black thread to sew along the smile I had traced with pencil.

 

Finally, I had the name embroidered on the Finn side along the edge.  Last year I embroidered the names by hand but this year I paid someone to do it and loved how it turned out.  (I can get you my contact if you're in the Utah County area - it was inexpensive and she did a great job).

 

 

 I layered the Jake side, batting, and Finn side together and then pinned horizontal lines and used my sewing machine and clear thread to quilt it together.  I did the edging in black and I was done!

 

Okay...now for the FREE patterns.

 

Free Finn Pillowcase Pattern

Free Jake Twin Comforter Pattern
Free Jake Queen Comforter Pattern
Free Finn Twin Comforter Pattern
Free Finn Queen Comforter Pattern

You are free to use these patterns for personal use.  Please do not sell the patterns or steal the credit.  Feel free to link back here but don't pass off the work as yours.

 

Email me if the links don't work for you and I will send you the file.



Meet Kate

It's been a while.  Just before I wrote my last post about how much I love my job I found out I was pregnant.  Just 3 weeks ago I gave birth to this cute girl.

 

 

I debated just keeping this post simple, but ultimately decided everyone likes to read a birth story so here you go.  My pregnancy was relatively uncomplicated and easy with the exception of the 9 weeks at the beginning I suffered through some intense nausea when I had a hard time keeping anything down.  Well into my second trimester I started feeling great and actually enjoyed being pregnant at some points, which never really happened for my first. 

 

 

The picture above is me 9 months pregnant.

 

At my 36 week appointment I mentioned to the doctor I was a lot smaller than I had been with my first.  I started losing some weight at the end and I spent the next 3 weeks going 3 non-stress tests and 2 ultrasounds per week to make sure the baby was still growing and didn't have IUGR.  Although she was small, we ultimately decided to leave her in until 39 weeks and then induce me.

 

 

I don't know how I luck out with easy deliveries but I thank my lucky stars every time I hear a labor or c-section horror story that both my babies only took pushing through 2 contractions to come out.

 

 

 Kate is tiny and perfect.  She took me a couple days to figure out but is an angel baby and hardly ever cries.  She has long dirty-blonde hair and big blue eyes.  She is just what we needed in our family and I couldn't be happier.