Crafts

Pool playtime

Posted in Crafts, Leah, Molly on July 3rd, 2011 by jen – 1 Comment

The girls have really enjoyed their pool playtime every week. We've already been more times this summer than the entire summer last year. Thank goodness for a single afternoon naptime!

Pouring water with cups and buckets is certainly the favorite activity.

Pool playtime

It can be serious business.

The anticipation

And anything can be a bucket, even an upside down boat!

Anything can be a bucket

Molly has not been interested in actually swimming, but she does enjoy splashing around.

Splashing around

Jumping in is fun too!

Jumping in is fun too

Is it good luck to dump water out of a cup behind you like it is to throw salt over your shoulder?

Good luck?

Who knew you could have so much fun with a cup?!

More fun with a cup

Though, sometimes you have to take a break from the action to survey the landscape and plan your next move.

Surveying

After our first trip to the pool, I decided that the girls needed some cover-ups. So, I made them these matching terry cloth cover-ups. They have been perfect for keeping them warm and dry while eating our picnic lunches.

The great coverup

A dress just makes a girl happy

Posted in Crafts, Molly on June 27th, 2011 by jen – 5 Comments

I made Molly a new A-line dress. I love the little ruffle sleeves and the contrasting border! Molly wore it on Father's Day, because as you might recall, "Yellow is Daddy's favorite color."

New A-line dress

I was not pleased with the back construction of her dress, so I bought a new A-line dress pattern from Lily Bird Studio. I recreated the contrasting ruffle sleeve and border and made another one for Molly's friend, Allison. This pattern sewed together beautifully, so I went back and corrected the first one. Everyone ended up with pretty little dresses!

A-line dress, take 2

During our photo shoot, Molly was having such fun, so here's a few more happy girl photos.

Happy girl photos

Smiling at Mommy

What a cutie

Such a funny girl

Ok, we'll stop now

Ok, I'll stop now.

Mom, Wife, Craftaholic

Posted in Crafts, Food on June 26th, 2011 by jen – 1 Comment

That should be my title! Here are some of my latest projects.

The theme for my MOMS Club End of the Year Banquet was "If you give a Mom an M..." based of these books by Laura Numeroff. We had door prizes of movie tickets and a manicure gift certificate. I made these marshmallow pops as the party favor. They were a big hit!

Marshmallow pops

Molly saw me dipping the marshmallows in chocolate and asked if she could dip her pretzels in it too. Good idea, Molly (and a great way to use up the rest of the chocolate)!

Chocolate pretzels

My dad always has a book with him, so I made him these scrap fabric bookmarks for Father's Day.

Bookmarks for Grampa

And I sent a few more pillowcases to ConKerr Cancer. I had received the wrong fabric in an order, so they let me keep it and suggested donating it. So, that's what I did.

ConKerr Cancer pillowcases

Swaddling tiny survivors

Posted in Crafts on June 8th, 2011 by jen – 1 Comment

As many of you know, I'm from the South. I went to school at Auburn and several of my family members live in the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa area. We had only returned home from our Easter visit to Birmingham the day before the tornado hit.

So, when Craft Hope announced their newest project, security blankets for tornado survivors, I knew I was in. They are asking for handmade/machine washable blankets to "wrap people up in love."

I had seen this tutorial for making a swaddling blanket out of two receiving blankets. I loved the idea and decided to upcycle a few of Leah's receiving blankets for the project.

Swaddling tiny survivors

If you'd like to send love through your blankets, sign up here. You have until the 15th.

Show and Tell Green

Summer surprises

Posted in Crafts on June 6th, 2011 by jen – 2 Comments

I have sewn for my girls and their friends recently, but I hadn't made anything for my niece. So, I whipped up a Market Skirt and a few bows and sent them off in the mail. I didn't tell my sister it was coming, and included a note saying, "Just a little summer surprise!" She was so excited to get it!

A skirt for Emmie

I also went to a surprise baby shower this weekend. My friend, Heather, is due in two weeks with a little boy. So, I made another whale jon jon, but in a 12 month size this time.

Another whale jon jon

It’s craftastic!

Posted in Crafts on June 2nd, 2011 by jen – 4 Comments

I've worked on several craft projects lately, but many were gifts that I needed to give before posting. So, here goes a craftastic photo bomb!

I made Grams a couple reusable travel lids for Mother's Day.

Reusable covers

This Minnie Mouse ribbon shirt was a birthday gift for Molly's friend, Sadie.

Minnie ribbon shirt

We have gotten so many solicitors lately. Between tree cutting services, home improvement services, and butchers (yes, you read that right!) all saying "We were in your area doing some work..." I had to try something! So far so good. Chad thought the sign should say, "No, you weren't just in the neighborhood!"

Knock knock

A reversible dress for our friends, Pete and Laura. They are expecting baby Claire in September.

For baby Claire

The reverse side

And lastly, Molly and I made button bookmarks for her preschool teachers - perfect for their summer reading!

Button bookmarks

Finally, a dress for Molly

Posted in Crafts on May 4th, 2011 by jen – 2 Comments

As I've mentioned, Molly and many of her friends are in a dress phase. Every time I made a dress for one of her friend's birthday, Molly always asked for one too. So finally, I made a new dress for her. She picked out the fabric (she loved the pink polks-dots and butterflies are her favorite bug!) and I made this cute halter dress again for her.

You might also notice Molly's different hairstyle. We're going to try growing out her bangs. It makes her look so much older pulled back. We'll see how it goes!

Finally a dress for Molly

Show and Tell Green

Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails

Posted in Crafts on May 2nd, 2011 by jen – 3 Comments

Making clothes for little boys is a bit tough when you don't have one in your house! I used this romper pattern again and made a jon jon for our friend Kathy's little boy. I had to ask a high school friend for measurements, and Leah was a good sport and tried it on for me since it was 18 months, but I think it turned out pretty darn cute!

Whale jon jon
Making Get Your Craft On Tuesday

Celebrating with family

Posted in Celebrations, Crafts, Food, Trip on April 29th, 2011 by jen – Be the first to comment

On Monday night, I made cupcakes for a combined early birthday/Mother's Day celebration for my sister and mom.

Birthday cupcakes

There was a yummy surprise inside these cupcakes - chocolate chip cookie dough! My BIL said they were possibly the best cupcakes he'd ever had!

A surprise inside

Michelle was excited to finally get some homemade vanilla extract after waiting months for it to ferment.

An exciting gift

And by special request, I made these kitchen owl towels for her birthday.

Kitchen owl towels

For my mom, I embroidered all the granddaughters' handprints as a Mother's Day gift.

Handprints for G'Mom

You can see a lot more pictures from our trip on Flickr starting here.

Everyone loves Minnie

Posted in Crafts on April 18th, 2011 by jen – Be the first to comment

It turns out that everyone loves Minnie! (Did you know her full name is actually Minerva Mouse?) Molly has been invited to two Minnie Mouse birthday parties since her own, so I made this apron for Molly's classmate, Elizabeth.

Minnie apron
Making