New Mommy 101

Sand Art!

2013-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

This was something fun we did at Megan's birthday party! All the kids loved it and it was so easy to put together (and cheap!). First I cleaned out some baby food jars for each kid that was coming. These were the perfect size for them. Then I took salt and rubbed chalk on it until I got the color I wanted! I first tried rubbing the salt on wax paper which worked will but got a few holes...wasn't bad. Just make sure you do a little at a time, that way you get the maximum color.

Then with a little adult help the kids filled their jars with the different colors! I did pull out the funals but we ended up not using them. The kids just used spoons to scoop each color in.

Thanks Flax & Twine for the great idea! We had a blast!

A Few Cards!

2013-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

I always love finding cute cards online, espcially ones that look easy and are cute! So, I always make sure to share the ones I get and ones I make with you :)

Leggings!

2013-01-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone, this is so easy! Even if you're not a sewer, you can do this! All you need is some adult socks (the longer ones). I found mine at Target in the woman's section.

So first you'll want to cut your sock as shown below. You're cutting the hill out and the long strip to the toe is what you're going to use to make a cuff.

Then fold that extra part of sock in half wrong sides together. You'll place the sock in the middle and all the raw edges will be together like shown below. Sew them together and that's it!

Birthday Cake

2013-01-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Here's my Megan's cake! She was in love with Backyardigans so I put together a Backyardigans party! I really hate paying for cakes and always try and do them myself...they don't always come out as cute as I picture in my mind but this one was awesome!

For Uniqua I followed this tutorial!! I worked perfect, just make sure you get ICING and not gel like I did the first time for the black. I did end up having to redo it because the gel doesn't freeze but the icing worked great.
Now I just need to work on my hand writing with frosting :)

Halloween Decor!

2013-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

So I had fun with the Halloween decor this year. As some of you know my husband LOVES Halloween, so my way of getting into it is making cute decor for the house!

Here's our window...it looked AWESOME at night. We had orange lights going around the window and a strobe light hitting it! I made the tree and pumpkins and everything else out of black trash bags!! (Awesome idea from my mother!). I sat downstairs one night and laid it out on the floor, then I just started cutting. I really free handed everything and I'm so not the artiest, trust me on that! I loved how it came out!

Here's Frankenstein! I made him just out of materials I had on hand. I had some black fleece (which made it a little harder to hang but not impossible) and sheets for the white. I free handed this one as well but I followed this picture just to give me an idea of what I was doing! My girls loved Frankenstein. My husband told the girls he was protecting our home while we are away. I even had a neighbor tell me her girls would giggle at him as they would drive by:)

And I just had to add this picture in (sorry for the blur and corny me). This was me for Halloween. My good friend, who we were going trick or treating with, wanted me to dress up with her (this was the night before Halloween). So all night I searched online for a last minute idea that I could throw on for her. So here you go...a great last minute idea!

Halloween - Cowgirl Jessie!

2013-01-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my cutie Megan in her Halloween outfit! I must say I was pretty happy with how this came out! I made the shirt, cow apron and tutu (although I need to find a better way to make tutus!). I finished the night before we were headed out trick or treating so just in time.

First, the shirt. I bought a plain white shirt at Target. All I could find was one with a pocket on it but it still worked just fine. Then I laid down the yellow (had a little plaid in it) and traced around the collar. Remember you'll want to leave just a tad of fabric to fold under and sew, that way you get a nice clean edge. I sewed on the yellow first. Then after trying out a few different red materials I found some red shoes lace at the fabric store...it works perfect especially when you're trying to get the loops to lay flat. It was quite easy to hand sew the red shoe lace on. I just drew a line as a rough idea of where I wanted the loops to be.

The apron was simple. Just cut your fabric to the size you want. You'll want two pieces so before you cut lay your fabric right sides together. Then after you've cut your fabric sew along the sides. You can leave open the top so that you can flip it around. Then take some black ribbon, fold it in half and place the fabric in between. This will give you a nice finish at the top. Be sure to have enough ribbon that you can tie it in the back.

Hope that helps some of you looks for a Jessie Costume! (And just a fyi, I bought the boots and hat at Disney.com on a good deal)

Megan & Maisy's Dresses - Family Pictures!

2013-01-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

So I didn't want to make two different dresses for Maisy so I just used the one I made for her birthday for our family pictures. I wanted my girls to match but not be matchy matchy. So, I used the same fabric but just changed it up a bit. Here's the tutorial I used to make Megan's dress for our family pictures! I just used a normal t-shirt but I didn't like how big the sleeves were on her. So, I cut them off and use some of the bias tape I made for Maisy's dress on the sleeves to give it some color on top as well.

Here's a better shot of Megan's dress, this way you can see the sash on the dress.

Happy New Year! Maisy's Birthday Celebration!

2013-01-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Wow the end of the year was so crazy but we really enjoyed our holidays and I hope you guys did as well. I just wanted to share a few things I made other the last few months!

As some of you know we all have birthdays at the end of the year. So, on top of all the crazy holidays we get to celebrate birthdays:) Here's what I did for Maisy's birthday.

Here's the stand for the cake (which the cake totally didn't turn out how I wanted but still worked:) ). I just turned a glass upside down and glues the plate to the top (which is actually the bottom of the glass). The I wrapped feathers around the rim of the glass.

The number is make like you make a pinata! I just cut out the number out of cardboard and alternated colors while gluing the tissue paper. Just cut squares out of the tissue paper, place the tip of a pencil (eraser side) in the center and dip into glue. Then place on the cardboard close together.

This punch as AMAZING! (Sorry this was the only picture I had of it) Here's where I found the recipe! You won't be disappointed!

Maisy's dress was also one on my many projects! It turned out better than I thought! I got the tutorial here, it's very detailed which is exactly what I need when it comes to sewing clothing for my kids. I also make the bow to match for the same blog!

Baby Diaper Wreath!

2012-10-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

This cute diaper wreath was so fun to put together. I just took the foam you can buy at the hardware store in the toilet section (only $.97 for one which makes two wreaths, it's called pipe insulation). Made it round and duck taped it together like what I did for the 4th of July wreath I made. Then take diapers, open them up and place around the tub. Tie with a cute string or ribbon to hold it on. Continue around the tub until the whole tub is covered by the diapers. Then start adding on the different things you'd like. I did some rubber ducks, baby lotion, baby shampoo, a few hair bows and an initial for her name. We hung in on the door for everyone to see when they walked in.

These are great cause they're cute and everything on it is useable! They are always a big hit at any baby shower!

Father's Gift

2012-10-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

These were what I made for Father's Day and I just found the picture. I'm sorry it's forever ago but I thought it could be a great idea for even a birthday for a Father or next Father's Day!

All I did was make a fan fold (or whatever you want to call it) and place the sign World's best Pop on top. The fan folds are super easy to make. Just take a sheet of paper and cut it to the length you'd like it to be. Then, you can score each fold (mine were about 3/4 - 1" apart) or just guess and fold like I did cause I don't have a scorer. After that you'll tape the two ends together to make it round. It's easy to do just hard to explain in writing. (Here's a great tutorial with a video at the end if that would help you!)

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

2012-10-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

I sure many of you have seen the tissue paper pom poms but I want to tell you just how easy they are to make and what an impact they have at a party! These were a few I made for my sister in laws baby shower at my mother in laws house! They were supper easy to make and we just hung them with tacks and fishing line.

To make the pom poms I followed this tutorial! She gives great detail on how to make them. I used more tissue paper to make mine fuller (about 10-12 sheets) and I didn't cut mine down. She also includes this awesome picture to show you how when you cut the ends it turns it into a different flower!

Cheese Cake Bites and RS Mad Hatter Birthday Party!

2012-10-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

For our Relief Society activity we put together the Mad Hatter Theme. We had classes relating to the different hats we all wear and how to improve things in our life (Cleaning, Time Management, and Scripture Study). After classes we had lunch for them where we made chicken pockets and these amazingly easy cheese cake bites! These were so easy I made them again for a family activity! Here's all it entails,

Ingredients:
2 pkg (8oz each) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
12 Nilla Wafers
1 can cherry pie filling (or any pie filling)
12 cupcake wrappers

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; beat just until blended. Place cupcake wrappers in cupcake/muffin pan. Place 1 wafer on bottom of each of the cupcake wrappers. Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over wafers. Bake 20 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Top with pie filling just before serving. Keep refrigerated.

Also, check out those cute water bottles...it's done with duck tape! They were so freaking easy to do! I didn't even remove the label, I just placed the tape over top of them! They come in such cute colors that it could really go with anything!

To check out the rest of the decorations for the Mad Hatter Birthday Activity you can go here!

The Best Peanut Butter Fingers Ever!!

2012-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is my mom's recipe and they are to die for! I love making these for big get togethers or a birthday treat!

Peanut Butter Fingers

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 tsp baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

2 cups oatmeal

Chocolate Frosting:
6 Tbsp margarine
2 2/3 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup cocoa
3 ½ Tbsp milk (slowly)

Cream together sugars and butter. Add eggs, vanilla, peanut butter and mix. Add soda, salt, flour, oatmeal and mix well. Pat into well greased – large cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes (put extra pans under to protect from spillage). Remove pan from oven and cool a few minutes; spread with thin layer of peanut butter. Top with frosting: blend the 5 ingredients (under the chocolate frosting) together until smooth and fluffy, then spread it over cooked base. Chill to set. Cut in strips to serve.

More Cards to Share

2012-10-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

I'm always searching online for cute cards to make for different occasions, so I thought I better put up the ones I make for those out there like me trying to find some ideas. These are a few that I have done and a few from my card exchange group that I like and wanted to remember for when I need to make more. Sorry the pictures aren't the best quality...some day I'll have a camera but for now my phone will have to do:)

Just Because/Thinking of You Gift

2012-09-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

So this idea was totally thrown together with things I had around the house. It's a little corny but I thought it was still cute:)

Here's what in the basket...

I'd go "nuts" without you

You make me want to "shout"

You have such a big "heart"

You are so "bubble" -ly

You are a "souper" friends, mother and daughter of God

I always have a "popping" good time with you

Christmas in July - Date Night Idea

2012-09-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, if you know me you know I'm a little cheese at times but hey that makes life different and fun. I found this idea on Love, Actually. It was on our list I gave my husband for Christmas last year which I posted about here.

Around here it's been hard to get in a date night but I knew my husband was coming home for the night so I pulled this together last minute. We had such a great time with it though.

First I pulled out the Christmas lights and draped them over the curtains. Then I pulled out some Christmas movies for him to choose from. We also had hot chocolate ready and don't forget the present!

We know it's hard to get to date night every week but I feel it's very important to take the time to be together. This was great for us cause we were able to relax together after the kids had gone to bed.

Organizing My Fabric

2012-09-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

So I saw this AWESOME idea on Pinterest and had to give it a shot. I had all my fabric just thrown into a big box and it was always so hard to see what I had. I loved this idea and the organization of it.

All you need is hanging folders to hang your fabric on. I just folded the fabric however it would fit onto the file folder. Each fabric was a different cut so they were all different folds. I also cute the folders in half so that I had two, if you have a heavy piece of fabric you could just use one folder for extra support. We don't have much room in our house so mine are in a box that is made for hanging folders (found at Staples or Office Depot). I Love It! It's so much easier to see everything, they stay nice and pressed and take up less room!

A Yummy Treat for Any Occasion

2012-09-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

These are a great treat for any occasion you might have coming up or just for a after school snack. All it takes is pretzels, chocolate kisses, and M&M's. You could easily substitute the chocolate kisses for anything (give rolo's a shot...I hear they are amazing). Just place the pretzels down on a cookie sheet. Place on chocolate kiss on top and place into the oven on broil for only a minute or two (just enough time to melt the chocolate). Remove immediately and place one M&M on top. Let cool and enjoy!

Cards Cards Cards

2012-09-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more samples of cards I have done and others have done from my card group!

Pull Aparts That Are To Die For!

2012-08-08T19:47:00.002-07:00

These are so delicious that no picture could do it justice. You'll just have to try this out yourself. I'll warn you now it's not healthy at all :)

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread
8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Now, I could only find sliced bread so I just sliced it the other direction as well. It doesn't work as good but taste just the same.

Thanks Plain Chicken for the great recipe, we love it!

T-shirt Headbands

2012-07-12T11:42:00.002-07:00

Just when I thought I knew everything there was to make out of an old t-shirt I ran into this tutorial on making -shirt headbands for my girls! They so super soft and my littlest "pull-everything-out-of-my-hair" girl left them in longer then normal!! And the best part, they're NO SEW headbands! I've been in a no saw mood so this was great!

I didn't follow the tutorial exactly and they still work great. Instead of using the sticky adhesive I just pulled out my hot glue gun!! Just cut a strip of t-shirt long enough to go around your childs head (or your could make it for yourself!). Hot glue the two ends together. Cut a smaller piece to cover the part you just glued together! Easy peasy!! (the tutorial has great step by step pictures if you need it!)

On the green one, I took a bleach pen to it to make the poka dots! Just put your design in and let it sit for about 30 minute (100% cotton works best!), wash off and let air dry.

Homemade Ice Cream!

2012-07-09T09:42:00.002-07:00

This is a fun treat that even the kids enjoy making!! All you need is:

2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup half & half (or light cream)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarse salt or table salt
ice
gallon-sized Ziploc bag
pint-sized Ziploc bag

Mix together the sugar, half and half and vanilla. Pour into the smaller bag (pint) and seal well. Add the ice to the gallon size bag making it half full (being optimistic! ), pour the salt on top of the ice and then add your pint size bag, seal well...start shaking! You'll shake for about 5-8 minutes. Open the bags and there you have it...homemade ice cream in a bag!!

(thanks 2 Little Hooligans for the recipe)

4th of July

2012-07-05T09:03:00.001-07:00

I hope you all were able to enjoy your 4th!! We did for sure! This is a picture of my husband and daughter at the centerville parade, she got to ride on daddy's shoulders the rest of the way and loved it!

I'm going to be taking off the rest of the week to spend some time with my hubby before he starts training! Hope you all have a great week!!

Homemade Fruit Snacks

2012-07-02T21:15:00.001-07:00

I did it! I made them over the weekend and they turned out yummy. A few notes, they are very sticky after they're set up but I left mine out over night and they were much better. I had a hard time getting them out of my mold which I got at IKEA after just the 20 minutes like the recipe says so I waited longer and it was 10 times easier!! ( I'd say a couple of hours) Hope you enjoy them like we did!! Here's the link for ya!

The Power of the Sun!

2012-06-30T06:44:00.001-07:00

I never imagined what the sun could do until I tried this! I'll never go back! I heard this idea from my dad awhile ago but just tried it for the first time the other day! The sun will bleach out stains in your clothing safely!!! As you can see we had a ton of baby clothes that were all stained. So I just layed them on our trampoline wet ( after they'd been through the wash), and let them air dry! It even took out some odd stains! And the best part, it's free! So give it a shot with your next stubborn stain!