Taylor Made

an "April Showers" Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Remember this quilt I made my cousin last month? My mom, sister and I also hosted a little family shower for the new Mommy-to-be. Jamie is our only girl cousin and even though she lives 3 hours away, she has a lot of family here in Houston. My sister hosted at her condo in the Heights because it is centrally located.

We decided on an "April Shower" theme. We kept it casual with our decor and food. I made a cute scalloped bunting and some rain garland. My mom and sister did a lot of the decor too (and mom thought of the cute poufs) and we all pitched in on the food. My sister also made the best punch!

I loved the invitations too- I found them online and they were so perfect for the theme. The invitation shop emailed a PDF in our custom colors and I had them printed at a local copy center.

I used my Cameo to cut out pages and pages of raindrops from cardstock, then I sewed them together.

We hung them over the gift table in my sisters sitting room. Also, isn't her map chair the cutest!?

I also used my Cameo to cut out the clouds for the "straw name tags" - which might have been the cutest things ever. We hit every trend possible with punch in mason jars and paper striped straws :)

My mom found pretty M&M's and pinwheel toothpicks at the party store. We served Crave Cupcakes, in chocolate and red velvet. We also had tea sandwiches, fruit kabobs, cheese and pigs in a blanket. My sisters punch was another big hit! She juiced fresh oranges and lemons in her juicer, added grenadine and ginger ale then floated pineapples and strawberries on top.

I'm so glad we got to celebrate "baby E" before he gets here this summer :)

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 7

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

Each week we will choose 5 of your projects to feature at the next Link Party. We will also pin our 5 featured projects it to our group Pinterest board next week. Trust us, we know how busy Mondays can be so we leave the party open all week. The party closes at midnight on Sunday!

1. Display our link party button (or text link) on your post or somewhere on your site. You will find them at the very bottom of this post.
2. Visit all 5 of our blogs & follow us in some way (Twitter, RSS, Facebook, etc.)
3. Visit as many fellow partiers as you can and leave comments. That's what makes it fun!
4. If you have been featured, please display our featured button on your post.

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your Moonlight & Mason Jars hostesses.

Mickey Mouse Subway Art Tutorial

1. Vacation Recap
2. Chocolate Chip Recipes
3. Oreo Stuffed Brownie Cupcakes

My Groopdealz Addiction and a Giveaway!

Leaf Art

Mom Apps from MamaBear Tech Conference

Thank you to those who linked up last week. We are pleased to announce our

Foxy Frame Tutorial: Sugar Beans
Gold & Pearl Ribbon Necklace: My Girlish Whims
Envelope Pillows DIY: The Happy Housie
1st Birthday Party: I Got This Martha
The Beauty of An Old Piece of Trim: My Love to Create

Congrats to our winners!

We have pinned these featured projects to our Group Pinterest Board:

Now for this week's link party:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250-Featured.png" alt="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

How to Save Your Leaves - Leaf Art

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:03:00 +0000

Last fall my Mom, Sister and I took a girls trip to the East Coast. It was on my Mom's bucket list to see the leaves change and we came along for the ride :) Here in Texas we have no seasons... we have warm, hot, hotter, warm again then a series of cool fronts for a winter with mild days between. We were in awe with all of the colors and the history of the cities. The locals there told us we "were a week late" to see the really good colors- Of course we didn't know that! To anyone who lives on the east coast and sees this every year- I think you take this for granted.

I wanted a way to "save" some leaves so I placed them away in a notebook and brought them home. My mom is going to start a gallery wall for her office so I though some leaf art from New England might be the perfect touch.
I measured the frame and used craft paper cut the the right dimensions and taped it down.

Then I mod podged the back of the leaves and placed them on the craft paper where I wanted.

I pressed them down a little and then mod-podged the tops. Careful not to get it too thick outside of the leaf or it will dry darker.

Then I added a little trip reminder.

The Mod Podge makes the paper a little "rumply" so I stacked book on top after it dried.

Then frame it. The Mod Podge has sealed in the colors so far so hopefully they don't fade too much.

So who all is from the East Coast and gets to live in this beauty... and who is with me on no seasons?

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 6

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:04:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

Each week we will choose 5 of your projects to feature at the next Link Party. We will also pin our 5 featured projects it to our group Pinterest board next week. The party closes at midnight on Wednesday.

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your Moonlight & Mason Jars hostesses.

Mickey Mouse Paper Lantern Tutorial

1. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
2. Festive Party Supplies

DIY Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Mini Fabric Lamps

1. Tech Tuesday- Last Minute Gifts for Mom
2. DIY Team Banner

Thank you to those who linked up last week. We are pleased to announce our

1. Pom Pom Fringe Mania @ My DIY Habits
2. Custom Bleach T Shirt @ Sugar Bee Crafts
3. DIY Bridal Shower Stamped Macaron Bags @ The McBaileys
4. Mason Jar Themed Wedding Shower @ Sweetpea Lifestyle
5. Garage Sale Checklist @ Michelle Lea Designs

We have pinned these to our Group Pinterest Board:

Now for this week's link party:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250-Featured.png" alt="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 5

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:46:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your Moonlight & Mason Jars hostesses.

Tissue Paper Flower Tutorial

1: Mother's Day Dessert Ideas
2: Turkey Travel Tips
3: Cinco de Mayo Guacamole
4: Flowers in Bloom

1. DIY Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea: Thank You for Helping Me Grow
2. DIY Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea: I'm One Smart Cookie

1. Etsy Shop Update
2. Baby Boy Modern Quilt
3. Lisa Leonard Giveaway
4. Recipe Oven Mitt

1. Prepping For Yard Sale #2
2. How Infertility Caused Me To Look At Food Differently

Thank you to those who linked up last week. We are pleased to announce our

1. Blackberry Lemonade Cupcakes @ One Sweet Appetite
2. Pottery Barn Knock-Off Clock @ Decorate Me Diana
3. DIY License Plate Map @ CRAFT Blog
4. Mother's Day Printable @ Two Bobbins Later
5. Vintage Inspired Painted Mason Jars @ Live Laugh Rowe

We have pinned these to our Group Pinterest Board:

Link Up HERE:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Handmade Mother's Day: Recipe Oven Mitt

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:24:00 +0000

I'm so excited to be a part of the Mother's Day Handmade {Love} Series!
Kelly, from live.laugh.rowe organized the series. I met Kelly at Blissdom and she is an amazing person; she put together a great group of bloggers who are each sharing a different Handmade Mother's Day Gift. Yesterday, Kristi from I Should Be Mopping the Floor shared her Printable Coupon Book. I also became friends with Kristi at Blissdom last month :) Check out her project HERE.
I knew I wanted to do a sewing project and I've actually had this idea in my head for a while. A recipe on an oven mitt... cute and functional right?
Here's what you need: -two large fabric scraps -insul-bright -insulbright oven mitt pattern -a printable fabric sheet

When you buy the Insulbright, It comes with this oven mitt pattern. The directions are actually printed right on the pattern too. I followed those directions exactly and they are really simple.
For the printable fabric sheet you need to design your recipe. Make sure it fits within the size of the mitt pattern. You will also want to get the washable fabric sheets. My instructions told me to print and wait 10 mins, then iron for 1-2 minutes. Then I had to spray with cool water and iron again- now its machine washable! Then just trim with an inch or so around the recipe.

To sew the recipe fabric and mitt fabric together this is what I did:

Place the two fabrics right side together and line up the edges. Then sew the right side. Press seams toward the outside fabric. Do the same steps for the left side.

Then you need to trim the fabric on the sides. Draw a straight line through both side fabrics and the recipe fabric. Do this for the top and bottom and trim. You will have a rectangular strip now. Then repeat first steps with top and bottom fabric. Be sure to press seams out. Then you will have something that looks like this...

This is now your fabric to trace your mitt pattern onto. Follow the instructions on the pattern.

Cut out all pieces. 2 of each- inside fabric, outside fabric and insulbright. Be sure to flip the pattern for the 2 different sides, I forgot for one fabric and had to redo it :(

Then you will make 2 "insulbright sandwiches" with the two other fabrics right side out. Zig Zag stitch around the edge and trim.

Then you will make a bias tape edge on both sides of the mitt and add a 4" ribbon into one side for hanging.

You will have 2 sides. Then put the two outside fabrics together and sew around the edge (not the bottom edge) and flip.

I found this lemon bar recipe online because this fabric looked "lemon-y" to me. But it would be fun to print out a family recipe that has been passed down from generations of women!

Be sure to stop by Capturing Joy tomorrow and see what Kristen shares :)

Lisa Leonard Designs Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:30:00 +0000

Two giveaways in one week? What is going on around here :) I guess I just love you guys... and I am so excited to bring you a another great giveaway from Lisa Leonard Designs. She is offering $50 to be spent in her online shop. If you are not familiar with Lisa Leonard Designs, you have to check it out! Her handmade jewelry is so unique and meaningful. Most of their products are hand stamped, and everything is made with real, good quality metals. She is also a mom and a blogger!
To Enter CLICK HERE

a Modern Baby Boy Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

With all of my baby girl crafting did you even know I could make something for a boy? I was surprised I still had it in me. I have also been surprised by how many new baby girls there have been around here. But this post isn't about girls, its about a baby boy. My only girl cousin is due with her first baby this summer and I am so happy for her little family. They will make awesome parents and I can't wait for the boys to have another "young" relative :)

My mom, sister and I hosted a small family baby shower for Jamie and Baby "E" a few weeks ago. I will share all the shower deets here next week. I wanted to make him something he could keep for a long time so I settled on a quilt. It is modern and bright. The nursery is actually much more neutral but I figured this could be an on-the-go quilt.

I still love this print on the back- I knew I was hoarding it for a good reason.

This is my 4th quilt to actually finish. I also have about 6 unfinished quilt tops. I have not yet worked up the courage to hand quilt the binding... for those of you that do that - Bravo! Anyone else a machine binding cheater like me?

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

We are 5 BLOGS that have come together at 5PM (CST) every Monday night for a little "show and tell". Link up anything to our link party that you have created or written yourself and it will show up on all five of our blogs! Please don't link up any items for sale. Each week we will choose 5 of your projects to feature at the next Link Party. We will also pin our 5 featured projects it to our group Pinterest board next week. In order to get featured, please follow our party rules:

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your 5 Moonlight & Mason Jars hosts:

DIY Magnetic Chalkboard Spice Tins

1: Flat Cake Tutorial
2: Seattle Travel Tips
3: S'mores Cookie Cups
4: Delicious Pasta Ideas

Why I Love My Fit Foods: A Giveaway

Baby Bunny Plushie

1. Create A Functional Kids' Space
2. Refresh Your Beauty Products
3. Cleaning Up Your Virtual Space
4. Spring Clean Fling Week Link Up

We are pleased to announce our 5 Featured Winners who linked up from last week's link party.

1. Cowboy Muffins
2. How To Make An Oreo Cake
3. Mothers Day Makeup Bag Gift
4. Vegan White Bean Salad + Vegetarian Caprese
5. Faux Capiz Shell Chandeliers Tutorial

We have pinned these to our group Pinterest board:

Now for this week's link party:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250-Featured.png" alt="The Newlywed Pilgrimage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

$200 Queen Bee Market Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Hi Friends.... If you follow craft bloggers on social media, you may have seen some of the awesome photos of the Queen Bee Market last week. I was so jealous of everyone at SNAP Conference. The classes looked amazing but the Handmade Market looked even better! I partnered with BlogPrizes.com and some of my blogging friends to give YOU a chance to win some of the best items at the Queen Bee Market. And I really mean the best. Several of these items were sold out before the show was over, and a couple sold out very shortly after it started!

To Enter CLICK HERE

some housekeeping...

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Or should I call it "blog-keeping"? Whatever it is called I have some things to talk about today :) For starters, we all know about Google Reader and its retirement right? So sad for us "blogger peeps". Do you follow blogs via Reader, because I did? But don't cry just yet- I started using BlogLovin and Feedly so I could try them both out. I haven't decided which one I like better, I'm leaning toward BlogLovin. You can follow TaylorMade on Feedly HERE or on BlogLovin here:

I also just opened my Sponsorship Spots back up! You can advertise on TaylorMade once again. The the link to my Advertising Page is HERE. I started using an Ad service and I love it, you can pay and sign up right from that page. So easy! Email me if you have any questions about Sponsorship Ideas or questions.

I opened my ETSY shop back up. I have some Hand Dyed Onesies in there right now and I have some exciting things coming soon! You can always find it in my sidebar.

And speaking of housekeeping... if you follow me on Instagram then you know all about the adventures of listing our house/moving. We haven't actually moved yet but the process of decluttering was rough. I had to say goodbye to my precious Craft Room :( We will most likely be out by the end of May but how can a crafter live without a room for that long? I kept my sewing machine and a bag of unfinished projects - not the same as an entire craft space but it will have to do for now.

So, that kind of covers things that are going on around here. Questions, comments, concerns? What is going on with you this week?

Baby Bunny Plushie

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Last month my friend gave birth to precious little Madi Lou. Of course I had to make her something handmade, as you know I use any excuse to make something girly :) I wanted to make a little plushie and because it was around Easter, I guess I had bunnies on the brain.

I searched for the perfect pattern but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I did find the "Stuffed Menswear Bunny" from my friend Martha Stewart HERE. It's a free pattern, so I printed it out then hacked it (sorry martha). I added quite a few inches to the legs and arms.

My favorite part?... the ears. I wish I would have added interfacing so they would stick up better on their own.

I also love the little felt bow. I glued it on and sewed it on too. I wanted to make sure it would stay put if little Madi tugged at it. I also added a little taylormade tag to the butt.

I threw in a few of my favorite Burp Cloths. I posted all about those HERE.

Madi Lou also got a hand-dyed TaylorMade Onesie. You can find those in the shop HERE.

All girly and all handmade. What is better than that?

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:22:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your 5 Moonlight & Mason Jars hosts:

A Yappy Birthday Pawty for Pooch

1: Flat Cake Tutorial
2: Kitchen Essentials
3: Double Chocolate M&M + Pudding Cookies

Happy Mother's Day: 10 Reasons Why I Love You

Fabric Storage and Craft Room Update

1. Entertain Your Kids With Audiobooks
2. Love & Marriage: How We Came To Be (Part 2) & Keeping Love Alive

We are pleased to announce our 5 Featured Link Ups from last week's link party.

We have pinned them to our group Pinterest board:

Now for this week's link party:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Fabric Storage and a Craft Room Update

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Two of my favorite words: Fabric and Storage. If you are new around here, a few years ago I did a little series called "Craft Spaces" here on TaylorMade. I shared MY ROOM and also asked some of my favorite bloggers to share theirs. ( HERE is the link to those rooms) I am kind of obsessed with craft spaces/rooms/studios. I think it's so fun to see where creative people work and how they organize their tools because these spaces are always so inspiring.

Well, that was over a year ago and a lot has changed about my room. But my favorite part is how I store my fabric :) Nerd alert. I heard about Comic Book Boards for storing fabric a while back so I thought I would give them a try.

I ordered THESE. (amazon affiliate link)
After organizing my first 200 boards I was in love. I highly recommend them. I use these for anything from 1/4 yd to 4 yds. Anything less I put in a scrap box and anything more I fold for a shelf. An OCD dream!

I also divided my room up with a better "flow". I have one half for sewing and the other half of the room is for paper crafts. Here is the sewing side behind the sewing machine and serger:

1. fabric on comic book boards - yay 2. my vintage sheet shelf 3. sewing "tools" like scissors, rotary cutter, machine accessories, pins, bobbins, etc. 4. tools I use more often, buttons, elastic and a bobbin winder (which I also recommend) 5. felt 6. small unfinished projects 7. ribbon 8. big stuff - batting and burlap bags
The other half of this shelf houses painting supplies, spray paint, stencils and other silhouette tools, craft books and kids art supplies. I keep my big scrap bin and my big unfinished projects on top of the shelf

Here is a better look at my vintage sheet pieces I have been collecting for an upcoming quilt.

The other side of the room is for "paper crafting". I don't know why I didn't always have it set up like this - it makes so much sense. I still stick with my mantra that if it is out and it front of you, you will do it. So I keep my Project Life stuff out on the table at all times because you never know when you can sneak in for 45 minutes. I wrote a little about my process on "lazy scrapbooking" HERE.

fake flowers in a Patron bottle = a craft room must

I bought this Shoe Cubby from Target originally to organize my fabric but I outgrew it and now I love it even more. It holds stationary, blank cards, stickers, washi tape, tags, bakers twine, embellishments... etc

And there you have it. A little craft room update, my love for comic book boards and my love for Patron Bottles as decoration.
An update: I took these pictures about two weeks ago and currently my craft room is no more :( We are listing our house this week and sadly, not everyone wants a dining room turned craft space. I will have to wait a few weeks until we move and I will get it all back (and hug it all). Then I can post all about my new plans. Also, in my next house I would like to refer to it as a "Studio". Doesn't that sounds so much more grown up??

Moonlight & Mason Jars Monday - Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a new Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your 5 Moonlight & Mason Jars hosts:

1. 10 Ways to Celebrate a Big Birthday in the Big Apple
2. Guy Gifts: The Baseball Lover
3. National Tour of Ballparks Bucket List

1. Super Sunny Lemon Bars
2. Charleston Travel Tips

3. Spring Craft Ideas

1. Girl's Night In with Sally Hansen
2. Huge Giveaway! Kitchenaid Shopping Spree

1. The Taylor Tote

2. Southern Fabric Giveaway

3. Zipper Pouch Love

1. Tech Tuesday: Shopping with Social Media

We are pleased to announce our 5 Featured Link Ups from last week's link party.We have pinned them to our group Pinterest board:

Link Up Here:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Giveaway by Southern Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Hi Friend. It's your lucky day because today I'm giving away one of my favorite things... FABRIC! Well actually Southern Fabric is, and they are giving away a $25 Gift Card to a lucky Taylor Made Reader.

Moonlight and Mason Jars Monday - Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:21:00 +0000

Welcome to the launch of our Monday Night Link Party called Moonlight & Mason Jars!

1. Display our link party button on your post or somewhere on your site. You will find them at the very bottom of this post.
2. Visit all 5 of our blogs & follow us in some way (Twitter, RSS, Facebook, etc.)
3. Visit as many fellow partiers as you can and leave comments. That's what makes it fun!

We can't wait to see all of your amazing projects!

Here's the latest & greatest from your 5 Moonlight & Mason Jars hosts:

1. Painted Mason Jar Vases - DIY or Buy
2. Reese's Pieces and M&M Blondie Brownies
3. Thirty for Thirty - 30 Acts of Kindness Upon 30 Years
4. Ham Pot Pie (Ideal for Leftover Ham)

1: Be Sweet Bars
2: Lightened-Up Banana Bread
3: Gift Ideas for Guys
4: Maldives Travel Tips

1. Easter Shoot for Baby Lifestyle Magazine

2. DIY Ombre Cakestand

3.DIY Washi Tape Dispenser

4.Happy 2nd Birthday Party

1. Envelope Clutch

2. Business Card Holders

3. Surfer Slacks

4. Juice Cleanse Recap

1. Spring Green Fashion Inspiration
2. Create A DIY Sports Trading Card
3. {Love & Marriage} How We Came To Be, Part 1

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/moonlight-mason-jars" title="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party"><img src="http://www.thenewlywedpilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MMM-250-x-250.png" alt="Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Zipper Pouch Love

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:25:00 +0000

For Valentine's Day I always try to make my mom a little handmade something. Mainly because I love making little gifts and sewing for your husband is never as exciting :) And yes I am posting something from Valentines Day in April.
I used Anna's Pattern from Noodlehead. It's the Open Wide Zippered Pouch found HERE. I added a little heart by using a reverse applique.

My favorite part is the little zipper pull with polka dots.

Really easy little gift to whip up. Also, you can never have enough little bags, am I right?

The Story of my Juice Cleanse

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:26:00 +0000

I have had a ton of requests for this post. But I didn't want to write it. I posted at the end of February that I was going to do a 10 day juice fast... (You can read all the details about why and how HERE) I got super pumped up and I was very prepared. Let me just spoil the ending of this for you - I didn't make it 10 days. I couldn't even make it 5! I explained in my first post that the reason I wanted to do this juice cleanse was because I felt like my family wasn't eating enough vegetables, plain and simple. I don't even like many vegetables. So, I thought this would give me a boost and a little cleanse so I could start bringing more juice into our regular diet. I make juice weekly but only about a gallon- which the kids and I drink in about 2 days. We love our juice but I am no expert! I honesty thought it would be easier. Isn't that always how it works? When you are all full and happy you think, "Oh I can totally do that!".

Here are some things I learned, what I did that worked and what I did that didn't work... Cost: A big complaint I hear about juicing is the cost. I get it... produce is expensive but if you think about what you are getting it really isn't the bad part for me. We buy stuff to make good healthy dinners 3-4 nights a week. I don't buy frozen or canned vegetables on these nights. The other nights we make something easy and cheap like hot dogs, pizza or spaghetti. And we eat out about twice a week. So the week that I bought the produce it was a lot cheaper than my regular grocery bill. I bought ALL THIS for $38. This made enough juice for about 3-4 days, but that was just for me.

Prep: I think this is two fold. One part is physically prepping, cleaning and cutting the fruit. I scored a 100 on that. The other part is getting your body ready for this cleanse. I scored a 0 on that one. I went out with some girls the night before and ate a ton of carbs and wine :/ Don't do that! I have heard from some that they make juice as they go. My mom and sister actually do that. Juice is "good" for 72 hours so I like to make enough for those 3 days then make more when I'm out. I think if you have the juicer out and dirty then use it. But then there is some that believe that the juice starts to breakdown and looses some of the essential vitamins. I think hey, I'm drinking broccoli- I'm calling this a win. Next step- washing, cutting and peeling as needed. To go from this...

to this... took a little over an hour. Juicing is kind of a labor of love.

Juicing: Now to the best part. My kids love the juicing. A lot of people asked me about recipes. I don't really follow any. I just throw stuff in that I think would be a good combo. Again I am not an expert but here are some tips I have learned... -If you are juicing the peel (apples, carrots, peaches etc) then wash it very well. You don't want to juice pesticides -If it has leaves like carrots, beets or celery then juice with the leaves on -You can juice citrus with the peel on but it's very bitter, I peel but leave the white part on for juicing -Leafy greens are so good for you (parsley, kale, spinach, lettuce) but they don't produce much juice- I still always include at least 2 in each juice - I try to have more vegetables than fruit so that I don't get all sugared up -Sweet potatoes are really chalky, so I let the starch settle to the bottom. It sits in the fridge for a day then I don't stir it up as much so it stays down there -Pineapple and Mango make anything super creamy, almost like a smoothie :) -You can juice any fruit and veg except white potatoes, avocado, bananas and mushrooms (I read that on my juicer and choose to believe it) Storing: I labeled as I went, it's not necessary but I thought it might help in case I came across something I loved or hated (ex: I learned I don't like cabbage in juice and love pineapple, ginger and lemon). I used Mason Jars and wrapped post its around with a rubber band.

I used the Mason Jars because I read it is better if the juice is air tight. I don't know if that is true but it was convenient to have it all separated and just grab one when I needed it.

The Hard Part: When I did my research on this juice fast, I heard the first 5 days are brutal. I knew that going in. But preparing for hard vs. being really hard are two different things. The first day I was actually OK. I thought this is great, I can do this. Day 2 I woke up and had juice around 9:00. About an hour later I got pretty hungry. I had 4 juices the first day. I think that might have been my first problem. I read somewhere you should have 65-95oz of juice daily. I don't think I was having enough. But here was another problem we had... in the famous words of my sister on day 2 "This cleanse makes you hate juice". Seriously no one likes juice more than me and I just got so burnt out on it. After 4 huge glasses they last thing I said was mmmm, toss me a cold juice, again. So back to day 2.. I was hungry and it was only 10 so around 11:30 I had another one but again, an hour later I was really hungry. This continued all day and I was grouchy and starving that night. Day 3... repeat of day two but more grouchy. Day 4 I woke up and was almost in tears, I drank another juice which of course held me over for an hour. Then it was lunch time and I cracked.... I posted this to instagram: I only had about 3 tablespoons of kale salad (all raw) and 4 cashews but I felt like a new person.

I also felt like I had failed. My mom lasted almost 6 days and my sister and I lasted 3. It was much harder than I thought. My friend Melissa posted on this picture that when she did her juice fast she had to have the "nut juice" (worst name ever). But it's basically a cashew or almond milk with stevia and cinnamon. Next time I would definitely do this in the evenings so I don't wake up so hungry. Also, looking back and reading more I think 10 days was a little ambitious. I should have started with 3 which is ironically how long I made it. My Juicing Future: I really am glad I juiced for a few days. I even want to go it again! This time for 3 days and with some nut milk included :) I also want to try a prepackaged cleanse one day. I love making my own juice but I would like to compare and see how much you really get. We have started having juice more regularly which is what I wanted. My kids ask for "homemade juice" all the time. I think of it as a permanent part of out diet now.

Do you have any tips to add? Any thoughts or comments? Or questions... not like I'm the expert on juice but maybe I came across something... ask away

Surfer Slacks

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, Kate asked me if I could test out a new top secret pattern for her. It's not so secret now, her Surfer Slacks for the Sun and Surf Collection are everywhere in sewing blogland :) It's also no secret that I am a big fan of Kate's work so I was all over it!

I love this pattern and whipped these up in no time. Also, if you are not BFF's with knits- this pattern has just enough to practice on without messing anything up.

I searched for the perfect buttons for the back pockets and finally found these "C's".

My little model LOVES that he has "C's" on his pants. He is between two sizes so I made them a size up so he could grow into them. Also, remember he has a big booty.

And how cute is suiting on a little boy? It's actually a perfect fabric because it almost has a stretch to it which makes it great for climbing :)

And speaking of cute...

I think he's over his modeling gig.

Blissdom 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 04:37:00 +0000

I'm back from my weekend at Blissdom. I don't even know how to write this post! I had such a fun time, met so many new friends and lost a lot of sleep. Here is my weekend according to my 1000 grainy, night iphone pics :)

Blissdom took place at the Gaylord Texan; which that in itself could be an entire post! It's HUGE- and I am from Texas. I also have a good sense of direction and I got lost a few times.

When I arrived, I had never actually met my roommates in real life! I didn't really know anyone. Who does that? They could be old men pretending to be girls then try to kill me. Thankfully that didn't happen and they were my favorite part! Allison, Jamie and Jess = amazing.

When I tell someone I have a blog they either don't get it or don't like it, even my best friends and family are still confused. Literally my dad asked my mom "what is a blog?" when I was gone. It was fun to be around people who get it. So for me that was my favorite part of Blissdom... the girls.

The one person I knew before Blissdom- Meg (thanks for picking me up Meg & Whitney)

Me and my roomies with Natalie (and her cute Micah) and Fancy Nancy

There was a lot of eating at the Mexican food restaurant in the Gaylord.

As far as the speakers and the sessions... honestly I don't really think I learned anything so important. There were some really inspiring speeches. Most of the speakers were kind of telling their stories; which I'm a sucker for a good story - it's just not really what I expected. I wish I would have learned a little more about the art of blogging; SEO, money talk, scheduling... stuff like that. Or at least a little more hands on. I took a variety of classes and I learned some words of wisdom. At the very least I can maybe make a craft from one of my favorite quotes ha!

I learned more from hanging out with smart, creative women all weekend than I did from the classes. And that's OK. You know what else is ok... having a blast at the Girls Night :) Chris Mann and Amber Riley played at the Glass Cactus. Then they opened to the public and the Spazmatics came on, who I know from Houston - they are an 80's cover band who I LOVE. You can call us Spazmatics Groupies!

Allison and I - and our broken, broken feet

One of my new favorite people - Jodi!

Going out and dancing until the morning was so much fun but we also had fun in the hallways and in our room... and everywhere. (PS Jamie lunges whilst brushing her teeth - it's a big debate on her fbook page)

bottom left - me, jodi, kristen, mackenzie, jamie and kelly

Overall, I had a great time. At an event like this, you do have to branch out. Three days ago I didn't know any of these people and now I have so many new friends. I DID have to go out of my comfort zone at times and by the end of the weekend I was a little "talked out". If I have any advice, I would say go for it. It doesn't have to be Blissdom, but going to an event with women from all back grounds who are alike, who are different, who are real - that's what I loved.

Business Card Holders

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:11:00 +0000

If you are reading this on Thursday Morning, I am already well on my way to Blissdom :) I'm excited/nervous/sad to leave my boys/happy to be with girls; but mainly excited.

A few weeks ago I signed up for a little craft swap with "newbies" that will be at Blissdom. My partner said she loves, tea, yoga, blank notebooks and neutral colors with greens and blues. I got her a few things that I bought. For the handmade part I decided on a business card holder for the conference (and of course had to make one for me too). I found a great tutorial HERE. Mine matches my new tote in coral.

Hopefully these will be busting the seems next time you hear from me.

Until next week, wish me luck! When I come back I will have a million pictures, stories and new friends to share, xoxo.

the taylor tote

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:06:00 +0000

Meet my new favorite thing; The Taylor Tote. I am headed to Blissdom this week (eeek!). I should be planning what I am going to wear or packing or doing laundry. But instead I prepared by making a tote bag, And I love it.

I wanted black and white stripes, hot pink trim and brown leather... but after a late night JoAnn's visit that involved all the boys, a toddler meltdown and one throwing up - this is what I came home with (yes one really did throw up at JoAnn's)

From what I hear, I will need to carry around a lot of stuff. There are 3 classes the first day and 2 on the second day. I'm going to bring my DSLR and I need space for all the i's- so made an iPad and an iPhone pouch.

I also made extra wide handles, which are a definite must so I can load my bag full of stuff from the handmade market :)

Apparently everyone loves the new tote, including a red wasp who tried to be a part of my photo session.
Random fact- last summer I was attacked my a ball of red wasps that my son was trying to grab, he was un-phased and I couldn't walk for days. Now I call them tracker jackers.

Speaking of packing, if you have been to a blog conference pretty please give me some tips!! What does everyone wear on the dress up night? How fancy do people get for the classes? And what do I need to bring besides the "regular stuff"? And if you are going to Blissdom in Dallas this week then leave your info!!

Newborn Pants + a Ship Wheel Onesie

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:55:00 +0000

In keeping with my boy sewing this past week, I made words tiniest & cutest outfit. What is cuter than newborn clothes? Nothing I tell you. My friend just had her 3rd baby on Thursday but it's her 1st boy, so I knew he needed some boy clothes. I used Rae's Free Basic Newborn Pant Pattern found HERE.

Sometimes you find a pattern that is so simple yet so fun that you want to keep making something over and over... that is this pattern. Warning, if you are having a baby anytime this year and you are my friend, spoiler alert :) I used her tutorial for "pimping them out" to add the pockets and trim around the bottom. I also added a little ribbon for the tag in the back.

For the onesie, I dyed a white one with black dye and used iron on vinyl that I cut with my silhouette. I usually include one of these handmade onesies with all of my baby gifts and I have had a few people ask about them. I put some for sale HERE in my etsy shop :)

This outfit didn't help my baby fever. It is at an all time high :/ To make matters worse (or better) I got to hand deliver this little gift to the new baby himself. And I got an hour of newborn cuddles in return.

Boy Shorts - Stars and Checks

noreply@blogger.com (Taylor Urban) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:06:00 +0000

This week Dana and Rae are Celebrating "The Boy". It might be one of my favorite blog series all year, boys need clothes too right. I was inspired to sew up some new shorts for the boys- I also needed a reason to buy some Lizzy House Constellations fabric. My youngest can totally pull off Constellation Shorts. My oldest likes more "traditional" prints, stripes, solids and plaid. He turned 3 and got picky about what he wears?!

I used Dana's Kid Pant Pattern for the 2T and just cut them down to shorts. Her kiddos look super tall and skinny so I should have added even more width than I did. They fit for now but there isn't a ton of growing room in the legs, my son is kind of on the edge of 2T-3T anyway (and kinda cute baby chubby still hehe).

For the 4T I used a free pattern from My Growing Home. Those fit great!

I serged all of my seams and added labels with a size tag so I was feeling pretty professional :) However, I wasn't feeling professional enough to change my serger thread color because that's just too much work.

Each pair only used 1/2 yd so I have fabric left over, yay for fabric hoarding.

Look at these two scheming. These little outfits would be cute for St. Patty's Day, now pretend you didn't see them. Have you done any boy sewing lately? I will be honest, It's hard to see all the cute dresses and tunic tops for girls everywhere but I love making stuff for my cute boys too :)