JoJo and Eloise

Cutest Kids stuff at the Land of Nod

2013-05-20T18:38:10Z

1. Big Picture Book (Fruits and Veggies), 2. ABC Flashy Flash Cards, 3. WildLife of the Party Puzzle (Fox) ,

I can not tell a lie!!

I LOVE the Land of Nod. I remember the day when I received my first catalog in the mail, I seriously thought I had just received the cutest activity BOOK ever ( you know, kind of like, Highlights ). I had no clue it was a mail order catalog, that is until I opened it up. Page after Page revealed more and more Cuteness, then when I reached the CENTER of the catalog there was a FREE coloring and craft page, ( I don’t think they include those anymore. SADLY) they were always so cute and so much fun to do with the children.

I love shopping Catalogs and Online, but I also LOVE being able to see things up close an personal.

So I was so thrilled to hear that one of my FAVORITE, mail order magazines is opening up a Store in one of the nearby malls.

YES, People!!!

The Land of Nod is going to be having a Grand Opening:

May 31, 2013 at the South Coast Plaza

There is going to be GIVEAWAYS!!!

going on throughout the day.

SPECIAL prizes for EARLY BIRDS!!! OH YEAH!!!

And…

Are you Ready for this?

The Land of Nod is having a Win a Room Sweepstakes that runs from now until 11:59 PM CT June 17, 2013.

Hello, Fabulous!!!

You can enter HERE!

Going to Grand Openings is a lot of fun, but with the busyness you can easily forget what you came for or overlook something you might need to pick up.

So I thought I would do a little bit of online window shopping to get all geared up and ready for this Awesome Land of Nod Grand Opening.

Here are a ~~a lot~~ few things I have picked out.

Plush Toys

1. Cotton Monster Hedgehog ( Dad ) , 2. Cotton Monster Raccoon (Dad), 3. Cotton Monster Hedgehog (Mom), 4. Cotton Monster Raccoon (Mom), 5. Hello Doll (Mary T), 6. Hello Doll (Hunny), 7.Wee Wonderfuls Doll Clothing, 8.Hello Doll (Suzy Q)

The Land of Nod has not only Adorable STORAGE but has them at Amazing Prices.

you can find storage from under $10.00 to $50.00.

Take a look at some of these Cute options.

1. Dotted Cube Bin, 2. I think I Canvas Shoe Box, 3. Store by Numbers Cube Bins, 4. We’re not just Canvas anymore, storage bins, 5. Bon Voyage Suitcase Set (Pink/Peach), 6. Dotted Suitcase

And, with a Fabulous SWEEPSTAKES going on. I thought I would check out some of their Furniture. I’ve got to be ready, just in case in I WIN!!!

{*Wink,*Wink}

1. Jenny Lind Bed ( Azure ), 2. On the Grid Nightstand, 3. Jenny Lind Nightstand (Raspberry), 4. Looking Glass, Desk Chair (Raspberry), 5. Good Read Book Caddy (Azure),

Hedgehog on Forest Time

So set some Time aside and save the date, for the Grand Opening of the store on May 31, 2013 at the South Coast Plaza.

If by chance you can’t make it, you can always shop at the Land of Nod online.

Be sure to keep up on the latest News, Sales and possibly even Giveaways by staying connected through,

Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram

Hope to see you there!

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

A Beautiful Win! Grace Adele

2013-05-17T20:17:12Z

How adorable is this Clutch and Flower Pin by, Grace Adele.

So Adorable, Right??

Well would you believe me if I told you I won this and MUCH more in a Giveaway!!

I am still beside myself with EXCITEMENT!!

I NEVER win giveaways.. Okay, never may be to strong of a word. It’s more like I win a giveaway about every Blue Moon!!

My friend Megan over at Brassy Apple was hosting an AMAZING giveaway and I thought why not go for it.. It’s Cute, It’s Fun and even if I don’t win I can at least say I tried.

Well, was I ever SHOCKED when I got the email saying, I was the WINNER!!

The package arrived today in this BIG box, with the CUTEST Tape on it. Now you know if a Company is going to spend the extra time and money to put CUTE tape on the outside of a Packing box, You know what’s inside is going to be , GOOD!!!

My girls and I began opening up the box and we began finding more PRETTY boxes inside. Each item was individually wrapped and Packaged ever so SWEETLY.

The first item we saw was this ADORABLE flower pin. The possibilities with this CUTE flower are endless.

And, take a look at this Cute Jewelery collection I got. So PRETTY!!

This package was just overflowing with Pretty Goodness!!

The colors are so Perfect for SUMMER and the Style is Fun and Chic.

I am so glad I took the time and chance to enter this Amazing Giveaway.

Thank you so much Megan and Grace Adele for a Fabulous WIN!!!

Be sure to Follow Megan at the Brassy Apple for some Great Fashion and Redesign, tips and tutorials. Your sure to be Inspired. You can also shop GRACE ADELE for great Gifts, Handbags and Jewelry to get you ready to look fabulous this Summer.

Diy Paper Birds On a Wire

2013-05-16T18:23:23Z

I have the hardest time getting rid of SCRAPS, whether it be Fabric, ribbon,twine, paper, etc..

There WILL be a need for it one day!!

Right.??

Well, at least that’s what I tell myself. It’s me trying to convince, ME, not to get rid of it.

And, I must say, I’m so glad I listened.

These little Birds on a Wire, turned out so Cute!!

I am TOTALLY in Love!!!

So here’s how I put them together

I first drew several different shape Birds. Then I cut them out and used them as a pattern. I traced them out onto my Scrap pieces of scrapbook paper and cut my bird shapes out.

I attached my Birds onto Natural colored Bakers Twine, using a low temp glue gun. I wanted to add a little bit of definition so I added some Clouds using my Cloud shape punch.

Wouldn’t this be so Cute in a Nursery or Little Girls room?

Or even used as backdrop for a Birthday party.

No matter how you hang them, they are sure to be Beautiful!!

So get creative and have fun making your very own,

Birds on a Wire.

DIY Easy Crochet Baby Blanket

2013-05-15T23:16:48Z

Hello, again! It’s Lauren from Daisy Cottage Designs. I’m so happy to be back

with all of you JoJo & Eloise fans today.
Doesn’t it seem like it’s the season for baby showers? I love going to those fun events and getting ready to welcome new life. Whenever I have time, I love to make a homemade gift. Whether it’s a baby blanket or a crocheted “lovey,” it makes me feel like it’s something a child might treasure forever.

I’m super excited to be sharing this adorable and EASY crocheted baby blanket pattern with you today. I’m talking so easy that you could learn to crochet today and tomorrow and start making this blanket this weekend. You only have to know how to chain and double crochet. If you want to do the cute scalloped border, toss in single and half double crochet and you’ll be on your way to having an adorable and handmade baby blanket that looks like it was difficult to make.

Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need.

Supplies:

8 skeins of Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream yarn (they’re approximately 2.5 oz balls and 100% cotton)

I crochet hook (I prefer Boye)

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

sl st – slip stitch

Pattern Notes:

-This pattern is worked in the back loop only. Click here if you’re unfamiliar with this method.

-The chain two at the end of each row counts as the first stitch in the following row.

-Be sure to work a double crochet into the turning chain. If you have a tendency to miss this, place a stitch marker or safety pin in the top of the turning chain on each row.

-If you’d like to use the same colors I did, they’re as follows: yellow, orange, robin’s egg, hot pink, red, mod pink, lime, bright white, and bright navy)

-The size of this blanket could easily be adjusted by starting with a different number of starting chains.

Directions:

Working with your first color, chain 131.

Row 1: dc in the third stitch from hook and in each stitch across. Ch 2, turn. (130)

Row 2: The ch 2 counts as the first dc so you will skip the first stitch and dc in the second stitch and in each stitch across. Remember, you’re working in the back loop only. Ch 2, turn. (130)

Row 3: Double crochet in each stitch across. Cut yarn and weave ends. Join your next yarn color with a slip stitch. Ch 2, turn. (130)

Row 4-5: dc in each stitch across. Ch 2, turn. (130).

Row 6: Double crochet in each stitch across. Cut yarn and weave ends. Join your next yarn color with a slip stitch. Ch 2, turn. (130)

Continue working double crocheting back and forth and changing colors after every three rows. I used 8 colors and repeated the pattern twice for a total of 48 rows.

When you have finished your stripes, pick your favorite color and hdc evenly around the entire blanket. You will need to work 3 stitches in each corner.

If you’d like to add a cute scalloped border, see this tutorial.

If you’re feeling super ambitious, you could make this adorable hat to go along with your blanket. The free pattern is available on my blog.

If the mommy to be prefers monkeys over owls, you could always whip up a hat using this pattern.

Keeping Hydrated with Flavored Mineral Water

2013-05-14T13:00:44Z

Many of us are beginning to feel the HEAT and finding things to stay COOL, has become the top priority.

Keeping Hydrated is somewhat simple for us adults, but when it comes to Kids, it’s not always that easy.

Getting them to drink lots of water can get boring and the last thing you want to do is fill them with lots of sugar.

So here is a Simple and Fun way to keep those little one’s Hydrated while also giving them an added dose of Good Minerals.

Talk about a WINNING combination!

If you missed my post on how to make Mineral Water Ice Cubes, you can see that, HERE.

NOTE: It’s best to chill your mineral water.

Orange Flavor: Squeeze 1/2 and orange in one of your glasses (over ice-cubes), then pour your mineral water in. This will mix the freshly squeezed orange juice.

Blueberry Flavor: You can either puree 1/4 cup fresh blueberries or just add them in whole for flavor.

Other options would be: Strawberry, Mango, Pineapple, Watermelon, Kiwi etc…

The fruit acts as a Natural Sweetener.

You can always mix and match your flavors, the most important thing is…

Stay COOL and HYDRATED!!

Enjoy!

Screen Shots with your Android Galaxy S3

2013-05-13T16:39:05Z

Have you ever wondered how to capture a Screen Shot with your phone? Or, did you even know you could?

Well today I am going to show you how you can do just that with your Android.

Today I am using my Dad’s phone. He was up for the weekend and was interested in how he could capture a Screen shot. I personally use an Iphone and will be demonstrating that in the next tutorial.

His phone is a Galaxy S III. You can try the same method if you have a different version. (can’t guarantee it will work)

First go to your Settings.

Scroll down till you see MOTION and turn it to ON.

Then scroll down until you see PALM SWIPE to CAPTURE, check the box.

Now, this may seem kind of silly but it works. Trust me!!

Here’s what you need to do.

Put your hand in a CHOPPING position and set it down on the Right or Left side of your phone. You need to apply a little bit of pressure.

Then SWIPE it across the screen. You will here the sound of your Camera SHUTTER capturing your screen shot.

It may take some practice, so don’t give up. I still don’t capture it every time on the first SWIPE!.

So go ahead and start capturing all those wonderful Screen Shots.

If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Remember, I don’t own or use a Droid. So my knowledge of them is limited.

Have Fun!!

Getting Children Involved in Home Decor

2013-05-08T18:19:59Z

Get Children Involved in Home Décor

“Hello everyone. This is Eva Stephen, today’s guest on Jojo and Eliose. Thanks Angelina for having me. Like me you probably have also observed that children are so creative souls. Sometimes they do so such a creative thing that may even surprise you. Let’s explore their artistic skills and see how you can beautify your home look with these little people. I am looking forward to share your experiences and ideas in the comments section. You can see me on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Stay Awesome”

If you want a perfect house, beautifully organized with just the right amount of homely touches to transform it into a home, the last thing you might be thinking of is letting the children loose on the décor! As much as we adore our children, we do not entirely trust them to show the correct levels of restraint and good taste needed to create a wonderful living space!
But children can be surprising creatures and, if taught how to make simple crafts, can come up with truly beautiful pieces that will harmonize perfectly with your home. An added advantage of letting your children create something for the home is that it invests them with an interest and awareness of the house, and may even encourage them to help out with the housework a bit more. Well, we can hope, can’t we?

Custom Design a Rug

Teach the children how to make a rag rug, and perhaps even make it a family project to work together and make an outstanding feature to brighten up a dull corner or provide a focal point on an otherwise blank expanse of floor or carpeting. With your supervision and careful choice of the fabric scraps used the finished product will look absolutely fabulous, and yet have a sentimental place in your heart.

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Dry Flower decoupage

Carefully snipping around detailed pictures with intricate convoluted edgings can be too much for a child, but they can still make beautiful things for the home without stress or tears. You will have to begin preparations for this project at least two weeks in advance. Pick some lovely, unusually shaped or coloured flowers, taking care to choose only perfect specimens – no missing petals or flaws. Carefully press the flowers under a good weight on a perfectly flat surface to dry out. You do not have to have the flower open in a circular formation as some flowers make an interesting design when flattened in profile.

Source

When the flowers are ready for use, they will be paper thin and quite dry. The vibrant colours may become muted so do not be afraid of using very bright flowers, even if the room has a pastel theme. Glue the flower in place on a vase or piece of furniture and repeat until the entire surface is covered with delicate dry flowers. Once the glue has dried, carefully varnish the entire item to further protect and preserve the flowers. Craft Mill may help you to pick out the most suitable decoupage varnish and glue for your desired finished look and Shop 4 Furniture may help you to get all kinds of furniture products for your space.

A Handful of Cloves and a Nice Orange to Scent the Home

Children will love making these fabulous quick and easy natural air fresheners. Take a ripe orange and fix a half-inch-wide ribbon in place around the middle. Make sure the ribbon is firmly attached and can form a hanging loop easily. Then carefully push cloves into the skin, creating a beautiful swirling or geometric design if desired. Then simply hang the unusual feature in a corner of the room to exude delicious orange and clove scents into the room. As the orange hangs there it will gradually dry out and your room will smell beautiful for at least six months.

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Make a Suncatcher to Sparkle in the Light

This is a very easy craft, but does require working with an oven, so perhaps it should not be attempted by very young children. Pour a quantity of brightly coloured but cheap plastic beads into a shallow cake tin – preferably a round one – and pop it into the oven at 400°C for 20 minutes or so. The beads should have melted flat, but retained their colour. Take the tray out of the oven and allow it to cool. Then simply flip out the flat round or square sheet that you have made, drill a hole in the side for a thread or ribbon and hang it up to reflect any available sunshine.

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Shell Art to Add Prettiness to a Room

Shell art was once a very popular pastime for children who had no television or electronic gadgetry. Your children can collect bags full of shells while at the seaside and, once back home, glue the carefully washed and sorted shells onto jewellery boxes, jam jars and other household containers, to make attractive and useful holders. Your children could even make pictures to hang on the wall, using shells. Enjoy beautiful shell artwork by Martha Stewart.

Source

Button Art

Button art can be used to create much the same items as shell art, but as buttons come in all sizes, shapes and colours it is possible to create some truly striking and attractive ornaments and wall pieces.

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All of these projects have two things in common. Firstly the finished product looks stunning and creative, as polished as a shop-bought item. Secondly, they are all relatively easy to accomplish, even for people who do not think that they have any artistic talent! Your children will have fun and take pride in creating beautiful pieces to add to the décor of your home.

Diy Petite Spring Wreath

2013-05-07T01:28:18Z

Did I ever show you what I shared over At the Picket Fence?

Well just in case you missed it, here it is.

Spring, Spring, Spring!!!

It’s finally here and I couldn’t be happier. Seriously, this has to the most beautiful time of year. The temperatures are just right, flowers are beginning to bloom, the birds are Sweetly Chirping and the colors couldn’t be anymore prettier.

This Adorable Petite Spring Wreath, I think encompasses all those things I just mentioned above. It is so precious and perfectly sweet in every way. I don’t know about you but it looks like, that Sweet Little Gingham bird built her nest right onto the wreath itself. I know if I was a little Bird my nest would look a lot like this one {Wink*} and how cute would it be, if we could look out of our windows and see these Adorable little Gingham birds flying all around! Or would that be a little weird?

Probably, huh!

Well enough of living in the world of Willy Wonka!

How about we get started on this Petite Spring Wreath Tutorial.

All of my supplies for this project were purchased from Joann’s (Gingham Bird and all ) in the floral section.

I purchased 2 different types of Floral Stem Wire. I began by taking 2 stems of my cloth wire and twisted it together on both ends forming a circular shape.

I then took my paper covered stem wire and began twisting it around my already made circle. Once that was done I took another cloth stem wire and repeated the process again for a layered effect.

I wanted my wreath to have a nice soft look to it, so I lightly brushed a soft pale pink paint onto my wreath, leaving some of the wire still exposed for a worn and weathered look.

After your done painting your wreath you are going to set it aside to dry.

(Yeah, RIGHT?? If your anything like me, you NEVER wait for the paint to dry. I am inpatient like that. I have been known for hanging pictures on the wall even before the paint has fully dried, YIKES!!! ). So this would be the perfect time to say, “Do as I say and not as I Do”.

Now comes the fun part!!

I took some of my flowers apart and began layering them onto my wreath. You can use a separate piece of stem wire and wrap it around your wreath and flowers to secure them to your wreath, you can also hot glue them to your or tuck them into the already existing wire. I did a little bit of all three. Have fun playing with the layers because there really is no Right or Wrong to whatever look or style you are wanting to achieve.

After your all done go ahead and Hang it on a door, display it somewhere in your house or give it away as a House Warming or Bridal Gift.

(Just be sure the paint is fully dried

And how Adorably cute would it be to wear as a Head Wreath!

Super Cute, Right??

This would make a great accessory to a little flower girls wedding attire.

Or even a Beautifully Sweet Crown for her special Birthday.

No matter how you choose to wear or display it, it is sure to be a hit!

So have fun with it and enjoy your new Petite Spring Wreath!!

See Kate Sew Pattern, Fun!

2013-05-03T17:30:20Z

If your a long time reader or even if your fairly new here, you know that that I LOVE too sew.

So I was so excited when Kate from See Kate Sew, asked me to be a part of her, Zig Zag Pattern Blog Tour.

I have been a VERY happy follower of her blog for a couple years now and I LOVE everything she makes and sews, not to mention we had our Babies Very Close together, I know your probably wondering what that has to do with the blog tour, it actually has nothing to do with it, just a fun little fact I thought I would throw out

I actually wasn’t sure which fabric I was going to use for this project, but while I was out the other day at Joann’s Fabric Store. I saw this Print and I immediately new I wanted to use it for the Zig Zag dress.

I quickly grabbed a couple coordinating fabrics and buttons and went home and started sewing.

I had pretty much decided that I was going to use the Grey/Blue as the top, the Print Fabric as the main body of the skirt and use the red for a contrasting Heavy bottom edge.

SIDE NOTE: When I originally bought my fabric, I forgot to buy my piping for the dress. So I was EXTREMELY thankful too have a package here at home.

Over all I LOVE the way the combination of the three different fabrics worked out. And it was so much fun to sew with a pattern that made it’s debut on the All Star Round of Project Run and Play.

So I know your going to want to make one of these Zig Zag dresses for yourself, and guess what? You can!!

The pattern is available for purchase Here, and you will get sizes 12mths – 8yrs. How cool is that!! While your there you can check out some of Kate’s other Cute, fun and just simply Adorable patterns.

And, also be sure to check out some of the other talented ladies on the tour below.

Chris Tomlin Burning Lights Tour

2013-05-03T16:00:33Z

Going to her FIRST concert was a BIG thing!!!

4 out of our 6 children play guitar. They have an amazing Guitar teacher who has such a wonderful gift for teaching. Not only is he himself gifted with playing guitar, he also plays the Banjo, Harmonica, Mandolin, Electric Guitar just too name a few. All this and he is BLIND. Talk about a gift from the Lord!!

He has taught our Kids to play numerous Songs and among some of them have been Chris Tomlin Songs.

So when we had the opportunity to attend the Chris Tomlin Burning Lights Tour, we were beyond THRILLED too say the least.

We had a bit of a drive but arrived in a timely fashion, we actually beat the L.A. traffic. Now that’s a GOOD thing.

The Verizon Amphitheater Parking Lot was filled to the brim with excited Concert goers so when we found a spot we took a picture in of our Parking area so that after the concert we wouldn’t forget where we had parked.

It was such a treat too open the night of a Concert and Worship with Kari Jobe. She is so very petite but has one amazingly powerful voice.

The sun began too set quickly and before we knew it, Chris Tomlin was on Stage front and center. Prior too the concert we hadn’t heard any of his new music yet.

And, from the beginning sounds of it we were certainly going too be in for a real treat.

Another treat, was sitting right next to us.

Barbara, from Chase the Star blog. We had only just met so It was fun to chat and enjoy the concert with her, not to mention making a new Blogging friend was an added bonus too an already Amazing night

The Main concert ended with a wonderful teaching by Louie Giglio himself.

I am sure everyone is familiar with him from his famous Youtube Video Lamolin, if not you should check it out.

I think we can all say we enjoyed hearing the music from Chris Tomlin’s New CD, but everyone was so excited when he came back out and played Our God, from his, Chris Tomlin.. And if our God is for us, Album.

It was such a wonderful way too end a Fabulous evening of Great Music and Sweet Fellowship.

Now don’t despair if you missed out this time around, because there is another great event coming your way!

The Hillsong United show is in Los Angeles on Friday June 7, 2013. It is at the Hollywood Bowl and starts at 8 PM. Doors open at 7 PM. You can get tickets HERE.

Tickets for FISH Fest go on sale May 3, so get your tickets early, this is an event you don’t want to miss!!

You can buy them HERE

Brought to you by: Transparent Productions.

A concert promotion company who strive to bring Christian shows to Southern California and the rest of the nation. Transparent Productions has promoted shows and events with Hillsong United, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Mercy Me, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith just to name a few. You can find out more about Transparent Productions Here.

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and The Honest Company but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #NaturallyHonest http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”