{crayon bags}

A long time ago, I found this great tutorial over at We Wilsons. I originally anticipated making some as snack bags, as she had done, but couldn't decide on what to use for the inside that's food safe. So, enter the crayon bag. I used her directions, only used cotton on the inside and out. It turned out the perfect size for Crayola roll-up crayons. I used the cheap velcro from JoAnn's which is perfect because it's easier for the kids to get the bag open. Finished, it measures about 4x6 and holds about 10 crayons easily.

I have made several of these now, and I use a larger version for holding prepackaged snacks like an assortment of mini raisin boxes, fruit snacks, and fruit leather for when we are headed out for a while. It's nice to have a small bag of snacks {for the kids and this pregnant lady} packed and together!

30 for 30, week 4

I am slowly plugging away at this, but realizing I wish I had picked more layering pieces instead of the cardigans! Live and learn... Here's what my week was like:

Wednesday: I love this cardigan! Not really sure if it is a cardigan since it has no sleeves, but for my purposes that's what I'll call it. The detail on the back is so unexpected and fun, although now I realize I had my hands in front of me and it looks like I'm armless. Whatever.

Thursday: Errands around town... Bug to Joy school, etc. My mom made me the hat, which I totally love, and the Jacket is Gap (thrifted). Outerwear doesn't count for the 30 items, and it was warm enough to just wear a jacket- even though it was snowing- so I took the opportunity.

Friday: Oh, how my days run together. I can't remember what I did... but I am surprised by how much I liked this outfit combo. I was worried about too much blue, but I think it works.

Saturday: Shopping with the fam in Idaho Falls. Officially half way through the challenge!

Sunday: Church was cancelled due to lots and lots of snow, but I didn't know until after I got dressed. It worked out... got another day home with my hubby & girls and also figured out I have outgrown this shirt. I was tugging it over my tummy all day. Guess it's out of the rotation!

Monday: I don't know how I feel about the skinny jeans tucked into theese boots, it just seems strange. They don't stay tucked in quite as well as I'd like, but they get points for function in the snow.

a little gifting

One of my little girls friends turned 3 this week, and I made her this little bag & skirt. I love a mom who appreciates a homemade gift, and hers sure does!
The bag I based loosely off this tutorial, and I think it's an adorable gift bag. It took way less than a fat quarter to make it, and was super quick to put together.

 I also finally bought the Twirl Skirt pattern from Lil Blue Boo, I have been eyeing it for a while. This was the perfect excuese, I would have bought her a gift anyway, and I can reuse it for my kids!

30 for 30, week 3

Kendi's 30 for 30; week 3
It seems like this last week was a super busy one, I worked an extra shift and I am totally worn out! Here's what the week looked like in outfits:
Thursday: Taught Bug's Joy School- it was a lot of hands-on science experiments, so I opted to wear a plain shirt so I didn't get food coloring on anything that still fits well!
Friday: babysat my niece, ran errands. This shirt is not maternity, but fits well over my 31 week baby bump!

 Saturday: I have no idea what we did that day... this shirt is also not maternity, but I have almost outgrown it. One more week I think and it has to wait until after delivery to be worn again.

 Sunday: Church- I work with the little kids, so I tend to go a little casual.

 Monday: Bug had Joy School, so we took her there & back, Moo and I ran errands together - delivering valentines & such. Nice to spend time with just her once in a while!

 Tuesday: I had a meeting with some ladies from church, which the kids love because they come and have a play date with friends.
I bought this shirt thinking I would love the linen-y feel to it, but never have worn it before. I finally figured out why: this awful lion mane collar! It looked super-matronly.  So, I took my scissors and snipped it off, leaving a much nicer neckline.

The gypsy top

A while ago, I stumbled across the Boden website and totally have fallen in love with their clothes. So, inspired by this top, I recreated the look of the shirt by modifying the Sweet Dress... again. The pattern has totally been worth the money!
Starting with a thrifted shirt:

I cropped the pattern into a tunic, shirred all the way around the top, and left the sleeves without elastic.
Our photo shoot started out a little rough...

But with Cat in the Hat on TV as a distraction and m&m's as a bribe, we both made it through. 
I fought good and hard to add the button detail like the Boden top, but Bug insisted I was done sewing it. Can't win them all, I guess. In the end, it's perfect for my little curly-haired gypsy.

My sweet Moo dumped my good camera off the table yesterday, breaking it, so and I am back to my basic point-and-click, which I am not too happy about. Guess I'm in the market for a new camera!

30 for 30, week 2

Let me preface this post by saying that I HATE our couch. The cushions are all floppy and never stay up right, they drive me nuts. I'm not sure what is worse, the ugly couch in the background or the bathroom lighting...
Apparently I only got dressed a couple times this week... between working in the afternoons and the temp being so low, I had no need to leave the house. That and anything tight makes my acid reflux a nightmare, so jammies help combat that. That's probabaly also why when I did get dressed, I wore a dress!

Saturday- I ran errands with the girls, left my hair in a ponytail becuase I worked that evening. Now that it's longer, I tend to keep it back... you never know what is going to happen at work! It didn't take me long in this outfit to figure out the belt isn't going to work anymore. Just not enough room to squeeze a wide belt in anymore!

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 Sunday - church. I love these boots for the fall & winter!

 Tuesday: babysat my brother's girl and taught Joy School at our house. Never left, so no shoes. I love no shoes days, especially now that my feet don't fit into most of them!

 Wednesday: errands with the girls (aka. running to the grocery store for food cravings...)

a little heather ross love

I purchased a small bundle of Heather Ross prints with the intention of making my baby boy and my sister's baby girl (due 3 weeks apart!) matching boy/girl blankets. We agreed that we both love this style, {wonky stars} and I sliced the fabrics into little squares for the star centers. I ended up with lots of little pieces... too little to do much with, but too cute to throw away. Inspired by this great tutorial, I made a little "i spy" quilt for Moo's doll.

 It took a lot of thought and rearranging to get it the size I wanted. Although I am still a little hesitant to give that child a blanket that is predominantly white, I love how it turned out!

{measures 15 x 18 1/2}

Moo chose a polka dot for the back (she may be brainwashed by this point... either that or all I have in my stash are dots!) and insisted on pink and pink for border and binding. These fabrics were so much fun to play with, I can't wait to get the rest of the fabrics together to make the wonky stars quilts!