Easy and Lovely Fabric Streamers

Source: caseybaudoin.blogspot.com via Audrey on Pinterest

I made these once (see below). I hand dyed mine but in retrospect I think it's unnecessary. Just purchase paler colors. And if you had a GO! Strip Cutter making them would be a breeze!
Or  the Sizzix version.
1"
1 1/2"
2"
2 1/2"

Flower Petal Smocking Tutorial

Isn't this lovely? Would love to try on a blouse. The pearl button in the center is icing on the cake.

Source: duitang.com via Megan on Pinterest

Magnetic Photobooth Tutorial!

This is soooo cute! Wouldn't this make a great Valentine's Day gift?
Mindy used free printable photobooth props available on the internet.
Get the how-to at Creative Juice!

Source: getcreativejuice.blogspot.com via Ana on Pinterest

Olive Garden $100 Gift Card Giveaway!

Stories of A to Z is having a $100 Olive Garden Gift Card Giveaway courtesy of BlogHer!!!! 
Beth was asked to do a review and treat some of her friends (including me!) to enjoy. Isn't being a blogger great?!
See photos of our fabulous meal and enter to win the giveaway here!

Rose Bloom Bouquet Tutorial

OMGosh! I want to try this! Would it make a great alternative to real flowers at a wedding. It's even big enough to stand on its own which means less work.

Get the full tutorial and wedding pics here.

Source: blog.evajuliet.com via Joy on Pinterest

Sew Your Own

 Sew your own! With this material and this buckle and this lunchbag pattern!
Buy the real deal here.

Source: alittlehamster.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Shoe Redo: Embroidery

Ever thought of embroidering your canvas shoes? You could even monogram! Or do a chevron....

Source: instagr.am via Maho on Pinterest

Inspiration Clothing

I'd totally steal this neckline for myself!

Source: hucklebones.co.uk via Amber on Pinterest

Practical Nursing Blanket Alternative

This is such a more practical idea. Don't get me wrong. I like nursing covers too but many times I was caught without having one on hand. And nursing with a simple blanket can be....challenging. These look totally simple to sew. You could keep one of these in everyone of your purses at all times and use whatever blanket was available on hand. Get the tut here.
Source: sewing.craftgossip.com via Maho on Pinterest

Something Pretty.

How happy is this? It's made with Japanese washi tape! Get the tutorial here.

Pics from Minifan and Her New Leaf.

Source: hernewleaf.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Crochet Lace Bun

I love this. So simple. Just take crochet lace trim and add ties on either side. It looks beautiful because it's 'under' the bun. Sort of like it's 'supporting' it.

Source: etsy.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Homemade Valentine's Day Gift Guide

 
I got my google check today which got me thinking about Valentines. Why? Well, google pays once per month and I suddenly realized that the check would have to last through the Valentine's gift giving season. Gosh! I just got done spending all my money on Christmas! How can it already be Valentines? Where did all the time go? And poor Brian, he just got done buying me a new computer on top of Christmas and now Valentines. But I'll go easy on him this year;) I won't expect too much.

If you're in the same budget boat, let's make it easy on our wallets this Valentine's Day and give homemade! Below is a little homemade Valentine's gift giving guide. If you have any ideas for small homemade Valentine's gifts please post below or in the new sidebar link to the right. I started with a few I liked.

Inspiration Clothing

I love this top! Unfortunately, it's not available anymore but when it did it retailed for $225. You can still catch it on eBay here but I think if you were smart you'd try and recreate it for yourself. I mean SERIOUSLY how hard could this possibly be? It looks like a couple pinched loops of fabric, edged with black bias tape. The bow looks stiff. I wonder if there's wire in the edges? Does anyone have this blouse that can tell us?

Source: thechloeconspiracy.com via Amber on Pinterest

Happy Birthday Baby

My (now) second youngest just turned two on Saturday.

Since it has been so close to our hospital stay we didn't have a big party just a little family get together. Fortunately Eloise is still small enough that she doesn't have much opinion about big parties.

My new computer should be coming in by Thursday and I can start posting more regularly.
Love you little one.

Non-Maternity "Fit to Flatter" Transition Frock Advice

Today I took a big step. I tried on some non-maternity clothes. Now, I know it's only been a week since I was 39 weeks pregnant but it is somewhat discouraging. I want to be able to wear something other than nightgowns and maternity dresses when I go out of my house. I still have quite a bit of tummy (obviously) but the truth is you can wear figure flattering dresses right after having a baby and impress all your friends as long as you know what to avoid AND have a pair of high waisted Spanx in your closet;)

Now, realistically you probably won't be able to wear the dresses you currently own. Usually I go out and purchase a few dresses in size Large. You can always take them in later. Brian's sister gave me a $75 gift card to Modcloth for Christmas and I've been perusing their site looking for some good transition dresses. Through my previous three 'transitions' I've found that what looks most flattering in those first couple months as far as dresses are concerned are empire waisted (or higher waisted), A-line, gathered or pleated, longer length, knit, V-Neck frocks. V-necks are optional but much more helpful with breastfeeding. I avoid dresses with lower waist lines (waistlines tend to rise when your breastfeeding and your bust size is larger so just keep that in mind), anything less than 35" long, anything flat front and any fitted skirt. Here were some of my options.

(above)

Glamour Power to You Dress in Garden

Too Much Fun Dress in Peacock

Too Much Fun Dress in Dots

Sunshine On My Mind Dress

Crinkled Confection Dress - ON SALE $24.99

Closet Braided Dress in Ripe Cherry

In the end, can you guess which one I bought? Click through the jump to find out.

Click on this link to Read More of This Post

Please welcome Henri Emerson Cooper Place.......

Without further delay please welcome our newest addition Henri Emerson Cooper Place.

My computer died right before we were scheduled to go into the hospital so I wasn't able to post any pics until now. Currently using a laptop I bought 10 years ago so everything takes 10x longer to finish. But looking for a new laptop is fun. Brian is buying me one as a "new baby" gift.

Everything went well. I'm recovering at home with Henri whose currently napping. We were only in the hospital from Thursday morning and left Sunday afternoon. Recovery is as expected. One thing I'm sure of is that I never want to endure another c-section again. Henri will be our last little baby.

Henri is a very good baby. He rarely cries and sleeps through most of the day and night. He's so small and his skin is so soft. When he opens his eyes and looks around he seems a bit frightened. He also doesn't like to sleep in the bassinet alone and prefers to sleep being held in someone's arms.

He was 6 pounds 7 ounces, 18 inches long and has blond hair and blue eyes.

Eloise is still skeptical about this new person in our lives. She doesn't want much to do with the baby. But she does enjoy the swing we brought out for him and rides in it much more than he does. In face, she fell asleep in it today.

Brian named his middle names after his grandfathers.

Molly is so gentle and shy with him.

We're so excited to experience what having a boy will be like.

My mother is with us helping out with meals and school pickups. And Brian's parents are helping with laundry and dinners. I am so blessed to have such thoughtful people in my life.

Molly at the hospital eating an ice cream cone.

Eloise being goofy

Eloise being fussy.

Lily loves her little brother and couldn't wait for us to come home with him. She's also very sweet around the baby. Both Lily and Molly are enchanted about having a new baby brother in the house.

Love you baby Henri.

TV Frame

Wouldn't this be great for your wall mounted TV? When you weren't using it you could have a screensaver of rotating family photos. Via All Things Thrifty.

Source: allthingsthrifty.com via Claire on Pinterest

New Nursery

We're thinking of maybe moving Eloise's room and the new baby's room into one space. We won't have to decide this until the new baby is 6 months old as he will be sleeping beside our bed until then but it has me thinking about ways to decorate the new room including how to make matching cribs that are gender neutral. (Better yet, I'd love to move into a bigger house but that's another story;)

We have one of those Jenny Lind style cribs for Eloise. I love the idea of buying another used Jenny Lind style crib (this one is only $35) and painting both to match, then making my own beautiful bedding like this one on the left from Positively Splendid. I don't know how much longer Eloise is going to need a crib anyway. She'll be two in less than two weeks. When did your baby start to sleep in a bed?

Source: positivelysplendid.com via Kristi on Pinterest

Mena's Make This Look

Have you seen all the good stuff at Sew Weekly lately? Mena is so awesome. I simply adore her "Make This Look" series. Mena presents a real retail dress and then suggests a similar pattern, fabric and accessories to make your own copy of the dress for probably WAY less. You should be visiting her site for this reason alone! But she also has a lot of great other sewing goodness to peruse through.

Homemade Pixie Sticks Tutorial

Source: amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

I have an addiction to sugar. I eat it ALL THE TIME and never the artificial kind. It looks a little strange to see a grown woman eating pixie sticks on her own without any kids to be seen nearby. Whenever we go to amusement parks I'm always buying the giant sized ones. One for the kids to share and one for me all by myself. It's probably something I should be ashamed of. But I saw this on Pintrest and would love to try. They're made from freeze dried fruit. Get the tutorial at Shindig Parties TO GO!

Would possibly make a great Valentine's treat for the kids at school?

90s Glider to Modern Glamour!

Oh my goodness. I had to post this! I have one of these for Eloise's room that I got used from Brian's parents. I painted mine and recovered the pads and am quite pleased with the outcome compared to the money I saved from buying a new one but this transformation is just brilliant! It does look like a lot of more work however. But still, very nice. Get the tutorial via Rock Paper Scissors.

Source: rockpaperscissorgraphics.ca via Alex on Pinterest