Puppet Power!!

Oh wow I forgot how awesome puppets are.  When TJ was young he loved puppets.  We played with them all the time, but after a while they just got set aside.  After MJ was born they came out again but not as often.  The other day we discovered that puppets can be so very helpful and fun too.

Puppets can do house work

In the past week our puppets have been very busy helping TJ with his emotions and communication.  He feels more comfortable talking to the puppet rather than a person.  I don' t know why but  get more from him if he talks to the hand.   TJ will come to me with some puppets and ask if we can play wooden blocks. My puppet doesn't always want to share to TJ explains why we have to (oh sneaky mommy).  If TJ is upset my puppet loves to hug him.  TJ is very polite and caring towards out puppet friends and in turn is nicer to MJ while we are all playing.

At a friend's house we made a sock puppet together.  TJ wouldn't take it off for several days.  He took it shopping and more.  He also now takes his puppets out if he is feeling nervous about new situations.

Of course orange is TJ favourite colour so we even gave his puppet an orange tie!

What puppet fun have you had?

Recycled Art Wrapping Paper

We have a lot of parties to go to this month.  We also have a lot of art work around our house.  TJ loves to paint every time he goes to the Early Years Centre.  Once we fill up every possible surface of the house with his work, I start to collect it all to use for wrapping paper.  At Christmas everyone loved to receive a gift wrapped in original TJ work.

What do you do with all your kids extra art work??

Pillow Case Dresses

When my friend approached me to make a pillowcase top for her I jumped at the chance.  I love to sew and try new things.  I made a tunic top for my friend to wear to her daughters polka dot party next weekend.  It was so simple to make and the results are pretty awesome!!  I don' have a picture of anyone in the top yet because I was at home alone when I took the photos.

I haven't made a tutorial for this because there are so many out there with different variations.


I had a birthday party the next day to go to for a 3 year old girl.  I decided to make the little girl and her doll  matching outfits.  I used the Pillowcase dress idea to make the two little dresses and a hair elastic.  So cute!!

Gifts for the polkadot party.  Doll dress with matching hairband.

So busy!!

I have some ideas of things that I want to post but I've been too busy.  It's not that I am all that busy but it sure feels that way.  The boys have not been so coordinated in their naps so I've had less time to work with.  Between the house, crafts, outings, and work... well I'm sure you know what I'm getting at.  My blog hasn't been my top priority.  I'm going to go locate the camera so I can show you some of our recent activity.

Will post soon...

Little black skirt

I had the best time at the Value Village sale on Monday.  I went twice!!  Yes I did and I bought almost everything for myself.  It's been a long time since I did that for myself and I loved it.  Here is what I bought for about $50:

1 purse
5 tops
3 tanks tops
2 mens shirts
1 coat for MJ
3 sweaters
1 dress
sheets for material

I saw this dress the first time I went and considered buying it, then when I went back it was still there so I got it.  Okay don't get mad, I know it is a cute dress and I fit me, but I turned it into a skirt.  I have been dressing more modestly and didn't like the fit at the top of this dress.

First I made an overlocking type stitch all the way around.  Then I cut off the top of the dress.  Ha!  It was just that easy.

I think it looks pretty good and the elastic waist is a nice fit.

I bought this material (bed sheet) with the idea to make a skirt.  Now I can't decide if I should make a dress or a skirt.  What do you think??

Have you found any good thrift finds lately?

Thrifty Finds Part 2

The other day I went to the local thrift store.  I was so excited about what I bought, that I spent most of the next day refashioning the onesies into doll clothes.  We have several birthday parties to attend this month (all girls), so I thought I'd make some cute doll clothes.  I'm also going to make some from scratch too.

Here is what I made.  I simply cut the bottom half of the onesie off (because they are too long for a doll).  I then added a skirt and some embellishments.  If the onesie was too big for a doll I took it in at the sides.  Yes I still have my old Cabbage Patch Dolls to try things on.

 This onsie with the tie is for MJ!

Because Blogger was down the other day I am posting later than usual.  Today is my wonderful husband's birthday.  We have having a party tonight for him.  I'll post more on that later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!

Happy Birthday TJ

My post is a day late.  My big boy TJ turned 3 yesterday.  I can't believe how fast time flies.  He is growing up to be such a wonderful boy!

In the morning we talked about birthdays and watched Signing Time Happy Birthday to You.  TJ was all excited and wanted to make a party hat for himself.  All day he couldn't wait for cakes and parties and such.  We ended up having a quiet day at home.  At snack time TJ got a cupcake with a candle then his present from us.  This awesome Kijiji find is so perfect!!! Yes he has a motorized tractor with a trailer.

TJ rode around all day collecting sticks and giving MJ a ride.  Later I made cupcakes for TJ to decorate.  We went to Boston Pizza for dinner.  Nanna and Aunt Brooke came to join us.  There TJ got a wonderful gift from Nanny and Grampy.  He played with his new bulldozer well into the evening.  He shared his backhoe loader with MJ.  TJ wanted o sleep with his new ruck but we decided it was too big for the bed.  So he woke up early today and is playing as I type.

What a great day.  TJ and MJ are having a joint party in June so I'll post more on that later.

My Wardrobe

I was sorting through my closet the other day switching things around for the warmer weather.  It occurred to me that I really have 3 sizes of clothes: Pre-baby, Maternity, and Post-baby.  Since my closet is very small I obviously can't keep it all in there.  I share maternity clothes with my younger sister so that is all packed in a big box for the next person to use.  I sorted the rest of my clothes in to larger and smaller sizes, then figured out what size I am now.  HURRAY to me I am into my smaller clothes again!  So away went my larger things to the back of the closet.

I am excited now with what I have left because I won't be searching for to long to find something that I can wear and that will fit.  I have also been refashioning a lot of the clothes in my give-away pile to give them new life and save me money.  I really was going to do one post about my wardrobe once I was finished, but I have discovered that this is an ongoing project.

Here are the most recent clothes I have made for myself.  I'll just keep posting as I make more. I'll also learn to model my clothes better or teach my hubby to take some more flattering photos! 1. Simplicity 5189 pattern made with material from Africa. 2. t-shirt, bed sheets, curtain dress refashion. 3. two pairs of khaki shorts made into a skirt. 4. Same Simplicity pattern with a variation.

Here are some more pictures of my latest skirt.  I made it by combining two pairs of khaki capris.

I've got lots more ideas so I'll post them soon.  What have you made for yourself?

Welcome to May

April showers bring... more May showers!

Well is has been a rainy week, but we did actually get a few flowers.  We live at the top of a hill so it's taking a bit longer for our little tulips to open up.  The boys have both have got horrible colds.  My husband and I are just waiting for our turn.  It is unavoidable with these two and their yucky noses.  Other than being at home with my little sick guys, we've managed to explore the garden, and I've squeezed in some crafts and baking.

How has your month been so far?

Fabric Birthday Banner

I have seen a lot of fabric birthday banners on blogs and Etsy recently.  I love the idea so I made one for our family. I didn't take enough pictures to make a detailed tutorial, but it is quite simple to make.

Materials:
Scissors
ruler
scrap material
sewing machine
broad cloth binding approx 9-10 feet
felt

How To:
1. Cut 32 triangles (16 if you only want single side) out of your chosen fabric.  My triangles are 7inches wide at the top and 9 inches down to the point.

2. Cut out your desired letters out of felt.  I printed mine on the computer first then taped the paper to the felt to cut out.  Some people have fancy cutting machines now, but I have cute scissors instead.

3. Glue felt to triangles.  I used regular white craft glue.  I wasn't in the mood to applique all the letters on.

4. Sew two triangles together to make them double sided. Turn right side out and press.

5. Line up all your triangles and attach to the binding. Mine is now a little over 9 feet long.

Marvel at your wonderful banner. Birthday on one side and a general decoration on the other.

Options:
I have seen some people do a girly theme on one side and a boy theme on the other.
Use pinking shears to cut the triangles and make them one sided
Make mini triangles for extra decorations
Use different words try: Celebrate, Thanksgiving, Spring...

What is next for me:
Make some mini banners in different colour schemes: cools, warms, fall, winter
Make a reversible fall/winter banner

Things I'd change:
I may have selected more birthday type material.
I noticed that my "p's" were switched (only I would care)

I'll post more pictures as I make these projects.  Those who know me also know that I may move on to another project before I get to all of these.

I linked to:





Whatever Goes Wednesdays at Someday Crafts

Tuesday's Tips: The Sharing Snack

Here is a great way to use up those almost empty snacks, cereals and such in your cupboard.  TJ and I came up with the "Sharing Snack".  Originally I was wanting him to eat a snack on a day he was being particular about everything.  I offered to let him help make a yummy snack to share with me.  We had fun too.  Basically we got out all the possible snack foods in the cupboards.  Put them in a container with a lid (to shake) or a bowl.  Each time our snack is different.  We currently have: bear paw crackers, Cheerios, Baby puff cereal, Rice Crispie Chexs, raisins, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Here are some possibilities:

cereal
gold fish or other small crackers
raisins
marshmallows
chocolate chips
baby snacks
cinnamon or coco powder

On a side note I am very excited that I made my first batch of granola and it worked out very well. I used this recipe using whatever I could find in the cupboard.