CELEBRATING THE BOY!

Being a mom to 3 sons makes it challenging when trying to come up with fun stuff to make them.  Could you imagine all of the wonderfully cute and ruffily things I would make if I had a daughter...sigh.  Ok, I digress.  Well, I am not the only one that finds it difficult (thank goodness!).  Dana of MADE and Rae of Made by Rae have dedicated 30 days to Celebrate the Boy!  Every day each of them will have a fun "boy" idea to share with us so be sure to check their blogs often.  Some ideas are theirs and some from guest bloggers (a great way to find new creative blogs!).  Here are a couple of the things I have made using their tutorials so far.

President's Day shirt tutorial found here.

I used knit fabric instead of painting George onto the shirt and I used my Silhouette for the words.  It actually says "okay, okay, I chopped it down" but it was 35 degrees outside when I took this pic and didn't notice you couldn't see the "I"...oops.  If you live in the US, Happy President's Day!

I am also working on these fun comfy pants for Adam.

Pieced jersey pants tutorial found here.

These are made of old t~shirts so they were free!  The only thing I did different is that I used the bottom hem of one of the shirts for the hem at the bottom of the pants.  You don't have to hem them but since the work was already done for me I figured why not use it.  That way I can let the hem out as he grows and they will fit longer.  I will also use 1~inch elastic for the top of the pants rather than a drawstring since Adam hasn't quite mastered tieing yet.   Adam loves them and my 10-year old has already requested a pair of his own.  Thanks to Kojo Designs for this great tute!

Today, both blogs have guest bloggers with "monster" tutorials.  We LOVE monsters at our house so I am sure it will be no surprise when I tell you that I am planning to make both of these projects found here and here. 

Do you have any "boy" project ideas?  I would love to hear them!

Smiles
~Beth

A CHARITY CHALLENGE

In the midst of our busy weekend celebrating both my Grandmother's 81st and Adam's 5th birthdays I came across this post by Cara of Cara Quilts.  It tugged at my heart strings a bit.  Partly because it made me realize how much I take for granted all of the wonderful family and friends I have so close by (and willing to drop anything to help me if I needed them) and partly because I once (a very, very long time ago) was in an abusive relationship.  If it not for all of my loving and caring family & friends I wouldn't have had the strength to become the person I am today.  I urge you to take the time to read Cara's post and consider becoming involved in her challenge.

I have chosen to donate items to a local charity, Coldwater.   They help fill backpacks with food for kids that are in my boys' school district.  Kids that may not otherwise have anything to eat over the weekend.  When I think of all of the food my boys waste I feel horrible knowing that there are little ones (maybe even in my boys' classes) out there that don't know where their next meal will come from.  You can learn more about Coldwater here. 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Smiles
~Beth

OH NO!

I had to take my sewing machine to get fixed this week.  There was some crazy clanking noise whenever I used the bobbin winder.  I tried not to panic (key word, tried).  Let's just say that it wasn't pretty.  There is never a good time for this to happen to someone who loves to sew but why this week?!  My Grandmother's birthday is Saturday and sadly this is what her quilt looks like right now.

Lots and lots of pieced squares just waiting to be sewn together like this...

Good thing my Grandma loves me and I am sure she will understand.  Thankfully I was able to get this cute custom shirt done before the chaos started.

Well, I am off to finish cutting the fabric for blocks 5, 6 & 7 for the Blockapalooza quilt along.

What are you doing today?

Smiles
~Beth

LAST MINUTE VALENTINES SHIRT

Thought I would share this cute little shirt I whipped up for Adam last night.  I saw the idea on Groopdealz the other day.   I knew I wouldn't be able to get in time for today so I made my own using my Silhouette machine.  It took all of 10 minutes!

I hope your day is filled with hugs & kisses!  Happy Valentine's day!

Smiles
~Beth

HaPpY 5th BiRtHdAy!!!

My baby turned 5 today!

A few things I love about you right now...
Your giggles
Your love of baseball
Your spirit (you never let your big brothers get you down!)
The love you have for your Daddy (such a Daddy's boy!)
Your hugs
Your determination to always get what you want

A few things you love right now...
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Taquitos
Your family
Your buddy Davis
Board games (memory and sequence are favs)
Popcicles

Here's wishing you the best 5th birthday ever!  Love you lots!

Smiles
~Beth

GIFTS FOR BABY

When my sister found out she was pregnant I was so excited to be able to make some things for a baby.   Since I didn't start sewing until about 2 1/2 years ago I never got to make my little guys stuff when they were itty bitty.  I had intentions to post about these things as they were completed but with the Holiday right in the midst of it all I kinda forgot. 

With help from my SIL, Rachel, and my sister's bestie, Tracy, we had a lovely baby shower.  Complete with lots of great food, a fun game and wonderful people.

Yummy mint cookie chocolate cupcakes (recipe here)



White chocolate Chex Mix with M&M's...I couldn't get enough of this stuff!

The chocolate fountain was a favorite!

I threw together this fun little decoration idea that is also useful!

Diaper cake

I ended up making a ton of stuff for my new nephew.  I couldn't help myself.  If I had more time I would have made more!   I forgot to take pics of a patchwork minkee blanket and cute little "tie" onesie but here are most of the gifts I made.

Ruffily burp cloths

Custom Diaper Bag
PDF pattern purchased from Watermelon Wishes on Etsy

complete with stroller straps

I changed/added only few things on the diaper bag.  And, of course, all diaper bags need a matching changing pad.  This one is wipeable and has a pocket for a couple of diapers and a wipes case.

clear pouch for small items

Since all of the other boys have monster shirts I just had to make one for Connor too! 

And a reversible nursing cover for Mommy.

I added a small pocket for baby's binky

And, my favorite, a quilt for baby Connor (48" x 48")


 I also appliqued these "bigger" and "biggest" brother shirts for 2 of nephews.  They went really well with the "little" brother and "big" brother shirts my sister found for Connor and the smallest of his 3 big brothers :)

I already plans to make him more stuff!  I just need to find the time :)

Do you have any fun ideas for baby gifts?

Smiles
~Beth

VALENTINE TREATS

I came across this adorable idea by Kalleen from At Second Street for Valentine treats over at Tatertots & Jello.  I just had to make them for my littlest monster's pre-k class.



Sorry about the dark photo...I took it at 11:00 last night

Here are a couple of other cute ideas.  I made these last year.

I would love to see any creative Valentine's you are making!

Smiles
~Beth

BLOCK-A-PALOOZA BLOCKS 2 & 3

Whoo hoo!  I finished blocks 2 & 3 of the Blogger's Block-a-palooza quilt along.  Block 2 was created by Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!  After cutting and piecing lots and lots of 2" squares, here is what my "Word Search Block" looks like.

Due to some seam allowance issues (my oops!) and the required squaring of each 9 patch block before sewing them all together, it's a little wonky.  It turned out the right size so that's good.  I still really love the way it turned out and I am sure that once the quilt is all put together it won't be nearly as noticable (at least hopefully not to my Grandma!). 

Block #3 is by Amanda over at Sasikirana Handmade.  It's called the ‘Shoofly Geese’ block.  I changed the middle (yellow) fabric.  Still not sure about it. Hopefully the colors will all come together when all of the blocks are complete.

Thanks to Elizabeth and Amanda for the great tutorials for these blocks!  I am learning alot!

Smiles
~Beth

MORE & MORE SNOW!

As if we didn't get enough snow a couple of weeks ago, Mother Nature decided that we needed more and more and more snow. The kids are home for their 6th snow day of the school year.  The hubby's dealership closed down around noon toda.  Luckily he helped me shovel the driveway. 


You like my measuring stick ;o)  It says approximately 8.5 inches...yikes!



Do you see that giant pile of snow next to the railing?!



The poor hubby has little icecicles on his eyebrows & eyelashes

The heavy winds are causing some crazy snow drifts...this one is
between 2 of my neighbor's houses.

the snow did create this pretty site (my neighbor's tree)

 I can't remember having this much snow here in the KC area in all of my 34 years.   With more on the way and being in a "state of emergency" it looks like we will be inside for the next few days.  If you live around here and have to get out in this mess PLEASE be careful.  Hope all of you are staying warm!

What's the weather like where you live?

Smiles
~Beth