What to do with a Doily: Part II.

First: Thank you, Grandma, for the beautiful doily. (yes, my Grandma does look at our blog!) It is making our table beautiful this Spring Season.

Next: Want to prettify your table this Easter? Do what I did:

My grandmother made me a beautiful star-shaped doily for Christmas and I wasn't sure what to do with it. So, I gathered up a few more - I stuck to white and cream colors, but you could make something much more colorful if you wish (you can find all different sizes at craft stores - or your Grandmother's closet!) and then I simply laid them out to my pleasing and then took some thread and tied them together. Presto! A pretty table-runner to impress our Easter guests :)

PS- please forgive the lone tulip. "Go pick up some fresh flowers at Pike Place Market for Easter" is still on my to-do list for the week :)

PSS- As I was working on this, Sawyer kept watching me and pointing out "flowers (he calls the doilies flowers), pretty" so I guess it's a hit!

Buddies and Big Brothers

Yesterday, we had the good fortune of having Sawyer's friend over while his Mom & Dad went to the hospital for the birth of his Baby Sister. This is the same friend who Sawyer got to spend the day with when we went to the same hospital to have Sawyer's Baby Sister. It was a pleasure to return the favor :)

Even though they are about a year and a half apart in age, Sawyer and Max play together so so well. I snapped a few photos during the day so that Max could show his family - and his new sister - what he was up to the day she was born.

So...the boys pushed each other around in Sawyer's "wagon" having a grand ole' time. They also had a lot of fun making animals out of play-doh.

They watched the movie "Cars" and then vroooomed their cars and trucks and trains around the house. That was the most popular activity ;)

We made some cupcakes for the new baby. Right after lunch (which just happened to be almost exactly her time of birth), we decided to eat a cupcake and sing "Happy Birthday, Ruby" (which is her name - isn't it cute, Max and Ruby just like the little books). I thought it would be a fun and positive way for Max to get excited about the new member of his family. He took the rest of the cupcakes to the hospital later to share more of the celebration.

Thanks, Max, for being such a good boy. Thanks for being Sawyer's buddy. Now, you're both BIG BROTHERS (the best around, if you ask me)!

Congratulations to Max's family on the new addition! Ruby, we already know you and Aspen are destined to be tea-party-having, baby-doll-loving, Barbie-doll-playing pals. It is always a treat to care for a child when they have a new sibling come into the world!

Especially for Dena

I have FINALLY got around to finishing my fifth and final "Especially For You" gift, which was really due last year, but the recipient of this gift is super kind and patient, so she let the deadline slide :)

This gift is for my friend, Dena. She is one of the most amazing people I know. Let's just say that even on a dark, cloudy, rainy day, Dena somehow finds the rainbow, and if she can't, she'll make one herself. She is sunshine. Maybe that sounds cheesy, but it's true. I met Dena when she was a freshman in high school. I was a Senior. She was my very good friend's little sister. Their home became my second. Anyway...we'll skip ahead and just say that Dena is amazing and I love her dearly. Originally, I wanted to drive to her home last summer and make her fresh lemonade and cookies while we chatted and watched our kids run around her yard (south of Olympia). But then I was just too sick with my pregnancy for pretty much the rest of the year to make the trip. Everyone needs a forgiving friend! So, finally, Dena, here is your gift - you should get it sometime next week.

ps-can't wait to see you in May!

I made two tea towels for Dena, just something pretty to freshen up her kitchen this Spring. And I sent a few bags of calming herbal tea for her to sip once her FOUR kiddos have gone to bed. Maybe with a good book for good measure?

Dena has hinted to me that she is in love with the headbands I've been making for Aspen...so I went ahead and made some for her daughters. I hope they like 'em!

I sure hope you like your loot, Dena, because I made it all "Especially For You!"

Look what's happening in our kitchen window...

Our basil is beginning to grow!

six weeks old

Can you believe she's already six weeks old? Her cheeks are getting nice and plump - I'm surprised they're not raw from all of the kisses we give her!

Aspen had her check up today. Her pediatrician said she "loves" what she saw, and that basically Aspen is doing perfectly well and healthy. We love what we see, too! Here are her stats (two days shy of 7 weeks old):

Weight: 9lbs 9oz. (25-50th%)
Length: 20.5 inches (she's grown an inch and a half!) (10th%)
Head Circumference (does anyone really care about this one?): 36.6com (25-50th%)

She's as cute as a button! Actually,
she's cuter than a button!
We love our girl!

*ps-thanks to my friend, Allegra, for watching Sawyer so he didn't have to see Aspen (& Mommy) cry when she got her shots...and Max for sharing his toys! Now, Miss Ruby, hurry up and get here already! Your friends are waiting for you :)

What to do with a Doily: Part I.

I bought some doilies at the dollar store (2 for $1) I cut them down a little, careful not to cut any "arterials". I later found some small ones at JoAnn Fabric and Craft store - 1 for about $1, which would've saved the hassle of the cutting. Then, I sewed the doily onto a onesie. I think they turned out super cute - and SO easy! I have always wondered what to do with a doily...so, here's one idea!

Flannel Board Fun...

A while back, we made a flannel board. I have been surprised at how often Sawyer pulls it out and how much fun he has with it. Without even trying, he has learned the names of some basic shapes just by playing with the board. During the holidays, we made a snowman, which Sawyer thought was very cool. As I've been clearing out my craft closet, I found I had a bunch of extra felt lying around...it was begging to be cut into something new to add to our board.

Sawyer saw me start to cut out a pig. I thought it would be fun to add some animals to our collection. Well, before I even finished the pig, he had an idea of his own: "car! pick-up truck! plane! train!"

I obliged (of course!)

Oh, and since I was cutting out shapes...I couldn't help but make a couple of more headbands for the Little Lady. Really, how many headbands does a girl need? I think I'm done with headbands for a while!

Here is Jacob saying "Did Mommy make you another headband today?" Well, you have to admit, she looks cute in headbands! :)

Hooray for felt, and flannel boards, and headbands! And hooray for how well it entertains us!

All Hail, The Queen!

If you come to our home, you may hear Sawyer say these three words: "Spit Up Queen!" Yes, we have dubbed the Little Miss Aspen as the Queen of spit-up. Maybe I just don't remember correctly, but it seems to me this little girl spits up a lot more than her brother ever did. He wasn't a very spity-up guy, and rarely drooled (lucky for us!) Aspen, however, has these projectile spit-ups (hence the extra load of laundry every other day - both of us have to change our clothes!)

Anyway...I decided to put 2 and 2 together: leftover fabric, and party time with Aspen that still lasts into the wee hours sometimes= productivity time! I have to admit, Jacob has to almost wrestle me for the late-night shift...Aspen and I have been having a lot of fun doing crafty things at 2am :)

Thanks, once again, to my parents for the wonderful Christmas gift - I have been getting a LOT of use out of my sewing machine! This could be a dangerous habit I'm forming!

Okay, so I made some burp cloths for The Queen.

I keep stashes around the house. In each room. They even coordinate with our decor (I know, I'm a little crazy at times...) And I may even make some more (bring on the Amy Butler fabric!)

They're also the perfect size to stuff in the diaper bag...

Or...roll a few up, tie them together with a ribbon (or a cute headband if it's for a baby girl) and WA LA!! A great baby-shower gift! (watch out if you're inviting me to your next baby shower - I may show up with some of these!)

Dear Aspen,

Thanks for the fun times we've been having bonding over the hum of the sewing machine! Too bad you're starting to get night and day turned back around (well, one day soon anyway!)...I will miss our late-night parties!

xoxo,

Momma

ps-Happy 6-week-old Birthday this weekend!

To Nourish

A couple of nights ago for our Family Home Evening activity, we decided to plant some seeds. Herbs, to be more specific, to be grown in our window sill.

It was actually a little kit I got Jacob for Christmas, as he loves to cook with fresh herbs. And it's always fun to grow things, right? So, he let us all help plant his herbs.

As I watched, I saw Aspen looking around, wide-eyed, and Sawyer, curious and anxious to help his dad with the dirt. I also saw Jacob, with a wide grin, patiently helping Sawyer place the dirt in the pots, and then sweep up the floor when the dirt spilled. He gently helped Sawyer plant the seeds (I got to help a little, too!)

We explained to Sawyer that the tiny seeds would grow to be little plants -- if we nourish them. We told him that they need to be put in a safe place, where the sun can shine on them, and that we need to give them water so they will grow. In essence, we were explaining about how to nourish a plant to growth - to reach it's full potential.

I couldn't help but look at my little children, and think about the vital role that Jacob and I play in their lives: we are their keepers and our job is to nourish them so that they, too, can reach their full potential.

It sounds easy, but in this world of ours with all it's beauty and goodness, there are so many poor choices one could make, that would get in the way of the sunshine, or block the flow of much-needed water.

Oh how I pray that we, as parents, can keep them in a good place, and give them the sunshine and the water - and the LOVE - they need to grow. May God grant us the blessing of watching them blossom and bloom.

play-doh

ours is the homemade variety (i know the store-bought kind is cheap...but i like mixing my own colors!) add a few cookie cutters...or start sculpting away...and it'll keep a toddler (not to mention his momma) busy for a good hour. ahhh, the simple things!

lunch?

Pretty much, I could just eat her little toes for lunch, and maybe breakfast and dinner, too.

Every. Day.

(love her!)

DIY: Vintage Fabric Magnets

Now that Sawyer goes to Nursery Class at our church and comes home each week with a little something special that he made, I decided it was time to make some pretty magnets.

You see, up until now, I have been the type of person who has a blank refrigerator. I am a minimalist. I don't like clutter. And I especially don't like un-matching magnets on a refrigerator (unless, of course, there is a quirky artfulness about it). So, I decided to use scraps of leftover material, to make some magnets that are pleasant to look at, yet functional. If you'd like to make some, too, it's easy! Here's how I did it:

Materials:

old magnets
or
new, blank magnets

scissors

scraps of your favorite fabric
or
leftover scrapbooking paper, stationary, or wrapping paper

Mod Podge - with lustre (don't you LOVE it?)

An inexpensive, small-ish paint brush

Method:

*If you are recovering old magnets, first put a layer of Mod Podge down and cover it with a solid color paper or fabric (I used white).

1. Cut fabric or paper of choice just about the size of the magnet. Use Mod Podge to glue it to the magnet. Don't be too sloppy, because it's nice to trim the edges (if you are using fabric it will likely stretch a bit). Trim edges. Wait a few minutes to make sure it's adhering to the magnet.

2. Next, cover the new, prettified magnet with another layer of Mod Podge. This will help to "seal" the material or paper onto the magnet, as well as make it a little harder and just a bit glossy.

3. Wait for it to dry for an hour or so...then prettify your refrigerator with your creation, along with a photo of a loved one, a special postcard, a love note, or a toddler-esque drawing. ;) Oh, and

4. Let your toddler play with the pretty magnets so he knows how important his Nursery lesson and works of art are to you.

Bonus: I decided to draw a little sparrow and cut it out with some more fabric and then repeat step 2.

These were fun and super-easy to make. If you have older children, or don't mind getting Mod Podge in your toddlers hair, give it a try! You could easily make these as a cute custom gift...or with a theme...I was thinking of doing some with trains so Sawyer could play "choo choo" on the refrigerator while I am cooking...or we could always re-invent abc magnets in a cool font...

If anyone decides to make these, let me know, and - have fun!