Baby Clothes quilts

I have an issue with wanting to save everything from my kids baby/childhood, which is why I take so many pictures.  I could not part with the tiny baby stuff.  I just couldn't do it and I know its rediculous to have a garage full of baby clothes.  At least thats what my husband tells me.  I had heard of people making quilts out of their babies clothes and I thought that it was a great idea.  I've never quilted and I don't have a grandma that does either.  There are people on etsy that do this but I figured I'd pay more to ship the clothes and I wanted to be able to see the progress. So I went to a local quilt shop and asked if they knew anyone who did that sort of thing.  They hooked me up with a lady who did a beautiful job!  I really wish the pictures did them justice.  I took them with my phone.  Sorry.  You get the idea.

Front of my older girls quilt

Here's the back of the first quilt

Front of my 2 year olds quilt

Back.  I picked out the back and edging fabrics.  This fabric reminded me of my grandpa.

She paid attention to details.  She put "Nobody puts baby in the corner" in the corner.  (Yes I love Dirty Dancing. And Patrick Swayze).   There are a few pockets on them which the girls are fascinated with. 

She embroidered their names and birthdays on each.

The lady who did these also does adult shirt quilts.  She was working on a quilt of jerseys for a mom who's son was going to college.  She had all his athletic jerseys from middle and high school.  She also does them for retired military and for people's clothes when they pass away.  Such a great idea to create one beautiful (and functional) sentimental item out of many. I am very happy with them!  If anyone in the YUma area wants her info, message me .

All boxed up! - 1st birthday party

A friend and I stole this brilliant idea from a client of mine.  What happens when you buy your baby a fancy, expensive present?  They play with the box it came in!  Am I right or am I right?  So why not get a bunch of boxes and let the kids go wild?

Party favors in cardboard tubes.



The deserts were all made by various guests!  They did a great job!

The birthday girl driving her car

A librarian came for a box themed story time

There were even balloon animals

There's my silly girl!

The kids had a blast!  And the best part?  The boxes were FREE!  Did you know that if you ask the loading departments at various stores, they will give you boxes they were going to recycle anyway?

We had so much fun building things with them and Mom pulled it all together beautifully!

Happy Birthday, pretty girl!!

Closet Organization

I REALLY wish I took a before picture of my closet.  I just organized it a year ago and it already looked like it was throwing up ribbon.  If all goes according to plan, I should have a whole craft loft instead of a craft closet when we move in a couple months.  Theres no closet so most of my stuff will be out in the open which is why I wanted to pretty up my storage.  Thanks to some of your ideas, I used scrapbook paper to decorate my ugly plastic drawers for only $2.50.
I followed this tutorial from simply living.
Here's the result:

Like she said, they still look like cheap plastic drawers but they're only 90% tacky instead of 100%.

Fairy Tea Party

My baby turned 2 last month!!  My girls are very into the tinkerbell fairy movies.  So I wanted to do a fairy themed birthday for my July girl,  Unfortunately, its so hot here in July I really wasn't sure if we'd want to be outside so I had to get creative with indoor ideas to keep a dozen toddlers entertained.  That's when I decided to make it a fairy tea party.  It also helped to make it a girly event because that kept the numbers of guests down since my house isn't very big. 

This was the invitation I came up with using the silhouette of my girl I created.  If you remember, I blogged about that here.

The girls were able to pick out a tutu, wing and wand as soon as they entered.  This was also their party favor. 

I got that mirror off of craigslist for $25.  It was gold but looks SOOOO much better with a little glossy white spray paint.  It has now found its' home in the nursery of a very special baby.

I made a "dressing area" with a hula hoop and lots of tulle.

I cut a branch off of my parent's manzanita tree, painted it green, added some moss, butterflies, a bird, and a fairy.

This mosaic was a gift from my mom.  It's my girls in the teacup ride at Disneyland.  :)

This was the desert bar.  I never managed to get a picture of it without someone in the background.  hehe

I got the cute jewelry holder at Homegoods on my mothers day trip :)  I LOVE it. Especially with candy jewelry on it.

This was another AMAZING creation by Jamie at Yuma Couture Cakes.  She really out did herself with the detail on this one.  The mushrooms and rocks look SO real! And look at that fairy and her wings!

I made these mushroom cake pops by following instructions for cupcake pops.  I just used white as the base and red as the top instead of brown and pink.  I couldn't find all white confetti sprinkles so I had to pick them out of a mixed jar.  Even the mixed jar was hard to find but Jamie pointed me to Jeanies Party Supply here in Yuma and there they were!

I was excited to make these cookies in the shape of teapots, tea cups, butterflies, and flowers but then I didn't really like how they looked on the desert bar so they went on the food table.

My mom's fruit bowls are always a hit!  I think this might be my favorite so far!

When I put the vines and lanterns up, my 3 year old said "Look Mom, like the Fairy Tea Cup Ride at Disneyland".  That made me happy on so many levels.  I was impressed that 1) It actually looked how I meant it to and 2) that she would know that!  BTW I got those lanters from Polka Dot Market with the gift certificate I won!  Woohoo!

The fairies enjoyed their tea party on the mushroom table my husband and I made.

The girls got a special visit from my daughter's Fairy Godmother.  She brought Pixie Dust.

And did a story/song time

And there you have it!  We had a great day!  Thank you to everyone who made it so special for my big 2 year old!!

Toddler Chaise

One of my favorite stores here in Yuma is Ross.  I have been eyeing this hideous toddler chaise (and its twin sister) for months now.

The first time I saw them, I thought that I should get one, reupholster it, and use it for a photography prop.  But then I looked at the price tag.  "$80 (compared at 160)".  EIGHTY DOLLARS?  They're ugly!  No wonder they're in a discount store.  Who would pay $160 (or 80) for that??!!  So I forgot about it and moved on. 

A while later, I came back and they were both still there except they were dirty and one had some tears in the upholstery.  They must have been abused by customer's kids sitting on them waiting for their moms to finish shopping.  But alas, there was a price reduction.  $55.  FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS!!  What?  It's dirty and it has holes in it!  Plus, it's ugly!!  Who would buy that? 

Everytime I came back they were both still there getting dirtier and the holes were getting bigger. So I thought surely they will have to mark it down.  No one is biting. 

Then today, I came in and saw ANOTHER price reduction $19.99.  Finally a reasonable price! So I grabbed one, took some leftover fabric I had and voila:
Not so ugly $20 chaise WAY better than ugly $80 chaise!

And it matches this lovely chair that my step dad had reupholstered for me when I graduated high school.  I'd been carrying the left over fabric around with me ever since.  I finally used it!

Well Yuma, there's one more left.  Someone better grab it before I do.  My kids are already fighting over it!  If you do, please send me an after picture.  You'll have to reupholster it because the one I left was the one with the holes.  Sorry ;)

Minnie Mouse Birthday

This was my daughter's 3rd birthday in April.  I think kids' bedrooms and kids' parties are my FAVORITE things.  Thank God I have another daughter (born in July) so I get to do it all again soon!  I'm getting very excited already!

This was in the door way so it was the first things guests saw when they walked in.  These Mickeys and Minnies were the party favors.  My view on party favors is that I don't want to waste my money on a bunch of small things and bags when they get lost and broken before you even make it home from the party.  I like to get one good thing and make it part of the party.  Then you're killing 2 birds with one stone--decoration and party favors.  It doesn't even have to be more expensive.  I got these as a lot on ebay for $25!!  All in brand new condition with tags.  I already had the black rope and I used the pinchies from my girls' hangers to string them up. 

The dessert table had to be out of reach of toddler hands. :)

I made the pom poms aka kissing balls.  Look for a tutorial soon!  

  Jamie at Yuma Couture Cakes did the beautiful cake!  The "hat" topper is still in my daughter's room.  Jamie is AMAZING!  She came and personally delivered the cake the morning of.  I HIGHLY recommend her!

The cake pops were a hit!  A great toddler serving size!  I just made regular cake pops with Wilton melts as the ears (unmelted of course) and 2 hearts for bows. 

The banners were a random weekend thought.  I made them with scraps of fabric I already had laying around the house from other projects.  I did buy a few embellishments but overall maybe only spent about $20.

These hats were a last minute project.  My daughter said she wanted "Balloons, friends and candy" (In that order) at her birthday party.  Then the weekend before she threw in party hats.  They were probably my most expensive project because I didn't like how the minnies came out and remade them.  They are made out of felt so they are way more durable than the paper/cardboard ones.  My talented friend at She She made made the adorable dresses my girls wore!!  This dress is available on her website.

My mom has become famous for her custom fruit bowls.  She made this adorable minnie fruit bowl!  Fruit is always great at kids parties.  It's one thing most kids will actually eat!

Look for lots of Fairy projects coming soon for our next bash!!

A looooong weekend

I was a little antsy on Saturday and needed a project.  I had an idea for something above my bed but couldn't find what I was looking for.  I did however find a frame sale at Michaels.  I found these frames for about $8 each.  I also painted them because I wanted some color on the walls.  Each one has a wedding photo from my wedding.  Designing in threes:

I think my next project may be lamps for my nightstands.  You know the candle stick ones they always do on design on a dime?  Any other good inspirations out there?  I also need some pillows. 

Sunday I was antsy again so I took my kids to the Yuma Zoo also known as Petco.  I don't recommend it.  This could happen to you:

His name is still undecided.  I am taking votes:

1. Otis -to go with our dog named Milo.  I know Otis was the dog and Milo was the cat but we thought we'd change it up a bit.  Don't judge.

2. Achoo - My 3 year old's suggestion.  She's into fake sneezing these days

3. KC - as in Kitty Cat since that's what we all currently call him

4. Mak - My husbands initials

Thank goodness we had something to do on Monday.  Who knows what would have happened.  The holiday allowed me to channel my energy into something more cost-effective and patriotic:

I think my mom got that idea from a magazine when I was just a kid and we've been making it ever since. 

Do you ever get Memorial Day and Veterans Day confused? Mmmmmmm-Memorial Day is in Mmmmmmm-May and Veterans Day is in November.  I used to confuse those until a friend stressed the Ms and I never forgot again.  Now you won't either.  You are welcome and God Bless America!!!!!