My Mom is My Hero

Some of my most prized possessions are from my Mom. She is an amazing quilter, scrapbooker, and sewer and one day I hope to be as good as her. She made Travis and I a beautiful quilt for our wedding and everytime I crawl into bed and snuggle up under it I think of her.

She also made Kaed a beautiful baby quilt when he was born that Brayer now uses. I wish I had a picture to show you but Brayer is currently sound asleep under it. Kaed graduated to a big boy bed and now he sleeps under a great John Deere patchwork duvet cover that yes, my Mom made!

When I was younger my mom also made me a pair of stuffed rabbits. They currently reside in Kaed's room with his other stuffed creatures but one day I hope I will have a little girl who will love them like only a little girl can.

I'd like to add that my mom is also my hero for many other reasons than just her creativity, she is an amazing mom and every single day I wish I could live closer to her. I guess I'll just have to settle for talking to her on the phone.... nearly every day.

My Mom, the boys, and I at Thanksgiving last year.

Easy Peasy Mexican Chicken

I made some mexican chicken with rice tonight and of course I didn't think of taking a picture until it was all gone. I decided to post the recipe anyway because it is SO simple, quick, and yummy.

Here's all you do.....

Place some boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a baking pan. Sprinkle with Chili Powder and some Salt and Pepper. Put a couple scoops of salsa around the chicken and pour on some sour cream. Bake at 350 for about a half hour or until the chicken is cooked through!

So easy!

Basically if I want it spicier I add a bit more salsa or if I want it creamier more sour cream! It's great served on rice but I've also had it with pasta for my pasta fanatic son.

*note: I think my mother in law first made this recipe for me so credit goes to her!

My Baby is 6 Months!

My baby is six months old now. Yesterday was the big day... I tried to pretend it wasn't true but sadly pretending never makes things real. When did he get so old? I'm not sure what I'll do when Kaed turns two next month....

My sister in law Rosie did a little photo shoot of Brayer to mark the occasion. Here are her beautiful pictures of my beautiful boy! (note: Rosie is hoping to get a website up for her photography soon, I'll post her address when it comes up but if you'd like to contact her in the meantime, just shoot me a comment and I'll send it along to her)

What I do With My Time

Whenever I have a few minutes to relax and sometimes when I don't, I sit here at the computer and read blogs. So many blogs. I thought maybe I'd share my list of umm let's go with 15 of my favorites.

Angry Chicken - possibly one of my all time favorites... lots of crafty and sewing stuff
mmmcrafts - another favorite, the name pretty much explains itself
Sew, Mama, Sew! - sewing blog of course
Craftzine - a list of different crafts around the web every day
the red thread - more sewing
How About Orange - another fav.. just check it out, it's great
sugar city journal - so many pretty things...
Molly Chicken - more crafty/sewing (do you see a theme developing here?)
the long thread - again....
Buzzings of a Queen Bee - check out her brand new baby boy! he's beautiful
My Bloggy Life - a new fav!
My Spare Time - lot's of quilting
tiny happy - sewing
Keeping up with the Poelmans - follow the life of Maya and her parents!
David Lebovitz - mm food... mmm pictures of food....

A Few Slings

I've been sewing up a storm the past couple days to get three slings done for a friend. She ordered them all for baby gifts for a few expecting friends. I sure hope she's happy with the patterns I chose for them, I know I sure love them! Now I'm wishing I had bought enough fabric to make some for myself... as if I need any more slings. I think 4 is possibly enough? Maybe?

all wrapped up pretty and ready to be mailed

I had some fun making up these tags to go on each one.

The pretty fabrics. I love them all!

lately

Been doing a lot of sewing lately and I am about to do a whole lot more. Mostly I've been making up baby slings, but I also put together about 8 of the diaper soaker pads, should be enough to last for a while.

I made a sling for a friend from my Mom's Group out of black courdoroy and I quite like it! Here are a couple of shots of Brayer testing it out.

Tomorrow I plan to head to the fabric store to get some fabric for 3 other slings I will be making for a friend from my home town. Who knows, maybe making slings will turn into a way to make some money on the side!

It's been incredible weather here lately... highs of +15 which is pretty amazing considering we had a few days of -40 only a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say we've been out enjoying it while we can. I know winter isn't anywhere near over but it's nice to dream right?

Kaed's "paparazzi" shot

at the park....

Here's Brayer looking extremely happy because he got a Sophie in the mail from his Auntie Kara, it rarely leaves his hands, or his mouth.

I thought this was an accurate showing of how pleased Brayer was with his first taste of peas.

Cloth Diaper Soaker Pads - A Tutorial

I've been wanting to make myself some soaker pads for the boys' diapers for a while and I finally got around to doing it. The first one I made turned out pretty good so I thought I'd make up a tutorial in case anyone else liked the idea too!
The cloth diapers I use are also handmade and my mother in law and I made them with the soaker pads built in, but I thought it would be nice to have some extra pads to add to them when I'm afraid they might leak. Soaker pads also make it easier to clean when there's more than just pee in the diaper!

So here you go! Let me know if any of the directions don't make sense or if I need to elaborate on any of the steps. Thanks!

Cloth Diaper Soaker Pads

Materials:
Flannel
Cotton Towelling
Unfolded Cloth Diapers (or more flannel)
Thread
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Paper and Pen for Pattern

Step 1: Make yourself a pattern. It's basically just an oval and for a large size diaper (the size my just about 2 year old wears) I went with 6 inches wide and 11 inches long. I basically just drew an oval this size on a sheet of paper and cut it out.

Step 2: Cut 4 sheets of the unfolded cloth diapers or flannel to exact size of pattern. Cut one of the same with the cotton towelling.

Step 3: Cut out 2 sheets of outer flannel with a 1/2 inch seam allowance

Step 4: Stack 2 peices of unfolded cloth diaper material, then one of the cotton towelling, followed by 2 more of the cloth diaper material. Zig Zag all around to keep edges from fraying and told hold it all together.

Step 5: Place the two sheets of flannel right sides together, and straigh stitch all around, leaving a gap open at the top to slide the inner peice in. Turn right side out.

Step 6: Place the inner layers inside the outer flannel and fold over the edges of the open top. Pin shut, then straight stitch it closed, continuing to straight stitch all the way around the whole pad. This will keep the inner layers from bunching up. I did this a couple times, about an inch in between each set of stitching. This isn't necessary but I thought it might hold up a little better over time this way.

That's it! You're done. Now make a bunch more and enjoy how after only a few uses they look like they have been used for years! Remember.... they're practical, not necessarily pretty!

A few favorites...