PB & J: The Less Mess Toddler Way

We eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in our house. As in, we eat PB&J almost everyday. Cheap, quick, and easy to pack - it's my go to lunchtime staple.

The only problem is, my child somehow manages (unintentionally) to get peanut butter everywhere. And I mean everywhere: face, neck, hair, bib, shorts, and even the socks!?! Does this happen to anyone else? 


To combat this dilemma, a few months ago I began serving her PB&J sandwiches like this:

PB& J strips

It's not a perfect solution, but it has significantly cut down on the number of body parts that need to be washed after lunch. Now our post lunch face wipe can be done with a single swipe. (and yes I also serve fruits and vegetables at lunchtime)


This trick has worked on other foods as well. When serving soft tacos or burritos, we fold hers flat like a quesadilla and then cut into strips. Pizza also gets cut into strips at our house.

As a bonus, this strip cutting trick also seems to encourage our sometimes picky child to eat foods she doesn't usually like, such as baked chicken or raw carrots!

Until next time,
Mischele

Six Rookie Craft Habits to Break

I am a rookie crafter. I make numerous mistakes, including these six bad mental habits. (I'll spare you my list of technical mistakes.)


1. Throwing Away/ Donating Old Things
I fully support donating to the Good Will, but before you give away, be sure to evaluate each item for it's hidden craft potential. Could this blouse be used as a fabric source? Could this old dresser be refurnished into something beautiful? I've seen some great before and after repurposing projects, it kind of makes me wish I still had some of my old things...

2. Never Shopping at the Dollar Store
Inspired after reading Rachel's snag it or pass it guide to Dollar Store shopping, (it's a four part blog series definitely worth reading) I made my first trip to our local Dollar Tree. All I can say is, WOW, my life is forever changed. I had know idea the dollar store carried half those things! Foam board for a dollar, seriously?!?! Dollar Tree, I do believe we will soon become good friends...

3. Perfectionist Mindset
This habit kicks my butt in two ways. Sometimes I attempt a project only to get frustrated by sloppy stitches and technical errors. Instead of being proud of my accomplishment, I feel disappointed. Other times, I won't even attempt a project, because I know I don't yet have the skill to complete it perfectly (or near perfectly).

Sometimes being objective and aware of our strengths and weaknesses is a good thing. For instance, you probably shouldn't paint in white dress khakis if you're prone to dripping. However, sometimes I use the "aware of my weaknesses" crutch as an excuse.

I've been collecting old jean pants from family members for nearly two years with the dream of one day making a denim quilt. I have more than enough denim at this point to begin my project, yet I rationalize with myself, "but I've never sewn with denim before" or "a quilt is such a big project," and conclude that I should hold off until I am more skilled....

I don't expect perfection from anyone else, so why do I look for it in myself? Now is time to embrace the imperfect, to muster up the courage and tackle those seemingly impossible projects!

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4. Only Sewing for Others

This sounds bad to admit out loud, but I've never actually sewn anything for my daughter. I've made several personalized blankets and other appliqued gifts for friends and family, but not once have I ever sewn anything for her. 

5. Crafting Addiction
Having strong passion for something can be a great and wonderful thing, but without balance, crafting, like any hobby, can become an obsession. Need I say more?

6. Pinterest Obsession
Similarly, Pinterest can become a major time drain. I love the site, but can totally loose track of time while browsing in there. I recently shared a humorous list titled You Might Be a Pinterest Addict If... I had a lot of fun creating that list, but perhaps the biggest indicator I am a Pinterest addict is the fact that I actually enjoy Pinterest humor.

So here's to pinning less and doing more. Happy crafting!!

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Linking up at Someday Crafts, Positively Splendid, and Serenity Now

Replacing a Flat - Jogging Stroller

Anyone else ever experienced that sinking feeling when you're two miles from home and suddenly realize that the jogger tire you aired up earlier, was actually a FLAT? So yeah... that was my experience back in November. (And let me just say, pushing home my 29 pound baby uphill on an absolutely flat tire is like running through dry sand.)

With no clue how to repair or replace an inflatable stroller wheel, I stashed the jogger in the corner of the garage where it sat all winter. When spring came, I found the motivation to fix my flat - which turns out to be extremely easy. Ladies, there's no need to pass this task to your hubby; you can easily solve this problem yourself!

First lets talk about the anatomy of the tire. Sandwiched between the metal rim and the exterior tire, is an inflatable inner tube. This is the part that needs to be either repaired or replaced. With replacement tubes easily found at Walmart for under $5, I chose to replace.

Before, you head off to Wally World, determine your wheel size (printed on the tire). Mine is 16" in diameter x 1.75" thick.

Lay your jogger on its side. 

Unscrew the tire cap.

Remove tire from jogger. 

Peel out the old inner tube and replace with the new.

 Insert the new inner tube.

Place wheel back on the rim.

Inflate.

Easy Peasy. You go girl!

Until next time,

Shelby

Linking up to some of my favorite parties

You Might Be a Pinterest Addict If....

• you frequently start conversations with, "I saw this {blank} on Pinterest...."
• your husband can correctly use the words pin, pinning, pinned, and Pinterest in conversation.
• you use the above mentioned words on more than five occasions throughout the day.
• your "Pins To-Do Board" is more than twenty times the size of your "Pins I've Done Board."
• you actually have a "Pins I've Done Board."
• you've browsed your friends' friends' pinboards.
• you follow the pinboards of more than one stranger (hey, they pin great ideas!)
• you stay up WAY too late pinning for no particular purpose.
• you've taken the time to type a few words in the "about me" section.
• you've pinned a great household trick weeks ago, but have yet to actually try the tip.
• you've pinned a great BBQ recipe, except you're a vegetarian.
• you've pinned a tutorial written in Chinese. *update: sometimes these multi photo pins are "stolen" property. Always verify that it links to original source.**
• you've ever felt the need to buy an "I love you more than Pinterest" card for your husband.
• your first choice in a search engine is now Pinterest. 
• and lastly, you might be an addict if you've set Pinterest as your browser's homepage.

Are you a Pinterest addict too? 

Linking to Sugar Bee Crafts, Someday Crafts, Sew Much Ado, Lines Across and Oopsey Daisey

A Shower and a SPRINKLE for Two Special Babies

Two of my closest friends are expecting April babies this year. To help celebrate these upcoming arrivals, I was invited, and attended two wonderful baby parties - one baby shower, and one baby "sprinkle."

A Baby Sprinkle for the Second Child
I had never heard of a Baby Sprinkle until I was invited to one. Apparently, it is a new trend to celebrate the second child. A baby sprinkle, as the name suggests, is a lighter version of a typical shower - smaller guest list, smaller gifts, but equally big celebration and joy surrounding the arrival of the second child.

In this case, the expected baby was of opposite gender as the firstborn. With less than 24 months between the first and the second, the parents are still relatively prepared with all the big items and basic baby essentials on hand. The gifts given at the "sprinkle" were mostly girly and pink with a few consumable items given as well.

My gift was a diaper cake adorned with handmade headbands and bows. I used the basic method described here in my no-roll diaper cake tutorial. The three small upper layer tiers are approximately the size of baby's head and display each of the three headbands given. The bows are on alligator clips and are interchangeable to coordinate with outfits or can be worn alone when her hair is long enough.

Close up of the headbands and bows. (The teddy bear has another clip on its ear.)

For tips and tutorial to make a no roll diaper cake, click here. 

The bottom layer is wrapped in crepe paper party garland {tutorial here}

A Baby Shower to Remember
The other shower I attended last month was for a long time high-school friend of mine. This baby shower was hosted by a friend of hers, and was by far the best baby shower I have ever attended. This friend went all out and it was incredible. Seriously, this hostess could make a career out of it, she was that good. (Must take notes, so I can learn a thing or two.)

This shower was held at the mother-to-be's home - a central location for most of the attending guests - and the entire house was transformed into a baby shower oasis. I have never before seen shower like it. The decor, the activities, the food, the party flow, no detail was too small. Everything was well thought out and executed. (It was no surprise when I later found out the hostess' family is in the catering business.)

As guests entered the home they were greeted by this stunning crepe paper display. I heard it took forever to weave, but the effect was quiet dramatic. I must remember this for future kid birthday parties!

As I mentioned earlier, the entire house was involved in the baby shower celebration, not only in decorations, but also in shower activities. In each corner of the home, was a small table with an interactive baby shower game. As the guests mingled and enjoyed the food and beverages (also impressive) they also meandered through the home participating in the activities.

The first table in the entrance hallway provided each guest with a plastic bangle. Instructions on the table informed the guests that for the rest of the party they were no longer allowed to use the word "cute." Any person caught saying that word would forfeit their bracelets to the person who called them out on their error. This game was actually quite fun, despite the fact that I lost my bracelet almost immediately. (It's really hard to avoid saying cute at a baby shower!)

Another table had a blind item identification game (baby items sealed in paper bags), and an unusual celebrity baby name matching game (pair baby with parent). I love the orange tulle casually spread over the tablecloth. Another table offered guests the opportunity to write a funny parenting story or words of advice to the parents-to-be.

The guest list for this shower was quite large, so having activities spread throughout the house kept the main living area from feeling too congested. Of course we still played the typical gift opening BINGO as a large group, but for the most part, the games were dispersed into at-your-own-pace activity tables around the house. Presenting the activities in this way added to the smooth flow of the party. There was no awkward transition from mingling, to eating, to games, because all elements of the party were simultaneously occurring at once.

 Another plus of having the party at the mom-to-be's house was that the guest could admire her stunning nursery. Each of those letters was lovingly painted by hand and mounted with Command's Velcro Strips. Not only do these Command Strips save her walls from 26 little nail holes, but the velcro variety also eliminates the need for a level - if one letter is a little wonky, just wiggle into alignment. (Remember the "Favorite Things Party" I hosted a few months ago? It's no wonder this friend brought the Velcro Command Strips as her favorite thing!)

Until next time,
Shelby

Linking up HERE

Making a Book Box for the Bookshelf

Our little Bean Sprout loves to read, and we pause periodically throughout the day for a quick story time (at her request). By the end of the day, it's not unusual to find a book or two laying in every single room of the house. We try to encourage our daughter to pick up after herself and put away her own books, but as her collection grows, this becomes more challenging. Those small, chubby, almost cube board books are difficult to stack neatly and have a tendency to tip over and fall out.

It finally occurred to me that it instead of trying to stack those smaller board books, it would be much easier to toss the smallest books into a fabric lined storage box instead. And luckily for me, I had another empty diaper box which fit perfectly on the bottom shelf of the book case. Gathering up the fabric from an old pair of chinos, and some leftover flannel, I set to work transforming the boring cardboard box into a cute fabric lined storage box.

I very loosely followed this tutorial at Positively Splendid, although, because my fabric source was a pair of pants, I had to modify most of the instructions. Nonetheless, it was great inspiration.

Here's my basic project recap:
1. Fold box flaps inside box to provide extra stability (as compared to cutting them off)
2. Trace perforated finger holes and cut a matching hole through the inner cardboard layer.
3. Cut pants and use spray adhesive to wrap around box. Hot glue along seams for extra strength.
4. Hot glue sheet of felt to bottom of box
5. Sew flannel inner liner. In poor judgement, I winged this without instructions but luckily it worked out. (Three pieces of fabric - a long strip for the front, bottom, and back and two smaller pieces for the sides.)

Here is my final product in use. Yes, I love the way it turned out, but I'll be honest, this project took much longer to complete than I expected,

Linking to: Sew Much Ado, Sugar and Spice, Someday Crafts, One Artsy Mama

Organizing My Fabric Stash and Reclaiming My Guest Room

Craft chaos cleared away!

Creativity is often chaotic, and that's what my craft space (i.e the guest room) had become - utter chaos. There was fabric, craft tools, half finished projects and supplies EVERYWHERE. The room more resembled a mini JoAnn's explosion than a guest room. 

Usually, I don't mind the creative chaos, but we're having overnight guests this weekend (yay!) and I need that room to function as the guest room it was always meant to be. I could have just cleared out the craft clutter and dealt with the organization aspect later, but I decided to tackle both projects at once. 

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Inspired by this awesome armoire turned sewing organization cabinet {click for link}, I set out to organize my own supplies. I don't have nearly that amount of fabric, nor do I have the furniture to devote to such a project. But what I love is that all the fabric is easily visible and her supplies are neatly categorized. My fabric is was mostly stacked in bags and boxes. It was very difficult to see or find anything.

I failed to take a before photo of the entire room. Below is a glimpse at part of my fabric stash, before and after. First, I sorted my fabric by size and material type. Then, I turned the fabric stacks on their sides. Storing fabric folds on end like this will make my life so much easier - easier to see the fabric and easier to find. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner! Plus by using multiple small boxes (diaper boxes), I can easily stack and move my supplies as needed. 

The folding table has been put away. The fabric boxes are stacked in the closet. We have a guest room again and I am excited for a fun weekend with our out of town visitors!

(In my most popular post ever, I list more than a dozen other ways to reuse diaper boxes. You can read it here.)

Finally! An Eggplant Recipe I Will Make Again

I like the idea of serving eggplant dishes, but I've never been fond of this purple vegetable's overpoweringly strong flavor. But then I found this recipe. With it's mild flavor and unique taste, it's the perfect family friendly meal that I will definitely be making again. Plus it adds some flavor and nutritional variety in our usual (boring) dinnertime routine.

I seldom share recipes, because my culinary skills are amateur, at best. But this recipe is within my limited abilities, and it's delicious. I found this recipe years ago at mealtimemakeover.com, which is a Dave Ramsey endorsed website that provides you with a weekly shopping list and simple recipes for a weekly meal plan. It's a neat concept, but I wasn't able to budget their services, and simply printed this recipe from one of the sample pages. 

I know some of the ingredients listed sound odd; I was skeptical too. But trust me, it's a perfect blend of flavors.

1/2 package of bacon, cooked

6T olive oil

2 onions, chopped

2 tsp minced garlic

2 red bell peppers, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

Pinch of nutmeg

2 eggplants, peeled and chopped

15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained

2 - 4T raisins

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

12 oz box whole wheat spaghetti

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2T olive oil

2T basalmic vinegar

Cook bacon. Crumble and set aside

Add oil to large skillet. Stir in onion, garlic, peppers, celery, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Stir until onion is transparent. Add eggplant, tomatoes, raisins and bacon to skillet and cook covered, stirring occasionally until eggplant is soft. Top with cheese. Cover and let melt.

Prepare spaghetti according to directions. Add 2T olive oil, 2T balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. 

Toss and serve with eggplant.

Notes: I chopped my vegetables small enough that they sort of melted into a sauce when cooked - a major plus for my young family.

Linking up Whatever Goes Wednesday