reversible aprons

Santa is bringing an Easy Bake oven to two Special girls. Their Momma asked me to make them some aprons to go with it.

velcro at the neck & waist so they can be taken off & on w/o Moms help :D

i used this tutorial from skip to my lou for the bottom portion.

the wide belt & top piece i free handed off my 3 year old.

i'm really please with the way they turned out.

win a gypsy

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.

The Holy Grail of scrapbooking tools.

I mean, this is the m.o.t.h.e.r.l.o.a.d

win a GYPSY here

felt food

i'm a bit obsessed with felt food. i just love it so.

here are a few links to my favorite tutorials.

go make some :D

Breakfast

doughnuts a la Skip to my Lou

Lunch

brown bag lunch a la Skip to my Lou

* brown bag

*chips & bag

*ho ho

* sandwich bread

fruits & veggies

pickable straberries a la ikat bag

pea pods a la ikat bags

Dinner

Turkey Feast a la Smashed Peas and Carrots

Dessert

cupcake with feathery light frosting a la Smashed Peas and Carrots

slice oh pumpkin pie a la Smashed Peas and Carrots

cupcake a la Rachel Rabbit

oreo cookie ice cream sandwich a la Lit'l BrownBird's Passion

giveaway @ the Creative Crate

the wonderfully crafty, Stacie at The Creative Crate

is giving away some super cute, personalized name blocks.

All you have to do is pop over to her blog & leave a comment that you'd like one!

how easy is that? go here to leave your comment.

a blog that helps me be a better mother

whenever i've had a long day. i'm tired. grouchy. and ready to bawl in the shower, i read

http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/

i'm reminded of how lucky i am that i have my babies here on earth to annoy me;

to make ketchup handprints on the garage wall,

hide play dough in my shoes,

feed the dog rice so that he pukes on the carpet.

that at the end of the day i can snuggle with my babies.

watch their little chests rise & fall

stroke their soft faces

count their eyelashes

listen to the sweet sound of their gentle snores.

http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/

is a heartbreaking reminder to me to always be grateful for my babies.

Mike & Heather

I can not even begin to imagine the sorrow.

and i won't pretend that the pain i feel while reading your story is even a mere fraction of the pain you experience daily.

in fact i can't even type out all what i want to say because my tears are blurring my vision.

i don't know you. and i've only read about your sweet Maddie.

but i read your blog faithfully.

and i'm grateful that you share it with the masses.

you've taught me to slow down and enjoy my children.

play more.

take more pictures.

and above all

never take them for granted.

it hurts my heart that you even had to experience such a devastating loss.

congrats on your newest blessing.

i wish you nothing but peace and comfort.

Holiday shopping links

baby steals

At BabySteals.com we sell one quality baby or maternity product every day at 50-80% off until it sells out. It's not just a deal, it's a steal! A 'BabySteal'!

No, we're not stealing and reselling babies. We drop one amazing steal a day at 9am MST until it's gone, and they sell out fast. Once we're sold out, you lost out. On the weekends we give you a second chance on steals we still have, and you might get lucky and find more than one Steal a Day!

kid steals

At KidSteals.com we sell products from one hot brand each day at 50%-80% off until it sells out. One amazing steal a day at 9am MST and when it's gone, it's gone. Act fast because we sell out quick and slow fingers lose the race because it's not just a deal it's a steal! A 'KidSteal'!

baby 1/2 off

Baby Half Off is all about the great brands you want at great prices you will love. We work hard to build good relationships with vendors, bringing you the best names in the children industry at 50% off or more. That's our promise.

totsy

Totsy is the leading website in private sales for moms. We are also the first company of its kind to be 100% green. More than just exclusive savings, we are a hub of information, expert advice, and quality products perfect for mom, baby, and child.

mama bargains

TJ Maxx finds

my life won't be complete until i own this chair. it speaks to my soul. i want to design my entire craft studio around it

this trunk wants to come live with me

($120 TJ Maxx)

another fun blog!

so today the wonderfully talented Amy @ Modge Podge Rocks linked to a blog i'd yet to find;

Homemade by Jill

her stuff is SO CUTE!

look what she made for her son for Halloween! and his felt playhouse is awesome. as soon as i finish Bear & Bunnys bed tent/princess castle, i'm going to attempt a playhouse! it's got a super cute garden & mailbox... ADORABLE!

i'm definitely adding some quiet books & this one too to my arsenal for our frequent flying adventures.

homemade popcorn

wow. this is one of those things that is so easy i feel stupid for not doing it all along.

popcorn. made from kernels. in the microwave.

not the store bought pre bagged kind, (complete with nasty chemicals :::yuck::: )

but the kind that you prepare yourself, from scratch :::gasp:::

it's easy.

i promise.

a quick swagbucks search brought me to here

what you need:

bag of popcorn kernels

(i store mine in a mason jar)

paper bag

microwave

measuring cup

1. Pour a quarter cup of popcorn kernels into a paper bag.

1. Fold the top of the bag three times.
2. Place the paper bag in the microwave.

1. Set the timer for 40 to 60 seconds.

1. Remove the bag and pour the popcorn into a dish.

1. Cook unpopped kernels for about 15 to 20 seconds.
2. (mine took 60 seconds;
3. (be aware that this will make a mess in your microwave. why i thought the kernels would pop & stay in the bowl is beyond me?)

1. Serve.

popcorn balls

i was going to make, these, found at Pleasant Home, but then i realized that i don't have any jello then i remember i book marked this recipe, found at Little Birdie Secrets (but i don't have cereal) ... what if i combined the two...

to be continued

UPDATE:

it was good. so good.

so de-lish that we never made it as far as balling them; we just attacked the glob as soon as it had cooled enough to stop burning our finger tips/