Easter Recap

What a weekend!!! Who knew you could pack so much fun into just a few short days?! We started Friday with Dustin being home--I used that to my advantage, and actually ran to town and did all my shopping--ALONE!! Wow--what freedom!! LOL! That night we dyed Easter eggs with the kids, and for the first year, actually got some nice looking eggs!
Saturday, the Circus was in town--so of course we had to take the kids to that! We opted for the 10am show--and getting 3 kids dressed, fed, and in town by 10am is a feat in itself! The kids had a good time though, and enjoyed seeing the elephants and monkeys. As a parent, the circus becomes more about money, cheap toys, and crowded auditoriums, but it's always fun to see the excitement in your children's eyes!
After the circus we had lunch with Dustin's brother, and his little girl, then came home to get our house ready for Easter. We cleaned and cooked, then settled down and watched "No Country for Old Men" after the kids went to bed--all in all a pretty good day!
Easter we spent at our house, with Dustin's brother, and his daughter Cloey. The kids had a blast finding their Easter baskets, hunting for eggs, and chowing down on jelly beans and chocolate bunnies all day! We successfully cooked our first ham--a wonderful smoked ham from the local butcher shop, and even had time to play some Wii! LOL!
That night, Cloey (our niece), spent the night, as her dad had to go into work, so the kids had a slumber party, complete with sleeping bags and a play tent! They had a blast, stayed up too late, and up too early the next morning! Needless to day, I had 3 pooped out kiddos come Monday afternoon!
Here are few pics from this weekend--including some apron modeling shots! (I gave Ashlee and Cloey each one for Easter).

Easter Eggs

Braydon and Ashlee

Braydon, Ashlee, and McKenna
Braydon, Ashlee, and Cloey

Kenna
Apron Shots: Cloey and Ashlee

Cabo Halter

My first project that I actually made for myself!!! It's the Amy Butler, "Cabo Halter" pattern, and the fabric is Michael Moore, "Tropical Splendor." I really love how this turned out, and I'll definetly be making some more for Summer! It makes me feel like a hot mama!

Child's Apron Tutorial

This is my first tutorial, so please bear with me! :) If anything is unclear, or just flat out wrong, please feel free to leave me a comment!

This is a tutorial for a children's play apron. This will fit a size 2T-4t. There are links on my sidebar to download the pattern. This pattern was drawn by me, and is for personal use only, please! For any of the pictures, just click to view them larger!

Materials Needed:
**Pattern
*About 1 yard of material total--I just used what I have on hand, and mix and match fabrics--i think it looks funner that way!--so I don't know *for sure* how much material I used.
*Scissors
*Pins
*Matching thread
*Sewing machine
*Turning tool

**Note: The pattern allows for a 3/8" seam allowance. If you need more, please size your pattern accordingly!

Instructions:


Step 1: Print out pattern, tape pieces together, trace onto fabric (or pin), and cut out pieces. Along with the printable pieces, you will also need (2) 2.5" x 16" strips, and (1) 2.5"x 14" strip.

Step 2: Sew one apron front section to two apron side sections, right sides together. Repeat for remaining apron front, and side sections. Press seams flat.


Step 3: Sew Pockets: Take two pocket pieces, and align them right
sides together. Sew a seam around, leaving opening for turning. Trim, and clip curves.

Turn right side out, making sure corners are square--this helps if you use a turning tool, such as a chopstick or pencil. Repeat with remaining pocket. Press flat, and tuck in section you left open for turning.


Step 4: Attach Pockets: On the right side of the FRONT on your apron, pin on pockets. I just eyeball it--but make sure you put them at least 1/2" away from edges.





Sew around 3 edges of the pocket, about 1/8" away from edge. Leave top open.



Step 5: Place apron front and back sections right sides together, and sew. Leave opening for turning. Trim, clip curves. Turn right side out, and press. Tuck in edges of opening you left for turning. Top stitch around entire apron, catching your opening.


Step 6: Make the neck strap and ties: All three will be done the same way. Using your iron, press in the short edges of your strip 1/4", then repeat with the longer sides. Next, fold in half, and press. Top stitch around edges using 1/8" seam. Repeat with remaining two strips.


Step 7: Attach straps. The shorter piece is your neck strap. Align the strap on the back side of the apron as pictured. Pin, and sew a diamond shape to attach strap to apron.
For ties, align on back of apron, even with side edges. Pin and sew.


Voila! You now have a finished apron!!

I would love to see any aprons you make using this tutorial! I hope everything is clear, and if you have any problems, please let me know! This pattern is pretty "girly," but I am working on a more unisex pattern right now too!

Summer Dresses!

My first projects on my new machine!!! Some summery dresses for my girls.

First up, Ashlee's. I used McCalls pattern MP251, and a ribbed knit. This dress was a real PITA to put together, but the end result was worth it! Too bad it's about a 1/2 size too big on her!! Oh, well, she likes it, and it definetly has room to grow!

Lastly, Kennas! Her's was just a simple swing dress from McCalls-not sure on the exact pattern--I'm pretty sure it was a stitch-n-save...I used a carebear cotton print, and we even had a diaper cover that matched! (made by a mama on Diaper Sewing Divas)

My husband totally rocks!

This weekend, I begged hubby to take me to the city to go fabric shopping. We dropped the kids (B and A at least) off at MIL's, and headed off for an afternoon of shopping! When we got into the city, Dustin totally surprised me by wanting to check out sewing machines. He's been talking about buying me a new one for a couple months now, but I hadn't really given in too much thought. Anyways, after looking at a few machines, my wonderful hubby bought me a new one! And not just ANY one! A Bernina 230PE!!! It's seriously more than I could have ever asked for! I've been busy all week, playing on it, working on a few projects! Hopefully, in a couple days, I'll have some pics to post!!!

Toddler Crayons

I can't take credit for this idea, as another mama on one of the message boards I belong to, posted about this a couple days ago. But, I thought it was a great idea, and a perfect Easter basket present!

My kids are ALWAYS breaking crayons. And it seems I am always buying them, so we have and entire ice-cream bucket filled with broken crayons. Today, I put them to good use! I peeled off the wrappers of several dozen crayons, broke them into fours, and sorted them by color into a muffin pan. Then, I popped them into a 250 degree oven for about 10 minutes--or until melted. I let them cool on the counter for a few minutes, then into the freezer. After about 15 minutes, they popped out nicely from the pan! And voila! Chubby crayons the perfect size for chubby little fingers!

Birthday Party Pics!

So, it's official! My pumpkin turned one this weekend!! It's such a turning point--from baby to toddler! Where o where has the year gone!! She is now in the "into everything" stage. She isn't walking yet--surprisingly as my first two walked at 10 months!--but that doesn't stop her! She can crawl, roll, and push her ride-on's around to get to where she needs to be! She is such a ham, and

it's amazing watching her personality develop!

Her party was a blast--and it took all Kenna had to stay awake for the festivities! Here are few pics!!!

First, the cake. I made this using a Wilton cake pan, and I'm OK with how it turned out. I really thought it would look better, but it is what it is! It looked better before Ashlee tried to eat the "cherry"! Her party theme was "cupcakes!", if you couldnt' tell!

Close up of cupcake just for fun!

Kenna wearing her dress I madeNew chair!

New toy!

First taste of frosting!