I heart Craigslist

The little Piggie has been wanting a car since she took my neighbor's mini cooper for a spin.  Thanks to Craigslist, we got her an early b-day present for a fraction of retail.

Re-usable snack bag

You’ve seen them at all kinds of retail stores from the big boxes to the boutiques. Why pay a small fortune for one $3 - $8 (depending on the store), when you can make your own for a fraction of the price with your fabric scraps?

My first set of bags were made with cotton fabric and zip loc bag lining. Then I made some with canvas lining…they’re great for pretzels and crackers. Then I found some waterproof nylon at the discount fabric store. What you need:

5 x 10 fabric

5 x 10 lining fabric (zip loc bag, fabric, or nylon)

4 1/2 in Velcro

Serge your short ends of fabric and liner together with right sides facing each other

Turn inside out and sew Velcro on each end with zig zag stitch. I just eye ball center the Velcro.

Fold in half with fabric facing each other on serge up the sides.

Turn inside out and you’re done!

Feeling Blue

I've decided to go blue in the living room. It started with the mosaic wall art. Then I switched the curtains from the dining room. I recovered a couple pillows with remnants from Joann's for $2.

The carpet was the finishing touch. I feel like we've just moved to a new place. Next item is to put up a mantel over the fireplace and build out a shelf.

Martha's Mac & Cheese

I made a modified version of Ina Garten's Mac & Cheese on Sat for a potluck at my girlfriend's house. It was a huge hit. Too bad I didn't save any for my hubby...I honestly thought I would have left overs! With left over ingredients, I tried Martha Stewart's Mac & Cheese this morning. It sure photograph well : ) Await the taste test from the family.

I got a food processor finally!  It made life sooo much easier not having to grate the cheese by hand.  What took me so long???  I got mine on-sale from Macy's 4th of July Sale for $69.99!  They're also having a special that if you donate $3 for a book charity, they'll give you a $10 gift card.  So my processor was only  $62.99 before tax.  That's a great deal considering it retails for $149.99.

Tangled and Some

No, not the movie...My son keeps getting is foot stuck in the slats of his crib.  He hasn't woke up screaming yet, I just keep noticing it when I check on him through out the night.  I used left over foam from my daughter's bumper I made last year and made a quick cover to attach to the crib.

I also managed to make a couple re-usable snack pouches.  I see these all over the Internet.  I actually contemplated on buying a couple at Toys R Us yesterday but decided I have enough scraps to make some.  I lined fabric with Zip Lock freezer bags and Velcro closure on the top.  These were basic pouches and makes me feel better that I can re-use them.

Again, with the weather getting warmer, the kids are starting to wear tank tops.  Seat belt straps are very uncomfortable.  I honestly don't know what happened to the ones I made a year ago...so I had to make new ones for the car seats for the kiddos.  I just cut out 5 x 5.5 inch squares and fold them over.  I did back the fabric with pre-made quilted fabric to give it more padding instead of batting - which I didn't have any on hand.

Last week I made Real Simple's Pasta Carbonara and Italian Sausage.  This recipe was in one of my old magazines..I think it was from a couple years ago.  It was very easy to make and very yummy. 

Post Wedding

My sister's wedding was a total success, but what wedding isn't?  All the effort in helping her with the details paid off.  I loved how everything finally came together. 

Gavin's outfit fit him like a glove.  Daddy's already put in an order for a vest to be made for him!

Bella's $20 Target dress only required a green satin ribbon to give it a nice finishing touch.

My sister wanted a bird cage veil and I used this tutorial to make it.  I got my supplies from , on etsy.com.  It looked a little strange and bloated initially.  But after we put it in her hair and pinned it down, it was amazing...I was like - I made that!

I also made ribbon flags for attendees to wave at the recessional in addition to the pom poms.

The table runners looked awesome with the center pieces.  The green damask print from Joann's brought just enough color to tie everything together.

The favor bags turned out supper cute too.  I just printed the custom monogram heart from Wedding Chicks and ironed them onton muslin bags.