Summer Alphabet Activities

Last year I mapped-out this summer bucket list for me & my kiddos.

We had LOTS of fun!

But this year, with a newborn, I decided to tone things down a bit.

So I came up with this Summer Alphabet Activities list that features two topics & a treat each day:)

Of course, the topics are open for interpretation:

You can do as much (or little) as you want!

I'm hoping that the older kids will take the initiative to help the little ones learn their ABCs.

And I'm hoping I take the initiative to teach the older kids cursive writing!

Skirt Week 2013

One of my favorite times of year...

Vintage Vegetable Garden Stakes

 For Mother's Day, I made my perfect mom these garden stakes

 featuring vintage seed packet clipart.

 I'm happy to say that she loved them!  Now we can't wait to plant our family garden!

 I made these stakes by printing off the clipart (you can find them here).

I printed them in a 5x7 size and then laminated them individually.

I purchased the 5x7 plaques for 97 cents at WalMart and

 affixed them to these rough stakes bought at Home Depot.

 I decided to paint them black and coated them with polyurethane.

Finally I affixed (well, my hubby did) the picture to the plaque using a handheld staple gun.

 I made twenty vegetable stakes and gifted them in an empty planter with a gingham bow.

You don't have to make twenty, but perhaps you could try some stakes for your garden!
Or make a few for a favorite gardener in your life:)

Vintage Sheet Baby Quilt

I am NOT a quilter.

I have aspirations to quilt when I'm older...when I have more time & money! (quilting is expensive)

However, in the meantime, I used some vintage/used sheets to make this 'beginners' quilt.

 Patterned Tutorial is: Simple Stripes Quilt by "Diary of a Quilter"

 On the back I did an 'L' for my daughter's name:)

 I love how this quilt is a mix of bold graphics and feminine prints.
It will be a favorite for a long time to come!

Embroidery Monogram

I got a letter in the mail last week.

My husband's cute cousin is getting married and her future in-laws sent a letter along with a square piece of white fabric.

The instructions said to personalize the white fabric as a quilt block for the couple!

Then they are piecing it together in enough time to give the quilt as a wedding gift...

such a thoughtful gift!

I loved the idea!

I decided to do a monogram for my quilt block and thought I'd try embroidering it.

I used to embroidery about 5 years ago and was pretty decent at it.

Apparently, you need to keep practicing or your skill level diminishes...

but overall I loved how the quilt block turned out.

 I got the pattern for the letter 'M' on this website; they had lots of beautiful (and free) patterns!

 I love the little clusters of french knots...
But my satin stitch is a little rusty!

Anyway, I love the idea behind the wedding quilt & I can't wait to see the final product!
I also look forward to diving into my old embroidery patterns & stitching up something for myself.

Chiffon Baby Bloomers & Leggings

The Ribbon Retreat recently started carrying this fun frayed chiffon!

It is SO soft & lush.

Perfect for sweet babies:)

My friend at TRR store mentioned how cute little leggings would be---and I totally agreed!

So I made these cute leggings (along with matching bloomers) for my own lil' baby, Miss Q.

DARLING!

TRR blog is starting to host a monthly 'new product' challenge, and this frayed chiffon was featured for this event!

I am so thrilled with how this simple and beautiful set turned out.

Wouldn't this be such a great baby gift?

I'll post the easy tutorial for the leggings soon....

Painted Sugar Cookies

My kids LOVE to help in the kitchen!

Whether it's cracking eggs, rolling dough, or being the official 'frosting taster'....

they're very helpful;)

Here's an activity that they really get excited about....

Have you ever tried painting sugar cookies?

It's a very simple technique that you can apply to ANY sugar cookie recipe.

Simply mix 2 tsp corn syrup, 1/2 tsp water, and 2 drops of food coloring.

Scoop and flatten your sugar cookie dough to form a nice 'canvas'.

Then use clean paint brushes to paint your artsy image BEFORE you bake your cookies.

Bake following the normal temperature & bake time directions.

It's amazing how vibrant the colors are even after baking.

They are so HAPPY looking, aren't they?

This is such a fun way to personalize a birthday, anniversary, or thank-you treat!

Definitely a tasty, talked-about gift:)

'Pop'ping Full of Fun Package

I've decided I'd like to be rich.

Nope, not to buy cars, mansions, or vacations...

but to do random acts of kindness!

I wish I could send fun packages like this every day!

I would send them to family members, old classmates, neighbors, etc.

Some I would send with a heartfelt note.  And it would be great to send some anonymously.

Oh man!  That would be the greatest!

I get a 'rush' off of things like this;)

 Here's a package I sent to one of my favorite families...just to let them know we were thinking of them:)

This box is full of things that you can 'pop':
*popcorn
*bubblegum
*water balloons
*bubbles
*pop tarts
*'Pop-It' snap fireworks

And to top it off, there is a cheesy note that says, "Just POPping in to say we love you!"

 I like how it looked all packaged up---especially all that colorful bubblegum!

Think of all the great people that you'd like to 'pop' in on...just to let them know you care.

If you want to send a fun package like this, you can use this printable:

Parable of the Pillowcase

 I get to teach the CTR 7 class in church.

Seriously, it's the best calling---all of these kids are getting ready to be baptized!

I wanted to think of a fun & unique gift to give them on their special day,

and this is what I came up with!

I made this easy pillowcase using the tutorial here.

They are SO fun to make!

I found this great "I Love Primary" fabric in my stash,

but I just discovered a variety of LDS fabrics available on Spoonflower, too.

 I think the color and pattern combination is perfect for the sweet Primary children:)

You might think a pillowcase is a weird baptism gift, huh?

I wrote this fun "Parable of the Pillowcase" to include with the gift.

It's a poem that relates washing a pillowcase to repentance in our own lives.

I thought it was an analogy that 8-yr-olds could relate to.

I can't wait to give this gift!

 Here's a copy of the poem---
(for personal use only)

Strawberry Poke Cupcakes

Have you ever tried a JELLO poke cake?

You must!

There is something about this cold, fruity cake that I am crazy about!

Last weekend I made white cupcakes, poked & filled with strawberry JELLO, 

and topped with whipped cream & strawberries.

Heaven!

Easter Carrot Garland

Here is a copy of the tutorial I did last week for The Ribbon Retreat:)

Easter is this week!  

I have a project that is sure to lure the Easter Bunny to your home...

this darling Easter Carrot Garland!

Here's what you'll need:

All of these lovely products are available at The Ribbon Retreat:

The orange tic-tac fabric is "Life in the Jungle" by doohikey for Riley Blake.

The green striped fabric is "Mind your P's and Q's" by Keiki for Moda.

The ribbon is "Emerald with White Swiss Dot" in 3/8".

Click on the 'Carrot Pattern' and print:

Cut your carrots!

12 carrots =24 total pieces

 We're ready to sew!

Place two carrot pieces together...

   Use a 1/4" seam allowance...

Just to reiterate...

Now run to your desk and grab a pencil to help you stuff your carrot with batting.

No need to over-stuff; 

just use enough batting to make carrot full and fluffy.

You will need to decide how to finish your edges.

Clipped? or Pinking Sheared?

Both are darling:)

I chose clipped.

 Make all 12 carrots following the above steps.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now it's time for the carrot stems!

Fold your fabric in half (to 9").

These clips will provide a guide for us to tear our 'shabby stems'.
Rip your 1" x 18" stems! 

You will need at least 24 stems.

Time to assemble our carrots!

 Give all 12 carrots their stems.

Clip or pinking shear the top seams.

Let's put this all together!

 I used 2 1/2 yards of ribbon for my actual garland. 

The knotted ends will help to hang on your mantle.

You are going to use your fabric 'stems' to attach carrots  to the ribbon garland.

Hang all 12 carrots on your garland!

With the remaining 2 1/2 yards of ribbon, I added these fun extra ribbon details!

1.  Cut ribbon to 6".
2.  Make a loop and place under garland.
3.  Place ends of ribbon through the loop. (around the garland)
4.  Pull to tighten.

Your garland is done!

This is a very simple, quick, & fun craft.  

Get social & recruit some help to 'stuff' the carrots and clip the edges!

Honestly, you can complete this project in an hour!

You're only one hour away from this:

It makes me happy to see a dozen carrots hanging from the mantle.

It definitely adds a punch of color and whimsy.

Thanks for looking at my tutorial for the Easter Carrot Garland.

The Easter Bunny will surely thanks you, too;)

HAPPY EASTER!