ToddAhToddAh

Oct
30

Let’s Go Royals!

I’m a little late in getting to this, (Well maybe a lot late since Game 7 is on as I type this) but I wanted to quickly put out a post to support my home team in the World Series.  Below the image are some links to wallpapers for your phone. Let’s Go Royals!

Royal-ipad

 

iPad     iPhone     iPhone 5     iPhone 6 and 6+

 

Now back to the game!

BToddSig

Oct
26

DIY Stamped Swaddle Blanket

Tutorial time!  This babe’s due date is just around the corner.  With only single digit weeks to go, I am furiously trying to get things ready and finish up some final cute projects prior to her arrival.

Today’s project: a hand-stamped swaddle blanket!

What you’ll need:

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– 100% cotton gauze fabric (about 2 yards) – got mine from fabric.com
– stamp of your choice (or click here for our handmade stamptutorial!)
– fabric friendly ink (like this one)
– foam brush
– basic sewing supplies (scissors, measuring tape, sewing machine)

1.  Measure and cut to desired size.  I just folded mine in half length-wise and cut it in half.  This made my blanket about 30″X26″, which is perfect for a newborn and meant that I had enough to make 2.  I’d like to make some over-sized ones, too, like 34″X34″ or 40″X40″.  Do what works best for you!

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2.  Fold and iron around all edges 1/4″, then fold and iron another 1/4″.

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3.  Sew all 4 sides along the folds – this will give you some nice hemmed edges.  I used a zig-zag stictch, because gauze is a pretty stretchy fabric, and I wanted to make sure it still had some give for some swaddle action!  Oh, and P.S. – If you have a serger, you could skip the hemming and just serge around all edges if you’d like:)

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4.  Dip the tip of your foam brush lightly into the ink (you don’t need much – a little goes a long way).  Then, use the foam brush to paint ink onto your stamp.  You will need to refresh the ink about every 2 stamps.  There’s no rhyme or reason here – you can put as many or as few stamps as you’d like!

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5.  Let the ink dry completely (24 hours to be safe), then heat set it with your iron on the highest setting, NO STEAM.  To do this, place a thin piece of fabric between the iron and your blanket (use an old pillowcase or an old t-shirt you don’t wear any more).  Slowly move the iron over the blanket, taking about 2-3 minutes per large section.  I know this step seems tedious, but trust me, it’s worth it.  Heat setting your ink this way will help your stamps stay through washing/drying:).

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And you’re done!  Now swaddle a cute baby and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  Be sure to subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook to keep up with all our happenings!

swaddle8

TabSignature

Sep
23

DIY Homemade Stamp

I’ve decided to get in on some of the tutorial fun. Tabitha asked me to make a stamp for an upcoming tutorial so I figured I’d just go through the steps for everyone else incase you wanted to make your own. Making a custom stamp is great way to personalize anything from fabric like tea towels and blankets to paper goods like paper bags and cards. It’s an easy way to add that handmade touch that makes each piece one-of-a-kind.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Rubber stamp block (LINK)

Mounting block (LINK)

Speedball Linoleum Carving tool (LINK)

Sharpie

Adhesive

(Optional)

LaserJet print of your design

Mineral Spirits (LINK)

Foam Brush

Plastic Straight Edge or spatula

 

The first step is getting your design on the stamp. You have two options here, either freehand draw it with a sharpie or transfer a design from a LaserJet Print.

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Here’s a few tips for when working on your design.

1)    If using text, print it exactly the way you want it to stamp. (It will transfer backwards onto the stamp but that’s what you want it to do) Print it so it reads normally. If you are hand drawing it then you’ll have to draw it on backwards.

2)    Print the design in black. This will allow it to transfer the best. Your design should only have 1 color.

3)    Keep in mind you have to carve out what you print so at least starting out try to keep the designs fairly simple. Fine details and thin lines can be very difficult with the engraving tool.

 

Here’s how to use the laser jet print transfer: Take the print and lay it design face down on the stamp surface.

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Then dip the foam brush in the mineral spirits and rub it over the paper generously. Make sure not to move the paper or the stamp once you have put the mineral spirits on. The paper will become more transparent and you will see your design very clearly

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Rub the surface with a flat edge. You can use a spatula or I used an applicator for my iPhone screen protector. You should notice that as you rub the paper starts to detach from the print. Once the whole print is detached remove the paper and your design will now be on the stamp! Don’t worry if it doesn’t transfer perfectly you can always touch it up with the sharpie if you need to.

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Next is the fun part. Carve away. When I do it I like to use the smallest blade and go around the design then work my way up to the thicker blades but this is really up to you.

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Once you’ve carved out the whole design cut around the design closely. This will keep ink from getting on any unnecessary parts of the design. I wanted to get two separate stamps out of this block so I cut each feather out individually.

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Now Adhere it to the mounting block. I got this from Amazon but any block will work you could even use a piece of wood if you wanted.

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I wanted to get the most out of this block so I put one stamp on each side and there you have it! Happy Stamping.

stamp8Make sure you never miss a tutorial by liking us on Facebook and signing up for our monthly newsletter. Thanks for following!

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BToddSig

 

 

Sep
7

DIY Turban Headband

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Something I’ve been in love with lately are tiny little turban headbands.  They are super cute, fashionable, and best of all, super easy to make!  The hardest part for me was figuring out how long to cut my fabric, but once I figured that out, I was good to go!

When Micah was born, she was mistaken for a boy on a regular basis.  Generally, unless your baby girl is dressed in pink with ruffles, people assume your baby is a boy.  UGH.  For some reason, I just refused to dress her in pink and ruffles all the time (I know, I’m the worst).  However, I did stumble upon simple solution – headbands!  If she was wearing a headband, people knew, just knew she was a girl somehow.  It’s magic, people.  MAGIC.

With another baby girl on the way, I know I will run into the same problem…  Because guess what – I still don’t plan to dress Baby Wren in pink and ruffles all the time (I know, I know – that’s just a lesson I’m unwilling to learn:).  So, I want to make lots of cute headbands for her (and some for Micah while I’m at it), to help her look cute and undoubtedly like a girl!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1_Turban

– Knit fabric (make sure it has some stretch to it).  As usual, I got mine from Girl Charlee!
– Basic sewing supplies (scissors, measuring tape, sewing machine)

1.  Cut a strip of fabric using the measurements below, based on what size you’re aiming for.  Also, keep in mind that the more stretch your fabric has, the shorter you could cut to fit; the less stretch it has, the longer you will want to cut it.  Tip:  If you fold your fabric in half, you just have to measure 1/2 the length:).  I personally like a medium-width turban look, but feel free to make yours wider if you want a more full-width turban!
– Infant: 32″ long; 4″ wide
– Toddler: 36″ long; 4″ wide
– Big Kid/Adult: 40″ long; 4″ wide

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2.  Fold the strip length-wise with right sides together and sew all the way down, leaving both ends open.

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3.  Turn the tube right-side out.

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4.  Line up the ends and sew them together – cut off excess fabric.  You should now have one long, connected circle.

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5.  Hold on to each end of the circle and twist, then twist again.  Basically, it will feel like you twist twice, but you’re really only making sure you have one FULL twist, so that you have that cute little knot-turban for the next step.

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6.  Bring the two ends of the circle together (you are folding the whole thing in half at this point).  Now, you have the turban knot on one end and the back part of the headband on the other end.  If you prefer, you can stop here and simply put it on!  I personally added one final step, so that it wouldn’t come undone and I’d have to twist it every time I want to put it on the babe.  So, if you’d like to do that, there’s one more step!

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7. Make sure the back seam is where you want it and you like the look of your headband.  Then connect the previously sewn back seam to the other part of the back of the headband by sewing them together.  This just makes it stay in turban form, so that it doesn’t come undone, which means you won’t have to worry about twisting it every time you use it.

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Aaaaaand…  You’re done!  Wasn’t that one easy?  I would love to see your versions of these and hope you enjoyed.  Be sure to subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook to keep up with what we’re up to next!

TabSignature

Aug
10

August 2014 Wallpaper

It’s been a busy and fun summer. July flew by faster than I expected mostly because we took a week long vacation to the smoky mountains.  I meant to get this posted before we left but time got away from me. I hope everyone’s summer is going great and that this brings you a smile and your phone some style.

Hugs-ipad

iPhone     iPhone5     iPad

Make sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe to our semi monthly newsletter so you never miss out on updates and new wallpapers.

BToddSig

Jul
10

3 more toddler apps July 2014

As our daughter gets older I’ve noticed I let her play with our iPad more than we used to. I’m just fascinated by her development and love watching her learn and interact with the apps. I should emphasize that these apps don’t replace their real world counterparts in our house. We still read LOTS of physical books and play with actual dolls, but the collection of apps I have today are great supplements to those activities and much more mobile.

First is an older app. “Another Monster at the End of This Book”. When I was a  kid I remembered reading “A Monster at the End of This Book,” and I loved it!  So when I saw the updated interactive version for the iPad nostalgia got the better of me and I downloaded it right away. And I wasn’t disappointed. It’s lots of fun and full of interactive elements and animations that have continued to engage our daughter since she was one. Then we would have to do the activities but now that she is 2 she has figured out the puzzles and works her way to the end of the book on her own. There are also lots of extra hidden animations, which encourage kids to explore each page. This definitely tops my list for interactive stories on the iPhone and iPad.anotherMonster



Next is “Fiete Match”. Micah has loved memory games for a while now. You know, where you flip over two cards and look for a match. We play them at home and on apps so this App was the perfect addition. In it you play against a sailor pent up in a lighthouse. The settings can be adjusted according to multiple levels of difficulty so I think this one has lasting potential as well. It also has multiple variations of the game where you match sea creatures, or simple math equations where you match the problem with the answer and a version where you just match objects that go together like an airplane and a propeller. The variety and reaction animations make it fun to play for a while.

FieteApp


 

Lastly I have another Toca Boca game. I know I featured them last time but they just make so many great apps and as soon as I put it on my phone it becomes Micah’s new favorite so I think it’s worth sharing another. This one is called “Toca Town”. It’s basically like having a digital dollhouse on your phone. There is no objective to the app. Just characters and 6 sets for them to interact in. The rest is up to you. You can move them around give them props to hold and create your own story with them. It is so simple that it allows for endless possibilities and is only limited by your imagination. I can see this one staying in rotation for a while as our daughter continues to develop.

TocaTown


 

Hope this helps anyone looking for great apps to add to their phones.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss any updates or deals.

BToddSig

Jul
4

My Maternity Bombshell Swimsuit

Summer is here, and I’m growing like a pregnant lady!  Well, to be fair, I am a pregnant lady, which means suiting up for swim time is even more of a drag than usual.  Finding a cute maternity suit is quite a chore – finding an affordable one is nearly impossible!  I’ve never been one to spend oodles of money on clothing, so dropping $100+ on a swimsuit I will wear for a couple of months really doesn’t appeal to my inner frugality.

Enter the Bombshell Swimsuit Pattern by Closet Case Files, and problem solved!  Mind you, this is not a maternity pattern, but with the ability to grade out the size for the babe in the belly, I figured I could make it work.  Why?  I’m not really sure.  Especially considering I’ve never made a swim suit, never worked with lycra, and consider myself an amateur seamstress…  But, after reading lots of great blogs of women in the same boat who were successful, I thought I would give it a try!  Aaaaaaannnnd VOILA!

swimsuitPhoto

 

I DID IT!  I can hardly believe it.  I will say I didn’t quite grade out the first one enough to fit my growing belly, so I made another one:).  I am saving the first one for post-baby, though, because I honestly just love how they turned out!  And the best part?  Total cost per swimsuit was around $20!  Girl Charlee (which if you keep up with my blog much, you’ve realized that’s my go-to fabric supplier for everything!) is now selling swimsuit fabric, which made this project much more fun!  Not only that, they also sell the Bombshell Pattern, so you can kill two birds with one stone.  Remaining supplies (stretch needles, swimsuit elastic, swimsuit lining, etc) I found at my local Joann’s.  There are a few different options for the suit and so far, I’ve made only View A.  I plan to make View B of the suit soon and will keep you updated!  I followed Closet Case Files’s Bombshell Sewalong, which was a lifesaver and really took me step-by-step.  Mine didn’t turn out quite perfectly, but I’m happy with the end result!  I know my next one will be even better!  Trust me – if I can do it, you can do it!

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun things we’re making!  In the mean-time, give something new a try and make yourself feel like a Bombshell while you’re at it:)

TabSignature

Jun
9

DIY Summer Max Costume

Summer is upon us, which also means Micah turned 2!  This year, we went with a Where the Wild Things Are theme for her birthday party, because she loves that book so much she’s worn out the pages!  She goes through the book and claims herself as Max, and she always asks us to read it “again” or “just one” more time.  Why wouldn’t she – it’s a great book!

I wanted her to dress as Max for this fun occasion, but all the Max costumes are a bit warm for June.  So, I decided to make my own little version of a simple Summer Max, which turned out quite adorable.  The best part – it was easy!  I bought a little white romper onesie and sewed a few big buttons on the front.  Then I made a tail out of some faux fur, stuffed with a little polyfil and just sewed it directly to the back of the onesie.  I used some leftover fur and a bit of white felt to make-shift some ears and a little gold felt to make a crown.  I hot-glued those to a stretchy headband, and voila!  The hardest part was convincing Micah to put the headband on…  Nothing a little cookie bribe couldn’t fix:).

Micah 3 Micah 4 Micah 5 Micah 2 Micah 1

 

The party was a big hit, and I’ll have more crafty things to share related to the fun very soon!  Be sure to subscribe to our blog and like us on facebook so you don’t miss it!

TabSignature

May
22

DIY Nursing Cover Tutorial

Well, you may have heard the news – we are expecting again!  This means a lot of things, but most importantly that I’ll probably be posting a lot of baby DIYs and fun baby finds in the next few months.  This one, though, is for the mamas out there!  I nursed our first child for six months, and I’m hoping to nurse this baby longer.  One of the hardest parts of early nursing for me was comfort and modesty.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m all about nursing in public and applaud the strong women of the world who feel comfortable nursing in public without a cover.  I’m just not one of those women – I’m a tad more…  shy:).  And, when you’re a tad shy, like me, regular nursing covers don’t exactly make you feel comfortable, either.  I was always worried I was flashing some side boob to my still in college at the time brother in law or perhaps my husband’s lovable but over-the-top uncle at family functions.  Then, I stumbled across this tutorial from Heather over at her blog Coterie, and I found the perfect match for my nursing needs!  This nursing shawl was quick, easy, and multi-functional – I used it as a nursing cover, shawl, and a scarf!  Now that I’m prepping for another round of nursing, I need to make more!

What you’ll need:
1 yard of knit fabric (Check out Girl Charlee for lots of fun options!)
Basic sewing supplies (sewing machine, measuring tape, pins, etc)

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Steps:

1. Take your fabric and fold it in half, width-wise.  Basically, it should be around 30″ when it’s folded over.  Lay the folded edge facing you (this will help you later, when I’m referring to the right or left sides of the fabric).

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2.  Align your fabric on each side, to make sure edges are even.  The Coterie tutorial suggests pinning all the way down the left side, so that the fabric won’t move when you make a cut.  I’m a little on the lazy side, so I didn’t pin my fabric, but I DO think it’s a fabulous idea if you’re up for it:).

3.  Measure 25″ along the folded edge facing you, mark, then measure the same 25″ along the opposite edge furthest away from you and mark.  Then, cut straight up from one mark to the other.

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4.  Measure along the right side of the fabric, starting from the folded edge nearest you, moving up about 13″.  Stick a pin there!  This hole will be the neck opening, so you won’t want to sew that part up.

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5.  From that pin, continue to pin upwards, all the way to the top part of that right side.

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6.  Sew or serge the section you just pinned (and ONLY that section), leaving the gap open.

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7.  Take out all those pins, turn it right side out, and try out your new nursing shawl!  I left all the raw edges, but you could serge or hem the edges if you want a cleaner look.  Now, make more!

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Hope you enjoyed this quick little tutorial – be sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe to the blog to see our upcoming tutorials and posts!

TabSignature

May
14

Spring 2014 Mobile Wallpaper

Spring is FINALLY here and I love it! The outdoors are coming alive with plants and animals again. And we are spending lots of time outside with our 2 year old who can’t seem to get enough of the great outdoors. Which is awesome for me since it gives me a great excuse to leave my computer screen and breath in some fresh air. That was the inspiration behind this month’s mobile wallpaper. Well, that and our home state of Missouri. This wallpaper features our state flower and bird in some fun spring colors. Hope it adds some brightness to your phones. Grab them from the links below.

iPad     iPhone     iPhone 5

MAyPattern_iPadNever miss a free mobile wallpaper post by liking us on Facebook and signing up for our newsletter in the box to the right. Have an awesome Spring!

BToddSig