Colored Rice

I found the idea of colored rice on pinterest (I'm loving this site). There were several links, but I liked this one because it used smaller portions (http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/04/colored-rice-tutorial.html). Super easy and simple. I picked up two 16 qt buckets at Target to put the rice in (and some measuring spoons at the Dollar Tree). They all had so much fun. H has asked constantly to play with it! I think I know what we'll be doing tomorrow!

1st batch

2nd batch

H playing - this was before we went and bought the tubs

He was telling me we needed one more scoop before picking up the funnel

Pretty colors

J and G playing (the 2 batches were put in separate tubs for ease of  play)

G

J

J and G

J and G - the sand toy was $2.50 at Target

Each scooping some up

They like to turn the cups on the sand toy by hand

A sheet underneath is a must!

Close up of the colors

Photo Booth Props

Well, my sister-friend is getting married in November. She had talked about having a photo booth at the wedding, and I think it's a fine idea. The only problem is the cost, so we're looking at making our own. In come the props. There are some AMAZING props that can be purchased online and at stores. They can also be super expensive. Today I was online looking at some free templates. Since the boys were at preschool, I decided to make some and take to her at work so she could make her Friday that much more fun. Here's what we ended up with.

Who knows if she used them at work, but they brightened both our days by just being around. Yay for cheap entertainment.

New Shirts

So, I found this freezer paper stencil idea (http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/08/tutorial-freezer-paper-stencil-makenna.html) through Pinterest and wanted to try it. I got some shirts for all the boys at the $1 store (for a dollar who cares if I mess up). Today was the day to experiment. Cutting the stencil was "easy." It wasn't difficult, but it was time consuming. Still, I felt like I did a great job, even the painting part was easy. As you look at the pictures you'll see that I am not amazing though. All of them turned out okay except for the last one. Some runny paint (and an impatient me) caused some issues, but still... I can't wait to take pictures of the boys wearing them tomorrow.

Both onesies look like this

In silver - when I peeled off the largest piece all around I kind of wished I could leave the little pieces that were the platypus body

In silver

Next twin shirt

In white

H's first - a whale

This was by far the best I think

The jellyfish

*sad face* - I might have to retry this again some other time

Friday

It's Friday. That means lots of things going on. I have to prep the house for being gone. My sister-friend, my boys, and myself are going to visit my mom (and dad, and grandma, and in-laws, and...) this weekend. I'm so excited to be able to spend time with family. I'm also excited because I'm going to be helping my mom, which I rarely get to do. She's hosting a women's tea at church and I'm going to be helping with the craft.

After that, she's going to help me by watching my boys while I come back home and clean like a mad woman. Then, it's off to retrieve my little loves. I'm sure that it will be tempting to lounge instead of work (as I'm doing right now), but there is too much to do. I feel so blessed to have family like we have. I love seeing them and I wish we lived closer. I know H would love if we did, he's constantly asking when we are going to Grandma's house.

Just a few thoughts. It's an exciting day for many reasons and I'm working on remembering how blessed I am. I hope those of you who read this are having a great day, and if not I hope it gets better!

Baby Leg Warmers

I was talking to a friend about her daughter's baby leg warmers about a week ago. She told me that she loved them, but at their high prices, she had started making her own. After telling me how to make them, you know I got it in my mind that I could do it too. I looked online and found some easy instructions (the exact ones she had given me) with pictures. Yesterday I had to return something at Target and I found some great socks to use on sale for $1.75. I picked up six pairs (ambitious, I know, but it sounded easy!).

This morning I decided to try, and here is the first attempt, a set for each of my twin boys.

G and J

I loved how they turned out, and how truly simple they were to do. I decided to pull out a couple more pairs that I had bought (way to girly for my boys) and make a couple pairs for little S. Her chubby little legs would look great in these, and I'm sure her mommy will love having something on them when she's learning to crawl; which will be soon.

I started with these socks

Cut off the heels and toes

And the finished product (the little piece became the cuff at the  bottom)

Looking at these makes me smile. I was able to make something cute in about 15 min. and save a ton of money. The cheap little warmers are about $4 a pair, this was about half that, and they fit a lot longer. H is telling me he wants some, and so we are going to have to go pick out another pair of socks for him that will work. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited at that thought. I love making these.

The Moxie Fab "I'm Sew Excited" Challenge

There's a challenge up over at the Moxie Fab World (click here) to use sewing icons on a card. I ordered a grab bag from Unity Stamp Co. quite a while ago and received a stamp with a woman sewing. I wasn't sure when I'd use her, but I knew the time would come someday. Someday is here, and here is my card.

I used Unity Stamps from Le Chic collection (background) and Domestic Bliss (woman). The background was stamped with Versamark Dazzle in Champagne, and the heart was inked around the edges with that as well. I hand stitched the heart with some red thread and hand wrote the sentiment.

Picture Frame

So I was going through old picture when I realized I hadn't posted this project like I meant to. A little while ago I was at the Goodwill with my sister-friend looking for picture frames. She found an oval framed mirror that she liked the shape of, but the frame was awful (wish I had taken a picture). I convinced her to get it and that we could fix it up (which of course means I would fix it up for her). After a few weeks of sitting at my house and some irritating moments for my husband, I got on task.

I pulled the lace off and removed the glue they used. Then I got to work making a framed mirror my sister-friend would want to hang in her home.

After a couple coats of Metallic Champagne paint - the frame was peach and the paint just softened the look, it didn't cover it up.

Done decoupaging 

Ready to be sealed

One of my favorite pictures on the frame

Another closeup

All done

J modeling the fun of mirrors

A Break

Today marks the last day of the school year here. While I'm not teaching this year, I am excited for the school year to be done. I need a break! Little S is not a difficult baby, in fact she's as easy to take care of as H was when he was little. The difference is I have three other kiddos now. I look forward to Sunday when Husband will be home all day and can watch the boys while I leave the house and go do whatever it is that I'm going to do...make that Monday (forgot we had plans for Sunday already).

Right now I am thankful for our Friday morning "preschool." H and I were on opposite teams this morning and I needed a break. Little S is napping and the house is quiet; all the boys are at school. It feels so good to be in a quiet house with a chance to gather my thoughts and get what I need to do done.