Vinyl giveaway

Just wanted to do a shout out to my aunt's blog and website. She sells vinyl and is amazing at creating custom projects. Right now she is doing a giveaway on her blog since she is having her grand opening. Go here to visit her blog and here to visit her website. Right now she is offering free shipping on ALL orders. She also has a darling Halloween project, you can see it on her facebook fan page.

dot com

We have officially moved to babybboutique.com. I'm so excited. Now to get back to work.

Where did I go?

Where does all the time go? Lately I've been extremely busy. I've been working on orders, had a boutique event, am in the process of planning another, tending to 2 rambunctious kids, and everything else that comes with running a household. I've also been busy working on the website, you see I'm in the process of moving to a dot com. That's right, I purchased a dot com and hope to soon be up and running! Well that's all the time I have right now. Until next time!

Is it Wednesday already?

Wow, I this week has totally blown right by me. I made up my weekly menu on Sunday and then forgot to post it. Oops, better luck next time.

Monday: BBQ with Family

Tuesday: Pulled Pork sandwiches and fruit/veggies

Wednesday: Chicken Fried Rice

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Chicken and Broccoli sandwich bake

Saturday: Pizza and salad

Sunday: Stuffed Pepper Stoup

As always, want a recipe- post a comment and I'll post the recipe!

In other news my son started preschool the other week and has learned to trace his name and can associate which letters are in his name in order to type them on the computer. I'm typing this to let you know because he wants to type his name right now and I wanted to explain why. Here we go:

wyatt

Menu Monday

Monday: hamburgers

Tuesday: Beef Tacos

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Bacon Fried Rice

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Stuffed Artichokes

Sunday: Chicken Fried Rice

As always, if you are interested in recipes please comment and I will post the recipe

Boutique Announcement

I'm back!!! Yay, the baby shower is finally over. I loved doing all the fun things for it, but it's nice to be back to normal- whatever that is... I decided that the best way to get back into blogging is to make an announcement. I've decided that I am going to start offering Baby B Boutique parties and bow making classes. Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a party or learning how to make adorable bows.

Crazy busy summer days

Yes it has been forever since my last post. I know... I've just not had a desire to blog lately. I've been crazy busy since I came back from my parents. Keeping the house clean, entertaining kids- without going outside, watching nieces and a nephew for a weekend, our 6th wedding anniversary, getting ready for my sister-in-laws baby shower and my birthday. The baby shower has been taking the most of my free time because I volunteered to make quite a bit of it. So far I've made invites, bows, headbands and some other things that I won't talk about until after next Saturday since I don't want to risk my sister-in-law seeing or reading about anything before the shower. When things calm down a bit I'll post some of the pictures of our trip to my parents.

A Short Break

I just wanted to check in for a moment. I'm in CA right now visiting my family. We are having a blast and I will post pictures as soon as we get back. Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

Jessica

Yay! MY first giveaway!

I'm so excited right now. I was contacted by a local photographer wanting host a giveaway of one of my ties in exchange for the cutest pictures. Well, it's finally time for the giveaway and I'm so excited, its crazy! Check out the giveaway here. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Catching Up

It feels like forever a lifetime has past since my last craft post. I’ve been having a blast catching up on some crafting I haven’t really been able to do in the past month or so. I’ve been burning my fingers with the hot glue gun, but loving the outcome, so I haven’t been too concerned about my fingers. I saw a post on U Create where flowers were made out of satin fabric and fell in LOVE. I have made a ton few of them and Miss Ellie and I have been wearing them all over.
I bought Miss Ellie a skirt for $1 at Walmart the other day and needed a shirt to match, but couldn’t find anything that worked. I remembered seeing a tutorial for a tuxedo shirt at U CREATE that I knew would work. I did a few things differently like a strip of ruffles made from an old t–shirt around the edges instead of lace and I love the way it turned out. I was pleasantly surprised that the old shirt matched the skirt perfectly. I also made a rosette headband for her using some of the old shirts I used and buttons.

I then attached them to some headband elastic and I LOVE how cute Miss Ellie looks in her outfit.

Last, but not least here's a picture of my two little cuties having fun in their kiddy pool the other week! Aren't they so cute?

Menu Monday

Monday: leftovers

Tuesday: Bacon Fried Rice

Wednesday: not sure- we have a funeral to attend so whatever is served afterwards

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Bacon Wrapped filets, green beans and potatoes

Saturday: we're going to a birthday party!

Sunday: Turkey tacos

As always, if you want a recipe please comment and I'll post the recipe for you!

Menu Monday. Better Late than never.

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken sandwiches

Wednesday: Sweet and Sour chicken

Thursday: Bacon Fried Rice

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Cafe Rio style Chicken Burritos

As always, if you want a recipe please comment and I'll post one for you.

Menu Monday

Monday: Penne pasta with ricotta spaghetti sauce

Tuesday: Spinach and Sausage pasta bake

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: arugala and tomato pizza - IT's delish!

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Honestly not sure yet. Either Company Chicken or Roast Turkey breast or a pot roast. The options are endless, we'll see what sounds good or is the easiest to make on Sunday.

If you want the recipe to any of these recipes please leave a comment and I'll post the recipe in a post for you!

Jewelry Organizer

So I was inspired by all the many different types of Jewelry organizers out there, but wasn't seeing quite what I wanted so I went to work. This is what I came up with. I already had the wood laying around from another project, so all I needed was the hardware and the metal. I went to Lowe's where I found the hardware and the metal grand total was about $5.00. I painted and sanded the wood before applying the hardware.

I then measured the roof flashing and cut it to size. Now my flashing was a tiny bit warped after cutting, so I took it to the garage and hammered out the kinks.

I then cut out some cute fabric about an inch bigger than the metal and glued it using E600.

After it dried I glued it to the wood.

While it was curing I glued magnets to the back of my tins and let them settle. I have to say that I love it. It holds my necklaces so they won't get tangled like before and my earrings and bracelets are separated so that's another good thing. I may decide to use something else to hold my earrings and bracelets, but for now these dollar target tins will do.

I hope you like this as much as I do.

Laura Winslow giveaway

One of my favorite local photographer's is currently doing a giveaway and I'm very excited about it. Yes I have entered. I love the prizes. There are so many things that are being given away that I want, it's insane! Check it out.

New products-Bibs!

So the last month or so I've been getting ready to do a boutique in Gilbert. Unfortunately I had to cancel, but not before designing a new product. Baby Bibs. I wanted something different from the typical "rounded" shape. This is what I came up with. I also didn't want to deal with snaps or velcro so I decided to use suspender clips attached to ribbon. I love the way these look! I've given and sold several already and they've been well received.

Thank goodness a NEW week!

Whew, I'm glad that last week is over. My week was crazy. Last Sunday, Baby B was fussy and I thought "oh, it's those 4 new teeth that she's gotten this week." I put her to bed and thought nothing of it, Monday she seemed fine and that was wonderful until she woke up from her afternoon nap with her ear drooping and pushing out. I hurried to drop the kids that I watch at home and take my husband to school so that I could get to Urgent Care for B. We waited for the doctor who came in and looked and immediately told me that I needed to take B to the ER. I proceeded to brake down in tears. I was way to overwhelmed at that point and hearing the doctor say I needed to take B to the hospital and probably get a CAT scan was too much. I called my in-laws and asked if they could come and help, but at first they were stuck with car problems, so I called my dad's best friend who lives down the street from the urgent care and he came to my rescue. He let me drop off little man at his house and then drove us to the hospital since I was upset and needed to calm down in order to be there for B. Also, my sweet in-laws brought my hubby as quick as possible to the hospital. After hours of waiting, B received a CAT scan. At 11:30 p.m. we were admitted into the hospital. B had Mastoiditis- in other words a nasty ear infection that went to the bone. Now no judging me people- I had no clue that she had an ear infection- she wasn't pulling her ears and Sunday she let me prod her ears to check- nothing. I really thought that she had teething issues. I felt like the world's worst mom at that moment. After getting settled B finally got to sleep, unfortunately I couldn't- I was feeling sick. To make a LONG story short, we stayed until Thursday afternoon. We stayed a little longer due to B vomiting all Wednesday afternoon and night. I have to say Cardon's Children's center is amazing. The nurses are so helpful, the washer and dryer was very helpful, and I loved the wagons, toys and music time that B was able to enjoy. It was also nice to be able to watch some movies like Wild Child that I knew my hubby would never go for. I unfortunately had to cancel my participation in the shop chic boutique. I hated to say I couldn't do it, but my baby is WAY more important. I'm glad I did too because Friday night little man is walking in the hall and passes me at the computer saying "mommy, I think I sick" only to vomit all over the hallway floor. After settling him, I proceeded to the store to stock up on gatorade and some Oscillococcinum. I swear by that stuff. So after all this craziness I am GRATEFUL, for my kids getting better, my bed, etc. I hope to have the new products that I was going to feature at the boutique up on etsy and my website, up for purchase this week and next. I also hope to feature some of the projects I did up to see and maybe a tutorial, but we'll see. I don't want to overload myself, I'm still trying to catch up.

Boutique and Short Hiatus

Well friends, I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Between family visiting, baby sitting and preparing for the boutique next week, I just don't have the time. I will be back with some fun things sometime after the boutique. I'm very excited about Shop Chic's Spring boutique. I will be unveiling some new products at the boutique that I'm very excited about. For those of you in the Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek areas come check it out!

Tuesday's Tutorial- Last minute St. Patty's Day Decor

So I'm just a little bit reserved about posting this tutorial. It's because it's not the most exciting thing I've done, but it's cute and it didn't cost me ANYTHING.

Supplies:

strips of green tissue paper

green cardstock or paper

mod podge

Ink- this is optional

paint - I used gold and green acrylic paint

glass jars- I used old cleaned out baby food jars

a small shamrock cookie cutter or a template printed from the computer

Ribbon

Hot Glue

Instructions:

Apply a light coat of mod podge in sections. Apply tissue strips where the mod podge is.

Let it dry. While it's drying cut out shamrock- if you are going to ink this is where you would do it.
Apply a coat of mod podge on shamrock and place it over the dry tissue.
I then rolled my jar against my mat to make sure that it conformed to the jar. Let the mod podge dry. If you are using paint apply it to the jar after the shamrock has dried. Next add the final layer of mod podge. Lastly I applied a coat of lime green paint to the top of the jar for a bit of contrast. Now I don't have pictures, but I added a bit of gold ribbon on top of the lime green to give it a pop. I also put tea light candles inside of the jars for a bit of fun.

Sorry for the blurry pictures, I'm working on having a steadier hand, but like everything it takes practice, practice, practice!

Menu Monday and a sneak peak

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas

Wednesday: Corned beef and Cabbage with potatoes- Celebrating St. Patty's Day!

Thursday: R.S. Dinner- NO COOKING!!

Friday: Strawberry Spinach Salad

Saturday:leftovers

Sunday: Fried Chicken, potato salad and a green salad

If you want the recipe for any of these meals please comment and I'll post the recipe!

Now for the sneak peak...............................

Menu Monday

So Last weeks menu didn't go as planned. Mostly due to no one wanting turkey meatloaf. Instead I made tacos with it. I got the inspiration from Traci at The Woman who couldn't sit still. This week I plan to stick to my menu better, but I have to say my turkey tacos were awesome!.

Monday: Chicken Fried Rice
Tuesday: who knows?
Wednesday: Chicken Fajitas
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: Orange Chicken, rice and veggies

Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: roast, mashed potatoes and veggies

Sale

I've been thinking about doing another sale recently, but I've been so busy lately that it's taken a bit longer than expected to get the ball rolling. I'm offering all bows, flower clips, diaper cases and onesies for 30% off to my followers. Not a follower yet? Become one and take part of this great offer. Just put follower in the notes to seller and I will refund the 30% via paypal. Hurry this offer isn't going to last long! The sale ends on the March 17.

St. Patty's Day Decor

This weekend I made this wreath for my front door and I'm loving it. I especially love that I spent only $3 and that was all at the dollar store. I purchased the wreath form, the green berrys and the shamrock at my local dollar tree. I planned on getting some plaid or dark green ribbon until I found an old green plaid tie in my garage sale box saturday morning. On clicked the light in my head, I brought it inside, ripped open the seams, cut off the lining and started wrapping and hot gluing it to the wreath. I then took the ribbon off of the shamrock- meant for hanging, and hot glued the shamrock to the wreath. I took the bow that had been on the shamrock and glued it to the top. I then put the berries around the wreath until I liked the wreath. I finished by throwing some white satin ribbon around the wreath and tying it in a bow to hang. I love the way it turned out. I'm so excited that I finally have something other than this sign that I made last year. The saying on the left is translated Ireland Forever.

Menu Monday

So this past week I didn't do several of the meals I had planned due to 2 very sick little kids. I was exhausted just taking care of them, so we did other meals like chicken fajitas on corn tortillas- they are so yummy. The corn tortilla makes them taste so good.

This week I plan on being good and sticking to my menu!

Monday: Mom's chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles and mashed potatoes

Tuesday: leftovers

Wednesday: mandarin chicken, brown rice and veggies

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: turkey meatloaf, baked potatoes and veggies

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Cube steak, mashed potatoes and gravy and veggies- a favorite in our house!

What a week

Today I found out that Miss Ellie has croup, an ear infection and a viral infection. I feel so bad for my sweet little girl. She's had such a bad runny nose and weepy eyes. You just look at her and want to hold her. Thankfully she's got some prescriptions that she's taking now, but I gave her the pain medicine before the amoxicillan and now it's torture trying to get her to take it. I finally figured out that if I take the top of her bottle and put the medicine in while she's sucking on it. And BOY did it WORK! So that is why I haven't been posting this week. I haven't been able to craft between a sick little girl, baby sitting and taxes, my week has been packed! Hopefully yours has been better.

Menu Monday

Monday: Philly cheesesteak sandwiches

Tuesday: Mandarin Chicken, brown rice and broccoli

Wednesday: Shredded beef tacos

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Turkey burgers

Saturday:leftovers or To Be Decided on Saturday!

Sunday: Roast, Mashed potatoes and veggies

As always if you want a recipe just let me know and I'll post it!

Daily Task Tin Tutorial( otherwise known as chore tin)

I've been crafting off and on the past few weeks, but I've been crazy busy. Between watching some extra kids and trying to finish my taxes, blogging has not been a priority. I finished a project last week and decided that I would do a tutorial on it. First, I love Shanty2Chic, I really wanted the recipe holder, but I didn't want to just hold recipes. I changed my holder by painting the metal with red acrylic paint and then rolling a plastic bag over it to give it a crinkled effect.


Then I took this hot cocoa container and covered it with paper using modge podge.I covered the lid as well. I then hot glued ribbon around the sides of the tin and the lid. I used a very small amount, just enough to hold it.

I added some paper with the word chores that I inked around the sides with red ink before I modge podged it. I didn't want to risk getting it wet and having to make a new one. I then hot glued it where the ribbon edges met to cover it up.




I then made these dividers by cutting the paper down to size and then folding a piece of the red paper to the top which was stapled and embellished with ribbon. I just cut off the extra paper at the top so that it would be more like a divider.


I made chore cards so that my husband couldn't say that he didn't know what needs to be done and so that I could keep better track of my cleaning and try to get it down to 15 minutes for each task.Then I put the dividers in and put the chore cards in according to the day I want it done. Of course, certain chores like dishes get moved around daily, but it's nice to have something that I can easily access and no longer make lists when it's time to clean. The next thing I want to do is laminate the cards so that I can take a dry erase marker to the card when I'm done with a task like wiping down the mirror- I just like to cross things off, it makes me happy to see what I've accomplished! Happy Crafting!

Homemade Laundry Soap

Today I thought I would post about making your own laundry soap. I found this recipe last april and I am just now finishing up the last of the soap. I decided that I wanted to try this version when I saw it over at Rainy Day Farm. I love her frugal tips. I have to say, making laundry soap has saved my little family quite a bit this last year since it costs about $13 or so to make it. It just depends on where you get your supplies- I get the everything but the washing soda at Walmart. The Washing soda I get at my local bashas. I haven't seen it anywhere else. Also I like to add in some purex color safe bleach for that extra bit of stain fighting since my kids seem to get covered in stains.

Recipe:

3 bars Fels Naptha Bar Soap - each bar is 5 1/2 oz.

(I LOVE TO USE PINK ZOTE THE BEST! USE 1~1/3 bars)

4 lbs. Borax

4 lbs. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

4 lbs. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Mix and store in airtight container.

1 to 2 tablespoons per load.

**HE front loader machines, dissolve 1 to 2 tbs. of detergent to hot water to make a liquid, then add to machine.

I haven't tried putting it in water, but it should work. Check out Beehive Cottage if you need more info.

Sausage and Spinach Penne pasta Bake

Ingredients:

1 package mild sweet italian sausage- I usually use johnsonville

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce

1 package of shredded Mozzarella cheese

penne pasta

spinach leaves

Cook desired amount of pasta until pasta is almost tender. Cook sausage in a frying pan or grill until it is fully cooked. Cut the sausage into pieces and place into baking dish( I use a 9x13'' casserole dish). Add a handful or two of spinach leaves then add pasta and sauce. Mix well. Sprinkle cheese on top and then put the dish in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted.

Menu Monday

Monday: Meatloaf Ring, baked potatoes, and green beans

Tuesday: Sausage and Spinach penne pasta bake

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Mandarin chicken, brown rice, and broccoli

Friday: Chicken Fried Rice

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Spaghetti and meatballs with veggies

If anyone wants a recipe, just leave a me a comment and I'll put up a post!

Happy Valentine's Day

Just wishing everyone a wonderful day of LOVE on this Valentine's day! I celebrated a day early and went to the movies to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Lightening Thief. We had a great time and enjoyed our alone time. Thanks Holly for watching the kids, we really appreciated it!

Bacon Fried Rice

This is one of those dump it and season it to taste recipes. I grew up with my mom making it all the time and it is one of the staple dinners in our house.

Bacon Fried Rice

Rice- I use white, but you can use brown

Bacon

Eggs- I usually use 6-8 depending on how much I'm making

Frozen peas

Soy Sauce

Yoshida's Teriyaki Sauce

Cook desired amount of rice- approximately 2 cups

Cut 1 package of bacon into pieces and fry, drain grease and then add eggs. Cook eggs until done, add frozen peas, rice, soy sauce and yoshida's sauce. Mix well.

Menu Monday

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and veggies

Tuesday: Beef Tacos with Homemade Pico

Wednesday: Mom's Bacon Fried Rice

Thursday: Meat loaf, potatoes and broccoli

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Roast Beef, mashed potatoes and roast carrots

Pico de Gallo:

Tomatoes- desired amount diced up

Onion-desired amount diced up

Cilantro- chop it with onion to cut it easier

Salt, garlic and a dash of lemon juice

Mix it all together and enjoy!

Valentine's Jar

This week has been full of projects for me. I'm currently trying to finish up some new products to put up for sale, but due to crazy kiddos, I've not been able to finish them. I also have Little Man's 4th birthday tomorrow, so I've been preparing for that. I've had valentine's on my mind quite a bit lately, especially since we're celebrating early this year due to my husband's school schedule. I wanted to do something that he would appreciate and that wouldn't cost much or at all. I came up with this jar. It's just a pasta sauce jar cleaned up with ribbon hot glued to the glass and paper and ribbon mod podged to the lid. I then typed and printed out 50 reasons or things I love about my husband. As you can see, some of the things are goofy. I then folded them and added them to the jar. I plan on putting my husband's favorite treat in the bottom of the jar to take up more space and for a bonus. I also added a label- sorry no pictures right now. It's just a paper that says Reasons I Love You! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that this is helpful to someone that needs a quick and easy idea!

Projects and designs

I am currently in the process of creating some new items. I've been busy trying to come up with fun new products and at the same time trying to get some projects that I've been wanting to do created. I have a wonderful husband who has been helping me to fulfill the desires of my heart. He's been working hard to create some extra shelving in Miss Ellie's room. All I can say is Thank you hubby. I had a chance to do one of my new designs yesterday. It still needs some work, but I love this- good thing I was making it for Miss Ellie specifically. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Where has the time gone?

I realized today that it's been some time since my last post. I've been keeping busy lately preparing for my husband's return to school. Yep that's right my 27 year old husband is going back to school to finally get the degree that he's been wanting- he finally found the exact program that will work for him. I've been a little down about is since it means that I will no longer have easy access to the car. Plus I will see him less, and I mean a lot less. In order to go to school he has to transfer to another branch about an hour from us. So that means no more lunches together or dinners most nights either. I just hope that the next year and a half go by quickly. So now that you know how my life has gotten a little bit crazier maybe you'll understand why I haven't had the urge to craft. I'm going to all my favorite craft stores tomorrow and even new store I've wanted to check out for a while. I hope to find everything I'm looking for at great prices. Wish me luck since hubby starts school tonight and will be at class ALL weekend long!

Cool hair blog

So today I visited one of my favorite sites UCREATE and she had posted about the coolest blog. It's called the story of a princess and her hair. I love it. I can't wait till Miss Ellie has enough hair to do these fun hair styles. Right now they are doing a give away for their 1 millionth viewer. I love giveaways so I just had to post about it, plus the site really is fabulous. I love that she does step by step instructions on how to do these cool styles. I know some moms in my family that will love this site!