Bathroom storage shelf

We had a lot of wood left from tearing down walls in the basement, a lot of them still really good pieces and not sure why they were glued up behind the wall being the size that they are-but this house has always kept us guessing.

I took all this wood...

Used this picture as an inspiration...(off of pinterest of course)

And got to work... I measured everything so it would be the size that I wanted it.

I let my husband cut out all the wood-since me and power tools do not always mix! I can be a bit clumsy. (Thank you wonderful husband, for all the help crafting!)

 Screwed them all together...

I then used a really thin coat of white paint and didn't worry if some parts were not covered as I really wanted a shabby chic look!

I really enjoyed making these and can't wait to find some more good treasures at this store-I'm looking for an old window now to hang up in the bathroom! Best news about this it was "free" I already had the wood, screws, and paint! Can't beat that!

Tie/Bowtie Onesie Revisited

I absolutely loved the tie and bow tie onesies that I made for Elijah.  Problem was that with the red felt and the white onesie it bled a bit when washed.  Not bad or anything...but just enough to notice slight pink color on the onesie.  I also really wanted more, but didn't want to sew them all onto the onesie, although it is by no means hard to do there had to be an easier way!  Well I found it, so here it is! I hope you like it as much as I do because I love it. I found out I'm going to be an aunt for the first time and am thrilled beyond belief.  I wanted to make something special for my new little nephew and these onesies seemed to be the perfect thing!

What you are going to need:
Sewing machine
Snaps
Thread
Fabric of your choosing
Onesies

Take your onesie and near the top of it(neck line), place a snap!  I used the pointed end of the snap on the onesie so that it matched the rest of the front of the snaps on the front of the onesie.  Mainly because I'm just OCD like that(feel free to use whatever end you prefer!) I placed the snap about 1" down from the neckline, and right in the center. (I really shouldn't say I put the snap there because to be honest, my husband is in charge of attaching the snaps!)

Next make all of your bow ties and ties.  This really is easy to do.  I'm going to have to explain it to you as I forgot to take pictures during this part-must be the mommy, post surgery brain I was having while making these! 
To make the tie: I folded a piece of fabric in half, so that you can make it nice looking on both sides.  It was about 4" in length as this was for a 0-3mo onesie so it doesn't need to be too big!  I just took a stencil of the tie, similar to how I did it the first time around,  cutting it out in the shape of a tie-just make sure when you make the stencil that it is about 1" wider than you need it to be so you have 1/2" seam allowance on either side.    Putting the right sides of the fabric together I sewed the whole outside of the tie together, leaving the top unsewn so you can flip the tie right side out.  Iron the tie so it is all straight and neat, then sew the top part of the tie together tucking the top edge like 1/4" under so you have a nice straight edge!  You will then slide the knot part(see below) over the top of the tie and down to the section that goes in bit(where you would normally see a knot on a tie) It is now ready to be attached to the onesie!
To make the knot: Cut out a piece of fabric about 1" wide and 2" long so that you can make the knot part of the tie. This knot part is where I attached the other side of the snap. For this to look nice, I put a seam on both sides about 1/4" wide so that you have nice straight edges that are not going to fray.  Next turn your fabric so the right sides are together and sew it together using 1/4" seam allowance again.  Turn it right side out again and now you should have a circle.  Attach a Snap to the bottom area where the seam now is, as this will go on the bottom side of the tie and attach the tie to the onesie.  You will make one of these for the tie know and for each of the bow ties.  I won't explain this part again, just an fyi-so when I say put the knot on it is this section and the circle that you now have is the knot!

To make the bow tie: Fold your fabric in half so you will have 2 pieces of fabric to sew together.  Cut your fabric so that it is 2.5" wide and 4.5" long.  You are going to use 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.  Put the right sides of the fabric together and sew up 3 of the sides.  Turn the fabric right side out and sew up the last side, tucking 1/4" of the fabric on the inside so you have a nice finished edge. You should have a rectangular shaped piece of fabric.  Now you just slide your knot over the fabric and place it in the middle, it should pull the fabric together so it looks like a bow tie.

Simple! Quick! Easy! Amazing!  Maybe I'm just partial but I love that you can now interchange the ties and bow ties to create whatever look you want and you don't have to use as many onesies.  I made baby Oliver a red, blue, grey, and camo bow tie! Red and blue since those are mommy and daddy's school colors, grey because well it was a dressy fabric, and camo because his daddy likes to hunt.  I also made a camo tie just for kicks and giggles!

Play dough

Play dough was on sale the other day at Target, Elijah had been good so we decided to buy some.  We had yet to really play with play dough yet.  I have to admit I was probably more excited than he was at this point in time.  The next day we decided to pull out the play dough.  I gave them each a place mat, play dough, and some cut outs.

Athaiah played for about 15 minutes.  Amazing in my mind since she doesn't normally sit still for more than 2 minutes at time, and she didn't even try to eat it.

Elijah loved the play dough and he has since asked and played with it several other times. Mommy score! But I mean what kid doesn't like play dough!  I had a lot of fun enjoying him. He made circles, squares, numbers, balls, and a lot of different animals.  He cut with the scissors and rolled it out with the mini rolling pin.  Probably some of the best 5 dollars ever spent.  It has been worth the several hours of entertainment we have gotten out of it so far, and the many more to come!

When my children beg to do something creative I am all about it.  We love to play with play dough(now!), color, imagine, and build with blocks. I love to see what they can come up with and what they can do with their imagination. Children can see all kinds of things that we as adults cannot see, or forget to see!

Banana Berry Freezer Jam

Banana Berry Jam

What you need:

Jars

Strawberries-3 cups, mashed(little over 2lbs)

Bananas-2(mashed)

Blueberries-1/2 cup(mashed)

Lemon Juice 2TBSP

Instant Pectin 6 TBSP

Sugar 2 cups

 Step 1: You guessed it wash the jars!

 Step 2: Wash and hull the strawberries

Step 3: Mash the berries one layer at a time, in a separate bowl mash the bananas and blueberries(add lemon juice and mix well)

Step 4: Mix Pectin and Sugar together in a big bowl, add the bananas and berries

 Step 5: Stir for 3 minutes(my big helper, isn't he sweet?!)

Step 6: Pour into jars! Make sure you leave a 1/2" at the top so it can expand when frozen! Let stand for 30 minutes!

Step 7: Enjoy!!! Or you can keep it in the fridge for 3 weeks or the freezer for 1 year.

 

Now I have a freezer full of yummy jam to enjoy over the next year.  I do love just plain raspberry, BUT since we are in the middle of Kansas they are too expensive to buy.  Maybe someday soon we will plant some berry bushes/plants so I can pick my own again! Here's to wishful thinking!



Strawberry Freezer Jam

 

Strawberry Jam

 

Now this one I had to make the old fashion way because I ran out of instant pectin, and had bought my second container in regular(didn't check the label, oops!) After making one of this batch and then all the others using instant pectin-definitely prefer the instant, especially with small children around and a baby in the Moby wrap. Way easier to stick with the instant! This recipe is taken from the ball jar website with the elimination of lemon juice because we never added lemon juice growing up and it tasted just fine!

 

What you need:



2 c strawberries(mashed)-about 2 lbs
1 box(6 TBSP) classic pectin
3/4 c water
4 cups sugar(a lot more than the instant variety, another reason to do instant)
jars!

 Step 1: Wash jars!

 Step 2: Wash and hull strawberries, easiest way to do this is with a straw!

 Step:3 Mash strawberries, one layer at a time(much easier than trying to do them all at once-trust me). Combine with sugar, mix well.  Let stand for 10 min

Step 4: In a small saucepan combine water and pectin. Bring to a rolling boil-stirring constantly. Once at a boil cook for 1 minute long-keep stirring :)

Step 5: Add to strawberry mixture and stir for 3 minutes 

Step 6: Spoon into jars, place lids on top and let set for 30minutes. Make sure you leave 1/2" at the top so it can expand once frozen. Then move to fridge for up to 3 weeks or to the freezer for a year!

I know it really isn't too much harder-just hate the boiling water part(more stirring and dishes!). It turned out good. Can't wait to enjoy some of this yummy goodness on some sandwiches or toast!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Toothbrush holder

Another frugal treasure that I love!  A toothbrush/hand towel holder! For the down stairs bathroom...

 

I had a piece of wood so we cut it in two.  A long piece for the back and a short piece for the shelf.  I couldn't tell you dimensions because I just marked where I wanted it cut based on how big I wanted it to look, sorry.  Just make some up, sometimes it works best that way.

I screwed the two pieces of wood together.

I added a bracket to the back so we can hang it on the wall. 

Painted the whole thing a thin coat of white.  I then added a door knob, just like the ones on my towel rack underneath the small shelf.  This will be to hang our hand towel on!

The small shelf is for our toothbrush holder.  I found a cool looking wine type glass for $1 at a garage sale and knew I wanted it to be my toothbrush holder, so I hot glue gunned it to the top of the shelf and it has held up marvelously.  As far as it hasn't fallen off yet!

The total cost of this project was $1.50.  It was 50cents for the knob and $1 for the glass, I had the wood, paint, and bracket!

Rasp/Peach Freezer Jam

Raspberry Peach Jam

 

What you need:

Peaches(chopped fine) 3 cups-about 1 1/5 lbs

Raspberries (mashed) 2 cups-about 2 pints

3 TBSP Lemon juice

6 TBSP Instant Pectin

2 cups sugar

Jars!



 Step 1: You guessed it, wash the jars!

Step 2: Put water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Place peaches in pot for 30 seconds, then immediately move to ice bath.

Step 3: Peel and pit the peaches

Step 4: Mash the raspberries in a small bowl, Mash the peaches, but leave some chunks!

 Step 5: In a large bowl combine peaches, raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix well and let stand for 10 minutes

Step 6: Add pectin and stir for 3 minutes

Step 7: Pour into jars

Step 8: Wipe off jars, place lid on top, and let stand for 30minutes. 

You're done! Now you can either move it to the fridge(where it will be good for 3 weeks), or move it to the freezer where it will keep for 1 year (again, I have kept it longer and it has been fine!)

 



Peach/Peach Spice Freezer Jam

Peach Jam

 

What you need:
Peaches (about 2lbs), when chopped fine 5 c of fruit
Sugar(2 cups)
6 TBSP Instant Pectin
3 TBSP Lemon Juice
Jars (of course)

Step 1: Wash Jars 

Step 2: Bring a big pot of water to boil, then put the peaches in pot for 30 seconds 

Step 3: Place the peaches immediately in ice water(this helps to shock them)

Peel and pit the peaches(the skin should fall right off making this step super easy)

 

Step 4: Mash the peaches with a potato masher-keep some chunks in it don't mush them too much!

 

Step 5: In a large bowl mix sugar, lemon juice, and peaches, mix well and let stand for 10 minutes

Step 6: Add in Pectin and stir for 3 minutes 

Step 7: Pour into jars! Let stand for 30min(with lid on)

Step 8: Enjoy immediately keeps in fridge for 3 weeks or move to freezer will keep there for up to 1 year(Honestly I have kept them longer than this and they still taste good and no one has gotten sick!)

 

Guess what your done!! Simple enough right?! I love this new instant pectin-going to be my new favorite thing!

 

NOTE: I also made another batch, but I made it peach spice.  After stirring in the pectin, I added 2 tsp of cinnamon and 1 tsp nutmeg. Let me tell you made it heavenly.  Probably should have made both batches this way! Definitely worth trying-tastes like dessert!

Jam Time!

It is that time of year! Time to make jam! I grew up on homemade jam and there is nothing store bought that can even compare, so needless to say this is something I have to make every year! I look forward to making this every year since it brings back many, many memories.  Memories of going and picking the berries, to memories of us all crammed in the kitchen making jam together and having our specific jobs.  I always enjoyed the day with the family and all the fun we had while making jam!

I can't wait until the kiddos can be a bit more helpful with this process, although we did have fun involving them!

I will make sure to include some recipes here soon! I will also make sure I link them all up to this page for a quick reference later on.

I didn't get too many pictures of the kiddos helping since it was just me at home.  Elijah helped with the dishes, the stirring, the watching, the measuring, and the counting! What a big helper he is, don't know what I would do without him!

Avery sat all cuddled up in the Moby wrap sleeping away.  She was clingy today and didn't want to lay down for a nap. We decided she could "help" too! I love my Moby wrap!

Athaiah I held in my arms and let her watch what we were doing. She helped stir at one point in time, but she was mainly just curious and wanted to see what we were doing in the kitchen.

This year I found a wonderful new product, it is called instant pectin. Wow! Can't beat that.  It helped us make each batch in about 30minutes.  Now this would take even less time if you had big people helping, and if you were not tripping over little children.  Although, I wouldn't trade my little ones for the world and I very much enjoyed the time that we got to spend together making memories of our own!

Peach/Peach Spice Jam
Raspberry Peach Jam
Strawberry Jam

Movie Night

On Saturday night we decided to have movie night! What a fun time we had as a family.
We popped popcorn-sad to say but this is the first time we have made popcorn since we have been married(a shame I know, sorry Dad and Grandma).

 We also enjoyed some twizlers! I mean come on, what fun is a movie without popcorn and twizlers.

We all got snuggled up on the couch, turned on trusty Netflix and we watched Aristocats.

It was an absolutely amazing time.  Fun was had by all! Athaiah did go to bed shortly into the movie as she got tired. We did however find out that she loves popcorn! Elijah thought it was a lot of fun, and he loved the music and was bouncing and bobbing his head to the beat. It was adorable, I should have gotten a video of it. *Sigh* maybe next time!

I absolutely cannot wait for more nights like this.  It was amazing to just spend time snuggling and enjoying time together as a family!

1 month

How has it already been a month little one? 1 month ago you were delivered! We couldn't have been more thrilled. Your siblings were so excited to meet you and they love you to pieces! You entered the world at a wonderful 8lbs 7oz, and at 1 month old you are going above and beyond already and are 10lbs 4oz! Way to go girl! An overachiever just like big brother. I see you catching up to big sister mighty quick, she may need to watch out!

 You have such a sweet little face, and a beautiful smile.  You are starting to be more alert and look at everything around you.  You talk all the time, and this makes your brother especially happy, he loves to sit and have conversations with you.(as do Daddy and I)

Your brother also loves to give you baths.  He talks to you the whole time and tells you how much fun tubby time is, and he makes you splash in the water with your hands and feet.  You love your baths, just like your big brother and sister!

 We have girl time at the request of your brother(he is always looking out for his 2 baby sisters), he insists that mommy paint every one's toes so we can all have "pretty toes!"

Athaiah loves to give you kisses while on the run.  Every time she walks by you, you get a kiss!  She yells "baby" in such an excited voice, plants a kiss on you, says "nice," and off she goes!  On occasion she reaches for you and wants to hold you, and when you want to eat she wants to climb up and snuggle us both.

Avery you are such a wonderful addition to our family.  What did we ever do without you? We love you so much and can't believe how big you are getting! Don't grow too fast little angel, there is plenty of time for that!

Towel/Robe Rack

At the wonderful Reuse It Center again...found some beautiful treasures!

I found a nice piece of worn out wood along with it I found some old white cabinet knobs...
We now have a towel/robe rack for our new bathroom-whenever we decide to finally finish it!
This was an amazing piece of wood because it already had holes drilled into it, so I just had to screw the knobs on and then attach 2 brackets(I think that may be what they are called, pictured below so you know what I'm talking about) to the back so we can hang it from the wall. 

This wonderful piece was $4 total and took me maybe 20min tops to complete. Pure awesomeness!

First Days at Home!

Well, I have now spent my first couple of days at home alone with the kids by myself.  How did it go?? I would say quite well!  I have to admit I was a bit nervous since I had so much help on vacation.  I knew with God's strength we would make it, and wouldn't you know it we did! I actually had a lot of fun and didn't really seem overwhelmed at all.  There are small moments when you think we must be nuts.  BUT the majority of the time goes so smooth, I think I must be doing something wrong because it should be harder! God has blessed us with 3 AMAZING children and I wouldn't have it any other way! I mean come on what 2 year old puts themselves down for a nap! Mine does! The kids and I even ran an errand one day by ourselves and then on Friday evening we took all 3 kids to the grocery store for our weekly shopping trip, they all did great!

Here are some pictures to show you how our first couple days alone went! I wish I had more pictures, but was honestly having a bit too much fun enjoying them all and didn't take too many pictures!

 Avery loves to nap in the swing!

 Morning snuggles

 Playing cars with big brother while Athaiah takes a nap!

 Coloring pictures!

Reading books-you have to read while you walk(she is way too busy to sit and read!)