Jul 25, 2014 | Green Living
I had a few maternity shirts with those lovely belly stains on them…
in other words “not fit to donate or sell.”
Looking at the shirts I thought that there was a lot of nice, soft, material in a maternity t-shirt, and the backs of the shirts were perfectly fine
so I started searching for free patterns on Pinterest.
Now, I am not an expert at sewing so I wanted something very easy to get back in the swing of things.
Found this one for a baby Cap Sleeve Dress on Shwin & Shwin that was adorable and thought I’d give it a try.
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Cutting out Bodice from Maternity T’s
(was debating putting those molas on the dress) |
Aimee is 4 months old tomorrow, but large for her age. She’s about 15# and 29″ long so she’s wearing a 6 month size in most everything, even larger in some because of her height. This free pattern was a size 12-18 month, but looking at it I didn’t think it was that huge so I made it to size.
I used the backs of two maternity t shirts in the end, a teal green one and a purple one.
For the skirt I didn’t follow the pattern because it didn’t fit on any of the shirts right. I ended up taking the purple t shirt and just cutting off the bottom of it all the way around (about 10 inches long) and then gathering that and sewing it on the bodice.
My first attempt revealed that the bodice was way too long as well as the skirt, but width was fine.
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| “Mom, this is too big!” |
So, I cut the skirt off the bodice and cut length off of both, then resewed.
This was perfect. BUT, my stitching wasn’t very straight and seam showed on skirt…
SO
I used the binding that had been around the top of the teal v-neck t shirt and cut it off to make a belt of sorts. I stitched it on using a decorative stitch on my machine and black thread. I left the ends hanging like a real belt, and then made a fabric flower out of the purple fabric.
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| Floppy Flower and Belt Detail |
To make the flower I just cut the end of a sleeve off at about three inches
then folded it and sewed a basting stitch and gathered it into a rough flower. Then I stitched those stitches together on the back and hand stitched it on, gathering where I thought it needed it.
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| I think she likes it! |
It was really quite easy to work with jersey. I’d been scared to try but think making t-shirts for her would be so simple. I have several other dresses cut out from patterns I’m making myself, so I’ll keep you posted!
Apr 10, 2014 | Green Living, Motherhood
I am a cloth diapering gal.
With our oldest we used what we could find and afford (old time prefolds and plastic covers)
With our second we could afford a few fancy covers
With the third I used mainly G Diapers
and now
I’m experimenting…
We are using mainly G Diapers with cloth inserts, but not sure how good they will fit later on.
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| Cute G-Diaper Baby Bum |
I have a few fancy covers (Rumparooz, etc.) that I really like with the Indian Prefold cotton diapers,
but they are still too big for my little one’s rump.
The G Diapers are so expensive (for the cloth inserts anyway) and I might try to make a few to see how they work. I don’t like the disposable/compostable inserts anymore. Not sure how they are different from when we used them 9 years ago, but they don’t seem to absorb anything and get the covers all wet. Yuck. I really like the cloth inserts, they are made from Hemp and cotton, so they absorb really well.
For wipes I got the Prince Lionheart wipe warmer on Amazon. I like the wipes that came with it alot. I’d also ordered some Thirsties wipes and they seem to be really pilly, don’t like them very much.
If you live in central Arkansas you can find all kinds of cloth diapering options at The Green Corner Store downtown. They even have consulting and gently used diapers! (Plus you can get some Loblolly ice cream while you’re there!)
My honey made me a beautiful clothesline last week. I know, strange thing to get excited over but I am! It’s on a pulley system so I don’t have to get down off the back porch!
So cute to see those little diapers flapping in the breeze.
I’ll keep you posted on how this journey goes!
Aug 13, 2013 | Arkansas, Green Living, Uncategorized
Last week we drove to Clarksville to pick a little bit of heaven
(with a bonus visit with my wonderful Grandpa, aunt, and cousins!)
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| Some of our helpers. |
The peaches are fantastic this year, so worth the drive.
There are so many and they are so abundant and sweet!
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| Red Havens and White Nectar (or Winblo?) Peaches |
Of course all the kitchen counters covered with peaches means
I had to get busy putting them away…
(Peaches turn quickly if you’re not careful!)
Two batches of peach jam…
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| First batch of Peach Spiced Jam |
Some canned peaches…
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| Canned Peaches |
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| My mess |
And also a beautiful fruit salad
and several quart bags of frozen sliced peaches to use later!
It wouldn’t be bad if I wasn’t allergic to fruit…
It’s really hard to not eat some!
Also, Johnson County has a beautiful new outdoor recreational area
so we checked it out. There water park is only $6 and nicer than anything we
have in the Central AR area. The kids had a blast. They are working on an indoor
pool that looks like it will rival anything here! I’m a bit jealous!
Jun 19, 2013 | Green Living, Uncategorized
I was doing a search for eco-friendly business cards and stumbled upon
Their cards are so unique!
you will be directed to Inspiration Boards
with ideas for parties, showers, and weddings!
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| How cute is this for an outdoor wedding? |
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| ¡Que linda! |
Many years ago, as a 21 year old bride I picked lavender, peach, and ivory
invitations that I still think were pretty cute,
but how adorable are these?
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| A Woodland Wedding? |
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| Fun and Funky |
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| Summer Garden Wedding? |
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| Beach Vows |
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| Teacher Wedding? |
They also have adorable party invites and…
business cards!
You have a 100% recycled option on every item which makes it even more beautiful.
*Disclaimer:
Minted is giving me some lovely business cards for posting this, but I would have done it for free, they are just so cute!
Jun 13, 2013 | Green Living
One of the motivating factors for moving to this new house was the wonderful yard.
The plan is to have a little urban garden where we don’t have to buy produce (at least all summer and spring.)
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| Back Side Yard- Tree Fort is almost complete! |
Planning is not easy. We have 3 lots, which is just a hair shy of an acre!
I keep changing my mind about what I want and where I want it and I believe I’m driving my husband crazy showing him pictures on Pinterest or yet another gardening book.
The kids and I went to the Splash Park last week and afterwards stopped at the Bernice Garden in the Quapaw district. (Of course our main reason was to get some of Arkansas’ best ice cream at Loblolly Creamery…)
The gardens are so cute!
Beautiful sculptures and structures made from reclaimed and re-purposed materials,
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| There was a tiny baby Praying Mantis on her finger! |
Paths made from broken bottles,
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| Phone Pole & Chicken Wire Trellis for Clematis |
More ideas.
So far I’ve planted two apple and two peach trees in the back. I want to get about six more fruit trees for the front yard. And the chickens are loving their new space…
I’m not sure our garden will have much yield this year if we even get the ground tilled, but next year?
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| Side Yard- Spot forVeggie Garden |
May 9, 2013 | Green Living, In-Edibles, Recipes
Yesterday I tried a new recipe for laundry detergent.
when it’s colder weather (especially if you use mainly cold water to wash.)
I love my recipe and it’s so inexpensive to make. The liquid recipe makes
equivalent to about 9 bottles of the HE detergent (medium bottles) or probably
one of the giant ones from Sam’s Club.
Since it’s getting warmer I wanted to try a powdered detergent recipe and
see how it compares.
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 bar of soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s Citrus)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Washing Soda
*if desired a few drops of essential oils- I use tea tree oil for antibacterial properties and a drop of bergamot because it smells nice
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| What you need |
Put borax, washing soda, and essential oils (if using) in bowl and stir.
Grate bar of soap into bowl.
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| I used my blender to mix it all into a fine powder |
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| Finished Product |
So far it’s working great.
I like that it takes up less space in my cabinet.
I’ll let you know if it lasts as long as the other recipe.
(Especially since it costs a little more to make.)
Laundry,
the never-ending battle.
Spring?
Are you here?
Guess I have to get cleaning then…
