Talented Mommies

When Aidan was first born he had the WORST spit-up problems. I nursed him so I thought it was my diet, changed everything even giving up (God forbid) chocolate, nothing helped. I was getting really tired of the boring receiving blankets and the burp cloths that I had purchased because they not only lacked personality but they LEAKED!!! I would still manage to have a big blob of spit-up leak right through the flimsy cloth and end up on my clothes. I started experimenting with other options, and wouldn’t you know it the old standby of diaper service diapers worked the best. Only problem? They come in one color (or lack there of ) white. Not being of the plain jane variety myself, I decided they would be the perfect base for some fun design ideas. They take tye-dye like a dream so I dyed them and added fabric embellishment. They were such a hit that they have been requested at every shower I am invited to! Here are the ones (there are 3 in the picture) I made most recently for baby Chris (his last name is Burns for those of you wondering about the large BURNS appliqued on there)), our future rock star!

I am happy to make them for you to, please feel free to email me with any questions or special requests

There are so many great bags out there, but as a full time mom, I have been priced out of most of them. I tried a few purse patterns but was unhappy with most of them so I designed this simple tote myself. It has pockets inside and allows me the freedome of expression with fun fabrics and modifications of the pattern. This is a picture of the one I made most recently, which happens to be 100% finished inside and out so it can easily transition from zebra to red satin I get tons of compliments everywhere I go with this bag, no matter what fabric I use! That is when I can get one made for myself! A variety of patterns and colors are available for special order, this one is cotton and satin.

As you may have read I have a 2 year old son (Aidan) what you may not know is that he is 100% obsessed with all things Thomas. It is the 1st thing he talks to me about in the morning when he wakes up, it determines which stores he wants to go to (ie if they carry Thomas stuff), and the last thing he talks about at night. He sings the songs, can tell you the names and colors of all the engines, and can tell you what the next words are of the stories before you read them to him. It has gotten so bad that I developed a spreadsheet to keep track of all of his engines (his overly indulgent Aunts had started buying him duplicates). To date I have over 100 trains and cars on on this list. Who knew a kid could keep track of all of them himself!!!

I have to admit the 1st thing to motivate me to be more energy efficient was not saving the planet, it was in fact, my $300 + electric bill! I have always been one to go around the house shutting off lights, I have replaced all the light bulbs with those strange spiral energy efficient ones, I cold water wash as much as I can but I was still getting slammed with his ENORMOUS electric bill. So as a family we started our go green journey. The first few weeks of line drying clothes I have to say was a pain in the neck. When you are used to being able to get all your laundry done in a few hours, fold it all & put it away the same day it is a rude awakening to line dry. I set up a drying pole to dry clothes on hangers, and then 3 drying racks for things that are not hanger friendly. I have to admit I have seen a big drop in the electric bill and also have the added benefit of not beating up my clothes in the dryer! Go Me!

I am a candle lover. I admit it, there were certianly times when some may have thought there a need for a candle intervention! But with all of those wonderful smells I was frustrated when the wick was all used up and there was still a large bit of wax left over. I decided to use that old wax to form new candles. Items needed: 1 empty milk container (paper) the size you want your finished candle to be; 1 tapered candle unsented is fine; Ice cubes; 1 old double boiler & of course a bunch of old candles ( a word to the wise, do not use mixed scents that are too conflicting, you might not appreciate the end result). I started by setting up the form (the milk container). It is all rinsed and cleaned, I then placed the taper candle in the middle and filled the balance with icecubes. The ice cubes are optional if you want a more solid candle but I liked the way this one turned out. Break up your old candles using an old knife or other instrument making sure to remove any metal pieces or left over wick bits. Melt it down in the double boiler and pour over the icecubes filling the form to the top of the taper. Leave to solidify overnight in a bowl or in the sink (just in case the melting ice leaks. The next day, remove the form by ripping it off like a present doing so carefully so as not to distroy the new candle within. Presto! You have another chance to enjoy the beauty and aroma of those used candles!

So my great grandmother used to make these for my mother and her siblings over 40 years ago! My son was so enchanted by one he saw in a picture I decided to try my hand at it. This was a great 1 hour project, with the longest part being the stuffing! And man was it a hit with my son. He calls his “monkey no eyes” due to the fact that I didn’t bother to sew any eyes on the poor monkey. Another appealing thing about this project is that it 100% machine washable. Being 2 my son has had a nice run of colds and flus this season and each time the monkey gets a turn in the washing machine and comes out great!

Super mom here (NOT) we are just regular moms with a touch of artistic and creative talent. In this blog you will find all sorts of things from diaper bags to new tee’s for kids and adults I personally and working on a new bag. I have been priced out of the fashionable Dooney bag with he zebra print for this season so I am working on a pattern all my own. My friend Nikki is refitting her carseat with a cool cover made out of that fabulous minkie (super soft velvet like fabric). Erica is making cloth diaper covers out of recycled wool sweaters and man are they cool. With the push for saving the planet from ourselves, little things sure add up. I have also made quite a few reusable grochery bags out of either old curtians or cool new cotton fabrics depending on the request. lol. There is so much going on I will do my best to keep you up to date. Special requests for items are always concidered if you see something you like but are to strapped for time to do it yourself. None of us are experienced bloggers so it may take a while to get used to this wacky world of blogging. I will post pictures soon of some of the really cool items we have been working on!