mood board

With just a few more weeks to go now until this baby shows up, I've started thinking about making him a quilt.  I've made one for each of the children so far, and each one has been very different!  I really had nothing in mind for this baby, so I spent a few hours browsing around Pinterest and putting together a board of things I found inspiring -- I'm thinking of propeller airplanes, vintage toys, blue stripe ticking, a hint of lime somewhere, navy and white stripes...


                                                        Can't wait to see what it turns into!

Wet Bags

One of my favorite, most used items in the diaper bag is my wet bag.  I use it all the time, not just for dirty diapers or potty training accidents, but for those times they spill juice ALL OVER themselves, for muddy/wet clothes after a playdate, for swimsuits - pretty much any mess they can make while we're out somewhere!
In my opinion, everyone should have a wet bag.


What is a wet bag, you ask?  Well, the original idea is for a water-proof bag for those cloth diapering mommies to have something to put the dirty diapers in while you're out and about.  But like I said, it has SO many more uses!  And it's way cuter than a plastic walmart bag.

Fortunately, they're pretty quick and simple to make!  Actually, it's my "go to" gift for baby showers; since I always have the supplies I need on hand, I can whip one out the night before (no, we never procrastinate around here...)

Want to try one?  Follow along!

 Supplies list:

13 1/2" x 32" piece of PUL (polyurethene laminate material - you can find it just about anywhere now, often along with other cloth diaper making supplies.  You can also get some really cute designs now, so could even skip the cloth cover)

13 1/2" x 32" piece of lightweight cloth
 1 12" zipper
12" -14" ribbon
1 1/2" x 5" piece of fleece
thread




First, pin the decorative fabric over the PUL, with waterproof side of the PUL facing down, and the right side of the outer fabric facing up

Now, run a line of stitching 1/2" from the edge along the shorter ends of the rectangle, and then overcast the edge.

Fold it to the inside along the line of stitching sew that down (PUL tends to shift a lot, so it really helps to get the zipper in nicely if you first sew it down)

Attach one side of the zipper with the teeth along the fold.  Line up the top of the zipper tape with one corner.  The bottom should come a little short of the other corner - that's good.

 Zip the zipper closed, line up the other side so the folded edges are just touching, and sew the other side of the zipper.

Now, open up the zipper and turn the bag right sides together.  Pin along both long edges.  Fold your little piece of fleece in half and put it along one side so the open edges will be caught in the seam.  This little tab will be for scenting with your favorite essential oil to keep things smelling nice.

The next step is to sew the side seams at 1/2".  Hint - to keep PUL from clinging to your presser foot and bunching up as you go, try sprinkling a little bit of baby powder right along the seam line.  This keeps everything gliding along smoothly. 

Just about done!  Now you'll want to trim the fabric (not the PUL) along the seam, so it is completely covered by the PUL, and overcast the edge.  This keeps the outer fabric from coming in contact with anything wet and wicking moisture to the outside of your bag.  (If you are using a patterned PUL and not an outer cover, just skip this step!  PUL doesn't fray.)

To finish, we just need to add the ribbon loop handle.  Turn the bag to the right side.  There should be a little gap between the end of your zipper and the side seam.  Stick the ends of your ribbon in there and sew that gap shut.  Reinforce that stitching several times to make the handle nice and sturdy.
(Sorry, forgot the photo for this!)

This weekend I made another one, using an idea from Make It and Love It.  My brother and his wife are expecting a little boy this fall, and I thought this would make an adorable wet bag for a little man.  What do you think?

There's a chill in the air...

Time to break out one of my all time favorite things; an item that belongs on the top of every "10 things you couldn't live without" list.

The RICE BAG.

I am the not-so-proud possessor of two very cold feet (as my husband can attest!) and in the winter they can never seem to get warm. I experimented with several "bed warmers" - the hot water bottle worked, until one leaked one night! Electric blankets were so lumpy, and I'd wake up in the night too hot! Then I tried making a small pillowcase and filling it with field corn. It worked wonderfully (although I often got a strange craving for popcorn)! Since then, I've made a few changes: I use jasmine rice, combined with various essential oils and herbs. This gives it a wonderful smell when heated! I also now put a washable "pillowcase" over the rice sack, to make cleaning easier. I have given so many of these away as gifts, and everyone loves them!



Here are just a few of the uses of the rice bag:

Heat and use for sore muscles, tummy ache, earaches, cramps.
Keep in the freezer and use for sore muscles.
Warm those cold sheets (and cold feet!) in the winter.
Little ones make the perfect pocket warmers on cold winter days. Just heat and pop them in your little one's pockets. When their hands get cold, they can just slip them in their pockets for a quick warm up!
Keep some little ones in the freezer for a instant cold pack for "owwies"
Stick in the stroller to help keep baby warm on winter walks.
Wonderful to soothe colic in a newborn!
Juggling (if you're my husband!)



Here's what I did:

Cut 4 rectangle pieces of fabric (2 for the inner bag and two for the cover). I usually use three basic sizes: 7x11, 7x18, or 4x6. I like a heavier material for the inner bag and a cute print for the outside.

Sew three sides of your inner bag pieces, wrong sides together. I use 1/2" seam allowance.

Fill with jasmine rice, mixed with your favorite blend of scents. (Use about 6 drops of essential oil for 6 cups of rice)
Here are some ideas:
Cinnamon and citrus for hand warmers.
Lavender and Ylang-Ylang for colic soothers
Geranium and ginger for cramps and tummy ache

Sew the opening shut, turning in about 1/2" so that no raw edges are exposed.

Sew three sides of your outer bag pieces, wrong sides together. Turn .

Make a small rolled hem along the open end.

Attach two pieces of ribbon along the hemline of the open end to use for tieing the bag shut.

Decorate as desired!

How-to: Wearing your asian style baby carrier

Infant Front Carry
Step 1: With the inside of the carrier facing your stomach, position the waist band at your hips. Tie the waist strap behind your back, just above the hips.


Step 2: Drape the shoulder straps over your shoulders

Step 3: Pop the baby in facing you.


Step 4: Supporting the baby with one hand, reach behind your back and pull one strap around to the front (crossing over your back). Switch hands and do the same on the other side.



Step 5: Taking the straps ends in both hands (baby is now fully supported by the sling), tie behind the baby's back.


You're done!

To use the sleeping head support, simply pull it up and wrap the ribbon around the button to hold it in place.

Toddler Rear Carry

Step 1: With the inside of the carrier facing your back, tie the waist straps in the front.

Step 2: Put the toddler on the back of your hip, facing the same direction as you, and pull the carrier up over their back. (Note: You may want to try this sitting in a chair until you get the hang of it!)


Step 3: Take the straps in front of you (crossed in front or backpack style) and pull them back around behind the toddler, crossing them behind her back.

Step 4: Tie the straps back in front of you.

Straps crossed

Backpack style

You're done!