Join us for our Christmas Galore Link Party! Come share your awesome ideas for Christmas decor, party ideas, recipes, activities and anything else!!

While you're here, be sure to enter our giveaway for Shutterfly and Plum District Goodies! The giveaway has been extended to December 2nd and there will be 5 winners!





Monday, October 31, 2011

Train Costume Part 2: The Train

Last week I posted about part of Andyroo's costume - the Train Engineer Outfit and the Train Engineer Cap. But no train engineer would be complete without a train to drive.


I asked Andyroo which train he wanted to be. Of course he couldn't be the one that everyone knows - Thomas. He wanted to be James. While we were at the trunk or treat, everyone kept asking him, "Are you Thomas?" He corrected a few people and then must have gotten tired of that because he just started saying, "Yeah," when someone asked.

The train is simply two boxes, some paint, some glue, and whatever you want to use for the straps. The big box was about 11-12" wide, about 12-13" tall, and around 20" long. I added a smaller box on the top that was about the same width and about 3-4" tall. I stuck the boxes together with some hot glue. Add some black, red, gray, and gold paint and you have James!

Here's a close up of the face. I'm no artist (seriously, I'm good at stick figures and that's about it) but I really channeled my past art classes and was able to make James' face. I painted it while Andyroo was napping and when he woke up, I showed him the face and he got a big smile and said, "Mom! James is perfect!"



And a close up of the side.


The wheels are additional circles that I traced, cut, painted and then stuck on with glue dots (because my hot glue gun stopped working).

The train was actually a pretty easy project. It only took about 2 nap times to finish.


So cute!!!

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Last Round of Halloween Party Features!

Since it's Halloween, we thought it would be fun to do one last round of features from our Halloween link party. If your idea was featured below, please feel free to grab a button from our right sidebar. I've been told that the info for the button doesn't work if I copy and paste it into a post (weird, I know), so for now you'll just have to snag it from the sidebar.

Also, thanks to all of you who took the time to share your blog and creativeness with us. We've really enjoyed checking out all your cute stuff!

The link with the most clicks was this Happy Halloween Printable from Loving Every Second! I love the burlap look it has to it!



And because Andyroo's loves Snoopy, this one caught my eye. Linda from Our House on the Corner uses some fun Snoopy push-ins to make a Snoopy pumpkin. How cute! I'm going to have to try something like this for Andyroo next year!



Looking for something quick and easy for the trunk or treat or something to hang outside? Go check out these Easy Peasy Ghosts from Creating Sarah.



Are you looking for an easy treat to take to a party or an addition to your own party yumminess? Then you NEED to go check out these Caramel Apple Nachos from Caramel Potatoes. Yum!




We've had so much fun partying with you guys and checking out your awesome creations. Because of that, we've decided we'll also be hosting a Thanksgiving/Fall party too! Start tomorrow - November 1st - be sure to come back and link up anything Thanksgiving or Fall related. We'll have a section just for recipes and another for everything else (decor, activities, etc) We hope you'll all come back and share your awesomeness with us once again!

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Winner of the $25 Sam's Club/Wal-Mart Gift Card!!

Sorry it's been so quiet around here for the last week. It's been a crazy week with last minute Halloween preparations, birthdays, Halloween activities, and family in town. We should be back to our normal posting today and you'll even get a few extra posts today! So, let's start the day off with a winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered our $25 Sam's Club/Wal-Mart gift card giveaway! The winner is...



Comment number 28 - Jessie! Jessie said:

Congrats, Jessie! Be sure to check your email!

Thanks again to everyone else who entered. We'll be hosting another fun giveaway this week for a product I'm currently LOVING! Be sure to check back!

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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Review of Sun Swing Media's "The Decision" + FHE: Avoiding Pornography

Are you as disgusted as I am about some of the things that are on TV these days? There's so much...crap out there, so when I was approached by Rachel to do a review of Sun Swing Media's production, "The Decision," I jumped at the chance! We need more wholesome entertainment in our lives!



I support good movies. the decision – download $1



About Sun Swing Media
Sun Swing Media is a little mom and pop company that is trying to create wholesome entertainment. Right now the videos that they're creating are based on articles that have appeared in the Friend, a LDS magazine for children. "The Decision" is a short video clip based on the article, "The Decision" that appeared in the March 2004 edition of The Friend. They're also currently working on another production called "The Do-Gooders Club."



The Video
I"ll admit it - thought that the topic of the video (avoiding pornography) was a little uncomfortable. The video didn't discuss it in an uncomfortable way whatsoever, it was just my own uneasiness. And believe me, I fully realize the harsh realities of pornography and that (unfortunately) we need to discuss it with our children at a younger age. That said, I think it was a little over my little 3-year-old's head. I think he was able to get the message that we should discuss things with our parents. And really, that's a start - it's something to build upon. I think this video was definitely meant for children who are a little older - maybe at least 6- or 7-years-old. It would definitely be a good introduction or teaching help for an FHE lesson! So, my uneasiness aside, I thought the video was well done and entertaining. It kept Andyroo's attention fairly well (except when he was insisting on getting his Snoopy), which was great.


Because Sun Swing Media is a small production company and they want to get the word out about their videos, they're currently offering "The Decision" on a pay-per-download basis. For just $1.00, you can download this short video and watch it whenever you want!


If you purchase and watch the video, we'd love to hear your opinion! Also, as an added bonus, Sugardoodle.net has a great FHE for Combating Pornography and Teaching Safe Media Habits!


This review is 100% my opinion. I was provided a free copy of the download to review in exchange for writing this post.

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Train Engineer Cap

Sorry it's been so quiet around here this week. I've been busy finishing up Andyroo's Halloween Costume! Yay! Hopefully I'll have the train part of Andyroo's costume finished and posted tomorrow.

As part of Andyroo's Train Engineer costume, he needed a hat! I've never seen them in a store anywhere, so I just decided to make one. I searched around online and found an awesome Train Engineer Cap Pattern over at Aesthetic Nest.. Here's what I came up with!



I made it with the same blue material I used for his Train Engineer Costume. I also purchased some lining as a remnant and some heavy weight interfacing (with a coupon, of course).

I did a couple things different than she did in her pattern. Because Andyroo's head is so big (seriously - that's the large pattern and it has maybe an extra 1/2" of room), I skipped adding the elastic. I also made some stitches at the top of the cap to keep the lining and canvas from separating.



I also didn't add the lining to the brim of the hat and made the interfacing in the brim of the hat 1/2" less all around. I was trying to cut down on the thickness so that I wasn't constantly having to fix my machine. The hat still turned out perfectly!





The pattern and pictures that Aesthetic Nest has posted were such a great help. I was able to whip this up in just a few hours. But it would have taken less time if my machine wasn't always getting jammed (have I mentioned lately how much I need a new machine).

Andyroo loves his hat though, which makes every frustrating stitch and all the jammed needles worth it!

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Halloween Costume: Train Engineer

We've stuck with a Peanuts theme for Andyroo's costumes for the past couple Halloweens, and though we could have stuck with that same idea and made him Linus or Woodstock, I thought he'd have more fun being a train!

Things are pretty tight financially speaking so I didn't want to shell out $30 for premade costume. Instead I decided to use what I had on hand and make him into a Train Engineer (or conductor, or driver, or whatever the guy who drives the train is called)! I did end up purchasing a few supplies (extra thread and binding) but I made this with a pattern I created using what I already had.



The outfit required a bit more time, mostly because I wanted it to be something Andyroo could use after Halloween. I knew he would absolutely love it wouldn't want to just put it away after trick-or-treating. Right now it looks a little big on him, but it's something that he can continue growing into. Yay!



For the outfit I used the following supplies:

-Light blue Home Decor fabric (like a light weight canvas - I picked it up as remnant about 6 months ago when I was contemplating making my own fabric bins but then found my Dollar Store Storage Bins)
-Dark Blue cotton (leftover from making my Mother-in-Law a KitchenAid cover last Christmas)
-Dark blue binding (because I wanted a little more contrast, you could also just hem all the sides)
-Coordinating thread
-Scissors, pins, measuring tape, etc
-Tissue Paper for making a pattern
-Coordinating ribbon for ties at the shoulder and waist
-Accessories for the costume. Andyroo has a small flashlight, train tickets (not yet finished but I'll be offering the printable soon), toy wrenches, and a walkie talkie/toy phone. You could also do some old keys, a hole punch, etc.

I took all of Andyroo's measurements and got to work. He's about 23 inches around at his widest, so I made the front and back of the costume each about 11 inches wide. His shoulder to knee measurement (remember I want him to grow into this) was about 23", so that's how long I made front and back. I cut out a curve around the neck, left a partial "strap," and then rounded the bottom corners using a bowl. If he's anything like his daddy (which he certainly seems to be so far), he'll be tall and skinny. I have no doubt that this will fit him for years to come.



I also cut some pockets to hold all of his accessories. I put on 3 pockets, but you could do however many you want. I didn't create an actual pattern piece for these. Instead I used my rotary cutter and made 2 squares that were about 3"x3" and another square that was 3"x4". I came up with those measurements after laying the pattern out on my cutting mat and just figuring out what looked proportionate. If you're making this for a different-sized child, you might want different sized pockets.

Before you attach the pockets, you'll want make a small (think 1/8" - 1/4") hem around the sides. I only did 3 sides because I knew I was going to attach binding to the top. Make sure to miter your corners to get a crisp point - not that mine look that crisp though!


I wanted some contrast, so I hemmed the pockets using a dark blue thread. After doing the three sides, I also sewed a strip of binding along the top of the pocket.



I suppose I should have put the binding on first, then turned in the sides, but I didn't. Instead I just tucked the corner of the binding in at the top and sewed it to the apron. Make sure you have your pockets straight. If I had used a real pattern, there would have been marks to transfer to the fabric. Instead I just laid it out my cutting mat and used my big grid ruler to make sure everything was even and straight.

I put the binding on the apron piece before adding the pockets. I did this so I would have a better idea of where the pockets should actually be placed.



The binding really wasn't too hard to work with. I think the hardest part to maneuver was the corners. I'm sure there's a better way to finagle it, but I did something that we'll call a modified or half miter. It worked for me!



To finish the binding, I probably should have turned under the edge of the outer layer of binding, but my machine doesn't like it when I try and shove too many layers through. If it feels that there's too much going through, the needle jams and I have to take the bobbin, bobbin holder, and the spinny thing the bobbin holder sits in out. Then I have to put it all back together and it's a complete pain. At this point, I was working with essentially 9 layers of fabric so I opted to just sew across the raw edge of the binding. If it frays a bit, oh well.

So now I attached the pockets - again using a contrasting dark blue thread. No pics. :)
I thought about adding a little strap to the shoulders with buttons and a button hole. I've never attempted a buttonhole with this machine and when I pulled out my manual, I found that I didn't have the buttonhole foot for the machine. It's a freebie from freecycle, so I can't complain. I attempted it on a scrap piece of fabric and while I probably could have gotten it to work, the in and out of the needle really did a number on the blue canvas and I didn't want to chance the actual costume. So I just decided to do a simple ribbon tie at the shoulders and waist. So much easier than a button - and I get to escape the whole buttonhole thing once more!



At this point, your costume could be done. Put it on your little one and enjoy!

However, I decided it needed something a little more. I had some leftover iron-on inkjet paper leftover from doing the Train page in Andyroo's Quiet Book. I used the images I created for Andyroo's Thomas the Train Wall Decor and a couple other clipart images I found online. Simply print, cut, and iron.



Unfortunately the image didn't adhere very well to the canvas fabric. So the patches look a little...faded. We'll call it vintage-y. Yeah, vintage.


I'm also doing a train for Andyroo to wear. It will be easy - some cardboard boxes and some paint! I'll be posting that later this week so be sure to come back and check it out.

All aboard!!


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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Motherhood Moment: Kid Speak

I love the way kids hear, interpret, and then say things! Here are some of my recent favorites from Andyroo...

  1. Hook - He actually means "hood," as in the hood of his sweater. I don't know why, but he calls it his "hook."
  2. B'mote - Actually means "remote." The kid can say his letters just fine, but for some reason started calling the Wii remote a "b'mote." It works for us.
  3. Old McDonalds - Refers to McDonald's restaurant. If you ask him what Old McDonald's is, he'll tell you it's the place we go to get ice cream with Grandma (thanks, mom!) and then he'll ask to sing the Old MacDonald song.
  4. Honkey Donkey - This one is my current favorite and actually means "Donkey Kong." Andyroo wanted to try out our Donkey Kong game and asked Daddy if they could play his "Honkey Donkey" game together.
  5. Bakini - Is actually "Zucchini." Each summer we help my mom grow a garden and, of course, we planted Zucchini. The first time he said it, I heard, "Mommy, look at that huge bikini!" Hilarious!
What are some funny things that your kiddos say or have said?


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Friday, October 21, 2011

Party Features - Week 3!

It's time for the 3rd round of party features from our Great Halloween Link Party!! And, can we just say that everything you guys submit is freaking awesome! If you ideas is featured (in this post or in any other), please feel free to grab our featured button from our sidebar! Also, be sure to check out Party Features - Week 1 and Party Features - Week 2!

This Incredibles T-Shirt from Arts & Crafts seems like such a fun and easy idea. And (as she's doing) it's something that you could comfortably wear to work!




I know we've featured Design DNA before in our party features, but holy cow! She has some amazing ideas for Halloween decor - stuff that's cheap and easy! The latest idea that I'm in love with? Man Eating Plants!




And how about this Interactive Monster Wreath from Creating Sarah!? If you pull on the candy in the middle, the eyes and teeth of the monsters pop open. You HAVE to go see how she made it!




We hope you're all enjoying the Great Halloween Link Party as much as we are! If you haven't already, be sure to stop by and link up your Halloween goodness or just get some inspiration!

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

$25 Sam's Club/Wal-Mart Gift Card Giveaway

As many of your probably already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. General Mills knows this too! General Mills and Sam's Club have teamed up again, but this time it's to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness! For a limited time, you can purchase specially marked packages at Sam's Club of General Mills products like Cheerios and Fiber One Bars to help support this awesome program.

Also, not only are they offering specially marked products, they're making their annual contribution of $2 million to the Susan G. Koman for the Cure Foundation! How awesome is that?! You can also help decide which programs (within the foundation) the half of that $2 million donation will help fund. When you visit the Pink Together Facebook Page, you can vote for either the Treatment and Assistance Program or for Prevention Research. You can vote through April 14, 2012 and the results will be announced next Mother's Day.

Sam's Club and General Mills have generously offered to give one of our readers a $25 gift card (which can be used at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart)!!

So, how can you win? First of all,
  • Be a public follower of Life in the Motherhood!
You can also do any of the following for additional entries. Just be sure to come back and leave a separate comment for each action.
If you already follow Life in the Motherhood or Like any of above Facebook pages, just leave us a comment saying that you already do. Be sure to leave a comment for each separate action (since each one is additional entries for you) and make sure that we can either contact you through your profile or leave your email address in the comment.

The giveaway will be open from 7:00am on Thursday, October 20th, 2011 through midnight on Saturday, October 29th, 2011. Go get entered!

Disclosure: The information and gift card(s) have been provided by Sam’s Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Freezer Cookie Dough

I actually did something I saw on Pinterest! Granted, I can't find the actual pin, but that's beside the point. Once I discovered that using shortening in my cookies makes them turn out better, I decided I needed to use my Pinterest inspiration and throw some in the freezer for later!



Mix up your dough, form into balls, put on a cookie sheet lined with foil (foil isn't necessary but it eliminates some clean up), and stick it in the freezer for at least an hour. They can go for longer, and it won't hurt them, but if you're pressed for freezer space an hour will do. They just need to be frozen enough to be firm - you don't want them to be sticking together in the bag! After they're flash frozen, just throw them into a ziploc and put them back into the freezer.

When you're ready to bake, you can either let them thaw for a bit and cook for the normal time, or cook them frozen and add a few minutes to the baking time. Either way, you'll have fresh, warm cookies whenever you want! Yum!


And, as an added bonus, they're cheaper and better for you than the store-bought doughs!

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Fall Subway Art Printable!

Remember the Halloween Subway Art Printable that I posted a few weeks ago? Well, I had so much fun making it, that I thought it would be fun to do an Autumn/Fall Subway Art Printable too!


And here it is in all it's glory! Again, with this one you can print it on an 8.5x11 paper and then either put it in an 8.5x11 document frame or trim it down to fit in an 8x10 frame. Just for reference, it's pictured belown in an 8x10 frame.


You can click either picture above to download the PDF or download it from Google Docs.


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Thanks to all the fabulous bloggers out there who take the time and effort to host these spectacular parties!! We're linking up here:


Mondays:
Just Something I Whipped Up, Craftastic Monday, Turquoise Lovin', Making the World Cuter Mondays, Making Mondays Marvelous, Creative Me Mondays, Made By You Mondays, Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Made with Love, More the Merrier


Tuesdays:
Get You Craft On, Tuesday Confessional, Who's Got Glam, Ta-Da Tuesdays, Tip Me Tuesdays, Take a Look Tuesdays, Show Me What You Got, Tuesday Tutorials, Too Cute Tuesdays, Craft & Tell, Tutorials & Tips Tuesday


Wednesdays:
Whatever Goes Wednesday, Idea Sharing Wednesday, What I Made Wednesday, DIY Under $5, Woot Woot Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday, Your Whims Wednesday, Lil' Luna Link Party, Hoo's Got Talent, We Can Do it Cheaper, Look What I Made, What I Whipped up Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday


Thursdays:
Strut Your Stuff, DIY Diva Thursdays, Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths, Get Your Brag On


Fridays:
Frugal Friday, Creative-ly U, Feature Yourself Friday, PityParty, Look At Me, Show & Share, Fantabulous Friday, Tickled Pink Fridays, I'm Lovin' It


Saturdays/Sundays:
Lovely Little Linkup, Weekend Wander, Sundae Scoop, Sunday Showcase Party, Think Pink Sundays, Anything Goes, Whatcha Got Weekend, Free For All
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