It's Raining its Pouring

This website gives me endless ideas when I am in a rut and can't entertain my 2 year old with his mounds of toys and books. Perfect for a rainy day (though there are fewer and fewer of those this time of year).

FamilyEducation

Laura's Show and Tell

Every year I have a blast making my daughters' birthday cakes (this year's were the castle for the 5 yr old and the horse for the 3 yr old). So, when I saw an ad for Wilton cake decorating classes at Michael's, I signed up. The first course was just four Mondays in April, and I learned SO much! I've always been able to decorate cakes (like the bday cakes) by shaping them or putting stuff on them, but I couldn't do cool things with the frosting itself--I thought that seemed too much like painting, which is VERY intimidating. The class covered the basic frosting techniques and tips, including taking a picture (like the alligator) and transferring it onto the cake. Plus we learned how to make roses, which is very cool to know! I highly recommend the class, and I'll definitely be signing up for the next one.

Saving Money and Heidi Show and Tell

My daughter is tall and skinny (wish she'd gotten that from me). This means that her pants never fit. By the time they fit in the waist they are too short in the leg. The solution? Altering. Here are her 18 month pants cut off for summer shorts. I also added a belt on one of the pairs. I also made some capris out of another pair but she was wearing and napping when I took these pictures.

These aren't fancy but they are one way I can "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" (one of Pres. Hinckley's favorite sayings).

We bought these sweats at the thrift store. She wore them long until they were just too short so then I cut them off to be shorts. The flower covers up a little hole. Doing a zigzag hem stitch is easy and cute.

I bought these on clearance at Target. She wore them as long pants until her legs got too long. Now they are cute shorts. The embellishment on the pocket was already there and I just used a metallic thread for a zigzag hem to match.

These are my favorites. I originally bought the pants at the DI while we were in Utah. She wore them until they were both too short and she'd worn a hole in the knee. I added the fabric cuff and tie belt and a matching heart on the back pocket (not shown). I love that this pair of pants are in their third life.

This skirt was a dress. The bodice was cute but never fit her well. It was too low and gaped. I cut the skirt part off, removed the zipper and sewed it back together. She put it with this belt of mine and it just cracked me up. She looks like a little gypsy.

The thing I like most about all of these projects is that I didn't have to buy a single item for them. I used scraps and fabric and buttons and things I just had or re-purposed things. It is a great way to be frugal and creative and earth-friendly all at once.

Nursery Mother's Day craft

Does anyone have a good idea for a Mother's Day craft to do in Nursery this Sunday? Our leader to child ratio is 1:5.