Bunny Love Boxes

This was a fun project.  This family has ordered an Easter Box for their little girl every year for the past nine years. Each box tells a story about her life, including a tiny love note from dad inside the lid.  handpaintedloveboxes.etsy.com
#handpaintedloveboxes #Easter

Biscuits flying in formation...

Not only did little c's biscuits fly in formation.. they were DELISH!

Owl Tutorial: These are Fun...

If you could see these in person, you wouldn't need a tutorial, they are that simple.
We found this free needlepoint pattern and took it to a copy center to enlarge it. We enlarged them in 3 sizes. I wanted to sew two layers of fabric together to make it stronger & add another layer for the tummy for visual interest. But you can make these any way you want and that's what the kids have done, which has made it fun. BTW.. we didn't want the tail or feet, whichever that is in the picture. I have a few copies left of the pattern, if you are interested.. I would be happy to mail them to you. Just leave me a message.

One you cut out your pieces, you will have two layers for the front and two for the back as you can see here. The blue here is the tummy. Then you cut out nose and eyes. We found some buttons to play with from our craft stash, but you could use felt or fabric or even paint.
Then, you sew on the tummy, the wings, and the beak. The eyes are my favorite part. I start at one end of the eye and sew straight across to the other end. Then, I use the reverse setting and go all the way back and then to the middle where I reposition the needle and repeat until I've made a pizza wheel all the way around.

Then, we hand sewed button eyes, pinned our wings and then all four layers we pinned carefully together. We made sure that the pins went through all the layers and then sewed around. For our project, we used only the machine and we found that it was easier to sew from one ear to the other leaving the top open to stuff. This way we could put the beans in the bottom and they wouldn't be falling out as we sewed up the top.

We used poly pellets in the bottom, but you could use dry beans or rice if you wanted or you could use fiber fill for the whole project. I like the heft that the pellets give to a toy, but don't recommend them for small children who chew on everything... It's probably a safety hazard.

Then, you just sew up the top. It looks VERY homemade and has a childlike charm. It's a great project if you've got a stash of random scraps you'd like to use. We had a 9 year old boy that needed a little help with the machine, but everyone older was able to make their own. I hope to have a photo of all the owls together at some point. If you make them.. Let me know. I'd love to see how your owls turn out!

If you want one and don't want to make one, the 3 I made are all for sale in my Etsy Shop..

Love Boxes SHoP..

American Girl Magazine...

The arrival of this magazine in the mail is a moment of bliss at our house. It is filled with imaginative fun, with projects, recipes and ideas that are age appropriate. One of our favorite sections is where we are introduced to other girls the same age as c across the country. They tell a little bit about themselves, their interests and a typical day. It's a whole new world. Life it is different for every girl and yet the same.

Because I've found other news, blogs and creative instruction online, I have dropped all of our own subscriptions with the exception of Business Week (with which I'm currently not impressed). This is literally the only subscription left. Worthwhile.

Toys...

Christmas is so fun in many ways... I LOVE to shop for toys.. Unfortunately, this little theater is right for me.. but not for my kiddos... sigh...

It's on sale.. HERE...

Baby l's new shoes...

These are so soft and cute and cheap from Target.. I love Target.

Cutie Skirt...

We bought this skirt and it's so cute on. Really darling. It's now on sale 1/2 price with a few sizes still available. It's quite long.. hard to find right now.
Boden

Elephant...

He'd look a lot cuter with a big red wooden bead at that end of the string and I thought about it, but you have to know baby l.. no matter how tight I get the thing on.. she'd get it off and try to eat it so.. until that stage is past.. no bead.

If you want to make a pull toy... it's easy with the help of

BANISHED

Rich Frog's Fun Baby Toys...

Rich Frog

has some darling things for babies... These baby crinklers are wonderful and wash right up in the washing machine. They have wonderful pull toys and stuffed animals and I love their picture blocks.. very cute.

Flower Head Bands...

I have seen these everywhere recently, but think that these from Banner Boutique are particularly cute.

Kids Room Furniture..

Costco is selling some very cute furniture for children's rooms..

See HERE
&
HERE

Hannah Anderson Sale...

Such darling little dresses this time.. HERE.

Baby Banana Brush...

Loves the amazing things they have for babies these days. My sister-in-law recommended this and baby l loves it. It was designed by a very smart dental hygienist. It would make a great baby gift I think.

Kissy Kissy...

These little Kissy Kissy blankets are so wonderful. They are very small, just to cover baby or for baby to hug and hold. They wash up softer everytime and make the most wonderful gift. There's a hole schlew to see HERE. Thanks Boo!

Cutest Baby Booties in the World!

HERE...

Carolyn Roehm...

Carolyn Roehm is having a trunk show in NYC with Best & Co. ... I wish I could go. If you're out in New York go see it for me!

Ooops... never mind we all missed it :(

Spring has arrived!!!

You know that spring has arrived when the drab finally leaves the stores... well almost always. Every once in awhile there is a sad year where spring is beige and taupe... not my favorite. This year has been looking good. I love these cute twirly tulle skirts from Gap Kids.. one of my favorite things I've seen so far.. and all the eyelet. Eyelet is actually a classic and never goes out in my opinion, but it makes a big comeback every couple years or so and this is one. The recession is looking up.. afterall who's going to spend money on the same old stuff, but something pretty and colorful is worth pulling out the wallet for. :)

Swim Season...

Last year we found that we waited too long to get our Land's End suit and didn't get the one we wanted... so this year we were determined to pick out little c's suit early, but Land's End did have our favorite this year.. We were delighted to see these pretty bright colors over at L.L. Bean. I think suit separates are one of the greatest things for kids and this little swim top will completely avoid the terrible shoulder burns poor c gets almost every time we swim outside. I don't care what the label says.. sunscreen must wash off.

Baby Nay Frida...

I love the color in this beautiful little outfit inspired by Frida Kahlo...

Baby Bonkie...

This is the most marvelous invention. Every new mom should have one. It keeps little babes from startling awake. Thanks Brynn!