Felt Board Busy Bags

Yesterday I got three busy bag felt board sets done.  While the felt board isn't made yet the labor of cutting pieces is (mostly).  I decided to make a cupcake, tree and doll set.

While I started with a list I definitely didn't stick to it when I got to the store.  I ended up with a large (12x18) and a small (9x12) stiffer white felt which I plan to attach to something to use as the board.  This is more than half (15) of my pile of felt (24) so I bought too much felt since I have a lot of usable scraps left to finish up other busy bags.  Since I was making some dolls I decided to get some printed felt also (3).

 
Here are my cupcakes.  I used this pattern from Money Saving Mom.  The only pieces left to make for this bag are the toppings for the cupcakes.  I skipped making them because I want to use the scraps but started with this set.

I designed this tree in Publisher.  Get the file below!

For the dolls I used the Dress Up Dolls pattern from Little Gene Green Bean.  I created the dress by pinning the tank top and skirt next to each other and cutting it out as a single piece.  The hair was made by drawing around the head on a piece of paper to make a template.  I still plan to make shoes since they are Melodi's favorite.

As promised, here is the tree template.  VIEW PDF

It was a busy but productive day.  Hubby finished up Melodi's new dresser and watched Melodi while doing it.  Definitely nice to have a crafty day while not having to watch Melodi.  I was also able to get some pictures done and backdated posts finished up.

Watermark Take Two

I have been playing around with FotoFlexer lately, as you can tell since I have a blog header and a signature line now.  Just now I realized that I have been over looking using the layers feature to create a watermark once, save it to my computer, then adding it to a picture as another layer.  It was a quick process, so now I also have a watermark figured out.  This is my original attempt at a watermark.

Here is the watermark that I have saved as an image with a transparent background.

All I have to do is load my picture into FotoFlexer, edit it as desired, then in the layers tab select Add Images, find my watermark, load it in, position, and save.  No more going through the steps of inserting the sticker, changing the color, typing the text, selecting the font, and so on.  Tried doing this for real and it doesn't work.  My picture gets all wonky and cropped in half.  I'll have to mess around with it more.  So, for now I'm just using Publisher to upload the picture and watermark then group the two together and save as picture.

Adding a Signature

There are a whole bunch of blogs that have a signature line after each post that they write.  I would like to have a really cute one with some 3D looking digital scrapbooking element, but this will do for now.  This is the tutorial that I used to create my signature, but I used FotoFlexer to make it.  The butterfly sticker from the FotoFlexer collection.  I got hung up on where to get the HTML coding for the image so I'm going to share my steps on how to do that.  Looking back at the tutorial I found that it said to "upload the image to an image hosting website such as photobucket.com" but I don't use one so I will share my steps anyways.

1. Open a new page in your blog
2. Insert the picture file from your computer
3. Select the HTML button (if you use blogger it's in the upper left, next to compose)
4. Now you have the HTML code!
5. If you want your signature on the left margin as opposed to centered you will need to edit the code.
• The code likely reads <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
• Change it to read <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">

So I got this far and realized that there is a nasty border and shadow around my signature so I found this tutorial on getting rid of it.  This tutorial will walk you through everything you need to do to get a signature line on your blog posts.  Now that I've removed the shadow my signature is in a white box whereas my background is light blue.  I had this really cute "sparkling" butterfly which seems to be causing the issue with transparency coming from FotoFlexer so I reverted to a simple sticker without the sparkle.  But I wanted to show you the sparkle anyways.

This is inserted as an image instead of the cool signature line deal so it's a real mess.  But isn't the sparkle so AWESOME!

The story behind butterflies and me goes back to planning our wedding.  I feel like a lot of "themes" are over done (no offense if you used any of the themes I dis, it just wasn't right for us), and didn't want to have an event theme but needed something to tie things together a little bit more than just "blue."  Doves didn't work, we didn't have "a place" like the beach, or any of the other wedding themes that were floating around in 2007.  Ever since we had a "blue butterfly" wedding we have been receiving blue butterflies for decoration, household goods, etc.  I've even bought some of it, but I was never really "into" butterflies and I'm still not, but it's a symbol that has stuck.

This project turned out to take a lot longer than I had hoped/expected and now that's after 1am it is time to call it a night.  I may be back tomorrow to edit this craziness a little bit and delete all the draft posts that have been created in the process of figuring out how to add a signature to my posts.  

Easter Photo Props

Since we didn't do Christmas photos in 2011 or get birthday photos done in February, we decided to go to an Easter Mini Session hosted by Danette Kay Photography to catch up.  This means I'm completely ready for Easter, as far as Melodi's outfit goes with a dress, decorated basket, and hat.

My first instinct when looking at buying clothes for Melodi online is to go to JCPenney's website because I'm partial to Penney's.  Of course the one I liked was only available online and I didn't have time to have it shipped.  My next thought was about a gift card I had in my purse for Sears.  I will definitely have to start shopping at Sears more for cute dresses because they had a lot to choose from.  Since I had found an idea I liked at Penney's I went into Sears looking for the same design and had a few choices that were similar to the dress I found at Penney's.

JCPenney Dress

Sears Dress

This is the first Easter (even though it's her third) that Melodi is walking by herself so she gets a real Easter basket.  I wanted to find a plain basket that would be easy to decorate each year to match her outfit.  Target had the basket in several colors so I decided on a white one over the brown one.  I wove two layers of fuchsia tulle that I had on hand and two ribbons (one solid green, the other pink with white pokadots) through the weave of the basket and finished it off with a bow.

Recognize the grass?  It's from the Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party we had for Melodi in February!  I love having supplies on hand to make a project more cost efficient.  We did put some eggs in the basket for the photo shoot, and we're lucky to have found some in the "right" colors.  I went to JoAnns, Target, and Walmart in order to find eggs that would work, I probably could have stayed closer to home by going to Hobby Lobby but it was Sunday so they were closed.

For Melodi's hat I had one of those crocheted hats on hand that was the right color to match her dress.  I based my design off a Lollitop that Melodi received from a friend at Easter last year.  This was another project that I had just about everything that I needed on hand.  The only thing I had to buy was dowels to make the curly ribbon and thicker white ribbon to weave through the hat, I didn't even have to buy starch since hubby spray starches his blues shirts.  The bow (directions below, sorry no step by step pictures) is a removable hair clip that can be used on the hat, on a headband, or in Melodi's hair.

I had a blast doing these projects and it is always nice having a hubby that support my crazy crafting crazes.

Steph's Curly Bow Directions
Materials

Ribbons
Dowels
Clothes pins
Spray starch
Alligator clip
Hot glue
Needle and thread

Steps

1. Wrap dowels with ribbon and secure each end with a clothes pin.  Do not overlap the ribbon.
2. Spray starch on each ribbon wrapped dowel.  Place on a foil lined baking sheet.
3. Bake at 275 degrees F for 25 minutes.  Let cool and remove from dowel.
• While baking the ribbon cover the alligator clip with ribbon using hot glue.
4. Trim ends at an angle since they didn't get sprayed with starch.
5. Cut ribbon into smaller sections, 3-4 inches each.
6. Stack ribbon holding the centers together.
7. Put a small stitch into the center and secure.
8. Hot glue the bow onto the covered alligator clip.

Sources
Adapted from several pins and web search directions.  Some starch and bake, others just bake, and of course there is little consistency with baking temperatures or times.

• Glorious Treats
• Notes from the Patch  

There is one more (from a general how to site) that I remember looking at but I can't find right now, and it's time for bed, so goodnight and I will try to find it tomorrow.

One Sheet Wonder

I have a few sets of cards on my list of Insane Goals.  One Sheet Wonders is an easy way to get many different cards made in a short period of time, with a small amount of materials.  There are tons of templates available.  I used this cut template and these card samples.  These are all done with the exception of stamping a sentiment and writing inside.

Materials:
12x12 patterned paper, cut to 8.5x11 (template called for 8.5x11, but I chose a 12x12 paper)
3- 8x8 solid cardstock (used most, but have some scraps
A2 card bases (premade or an 8.5x11 cut to 8.5x5.5 and folded)
Vellum scrap
Various ribbons
Paper flowers
Jewel stickers
Eyelets

The best part is I didn't buy anything for this set of cards!  I picked up three more masculine patterned papers and cardstock to go with them, as well as two more feminine sets.  One thing more that I need to check into is the price difference between premade card bases and using cardstock.

Insane Goals: Baby Prep

I came across Simply Rebekah somehow, someway.  Honestly, I don’t remember how exactly but it was probably some combination of Pinterest and clicking to other blogs.  She started in 2011 writing up a list she title "Insane Goals" that would last her through the year and doing a monthly check-in on her blog including accomplishments, disappointments, and her goals with items crossed off.  Some of her goals for 2012 could be pasted right into my list as she is also expecting another little one.  I think it’s a great idea (I started a list a couple weeks ago anyways) and will work for me to get some of the non-routine (oh wait, I don’t have routine) stuff done around the house before baby gets here.  So here goes my list of INSANE GOALS!

Food & Supply Preparations

• Purge & organize freezer
• Purge & organize deep freezer
• Create freezer meal list for approximately 2 weeks worth of dinners
• Fill freezer with dinners
• Create shopping list for 2 weeks worth of food (take a single trip after return from hospital)
• Create a small stockpile of bath products

Baby Themed Goals

• Decide if we will make a changing station in our room
• Pull out and clean bedding
• Pull out and clean gender neutral clothes
• Pull out and clean diapers
• Clean bouncer
• Clean baby toys
• Clean and install carseat
• Set up crib
• Set up bassinet
• Decide whether to make or buy thank you cards, or use leftovers from Melodi
• Decide where to store toys
• Determine what needs purchased for baby
• Make necessary purchaces

Melodi Themed Goals

• New bed installed
• New dresser installed
• Clothing moved from changing table to new dresser
• Find a way to keep stuffed animals organized
• Reorganize cups in kitchen
• Update Publisher baby book
• Finish second year album
• Make “busy bags”

Labor & Delivery Goals

• Reread Birthing from Within
• Review Spiritual Midwifery
• Pack hospital bags
• Pack Melodi’s bag

Crafting Goals

• Complete hanging blanket for Kaden
• Stockpile cards through August
• Birthdays (7?)
• Mother’s Day (5)
• Father’s Day (5)

Blogging Goals

• Finalize blog layout and copy to all blogs
• Reevaluate having the teacher blog at this point in time
• Write twice weekly on each blog

House Goals

• Decide on carpet (clean or replace)
• Get slab jacked up
• Get the garden started
• Get rid of last year’s left over garage sale stuff
• Spring cleaning!

Stay tuned for a check-in come the first week of April.

Sick Mom = Crazy Mess

Part of being pregnant includes having the occasional off day.  Okay, maybe that's a part of everyone's life whether pregnant or not.  I haven't been feeling well the last couple days and was up off and on all night last night.  Luckily Melodi is good about occupying herself so that I can get some extra rest, but the house doesn't keep itself up if I'm having a bad day.  We still have to eat, which means dishes.  We still have to potty train, which means accidents.  We still play with stuff, which means toys/books to put away.  We still have random things happen, which means more to take care of.  The random thing is Shadow, our dog, pushing a couple boxes down the stairs.  Of course, both were filled with paper, one was recycle and one was the pile on the kitchen table that needed sorted through.  Now both are at the bottom of the stairs in one crazy mess of a pile, more of a mess since Melodi decided to occupy her time with the papers.  Hopefully tomorrow is better and I can get some stuff done around the house.

I Need Busy Bags or Quiet Bins

Our second baby is due in 8-10 weeks and as I will be nursing I need something for Melodi to do while I take some quiet time with baby.  I think the best way to accomplish this is to make a LARGE collection of Busy Bags or Quiet Bins.  I'm going to start with some Busy Bags and reserve Quiet Bins for when Melodi gives up her nap, but still needs some quiet time to herself.

There is a collection of ideas that I have found on Pinterest for Busy Bags.  I figure that I will need about 4 a day for 5 days during the week, so I need to come up with 20 bags.  I think that some of these may be books, magnet sets, and chunky wooden puzzles kept "put away" for nursing time.  Of course I would like for most of them to be educational or developmental in nature, and NOT messy.

It is going to be a work in progress as I have quite a few pins to sort through.  Luckily I have 2 months to get these together, but I also have a pile of other projects.  Maybe I'll have the planning done and be ready to do the shopping when my mother-in-law is out next month to help me with final baby prep.

Current Idea List

1. Paper, colored pencils/crayons (add stickers when a little older)
2. Lacing cards
3. Pipe cleaners, pony beads
4. Matching Color Shades (a little to young still, so do a Color Matching Wheel)
5. Felt board
1. build your own cupcake
2. tree
3. house
4. doll and clothes
6. Letter magnets (refrigerator, these are better than the premade bright colored ones)
7. Number magnets (refrigerator)
8. Fishing (felt fish with washers inside, pencil fishing pole)
9. Sensory Texture Boards
10. Matching Cards (store bought since we have a couple, or homemade)
11. Button Matching Game (I like the one a little ways down this page better)
12. Quiet Books (also useful for church, meetings, etc)
13. File Folder Games (switch out seasonally)
1. The Easter Story
2. Daniel in the Lions Den (telling time, too young still)
3. Shapes
4. Flowers
5. Counting (octopus, watermelon)
6. Colors
14. Lacing Cards (make with laminated cardstock shapes and a hole punch)
15. Popsicle Stick Puzzles
16. Color Sorting
1. colored pasta into cups
2. craft pompoms onto color cards
17. Flashcards
1. color
2. alphabet
3. animals/sounds
18. Lacing Beads

Some of these will make for good car travel bags for our road trip this summer and future PCS moves.

Reading Levels

Recently my husband asked me about the reading level of some of the books that we read to Melodi.    She LOVES reading and would spend all day bringing us books to read to her if we let her.  I had no clue what the reading level was of any of our books as it is not posted on the back of them as I remember it being when I was growing up (okay, late(?) elementary when I knew where to look).

The Dr. Seuss books were taken care of once I saw this on Pinterest, talk about great timing since we had just talked about it.  Leann of Montessori Tidbits had just posted this list on her blog.  She breaks it out Late Kindergarten, Beginning/Middle/Late First Grade, and Early/Middle Second Grade, based on her interpretation of the Accelerated Reader grade level equivalent.

We also have a large collection of the Little Golden Books so I did a Google search for "little golden books reading level" and found this.  It is not exactly what I was looking for but I should be able to convert it to a list like Leann's easy enough.

In my search I also found the 1000 Good Books List by the Classical Christian Education Support Loop.  This list is broken into grade levels of 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.  It's a large list and I haven't spent enough time exploring it to give a fair assessment, although I will be returning to it in order to find more books to add to our library.

Here we go with a list of the Little Golden Books reading levels.

Baby-PreK

• The Poky Little Puppy
• Sleeping Beauty
• Little Mommy
• The Little Red Hen
• A Day at the Seashore
• Pinocchio
• The Fire Engine Book
• The Shy Little Kitten
• Triceratops for Lunch
• The Saggy Baggy Elephant
• Nurse Nancy
• Good Night, Little Bear
• Noah's Ark
• The Happy Man and His Dump Truck
• Richard Scarry's Busiest Firefighters Ever
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• A Blessing from Above
• The Color Kittens
• The Bunny Book
• Thomas and Friends: May the Best Engine Win
• The Little Christmas Elf

Not done yet.  Thinking this is going to be more work that I really want to take on.  The list that I am looking at on JacketFlap is not really what I want as it includes non-Little Golden Books making it difficult to sift through at times.  There are also 1,176 books in the Baby-PreK level, and in the Ages 4-8 level there are 2,884.  So, this plan is going out the window.  Another reason to throw this one out is that I'm not sure I totally agree with some of levels given to the books on the Baby-PreK list that I've gone through so far.  There are far too many words in "The Poky Little Puppy," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Saggy Baggy Elephant" for it to be considered Baby and I don't think that a 3-4 year old would be reading them on her own.

Back to the drawing board for this project.  I may use the same technique that Montessori Tidbits did and just do it myself using the Accelerated Reader grade level equivalent and the books that I have.  Look for more on this in the future, it may end up being a page instead of a post so that I can add to it as we accumulate more books.