Don't "Ruffle" Your Tail Feathers!

Sorry!  I know that title is corny, but I'm really into ruffles these days.  Not sure why.  Possibly because I've been learning to sew them, and so I'm putting them on everything.

I was blog surfing the other day and I came upon some GREAT tutorials.  I got inspired by one on Crap I've Made, a really fun and creative blog that some of you other crafty mommies may like.  I was inspired to make this little ruffled butt onsie:

I was getting ready to take some pictures of the front and noticed that it looked a little

bo-ring, so I added a little rosette, like so:

Sorry, it was starting to get dark by the time I finished these :)

I'll sell these for $10 so let me know if any little girls in your life need some ruffles on their bootie.

I also added some ruffles to a T-shirt today, but I don't have a pic yet.  That's coming soon.

Bye for now!

things I'm loving as of late...

Gardening...or rather watching my hottie gardener and his helper hoe up all the weeds!

Petunias.  Happy Mothers Day, me.

These t-shirts from of all places...wally world.  They are so soft and comfy, and most importantly, they are only $4 :)

Baby Calves

This dip recipe:

Brooke's Black Bean and Corn Dip

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans corn, drained

1 bunch scallions, chopped

1 block feta cheese crumbled

1/2  C. cider vinegar

1/2 C. extra virgian olive oil

1/2 C. sugar

Combine all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips.

This has become a favorite with baby bird Eli.  He will even eat it plain.  In fact he had three helpings of it at dinner tonight.  Yummy!

Did I mention baby calves?  Moo.

Have a great week, Ya'll!

Nursing Problem? I've Got Your Solution!

Hey you nursing mamas out there!  And you soon to be nursing mamas!  Or those of you that may be buying a gift for a nursing mama sometime soon! :)

I was fortunate enough to nurse my baby bird for 11 months.  Although I was thrilled to be able to do this for my kiddo (and save all that money on formula!) there were plenty of things about nursing that I wasn't so fond of. 

One thing was nursing in public. 

Now.  Mind you.  I am not a very modest person.  After the whole experience of giving birth, the thought of a little boob peeking out was not what bothered me.  It was more the looks (you know those looks) of those around me, and the thought of flashing my "recently carried a baby" belly, and just plain old respect for those that might not want to sneek a peek at my boob.

So.  That's the problem.  One solution is the trusty receiving blanket over the baby and shoulder trick.  This is fine, but what if your baby doesn't appreciate a blanket in his face while he's eating?  Can you blame him?  Or what if he gets a big kick out of yanking the blanket off every few seconds?

Here's my solution.  The nursing cover.  I've heard them called many things - hooter hider, udder cover, my friend Rach suggested booby bungalo (love that one :).

But the beauty of these things is that they allow you to nurse your baby privately, but the boning I put in the neck allows you to see your baby, and keeps the fabric off his face.  The strap around the neck allows you to adjust your length one handed, and keeps the whole thing from being pulled down at an opportune moment (like when your boob is fully exposed - don't tell me this hasn't happened to you!).

Here's what they look like:

I'm telling you, I never left the house without mine the entire time I was nursing.  It crumples right up into a diaper bag or purse, and washes in your washing machine if you get it dirty.

I sell these for $20 and make them in scads of fabric options!  I'll try to post more options as I make them.

Once you give one of these a try, I promise you'll never use a blanket again!

P.S. I really need a cute idea for what to call my nursing covers!  I'd love to stick with a birdie theme if possible.  Any ideas?