Freebee Friday: Jamie's Precious Peas

Jamie's Precious Peas is a fun new blog I was introduced to by my good friend, Jen, from Baby Blvd. There are numerous giveaways, reviews, and just overall good baby information to be found there. This week she is hosting a giveaway for a $15 credit to Baby Blvd. {which I LOVE!} so head on over her way and enter.

Tiny squeal! Look how darling this flower headband and matching corsage from Baby Blvd. is!!!

*Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry
**All entries must be received by 9pm est, November 7, 2009

Mad Scientist Lab

Precursor: My church had a fall festival where people got to decorate rooms and the kids went trick-or-treating through the halls.

Welcome to my Mad Scientist Lab!
You'll have to use your imagination a little bit as the lights are for picture purposes. I turned the lights off and had glow sticks scattered around the tables, as well as a strobe light. The most fun came from the dry ice simmering in a few of the concoctions, as well as a big pot under the table to create smoke. To finish it off, my DH and I dressed up as "Mad Scientists" to hand out candy. I didn't get a picture of us...Boo!

Halloween

Down to the Halloween party wire? Check out these free downloads....

...Pumpkin Petunia's download has cupcake toppers, note sheets and treat bag stickers....

...Accent The Party also has cupcake toppers and matching napkin holders....

...Babalisme's has a Halloweenie dress-up for boys and girls...

...Oliebollen has an iron-on decal to dress up a t-shirt or treat bag...

...Phyllis Hoffman Celebrates has masks for yourself or your pumpkin....

...In Good Company has blood type labels.

Cha Cha Cha Changes

I'm thinking I'm going to be changing my postings up. I'm getting a little bored with things and want to spice it up a bit.

If you miss something, or want something back, as always, you can email me!

Hope you keep enjoying!

Tutorial Tuesday: No Cook Playdough

Because we all need a break from life, and sometimes play dough is just the right fix. And it smells good too!

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp oil
1/3 cup water (add orange food coloring if you'd like)
1 tbsp pumpkin spice seasoning

Mix all ingredients together then knead until it becomes a dough; store in a plastic bag.

Done!

Monday Moments: Things I've Figured Out This Weekend

* TSP will take off just about any mess - literally.

* This (see below) is the bane of my existence.

* You can accomplish just about anything you put your mind to and make time for.

* Don't put off the things that take longer to do later.

*There is no such thing as too many hugs.

Did you have an Ah-Ha moment this weekend?

Freebee Friday: Beau-coup

With Halloween right around the corner, I'm excited to announce a 'spooktacular' giveaway from Beau-coup, a fabulous vendor. Beau-coup offers modern and unique favors and party supplies, perfect for your upcoming fall events. With everything from Halloween party favors to wedding favors, baby shower favors and birthday party supplies, they have all of your special events covered.

And this week, Beau-coup is generously offering a $75 gift card towards anything on their site to a lucky Half Baked reader!

HOW TO ENTER:

• Post a comment HERE telling us which item(s) from the Beau-coup Favors website you’d love to get if you win!

•Giveaway ends Thursday, October 29th at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, October 30th . Good luck, everyone!!

Thrifty Thursday: Retrieving Valuables

I'll be honest, it's been one heck of a week. My baby has colic, three exams at school, and I'm seriously sleep deprived.

Hence, here's my tiny tip for Thursday.

Oops, you just lost an earring or other small valuable down the drain. Try retrieving it with a just-chewed piece of gum stuck to the bottom of a fishing weight. Dangle it from a string tied to the weight, let it take hold, and reel it in.

Workin' Wednesday: Lil Cutie Hair Bows

To go along with my bow theme I've got going, Erica is the fabulous owner of Lil Cutie Hair Bows and she has decided to have a Bow of the Month Club. She will offer bows at discounted prices each month! Her bows are already at amazing prices and they are made to perfection!

Check out some of her fabulous creations...

Tutorial Tuesday: Frayed Flowers

Since coming home with a baby girl I have been obsessed with all things flower - so we're beginning a series on different types of flowers to accessorize outfits/headbands for girls young and old. We'll start of easy, so even the novice seamstress can figure this one out.

Found this tutorial at Maize in Montana. So great!

You'll need a strip of fabric, needle and thread, scissors, button and a pin back (can also use a large safety pin).

Pick out some fabric you like which frays really easy. Depending upon how big and thick you want your flower, cut a strip of the fabric. Mine is 1 inch wide and 44 inches long. If you want your flower smaller, don't cut it as long or as wide.

Fold over one end and secure it with a stitch.
Flip it over and start a running stitch along the bottom of the strip of fabric.

When you've reached the end of your strip, pull the thread so the fabric bunches up.

Shape the fabric into a flower.


Secure all the layers by stitching through each and securing on the back.


Next, stitch the button in the center.


After the button is secure, stitch on your pin back or safety pin.

WAA LAH! Super easy peasy frayed flower pin.
Experiment with the look by adding dangling pieces of lace, fabric, beads, chain or ribbon.
Now, go make one!

Monday Moments: Shoes

My name is Bobbi Lee and I'm a shoe-a-holic.

I didn't want to admit it, but it's true.

Having swollen feet all summer, all I wore was flip flops. It never occurred to me that the swelling/enlarging of my feet wouldn't go down.

Yesterday I tried on some fabulous heels to wear with my fabulous dress. Sigh. They don't fit. In fact, none of my fabulous shoes fit anymore. It seems I have gone up a size with Aniston's pregnancy. Are you feeling my pain?

On the bright side, I know have a fantastic reason to hit up some great fall sales and get me some shoes!

Freebee Friday: Pepperblossom Decor

Pepperblossom Decor is also offering a giveaway on Make It and Love It.

They are offering this yoyo headband, found here, to one of you for free.


Perfect for a variety of ages. So sweet.

Thrifty Thursday: Spray-on Spot and Stain Remover

I hate spending so much money on cleaning supplies when you know the majority of the price is packaging and water. Use your own water and make your own cleaning supplies for pennies on the dollar. This is a great spot remover. Works on clothing and carpet!

You will need:
2 spray bottles
water
vinegar
ammonia

1. Fill one spray bottle with
5 parts water
1 part vinegar

2. Fill a second spray bottle with
5 parts water
1 part nonsudsy ammonia

3. Saturate the stain with the vinegar solution. Let it settle for a few minutes, then blot thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.

4. Then spray on the ammonia solution and blot again.

5. Repeat until the stain in gone.

Workin' Wednesday: HELP!

While there are more than plenty mompreneurs out there who I love to lurk - I want to show the ones you want seen!

Let me know your favorite mompreneurs/mom sites. There just may be a special surprise in store for those of you who nominate someone.

Just send me their website/blog and let me know what it is you love about them.

Thanks Ladies!

P.S. Happy Birthday to Me!

Tutorial Tuesday: Coupon Cart Caddy

So I have recently become an avid coupon collector. I use the word avid very loosely because I know there are a lot of you out there much more diligent and dedicated than I am. By avid I mean that I actually clip coupons out of the Sunday paper.

Back on track...while shopping last week I thought to myself, "This is ludicrous!" I have no where to put my list, my pen, my coupons (to use and to hold onto!)" So I started thinking that maybe I could make some type of caddy.

I began to research. Lo and behold, BLUE CRICKET DESIGN did all the hard work for me. Splendid! I plan on making me one of these baby's tonight for my grocery trip tomorrow!

Here is what you'll need...

Two complimentary pieces of Fabric. I used FAT QUARTERS.
Stiff interfacing
Coordinating Double Folded Bias Tape
Pins or stapler
Ruler

STEP ONE: Measure and cut your fabric and Interfacing 18" x 18"

I found that by stacking them and then cutting them made the process faster and easier. Lay it out just how it will be sewn....a fabric with RIGHT side facing down, then interfacing, then fabric with RIGHT side facing up.

STEP TWO: Now we will be cutting out a section of your 18" square to create the Caddy straps. Using a ruler and pen mark off the following measurements and cut through all three layers creating straps that measure 7" long x 3" wide.

STEP THREE: Use straight pins to secure the three layers together. I prefer using a stapler . It lays flatter and the staples are easy to remove.

STEP FOUR: Adding the bias Tape.


You will first need to sew an 18" strip of Bias tape to the bottom section of the caddy.


STEP FIVE: Fold the bottom section in half leaving about a 1 1/2" gap. This is creating your pocket. be sure to be aware of the fabrics. You will determine what fabric shows most so chose wisely which way you fold. Secure with pins or staples.


STEP SIX: Now it's time to add the Bias Tape around the edges. Start at a top of a strap in it's middle. Pin it on if that will help you keep it straight. Sew it on using a straight stitch. Corners Can be pinned or stapled to help them line up right. The inside corners are tricky. Sew around it completely being sure to fold your tape at the very end so you don't have a raw edge.


STEP SEVEN: Sew a straight stitch line in your pocket making a second section in your pocket. You can determine how big you want each section. Also you may want to add another stitched line to make a pen pocket.


STEP EIGHT: Lastly we will be adding Velcro.



Cut two 1 3/4" strips of Velcro. Separate the pieces and sew them onto the straps. Sew one on the top of the strap and the other at the bottom of the strap where it meets the pocket section.

And that will do it!!!!

Your very own Cart Caddy ready to make your life that much easier!!!!!