Cheap Custom T's for a Persnicky Kid

My first son wore anything you put on him as long as he had his socks.  He loved and still loves his socks.  Sure he had some favorite t-shirts, but for the most part, he just didn't/doesn't care.  My second son is VERY particular, and it isn't about tags or some kind of physical discomfort, he wants to wear something that he likes - that represents him.

Now, I am a mom who gladly accepts hand-me-downs, and keeps clothes that I buy to hand down to my younger children.  With my second son, I have a kid that isn't so keen on hand-me-downs unless they fit his likes.

What is a mama to do?

Free New Kitchen Table

We, or rather I, have been looking for a new kitchen table for a while now.  We are by no means poor, but let's say we are relatively frugal, and I wasn't interested in paying much for a new kitchen table that my children would use their silverware as implements to distress the tabletop.

Our old table had reached its capacity at 6 with the leaf, and we are a family of 5. 

That didn't leave much room for guests.  And while we are relatively boring, we do like company.  Our lovely little house couldn't handle a table at its every day length of more than 6 feet, so we were limited in our low budget choices.  My father had a coworker who was moving, and he was very generous to offer to purchase her dining room table, but it measured a whopping 6 feet 8 inches.  Those 8 inches would have blocked the door to our hallway.

Most Awesome Stencil Ever

 This has to be one of my favorite stencils so far.  It took me several nights to complete all the cuts.  But the end result was worth it.

I found this awesome art on pinterest (the better image on right).  Now the artist, Stephanie d'Entremont, has several incredible Star Wars pieces, but the R2-D2 one really intrigued me.

I could wax on and on about all the things that I love about this piece of art, or I can get to the good stuff - pictures.

Jeans Leg Scarf

I have had 2 reactions to my Jeans Leg Scarf:  “Um, that’s the leg from a pair of jeans.” and “That is so cool!”  Now, I am paraphrasing, but both quotes sum it up. 

When I saw my inspiration, which also used a jeans leg, I thought, “Cool idea!”, which is why I made mine.  So here is hoping you like it just as much as I do.

Materials

• A pair of old, thrifted or - hole in the crotch so they are ruined for just about anything but scrap jeans
• Some cool coordinating fleece to line the scarf and keep it warm
• Kamsnaps or other closure element
• Sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutter, straight edge, thread, etc.

Cloth Diaper Snap Replacement

ACK!!!!!!  If you cloth diaper, you may be like me and have experienced the devastation of pulling out your cloth diapers after a wash and discovering one of the snaps has expired in its loyal service of keeping poop and pee from exploding.  While I was cloth diapering my second son (2011), it happened to me.

I was devastated.

All I could think about was $18-$20 (depending on what diaper you bought) that was wasted, UNTIL, I did a search on the internet on how to repair a cloth diaper.  I found a very helpful youtube video, in which the lovely cloth diapering mama, not only showed me how to replace the snap but also showed me not to be afraid to do so.  She also provided a URL to the snap setter and snaps that she used from Kamsnaps.com.  For just under $20, I would be able to replace any snap that decided it was done working with poop.  They even have free shipping, if you spend enough.

I Did It Again - Flat Book Shelf #2

If by chance, anyone was wondering what happened to me in the past few months, being laid off on maternity leave should explain it all.  While I didn't stop being crafty, it sure put a kibosh on the time I could devote to my blog.  While THE job is still elusive, I am currently working a relatively steady contract job that pays well.  (Prayers and good vibes from any willing to give them, are greatly appreciated.)

My daughter's room is the smallest of our 3 bedrooms, and with a single bed, crib and dresser/change table, there just wasn't any space for a bookshelf.  Well before my daughter joined our family, I had decided that I wanted to build a flat bookshelf like the one I had already built for my boys' room.

While similar in many ways, the space behind the door in my daughter's room was a bit larger, so I made the bookshelf deeper by using 1x4's by the side rails instead of 1x3's.  I also changed up my materials list a bit to save a little cash, and I had learned a few things while building my first bookshelf that I put to good use on this project.

DIY Rubberband Bracelet Loom

My son saw the rubber band bracelet that my niece made for her Uncle's (my husband's) birthday and wanted to make one too.  The problem at the time was that my husband's birthday is about a week before our 3rd child was born.  There are now 3 in our family of 5 with a birthday in September, my husband, my second son, and my new daughter.  Who would have thought?

To make a long story a little longer, my son kept asking (badgering really) to make a rubber band bracelet, day after day.  Being a new mom and so tired I felt drunk, my usually fairly frugal self, would have been satisfied to just buy one of their looms, already!  Unfortunately, during my weekly sleep walk through Walmart food buying trip, I could find the rubber bands but not the stinking loom.