Baby Food Jar Projects: Toasted Pumpkin Seed Holder

I like the idea of lining up a bunch of flavors and serving them in labeled baby food jars on Halloween with cider.  There's not much DIY here, just put them in the jar, but these are Garlic Parmesan flavored and go well with the Stuffed Pumpkin...recipe after the jump!

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Baby-Halloween-Costumes-of-Awesomeness

We are packing up the truck and heading out for a Football weekend, crossing our fingers that there will be some trick-or-treating for the little ones at the tailgating. Bad/selfish parenting? Eh, a few jello shots and they will forget all about the candy. I kid.
But before we go, I had to send a few Baby-Halloween-Costumes-of-Awesomeness.

First there is Baby Beauty Contestant...


And this funny owl...


And this rad Ghostbusters inspired costume. Love that mom and dad went with the theme!


And lastly... if you go storebought, you can still do a creative photo-op. These are my favorite Halloween photos ever. Clare & Dad 2007! Let the therapy commence!


and then we couldn't stop... later that day...


Happy Halloween!

Yum, Chocolate Eyeballs

Reader Cat sent in these creepy chocolate eyeballs!  She made them herself using this candy mold.  Aren't they amazing?

BABY ZOMBIE!

BRRRRAAAIIINNNSSS!!!!

All zombied out for school today...Get the costume how-to here...

Freaky Friday: Bloody Hand Windows

In celebration of the final episode of Freaky Friday 2009, here's a last minute halloween decoration...

You'll need poster paint and a severed hand; apply to windows, instant creepiness.  If you have a baby...ahem...handy, that's even creepier.

DIY Party Hats!

You can make all of your adorable themed party hats, or you can create a fun activity by letting the kids decorate their own!  Just construct the plain hats ahead of time, spread out a bunch of doo-dads and glue and glitter and what-not, and let the kids go to town.  Maybe give out a prize for the craziest hat!  These were for Scarlet's Circus Party, get the template and how-to after the jump...

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DIY Recycled Moving Announcements

How cute are these? Our friend Asia from The Design Pocket sent them over, and we think they are such a clever way to announce your move and recycle at the same time. Maybe birth announcements on old diaper boxes would work too?

DIY Expression Collage

I flew to Rhode Island with both babies last month. I was scared. I asked for lots of advice. People were so helpful.

On flight #2 Clare(2) got a bit fidgety (who can blame her?) so I pulled out my secret weapon, the trusty iphone. Clare loves to make funny faces and loves to look at pictures of herself so we spent a good half-hour taking and reviewing funny-face pictures. When we got home I downloaded the photos and they made me smile so why not give them a more permanent home?

DIY after the jump (so easy.)

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Aquarium- Nursery Inspiration

My brother and his beautiful little family were here visiting this weekend. In addition to eating, crafting and playing with babies, we made a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium. It was so much fun. Babies love to stare at fish. That is probably why there are so many sea-life inspired nurseries. yikes, right? But some of the gorgeous tanks got me thinking about sea-life inspired nurseries done right. In my research I found SOOOO many cute items. What would you add to the perfect sea-life nursery? And better yet, what would you make?

Cascading sea shell thingie of goodness
Bedding
Painting - Underwater in Pink
Girl with octopus on chair
rug
Mermaid (Clare's favorite toy FYI)
Mobile
Quilt
Underwater Print Set
Lamp
Pendant
Ollie the Octopus-apparently not available anymore but Jaime has one, lucky.
Pom

I would make something with this for sure!

Mom & Tot Wall Hangers by Ish & Chi

Have you ever seen anything so cute yet so elegant?  Viv is the author of one of my favorite design blogs, Ish & Chi, as well as mother to a small fry herself.  She took an ugly old door and in a few steps turned into this adorable and functional vignette. To create these door hangers you'll need two frames, two hooks and some wallpaper or scrapbooking paper.  See how Viv did it here!

OhDeeDoh's Small Kids, Big Color Contest 2009

I'm so proud to share that Scarlet's nursery was selected for OhDeeDoh's Small Kids, Big Color contest!  If you have a minute please click here to vote for it!  She has 36 hours to collect thumbs ups!  XOXO THANK YOU!

DIY Ribbon Pacifier Clip

Stevee in Nashville (who is full of great tips!) sent us this adorable Pacifier Holder DIY; these will come in handy if your baby is constantly losing his or her binky!

Get Stevee's DIY after the jump...

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Tutu-torial

Clare is big on spinning and "running in circles" these days. A new dancing skirt was in order. Here is one way to make a charming, quick tutu. A wonderful last minute birthday gift for a little girl and it's under $10.

DIY after the jump
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Life Lessons?

What are the lessons, if you were no longer around to reflect them, that you would want your child to see in your memory?  What is it that you hope on your best day to represent as a parent?  These are heady questions for a craft blog I know, but I am working on the final manuscript for Prudent Advice for My Baby Daughter, and I am circling the terrifying completion of the list.  Something about reaching the end of it feels very finite, I feel certain I have missed some universal truths or indispensable tips or practical considerations that my daughter should know.  If you have a moment, please consider this question and share with me your thoughts.  If your contributions inspire one of the 500 Pieces of Prudent Advice you will be credited in the acknowledgements and I will be grateful.  If sharing in the comments feels too public, please email me at jaime@prudentbaby.com.  I read and enjoy every single email and work hard to respond to all of them.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday.
XO
jaime

DIY: BOO! Halloween Doorbell Cover

My husband had the charming idea to create a cover for the doorbell, since it gets most of its use on Halloween!  All it took was cardboard, glue, and fabric, and I added a little embroidery for fun.

Get the how-to after the jump...

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Semi-DIY Candy Corn Hat

First of all, isn't the Target $1 spot the most genius retail concept ever? I can't go through there without at least 5 impulse buys. Included in the loot from my most recent $5 shopping spree was this 'lil candy corn hat. Last night, I quickly embroidered baby's name across the front and sewed on a bow. No need to use an embroidery ring, it's that scary stiff poly "fabric." It's kinda "corny" but you can't beat a $1 costume. Go see if they have any left, and while you're there grab me a pack of pencils, some snoopy socks, orange sprinkles, a child's gardening shovel and a decorative dishtowel.


PS. The tutu is one that I whipped up for a last minute witch costume for Clare last year. Stay tuned for an easy tutu DIY next week.

Baby Food Jar Project: Jello Halloween Treats for Baby... and Mommy

Inspired by Jaime's Specimen Container Project I set out to create an edible version.

Easy DIY (and the alcoholic version) after the jump
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Mmm, Brain Muffins

MMM, delicious brains.  Perfect zombie food.  These are pumpkin muffins with cream cheese, but this icing contains no powdered sugar, so the muffins have yummy cream cheese flavor and low sugar that's appropriate for breakfast.

Get the recipe and the how-to after the jump!

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Freaky Friday II: Revenge of Freaky Friday

It's another day of spooky Halloween crafts so check in throughout the day for fun holiday ideas for the tots...

Help, please: What to do with these textiles?

My husband and I are buying a new CAL KING bed this weekend and I've been leaving the bedroom un-decorated in anticipation of this day.  I think I've thought about it too much and now can't make any decisions, so I ask for your help.  I have these two gorgeous textiles, the first is an uzbeki suzani and the second is a beautiful otomi.  I want to use one to make an upholstered headboard.  I'm thinking the suzani.  If i do that, and keep all the bedding simple and cream colored, can I use the otomi to make cornices for cream shades?  The cornices will compliment the headboard in shape, so I think using the same fabric would be too much.  Or should I keep all of the other textiles simple? And do you have any recommendations for wall colors or other fabrics for the room that would compliment either of these?  Like a leather cornice or something?  hrmmm...
please help!
XO

Baby Food Jar Projects: Pin Cushion

Here's another fun way to recycle a baby food jar and use up some fabric scraps.  I gathered some bits leftover from my pom pom pillow project and threw this together in about five minutes.

Get the how-to after the jump...

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DIY scarf for mommy

A pretty scarf is a perfect addition to a no-fuss mommy look. I know that my wardrobe of black/gray tunic/legging combos could use a splash of cozy color. Next up... ditching the pregnancy granny panties and combing my hair. One step at a time.

I just made this seriously easy scarf today. Quinn likes it. It may also be just enough trendy flannel so that I don't end up looking like a lumberjack this Fall.
Get the full DIY here

What do you do to not look like you just rolled out of bed? No, really, help me.

DIY Cameo Silhouettes Three Ways

Cameos are such a cute way to personalize a nursery.  Jacinda even created a Halloween decoration with her DIY Cameo Plaque.  Since we shared a picture of Stevee's nursery a few weeks ago we've had so many requests asking how to make your own, so we are obliging.  Three ways to get or make silhouettes after the jump...

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DIY Stadium Seating for the Pantry

We have this amazing trick for organizing a pantry.

Have 2x4's cut to the width of your shelf (I've found they will do this for you for free at Home Depot, especially if you have a cute baby with you)

Paint them (I was happy I did this, It was a pain at the time but it looks much more finished) I just used white spray paint.

Stack them in there. We used 6 to create 4 levels. 3 in the back, then 2, then 1

This is awesome if you have lots of little jars like baby food and spices. It's also great if you have thousands of canned goods like us. You never know when you will need 4 cans of coconut milk.

Savory Stuffed Pumpkin

This is the easiest and yummiest thing in the world to make and it looks so wintry-stunning and smells so good!  For Thanksgiving I think I'll make three - one with a vegetarian version of turkey stuffing, one packed with savory bacon and sausage, and one with a sweet cinnamony flavor - all lined up in a row on a platter.  This is a picture heavy post because it's just such a pretty meal. So check what you have in the fridge and start imagining what you want to throw in there; I can't wait to get home and bake up another one!

Get the full Savory Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe after the jump...

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Crochet Wreath

I bought some yarn in the colors of Clare's curtains to make her a pennant garland but when I saw this wreath, I was inspired. I think this would make a pretty gift to celebrate a new baby. Decorate it with a little embroidered "It's a..." sign, or the baby's name or a crocheted flower or even some little glittery birds in a nest. This one however, was the perfect home for Clare's little owl friend.

This was fun and a very easy beginner Crochet project. Check out the DIY after the jump.

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Baby Food Jar Projects: Hanging Bud Vase

Most bud vases just sit on the table, but with the lightness of a baby food jar and the built in lip, why not hang one for a little pop of flowery prettiness?  It takes less then five minutes to create these hanging beauties, learn how after the jump...

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DIY Simple (but fancy!) Iced Ginger Spice Cookies

To Finish off Freaky Friday, I have some EASY EASY iced cookies. But kinda fancy, no?
Ill add some DIY info a little later. For now, gather your ingredients and get that dough chilling in the fridge. Ya know, if you want to. I am off to host a little Friday Mommy Happy Hour!


Phew! That was a long Happy Hour! : ) Find the DIY after the jump...
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DIY Bat-Mobile

My crafty sister-in-law came by the house last week with a super-cool bat mobile that she had made from a Paper Source Kit. (they no longer have it on the site, maybe in stores? Maybe on sale?) Alas, the bat-mobile was for her bat-loving mom, not me, but what a cool idea! So here is my version of a bat mobile.

DIY after the jump...
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