GIVEAWAY: Book Journals from Ex Libris Anonymous DAY 4

The winner for Saturday is Charlotte who is a total "fabric hot-plum-tea pear."
But have no fear my caffeine noodle naps, there are six more days (and journals!) to win!
The basics: Turn three things you love (other than your family, that's a given) into the ultimate compliment. Because who doesn't want to hear... "You are a diamond lobster rainbow"
So go enter again, same way, same place, new compliment. GO! 

Prudent Project Round-Up

Julie at I Love My Life made the DIY Trivet with adorable valentines day paper...
Stevee made some delicious cupcakes with cute Cupcake Toppers...
Nchole at Lizzypost made our Crochet Pennant Garland in my favorite color combo, pink & yellow...
And Ivory at Trivial Pursuit of Happiness made DIY Watercolor Silhouettes of her kids!  Too cute!

Now you send us pictures of your projects using this Prudent Baby Contact Form or add them to the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr!

Week in Review

Another Free Baby Bib Pattern | Crochet a Baby Beanie Free Pattern | Wine Rack as Yarn Storage
"Porc & Beans" Porcupine Pin Cushion Pattern | Sew a Quick Corduroy Headband | DIY Legwarmers from Tube Socks
Felt Black & White Cookies, Yum | Apple Bourbon Ice Cream Recipe & Ice Cream Making Tips | DIY Swaddle Blanket Tutorial


And you are a sunny day champagne croissant!  Enter to Win an Ex Libris Anonymous Book Journal A Day by leaving yourself a fabulous compliment here!

Saturday Link Love

DIY Wine Cork Stamper how-to at Leaf & Letter Handmade | Sneak peek of the new Liberty of London for Target line at Making it Lovely!  I can't wait! | Make seedling pots out of newspaper at Shelterrific | Sew a quick apron out of a pillow case with Betz White

And more...
If you haven't already, add One Pretty Thing to your daily reading and get inspired by her DAILY round up of DIYs from around the web.
One woman is teaching herself and her kid the art of cooking with a recipe a day, and she's sharing with us the how-tos along with what worked and what flopped at Cooking with My Kid.
A bunch of ways to make and use faux sheepskin at Young House Love.
Beautiful way to "Create a Masterpiece from Your Child's Artwork" at OhDeeDoh
And I'd love to see some DIY versions of the super adorable Jonathan Adler Jr line revealed on Apartment Therapy
And since we all have organizing on the brain this week, check out this entire blog dedicated to organizing your craft supplies: Crafty Storage

GIVEAWAY: Book Journals from Ex Libris Anonymous-Day 3!

The winner for the second journal is Suzy who said "you are a strawberry yogurt pink pompom balanced check book." Congrats Suzy!

But don't be sad, all of you mid-century-modern linguine-and-clam-sauce succulents, there is a new journal today and you can go enter again, same way, same place, new compliment. GO!

DIY Legwarmers Part 3-Tube Socks!

Stevee's legwarmers (and Jaime's) reminded me that I had these fun socks hiding out in my drawer. Now Quinn is pulling off the tube-sock look much better than I ever did. I saw some pretty sweet tube socks for $1.50 in Walmart. There was a wall of them (all the same, orange and citron stripes) in ladies socks. Walmart is weird. I do love that you can buy bias tape and bananas and tube socks while getting an oil change. I think tube socks would be an excellent choice for boy legwarmers.

PS. Since I knew you style mavens will ask, those adorable shoes are from Umi.

GIVEAWAY: Book Journals from Ex Libris Anonymous

The winner for the first journal is Amanda who said "You are a record playing, Pam + Jim, type of Thin Mint." Congrats Amanda! Amanda just threw a Dukes of Hazzard 30th birthday party for her brother. So fun!

But don't be sad, all of you  David Sedaris Macaron Pajama Pants. There is a new journal today and you can go enter again, same way, same place, new compliment. GO!

DIY Corduroy Headband

We've made Braided Headbands and Crochet Bow Headbands, but I like fabric wrap headbands with elastic the best. This one doesn't HAVE to be corduroy, but that fabric holds it's shape well and is cozy warm for winter.  I made this one Scarlet-sized but I think I have to make one for myself because it would be a pretty good Hot Mess Mommy wardrobe edition.

This is a super quick project, get the full Corduroy Headband DIY after the jump!
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Winner of Sew & Stow

We have a winner and her name is Tara!  Tara has fabric exploding out of her china hutch and is looking for a solution that uses fabric to store fabric...Tara check out our DIY Fabric Storage & Display and Fabric Scrap Storage posts and use this Prudent Baby contact form to send us your address!

Everyone else, you are summer vacation giggle puppies!!  Now give us a compliment and enter to win an Ex Libris Anonymous Book Journal a Day right here!

And go ahead and order your own copy (only $11 right now!) of Sew & Stow: 31 Fun Sewing Projects to Carry, Hold, and Organize Your Stuff, Your Home, and Yourself!

Another DIY Baby Bib Pattern

Our DIY Pocket Bib is a really popular Prudent Baby tutorial, so I though it was time to share another kind of bib pattern.  This one is reversible and has a cute little tie instead of velcro, which is nice because velcro irritates some babies and also because the baby won't outgrow it as quickly.  I also think the ties are kind of sweet.  Also, you could just size this up a bit and have a cute apron!
Get the full Free Baby Bib Pattern after the jump!
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GIVEAWAY: Book Journals from Ex Libris Anonymous

It seems that the organization bug has hit Prudent Baby, so it's time to give away these rad notebook/stetchbook/journals, perfect for list-making/dreaming/scheming. Back in Dec, I asked Jacob from Ex Libris Anonymous to donate a journal for a giveaway and instead he sent me 10, plus he called me a "gem encrusted diamond lobster rainbow" which, if you know how much I love lobster (and rainbows), you would know that it was the best compliment ever. So let's all go buy a new journal because Jacob knows how to talk to ladies! AND because the journals are very awesome.

But back to the GIVEAWAY. Here are the journals we have:



A here is how cool they look inside (a combination of white sketch paper and pages from the book):




Get the details on how to win one of these great journals after the jump.

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DIY Crochet Baby Beanie - Free Pattern

Back in my one child days, I crocheted an adorable sweater and hat from one of those free patterns from the yarn isle. Because I had no idea how to relocate the pattern, I was thinking that I would create something similar for you all but then I organized my yarn and found the pattern! And then I found that it was on the Caron website! Try out this pattern!, it introduces a few new stitches for beginner crocheters including Ribbing and Decreasing. And I highly recommend using variegated yarn for supreme cuteness and embarrassing riches of compliments. Adding the pom-pom as suggested in the pattern would also be adorable.

Felt Black & White Cookies

These are for all my crafty jewish brethren and anyone who appreciates a good black & white.  These cakey cookies remind me of New York and my dad.  After all you gentiles went felt-sugar-cookie mad, I got the idea to make some for Scarlet.

Get the full tutorial for Felt Black & White Cookies after the jump...
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Giveaway: Last Day to Enter to win Sew & Stow!

Click here and follow the instructions to enter!

Apple Bourbon Ice Cream & Basic Ice Cream Making Tips

Yum.  And not that hard.  And no preservatives.  Sweets i don't feel as guilty about giving my kid, without the bourbon of course. Unless we're about to get on a plane, then I add extra.  kidding.

Get the Bourbon Apple Ice Cream recipe and basic Ice Cream Making Tips after the jump...

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Porcupine Pin Cushion

I thought that I was pretty clever when I came up with this. Come to find out, people have already made porcupine pin cushions. But have they mistakenly filled them with disgusting artificially pork-flavored dried pinto beans? I think not. So here is Porc&Beans, the unofficial Prudent Baby mascot. The best part about Porc&Beans is how much my 2yr old wants to play with him even though he is stuck with 100 sharp objects. So fun.

Learn to make your own Porc&Beans Pin Cushion after the jump.

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Wine rack as yarn storage

All of our talk of getting organized inspired me this weekend. We rearranged and finally moved our empty wine shelves out of the living room. There's nothing sadder than an empty wine shelf. Have no fear, the wine has found a new fancy home. But back to the lonely little shelf that was banished to the craft cave. Ta Da! A pretty rainbow of yarn storage. And more drawer space to boot! Ultimately, the shelves will be moving to a space where there is no direct sunlight. These little shelves would also be perfect for jars of notions and baubles. Now if I could only find a use for all those empty cigarette cartons. I kid, I kid.

Of course, as soon as I finished my happy little display I found another GIANT tub of yarn. I have a vice, y'all and it isn't wine. Must step away from Michaels.

Note: as requested by Alix from Modern Kiddo, here is where you can buy your very own inchworm. Isn't he an adorable blast from the past?

DIY Swaddle Blanket Pattern

OK ladies, I am super proud of this DIY Swaddle Blanket so be nice (I know you're always nice, but please be extra nice).  This gift is destined for a baby yet-to-be-born so it's modeled here by my other child, Scarlet's sister, Pandy.  It's okay, you can laugh at Pandy's forlorn, distant stare.  Just don't laugh at my attempt to show you how to make a swaddle blanket.

There are so few free tutorials on how to make a swaddling blanket and so many expensive versions on the market, so I've been feeling them all out and trying to come up with a simple, yet effective, way to make your own.  This free swaddling blanket tutorial will cost you under $5 to make with inexpensive flannel.  It can be sewn in about an hour or two depending on your sewing style.  Here's a little step-by-step on how this homemade swaddling blanket works. It can be tucked or tied.  Don't worry, it works the same for pandas and babies.

Tell me what you think in the comments, please!!!  And get the Free Swaddle Blanket Pattern after the jump...

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Prudent Project Round-Up: Chunky Scarf Edition

@kristilourich twittered us this gorgeous red version...
Katie at Paisley and Polka Dots whipped one out and then jumped outside into the snow...
Carolyn at My Backyard Eden made one for her very first crochet project and it looks awesome...
And, umm, "Snot Head" made a super cute orange & blue one over at Through the Eyes of the Young and Naive!

Get our simple Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern here, and don't forget to send us a picture of your projects using the Prudent Baby Contact Form!

Prudent Project Round-Up

Jessica at A Little Gray made FOUR Hooded Baby Towels...
Stacy sent in her awesome Cupcake Toppers...
Brittany from Mrs. Meek sent in the great Burp Cloth and Pocket Bib set...
And Sara at Belle Plaine Living made the amazing DIY Step Stool as a gift!

Don't forget to send us a picture of your projects using the Prudent Baby Contact Form!

Saturday Link Love

Super cute coastal-inspired birthday party, complete with cute crabs, at Party Perfect.
Travel Distraction I-Spy game homemade at Happy Baby Designs, this is such a fabulous and unique idea, you have to check it out.
Felt Band Aids at Pink and Green Mama!  My daughter is obsessed with band-aids, this is genius.
Cute idea for a more personalized portrait of your child at Simple Pleasures.

And more...
DIY Glass Bubble Chandelier at Small Notebook
Inspirational Hand Painted Hallways at AT: Chicago
Megadoily, I love and want to make! at Ladies and Gentlemen Studio
And because it never gets old, Regretsy

Dollhouse table

Clare got this amazing dollhouse for Christmas. Not an eyesore, lots of bright fun furniture, pretty easy to assemble, we were impressed. Until now it had been sitting on the landing in our kitchen, which meant that Clare had to lay on the floor to play inside the bottom level. It also meant one more toy in our kitchen area with LOTS of little pieces to be strewn about. I had been looking for the perfect short, square table for it and last night had an idea! I turned two of this type of cube shelf back-to-back on their sides, covered the exposed surface with some green felt and added a "swimming pool" for Ariel (or Marielle, as Clare calls her.)

Now the whole dollhouse drama has been moved to her bedroom. She actually wants to play in her BEDROOM!! At least for the first day. We'll see how it goes.

Quick tip: Add pretty sheets of paper to the inside back of your shelves before assembly for a little pizazz!

DIY Lullabies

I wanted to share this with you before Valentines Day but I didn't quite pull it together.  But love songs and lullabies don't require holidays, right?  So I present to you this little Prudent Baby lullaby kit, including downloadable playlist and free label templates to make your own CDs.  First up is this playlist of sweet & sleepy indie love songs.  You can listen to snippets of them in this widget, and if you like, you can download them through it.  I had to take the Beatles out because they don't sell MP3s and I couldn't include mock-Beatles, I just couldn't do it.  

Next are the free downloadable CD label templates. They feature a couple lines from the songs on the album and print on standard CD labels you can get anywhere, Avery 8692 (Available Here) if you want to get specific. If you like this idea, I'll follow up soon with a kit for Dance Attack.  
Get the Kids Lullabies CD labels after the jump...

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Recipe Binder Gift

So I can see from the comments on our Sew & Stow Giveaway that organization is  a bit of a challenge for all of us (i can also see that our readers are hilarious).  If you haven't created one of Jacinda's Recipe Binders yet, take my word for it, and the word of amazing cooking site The Kitchn, that it's a great system.  I like it so much, I made one for myself, and one as a gift for a friend.  

For the gift, I downloaded Jacinda's free Recipe Binder Cover and Spine (now available in a million different colors), and solved the tabs-sticking-out-too-far problem by purchasing dividers with the tabs on the top.  I bought the binder at Staples, loaded it with sheet protectors, added a cute binder clip to mark the page of the current recipe, and inserted a few of my favorites, including family hand-me-downs, holiday favorites, and our clean print-outs from Prudent Baby recipes.  

In my own recipe binder I have side-tabs so I placed them in sheet protectors and added Jacinda's binder templates in different colors to spice it up, and added a "limbo" folder for the recipes I haven't tried yet.  They have to prove themselves before earning a page in the binder.

This is an easy (and pretty) way to feel more organized.

For more quick tips and ideas, read more of our Organization Posts here.

DIY Fabric Flower Hair Clip

Everything IS bigger in Texas, especially the HAIR BOWS but that doesn't mean they can't be beautiful and stylish. If you have the itch to clip an enormous "fancy" to your baby's dome, may I suggest this pretty fabric flower hair clip? It's proof that you can't even throw away the tiniest scrap of fabric because you never know when you will need to cover a button. FYI, covering buttons is just about the most fun I've had since I went to a New Years Eve party at the Playboy Mansion. No, actually covering buttons might be more fun. So much fun.

Find out how to make a fabric flower hair clip after the jump.
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