Prudent Project Round-Up

Top: Reid Girls made a Bias Tape Bag | Claire made some Sugar Cookies after reading our Decorating Tips | Crissie made a DIY Nursing Cover

Middle: Melissa made the Crochet & Fabric Top | Heather made the Pillowcase Dress | Avery made the Fabric Dry Erase Calendar

Bottom: Teri made the 10 Minute Onesie Dress | Beth made Homemade Pop Tarts | Katy made that cute dress and a matching Diaper Cover

Thanks everyone!! Your "As Seen On Prudent Baby" button is on the bottom left. Send pics in by form or share them with everyone in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr!

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

This week we are giving away these AH-DOR-ABLE ABC paper cups from our friends at Pint Size Social to our favorite commenter. And the winner is...

Danielle who said...
I make a similar recipe every year. By the end of the growing season, we are using it to pickle just about anything left in the garden. It helps that we have an extra fridge.
These pickles also go great in a glass of beer (nothing too dark). It is a tradition from my husband's home town in the upper peninsula of Michigan that he introduced to all of his friends called "smelting." Leave the pickle until the end of your drink- if you eat it before you finish it's "poaching." Believe it or not, it makes a great beer and an even better pickle!

Danielle, I would totally be guilty of poaching. Maybe you can use these for Smelting!!

So, If that's you, use this Contact Form to send us your address and your cups will be on their way!  Winners have 5 days to contact us with their address before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader.  If that's NOT you, don't fret, you can buy a set for only $10 at the Pint Size Social Pop Up Shop!


And hey, look what we have for you next week!

3 - 9"x18" pieces of wool-blend felt that I picked up from the Stitch Lab booth at Renegade Craft Fair Austin. This will be perfect for your felty Fall projects. Maybe some hair clips or a clock!

So remember to leave a (funny or useful or ego-boosting) comment on any post between now and next Friday and you might win! But remember that we still love it when you just say hi! Happy Weekend, do some "smelting" for me!

Link Love

If you are looking to get inspired for some fun activities with the kiddos, we love Made By Joel. Clare will dig this Match Game Printable.

Sweet Preservation, The Washington State Fruit Commission's new website devoted to canning and preserving Summer, is inspiring! Get some behind-the-scenes details from Blair of Wise Craft, who created many of the concepts and styled the photos. And don't miss the Preservation Party Playlist which includes "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic. I totally want to have a Preservation Party.

Need I say more about this adorable DIY Turtle Pincushion? Nope.

And sponsor  Fabricworm presents their first tutorial and free pattern! A Bandeau Romper and Beach Coverall made from the new line of Patty Young Knits.

Also...
So Home Grown has an A-dorable DIY for an Enchanted Forest Invitation. This is such a cute Fall Birthday theme!

And you've probably seen this magical creativity floating around the web. Is it wrong that this makes me feel like a failure as a memory keeper of my child's early years? I mean that as a compliment.

And if you are into things like people devoting their lives to saving precious orphaned elephants, you might want to grab your tissues and take a peek here. gulp.

And if you're into things like justifying eating chocolate while pregnant you might want to take a peek here. {she types while balancing a half-gallon of Rocky Road on her knee.}

And if you love France, Cooking, Eating, Ice Cream, or Laughter, you should be reading the blog of Author David Lebovitz.

Oh, and don't forget! Last chance to leave a comment which could win you those adorable Alphabet cups up there to the left. What link do you love this week?

The 1.5 Dress

1.5 yards + 1.5 hours = One New Dress.

Scarlet and I met the prudent dad for dinner shortly after the completion of this number, and he complimented my new dress! I excitedly exclaimed "Thanks! I made it!" to which he responded: "It's cute!" Then, bubbling over, I effused: "I'm so glad you like it!" To which he replied: "It's not the sexiest thing ever." Oh. Okay.

So, if your goal in life is to be as sexy as possible at all times, then I guess this isn't the dress for you. But if you just want a dress that is quick, cheap, and comfy, this one should do.

Not even a little sexy? Hrmph. Get the full 1.5 Dress Tutorial after the jump...
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Refrigerator Pickles Part 2: Classic Spicy Dill

Inspired by Jaime's Easy-Peasy Spicy Pickles I whipped up a batch of my own. I kept my ingredients a bit more basic but I have to tell you, these are outstanding pickles. They taste a bit like the Claussen Kosher Dill Pickles you can buy in the fridge section at the grocery store but even more fresh and delish and about 1/4 the price. If you love pickles as much as I do (read: alot) you need to have a vat of these handy for snacking!

Click here for my Classic Spicy Dill Refrigerator Pickles recipe

And don't forget! Leave a comment on this or any post this week and you might win the ABC cups pictured up there on the left. Cute, right?
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Apple Fritters Part 2

I made up another bunch of apple fritters this weekend. Just wanted to share with you a quick time saver. Instead of glaze, I dusted some of the fritters with powdered sugar. Those were the first to go. Here I saved one for you:

You're welcome. Full Apple Fritters Recipe Here.

Leave a comment on this or any post this week for a chance to win the ABC cups pictured up there on the left.

How cute are these?

Scarlet's great grandma and middle-namesake, Jane, sent us these deelish hand embroidered tea towels that have been in her home since maybe the late 30's. Have you ever seen anything so cute ever in your entire life? I told Jacinda that I want this one to be our book cover...

Right?? Now if I could just find one exactly the same but replace the exploding pot with a sewing machine.

Leave a comment on this or any post this week for a chance to win the ABC cups pictured up there on the left.

Winner: The T Boutique Silhouette Necklace

Thank you to Kim from the lovely T Boutique for giving one Prudent Baby reader their own Silhouette Series 3 Photo Necklace (pictured above) CUSTOMIZED with cameos of whoever she'd like! We asked you what you love doing as a family.  Drumroll please....and the randomly-selected winner is Jaclyn who loves cool summer nights at the drive in with her three kiddos. Perfect!

Now you can pick up your own necklace at The T Boutique Shop, and you can enter to win a set of those ABC Paper Cups up there to the left just by leaving a comment on any post this week!

Wisconsin Woo-Hoo!

I ain't gonna pay no dollar for a corn muffin that's half dough!

I'm heading to Wisconsin on Sunday for a little worky work and I just can't wait.  It'll be my second visit, I learned the sentence above on my first visit to the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls/Cadott area.  I was told saying it five times fast will produce a pretty good Wisconsin accent.  It's seriously the cutest thing ever.

So this time I'll be heading through Rhinelander to Three Lakes.  I won't have a whole lotta downtime, but I'd love to know if any of our readers are familiar with the area and can share some must-sees or dos!  You know I can't wait to drink a Liney and grub on some fried cheese curds.

Share with me your Wisconsin tips and remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and you might win the awesome ABC paper cups from Pint Size Social pictured up there on the left.

Galettes!

With fresh veggies in the garden and a fantastic crust recipe in hand, I've been going galette mad all summer! Call it pizza (even though it's SO NOT pizza) and your kid will eat it, vegetables and all. You can make a Tomato & Goat Cheese Galette like mine, or the zucchini one pictured above, or use pretty much anything you have laying around. It's a simple way to seem like a very fancy cook.

Get the Galette Recipe after the jump...
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Prudent Project Round-Up

Top: Julie made the Snappy Toddler Top | Amy made the Bias Tape Bag | Melody had Flower Pot Favors at her birthday party

Middle: Emily made the pretty Pocket Bib | Jennie made the beautiful Tissue Paper Garland | Tiffany made DIY Bathroom Stools

Bottom: Megan made a Pack 'n Play Sheet | Amesh made the DIY Strap Cover | Ali made the Pillowcase Dress

Thank you for sharing your pictures with us! Your "As Seen On Prudent Baby" button is over there on the bottom left. Send pics by form or share them with everyone in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr!

Alexander Henry 10% off at Fabricworm thru 7/26

Just a quick note to let you know that All Alexander Henry fabrics are 10% off at Fabricworm.com this weekend. That includes the GORGEOUS new Fulham Road Cotton Lawn Collection pictured above. I know that you are trying to save for college so I'm sorry to even bring it up but maybe your kids won't want to go to college. Not everyone does. So really, you should treat yourself.

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE!

So this week we're giving away the 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth from Fabricworm pictured above to our favorite commenter. There were a ton of hilarious comments this week, but this one made us so proud. Maybe we will start a support group for people who STILL fear the bias tape. Sarah can speak at our meetings...

Sarah said...

I love the idea of less glittery-pink stuff in the house, and I'm sure Daddy will too! Our princess refuses to ever wear pants and tops because "Cinderella doesn't wear pants!" Can't wait to try out this pattern. On an unrelated note, thanks for pushing me to finally try bias tape. I've now mastered the armholes use as well as the binding use and am sort of addicted. It is so much less bulky than turned-topstitched or using facings.

So, If that's you, Sarah, use this Contact Form to send us your address and I'll stick your fabulous fabric in the mail! Winners have 5 days to contact us with their address before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader. If that's NOT you, don't fret, look what we've got for next week:

These ABC paper cups from our friends at Pint Size Social are AH-DOR-ABLE!!! They would make a great birthday gift for the cool kids in your hood. You can buy a set for only $10 at the Pint Size Social Pop Up Shop!

So remember to leave a comment on any post between now and next Friday for a chance to win. Good luck!

Link Love

These XYZ Alphabet Blocks from Fred WILL be the first gift I purchase for my unborn son. They had me at "U" is for Underpants.

This DIY Hanging Bouquet Mobile is perfect for baby's room but would also be magical as decor for a Woodland Fairy Birthday Party... or any Garden Party. I love it. It reminds me of that wall of silk flowers they had at Anthro this spring.

The Marion House Book is a new favorite, thanks to Joslyn. I can't wait to try the No-Bake Berry Tart and Chocolate Root Beer Bundt Cake.

And... All the Garden Talk this week has me loving these DIY Tomato Cage Lanterns from Make Gather Grow.


ALSO...
We are very excited about Hip Hip Hooray, a new blog featuring "All Things Kid's Parties" from Suann Song.
With Contributing editors including Amy Atlas and Jordan Ferney, how can it be anything but spectacular? All mothers of boys,' I might add.

Gwenyth Paltrow's GOOP recently featured an interesting article about PPD including an extremely honest and personal portrait of Bryce Dallas Howard's personal experience with Postpartum Depression.

Jaime and I just heard about The Creative Connection event in Minneapolis in September. Sounds amazing! Anyone planning to attend?

Serious Eats has a seriously delicious sounding recipe for Spicy Summertime Ratatouille with Mint that would put some of Jaime's garden bounty to good use.

Love these 46! DIY backyard projects from Sunset Magazine. I have such a love/hate relationship with Sunset. Sometimes it just makes me miss California too much, sigh...

Butterick Patterns are on sale for $3.99, today only!

And lastly, if you are planning to swing by Quilt Festival in Long Beach or Renegade Craft Fair in LA this weekend, keep a look out for Jaime and Scarlet (and Jaime's mom Gloria!) They will be there checking it out. I will be in the craft cave, organizing, in preparation for NEW SHELVES, which is AWESOME, but not as awesome as Quilt Festival or Renegade Craft Fair. No, the shelves will actually be pretty freaking awesome.

Oh! And don't forget. Any comment you leave this week could win you a 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth from Fabricworm.  The winner will be announced this afternoon.

Snappy Toddler Dress

So I used the pattern I printed out yesterday to make another version of the OG Snappy Toddler Top. This time I went dress length and used contrasting fabric for the neck and the bias tape trim.

Is this fabric to die for or what? It's Monaluna for Birch Fabrics Circa 50 line in Starburst Pool (neckline and bias tape trim) and Chairs Multi (dress body) designed by our very own Cynthia of Fabricworm.  Working with it was amazing - the texture is so lovely, probaby because it's 100% organic cotton.

Get the Snappy Toddler Top (or dress) Pattern here and learn How to Make Bias Tape here.  And check out the rest of this great fabric collection here. And remember, any comment you leave this week could win you a 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth from Fabricworm!

It's A...

Long-neglected mothers of boys rejoice! The selfish ladies of Prudent Baby now have personal interest in all things male because... It's a Boy! So get ready for snails and puppy dog tails and... mustaches! To announce Baby Boy Boneau, I've whipped up a few of these super easy mustache lollipops as part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: Sponsored by Bake it Pretty. If, like me, you still can't get enough of the mustache trend, you have to take a peek at the 1st birthday party Jessica from A little Gray threw for her son, Hendrix. Then check out Babble's In Celebration of Baby Boys: The Mustache. I want that wooden teether!

Click here for the crazy simple DIY for these mustache lollipops!
 
And remember, any comment you leave this week could win you a 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth. Tell us a mustache story. My husband has a mustache. I like it.
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Printing Patterns

Many readers have asked us how to blow up and print our patterns tiled so they can create bigger sizes. I'll show you how to do it on a mac, and maybe some readers can weigh in with PC instructions in the comments.  And while we're talking about printing, I'll remind you that you can print nice, clean Prudent Baby DIYs with none of the web stuff (like ads or sidebars) just by hitting "print this post" on the bottom of each post page. Learn how to tile and print a pattern after the jump...
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Our Backyard "Farm"

This summer Scarlet and I have been cultivating a little backyard food garden (doing my best to be true to my word).

I have to admit a dorky sort of excitement every time we go outside. Growing food with your kid is so joyful...it just turns me into a sentimental sap.

It's not too late to plant certain things (depending on where you live)...maybe get some winter squash going? I am a city girl and by no means any sort of farming expert so I'll just show you our beginner garden and link you to some great info from smarter people than me. We've had some successes, some failures, and some complete mysteries that maybe you can help me solve?

Check out our Backyard "Farm" and help me with my questions please after the jump...
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5 Amazing Cheeses Even a Preggo Can Eat

Who was the person that you and your husband first told about your little bun in the oven? Your Bestie? Your Mom? Well Rick and I told Patrick. Patrick was the Cheesemonger (or Fromager, if you're fancy) at our local D.C. Whole Foods before we had our first baby, Clare. He had been helping us pick out delicious hunks of cheesy goodness for the past year and knew in an instant by our tame selections that something was up. If you are knocked-up cheese-lover like me, here is a selection of five pasteurized hard cheese from around the world (er, Europe) that you can enjoy safely while you count down to delivery.


Click here to see what I selected with the help of the friendly cheese department at Central Market in Southlake, TX. But you don't have to take my word for it, stop into your local gourmet food store and talk to the experts. They love to talk cheese, share their knowledge and hand out yummy samples. So fun!
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How to Sew a Capelet, with Pattern!

Capelets are sort of magical - like a cross between a costume and actual clothing.  So your little princess can feel like she's playing dress up while actually being dressed.  At least I think so, which is why a capelet was my first thought upon beholding this most magical princess collection of fabrics ever.

The new Heather Ross Far Far Away 2 fabric has had Jacinda and I biting the insides of our cheeks with anticipation since we got a sneak peek at Quilt Market. Soooo of course when Fabricworm got the first shipment in, we went batty!  The whole collection features our favorite fairytale heroines looking sweet yet non-frilly.  This capelet features Rapunzel fabric on one side and Moon and Stars on the other, both available at our beloved Fabricworm now (but it's going to sell out superfast so go, go, go)!

But back to the capelet.  This is NOT a complicated project and can be customized in so many ways. It is reversible, too. Oh, and you can also use the collar pattern to make a cape for a boy.

I promise your princess will adore it.  Or if, like me, you have a non-princessy daughter who prefers squashing bugs and climbing walls, she will also adore it.

Get the full How to Sew a Capelet Tutorial after the jump...

And remember to leave a comment on this or any post this week and you might win 1/2 yard of nicey Jane oilcloth, get the details here.
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Prudent Project Round-Up from Flickr

All of today's projects were spotted in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flikr, join!

Top:  Supergall made the Snappy Toddler Top | Cyprium Misty made DIY Coloring Books | Zaaberry made the One Shoulder Dressy Dress

Middle:  Ootycoil made a DIY Nursing Cover | Aggiepride21 made the stunning Cozy Cotton-Terry Cover Up  | Lindseyj1027 made the Fabric Flower Brooch

Bottom: Skirt as Top made this blanket using the binding tutorial from our Silky Baby Blanket | A Stitch in Lime made her own Bias Tape | CaitlinBaker made the tank top version of the Sweet Shirred Summer Dress

Aren't these great??!!  It's so exciting seeing these pictures!  Your "As Seen On Prudent Baby" button is over there on the bottom left. Send pics by form or share them with everyone in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr!

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE!

Prudent Baby has the wittiest readers. We like to brag about how rad you are to our husbands while they are trying to pay attention to the World Cup or our children. So we thought, why not brag about you TO YOU?! So from here on out, every Friday afternoon we are going to pick a lovely/funny/weird/awesome commenter from the previous week and send her a prize. We've been collecting things here and there from some of our favorite people, shops, and sponsors, so we thought we'd share the little riches. Today's winner is going to get the yard of beautiful peacock ribbon pictured above. I picked it up at CityCraft when I visited Jacinda in Dallas and I think it's gorg. I think it would make really cute decoration for a purse, maybe a silver one?

So this week y'all were in top form, but my favorite comment came from pieface on the Crochet & Fabric Top post who said:

Yes, crocheter is a word - but you have to really pronounce the "T" so it's borderline insulting. Makes it more fun to shock the older ladies at the church picnic circuit and such. This top and dress is PERFECT and I can't WAIT to try it out. Croche"T"ing is the best and so easy and quick, great project - a big thank you from me.

Nothing is more fun than shocking old ladies at picnics. I wonder what will shock me when I am that old lady.

So, If that's you, use this Contact Form to send us your address and I'll send your ribbon. Winners have 5 days to contact us with their address before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader.

So next week I am giving our favorite commenter a SWEET PRIZE from our lovely sponsor FABRICWORM: An entire HALF YARD of NICEY JANE Oilcloth Picnic Bouquet in Moss.

This is a laminated fabric that is gorgeous and easy to work with. So turn on the charm like you always do ladies, we can't wait to hear what you have to say this week...

Just to clarify:  you do not enter this giveaway by leaving a comment on this post.  You enter by reading prudent baby all week and leaving funny or interesting comments on any/all of the posts throughout the week.  On Friday we will pick our favorite comment from the entire week.  Good luck!

Link Love

Love this DIY for a softie made from your child's art at Camille Dawn...
Supercute Woodland Fairy themed birthday party at Hostess with the Mostess...
Pinhole Art DIY on Design Sponge...
AND Our friend Kathy's Chalkboard Pillows are now available at Uncommon Goods!

And more...
Really enjoyed this article on parenting titled "All Joy and No Fun" at NY Magazine
Do you guys check out GraftGawker? It's pretty fun. That and foodgawker, and of course, FoodPornDaily
Super simple yet extremely cute baby sweater crochet pattern at Creative Jewish Mom
Cute sundress tutorial at Subtle Tee, and i really like this version at Crafty Aunt Noelle I spotted in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr
This crochet keychain is way cute at Casey Random
Is the chupacabra back in texas?? jacinda, watch out!

Winner: Designer Notebooks

We asked you to make up your own signature cocktail and give it a fun name for the chance to win a set of these gorgeous designer notebooks. And the winner is...
Sarah, who said...
Sarah's "not now sweetie, mama's b-izze": sparkling blackberry izze soda, a generous inclusion of vodka, a squeeze of lime, a sprig of mint

That sounds so yummy! (and made us laugh, which is not a requirement but is oh-so-appreciated)
Sarah, email us using the "contact form" to the left and we will drop your notebooks in the mail.

If you have never visited Sarah's site, Daffodil Designs, we highly recommend that you stop by for tons of fabulous free printables and super sweet DIY's. That's one talented lady, even when she is swilling Vodka! Just kidding Sarah.

Healthier Biscotti Recipe & "Healthy Family Recipes" Review

I haven't craved a crunchy cookie (or crunchy anything) in years, but on our recent trip to Minnesota I discovered that my big brother loves biscotti. I idolize him so I decided to try to like biscotti again too, and it turns out, I do!

That same week, I made a random love connection with a lovely lady from America's Test Kitchen. Are you familiar? I am addicted to this show on PBS (DVR it people, i swear you will not regret - i even got my husband addicted to it) as well as a paying subscriber to Cooks Illustrated.

So, anyhoo, someone over there is a Prudent Baby fan, and we connected, and she sent me some cookbooks including The Best Simple Recipes (my new favorite cookbook of all time) and a sneak peak of the upcoming Healthy Family Cookbook which comes out the same time as my book and is also available for pre-order now.  Test Kitchen recipes are always the best because they test them out ten bajillion ways to understand what makes them work and find the very best way to make an item or meal. The twist in this book is that everything is also made a wee bit healthier, with some wheat flour added or calories cut in each recipe, without reducing flavor or adding weird stuff.  So i just started flipping through and came across this biscotti recipe. I did everything exactly as described except one tiny thing I thought I could skip, and my biscotti came out perfectly except for that one tiny detail...
Find out what it was and get the full Biscotti Recipe after the jump...
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