"FRIDAY"{SURPRISE} PRIZE

We are going to do this a day early because we have too much fun stuff planned for tomorrow!

Well, I guess I have a soft spot for fat-quarter poetry. Plus, how could we not give Sandi's fabric to Sandy. 
Could it be the hormones? This made me tear up a little. Our first Prudent Baby verse...

Sandi's pretty fabric is calling my name
Make an apron from a fat quarter?
Sure, I'm game!
I'll trim it up with some rick rack maybe
and end up with a beautiful gift
all thanks to Prudent Baby!

Sandy - Use the contact us form to send us your address and we'll get this pretty little number in the mail. You have 5 days to claim your prize! And if you do make that apron, please send us a photo!

OK, so for this week. You know the drill. Leave a comment on any post from now til next Friday and you could win the charming Alexander Henry fat quarter pictured above, which you might recognize from the PJ Pants. I love this palette! It actually goes perfectly in my green living room. The winner could make me a pillow. No pressure. A pillow with dark brown pom-pom trim. I'm just saying.

"Curtains"... Kinda

I have this window in my house that has been sitting naked for over a year, as I refuse to accept that I am never going to sew a curtain for it. I've been planning and planning to create a DIY Roman Shade tutorial for you, but there really isn't a super simple way to do it. So the window has sat bare. I even have the fabric! Anyway. Scarlet just started pre-school and every day she comes home with another awesome new piece of artwork. I needed a place to display them all, so this is what I came up with! It's just nails, string, and tiny wooden clothespins. After school everyday she picks a spot and we pile the artwork on. It's working pretty well at hiding my disgusting robe-clad self from the poor unsuspecting neighbors while I'm making coffee in the morning, too.

What do you think? Ghetto? Or cute?

And remember leave a comment and you might win that purty Sandi Henderson fat quarter pictured over on the top left!

A Different Kind of Link Love

As we mentioned, we are launching our first Prudent Mama Newsletter on October 5th. We've lined up some exclusive deals from AWESOME CRAFTY SHOPS! Like seriously good deals for feeding your crafting and sewing addictions with actual coupon codes only for subscribers. What kind of deals you ask? Well, that's a secret, but I'll give you a hint: You'll be saving on those drooly-worthy fabrics pictured above from Anna Maria Horner's new collection Innocent Crush - OR YOU COULD WIN THEM!

Oh, but I've said too much, you'll just have to subscribe for the full scoop.

Now, on to some link love for this issue's sponsors...

MINTED
The freshest designs on paper. This is THE place to order modern, stylish customized baby announcements, stationary, christmas cards, photo holiday cards, pretty much anything you can imagine and all super gorg. You can seriously theme up a great party with this selection.  These elephant party invites are my fave (of course)!


BRIDGET & LUCY
You'll be saving on fabulous patterns & kits from these awesome designers who specialize in little girl wear. The Ruffle Joy pattern? What little girl wouldn't get her mind blown by mommy making a skirt like that?

FABRICWORM
You know you love it, you know you want it: exclusive discount code to stock up on designer fabrics from our absolute fave shop.

But wait, there's more...
Subscribers will also be the first to hear about our new monthly contests and they'll get an extra week to enter! All the details of the first contest will be revealed in the newsletter, but I can tell you this... the winner receives this entire bundle of 22 fat quarters - that's the whole collection - of ANNA MARIA HORNER INNOCENT CRUSH, courtesy of FABRICWORM!


STOP IT! YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT!

So SUBSCRIBE NOW! Click here for the Prudent Mama Newsletter Subscription Form. Ok, now go tell your friends. And remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and you could win that Sandi Henderson fat quarter up there on the left! Because we're givers.

LAST CHANCE!: SILHOUETTE GIVEAWAY & AWESOME DEAL

You have until midnight tonight (Thursday, Sept 30th) to enter for the chance to win a spectacular Silhouette Digital Cutting Tool. Today is also the last day to take advantage of the AWESOME PROMO...

AWESOME PROMO 
(through September 30th at midnight)

Buy a machine and receive the following:

• $50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter
• fuzzy white vinyl (Valued at $7.99)
• light blue smooth heat transfer (Valued at 14.99)
• yellow flocked heat transfer (Valued at $14.99)
• Home Décor CD (Valued at $50)
• $10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store (Comes in the box)
• Cutting Blade (Comes in the box)
• 2 Cutting Mats (Comes in the box)

All for $249.99
-A Savings of $137.97

Visit the Silhouette site, click shop, place the Silhouette SD in your basket, enter the discount code "BABY" at checkout and all discounts and freebies will show up in the basket
--
But back to the last day to enter... Today we would like to give a little love to our advertisers and sponsors. After all, none of the magic you see here would be possible without their support. You can see that we have a few new folks up there to the right... so head over to the GIVEAWAY post to find out what you need to do!

And we totally hope YOU win! That's right, we're talking to YOU pretty lady!

Oilcloth Projects

Oilcloth is so gorg! Wondering what you can make with oilcloth or laminated fabric? We have oh so many simple (yet high-impact) projects too choose from. Here are some of our favorites...


Oilcloth Book Cover


Oilcloth Travel Changing Pad


Oilcloth Bath Seat


Oilcloth Business Card Holder


Oilcloth Art Smock


Oilcloth Toiletry Bag

Now get thee to Fabricworm and order the good stuff: Designer Oilcloth & Laminated Fabric!

And remember, leave a comment on any post this week and you could win that fancy schmancy Sandi Henderson Fat Quarter!

SILHOUETTE GIVEAWAY & A RAD ANNOUNCEMENT

There are only 2 more days to enter for the chance to win a SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING MACHINE and here is one more way to enter. And really, you are ALL going to be "winners" because it involves signing up for the rad new Prudent Mama Newsletter that we have been finishing up this week. What? That's not as good as a Silhouette? You haven't even seen it yet!!
 Check it out...

We have lined up some exclusive deals from our sponsors. Like seriously good deals for feeding your crafting and sewing addictions. Subscribers will also be the first to hear about a new monthly contest and the first to see contest prizes and winners! And let's not forget... original content before it hits PrudentBaby.com
Are you convinced? Ok, head over to The Giveaway Post and get the details!

PS. My little Russian "Asleep/Awake" Plush Doll was made with the Silhouette, Flocked Heat Transfer Material and Love.  Now if I can just hand it off to baby Quinn without the tyrant sister noticing.

Retro Rollerskating Party

My brother Wyatt is famous for his love of costumes so it came as no surprise that his 30th birthday party involved a theme which enabled him to wear a fanny pack, knee-high sweat socks and short-shorts. It's not 100% clear how he ended up in this outfit at his surprise party. Maybe he just happened to be wearing it that day?

His totally creative girlfriend added adorable details such as an INSANE portrait cake, but the location did so much of the work just by being a relic of a uber-fad gone by. Like Jaime's White Trash BBQ, this party just seems to take on a life of it's own when it comes to inspiring guests to... eh-hem, let the good times roll.

Yes, her t-shirt is a portrait of the guest of honor. She, ya know, just free-handed it with a fabric pen. Talent! And then she just grabbed some zip-lock bags full of icing and made this cake. Scary! Awesome!

You know you want to see more...

Just go ahead and click.You won't be disappointed, as long as you love mustaches and short-shorts. And who doesn't?

Read more »

GIVEAWAY: SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING TOOL

A new day, a new way to enter! Today let's give a little love to the fine folks who create the Silhouette Blog. It is my new addiction. I will warn you that you will REEEEAAALLY want a Silhouette after visiting. Yes, more than you do right now. The blog is full of tutorials, inspiration, FREEBIES including a "Free Download of the Week" which goes up each Tuesday (yup, today, I'll be there) and much more. It's a really cool site.





SO head over to THE GIVEAWAY post to find out how to enter today!

I'm in love...

...with Jaime's Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial. I made one before the babies even woke up this morning. Don't ask what I was doing up... it's a long story about a marathon 5:30 AM potty trip that resulted in the girlie sleeping in and the mommy never falling back to sleep. Ok, that's the whole story I guess.

So anyway, I had been having a minor panic attack about what crafty item to make for my SIL's Relay For Life auction and then eureka!, I saw Jaime's project the morning.

How sweet is this Alexander Henry Christmas fabric? It's so Mad Men, right? The whole collection is adorable... and is selling out fast, so grab some! Oh! I want to make one with this pattern next! Really there are so many cute options! This project is addictive!

And remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and your wit and charm could win you the purdy Sandi Henderson Fat Quarter. Perfect for this project!

Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial

Make an apron out of a fat quarter in no time flat! Start making some now for christmas gifts, or do like me and just keep it for yourself.

We give so many fat quarters away I thought I'd whip up a quick project for you. All you need is one fat quarter, some cute trim, and twenty minutes.

If you don't know what it is, a fat quarter is 1/4 yard of fabric cut into a fat rectangle 18"X22" instead of a normal 1/4 yard which is cut long and skinny at 9"X44".

So grab one from your stash and get the full Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial after the jump...

And remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and you could win that awesome fat quarter up on the left to make your own apron!

Read more »

GIVEAWAY: SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING TOOL

It's Monday and we have a fun new way for you to enter the Silhouette Giveaway.
Of course you knew we couldn't talk about silhouettes without bringing up Jaime's beautiful book which comes out in 15 days!! I mean, it has a silhouette on the cover! FYI, if you have Adobe Illustrator (fancy) you can cut ANY shape you can dream up on your Silhouette, even a beautiful silhouette of your cutie!
Click here for the new way to enter for a chance to win the Silhouette Digital Cutting Tool!

GIVEAWAY: SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING TOOL

It's a new day and we are back with 2 new way to enter the Silhouette SD Giveaway!
Visit the giveaway post to learn how.

Yesterday I tried out the sketching capabilities of the Silhouette and created this pretty little piece of wrapping paper. The designs are lovely. I can't wait to get the metallic pen set! Gorgeous!

Prudent Project Round-Up

Top: Dohdums made a DIY Cute Crib Sheet | Slightly Cosmopolitan made a DIY Nap Mat/Bed Roll (definitely check out her blog for more great pics) | Blue Eyed Yonder took the DIY Nursing Cover to the next level with the addition of awesome ruffles and applique!

Middle: Madigan Made made her first attempt at Sewing Piping and it turned out great | Ministry of Deco made that stylish Necklace Bib | Penny in my Purse took our Toddler Belt Tutorial and made a more detailed version, go check it out!

Bottom: Courtney made a Quick and Pretty Makeup Bag with adorable embellishments | Claire at The Adventures of A Lactating Girl made Yarn Sun Wall Art | Haley at Haybird made the super cutely-adorned 10-Minute Onesie Dress

Want to share your project?  We would LOVE to see it!  Your options: Join us on Flickr, hang with us on the Prudent Baby Facebook Page, or send them to us via the Prudent Baby Contact Form. Your "As Seen On Prudent Baby" Button is down there on the left. Woot Woot!

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

Stacy tickled us on Jaime's What Color Should I paint this Mirror? post with...
"colonel mustard in the living room with the spray paint..."

And now she will be the proud owner of this endlessly useful Aleene's Tacky Pack.
Congrats Stacy! Use the Contact Us form to send us your address. You have 5 days before we pick a new winner!

And next up we have a pretty-pretty fat quarter from Sandi Henderson. Jaime has a perfect project for this little treasure coming up next week!

Leave a comment on any post between now and next Friday and you could be the winner! I'm having second thoughts about giving this away, it's so pretty. Make it good ladies! XOXO

Link Love

The japanese art of wrapping with cloth is so pretty. Learn how to make your own Furoshiki.

Love these thread organizer cards, get the free printable at Wild Olive (via Cut Out and Keep)...

I'm having the kind of week that reminds me of this piece of artwork by Ed Ruscha (that he generously allowed me to include in my book, thank you sir).

And that to-die-for Play Tent is by Spasso on Flickr, get the tutorial from 2 Little Hooligans!

Also...

This had me shooting coffee out of my nose: Lunch Packing Letter of Agreement via ohdeedoh

Get crazy deals on design stuff for your casa at new find Design Story. Seriously, sign up now!

I'm finally reading Nurture Shock on my new new Kindle and I'm so glad I dug into it. So fascinating, especially the section on the inverse power of praise. Read it. While I'm at it, I want to say again that the single greatest thing I did for my family was read Between Parent and Child. Can't recommend it highly enough, it will change your life.

Cute DIY for a butterfly embellished pillow for the girlie girls out there (Scarlet says "I don't yike snakes mommy.  I yike butterflies.")

Check out our DIY Tissue Number Birthday sign at Hostess With the Mostess this week (we are obsessed with this site).

Download a free knit or crochet cap pattern, then make some for Save The Children, and they'll send them to little chilly heads around the world. Get the details: Good Goes Newborn & Child Survival Campaign.

And sale on gorgeous Baker's Twine in a rainbow of colors at our friends Bake it Pretty!

GIVEAWAY: SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING TOOL

It's a new day and we are back with a new way to enter the Silhouette SD Giveaway!
Visit the giveaway post to learn how. And in the meantime, check out these cupcake liners! I finally busted out my $10 giftcard to the Silhouette store (which the winner also receives, FYI) and downloaded this adorable template for $.99. There are so many gorgeous options. Definitely not clip-art fare! Are you dying? Because I'm dying. Someone throw a party so I can bring some cupcakes wrapped in these cuties.

GIVEAWAY: SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CUTTING TOOL!!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CONCLUDED. A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCE ON FRIDAY, OCT 1, 2010. THANKS EVERYONE! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!

We are very excited! We have a Silhouette Digital Cutting Machine to give away to one lucky Prudent Baby reader! I've noticed these cutting machines before but never thought they were for me because I'm not a scrapbooker. But when the ladies at How Does She? contacted us on Silhouette's behalf about doing a giveaway and promised a Silhouette for us (well, one of us, thanks Jaime!) and a Silhouette for you (well, one of you) how could we say no?!? If I didn't like it... I could just send it back and never speak of it again. Well, let me tell you, I like it. I like it very much. And I've only just begun!
So far, my projects are simple, using the templates that come with the starter kit, but I'm totally smitten and ready to try more! Maybe even some scrapbooking!

Here is a gift tag that I made with some cardstock!


And here is a little pillow-box that I made with more of my favorite Martha Stewart Craft Paper


And then just to try something new, I did this spoooooky spiderweb window-cling in adhesive vinyl. Clare has already requested an entire Halloween scene in her bedroom windows!

Click here to find out how to enter and for two lovely offers from Silhouette!

Read more »