WINNER! $100 Gift Certificate to MOD TOTS

And the winner of the $100 Gift Certificate to Mod Tots is...
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Recycle a Crib Skirt into a Window Valance

What can you do with a crib skirt when you don't need it anymore? You spent a ton on it. It's adorable. But it's kind of useless once kiddo moves to a toddler bed (or even once he/she is standing and the crib mattress gets lowered). Well, we have an idea of what you can do with a crib skirt: Turn it into a window valance!

My friend Anna called me ever so excited with her brilliant idea and asked me if I thought I could make it happen. I was like, girl, you're a genius! Not only did we make it happen - it's a NO SEW project! Crazy easy! And the windows still match the bedding, woo hoo!

Learn How to Turn an old Crib Skirt into a Window Valance after the jump. What do you do with old crib skirts or bumpers?  Let us know in the comments, this week's favorite comment wins that adorbs elephant sewing pattern!
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FRIDAY{SURPRISE}PRIZE

This week's FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE  was a whole yard of the new Dan Stiles fabric from FABRICWORM!  Y'all know we get all of our fabric from fabricworm, it's the best fabric site on the web. Well, this week I've decided to share the love with a whole entire yard of this gorg fabric. It is Dan Stiles Marine For Birch Fabrics, it's 100% Organic, and the pattern is called Whale Love. We love it!

And the winner is...
Lauren, who said (in the DIY Nap Mat Part3: DOLL VERSION post)...

You could always whip up a matching Minkee Eye Mask for her to hide those creepy eyes :D I'd much rather look at that beautiful fabric than creepy doll eyes!

...Because I think Scarlet's dolly should have a lux eye mask just like mama Jaime!

Go ahead and send us your address using the contact form and we will send you your prize.  Winners have 5 days to contact us before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader.

Find out next week's Friday Surprise Prize after the jump...

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Link Love

Why O why does National Embroidery Month have to be the shortest month of the year? We are just getting started! And so you are prepared, we will be continuing N.E.M. into March with some big big plans. Any guesses? But in the meantime here are some of BRILLIANT sites to check out for embroidery fantastic-ism.

I just found Feeling Stitchy. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I haven't lived. It's the motherload of embroidery knowledge. I especially love their Stitchalongs. They provide one free pattern and all kinds of talented ladies make cool stuff using it and share. Gorgeous and inspiring!

Andrea Zuill of Bad Birds shares a free monthly embroidery pattern. I found this squirrely gem via Craft.

I've seen this simple and lovely lampshade before and still think it's beautiful and the technique can be used for so many projects. And doe-c-doe is a super fun site for embroidery and more! Adorable FREE vintage embroidery patterns every week!

And these Embroidered Mitered Napkins from the Design Sponge Sewing 101 series are so pretty! I want some. And the Mitered Corner tutorial is EXC!

ALSO:

Check this VIDEO from Thread Banger on Freehand Sewing Machine Embroidery.

This free embroidery pattern offers supreme cuteness.


Oh and here is a vintage How To Embroider VIDEO with a the queen of modern embroidery, Jenni Hart of Sublime Stitching. Awesome!

And this is just hand embroidery! More on machine embroidery later. If you are into machine embroidery we want to chat with you. Send us a message, y'all! But in the meantime, if you are in the market for a new machine, Brother is running a MAD National Embroidery Month Sale on a bunch of sewing/embroidery machines and sergers thru Monday. Sweet!

And remember this is the last chance for you to leave a comment before we pick a winner of the adorable whale fabric.

Winner: Little Wellies

The adorable shop Little Wellies (full of custom dresses, blankets, and onesies of cuteness) gave us one super sweet item give away to a lucky Prudent Baby reader. The winner of this giveaway can choose one item, either a Lemon Olivia Dress or a Baby Minky Blanket.

Find out who the winner is after the jump...
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DIY Doll Stroller Liner Part 2: With Oil Cloth!

Last year I showed you how to make a stroller liner for a doll stroller. We got a nice year of use out of that cotton version, but that 99 cent garage sale stroller has turned out to be the most-oft used toy in our house, so it was time for a new liner.

This time I used some Nicey Jane Oil Cloth from Fabricworm's awesome oilcloth selection, and I love the result - it will definitely stand up a little better to days left outside in the rain. Get the full DIY Doll Stroller Liner Tutorial here.

The pinkest pink princess pink pink ever.

If you are prone to migraines or good taste, you may want to avert your eyes.

Ok, now that it is just us mothers of the pink fiends, I can share what I made this weekend. A princess cape. A pink princess cape... with a fur collar... and tassel pom-pom trim. A princess cape that she has worn non-stop since Saturday. It feels really good to make something that she loves so much. Even if it is heinous.

Get the full Princess Cape tutorial...
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Start Stitching! (A Beginner's Embroidery Tutorial)

It is National Embroidery Month, don't you know? So we asked Cornflower Blue's Rachel Hunnicut, a talented knitter, crocheter and embroider-er-errrrr, to create a beginner embroidery tutorial for Prudent Baby. And look at the little beauty she came up with! Ahhhh, crafting in bed at it's finest.

Take it away Rachel!

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Cheddar Cheese + Apple Pie

I recently asked the Prudent Mamas on facebook if I should put cheddar cheese on my apple pie. The answers ranged from "duh, of course!" to "what the ?"

I'd never had my apple pie with cheddar cheese before, but I had often seen it offered, especially on travels to the midwest and the northeast. That night I was feeling indecisive, so I made two small rustic apple pies and enjoyed one with whip cream, and one with cheddar cheese.

Get the Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie verdict and recipe after the jump, and let us know what you think about cheese on pie in the comments for your chance to win this week's surprise prize - that awesome yard of whale fabric.
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DIY Nap Mat Part 3: DOLL VERSION!

So we are now American Girl fans in the Curtis household.  Well, Scarlet is a fan of her doll (and I admit I am kind of living out some childhood fancy-doll fantasies myself, don't judge me), but the Prudent Dad and I are not so much a fan of shelling out tons of cash on doll accessories.  So in the Prudent Mama spirit, I tried to make doll clothes. Then realized I would rather dump cash on clothes then get arthritis piecing together teensy seams all day long.  Hmmm, what could I make this doll?

Then it hit me - Scarlet's favorite thing in the world is her nap mat, so why not make one for her doll?  As you can see, both Dolly and Scarlet are huge fans.

Check out more creepy Doll Nap Mat pics after the jump. What cool things have you whipped up for dolls?  Leave us some comments, this week's favorite comment takes home a whole yard of Dan Stiles fabric from Fabricworm!
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The Craft Room Redesign Project: Help!

Ladies, I truly believe this to be true. I think most of you would agree that on some level, this is important. So, I'd like your help to create this kind of space, and maybe we can help each other in the process.

I work out of the converted garage behind my house. This is my office, my craft room, my sewing room, my writing space, and where my husband works out (note: I don't work out, ha). I know I am lucky to have a space like this, as many prudent mamas work out of closets, dining room tables, garages, or on the floor. Rather then continue to treat it like a scene from Hoarders, I'd like to embrace my good fortune and honor this space with the organization and care it deserves.

While I have made small improvements over the past few years (biggest improvement: cleaning it before I took these pictures), the space is inefficient and not-pretty, leading me to avoid entering it (i.e. doing my work). It is time for a super-prudent redesign, and I'm planning on taking you along with me as I make small, cost-effective (yet hopefully stylish) improvements. There are specific needs and challenges, so I am hoping you can make some suggestions and we can work on this project together. Maybe we will all learn something from each other about making space in our lives for our work.

I'll ask you my questions after the jump. Please leave comments with your thoughts, and bonus: our favorite comment of the week wins a yard of Dan Stiles fabric from Fabricworm!
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Prudent Project Round Up: All the Potholders!

We uploaded all (almost 1,000!) of the potholder pictures entered into the Sewing Machine Double Down Contest (sponsored by Brother) to the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr! Check them out, and join the pool. We love seeing all the new Prudent Baby projects uploaded there. Hope y'all are having lovely weekends.  Mmm, my blueberry scones are beeping...

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

To kick off February as National Embroidery Month, this week's Friday Surprise Prize was a Sublime Stitching: CAMP OUT Embroidery Pattern. A 8.5x11 sheet of multi-imprinting, iron-on embroidery patterns. And it's freaking adorable!

And the winner is...Ouiser on the Bacon Cheddar Biscuits post who said: Heck yeah you can add bacon to anything. My daughter got the Melissa & Doug sushi play set for Christmas and was instantly obsessed with sushi. She begged me to make it. From experience, I knew that the first time she had it, there needed to be something familiar...something beloved. And by jove... I put bacon in those sushi rolls.

Umm, okay, bacon on sushi - had NEVER crossed my mind, but sounds AMAZ! Go ahead and send us your address using the contact form and we will send you your prize. Winners have 5 days to contact us before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader.

Find out next week's Friday Surprise Prize (oh man, it's a good one!) after the jump...
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Link Love

Here are a few things we loved from the finalists of the Potholder contest. As if sewing machines and fabric weren't enough here is some Link Love ladies. We give and we give... HA!

First we have a double potholder tutorial from Jessica of A Little Gray

We've done a crayon roll but are geeking over this mini coloring tote from LBG Studio!

Katie from The Middlebrook Family shares an adorable DIY way to wrap gifts.

Catherine from Avery and Winslow has a beautiful Anthro-inspired cuff DIY.

And Sunni from Love Affair With My Brother (best blog name ever) gives a great turning trick. Sunni has a naughty sense of humor. We like.

And then for a little shopping...

Katie from Notes from a very Red Kitchen sells HANDMADE BUTTONS. ADORBS! Go look, we will wait...

Now go check out everything at Modern Radar. GORGEOUS!

If I missed you, finalist lady, give me a shout and we will include you next week!

Also, have you heard that February is National Embroidery Month?
Go check out Project Embroidery, a new contest from Brother. And don't forget to follow Brother on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on exciting contests, tutorials, and deals!

And if that has you itching to do some embroidery, leave a comment on any post from this week. If it's the most awesome, you will win a fab Sublime Stitching Camp Out embroidery pattern.

GIVEAWAY: $100 gift certificate to MODTOTS!

Are you ready for some clean, modern, and minimalist art for the nursery? Enter: ModTots by Modern Bird! When Megan from ModTots offered to let me pick out a piece for baby Gordon, I jumped! I went with Harrison the Fox but I am also dying over the owl and the zebra and the robots, oh the robots!

So what do you think? Do you want one for your baby's room? Or even for the living room? Because I kinda want to put one in every room. Find out more about ModTots, how you can get a ModTot character named after your tot, and what you have to do to enter this rad giveaway after the jump.
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Pony Silhouette Hoodie

Rebekah from A Bit of Sunshine is here to share this ADORABLE Pony Silhouette Hoodie Tutorial with us! And since I predict that horses are the next hot animal trend (watch out foxes!) I'm especially excited. So grab your plain boring hoodie with zero appliqued ponies and prepare to make it fabulous.

Take it away Rebekah!
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Winner: Bridget & Lucy Skirt and Hat + A Coupon Code

Our lovely sponsor Bridget & Lucy... A Clothing and Pattern Line is giving away a Size 3 Ruffle Joy Skirt and a Medium Hat and an offer code for 25% off everything in their sweet store! Find out who the winner is and get your coupon code after the jump...
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Oilcloth Lined Lunch Tote Tutorial

Little Essie takes a packed lunch off to school every day, so of course she demanded a cute homemade lunch bag.

I love these little lunch trays, but they are a wide size, so I had to make a custom shape.  I'll show you how to make a boxy bag like this in any size you need.

I made the lining from Kokka Large Trefle Matroyshka Dolls and Mushrooms Oilcloth in Red and the outside is matching quilting cotton. Which means I can wipe down the inside, but I can't wash it. Maybe not the best plan? A nylon outer would have been perfect, but she has been using this for 4 months with no issues so it worked out okay.  Get the Oilcloth Lined Lunch Tote Tutorial after the jump...

And remember to leave a comment, because this week's prize for fave comment is that awesome embroidery pattern from sublime stitching!
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Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

MMMMmmmmm, here's another quick and easy breakfast recipe, sort of a savory take on the famous scones.

This little monkey gobbled them up (though she did make me pick out the chives - "mommy i don't like dat salad"). For the prudent dad I added jalapenos and he posed for us, ha.

Get the Bacon Cheddar Biscuits Recipe after the jump...

You can add bacon to anything, right? Tell us about it. This week's favorite commenter wins that awesome Camp Out embroidery pattern from sublime stitching!
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THE WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone for the gorg eye candy in the form of custom made pretty potholders for the SEWING MACHINE DOUBLE DOWN CONTEST. Last Friday you met the eight fab judges, and boy did we have our work cut out for us. Over the weekend we whipped out our scorecards and poured over every entry, evaluating the four categories: Originality, Style, Presentation, and Workmanship. We narrowed it down to ten finalists, then two winning entries, the creators of which will each receive one of two amazing sewing machines that Brother has generously offered to provide: one Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine (just like Jacinda's) and one Limited Edition Project Runway Innov-ís 40 Sewing Machine (just like Jaime's).

There are ten finalists, but there can only be two winners. So we have a surprise for you: Contest judge and Free Spirit textile designer Valori Wells is sending each of our eight finalists a yard of gorg fabric from her collection as pictured above!

Without further ado, check out the finalists (in no particular order):

Katie Middlebrook



Catherine Hodge



Sunni Bolger



Tamara at ModernRadar



Michelle Smith



Stacie Pighin


Kristie Fields



Katie Lewis



Now find out which potholder entries WIN THE SEWING MACHINE DOUBLE DOWN CONTEST after the jump...
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Monday Mom Outfit: Western Chic

It's Monday, so once again we are shopping like teenagers to snag hot on-trend outfits for mama. We snagged the Spring Sailor look, a Warm Springs outfit, and now we are going for Western Chic with a 70's twist. This may not be the cheapest outfit ever, but it's not totally insane, and really it's all about the sweater. I CANNOT WAIT for that sweater to show up on my doorstep! Find out where to snag this week's Monday Mom outfit for a steal here: Monday Mom Outfit: Western Chic.

Top Knot Baby Hat Tutorial

I highly recommend having your babies during a season other than Winter. All this bundling, sigh... Mostly I have been hiding at home but on occasion I venture out to scare the public with my dark circles and lack of personal grooming. On such occasion, I cover Gordon's baldy-bean with a soft little cap, so this weekend I made him a few of these little Top Knot Baby Hats.

They were super easy and quick! A perfect little gift for a new babe and a great use for an old t-shirt or sweater.

Get the Top-Knot Baby Hat Tutorial...

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