FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

To add to the fun of the oliver + s little things to sew giveaway, Fabricworm is here to give away an oliver + s pattern as this week's prize. Any one you want winner! Go check them out! You know how it works, right? Leave a comment on any post this coming week and next Friday we pick our favorite!

Read more to find out who won last week's prize!
Read more »

Link Love

Love this bracelet made from buttons and electrical wire at Miss, Are You Irish?
This tree stump trivet made of felt is adorbs, tutorial at Martha Stewart Crafts.
It may look hilarious but you know it's delicious! Hotdogtopus!
Make your own signature in a stamp. Awesome tutorial.

More clicking around this week...

Lovely Mama's Day Gift Round Up from Martha Stewart, and some mother's day crafts for kids. Oh and one more, gifts & ideas to pamper mom. That sounds nice. A different kind of pamper ;)

Umm, I love Parks and Recreation. Last week when Ron (best character on TV) was asked if he'd ever had a turkey burger, he replied: "Is that a fried turkey leg inside a grilled hamburger? If so, yes. Delicious." Check out this recipe for the Ron Swanson Turkey Burger. HA.

Amazing guide to food photography at Serious Eats.

Have to plug my book for mother's day, forgive me. But don't you agree with this one??

Want these.

How to make a kids party fun for the grown ups too.

An artwork i love.

What are y'all clicking on these days?

OH OH OH, one more thing. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THE SLUGS THAT ARE FEASTING ON MY STRAWBERRIES? HELP!

GIVEAWAY: oliver + s little things to sew

We have been waiting for oliver + s little things to sew ever since we got a sneak peek at Quilt Market last year and it's finally here! If it's possible, it's ever better than expected. The projects are clever and beautifully photographed and there is a nice range of age appropriate projects from age 0+.



Author Liesl Gibson is known for her beautiful & classic children's clothing patterns, which you can find at fabricworm FYI, but I love that the projects in this book steps away from the oliver + s norm, instead focusing on accessories and toys. The projects seem very accessible for the beginner - intermediate sewist.

Every project lists the skills you need to finish the piece. If there is something you don't know how to do... adding bias tape? adding a button or zipper? You know we can help!


Read on and find out how to enter to win this beautiful (and useful!) book...
Read more »

The Oil Cloth Clubhouse

The what what? Yes, the oil cloth clubhouse. I had a bolt of unused oil cloth, Niko had a playground, and Niko's mom had a staple gun.

After telling her I would make this thing for going on two months, I returned from a weekend away to find she had gone at it herself. How cute is this?

Check out the details and I'll tell you how she did it after the jump. What do you think, might you do something like this?
Read more »

One More Fabric Flower

Oh, we love fabric flowers so much here at Prudent Baby. We've done the no-sew rolled fabric flowers, the pom pom fabric flowers, and the ever-popular fabric flower hairclip. Well here's another stash-busting fabric flower to use as embellishment for tops, bags, hairclips, anything really. It works up in a pinch.

Get the full Fabric Flower tutorial after the jump...
Read more »

Drawstring Soccer Backpack - Made from a Placemat!

Today is the last day to take advantage of the Silhouette Rhinestone Promotion so we have a fun little project to share. Here in suburban land, all the tots carry their soccer ball to practice in a drawstring backpack like this. Since I'm a big-time high-roller, I gave Quinn a soccer ball of her own for her birthday yesterday and made her this fun DIY drawstring backpack to go with it. This is a GREAT boy-friendly gift despite my choices above. The best part is that it's made from a fabric placemat so it comes together right-quick. It's like the Easiest. Pillow. Ever. but you can wear it on your back!

Read more to find out how to make your own DIY drawstring backpack...
Read more »

How to Make Beautiful Dress Up Wings

I spotted these AMAZING dress up wings at Llevo el Invierno while surfing the crafty web, and I just had to ask their creator to share the tutorial with us. Her site is adorable, and it is written in both spanish and english, definitely check it out for more crafty inspiration. Take it away Eri...

Hi everyone! I'm Eri from Llevo el Invierno, and I'm here to share my wings tutorial handmade for my little daughter Emma with Prudent Baby readers. I drew my own pattern to make these bird wings.  I share the pattern because it is near the springtime and this is a season when costumes for kids are always needed. You don't have to be an expert in sewing to make these wings, you just have to have some patience to cut and paste all the pieces of fabric. Enjoy your flight, little birds!!

Get the full Beautiful Dress Up Wings tutorial after the jump...
Read more »

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

This weeks Friday {Surprise} Prize is from Aivilo Charlotte Designs. The best comment on any post this coming week receives THREE LOVELY PDF PATTERNS of their choice. You can browse them all on EasyToSew.com. Are you dreaming of which you will choose?

Aivilo Charlotte's frustration-free patterns are clear and easy to follow!

These simple patterns and easy to understand tutorials are:
- Written in plain English - as if a friend were telling you how to sew - with lots of pictures and diagrams to guide you every step of the way.
- Tested by a team of sew-ers ranging from beginners to experts to ensure clear instructions and a frustration-free sewing experience for you!

ALSO Aivilo Charlotte Designs is offering 25% off for Prudent Baby readers! Enter Coupon Code: pbgiveaway at checkout to take 25% off all orders!

Read more to find out who won last week's Friday {Surprise} Prize!
Read more »

Link Love

Need some new ideas for spring nail polish? Our friend Sonya from Parlor gives a great overview of the latest color trends. Get Polished. 
She is also doing a giveaway of some great DIY Pedi tools and 2 of the hottest colors for Spring!
If you live in Chicago, Sonya is a hairstylist at Steven Papageorge Salon in Lakeview. 773-871-5000.

Isn't this FREE DOWNLOADABLE wrapping paper lovely?

Kathy from Merriment Design created an entire 1st birthday party for her daughter inspired by her beloved Pink Monkey. All of the elements from bubble labels to thank you notes are free for download.

And the always inspiring Martha Stewart has a gallery of 26 Last Minute Easter Ideas. I might be able to squeeze a few of these in, they are so simple and beautiful!

ALSO

4moms has just launched the Baby Guessing Game! What's that, you ask? This easy and free game lets the friends and family of parents-to-be predict the new baby’s arrival. If you're expecting or know someone who is, invite your friends to guess the baby’s gender, arrival date, and birth weight. Once the baby is born, enter the baby's info to find out whose guess was most accurate, and they're the lucky winner! Winners and game hosts earn 4moms Insider Points, which can be redeemed for discounts on 4moms products (like the mamaRoo). Setting up a game is quick, easy, and free. Visit www.4moms.com/insider/baby_guessing_game to get started!

Knitters, can you believe this? Also, why do is their always creepy music playing when people talk about puppetry?

Pretty nursery decor. Love that Bicycle tray.


Jaime's giving away a Bugaboo!

For Sons: The boy version, inspired by Tina Fey's Prayer for her Daughter

Over on facebook, I was instructed to pick up Sesame Street "C" is for Cooking, if only for the meatball recipe. I think I may have had this as a kid? Well, it's on it's way for Clare's Easter Basket

What are you up to this weekend? I'll be cramming for Quinn's birthday next Saturday, for which I have not done ONE SINGLE THING.

Silhouette Does Rhinestones: Get Ready to Sparkle!

Clare insisted on wearing this one skirt for the second day in a row yesterday. I know a lot of kids have favorite outfits but we haven't run into this yet. I asked her why she liked that skirt and she looked at me like I was an idiot. "It has sparkles (over-sized pink sequins) and a big fwower (flower applique.)" And suddenly I realized that I would have no problem coming up with a project to try out my new Silhouette rhinestones. The problem might be deciding what NOT to decorate with rhinestones. Ok, so maybe not the back pockets of my jeans or a trucker cap, but other than that...


So of course I'm working on a little something to show you, but in the meantime, I don't want you to miss out on this sweet offer from Silhouette:...
Read more »

Monogrammed Hair Clip: Part 2

Last week we had a family photoshoot with Angela Richardson from AMR Photography. She was amazing and helped me prepare for the shoot in every way, from make-up suggestions to wardrobe consultation. We decided on a yellow, gray and blue color palette including this little dress for Quinn. It was pretty on it's own but since it was store-bought, I felt it needed a handmade touch.


Love, love, love these shots

Coincidentally, I was also itching to play with my new Brother Sewing & Embroidery Machine, so I took the opportunity to update the DIY Monogrammed Hair Clip.

In the end it was a cold, windy and muddy morning (here is Quinn behind the scenes in a cozy blanket) so she wore a gorgeous little denim jacket belonging to the photographers own little girl. The clip didn't show in many of the shots but since Quinn will be wearing this dress for Easter, it will make a second appearance!

Read more to learn how to make this Monogrammed Clip.
Read more »

GIVEAWAY WINNER: The Best One-Dish Suppers

And the winner of The Best One-Dish Suppers by the editors of Cook's Illustrated is...Read more »

Scrap-Busting Hair Bows

Jessica from Sew Home Grown is here with a tutorial for these adorable and crazy-easy little hair bows. They are so sweet and fast that I couldn't resist sitting down immediately to make four. If you NEED to make some for your cutie-pie's Easter basket (and, trust me, you do) here are the details!
Read more »

No Bake Easter Nest Cookies

Not a new concept in cookie-making, but I had never made these Easter nest cookies before and they were so super easy as a last-minute treat to take to the school party (and the kids went nuts for 'em) that I thought I'd share. We can't make insane decorated sugar cookies for every single occasion, right? Learn how to make no-bake easter nest cookies after the jump...
Read more »

Stash Peek

A few weeks ago, I asked you to help me pick some fabric for the girls new shared room.
Here is where I ended up:

A little...
Alexander Henry
Anna Maria Horner
Jay McCarroll

note to self: if you ask a bunch of fabric-loving ladies to help you pick, the options might sell out before your eyes. Oops! Ha! No really, you have the best advice!

But what is that little black lovely peeking out from the bottom left corner? It's the brand new Joel Dewberry of course. Want to see more?
Read more »

Last Minute Easter Basket: 15 Easy Toy Projects

Looking for a last-minute handmade goody for the kiddo's basket? Here are a few ideas. All can be finished in an evening!
Jelly Bean Bags
Doll Nap Mat
Crinkle Bots
Easiest Softies Ever
Dress-up Cape
Rag-edge Doll Blanket
Handmade Crayons
Coloring Book
Playtime Placemats
Portable Tea Party
Oilcloth Art Smock
Felt Black&White Cookies
No Sew Fabric Scrap Concentration Game
Fabric Alphabet Magnets
Doll Diapers

Gone Fishin'

Ladies, help me out! What to do with these delicious morsels? How to honor our first catch? Warning: if killing fish for food upsets you, do not read this post (and sorry).

When my friend Macki from Cooking With My Kid suggested we take our gang of tots to the adorable Trout Dale fishing area for their first fishing experience, she had me hook, line, and sinker. HA. Ha. ha?

Fine, not every play on words is going to be a winner. Anyway... I have a fridge full of headless fish, what should I do with them? I mean, obviously I am going to eat them, but wondering if you ladies have any suggestions for serving up our first catch?

Of course, Scarlet selected her finest fishing attire.

Check out our haul and tell me what to make with it after the jump! Jacinda suggested salmon cakes, which sound delicious... but trout cakes don't sound quite as nice? Maybe i'll go for old fashioned fish-and-chips? I know there have to be some serious fishing prudent mamas out there with some tips for making tots dig on fresh fish. Your comment could win you that adorable PDF art caddy pattern!
Read more »

Easter Dresses: 11 Free & Quick Patterns!

Wishing you'd had the chance to make a pretty little frock for Easter? There is still plenty of time to make any of Prudent Baby's free dress patterns this week
10 Minute Onesie Dress - Easiest Dress Ever
DIY "Pillowcase" Baby Dress Pattern
Quick Crochet & Fabric Top
Peasant Blouse
Swingy Summer Tank Top
Hipster Swing Dress
Snap Wrap Dress
Snappy Toddler Dress
One Shoulder Dressy Dress
Layer Cake Skirt
Pretty Party Dress

Some of these are tops but instructions are included to turn them into dresses and we couldn't help but include the luscious Layer Cake Skirt (technically not a dress.) Of course, you'll need a DIY Diaper Cover to match!

Will your little one be wearing handmade this year? I must confess that it's a store-bought year for us but I'd LOVE to sew up a couple of layer-skirts to stick in the Easter baskets. I know the girls would LOVE them! Talk to us, you could win a Gingercake Art Caddy Tote Pattern.

FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE

This week we have an Art Caddy Tote PDF Sewing Pattern from Gingercake to give away! Wouldn't this make a cute Easter Basket for the crafty kid?

Go ahead and leave your usual hilarious, sweet, and silly comments all week long, and we'll let you know the winner right here next Friday!

Read on to find out who won last week's Kokka fat quarter!
Read more »

Link Love

Oh Anna Maria! Look at this workspace she is about to move into. Sigh...
And while your there, get a peek at her new collection, Loulouthi, which will debut at Spring Quilt Market. If you live in SLC, Jaime and I will be there May 14th. Let's get together!

I was briefly considering a book-themed birthday party for Miss Quinn Frances in 2 weeks. Um, here is THAT idea done perfectly, complete with DOWNLOADS!

sfgirlbybay is having some fun matching up iconic figures of the 60's & 70's with matching interiors. So fun and beautiful!

I don't know anything about Mythbusters but I am obsessed with embroidered portraits. Maybe Jaime will do one of me on her new embroidery machine.

ALSO

We have entered birthday season here at PB. First Scarlet, then Quinn and Clare in June. Clare wants a tea party. Here is a pretty one with lots of royal tie-ins from Amy Atlas.

These Hot Air Balloons would be fun to make with the kiddos

My husband pretty much knows the answer to any question... ever... but when he doesn't know the answer, his fallback comment is "Google it." So imagine his delight upon finding lmgtfy.com or Let Me Google That For You Dot Com. A site that creates a tiny URL linking to the goggle search results of your choosing, which you can then forward to the lazy wife who would rather ask you a question then Google it. Funny. For nerds.

I like these party hats

Looking for a handmade Father's Day gift for the husband? Start collecting belts and make this.

But I have to go get some beauty rest because we have a family photoshoot at the crack of dawn with This Talented Lady! Can't wait to show you what we get.  I'm nervous and excited!

How to Make Pleated Drapes

Don't turn away assuming you would never be capable of such a feat as sewing professional quality pleated curtains. If you can sew a straight line, you can make pleats!

All it takes is pleat tape.

I showed you the Hidden Workstation I made for the Craft Room Redesign Project. Now I will show you how to sew pleated drapes to turn any corner of your home into a studio, or just to use as regular old curtains. You're going to be shocked by how simple it really is. This was one of the most rewarding projects I've done so I'm really hoping you'll give it a shot and feel the warmth of crafty satisfaction with me.

Learn How to Make Pleated Drapes after the jump...
Read more »

The Craft Room Redesign Project: Hidden Workstation

Before:


After:

The Craft Room Redesign Project is in full swing, thanks to all of your great advice. I've installed new flooring all by myself, thrifted some furniture, repainted a brass table, and upholstered a chair I found on the street. But the eyesore of my crazy workstation overflowing with supplies was making it feel more like a garage and less like a room. So here is my solution.

What do you think? Is it weird, or do you think it works? Is there a corner of your house you might try to turn into your own workstation? Let us know in the comments and you could win that Kokka fat quarter. Check out more pics of the Hidden Workstation after the jump...
Read more »

The Sewing Machine Shop Experience

If you "like" us, you know that Jaime and I have been hanging out in local sewing machine shops, asking a million questions, learning a ton and basically becoming total groupies in awe of these experts!

I found myself in Arlington Sewing Machine Supply because I needed an introduction to the line of Brother Embroidery/Sewing Machines (if that perks up your ears, you are a clever kitty) but I learned so much more. That got me thinking, besides the opportunity to hang out with these insanely fun experts in all things machine sewing/embroidery/quilting, what are the reasons to do your shopping at a small business sewing machine dealer?
Read more »