Washcloth Mitts

Since I only made one bath towel with each of the hand towels, I had 3 half hand towels left over. I trimmed them down a little, folded them in half and sewed two of the open sides together (leaving the nicely finished side as the opening. The result: these washcloth mitts that the girls can use in the tub.

Happy Washing!

Monogrammed Hooded Towels

I had great plans for these towels/hand towels I got for $2.00 a piece after Thanksgiving. I was going to make  "monster" towels and they were going to be cute, but week after week I kept putting it off. Finally, I couldn't stand having the unfinished project in the corner anymore so I sewed the towels together using this tutorial, ironed on the girls initials with wonder under and extra fabric I had, and stitched around them. 

They aren't monsters, but they're cute and they are finished and that's all that matters.

(And if we don't use a "K" name for our new baby, I'll send the "K" towel to whoever does).

Sweetheart's Week 2010

This year, our theme for Sweetheart's Week was

Our Family is Built on Love

and all the quotes and activities had to do with construction and building.

Each day I gave the girls and Brigham a "block" with a personal note written on one side and a quote/activity on the other. By the end of the week, we had "built" a big heart on our wall.

You can check out the things we did here:

*I need to take a clearer picture because there were some really great poems, songs, and thoughts about building, construction, and creation*

It was fun to focus on doing things together and improving the world (or just our immediate surroundings). I love Sweetheart's Week and am grateful for the 3 (almost 4) sweethearts in my life.

Some more pictures:

Rx for Valentine's Day

Here are Lucy and Charlotte's 2010 Valentine friend treats.

prescription bottle: 5 cents a piece (our WalMart said they'd give you 10 for free)

paper: $1.25 for all 25 bottles

candy: $4.00 for all 25 bottles

=

26 cents a piece...not bad.

I just printed the note on regular paper and then pasted it onto some Valentine's paper.

What's inside:

giant  Valentine Smarties.

*You would want to be careful so that your children know that things found in medicine bottles usually aren't candy!

Valentine decoder cookies

I saw these Valentine's cookies and thought I'd try a few. I used my own recipe and a small spoonful of crushed clear red candies. I also sprinkled mine with some red decorating sugar before I baked them. 

I think they turned out pretty cute 

(even if you could basically read the hidden message without the magical decoding cookie).

Cowboy Chaps

Last week when I was visiting my mom, we made a couple pairs of these cowboy chaps. My mom had made some for my brothers when they were younger, so we used the old pair as a pattern. They were really easy to make (but they were a little bit time consuming). All you need is 1 yard of medium weight vinyl (This will make 2 pairs: size 3-4), two snaps, and old belt buckle, 1/2 of a leather shoe lace and thread. I figured we made each pair for under 5 dollars. Not bad. Aren't they cute? I haven't had anyone model them yet, because I may be using them for a birthday. 

I also added a little fringe to the back of mine:

Valentine's Day Pillowcases

These are nothing to brag about but I'd thought I'd post them anyway. I made these Sweetheart's Week Pillowcases as a fun holiday reminder for the girls. Lucy cannot wait to put hers on her pillow.

Play Kitchen and Hutch

Santa barely finished the girls play kitchen and hutch in time for Christmas.

The hutch was a refinished cabinet my dad made me when I was little. The kitchen was brought you by my brother, Daren. I "helped" by doing a little nail gun work, marking and gluing, and assisting. I definitely couldn't have done it without him. I wanted to make it for around $50 and I think we came pretty close to that although I haven't calculated exact totals. I LOVE it! The hutch was about $10 for supplies.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Kids Aprons

Another item off the Christmas check-list. Hooray! Here are the aprons to go along with the girls Christmas surprise kitchen.

Lu's:

I made an adult pattern into a child's size with a pencil and parchment paper (I know, it's the only thin paper I have!). Then I just followed the regular instructions.

Charley's:

I made this pattern up. It has raw edges so it will get that frayed look.

Peg Dolls

Last night I finished painting Lucy and Charlotte's peg dolls. Don't worry, Lucy caught a glimpse of them this morning. I hurried and put them away and Lucy comes back and says, "Where are those dollies. You know, the ones that you painted?" I had to tell her I thought Santa came and got them. So much for surprises. She is such a snoop.

Here are a few pictures.

Thanks for lending the paint and brushes, Mom!