Lil' baby gifts

There are a lot of baby gifts being made right now. It seems as though everyone is pregnant. I was the 14th person to announce their pregnancy in my neighborhood, and I think a few more have since. A couple of my friends are also pregnant, and my sister. So you may be seeing lots of baby in the next little while. I made this recieving blanket for a friend who just had her baby. I loved the ric-rac. I'm obsessed with it right now.

The underside is fleece to make it nice and cozy.

And I also whipped up some binky clips using this tutorial.

One of the women in my ward (and also Kadie's preschool teacher) got a surprise baby shower last night, so I whipped up a couple more binky clips for her, a bib, and a pack of onesies.

I have some more I'm still working on, so I'll share when I get them done. All this baby stuff is getting me anxious to find out what I'm having so I can start making some fun things for my babe. I'll be finding out in a couple weeks!

Valentine eats

This weekend has been filled with yummy Valentine's goodies. Sunday morning, I made some heart-shaped french toast for the kids and hubby.
Sunday night we had some homemade Angel Food Cake to share with some family. Mmm...one of my favorites!

On saturday, Kadie and I made some fun Valentine cookies.

She had a blast doing the decorating. You can see hers scattered across the cookie sheet. I love looking at the ones she made. ADOREABLE!

And I had fun doing them as well!! Mainly because I was spending some time with her.
Tonight we'll have some fun as a family. We decided to spare ourselves of going out on such a busy night, and have our Valentine's date later in the week. So tonight, we'll be staying home and have our Valentine celebration with the kids. We're making a special dinner (Gyoza, stir fry and rice), and we'll figure out some fun activities to do together. Should be great!

Before I sign off, I thought I'd share my favorite sugar cookie recipe with you.

The BEST Sugar Cookies:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

5 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and chill at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (200 degrees C.)

Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes.

Bake 7-9 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets and then transfer to cooling rack and cool completely.

Frost with your favorite butter-cream frosting.

Enjoy!! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Beautiful Sheetrock

I never thought I'd love the look of sheetrock so much. It's just about done, then all the fun stuff will start to happen!! I'm so excited to see my craftroom coming together!!

Actually, I'm glad to see it ALL coming together!! It will be so much fun to have new spaces to decorate! Better get shopping. ;)

Ladybug valentines

Well, after Kadie rejecting every idea I threw her way and being stumped in the brain with new ideas, I FINALLY found an idea Kadie loved. I saw these ladybug valentines on Skip To My Lou. She loves ladybugs, so she was quick to say "yes!" Woo hoo!! She was so excited, we ran out to the store last night so we could make them. They're so easy! Cindy has made a template, free to download, then you just cut them out, attached them with black brads, cover some tootsie pops with black tissue paper and some googly eyes, and attach them!
Kadie signed her name on all of them, and wrote her friends' names on the back, and they were done!
Anything with googly eyes is fun in my book!

Get the template and see the full tutorial here!

Valentine Card Inspiration

Kadie's preschool class is having their Valentine's Day party on Thursday, so I've been browsing ideas of cards. She says she wants to make them instead of just buying some. So here's my favorite ideas I found:Colorful Valentine from The Long Thread
Lip and Moustache Lollipops from Blonde Designs

I "Wheelie" like you Valentine from 30 Days

Kadie has decided to be extremely picky and has rejected all ideas. So we'll be shopping today to see what we can come up with. I'll let you know what we decide on!

Chocolate Hearts: Repost

Last year, I made some chocolate heart filograns for Valentine's Day cupcakes, so I thought I'd repost it again this year since it's definately February appropriate! They're super easy and cute!

If you would like to make some, see my tutorial here!

And also last year, my bloggy friend Jess from Craftiness is Not Optional (LOVE her blog) gave them a try, and here's how hers turned out! So cute!!!