Because It's Spring. Supposedly.

Because I'm waiting for Regan's diapers to finish rinsing so I can go hang them on the line.

And because the clothespins situation at my house annoys me.

A Clothespin Pocket Apron Tutorial

(Photo Credit)

Sewing, Shop-ing, and Swimming

I am so excited!

I just this morning picked up the cutest, cutest, cutest printed PUL fabrics for making some more cloth diapers!

These fabrics are stretchy knits that have been laminated with PUL to make them waterproof, so they won't require a diaper cover (who would want to cover up that kind of cuteness?!).

I can't wait! 

And, speaking of, I wanted to take a sec to let anyone interested know that, even though the Mama & Nonni Handmades shop is on vacation, I am happy, happy, happy to take custom orders.  

Diapers, bibs, burp cloths, cloth wipes- I'm more than happy to sew them up for you!

The shop's vacation is only temporary- "Mama" has gone back to work full time, and "Nonni" is just still trying to get her ducks in a row.  So, we're mixing it up a little, trying to figure out who will be doing what, and how it will be getting done.  :)  We're hoping to have listings back up on Etsy this fall.

BUT, if you're interested in having something made before then, just let me know!  ;)

You can contact me for custom orders, or order inquiries, at:  Bright Beginnings Playgarden @ gmail . com (without all the pesky spaces of course).

And, as for swimming, well today will be Regan's first day at the pool!  

As the heat index here is around 100 today, we're looking forward that trip this afternoon!

I'm sure I'll have many pool-baby pictures to share afterward, but for now here are some to tide the grandmas, aunts, and friends over.

Be back soon!  :)

One Small Change

So far, so good!

I'm doing well, so far, at getting rid of a few things each day. I have to say, it feels really good to actually look for things to either toss or stick in the garage sale box in the basement!

Today's five were:
Junk Mail, Small Drawstring Bag, Left-over Diapers (disposables! I'd never toss my cloth!), 2 Broken Toys, and 7 Magazines.

I realize that's actually 12+ items, not 5, but I was a bit behind from Sunday. ;)

It's kind of fun, getting rid of things- it's sort of like being able to take a deep breath.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Feels so good! :)

On another note (well, pretty related actually), this sounds pretty cool!

Our change for January? Sewing our own cloth diapers instead of buying disposables or buying pre-made cloth. This is good, because we aren't spending as much (per diaper), we're not contributing to adding grossness ;) to the landfills (and, by extension, water supply), and buying cloth diaper fabric online once a month uses less fuel to be delivered to us than when we were ordering a couple of diapers a week to add to our stash. I can make several diapers out of one yard of fabric, which is one delivery trip from the postal service rather than several a month.

How 'bout you? Wanna join in the fun? Go sign up at Hip Mountain Mama!

I'll let you all know how the diaper sewing goes (gulp!).

Wish me luck!

WIP Wednesday: Our/ the Baby's Bedroom,... and I'm Crazy

"Work in Progress" Wednesday applies to any work in progress, right?

I thought as much!

;)

So, since I feel like we've been running around like chickens with no heads since last week's WIP, my WIP for this week is our/ the baby's room!

We have made great progress, actually.
(Well, considering my energy level has plummeted since the 8th month started, and since most of what was accumulating in said room needed a great deal of sorting through, and since we had to first organize the basement enough to get said "stuff" moved down there...)

So, here are the latest update pics- we're hoping that tonight, after bible study, we'll be able to get the huge, fire-proof filing cabinet and the bed moved out, as well as finish getting the rest of the small "stuff" (that has been breeding and multiplying in the depths of said room's closet!!!) put away (or thrown away- whichever works!).

So, without further ado, here 'tis:

And, "Where," you may ask, "did the 'office' that previously occupied this room go?"

Well, to the basement, of course!

(What, not everyone has a basement office?!)

While my flame sputtered and died (died cold, I might add) at 11 pm last night, hubby's was still going strong.

And what did the wonderful man go and do?

Moved all of the office furniture (desks, chairs, etc.), plus computer and all 4 Rubbermaid totes of misc. office "stuff" to the basement, and proceeded to put it all together into a very nicely workable space!!!

Behold!...
(Just please pardon the vacuums and cluttered couch- we're working on it people!)

All by his 'lil 'ol self!

*Sigh!... Oh what a wonderful, wonderful man!

:D

It certainly was a welcome surprise to wake up to a kitchen that didn't hold any Rubbermaids ready to explode with "stuff" this morning.

I was giddy, I tell you, purely giddy.

;)

And, in further developments, yes, I am a crazy person.

Certifiably.

Why?
(Ha! As if those of you who know me well actually asked why- you just grinned and agreed right along with me, I know you did!!!)

Well, because my brain is going a million miles an hour with WIPs to come- WIPs that I'm sure I'll not get to (maybe, with luck, I'll get to a few of them?) until well into this time next year.

Like various knitting projects, for example.

With the weather getting cooler, convention coming, and FALL beginning to stir in the air my knitting "itch" is starting again.

Sadly, the knitting pretty much got dumped into the yarn trunk over the summer (and spring?).

I just wasn't in the mood- or was far too nauseous to focus on it.

But now, I'm feeling the urge begin to stir- like some of these mamas.

My problem is that, at the moment, I have no time.

I have the desire, to knit, to sew, to blog, to get a start on handmade Christmas gifts, to... to... do lots of stuff!

But no time.

I actually caught myself thinking, "Well, that's okay, I'll have six weeks off after the baby's born..."

HA!
(It's okay, you can laugh at me too.)

I'm not really crazy, I know those six weeks will fly by in no time- and that I probably won't get a single thing accomplished during that time other than learn to nurse and "mother" my baby.

But, (sigh) you can't blame a girl for the desire, right?

Anyway, here's some of what's on my "To Read/ Do" list:




As well as the handmade Christmas presents I have in mind from this site, and this site.

And this project.

And, on a sort of unrelated note, may I just say that I love DwellStudio's baby stuff.

I wish Target had more, more, more of it!!!

WIP Wednesday: More Napkins, and Wipes

The napkin project continues.

It hasn't been completed yet- but I'm getting there. I guess that's why they call it "Work In Progress", right?

Truth is, I've been busy with other things- like getting a start (finally!!!) on our bedroom remodel project, freezing the abundance of tomatoes from the garden (oh dear- once again we've planted waaay too much- soon it'll be the squash, zucchini, cukes, and who knows what else!), and just plain trying to "keep up" with daily life in general- who knew the end of pregnancy could be so t i r i n g?

:)

Anyway, here are the first set of napkins that I did get finished.

My daycare boys will appreciate the vehicle theme we've got going on here.
(A lot of trains, planes, trucks, etc. make their way through this house every week.)


I also decided to take the extra wipes pieces I had left over from the sets we're getting made for the shop and sew them up.

I'll either keep them for Regan, or we'll send them out to our tester mamas who might be interested.
(If you are interested in trying them out- or any of the other products we'll be featuring- let me know in the comments!)

So, here they are.

Not quite done yet either, but, hey- I'm worn out these days!

;)

New In the Shop!

Nap Mats!

Our Nap Mats are approximately 43in. long by 28in. wide.

They're so cute and, (according to the daycare kids who've been using their own for a few years now) extremely comfy! :)

Made of cotton, and filled with 100% Polyester batting, they feature long velcro "ties" so they can be rolled up for easy storage.

Great for taking to kindergarten, daycare, or grandma and grandpa's house. :)

Each mat has an attatched pillow- all your child needs is their blankie and they're ready for nap or rest time.

Each mat also has a velcro tab cover that closes over the "scratchy" velcro side of the ties, to prevent the velcro from snagging and catching on other clothing/items in the wash.

100% Machine washable and dryable.

Today we've added three new mats:

Purple Princess

Thomas the Train

and, Diego!

So, hop on over to the shop and check them out! :)

Vacation Time!

Well, we are headed out for almost a week of vacation today! We'll be surrounded by family, the Lake of the Ozarks, and (hopefully!) peace and ease.

So, of course, what better time to "catch up" on some of those things that I've been wanting to do, but just haven't found time for?

I made a pit-stop in the supply-buying madness yesterday, at Barnes and Noble to pick up some good reading material for our time at the lake.

Here's what I got:

Pete and I are (a little belatedly, I might add!) now into the "preparing for birth" stage, and this book is amazing! I'm half-way through a friend's copy, and liking it so much that I knew I had to buy my own.



This book has so many great, cute projects that are "adjustable" depending on the fabrics you choose. I love it! Not only is it giving me great inspiration for the Shop, but the projects look simple enough that I just may be able to have some of them ready for Babykins when she arrives. :)

And this book is one I've been wanting for a long, long time. The little Miss will be born sometime in October (you know, give or take those two weeks on either side of the due date) ;) , and I think a Pumpkin Hat is required.

Hopefully I can get that on the needles soon- then maybe I can join the ranks of the W.I.P. women! (We'll see how those grand plans go.)



So, that's the extent of my "me" purchases for the vacation. And, really, are they actually "selfish" purchases if my child(ren) will be getting the benefits from them? ;)

We'll be back on Sunday night, and I'm hoping to post pictures from our travels soon after.

Happy Week to You!

(Now, back to the packing...)