Picture Perfect with Shutterfly

I love this time of year when I open up the mailbox and I open up Christmas cards with pictures of all my friends and family. It just brings a smile to my face, my two year old even appreciates it-as we opened up a picture of my cousins new baby, she says "That's adoorbell" (adorable in 2 year old language). I am not sure why people even bother with plain cards that they have to write in each one, honestly I find them boring. If you haven't been to Shutterfly yet, I don't know what you are waiting for. I have used them on countless occassions, and you should to!

I have made two photo books for gifts this year, this really cute calendar with pictures of all the grandkids for my parents, you can get your birth announcements done, I have done some adorable birthday invitations through them, who doesn't want canvas wall art of their children above the couch?? If you haven't guessed by now, I am a fan of Shutterfly. I haven't been unsatisfied with any item I have ever purchased through their site, and I am betting you won't be either.

I have been wandering around on their site and found something I am sure my little girl would love.

I also saw this little beauty that would be perfect for your child's first Christmas ornament

I could go on and on, but for your sake and mine I will stop bragging on this wonderful little site. They are my go-to for photo printing and I always find new ideas when I go.

 

Happy Shopping!!

Candle Makeover

In my opinion, the look a little "Christmasy" (if that's a word). This was my trial run to see if it would work, and it did. I know what to fix for the next ones, I am thinking maybe some gifts for others with a monogram on it...I don't know the possibilities are endless. So on to the how-to:

You will need: a sheet of vellum paper, printer, plain candle, Mod-Podge (I used gloss but matte may look better), scissors, paint/craft brush.

I used Microsoft Word to print out the words onto my Vellum paper and let completely dry before trying to Mod-Podge.

Then cut out the words, apply some Mod Podge to the candle, lay the cut-out onto it and lightly apply Mod-Podge over the cut-out. Being careful not to smudge the ink (as I did on the "Peace" candle).



Let dry and Viola! Can't wait to try this again with a monogram!

Mod Podge Letters

First off I want to say if you haven't used Mod Podge you should try it. It is super easy and super cute for crafting....anything! A few weeks ago my mother brought over some of the things they found in the attic that I had in my room as a child. In this goody bag I spotted the letter that hung in my room as a child.

After inspecting it closely, I decided this was a decoupaging project. Later I found out Mod Podge is 40 years old...who knew, so this could be indeed a Mod Podge project 30 years ago. This totally got my wheels a turning, you see up until now I have only been painting the letters for my girls room.

 

After gathering my supplies: One wooden letter I nabbed at the Joann's opening sale (they were $1), Mod podge, foam brush, Scrap booking paper, ribbon, hot glue gun, exacto knife (to trim the paper). And to the desk to start my project. I wished I had taken pics to help navigate through this project, but it is simple so I am sure you can understand.

First off, if your letters are not white you might want to spray paint them white to cover the sides that will be exposed. Then after it dries apply Mod Podge to the front of the letter, I then placed the whole sheet of paper to cover the letter and let set for 10 minutes or so. I then turned the letter over (onto a protected surface) and used the exacto knife to trim the paper off to the same size as the letter. Turn letter back over and apply Mod Podge to the top of the letter and let dry. I  wanted mine to act as a bow holder so I attached ribbon with the hot glue gun to the bottom of the letter and a ribbon hanger on top and there you have it...one awesomely cute Letter to hang up.

While I am sharing all the crafts in the girls room I wanted to add the polymer clay hand print

 The handpainted canvas that matched her crib bedding (I am far from an artist)

And framed Ultrasound pics with scrapbooking supplies

 

Hope you enjoyed these crafts I have made for the girls. What have you made for your kids room?

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

The other day I was baking apples with cinnamon and the aroma of cinnamon in the kitchen took me back to my childhood. This next recipe are two things that take me back to childhood....cinnamon and cupcakes.

My husband thought they tasted like cinnamon rolls (hence the name), and I just thought they were delicious.

CUPCAKE BATTER:

1 package of butter cake mix

1 cup of milk

8 Tbl of butter (1 stick), melted

3 large eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

optional: I added a dash of nutmeg

CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

1/2 package of cream cheese (4oz)

8 Tbl butter (1 stick)

2 - 3 cups of confectioners' sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp of cinnamon

1. Place rack in the center and preheat to 350 F. Prepare cupcake tin by adding the liners.

2. Place cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon (and nutmeg if using) in a large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer on low for 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula then blend with mixer on medium speed for two more minutes. Spoon into the cupcake tins.

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes (mine were perfect at 20) then remove and cool on wire racks.

4. Meanwhile prepare the frosting. Start by creaming the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer on low. Stop and add the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, blending on low until well combined. (I am sorry I don't know the exact measurement for the confectioners' sugar...I have been making it by memory for years, so just keep adding the sugar till you get the consistency you are looking for). Add the vanilla extract and cinnamon and blend to combine.

5. If the cupcakes have completely cooled then frost those babies and eat up!

I also wanted to share some of my crafty fabric pumpkins...aren't they SEW cute!!

Let me know if you try out the recipe!



 

A little Blog/Facebook giveaway

I have a giveaway that I am really excited about!

What you get: $25 gift certificate towards anything you see on the CuddleBug Facebook Fan Page

What to do: 3 ways to enter (you can do one or all three) Comment here that you follow me on Facebook, Suggest the page to friends and have them comment on my Fan page that you sent them, and browse the page and tell me what your favorite thing is here on my blog. For each thing and everyone you send you will get another entry.

Drawing will be on Friday, October the 29th.

Spread the love of CuddleBug!! 

Happy Birthday Granny!!

We had such a wonderful day that I had to share. First I started with a little dress making, then realized a didn't have enough elastic in my stash to complete the project...bummer! Didn't have time to dwell on my misfortune because today is Granny's birthday! Granny is my great grandmother who is turning 98 (we think-they didn't keep records back then). She's a real hoot, we celebrated by going to Watertown, TN and eating at the Depot Junction then topped it off with some birthday cake, yumm-yumm! After singing Happy Birthday to her she finished up by adding "and many more"...gotta love that woman!

                                                                                 

Now that it's getting chilly outside, I wanted to share a little sweater makeover. It went from a woman's Size Small Sweater (my thrift store find-but you may already have one in your closet) to a toddler's sweater dress and some leg warmers (that I have yet to take a pic of). So here goes!!

Here is Gabie playing in the finished product!

 Items needed: 1 adult sweater, sewing machine, and sewing notions

Start out by turning the sweater inside out and laying out flat on the floor.

 I then cut the sleeves off and remember to keep the part you cut off to make some leg warmers (I will have to show you those later)

I then took one of the sweater dresses that I currently own to use as a guide, Just lay it on top and use a fabric marker to draw out your sewing line. 

Next take it over to the sewing machine and start sewing on the line you drew and cut off the extra fabric. I used a small zig-zag stitch and remember to not force the knit through the machine and just let it glide. I finished the edge on the sleeves by turning 1/2" under and running another zigzag through to hold into place. Turn to the rightside and slip onto your little CuddleBug!!



Bag Lady

Today was the deemed Bag Day!! I bought this fabric weeks ago and couldn't figure out how to make a purse, till it hit me while lying in bed. I wanted a pleated purse, just had no idea how to accomplish it. I think my first stab at it was pretty darn cute. Gabie loved helping with the flower so much that I added one to her purse that I found at a thrift store for $1.

Here is my finished purse with Gabie's

 On to my next bag....the grocery sack holder (or in my house the diaper trash bag holder)

Three bags in one day, makes it Bag Day!

For the Love of the Game

This past weekend my husband and I were fortunate enough to score my in laws seats to the UT vs UAB game. The in laws watched the children while we headed to Knoxville for an adult weekend free of the word "Mommy". If you've never been to a UT football game, you should really head out sometime....they have the some of the craziest fans, and I love the tradition of it all.

I didn't want to wear my same old Tennessee shirts, so off to the sewing room I went to whip out a little tshirt makeover. I thought even if this comes out tacky, I bet their will be someone else just as tacky as I am (plus I packed a backup just in case it was a bomb). 

Here is my UT tshirt makeover, I got lots of compliments at the game .

I think I may have went a little overboard with all the flowers, but I had fun. I took pictures and will try and get around to a tutorial sometime this week.

After being away from my sewing room for a few days, I went in and finished up some Fall outfits for the girls. Gabie is in to skirts these days, she picked out the leg warmers (which were some adult socks I found at Target and cut the feet out of)

For Reese, I decided to make a peasant dress. I am happy with the outcome. 

Then my cousin called and told me her niece was born (we were waiting on the baby's name for embroidery). So back to the sewing room--not that I need an excuse. I had visions of this pillowcase dress with a ruffled hem line and flower applique (from SWAKembroidery). I love the way it turned out.

Too bad it is getting cold, otherwise, I can just see my girls in one of these!

This has been my week so far, and it's only Tuesday night...what will be next?

Wholesome Baby's

I have been working hard this week to stock up the freezer with baby food...everyday cranking out two to three bags (on top of everything else I am trying to accomplish...I'm a bit ambitious). For babyfood recipes and ideas I refer to the Wholesome BabyFood Site.

So this morning I had the pleasurable experience in feeding Reese her first helping of blueberries and she loved it!

BEFORE

AND AFTER

Man it sure was messy, but it was all worth seeing her woof it down!

So off to the bath we go, with Big Sister in stride loving that Reese got dirty! Cause' now they both get baths.

Not a very exciting day with the girls, but I was just trying to spend a few moments with them before their weekend at Granny's.  Gabie is very excited for it all, she keeps wanting to call Buster and Bandit (their dogs) and tell them she's coming to visit. She never ceases to make me laugh.

 Now off to sewing up the rest of the cornhole bags for the

 Blackman Girls Basketball 1st annual Pancake Breakfast and Cornhole Tournament.

GO BLAZE!!

Homemade Fabric Labels

What's this you ask?

Yes, Mam! Those are my new fabric labels...Hot off the press! Yes you can buy those expensive sheets for printing, but this was done all with items that I already had at the house. Waiting on my ink to dry then will soak in a vinegar bath to make ink set then off to the hair dryer to make permenant. I was thinking this would be much better for everyone that had to label items for school and daycare, you could add a little heat and bond to the back and iron it on (just a thought). Let me know if anyone wants instructions, they were really easy.

Had to share my label on the product!

NO SEW Fabric Flower Headband

Kicking it off with a No Sew Tutorial. I want to warn you that they are really easy and Super cute on all those CuddleBugs (or yourself) in your life. This one is Gold and Black so my daughter looks cute while cheering on those Vanderbilt Commodores!

Supplies: Scraps of any color Silky Material, scissors, pen (I use a fabric pen), candle, hot glue gun, button or beads for center, non-slip headband, felt for backing.

First off I took one of my circle templates to measure out my first circle (you can also use a cup).

I cut that first circle out to use as a guide for the remaining circles making each a different size. I cut 6 circles for each color to make the two flowers. Here is one completed

I then took each circle and cut small slits around the edge to create petals

Next the Fun Begins. Please exercise caution when working with candles. You use the flame (on your candle) and seal the edges of your circle. I did this with the shiny side of fabric faced down because the fabric tended to curve towards the flame.

Do this with all your circles.

I then cut out two felt circles to back my flowers

Grab your headband and hot glue gun. You want to run a bead of glue on one side of the felt in the center and glue to the headband where you are placing flower. Note that the headband runs in between the felt and flower.

Next glue all  your circles together and add button on top to create your flower.

Glue the finished flower to your felt and headband and Now you have yourself one cute little headband.

This picture is first thing in the morning when Gabie is in our bed watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (her a.m. ritual). I will post a picture at our next game.