manger

I read this idea a few years ago and thought I'd like to try it when my kids were old enough. I think we've reached it, at 3 and 4 years old, so this year was time to make a manger. I had been making plans that involved cutting up yard sticks for construction, which would have been super cute. But then I was in the shed and noticed the leftover swing set parts. Perfect! Our swing set was supposed to have a small picnic table built underneath it, but I have plans to put a sand box there instead, so I have leftover boards. Here was my pile to work from. You can see the beginning plans starting to form as I played with different combinations. My goal was to do as little sawing as possible.

And it worked! No sawing whatsoever. Boards in their full lengths, wood glue, plus screws=manger!

The goal is to have the kids put "hay" (yellow yarn) in it each day as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. The inspiration post (linked above) suggested having kids put hay in when they did something kind, etc. I don't think we'll do that. We'll let each kid put a piece of hay in every day. I don't like tying "being good" to Christmas (same reason we don't do Elf on the Shelf). Jesus didn't come because we were good boys and girls.

I'm so excited about it! It looks so sweet beside the tree. I'm pretty darn proud of my construction skills, too. ;)

mei tai for a friend

My favorite DIY carrier back when my babies were babywearing age was a mei tai that I made from the Ball Baby pattern. Super easy to sew, super comfortable to wear. I thoroughly enjoyed making this one today. It's for my friend Becca. Hope she likes it!

In case you've never seen a mei tai and don't know what it does, here is a good how-to. The pattern I used is a little different than a Kozy, but same concept, and same usage applies.

milk crates in Expedit

When we got our Ikea Expedit for the playroom, I couldn't decide what sort of bins or baskets I wanted to put in it for toys. I landed on milk crates! Mine are from The Container Store, but I think any standard sized milk crate should fit in the Expedit cubes nicely. I love the cheerful look the bright colors give to the playroom.

renovation station!

I can't take credit for any of this "crafting" since we paid someone else to do it, but I'm so pleased, that I had to blog about it anyway.

First, the MUD ROOM!!

before:

after:

and loaded:

I super duper love it!! I have cubbies at the top to hide whatever I want to (currently empty--still deciding). The baskets on the left hold hats, gloves, and SOCKS. I hate having to send kids to two rooms to get socks and shoes. Socks should live with shoes!

The other three projects were much smaller--some upper cabinets in the laundry room, a repaint in Jono's room, and a new pair of shutters for the front window.

acorn fairies!

Saw this in my morning blog reading and thought it'd be fun on this chilly fall morning. Ours aren't as polished as hers, but they were fun!

the whole collection:

and the process:

superhero capes!

I made my three super kids some capes! I used this tutorial, with one small change. I used youth size XL tshirts instead of the suggested "ginormous" tshirt. That way, the neck was not too big, so I just left it intact for pulling off and on. So easy--just cut from the back of a tshirt a cape shape, and decorate as you please. The kids love them!