Hooter Hider (nursing cover)

One of my friends is having a baby shower this weekend, so I finally got my butt into gear and started making her some presents. I decided that I would try my hand in making a Hooter Hider (nursing cover).  She isn’t super girly, so I chose a fabric that reminded me of her… and bonus… it was on sale.  This project was easy and fun, I will definitely be making more for other soon to be mommies that I know.

1 yard fabric

3/4 or 1in D-rings

12in boning

 

I pre-washed my fabric and it shrunk by about an inch… so always remember to re-wash.  I left the 35 inches to be the top/bottom of my cover and then cut the fabric to 30 inches in length.  The left over fabric, I cut out a four inch strip along the long side.

I took the 4in strip and folded it length wise pretty sides together.  I did a straight stitch and then a zig zag stitch so that it wouldn’t fray.  at one of the ends, I then made a diagonal stitch so that the strap will have a point for threading through the D-rings.  I forgot to, but I would recommend cutting off the extra fabric so that you will get a crisper point.

I cut the strip so that the end that had the point was 27 in and the other end was 8 in.  I turned both pieces right side out and then did a straight stitch along the sides. 

I folded over about 1/4 in and stitched, threaded the D-rings and then folded the end over again and sewed it closed.  I took the main piece of fabric and sewed the sides and bottoms with a nice seam, but left the top undone.

The next part was a little bit more tricky, but not too bad.  I laid the boning in the middle of the top of the cover and then put the straps at the very end of the boning.  I fold everything over once, and then I fold it all over again.  I sewed a line near the top and bottom of the hem, being sure to get close to the hard part of the boning and getting the fabric part.  This will endure that it doesn’t move around.  Also be sure to sew where the strap and the boning meet so that it keeps the boning in place.  Putting the straps a little bit over the boning adds more fabric so that the hard parts are less likely to poke out.

Here I am modeling it and then with it just hung up.  The boning helps it stick out so that if you are nursing, you have a view of the baby, but no one else has a view of YOU. 

I hope she likes it :)

another etched wedding gift

We have had a lot of friends getting married lately, so here is another wedding gift that we just gave. I got this cookie jar at target and etched their last initial and year they got married. We then filled it with cookie mixes, cookie cutters, and added a rolling pin to the gift. Cute, fun, and personal. Not to mention, it was inexpensive. She loves to bake so I thought it would be cute :)

busy busy busy

I never would have guessed that my summer would end up more busy than the school year... but it is.

Right after school got out (literally the next day), Lan and I set off to Italy. We spent two weeks sightseeing, eating, drinking, and relaxing our way through Rome, Montechino, and Venice. It was amazing. I am haping to do a post on each city once we get around to sorting through our pictures.

Just about the day after returning, I started my summer job. I nanny for two girls, C who is 5 and R who is 2. They are a huge handful... especially the five year old believe it or not. And I am completely comfortable with five year olds considering I taught kindergarten.

Literally the only craft I have done so far this summer is a gift for a dear friend's wedding shower. I took a glass vase and etched a customized design onto it for a personal gift. Lan designed it with their monogram and wedding date. I loved how it turned out... and you can see how it is done here. Below isn't the best photo... but you get the idea.

I have made some time for some summer pampering for me though.... I got my hair cut. This was my first hair cut since before Christmas... so I was in desperate need. I love how it turned out.

Mixed in with Nannying, vacations, and getting my hair cut, there have been wedding showers, trips to disneyland, and celebrating friends birthdays, I have been busy. the rest of my summer is looking equally busy with two weekend vacations, starting my thesis, two weddings, and several more birthdays...oh and more work. I do have two weddings and a baby shower to use as motivation to get some crafting done... so ill keep you posted on what I make. I cleaned my craft space in anticipation :)

Strawberry Pomegranate Mojito

As summer is coming… and our mint plant is going crazy… we are finding refreshing drinks to use our mint in. In addition to iced tea, we are making mojitos!

1/2 lime cut into four wedges

10-12 mint leaves

1 Tbs. sugar

1 1/2 white rum

1 diced strawberries

club soda

splash grenadine (true grenadine is actually pomegranate) If you want to leave this out, add another Tbs. of sugar.

1. take the mint leaves and put them in a sturdy cup with two of the wedges and pulverize them. We used the back of a wooden spoon.

2. add sugar, strawberries, and one more wedge of lime and smash some more.

3. Fill the cup with ice and add the grenadine and rum. Fill the remainder of the cup with club soda and garnish with the last wedge of lime, and perhaps another sprig or two of lime.

Bacon Pancakes

Oh yes….. I did.

My husband doesn’t really like pancakes… but he loves bacon. Since I was craving pancakes….. well… I added bacon (cooked it in the microwave and then put it in the batter).

all were happy :)

Receiving blankets

One of my best friend’s sister is having twins! A boy and a girl. For her baby shower I knew I wanted to make her something special, but I didn’t have a ton of time. So decided to make some simple receiving blankets and burp cloths.

To make the blankets, first, I squared up the fabric and put the back and front pieces of fabric pretty sides together and pinned.

I sewed all of the way round the blanket but left a small opening so that I would be able to turn it right side out. Then I went around and did a zig zag stitch around the edges so that they wouldn’t unravel.

I turned them right side out, ironed, and then did a straight stitch all the way round, using the edge of the foot as my guide. Then I did another line around the blanket, an inch in, using the guide on my sewing machine.

Since I dind’t want the blankets to get all wonkey in the wash (since the two fabric pieces weren’t attached in the middle) I measured six inches in all around and sewed a line, then I did another square 9 inches in.

In all I made a blanket and two burp cloths for each baby, as well as threw in two books… I have to… I am a teacher :) You can find a tutorial for the burp cloths here.

note: these burp cloths are awesome… my godson spits up and drools like non other, and even though he is a year, she is still asking for more because they are super absorbent.

Everyone was impressed…. if only they knew how easy they were to make :)

see my list to the right to see who I am linking up with

Epic Chili

I served this chili at my house warming and it was a huge hit. I was asked for the recipe several times, so I thought I would share. enjoy!

2 lbs ground beef

1-2 cups shredded beef (either make your own or they sell it pre-cooked)

45 oz pinto beans

16 oz black beans

16 oz kidney beans

56 oz diced tomato

6 oz tomato paste

1 onion, chopped

3 stocks celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper chopped

1-2 c. corn

3 Tbs. steak seasoning

3 Tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. worceshire

1 Tbs. chopped garlic

1 Tbs. oregano

2 tea cumin

2 tea. hot sauce, or more to taste

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. season salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. basil

1. tsp. paprika

1 tsp. sugar

optional to taste… I threw in a little

Jerk seasoning, Northwoods seasoning, Cajon seasoning, jalapenos

The beauty of chili is that you can change things up… add more of one thing and leave out simething else, and it will still be super yummy.

1. brown the meat with the steak seasoning. Drain the fat.

2. throw in the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook until the veggies start to become tender (not all the way done)

3. open all the cans and start dumping (yes liquid and all.. it will help thicken it) the beans, tomatoes, and tomato paste. stir. Add all of the seasonings and heat until it is simmering.

4. add the shredded beef and corn. Simmer for as long as you desire, but at least 15 min.

serve with the toppings you like… sour cream, onions, cheese, corn bread, French bread, etc.

you can even make this the night before and re-heat it. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will combine and get even yummier. :)