Cape

I meant to post this months ago (I made this shortly before Halloween of 2009) and forgot about it. And now I'm a bit embarrassed to post it because it is so wrinkly and worn out now. Oh well...I guess it shows how much it my son loves it.

A friend helped me make this reversible cape: Batman on one side, Superman on the other. Once again, I didn't think to do tutorial pictures while I was making it (I really need to work on that), but thankfully, someone else has already done that (I just found it online...horray!).

Check out the tutorial here. Now before you get started, let me just tell you that I opted not to use felt (because it balls up and doesn't look as nice sometimes after you wash it) and used cotton instead. I also was using scraps, so I had to piece the neck straps on, but in the end, I was happier with that option. Now, there is more strap length inside the seam, so I can just open it up and adjust it as my son grows. I didn't use velcro on the straps either...we just tie them and that works for us.

Good luck! If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Valentine's Day Decor

Construction paper hearts for Valentine's Day is probably a given in any home with children in it, but we thought it would be fun to hang our hearts instead of just putting them on the walls. I originally thought we'd thread the the yarn through the hearts, but scotch tape was easier for my 3 year old to use (and didn't take as long).

I also hate wasting paper if I don't have to, so we used the scraps from cutting the hearts to make this...my son was so proud of his heart collage!

Appliqued Burp Rags

My brother's wife is expecting her first girl in April so I started on some of the gifts for her.  After asking her what she wanted/needed one of the things she said was burp cloths.  In the past I've made burp cloths out of flannel which you can see one set HERE.  I think they turn out really cute but with mine I had a problem with them smelling like rotten milk.  I couldn't get out the smell no matter what I soaked them in.  To solve this dilemma I used regular dish rags and appliqued her baby colors on.  

I used my stencils for the hearts, bird, and flower rags and I just pieced together the fabric for the rags with the strips.  I used Heat-n-Bond Lite which worked wonderful to applique the fabric to the rag.  (Wonder Under would work as well.)

The part that took me the longest was sewing the fabric down.  I decided to do a straight stitch so the rag will have the frayed look after it is washed AND my sewing machine is SOOO temperamental that I would have gone crazy before I was done if I did a zigzag stitch.  

I love the outline it left on the back.  

The purple and green fabric I got at Joann's and the yellow quarter I got at Walmart.  I used coupons at Joann's and the quarter at Walmart was on sale so I got all my fabric really cheap.

It was such a simple and affordable project.  It also makes an adorable baby gift.  

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2c. peanut butter(divided)

3/4c. butter, softened

2c. powdered sugar

3c. graham cracker crumbs (approx 2 packages of graham crackers)

2c. semi-sweet chocolate chips(divided)

Beat 1 1/4c. peanut butter and butter in a large bowl. Beat in powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and 1/2c. chocolate chips. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Melt remaining chocolate chips & peanut butter. Spread over the crumb mixture. Chill for at least 1 hour. Store in the refrigerator.

*Sorry I forgot to take a picture but this recipe is so good it must be shared even without a visual.*