I do handmade. I don’t do “art.” I am not really artistic but look what I painted! That little blue flowery canvas in the far corner is my best “art” success.

If you’re artistic, you can make up your own pretty little designs, but I used my Cricut. Of course.

Filed under: Crafts, Cricut | 4 Comments »

I really do love the tablecloth bib from a few months ago, but I only made one and bias tape isn’t my favorite thing so I wasn’t real keen on making a whole handful of them. But a bib made from a dish towel is something I can really put into production! Except I didn’t have any old dish towels so I bought 5/8 yard of terry cloth in two colors each at JoAnn and made 6 bibs. Cheap and easy, my two favorite things!

Filed under: Crafts, Sewing | 7 Comments »

THE PRIZE

One reader will win a copy of The Art of Preserving: Sweet & savory recipes to enjoy seasonal produce year-round.

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 59 Comments »

I’ve been on the search for a perfect sun hat pattern and I finally found it in a great little sewing book called Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase.

Filed under: Sewing | No Comments »

One reader will win any New Arrival item from DownEast Basics!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 147 Comments »

THE PRIZE

One reader will win a Shadow Case of her choice from Shadowcase.com.

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 66 Comments »

It’s Review Friday! We’ve got Robeez and Karen Neuburger and some dinnerware coming up a little bit later this year…

Filed under: Reviews | 2 Comments »

You can buy shoulder harness pads for kids car seats, but Elliot hasn’t had any and I wanted to make him some to match his carseat. I used scraps and it was a quick and easy sewing project.

Cut 4 pieces of fabric (I used flannel) 6.5″ x 6.5″.

Filed under: Crafts, Sewing | 4 Comments »

Cantaloupe is one of my favorite summer fruits, but cutting it up is kind a pain. At least the old way – I used to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, cut each half into 6-8 slices, and cut the rind off each slice. That’s the loong way!

Filed under: Food | 6 Comments »

It has been hot, Hot, HOT here this week. We turned to The Toddler Busy Book for some outdoor activity ideas and came up with a makeshift sailboat racing game. Here’s what you’ll need:

• cookie sheet/jelly roll pan
• straws
• milk jugs lids

Filed under: Kids | 1 Comment »

The winner of Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers, is Mindy! She said, “This books seems like a good way of starting my kids out in a healthy manner. I’m always trying to feed them more healthfully.”

Send an email to kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com to claim your prize.

Thanks again to Anni Daulter and Rodale Publishing for sponsoring this giveaway!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 24 Comments »

The winner of Eat This Not That! For Kids! is Tiffany! She said, “I am clueless when it comes to what’s good to eat (other than the obvious choices). With 3 little ones, this book could be very helpful!!”

Send an email to kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com to claim your prize.

Thanks again to David Zinczenko and Rodale Publishing for sponsoring this giveaway.

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 30 Comments »

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Frigidaire Affinity. Since they arrived on Tuesday, we’ve been spending quality time getting to know and appreciate one another and honestly, I cannot think of 2 friends that could make my life easier than these babies!

Filed under: Reviews | 8 Comments »

I know I’m a way behind on this little jewelry craft, but better late than never, no?

During our annual summer trip to Oregon, my sister shared her glass pendants and scrapbook paper with me and we made a handful of these easy necklaces to accessorize any outfit.

Filed under: Crafts | 8 Comments »