Ella's One Year Pictures.

If there is any key to a successful baby shoot, it's keep it simple. Well...as simple as possible. Residing in the Pacific Northwest leaves us so many possibilities for a gorgeous and natural outdoor shoot. IF...you don't mind a little dirt and water. We kept her wardrobe weather appropriate and functional, we chose a mixture of posed and candid shots. Over all it was a great experience and gives of a lifestyle vibe (which I'm totally into) keepin it natural people.

Shabby Chic Fabric Flag Banner!

So I've decided to do an overhaul concerning the content of my blog and what better way than to start off with this awesome diy decorative piece!!! These flag banners are all the rage (via pinterest) and it's not hard to see why. They add personality and style to any blah wall. They can be made in with an array of fabrics, colors, and in different shapes, with words, or without. Seriously...the possibilities are endless. The fact that I spent almost an hour at Joanns only further proves my point. If you've got a sewing machine, an iron, and some extra cash, this project is a piece o' cake to pull off and extremely affordable! I've chosen to make two banners for my daughters play room, "play" and "imagine". 

Supplies:
Fabric
Scissors
Letter Stencils
Sewing machine
Card stock
Straight edge
Pins

While I reccomend a sewing machine...this look can also be pulled off with an iron and iron-on adhesive strips.
If you'd like to add letters I'd also reccomend some more iron-on adhesive.
As far as the rest of the list...just get creative ;)


1. So first you will need to cut out a stencil pattern for whatever shape you wish your banner to be. I chose triangle. Now I only used a straight edge ruler. I didn't break out a projector or anything to check my angles or sides so they're probably not equal or straight but it looked good enough to me...and I don't expect my company to examine to banner down to a degree or two so I think it's safe to say that that's just fine. However, if the idea of this in-equality stresses you out, then you breakout that projector and be proud :)

2. Lay out your fabric, maybe get an idea of how you'd like to arrange your flags. Im also choosing to use a plain canvas like fabric to back the flags with. 

2. Once you're ready, cut out how ever many triangles you'd like to use, and make sure you have double the amount to account for the back side of the flag. 

3. Flip your triangle flag over and align it with the back piece. It should appear as if it is inside out. Once the pieces are properly aligned. You're ready to sew 2 edges. Leaving the top edge open. 

4. After sewing the two sides, trim up the sides to remove access fabric. Then flip it right side out. Once you have all the triangles sewn and flipped, we're ready to iron them flat.

5. Put iron on a medium heat setting, depending on fabric you may need to adjust. Iron each flag flat and if you are choosing to add letters (fabric letters) this would be the time to cut them out and place them on each flag up using the adhesive iron on tape.

I've chosen to make two seperate banners and cut letters using coordinating fabric. Very patiently I arranged them and cut pieces of the adhesive strips to adhere them to the flags. 

6. Now there are a number of ways to hang these. You can add twine, ribbon, or just sew the whole thing together. I'm choosing to do an overlapping technique by sewing a few stitches in each corner.

Before pinning the triangles in place, we have to sew up the top. Then trim to clean up the edge.

Sew a tiny cross stitch to secure the top layer corner of each flag to the previous one. 

This will give it some flexibility when you hang it. It will add a nice fluid curve. 

7. Once you've sewn all pieces of the banner together it's ready to hang!!                            

Ella's First Birthday: Bottle brush trees

Grandma Tammi's craft project: Bleached bottle brush Christmas trees.

So this is a simple one but the results are just so perfect to add a fun and elegantly chic look to our winter wonderland. We need about 15 bottle brush trees, in an assortment of sizes from about 4"-12" (the small ones could still be used but medium/large are preferred). These can be found at craft stores, online, or at big lots....according to my grandma ;)

Once the trees are acquired, it's just a matter of bleaching and sprucing 'pun intended'

The bleach mixture is 80% water and 20% bleach. Let trees soak for a few minutes, some longer than others maybe, this would give some color variation. Soaking the tall ones will mean getting creative. I've seen some people soak them in a longer cylinder vase or cup...it's up to you!! ;)

When you have finished bleaching all of them you can choose whether or not to add a little sparkle or flocking, it's time to get creative! :) Overall I'd like then to resemble something similar to the picture below. Thank you and we love you <3

Picture time! September 2014

The Baby Gap Trap

Once you start there is no way to stop. I've gotten everyone completely hooked on on Baby Gap. I mean who wouldn't be, you get boutique style clothing at a great price (they ALWAYS have sales or some kind of seasonal deal) there is no reason to have to pay full price and what you get are some great one of kind fashions for your little one. Sure, there is nothing wrong with Carter, Gerber, or Circo, Cherokee....so on and so on. I just find their color collections to be over used and tired. I love neutrals, and as far as colors I like them to be bold...but also subtle. Here are some of this years fall baby clothes making their way to our place thanks to our very generous GG Barbara and Grandma, Nana, Grammy (still not sure what she wants to be called..) Karla! We love you guys so much.

Ella using her new "partial" chompers

First time trying strawberry chunks! I generally try to stick with just veggies but every once in awhile she gets a fruity treat.

Alternative medicine being put to the test

About 2 weeks ago Ella gave herself a nasty cut near her cuticle that was dumping blood. By the time I had noticed it- she didn't cry or even acknowledge it- there was blood on her clothes, the floor, her toys and her hand was covered. In a panic, I worked as quickly as I could to stop the bleeding and bandage it up that I forgot to clean it out thoroughly. So as it started to heal, a small blister-y abces started to form. Well After dousing it in hydrogen peroxide over and over and trying to drain/ pop it myself with no luck, I took her to the doctor. He prescribed an oral antibiotic and a topical ointment. While I have no problem with the ointment, I was having a hard time with the antibiotics. I totally respect western medicine, I also understand it's value and success. However, I don't like the idea of antibiotics unless it's a dire or recurring situation. I had the prescriptions ordered and ready to pick up but I haven't gone to the pharmacy yet. Instead I had an idea to use tea tree oil!

My alternative method seems to be working. This is the second day I've been putting the oil on with a band aid (as long as it will stay on) and the swelling has lowered quite a bit. The pictures were taken today but it was a whole lot gnarlier a few days ago. We shall see if this method proves satisfactory, I'm giving it another 2 days.