Just a little reminder that today is the last day to enter
I will be doing the drawing at 5pm central time this evening, so don't wait! :)
XOXO
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thankful Thursday - 3/10/11
What a week this has been!! It really seems like it's been two weeks rolled into one. Hubby has been working like crazy going into his busy season. With all this early warm weather, he's got plenty to keep up with so we didn't get much of a weekend together. Every day since Saturday has felt like Friday... like my internal clock is telling me it's time for some family time! But we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this weekend, as we'll finally get some much needed time together. :)
OK, here we go! There are always "big things" in my life that I'm thankful for every single day. {Hubby, Baby A, our home, jobs, and food on the table, etc.} So, from day to day I try to focus on "the little things" to help me appreciate even the small blessings in life, and so that I won't be so quick to take things for granted. I think it helps me see the big picture, and keep a positive attitude! :)
Without further adieu, these are the "little things" I'm thankful for this week!
1. Print Media! Despite shipping issues, my new return address labels are finally in. No more writing by hand, yay!
2. Mail Scale! I can't believe I've waited this long to get one of these. It is seriously shaving hours of time off my week when it comes to shipping, etc. I highly recommend getting one if you have any decent amount of outgoing shipping happening in your house. Well worth the $30 for sure!
3. The Dollar Bins at Target. I never look. I dunno what it is, but I just never do. I'm not good at the bin digging, I really think that's what it is. I like things nice and neat and orderly when shopping, haha! However, something pulled me over yesterday while doing a little pre-wedding shopping for Baby A, and I totally scored!! I bought her 4 Sesame Street books, 4 bathtub books, and 2 animal books for only a DOLLAR! Seriously, who can beat that? Oooh, oooh! I also got these super cute magnetic list pads and a big ol' pile of notecards {and the box!} for only a dollar too. {sigh} I love cheap stuff. :)
4. Plans this weekend! Since having the baby, Hubby and I have become even more hermit-y than we are already predisposed to be. That coupled with the fact that we are both working so darn much just doesn't make for alot of free time. So, needless to say, we don't go out much at night... sleep prevails! ;) This weekend a good friend of ours is getting married to his long-time girlfriend, and guess what? The hermits are getting out of the house Saturday night! We are so excited for them to begin their new journey, and who doesn't love a wedding? Plus, as an added bonus, I get to play dress up with my sweet Baby A. <3
5. Linky Parties! I love, love, LOVE linky parties because they are such a great way to show of all the fun projects you've been working on, and get new ideas and inspiration from other people's projects. You guys have been inviting me all over the web this week, I have loved coming to see your blogs and linking up at your parties!
Since things are growing so fast, I have been working on a new tab {see it up top?} to house all of the wonderful linky parties I visit every week. Now you can all go have some fun! As far as the page goes, it's a work that will constantly be in progress. So, if you've got a linky party you want me to go check out, let me know! I'd love to come for a visit and add your button to my party list!
I hope that everyone is having a fantastic week and that you all are thankful for all the blessings in your life, both big and small. :)
XOXO
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tutorial Tuesday - Pretty Storage Solutions
Welcome back to Tutorial Tuesday!
I hope you all have your projects ready to link up...
I can't wait to see them! :)
Today's tutorial is an organizational/storage solution. But, it's pretty!
Because who wants a craft/work/play space that's not pretty? I don't! :)
but....
First things first!
Have you entered the Baby Shower Gift Set Giveaway? If not, go now! Winner will be selected Friday, March 11th at 5pm central time. Gift set includes, Eli the Elephant {from last weeks tutorial}, matching bib, matching burpie, and a cute little tufted block {perfect for those little hands!} all made from the super cute green flannel with brown polka dots. This set would be perfect for a boy or a girl!
There are plenty of ways to win, so don't miss out!
Now... on to the reason you're really here today!
It's Tutorial Time!
I don't know about you all, but I think baby food jars are just perfect for storing things in. There are always plenty of those little tiny bits and pieces that are difficult to wrangle, especially when you have so many other things occupying your
What you need:
baby food jars
scraps of pretty paper
scraps of coordinating ribbon
pencil
scissors or exacto knife
mod podge
rubbing alcohol
soft cloth
First we're going to take the rubbing alcohol and your soft cloth and clean these babies up. No matter how much you picked at that label, there is bound to be leftover goo... and well, that's not pretty. But with a little rubbing alcohol and some elbow grease it will come right off, as well as any printing that may also be on the jar.
See? Nice and clean and ready to dress up!
Next, flip your jar over onto the backside of your paper. Trace the shape of the lid.
Now, I don't know if any of you have one of these, but it is amazing! I picked up this little teeny tiny exacto knife with a swiveling head one day while I was at Hobby Lobby, and I llllllllllllove it! It makes cutting out circles a snap because it moves with your hand. Genius, I tell you!
OK, so cut out your circles by whatever means suits you. Be sure to leave about 1/4 inch or so around the outside of the circle so you have plenty of room to fold it down on the sides of the lid.
Next, slap a thin layer of mod podge onto your lid for sticking power.
Careful not to overdo it, as too much will make the paper slide all around and, well, not stick.
Place your paper print side up over your lid and mod podge over the right side of the paper.
{I did this upside down so it was easier to center.}
As you're pressing it down, make little pleats around the edges to keep things nice and smooth.
{I should warn you- you're going to get dirty. Have some paper towels handy!}
Let this dry completely before doing anything else. If it's still tacky, that pretty paper will rip.
Sadly, I know this from experience. Do over! haha!
Once it's dry, cut your coordinating ribbon scrap to fit around the edge of the lid and mod podge that bad boy in place too. {Don't you just love mod podge? It's like Super Goo or something.}
TA-DA! Pretty little jars to adorn your space and store all your little tidbits.
They look so cute on my shelf!
Now it's YOUR turn!
Link up your projects below and be sure to go and visit each other's project posts so everyone feels loved.
If we ever get more than 2 or 3 people linking up
I'll do a feature post on Saturdays of my favorites!
XOXO
As for me, I'm linking up here this week:
Too Cute Tuesdays @ Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Take A Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee: Craft Edition
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just a Housewife
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Ten Buck Tuesday @ The Young Nester
Grab a button if you're linking up! :)
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NX9rvmdfisRPdRzTihEn6A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpWfRuvIq9Z0ZZL9LM2Uc-CaKHlgBtqId9uTMdUVVh2OJVut_xzuVyNXCWuWIqC4jGTK5JsftOWg9jZA_JPltibKR95-ijh8btZujdq3w-M2C1wmUL2KLGasTqVNEII7c3vWpHZRpBhv7/s144/Tute%20Tues%20LB.png" height="144" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109843257790787500025/Buttons?feat=embedwebsite">buttons</a></td></tr></table>
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sharing the love with a business card swap!
 |
| ~ your source for all things small-business related ~ ~ want to feature YOUR shop on Merch Monday? email me! ~ |
First of all, Nicole at ScissorGoddess on etsy put together this really awesome idea for us all. She divided us into groups of 4 shop owners whose merchandise complimented each others. Then the members of each group mailed the others 15 business cards for their shop. {Stay with me here, lol} After all the trading was done, we each were left with 45 new business cards {3 shops, 15 cards each} to package and send out with our orders... A really fun way to share "hand picked" businesses with our buyers.
I thought it was a brilliant idea. What better marketing is there than word of mouth? Especially coming from someone who has an insight to what you're shopping for! YAY!
However, I did feel a little weird about just tossing the cards in with my shipment... people get confused. haha! So I came up with this little idea to let them know I'm doing something special just for them.
I used my handy-dandy Silhouette machine to make the tags using some leftover paper from our wedding invitations. {Yes, that was awhile ago, but I save everything! You never know when it might come in handy. Case in point. :)} And I used clear labels in Word for the text.
Next time, I would want to print directly onto the tag, but this particular paper doesn't take to printing very well so I opted for the labels. {which I had leftover from my baby shower invitations... my case just keeps getting better for saving everything! haha!}
I uploaded both the file for the labels and the Silhouette working file to Google docs so I could share them with you. It seems that Google docs re-formats things, so you will have to do some tweaking I guess. And, obviously, you would have to change the shop name for your own usage, but at least you have a starting point. :)
Link to Lables in Google Docs
Link to Silhouette file in Google Docs
Here's a quick rundown of how they came together:
Printed labels to the left, and cut pieces above.
I cut the green about 1/4" larger than the frosted white so it would make a nice border.
All pieced together!
Assembly line, baby!!
I also cut a couple of little slits in the top and bottom so I could
thread some ribbon through and tie them all together. No ugly paper clips here!
More work? Yes. But I feel like presentation is everything.
How special to get a little ribbon wrapped package inside your box of goodies you ordered?
I hope you all find this helpful, {I know you SAHMs will!} I'm so excited about sending these out!!
XOXO
Friday, March 4, 2011
Surprise Giveaway!! {the perfect little baby shower set!}
~ GIVEAWAY CLOSED ~
I have gotten an amazing number of emails and comments on sweet little Eli the Elephant and his matching gift set this week!! Have you checked out Tuesday's tutorial post?
I sorta got the feeling you guys liked him!
Especially with the whole matching set!
So....
I've decided to give them away to one lucky reader!
{YAY!!}
Here's what you have to do:
1. Be a follower of The Little Birdie Blog! Easy, huh? :)
Extra entries:
2. "Like" Little Birdie Baby Shop on Facebook
3. Share this giveaway on Facebook
4. Tweet about this giveaway
Please leave a separate comment for each entry so they all get counted. There's LOTS of chances to win!! Winner will be randomly selected on Friday, March 11th at 5pm Central time, so don't wait! :)
Have a great weekend!!
XOXO
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thankful Thursday - 3/3/11
I must say, I really enjoyed my list of "the little things" last week. It sort of put me in the frame of mind to see life through those eyes. All week I've been making little mental notes every time one of those little things makes me smile. So... I'm going to go with that for awhile on Thankful Thursdays. I really think it makes me more positive, if not happier. And hey, we can all use a little of that, right? :)
1. My sweet Baby A. She's 9 months old today. I can hardly believe it. It's gone by so fast already! I'm afraid to close my eyes or she'll be getting ready for prom when I open them back up. She makes my life so amazing in so many ways, and it is truly a pleasure and an honor to call myself her mommy. Of course, she and hubby are always seated squarely at the top of my list, this week she deserves a special shout out.
2. Three grey hairs just to the left of where my hair parts. Funny thing to be thankful for? Maybe. But their appearance means I'm living life. They are footprints on the road behind me and I've earned them. I'm hoping someday {far into the future, please!} that they turn into a streak. Oh how I would love a streak of grey someday! haha!
3. Sunshine. Although I am seriously terrified of what this unseasonably warm weather means for the coming summer, I really am enjoying all the beautiful sunshine streaming in the windows. There's nothing like natural light in your workspace to make you feel all yummy.
4. Skype. My immediate family lives far. Too far. I personally hate it. But Skype makes it easier. Baby A and I "hung out" with my Daddy for like 4 hours Saturday morning on Skype. He nailed it when he said, "This is kind of like being there with y'all! Just missing the hugs!" Right on! I love technology! Baby A will never feel too far from her Grampa & Gigi, and for that I am eternally thankful!
5. Nap time. Yes, I do heart nap time. I am always amazed at the sheer volume of things I can get done in those 3 to 4 hours a day. I feel like as soon as Baby A goes down, I go into turbo mode! With her increasing mobility and curiosity, it's about the only time I have all day to get things done. But what fun we have in between!
I hope you all are having a fantastic week!! Be sure to leave your thanks in the comments, I do love hearing how wonderful you all are doing out there! :)
XOXO
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tutorial Tuesday - Eli the Elephant
Happy Tuesday! Or Happy Tutorial-ing... uh? Not sure if that one works, but in any case I'm happy to have you here this Tuesday. I'm really excited about today's tutorial because it's the first one I've done start to finish without an outside pattern or anything. And he's just so stinkin' cute!
Meet "Eli"
He's an elephant, just waiting to meet your little one.
{even if your "little one" is a dog, it's still a fun project!}
OK, here's what you need:
12"x12" fabric of your choice
needle & thread or sewing machine {I used to be a needle & thread-er, I feel ya guys!}
coordinating piece of felt, or felt scraps
polyfill
Start by pressing out your fabric so it's nice and smooth...
Then, fold your fabric in half with the right sides facing each other.
Draw your elephant shape. He doesn't have to be perfect, he's plush!
Next, sew all around your outline.
I used the wonky looking zig zag, but I like to see the thread on the outside all "rustic style."
I would suggest pinning your fabric together so everything stays straight.
{I didn't pin but I used flannel, and it sticks to itself pretty well.}
Be sure to leave an opening to turn inside out. {see pin}
I like to use the space at the bottom because it's less noticeable when you have to sew it back up.
Now cut out your shape!
I use pinking shears to keep things from fraying {just in case},
aaaaand I like the way the little zig-zaggy edges look. Never said I wasn't a dork!
Now get to turning!
{I find that it helps to start by pushing the trunk out first, since it's furthest from the hole.}
Now it's time to stuff him!
I got this little chopstick-y thing in a bag of polyfil, I'm pretty sure they all come with one, but you can use a chopstick or even a pencil to help get the stuffing in all the little corners and crannies.
Ta DA! All stuffed and ready to sew. I don't usually stuff them too full, just because little baby hands can grab on and chew on it a little better when it's not sooooo full.
I don't know if this stitch has a name, but I stitch in kind of an X pattern.
It's easy, sturdy, keeps the fabric flat when I'm finished, and goes along with my other rustic edges.
Now for the ears...
Cut ears from your scrap of coordinating felt.
Mine are about 2 inches long, and just kind of floppy looking and oval shaped.
You can sew these on and they'll turn out great.
However, I do something a little different...I use embroidery floss
{because it's heavier duty and you won't run the risk of those sweet little baby hands pulling an ear off} Loop it all the way through the elephant to the other side so his ears are "tufted" to his head like a pillow.
Just pin both ears down to it's head, and it will be easy-peasy.
And here you are! A little Eli the Elephant of your very own.
{Of course, you can always make him girly and name her Ellie. I don't mind. :) }
OH wait!!
And if you partner him up with a matching burpie, bib, and jingle block,
you've got yourself a rockin' baby shower gift set in no time flat! ;)
I hope you all enjoyed this week's tutorial! If anyone makes their own Eli/Ellie, be sure to show me! I love seeing what everyone's adaptations are. :)
Come link up your projects for the week below, I can't wait to see what you've been working on!! Feel free to grab a button if you're linking up!
XOXO
I'm linking up here this week:
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