An Apron for the Tot

Because Jakey loves to help in the kitchen so much, I decided he needed a tot sized apron to help him dress the part and possibly save his clothes from the inevitable spills.

I used a commercial pattern for a child's apron to get a basic shape and size but ended up modifying it to make the straps adjustable so he can grow into the apron for a while.

Instead of using a separate neck strap and ties, I made them the same piece. That makes the apron adjustable.

I just put a casing in along the side of the apron and then slid in the ties.

The ties can be pulled to shorten the neck strap,

or they can be loosened to make it bigger.

Tot approved.

Getting Ready for Fall

I think every couch should be adorned with candy, don't you?

This idea came from a friend of mine on Facebook, but I can't retrace my steps to link to it. At any rate, I love my new candy corn pillow.

And this:

I saw here.

And then I saw it about a million other places, but I knew when I first saw it that I HAD to make it.

I haven't hung it yet. It still seems a bit early.

I love the extra splash of orange.

My First Rag Quilt

Wanting to make something homemade for a baby gift, and fast, I dug out all of my "boy" scraps and made this rag quilt.

It is all out of simple cotton prints.

I could have added batting to the individual fabric sandwiches, but I didn't since the baby is a summer baby and will outgrow the blanket before it is cold enough to need it.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cute and it cost me nothing and took me only about 2-3 hours.

Sweet!

Toddler Tie

Way back for Easter, I made Jake a "Lil Guy Tie" using Ashley at Make it and Love it's pattern.

You can buy the pattern HERE!

We get lots of compliments at church, and I think he looks pretty cute as well.

:)

A New Key Fob

My first attempt at a fabric keychain was a bit rushed and kind of sloppy, so I decided to give it another go and actually follow the tutorial, Here, at The Idea Room.

Here is my second attempt and it looks tons better.

Plus, I used some cute canvas from Hob Lob and it is much sturdier.

You should try one!

Black Bean Chicken (Slow Cooker)

It has to be said that I don't cook. Like, at all. And while I love to bake, I am not usually one to try something complicated. I like cookies and dessert bars. That is pretty much it.

So, when my friend Tenille decided one day that she was going to get me over my fear of savory foods she gave me this recipe and our little family LOVES it. It is beyond easy. And if your family doesn't make something like it already, you should!

Black Bean Chicken

3-4 Chicken Breasts

1 Can of Black Beans (we drain them)

1 Can of Corn (We don't drain them)

And a Jar of salsa (around 12 oz.)

Cook in slow cooker until the chicken is done. We do ours on low for an average of about 5 hours...

... and it is always Jakey approved.

Pictures of Baby Camden

My good friend, Melinda, asked me to come take some pictures of her son and these are the results.

I love practicing my photography.

I am getting faster at Manual and better at knowing what settings will give me the look I want.

I used my 50mm fixed lens for all of these pictures and they were all shot in Camden's nursery. We took some with him on his dresser, and some with a piece of fabric draped over the rail of his crib and his dad kneeling on the floor.

Camden was wide awake for this whole shoot.

I was expecting a sleeping baby, especially because he is only two weeks old.

I like these backlit window shots even if Melinda wasn't excited to be photographed 2 weeks postpartum and at 8am in the morning. ;)