Another Picnic Table Redo

Hey, remember back in August of 2012 I got the idea from Pinterest to refurb a children's picnic table?  Well it has been a staple piece of furniture in our home. We seriously use that thing everyday, all day!

As you can see it gets a lot of love. So we decided to make one for my nephew for Christmas! I have had so many ideas about how I would do another one, so I finally got to put those ideas to use! I decided I wanted to make him one that was a children's version of a real picnic table. I used white and red checkered fabric for the table top to resemble a table cloth. I then used a brown "wood grain" fabric for the seats to resemble the wood of a picnic table. The rest we did black as thats the paint we had on hand. I think it turned out great!

Now that I did the project a second time I decided to take note of the fabric measurements I used to help with the original tutorial. So for the table top purchased 1 meter of fabric and had a little left over. I also used 1 meter of fabric for the seats of the table, again with some left over. If you were using the same fabric for both I think you could get away with closer to 1.5 meters of total fabric but that also depends on the size of your table.  For the plastic vinyl covering I used 1.2 meters which also came in a taller measurement meaning I didn't need as much length. Depending how it comes at your fabric store you may need anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 or even 2 meters to cover your table and bench seats. Idea: measure your table before you head to the fabric sore ;)

For the painting part, if you want a good quality paint job try vinyl automotive paint, sold at NAPA auto parts. It sticks much better to the plastic and doesn't chip off like a spray paint would. We have been generously using our table for over a year now and have not had any paint chip off. You might want to also consider using felt bottoms for the underside of the table depending on the type of surface your table will sit on. We push our table around a lot on our laminate flooring and haven't had any issues but always better to be safe than sorry! 

For this project I found our table on Kijiji for $15 (although Im sure you could find a used table cheaper as my first time doing this I found the table for $10). My fabric cost me $26 and then of course the vinyl paint and staples for the staple gun. All in all its a super cheap project and ends up being very useful with toddlers! 

I hope my nephew loves his table as much as my son loves his!

Halloween Projects

I haven't had time to work on many crafts lately but I did make time over the weekend to create a super cute halloween wreath. I went a bit overboard on the halloween decor last year but the one thing I didn't get was a halloween wreath. So this year I wanted to make one. Much like my Easter wreath I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. I stumbled upon many cute ideas but ultimately chose a yarn, spider wreath to create. I usually just look for an idea and then copy it, and make it up as I go. This particular wreath that I decided to recreate is actually one from an Etsy shop, so to make sure I'm not stealing any ideas and for those who are not into crafting, here is the link to whimsysworkshop, the original creator of this wreath. If you think you might want one and don't want to brave the glue gun and yarn yourself, head on over to their shop on Etsy!

Anyway like I mentioned earlier I didn't follow any blog tutorial for this, I just saw a picture and went for it! First step was supplies. I was in a bit of a rush so I went to Michaels (and for once I remembered a coupon! Go me) but hindsight it would have been much cheaper to hit up Walmart and Dollorama. Sigh, next time.

I obtained the following supplies for my wreath:

A foam wreath (is it foam? It's the stuff that floral people use, it was white)

Varying sizes of styrofoam balls (Depending on the size of wreath you are making you will either need more or less balls)

Black tape (OR black spray paint)

Varying colors and textures of yarn

I already had:

googley eyes

pipe cleaners

glue gun and glue

ribbon for hanging the wreath

You could probably get the balls, googley eyes and pipe cleaner at dollorama and everything else at walmart but again I always think of these things AFTER the fact. 

Next step, prep the wreath. So I decided to tape all the way around the wreath so that it was solid black, you could probably spray paint it instead but that was just my idea. You'll have to let me know how other attempts go! 

Following that you will need to create your spider web. Using yarn I created a star pattern with six pieces of yarn inside the wreath. Start by cutting 6 equal length pieces of yarn. Tie them all together with one single knot. Use that knot as your centre point of your web and tape (or glue) each leg of the web to the back of the wreath. Next cut a substantially long piece of yarn and tie the end of it to the centre of your web. from there continue to attach it to each leg of the web by tying a knot, gradually working your way around the circle. Continue to do this until you reach the outside of the web, AKA the wreath. Tie it and cut off any excess yarn. voila web is done. 

From there its time to yarn your balls (Ha!). I had a friend ask if they came premade. Sadly, no. I yarned each one of those dang things, spiders included. So alternating colours start wrapping those balls with yarn. Start by gluing the end of your yarn to the ball and wrap away until you can see any part of the ball, just yarn! Use a dab of hot glue to finish it off. Once you've covered all your balls you can make a few spiders as well. I used furry black yarn for the spiders, I covered the balls in the yarn and then glued on two googley eyes. To finish off the spiders I cut 6 pipe cleaner legs (your choice of length), stabbed them into the styrofoam balls and bent them into little zig zags.

Before you start adding the balls, cut a piece of ribbon to wrap around the top of the wreath (the top is wherever you choose to make it). Glue the ribbon together so it makes a nice little hook for the wreath to hang from. You can even add a bow for decoration if you want!

Lastly it's glue time! Mix and match the balls and spiders and glue them all around your wreath! As you glue, hold them in place until the glue sets so that your yarn balls don't slide all over the place! 

And thats it! There is your halloween wreath! I have a nice silver wreath hanger that sits over top of the door so that I don't have to wreck my door with a drilled or glued hook. I found that little bad boy at the Dollar store!

Baby Wearing

I want to write a post about a recent love of mine that has had a lot of inquiry from other moms and friends, and that is; Baby wearing. So here goes.

Many moons ago, when I was pregnant with Al, I went online to Babies R Us and created a baby registry for my baby shower. Much like other new moms I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I picked out things I thought I would need and little things that were cute. Now being a Mom for the second time around I realize what was necessary and what wasn't, but back then it was all new to me! One of the things I registered for was a way to wear baby. This was especially foreign to me but I do remember being interested in wrapping my little babe. I didn't know much about it but was very intrigued and definitely wanted to try. So I registered for a Maman Kangaroo stretchy wrap and a good ol' Baby Bjorn. Something I could try out and something that looked a little easier. I ended up receiving both as gifts (very generous of my family and friends) and started wearing Al right away. I mastered the stretchy wrap in no time and very much enjoyed it. 

As Al approached the weight limit on the stretchy wrap I started to use the Baby Bjorn more but found it relatively uncomfortable and started to use it less and less. It became more of a novelty than anything and was soon stored away in a drawer. Al was happy being worn for the first 6 months of his life for grocery trips and a few other outings here and there but as he became to big for what I had it seemed that we had "outgrown" babywearing. 

With number two on the way I started to revisit the idea of babywearing again and this time had a few really great inspirations to look toward for advice. "Try a woven wrap" they said! So I did, I ordered my first woven wrap. Now I must interject here that I was a bit shocked at the price point of these bad boys. I soon learned why they were so pricey by exploring different internet groups and doing some research. I also found out that these woven wraps held their value very nicely and could be bought and sold second hand! Anyway when I received my first order of fluffy mail (ah babywearing lingo, aka new wrap) and I gave it a try with Al. He wasnt much of a fan since it had been so long since I had worn him. However I realized that this wrap would have been a godsend on all the nights I had been trying to cook dinner and Al wanted "up"! Better late than never I suppose. 

I practiced with my new woven wrap here and there (with stuffies and pillows) until Ashe arrived. He was a big baby and we were able to start wrapping right away. I wore him all the time. It was my ultimate life saver! With two under 2 I was able to get my baby snuggles in while still playing with my toddler. I think it was one of the best investments I have made. 

I have since added to my collection but this time utilizing the babywearing swaps online to buy second hand (and sell some as well). Trips to the park, camping, grocery shopping, you name it, has all been made so much easier thanks to the world of babywearing. As Ashe has gotten older I have dappled in other forms of carriers and we have found our perfect fit with wrap conversion mei tais, basically a mei tai made from a woven wrap. He and I seem to like them best for their ease of getting on and off while still getting the beauty, structure and support of a woven wrap. I have even convinced Al to get in the mei tai a time or two.

I have come to learn that everyone will love something different to carry their baby in but it is the common love of wearing your child close to you while still "functioning" in your daily life that ties us "baby wearers" together. I really hope my big baby boy will continue to love being worn as he grows older as it has been such a bonding experience for us (plus a back saver!). I am by no mean an expert on any of this but I am enjoying learning new ways of wrapping and wearing my babes all the time. Heck I am even learning about things like safety, support & posture and so many other things! But if I can recommend anything to the second time mom it would be this, wear your baby! Whatever you choose to use will be the best for you but I promise you will love the closeness and bonding you get out of it! 

Next mission: convince Dad to wear the babes! (in something other than the bjorn)

Ashe

I'm eating

And bouncing

And rolling

And sitting up assisted.

Just a little update on what our big baby is up to these days

Recipes

Cheese & Ham Buns
2 eggs cooked and cubed
2 cups ham grated or finely cut
2 cups grated cheddar
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Onions finely chopped
celery finely chopped
pepper

Mix all ingredients together and stuff inside buns. Wrap in tinfoil and freeze all buns in large ziplock bag. Day of cooking, thaw and bake in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Check after 20 minutes, should be melted all the way through.

Beef Lasagna
Lean ground beef
lasagna noodles
taco seasoning
tomato paste
Veggies (carrots, celery, onion, anything you want)
cottage cheese
mozzarella

Fry lean ground beef (and onion if using) at the same time boil 5-7 lasagna noodles. When beef is browned drain meet, mix in taco seasoning, tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water. Stir in veggies and container of cottage cheese.
In pan layer as follows: (bottom to top)

meat
mozza
noodles
mozza
meat
noodles
mozza

Bake at 375 covered for 15-20 minutes
Remove lid and bake additional 10 minutes uncovered

Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Lasagna noodles
4 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 1/2 tsp basil
12 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 cups marinara sauce
4 cups shredded mozza
3/4 cups grated parmesan

heat oven to 400. Combine chicken, basil 8 ounces of cream cheese and 1/4 cup of broth

Mix remaining cream cheese and broth in separate bowl

Spread 1/3 cup marinara in bottom of baking dish

then Layer as follows:
lasagna noodles
2/3 cup marinara sauce
1 cup of chicken mixture
3/4 cup mozza
2tbsp parmesan

repeat layers as many times as ingredients allow

Top with last noodles and broth cream cheese mixture and remaining cheeses.
Cover and bake 45 minutes.
Take off lid and broil 5 minutes.

Hamburger Pie
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
3/4 cup bisquick
1 cup grated cheddar
1 chopped tomato

heat oven to 400 F and grease pie plate
Fry beef and onion until browned. Drain and stir in salt and pepper. Spread in pie plate. 
Beat milk, eggs & bisquick until smooth. Pour into pie plate. Baked 25 minutes. 

Top with cheese and tomatoes (put into freezer bag and freeze at this point if doing a freezer meal) bake 5-8 minutes or until knife comes out clean when inserted. 

Turkey Pot Pie
3 cups cooked cup up turkey 
10 oz mushrooms
2 cups cooked sliced carrots
2 cups cooked potatoes
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup cooked chopped onion
3 packs of gravy (2 cups)
chicken bouillon cubes (2)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp celary salt
Pilsbury Pie Crust

Cook vegetables. Put turkey and mushroom pieces into bottom piece of pie crust. Add cooked veggies

Make gravy as per packet instructions  add bouillon cubes and fully dissolve. Stir onion powder and celery salt in. Pour over meat and veggies lifting with fork to let gravy run through. Dont make gravy too thick. 
Cover pie bottom with pie top. Cut slits in pastry top. 
Bake at 400F for 30 minutes or until heated through and light brown. 



Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
2 cups flour
1 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 bananas
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients together in large bowl. Grease bottom only of bread pan and pour in batter. Bake 40-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes

M & M Cookies
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups m & m's

In small bowl combine flour, baking soda & salt
In large bowl cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, beat well.
Sift dry ingredients into creamed mixture and blend well. Lastly add M &M's
Bake 8-10 minutes at 375 F

Granola Bars (Special thanks to Ashley)
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour (or sub oat flor)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup liquid honey
1 egg
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla

Add pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips or anything else you like

Mix everything together with hands, add extra honey if ingredients are not sticking together well.
Bake in greased pan at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars

Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugars together, beat in eggs, mix in peanut butter.
Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.
Shape into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Press with fork
Bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes