fit friday in the mommyhood - yoga wear roundup

i love yoga clothes. i wish i could wear yoga clothes and lounge wear all day. ok, maybe not all day, maybe i wish i could wear my fave pj's all day too, well, i have to admit i sometimes do (at home of course), but don't tell anyone. after working on my "shirt sleeves to yoga capris " tutorial i went on a bit of an online hunt to see what else is out there for yoga clothes at the moment.

i found our everyday staples such as lululemon (my fave) and prana, to puma and nike. but there are a few new ones to me, like blue canoe and a few etsy sellers that i fell in lust with. i want all of their stuff! i better start collecting some more stretchy shirts to try to make my own, and develop master sewing skills overnight, or i am just gonna have to win the lottery. not sure which one is more likely :)

{image: jill hudgins}

here's a few of my faves that i found along the way and also a great link for some more eco-friendly yoga wear designers. have a peek and while you're at it, leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite yoga wear is. it's a great way to find that new favorite shop!

namaste....and shop away....

ultimate in eco-friendly yoga wear at blue canoe.

stretch that stress away with prana styles.

perfect for on the way to the studio - puma, champion and nike.

i love all the clothes from gaia conceptions organic. click here to drool over her organic and natural designs.

target your inner chi with this cozy outfit from lucy.

and all of our faves from their wonderunders, and pants to various jackets all from lululemon, perfect for women or expecting moms.

brighten up your stroll home with this chic casual top at etsy.

remember, you're worth it and you deserve it!

a little for her and a little for me

how friggin gorgeous are these dresses???? ahhhh, i want them all. so lovely and fresh. check out whitten grey to see more of the collection. {via simplesong}

lovely clothes with lovely pictures of exactly what i wish i was doing all summer.....check out the new dace collection. i just can't help staring at these pics...i can only imagine how quiet it would be laying on that dock...did i mention quiet......ahhhhhh, nice.

moments in the mommyhood - daddytime

jer and mackenzie had some daddytime on the weekend. now i will be the first to admit i sometimes get jealous of how much mack is a daddy's girl. i can't blame her though, my hubby is a lot of fun, but sometimes i wish i was the favorite. any of you know what i mean?

during the week she can't wait for the weekend so she get's her daddytime at the park or other fun places these two go on adventures to. this last weekend they hit up the baseball field. my hubby grew up playing ball and he is training mack already. i do have to say we think she already has quite the throwing arm...but then, we are her parents. she has never watched live baseball before, only on tv with him, so this was quite the treat for her. she picked up those ball players moves so fast and hasn't stopped imitating them at home. her little wiggle of the hips before she swings is priceless.

sometimes i wonder about the things these two get into when i'm not there that they aren't telling me about. jer always says, "we'll be gone an hour" and they are gone 2 and when i ask for the lowdown on their outing, he says "a little of this and a little of that". cmon now, i want in on the action. i find myself torn a lot between needing a break from the little one and then feeling sad because i miss out on all the fun.

it sure is fun hearing about their adventures though (those of which they will tell me about), and seeing the surprise photos that end up at home along with the grass stained clothes and secret giggles. ahhh, the joys of parenting :)

moms in the mommyhood - dana willard

we have a new "moms in the mommyhood"!

welcome dana willard from the blog "made"! the lovely, funny and super talented, dana has quickly become one of my fave pen pals after she posted her men's shirt to girl's dress post a few weeks ago. after chatting a few times by email, i didn't hesitate in approaching her to be the next mom in the mommyhood. her wonderful blog, super cute children and kick ass sewing and refashioning skills made me want to ask her so many questions, i had a problem cutting them back! it's been great fun getting to know dana, and hopefully it will be the same for you as you read the interview.

if you are new to the mommyhood, our "moms in the mommyhood" features a new mom monthly who currently has their own business (doesn't matter what kind). we try to sit down and have a virtual cup of coffee and ask them all the fun, little questions that we are dying to know. we also try to get a glimpse into their lives and what it's like to be have your own business and be the boss of your kids at the same time. we are always on the lookout for new moms to feature. if you know someone or would like to be featured in this spot, please send us an email at luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca. we can't wait to meet you!

now, let's get sipping our coffee, heck grab a yummy treat if you so desire, pull up a chair and let's get to know dana:

1. you mentioned that your grandma taught you to sew when you were 10 and that even though you always enjoyed it, you really found your love of sewing when you had kids. What was the first project you made after you had your kids that got you hooked?

i've always sewn here and there and even when working full-time, i often daydreamed about days when i could wake up and just sew instead of going to work. so the sewing bug has always been there, but i think it really caught on when a few things happened in my life:
a) i stopped working full-time and became a stay at home mom. the day-dreaming of sewing projects has become a reality (at least when the kids are sleeping)!
b) i signed up for wardrobe refashion . there were piles of "refashioning" items growing in my bedroom and once i committed to their 2-month challenge, i actually started tackling them and felt more confident with each project i worked on. that got my fire going. i started buying less and sewing more.
c) i started the blog "made". having an outlet to showcase my projects, share ideas, and get feedback from others is a great motivator. often times i want to sew something just so i can share it with everyone! maybe that's an ego booster? i hope not :) i find some great inspiration from other's ideas, so i love being able to share mine too.
d) i realized that sewing kid's clothes takes 1/2 the time, 1/2 the fabric and you don't have to fit it around a woman's bust and curves - so i started sewing for my kids. i honestly wish i could make their whole wardrobe, but since they'll outgrow it every 6 months that's totally unrealistic.

2. what is your most loved/hated thing to sew?

i love projects that i can get done in one nap-time period ( a couple of hours or so). a simple gathered skirt for my daughter or lounging pants for my little guy. of course i also love the harder projects too....you know, the ones where i'm crossing my fingers the whole time, hoping it will turn out, and when it does - what a victory!

I HATE to sew buttonholes and buttons as well, anything by hand for that matter. i'm too impatient.

3. do you like to listen to music when sewing and if so, what is your favorite album to listen to?

when it was just me & my daughter i listened to music while i sewed and she napped, but now that she is 3 and doesn't nap, it doesn't always work out that way. i often give her "quiet time" in the other room while my son sleeps but i still keep the music off so i can hear if she needs something.

if i could listen to music though, it would be a random mix of...weezer, george michael, chris issak, amiee mann, bob marley, beck, madonna, u2, songs from movie soundtracks, pink martini, buena vista social club and more...

4. whose work as a designer (fabric/clothing) do you find inspirational?

definitely kate of the "katie did" blog. oh wow, i don't even know where to start...her color palettes, her design work, her amazingly cute daughters - i have serious envy for her work. is it wrong to say she is my sewing idol? that i almost want to be katie? okay, not really, but i just adore everything she touches.

5. when and why did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?

before i had kids i had the idea to start a small business sewing and selling simple throw blankets. it was going to be called "late joon". no reason for the name, other than i love the late june season and spelling joon with two o's was more aesthetically pleasing. because i didn't have kids, i'd never had an interest in sewing baby items, especially since i didn't know what mom's were really looking for in their baby gear, but once i had my daughter, i quickly caught on to what was out there & discovered what i felt was missing from the baby accessory world. i started sewing my own blankets, burp cloths, etc and opened an etsy shop. i named my little company "joon bug" (a mini version of late joon). most of my business has been word of mouth and friends, which has kept me plenty busy with my mom-schedule. which leads me to a big "made" announcement!.....

we are reopening the "joon bug" shop! so come stop by! browse around; enjoy yourself. you can find "joon bug" here.

6. which came first - the etsy store, your website or blog? which one has been the most successful at attracting new customers?

well, the etsy shop and the joon bug website came about at the same time. i could have just gone with the etsy shop but i wanted something stylized to my line of products. i decided to make the site through blogger, using funny loopholes to make it look more like a website rather than a blog. then i linked everything to my etsy shop so that all the purchasing goes through them.

the made blog came after that. it's currently my true love, and probably attracts the most readership. i'm not sure joon bug is my end goal. i really love sewing children's clothing more than baby gear. i hope to somehow marry the two sites/ideas together in the future.

7. what tips/advice do you have for other women looking to sell their handmade goods?

do it! but just know what you're getting into. it's a lot of work, which sounds like, "duh", but what i mean is that there are many steps that go into it. aside from actually just making or sewing the item, you have to package it in a cute/clever way, take nice pictures, upload the pictures, list the item, purchase packing supplies and then ship the item too! i get tired just thinking about it. but honestly, there is nothing more rewarding than knowing that someone loves what i created and that in a small way, i'm making their life a little happier. that is what i love about sewing/selling/gift giving.

8. i adored your men's shirt into a girl's dress tutorial, what do you have planned for your next refashioning project?

funny you should ask...i'm actually going to try YOUR tutorial for the dress-shirt sleeve pants! i am thinking of making mine shorts or knickers though. i always appreciate people taking the time to put tutorials together. having done one, i know they are time-consuming, but it's wonderful to share our ideas and little tricks with others. so thank you for putting yours together!

9. you have two gorgeous kids Lucy (3) and Owen (18 months) - that equals a busy household. when do you normally find the time to do all of your sewing?

busy indeed, i'll never know how my mom did it with 6! i guess the more kids you have, the more you prioritize what is most important to you and let the other things fall to the sideline for a later period in your life. right now i'm lucky to still manage a lot of sewing time while my son sleeps or when the kids are in bed at night. it's not always easy. lucy is awake during owen's nap time but she is a good player. she can easily entertain herself and doesn't seem to mind the sound of my sewing machine. my son however, is a different ball of energy, i can never sew with him around. maybe in the future....

10. if you could sew anything, unlimited time & budget, what would it be?

clothes for me. i rarely take time to sew for me because it takes longer to complete. if i had long stretches of interrupted time i might do more of it and still manage to get my other sewing in too. maybe i should make a future goal...more dana clothes.

11. which pattern do you find yourself using the most and why?

i don't like to sew with store bought patterns so i usually use whatever current shirt/skirt/dress are in the closet and use those as pattern guidelines. it's really not hard to do and i recommend it to others!

{image: corrie bond}

12. if you were an item of clothing, what would you be?

something very feminine. a simple shirt with girly sleeves and ruffles somewhere.

13. being a wife, mother, and having your own business is tough work, how do you balance it all?

it's hard when i'm 10 minutes away from finishing a project and i hear my son crying/waking from his nap, but i have to stop and remind myself that right now, i am a mom. i have a wonderful life with 2 kids and a great husband. they are my number one priority. one day in the future i will have so much free time that i'll wonder when the kids and grand kids are coming over for a visit. so get your sewing time in, but enjoy those sweet people around you.

thank you so much dana! it's been a lot of fun! dana also has a new flickr group for those of you interested in posting pictures of your creations, it's always so much fun to see what others are making! click here to join!

thanks for the coffee and we'll see you in the mommyhood!

p.s. dana has a post up today linking to the interview here, and wow, she just made my year! big hugs to you dana, you are so sweet, i am glad you like it here in "the mommyhood" because we love having you!

{all images: dana willard, unless stated otherwise}

shirt sleeves to yoga capris - the tutorial

i'm really excited about the newest tutorial in the "newbie sewing series" called "shirt sleeve to yoga capris". yes, that's right, i made pants from a pair of sleeves. nuts? nope. fun? you betcha! i got so many comments about the first tutorial in this series (click here for the tute) stating that they wished they could make pants in an adult size, that i couldn't stop thinking about it. i remembered one day a week or so ago that my hubby had thrown this soft, blue cotton polo in his donation to my sewing pile and a light bulb went off in my head. the sleeves stretch! they could fit around my thighs, ok, possibly fit, so i tried them on. mackenzie had a great laugh, jer thought i was nuts, but i persevered. i love how they turned out.


this tutorial requires you to think outside of the norm. we usually wear pants with a seam that goes from front to back in the middle of our bodies, well not these pants. they go from side to side from the inseam outwards. i find it super comfortable and kind of like a pantie line you are allowed to see! during the process i realized that having the seam go on an angle upwards was a leg lengthening trick that is used on bathing suits and with the low rise waist, they could be great for yoga or just lounging in. the best surprise is that they turned out be a great maternity pant as well. no, i'm not pregnant, but i can easily see someone who is being able to wear these around the house during the whole 9 months and after. they are easily adjustable due to a drawstring hidden in the inner waistband and no constricting or tight fabric. i swear i lived in a pair of jammie bottoms that fit almost like this during my whole pregnancy.

so raid your closets, hit up the thrift stores and try a pair. go wild with it. open up your imagination and make yourself your own pair of comfy, fat day, bloat day, live on the couch and eat ice cream, meditate and do sun salutation day pants.

for those of you new to the "newbie sewing series" we provide a tutorial geared towards anyone who sews, but mostly for those who are learning, like me. you get a pdf download of the tutorial and also a handmade video of lil'ol me making them. there may not always be the correct terminology, or the best process, but that's what it's all about when you are learning to sew, it's not always perfect, but it's sure fun.

***Copyright 2010 www.luvinthemommyhood.com
All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.


click here for the pdf download

(please let me know if you have a problem downloading, we were having technical difficulties last night. that's why there is no preview here.)

and here for the video tutorial.

so come along for the ride, use your creativity and remake, repurpose or refashion something into these comfy capris and then lounge, meditate, stretch and pose your little heart out! these pants are made to be custom fit to you!

send us your pics! we would love to see if you make any of the projects in the "newbie sewing series" - please email your creations to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca it's inspiring to see what all of you have been making!

TUTORIAL || DAD'S TIE TO GADGET CASE

father's day is coming up right around the corner and who need another cheesy father's day gift? nevertheless another tie? why not make your hubby a father's day gift this year he can use. 

let's admit it; most men nowadays have a cell phone, camera, iPod that they are using. they may also have a lot of ties kicking around. so instead of buying yet another tie for father's day this year, why not refashion one he doesn't wear anymore?

what's great is this project involves only a little bit of sewing, some fun seam ripping (the kids love this) and dad can use it as a functioning gift. you're helping the environment by reusing and refashioning an article of clothing in your home and also being easy on your wallet.


remember to let your little one's pick out the tie and be part of the fun. they love to help hold the thread, watch you use your scissors, and be part of the overall magic when making gifts that are handmade for ones they love. so go raid the closets, dig through your donation pile, or head on down to your local thrift store, find a fun and funky patterned tie - this is one project that is sure to be lots of fun.

some crafts make use of craft supplies most households have lying around, but we are going to present you with crafts that use things you have lying around but have not thought of for creating new items from. get ready to raid the donation pile before taking it to the thrift store (or even your husband's closet while he is at work - but don't tell him we put you up to it) and start showing some creativity.

***Copyright 2009 www.luvinthemommyhood.com

All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.

click here for the dad's tie to gadget case tutorial in downloadable pdf format.

have fun and make sure to add your pics to our flickr group! we love to see what you are making!

lmnop - new issue out!

one of our fave magazines in the mommyhood - LMNOP has a new issue out! the new issue is dedicated to everything alphabet. click here to download your free copy, yep, it's free, and while you're there make sure to play the song on the bottom of the page by frances england "lmnop", mackenzie won't let me stop playing it and i have to admit, i like it too! if you would like to hear more of her music click here for her website.

i got a kick out of this issue, especially the crocheted letters on page 3, or the handmade felted letters on page 7 - how fun are those?

moments in the mommyhood - deck luv

we've been having a bit of a stressful week, so to take some much needed r&r, mackenzie and i have been having fun gardening on the deck and taking care of all of our plants - or "babies" as we call them. we also recently got a new love seat out there that took me almost a year to find. i was looking for something much more modern, but could never find a love seat that came without a whole set that was cheaper than $200. it also had to be deep and have a super thick, soft cushion.

we grabbed this one the other weekend at canadian tire for the steal price of $50! a very nice employee found it in their back storage area just begging to be taken home by us! it's super deep, the perfect width and the best part is, mack and i can both comfortably lay down and snuggle out there while listening to the birds sing and watching our strawberries, tomatoes, and herbs grow. check out this post for tips on gardening with toddlers.

fit friday in the mommyhood won't be up today, i am busily working away on a tutorial that i hope to get up on monday. i'm excited to show it all to you. there will be a new "mom in the mommyhood" coming out next week as well, so come take a peek!

needless to say, it's busy around here, but a good busy. isn't that the way motherhood always is? one day you think you won't make it to the next and then the smallest thing will just recharge your batteries. i hang on to those moments and somehow they seem to pull me through. mine today was mackenzie feeding seals down at the marina. she just went nuts over those big ol' rock sausages. i couldn't help but cheer up and just enjoy the rest of our day.


jer has been madly studying for a midterm he had this week, so we were solo a lot and that makes it really hard for me to find computer/sewing time with mackie running around. i'm sure there are a lot of you out there who can relate. you get a good schedule going - work/kids, and then bam!, something throws it off. she wasn't napping good, going to bed really late and not liking me to be sewing. this is mostly new for her. normally she loves to help me sew, so i figure something must be up this week. just one of those times that's a write off. so stick with me, i've got good things coming your way!

wishing you all a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine and good times.

shirred pillowcase top tutorial by betz white

i was super excited to see this tutorial pop up for a shirred pillowcase top by betz white over on craftzine. firstly, i am obsessed with collecting pillowcases for various sewing and craft projects, and secondly, it's a great way to economically stock up on material and a lot of times the patterns are just scrumptious!

i have yet to make any clothing from one though, and i think that may change now that i spotted this tute. what a cute summer top and the tutorial is very well laid out, with lots of pictures for us new sewers! if any of you haven't heard of betz white yet, she is the author of the new book "sewing green" that i highly recommend.

i am also waiting to get my hands on a copy of the new release "dozens of ways to repurpose a pillowcase" all about, of course, pillowcase projects! yippee! so next time you are in a store and you spot either new or secondhand pillowcases, don't just think of them for prettying up your pillows, when they could pretty up you, your kids or your home!

{image: jekinthebox}

summer 09 issue of small magazine out!

ohhhhh, goodie!!!!!!!!!!!!

link luv roundup

i'm adoring this refashion over on grosgrain

i can't wait to try this project out! learn how to turn those old paint cans into a planter! what great idea! you can find the how to over on censational girl.


check out the new fabric line "au.then.tic" from sweetwater. {via craftgossip}

i am a font addict. these beauties were rounded up over at how about orange. you can find these fonts and much more over on dafont.
my birthday is coming up next month - ahhhh! it sure would make it a lot easier to bear if my hubby surprised me with one of these handy pin cushion rings from artnest.

i have a love affair with pine cones. i have them hidden in all sorts of decorative manners all throughout my home. we love them in our household, so when i saw this bird feeder tute over on make and takes i had to post it.

i've got another tutorial from amazing mae this week. she's keeping me busy with all her goodies lately. this one is for a comfy, summer linen skirt. i luv the ruffles!

brit from cucumbersome featured a lovely tute for the corsage shirt from curiousitys that was a finalist in the spring top week over on made by rae.

need to knit a cover for that plastic deck chair you have? why the heck not? this was too fun and funky not to post about. you can find the pattern here or here.

Cinder & Smoke from karmaticoma on Vimeo.

a fave song of mine caught my attention over on one of my daily reads "for me, for you". isn't it always fun when you discover a talent that you never knew someone had? love that she sings, and love that she shares her singing even more.

there has been a lot of goodness floating around the blogging world this week and i can't contain it all in this one post. if you have room for more goodies in your to make pile, check out how to turn a men's shirt into a child's smock here and how to turn that onesie into a shirt for your toddler here.

what are you loving this week?

feeling inspired by...

{image: luna dirimmel}

the beauty of pia jane bijkerk's site is enough to cause me to be inspired, never mind the sheer deliciousness of this song she posted today. be warned, you may cry...it's so haunting. check out the comments section as well for some other versions and great links. i think i am on #30 repeats of this song as i write this....i must stop...someone stop me....oh, how i wish i lived on that dreamland of a houseboat in amsterdam with pia.

{image: brew ha ha}

if you haven't seen her blog or her book "paris made by hand" go look. you won't be sorry you did. what's inspiring you today?

here's the english translation:

Ne Me Quitte Pas (=If you go away)

If you go away on this summer’s day,
Then you might as well take the sun away
All the birds that flew in the summer sky
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When the day was young and the nights were long
And the moon stood still for the night bird’s song
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

But if you stay, I’ll make you a day
Like no day has been, or will be again
We’ll sail on the sun, we’ll ride on the rain
And talk to the trees and worship the wind
But if you go, I’ll understand
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

If you go, as I know you will
You must tell the world to stop turning
Till you return again, if you ever do,
For what good is love without loving you?

{image: fulmini & saette}

Can I tell you now, as you turn to go
I’ll be dying slowly till the next hello
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

But if you stay, I’ll make you a night
Like no night has been, or will be again
I’ll sail on your smile, I’ll ride on your touch

I’ll talk to your eyes that I love so much
But if you go, I won’t cry
Though the good is gone from the word goodbye
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

If you go away, as I know you must
There is nothing left in this world to trust
Just an empty room, full of empty space
Like the empty look I see on your face
I’d have been the shadow of your shadow
If you might have kept me by your side
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

{image: manky maxblack}

how to make your own underwear - ban the wedgie!

{image: kimmiepivet}

i caught cal patch over on craftstylish showing how to whip up some comfy undies all on your own today. the best part of these panties - they are made from an old t-shirt! yes, these would be some damn comfy undies. at this rate my hubby is not going to have any clothes left in his closet.

{image: cal patch}

i started thinking that there just might be other people out there making their own panties and low and behold - wowsa! there are some panty making lovelies out there. here's a roundup:

{image: amy karol}

amy karol of angry chicken and the fab book "bend the rules sewing" shows how she made her new fave pantie sets here and here.

intimate guide shows how to sew your own pretty knickers here.

make something shows how she created these homemade underwear with ruffle trim and all.

another creative use of your fave t-shirt turned panty over on supernaturale.

diy: how to make your own underwear video tute from threadbanger!

you can also find a fun, flirty, free pattern for cheeky panties on burdastyle and another video tutorial showing how to make a panty (bikini bottom) here.

so go take a second look at those t-shirts in your closet and instead of wearing another pair of tight, wedgie giving undies, why not make yourself a pair to fit your measurements?

what's your favorite pair of panties? would you make your own undies? we want to hear your thoughts :)

moments in the mommyhood - weekend fun

here's a peek at our weekend:

our lovely house guests chris and jill

we got to catch a glimpse of some stunning horses deciding to go for a swim in the lake.

all in all it was a wonderful, relaxing, bbq's and late nights filled with fun kind of weekend. thanks for coming to visit you guys! chateau cook is open for ya anytime!

{images: luvinthemommyhood}

issue 3 of antler magazine is out!

coffee break time! i am so in love with this ezine. if you haven't checked out antler yet, go now - it's so filled with eye candy, stunning photography and great interviews, it usually requires me waiting until mack's nap time so i can truly just sit and relish in it. i particularly enjoyed the piece "she lives on love street" - man those pics are gorgeous and the artwork of irena sophia is, well, just plain fabulous! i hope you enjoy it.

way to go andi! they just keep getting better and better :) you can get the current issue of antler magazine here and the next edition is out june 15th.

link luv roundup

- unbelievable couch makeover over at design sponge.
- learn how to make this adorable shirt and the ruffled shoulder strap at "pretty ditty".

feeling inspired by the photography and the food over on sunday suppers.

- i need one of these so bad! make one of these trash bags for your car - learn how here.
- i have got to try one of these bird mobiles for my little one. you can find the tutorial for the bird here but take a peek at this flickr photostream to see this mom's oh, so lovely home and how she turned the birds into a mobile. (via decor8)
- need some new panel curtains? here's an easy and fast tute.
- every little man deserves a tie! learn how to make one for your little guy here! (via one crafty place)
- got a pillowcase kicking around? need an apron? go here to whip one up.



- stunning nursery makeover, i love the colors she used!
- oh gosh, another use out of dress shirts! i was blown away with this lovely quilt made all from men's shirts! great idea!

oh, and i can't forget to mention the gorgeous dress tutorial that "jc handmade" posted this week - so cute, one of my new fave blog/etsy stores "blue eyed freckle" shares a tute for making cute crocheted pyramids for your little ones - i luv this idea! you know when you run across something and you go "ahhh, yep", i am gonna need an answer for that one", this blog gave me that feeling.

we have a long weekend here in ol'canada land, so i will be back after some bbq's, lovely houseguests and sunshine. wishing you all a wonderful and lovely weekend.

sneak peek - new tutorial coming soon!

i've got another tutorial coming your way in the "newbie sewing series", hopefully next week, if all goes according to planned (fingers crossed). the only thing i am going to give away is this one is for us ladies! wow! not for a toddler? it's a miracle! i figured it was time i ventured away from my so-so comfort zone of baby clothes and step out into the unknown world of adult sized items. it's a scary, scary place, but also a lovely one. so get ready to raid your closet or your local thrift store - i've got another refashioning project coming your way!

ohhh...we got an award!

{image: snoshoo}

wow! we got a lovely award from the fashion goodies filled blog bonbon rose. thanks so much kirsten!!! you are a sweetheart! go take a peek for me.

the rules of accepting and sharing this award:

1. put the logo on your blog or post 2. nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude 3. link to your nominees within your post 4. comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award 5. share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award 6. tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

here's our list of wonderful bloggers (in no particular order):

1. one crafty place
2. lollychops
3. crafting a green world
4. little birdie secrets
5. made
6. amazing mae
7. curiousitys
8. for me, from you
9. oh, hello friend
10. lolalina

about our attitude of gratitude, well, i can sincerely say it comes from trying to live the happiest and simplest life that i can. trying to remember the beauty in simplicity and to cherish every single moment that i have. to be thankful for the smallest of things and for the gifts that i have been given - my precious daughter, loving husband and wonderful family and friends. i also feel joy and happiness from discovering my love for this amazing world of blogging and for finally finding my passion in making luvinthemommyhood finally exist.

so thanks to you all, loyal readers and new ones too, for coming by to listen to my rants, watching me craft, learning to sew, and for sharing your thoughts and feelings. thanks for being you - i appreciate every single one of you and love hearing from you. so tag along, keep popping by the mommyhood, it's nice here and there's always room for more neighbours :)

fit friday in the mommyhood - best chest exercises to lift up those girls

let's face it, yep, the cold hard truth, that after having a baby, our boobs, or girls as i like to call them, are never the same. they may bounce back a bit, oh they try, but they never truly will without our help. i went on a hunt for some tried and true chest exercises to help my girls reach more in the direction of the stars and not the floor.

don't worry, we aren't on a mission to "man up" and get rock hard pectoral muscles, these moves are designed to lightly strengthen and tone the chest muscles. keep in mind, our boobage is made of fat and you may still need to lose weight to shrink there size, but the exercises below will help improve the overall look and help perk and lift up the girls.

so grab your weights, or soup cans, get out your stability ball or hit the floor and get down to business - your bras will thank you!

1. push up on the stability ball

2. dumbbell press
3. dumbbell flys
4. dumbbell pullover
if any you would like to try a more advanced version of some of the above exercises check out these moves below - bonus is you can work your buns and abs too!

1. dumbbell fly with bridge on stability ball
2. dumbbell press with bridge

remember, you're worth it and you deserve it!

what's your favorite chest exercise? do you have any tips for lifting your girls?

t-shirt necklace tutorial

remember that fab anthropologie inspired table that was revamped by cucumbersome a few months ago (see post here)? well she's got a great new tute out for making one of those fab t-shirt necklaces floating around. i here there's a big 50% off sale coming up at value village and all i have to say is "you better watch out t-shirts, mommas comin' for ya"! click here for the tute.

{images: cucmbersome}