holiday!

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we're going on holiday! i'll be unplugged and away from the computer until july 13th - yippee! we're heading off to stay with friends and family on a lovely island on the coast and plan to fill our days with beach, ocean, beach, ocean and more beach. i've got my bags packed with some fun summer reads and my diva hat and i are all ready to go hit the sand.

i am going to miss my sewing machine though. i almost packed some hand sewing and knitting (sad, i know) but we just can't fit anymore stuff in our small car. i will have to write and find other creative outlets while i am away. be prepared for lots and lots of pics. it's gorgeous there and i can't wait to show it to all of you.

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off topic - check out an article i wrote for the yummy mummy club! it was based on a post i wrote for "fit friday in the mommyhood". i love this site and have been a member since i first found out i was preggers in 2006 (gosh, it seems so long ago).

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wishing you all a wonderful week and have fun with "top tutorials week" - remember to get those votes in for your fave tutorial featured on luvinthemommyhood (see previous post) and be on the look out for a new tutorial in the "newbie sewing series" coming soon!

bubble dress

i couldn't resist posting pics of mackenzie wearing her new bubble dress. i adore this pretty pink owl fabric and am kicking myself for only buying half a metre. nevertheless it was the perfect amount of fabric for this easy dress tutorial and doesn't she look so cute in it?

"let's go out mommy!"

"can i drive the car mommy?"

the many faces of starbucks....we stopped for coffee & a snack & mack decided to make these expressions for the camera and then proceeded to giggle her little face off - it was priceless!

side of the dress

top tutorials week button

it's "top tutorials week" next week on luvinthemommyhood! we'd love it if you'd sport a button on your site! anyone can put a button up (not just nominees), you can use it to get votes in for your tute to be chosen as "top tutorial" (if yours is chosen in our top 5 for the category, see previous post) or to cheer top tutorials week on - thanks for your support!

here's the code for your button:

simply copy the code shown in the box below and add it to your blog template (html) - and voila, instant link luv to luvinthemommyhood!

<a href="http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/search/label/mommyhood%20top%20tutorials"><img src="http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p330/shannonandjeremy/toptutorialweekbutton.jpg" /></a>

thanks for voting and joining in on "top tutorials week"!

*please note: just to clarify - you have to have been featured on luvinthemommyhood sometime before july 1st to be eligible for entry and there will only be 5 nominees chosen for each of the 5 categories and the nominess are picked by me. these will then be voted on by the public to choose who has the top tutorial for each category. any questions just shoot me an email :) sorry for any confusion.

announcement - top tutorials week!!!!

we're going on vacation at the end of the week and i've been pondering what to do on the site while i'm away. i decided to have....are you ready for it....a "top tutorials week"! yippee! i luv when other blogs do this, so i figured why not have one for all the tutorials that have been featured here on luvinthemommyhood.

but i need your help to make this just a bit more interesting. here's the deal, i'm going to choose my top picks from each category (see below) and then you guys can comment to vote for your fave from that post. when i get back in town i'll post the results and announce the winner for that category! then you guys can find the top tutorials for each category for the season of spring!

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what's the prize? well, the prize is that i am going to do this each season (spring, summer, fall and witner) and keep an ongoing link for the top tutorials in my sidebar. so if your tute wins, you get to toot your own horn (sorry, couldn't resist), have a permanent spot in "luvinthemommyhood's top tutorials" and bragging rights that your tute was chosen as the top tutorial!

what do you think? sound like fun? i think so.....here's the categories:

* knitting
* crochet
* sewing (includes refashioning and upcycling..etc)
* diy/repurposing
* crafts

if any of you think i missed a category or want me to change the ones i have, please let me know, i want this to be interesting for all of us. tell your friends, share the link luv and get those votes in for your top tutorial!

like the button above? i made one for you guys too! you can sport that bad boy on your own site and get your votes in! code for the button coming right up in the next post.

p.s. - want your tutorial to be featured on luvinthemommyhood? email luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca to get your tute in for our summer season.

link luv roundup

how cute are these key cosies from bettysonics? (via skinny laminx)

the daintyness of this stunning crocheted necklace by wren handmade has me hooked! (via modish)

don't lose your little ones water bottle the next time you're out and about, you can get yours to stand out from the pack with this friggin adorable water bottle cozy!!! luv it!!! (via ohdeedoh)

i can't get enough of the peacefulness of this photo.....

jessica's got another great tute up for a gorgeous headband on happy together.

i wish i could romp through the grass in a tutu and look this stunning. i'm so hooked on tumblr. have you joined yet? come take a peek at my tumblr page for more pretty pics.

i'm wanting to deck my house out with this how to from zakka life for these pretty tissue paper flowers.

things i'm luving this week:

- pleated pocket tutorial from made by rae.

- cucumbersome has a great post linking 11 inspiring ideas for your home - it's a great list!

- i don't know how she does it but alexis from "my mama made it" has another tutorial up for a elastic smocked dress. i just made the bubble dress and loved it! i really don't know how she has time to do all this sewing with two little ones running around, i can't keep up..haha!

i feel like this when.....

my coffee cup is empty.....

don't forget to check out our lovely sponsor for your daily dose of a healthier coffee.

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feeling inspired by....

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the softest of pale yellows and summer sunshine.

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what color is inspiring you lately?

whirl it lampshade

i'm dying to try this diy whirl it lampshade! it's made from yarn and glue and it looks fabulous. i would love to see the rest of her house over on "pickles" because from what I can see in this pic, i wanna move right in. i have a soft spot for old wood tables and bright fun pillows.

what yarn would you make this from? i'm thinking i would love a soft, pale blue grey.

knitting pattern 911

ok all you knitters - i am in need of your assistance. my daughter was gifted this precious cardigan and i want to make another one for her and also one for myself. anyone know of a similar pattern? or want to take a shot at making one? i have had several questions about it and where i got it so i am sure it would be popular. it seems pretty basic, not too tricky, and i am a good knitter, but i am not so great at drafting my own patterns.

front

front bottom

sorry the pictures are not so hot, they were all i had. if you want a closer look, let me know and i can email it to you. please feel free to leave a comment or send an email to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca if you have any advice, know of a pattern, or are willing to take a shot at one!

back

front sleeve

back sleeve

p.s. if you are the lady (carol hornby) who made this or know her, please, please get a hold of me :)

etsy monday in the mommyhood

one cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach; one can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few. - anne morrow lindbergh

1. mother's necklace - sj engraving
2. sun surf sand - tiny token designs
3. sand and sea beach bohemian - yuki jewlery
4. cape cod pearl and leather bracelet - nicholas landon
5. white pearl and sea glas necklace - tide to treasure
6. black beauties - elysium's beach stone supplies
7. seafoam charm necklace - hazelnut cottage
8. the starfish necklace - mermaid charms

we are leaving on a week and a half long beach holiday this week (gosh do we need it) so i decided to pick some of my favorite things for etsy monday in the mommyhood this week that involve a beach - jewelry! i cannot get enough of starfish, stones, shells, and gorgeous sea glass. we have it all over the house and we try to bring some home from every beach we go to. one of these days i will figure out how to make my own, but in the meantime, here's some beauties that caught my eye and the spirit of the beach.

what's your favorite thing to bring home from the beach?

weekend wishes

{image: debi treloar via simplesong}

what are your plans for the weekend? we plan on watching some baseball, doing some summer shopping, beach combing, trip packing, movie watching, sunshine enjoying, yummy breakfast eating and lots of laughing! hope you all have a fun one planned as well.

wishing you all a wonderful, dreamy, flower filled summer weekend :)

{image: nichole katsikas via restart my heart}

link luv roundup

you all know about my obsession with buttons and i flipped out when i spotted these button sticker how to over on zakka life! i am so doing this!!! the mailman is so gonna hate me :)

rachel from "p.s. i quilt" has done the niftiest, handiest and prettiest bag dispenser tutorial over on moda bake shop. go tell her sweet things, rachel rocks and is one of my fave blogging ladies and twilight fan cohort.

ummm, mediterranean pepper salad and smitten kitchen - need i say more?

i'm in luv with this blog and with this quilt...i keep staring at it, the color palette is stunning and so inviting and refreshing - luv it!

i have such a soft spot for softies and i couldn't resist the cuteness of ric rac's pattern for jofus and lally.

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i am so wishing i was lying here right now...doesn't this look so calm and relaxing and QUIET (aka no kids zone)?

i have lavender galore this year on my deck and was so happy to see calli do this great little how to on make it do - a great new site to check out! it's definitely on my radar!

things i'm luving this week:

- adorable little tutorial to learn how to make a hooded doll blanket from sparkle power.

- can't wait to get my hands on the new wilco album.

- whip up a child's travel pillow with maya made.

-bean bag toss game made from jean pockets.

- another great panty tutorial (check out our previous roundup if you're interested in making a pair)!

- the lovely mique from 30 days has a great tutorial up on making fun custom car books for the kids when travelling.

- "according to kelly" has a super fun "favorite things swap" going on this summer! this sounds great!

aly's "itty bitty" birthday dress

this pretty girl's bday was the other week and what better gift to give a 4 year girl than a dress as cute as she is? i had been coveting this adorable blue chick fabric for weeks and finally scooped on some along with a quaint blue polka dot for the lining. i grabbed my "itty bitty dress" pattern from "made by rae" and got to work (enlarged pattern version of the dress).

now you all know that i am not the best at reading patterns/tutorials, i like to figure things out my own way, but i couldn't resist this dress. i did change a few things (technique wise) as i didn't quite follow a few things she had mentioned in the tutorial but it was only due to my lack of sewing knowledge. this was also my first time using piping and only my 2nd with bias tape. it was quite the ride, but i wanted the dress to be lined and the seams piped inside the dress so as not to rub on her skin. the bodice joining with the gathering of the skirt is one thick seam and i covered that with bias tape and also the sides of the bodice inside. ahhhh, the things we have to do when we don't own a serger.......one day, one day.

i loved the color combo and the look of the dress. it's super soft and perfect for summer. in fact, i loved it so much i made one for mack. stay tuned for pics.

to my best friend jaime - love you girl and i hope your little angel enjoys her new dress :) let's get the two of them together for a photo shoot!

have any of you made the itty bitty dress? how did you like it?

fit friday in the mommyhood - what's your workout playlist?

{image: desiree delgado}

it's fit friday time! the other week we asked what your favorite workout playlist is and here are a few of the answers:

lady gaga
podcasts (radiolab)
black eyed peas - boom boom pow
mandy moore
dj clash - i'm the ish
alex gaudino - watch out
hall and oates - out of touch

i know you guys must have more than this, c'mon, we really want a sneak peek. if you were going to workout who would be your fave choice of music? fave artist? fave song to listen to while exercising those limbs, bums and boobs (yes, they need exercising too)? while you're thinking check out this site, it's filled with great playlists and ideas for workout music (thanks tanya!)

{image via: harsh rule}

let's share our music. it plays a huge role in helping with our motivation, relaxation, and overall well being when it comes to exercising and life in general. maybe your current fave is a song someone hasn't heard yet and it is soon to be their fave? let's help each other get fit and have fun at the same time. remember when making mixed tapes was so cool and fun? well, let's all make a mixed luvinthemommyhood blog tape :)

all you have to do is leave a comment below listing your current fave tunes (or tune) and next friday i'll put them in a playlist for you all.

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

link luv roundup

1) my absolute favorite new crochet pattern - how adorable and refreshing is this hat!!!!!
2) spud and chloe's got a great new free cupcake pincushion pattern up along with their new line of luxe yarns in mod colors - so fresh!

luv this flickr roundup of afghans over on "desire to inspire".

i'd like to have breakfast in this kitchen.

i'm making these margarita cupcakes for the next bbq i go to - yum yum!!! cupcakes and booze, sounds like my kind of combination.

learn how to make these fabulous recycled magazine coasters on "how about orange".

i've been in quite the pillow making groove lately and swooned when i spotted this tutorial from "mermag" over on "kelly + olive"

nifty little clock transformation from censational girl.

don't you just love this dress? flutter, flutter......

things i'm luving this week:

- antler magazine and modern seamster both have new issues out.

- anything from madison belle

- super handy sewing tips part over on make it and love it.

- indie fixx's new summertime galleria up!

the placemat to bib tutorial!

i've been on the hunt for new and safe bibs for mackenzie and kept finding myself reluctant to spend over $10/Cdn for one bib. I spotted some great tropical placemats (PEVA & eco-friendly) at walmart a few weeks ago and bought them for about $1 each not knowing what i was going to do with them. after my search for a new bib replacement ended up fruitless, i remembered my new placemats and the bib idea was born.

this is a super easy repurposing craft that can be hand stitched with an upholstery needle or sewn on the machine like i did. have some fun with it. go wild with the placemat patterns, add a pocket or fancy trim, you're sure to get a lot of wear out of these handy little placemat bibs and all for a great price - you can't go wrong with that!


click below for the pdf tutorial:


and you can also download the pattern pieces here. we've been having lots of fun with our bibs at home and i have to say these things repel food! it's been great - no fussy clean up, running dye, stinky odour and they wipe down easily. happy bib making :)

***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.


please add any pics of bibs you make to our flickr group! we love seeing what you are making!

feeling inspired by......

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the palest of blues and the prettiest lace..........what's inspiring you today?

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don't you wish you could do this when it's just one of those days....

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when the kids are driving you nuts, your little one won't nap, your house is a mess, you haven't had a shower, your husband pissed you off, you have 3 loads of laundry to fold, and to top it off you're bloated, feel like crap and mad that you don't get paid for this amount of work? i sure the heck do :)

etsy monday in the mommyhood

lovebird pincushion - feltmates

peppy peppermint pincushion - pinpinn

matroyshka russian doll - handmadewithjoy

the perfect pear pincushion - pinpinn

the white pear - lapomme

crochet bird pincushion - sabahnur

pjncushion slice of cake - ventichai

surfer vw bus pincushion - whimsical wool

Sewing fills my days, not to mention the living room, bedroom, and closets. ~Author Unknown

this weeks etsy monday in the mommyhood is inspired by, yep, you guessed it - pincushions! after getting my pincushion ring i couldn't resist taking a peek at all the other fun, creative pincushions that are out there on etsy. let's all have some fun with those pins!

summer braid scarf

how fun is this braided scarf? i just can't get enough of these t-shirt scarfs/necklaces. they are so easy to make, cost next to nothing and look so stylish! you can find the pattern to make your own over on one of my fave knitting sites "pickles".

what do you guys think of this growing trend? would you wear one?

hope you are all having a great weekend and "happy father's day" to all you proud daddies out there.