moms in the mommyhood - lindsay wilkes & a giveaway!

we have a new "moms in the mommyhood"!

let's all say hi to lindsay from the etsy shop "the cottage mama" and the blog "the cottage home"! the first time i spotted lindsay's blog i just swooned, not to mention her etsy shop, i think i frothed at the mouth...haha. i love her style, her taste and her lovely family. i wish i was lindsay's neighbour so that i could pop over and be part of the cottage home.

lindsay is a busy mom to two adorably sweet little girls and a wife to her talented hubby brett. she's a stay at home mom who adores sewing, crafting, cooking, music and life. her persona is irresistible and you just can't help but want to be friends with her. i think i might have even begged her to let me interview her just so i could get to know her better. it was worth the begging though, it's been a fun interview and i hope you will all enjoy getting to know the wilkes family as well. let's head on over to the cottage.

*the giveaway is now closed*

but first we've got a giveaway for you! lindsay is such a sweetheart that she's offered you all a giveaway for $25 off any item in her shop. all you have to do to enter is comment on this post what item from her etsy shop "the cottage mama" you would spend your $25 on and/or for a double entry head on over to "the cottage home" and pick your fave tutorial/recipe and then come back and comment below again with your choice (make sure you leave an email address to contact you at). easy peasy! i wish i could enter :) *the giveaway is open until saturday, april 3rd.*

so let's all welcome this fun loving momma to the mommyhood, feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. come sit on down and join us for a cup of coffee, put the kids down for a nap, take a breather and let's chat!

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 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 you would like to be featured in this spot, please send us an email at luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca. don't be shy - 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 join in on the fun with me, have a few laughs and get to know lindsay:

I love the look and overall style of your blog and shop. Where did the aesthetic behind The Cottage Home and The Cottage Mama come from?

I really was going for a mix of modern and vintage style, which is some-what hard to come up with since they kind of contradict one another. I knew I wanted to open up my etsy shop soon after I started my blog, so I wanted to make sure the look, feel, and style was cohesive throughout. I played around with designing several things myself, but couldn't nail-down the look. I contacted Emily (The Blog Fairy) and, through a series of conversations, she figured out the perfect look for The Cottage Mama/Home. First she came up with the old-fashioned silhouette of the little girl and kitty, then added the dress onto the girl in the modern fabric and the look grew from there. When I saw what she had done with the silhouette, I realized that Emily had really figured me out - bingo - perfection!!


I love the vibe of the items in your shop! What made you decide to start selling your handmade goods and what drew you to kid’s clothes and the vintage/classic style they have?

Thank you - that is so sweet of you to say! Ever since my daughter, Savannah was born I have just LOVED sewing clothes for her. I just think little girls clothing is so diverse and fun and I truly enjoy sewing and creating beautiful things for little girls. Clothing that isn't like what everyone else is wearing, pieces that are timeless and make them feel truly girly and special.

I had many people see my handmade clothing on my daughter and say that I needed to sell it. I would say it was a turning point for me when I made my daughter's first birthday dress. I brought the dress into Gymboree to find some shoes to match the pink, Amy Butler fabric. The manager in the store just went nuts over this dress. She said it was like nothing she had ever seen before, why wasn't I selling these dressses and that she knew lots of other mothers that would love something like that for their daughters. And the same thing happened when I took Savannah for her 1st birthday photo shoot. The women in the studio had the same comments as the manager in Gymboree. Yes, the dress was pretty, but the Amy Butler fabric helped for sure - Gorgeous! So those few examples planted a seed in my head in regards to wanting to sell my goods and thinking that someone might actually buy it!

I am a classic, traditional girl at heart. As much as I would love to be cutting edge and super-trendy, it's just not me. I am drawn to many old fashioned things - I love antiques and I love vintage style. There's just something so timeless about things from the 1940's and 50's.

What came first for you - the blog or the etsy shop? Have you found having a shop on etsy a positive experience?

I have had several friends over the years tell me that I should sell some of the things I make. And I had thought about it, but with have two little girls under two, I just didn't know if I could find the time. The 12 other Moms in my playgroup joke around with me and call me "Martha Stewart" and one of my photographer friends in the group had said "hey, I'd read a blog if you wrote one". And that got me thinking.....hmmmmm.....maybe others would be interested in what I have to say too. Thus, the creation of "The Cottage Home".

So I started The Cottage Home with the thought in the back of my head that this might be a good gateway into opening an etsy shop. I could see if people responded well to my sewing and crafting and if so, then I'd go ahead with my etsy shop. And sure enough, I started getting people reading my blog and four months later I opened my etsy shop, "The Cottage Mama".

So far I have found etsy to be very positive. The customers I have interacted with have been wonderful. In the future I hope to join some of the etsy groups and become more active in the forums. I have also found etsy to be very user friendly in regards to uploading photos and information to my shop.


When do you find the time to do your blogging/sewing with 2 little girls (Savannah Rose, 2 years and Matilda Jane, 8 Months) and hubby (Brett) running around?

I tend to do my blogging in the evening. I usually will take pictures for tutorials during the day, but then I will edit photos and write my tutorials at night. In regards to sewing, I definitely try to utilize naps and occasionally my girls will entertain themselves long enough for me to at least get some of my designs cut.

When did you first start sewing and how did you learn?

I actually only started REALLY sewing about two years ago. My Mom is amazing - she always made the most incredible costumes for my brother and I. So I grew up around it and tried to take it up several times as a child, but I never took it any further than sewing a straight line. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, Savannah, my "nesting instinct" was kicking in big time and I felt this huge desire to sew and craft things for her nursery. So my Mom and I live across the country from each other, but I am blessed to have my Grandmother nearby. So I talked with her and she agreed to help me sew some things for the nursery on her sewing machine. She really gave me some great advice and foundational tools in our day of sewing together that I still think about every time I sew. For instance, the importance of pining, the importance of pressing all seams, guiding the fabric as I sew and not forcing it, and other truly valuable advice that only a seasoned sewer would truly know.

What were you previously doing before Cottage Mama?

I was a Realtor prior to having my daughter Savannah Rose, once she was born I became a stay-at-home Mom. But if we want to go way back, I used to do musical theatre (singing, acting, and dancing). Maybe that is where some of my love of all things vintage comes in - I have always been drawn to the old-fashioned musicals, even as a little girl - 42nd Street, Crazy For You, Singin in the Rain, The Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls and the list goes on.


I noticed the fabric you use right away when I first spotted your shop. It’s gorgeous and so fresh and modern. I love the fact that you combine the flair of vintage with fun and fresh fabrics. Who is your favorite fabric designer?

Wow, that's a really tough question. Right now, my favorite designer is Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics. I just LOVE Art Gallery! They have so many gorgeous prints that have an amazing mix of old and new. Right now I am creating many of my designs from their "Girly Girl" line, but I am considering creating some things from their "Sugar" line as well. I think "Sugar" would be perfect for summer!

I dream of one day having my own craft room as I’m sure most of us crafters do. Where do you craft and sew?

We live in an old 1930's Cottage style home so, like many older homes, it has lots of little rooms. I currently have most of my sewing/crafting materials in what we call the "office", although my sewing machine, serger, and cutting mat are spilling over into the dining room. My father-in-law has agreed to help me covert our "office" into my "studio" in the next month or so. Right now that room is basically used for sewing anyway, it just needs some serious built in organization to help me function better with my new business.

You and your hubs are high school sweethearts (so romantic) and sound like such a fun couple. Your hubby is a writer who works in advertising who is also an award winning beer brewer! What a combo! You both seem like such a creative couple, what other hobbies do you share and what role does he play in the Cottage Home?

We are both really into music. We used to both be into a lot of indie stuff, but as we have gotten older, I tend to gravitate towards some more mainstream music that I can dance around to with my girls. Brett, however, is still really into the indie scene. Brett also plays guitar (he was in a punk rock band when we got together in high school), so he will play the guitar for the girls and Savannah just loves it! We both really love food and wine (as well as his beer). I just love to cook and Brett loves to eat - perfect combo!! We honeymooned in Napa and Sonoma and just
love wine tasting. Brett planted a small vineyard here at The Cottage Home and he makes wine as well as beer.

Brett is an AMAZING Daddy and is so good to me on the weekends. He pretty much changes all the diapers and really gives me a break all weekend long. Also, if I need to do some sewing, he will definitely entertain the girls to let me get whatever I need done. I am very lucky to be married to such a great man!

When it comes to sewing I have a fear of zippers and button holes. Is there something that you still have to conquer when it comes to sewing?

This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but I cannot seem to conquer sewing with elastic thread. Everyone I know that has conquered this tells me how great it is and how it is SO easy............maybe it's easy for them, but not for me! I have tried everything......winding the bobbin loosely, winding semi-loose, winding it semi-tight, and the list goes on. Let me tell you that I don't usually give up on things, but after two days and two entire spools of elastic thread, I just decided maybe it wasn't for me. In the back of my head it is still something I would like to master because it looks like so much fun!!

What are your future goals for Cottage Home/Mama?

My goals for The Cottage Home is to continue to increase the number of readers. I would also like to come up with some great new sewing/crafting tutorials. Many of my readers have emailed me talking about being new to sewing, so I hope to inspire them to keep on trying and perfecting their skills. In regards to The Cottage Mama (my etsy shop) I would love to become more well-known in the etsy community and I would also like to promote my business here in the local community. I would love for my business to become so wonderfully successful that I need to recruit my Mom to come up from Texas to help me :-).

Does the overall style of your shop/blog flow through into your home/fashion sense?

Yes, I definitely think it does. I love classic style. Granted, being a Mom of two little ones, I am not always putting my best fashion-foot forward. I love pretty florals, girly ruffles, classic cardigans, ballet flats, khakis, vintage jewelry. Well, I do actually live in a cottage (I didn't make that up!), so my home is very much decorated in a "cottage style". It feels cozy and comfortable and is decorated in mainly warm rich tones.

What kind of sewing machine do you use? What would be your dream machine and do you use a serger?

I do not have a fancy sewing machine. My Mom and husband got me a Brother CS-6000i for my birthday and it's awesome! I believe it sells for under $200 on amazon.com, but it does everything I need. It has many fun stitches, a great button-hole foot and is super user friendly. I recommend this machine to anyone I know that is considering taking up sewing.

Hmmmm.........my dream machine. I would love a Bernina - I think the Bernina Artista 730 would be nice!! I would love to have a machine with an embroidery function. I love monograms and personalized items, so I think that would be really fun!

Yes, I use a serger. I am somewhat new to serging, but I think I may be addicted. All of my items in my shop have professionally serged seams or they are completely lined. I use a Brother 1034D - it is a great, fairly inexpensive 4-thread serger. Again, I can't say enough about the "user friendliness" of the Brother machines!!


If you’re not sewing goodies for the shop what would we find you making?

Clothes for my girls or right now you would find me making birthday presents for my daughters little friends. Like I mentioned before, we are in a playgroup with 12 other Mommy's and they all have little ones born within a month of Savannah, so right now it is birthday party season. You would also find me making lots of food! I love, love, love to cook - my favorite chef is Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa.

How do your kids react to your sewing/blogging time? Any tips for other mom’s on how to get it all done?

Some days are better than others. Right now we have a baby gate up between my sewing machines and the family room. This helps because I don't have to worry about the girls getting into anything dangerous, but yet they feel like I am right there with them if they need anything. Before, I was having to put everything up if I needed to take my little one, Matilda Jane, upstairs to take a nap. Well, I was wasting WAY too much time putting away and getting it all back out again. So, until my craft space is completed, this works really well for us.

Many of my friends ask me that very same question, "how do you get it all done?" and let me be totally honest with you, there is no way to "get it all done". If there is a day where I need to do a lot of sewing to keep up with my etsy shop, well then maybe the housework gets neglected a little. If one of my girls is needing more of my attention, then my sewing/blogging is going to have to wait. My girls and my hubby are truly my #1 priority. If I truly was able to "get it all done" I would need three of me!!

Where do you turn to for sewing advice and inspiration?

I am new to the blog world, but I am LOVING it. I cannot believe how many amazingly, talented women are out there - it is totally inspiring! My Mom is a great source for sewing advice. I also have a subscription to "Sew News" which is wonderful, especially if you are into sewing clothing, as I am. "Altered Couture" is another really fun publication for those that are into sewing upcycled goods.

Do you shop for fabric online or in a brick/mortar shop? What is the name of your fave shop?

I buy most of my fabric online. There are several etsy shops that are great - for example Gina from "Fabrics I Love" is so sweet and "FernandIna Fibers" is another great resource with great prices. It really depends on what fabric I am looking for. Hawthorne Threads is another great source with a HUGE selection.

Any words of advice to other mom’s considering taking the plunge into opening their own handmade shop?

I would say to definitely do some planning and think about your vision for your shop. I really made sure that I had a look for my shop/blog that reflected my personal style and had developed somewhat of a brand identity. It would be so sad to set up your shop under a name that you didn't really think through and be stuck with that forever. Brainstorm, write down your thoughts, dream about what you want and then just do it!! Take the plunge and get out there. It so important for us to make sure we maintain our personal identities after we become Mommy's, so if you have something your are interested in, put your mind to and make it happen.........don't end up being 80 years old, thinking, I wish I would have.......

thanks so much for being part of the mommyhood lindsay, it's been so fun getting to know you! the hubs and i will be right over for some beer/wine, guitar playing, sewing and lots of laughs. too bad it would take me a plane or long road trip to get there...haha.

you can find lindsay on her blog, at her etsy shop, facebook group and on her flickr page.

*all images © copyright the cottage mama

a small celebration - part three

image via michibanban

luvinthemommyhood is turning "1"!

it's our one year bday on the site so we're having a wee bit of a celebration. click here to read some more about my thoughts on turning "1" and to see "part one" of our celebration and here to read "part two".

i thought i would continue this little shindig of ours with some of my fave moments in the mommyhood. i try to add a little bit of everything on luvinthemommyhood and part of that is an inside peek into my life as a mom, and believe me, it's not always fun or happy, but it is what it is. part of what makes blogging so special for me is the relationships that i have developed with all of you. i love hearing that someone else is going through the same thing or has wonderful advice to pass along to those of us who are suffering at the moment. it helps us moms get through the good times and the bad times, whether it's parenting, relationships, body issues or even sewing, you have all been there for me - so thank you!

here's a few of my fave posts that i have written in the series "notes from the mommyhood" that you can find on the sidebar.

post traumatic shi* disorder

this post is still one of my fave posts and probably one of the top experiences with mackenzie that still to this day grosses me out and makes me laugh (and crave cookies) all at the same time.

preschool paranoia

ahhhh, the preschool paranoia, a goodie. i suffered through this for a while and only recently can relax. we found and got into the preschool we wanted and let me tell you, it makes a world of a difference to feel comfortable in your decision for your child's education. we love our school and our teacher. next up - kindergarten.....i get the shakes just thinking about it.....

date night lowdown

the hubs and i are strong believers of the monthly (or whenever you can go regularly) date night. we try to go each month and we have a strict rule - no talking about kids. it keeps our dates fun and it keeps our relationship fresh and still filled with conversation that doesn't just consist of bills, kids, diapers and chores. not sure how we are going to do date nights with babe #2 coming soon, but we'll work it out :)

5 ways to help parent when you aren't at your best

this post means a lot to me personally, it talks about some things that i deal with on a weekly basis and i still go back to refer to it when i'm having a low point or a rough day. if you have any comments or tips, please feel free to keep adding comments, i would love to hear from you :)

don't forget to check out these other posts in the "notes from the mommyhood" series:

- it's bad enough that half of our body is already swollen
- made with love
- weaning your toddler

i hope you have fun taking a look back at some of the things i have experienced this past year and share your thoughts and comments as well. what's that you say? is the party over? nope, not yet. next up in our celebration - some of our fave moves from "fit friday in the mommyhood". so stay tuned!!!

weekend wishes

to finish the little beans stroller blankie and then wrap myself up in it (heck i may end up using it more than the kid will)......

get started (and finish) a few sewing projects that have been on the back burner now that i have some new fun fabric.....

that i had found this image earlier so i could have decked myself out in this image.........

image via ibreakplates

to be able to play my guitar again one day and to play it floating weightless in the air instead of being weighted down with what feels like a 25 pound baby.......

image via angelically

to maybe, just maybe give in to my craving for ice cream and sprinkles......

image via beautiful gravity

oh, and of course, to turn off for earth hour and hope that everyone else does too.

i'm hoping this weekend is filled with at least one nap, a tiny bit of alone time, sewing without having my feet swell up, picking up a ton of much needed baby supplies, having the hubs help me with some chores, family time to help deal with my daughter missing her daddy so much, and of course, no back pain or early labor.

we attended our local hospital tour the other night and i swear i thought it was going to kill me...haha. pregnant women in their third trimesters should not be made to waddle around for 45 minutes and stand still in one spot for a big chunk of it. between that, the stress of some news we found out about the amenities of our local hospital combined with the last few weeks was enough to get me thinking i was going to go into labor last night. thankfully i was finally able to get a massage today and have a little time to de-stress.

what are you up to this weekend? any of you have any tips on helping kids deal with their dads working tons all of a sudden....i could use some help? have you been disappointed in your hospital before your due date?

(all images luvinthemommyhood unless otherwise noted)

a small celebration - part two!

luvinthemommyhood is turning "1"!!!!!

it's our one year bday on the site here so we're having a wee bit of a celebration. click here to read some more about my thoughts on turning "1" and to see "part one" of our celebration.

i thought for part two we could reminisce on some of luvinthemommyhood's tutorials and other crafty goodies on the site. it's funny how they came about considering i didn't even know how to sew when i started this blog. i mostly had knitting projects on here. but low and behold, i got bit by the sewing bug and haven't stopped since. this was the shirt dress that started the ball rolling.


what i seriously never thought would happen was having my own tutorials. yep, that one was just weird and happened purely by accident. those are always life's best surprises though right? that's how the idea was born for the "newbie sewing series". i figured there must be a better way for tutorials to be explained so us newbie sewers could follow along with all you pros out there. no fancy terminology and ok, maybe a bit of my humor, along with a video for all you visual learners like me. so here's a look back out the "newbie sewing series".


make sure to add pics of your projects inspired by the tutes below to our flickr group! i love seeing all of your creations!

click here for the pdf download and video tutorial.

click here for the pdf download and video tutorial.

click here for pdf download and video tutorial.

along with the "newbie sewing series" i also started a 2nd tutorial series called "remake, repurpose, refashion". you've heard of the 3 Rs of environmentalism, reduce, reuse and recycle. well, luvinthemommyhood's bringing you the new 3 Rs: Remake, Repurpose, Refashion.

some crafts make use of craft supplies most households have lying around, but we present you with crafts that use things you have lying around but have not thought of for creating new items from. get raiding 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 your creativity!

click here for the pdf download

click here for the pdf download

and here's a look back at some of the projects i have been working on over the last year that aren't part of my tutorials but that were made using all the wonderful projects available out there in the blogoshpere! you can find a lot of these on the sidebar under the heading "map of the mommyhood". click on the links for either "makin'it in the mommyhood", "sewing in the mommyhood", or "knitting in the mommyhood" and a wealth of posts will pop up for you to puruse, but not all will be mine, so it does take some scrolling. this is one of the things that will be changed on the site revamp. to make it easier feel free to check out my personal flickr page. all the pics are there and most link up to the post they relate to. you can find me on flickr here.



well that's it for part two of our celebration....don't be sad though, the party isn't over yet....we've got more to come next week. so stay tuned for part three - some of our fave moments in the mommyhood!

link luv roundup

this photo reminds of when i used to have the time to daydream.....

1) love these little shoes and the blog as well.
2) turn a cropped cardigan into a baby cardi over on a beautiful mess.
3) struggling with a small kid's room? why not turn a closet into a sleeping area? check out this family's home tour over on design sponge. what a great idea!
4) i've been doing a lot of organizing lately and this tutorial on the mother huddle is on my to make list.

- i'm crossing my fingers that anna maria horner posts the free tute for this baby zigzag quilt sooner than later, i'm in love with it!!!
- dana from made has an adorable easter craft up over on v&co. this week.
1) sew4home has a quick little tute up for making a soft, cushy playmate for the little ones in your life.
2) i've been on the lookout for a new duvet and have recently gotten interested in making one of my own. i came across this tutorial and couldn't resist linking.
3) can we say yummy? check out this chocolate bird's nest tutorial!
4) simply modern mom has the how to for this sweet traveling placemat tutorial.

- ohhh, bunny finger puppets how cute are you?
- vanessa shows us how to use up old dryer sheets and turn them into this adorable applique.

turn a tshirt into a quick fix grocery bag over on between the lines.

this is seriously the cutest kid's bday cake i have ever seen!!! (via craftzine)

ok, i could fill a whole post with my ranting over this pic, but decided to try and contain myself. i seriously got depressed seeing gisele in this pic and interview for vogue with her new baby who is like what - 6 weeks old or something? seriously, how are normal mom's supposed to live up to this? and we wonder why we get depressed?

1) if you have any hemp kicking around the house why not whip up these fun coasters?
2) pretty little hearts....isn't this quilt sweet?
3) learn how to make a staple free matchbook over at daisy janie. (via craftzine)
4) salvage an old bulletin board into this lovely patchwork one.

- get the how to for this rose belt diy and even learn how to make a matching one for your little girl.
- i doubt i'll be making any maternity clothes from now until may, but for all you gorgeous preggos out there here's a great skirt refashion!

1) this mama makes stuff turned a western shirt into this yoked girl's skirt - so friggin cute!!!
2) keep your outfits organized with this day of the week hanger tags tutorial from the creative maven.
3) great pattern for this tea towel apron over on 3 sweet p's.
4) i'm not sure i could carry off these stripes but i still love this sweater pattern from pickles.

1) the object project has a post up for a free download of one of the quilts from the e-book "sew expecting".
2) what little girl wouldn't love one of these plush ballet bunnies? get the how to here.
3) head over to bliss in a teacup to drool over these gorgeous wooden buntings! such a great take on the bunting!
4) adventures in dressmaking has a wealth of refashions on her site. check out this tshirt refab.


1) the newest free issue of viva la moda is up for our drooling purposes.
2) learn how to turn 2 pillowcases into this handy bag from the sewing dork.
3) check out this trestle bench makeover on censational girl.
4) i've been enjoying this book "alchemy arts - recycling is chic" by kate mackay and ki jennings.

things i'm luving this week:

- learn how to make a pair of custom yoga pants over on threadbanger.
- i can't wait to try some of these recipes for making your own kitchen soap. (via craft gossip)
- great diy for making fabric printer sheets out of ingredients in your own home.
- i've been on the lookout for a new booster seat and spotted this roundup on ohdeedoh.
- join in on the sock fun design contest over on "exercise before knitting".
- sew an easy t-shirt shrug with the cottage home.
- ok, i'm counting down the days till the new sex and the city movie is out, here's the link to the trailer...fabulous!!!
- i flipped over this dress refashion that melissa made along with the skirt for her daughter to match! i cannot believe these came from such an ugly dress.

what are you luving this week? do you have a tutorial you would like to see up here next week? send me an email!

p.s. if any of you featured in the roundup would like a "featured on luvinthemommyhood" button for your blog just send a quick email my way to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca and i'll send you one right over - thanks for your support :)

a small celebration - part one

i had some plans for this month on the site and due to my giant belly, bad back, and hubby working so much these last few weeks they seemed to have gotten waylaid..haha. the plans were to celebrate..............

luvinthemommyhood turning "1"!!!!!

yep, it's our little blogiversary. it was in march last year that i turned what was a personal blog for family into this passion of mine. it's been tons of fun and an amazing ride watching it grow and i am so excited to see what this next year holds for us. i'm also very grateful and thankful for all my wonderful readers that come by and visit, it makes my days just that much more enjoyable - you guys mean a lot to me and even if we have never met face to face i consider you all my friends :)

so i'm a bit sorry to say instead of giveaways and guest posts we will be having more of a quieter bday celebration for our first year. i thought it would be fun to take a look back at the year (or an introduction for all of you who are new to the blog) and all the fun things that have been going on in our "neighbourhood". so here and there until the end of the month i'll be posting a few of these celebration posts.

luvinthemommyhood will also be undergoing a face lift, so bear with us as some changes are being made on the site to make things easier to find and a bit more spiffy if you ask me :) just in case you are wondering, those little hearts on the top of the sidebar are for you to click on to join/follow luvinthemommyhood. you can subscribe in a reader/email, follow us on twitter, join our facebook group, our flickr group and our you tube channel all from one loving little section. i hope you like it and find it a bit easier to find luvinthemommyhood around the internet. you can also join us via the "google friend connect" that you can find a bit lower on the sidebar. i have to admit i don't use this myself as i use google reader to keep in touch with all of you but i decided to make this function easier for those of you who do use it to find, so c'mon, join in, subscribe and let's start this party!

to start off, a lot of people ask or email questions about the blog and me and how things started. here's 2 interviews that i've had the pleasure to be asked to take part in. i hope they answer some of your questions and maybe you'll find out something new about me as well.

interview with handmade news - thanks sara! i'm honored to make the front page!

interview with mique from 30 handmade days - thanks mique! i am still thrilled you even thought of me :)

speaking of interviews.....y'all know how much i love the "moms in the mommyhood" section on our blog. it's one of my fave posts to do out of the month and i have to admit, i just love getting that sneak peek into someones life that i wouldn't normally have ever met or found out about, plus it involves one of my fave things to do - chat! it's tons of fun and each one of you talented ladies means a lot to me. thanks to all of you for taking the time to be part of my little "neighbourhood", i truly do appreciate it! here's a flashback at our year of moms...

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 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 you would like to be featured in this spot, please send us an email at luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca. don't be shy - we can't wait to meet you!

click on the images below to read our
"moms in the mommyhood" interviews :)

don't worry the party isn't over yet.....we've got way more to come, so stay tuned! next up this week in our small celebration - a look back at our tutorials and crafty fun in the mommyhood!

etsy monday in the mommyhood

"The innocent seldom find an uncomfortable pillow."
~ William Cowper

1) girl / boy head pillow by vintage jane
2) flora nova lil hoot by manic muffin totes
3) owl pillow by nora jane
4) mother duck ducklings hand appliqued pillows by room to romp

i've had baby decor on my mind as the creative nesting sets in around our household. i have had little energy to craft but seem to manage to find it somewhere to get a few new projects on the go. i'll hopefully have a few things to share in the next few weeks, but in the meantime i thought it would be fun to look up some cute baby room pillows on etsy. it was hard to pick just 4! i found tons, and i mean tons of great stuff on there for this kind of thing. definitely a must take a peek if you are looking for handmade goods for your nursery. the nice thing i noticed was that there was a lot of customizable pillows available. so pop over and get ready to drool. sorry wallets...haha.

what's your fave thing to buy for a nursery? fave thing to make for that new baby?

weekend wishes

hoping for more sunshine yellow smiling our way......

to get some of the projects cleared off my sewing table......

to get my little one to catch up on all the sleep she missed during the time change this week...

to enjoy my baby shower this weekend with friends and loved ones.....

image via

relish in the joy of being able to stand up again without crying and revel in my 33 week preggo belly.

i'm looking forward to enjoying the baby shower on sunday child free! yee haw! after having a cranky little one hanging off me and my crippled back for a week and a bit while the hubs has been working till midnight and on weekends, i am due for some mommy alone time.

what are your plans for the weekend? are you in need of some mommy alone time?


all images luvinthemommhood unless otherwise noted

the lovely lovelies - susannah tucker

first off a giant thank you too all of you who voted for us on the lovelies. i can't remember if i mentioned that we won 2nd place in our category "best handmade blog" and also 2nd place overall out of all the categories! i was over the moon! you guys are the best, thank you so much!

as a little nice surprise i got to pick myself a lovely goodie out of the prize box. i was thrilled to see that a pic i had been oohing and ahhhing over was there and it was going to be coming home to me to be proudly hung in the girl's room. the print is called "today would be a lovely day to be a butterfly" by the ever so talented photographer susannah tucker...yes, insert my drool here please. nevermind that she has mad camera skills, she is also a total sweetheart! i am more than proud to sport one of her photos in my home.


you can take a peek at some of her goodies for sale in her pretty etsy shop here, her photo blog here and also on her website - her portfolio is to die for! she's got everything from photographs, photo blocks, gift cards and calendars. i think i want one of everything.

i couldn't bear not to post about her when i got my pic in the mail yesterday all the way from australia. so thank you susannah, for gifting me this wonderful prize and for all the sweet emails we have exchanged. my daughter loves the photograph and so do we.

who's your fave photographer of the moment? any fave pics you want to share?

All Images Copyright 2010 - Susannah Tucker, All Rights Reserved

makin' it in the mommyhood - the cushiest nursing pillow ever!

sorry folks, no link luv roundup today....i know, it sucks. i'm sad about it, but my back isn't. i just couldn't manage the amount of computer time it takes for me to put that puppy together each week yesterday. sitting at the desk just wasn't manageable for the pain...haha.


instead i thought i would show off what i think is the cushiest, loftiest, stuffed to the brims with filling, almost bursting at the seams nursing pillow i could ever have dreamed to make. for xmas i had asked the hubs for "simple sewing for baby" by lotta jansdotter and this pattern was one of the reasons. i hated my old boobie pillow. the thing sucked and you couldn't wash it - gross! i mean, c'mon, my kid pooped, barfed, drooled and just plain did disgusting things to that boob pillow. it truly freaked me out to use it near the end.


so making one was the next option for me. instead of spending the big bucks on a washable minkie one, i spent maybe $10 CDN to make this puppy. the material was from Ikea and was 1.99/yd!!! don't you just love that? the stuffing was from walmart and is hypoallergenic and machine washable and was only $2.97/bag. i used 2 1/2 bags and let me tell you, there is no room left in this baby! i'm obsessed with it. now when the new baby decides to let the spit up fly i can just pop the whole dang pillow in the machine. no washing the cover while the bacteria builds up in the poly filling for this girl.


the pattern from the book was so simple and a lot easier than some of the ones i found online. i think this is a great project for any beginner sewer like me to take on. it was also very rewarding - mackenzie even got to help me stuff it.

have you guys made your own nursing pillows before? what are your thoughts? it sure is a lot more economical and i think a lot more stylish then the plain jane models you usually find in stores.

oops...almsot forgot....HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

all images luvinthemommyhood

moments in the mommyhood - ducks and hail storms

ummmm....can we say too many ducks for my liking?

i thought i would post some pics that i meant to put up last week before the dreaded "back" injury. we had some fun at a local spot in victoria the other week to go kick the soccer ball around and feed the ducks. well, the soccer didn't last long, but the duck feeding sure did. now i have to be honest, i am a bit freaked out when it comes to ducks and especially geese. i have been attacked by a goose before and let me tell you, it ain't fun! those things have tongues like snakes and teeth at the end of their beaks, they are meannnnn!

due to the rabid geese attack i experienced i tend to shy away from duck feeding sites as sometimes there are geese nearby. this little feeding made me nervous for a different reason though - the amount of ducks! there were tons! too many for my liking and at one point, for mackenzie. luckily we were there with friends who go often and knew what they were doing or i would have hightailed it outta there as soon as the gang started climbing my feet quacking for food...that's a bit too close for my comfort if you ask me.

we also experienced some weird weather lately.....first sun, then rain, then a hellavu lot of hail, big hail, small hail, soft hail, hard hail...we got it all. it stopped, started, stopped and started all afternoon long. we were lucky and didn't get any snow this winter but mackenzie sure did get excited over the hail. she decided to try and eat it with her tongue over the railing of our deck. too cute!

i also got one of my new fave shots of my daughter all played and out and so wiped that she actually passed out on the floor on top of her coloring books, now that's someone who is tired because i am sure a hard plastic book cannot make a good pillow :P

what have you been up to? any moments going on in your mommyhood? have you ever been attacked by a goose or am i alone out here?

etsy in the mommyhood

If pregnancy were a book they would cut the last two chapters. ~Nora Ephron, Heartburn, 1983

1) XL back relief pack organic flaxseed/rice lavender scented by comfy creations
2) organic back ache balm by homestead herbal
3) microwaveable heating pad therapy spa pillow neck wrap by bella posh pillows
4) microwaveable hot/cold therapy pillow corn bag set by warm hugs corn bags

in case you missed my post on thursday, i hurt my back very badly on wednesday morning and have pretty much been bed bound since then. it sucked and still sucks. i managed to drag myself with my sister's help to the doctor on friday looking like a big bellied, crazy lady with a bad case of osteoporosis using a broken, ugly umbrella dragging for a cane, dragging herself down what felt like the longest hallway known to man. it was funny, embarrassing and sad all at that the same time. it turns out i sprained my lower back - ouch! i'm happy to say i'm feeling a bit better and can now stand up higher than my waist, in other words you could no longer use my back as a serving tray :P

i think that was the hardest part for me, not being able to walk. i give credit to all you preggos out there suffering from sciatica, i thank my lucky stars that it wasn't that and there is a chance i will feel better before the labor and delivery. i can tell you this much though, i sure won't be picking up my daughter anytime soon and putting her in her car seat. not a good idea. what i will be doing is resting, using heat pads, stretching, praying the hubs will give me a back massage and wishing for a miracle...haha.

image via

thank you from the hubs and i for all your kind words and emails over the weekend, it meant a lot to me to have all of your guy's support. especially when i was feeling really blue and fearing i was going to be stuck in my bed till may...eeek and crying my eyes out wondering how i was going to look after my daughter during tax season!

you all know what's coming next.....yep, that's right, i decided to check out etsy for some back pain relief goodies and i have to say, there are some lovely, lovely, heat packs available. why have an ugly one when you could have one covered in amy butler fabric???

any of you out there suffering from back pain during pregnancy? any tips for me?

back pain starts here - watch out for the heavy load :)

image via

hi guys, just a quick note to let you all know i won't be posting till monday. it seems as though my "my heavy load" aka - little bean, has decided to put some strain on my body and i had the pleasure of hurting my back. i went to put mackenzie in her car seat after a doc appointment yesterday and boink, there goes the lower back.

i'm now unable to walk, stand up straight and only moving to go pee. if you can imagine me 32 weeks preggo using a giant umbrella as a cane, hardly able to move, stuck at home with a soon to be 3 year old who is very, very bored, with a hubby who is an accountant who is working all day/night you would be getting an inside peek into my life at the moment. it's not fun, but hey, at least i can laugh at myself :)

thanks for all your emails yesterday and to those of you whom i haven't responded to, i will get back to you as soon as i'm able to sit on my computer longer than a minute or so (no labtop in our household).

hope you all have a great weekend and we'll see ya on monday :)

link luv roundup

1) isn't this pic just lovely?
2 & 3) get the diy for these pretty wall decors from the shop ruche. the first wall is a natural peel-able fabric wallpaper and the 2nd is flowers made from butcher paper.

1) easter is on it's way and small mag has cute project for egg cosies.
2) add some color to a room with this tute on how to make a zippered throw pillow over on design sponge.
3) or make a sham style pillowcase with prudent baby.
4) i love the applique refashion for revamping a pretty tee over on blue eyed freckle.

ok, time to insert a lot of drool on my part. i heart anna maria horner and when this new pattern popped up in my reader i just about fell out of my chair. so lovely, i want, i need to have this pattern.....

1) ok, seriously people, is this not the cutest oven mitt? i went to go buy it and what a surprise, it was sold out - boo hoo. too pretty not to link to though. (via sfgirlbybay)
2) i am a huge fan of pickles, and no, i don't mean the kind you eat, though i love those too. this pretty waffle hat is next up on my hat knitting list. get the free pattern here.
3) i think this is a pattern for a reusable grocery bag that i might actually make!
4) i heart craft hope and heart even more that they have a book coming out! click here for more info.

- yippee! it's almost time for made by rae's "spring top week"! i cannot wait!!! while i'm not entering i love watching all the entries and seeing the winner of this popular contest!
- the purl bee shows us how to make some fresh spring napkins.

1) mique of thirty days has a great tutorial for this spring top for your little ones.
2) ummmmmm, these are adorable!!! (via a beautiful mess)
3) find out how to whip up a layered knit skirt for your little girl.

- this mama makes stuff has a darling little how to on making a baby bonnet from a hankie!
- want to find out how to line your drawers with pretty paper? young house love shows you how.

1) come and see the seitz has a nice tutorial for making your own cute pair of panties. looking for more of these? check out the roundup we did last year!
2) why not try your hand at making some pillows from vintage tea towels?
3) dana, do you ever sleep? haha! make some fun crafts for st. patrick's day over on made. love the split peas!
4) noodleheads shows you how to make a fold over bag, so pretty!

1) one of my new fave blogs "from an igloo" has got a lovely tute for making this scrappy clutch! i can't wait to make this one!
2) craftzine shows us how to make an easy ribbon rosette.
3) how cute is this idea for photo pencils from mary janes and galoshes?
4) got some corduroy kicking around waiting to be repurposed? why not try turning it into a pretty diamond wale pillow?

love megan has the loveliest tutorial for turning rope into this pretty yet simple necklace. what a great idea! (via craft gossip)

1) if you treasured pia jane bijkerk's first book you'll love her second "amsterdam made by hand". it's available for pre-order now.
2) threadbanger has a roundup right after my own heart! check out all the fingerless mitts - perfect for us stroller pushing mommas!!!
3) i love the simplicity of this quick leather bracelet. get the how to here.
4) jessica of happy together refashions a cardigan into this cute top.
5) i want to learn how to make these pretty knit vase cosies! (via decor8)

1) i can't wait to get a good look at the book "alabama studio style".
2) looking to make your own diaper changing pad that you can actually wipe down instead of wash? head here for the how to from my creative stirrings.
3) isn't this the cutest little bike basket? and yep, you can make one too! find out how to here. (via craft gossip)
4) turn those boot cut jeans into skinny jeans with this tute from mmmcrafts.

things i'm luving this week:

- this happy go lucky site all about what just made your day.
- anthropologie inspired refashion for the winding road tank.
- new free quilt pattern from oh fransson,
- get inspired from this gorgeous post filled with lovely packages.
- scared to try an invisible zipper like me? sew 4 home shows us how to get over our fears.
- we all long for anthropologie goodies enough already, now they are branching out into weddings!!! omg, how much more can we be expected to handle???
- making it lovely has a great post up with diy painting tips, tricks and a step by step guide.
- new issue of lmnop is out now for free download!
- counting coconuts has a great post on making your little ones a st.paddy's day sensory tub complete with green/gold playdough.
- i want everything from the shop wood and wool stool.

what are you luving this week? do you have a tutorial you would like to see up here next week? send me an email!

p.s. if any of you featured in the roundup would like a "featured on luvinthemommyhood" button for your blog just send a quick email my way to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca and i'll send you one right over - thanks for your support :)

keeping it natural in the mommyhood

i've been meaning to write a little bit about some products i've been trying out lately in my attempt to keep my beauty products as natural as possible. if any of you know me, you know i love my all natural and organic beauty/body products. i suffer from endometriosis and all those nasty chemicals and yucky stuff in my creams, soaps, shampoo etc are on my hit list. i try to avoid them if i can and make sure my daughter avoids them as well.

i am a huge fan of kiss my face products but felt the need to mix things up a bit lately. i thought i would share what i've been using lately with all of you and get some feedback on what your favorite natural or organic product line is that you use and why it's important to you as a woman and as a parent.

i've been a long time drooler of burt's bees products but have only recently had a chance to try some. i have to say that i am so happy with their products. i have had friends recommend them for years but just never seemed to get my hands on some for myself.

1) naturally ageless line smoothing eye creme
2) replenishing lip balm with pomengranate oil
3) almond milk beeswax hand creme
4) radiance exfoiliating body wash

my fave out of the products above has to be the naturally ageless line smoothing eye cream (which i now need) and the almond milk beeswax hand creme...oh la la, this cream is to die for. it smells delicious and actually helps my poor, dry hands without being greasy. the eye cream is fantastic and to my surprise, i did notice a difference in my skin tone and the bags under my eyes.

i also like that burt's bees labels every product with a "natural bar" score allowing customers to clearly identify the high level of natural ingredients used in that particular product. they use recyclable containers/packing and adhere to a strict set of guidelines that meet "the natural standard". all their products are made using a natural process as well.

to learn more about burt's bees values, processes and ingredients click here.

the other company i am super happy to have found is the green beaver company. this one is canadian! whoop, whoop - go canada! the things i love about this company is that they are:

certified organic, chemical free, pure canadian, have a variety of vegan products, and only use biodegradable ingredients, recyclable containers and packaging. they are striving to continue to introduce products made with canadian ingredients that are organically grown or ecologically wild crafted from coast to coast.

they have a great page on their website outlining all the bad things that are not in their products and what harm those ingredients can cause. click here to read more about the harmful chemicals commonly found in other products that we should strive to avoid and here to learn more about this company.

i've been using their 100% natural green tea facial moisturizer and eye make up remover. i've been very happy with both and plan to continue trying more of their product lines.

what about our kids? bonus is that both of the above companies also carry product lines for our little ones. this is a great thing. it happens to me all the time that i find i company i like but can't find one for mackenzie. i plan to try to get my little hands on these two products soon to try out on mackenzie:


1) green beaver jr. foaming body wash
2) baby bee bubble bath (tear free)

sorry this post may sound like one giant ad (no, i'm not getting paid to talk about these), but this is truly something that i feel is important for us as women, mothers and for the environment. if we all made a small change in the products we use we can make a big change in our health, our children's health and in the life of our precious planet. ok, enough preaching...haha, i'm done now. your turn to talk, i would love to hear your thoughts below.

what is your favorite all natural or organic beauty care line to use? who do you recommend? what line do you use for your children?

etsy monday in the mommyhood academy awards edition - best dressed, tears with sandra bullock and a lap dance with hugh jackman

"no one wants to do it alone"

~ neil patrick harris (surprise opening of the 2010 oscars)

1) silk rose gown by red doll
2) old hollywood earrings red carpet ready by lkfarnsworth studio
3) double flower love ring by kathi roussel
4) gorgeous origami dress by red doll

i love the oscars. i love to plop down on the couch making what i call my "nest" and plan to not move for a good 3-4 hours (except for food/pee breaks of course) and drool over the clothes, jewelry and the hair. i thought it would be fun, not for the pocketbook, but for the eye to take a peek at etsy for gowns and jewels. i won't lie, it was fun, and there was a puddle of drool on my keyboard over some of the lovely goodies i found on there.

my fave gowns of the night had to be firstly rachel mcadams - swoon, followed by the simplistically stunning maggie gyllenhaal and then, i'm sure there is to be a love/hate war with people over this one, vera farmiga's marchesa gown. i loved it. i love ruffles. i love pretty gowns and could only imagine the time that went into making that gown.

i honor sandra bullock with a pretty runner up but mostly just because i love her and her speech was the best one of the night, yes, i had the kleenex out and the little bean and i had a good belly jiggling cry over the mom/child speech....insert a tear in my eye.

what was your favorite gown of the night? what oscar ensemble did you deem droolworthy and no....george clooney doesn't count..haha...

p.s. did anyone see the barbara walters special? was it just me or did hugh jackman giving her a lap dance really freak you out?

weekend wishes

to read some dreamy fairy tales with my little girl and try to get out from..............

under this cloud we have been under this week.....................

to remember what it feels like to do this........

bask in all the gorgeous signs of spring in our lovely city of victoria, bc......

eat a lot, and i mean a lot of cantaloupe and fruit salad, my new fave craving now that salt has become my enemy (damn you swollen legs)....

and to enjoy the company of a friend visiting from out of town who has know me since i was 2, enjoy dinner without kids or hubbies, good girl chat with maybe a bit of gossip thrown in and the comfort of hanging out with someone who has known you through good and bad times without you having to explain all the little things that make you - you.

what are you up to this weekend? do you have a friend who has known you your whole life?

image 1, 2, 3, 4 via tumblr, image 5 via flickr.

moments in the mommyhood - beds, bellies and a budding artist

we've been doing a lot of laying in bed lately. i'll take it when i can get it folks, i am in the third trimester after all.

i love staring into those baby blues but man, oh man, do i wish i had been blessed with her hair.

i've been daydreaming a lot about the new little bean and trying to focus on our birth plan and some of the hitches that have recently been thrown into it. i'm staying positive though... or trying to that is...haha.

i thought i should show you guys what i usually look like with my 31 week belly during the day, yep, the la senza xmas special. almost at the point that i won't be able to wear them anymore but just so darned comfy i'm dreading the day i can't. i figure a good portion of you prolly look the same way and are sitting at your computers donned in similar standby outfits. oh, and yes, the yoga pants are in the mix, but i tend to do a rotation - yoga, jammy, yoga, jammy. i know i'm not alone ladies......

i also couldn't resist showing you this drawing that mackenzie made a few weeks ago that just melts my heart every time i see it. it was one of her first attempts at drawing people. she says it mommy, daddy, her and the baby all holding hands. i think she's got something going seeing as she isn't even 3 yet and now she even puts faces on them! too cute...my little budding artist.


what's going on in your mommyhood today? we've been dealing with another growth spurt, which equals in our house, no sleep, crankiness, yelling, not wanting to wear clothes, painting furniture with yogurt, strawberry stains on the carpet, a lot of snacking on her part, a few tantrums and the oh, so famous, "mom, i want to do it all by myself" and not in a good way tone. do they ever end??? and i wonder why i don't leave the sanctum of my house on those days.

wanna share about your week?

link luv roundup

1) oh my gosh, this apron with built in potholders in the corners from the mother huddle is so adorable! i think i need to make one of these!
2) i'm adoring the new march anthropologie.
3) this would be such a fun project for the little ones for easter! find out how to grow your own grass eggs over on fly through our window.
4) i've been spotting this wonderful, bright and colorful lampshades all over the blogosphere lately - i heart them! want one of your own? check out the shop "the owls are hunting" and get ready to drool!!!

i can't stop looking at images of spring this week.....i miss the sunshine we had last week. (via sfgirlbybay)

- oh, hello friend is hosting the fab lovely package exchange again this year. head on over here to enter.
- or enter disney's "ruffles your stuff" competition over on her blog! this is sure to be filled with goodies galore! get ready to sew up a storm. i can't wait to see the entries!

- samster mommy has a fun tute up for our little ones to diy some baby toddler yoga pants.
- mmmmm, i love lemons and these lemon tarts are calling my name over on the design sponge.


1) cute pattern for a reversible bib over on prudent baby this week.
2) there's been lots of zipper tutes floating around lately. i love this zipper daisy tutorial over on diary of a craftaholic or check out threadbanger's roundup of zipper projects this week.
3) learn how to turn a potholder into a case for your glasses over at "two shades of pink".
4) vanessa from v and co. has a great tute up on sew mama sew for some fun decorations made from white t-shirts.

1) quilt up your little one a scottie dog with this free pattern.
2) i am a button addict and flipped over this button necklace diy at joy's hope.
3) skip to my lou shows us how to make this cute apron from a tea towel!

- i am a big fan of skinny laminx's fabric line and just had to post about her prints inspired from her collection of vintage mugs and tea pots.

1) get in on the fun on presser foot and make the "maternity or not frock".
2) jill's got a handy little tute up on how to refashion a big tee to a maternity top.
3) then knit up a "love cocoon" with this free patter over on "mrs missy muffet". (via whip up)

the new issue of small magazine is out and it's filled to the brim with lovely, lovely goodies!

1) fellow canadian blogger "from an igloo" has two fun tutes up for your little ones. first up the twirly t-shirt dress and then......
2) the one hour sundress. (via one pretty thing)
3) clean out your wardrobe of old tees by making up this pretty wreath from scoutie girl. (via dollar store crafts)
4) add a tutu to your little girl's onesie with the help of jessica from happy together.

things i'm luving this week:

- that thanks to all of your lovely votes and for being such great and loyal readers we came in 2nd place overall in "the lovelies" awards!! whoop whoop! big hugs to all of you who voted, i really appreciate all your kind words!!
- maggie has a fun tute up for making a glazed fabric button ring and a stretch knit pregnancy band over on her blog "smashed peas and carrots".
- fun sewing tute for a simple smocked skirt from come and see the seitz.
- love this wrangle me tee from "i am momma hear me roar".
- found this site to be lots of fun for all you fellow diy addicts.
-great ideas for an oscar themed party from twig and thistle. click here for part 1 and here for part 2.
- make a two minute no sew felt diaper for all those dolls and stuffies your little one loves to change.
- sew up your own hanger space saver with help from little birdie secrets.
- love the idea of the site www.teachamantofix.com and can't wait to see what he comes up with! the site is for both boys and girls and promises to teach us the basic skills for diy from a handyman's perspective.

what are you luving this week? do you have a tutorial you would like to see up here next week? send me an email!

p.s. if any of you featured in the roundup would like a "featured on luvinthemommyhood" button for your blog just send a quick email my way to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca and i'll send you one right over - thanks for your support :)

makin' it in the mommyhood - babies and a bathroom

the hubs so sweetly got me lotta jansdotter's fabulous book "simple sewing for baby" for xmas and i finally got a chance to whip up two patterns from the book that i had been dying to make this weekend.

first off i did the soft rattle that looks like a giraffe. this was a fun and easy project that i was able to make with mackenzie, especially after i realized i had cut my fabric wrong and ended up having to make 2 instead of 1. it all worked out in the end though, one for her and one for little bean. that will teach me for not reading the directions right? it's supposed to rattle but i couldn't find a little bell at Michael's when i was there so for now they are silent giraffes. it matches a pillow i made eons ago for the baby's crib and all the colors of the bedding.

next up was the tag blankie. i heart tag blankies. they are so fun and a tad addicting. i can see myself easily whipping up a few more of these before the babe comes along. i used some soft flannel i had left over from the backing of mackenzie's quilt for the blankie. it's not too big, just 12" x 12" finished size. i think i may make a few small ones as well to go with it that i can just throw in the diaper bag for playtime. mackenzie never had one of these when she was little and i always wished i had made her one.

after i managed to get the above projects off my to do list this weekend, i also managed to hem my new ikea drapes from our trip to van in january. yes, i had them hanging all pinned up for over a month, i'm not embarrassed to admit it...that's what happens when you get to the third trimester...haha. but i finally did get to hemming them. poor jer was a bit frightened i must say as i tried to battle the ikea hemming tape. i have decided that i hate that stuff and will never use it again. after about 1/2 hour of us struggling with the drapes i said f*&k it and got out the sewing machine and hemmed the good ol'fashioned way.

after cutting off my excess i realized i had enough material to get one of my long time projects completed. we recently bought a new shower curtain for our master bath and the curtain i had made to hide a weird gap between the cabinet and the wall just didn't match anymore. i had been dreaming of doing a white ruffled one (like the anthropologie ruffled shower curtain i adore) and shazam! that ol'ikea material did the trick. i kept the old panel as my backing and all i had to do was cut the leftover material in half and hem 2 out of the 4 bottoms (2 were already hemmed) and then ruffle the tops and sew them on. easy peasy! i love the look! what do you guys think?

i thought i would give you a little sneak peek into my usually messy and chaotic master bath just for fun. it's hard living in a rental at times when you wish you could do so much more with your space. like that floor in there? bah! and the counter top (it's an ugly grey that shows every speck of dust, like mere minutes after you dust it) - bah! can't stand them, but what do you do? i just try to pretty up the rest of it and count down the years until we own our own home. (ps. the pic on the wall is of our fave place along the oregon coast...i want to live on that beach someday)

what have you been making lately? do you have any projects you have done to hide ugly rental fixtures? i'd love to hear and see them!