****UNDER CONSTRUCTION****

Please excuse the mess.......the mommyhood is under construction. We are doing some friendly neighbourhood clean up :)











image source

Tree Top Nursery Frame Tutorial with Guest - Hannah from "Lily & Thistlle"

ok...insert a whole lot of my drool into this post....i am so excited to talk about the oh, so talented hannah (formerly of while they sleep) and her new venture that includes a pretty new blog - "lily and thistle" and her new business in the world of paper dolls - "mini me paper doll boutique"!


now this is not just your average paper doll, these are paper dolls for the year 2010! they can be custom made and also come with a special sticky strip that never gets unstuck - so no paper folding for us girls! i am also super excited about the outfit of the month club! how fun is that! where were these kinds of things when i was little? oh well, i'll just live vicariously through my girls :)


i'm sure some of you will remember hannah's old blog - while they sleep, home of tons of sewing goodies and tutorials galore. well it's not over and neither is her etsy shop of the same name. remember the pod swaddler? i heart the pod swaddler pattern. anyhoo, ever since then i have been a fan of hers and an avid follower of hers. i also feel a special kinship to her after hearing her struggles with motherhood that she shares with you all below. i didn't think i would ever be able to have kids and now here i am with 2 girls. hannah's a sweetheart, an awesome mommy and her talents are endless, so go pop over, check out all her goodies out and let's have some fun with the tutorial below!

now let's hear from hannah.........

Hi Everyone! I'm Hannah from Lily&Thistle - Girlhood Illustrated. I was so glad Shannon decided to keep the Babyhood Bonanza going and even more excited that she asked me to share something! Shannon and I go back just a bit. She was so kind to help me promote the Pod Swaddler pattern last year when I was trying to get the word out (remember that Shannon?...seems like ages ago). I have always been a fan of her blog but then when I got to interact with her a bit more through email, I knew she was gold...pure gold. I am now a bonified fan of Shannon! I'm so glad she decided to bring another baby girl into this world of ours. We need more of her kind. Welcome again baby Harper!

Maisy and Laurel

My Bab(ies) Story

For years Jeff and I tried to have children with no luck. It was heartbreaking and seemed like a cruel joke at times. Finally after going through what seemed like a hundred treatments...we were given the opportunity and financial support to try IVF. I'm sure most of you know what that is..if not, you can look it up. We were blessed with not one but two little babies...our twin girls Laurel and Maisy. I still remember the day we saw TWO heartbeats...I thought I was dreaming. My pregnancy went very well and I was able to carry them to 36 weeks. They were born healthy but small. They spent a couple of very long, hard weeks in the NICU. The day they came home was magic.

Sweet Norah Jane

On the day they turned six months old, I felt very sick and tired and pregnant?!
"I couldn't be?!"
"The doctors said....could the the doctors be wrong?"
I took a pregnancy test and sure enough I WAS PREGNANT! The next few months were hard but I was lucky that the twins still slept a lot during the day so that I could sleep too. Thirteen months after I gave birth to the twins, Norah Jane was born. Sweet, sweet Norah Jane. She is a cherub. She has been the easiest baby in the history of babies and we are so blessed. Now the twins are two and Norah is one. It is crazy over here sometimes but it's a wonderful crazy. I always say I'd much rather have my hands full than empty. Motherhood is the greatest/hardest gift I've ever been given.

When we were preparing for the twins, I decided to decorate their room with the theme from a Primary song I grew up singing in church called "In the Leafy Tree Tops the Birds Sing Good Morning" I was (and still am) totally into birds and cherry blossoms at the time. I thought today I'd share a tutorial with you on how to turn an old thrift store frame into something special.

Of course you can use your creativity and imagination to make your frame match your special little baby's decor. I invite you to click on over to Lily&Thistle for the Tree Top Nursery Frame Tutorial and Free Printable Art!

thanks so much hannah! wishing you tons of success on all of your new endeavors! big hugs to you and your gorgeous girls!

hope you all have a wonderful weekend! happy 4th of july to all of you! we've got 2 new tutorials coming up next week and a very exciting giveaway so come join the party!!! are any of you as in love with paper dolls as i am?

happy canada day eh!!!

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there's been a lot of new readers to the blog lately (hello and welcome) and i'm not sure that all of you know that i am canadian. i live in beautiful british columbia, on vancouver island, in the lovely city of victoria. if you are a fellow canadian, like me, you know that today is canada day! yippee for canada! us canadians go wild with celebrations, chock filled with our anthem, flags and leafs galore, fireworks, face painting, parades, yummy food and just plain, good ol'cheerfulness and lots of fun!

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i love being canadian and i love this great country of ours. it's gorgeous and i think, one of the best places to live. so to all you canadians out there, wherever you are in this big ol'world - HAPPY CANADA DAY!

p.s.....i know you guys have july 4th just around the corner and i couldn't help mentioning this adorable tutorial for patriotic pillowcase dresses from the lovely blog "aesthetic nest"...this would, of course be just as cute with the canadian flag as well :)


what are your plans for canada day? are any of you in victoria? leave a comment and say hi!

moments in the mommyhood - we made it out of the house!

we've made it out of the house! yep, that's right! i finally ventured out into the big, bad world all on my own with the two girls. yay for me! albeit it wasn't far...ok, it was literally a 5 minute drive, but i was early and relatively no chaos happened during the preparation for it if you don't count spilling coffee all over an outfit that took me half an hour to find, that somewhat covered my "overhang". darn it. but i recovered, changed and we had a great play date with two great friends and their kids. i got spoiled and they had a little bday celebration for me. so all in all, it felt great to get out of my house :)


harper has been doing great! she's such a good baby. i can't resist bragging a bit because my first baby was a bad sleeper, but harper slept from 9:45 till 5:45 on thursday night!!!! *&*&!! holy cow! we've had a few long sleeps at night now, but that was the record breaker. now to get her to do that every night! she is 6 1/2 weeks now and i'm guessing weighs about 12 pounds give or take.


people have been telling me not to be shy and to not avoid putting my pic up with the baby, so here ya go. a nasty ol'photo of sickie ol'me. i am not vampire white anymore, but my hair is still a mess and i am sans makeup, so please avert your eyes if it is too much a of a shock! i need my hairdresser to come rescue me!


all in all we are surviving. routines are being made, some sleep is getting slept, my laundry doing has been exceptional (one load a day!!!), dishes are clean, i sometimes get a shower, toys sometimes get put away, baths are given, diapers changed, princess dress up done, and a whole lot of fun is being had...ok, when there isn't crying and tantrums, but on the most part we are having fun with this new adventure into functioning as a family of four.

ohhhh, and i better not forget...the winner of our stella & dot giveaway is......

Kristin said...

I've always wanted a Stella & Dot piece, but I guess my daughter could have one first! kelgeeinaz(at)aol.com

congratulations kristin!!!! julie will be in touch with you in regards to your prize!!!

how is your week? any of you adjusting to a new family arrangement? about to have the 2nd baby and nervous? anyone willing to tell me where the heck the month of june has gone???? leave a comment below, or vent, or say hi....whatever floats your boat - i just luv hearing from ya!

all images copyright luvinthemommyhood

Vintage Alphabet Crib Refashion Tutorial with Guests - Kirstin & Jordan from "Kojo Designs"

if you're looking for a ton of fun & easy sewing tutorials, lovely party details, and crafty decor projects "kojo designs" is a blog to check out! these two talented and pretty sisters are sure to inspire you and get you crafting, sewing or just taking some photos.


they don't just blog though. they are also parents, wives and they run an etsy shop of the same name where you can find everything from custom stationery sets, wedding invitations to shoe accessories! these two sisters have a passion for paper....lots of lovelies to be found!


so go browse, say hi, grab a cup of coffee while the littlies nap and get lost in "kojo designs". a big thank you to kirstin, who, at the moment is preggers with baby #2 due in august. thanks for taking time to do this tute even though you are very pregnant. i send lots of good birthing vibes your way and of course, good toddler behaviour ones too! i'm always here for ya when you need to vent :)


now let's hear from kirsten & jordan.....

Hello there from kojodesigns! We were so excited when Shannon asked us to be a part of Babyhood Bonanza... We've been loving all of the fantastic tutorials (our to-make list just keeps getting longer and longer with each installment!) and are thrilled to be a part of welcoming Miss Harper with a whole lot of baby goodness.

Depending on when you asked, or who you sat down with on a given day (and especially depending on how ornery Keadryn, Sayla or Burke were being on that day), you'd probably get the whole gamut of commentary from the two of us on the role of being a mom. Part of that broad range is Jordan's experience as a mom of girls, as well as a mama-of-two (Keadryn is 3 years old and Sayla's 1 and a half) and Kirstin's current setup as mom to Burke (who is 2 years old and about to be joined by Peanut #2 in August). But possibly more influential in our ever-changing perspective on being a mom is the oh-so-diverse nature of motherhood itself. It seems that being a mama brings out the worst and the best, an entire range of emotions (including ones you didn't know you had), the most tender and precious of moments sprinkled with the greatest frustrations, times when things seem calm and settled, and new levels of chaos. It's a wild ride, isn't it? And one we wouldn't trade for the world... even on the days when our reviews on motherhood might lean towards the less-than-sparkling.

With that in mind, when we found out that our youngest sister (Kedron) was pregnant and due just a couple months after Kirstin, we were thrilled beyond words. Not only will she be joining us in the aforementioned wild ride of mommy-ness, but think of all of the STUFF that accompanies this dive into the world of parenthood... STUFF for us to make! As the first order of business in the Stuff-To-Make category, Kedron and Patrick decided on "Vintage Alphabet" as their nursery theme and found some fabulous vintage-y, Japanese fabric to complete their vision. Our job? Craft a crib bumper, crib skirt, and other coordinated nursery decor. First up? The crib bumper!

Though we've used the nursery patterns from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones before (and with great success), we decided to branch out and try something new this time- refashioning an existing crib bumper. We didn't know this going in, but it turns out to be a fairly low maintenance project, and with gorgeous results.... Care to join us? Today, at the kojodesigns blog, we'll share our first installment of this loveliness- their now-finished, refashioned crib bumper (with a tutorial for those of you who'd like to try your hand at refashioning a crib bumper of your own).

Thanks again for having us, Shannon, and congratulations! Give that baby (well, both of your babies, really) some love for us...


more fun to come this week.....so stay tuned! what have you been working on?

all images copyright kojo designs

you've got one day left......

don't forget to enter our stella & dot giveaway - you've got till tomorrow night to enter!!!

make sure to scoop up some goodies for mom & babe during the giant "babyhood bonanza"Abby Sprouts!!!! sale over at
20% Off nearly everything for Baby and Mom until June 27th!

have a great weekend!!!

Itty Bitty Pants Tutorial with Guest - Christine from "From an Igloo"

i've been super excited to have fellow canadian christine, writer of the blog "from an igloo" over to the mommyhood! i spotted this talented ladies blog back in february, when she started it and i knew from that minute on that i would be a faithful subscriber. firstly because of her talent - you all know i love a cute sundress tutorial, and secondly, because us canadian girl's gotta support each other. i don't run into many of us in this big blogging community, so when i do get an email from someone, or find another canadian blogger i get super excited!


christine's blog isn't even a year old yet and wow has this momma been busy. she's a mother to 3 kids - 6, 4 & 2. wowsa! and she's been giving us a whack load of my fave tutorials of the moment since then! i didn't get a lot of chances to sew during my pregnancy but i sure made time to make her "one hour sundress".

here's my version....


a giant thank you to christine, who put this together even though she was having one of those bad "motherhood" days (and you ladies all know what i'm talking about). i hope you're having a better one today hun! big hugs to you and thanks again! you guys pop over and say hi and cheer this super sewer up! give her a big canadian hello!

now let's hear from christine.......

Hi everyone! :) My name is Christine and I'm so happy to be here today on Luvinthemommyhood! I love this blog and it will always have a special place in my blogging heart. Shannon was the very first blogger to reach out to me when I started my own blog and I feel fortunate to have met such a sweet person! Congratulations again on your sweet baby girl Shannon! She needs to post more pictures of that precious baby, don't you think? I can't get enough!

Motherhood has changed me in more ways than I can count. The minute our first was born I was so overcome with emotion. Up to that point I thought I had experienced love, but the love I felt for that tiny baby that I had only known for 30 seconds surpassed anything I had ever felt in my life. I still remember that moment and how amazing it was. Then, I was fortunate enough to do it two more times!

I'm a mom of 3 and we had all 3 of our children in 3 1/2 years. In the beginning I think I was pretty close to losing my mind (then again I still feel like that some days). Our youngest is 2 1/2, so now that the kids are a little older things are getting a little easier in some respects. Most days now I do get to shower and every once in awhile I get 4 hrs of sleep in a row (so naive to think they would start sleeping at some point)!

The best mothering advice I can offer is to try not to sweat the small stuff. Our kids are not going to remember if there were dishes in the sink or crumbs under the kitchen table. They will remember baking cookies and having tea parties with their mama. I have to remind myself of this all the time! Sometimes the crumbs under the table seem really important!

Now, for what I have to share with you! :)
If any of you follow my blog you may remember the pattern and tutorial I put up last week for the "One Size Fits many" PJ Pants. For those new friends out there, this is what they look like... Perfect for appliques!

With a few alterations they will fit a chubby 6 mos up to a thin size 3.

Well, there aren't many things cuter than a cute little baby bum. My sister is expecting a baby boy soon and it got me thinking. How cute would it be for my new nephew to match his older cousin? I had lots of fun matching my two daughters when they were really little (and still do on occasion). My husband thinks its sick, but I can't help it! Anyway, how cute would these be in itty bitty newborn size?

This cute! I wish you could see them in person, they are just so small! For reference, the ones on the left are a small size 2! The newborn pair we will say are 0-3 months but I'm thinking more like 1-2 mos.

I hope you'll pop over to my blog to download the pattern for these itty bitty pants. I really need one of you to make a girly version with ruffles on the bum. I'm dying to make a pair myself! You'll also be able to find the "One Size Fits Many" version, possibly for big sister or brother if your kids are close together like mine.

Thank you for having me here today Shannon, I've loved being a part of the baby bonanza! Your photos make me ache for a new baby. Someone want to convince my husband we should have just one more? :)

what's our announcement????? have you been wondering what it is? and no, i am not pregnant again already!!! aiayaya! no way! the news is (insert small drum roll please) that i have decided to extend the "babyhood bonanza" until near the end of july!!!! yippeee!! the party has been so fun i figured why end it? we can all use more of these wonderful tutorials right? so stick around...the celebration has only just begun!!!

are you a canadian blogger? are there more of you out there? i would love to hear from you!

p.s. happy birthday dad!!!! hope you have a great day!

Ruffled Pillowcase Tote Tutorial with Guest - Alexis from "Lex"

inspiring tutorials + stylish clothing + oodles of talent = lex.

alexis, from the blog "lex" (formerly "my mama made it") and the etsy shop of the same name, is one of my favorite bloggers that i have had the pleasure of getting to know since i started luvinthemommyhood. i remember when i got a sweet email from her one day that led me to quickly pop over and check out her blog and i just knew that this lady was going somewhere - wow! she had literally just started blogging but i couldn't help featuring her on my blog, her stuff was just that good. the rest is history.

tutorials...........


alexis quickly went from superstar tutorials, posting more tutes than i have ever seen one woman with 2 kids and a hubs do, to designing and selling her own clothes. i'm so proud and happy for her. her line "lex" is now in stores and in a few weeks she will be doing her very first fashion show!!!! go alexis! needless to say i am super excited she's here sharing us a tute with one of her fave things - ruffles! this girl loves a pretty ruffle!

clothing line...........


thanks for taking the time out of your crazy schedule alexis, i appreciate it! and thank you for being your beautiful self and for inspiring & wowing me on a daily basis that one day i could actually make some of the stylish clothes you and your gorgeous girls are wearing.


now let's hear from alexis..........

I'm one of those mom's who feels like I can never have enough bags. I need them for the beach, swimming lessons, overnights, groceries, diaper bags, etc... I saw a really cute ruffled bag on someone and came up with this easy, cute, functional and 'green' bag!

You can throw in anything and you then throw the whole thing in the wash! Here's how!

And you're done!

we've had a busy week for the babyhood bonanza and it's not over yet....there's another fun tutorial and an announcement tomorrow so come say hi!!!!!!

Stella & Dot Giveaway!!!!

*the giveaway is now closed*

got a thing for jewelry? of course we do!!! who doesn't love a little jewelry! and who doesn't love some cutie pie pieces for our little girls in our lives? julie from the super stylish line of jewelry - stella & dot is offering up the "kristin pearl bracelet" for one lucky winner this week! stella & dot recently launched a "girl's" line to their already successful ladies one and i thought it would be a fun addition to the babyhood bonanza to win for those of you, who like me, have another older (girl) sibling at home when you bring that new baby back from the hospital. something to make them feel extra special!

"Stella & Dot is the modern home-based career that your mother never had. We’ve put the power of ecommerce, social networking and personal service behind an irresistible jewelry line. It’s the next big opportunity for our era. Think getting together with girlfriends, Lucky Magazine, Facebook and no glass ceiling in sight. Recognized in the New York Times and on the Today Show, its not only a big idea, it’s a smart business that actually works."

to enter the giveaway to win the girl's "kristin pearl bracelet" simply leave a comment below with your email address, yep, that's it. easy, peasy!!! *the giveaway ends Sunday, June 27th*

pretty, stylish lovelies for little girls..............


and for the ladies!


these celebrity coveted and editor adored styles from stella & dot are sure to bring a smile to any girls face - young or old :) julie is also offering the readers of "luvinthemommyhood" free shipping until the end of june on all jewelry - women or girls!

thanks julie!! pop on over to julie's page take a peek & spoil yourself.....i'm loving all the turqoise and white. bring on summer!!!!!

what's your fave piece?

we have a winner.......

jenny from the wonderful "southern institute for domestic arts and crafts" so sweetly did a giveaway last week for the nursing cover used in her tutorial. trust me when i say these things come in handy, i swear by mine and would be lost without out -mine's called a "hooter hider" though..hahaha - i love that name! so if you aren't the winner and you really want one, go try out her tutorial, i think they would be relatively simple to whip up :)


now on to the winner...............

Renae said...

Cute Zeke!
Great tutorial--now I won't have to figure out the dimensions myself.

renea - you're the winner!!! i'll get in touch with jenny and pass along your email and she'll contact you with the details. congrats! i hope you enjoy it!

coming up this week....another giveaway and a tutorial! let's keep the celebration going!

Hardboard Nursery Art Tutorial with Guest - Ashley from "Lil Blue Boo"

ok ladies, now i know most of you have heard of lil blue boo, but i'm going to introduce ashley anyways. i became an avid follower of ashley's bright and colorful blog around the time i started luvinthemommyhood and have been a huge fan since. whether she is making me laugh, inspiring me to sew, craft, paint and do crafts - ashley does it all with pizazz and spunk! she's honest and heartwarming and her daughter is gorgeous (just like her mommy). plus i am obsessed and astounded by all of the wonderful refashioning and pattern making she does with knits and t-shirts!


at lil blue boo you can find a wealth of information and lots of fun, but you can also find links to ashley's pattern store, clothing store, and painting shop....yes, she has all of these and still finds time to blog and be a mother and wife......i know...where does she find the time? she must be a bit crazy right? nope, just super talented! so pop on over and check out her lovely, lovely goodies or raid your closet and make some of your own using her patterns.


now let's hear from ashley..........

Hi there! I'm Ashley over from Lil Blue Boo. I was so excited when Shannon asked me to be a part of her babyhood bonanza! My little Boo is not so little anymore.....she turned three a few months ago. She inspires everything I do and her spunky little personality is a breath of fresh air everyday.

My baby story? Well, pregnancy was hard for me. I love working with paints, resins, chemicals, power tools, ladders everyday....and most of that was off limits for a pregnant woman! My doctor tried putting me on bed rest a few times.......I guess I didn't quite understand that steam cleaning my carpets and reupholstering nursery chairs wasn't classified as "resting." I was even on the floor sideways in my nephew's nursery at 9 months pregnant trying to paint an ocean mural....I was laying on the floor, that's resting right? Each doctor's appointment consisted of a claustrophobia-induced panic attack in which I would sweat off pounds of cocoa butter all over everyone. I never had any questions for the doctor. I had a c-section because I was scared to death of childbirth. Boo was a little miracle. I didn't breastfeed. The nurses in the hospital didn't even try to hide their disgust. I just rolled my eyes back at them. My mother forced me to use a breast pump for a few days so Boo would get something called colostrum....I threw tantrums. I recuperated from my c-section in about a week. I never stressed over brands or ingredients or bedtimes. And it all worked out. I have a beautiful-independent-creative-curious-precocious-loving life every minute-daring to be different-little girl who makes me swell with overwhelming love. She's my side kick, my mini-me.

I am in awe at how this tiny being......


.....has become a tiny person in what seems like such a short amount of time.


While I don't have a tiny baby of my own anymore, I still have the opportunity to make things for my baby nieces, nephews and my friend's babies. I love making elaborately layered personalized nursery art pieces.....unique to each child.


I recently made a piece for a friend's new baby boy and knew that babyhood bonanza would be the perfect opportunity to take the time to document my layering process for a tutorial!

Hardboard Nursery Art Tutorial

Come on over and take a peek on how to make your own art using simple hardboard, paint, stitching, and ready-made frames. Thank you so much Shannon for including me in the "baby" lineup!

you're welcome ashley, and thanks for coming by to be part of the bonanza, inspiring me to sew and to never look at a t-shirt the same way ever again - you're the best!!!

we've got more fun coming your way this week - a giveaway, another tutorial and a special announcement.....so stick around!

have you made anything from the babyhood bonanza yet?

all images copyright lil blue boo

babyhood bonanza abby sprouts sale!!

In honor of our babyhood bonanza here on luvinthemommyhood, Abby Sprouts, one of my fave Victoria, BC mompreneurs, yep, she's local ladies, so if you live in town you just may get her to deliver your goodies right to your house or do what I do and pick up direct from her, decided to celebrate Harper's safe arrival with a little - OK a Big sale! Abby Sprouts is giving you all 20% Off nearly everything for Baby and Mom until June 27th!

Take a peak at the summer weight sleep sacks, Bella Bands, Made in BC, Canada Organic Skin Care for Mom, Baby or the Family (Love the Bubble Bath!), Gorgeous Organic Cotton Lined Sun Hats, Natural Rubber Soothers, Amber Teething Necklaces, the Organic Woombie and the Luxurious Aden + Anais Swaddling Blankets....ummm, I think I'll take one of everything..haha.

The sale applies to everything in Baby Needs, Mom To Be, Parents, Bath and Skin Care, Clothing and Nursing Sections of the online shop - it's BIG! Happy Shopping ladies!

Just use the coupon code 'Babyhood' at the check out to see your 20% savings.
and don't forget....
FREE Shipping on most orders over $99!!
Within Canada, Excludes Large Products. Coupon code 'FreeShip'

Thanks Steph, for the sale and for being such a great sponsor of the mommyhood! Big hugs!

weekend wishes - special edition

to spend some special time with my two gorgeous girls........

image via luvinthemommyhood

to keep remembering that things will get easier....or at least a little easier........

image via katheryn love

that i could still feel like i could wear these shoes.........so pretty..

image via b a n a n i

to be thankful for the little moments when my 3 yr old actually behaves.................

image via luvinthemommyhood

that i could wear this pretty dress on my bday on sunday....

image via lamahkun

to get a lot and i mean a lot of sleep..........(a girl can dream right?)

image via allison duke

to one day have mugs as cute as these are.............

image via stephanie williams

and to wish a very special father's day to the best father i know - my hubs! we luv you!

image via luvinthemommyhood

this was fun! i've missed weekend wishes! sad to say they aren't back every friday yet, but i couldn't resist this week! did you read the wishes above? did you see it's my sad ol'bday on sunday...yuck! i know i'm supposed to be happy and joyfully say that being in my 30's is the new 20's but i feel like sheat...so i'm not..haha. my hair is way overgrown, i'm still pale and haven't left the house, no clothes fit over my overhang and i really didn't expect to turn 33 in my pj's covered in spit up but so be it.

my bday wish is to park near the ocean, sit in the sand and breath in that fresh air while sipping a yummy starbucks frappuccino..yes, i'm a starbucks junkie..i know...what's a girl to do...and hang with the family, oh and maybe splurge on a new sewing book. i have a very long list i want to ogle at the bookstore - any recommendations?

i'm happy it's fathers day though. my hubby deserves to be thanked - he rocks and we love him for it! he takes great care of us and is a great father and husband - so happy father's day jer! and happy father's day to my dad who besides being an awesome dad gave me the most special gift this year - my new camera!!!! yes, a canon rebel has finally made it's home in my house. i will be doing a post on it more later, but in the meantime thanks again mom & dad, you guys will never know how much that camera means to us!!!

and a happy father's day to all you dad's out there! what are you guys up to this weekend?

Nursing Cover Tutorial with Guest - Jenny from "Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts"

our next guest blogger is the kind, sweet, jenny who is my go to girl for parenting advice from the wonderful blog "the southern institute for domestic arts and crafts". jenny is my guru for dealing with pregnancy and toddlers! she's a childbirth educator and that means she rocks! she also kicks butt at sewing and crafting! this ladies pics are bright and cheerful and i always learn something new from her in one way or another. isn't she cute?


but is blogging enough for this lady? nope. even though she has 3 busy kids and a hubby, she's going to be opening her new etsy shop "CHOPSTIX" and it's soon to be filled with handmade girl's clothing - i can't wait! so make sure to stop by and say hi to this pretty lady and her lovely frocks! jenny put together today's tutorial and is also going to be hosting a......giveaway!!!!

jenny has been sweet enough to offer up that nice nursing cover from her tutorial for a giveaway! so if you need to keep the girls under wraps pop on over to "the southern institute of domestic arts and crafts" and find out what the name of her dog is (*hint: there's a pic of the dog and it's name in her tutorial) and then leave us a comment below with the answer and your email address! you could be the lucky winner!!!! the giveaway will be open until Sunday, June 20th (my bday - eek!)! good luck!

***giveaway now closed***

now let's hear from jenny.....

Hello from the Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts! Thank you so much for having me, Shannon, and a BIG congratulations to you and your family! It's always an exciting time when there is a new member of the family to get to know and enjoy! And she's a CUTIE!!

So here we are almost near the end of the Babyhood Bonanza. I have enjoyed all of the tutorials so much! I know you have too. What a talented bunch of ladies! I am honored to be a part of all of this!

Babies, Babies, Babies!

Everything about them is precious. Motherhood is such a gift! I have three children of my own, the youngest being a year and half old. The infant stages are behind me, but it seems not long ago that I was trudging through the trenches of being a new mom. So much to learn and discover during those first months! There were many things I did not know about new babies, but I knew right from the start that I wanted to breast feed my children. I was blessed to be able to do so, each of them over a year. One thing that became indispensable to me was my nursing cover.

As a first time mom I was very self conscious about breast feeding in public, but my nursing cover allowed me to do so without any embarrassing moments (well, at least not too many). Not only are they great to keep you modest while feeding, but they also make a great sun cover when you drape it over your infant seat. You can use it as a light blanket, and it can be used as changing pad in a pinch. Last year I needed a gift for a friend's baby shower and, and I quickly set out how to figure out how to make one of these little lifesavers.


They are so easy and really don't take much time at all. Why not have one for every occasion? Click on over to the Southern Institute For Domestic Arts and Crafts to see my take on the Nursing Cover! Don't forget to enter to win the cover that I made for this tutorial!

thanks so much jenny! here's my big hugs and gushes for all your comments and sweet emails - you are the best! you should start a "dear abby" type parenting column on your blog for all us newbie parents :)

next week is the last week for babyhood bonanza - boo hoo!!!!!! so stay tuned! i'm sad to see it end....it's been so fun and i've had a great time. what about you guys? have you enjoyed it?

moments in the mommyhood - week 3 & still alive

week 3 has come and gone and my little baby girl is now a month old!!! boo hoo...time has gone by way too fast. it's been hard to try to memorize all those little moments knowing that i will never have a newborn baby again, it just makes my heart break. the pics below are from our little household last week....


harper's been smiling up a storm (and not gas smiles folks), is weighing a happy, chubby 10lbs 5 1/2 oz, laughing in her sleep, figuring out she has hands and is reaching for my face, cooing and gurgling, and man, oh man, is she strong. the doc says this kid is at a 2 month old level....aiaya. looks like we've got another fast mover on my hands - mackenzie was the same way.

harper loves bath time and so does mommy and daddy. i usually bathe with both girls, but sometimes our schedule and my energy don't cooperate and harper gets her own bath. proud daddy and i have lots of fun with bath time...but we are always aware of the danger....i know you know what i'm talking about ladies...the poo or pee! we've both been pooed and peed on by both kids, so the fear is high, but the reward is so worth it! i love babies when they are all clean and cuddly!


our 3 year old is having a bit of a rough time adjusting at the moment which is making things a bit more stressful than necessary around here. she seems fine with the baby and has no negative feelings towards her, but her acting out is all in listening and discipline. she thinks she rules the roost now and can basically do what she wants cause mom can't move so well and is exhausted with anemia (yes, i am anemic and dealing with that on top of my surgery)...hahaha, plus i haven't left the house for 4 weeks except to go to the doctors - can you say "stir crazy"? needless to say my life has been a bit trickier dealing with her than it has been taking care of the baby. ahhhhh, toddlers - don't you just love the terrible 3's??? i'm looking forward to getting back to my old self and our old routine and shaking up that little terrors vision of the house she now thinks she is in charge of.

i know there are more of you out there dealing with this same issue, cause you've emailed me. so here's to all of us, for dealing with tantrums galore, piss on the floor and so much screaming you have to lock down the windows and doors! you are not alone. come beatch here, leave a comment...share your advice ok? it sure as heck makes me feel better :) consider this a virtual hug. we'll get through it...we always do...right????


p.s. a giant thank you to all of those wonderful friends of ours who have dared to take my 3 yr out of the house to play and to give me a bit of my sanity back while we endured our first week alone without help and to my folks for watching her and i for 3 weeks - love you guys!

Vinyl Mustache Bib Tutorial with Guest - Cheri from "I Am Momma Hear Me Roar"

i came across the blog "i am momma hear me roar" a few months ago and said to myself this is one talented lady! cheri is super stylish - sassy is a word i would use for her...she's got some serious sassy style :) ok....that's my way of saying she's pretty and i'm jealous..haha. moving on though, cheri's blog is so filled with goodies i honestly don't know how this girl keeps it up with 2 boys and a hubby. cheri posts 7 days a week! that's right - 7 days! now i don't know how, or when - i haven't had the chance to ask her yet, but i can say from personal experience that blogging 5 days a week with one child was pretty hard work, i cannot imagine 7 days with 2!!! and they aren't just little posts ladies!

here's a sneak peek at her schedule:
monday to thursday - will feature a new craft/project a day feature friday - she will make something from someone else's tutorial and link you there so you can make it yourself.
soapbox saturday - she will share with you something she thinks everyone should know about. sunshine sunday - she'll show you some photos she's taken throughout the week that show you what she's thankful for. yep - she does that all every week!!!!

i love it and i know you will too! she's got goodies from clothing refashions, sewing tutorials, accessories to home decor and crafts - there's lots of fun stuff over there....plus i just luv her blog's name and logo - too cute if you ask me!


and to top it off this pretty momma also has a funky accessory shop filled with the loveliest of headbands called "loopdeelou" - be prepared to drool!


now let's hear from cheri..............

Hey everybody! I'm Cheri from I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar. I was so excited when Shannon asked me to be a part of the Babyhood Bonanza. I love this blog!

I also love babies. I remember reading my first pregnancy test that was positive. There had been a lot of negative ones and I got so nervous each time I took a test. I knew my life was going to change, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I get a bit emotional even thinking about that moment. Motherhood is the most amazing and challenging thing I've ever been a part of. My kids are by far my greatest creations.

On to the tutorial before I get too mushy! A lot of times when you think of baby gifts you think of pink, ruffly, flowery stuff. Well, I have two boys and I'm trying hard to provide a lot of boy-oriented projects in my corner of the blogosphere. Today I'm going to show you how to make a vinyl mustache bib.

Okay, obviously it doesn't have to have a mustache, but why not add a little manly humor? You can easily embellish it differently for a girl (if you don't have boys).

It's super easy to make and super easy to clean. Just wipe it off and you're good to go. Plus, it's fun to have a stylish bib when you're headed out. Head on over to my place for the full tutorial.

Thank you so much for having me, Shannon. If I never get a girl I'd love to switch you one of my boys for one of your girls. You make really cute ones. Let me know :)

thanks for coming by cheri, it's been so fun having your "sassy self" be part of the celebration!! i really appreciate it :) by the way, your boys are just as cute...maybe we have potential boyfriend/girlfriends here? your two and my two?

p.s. how do you manage to always look so put together my dear? i'm lucky if i get a shower never mind makeup and hair done? ok....insert my jealousy here again..hahaha, we need to exchange tips...let us in on your secrets k?

Baby Sunsuit Tutorial with Guest - Rae from "Made by Rae"

Hi guys! It's Rae. I told Shannon she wasn't allowed to introduce me because a) she already did that over here for Moms in the Mommyhood and b) it's just too much work. She should be lying in bed reading a book while the baby dozes on her chest. Maybe watching trashy TV while Mr Shannon takes the babies for a walk? Out for a pedicure and massage? At the very least sitting on the couch while big sister gives baby Harper lots of snuggles. Am I right or am I right?

She also asked for advice and well, I don't need to be asked twice. I'll try to keep it short. I think the best advice I can give is to take it easy and soak it all in. My baby girl is 10 months old and already I miss those early baby days when they are so TINY and CUTE. Those teeny fingers, microscopic fingernails. The adorable newborn noises, little quacks and gurgles and coos. At least with my second I knew how fast it would fly by. So recording some of those memories was important to me. I tried to take short videos of the babies at least every week for the first few months. The key for me was to keep the clips under one minute so I didn't have to change batteries or tapes very often and so that watching them later wasn't boring. If you don't have a video camera, most cameras and phones have at least a rudimentary video function. Even if it's poor quality you'll be glad you have it later.

And finally, a piece of advice another mom gave me which I was oh-so-grateful for was not to feel guilty putting my toddler son in front of the TV after my daughter was born. I've always been pretty frugal with my son's TV time, preferring to go days without it if possible, but when you've got a new baby the situation changes. You need to take a shower, you need to nurse the baby, you need to just have a minute to yourself. So don't feel bad if you lean on a DVD or PBS more than the usual amount. Rest assured you can return to your anti-TV stance after a few months and it won't turn your toddler into a zombie. Promise.

OK, back to why I'm here. I wanted to share a tutorial for a baby sunsuit that is cute and easy. It uses the popular shirring technique which has been all over the place lately. It is sized by measuring your baby, so it's a custom fit. For my little crawler, the shirred leg openings insure that her clothing won't get caught under her knees when she crawls.

And a cross-over back closure means that straps won't fall down or untie:

I also think you'll like the snap closure at the bottom for easy diaper changes. I've included measurements for a 6-12 month size sunsuit as well as instructions on how to make it for babies of any size. Heck it might even work for older children too.

You can see the whole tutorial over at my blog, Made By Rae. You can also click on the image below to go straight to the tutorial. Thanks so much Shannon for hosting The Bonanza! Go take that nap now!

ok rae....you are the best and still the funniest lady ever...you always know how to crack me up! i took your advice and skipped the intro, but couldn't resist an outro...haha. thanks so much for this kick ass tute, all your wonderful advice and your fabulous blog! you know i was dying to make one of these and i send big hugs for making the tute so us new sewers can adorn our little girls with these adorable sunsuits!!! you rock!



you guys planning on making any sunsuits this summer? aren't they adorable? luv em! stay tuned for more tutorials to come next week!!!!

all images copyright made by rae

Dress Shirt Sleep Sack Tutorial with Guest - Lindsay from "The Cottage Home"

i'm so in love with this tutorial. i'm partial to all the wonderful dress shirt refashions that have come about over the last year or so as they were one of the main things that got me to even start sewing. so when lindsay told me what she had planned i've been dying to see it ever since. most of you know how much i luv lindsay and her fab etsy shop "The Cottage Mama" and blog "The Cottage Home" and to hear me gush about her some more and to find out how she does it all with 2 kids and a hubby check out our interview for "moms in the mommyhood" we did on her recently.

now let's hear from lindsay......

Wow, I'm thrilled to be back at luvinthemommyhood as part of the "Babyhood Bonanza". My name is Lindsay and I am here from The Cottage Home (blog) and The Cottage Mama (etsy shop).

I have two darling little ladies of my own - Savannah Rose (2 years) and Matilda Jane (11 months). Being a mother is the best thing to ever happen to me. It has grounded me, created a very clear direction for my life and has given me the drive to follow my dreams. If it weren't for my girls, I would not have started my blog, I would not have started my children's clothing business, and I would not be here sharing my Dress Shirt Sleep Sack Tutorial with all of you. My girls are the world to me and have definitely shown me the meaning of true love.

I don't know about you, but for the first year or so of my girls life they spend most of their time sleeping in a sleep sack. I never have enough sleep sacks - they always seem to be in short supply, but they are pretty expensive at $20 a pop. So that's where today's tutorial comes in........Dress Shirt Sleep Sack Tutorial.

I have seen so many tutorials for men's dress shirt refashioned into little girls dresses, which are SO adorable and I've been meaning to make one (or two) for my girls. But here's a new twist - make your little lady or little man a sleep sack out of their Daddy's shirt. Use a 100% cotton dress shirt for a light-weight, summer sleep sack and use a flannel, button-down for a cozier winter sleep sack.

The idea of my little baby Matilda all cozy in her crib, wrapped up in her Daddy's shirt, just warms my heart.........can you feel the love?

Supplies:
1 Large Men's Dress Shirt
Bias Tape
Scissors
Thread
Sewing Machine
Iron
Baby Sleep Sack (to use as a pattern)
Rick-Rack, ribbon or other trim (optional)
Fabric for applique (optional)
Fusible Interfacing - I like Wonder Under (if doing applique)

Directions:

Grab a men's button-down dress shirt - preferably from your little one's Daddy or Grand-Daddy. But if your hubby doesn't have an extra one, just pick one up at your local thrift store.

Lay your regular sleep sack on top of the dress shirt. Line the zipper of the sleep sack up with the buttons of the dress shirt. A large men's shirt is the perfect size for a 6-12 month sleep sack.

I am a big fan of using hardware-store washers as pattern weights. Place your weights onto the sleep sack to ensure no slipping during cutting.

Cut around the sleep sack leaving 1/2"-3/4" border. I always use a rotary cutter because I am usually very short on time - makes for much quicker work!

You will leave this border to allow for your seam allowance, which is 1/2" in this case.

Cut all the way around the entire sleep sack - through both layers of the dress shirt.

Here's what the sleep sack will look like after you have cut it out. I left the pocket, but feel free to remove it with a seam ripper.

Sew the top of each shoulder - right-sides together.

Stitch away.

Press your seams with an iron.

Now cut out the neck (only cut the top layer). Use your sleep sack as a guide. I just free-hand drew mine with a water-soluble fabric pen - approximately 3" wide by 3" deep.

Here is the sleep sack with the neck removed.

This part is TOTALLY optional. I wanted my Matilda's sleep sack to be a little more girly so I added some trim. Get creative with this and use whatever trim you have on hand.

Stitch your trim to the sleep sack.

Pin your bias tape around each arm hole. Open it and pin it to the RIGHT side of the garment.

Stitch the bias tape.

Now fold over your bias tape and stitch again on the RIGHT side of the garment.

Do the same thing around the neck opening, but make sure you fold over the edges as this will show and you do not want any raw edges against baby's skin.

This part is entirely optional as well. I cut out a flower from some fabric (Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane) and used fusible interfacing to adhere it to the sleep sack. Follow the manufacturers instructions for interfacing to do this step.

Then stitch around your flower. I used a straight stitch, but if you do not like the frayed look, I would suggest using a tight zig-zag.

Now to finish. Pin the sides and the bottom - right sides together. Stitch the three sides closed. Turn right-side out and press.

And there you have it - A Dress Shirt Sleep Sack

And here's my sweet baby girl wearing her new cozy sleep sack.

Checking it out, making sure Mama did it right.

Yes! I LOVE my new sleep sack!!

Time for a nap!

Cottage Mama's Note: Please, please check all of the buttons on your shirt and make sure they are sewn on very securely. I suggest reinforcing them, just to be extra cautious.

Thank you so much, Shannon, for having me! I'm so glad we have gotten to know each other - I feel like we were just meant to be friends. Hope you are having fun with your two sweet girly girls!

thank you linds! i'm so glad we have gotten to know each other as well and agree that we were meant to be friends! i can't wait for the day that we can meet in person and hang out and sew! thanks for all of your emails, wisdom and advice - you're the best!

i'm super excited for you all to see our next tutorial this week...it's one i've been meaning to make myself but could never do as fabulous a job as our next guest blogger is going to - so stay tuned!

are you guys having fun yet? are you enjoying the bonanza? i am! i only wish i could do some sewing...haha! what are you planning to make from our tutorials so far?

moments in the mommyhood - baby bliss

here's a look at our new little girl harper helena mae...........

(ok, it's hard to capture on camera, but harper has the longest eyelashes i have ever seen on a baby. i keep wiping her eye thinking she has a hair stuck to it, but nope, it's the long eyelashes...she's a lucky lady)

proud daddy..................


and we can't forget about big sister.............


and i would show you pics of myself but that ain't happening...hahaha. i look like something a dog upchucked a few times and then jumped around in...it's nasty. you don't want to see it - trust me. i seriously think i could just jump right into a twilight movie and be part of the cullen family i am so pale from the drop in my iron, plus, why didn't anyone worn us moms that when you have a c-section you are left with this horrible overhang??? WTF?? what is that?

i seriously freak out every time i look at myself in the mirror...and yes, i know i have a beautiful baby now and trust me when i say i am overjoyed with my baby, but why the overhang??? isn't it bad enough we are in pain, bleeding, lactating and seriously lacking in sleep? ok...i'm whining, i know. i never thought i would be able to have kids so i am truly blessed and very thankful, but i am not thankful for another surgery to add to my messy medical history, another horrible recovery, another nasty scar...and of course, the overhang :) i'm moving on now, or at least i'm going to attempt to (there may be future posts/rants though..haha).

thank you for all your kind words, comments, emails and parcels - you are all soooo sweet! it truly means a lot to us. it's been a tough few weeks for me and i'm still not feelin that great and we are on week 3. yep, week 3! my harper is 3 weeks old today...ummmm, i think time flew by even faster than with the first baby. did michael j. fox come visit me and time warp my life a bit cause it sure feels like it.

harper is doing fabulous (not to brag) and is weighing (on tuesday) 9lbs 6 1/2 oz and eating like a champ. she's been living up to her name and we swear she sings in her sleep. she makes these noises that are notes that are so on pitch i just know she is going to be musically inclined. she's been great and i just love her to bits and think she is, of course, the most gorgeous baby girl ever, thus my long post of pics of her....i know y'all wanted to see her right? of course you did..hahaha.

i will end this now though, and i promise to keep my c-section rants to a minimum but in the meantime all you ladies out there with tips on how to get by when the help is gone and you are still gibbled and not feeling great with a toddler and a new baby at home your advice would be sooooo very welcome at the moment :) please share your wisdom with me below...please...haha.

all images copyright luvinthemommyhood

Fruit Salad Baby Hats with Guest - Maggie from "Smashed Peas & Carrots"

let's all give a big hello to the sweet maggie from the fun and fabulous blog "smashed peas and carrots"! she's one of my fave emailing/blogging buddies and i'm thrilled to have her over to be part of the "babyhood bonanza"! she's currently preggers with baby #3 and i send big hugs her way for finding the time/energy to whip up this great little tutorial for all of us ladies!

it's been a crazy week in our household so bear with me with the short intro folks, it's pretty simple to write though - go check out smashed peas and carrots...hee hee, it's one of my fave places to visit online. lots of goodies galore there from sewing tutorials, crafts, projects for the little ones and fabulous recipes as well! you won't be disappointed! thanks again mags - one of these days I AM going to show up for some of that delicious cake, a cup of coffee and some girl chat and a visit with your gorgeous family!

now let's hear from maggie............

Babies. What can I say about Babies? They are just so sweet and cuddle-y, and teeny tiny, and breath-taking. I am a momma of two right now and I remember both of their births and those early weeks like they were yesterday. So Sweet! Now I wonder to myself just how did my little ones get so big?

Babies. Yeah, they are on my mind a lot these days as I am expecting my number 3 at the end of July. Yup, craziness pure craziness, will be happening around my house in less than two months! So, in thinking of fun things to make for new little bundles of joy I thought about baby hats. A necessary piece of clothing to keep their little heads warm no matter what time of year. A fun gift to give and receive. Yup, I love 'em. And, what could be more fun than making some Fruit Salad Baby Hats for the new arrival?

Who wouldn't want to give or receive:

an "I'm Strawberry Special" Hat

or a "Blueberry Cutie Pie'' Hat

or maybe an "Orange I Sweet" Hat

or even an "Apple of My Eye" Hat

No little bundle of joy would be complete without one on their head!

Fruit Salad Anyone?

Ok, so let's make the Blueberry Cutie Pie Hat, shall we? You'll need:

one blue t-shirt (size X-large will make you a few!)

blue felt

coordinating thread

hand-sewing needle

sewing machine

rotary cutter and mat

First, make a template for your hat. A basic half-oval shape is perfect. I just free-handed mine. For a 0-3 month old you will need to make your template 7 1/2 inches wide at the bottom and about 5 3/4 inches tall. (Most 0-3 month old babies head circumference measure around 14-15 inches in diameter so if your little babe has a bigger noggin you may want to add some more inches to the width.)

Place your template at the bottom edge or the sleeve portion of your t-shirt, making sure to use the hem that is already in place. Cut out both front and back pieces of your hat using both front and back sides of the t-shirt.

Next, take your felt piece and cut one 4 x 4 inch piece and one 1 inch by 1.5 inch piece.


With the smaller felt piece, fold it in half lengthwise to make a rectangle and sew a straight stitch all the way around it. This will be the stem for your blueberry.

Next, fold the larger felt piece in half and cut out a few triangles so that you have a very oblong star-shape, like the picture above. It doesn't really have to be symmetrical since blueberry leaves are all types of crazy shapes.

Then, with your star-shape open, use your rotary cutter and cut a small slit about 1/2 inch in length in the center.

Now, take your two hat pieces and place right sides together with the stem piece centered at the very top portion. Sew the two pieces together using a zig-zag stitch to give the hat some extra stretch room.

Flip your hat right-side out and make sure it's not too puckered at the seam. You may need to snip your seam allowance at the curves a bit.

Finally, take your star-shaped felt piece and pull the stem through the slit. Hand-stitch the leaves to that hat taking care not to sew the front and the back of the hat together.

Then, go find a cutie-pie baby to wear your hat like little Gus here, so sweet at just one-month old, isn't he!

Whether gazing into momma's eyes, smiling at the birdies or sleeping the day away, a Fruit Salad Baby Hat will keep your little babe warm and stylin' all day long no matter the season!

So Vibrant and Sweet the way every Fruit Salad should be!

Every Fruit Salad needs a rainbow of colors!

Thanks so much Shannon for including me in your Babyhood Bonanza! It's such an honor to be here today!! Much love to you and your new little babe, she is such a doll!!

you're welcome mags - luv ya girl!

i've got some pics coming your guys way tomorrow so come back to check out baby harper and all the craziness in our house lately! in the meantime go sport our button...it's over there to your left on the sidebar - we'll luv ya for it!