Testing out a piping presser foot with some recycled gift bag handles and scrap wool felt. I am thinking this would look cute as a pocket detail.

Upcycled jeans marker and pen case

This case was made out of my husband's jeans, some Mod Podge, and an Amazon cardboard box. I made the markers from a kit I purchased on the Crayola website (Crayola Marker Maker kit refill), so much fun to mix the colors, I want to make more!!

Découpage canvas

My first try at découpaging paper napkins to a piece of a scrap canvas. I love how it looks like it is printed directly on to the canvas!

2 designs added to my Spoonflower shop

Lollipop Panda and Black Sprinkles on Mustard. I had these printed on satin fabric and they came out like silver and gold.

New Timmie Tadpole jackets and coats in the works

Mickey Mouse testing out a wool coat with pom poms

Art Supply Tower

I've added an ink penthouse to my art supply tower. Acrylic drawers purchased from Muji and The Container Store. Love them.

Easiest way to repair shoelace tips (aglets)

For these shoelaces I used clear 3/32" heat shrink tubing, a hair dryer, and tweezers to prevent burning my fingers.

1. Cut the desired length of tubing
2. Slip shoelace inside
3. Hold lace with tweezer
4. Apply heat with hair dryer

So fast and easy! The shrink tubing is great for quick fixes of crushed plastic aglets, to shorten your laces or to make custom laces out of other cords or ribbon. I am going to try the colored tubing next. Thrilling! 

Reconstructed headphone ear pads

Reconstructed using a swatch of organic cotton jersey of my "tribal lines" print. 

Above is a pic of the UrbanEars headphone ear pads taken apart. I reused all the components other than the top fabric with the peeling paint. These ear pads are great because they click right back in easily.

My son thought I was making donuts while working on this :), so keep away from hungry toddlers.

Slipcover for child's sofa chair

I made this slipcover last year for the P'kolino Little Reader chair.  Very wrinkly from a year of toddler abuse but overall in decent shape still.

DIY bow tie to match adult sneakers

I painted a small piece of canvas with acrylic paint to match my new minty green sneakers. I attached the bow tie to my son's shirt with a piece of elastic that I made a little slit in and looped it around the first button near the collar.

New to me - scallions from sprouted red onions.

 I chopped some with celery and pepper for a vegetable cream cheese. Yums.

Cupcake dinosaur cake

Inspired by this one - http://www.mycakeschool.com/blog/dino-is-ready-to-party/

Milk of Magnesia deodorant

This totally works!* One pump per pit and you are good to go! 

Update: 1. I switched from Phillips to a version that doesn't contain bleach (sodium hypochlorite) 2. Don't use a pump, the liquid will dry up and clog the pump. On Amazon they sell empty roll on deodorant bottles that would work much better, but I've just been pouring some out a little at a time in the cup provided and using my fingers. 

*as good as other natural deodorants I've tried.

Elephant Garlic

One clove!

Time to make the (mini) donuts

Playing with my new toy from my sis-in-law! Banana walnut donut with cinnamon frosting. This donut machine will definitely be a fast track to a full spandex wardrobe. It is dangerously easy to make sweet treats!

Hand modeling courtesy of hubs.

Recycled calendar -> gift wrap

Old calendars make awesome, thick wrapping paper for small items.

First art supplies for baby

Hopefully we can do some collaborations soon. From Norman & Jules in Park Slope.

From my grandparents garden

They both have passed away within the last three months but their legacy will continue through the garden.

Finally using up my washi tape

Apple from Battleview Orchards in NJ

Homemade apple sauce. Found BPA free lids from Ball.

Finally some selection! The guac is for me :)

What to do with stained baby clothes?

Chop it up and make a new outfit!

This is my first sewing project with recycled NiNi clothes. A onesie hybrid with Mickey Mouse inspired buttons :). This project gave me the idea to cut up my own clothes and make stuff for him instead of buying new things, using his existing wardrobe as the base pattern. Baby clothes stress me out, such limited time usage and then you wonder everyday if you should save it in case another baby comes along.  I won't feel bad about reworking the stained clothes or my clothes though, so this is the start to some fun times at the sewing machine. Naps and grandparent babysitters permitting.

Fresh arugula pizza

Arugula from my Grandma's garden, prosciutto, feta, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, grated asiago cheese, and a spritz of orange juice (tossed with the arugula, didn't have any lemon).

Warning: Possible link to Pampers Stay Dry and allergic reaction?

After 2-3 uses my little one developed this rash all over his back. As soon as we noticed we switched to another diaper we had on hand (swaddlers?) and a couple of cloth diapers and the rash started clearing up within a few hours. I suspect the blue dye. I'm posting this in case someone else runs into the same issue.  We were using Honest Co. and Babyganics before this without any problems and are now trying Earth's Best, so far so good.

First baby food! Sweet potato.

What other first veggies should I try?

Deep dish chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies

So decadent and yums! No mixer needed and really easy clean up when using baking cup liners.

Recipe from HERE. 

Nini's shoe collection so far.

2 purchased, 2 handmade, and 2 gifts

Around the kitchen

french vanilla coffee with caramel on the bottom

Parmesan potato pizza with rosemary infused olive oil

Lounging with my honey.

Baby Godzilla is keeping me busy!

As soon as I get back to the sewing machine I want to try making this baby carrier with custom fabrics. I just need a good 12 hour stretch of naptime, right now he only naps for 2 hours at a time, so this might take a while. :)

Wooden Spoon Clip

Love the idea and look but unfortunately after one wash the varnish came off in some areas, ugh.

Day 15 - Holdin' On.