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Hi! I'm Susie- a budget conscious mom who loves pretty things, good deals, and great ideas. Please contact me: susie@ecbloom.com
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Stencil Art on Fabric
I’ve found the best deals on frames for artwork at the thrift store. Sometimes the frames need some TLC and spray paint, sometimes just a quick switch of art. I scored the frame below on half-off Saturday at my favorite thrift store for $2.50. You just can’t beat that. I created my own stencil and painted on some scrap linen for a new botanical look:
Here are the steps I took to create my stencil art print:
Step 1: Measure the dimensions of the back of the frame by using either the glass from the frame or the back mat. Using these dimensions, create a paper surface to draw the stencil on. I taped 4 pieces of computer paper together, then measured and marked where the outer mat would lay. I free sketched an easy leaf design in pencil, and traced it with a black sketch pen. The possibilities for design ideas are endless, and there are tons of free clip art sites on the internet if you’re not comfortable free drawing. Keep the design fairly simple.
Step 2: Using a permanent marker, trace the stencil design from step 1 onto blank stencil sheets. You can either cut out the design with small snippy scissors, or use a heated stencil cutter (after using 2 coupons, mine cost about $6 at Michaels Craft Store– highly recommended).
Step 3: Spray the back of the stencil with stencil adhesive spray so it won’t slip, and lay the stencil on the fabric. Attach the fabric to a piece of cardboard or mat that is the same size as your frame backing. The fabric should be long enough on each side to wrap around the cardboard or mat, and the fabric should be taped from behind with some duck tape. Mix up some of your favorite acrylic craft paints (I used some leftover Martha Stewart craft paint). Dip a stencil brush in paint, and dab on the cut out parts of the stencil. After I peeled the stencil off, I went back with a small brush and filled in some leaf veins and the stem.
Strawberry Scones
A few weekends ago, my neighbor Shonna knocked on our door and handed over some of the most delicious scones around (I love my neighbors!). Luckily she also gave me a copy of the recipe. So far I have made them twice, and they have been a big hit both times. This time around I made them with strawberries, but the filling possibilities are endless. My five year old walked by the cooling scones and pronounced, “Those scones look fabulous!” This is going to be a great Mother’s Day weekend.
Swedish Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar (plus extra for dusting)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, halved and sliced (or any other berry)*
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add the whipping cream and mix until just wet, then add the berries. Knead the dough 4 times on a lightly floured surface. Shape into a flat circle (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick), and cut into 8 pie shapes. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 16 to 18 minutes.
* Instead of berries, you can substitute 3/4 to 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 3/4 to 1 cup of dried cranberries (one of my favorite combinations). For orange scones, add the zest from one orange to the batter, as well as 1 Tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice. Use the rest of the juice combined with 1 Tablespoon of powdered sugar for icing, and then bake.
Plan Ahead For Mother’s Day
*Image via sanctumbody.blogspot.com
Weekend Links
Our pre-planned garden arrived from High Country Gardens yesterday, and if all goes well, it will hopefully look like the photo above in August. I love a well-landscaped garden, but it is so overwhelming to look at all the beautiful plants and have to choose what goes where. With a pre-planned garden, the only work you have to do is prepare the bed, dig some holes, and water (it even comes with a planting map). I can’t wait for the flowers to bloom! Here are some links I found interesting or noteworthy this week:
1. Very Cute Mother’s Day Cards Your Kids Could Easily Make at Lilla a
2. Four Decluttering Tips From Successful Downsizers on Babble Voices
3. Cooking Fish Without Fear with Chef Michel Nischan on Whole Story
4. Excavating Toys From Ice on Chasing Cheerios (my kids are going to love this)
5. 8 Healthy Cooking Secrets I learned From the CIA on Eat Like Me
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50 Ways to Praise a Child
Of course, don’t forget to say I love you to your child and give them a hug every day!
Useful Gifts For the New Mom
What do you get a first-time mom who has most of the basic essentials already? My friend’s baby is due next month, and she already has the basics– car seat, crib, bouncy seat, stroller, baby bath, and tons of very nice hand-me-down clothes to get her through the first year. I asked some of my new-mom friends, and thought of baby items that made my life easier with newborns. Here’s the list:
1. This book has some tried and true techniques for soothing babies. The Happiest Baby On The Block by Harvey Karp– $9.14 on amazon.com
2. I know some moms bite their baby’s nails, but I never really got the hang of it and always used clippers. Safety 1st Steady Grip Nail Clippers– $8.33 on amazon.com
3. When my kids were newborn, they were sent home from the hospital with these pacifiers (which they both loved). At the time, they were not for sale in stores, so a lost pacifier was gone for good. Now they are sold on-line and in stores. Phillips AVENT Soothe Pacifier– $15.52 for a 4 pack at walmart.com
4. A step above most, these swaddle blankets are made from soft and breathable muslin cotton. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets– $34.99 for a 4 pack at target.com
5. As a new mom, you can never have too many washcloths. SwaddleDesigns Terry Velour Baby Washcloth Set– $10.44 on amazon.com
6. I still use this baby wash on my kids– it contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients. California Baby Calming Shampoo and Body Wash– $10 at Target and Whole Foods
7. Stick this rubber ducky in the bath water so you don’t have to guess if it’s too hot. Safety 1st Rubber Tempguard Ducky– $6.80 at amazon.com
8. To keep from stressing about the temperature in your baby’s room (is the baby too hot/cold?), a room thermometer is great to have. This Daffodil LCD Digital Alarm Clock comes with a built-in calendar and thermometer– $12.49 on amazon.com
9. Some babies sleep through everything, some don’t. White noise is great for masking loud sounds such as the garbage truck, cacophonous company, and barking dogs. HoMedics Sound Spa Sound Machine with 6 Nature Sounds– $21.01 on amazon.com
10. I always kept one of these flannel lap pads on the changing table pad. Every time there was a messy diaper, I didn’t have to wash or put on a new changing pad cover. I just threw the lap pad in the laundry basket and put a new one on top of the changing pad. Carter’s 3-pack Flannel Lap Pad– $6.98 at sears.com
11. This thermometer captures temperatures with a gentle swipe of the forehead. You can get a temperature reading even if your baby is sleeping. Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer– $32.18 at walmart.com
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Tagged newborn essentials, newborn gifts, useful newborn items
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Weekend Links
*Patitucci Photo via DolomiteSport.com
This morning I went for a run in remembrance of my friend Karen’s son Kevin. They have a big group of people who run Crazy Legs for Kevin, and then have a fundraiser for the Autism Society of Greater Madison. It also happens to be autism awareness month, so if you know anyone affected, or if you want to donate, it is very easy to do do so via Autism Speaks. Here are some links I found interesting or noteworthy this week:
1. Score one For Helicopter Parents on the NYTimes Motherlode Blog
2. Rules for survival: daily routines on Modern Parents Messy Kids
3. Rainy days and Mondays: Ideas to entertain kids on Simple Kids
4. 3-D spring flower garden for kids on Sewn Natural
5. These Sriracha chicken wings from White On Rice Couple look delicious!
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Homemade Whole Wheat Waffles
We have a waffle maker that has been lurking in a lower cabinet for years. Waffles seemed like an indulgent, once in a while breakfast until recently. I decided to make my regular recipe a bit healthier, and it turns out they taste great! My kids love them, and I make extra to store in the fridge for a few bonus mornings. Here’s the re-vamped recipe:
Whole Wheat Waffles
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 Tablespoons raw sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 Tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 to 2 cups 1% or skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, mixing well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients in the large bowl, making sure not to over mix. Heat up the waffle iron, very lightly coat with butter, and pour about 1/2 cup batter into each side of the iron (or more depending on your waffle iron size). Close the lid, and remove your lightly browned waffles once the indicator light goes on.
Toppings
My kids like maple syrup on their waffles. I buy real maple syrup, which is a bit pricey– I buy a big container at Costco, and it usually lasts for a few months depending on our pancake and waffle consumption. A University of Rhode Island study recently found 13 new anti-oxidant compounds in maple syrup that have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. That definitely makes it worth the price for me. My hubby and I like to top our waffles with plain yogurt, frozen raspberries (heated in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes), and a drizzle of maple syrup. Sometimes I also add sliced ripe bananas. They are so good, I feel like I am at a fancy cafe for breakfast!
Refurbished Costume Wings
My older daughter had a school play last night, and of course I waited until the last minute to make her costume. She wanted to be a butterfly, so I decided to transform a pair of old fairy wings into butterfly wings. The fairy wings were pretty old and worn– here’s what they looked like:
In order to start the re-do, I had to cut all the material off the fairy wings. I was left with four wire shapes that were not attached. Here’s what I did:
Step 1: Fold your fabric in half. Place one of the larger wire shapes in the fold of your fabric (I used some semi-transparent costume fabric). Make sure the fabric extends several inches beyond the wire shape– the fabric should wrap both under and over the wire shape. Cut a piece of double folded binding that is long enough to wrap around the wire shape. Wrap the binding around the outside edge of the wire shape that is wrapped in fabric and sew inside the wire. Make sure not to let your needle hit the wire– I ruined a needle this way. Sew only the outer edge.
Step 2: Trim the rest of the fabric to 1/2 inch past the wire that does not have binding on it. Use double-sided wash away tape (found in the notions section of a craft store) to secure the underside and overside of the fabric just past the wire. Place the binding over the wire and fabric. Continue sewing the binding. The binding should now be wrapped around the entire wire shape. Repeat with the other large wire shape. For the two smaller wire shapes, I found it easier to cut 2 pieces of fabric that extended about 1 1/2 inches beyond the wire shape on all sides (instead of placing one side between a fold of fabric). Use the double-sided tape to secure, and sew on the binding.
Step 3: Once all the fabric and binding are sewn on the wire shapes, cut two 5 inch by 5 inch squares of felt and round the corners. Pin to all four wire shapes, forming a set of wings.
Step 4: Sew the felt on all four wing shapes, making sure not to sew through the wire. Cut 2 pieces of elastic that are 11.5 inches each, and sew to the felt, making sure not to sew through any wire. My wings were still a bit floppy, so I cut a popsicle stick in half, surrounded it by a piece of felt, and sewed it to the outside of the wings (on the upper part of the felt) where they were floppy. I then used a hot glue gun to adhere jewels to the wings.
For the skirt, I used a free pattern from Oliver and S, which was super easy to make. For the headband, I cut some felt circles and put them on an old bee headband we had. I was impressed that a bunch of second-graders sounded so great, and they all looked so cute in their costumes!
