DIY pillowcases

I don't usually post tutorials because I get way too antsy during projects and forget to take pics.  But this time I wanted to make sure I documented each step so I would remember it for the next time I do it.  Because there certainly will be a next time.  These are like the easiest pillowcases you will ever make and we have like a zillion ugly pillows hanging around that need a little facelift.

Lately, I've been focusing on the kids' room {It's still weird to say kids' room.}.  I've been thinking about how to make it cute, yet gender and age neutral.  It's been so fun to think about.

I knew that I wanted to have cute pillows on Jude's new bed, but of course didn't want to spend a fortune, and needed the pattern to be just right, matching the vision in my head {easier said than done.....sometimes the visions in my head are hard to find in reality, anyone else have that problem?}.

We got these super cute pillows at Target after Christmas for 70% off making them like $5.  I've loved them on the bed and was sad knowing that a penguin and reindeer wouldn't look as cute in July.  But I knew I could use them as inserts if I found the right fabric.

Which leads me to yesterday.  While browsing at the happiest place on earth, the Hobs Lobs {aka Hobby Lobby} I ran into this fabric and I swear to goodness it literally called my name.  I had never seen it there before, which is odd because I have that store memorized.  Anyway, I bought that ish as fast as I could {mostly because I had a hungry/frustrated toddler hanging from the cart......and the fact that it was perfect for the room}.

So last night I whipped up some pillowcases that ended up being so easy and fast.  I can't wait to make more!

Steps to easy pillowcase making

See the cute reindeer and penguin?  Yeah, not gonna cut it in the summer....

 Because the fabric was a bit see through, I needed to use two layers of fabric.  One was just a basic white cotton and the other was the green chevron.  When covering the pillow, lay the outside fabric face up so you will have it inside out.

 Fold down and pin the first flap.

 Do the same thing on the other side.

 Sew the edges so they will look nice and clean when the pillow is done.

 I sewed two straight lines on each hem just because I thought it would look nicer and hold up better.

 Cover your pillow again and pin one side of the pillow.  Take the pillow out and sew the side you just pinned.

Put the pillow back in the cover and eyeball {or measure, but who has time for that?} to see where to sew the other side.  After both sides are sewn, it will look like the picture below.  {just fyi: the pillowcase is just laying on top of the pillow at this point.  The pillow is not inside.}  

 It's now time to inside that sucker out {or inside out that sucker...whichever works}! Once the right side is showing, go ahead and shove the pillow in.

 Clean up the edges and smash the pillow so it is all evened-out.  {At this point you can check the baby monitor to make sure he is still soundly sleeping.  Then go ahead and freak out for a sec because you can't see him.  Once you find him and notice he might have a blanket on his face go ahead and decide whether you need to run up 2 flights of stairs to take it off.....}

 And TA-DA!  You have your first brand new pillow!

 You can continue to do the same thing with the second one.  For this one I ran out of white fabric for a liner, so I used some dropcloth I had on hand.  Not super soft, but did the job!

 I didn't take as many pics of this one, but you get the idea...

Um. HI. HELLO.  I'm in love with a pillow!

And a few pics in their home:

The backs, in case you were curious

Pregnancy brain

I just noticed that my last post was about how crazy miserable I was feeling a week ago.  In case anyone was losing sleep over my well-being, I am here to tell you that I am feeling much better!  I'm able to walk like a normal person again.  Amen for baths and heating pads!  The only thing bothering me today:  inappropriately fitting undies {Oh come on, don't tell me I'm the only pregnant person wishing for normal fitting underwear....}.

So since I'm sharing some raw details of my life, I'd like to tell you about my shower experience the other night.  It started out great, and considering Jude was already asleep, it was uninterrupted and worry-free {A luxury}.  I began to bust out with the shower radio {total necessity, am I right?} and two seconds later found myself conditioning my hair.  People.  I literally said aloud to myself, "Wait, did I even shampoo?"  I said this out loud.  To. Myself.  No I in fact had not shampooed my hair, but instead ended up conditioning twice.  Which I guess isn't all that bad....we have like triple the conditioner than shampoo and now it is extra shiny.  But really, guys, this is getting bad.  Another example:  The other day I asked Christopher a question and he said, "What?" because he hadn't heard me and then I said, "Wait, what did I ask you again/" and he looked at me like I was from mars because neither of us knew my question.  This is my life right now.

All in all, I'm hoping that in a few weeks I will get at least some of my brain back.

And be able to fit into my underwear.

Growing, growing, gone!

I swear to goodness that the little one inside me grew like 27 pounds last night. When I woke up this morning, {and after taking 5 whole minutes to actually sit up} I had trouble walking. I waddled all day like a true preggo-saur rex. It would be funny if it didn't hurt so much. I'm hoping this was just a random day, and not an everlasting feeling of late pregnancy, because I couldn't keep up with the toddler that demanded my full attention all day.

Heating pad and early bedtime here I come! {oh my gosh, am 75 years old or what!?}. Nighty night!

I like big bumps....

and I cannot lie.

I should've been taking pics like this the whole pregnancy.  I guess there's always next time!

Oh hey there, Baby Girl!

We see you!  You're already pretty cute and I love that you and I already have a thing.  No one else will ever understand the power of your kicks and the extent of your gymnastic routines in my belly.  But I give 'em all 10s.  Especially the ones in church, when I least expect it.  Or the ones that crush my bladder and make me need to pee one minute after my last trip to pee.  You're cute like that.  So keep it up, because if these last 9 weeks go as fast as this entire pregnancy has gone, I'll be seein' you in no time!  {And I can't wait!}

Love,
Momma

Introducing....

My new Etsy shop! 

Sorry to keep you all hanging yesterday.  I've been working hard to start my own little business on Etsy.  I'm starting small.  Literally.  Mostly with earrings and a few home décor items.  I'm doing this because I want to get used to shipping things.  Considering the fact that I'm deathly afraid of the post office, I really am facing my fears in 2013 with this little venture.  But after years of talking the talk, I finally decided to walk the walk.  Wish me luck!

Coming Up Roses - The Shop

So shop away, my loves!  Spread the word!

PS.  After I get the hang of this whole new world, I plan on stocking the shop with a few baby items and more canvas artwork.  Check back often!

Weird

Today is a weird day.

It started when my alarm went off this morning. I haven't set an alarm in months. But the thing is, I needed to shower. And lately, showering with a toddler is much harder than it sounds.

Warning: super long tangent starts here: Why doesn't anyone talk about this? Am I doing something wrong?  I've discovered that if you have a small child, your showering is limited to nap time, before the wee one wakes in the morn, or after they go to bed. Lately I just haven't been able to give up the precious nap time for a stinkin shower. And I hate getting up early, so after bedtime it is. But I hate going to bed with wet hair, and I hate blow drying my hair, so pretty much I hate showering at night. See how big of a problem this is for me? Tangent ending.

So I woke up this morning and jumped in the shower.   It felt like the olden days when I'd get up and shower for work.  It felt even more like those days when I actually blow-dried my hair and *gasp* applied makeup.  I seriously love makeup, but I never do it because my small child doesn't care how I look (and unlike Omaha, I probably won't see anyone I know when running errands.....oh gosh,  my Grandma Thompson is rolling in her grave.  I remember her womanly words of wisdom, "Don't ever leave the house without looking your best!"  Sorry, Gram.  I wish I had energy to follow through with that advice!) So needless to say, today I looked decent. Which is an extremely weird and rare occurrence around here.

Basically, I needed to use this opportunity to take a belly bump pic.  Because remember, I actually am pregnant.  Speaking of that, it hit me.  Really hit me the other day.  I was having trouble picking up Jude.  My back hurt.  I wanted to fall asleep at any and every given second.  Clothes are annoying and don't fit. I set up the pack-n-play and snuggle bunny bouncer.  Guys, she's coming.  And I just don't know if I'm ready.  (Except I'm totally ready to not be preggers and chasing around a toddler...)  I'm finally feeling pregnant.

 



I promise to take another picture this afternoon because this is a super lame excuse for bump pic.  You can barely see that bump with my huge ipad case in the way.  But at least you get the idea!  Isn't she cute?  We have pretty much narrowed down her name to 2 choices, and I'm literally back and forth about them each day.  I think Christopher is leaning more towards one (and I guess I am too...I think....), but is not 100% sure either.  We didn't have this problem with Jude.  That boy was Jude from day 1!  Good thing we have a couple more months to think about it.

Besides actually getting around to taking a picture, today is also weird because it is 67 degrees outside right now.  Did you hear that?  67!  I'm not even sure where we live anymore, but rest assured, this is not me complaining.  It is such a tease for spring, and I must say, I'm excited.

Another weird thing about today,  I finished the book I was reading.  Thanks, Mom!  It's not everyday you can say you finished a book.  More on the book later, because it was a super good read.

And last, but certainly not least, there is one more weird thing about today.  Even weirder is that I can't quite tell you what it is yet.  But trust me, I'm more than excited to share the news!  Check back soon, loves!

Epiphany

We're busy over here today, taking down Christmas decorations and trying to get our house back to normal {saaaaaad! No one likes a naked house!}

But as I was walking by our nativity, I couldn't help but notice how beautifully the light was shining in through the stained glass. It was a reminder of what we need to keep at the forefront of the season, and our life. An epiphany, if you will.

Love to all!

2013, is that you?

I don't care what anyone says, it's still Christmastime.

Our tree is still up.  Our lights are still on.  Our nativities are still out.  And by golly, I'm still drinking coffee outta deck the halls and other various Christmas mugs.  Deal with it.  Oh, and Manheim Steamroller is still the music of choice for naptime.

So since I'm still in the holiday spirit, how bout I share with you our Christmas morning.  Technically speaking, our Christmas took place December 26 because we were flying home from Omaha on Christmas day.  (By the way, I don't think I'll ever be driving back to Omaha again.  Did you know it takes an hour by plane to get to Omaha from Stl?  Totally beats 7 hours in a car, and this time, we had no throwing up!  Jude was seriously the best flyer ever!)

Christmas morning at our house

Do you have a beverage warmer?  Honestly, it's the best purchase I think I have ever made.  Before this I would warm my coffee in the microwave a zillion times and still not finish it.  Now my coffee stays warm the whole day (which is how long it usually takes for me to finish a cup)

He loves when elmo is his "elper".  That's because I always call him my helper when we go to the store. 

And they're off to do some shopping!

Please don't kill me for this...it just screams "Christmas morning," so I had to.

Do you see those bins back there?  They hold our Christmas stuff.  They sat out so long that I figured we'd just keep them out until we put the stuff back.  Convenient!

And if this works, here's a video from Christmas morning!
I hope you all had as good of a Christmas as we did!

I'll be back later to share with you one of my 'goals' for 2013...get excited!