Thursday, September 29, 2016

Strawberry Pie

Last summer we went strawberry picking and I had a lot of fun making things with all of our strawberries.  I decided that I wanted to go again and make this a yearly activity.  We had a busy summer with the new little guy being born, but we squeezed it in right before Kevin went back to work.


When I asked Bug what he wanted to make with the strawberries, he said "Strawberry Pie!" Not really sure where he got the idea from because he's never had strawberry pie.  He's been really interested in helping me in the kitchen and baking, so I found a simple recipe that he could help me make.


I usually make my own crust for pies, but having a newborn and having a toddler help, I've had to simplify a few things in the kitchen.  For this, I used refrigerated pie crust.  It was fine and Bug was happy with his strawberry pie.



I also made more freezer jam and the same strawberry muffins that I made last year.  This is a family tradition that I hope continues for many years.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Baby, Baby, Baby!

A lot has changed since my last post.  Our little family has grown again...we had another baby boy!


This little guy was born July, 12.  

Before he was born I had a small list of things that I wanted to make for him. Being the second child he doesn't really need much, but I wanted him to have few things to call his own. 

The main project that I wanted to make was a quilt.  I made one for Bug and wanted the new little guy to have one too.  For Bug's, I bought fabric from different fabric shops I visited during my pregnancy.  I like to find fabric stores and buy fabric as souvenirs when we travel.  I did the same for this quilt.  I also used some of the fabric from Bug's so that they coordinate since they will eventually share a room.



I used this tutorial from Fat Quarter Shop that used a jelly roll.  Since I collected different fabrics, I had to cut my own strips.  This added an extra step, but it was still a pretty quick quilting project.  I love the way that it turned out and am excited to use it for his monthly photos.


I found some great muslin fabric while we were on Spring Break in Santa Barbara.  Muslin blankets weren't originally on my list, but I fell in love with it so I bought it knew I'd figure out what to do with it.  I made two different blankets and some burp cloths.


These burp cloths were different than what I usually make.  I decided to cover cloth diapers. These are a great size and very absorbent.  I'm glad I made them because this guy spits up way more than Bug did.  They definitely help keep my clothes spit up free.


I love the blankets too.  I did one with two layers and the other is a single layer. They have been great to keep the sun off of the little guy and are light weight so I don't have to worry about him getting too hot.


For all of them I made my own bias tape out of a super soft flannel.  It has added a nice touch to them.  I've made my own bias tape for a few different projects and love how it adds to the project. Dana at Made Everyday has a great tutorial on how to make it.



The last items on the list were some burp cloths. These are my go to baby item/gift. I love these and have made so many of them over the years. You can see few of them here, here, and here.  They are super soft and gentle on baby when wiping up their spit. At first I wasn't going to make new ones since I still have the ones I made Bug, but he actually still uses them. He calls them gentle cloths now and uses them to wipe his face after his toddler melt downs. He's pretty attached to them and always needs one in his bed. 

I love my little guy.  It's been a big adjustment having another baby, but I can't imagine life without him.