Need a Quick Fix...Fast!

Welcome back! Well, I have found that I am crafting a lot this summer, but not taking a lot of pictures, this will change! So this morning I went to get the baby up and when I got to his room I caught him chewing on his crib. My little guy only has three teeth, two on the bottom and one on top, but boy oh boy did he do some serious damage. I jumped online to look for a bite rail and I realized that the cute ones were way too much ($50-$70) and it was going to take too long to get one made and shipped to me. So I decided to problem solve. Here is what I did. I bought a pool noodle for $1.99 at Target. I made sure to get the small noodle because I didn't want it too thick. Then I cut the tube to the correct length and sliced it open. I bought two yards of fabric and paid about $8 for it. I originally wanted to get some cute chevron print, however I thought more about the room and I decided that wouldn't go with the animal theme. As a result the elephant print won. I cut a piece of fabric that was 56inches x 13inches. I was originally planning on sewing the fabric and sliding the noodle in, but of course my sewing machine decided to bite the dust. GRRRRRRRR.....So all I did was tuck the fabric into the sliced part (temporary fix) then when I purchase a new sewing machine I can sew it . I popped it onto his crib rail and tied some ribbon around it so it stays in place (double knotted of course). That is it! I fixed the problem for $10!!! I think I will use the money I saved for a pedicure ;) Have a great weekend!  Happy crafting! ~Breanne

I'm Back! Yes, I know I thought I could find time for it all. I thought I could find time to be a super mom, wife, teacher, crafter and blogger. Well, I quickly realized that I could not wear so many hats so something had to give, out went blogging and often out went crafting. Now that school is out I have time spare (maybe) so I am crafting again and hopefully blogging. My first craft of the summer is an appointment calendar. I decided that I needed to schedule events and "learning" time for my four year old.  No I do not home school, but I want to work on writing, basic math and do a lot of fun science and art things with him this summer (thank you pinterest for a lot of ideas). I found that in the past few years I have wanted to do the same, but at the end of the summer I really didn't get a lot done with him.  This summer I want to do better, so that is why the calendar is needed.  Plus being a teacher writing things down is natural and over planning is sort of my thing. I went to a few different stores to find a calendar that I liked, but none fit the bill. That lead me to making my own template in excel, playing with the printing margins and finally getting something I liked.  Since my crafting and scrapbooking time has been very limited my Studio Calico supplies have been piling up so I rummaged through my three drawers of paper, stamps, embellishments and letter stickers and put together a cover that I love (if you know me you know my favorite color is yellow). I used my bind it all to finish it off, but I think I need a little more practice with it, I think it will hold for the summer though.
  
 Below are a few pictures of the inside. When I started writing in the calendar I had some issues adjusting to a Sunday-Saturday format. I am used to writing in a Monday-Friday with Saturday and Sunday as notes format.  That is why in some spots I have arrows pointing to the correct days (sorry Brooklynn) and why there are a few scribbles already.  You will see at the bottom I have a space where I will write what I have planned for dinner each night as well as a space for me to write in what exercise I have done that day and my current weight.  I may not weigh myself everyday, but if I do I can keep track of where I am.  Swim season is already here and I am not in the best bikini shape.   I will also be using this calendar as a food journal to keep myself accountable for what I am eating. This calendar is serving multiple purposes all of which will make this summer more fun and rewarding.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Breanne