Burp Cloth Tutorial & Diaper Cake

I have been fighting my urges to post this cutie diaper cake until now and YAY finally I can!!  This past weekend I attended a baby shower for a friend.  She is having her second child, miracle baby- 8 YEARS after her first and only other child.  The theme of the shower was "Ahoy, it's a boy!"  This was perfect because in my abundance of flannel fabrics, I had this adorable lobster print that I've been dying to use!  I decided to keep this one simple and just wrap each layer in handmade burp cloths.

(If you want instructions on making a diaper cake, see THIS post.) 

Last year, when I was working on my very first diaper cake, I wanted to also gift burp cloths.  I came across THIS super easy tutorial and have never looked back!  I did some tweaking, as any crafter does...

What you need:
*1 yd each of 2 coordinating fabrics (I have had a couple friends request the same pattern fabric on both sides, which works just the same)
*Coordinating thread

Directions:
1.  Wash and dry your flannel.  Some people advise against this because flannel has a tendency to shift and get a little wonky.  But, I would rather work with the wonkiness than have the end results dry weird for the new Momma.
2.  Cut into 10"x16" rectangles  (my measurements are smaller than hers, but I find this size a little more manageable)
3.  Line up 2 rectangles with Right Sides facing together
4.  Start in the middle of one of the sides and sew all the way around, leaving about a 4 inch opening to turn it right side out.  I usually use a 1/4" seam.
5.  Turn right side out- use a chop stick, drum stick or your finger to completely unfold all the corners.  (Some people snip their corners to keep the bulk down.  I have never found the bulk to be overwhelming, so I never cut mine).
6.  Flatten or smooth out your seams.  I don't iron mine, but feel free if you want to.  I do make sure the seams are smoothed out and laying flat.
7.  Tuck in your 4 inch opening so it is in line with the rest of the seam.
8.  Sew all the way around the edge of the burp cloth, using a 1/4" seam again (maybe a little less).
9.  Trim up your threads and give yourself a pat on the back!

I'm sorry for the lack of pictures...I sometimes prefer to just have the steps, especially since I linked the tutorial where I obtained all my info.  Next time I make some burp cloths, I will try to take photos and add them back in.

Now, for my finished diaper cake!  I just love this one...probably my favorite to date! (O:

Hair PIN..(O:

Hello again!

I had an extra 10-or-so minutes this morning while getting ready for work.  So I decided to try out something I had PINNED a while ago.  This pin doesn't have any explanation, unfortunately...it was just pictures of pretty summer hair styles.  All the same, it was enough inspiration for a good starting point. 

It turns out my hair either wasn't long enough for this exact affect, or it needs to be dry in order to work this way.  I would consider my finished product a little more controlled than the picture, but that is just me.  I long to be carefree sometimes, but I'm too OCD for that.  I just kept grabbing fly-away pieces and pinning them down.  I'm happy with the finished look.  It definitely needs some practice and hopefully will look better next time.  Overall, I like it for a ponytail alternative at work.  It doesn't have that same "I rolled out of bed and showed up" vibe that a straing ponytail does sometimes.  But I still don't have to blow dry and straighten my hair!  My kind of styling! (O:

Sorry for the low-quality photos taken by my phone.  It was 6 a.m. and I didn't want to run for the good camera.  (That is becoming a theme of my photos on here...tragic.)

Without further ado, here is my hairstyle of the day! (O:

Get your PIN on!

I know I haven't posted in quite a while...and it's because I've been too busy living life!  Haha, well, actually...it's probably more accurate to say my new obsession takes up all my extra time during work hours.  So, sadly, little blog land has been severely neglected.  I will try to be better.

Anyway, the reason I'm hopping on here with the last part of my day is to show you this cutie little thing I just finished creating!  (Boring day at the office, can't you tell!)

My friend Elise posted one last week, HERE.  We both found the idea on, yes of course, Pinterest....HERE and HERE.  (There are more out there, I'm sure.  But, these are good for helping you get started.)

I know what you're thinking - Annie, Emilia is 2 1/2...this picture is old!  Well, what can I say...I had to start at the very beginning (it's a very good place to start!).  I really love how it turned out and I'm really stoked to start working on her "Age 2" one next.  I think what I love the most about this little idea is that it's wonderful for a Momma with a bad memory.  I can look back at this in 5 years and remember some of her favorite things from each year.  What a way to cherish memories.  Plus, who can resist that smile!  I've already picked her 2 year old picture and I can't wait to post it.  I love that girl!! (O:

Alright, now it's YOUR turn.  This little project was really easy and very fun.  My editing and adding of text was done on picnik.com.  If you have never used this site, GO NOW!  I was a little intimidated by it before today, because everything I had seen off that site was so fun.  I figured it had to be complicated...but it's not at all!  Give it a try- it won't take long and you will have a beautiful keepsake!  Once you've done it, PIN IT! ;-)