Man Crushes and Crafts

   So if you know me at all (or read my blog or see my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) you know that my child is my whole world. I love him more than anything. I did not understand what love was till I became pregnant with Ryder.

   I also love to craft. I've realized I'm really good at starting crafts and not really finishing them though. I find a new project I wanna try before I finish the last (I know, it is awful). One day I hope to have a craft room, so I can keep all the crafts in one place.

   So in conclusion, I love my son and I love crafts. This means I make a lot of things for my baby. It really is nice actually having time to make things for Ryder. It is also nice because he pretty much likes everything I make him (mostly because I am his mom and he doesn't really have a choice anyway, haha).

   Well, in the last week, I have crocheted a blanket, sewn a boppy pillow cover, almost completed two burp rags, painted a onesie, got squares of a quilt sewn together, and found three or four more projects I'd like to start. Well, I'd like to share my boppy pillow cover project because a cover cost from $25-$60 if you buy one. It cost me maybe $8 to make one. (Fabric cost me $4, Thread cost $2, and a Zipper cost $2). I also shopped smart and used coupons.(:

   My sister has a sewing machine, which she so graciously allowed me to use (thank you, Sarah<3). My boppy pillow was the one my mom got when she was pregnant with my little sister a year ago. It is black and white, it didn't look bad at all, but I wanted something a little more boyish and grey. 

What You Need:

• fabric (1 yard of two different fabrics, or 2 yards of the same fabric. I used cotton fabric for the top side, and a soft minky fabric for the other.)

• thread and needle (or sewing machine)

• zipper (you can always make it with a flap, or use velcro, but I really like the zipper)

   First you trace out your pattern onto the fabric. You can either use a cover you already have, or just used the pillow (give an extra inch to the pattern when you trace the actual pillow). Cut the fabric out, and lay them on top of one another. You sew on the zipper next, I found a great way to do that here. 

   After the zipper is sewn on, sew your two pieces together. Make sure you leave the zipper a little unzipped so you can turn the case inside out after you are done sewing. Once you sew the two pieces together, you have a boppy case. I used this tutorial to make this (except for the zipper part).

   Talk about an easy project, my case didn't turn out perfect (partly because I'd never used a sewing machine before in my life), but it serves it's purpose and actually turned out really cute (at least I think so!). 

   I also want to add the picture of the onesie I made and ask a question before I end this post. 

   How cute is it?!(: I cannot wait to put him in it for Man Crush Monday (the onesie is 6mo. so it'll be a little while before he wears it)! And the question is, does anyone know what the envelope flaps on onesies are for?? I recently found out and will have to write a short post about it tomorrow, but if you think you know, I wanna hear y'all's answers!(:

xx

PS
   If you haven't checked out my last post about a small etsy shop, do it!! She was sweet enough to include a 30% off discount code for her shop.(:

   

Feature Friday! Shop Small(:

   Alright, I'm gonna make a gift guide of some things Ryder and I would like later on, but today I wanna feature a really sweet girl who has a small shop. I'm attempting to shop small this Christmas, and it is so nice knowing that you can help a specific person and family instead of just handing your money over  to some big corporation..

  

   My first feature is Chelsea Lernihan, you can find pictures of some of her products on her shop's instagram (@Lern2Live). You can actually go to her shop if you click here.(: My favorite thing in her shop are the coasters, which is a gift that can really always be used. (And if you get them customized, then they have that sentimental touch added to them!) She also was awesome enough to include a 30% off discount code to be used! When you check out, use the code "greatandsimple30"!!

Tell us a bit about yourself! I am a mom of one little 8 month old boy named Owen. I worked in the Online Marketing industry before having him and now I stay at home and spend my time feeding, changing and teaching this little boy. Aside from being a mom I love doing crafts and working out and making people smile!

Tell us a bit about your shop! My shop is all handmade items intended to put a smile on the faces of those who receive them. I enjoy making coasters with pictures or places that make people smile because I love having them around my house, the make every home unique and personalized. I also make picture frames, stationery, prints, and invitations. All

Where did you get the idea for your products and shop name?Lern2Live is a play on my last name Lernihan and Learning to Live Life with God being number one. Every time I look at my shop name I hope it is a reminder to let everything else in life fall into the number 2 spot with God being in charge. I love making things people can put in their homes that put a smile on their face which as lead me to make personalized coasters, signs for baby rooms, holiday products, and picture frames.

What inspires you? People. I think the most important thing is lifting one another up. I love living by the motto of "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody."

What is one of your favorite holiday recipes? Carrot Cake! I will send you the recipe separately, it's delicious.

   Thank you Chelsea for reaching out to me, and for reading my blog! And I can't wait to try this carrot cake recipe!(:

xx

P.S. Here is that carrot cake recipe;)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

3 large eggs 

2 cups sugar 

3/4 cup vegetable oil 

3/4 cup buttermilk 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

2 cups grated carrot 

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 

1 (3 1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut 

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 

Prep:

Line 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.
Stir together first 4 ingredients.
Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cake pans.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. I cut unto 3 sections and spread cream cheese frosting in between the two layers and on top.