That’s my office on most warm days. I’m a lucky woman. The view? Me & Scarlet’s Backyard Farm. After the joy of last year’s experimentation, we went at it with gusto this spring. Here is the hill 6 weeks ago (after we scoped out the situation, tilled, and planted seeds, which I posted about here: Backyard Farm Year 2):
And here it is today:
Yum!
Yay! Here’s what we’ve been discovering (and eating!) in this year’s backyard farm. I’ve got pics, tips, and questions for you (advice, please) after the jump…
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Mitered-Corner Cloth Napkins
Sewing mitered corner cloth napkins is easier than it looks…
A few weeks ago we celebrated the impending birth of my friend Brookes’ first baby. It was a beautiful shower filled with touching stories, good advice and lots of fun baby and pregnancy photos of all the guests. The decor was simple and lovely. It included a set of cloth napkins that we made together and this gorgeous arrangement of ribbons and silk orchids hanging form the chandelier. Isn’t it effortlessly chic? I can say that because all I did was the sewing.
Brookes and I assembly-lined the set of 8 napkins in two short evenings. It’s so nice to have a shower decoration that you can keep (and use) forever, don’t you think? Maybe she will even give them to her beautiful brand new daughter some day. Here’s how we made these mitered-corner napkins.
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GIVEAWAY WINNER: Mrs. Jones Soapbox Collection
Who says cleaning has to be such a drag? Get rid of all those toxic cleaning products crowding the cabinet under your sink and go green! When this collection of Mrs Jones Soapbox appeared on our doorstep, we were over the moon at the yummy smell and chemical-free formulation, and just as happy with the awesome cleaning power (and the cute packaging is an added bonus).
Here’s what creator Jamie has to say about her line: I created Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox because I wanted to make a genuine contribution to the environmental movement. I was dismayed by all the greenwashing out there, particularly when it came to cleaning products and so I created a line that is truly eco-friendly and safe to use. I use vegetable-based soaps, natural minerals and essential oils to create the products and package them in bottles that are designed to re-filled or re-used. Refills are packaged in recycled water bottles, two liter bottles and gallon jugs that I collect from people in my community. Best of all the products look beautiful and smell great so it actually makes cleaning fun!
Read on to see who won a complete set of lovely Mrs Jones Soapbox cleaning products.
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Start Sewing: What You Need in Your Beginner Sewing Kit
Are you new to sewing? Or introducing someone to sewing for the first time? You’re all gonna have so much fun. Find out what you need in your beginner sewing kit here.
Here at Pretty Prudent we like to spread the gospel of creativity! We want everyone to know that sewing is superfun, and not as hard as you think! We have been asked, oh 10,000,000 times, to do a post on what a brand new sewer should have in her beginner sewing kit.
Finally, we deliver, thanks to our friend Kathy from Merriment Design. Kathy’s projects are always stunning… look at this sunshine and rainbow costume she made for her daughter (and shared a DIY on)…
And these hand sewn wedding invitations that were featured in The Knot (click the link for free download and instructions)…
And her chalkboard pillows, which are on sale at Uncommon Goods!
Kathy is here today to tell us what you need in your bare-minimum beginner sewing kit to get started. Take it away Kathy…
So you want to start to sew? Yay! I started sewing Barbie doll clothes when I was 7 years old, fell in sewing love, and now post free simple and clever craft ideas and sewing patterns at MerrimentDesign.com.
When you’re starting out as a beginning sewer you really just need the basics in your beginner sewing kit, and that’s good because unlike Jaime my crafting space is city-condo-cramped. So here’s what I think you should put in your Bare Minimum Beginner Sewing Kit (and I know you ladies will let me know if I missed anything). Once your kit is ready, celebrate your new hobby by making a pincushion thread catcher to hold pins and clipped threads.
So, after the jump we will start with the obvious…
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Link Love
Adore this DIY for a woven paper gift topper at minnieco.co.uk spotted on alittlegray.
Make a paper twine barrette at paperphine.
Learn how to hand print fabric and wrap a gift with it at travelfoodartanddesign.
Make this delightful soap dispenser from a tin can at funkytime via craft.
See what else we’re linking & loving this week after the jump…
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GIVEAWAY: More Knitting in the Sun
Knitting is not just for cozy mittens and afghans! Check out these lovely summer frocks from More Knitting in the Sun
that knitters can needle up while laying by the lake (because that happens with kiddos, right?)
Mmmmmmm, I want that vest for G. Am I going to have to take up knitting? Maybe. It’s that cute. How about the winner has to make it for me as a “thank you.” Just kidding!!!
See more adorable pics from the book and learn how to enter…
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Towel Time!
Summer is around the corner, and that means water play time! Whether you have a luxurious waterfall swimming pool, a pb-approved tub o water, some sprinklers and a hose, or simply a bathtub, you’re going to need some towels. Our towel projects are some of the most popular tutorials here on Prudent Baby. Take a look and get to sewing!
Check out our Towel Time Tutorial Round Up after the jump…
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Ombré Cupcakes
Do your kids just eat the frosting off of cupcakes and leave the tasty cake behind. Clare does. So in a effort to get her to eat her birthday cake, and score some “awesome mom” points by making another party element pink, I tried the Ombré trend in edible form. Since I can’t pull off Ombré hair, these tasty treats will have to do.
Here’s what I did…
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