Manly Laptop Sleeve Man-gift of Man-dom.


We love to give handmade gifts, right? But they are not always appreciated by the men folk. Here is a super-easy project that even the most manly-man would dig. If it is filled with a brand new Macbook Air, it might get you an extra smooch under the mistletoe but it’s also nice for an existing laptop, a ipad, a kindle or any bit of technology needing extra cushion and jelly-finger protection.

Get the Laptop Sleeve Tutorial after the jump.

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Gifty Books for Kiddos


Aren’t these classics extra lovely in a foreign language?  For the grown up who loves the story to kiddos being exposed to new languages, I just think it makes a fun gift to deliver a favorite in a new language.  And green eggs and ham in Italian: Prosciutto e Uova Verdi?  SO CUTE! Also adore Le Chat Chapeaute, Yoruga la Tortuga, and Cat in the Hat Comes Back (Hebrew).


L’Arbre Genereux
Wo die Wilden Kerle Wohnen
Bonsoir Lune

What?  You prefer your books in English?  OK then, see our english pics for more Great Gift Books for Kids after the jump…

And tell us what gift books you love for the kiddos this holiday season in the comments, because we need to restock, and also because you could win that pretty key fob set!
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Christmas Stocking Free Pattern!

Ho Ho Ho!  Santa’s on his way…he’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he thinks homemade stockings are nice!  So we went ahead and made you a Christmas stocking free pattern and a little tutorial so you can make your own.
I did some very beginner quilting, you should try it!  But if quilting scares you, you can totally skip that part and still have a gorg DIY christmas stocking hanging from your mantle!

Get the free DIY Christmas Stocking free pattern below…
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Prudent Project Round-Up


Top: lisavillatown made the super cute Peasant Dress | AggiePride21 shared her woodland DIY Decoupage Keyholder on Flickr | Timm made the pretty pink-petaled Fairy Costume!

Middle: Misti made the Teensy-Tiny Snappy Toddler Dress | Jana at A Stitch in Lime was inspired by the shirring tips on our Shirred Summer Dress post to make herself a gorgeous skirt | Krista at 20 Little Things made an Oilcloth Book Cover

Bottom: Marie at Stitching Liberty’s Bell made some Pants (and that sweet eyelet top) | Elizabeth made our Beginner’s Bias Tape Bag | and bambinosteps made some yummy-looking Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Let these ladies know what you think of their projects in the comments and give them a facebook “like.” We want to see your pictures too, pretty please! Join us on Flickr, hang with us on the Prudent Baby Facebook Page, or send them to us via the Prudent Baby Contact Form. Your “As Seen On Prudent Baby” Button is down there on the left. Danke!

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FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE!


Hope you all had lovely Thanksgiving feasts!  I know I did.  So full.  Can barely type. So this week’s winner of Jacinda’s glittery glitter assortment of glitterosity including a vial each of Cranberry, Lime Green, Christmas Pink, Aqua, Silver and Turquoise for a total 18 grams is Catherine from 100 Projects in 2010, responding to my wondering if the Key Fob would make a decent man-gift, or maybe it’s her husband, because he made me snort coffee out of my nose with this story:

I just picked up some of this hardware, so awesome timing on your tutorial! Yay!
And as for if a guy would use one, my husband groans every time I hand him the keys on the fob. I mentioned I was making some for Christmas and asked if he wanted me to do a plain navy one for him. His reply? “Yeah, if you think I’ll wake up as a chick on Christmas morning.”

HA! If that’s you, go ahead and use the Prudent Baby Contact Form to send us your address. Winners have five days to contact us before forfeiting their prize to another lucky reader. So speaking of the Wristlet Key Fob Tutorial, this week I thought I’d give away a set of key fob hardware with a length of webbing and ribbon so the winner can make their own.

So just leave your interesting comments on any and all posts this week, and we’ll pick a winner next Friday, announce it here, and send off their key fob set.

Now back to your regularly scheduled shopping. XO

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Thankfulness.


We hope you all enjoy a magical and fulling Thanksgiving Day. We thought we’d share this fun family activity from Gina of The Daily B. She and her tots traced some leaves onto construction paper and cut them out.

Then they wrote things they were thankful for on them and piled them into a bowl.

During their meal, they will read from the bowl as a family. Lovely. Thanks Gina from The Daily B. And Thank You to all of our Prudent Mamas for the joy you share with us every day!

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Crafter’s Wishlist – Jaime Edition

Ok, my turn, my turn!  Yes, I’m making a list, so hubby check it twice!  Here’s the things that I think are nice…

Bias Tape Maker

If you are a  regular around here, you know that we ADORE making our own bias tape, and nothing makes it easier then this fun little gadget.  And then in your stocking some different tips like the new 2 1/4″ quilt binding tip, and some tips in various sizes like 1/2″, 3/4″, or my fave the 1 1/4″.

Deluxe Rotary Cutting and Embossing Machine

Oh the joy of not having to cut your own fabric.  Need I say more?  Jacinda and I say that we like to sit around while our machines do all the work for us.  Make sure to ask santa for an extension table attachment, a pinking blade, a wave blade, and maybe some embossing rolls like the scallop or circles.

Walking Foot

I’ve caught a bit of the quilting bug.  If your machine didn’t come with a walking foot, you are going to love it!  It’s also great for sewing jersey.  It is sort of like feed dogs for the top fabric, it keeps the fabric moving and the layers of your project from slipping.  We have a bunch of quilting & jersey DIYs coming up so get your foot ready.  The link above is to a brother walking foot because that’s what I use, but just google the correct brand and “walking foot” and you’ll find what you need.

Velveteen Fabric from Anna Maria Horner

Sometimes we need more than just quilting cotton, right?  These velvety fabrics are INSANE RIDIK LUXE!  Santa, slip some velveteen under the tree for me, k?

Amy Butler Thread Sets

9 rolls of giza cotton thread AND it comes in such a pretty box!  Seriously, would you not sort of jump a little when you opened it?  maybe bite your cheeks and wish the morning would just end so you could go sew already? Jeesh, maybe i’m a huge dork but i LOVE these thread sets.

America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook

You saw all the delicious things I’ve cooked up from the book. It’s like the bible of family cooking with all the details on how to make favorites a little healthier. I feel good every time I open it up. You could also go for a subscription to Cooks Illustrated – when we gave one away earlier this year, the winner emailed me to say: I’m happy to say I finally got my first issue of the Cook’s Illustrated magazine. Wow! This is magazine something else: ) Again, thank you so much! Not only does it have some awesome recipes, but I totally love reading the articles on how the recipes were created, so scientific sometimes. Awesome.

Personalized Stationary

I’ve just always wanted my own custom notecards. So fancy. This one is Victoria Gray Stationary from Hatched.

DSLR 50 mm Lens

So many ladies email us asking for advice on how to sell more stuff in their etsy store or get more traffic to their blogs. The number one answer is BETTER PICTURES! And the best way to do that is with this lens. You’ll get those great blurry backgrounds and beautiful portraits too. Also make friends with your aperture settings. But you can learn more about that in our post 25 Tips for Taking Great Photographs.

Papercraft: Design and Art With Paper

This is just a lusty book for any crafty chicka.

Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine

If you are ready to upgrade, get one like mine! I adore my machine!

Minnetonka Toddler Booties

Umm, this isn’t crafty at all, but these are awesome. Scarlet and I have matching pairs, yay!

And some Stocking Stuffers of the crafty sort:
Bone Folder: (push out seams with it – what a breeze)
Loop Turner: Make straps easier.
Aleene’s Glue Gift Packs: You know how we feel about glue.
Little Jars of Essential Oil: Make candles, scrubs, sachets, whatever! One tiny jar lasts forever.
Thread Organizer: Useful and pretty, makes your thread into a fetching colorful display instead of a tangled mess.
Bias Ruler: Makes life so much easier.
Kenzan: This japanese flower arranging tool is a great stocking stuffer for someone who loves flowers.  If you can find an antique one in a cool shape, that’s even sweeter.
Pearl Snaps & Snap Pliers: Always good to have these in stock for making fun stuff like Snap Wrap Dresses or Snappy Toddler Tops.
Jiffy Grip:  Make slippers and pajama feet that won’t slide around.
A Good Pair of Shears:  Once you get a decent pair of sewing scissors you totally understand why your mom freaked out if you ever tried to use hers for cutting paper.  I finally invested in a good pair and it’s like wearing diamond earrings, it just makes everything you do with them feel a little more special.
Sewing Table:  HA HA, it’s only $1300, shove it in that stocking!  But seriously, wouldn’t that be nice?  A fancy table that holds your machine, your serger, all your stuff, in little compartments, that folds in ten million ways…the dream of organization…the fantasy, really…

Ok, your turn!  What are you asking santa for this year?  What should WE be hoping turns up under the tree (or near the menorah in my case)?  Let us know in the comments and you could win yourself a luscious glitter assortment!

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