The UNcrafty Weekend


Have no fear Prudent Mama’s, this is not a new blog feature where we tell you all the amazing things (or in this case, unamazing things) that we did the past weekend. But I slacked. Majorly. And have NOTHING to show you. In fact, this is the most crafty thing I did all weekend…and actually, I made that kid in the picture do most of the work. She starts school tomorrow and is soooo excited. I haven’t told her that she has to wear closed-toe shoes every day. It might be a deal-breaker.

Other than that… I ate leftover spaghetti and meatballs for almost every meal and snack (yum), watched no less than 7 episodes of Dexter in preparation for the new season (and perhaps one episode of Jersey Shore but I’m not fully willing to admit that here), read The Help in its entirety, got a belated birthday pedicure with my sister-in-law (thanks Becca!), went to the grocery store twice, the gym for the first time since April, changed approximately 15 diapers, and bought a pair of sunglasses at Target. Since coming to the sad conclusion that a mother’s sunglasses are basically disposable, Target it is. I actually love them. I told Rick that since they were $125 less than the pair I really wanted, I saved us that money! (Does anyone else say fun things like that to torture their husband?)

I also thought about working on the craft cave but never even stepped foot upstairs.

How about you? Were you productive? Creative? A (quite satisfied but slightly regretful) lazy toad like me? Tell us what you were up to and you could win that adorable fat quarter up there to the left.

And I promise, we have some fun crafty stuff for you this week!

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FRIDAY {SURPRISE} PRIZE!


Today we are giving away these adorable Cotton Candy Stripe paper baking cups from our sponsor Bake it Pretty! So now you too can enjoy a Summer of Fanciful Treats! My fave comment this week was on this morning’s Link Love post. Sara Delia of Knitty Gritty Music City said:

I’m going to talk my husband into a second wedding so that we can do it the right way this time: with a cake made of cheese.

Right? So ladies keep the comments coming because this week one lucky reader is taking home this fat quarter from Fabricworm! Such a fun print for fall.

Just read Prudent Baby all week and leave a comment on any post. We’ll pick our favorite next friday! Now go have a lovely weekend please.

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Link Love


 I was wondering what sneakers (but not sneakers, ya know?) to get for Clare for school and then I saw this gorgeous pic of Scarlet and knew that I had to turn to my own favorite kicks, slip-on Vans. They are so comfy and effortlessly cool. Every girl and boy should own a pair.

Crafty geniuses and all around puddles of adorable, Elsie and Rachel have a new online class open for registration. It’s called Small Craft and is designed for anyone who has a cute kiddo in their lives that they’d love to craft for! Doesn’t it look like a blast?

 I know y’all are already counting down the days until Innocent Crush, Anna Maria Horner’s new line, is available in November because we are too. Maybe some of this super-sweet Cloud 9 Forest Friends Organic Flannel can hold you over.

And did anyone else see these amazing wedding “cakes” made from cheese? You know how much we love cheese. I totally would have added this to the dessert table at my wedding. In fact, I want to add it to my breakfast table right now. via Cup of Jo

Plus:

Creative Jewish Mom has some awesome crafts for Rosh Hashana including these apple cards (perfect for any Autumn greeting, really) made with bubble wrap printed paper. love it!

And this month’s Martha Stewart Living has a great article called Furniture First Aid. I have to make this kit! Of course this scene cuts to me, 3 months from now, standing above an ink stain on the rug wondering where I saw that article. Jacinda of the future… page 106, September issue of Living.
For other stain-related excitement, this link looks pretty useful too.

This animation of how a sewing machine works had me mesmerized. kottke.org always has something interesting that I haven’t seen elsewhere.

A few of you asked about local P-Y-O (pick your own) farms after reading about our Rhode Island adventure. This site seems to have a fairly complete list of farms nationwide. I even found one about 5 miles from my house. With PYO Okra among other local delicacies!

And just a quick shout-out to other DFW area mama’s. I’m headed to the Little Bean’s First Birthday Party next Friday night. Meet me there, their parties are always fun!

Oh, and last chance to leave a comment and maybe-just-maybe win those adorable paper baking cups up there in the corner. We will announce a winner this afternoon!

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Cucumber Vodka


That’s right I said Vodka. Why not? When reader ERIN sent in her Cucumber Popsicle Recipe and suggested a cucumber cocktail, it hit me to make infused vodka. It’s super easy and delightfully refreshing for these last days of summer.

Learn How to Make Cucumber Infused Vodka and my Cucumber Mint Cocktail after the jump…

And leave a comment telling us what kind of vodka you’d like to try and you could win the adorable baking cups pictured up there on the left!
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DIY Necklace Bib

While poking around the crafty corners of the web I came across this amazing DIY for a hand-stamped faux necklace bib.  It kind of makes me want to wear a bib.  I asked it’s creator, Beth from Sand to Pearl, if she’d share the tutorial with you.  Take it away Beth!

Seriously, how adorable is this? It’s fashoned after all the new little girl fake necklace t’s. This bib is actually for a sweet little girl. Wheezy was born with Cerebral Palsey and even though she is super smart, she can’t control her body. At 3 she understands that she’s different but she still wants to be just like all the other girls her age. And the other girls don’t wear bibs. But since she still has to I’ve been trying to think of creative ways to make then without making them too baby-ish. Last night I thought this little diddy up and I’m so excited. She’s going to LOVE it. I wanted to post this so that others who have little girls with special needs can make them too.

Get the full Necklace Bib Tutorial after the jump and remember to leave a comment on this or any post this week and you could win those paper baking cups up there on the left!
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America’s Test Kitchen Tour & a GIVEAWAY!



Thanks to Jaime’s Awesomeness, I was invited to take a tour of the America’s Test Kitchen headquarters while I was in New England last week. As a long-time fan of everything this company does, it was pretty amazing to see where the magic happens. And what is this magic I speak of? Well, among other things, they produce America’s Test Kitchen which airs on PBS, Cook’s Illustrated Magazine (to which both Jaime and I have both been long-time subscribers) and publish, like, dozens of actually useful cookbooks each year. The day was extra special because they don’t typically offer tours. Lucky me! And lucky us, because they let me take a bunch of photos, ask a bunch of questions and they also gave us a great gift for one lucky, lucky Prudent Baby reader.

Thanks Emily and Bailey (and everyone in the kitchen who smiled when we totally got in the way.) It was a great day! And thanks to my fabulous sister Amanda for coming along, and for suggesting that I pose for a second photo after this one:

Really, is there anything less cute than a pregnant lady eating a plate of kim chi?

Click here to check out the tour and the rad GIVEAWAY!
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Confessions of an Adhesive & Sealant Junkie


Maybe junkie isn’t the best word.  I just think that sticking stuff to other stuff feels good.  Why is that?  I don’t know.  I have tried many different adhesives and sealants in my day, and these are my faves that make up the contents of my shelf/crafting kit. There is nothing worse than being so ready to finish a project, then not having the right glue or spray, so I keep these in stock at all time.  Please if you have one I’ve overlooked or you think I need to try, share it in the comments!  Get the full low down on the Best Crafting Adhesives and Sealants after the jump…
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