DIY: Potty Training Chart

We have been working on the dirty business of potty training these days. We are taking it slow. Clare is enthusiastic most of the time and, without going into the details, we are reaching some milestone achievements. But after taking her lead for most of the past year, I’m ready to make some serious progress. My sister-in-law (a different one. I know, I have many) made a cute chart to track and reward my niece’s potty progress with stickers. “Hey! Clare likes stickers, maybe this would work!”

Here is the idea…


Get the full DIY (and ALL THE DOWNLOADABLES) after the jump
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Quick Tip: The Perfect Present

My brother and sister-in-law sent this little birthday treat all the way from Nashville and I just had to share it with you!  A thoughtful and sweet gift for a crafty person:  a bunch of beautiful fabrics wrapped up in butcher paper and yarn!  Thank you Stevee & Brendon!

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Orange Juice Cake


In honor of Jaime’s birthday, I am going to share a cake recipe that I make every year for my husband’s birthday. Being a gal who is CRAZY for elaborate baking and decorated sweets, it pains me that this simple Bundt is his annual request, but give me a leftover slice of this stuff with tea in the morning and I forget all about piping bags and butter cream.

Happy Birthday Jaime, I love you and I am having so much fun working on Prudent Baby!

Recipe after the jump…
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Back to Basics: How to Thread A Sewing Machine with bonus Buying Guide

So, lots of readers tell us they have a sewing machine and want to start using it.  Some of you have an older hand-me-down that is collecting dust, while some of you are sporting fancy new machines post-holiday.   Many of you want to learn how to sew but find the machine a little intimidating.  That’s understandable, I had the same issue for years.  The first step is learning how to thread your machine.  Once you have threading down, you can just start playing with it and you’ll be a sewing master in no time. Seriously!  Sewing is one area where practice really does make perfect.  Well, closer to perfect.

This video shows how to wind a bobbin, thread the top of your machine, and load a drop-in bobbin …and bonus footage… Carleton Curtis (prudent husband) chipped in to show you how to load a bobbin on an older machine from the early 70’s!

Please let me know if this video is helpful or just makes it more confusing, and if you have a video tutorial you’d like to see here on Prudent Baby, leave a comment letting us know and we’ll try to create one for you (or find someone who can)!

If you are thinking about buying a sewing machine, get the basics and my recommendations after the jump…
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Crochet Bonnet with Free Pattern

The Crochet Bonnet with Free Pattern is a sweet project for an Easter bonnet or a Baptism bonnet.


Last week I made this little fleece bonnet inspired by Quinn’s baptism cap and you were all seriously so sweet about it but the underlying message was… “um, we really like the original, where is the tutorial for that?” So, because we love you, here it is!
Find the crochet pattern after the jump…

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Giveaway: ONE-YARD WONDERS!!!

In celebration of my birthday I am giving one of our readers a gift, and all I ask in return is a picture of whatever you make!
You want this book!  You know you do!  One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!is an amazing addition to your crafty library. Whenever you get that urge to create, just whip it out and get to crafting! Also, what a great excuse to just go ahead and buy a yard of any cute fabric you find – no need to have a specific project in mind, you know you will find one in the book!

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment telling us ONE of your crafty new year’s resolutions. Do you resolve to learn to sew a straight line? Or perhaps to finally complete that quilt that’s been taunting you? Or maybe it’s to bake a cake shaped like a beehive? We’re not judging, we’re just curious. One of my new year’s resolutions is to get my fabrics organized in a crafty way and share it here, and another is to get you all to subscribe to Prudent Advice and read my book. Good thing I have a whole year to get on it!

For extra entries, go ahead and twitter the giveaway, share it on Facebook, or post it on your blog, then leave another comment here letting us know!
We will close the entries at midnight on Monday, January 18th and select a winner (must be a US resident) via Random.org. I hope it’s you!! But if not, make sure to pick up a copy of this fantastic book here!
XOXO and Good Luck!
Jaime & Jacinda

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DIY Oilcloth Art Smock


Scarlet and I recently started attending “Messy Art” class and she loves it!  So we can do some messier art (like painting) at home, I thought I’d make her a smock to protect her cute clothes from destruction. While I was at it I created this oil cloth smock how-to.

And I’ve also posted a bonus no-sew version for anyone who wants to whip one out without a sewing machine.

Get the full Kids Art Smock tutorial after the jump…
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Prudent Project Round-Up

Jaimie at Yes!Mom made her own ruffle scarf using our Crochet Ruffle Scarf pattern.  Isn’t it cozy looking?

Jocelyn at The Nesting Spot made a bunch of our Snuggly Baby Blankets and she’s selling them in her Etsy shop here!
At Tempest Ahoy she used our DIY Pocket Bib Tutorial to create this cutie!
And over at Diary of a Preppy Mom she also made a Simple Snuggly Baby Blanket and spiced it up with a snazzy initial applique!

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