Arrow Quilt Block Pillow: PPH Bonus!

Arrow Quilt BLock instructionsLast week we shared our first bonus project from our brand new book, Pretty Prudent Home, Sew a Pair: Curtain Tiebacks with Grommets. Now we are back with a beauty, the Arrow Quilt Block Pillow! This is another project that we loved so much, alas there was not enough room for it’s greatness in the book.

Back in the planning stages of Pretty Prudent Home, I called on one of my favorite quilters, Erin Schlosser, to help me with the pattern (and making) of this project. I had this idea in my head and had worked out some of the construction, but Erin created and tested the pattern and put it into words that even the newest quilter could understand. I love the way it came out using Violet Craft’s gorgeous Waterfront Park fabric collection.

Erin and I also worked together to create a second beautiful quilt pattern which can be found on page 107 of Pretty Prudent Home. I can’t wait to see reader versions of both the Herringbone & Heart Quilt from the book and the Arrow Quilt Block Pillow found right here!

Read on for the full project. (more…)

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Jaime and Jacinda on the High Seas: A Girls’ Getaway!

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For the past 2 years, Jaime and I have been in non-stop book mode. Every time we’ve had the chance to hang out, it was all about writing, editing, and styling, oh my… G. We fantasized about a trip where we could relax and have an adventure together without book deadlines looming about. We also fantasized about treating our friend Sonya, the illustrator of our book whom we tortured with detailed changes, additions and cuts for the better part of two years, to a fun break from the brutal Chicago winter. She probably would have preferred a break from us as well, but no such luck. Working with us is all-inclusive! We planned our trip for a week through the Western Caribbean on Carnival Glory because… this…

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and this…

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and this…

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Aside: Have you noticed that Jaime and I have basically become “cruisers?” Next we are going to convert my husband who spent 20 years in the Navy and vows to never sleep at sea again. We shall see Rick, we shall see. For now it was just us girls and since we technically had room for one more in our cabin with a view, we invited Jaime’s new-found biological sister, Samantha. Since I consider Jaime a sister, I’d been dying to meet Sam too. After all, we are basically related.

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So, want to hear all about what we did during our week in paradise?

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Microwave Dessert Recipes for Those Midnight Munchies

Jaime's Lazy Late Night Cooking Corner _Satisfy your midnight munchies with Jaime’s Lazy Late Night Cooking Corner recipes, plus a few bonus recipes! Most of these can be made in under five minutes with ingredients you might already have on hand. What will you try making first – Jaime’s famous Coffee Cake in a Cup, or perhaps a ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookie in just one minute?

Check out all our Microwave Dessert Recipes for Those Midnight Munchies after the jump…

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Blueberry and Honey Wellness Pops for Kids

Blueberry-Honey-Wellness-Pops_on Pretty PrudentThis is the kid-friendly version of wellness pops because they are oh so sweet and delicious. I like to think of them as the farm-to-table version of Pedialyte popsicles. They are made with coconut water for hydration, blueberries for anti-oxidants and Vitamin C, and soothing honey for sore throats.

Find out how to make Blueberry and Honey Wellness Pops after the jump…

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Lemon, Ginger, and Cayenne Wellness Pops

Lemon, Ginger, and Cayenne Wellness Pops | Pretty PrudentWe were handed a nice dose of sniffles, sore throats, and fevers this past week – it’s been a blast. Whenever I move to a new place I’m usually sick off and on all year long, does that happen to you too? Since I’m expecting this to be the first of many colds, I started mixing up wellness pops. This first batch of Lemon, Ginger, and Cayenne Wellness Pops was a total success. The lemon, ginger, and coconut milk boost the immune system, cayenne gives a kick to fight the sniffles, and turmeric and honey are soothing on sore throats.

Find out how to make Lemon, Ginger, and Cayenne Wellness Pops after the jump…

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How to Decorate Cookies with Flowers

How-to-Decorate-Cookies-with-FlowersSpring in the Pacific Northwest has been absolutely incredible so far. There are tulips and daffodils in full bloom, bright pink petals sprinkle the sidewalks like confetti, and trees that were once bare are now covered in blossoms. Needless to stay, I’m itching to craft with flowers again. About two years ago I made candied rose petals with Jaime for Valentine’s Day. This tutorial uses a very similar technique, however, instead of roses I used spring pansies and marigolds. They are a beautiful way to decorate simple sugar cookies for your next spring party.

Learn How to Decorate Cookies with Flowers after the jump…

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Sew A Pair: Curtain Tiebacks with Grommets – PPH Bonus!

Curtain tiebacks with grommets

The thing with writing a book (as with making a movie) is that a few of your favorite parts will inevitably end up on the cutting room floor so to speak. Since our book baby, Pretty Prudent Home,  is now out in the world, we are excited to share all those awesome items for which we didn’t have room in the book. First up is a pair of curtain tiebacks featured in the book, in an image of one of my favorite corners of my house, the reading nook, on page 91.

They are a great accent in the space, using the wonderful fabric of one of my favorite designers, Rashida Coleman-Hale, but my favorite thing about them is that Jaime made them for me. When we were down to just a few weeks before the book photoshoot, we divided up the last bits of work and she offered to whip these up. Now whenever I’m wishing I had time to read a book instead of working, I think of Jaime. Thanks a lot Jaime. I kid, I kid, but really aren’t crafty friends the best?

Read on for the full project. (more…)

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Traveling in Style: Kangaroo Island, Australia

We are heading south for the winter to Kangaroo Island, Australia for this week’s Traveling in Style guide. It has been said that winter (June-August) is one of the best times to travel to this unique destination, because it’s just when all the baby kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies emerge from their pouches. If being surrounded by cute baby animals isn’t enough, Kangaroo Island also has beautiful sights, delicious food, festivals, and some of the finest honey in the world.

Check out top destinations, recipes, and our style guide for you and the kids after the jump…

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