http://dandelionsandlace.blogspot.com/2011/03/marshmallow-bunny-plushie.html
I can't stop posting Easter bunny tutorials! Use up a little bit of fleece in your stash and if you don't have any just sacrifice that throw grandma gave to you because these are adorable and easy too!

mousepad tutorial

http://www.howjoyful.com/2012/01/super-easy-fabric-scrap-mousepad-tutorial/

This is something that everyone in my family is in desperate need of......we are mousing (is that a word?) on pads that are peeling and curling at the edges.When you have avid gamers in the house this can be an issue. I hear complaints about the mouse hitting the sides and something about clicks per minute? Wait that might be on the keyboard. Needless to say a mouse pad that is in good shape is a necessity even for those of us who primarily browse online and use their computer for communication like facebook or blogs. LOL

I hate those plain grey pads you can purchase for a whopping 5 bucks (sometimes less sometimes more). But to get anything remotely attractive that isn't a puppy or kitty you are looking at a starting price of around $20. I love the idea of choosing my own fabric to match each member of my family. I also think this is a great gift idea.

In the tutorial she uses scrap fabric and .......TA DA ..........shelf liner! How brilliant is that! She has test "driven" her pad for 3 months without any issues. I am going to try this myself today I have been without a pad on my desk for the last month and it does effect how the mouse works. My husband had to break into his "collector" edition of World of Warcraft and is using the mouse pad that was included. This is a quick and inexpensive fix for both of us. The other thing I like is that I can make mouse pads for each laptop that my two youngest use and create something that my two oldest will use without grumbling. With this idea I won't be grumbling about the cost for something that isn't a solid blur of grey.

bunny beanbags!

http://mellysews.com/2013/03/sew-easter-bunny-bean-bags.html

Look at these adorable bunny bean bags that you can make for the Easter baskets! Quick and easy to make once they fall asleep too.

March 27

http://petitepurls.com/Summer11/summer2011_t_felt.html

Have you ever seen anything so cute! Perfect for Easter baskets and for Spring...

Complete tutorial can be found following this link...

 

Spring Break

Y/City Pool Twin Falls
Monday March 25-March 29 Open swim from 1-4 PM free for everyone!

HOP 2 IT
http://hop2itparty.com/home.html

Movies
Orpheum Theater (downtown Twin Falls)
Parental Guidance (PG) All Seats $2.00   Daily 7:00 9:15 Sat - Sun 12:15 2:30 4:45 7:00 9:15

Motor VU
The Croods (PG) at 8:15 and co-hit Life of PI (PG) at 9:45
Adults $6.00 Kids 5 to 12 $1.00 FM Stereo in Your Car Radio

Herrett Center at CSI Twin Falls
Tuesday, March 26 through Saturday, the 30^th

 

Planetarium shows are planned around spring break and younger visitors will enjoy Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast, Planet Patrol, Mystery of the Missing Seasons, and WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars. Shows including The Dinosaur Chronicles, the Planets, Sky Quest, Here Comes the Sun, Cosmic Colors, The Wild World of Weather, and Lifestyles of the Stars will appeal to middle school and older visitors. The 3:30 p.m. shows each day will also include a live sky tour on the planetarium dome. Two entertainment programs, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Fly On, Free Bird, and Altrageous Rock, will be shown on Friday and Saturday night.

The Herrett Center will also have tables of make-and-take activities available for visitors to do, including trilobite sculpting, how ancient weapons were made, creating woven bags, and fire-making.

Admission to the Herrett Center is free.

 

Admission to Planetarium:

Educational Programs
	Adults	$4.50
	Seniors (60+)	$3.50
	Students (incl. CSI w/ activity card)	$2.50
	Up to five minor children when accompanied by a parent/guardian	$1.00 ea.
	Children under age 2	FREE

The Herrett Center is closed every Monday. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays. It is located on the North College Road entrance to CSI. For information, call 732-6655.

 

 

Easter Egg Hunts!

All of the below Easter Egg Hunts are on Saturday March 30 (will update as I find more hunts!):


Jerome
Snake River Elks Lodge Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast
Breakfast will be served 9am until 11am with kids 12 and under eating free and all others will be $5.00. Easter Egg Hunt groups will be divided into four age groups 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 with bikes  awarded in each age group. Also will have a coloring contest for each age group with prizes awarded to each winner. The Easter Bunny will be out making an appearance with photos available. Many raffle prizes with tickets costing $1.00 for one or 6 for $5.00.
Date(s) & Time(s)::

March 30, 2013 at 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Location: Snake River Elks Lodge 412 East 200 South Jerome, Idaho
Phone: 208-324-0200
From the KMVT website http://www.kmvt.com/community_events/197641681.html

Twin Falls
10, 000 Easter egg hunt
10, 00 Easter eggs at 10:00 a.m. age appropriate heats, hot cocoa, and coffee. Something for everyone. Community Christian Church 303 Grandview dr. S. Twin Falls, Id
From the KMVT website http://www.kmvt.com/community_events/198470651.html

Easter Egg Hunt
Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Twin Falls City Park at 10 AM. The park will be divided into different areas by age group. For more information call the City of Twin Falls Parks and Recreation office at (208) 736-2265.

Easter Egg Dive
Hosted by the Y/City Pool in Twin Falls at 12:30 PM 100's of Easter Eggs will be in the pool for the kids to dive and find for free!

Easter at CSI with the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene
(March 31)

9am cookies and coffee in the CSI Fine Arts Auditorium Foyer. 10am Worship in the CSI Fine Arts Auditorium. There will be programs for kids kindergarten and younger. Easter Egg Hunt for all kids following the service.

Hansen
Easter Egg Hunt
Divided into different age groups at  Rolling Hills Park in Hansen. From 10 AM to 10:15 AM
Phone: 4235158 KMVT website http://www.kmvt.com/community_events/198849461.html

Hagerman
At the Hagerman City Park the Easter Egg Hunt is divided into four age groups: 3 and younger, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Includes 4,000 Easter eggs; cash prizes; candy; and the Easter bunny. Info: Tim Peterson, 208-837-4552 or 208-539-6546; or Jon Kepler, 208-358-0794

March 26

I can not believe Easter is in a week! Later today I will post all of the exciting Easter Egg Hunts that I have found!

Today is a busy day I have the Spring Craft Fair to go to. Can't wait to see what everyone has created and to bid on Ninja cupcakes! The boys want to visit the Easter bunny at the Magic Valley Mall. Of course that means a trip through Crazy 8 and Children's Place for me! Going to check out Hot Topic too as my oldest turns 22 on the 5th.....

I also found an amazing list of 100 days of crock pot meals made without processed food at http://www.stacymakescents.com/100-days-of-no-processed-meals-crock-pot-style . She and her husband have an amazing blog about saving money that has definitely helped me out with ways to cut in the spending department.

Have a great day while it is still Sunny in S. Idaho! Who knows it may snow or hail by the end of the day but I am hoping to get in a walk at Frontier Park w the boys first. They love all of the exercise equipment along the trail.

Free pants pattern!

I have finally found a free pants pattern that would work for girls in sizes 3 months to 8! Easily used to make a cute fleece, cotton, linen, etc. pant. I could see doing pockets on a solid or striped fabric with a cute print.

Scroll down to the middle of the page for the printable patterns she does have a weird download thing on the page. Not sure what to call it. Scroll past this to get to the patterns. She has picture by picture instructions and """""""""""A VIDEO TUTORIAL"""""""""""""

I will try to make some of these in the next couple weeks and will post pictures of the process as I sew. Keep tuned!

Here is the link: http://www.fleecefun.com/childs-fleece-pants-pattern-and-tutorial.html


3/27/13
UPDATE
I tried this pattern after posting it. This is definately for girls not boys. It is a very easy to construct pattern shouldn't take longer than a couple of hours. This reminded me of yoga pant.

Have fun sewing

March 18, 2013 Easter!

I can not believe how close Easter is! I usually have all of my Easter shopping down to the menu planned out and finished by now. I suppose this year I am going for the wing it variety. Feeling the pressure today! I haven't purchased any candy at all yet. I did manage a run this weekend to the dollar store and picked up a couple buckets and shovels and those long water squirters that the kids love. A month ago I purchased 2 Leapfrog Explorers that will also go into the baskets. Not sure after all that there should even be candy! I checked out a couple stores for prices a couple weeks ago and had to sit down. Thinking about buying normal non Easter candy to fill the eggs. Maybe a trip to Winco to purchase candy from the bulk bins with the smartees etc. I did decide not to make the oldest two baskets this year. Have to wait and see if I hold out on that decision though. LOL

I have found a couple very cute knitted and sewn bunnies for the Easter basket that do not look like they would take a lot of time to make:

http://mochimochiland.com/2011/04/free-pattern-tiny-baby-bunnies/

 

I think these are extremely cute and would make cute gifts for the adults in your life too! They take a very small amount of yarn and would be adorable in bright colors.

 

http://michellemadethis.blogspot.com/2010/01/easter-chick-tutorial.html

 

This is an adorable link for a tiny chick similar to the bunnies above it.

 

 

http://www.craftbits.com/project/easter-bunny

 

Here is a free pattern for a knit bunny!

 

http://prairiemouse.typepad.com/prairiemouse/2011/04/easter-bunny-pattern.html

 

This would be so cute poking up out of the basket! This is a free pattern and tutorial and calls for a very small amount of felt. I am thinking about trying it with some flannel scraps that I have though to make it extra snuggly. On this blog she teaches her daughters to sew using this pattern!

 

http://theadventuresofbluegirlxo.blogspot.com/2010/03/artful-thursdays-11stuffie-bunny.html?m=1

 

Here is another quick and easy bunny to make with a cute egg to put him in. I could see stuffing him with rice too as a hand warmer.......

 

 

 

 

For more Easter ideas go to my Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/zeltza/easter/

 

Let me know what great ideas for Easter you have!

 

 

 

March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


While taking a break from hiding chocolate coins in the house for the kids to find I came across this amazing website: http://www.chocotreasure.com/  Inside each chocolate egg is a toy. Apparently these until recently were illegal to bring to the US. This even included a fine at the US/Canada border of $2500. This was based on a FDA law that non food items can not be in food items. Which totally makes sense when you dig deep and find out about sawdust in hamburger patties of the 1970's. It was also considered illegal because the toys inside the chocolate were not safe for those under 3. This is one of the largest selling candy products in the world and they have been working with the US to make them legal for sale. Finally we can catch up to the fun the rest of the world is having! I seriously need  these for Easter baskets. The dinosaur ones have tiny squeezable water shooters in them that are adorable and of course I'm sure my boys would like them too. I can see how cute a collection would be on a shelf by the bed of these little things and it comes with chocolate. Did I mention that this is a chocolate egg with a toy! People are brilliant to combine these in one item. (Nope not a paid mention just love this idea.)

How to crochet your own bra!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-bra

 

Found this on ravelry~A free pattern to crochet a bra~Can you imagine this in a linen yarn!

Win Free L'Oreal Haircolor on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/lorealparis/app_435626486514541

How to make a bra!

http://panty.hanty.net/brassiere.html

 

Here is tutorial with a pattern for the bra that matches the one for underwear. Yep life is getting cheaper and prettier. This is cheaper than wading than through the clearance rack!

 

I will keep looking for more patterns to make life easier and better looking by posting more tutorials and patterns for "intimate apparel" as I find them under the page link for sewing tutorials and remakes.

Underwear how to with a pattern

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/9262/panties-sewing-pattern

 

Found one with a pattern!

No need to purchase undies ever again....

http://comeandseetheseitz.com/2010/03/09/panty-tutorial-how-to-sew-underwear/

 

Score! Now you can make your underwear to fit your style! A full tutorial with pictures! The tutorial teaches you how to make your own undergarments based on a pair that you already own. Of course if you are in the midst of changing sizes this might be of much help so I am still looking for more free tutorials for this!

Cute things to knit alert! Weekend is here!

http://andresueknits.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/the-bees-knees-pocketed-purse-pattern/

 

First off here is one of the cutest purses ever! This is the perfect spring purse! I get tired of trying to clean what I will term "kid goo" off of all of my belongings. Sigh. With this purse you get something beautiful and something that after a day out with the kids to the park, lunch, zoo, museum, etc that can easily be thrown into the wash! Ta dah! No more questionable sticky areas or discolored "things" on your purse. (My favorite conversation is "Why did you wipe that on me!", followed by the child in questions blank look) .

You could make the straps longer to lay across body too in a messenger bag style. This is my favored way to use my purse so when little hands grab on the purse and little person do not immediately hit the ground. LOL

 

 

 

 

Exercise

I forgot how boring I think exercising is! I love the way it makes me feel don't get me wrong and shapely muscles, mmhmm. But, why do I have to do the same thing over and over and over and for soooo long. Trying to find a way to make it more exciting. I do intervals where I do a warm up for 10 minutes, stretch, aerobics for 5, upper body weights, aerobics for 5, legs, aerobics for 5, stomach and back, aerobics for 5, upper body weights, and a cool down for 5. Which seems like I should be changing what I am doing enough times to keep interested. But, I keep thinking of other things to do...You know bake cookies, fold laundry, check facebook, lol. I know I know I will keep going just so I can keep up with the kids and finally lose the weight I gained with the last 2 pregnancies. I just want to know why is it sooo boring?

March 14 crochet top

http://genuinemudpie.ca/2012/07/19/ginkgo/

How adorable is this top! Love the crochet around the top of the neckline and the bottom is a just a simple piece of fabric. She has a full tutorial and pattern available for free. Just follow the link!

March 13, 2013

I keep adding more tutorials to the links! Having fun and finding more things to make that are cute and will keep me out of Crazy 8!

Tutorials from across the web

Slowly putting some of my favorite tutorials from across the web on different pages to make it easy to find them! I am always in need of great ideas and easy to make things. I have many of these already linked on my pinterest page which I will soon link to my blog. I though it might be nice to share those that I find most useful with you! Keep checking back and I will keep adding!

42 day challenge-March 10, 2013

Starting a new book and hopefully a new exercise and eating regimen that  will help me to change my habits. Primarily more exercise and changing my eating patterns to include more whole foods. Sounds like a challenge but the book is amazing, sets everything up in weekly goals that are more attainable that an instant change. Because right now I really Need my Pepsi every day. I also think about candy ALL THE TIME. Red goldfish, Hershey candy bars, sour kids, oh my mouth is watering. It's funny because at one time I didn't eat candy very often at all. Since I had the last two boys life has become the search for the quick thing to put in my mouth so I can get back to work or get back to being the mom. Time for a change! Not happy with my eating practices or the way I look (sob I want to be skinny again) I picked up this book. I will let you know how it goes! And if you want to pick up a copy and follow along feel free! Now to reread what I am supposed to do.

Becalm from Berroco

Just found the cutest spring or fall sweater pattern from Berroco knits. What makes this pattern amazing? The sleeves! They have the cutest fall from shoulder to waist. I love that you could alter this pattern to leave out the stripes on the sleeves to make them solid, put in a second yarn w glitter, and I am feeling excited here, what about eyelash yarn!

The basic thing that I would change is to make the sweater longer. I am not really a layer kind of gal.  I want to put on one shirt and be done. I don't know if this is because I feel that I have about 30 seconds to pick out clothing and put them on before something breaks in the house. When you have all boys or even girls I imagine the thought of choosing layering pieces is more than can be handled. I need something that isn't going to consume lots of time.

Which brings me back to this pattern! This would be comfortable enough to wear at home, easy to wear out shopping or running errands without looking like sweat pant mom. You could easily wear this to work and look amazing or on a night out. I am loving this pattern! Now to make one, hmmm, yarn yarn yarn. What color to go with? Blues or greens?http://www.berroco.com/patterns/becalm#

Open Hands: Happy Toy Machine Review/Giveaway

Open Hands: Happy Toy Machine Review/Giveaway:  It is so rare these days ( these days? man I sound old)  that kids are encouraged to use their imagination. We live in a day and age where ...

Printable Dr Seuss Lunch Notes

Inspired by Familia has the cutest printable lunch notes featuring Dr Seuss. I seriously would like to have these in my lunch someday. I am thinking about printing them and adding them to my 7yo son's lunch each day this week. He has been bummed as this year in 1st grade they are not celebrating Dr Seuss they way they did in Kindergarten. He was so excited thinking about it and now he is so sad. His favorite books by Dr Seuss include The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs in Ham, and the Sleep Book.
Dr Seuss is his go to when he can not think of anything else to read. These notes are perfect for him, I think I will make this a surpise so he can have an unexpected treat at lunch for this week. Little people love surprises, reminds them of home and that you are thinking of them.

Here is the link so you can surprise the special people in your life:
http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/08/15/dr-seuss-lunch-notes/

Bow Tie Top

Found an amazing tutorial for a cute summer top. We know that summer is on the way and what better way to get ready than to have a new and cuter wardrobe ready for the warm weather. This is a very simple sewing project that would be perfect for someone just learning too.

I love how comfortable and elegant this top looks. It would be amazing to wear to a summer barbecue with jeans or over a pair of  slacks to work. A chunky bracelet, jangly earrings, and a simple chain necklace would dress this up for an evening out! Tops that can be worn for multiple occasions are hard to find and even better when you can make them yourself!

This is the link http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-bow-tie-top-tutorial.html

Idaho Youth Ranch Reading Program

This weekend we went to the Orphum theater to watch "Wreck It Ralph" for $2 a person. While we were downtown the boys decided they wanted to see if the water fountain was running. Of course I quickly agreed as the water fountain is right next door to the Idaho Youth Ranch. I can not go in there without finding something fabulous at an amazing price and I love that the proceeds go to help kids. While we there we noticed a sign with names announcing kids meeting a reading goal. My 7 yo is an avid reader so he desperately wanted to find out how to get his name on the sign too. They are running an amazing program! Your child reads a book writes it on the form that you can get at the store. You take the form back to the store and they get to pick out a free book! They can do this 5 times. After the 5th time they get a special prize and their name on the board! Lucky me we will be going more often now!

Cake Designer in Twin Falls!

Found a new cake designer in Twin Falls with reasonable prices, delicous recipes, and a creative side. Hard to believe that she is the mother of toddler twin boys, a teenage daughter, and a 21yo old son who still has the energy to bake!  The owner of this fantastic at home shop is Heather Sterrett she recently started a new blog at cakeninjatwinfalls.blogspot.com I can't wait to see what she comes up!

Spotted Canary-March 4, 2013

Just found a website that offers free online craft classes! The ones that I saw included beading, a birthday part for dogs (too fun!), card making, glitter, paper collage, scrap booking, Japanese decoden, and stamping. Something for every one's interest! This is a link to the website http://www.spottedcanary.com/School/Online-Classes.htm Have fun finding new ways to be the creative you....

March 4, 2013

I promise the projects are coming! Trying to finish working on the calender pages and what to do in Southern Idaho. I am also going to add a homeschool tab as we did this with our oldest two and will be homeschooling our 7 yo for second grade next year. His teacher is concerned that public school will not work for him as he is only in first grade but already testing in mid 3rd grade. We happen to agree with her so back to lesson plans for us!

I will add the jewelery tutorial page and one with my work that is for sale too! I would love to have a page with local blogs too if you know of anyone or you have a blog in Idaho, Utah, or Nevada please let me know!

Dr Suess Week!

In our home we love and adore Dr Seuss! My 7 yo is expecting to have a huge party at school this week to celebrate. For this his teacher asked the students to bring their favorite Dr Seuss books to share for the week. He couldn't decide and filled his backpack before school on Friday. I love that Dr Seuss entertains children but also teaches and important lesson at the same time. Come on sneetches and stars? Let me know how you are celebrating with Dr. Seuss this week and I will post fun activities and things to make!

March 3, 2013

I have found the next amazing shirt to add to my closet and my next project in one! I wonder how many I can make for this spring and summer? Part of the appeal of this top is the is the bohemian touch of crochet. Leave it to designer Drew Emborsky also known as The Crochet Dude to create something so appealing. Haveing spotted this style in the mall and online I knew this was something that I not just wanted but truly needed, in that way that only someone female can understand. Now I can make as many as I want (trip to the fabric store!) and the pattern and instructions are free!

The instructions and pattern are easy to follow even for those who are new to sewing/crochet. You are cutting strips of the fabric to crochet together and adding elastic for the waist. I do not have all of the tools that he he recommends in his instructions but it is very easy to work around. Can't wait to update you on my new top!

The Crochet Dude has placed a lint to this pattern on Ravelry for those who use this amazing site at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/romantic-peasant-top but the free pattern and direction are on Jo Ann Fabrics website at http://www.joann.com/romantic-peasant-top/prod572365/

Here is a link to The Crochet Dude's website http://www.drewemborsky.com/ and to his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thecrochetdude?ref=stream .