I made some new grown-up toys in this past week that I love! I was inspired by this tutorial I found on pinterest. It used Ikea rugs, but I was thrilled to see an excellent way to showcase some of my favorite home dec weight fabrics. I started with a Suzani print I got from Joann's last year (not photographed yet). The floor cushion measures about 2' by 2' by 1'. The bottom panel is a plain grey and I put a zipper along one of the bottom edges.
    After I made the first one, I was dismayed to discover that upholstery foam is pretty stinkin' expensive! So, I got creative... I decided to stuff it with the blankets we don't often use. Bonus factor: I freed up some closet space!
    I did decide to make a more traditionally stuffed "fancy" one (for a present, of course). I used a 6" thick piece of upholstery foam on the bottom and cotton futon stuffing for the top. It is super comfy and I think the Ikea fabric makes it look ever so cool and modern.
    Aside from cramming the stuffing in, they were so easy and fun to make! Everything but the bottom panel can be easily cut from 1 yard of fabric and it came together in less than an hour.  I don't know about you, but I find sometimes just the smallest "win" can give me the

Earlier this summer, I was despairing over the lack of perfect tank tops laying around. Then I realized that I make clothes. Duh. I copied my perfect raglan T pattern from the armpits down and then added a bit of winging it for the neckline. Voila! Perfect racerback tank!
On the prototype (not pictured) the straps nearly outwitted me, but I think I have it figured out now. I have been so happy to have these few that I have made in the last month of near 100 degree temps, especially as I'm ridiculously picky about my tank tops. I prefer everything to be a racerback and it has to be fitted but not clingy etc etc.
Now I just need Joann's to have my favorite teal ribbing back in stock...

Happy Friday friends! I'm currently so far under the weather that I am using it as a blanket to help me sleep. While I'm busy recovering, I thought I'd share this little house I made for Five. I used AmbrosiaGirl's simple tutorial to transform one of our leftover moving boxes into Five's favorite hiding spot. It took about 15 minutes and some of my excessive tape stash. Yay!

On a side note, Fred's been trying to teach 5 to play hide-and-seek. 5 has three hiding spots; under the desk, in the house, and under the laundry basket. When it's Fred's turn to hide, he tells him where he's supposed to hide, counts "one too six six six" and then yells "boo!" at Fred. Best. Game. Ever.

The summer is flying by so fast! It's a bit late, but I thought I'd try to catch up a little...

While I'm away at work all day, 5 and his Dad go on adventures! Every day! They go to the river, fish, bike all over town, walk to the coop for bananas, and get up to all kinds of mischief.
(5 is wearing one of his most recent mama-made tanks, refashioned from one of my favorite old T-shirts).

Also, since my last post, 5 has become obsessed with "counting". His method of counting is whimsical at best- there's usually a color or two thrown in and he repeats his favorite numbers at will. So far, I am loving 21 month old math.
He has become an avid copycat, repeating the most entertaining words uttered in any given sentence (read: watch. your. mouth. mama.)
My favorite August development though is his newfound use of the words big and tiny. Tiny especially, because it's all his. Fred and I don't say tiny. Our books don't say tiny. We're really not sure where it's from. But we love to hear everything in our lives that is now big or tiny.

The best parts of my day? The hugs and kisses I get leaving and then returning from work. The boy has really learned to show some love.