Z everyday things: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Cars jumpsuit-finished!

I had a hard time finding black ribbing fabric, but I finally did, and here is the finished product! Next time I'd put ribbing around the neck too, but it was a last minute decision to add it and I didn't want to take apart the whole neck. It has resin snaps in the front.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Sackboy

Any other fans of Little Big Planet out there? In honor of Little Big Planet 2 coming out, I made Zboy a Sackboy. He loves to watch the game and even plays it (though not well-come on, he's only 2!) I need to get a better picture of him. Zboy loves him, and especially loves the big, wobbly head. The pattern is here if anyone else is interested. I need some black yarn to redo his eyes and give him a mouth. I didn't want to use button eyes as Zgirl gets a hold of everything anymore, and buttons + baby=bad news.

I got my parts in the mail for the block of the month quilt I'm doing with my mom. She picked this month's fabrics. I'm doing the first monster, "Star monster", in blues.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Cuddle up

Families, Create! A Monthly Make and Play Carnival

It's the beginning of the carnival! This month's theme was "cuddle up", and how better to do that than in a new pair of jammies? Zboy is in an "I hate clothes" phase and spends most of his days in pajamas. They're all starting to get a little worn, so here's the first set of hopefully many. I used one of my favorite resources, Kwik Sew's Sewing for Toddlers, for the pattern. These are so simple to make that you could easily trace a pair that fits your child and make them yourself. The shirt is 4 pieces plus cuffs (front, back, and sleeves), and the pants are 2 pieces plus cuffs (front and back)

They're from a fun robot pattern from my stash-a very soft, thin ribbed cotton.

Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out how you can participate in the next Families, Create! Carnival.

Our February theme is "Heroes and Heroines" - what can your family create this month to celebrate the heroes and heroines in your lives?

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

What's the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter night? Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes knows the answer: make the perfect soup!

Simply decorated jars by children bring warmth and light to cold Winter's days at Living Peacefully with Children.

The ArtsyMama teaches us how to create a no sew fleece throw inspired by your favorite snuggle time book.

Movies made from books are often pretty poor representations, but this family-made movie from Dionna at Code Name: Mama is monster-ific!

Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes created a cozy for her Kindle, to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it.

What better way to cuddle and get cozy than in new jammies made by Mama G @ Z everyday things?

Inspired by her family's love of the Harry Potter series, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to make a series of ornaments based on the theme.

Laura at Nestled Under Rainbows shared a reflection on and a celebration of snuggies, lovies, cuddlies and specials.

Little Hedgehog got a wonderful idea when his red hat from Father Christmas didn't fit, and Megan at Purple Dancing Dahlias got a wonderful idea to knit a sweet hedgehog!

Monster-inspired artwork by a monster-clad kid. Despite the growling, he really is cuddly! Monster love courtesy of Dionna at Code Name: Mama.

Arpita at Up, Down & Natural shares a quick tutorial on how to make your very own Pippalily inspire pouch sling, with zippered pocket & key ring, and a matching nursing cover to boot!

Amy at Anktangle finally completed something cuddly and warm for her son Daniel: his very own afghan, crocheted with love by Momma.

Who'd want to cuddle with a cuttlefish? Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes thinks you might want to cuddle up with this sweet plush cuttlefish!

In an attempt to slow down and relax while watching her children, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to give knitting another chance.

Join us in February to create something with (or for) your own family. Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out more about February's "Heroes and Heroines" theme.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Monster quilt block of the month sew along

My mom bought the pattern for this quilt a while ago, and while she lives in Ohio, and I live in North Carolina, we are going to have our own block of the month club! We are taking turns picking fabric for the blocks, and trying to do one a month. The exception is the first two blocks-the goal is to have them done by the end of February. It's an adorable quilt (Monster quilt designed by Sue Garman) We are using a different phrase than the one that is originally with it (something about monsters eating fabric and buying more stash-not appropriate for a kid's quilt IMO)

So stay tuned!

What I'm working on now-a set of robot jammies for Zboy for the Monthly Make and Play Carnival. This month's theme is "cuddle up", and how better to do that than in some cozy new pj's? (especially when you're a kid who refuses to change into regular clothes!)

Monday, January 10, 2011

snowed in

Crashing into bushes is fun.

Getting ready to go down the "hill" (the gentle slope of our front yard)

Follow the leader.

Even Zgirl likes being out in the weather.

We are officially snowed in. We had about 7" the other day, and Daddy G even got Monday off work. It was Zboy's first time on a sled, and he had a great time. We're busy cleaning up for the grandparents' visit this coming weekend, so not a lot of activities or posts until next week. Enjoy the weather.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Feelie goop

This is the coolest stuff ever. Feelie goop is 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water (I got the recipe from the book First Art:Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos) I added Wilton dye because we are out of food coloring-BAD idea. It stains your hands terribly, although it was surprisingly easy to clean off the floor.

Zboy touched the cornstarch a little and sifted it through his hands, but didn't like the feel of it. He added the water in and I mixed it up after he refused. He doesn't really like to get his hands dirty, so I try to make sure I include activities that are a little messy, so he can get used to the feeling. It feels like almost a solid goop, but when you pick it up, the heat from your hands makes it liquefy and run off your fingers. The sensation is really neat! Zanthias used a spoon, which worked almost as well.

He enjoyed washing up more than the goop.

My hand dyed from the Wilton coloring.

This book is so awesome, and one of my best and most useful purchases. It has ideas and recipes for all types of art projects to do with little ones. The best part? The whole book is focused on the process, not the product, because as any parent of little ones can tell you-you're not likely to see much in the way of results. As long as they have fun and enjoy the process, it's a good day! I definitely recommend this book. We have done quite a few things out of it, and the only one I felt wasn't so good was the bubble mixture recipe. It didn't make very good bubbles and when I tried to adjust it, it ended up being too soapy and hurting Zboy's eyes when it got in it.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

What's in your sensory table this week?

Showing off a bell

Introducing Lightning McQueen to the mix

This week, we have uncooked macaroni, colored feathers, some sparkly tinsel from a gift, and some jingle bells (though the bells have since disappeared into Zboy's room-they were a favorite) I was planning for a food items week, but I think this mix would more festive without the macaroni. I saved a couple of jingle bells to make some felted wool balls with bells in the middle for Zgirl (and I'm sure the cats will enjoy them as well)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Healthy cooking for your kids-book review

I found this book at a discount store, and flipped through it. It has lots of healthy, but easy and fun recipes. I forgot about it until the other day, and decided to make something from it.

Zanthias wasn't much in the mood for helping, but he ate cheese off a plate while he watched me from his Learning Tower (awesome thing, by the way). I made mini herbed muffins and souffled potatoes.

The muffins weren't mini, because I only have regular size cups. I should have checked the recipe before starting it, because I didn't have buttermilk either (though you can make a sub with milk and lemon juice) I also had to make my own self-rising flour. I added ricotta cheese instead of mozzarella, because I thought it would blend better, but it was too bland. I used basil for my herb. They were pretty tasty, especially when I scooped a little out of the middle and threw in some mozzarella cheese. Overall, easy, healthy recipe-that Zanthias wouldn't touch. He's somewhat of a picky eater, which is why I always try new things!

The souffled potatoes were good as well. They weren't much different than twice baked potatoes, except you add an egg (I ended up adding 2 because I suck at separating eggs) The leftover potato mix that wouldn't fit in the skins, I cooked in a small ramekin and we ate that separately another day. Yum! It was almost better without the skin.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Amigurumi food

I've recently embarked on a mission to make Zboy some fake food. I've got some eco-felt, and blended wool felt (100% wool felt is just too pricey for right now) and some projects coming up with that, but for now, I'm crocheting some amigurumi food.

This comes along with a pattern for other vegetables as well. I wouldn't use this pattern again (except for the leaves, which look really neat) The carrot looks awfully lumpy and not very "carroty" in my opinion.
Carrot pattern is here

I can't get a good picture of this-the red all kind of fuzzes together.
pattern found at Lion Brand (you have to register to see it)

Are you on Ravelry? My user name is dahlea there-friend me!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Kwik Sew dress

I made this dress for Zgirl from some cotton batik and trim. The pattern is from Kwik Sew's Sewing for baby. It was very easy and quick. The hardest part was sewing on the trim. It looks better in the picture than it does in real life! I hate buttonholes, so I'm going to put resin snaps up the back instead.