Z everyday things

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.