Addicted to Baby Clothes!

I'm just past my 18 week marker which means we've got a little over two weeks until we find out the gender of this little peanut but I've found myself already buying cute little outfits. My friend Allison said it's a slippery slope and boy was she right!

Last week, I found this snuggley sleeper...

And just today, I felt the need to pick up this little newborn outfit, since it'll be pretty cold when he or she finally makes an arrival. 

Next weekend, we're going to start looking at nursery furniture. It's a bit early still but we'd like to have the nursery ready before my third trimester because I've heard my energy level might not be so high at that point. I'll be sure to post before and after pictures as my husband's office becomes the baby nursery. It's already painted blue so keep your fingers crossed that we don't have to repaint. Ha!

East Hampton Boat Parade

Today's post highlights craftiness of a different kind. Every summer, our town hosts the Dennis Griswold Showboat Parade at the lake, where boat owners and businesses can decorate boats for a prize. Tons of residents and visitors turn out for the event and here are some pictures, highlighting some of the best entries from 2011. 

The last picture (above) of the Dukes of Hazzard boat was by far the best - the car on top "jumped" with the help of an internal mechanism, the theme song was blaring from the speakers and Daisy Duke was a very large man in cutoff shorts and a bikini top. This crew went for all the stops to create a memorable boat!

Here are some pictures from past years events - 

Holiday Crafts on the Brain

It's only August and I'm already thinking about holiday crafts and gifts. Kind of scary since by then, I'll be very close to delivery! But I figure it's better that I be prepared ahead of time so I'm not going to beat myself for looking forward to the end of the year. Plus, I really don't mind looking ahead right now because it means this horrible heat will be gone soon.

Here are a few of the craft projects I would like to try this year...

• Pottery Barn Knock-Off Atlas Candle (Tutorial by The Inspired Housewife)

• Lace Overlay Pendants (Tutorial by Stay-at-Home-Artist)

• Penguin and Snowman Ball Ornaments (Tutorial from Theresa Cifali)

It's never too early to be in a celebratory mood!

Mini Birthday Cake Cupcakes

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law and father who celebrate birthdays this week!

Here are some adorable and easy to make birthday treats, made with regular sized cupcakes and mini-cupcakes to make little mini birthday cakes. Just bake them, frost, stack and secure with an extra long candle. 

And an above view of these tasty little treats...

These are perfect for a classroom birthday celebration as well. Yum!

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

• This is a fab idea on how to Modge Podge on canvas to make amazing decorations for just about any room. Tutorial provided by The Sassy Pepper.

• These stretchy, stackable seed rings from Stay-at-Home Artist are easy to make and look extra fancy when paired with a large ring, like the black one in her pic.

• Looking to accent your homemade cards or gifts? Make your own glitter tape! Thanks to Glitter Guide for this fun idea.

•  And finally, for a sweet treat - here is a quick recipe for Semi-Homemade Apple Pie Crescent Rolls (3 Kids and Us)

Crafty Celebrities - Old School Edition

While celebrity crafters like Julia Roberts and Pink have recently made knitting cool again - here's a video showing Carey Grant learning how to knit, from the film Mister Lucky.Could he be one of the first crafty celebs on record?




(Source: Craftivism Blog)

Happy National Breastfeeding Week

Being pregnant means I have become aware of all kinds of things I would have never otherwise known.  For example, August 1st - 7th is National Breastfeeding Week. Started by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA); "a global network of individuals and organizations concerned with the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide."

Another thing I've learned from being pregnant is that each mother and mother-to-be should be entitled to make her own decisions. Whether she decides to breastfeed or not, organizations like this encourage the promotion of choices when it comes to parenting. 

In the spirit of this week, here is a free pattern for how to sew your own nursing cover, from Bliss Tree.