Black and white giraffe diaper bag

Love the color combo on this one! Needed it to be gender neutral, so went with a yellow changing pad--and it really popped!

Teacher gifts

Since school has started again, thought this would be an appropriate post. These were end-of-the-year teacher gifts for G's preschool teachers, but wouldn't these be fun anytime?

Thanks to Family Fun magazine for the inspiration. We made our own sugar cookie recipe that calls for jello powder to make them colored and flavorful. Cut out a flower shape, then cut a circle in the middle. Lay on a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and tuck a lollipop/cake pop stick under the cookie so that it shows in the middle of the cut out flower. Place a hard, not gummy, lifesaver in the middle of the hole and bake. As it bakes, the lifesaver melts and fills the hole. Cool and you have a beautiful flower!

We then painted pots with chalkboard paint and wrote the teachers' names on them...they could also be used later to mark what is planted in each pot! We put baseball ribbon around the rim of the pot--with G, everything needs to be baseball. Filled the pot with dried beans, taped a packet of wildflower seeds to a stick to add to the bouquet, and there you have it--very cute, yummy teacher gift! We will be making these frequently I am sure!

Farm blanket for the senses

I made a blanket like this for my son several years ago. As a displaced farm girl, I felt like he should learn about the farm at an early age! The best thing about this farm though is that his clothes didn't get dirty!

Actually the best thing is the many textures on this blanket. The one pictured, along with the soft tractors, are ideal for my nephew who is turning one this week. The softness of the fabrics, the rows to resemble corn or freshly planted wheat, the slight terraces, and even a farm pond that is silky to the touch! Happy birthday, T! And sis, hopefully this Labor Day is much easier but equally as joyful as last years'!