Yuck!

Some sort of toothy spider/ant hybrid colony has taken over the plastic owl that is guarding our back porch  and my tiny herb garden.  Hopefully these things at least eat some bugs that may be harmful to my herbs!

Try it Tuesday: Hooded Baby Towel

(Excuse the wrinkles in my backdrop-I didn't notice them at the time!)  

Confession Time: this is not the first time I have used this excellent tutorial from Prudent Baby.  I already made one for a new niece, but it's such a great baby gift that I had to make another one! :) It's also pretty simple, but looks like it took some time!

 I used the same Alexander Henry "Ready, Set, Robots" fabric that I used for part of the soft blocks last week to make a little matching set (model not included).

This time I did have some trouble attaching the hood to the main towel, but that could have been the way the towel was cut (by me) or something about the way it was made.  It frayed more easily than the towel I used last time.  I can't wait to hear how the new parents like it!

Sunday Songs: Madonna Edition

SAD: Madonna- Take a Bow

This is another song that used to wake me up for middle school at a very dark time of the morning.  Of course, this is a great song, but no one wants to be awakened by music that could potentially make them cry!  Heady stuff for a sixth grader!

HAPPY: Madonna- Borderline

I know that the lyrics to this song are not especially positive, but it's always provided happy ambient noise for me at outlet malls, etc.

Can we talk about this video?  The plot is so convoluted!  Despite her boyfriend's better instincts, Madonna is lured away from her faux break dancing by a slick gentleman (hasn't she ever seen Fame?!).  She cheats on her boyfriend during a photoshoot, but still goes back to the billiards parlor to try and cuddle up to him.  Then she spray paints the photographer's car as her sign of rebellion and rejoins her boyfriend for billiards.  If we want to really analyze this, I think she's actually mad at herself for being charmed by his wealth!  And she's pushing her own love over the borderline, if you ask me!

Anyway, I still think this song is happy!

Shop Talk: Business Cards

My business cards finally came this week!  My talented husband did such a great job with the design!

The Indomitable Animal Spirit: Mason

Awww!  Little Mason crawled his way back to his family on two broken legs after he was picked up by a tornado in Alabama.  His family can't take care of him right now because their house appears to have been destroyed by the tornado, but he seems to be staying at a nice place.  Poor little guy!

(Via Dlisted)

Wednesday Wants: Vintage Door

I was browsing Three Potato Four when I came across this door.  I've got to admit that I would love to have it, despite my initial skepticism.  

Photos via Three Potato Four

It's so interesting how everyday objects change over the years and decades.  There haven't been immense advances in the world of screen doors since then, but the little details are so perfect.  I can totally see Lassie scratching at this door to alert Timmy's mom that he's fallen in the well (again).

Try it Tuesday: Cloth baby blocks

This week I used a tutorial from Rachel at Smile and Wave to make some soft blocks as part of a baby gift.  The idea really grabbed my interest because of Rachel's description of how her baby was fascinated by graphic patterns (like those featured below).

The project was pretty simple and had some cute results...

though I do think my fiber fill needs to be pushed around some more to make it less lumpy!  I loved having a great opportunity to use some of my Alexander Henry "Ready, Set, Robots" fabric!

Hidden stitches are not among my favorite things, so I just stitched my seam closed.  I also took the advice of one of the commenters on Rachel's blog and stuck parts of a cereal bag inside to provide the blocks with some auditory interest.

I'm off to squeeze my lumpy block into shape!