Menu Plan Monday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We had such a great time as a family.  We were all spoiled and enjoyed playing my son's new lego game.  I think more Lego games are to come to our house again in the future!  I spent so much time finishing up Christmas crafts last week that I didn't have any time to post!  I promise, the craft ideas are coming.

I'm home for the week, and my little guy is off with his dad for a week of vacation.  I'm thinking about trying my hand at quilting.  I have a couple knitting projects I need to finish, so we'll see if I do start on a new hobby!  Tomorrow, I am taking my stepson to see Harry Potter a little Stepmom/stepson bonding.

So, on top of knitting and sewing, here's my cooking menu for the week...

Monday: Brisket
Tuesday: Meat Pies with leftover brisket
Wednesday: Chicken Parmesan sandwiches
Thursday: Fish Tacos
Friday (New Year's Eve): we will probably have a light snack of leftovers before we head to the local wine bar for NYE celebrations!

Menu Plan Monday

Today begins holiday week.  I am off work, its calmer around here and we get to play and have fun.  I have lots of sewing to do and my glue gun will be my friend!  I will have more craft posts than usual.  And, tomorrow, I get to go over to a friend's house and use her embroidery machine, I can't wait!

Here's what's on our menu for the week.

Monday: Little Man and I are out with friends and my husband is out shopping, so everyone is on their own tonight

Tuesday: Chicken Tetrazzini

Wednesday: tomato soup and turkey BLAT's- Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, and Tomato Sandwiches (this was on the menu last week, but with everything going on at work, we didn't get to it)

Thursday: Its our annual gingerbread house decorating with my best friends and their kids.  We'll probably order pizza or grab sandwiches for us and the kids

Friday (Christmas Eve)- Crab, spinach salad and homemade bread

I hope you all take some time to enjoy this week and Christmas with your family and friends.

For more menu planning, head over to www.orgjunkie.com

Christmas Wreath

I decided I needed a wreath for our front door this year.  I wanted to do something simple, but special.

 I traced the letters on scrapbook paper and cut them out, then painted the edges of the wooden letters.  J and Y are red, and the O is green.  The great thing about this is that if you get the paint on the front of the letters, its not a big deal, its covered by the paper!

 Glue the paper letters to the top of the wooded letters.

With a glue gun, I glued the letters on and on the left is an angel ornament I picked up at Michael's.  I wanted it to be simple and clean, and I am really happy with how it turned out.

Baby Shower Gift

I went to a baby shower for my niece yesterday.  I made 2 burp cloths, and I lined a basket for her.  I thought I'd post the steps I took to line the basket.  It took all of an hour, and I had lots of fun.  I think my husband is afraid that he's going to come home and find everything in lined baskets!

 I'll start with the finished project.  My neighbor helped me wrap the basket.  I made 2 burp cloths.  The link is here

I also lined this basket for here.  I took pictures along the way, so I will share what I did!

 I used a grocery bag to make the pattern.  Lay the basket down and cut the bag, leaving an inch at the top and bottom.  I cut 2 sides, then cut the fabric on the fold so I had one continuous piece of fabric with one opening.  Cut 2.

 Pin at the fold and cut out your strip.

 Trace the bottom of the basket, leaving about 1/2 inch border around the edge for seams.

 Sew pieces together, right sides together.  On bottom, leave an opening about 1 1/2 inches so you can turn in right side out.  Press seams.

 Sew side seam so you have a continuous circle of fabric.

Pin and sew turned bottom to top.

Voila!  All done, and it turned out so cute.  I think I will make a few more, now where can I put them?  Let's see...
I linked up here...

Menu plan week of 12/13

This is our last week of school before 2 weeks off. I am looking forward to some down time and family time!

Here's our plan for the week:

Monday: bagel dogs and sweet potato fries(we got pizza on Friday, so we didn't have them last week)

Tuesday: pork shoulder tacos in the crockpot
(If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know that generally, Mondays are crockpot night.  This week I'm switching it because karate is over for a few weeks and I have physical therapy from 4:30-5:30.  This will make dinner easier for this night, and Monday we get home earlier that usual)

Wednesday: turkey BLTs and tomato soup

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: pizza and movie night,

For more menu planning, go to www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Week of 12/6

We had a wonderful weekend together!  Yesterday, my cousin surprised us with front row center tickets to a performance he did here in our town (he lives in LA)  It was a last minute thing, but it was so fun to see him perform and get in the mood with holiday music.  What a treat!

Today, our church had our 2nd annual Advent Snow Day.  We live in California, but by the magic of modern technology, we truck in snow and the kids have a blast playing in the snow together.  After coming home to get out of wet clothes, we headed off to see Santa.  What a great day!

So, with colder weather, rain and the holidays upon us, here's what I'm planning for this week:

Monday: Crockpot chili

Tuesday: Italian Chicken Strips

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Fettuccine with spicy alfredo and asparagus

Friday: Bagel Dogs

How are you getting ready for the holidays?

For more menu planning, head to www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday Week of 11/28

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.  Ours was quiet, we visited family and spent the last part of the evening visiting with our neighbors.  My son comes home tomorrow after a week away, I can hardly wait!

I've enjoyed my week off, playing with my new toy.  In fact, I enjoyed my iPad so much that I didn't start on report cards until today.  After putting in a good 2 ours of work, I promptly lost all the work I had done. Talk about frustrating!  I came back home and cleaned the kitchen (with my stepson's help) and went back to work on report cards.  So frustrating!  With all that work to do this week, its essential that I have a plan this week.  If I don't we will eat out almost every night!

Here's this week's plan:
Sunday: Turkey Tortilla Soup

Monday: Sausage and Rice Casserole
               (Crock pot Moday)

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Chicken and Broccoli rolls with salad

Friday:  Pizza (probably ordering out, since report cards go home today)

Enjoy your week!  More menu planning at www.orgjunkie.com

Christmas Gift Ideas

Every year, I make my in-laws a calendar for Christmas.  My mother-in-law hints every year that she wants one, so it makes her gift on the list easy!  The first year I made her one was the year before I married my husband.  My stepson was 14 and my son was 3.  I was able to gather my pictures and upload them and make a beautiful calendar for her, my son's grandma, and I even snuck in one for me at work and one for us here at home.  Unfortunately, my step-son, now 17 1/2 thinks he's too cool for pictures.  I have to scrounge or hide to get pictures of him.  Fortunately, my 6 year old is eager to have pictures taken.  Its a wonderful personalized gift and happily received by the people in my family!

As for Christmas Cards, I am trying to decide between a few...

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/charming-dotted-ribbon-christmas-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93496

or this one

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/frosted-frame-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93491

or

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/2010-wishes-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93491

Now to just get the pictures I want to use this year!

If you'd like to participate in the 50 card giveaway that Shutterfly is doing for bloggers, go to this link and send them your information!

Pinecone Turkey

My son is with his dad for Thanksgiving this week. Before he left, we made these together. So fun and so cute!

Here's the tutorial from Family Fun:

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-toms-661426/

I also made them with my first graders this year since I have lots of kids with allergies and have to be very careful with food projects.

Menu Plan Monday week of 11/22

My husband has been working a lot lately. His company has been forcing overtime. Its hard when he works all those hours, but this year, I got a new toy because of all those hours! I am posting this week's menu plan from my new iPad! I have to admit, I'm in love! It's so fun to play with and read on! We even found a lavender case for my iPad! OK enough about my love for apple products, now to this week' meal plan...

Monday: I made spagetti and meatballs last night, tonight we are having meatball sandwiches

Tuesday: panini sandwiches with prosciutto, fontina and artichokes

Wednesday: Crispy pepper and Parmesan pork cutlets

Thursday: thanksgiving with in-laws and dessert with our neighbors

Friday: leftovers

Happy thanksgiving!

For more menu planning ideas, visit www.orgjunkie.com

New shirt from old!

Last weekend, I decided to take an old shirt and make it new again.  I cut circles for a couple old t-shirts that had shrunk or were looking a bit worn.  I folded the circles in quarters and hand-sewed each one on my shirt.  Here's what the finished product was:

Sorry the picture is bad, I used my phone to take it.
I inked this post to:



www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Yummy snack

I made these today and decided I wanted a pumpkin dip to go with is.

Here's my pumpkin dip recipe:

1/2 can pumpkin
1/2 cup 0% Greek yogurt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup powdered sugar

I wanted to use agave syrup, but I was completely out and didn't realize it!

Mix together all ingredients.  I went for more on the tart side with this because the pretzels are on the sweet side.  What a delicious snack!

Easy Spinach and Turkey Lasagna

This was a big hit in our house tonight, so I thought I'd share the recipe.

1 lb ground turkey
3 cloves garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups fresh spinach, cleaned and shredded
2 cups part skim mozerella, grated
2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
no-boil lasagna noodles
olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Brown turkey in skillet.  As it begins to brown, add garlic, salt and pepper.  Cover bottom of square baking dish with a light layer of olive oil.  Layer noodles, turkey, 1 can of tomatoes, 1 cup of spinach, and mozerella.  Repeat layers again.  Add parmesan to the top of the final layer.  Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.

I'm linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed With Grace

Awesome Giveaway!

I just love these quilts!  Thought I'd share!

Good luck!

http://pinkfigdesign.blogspot.com/

Injured!

I'm not sure if I mentioned it last week or not, but I hurt my knee last week.  It has gotten worse by the day.   On Thursday, after my son's dentist appointment, we went to see the doctor who did my knee surgery 4 years ago.  I've decided that between my knee and ankle on my left side, I am going to just try to get a replacement!

So the doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory, sent me to get an MRI and to do PT for a month.  Getting to PT after a long day of work and a long day at school for my little man should be interesting.

On Saturday, my dad, my husband, little man and I went to the Cal football game.  Getting to these games requires a lot of walking.  By the end of the day and yesterday, I was in a lot of pain, even with the prescription from the doctor.

So, the reason I am telling you all this is that despite my endeavors to post a meal plan and go grocery shopping yesterday, I am not sure how well cooking will go this week after a long day at work.  I didn't get the lasagna in the crock pot last night, but I am hoping to make it when we go home and get it in the oven before we leave for karate.  I'm very thankful for pizza night tomorrow after my first PT appointment!  I'll keep you posted.

Menu Plan week of 11/15

I have another week of work, and then I have a week off for Thanksgiving.  Report cards will have to be done that week, along with a bunch of appointments and a couple lunches with friends.  I'm also looking forward to finishing up a couple projects I've been working on.  I am also hoping to finish the books I'm reading.  When my son is gone with his dad, I try to keep myself busy so I don't think about how much I miss him!

OK, back to this week.  Here's our plan:

Monday: Crockpot lasagna
Tuesday: pizza out with friends
Wednesday:  leftovers
Thursday: Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole
Friday: Fish sandwiches with garlic oven fries

More meal planning at www.orgjunkie.com

Yes, I know I'm mostly a food blogger, but...

This year, you are not going to find forays into the goings on in my kitchen for Thanksgiving.  In fact, you will probably only get craft stuff from me and some whines!  My son is with his dad for Thanksgiving this year.  My husband and I have been going back and forth about how we want to spend Thanksgiving this year.  If it were up to me, my wonderful hubby and I would take off for a few days and we would pretend it wasn't Thanksgiving.  This is so contradictory for me and the way I live my life.  I am generally a positive, look at the glass half full, see the silver lining type person.  The years he's not with us for Christmas are hard, but we just reschedule Christmas.  The fact that I get 2 week off that time of year make it easier.  Thanksgiving is one of those days I just can't get over.  Its not like Thanksgiving can be rescheduled.  So, I am being thankful for what I have this Thanksgiving, but I'm still going to miss my 6 year old a TON!  And I've decided we need to win the lottery tomorrow so we can take off for the weekend!

What do you do when holidays hold painful memories?  How do you get past those memories and enjoy the present?

Veteran's Day

On this day that I have off and on a day when we honor those who have fought for our country,  I want to take a moment to say thank you to all the men and women who have fought for us and our freedoms.  I am proud to have a Grandfather, father, and brother who have been in the Army and given part of their lives to ensure that we have those freedoms.  Thank you!

Later today, I will post more of my latest craft designs and my macaroni and cheese recipe that's famous at least with my 6 year old!

Yummy!

I think I will have to have one of these this afternoon for my afternoon snack!  YUMMY!

http://alli-n-son.com/2010/11/07/pumpkin-spice-latte/

Weekly Menu Plan 11/8

Today, I woke up to my husband calling from work, he's not working tomorrow!  I should be cleaning house and getting chores done today, but I've been pretty lazy.  I started sewing a patchwork rug for our kitchen, and I'm watching football.  I think it will soon be naptime!  I have Thursday and Friday off next week, so it will be a short week.  I made a huge pot of BBQ beef last night, so I think we're going to be eating leftovers for a while!

Here's what I'm making this week...

Monday: Beef burritos with leftover beef from Friday

Tuesday: Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwiches

Wednesday:  leftovers

Thursday: macaroni and cheese

Friday: dinner at my in-laws after a trip to the aquarium

Saturday: football game!

Sunday: pumpkin soup

For more menu planning ideas, go to www.orgjunkie.com

Crockpot Lentil and Mushroom soup

I've been in the mood for fall meals lately.  Fall and winter foods mean comfort food to me!

Last week, I stopped by Whole Foods and grabbed a cup of soup for myself.  The soup I grabbed was a lentil and mushroom delight.  Here is the recreation I made for Crockpot Monday in our house:

1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 32 oz. containers of chicken stock
1 lb bag of lentils
1-2 portobello mushrooms, cut into small cubes
2-3 sprigs of thyme
2-3 bay leaves, dried
salt and pepper
1/4-1/2 c. heavy cream

Place onions, garlic, 1 container of chicken stock, lentils, and spices in the crock pot and refrigerate over night.  In the morning, add the 2nd container of stock.  I find if I don't soak my lentils over night, they are crunchy in the soup the next day.

Cook on low for 6 hours.

Right before serving, add cream and stir.  I served it with a garlic cheese bread toasted and topped with avocado and a small amount of shredded cheese.  My son and I both had seconds!  I can't wait for leftover night tonight!

Menu Plan Monday- November 1

 

Its that time again, how does the weekend get away from me so fast?!

Fall has hit here this weekend, and my menu is going to show it.  I'm excited to be making more comfort foods, I think I'm ready for fall!

Monday: Lentil and mushroom soup

Tuesday: Individual turkey meatloaf

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Ravioli with Pumpkin Parmesan sauce

Friday: BBQ beef sandwiches

What are your favorite recipes when cold weather starts to come in?

For more menu planning, go to orgjunkie.com

Halloween Costume

Yes, I made my son's Halloween costume again this year.  I love doing this and love that he likes me to make them!  He's with his dad this year for Halloween, so dad took him to Spirit to get a costume he'll wear tomorrow for school and when he trick or treats with them.  Last weekend, as I said before, we had a party so we could celebrate here.  Today, we stopped by the Retirement Home near our church for the end of their party.  It was wonderful to share that time and brighten their days!

Here's a picture of my little guy's Halloween costume.

Yesterday, I saw this post 

http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2010/10/paper-plate-skeleton-tutorial.html

And this is our version:  We had so much fun making this together, and I even made them with my first graders today!

(We took the picture right before we left for karate)

Menu week of 10/23

I'm kind of unorganized this week because I had 8 children 6 and under in my house yesterday, and after that, I didn't have the energy to menu plan!  So, I did it during my son's swim lesson this afternoon!

Monday: Tortilla Soup with leftover chicken from tacos this weekend
Tuesday: Shells and Cheese
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Teriyaki Pineapple beef
Friday: We're ordering pizza after me having to deal with 20 first graders excited about Halloween!

For more menu planning ideas, go to www.orgjunkie.com

What are you spooky week plans?!

Menu Plan Monday week of 10/18

I think the hardest part of my school year is over.  I finished my last parent-teacher conference on Friday.  On weeks like last week, I am so glad I am in the habit of menu planning.  It made such a difference in the chaos of a week like that!  The plan right now is to have a small get-together for a pre-Halloween party next Sunday.

We've finally started having fall weather around here.  I'm kind of excited for comfort food and cozy clothes.

Here's what I have planned for the week:

Crockpot Monday- Swedish meatballs

Tuesday: crunchy mango chicken strips with twice baked potatoes

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: baked potato soup with broccoli

Friday: cheeseburgers with sweet potato "fries"

What's your favorite fall comfort food recipe?

For more menu planning ideas, head over to www.orgjunkie.com

One of our favorite side dishes

This is a throw together salad I make when I'm serving mexican food, burgers, or just need a quick and healthy side dish.

1 can pinto beans
1 1/2 cup fire roasted or sweet frozen corn
2 tbsp diced fresh cilantro
1 tbsp olive oil (I picked up a chipotle olive oil at the olive oil bar down the street, which is great!)
1  tsp white wine vinegar
dash of salt
dash of chili powder

Drain and rinse beans (you can also use black or kidney beans).  Add all other ingredients together and allow to sit and corn to defrost.  I often add avocados and/or red bell peppers to the mix to add some color and taste.

Menu Plan Monday

I am in the middle of parent-teacher conferences, so dinners this week are going to be on the simpler side.  I get home from conferences and I'm exhausted!  I'm also trying to get in more workouts during the week.  I've been a slacker when it comes to running and otherwise exercising!

Here's what I have this week:

Monday: split pea soup

Tuesday: Quesadilla Pie

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Ravioli with roasted zucchini

Friday: southwest chicken panini I want to try it with sourdough

What are your ro-to recipes when you're busy and still trying to make healthy meals?

Crockpot BBQ chicken

My family loved this last week, it was a big hit!  I served it on homemade hamburger buns.

Sauce:

1/2 red onion, quartered, then sliced

**save other half for serving

2 tbsp. canola oil

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 c. water

2 6 oz cans tomato paste

3 tbsp. molasses

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

Drizzle oil in the bottom of pan.  Add sliced onion and garlic.  Cook until softened.  Add water and tomato paste, cook until tomato paste dissolves in water.  Add remaining ingredients and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.  Pour BBQ sauce over chicken.  As I've said before, I prepare my crockpot meals the night before and refrigerate them, then take them out the next morning and place them in the cooking unit.

Cook for 6 hours on low.

Saute other half of onion and serve sliders on mini slider buns with onions and crumbled blue cheese or sharp white cheddar.

Serve with baked sweet potato fries and vegetable of your choice.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: BBQ chicken sliders (Crockpot Monday)
I'll post the recipe!

Tuesday: Ground Turkey Samosas

Wednesday: I'm at PTA meeting, so leftovers for the boys

Thursday: Ravioli with bacon, tomato, and spinach

Friday: homemade pizza

What's on your menu this week?  You can find more menu planning at www.orgjunkie.com

Lost Earring, made new!

I bought an adorable pair of earrings last month at Francesca's.  As sometimes happens with earrings, the first time I wore them, one of them fell out and was lost in the abyss of the walk my husband and I took that afternoon.  I was telling a friend what happened and she suggested I make a necklace out of the earring I still had.  I loved that idea!  I have jewelry-making supplies in the house.  So, I took a trip to Michael's and got some chain and fasteners.

Here's the result!

Crockpot Tamale Pie

This is a recipe my mom used to make on the stove.  After looking at a few crockpot recipes, this is the version I came up with.

For filling:

1 lb ground beef

1/2 tsp cumin seed

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 14.4 oz can fire roasted tomatoes (I like Muir Glen Organic)

dash of salt, pepper to taste

1 16 oz. jar salsa (do not use fresh, uncooked salsa)

1 15 oz can kidney beans (you can use black or pinto beans too)

2 cups frozen corn

1 2.25 oz can sliced olives

Brown ground beef.  As it begins to brown, add cumin seed, salt and pepper.

Once the beef has browned, add additional ingredients.  Allow to cook until about 1/2 the liquid evaporates (you don't want a lot of liquid in the filling because it will make for mushy crust)  Taste the filling, if it tastes a little too vinegary, add 1 tsp sugar.

For crust:

3/4  cup unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 cup sugar

2/3 cup milk

1 egg

1/8 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients for cornbread together in large bowl as filling cooks down.  Put filling on the bottom and layer the cornbread on the top.  Cook in crockpot for 4 hours on low.

I cooked it for 6 hours and the cornbread topping was a little burned around the edges.  

I always prep my crockpot dishes on Sunday night and refrigerate them so I can pull them out the next morning and put them in the cooking unit.  

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

Whew!  Last week was tough.  I have to thank God for my husband who isn't just amazing every day, but was so incredibly amazing last week.  It was amazing know ing he was there for me and that he would support me no matter what!  I love that man!  It was very cool to hang out with my cousins, my brother, and my aunt in SF yesterday.
I'm lucky to have those people in my life!

This week should be more back to normal.  I'm not feel as emotionally run over, and I'm read to get back to my routine.

Sunday: Pineapple and chicken (or shrimp)  poorboys with sweet potato fries

Monday: Crockpot Tamale Pie

Tuesday: Bagel dogs and snap peas

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday:   Spinach and fig paninis and parmesan zucchini rounds

Friday: pizza

Are you planning new on your menu this week?

More meal planning ideas here @Organizing Junkie!

Fall Crafts

Today, my husband and I both stayed home.  Yesterday, i was pretty numb, but today, I ended up in the fidgety phase.   I had to do things!  We cleaned house and on the way to pick up my little guy from school, we stopped at Michael's.  Our main reason for going there was to find a frame for our wedding picture, but we didn't find that.  I did, however, end up in the fall decor section and remembered this post.  So I made my own!  I opted for a smaller one because I wanted it to go in our bathroom.

I am really happy with the way it turned out, and I liked the green pumpkin since my Holloween bat towels match perfectly!

 I may have to make another for our living room later in the month.  I love Michael's and how they put their seasonal decor at 40% off in September!

Kung Fu Monkeys

Last month, my son tested for his blue belt in karate.  This means later class and sparring!  With sparring, comes the gear.  Not only does he need to have his karate uniform, but also gloves and shin guards.  The question is what does a mommy do so he can carry all these things to and from school?  Answer: she makes a bag for his gear.  And what fabric do I use?  Kung Fu Monkey fabric, of course!

I used this tutorial and made it a little bigger.  To make my pattern, I used old paper grocery bags.  It took me about 4 hours to make, and he loves it!

I used Navy fabric for the lining and the outside bottom.  I had my first adventure into quilting.  I quilted the bottom layers together for extra strength.

The drawstring is from navy cord, strung through the top and the grommets on the side.

Menu Plan Monday

This week is so up in the air.  I'm not sure what's going to happen from day to day right now.  My grandmother passed away yesterday, and my family is heading into town as we speak.  By the end of the week, I could have 10 people staying here.  This is my loose plan for the week, but this is one week that's going to have to be flexible!

Monday:  Slowcooker Mousakka

Tuesday: Macaroni and cheese

Wednesday: Corn chowder and homemade bread

Thursday: Crockpot chicken taco salad

Friday: pizza

We may or may not stick to this.  i may let my aunt take care of a meal or two too!

Baby gifts

  Two  of my closest friends are pregnant with their second or third babies right now.  We've been through so much together, its like they're sisters.  I wanted to do something really special for these friends.  I found a tutorial on-line for handmade burp cloths using cloth diapers.  I had to make them!

I went to Target and bought the Gerber cloth diapers.  The tri-fold ones are the best.  Then I went to the fabric store and picked out ribbon and fabric.  I was in heaven choosing girlie fabric, my life is filled with trains, airplanes, robots, sports, and karate monkeys (more on the monkeys very soon!)

The tri-fold diapers have a panel down the middle.  I measured the fabric to cover the panel.  I ironed a 1/4 inch seam one all 4 sides.

Turn and iron fabric

Ironed sides

Next, pin fabric and ribbon (rights sides facing out)  I forgot to take a picture of this step, sorry!

Sew around pressed and pinned sides, turning ribbon under at the end.

Here's the finished project:

Here's the original link that I found: http://anewchelseamorning.blogspot.com/2007/03/such-mystery-not.html

Today, I was at a baby store with the friend I made these for and we saw some where the diapers were died some beautiful colors.  For my other friend, due in February, I think I will try that!  She's having a boy, so it's back to trains, dinosaurs, robots, and spaceships in the boy section again!

Have you done anything clever for friends' 2nd or 3rd baby?