Upcycled Onesie : or How to keep an infant's shirt tucked in

 I bought this onesie at a thrift store for $0.65. I knew it would be to small by the time Thanksgiving rolled around but it was to cute to pass by and at $0.65 you just don't argue. This shows how I upcycled it to fit for Thanksgiving. This works on onesies and is also a great way to keep infant shirts "tucked" in.

 1. Find a onesie that is the same width as the shirt or onesie you want to upcycle.

2. Cut the onesies in half (cut lower on the one you are upcycling and higher on the one you are adding to add more or less length).

3. Turn both onesies inside out and pin together.

4. Sew.

5. Turn right-side-in and you are done.

Tips: This works better for short sleeves, but you can make sleeves longer by adding extra fabric for cuffs or use an alternate color fabric and sew a band in the middle of the sleeves. You can cut the long sleeves short, or do what we did and just push them up a little. This is a wonderful way to make an oh so cute outfit last a tiny bit longer. We hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. Be well and have fun!

Hair Journey: Week Three

Week three, I caved and used shampoo because my sister was in town and I wanted my hair to be "nice". Bad bad bad bad bad move!! After not using shampoo for three weeks and then using it my hair was instantly duller, staticy, dry, and just plain unmanageable. Ughhh. The good news is that I don't think my previous work was undone by this one washing. It seems to have gone back to the way it was before. Bear has made numerous comments about how healthier it looks and feels. He has also commented that he loves the way it smells, hopefully that will help to dispel the funky, musty hair smell myth that nopooers get. My resolve to stay shampoo free has only strengthened. It has been a wonderful experience so far and I have no desire to go back to the poo. Be well and have fun!

This Moment

"A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

Bear playing raging bull fighter with Panda. I don't have photos but two things I want to savor this week are that Panda got his first tooth and he stood up unassisted for the first time. Be well and have fun!

P.S. Don't mind the mess, we were in the middle of baking day.

Hair Journey: Week 2

Two weeks in and no shampoo. I was tempted this week to grab the shampoo bottle once, but only because I did not want to make up my honey mixture and the shampoo was there starring me in the face. It took me less than a minute to mix up my honey serum and I did not cave. Bear says that my hair is already looking longer, seeing that it is only likely to have gained a fourth on an inch since it was hacked I believe this to be man speak for "it looks healthier". It does look and feel fuller and softer. Oil is still a problem but my hair is not slicked to my head and really I'm the only one who can tell its oilyer than normal. There is also a slight toothpaste stickyness to my hair. I am still in the adjustment period so I will stick it out. I have considered some apple cider vinigar rinses, but am steering clear of the baking soda mixtures. I've read that they can break your hair down over time. I also purchased a 100% silk pillowcase. It was a tad pricy but I have noticed that my hair IS less tangled in the morning. It is supposed to help prevent breakage. Till next week, be well and have fun!

This Moment and Hair Journey: Week 1

"A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

HairJourney: Week 1

I have been shampoo free for one week. The first few days my scalp itched like crazy. I was able to calm the itch a little by adding more tea tree oil to my honey hair wash. My hair was staticky and oily those first few days as well, but both have surprisingly gone down. I thought it would take at least a month to adjust. My hair looks and feels fuller, it even has that healthy highlighted sheen that only children seem to be naturally blessed with. My fading red seems to have been given a boost and is even looking closer to the blazing glory it was in my youth as well. Week 1 and not missing the poo. Hehehe.  

Baby Sensory Beanbags

 Panda loved the Scented Thanksgiving pillows I made the other day. They were a new texture, a yummy smell, and just the right size for his tiny hands. That gave me an idea; so yesterday I made him several bean bags filled with different sensory items. 

First I picked out several different fabrics from my scrap bin and cut them into 4" squares. I tried to choose different textures and patterns as well as colors. Next I sewed them into little pillows (leaving the bottom open for stuffing). Then I stuffed them with scrap fabric and an added a sensory item:

Red upholstery fabric + Dog toy squeaker

Green mushroom print flannel + Dried lavender buds

Thick tan striped trouser cotton + Homemade egg shaker (described in next step)

Yellow felt + Crinkly cellophane

Cranberry velor with gold embroidery + Jingle bells

Burlap + Cinnamon twigs (because Panda loved the Thanksgiving ones so much)

Red starry fleece + Fiberfill (because things don't always have to "do" something)

Denim + Rattle

 To make the egg shaker bean bag I put some rice in a small tin and sealed it shut with some duct tape (left over zebra duct tape from Ehlers Danlos awareness projects). Yup, that simple. After they were stuffed I sewed the pillows closed and placed them in a basket for Panda to find.

I was able to make these all with things I already had on hand. Panda loves them and has played with them pretty much constantly since he got them yesterday. I want to make a knitted square and possibly a vinyl square for a total of 10. Then we can use them for counting games when he is older. This would make such a great gift  that I had to post it. Sight, scent, touch, taste, and sound, all covered by these little bean bags. I hope this inspires you. Be well and Have fun!

Cinnamon Scented Pillows

One of the scents I love best is cinnamon.  I have bowls of cinnamon scented pinecones in every room and closet, but I wanted a different look (and Bear has threatened to throw out my pinecones if he gets hit in the head with another basket of pinecones in the closet again) and so I whipped up this yummy batch of cinnamon scented pillows.

 I used a cinnamon broom from Trader Joe's, Burlap, and Autumn colored felt for this project.

I cut the burlap into 5X5" squares. Then I cut out felt letters and sewed them on (I wish I had left them like this, but I later outlined them in black fabric paint to make them stand out more; they camouflaged with the bricks of my fireplace pre paint). Then I sewed The squares into pillows and stuffed them with fabric scraps and chopped up cinnamon broom ( I used garden clippers for that part). My little pillows were meant for the mantle but look great in a basket and on the back of my sofa, The room smells wonderful. I might need to make another set for Christmas. 

I hope you like this project. Be well and Have fun!

Hair Journey: First Step

Our amazing family photo by Ri Photography. Thank you!

Today I start my hair journey. All my life I have had extraordinarily thin breakable hair. 6 months after having my son it is now worse than ever. Clumps are falling out leaving quarter sized bald spots all over my head Starting at my temples and working around to the back it has all broken off leaving a two inch long pathetic mane around my head. After spending a few weeks looking like a cat with mange I decided to cut my hair up to chin length. I loved my long hair but something had to be done before someone called animal control.

Today I went no poo. In place of shampoo I am using a mixture of 1 tsp Raw Honey, 3 tbsp filtered water, 2 drops ginger oil, and 1 drop tea tree oil. 

I plan on experimenting with apple cider vinegar rinses, carrot seed oil, ginger hair treatments and coco butter along with an assortment of other things on this journey towards healthier hair. It is my plan (child allowing) to check in every week and write about what I have tried and how things are going. 

With that let the hair journey begin. Advice, recipes, tips,and encouragements are more than welcome. Be well and have fun!

These Moments

"A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

I could not resist, so Here is a video of Panda singing in the sunrise as well. Be well and Have fun!