{Spider Monkey}

I recently had the opportunity to test Spider Monkey Designs new Overnight Fitted Diaper! Both of my boys are SUPERSOAKERS, so many, many, many mornings I have gotten them out of bed to find that their sheets are soaked...NO FUN. When the owner of Spider Money Designs, Julie, contaced me asking if I wanted to be a tester, I knew that it would be just that (knowing how much my boys pee and the troubles we have been through). I have come a bit of a diaper snob recently, so I was so excited to try it out right away. Of course I had to prep it...and I HATE prepping new diapers, so I washed it once and immediately tried it out that night. We use wool covers over our fitteds, so I put that baby on and off to bed we went with fingers crossed that he would wake up DRY for once!

I was hesitant to wake up the next morning to what I might find. Much to my suprise the bed was DRY...WOW!!!!! What a relief that is to not have to strip a bed every day and wash, wash, wash....cause I have enough of that to do using cloth diapers.
I was also very suprised to see how trim it fit my son (2 1/2 years old and 32 lbs) and it was not bulky at all! Another cool feature is that the soaker is made of two pieces and they snap apart for even FASTER drying time. All in all I was VERY impressed with them especially since I know that they will get even more absorbant after a few more washes. I would DEFINITELY recommend using Spider Monkey Designs Overnight Fitteds, especially if, like me, your little one is a heavy wetter!
Thanks to Julie for letting me test out her diapers.

{What I'm Up To}

How is everyone's day so far?!?!?! Yesterday was a GREAT day for me, but today...not so much ;)

I had some news I wanted to share/discuss with everyone! I have had MANY MANY MANY inquiries reguarding larger sizing on the shoes I am offering...as much as I would LOVE to do this, I cannot manage my regular orders, as well as drawing up patterns, sewing and testing them and taking care of my 3 LITTLE kiddos...remember I am a WAHM and my kids come first!

So, with that being said I listed 4 more spots in the shop while I working on finishing current orders and working on the pattern. I will not be relisting anything until the larger sizes are ready to go, so if you were contemplating whether or not to get a pair soon, I wouldn't wait!

I would also like some feedback on what you would like to see with the larger sizing...I was planning on making them with a waterproof soling so that they would be more durable and able to be worn outside considering they will be for older children who are walking. What I want to know is if that should be an add-on option or standard, as the soling would be a bit more expensive?
I also would like to know how many of you are interested in adult shoes?!?!?! I mean, who doesn't want a pair of scrappy shoes for themselves...right?!?!?!?! :D

Lastly, I know I say this all the time, but I wanted to sincerely THANK YOU ALL for all your support! I never imagined that my business would grow as fast as it has! You all are my inspiration and I am SO thankful for that. I hope everyone has a blessed day!

♥ Courtney ♥

{Scrappy Shoes-Zara Aubbie and Gira Amethyst}

I am in LOVE with the two most recent pairs of Scrappy Shoes that I have made! They were both for girls, so I got to use one of my newest fabrics to coordinate with the scraps...and let me tell you...they are just DARLING!!!! Let me just show you:

Unfortunately these scrap options are no longer available. Aubbie was sent in by a customer and I no longer have enough Amethyst scrap for shoes :(

On a better note, I have reached 500 fans on my Facebook page...YAY...and I am working on something BIG to celebrate so stay tuned! Thank you to all my fans for your support!

{Scrappy Shoes}

As usual, it has been a while since I have blogged. I have been enjoying being a SAHM and trying to find my niche in life as a mother/wife/crafter! I have done a few photo sessions for friends that I am really enjoying so far! I don't really plan to get into the Professional world of Photography, however I do enjoy taking photos for friends and just relying on word of mouth to fulfill my LOVE for photography!!!!! Here is a link to my flickr set with some recent sessions :
{Photography}

I have also been introduced into BABYWEARING! uH-OH! I was walking through the mall one day and came across a few women that were carrying their babies in a wrap that I had never seen before...I was so intrigued. They were so kind to invite me into the close knit community of babywearers here locally, and I must say I finally found the best group of women. We are all like-minded in our living habits as well in raising our children...it has been so wonderful to share that with others who feel the same way!

The world of babywearing has also made me new friends all over the US and let me tell you...it is such a great community of women! I feel so lucky to be a part of it. Which brings me to the subject of the titled post...Scrappy Shoes! As I said before, I have been struggling to find my niche in the handmade community, but I am happy to say that I think I have found it ;) All of the mama's that wear their babies are attached to their wraps, so I decided to make something to accessorize those wraps. Let me tell you, they are the cutest things. I want a pair for myself...which I plan to actually offer in the future. Everyone has been so responsive to them and it make me so happy to put a smile on someone's face, or child's face.

So there you have it...that is what I have been up to the past few months...as well as raising my three kiddos who are now 4 (Mackenzie), 2 (Caleb), and 9 months (Logan). They keep me busy enough! And just one more month and hubby and I will be married for 5...wait FIVE years. I can't believe how time has flown.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and continues to support me in my life travels/endeavors!

Courtney

{December Daily: Album Cover}

Are there any of you guys wanted to use the 6x8.5 inch album size for DD this year, but couldn't afford the kit from Studio Calico? I LOVE Studio Calico, but unfortunately with me staying home eith the kids and not working, the $$$ really isn't flowing unfortunately.
However, with my clever little trick, you'll be able to use the page protectors (sold apart from the kit) and stil be able to use the same album size as Ali!

All you'll need is:

1/4 yard of fabric
a sturdy piece of cardboard (at least 14x18)
12x12 sheet of paper
hot glue gun
Glossy Accents (optional)

For my cardboard all I used was an empty diaper box...plently of those around here with 2 in diapers! I cut 2 pieces from the box at 6.5x9, one for the front cover and one for the back. So that I don't risk any pattern showing through my fabric I just tore off the printed part of the box. If your box is not printed, just skip this step.

For my fabric I cut two piece slightly larger than my piece of cardboard (at least 1.5 inch overhang on all four sides). I then took my hot glue gun and put a dot of glue in each corner of the cardboard...CAREFUL NOT TO BURN YOURSELLF!!!

Then you will fold all four corner over onto the hot glue...DON'T PULL TOO HARD OF THE FABRIC OR ELSE YOU MAY DISTORT THE PATTERN OF YOUR FABRIC.

Once your done with that part you will squirt a line of glue down one side and bring that side's fabric up to the glue, creating a nice crisp edge...can you see it coming together already?!?!?!?! Repeat this step with the next three sides.

Once your done it should look like this. Now you can cut your paper down to (2) 6x8.5 pieces and glue that over the back of your cover (I used Glossy Accents), now covering up the last of the cardboard and creating a fully customizable album cover...pretty cool huh?!?!?!?! Just repeat this for the back cover as well.

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I still have a few things I am waiting on to arrive, so until then that is as much as I can show you, but what my plan is now is to punch three holes in my front and back cover (corresponding to my 3 holes in the page protector) and use three large rings to hold it all together!

What is really awesome is that you can do this to make ANY size album you want!!! I have made COUNTLESS numbers of these in 8x8 using chipboard and patterned paper...SO MUCH FUN!

Link me up with your creations using this tutorial.

Logan's Birth Story Album

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly allows you to customize your photo book just the way you want.

Easy Spinach Lasagna

I have a few things that I have been wanting to post, but this is the first thing that was ready to write up so here we go!
I recently made my VERY FIRST Lasagna and it turned out superb, so I thought that I would share the recipe. I used THIS recipe, but altered it quite a bit, making a little lower in fat!

Easy Spinach Lasagna
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 jar spagetti sauce
1 sm. can tomato sauce
1 pint low fat cottage cheese
1 pint low fat ricotta cheese
1/4 c. parmesan cheese, grated
1 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed
2 eggs
1 box whole wheat lasagna noodles ***DO NOT BUY "NO BAKE" NOODLES***
2 c. 2% mild cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large pot sautee onions. Add ground beef and sausage and brown then add the spaghetti and tomato sauce and heat thoroughly.