Small Toy Storage Bags
By kristinabjornbak | Category: It Worked 4 Me, Organize Me! | Posted Thursday, December 31, 2009
I love playsets. Well, I love my kids loving playsets. Why? If you get the right ones, they are open ended toys that provide hours of entertainment and storytelling. But the issue with playsets is that they are sets. If your kids are like mine, the little accessories that go with the playsets (people, swords, furniture, etc.) get separated from the playsets themselves pretty fast.
Now, for puzzles, I like to use Ziploc bags, especially since they are not everyday toys, but only come out every now and then. Playset accessories, however, are played with constantly. I didn't want to use plastic bags for them for fear of suffocation. So, what I came up with is a simple fabric bag.
This project is a great way to use any scraps of material you have lying around, or even material from an old shirt or pair of pants that has no other reuse value. You don't need a sewing machine for it, so don't worry if you don't have one. A sewing machine is faster, but needle and thread will be fine.
If you are familiar with sewing, just telling you to sew a fabric bag is probably all the instruction you need. If you are not, here are the very simple steps.
Materials:
Fabric
Needle and thread or sewing machine
Some type of closure (optional)
Decorative items such as fabric paint (optional)
Note: If you want to do some sort of closure for your bag, the type of closure you use will determine where it will go in the steps. Also, this is a simple utilitarian-type project, so if you are a beginning sewer, don't get too discouraged if the bag doesn't come out looking like it was done professionally. Have fun with it.
1. Cut a long piece of fabric twice the length of the finished bag. If you don't have enough raw
material to make one continuous piece, you can cut two pieces instead, approximately the size you want your bag.
2. Determine which two edges will be the top of the bag. With wrong side facing you, take one of the edges, fold it a tiny bit, and then over again so that the raw edge is hidden. Sew along the new edge you just created to hold it in place. Repeat along the other edge that will make the opening. At this point in my bag, I sewed two small pieces of scrap Velcro just beneath this seam on what will be the inside.
3. If you did the long continuous piece of fabric, fold the fabric with right sides facing and sew up along the two unfinished edges. Turn the piece right side in. If you did the two piece method, you will have 3 raw edges to sew up instead of two. Sew them and then turn your bag right side in.
4. At this point you could be done if you wanted to, or you can add embellishments.
If you are really great at sewing or are using this project to try out new methods or materials, you can get as fancy with it as you want. For me, I was just using it as a 10 minute project with a purpose. Do whichever way you feel comfortable with. I hope this works for you!
Three Great New Adds!
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: New Products | Posted Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Safe Sizer™ Choking Prevention Plates by Midwest Monkeys®
Each plate features a sizing ring, so you know exactly how big your toddler's bites should be!
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Lil Rinser, Your Shampooing Solution
Erase your child's fear of getting soap in their eyes! This handy mom-invented gadget is sure to improve bathtime at your house.
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A marriage with bragging rights
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Family Focus, The Journey of Motherhood | Posted Monday, December 28, 2009
It is getting late and I should be focused on answering emails and getting to bed but I got distracted and wanted to write while this was still fresh in my mind.
I have a great husband. For those of you who have read my blog very long, you know some background to how our relationship started, some of the things I love about him, and 30 things that stood out to me about him when he turned 30 years old last year. You could say I am just lucky to have found a great guy or that we are fortunate to have a good relationship, but I would disagree. I would say we choose to have a great marriage in the same way that we choose to love each other. It is an active decision that is not led by feelings but instead is seeded deeply in a commitment based on trust but founded on the belief that marriage needs to be entered into with a long term plan in place. God has given each of us free choice, I am challenged daily to use that freedom to make active choices that will enrich my marriage and our family.
I believe that the best thing we can do for our children to create a feeling of security and stability in our home is to place a high priority on your relationship with your spouse. This doesn't happen without intentional action and I will be quick to say that my diligence in the area of intentional love and affection wavers back and forth over time. However, I can give a few practical examples of things that we have committed to that I feel reinforce our intentional actions:
-We agreed from the start of our marriage to never joke about divorce. Divorce is not a joke and we felt it not appropriate to let it enter our conversation even in a "playful" manner.
-We agree to support each other fully in front of our kids. "What your dad said is my answer too" is something you will hear in our home a lot. We consistently remind our children that as parents we are a team, we work together and we support each other. If we disagree about how we are parenting, we discuss it away from our children.
-Something that we have not verbally said to each other but has proven to be a unspoken agreement is that we do not belittle one another in front of others. I feel that when couples undermine their spouse to others (especially in front of the spouse) it is so destructive, belittling and humiliating for the spouse. Ideally, your spouse would be your biggest supporter and even if you don't feel this from them, it can start with us making this kind of commitment to them.
-On the flip side, whenever possible, build up your spouse and complement them in front of others (both in front of them and "behind their back"). A practical way that I do this in our home is when I pray with my children at night. In my prayers I make a point to thank God for Trent and for the wonderful father, husband and supporter that he is for our family.
-We have a date night. Ideally it is at least once every two weeks but this changes depending on the time of year (around the holidays we don't do it as often). Sometimes we swap baby sitting with friends and sometimes we have a babysitter. If you don't have a good option for childcare perhaps you can have a date night at home by keeping a set evening open for your spouse and spending time together after the kids are in bed.
I recently read two blog posts that I also felt were filled with great words of wisdom.
How to Live Dangerously In Marriage offers 4 important points to help you create an intimate marriage. The I Love My Husband Book offers a great idea by showing what one wife did to affirm her husband at home.
If you are looking for a great practical book on the inner workings of men, I suggest reading "For Women Only" by Shaunti Feldhahn. You can get a copy used on Amazon for under $4 (not including shipping). I read this book last year and recommend it highly.
Tonight on a local radio station (KMBI) the female speaker was talking about marriage relationships and how she realized that in her life she had made a point to improve many areas (her parenting, health, etc) but had never decidedly focused on being better partner for her husband. I thought this concept was very timely. Often we contemplate resolutions around this time of year and I would like to suggest that we as women, mothers and wives prayerfully consider how we might think on this topic and in what areas we could seek to improve upon in the coming months.
Wishing for many years of bragging rights ahead for all of us!
Razberry teether by Razbaby review
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Mom 4 Life Product Feedback | Posted Sunday, December 27, 2009
Quinten is turning a corner. This weekend he tried his first meal of rice cereal and man did he love it. I first mixed up a small amount just to let him try it and as soon as that spoon was brought close to his mouth he was ready for it. I made multiple trips back to the kitchen to mix up more before he was finally ready to move on to nursing. Below is a video of his first feeding (and yes the cake you see in the background was Quinten's dessert–to be quickly followed by some Pepsi and CoffeeMate and yes, he is wearing BabyLegs 
. It was more entertaining to watch him at the beginning of his meal but we didn't think to pull out the video camera right away:).
He is also doing a lot more chewing on things and drooling a lot so I have a guess that the teething phase has begun. Quinten has never been one to enjoy a pacifier but I thought I would try out our Razberry Teether because it is designed so well for teething. I created a short video so you can see the results. Overall, he was tentative at first but the more I have introduced it to him the more he likes it–especially if I hold it in his mouth for him.
Weekly Giveaway – Annee Matthew Maternity
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Mom 4 Life News & Giveaways | Posted Friday, December 25, 2009
Congratulations to Vicky who gets to choose a Nomie Baby Machine Washable Car Seat Cover in the color and size of her choice! All Nomie Baby Infant and Toddler Car Seat Covers will be 10% off this week (until next Thursday night).
Annee Matthew Rouche Maternity/Nursing Top in Rayon Spandex or Bamboo
Retail Value: $69.00
Merry Christmas to all our Moms 4 Life!
This week, one lucky mom will win an Annee Matthew Rouche Maternity/Nursing Top in the size and color of her choice!
This Rouche top is a sexy solution to your basics. Suitable for before & after pregnancy in pure softness and curvaceous crossover, flowing into side rouchings. Pair this with your favorite slacks, skirt or jeans! Sheer elegance makes this top a great basic for all of your at work, out-on-the-town and at home needs! Push aside at neckline to nurse. Rayon spandex or now available in eco-friendly bamboo fabric.
How do you win?
Look at our Annee Matthew listings and tell us your favorite item and why. The winner will be randomly drawn. You have until Tuesday evening, December 29, to enter.
Good luck!
