Craft From The Past: Ribbon Flower Corsage

I found this idea over at V and Co. Mine didn't turn out quite as cute, but I really like the idea of wearing it on a sweater or purse. I was even thinking it might be fun on a headband....we'll see. This is how it turned out.

Have a safe and great Labor Day weekend!! What are your plans??

 

Blast From The Past: Fabric Headband and Matching Bracelets

These last couple weeks have been crazy. Our AC went out about 3 weeks ago and it's going to cost A TON  to fix it. So we decided to hold out since summer is almost over and save up so we can pay cash for it next year. Luckily, we got a unit to go in our window in our room so we're not completely without air conditioning (Thank goodness because it gets to 95 some days in the rest of the house!!). However, it really impedes on what we're able to do. We pretty much spend all day in our room, we play, eat and sleep in there. Yes, we've all been sleeping in the same room for the last 3 weeks. Luckily, the boys have behaved pretty well - most nights. 

Anyway, if that wasn't enough of my real life - I'm going to get even more real. haha. This is what my beautiful craft area/sewing table currently look like. 

Yeah, my sewing table is pretty much being held hostage by the AC unit. lol My husband was really worried about it falling out the second story window so he rigged this up. Love him!

Then we had to make this 'wall' so my youngest can't see us while he's in his pack and play. If he sees us, he screams. haha

Now that you've seen our mess, you can see why I really haven't had much motivation to craft or sew. So I'm going to share a couple older projects that I had originally shared on my family blog to fill in the gaps. 

I'm going to continue to show you new projects too, just at a slower pace with all the craziness. I'm also going to be working hard on growing my Shaklee team! We have been exploding this month!! We are one of the fastest growing teams in Shaklee right now and it is just amazing to be working with such inspiring and motivational women! I love telling people about Shaklee and hearing about the difference it makes in their lives! I love that I can work from home and still be with my boys for all their important moments!  

Would you like more information about working from home, winning trips or car payments, earning a full time income while working part time, or helping people live healthier lives? Send me an email at safeandnaturalliving at gmail dot com and we'll see if Shaklee is right for you!

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Fabric Headband and Bracelets

I got my inspiration and directions from HERE. I used the narrow pattern. I just went to Joann's last weekend and found some really cute fabric. I just buy the quilter's fabric square since I know I won't be using much for my crafts. Here is the first side of the headband.

The other side (sorry didn't get a very good pic)

For the bracelets I got the idea HERE. I randomly had these plastic circles, I don't even know what they were for. Just a little hot glue and these babies were done.

The finished product...

 

Baby Food Galore: Peas, Apples, Peaches, Apricots, & Cherries

I am so far behind on sharing baby food recipes so I'm just going to do a giant post to catch up. Hope you don't mind ;-)

Peas

Super easy. Steam frozen peas for several minutes, about 5-7, until tender. 

Puree in a blender or food processor. 

At this point it's pretty chunky. If your baby doesn't mind, you're done. For a first time feeding, I'd go ahead and push it though a sieve to make it more smooth.

I did a big bag of frozen peas, 32 oz I think, and got 16 1/4 jars! I don't remember the exact price of the bag, maybe $2.50, so that comes to about $0.16/jar!

Next up, Apples!

Peel and slice the apples and steam for 10-12 minutes until fork tender. 

Blend 

Add a little of the cooking liquid if needed to thin it out.

I got 10 jars from 3lbs of apples. Again, I don't have my receipt but I think the bag was about $3 so $0.30/jar!

Mmmm Peaches

This one was the hardest to make. I got THE best batch of peaches at the store so it was really hard not to eat them all before they hit the pan! haha

But the ones that made it through, I cut them in half and took out the seed.

Steamer basket for 3-5 minutes

Let them cool and the skins will come right off.

Puree and this stuff is sooooo good, save some for your baby! 

7 jars for about $2 is $0.29/jar.

Apricots

Another really yummy fruit. Take 1 cup of dried apricots and 1 cup of water. 

Place in a pan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. 

Apricots should pierce easily with a fork. 

Puree apricots in a food processor until smooth, adding cooking liquid as needed. 

So the 1 cup made 5 jars. I think it was about $0.30/jar.

Cherries!

Yummy, I had a hard time not eating a bunch of these too.  Take 2 cups of cherries.

Pit the cherries. I didn't have a cherry pitter so I just cut them in half and pried out the pit. hehe

A little bit of a change on this one. Puree the cherries first. 

Then heat the cherries in a pan until hot for about 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely and serve or store. 

I don't have a pictures, but it made 4 large jars of cherries. About $0.40/jar.

Whew, well I think I'm caught up for now. There are a whole bunch of homemade and wholesome baby food. I love making Ben's food because I know exactly what went into it and it is just so darn CHEAP!! Love it!!