Chore Chart

I've been having a little trouble keeping track of all the things I need to help my kids with. I'm pretty good about keeping track of all their activities; Piano, Art class, cub scouts, etc.
But when it comes to reminding them to do their chores; practicing piano, reading in Spanish, trash duty and so forth, I'm not doing so great. So I googled "chore chart template", I found several,  this one is my favorite  I found it at "The Project Girl".
I like it because I can hand write on it, customize it to what they need each week and it's cute. I can also use it for my own chores and organize myself too.

Here you go:

You can download the chart here

Let me know if you use it!

One

I can't believe my baby is already one. I know I say that about every birthday, but to me the first year always goes way too fast and I end up wishing I could do it all over again.
William is the smallest one year old I've had, he is so tiny it makes it impossible not to hold him all the time, he is a busy little guy, but he's always smiling and happy. Some people say that baby #3 is always like that, is that true in your family?

I wish I had ordered more!

I'm packing Spring orders at the same time I'm finalizing my Fall 2011 collection and my sewing room looks like a complete mess. I'm having a hard time finding my tape measure and scissors! Oh well, just a few more days and then I'll organize it... maybe.
I'm always conservative when placing orders to my manufacturer, I always worry about how each collection will do. Last year when I placed my Spring 2011 orders, I was very conservative. With the way the economy is going and so many little boutiques closing shop I ordered just a little extra inventory in each style.
I should have ordered more! I'm very happy to tell you I picked up 2 new boutiques, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Alabama :), they will be carrying my line in a matter of weeks, now the little extra inventory I had ordered is going to them.
So this little number below is already sold out in most sizes, if you want this dress I have in sizes 18/24 months and 8/9 years only. Let me know quick, they are going fast!!

The dress is 100% silk, the print has little birds and flowers. $48.

Friday Finds: P'Kolino Playful Art Set

I like to encourage my kids' interest in art, they love coloring, drawing, painting, you name it.
I don't like messes and even though I know we have at least 7 sets of crayons in their coloring drawer, half of them are broken and we can't find orange!
So, I bough these sets at Babyage.com:

P'kolino Playful Art Set

For $16 they each have a set now. Each set has 12 markers, 12 triangle crayons and 16 hexagon colored pencils. The pencils are 100% color, no wood, but it doesn't color their hands. The quality is amazing, I also noticed that their shape makes them easier to hold and my favorite: they all fit neatly in the little stand.

The boys loved them, they really like the cool shapes and that there's no wood. I like that now they have all their colors neatly in a little stand and there will be no more looking for orange!

I'm always looking for art supplies, do you have any art supplies you and/or your children love?

Easy Window Treatment

I made a very easy, fast and affordable window treatment for the window above my sink. I love the view from there, so I wanted something simple that would not obstruct my view.

Here is what I came up with:

How to make it:
First, measure the width of the window, then decide how long you want it to hang. If your window is under 54 inches wide you are in luck, most decorator fabrics are 54" wide.
Let's say your window is 50" wide and you want the treatment to hang 16". You would need to cut 2 fabric rectangles, adding 1 inch seam allowance for each side.  In this case you would need to cut 2 52" wide by 18" high rectangles. One of the rectangles should be your chosen print and the second should be a solid. Don't use the print for both sides, if you do, the print will not show well when the light comes through, plus you can save some money by using a less expensive solid for the back and splurge on the print.
Next, put right sides together, pin all around, sew all four sides with 1" seam allowance leaving 2 small openings on the top corners to feed the tension rod, make one of the openings bigger so you can turn it inside out.
Turn it inside out and hand sew the bigger opening leaving now 2 matching small openings for the rod. Steam press, feed the tension rod and hang, done!
If your window is like mine, meaning wider than 50" you might have to piece the fabric together (you will need twice the height of the treatment) you can see on the last picture that I added a panel in the middle of mine to make it wider.

Solid back

This tension rod was about $6 at Big Lots

Small opening for tension rod

Before

After

Now, if I could just finish the other 3 rooms that need window treatments,  ahhhhh......

What do you think?

Friday Finds - Easter Dresses

I watched Peggy Sue got Married last night, as you have seen before I love the styles worn during that time. I later started looking for pretty Easter outfits, here are some great ones:

Julianne More For Talbots

Found at River Island $80

Found at River Island $116

Etsy $258

Stylish One Piece Suits

I need to get in shape and there is nothing better to motivate me than looking and trying on swim suits.
Here are a few great suits I found.

J Crew $88

J Crew $88

J Crew $88

Nodstroms $146

Nordstroms $119

Spiegel $59

Spiegel $59