padding

So I've been in to padding lately...you know, making notepads.

I'm a pretty picky person and sometimes its hard to find the right notepad and it's easier just to make your own!  It's so easy!

First you need some heavy books,

and Mod Podge,

and what you want to pad.

Simply print out pages that you want to make into a pad and cut them to size.  For example, this particular day I made pads out of my menu form, a to do list that I made and a weekly blog list (because my other one ran out).  They are as big as a piece of letter paper cut in half.  Be sure that they are all exactly the same size...use a paper cutter if you can. 

You also need to cut cardboard backs for them too.  You can either keep the backs of old notepads or you can purchase chipboard at most any mailing supply store.  I bought mine at Office Depot for a quarter for a big sheet.

Next lay out some foil or wax paper so you don't get your table messy.

Stack your pads so the tops are perfectly in line. 

Be very careful when doing this...they really need to be exact. 

Place your heavy books on top of the pads as close to the top as you can.  You need to leave a little bit of room so you don't Mod Podge the books to the paper. 

Use a foam brush to paint very thin strips of Mod Podge on the tops of the pads.  Let dry completely (just a few minutes) between coats.  I typically do 5-7 coats...just eyeball it. 

I've found that 40 is a good number of pages to do in a pad; anything more than that is just a little too thick.  Be sure to add an extra page or two on top though, because the top few get a little icky at the top.

Ta-da! 

The bottom pad in this stack got a little warped because I didn't have the cookbook close enough to the edge.  You really need something very heavy close to the edge. 

I've also added magnetic strips to the back of some of my pads so they can hang on the side of the fridge!

Happy Padding!!

basketball

This afternoon we went to the OU Women's basketball game.  The Roberts four met us there for an afternoon of FUN!  A & O had a great time, but poor baby E was not impressed by the noise.  The first time E started crying, I looked down and A was holding her hand...it was a really sweet moment.  I sure hope A loves her baby sister as much as she loves E!! 

A & O ate snacks just about the entire time...popcorn, raisins, fruit snacks, you name it!  Of course they were too busy enjoying their snacks to both look at the camera at the same time.  Oh well.  We had such a fun afternoon!

How cute are they in their matching shirts?  E had one on too but she didn't make any of the pics.

fitted sheets

Why are these little boogers so darn hard to fold? 

Well, here it goes...my version of how to fold a fitted sheet!

1. place your hand in one corner of the sheet insideout.

2. place the pocket on the opposite side over the inside out corner.  Flip so one corner is inside the other corner and they are both right side out. 

3. repeat with the other corners until they are all folder inside one another. Lay it out and make sure it's in a rectangle with straight edge on all sides.

4. now fold over once longways.

5. fold to desired width. 

I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how I do it.  I like for them all to be folded the same size and shape so the stack nicely, especially in Addi's closet.  Crib sheets are easy to fold, it's the regular bed sizes that get tricky just because of their size.

Do you have any tricks or tips to folding fitted sheets?

snowman kit

Hopefully our snow is over for this year and we won't have to get out our snowman kit again until next year.  These are just a few things that I collected and stuck in a box so we'll know right where they are next time we need them!  Of course a few things are missing from the kit that we can just add at the last minute like a scarf, hat and gloves but those things are fun to change up anyway.

Our box includes:

Buttons (various shapes, colors and sizes are fun)

Eyes (2 large black rocks in the square box)

Carrot (I bought fake ones at Hobby Lobby so we'd always have them. I don't keep large carrots in my fridge at all times.)

Mouth (black stones for mouth...you can use lots of things here, but I just stuck these in as a last resort.  We may find something more entertaining when we build our next snowman, who knows?)

And just because this year all of our sticks were under the snow and it was difficult to find something for the arms, I'm throwing in some k-bob skewers.  They work just fine in a bind. 

Just put everything in a box and store it somewhere handy.  Then you'll always have the necessities when the snow starts falling! 

Other fun things you could include would be

costume jewelry

a crown

fancy hats (thrift stores would be good for this)

]sunglasses

wax lips (probably have to pick these up around Halloween)

wigs

The possibilities are really endless!!

LuLu even had the great idea to mix a dab of red food coloring and water in a small spray bottle and then spray the "cheeks" to make them rosy!

What are some other fun things that you could add?  I'd love to hear your ideas...our box still has plenty of room!!

upside down cinnamon apple coffee cake

I saw this on a blog and just had to try it!  We've been on a huge cinnamon roll kick at our house lately so I knew we'd definitley all enjoy this!

Upside Down Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients:
1 can apple pie filling
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 tube cinnamon rolls
2 t. butter, melted
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together apple pie filling and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.  Spread a thin layer of the filling onto the bottom of a well greased, pie pan. Set the remaining filling aside. Separate the cinnamon roll dough and cut each roll into quarters. Place the quartered rolls into a large bowl and add remaining apple pie filling. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Mix well and add to the cinnamon roll/apple filling mixture. Toss gently to combine. Spoon the cinnamon roll mixture over the layer of apples in the pie pan. Bake for about 28-32 minutes or until a deep, golden brown. Cool for about 5 minutes and invert onto a serving platter. Microwave frosting for about 10-15 seconds. Drizzle over the warm coffee cake.

I have a few additions of my own to make to the baking directions.  My cinnamon rolls were still gooey after the 32 minutes, but the top was really golden brown.  Next time I will cover with foil and bake for a while and then uncover to finish baking.  Also, I didn't invert mine onto a plate, I just drizzled the icing over the cinnamon rolls still in the pie plate.  It was really yummy and I will definitley make it again!!

i'm lovin' it

Here are a few things I've been lovin' lately:

1. P.F. Chang's Freezer Meals

We've actually never tried the Ginger Chicken & Broccoli (as pictured) but the Orange Chicken and the Garlic Shrimp is wonderful!!  And the best part...they take 12 mintues to cook!  I would recommend serving with rice, but they are so tasty!

2. Chalk Ink

Last time I posted about a new favorite chalkboard of mine, and these little markers make me love my chalkboard even more!!  They go on like a paintpen and wipe clean with a wet papertowel.  They are a must.  I bought mine at Michael's.

3. Holly Clegg's Mobile Rush Hour App

My friend Marissa told me about this and it is great!! Just download the app to your iPad or phone and you're in business!

4. Space Bags

I always a sucker for "as seen on TV" items, but I'm proud to say that I've actually never called an 800 number and placed an order.  That being said, I have to admit that I've purchased my fair share of stuff once it hits the store shelves. 

Well in my organizing and cleaning out frenzy, I purchased some of these Space Bags at Target for our linen closet.  I must say, I'm a fan.  A big fan.  Why has it taken me so long??

5. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner

Have you ever tried this stuff?  It's amazing!  Just run an empty load on hot and add the soap.  It leaves your washer squeaky clean and smelling wonderful!  You must try.

6. Rhode's Cinnamon Rolls
Scott and I always get hooked on television shows about food!  One night we were flipping channels and we came across a program where they were touring the Rhode's plant and showing how their products were made.  We were sold (and very hungry) after watching!  The next week I bought a package at the store and they were even better than I imagined!  This will definitley be a staple in our freezer from now on!  What a treat on a Saturday or Sunday morning!!

So...what have you been lovin' lately??

heart day surprises

On Valentine's Day, Addi and I both got some wonderful surprises! 

I have just been picking up little goodies for Addi for while now and once I put them all together, she had quite a little gift!

Check it out!! Princess maracas!! 

Oh my gosh she loved them!!! 

There's more!! She ended up with stickers, Tink dominos, clippies, headbands, markers and more!! 

Look what Mama got!! I LOVE my new watch!  Thanks so much Scott! 

timeout damage

One morning, Addi was having a hard time making good decisions and found herself in timeout.  The next thing it knew, it got very quiet, which is never a good sign.  I walked in to find this:

That would be one of my dining room chairs and the cording ripped off!  Here's the total damage!  I have never been so furious with her!  In the end, it's just a chair and I was able to glue it back together, but I'm pretty sure she got the point to never touch the dining room chairs again.  I hope.

storage solutions

I am in MAJOR clean out/organizing mode right now! Our guest room that is now going to be Addi's new room was basically full of all of my stuff! That closet was home to office supplies, craft supplies, files, sewing stuff and so much more!  Well I've had to get really creative with my spaces! 

I'm a huge fan of the over the door shoe pockets right now! 

Here are where most of my craft supplies now live...in our hot water heater closet. 

I also put some in our hallway closet for miscellaneous items...

And our office supplies. 

I know I already posted about this in one of my "for the love of labels" but as Addi has accumulated more art supplies, I've had to get more tubs!  She's now almost totally taken over one of my kitchen cabinets, but I like having her stuff there for easy access so I didn't mind giving it up. 

Well since our "office" is now in the linen closet, I've moved our spare sheets into a tub that slides under our bed.  (More under the bed storage coming soon).

I labeled on both sides of the interior of the tub so the correct sheets would get put in the right place.  It also has their size and color and since they're all different sizes, this is helpful! 

Afraid your sheets will smell like plastic?  Just be sure to fold up a few dryer sheets and tape one to the inside of the lid and you'll be fine!

Well that's all for now.  I've got more coming though.  I know this is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, but try not to lose sleep over this! Ha!