Pillowcases

I enjoyed making Dylan a Cars pillowcase last year and he likes it so much, I have made him two more pillowcases in the last few months.

The Buzz Lightyear pillowcase was one of Dylan's presents from us this past Christmas. He actually picked out the fabric when he and I were shopping one day. We were passing through an aisle and he exclaimed "Buzz Lightyear!" (although truthfully it wasn't exactly that clear but I, of course, knew what he was saying). I couldn't turn him down when I saw the clearance price on the fabric. The two solid fabrics were from my stash.

The next pillowcase was for Valentine's Day. He's been a big Muppets fan since seeing the movie at Thanksgiving so I went shopping for fabrics specifically with the Muppets in mind. I think this one is Kermit's favorite. ;)

Supplies: cotton fabrics; Coats & Clark threads; pillowcase pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.com - Pattern 15.

My Memories Suite v3 Review & Giveaway

I was excited about the opportunity to try My Memories Suite v3 software and, better yet, giveaway a copy to one of my blog readers as well! I was already looking at software options for our laptop that would allow me to work on my digital scrapbook pages when away from home (or when I just want to lounge on the sofa). As it worked out, I actually got the software while out of town and downloaded it straight to my laptop.

I like how user friendly this software is - I literally just opened it and started creating. I did have a few questions and found the videos posted on the My Memories blog to be helpful.

So far I've created two pages using the software. The first one was fairly simple as I familiarized myself with the software and with kits available at the My Memories store. I used a free beach element and created the title using the word art option:

Supplies - Beach Baby: Lindsay Jane's Sea Breeze Frame

By the second page, I was moving faster and got a little more elaborate with my design. I played around with kits purchased elsewhere. This is a huge plus - you can use kits from other stores in the My Memories Suite v3 software and those kits purchased from My Memories store can be used with other software.

Supplies - Hot Diggity Dog: Shannon Hegarty's Secretary papers; Gennifer Bursett's Toolbox Mists Vol 6; Robyn Meierotto's Mellow alpha; Karla Dudley's Right Now elements.

Interested in winning a copy of My Memories Suite v3 for yourself? Just visit MyMemories.com and then leave a comment on this post naming your favorite kit. It's that simple.

Want to gain additional entries? Here's how:

1. Follow me on Twitter - @2pawsdesigns
2. Follow My Memories Suite on Twitter - @MyMemoriesSuite
3. Tweet about this giveaway (valid for extra entry once per day) - "I want to #win the My Memories Suite #digiscrap software #giveaway from @mymemoriessuite & @2pawsdesigns! http://bit.ly/ykdKWD Please RT"
4. Blog about this giveaway
5. "Like" 2paws Designs on Facebook
6. "Like" My Memories Suite on Facebook

For each additional entry, please post a new comment. Ie, if you tweeted or blogged about the giveaway, come back and post a link. Thanks and good luck!!

Giveaway ends Thursday, March 1 at 9:00pm Eastern time. Winner will be announced Friday, March 2nd.

If you don't win the free copy, you can still get a copy of the software at a discount. Use coupon code STMMMS54884 for $10 off the purchase of My Memories Suite v3 AND a $10 coupon to the MyMemories.com store. Feel free to share this code with friends & family.

Note: My Memories Suite contacted me with this promotional opportunity. I received the My Memories Suite software for review All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Cheez-its

My mom bought Dylan a play kitchen from Ikea during our visit a few weeks ago. He's loving it. While we had a few play foods already, there is room for a few more. I came across the idea for felt Cheez-its while browsing Pinterest. Can't get any simper than sewing straight lines down folded over orange felt and then cutting into squares.

But then the crackers needed a box. The original blogger used a real Cheez-it box. I liked the idea, but it is too big for our kitchen.

Using a scan of the box and an empty cereal box, I literally made a new box that looks exactly like the original except at a smaller scale.

Supplies: Cheez-it box (to scan); photo paper; cereal box; Mod Podge; X-acto knife and scoring tool (if available).

Dinosaur Snow Globes

Dylan had a friend over on Monday and, after some time playing in the snow, we came inside for hot cocoa and a little fun. I found an idea for a snow inspired craft over the weekend - a little handmade snow globe ornament. Using supplies I had on hand, we created dinosaur snow globes! The boys were very excited.

Supplies

• clear plastic cups
• cotton balls
• sturdy paper for bottom
• small toys
• glue

I started by pulling out all the supplies and tracing the cup lip onto a small paper plate. I cut just beyond that circle to create the bottom of the globe. I happened to have snowflake plastic cups and silver plates left over from the baby shower in January and used those, but plain clear cups and white paper plates (or cardstock) would work also.

Dylan taking apart my unglued demo snow globe

I showed each boy the general idea and gave them their supplies. Truthfully, this took about 3 tries to get both to complete the project in between free play. I quickly discovered the best glue method was for me to squirt a few thin lines around on the interior of our base circle. Then encouraged them to stick their dinosaur toy.

Next we pulled apart cotton balls to make smaller "snow" mounds and they stuck snow around the dinosaur's feet.

When they were finished adding snow, I put a thin line of glue around the lip of the cup and placed it over the entire scene. Then set aside to let dry.

The final step - enjoy your dinosaur snow globe!

Snow Day!

Our little snowfall of the year came on Sunday night after Dylan had gone to bed. By morning, there was still a bit on the ground, but not nearly as much. Nonetheless, I had one excited little guy when I opened his curtains and told him to look outside yesterday!

"Snow, Mama! Snow!"

I told him we'd eat a quick breakfast and then go out to play. No. He wanted to outside right then and there. Knowing that it would melt soon, I gave in, layered us up and out we went.

I finally coaxed him inside with the promise of a snow art activity while I fixed our breakfast. I put him in his highchair with watercolors, a brush and a small bowl with some snow in it and encouraged him to paint the snow.

After breakfast, we went outside to play again. This time one of his neighborhood friends joined us. The boys had a blast picking up snow, filling & dumping a bucket, tasting snow (ok, I think that was just Dylan), and cleaning off my car!

When we came inside, I made the boys hot chocolate topped with a bit of Cool Whip ("snow" - they thought that was cool!) to help warm them up. Even with sippy cups, they both managed to sport chocolate mustaches afterward! So funny. For a tiny snowfall, it was a big day of toddler fun!

Tomorrow I'll share the art project we made once we were warm. It involves dinosaurs and snow. :)