link luv roundup

{images: honer akrawi}

feeling inspired by the softness of the images in the rita saardi "private garden" collection (via luphia loves).

dieters beware! creature comforts has a tummy growling cupcake roundup and also a tutorial to repurpose your paper to deck out your cupcake and your room!

ohhh, paris, i hear you calling my name. check out the gorgeous pics from lobster and swan.

i might actually go out in public in a bathing suit in one of these beauties! retro swimsuits fever over on country living

softie alert! i got a kick out of these little mammal finger puppets from sotosofties and who could resist this snake tie!

i was wowed by this diy on censational girl. see how she changed this lonesome old footboard into a pretty message center!

1. happy together shows us how to make your own vintage clutch.
2. check out this newspaper basket on how about orange!
3. make some of these fun bean bag rocks from salt and chocolate (via one crafty place).

there has been so many wonderful and exciting refashioning tutes floating around lately and this one on thimbly things is one to add to your list. i know we all have worn one of these old denim jumpers in our lifetimes so go take a peek at her tutorial on how to revive and refashion it into one cute dress!

i've been sitting here listening to "heavenly day" by patty griffin and staring at these gorgeous, gorgeous drops and drooling over sfgirl's inspiration board roundup, finding father's day gift ideas over on photojojo, entering to win a fat quarter bundle giveaway and hoping to try this "grilled lemon oregano tofu"!

make sure you take a look at this great site - www.morecloth.com {via tiny decor}to help make buying fabric on etsy that much easier. they help you shop by the color of the fabric you are looking for and there are some great free quilt patterns up at michael miller fabrics to inspire you as well. the lovely rachel of "p.s. i quilt" has a super tute up on how to make your own sewing labels - so handy! there's also a fun post on making bean bag letters for your little ones here and learn how to make your own golden goddess gown in 2 hours with no patterns - wow!

happy link luvin!

moo, moo - i luv you

ohhhh, my business cards arrived finally from moo! moo - i luv you!!!! (sorry about the ryhme, i couldn't resist)

for any of you out there looking for new business cards, blogging cards, sticker, postcards etc, moo is the place to check out. flickr uses them and you can even upload your flickr pics direct to moo and they will rotate your album on the cards for you! how fun is that?! they also now have a location in the states to print and ship from instead of the UK so shipping times are way faster. you can also upload and design your own or use there premade designs and no, these are not your standard designs - these are super cool and lots of fun. i couldn't decide on one i loved more than the other so i designed my own. needless to say i am really pleased with how they turned out and the size and the feel of the card. it's super sturdy and their products are eco-friendly - my kind of business card.

look out people.....i've got cards!!!!!!!!

do you have a moo card? wanna share moos?

etsy monday in the mommyhood

"you've got bad eating habits if you use a grocery cart in 7-elevon okay?" - dennis miller

hawaii coffee market tote by sasakicreations
paper or plastic no thank you tee - by zJane
keep calm and carry on recycled classic tote by the craft pantry
farmers market bag upcycled by beauty that moves
boutique shopping cart cover by peanuts boutique
sixties heart tote bag by petapledger
eco produce bulk bags by loveforearth
reuseable/washable produce bags by qwerty0

i was noticing all the sweet little upcycled and eco friendly market totes and produce bags around lately on etsy and though that i would make this weeks etsy monday in the mommyhood all about shopping - grocery shopping that is. we all do it, we all need to carry the food home, so why not do it in style? i love the upcycled tshirt bags! i have been meaning to try make some of those for myself at home for a while now - so stylish!

what do you carry to the grocery store?

link luv roundup

i just can't seem to get enough of all the lemony goodness going around right now. click here to make this happy hour frothy mint lemonade.

i would love to be daydreaming on a quiet beach right now snuggled up in this quilt like sleeping bag - how divine!!! {via mer mag}

i'm feeling inspired by this gorgeous photo from irene l via fubiz.

here's some skirt tutes that are floating around the blogs the last few days:

1. vanessa turns a tablecloth into a fun skirt.

2. men's dress shirt into a cute pencil skirt over on megan nielsen.
3. epicurean shows us how to turn a men's t-shirt into a child's adorable ruffle skirt.

oh, and don't forget to enter the shabby apple dress giveaway on grosgrain!!! i am crossing my fingers for that one! craftzine and singer also have a new contest going for all you sewers out there to come up with some fresh new swimsuit cover-ups! details here.

loving the sweet home tour of interior decorator tracey leigh over on made by girl.
mackenzie and i have been loving watching this animated video of the new chronicle book "wave" by suzy lee. i worked in the book industry for years and still have a soft spot for wonderful children's books and hope that i will one day find the time to write my own.

buy yourself some of the lusted after raindrop wall decals from elizabeth dunker's home tour that are finally for sale in her online shop "studio violet" {via nesting} and then learn how to keep those receipts organized with this video from AT. finally, check out the new summer issue of popknits! find some great tips on the art of paper cutting over on chica and jo, and then read some touching words with imagery on "i can read" along with this illustration by kevin cyr and click over to "one pretty thing" for her revamp roundup filled with some fun DIY's to fill your weekend with.

p.s. don't forget to check out our lovely sponsor michelle who is an independent representative of that delicious healthy coffee organo gold. try some today - she's offering free shipping on your first order!

link luv roundup

these bibs are so bright and cheerful! learn how to make your own set over on thimbly things.

ummm, i will take one of everything at tulle right now. tons, and i mean tons, of stuff is on sale for cheap!!!! go take a peek. {via creature comforts}

i can't wait to make one of these ruffle necklaces from "happy together". click here for the tute and while you are there check out her "refresh your step" shoe makeover series! so fun!

{image: jeff kubina}

who doesn't love a good bubble fest? go have some fun in the backyard with bubbles galore by checking out the 9 ways to make your own backyard bubble solution over on AT.

loving the gorgeous handmade knits over at seed, her images are as lovely as her shop.{via modish}

oh, so breathtaking pic from decor8

can we say dangerous! cheesecake pops!!!! oh, bakerella, you're killing me with your scrumptiousness.

whip up some cupcake garlands for your home! i'm loving the soft colors and charm these have. they would look so cute at a party or even in a little girl's bedroom. be prepared to linger over on concrete and honey, it's a blog filled with soft, romantic images.

get some great deals like this cute little butterfly trail hat from tot toppers for babies & toddlers with the etsy baby team! they are a group of etsy sellers who specialize in baby items for infants to two year olds and they are having a customer appreciation event till june 15th!

while you're out shopping, swing by and check out some gorgeous organic crochet booties from sheknits, learn how to put in an invisible zipper on youtube, read up on the cloth diaper lowdown over on simple mom and knit yourself a pair of lace anklets from the purl bee.

sneak peek - our weekend

i finally made myself something to wear from normal fabric! i have had the spring ruffle top from "made by rae" on my to make list for ages and finally got one done. i adore this top. it's not the most flattering thing on me, but it's sure great for those bloated days. i changed a few things here and there and added 2 buttons to the bottom of the shirt where the big pleats folded over. i found that without these holding the shirt down, my large girls (aka boobs) made this shirt look enormous on me.

sorry about all the creases, i have been living in the shirt and was too lazy to iron it just to wear it again. overall, i found this project ok for someone who has already begun sewing, not so great for a beginner though. it was easier to just try to make it for me, than it was to follow the exact instructions. i also prefer not to stitch in the ditch on clothing due to my lack of skill in this area, instead i hand stitched the straps on and the fold on the top border.

i sewed up some nifty little throw pillows for our bench out on the deck.

we also ate our first strawberry that we have ever grown -it was the best strawberry we have ever tasted, and in the words of kelly ripa - "i'm just sayin....".

how was your weekend?

etsy monday in the mommyhood

"if you can't smell it a mile away...it ain't worth going... "

yum, yum, it's bbq season! whether your are a vegetarian or a meat lover, everyone loves a good bbq! deck out your bbq this season with everything from a felt food set for the little ones, a fun t-shirt for you, stitch markers for your needles by the campfire, and seasoning and bbq sauce for all the yummy goodies that you're sure to indulge in! happy grilling!

1. happy father's day bbq card - brooklyn lotus
2. giant fork shirt - xenotees
3. felt food pattern for backyard bbq play set - gulfcoastcottagepdf
4. howling wolf extra spicy bbq sauce - howling wolf sauces
5. gourmet grill seasoning - madebychrissymathers
6. king of the grill fridge magnet - mudhutt
7. i wanna bbq with you - scowling owl
8. summertime bbq stitch markers - scarymerry

link luv roundup

loving this table, oh, so much. {via wide open spaces}

deck out that boring old planter with some bling - learn how over on censational girl.

i can only dream of having my house be as neat and organized as chez larsson's. go pop over and see how she used up some leftover wallpaper to revamp a tin can and an organizer.

ok, seriously, like cupcakes aren't irresistible enough, now there are cupcakes in an ice cream cone??? oh, my hips are growing as i type this. click here for the recipe if you dare!

check out all the great styles and even better prices at ruche! {via for me, for you}

i think i need to put a regular spot on here for any work that the fabulous katie makes over on "katie did". i could gush and gush for hours, if you haven't been to her blog yet, be warned, it's drool worthy. here's her newest outfits for those lucky little girls of hers.

i love this pretty, fresh cabled travel pillow! knit up your own copy from missknitta here or here.

last month's "mom in the mommyhood" jane richmond has a new pattern available in her shop! this cute, little, cozy bolero could easily take you from summer through winter. fyi - jane's shop "alterknits" has moved and has a new etsy address at www.janerichmond.etsy.com.

ok, i am seriously kicking myself for not thinking of this! what a great idea! tote bags as throw pillows - genius!!!

easy and all natural foot scrub - get those heels beach & flip flop ready! {via craft gossip} after scrubbing those heels go download some adorable and free stationary from creature comforts, i love the calm and airy feeling i get whenever i visit this site - it's one of my faves. then make some fun cozy cone motels for your little ones race cars. get the how to here. end off your day by knitting up a great pair of fingerless mitts from "a black pepper"

wishing you all a weekend filled with this................

{image: sundsbo solve, via definitely golden}

a little for her and a little for me

how friggin gorgeous are these dresses???? ahhhh, i want them all. so lovely and fresh. check out whitten grey to see more of the collection. {via simplesong}

lovely clothes with lovely pictures of exactly what i wish i was doing all summer.....check out the new dace collection. i just can't help staring at these pics...i can only imagine how quiet it would be laying on that dock...did i mention quiet......ahhhhhh, nice.

link luv roundup

i'm adoring this refashion over on grosgrain

i can't wait to try this project out! learn how to turn those old paint cans into a planter! what great idea! you can find the how to over on censational girl.


check out the new fabric line "au.then.tic" from sweetwater. {via craftgossip}

i am a font addict. these beauties were rounded up over at how about orange. you can find these fonts and much more over on dafont.
my birthday is coming up next month - ahhhh! it sure would make it a lot easier to bear if my hubby surprised me with one of these handy pin cushion rings from artnest.

i have a love affair with pine cones. i have them hidden in all sorts of decorative manners all throughout my home. we love them in our household, so when i saw this bird feeder tute over on make and takes i had to post it.

i've got another tutorial from amazing mae this week. she's keeping me busy with all her goodies lately. this one is for a comfy, summer linen skirt. i luv the ruffles!

brit from cucumbersome featured a lovely tute for the corsage shirt from curiousitys that was a finalist in the spring top week over on made by rae.

need to knit a cover for that plastic deck chair you have? why the heck not? this was too fun and funky not to post about. you can find the pattern here or here.

Cinder & Smoke from karmaticoma on Vimeo.

a fave song of mine caught my attention over on one of my daily reads "for me, for you". isn't it always fun when you discover a talent that you never knew someone had? love that she sings, and love that she shares her singing even more.

there has been a lot of goodness floating around the blogging world this week and i can't contain it all in this one post. if you have room for more goodies in your to make pile, check out how to turn a men's shirt into a child's smock here and how to turn that onesie into a shirt for your toddler here.

what are you loving this week?

feeling inspired by...

{image: luna dirimmel}

the beauty of pia jane bijkerk's site is enough to cause me to be inspired, never mind the sheer deliciousness of this song she posted today. be warned, you may cry...it's so haunting. check out the comments section as well for some other versions and great links. i think i am on #30 repeats of this song as i write this....i must stop...someone stop me....oh, how i wish i lived on that dreamland of a houseboat in amsterdam with pia.

{image: brew ha ha}

if you haven't seen her blog or her book "paris made by hand" go look. you won't be sorry you did. what's inspiring you today?

here's the english translation:

Ne Me Quitte Pas (=If you go away)

If you go away on this summer’s day,
Then you might as well take the sun away
All the birds that flew in the summer sky
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When the day was young and the nights were long
And the moon stood still for the night bird’s song
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

But if you stay, I’ll make you a day
Like no day has been, or will be again
We’ll sail on the sun, we’ll ride on the rain
And talk to the trees and worship the wind
But if you go, I’ll understand
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

If you go, as I know you will
You must tell the world to stop turning
Till you return again, if you ever do,
For what good is love without loving you?

{image: fulmini & saette}

Can I tell you now, as you turn to go
I’ll be dying slowly till the next hello
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

But if you stay, I’ll make you a night
Like no night has been, or will be again
I’ll sail on your smile, I’ll ride on your touch

I’ll talk to your eyes that I love so much
But if you go, I won’t cry
Though the good is gone from the word goodbye
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

If you go away, as I know you must
There is nothing left in this world to trust
Just an empty room, full of empty space
Like the empty look I see on your face
I’d have been the shadow of your shadow
If you might have kept me by your side
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

{image: manky maxblack}

issue 3 of antler magazine is out!

coffee break time! i am so in love with this ezine. if you haven't checked out antler yet, go now - it's so filled with eye candy, stunning photography and great interviews, it usually requires me waiting until mack's nap time so i can truly just sit and relish in it. i particularly enjoyed the piece "she lives on love street" - man those pics are gorgeous and the artwork of irena sophia is, well, just plain fabulous! i hope you enjoy it.

way to go andi! they just keep getting better and better :) you can get the current issue of antler magazine here and the next edition is out june 15th.

link luv roundup

- unbelievable couch makeover over at design sponge.
- learn how to make this adorable shirt and the ruffled shoulder strap at "pretty ditty".

feeling inspired by the photography and the food over on sunday suppers.

- i need one of these so bad! make one of these trash bags for your car - learn how here.
- i have got to try one of these bird mobiles for my little one. you can find the tutorial for the bird here but take a peek at this flickr photostream to see this mom's oh, so lovely home and how she turned the birds into a mobile. (via decor8)
- need some new panel curtains? here's an easy and fast tute.
- every little man deserves a tie! learn how to make one for your little guy here! (via one crafty place)
- got a pillowcase kicking around? need an apron? go here to whip one up.



- stunning nursery makeover, i love the colors she used!
- oh gosh, another use out of dress shirts! i was blown away with this lovely quilt made all from men's shirts! great idea!

oh, and i can't forget to mention the gorgeous dress tutorial that "jc handmade" posted this week - so cute, one of my new fave blog/etsy stores "blue eyed freckle" shares a tute for making cute crocheted pyramids for your little ones - i luv this idea! you know when you run across something and you go "ahhh, yep", i am gonna need an answer for that one", this blog gave me that feeling.

we have a long weekend here in ol'canada land, so i will be back after some bbq's, lovely houseguests and sunshine. wishing you all a wonderful and lovely weekend.

ohhh...we got an award!

{image: snoshoo}

wow! we got a lovely award from the fashion goodies filled blog bonbon rose. thanks so much kirsten!!! you are a sweetheart! go take a peek for me.

the rules of accepting and sharing this award:

1. put the logo on your blog or post 2. nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude 3. link to your nominees within your post 4. comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award 5. share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award 6. tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

here's our list of wonderful bloggers (in no particular order):

1. one crafty place
2. lollychops
3. crafting a green world
4. little birdie secrets
5. made
6. amazing mae
7. curiousitys
8. for me, from you
9. oh, hello friend
10. lolalina

about our attitude of gratitude, well, i can sincerely say it comes from trying to live the happiest and simplest life that i can. trying to remember the beauty in simplicity and to cherish every single moment that i have. to be thankful for the smallest of things and for the gifts that i have been given - my precious daughter, loving husband and wonderful family and friends. i also feel joy and happiness from discovering my love for this amazing world of blogging and for finally finding my passion in making luvinthemommyhood finally exist.

so thanks to you all, loyal readers and new ones too, for coming by to listen to my rants, watching me craft, learning to sew, and for sharing your thoughts and feelings. thanks for being you - i appreciate every single one of you and love hearing from you. so tag along, keep popping by the mommyhood, it's nice here and there's always room for more neighbours :)

link luv roundup

1. dress up your outfit with this flower headband tutorial from curiositys
2. i love this idea of making your own recycled stationary over on geek+nerd

i am so in luv with this photograph by whatmegsaid

3. i will definitely be making one of these for my glasses - great tute from amazing mae!
4. i am sure we are all in need of a mouse pad makeover! learn how at the long thread
5. i am on the hunt for how to sewing tutorials to help sharpen up my newbie skills. little girl pearl shows us how to insert piping into a collar.

yummy! spring always reminds me of broccoli slaw! smitten kitchen has a great recipe here.

learn how to make a wet bag here and revamp an old tshirt with some sass over at ecoteametsy's fab blog here. then, head on over to photojojo for a great post listing the top 10 online photography mags, whip up a fun french press cozy (luv this) at one of my favorite blogs to drool over - the house on hill road.

we are revamping our deck and i am collecting tin cans for this great summer tute showing you how to turn tin cans into great summer garden lanterns and last, but not least, nesting shows you how to revamp that jean skirt into the perfect summertime maternity skirt.

etsy monday in the mommyhood

1. girls blouson style top - illiakids
2. dusty blue linen top - larimeloom
3. custom made dress/blouse with sash - smallbeans
4. the harlow top - ureshii
5. owl alternative apparel carly - rainbowswirlz

"did you know babies are nauseated by the smell of a clean shirt?"
- jeff foxworthy

6. fitted ruffle shirt - thevelvetvixen
7. bicycle print long sleeve pocket top - prettyraccoon
8. custom cowl neck shirt - implexus

shirts, shirts, shirts! a girl's gotta have a great shirt! this week's etsy in the mommyhood is filled with fun, flirty shirts for mom and her little ones to wear.

happy mother's day from the mommyhood!

wishing you a wonderful mother's day weekend!

can't wait for julie & julia!

i can't wait for this movie! i loved the book and hope the movie does it justice.

thankful

wow! the response to "there's no such thing as leftovers - the pants" has been overwhelming. thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart! what a week! at least my computer didn't crash this time!

the tutorial was a lot of fun to make and i'm already excited about the next few in the series. we have a lot of exciting things planned here on luvinthemommyhood. I will also be writing on another website once a month (more on that later) so stay tuned for the details - it will be lots of fun! watch for another wonderfully talented "moms in the mommyhood" coming for you this month as well.

i send hugs to all of you who emailed and left comments these last few weeks, i love hearing from you all, it truly makes my day, so please feel free to write anytime. thank you to those who linked luvinthemommyhood from their own blogs, sport our buttons and have added us to their blog rolls - you rock! i get excited every time i see it - thanks for adding us!

a big thank you to:

rachel at "one pretty thing", my dear, i heart you! thank you so very much. to be on daily diy two weeks in a row has made my year! um yeah, was that really us on "whipup"? you bet it was! what a thrill - thanks kathreen! chrissy over at "one crafty place", you are a sweetheart, thank you so very much for putting us on your wonderful blog. wowee! "30days" had us up on their blog first thing the other morning - that is not a bad way to wake up! thanks mique, and finally, thanks natalie, it's been so exciting to be on "craftzine" not once - but twice! i can hardly contain myself!

i know, i know, i keep thanking people, but it really does mean a lot to me, so i can't help but say thanks :)

p.s. you still have time to comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway!

oh, katie did it again

ok, katie did it again. i couldn't help but post about "katie did" just one more time. i just don't know where she finds the time to sew this many gorgeous outfits for her little ones. i am envious of those girls, (is that wrong of me?) what it must feel like to wake up and look in their closets each morning for another wonderful, modern, and fun outfit to wear for the day! lucky, lucky ladies.

katie - open an etsy store already so we can all buy these patterns/outfits for our little ones! seriously, that little yellow ribbon detail on the back of the tank is making crazy - and the shorts, somebody stop me.... i can't take it anymore! i want one in my size :)

(all images katie did)