Zippers seem scary.  Maybe it’s because you’ve heard of a zipper foot for your sewing machine or maybe there’s just too many seams that are just too confusing!  As a small disclaimer, I’m not a professional seamstress.  What I’ve learned is by trial and error, so I hope it helps, but it’s probably not the ‘technically correct’ way to do this.  But, hey, if I can get you to make a zippered pillow for your home in about 15 minutes, that’s a success, right!?

Here’s the break down:

1.  Measure your pillow form.  (I like to buy them at Ikea.)  If it’s a 20″ square, you’ll add 1/2″ seam allowance on each side and cut out two 21″ squares.

2.  Buy a zipper.  I like to use the invisible zippers or the robe zippers because they are easy to cut and they come in long lengths, which is great for pillows.

3.  Pin your zipper to one side of the fabric, make sure you have right sides together.

4.  Sew the zipper to the piece of fabric (doesn’t matter which side you sew it to because you have a square, but make sure the right sides are together.)  And if you use a light weight zipper like I mentioned, you do not need a zipper foot for your machine.
**Here’s a tip.  As you are sewing the zipper to the fabric, you’ll eventually hit the slider body.  Lift your foot and slide that part to the other side of the fabric and keep sewing.
***Here’s another tip.   Make sure you stay about 1/4-1/8 inch away from the zipper teeth.  If you get too close, your zipper won’t zip!

5.  Press this zipper seam.  (If you want to get all fancy you can top-stitch this seam.  I didn’t do this because I’m about fast and easy, but if you are more about perfection that fast and easy, just top-stitch it.)

6.  Repeat the process with the other side.  Take the other fabric square and pin it to the other side of the zipper (right sides together.)  When you’re finished, the zipper will be sewn to the two squares of fabric.

7.  Trim the end of your zipper if it’s too long.

8.  Now pin and sew the other 3 sides of the fabric together (right sides together.)
** Here’s yet another tip.  Make sure that you unzip the zipper a little bit before you sew the other 3 sides together or you won’t be able to turn it inside out.

9.  Turn the pillow inside out and iron the seams.

10.  Put your pillow inside and zip that baby up.  You did it!

The whimsical mix of hummingbirds, fruits, and florals is perfect.  And we love the lime green and aqua with a punch of orange.

Persnickety Fall 2013 is amazing, so be prepared to be blown away!  It’s split into three deliveries- Golden Girls, Mossy Woods, and Nob Hill.  Each delivery has a distinct feel but they all mix and match as well.  It’s like a mini Anthropologie for kids!

The other day I posted some free valentine templates that can be used as photo toppers on treat bags.  The treat bags can host any number of treats, from homemade to brightly colored store-bought confections!  I photographed the bags with homemade marshmallows, rolled in red sugar (valentine peeps, if you will) and wanted to share the recipe here with you today!

I started with a Martha Stewart marshmallow recipe and subbed in organic sugar and corn syrup so we can all feel a little less guilty about all that sugar!  Don’t be intimidated by the thought of making your own marshmallows…it’s quite easy!

Ingredients:

• 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.  Line the pan with parchment paper (allow extra to hang over the edges…it’ll help you lift out the marshmallows) and spray the paper with cooking spray.  Put sugar, syrup and salt in a medium sauce pan.  Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Then, cook (without stirring) for an additional 9 minutes or until your candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees.

While your sugar is cooking, stir water and gelatin in a bowl.  Let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.  Slowly whisk in your hot sugar mixture.  Gradually raise the speed to high and beat the mixture for about 12 minutes, until it’s very stiff.  Beat in the vanilla and pour the mixture into your 9×13 dish.  Using a spoon coated in cooking spray will help.  Leave the dish uncovered for several hours or overnight to set.

I purchased red sugar from the dollar spot at Target, but it can also be found at any craft store.  Cut the marshmallows into squares and roll each square in the sugar to coat the sides.  If you prefer a traditional marshmallow, cut the squares and roll them in powdered sugar.  This just allows you to handle the marshmallows without having sticky fingers.

Give them as gifts or enjoy them in a cup of hot cocoa!  To see how I put together my valentine candy bags, head over to my blog!

I love those shows on TV that are easy make-overs.  Those transformations that happen in a day.  Remember Extreme Home Makeover?  MOVE THAT BUS!

I had a little glass vase that housed a terrarium.  It needed to fancied up a bit for the shelf, so I gave it a quick gradient treatment with gold spray.  Sometimes spraying the whole item can make it look cheap, so in this instance, I held the glass by the top and sprayed heavy on the bottom, then got lighter as I went up.

Another case of gradient are these wood candlesticks.  I’ve had them for forever and felt like they were starting to look a little ‘grandma.’  With the gold gradient, it’s a subtle way to make them look a little more modern.

I also like to fancy up simple things, like wood sticks for caramel apples.  I used a simple dowel, cut into pieces.  I held the bottom as I sprayed, so the part that goes into the apple doesn’t have any paint on it.  Add a velvet bow and you’ve got a great teacher/neighbor gift!

We made a string of popcorn the other day and I thought it might benefit from a little silver.  I sprayed here and there, so parts of the popcorn would so through.  Simple and elegant!

Everyone is obsessed with pumpkin these days…lattes, candles, scones.  ‘Tis the season!  Treat your skin to a pumpkin facial to get into the spirit and slough off all the damage of your summer tan.

Mix equal amounts pumpkin (canned is fine, fresh is better) and heavy cream.  I used 1/2 cup each and had enough to last about a week of masks.  The anti-oxidants in pumpkin and the lactic acid in cream will eat away the dead skin cells.  Add brown sugar for a scrubbing agent (1 Tablespoon was a good amount for my skin) and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.  Be careful with the cinnamon.  It brings blood to the surface of your skin, so it can burn a little.  If you have sensitive skin, you could skip the cinnamon or start with a pinch.  Bringing the blood to the surface creates a flush, so you’ll feel glowing after the mask!

Whisk the ingredients together and store in a glass jar.  I use a pastry brush to apply to my skin.

Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, but again, if you have sensitive skin, try less time and see how your skin feels.  Wash it off with a warm cloth and enjoy a fresh healthy complexion for fall!  (The mask will last for a week in the fridge.)

This is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love decorating, baking, shopping for gifts, wrapping gifts, and spending time with friends and family.  We have several traditions that we look forward to each year as a family.

One of my favorite traditions is our Advent Calendar.  (A few of my favorites are here and here and here.)

Advent calendars count down each day of December starting on December 1st until you reach Christmas Day.  Traditionally children receive a small sweet or toy.  I’ve tried to change it a bit and I put slips of paper with different activities for us to do together as a family each day.  I usually make one big list at the beginning of the season and print it out.  And then put a slip of paper in the pocket each day when I see how busy we are, how much homework the kids have, etc.  Some of the activities are small like reading a Christmas book or making a Christmas craft, and some are bigger like attending the Nutcracker ballet.  My kids are 6 and 8, and it’s amazing to me how excited they get about looking in the advent calendar each day.

I don’t do any gifts in our advent calendar with the exception of an occasional seasonal item like a new book or CD.

It’s a nice way to take a break in a busy season to spend some time together, even if it’s just to share some hot cocoa.

Here is a list of some of the activities we’ll be doing this holiday season!

• Go to see Nutcracker ballet
• Go to see Christmas lights
• Decorate house for Christmas
• Get and Decorate Christmas tree- new ornament for each child in calendar
• Shop for gift for sibling
• Wrap gift for sibling
• Bake and decorate Christmas cookies- cookie cutters in calendar
• Read Night Before Christmas
• Read Polar Express
• Watch Polar Express DVD
• Watch Charlie Brown Christmas DVD
• Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD
• Go to toy store and pick out a toy to buy and donate to Toys for Tots
• Decorate Christmas cards for family and friends
• Decorate gift tags
• Have hot cocoa and marshmallows & candy cane stirrer before bed- individual packets of cocoa in calendar
• Listen to Christmas music and play instruments or have a dance party
• Call family to sing Christmas carols or go caroling
• New Christmas book or Christmas CD- do a scavenger hunt to find them (one of my favorite books this season is here)
• New Christmas pj’s- do a scavenger hunt to find them
• Decorate a gingerbread house
• Visit Santa Claus
• Write a letter to Santa
• Find and wrap presents for teachers
• Christmas manicure and pedicure
• Make decorations for the house/ tree- paper chains (love these!)
• Fancy dinner at home- kids dress up, get to drink sparkling cider out of wine glasses, plan the menu
• Clean out toys and pick some to donate to Salvation Army
• Hand deliver holiday cards to friends and family
• Attend Christmas concert at place of worship and go out to dessert afterward
• Go ice skating

We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of time with family, love, joy, and laughter.

Did you know that chalkboard paint can be applied to anything?  Literally, anything!  I’ve used it on a few household items, so I thought, why not glasses?  It creates a rich, fall look and is totally functional too.

Start by printing off this image.  Just right click on the image, then save it to your desktop and print it on a white sheet of paper.

You’ll need to cut out the design and I’ve found this is easiest when you fold the sheet of paper in half.  Cut out half the design and even if you slightly mess up, it will be symmetrical and still look good!

After you cut out the image, cut off the excess paper and use packing tape to stretch it tightly across the glass.

Use chalkboard paint, which can be purchased at any hardware store, to cover the open area of the paper.  I suggest using thin strokes, so it’s not bumpy with too much paint.  It might take 4-5 thin coats.

Dry thoroughly and remove the paper.  I found a tiny bit of paint got through, so I used a q-tip dipped in acetone nail polish remover the clean up the tiny bit of spillage outside of the design.

Use a piece of chalk to write on the design.  I love naming the wine you are using or how cute would it be to use as appetizer holders, like for cheese sticks or candied nuts.  Dollar store or thrift store have cheap glass…the possibilities are endless!

Mornings can get pretty hectic in our house, and I’m always looking for a quick healthy breakfast I can give my kids.  Both kids love muffins, and I like the addition of oats and fruit in these for some extra nutrition.

I try to involve my kids in cooking as much as I can.  It seems like when I let them help me, they’re more open to trying new things.

I also like giving them foods that we make at home so I know exactly what goes into them!

I found this recipe in Everyday Food magazine here.  I followed the recipe exactly except we subbed raspberries for half of the blackberries.  They were delicious!

Some ideas to involve your kids in this recipe:

For younger kids:

-stir the berries into batter

-wash the berries

-put muffin liners in the pans

For older kids:

-chop the berries

-measure ingredients

-pour batter into muffin liners

My kids had one of these with a yogurt smoothie for breakfast.  And look, we now have breakfast for the week!

Seeing all the ‘arm-candy’ these days inspired me to make a little a stack of bracelets for my daughter, Jillian.  We started with a simple friendship bracelet.  I’m sure you remember making these over the summer as a kid.  If you need to brush up on your skills, here’s a little tutorial!

Step one:  Cut 24″ lengths of your favorite colored embroidery thread.  I chose 6 strands for a thicker bracelet.

Step two:  Knot the thread a few inches down and attach a safety pin to a pillow to anchor it.

Step three:  Arrange your colors in the order you want them to appear on your bracelet.  It’s important to remember the order in the first few rows.  The threads tend to tangle, but it gets easier as you go along.

Step four:  Take the first thread on your left and tie a knot around the next thread.  Keep that same thread (first on your left) and tie knots to each of the threads (heading toward your right).  When you get to the end that first thread then becomes the last (on the right side).

Step five:  Go back to the beginning and take the thread on your left and repeat the process.  Each time to get to the end it creates a new row.

You can end the bracelet with a knot or braid the ends.  I braided the ends, looped one side and then attached a button, so it could easily be taken on and off.  And because one bracelet can’t be worn alone, I made another one with just three strands of thread.  It went MUCH faster and I like the contrast of widths.  The last bracelet is a simple piece of stretchy red elastic knotted at the end.  I tied a tassel on the end to add a bit of interest!

One of our favorite brands this season is Persnickety Clothing Company.  I don’t know what it is about Persnickety, but the more you look at it the more you love it.

Everything mixes and matches so well.  You can add and subtract layers for different looks, and lots of knits are used with a child’s comfort in mind.  Girls dresses, leggings, tops, appliqued tops, skirts and jackets- there are lots of choices.

Another thing we love about Persnickety is their Buying is Giving Program.  Every time a Persnickety item is purchased, a portion of that sale is given away to people less fortunate.  Right now they are donating to the Giving Hope Society in Guatemala and Operation School Uniforms.  We admire their commitment to help children around the world.

This Fall there are three collections from Persnickety-  Pink Lace and Pinecones, Vintage Woodland, and Jeweled Forest.  All three seamlessly mix and match and offer countless outfit combinations.  The Persnickety Holiday 2012 collection will be available for preorder on September 16th.

And we can’t share YET, but Persnickety Spring 2013 will knock your socks off!