Playdough - A Great Indoor Activity

Yesterday we made playdough. I was a little hesitant to try playdough with my 18 month old daughter...I was fearful she'd eat it or smear it into the carpet...as it turned out it was a wonderful experience, for both of us! You might notice a couple funny things, I had goldfish crackers on the activity table-in an effort to discourage playdough eating, and my daughter is wearing a purple tutu with her PJs. She loves that tutu!
I made the cooked playdough from a recipe found at http://www.creativekidsathome.com/. Then divided the warm lump into 10 equal balls. I used Wilton icing color for some unique color variety. The pot was a little messy but it cleaned up super easy. Here's the recipe I used:

3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp cream of tarter
3 tbsp oil
3 cups water
1. Dissolve salt in the water.
2. Pour all ingredients into a large pot.
3. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides.
4. Knead the dough mixture until the texture matches playdough (1-2 minutes).
Store in plastic container. Should last for at least 3 months.

A Crumb-Catcher Bib For The Baby

Earlier this week I ordered a pair of pliers for applying snaps to my bibs, http://www.kamsnaps.com/. Well, guess what arrived in the mail today?!?! And just in time! My daughter has recently began removing every single bib...sometimes before the food even reaches her tray. I can see lots of snap applying in my future. Anyway, I was so excited I just had to whip up this little crumb-catcher bib so I could try out my new toy! I used Amy Butler's Coriander in Pink from her Belle line of fabrics. I then added a laminating product to the fabric - to make it waterproof, trimmed it with binding tape and waa-laa - A BIB! Now for the snaps. This part was so simple I thought for sure I was doing it wrong. All I had to do was poke a small hole with the provided awl, place a snap cap on one side of the hole and a socket on the other side and squeeze! This wasn't even a hard squeeze!

KAMsnap has a picture tutorial and video how-to.

http://www.kamsnaps.com/Instructions-for-Snap-Pliers-15.html

A Crumb-Catcher Bib for the Baby

Earlier this week I ordered a pair of pliers (for applying snaps) and 200 snaps for my bibs. Well, guess what arrived in the mail today!?!?

My daughter has reached an age where bibs are a MUST and velcro closures just aren't cuttin' it anymore. Some meals, the bib's ripped off before the food is even on the tray! On top of that

New Shipping Days

About 2 weeks ago I began implementing new shipping days for Baby's Indulgence, Tuesdays and Fridays. Prior to this I really thought I enjoyed an excuse to get out everyday. However, I've come to realize I didn't enjoy lugging my toddler in and out of the car every single day for quick trips to the post office. I'm certain my daughter didn't appreciate it either. Especially now that she's reached that 'me do it' phase of toddler-hood. What was once a 20 second buckle up can now range anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes. And that's only if she doesn't decide to hurdle the center console and plant her cute little bottom in the driver's seat before I can lean in to buckle her. The best part of my new shipping days is the sense of accomplishment I feel shipping so many lovely handmade items all at once! Silly, I know. But when your life is centered around diapers, a runny nose, Sesame Street, Signing Times, snacks and far too short of naps...little things give you such an ego boost!

Look What Just Arrived

Monkey's Bizness Ready, Set, Robot! Isn't it the cutest!?! Retro robots all over a navy background...LOVE it!! I ordered just 2 yards of it from Pink Chalk Fabrics, www.pinkchalkfabrics.com, but now I'm wishing for more! I'm covering it with a heat 'n bond vinyl for a custom splat mat for a customer. As well as a matching baby bib and placemat. I'll be sure to post photos of the completed projects.

The Newest Splat Mats

Now that I have some new laminated fabrics I've been itching to make some more splat mats. Here are the newest additions.

Amy Butler's New Laminated Cottons Have Arrived

Hip, hip, hooray for Amy Butler and her new laminated cottons! I just love Amy Butler's fabrics and now that some of them come laminated, I'm in heaven!Laminated cotton is waterproof, durable and wipe-able, perfect for both wet and dry messes. It's very different than standard oilcloth. Laminated cotton is quite literally cotton fabric that has been coated with polyurethane. It's super supple and flexible.