DIY Tulle Tutu Tutorial

My girls love being ballerinas...

They put on little shows. mainly of sophia dancing..

and sienna trying to copy her. :)

I thought it was only fitting that these girly girls have tutus!

The girls are having a vintage circus party next month..

all the kids are invited to come dressed up and join the circus!

The girls are going as circus ballerinas!

While I vacuum they use the cord across the floor as a rope

and pretend they're tight rope walkers...

I really want to get/make them little parasols!

I think for the party I'll put something across the floor for them to pretend with..

something a bit less hazardous than a vacuum cord. ;)

A million tutu tutorials out there..

but here's a run down of how I made mine!

I had seen some tutorials via pinterest.. this tutorial was a favorite.

I first went to Jo-Anns for the tulle..but they didn't have it on the rolls..

so ended up buying at Michael's. I highly suggest using the rolls

and not just buying yardage. sooo much easier!

1. Take your ribbon..and start 15" from the end.

2. I did the slip knot to tie them on. Check out this tutorial for good photos on that

I first tried the double knot..but didn't like how it felt/made up.

3. It helps to tie the other end to something..I used my chair back.

4. I wrapped it around my girls to figure out how much tulle to put on..

left enough ribbon to tie in a bow..and trimmed the extra.

Done!

If you have little girls in your life..you should make them a tutu!

They made up really easy..and were a HIT.

Seriously. I was the mom.

My only suggestion...would be to not use sparkly tulle

unless you don't mind it ALL OVER THE HOUSE. :)

my husband had it on his face...haha.

Perfect for the party. But I might make up a couple more

in other colors for around the house dancing and no sparkle mess.

Love how they turned out though! and LOVED the smiles on my girls' faces.

PS. I've been working up circus printables for the party..I'll be sharing them soon!

sooooooooooo excited.  My favorite designs/party details yet I think.

Not going to be your typical red and white circus..

my girls are bit more girly than that..

and I like taking a regular theme and making

it special and unique. excited to share the details. :)

My Bottom Dollar Food Shopping Experience!

Excited to share my shopping experience of  Bottom Dollar Food.

Check out my video review below!

This was one review that the hubby was very excited about.

Free groceries is always nice! ;)

The girls loved the cold room with all the produce..

and I loved the options of the private and national brands!

The prices were great.. And I love that they take coupons and have the membership program where you can upload coupons to the cards. Always handy!

Glad that one is being built just down the street from us..

Check out Bottom Dollar Food's Website to see if you have a store near you!

We are going to be regulars of Bottom Dollar Food!

The girls got to fill up their piggy bank after bath time.

We had to empty it and fill it up again a few times........ ;)

Baby Book- 19, 20 & 21 Week Bumps

Can you tell that I have been a bit busy lately?

Sorry for the lack of blogging love..

I was able to keep up with taking photos..

but the time to do them has become a quick second..

before sienna jumps in the frame.

Here's the past 3 weeks of bump photos!

I can't believe I'm past the half way mark of my pregnancy!!

The doctor told me that sometimes it goes slow for a while then speeds up..

I don't mind it right now.. I need these next weeks to mentally

prepare for 3 babies under the age of 5. haha.

Sophia has been walking around the house with her baby doll under her shirt...

then she slowly has the doll drop out and goes "Mom my baby popped out!!"

She totally gets the whole birthing process. ;)

Sophie has sienna sit on the couch with a pillow to hold the baby.. telling her not to touch the baby's face!..haha. They are going to be good little mommies.. and this baby is going to be smooched on. a lot. and possibly dressed up like a tiny princess.. girl or boy. ;)

Our house the other day was covered with pink sparkles from the tulle I used to make tutus for the girls.... ben was rubbing my belly going boy..boy...haha.

I have been feeling good... Except some days I am so hungry..
but NOTHING sounds good.
Which makes for a very hungry crabby pregnant lady.

not good.

One day I seriously felt like I would karate chop anyone that looked at me wrong. haha.

Good thing I have an understanding husband...who knows when to hug..when to NOT hug..
when to do dishes or take the girls out.

Don't really feel "beautiful" this pregnancy..

the hubby is pretty good about telling me differently.

But sometimes a pregnant lady..just feels.....pregnant.

I have been having A TON of braxton hicks contractions this pregnancy.
probably because of how busy I'm kept with sophie and sienna.

Need to drink more water...because sitting down more isn't really an option. ;)
I love being able to feel the baby move! SOOO active.
Right now it's not too uncomfortable..but once he or she is a little bigger...
My rib cage is going to be the sorry one. hehe. It is so amazing though..
I feel even more connected to the baby now that I feel it moving around..
when I see newborns now I get that "ahh I can't waittttt" feeling. :)

BLANQI Mama

Heavy Hearted

I posted a while back how we went down to charlotte for a summer trip..

spent the 4th of july with my family there...

I was so excited to make the trip..but it also brought up in me memories of shannon..

memories that made me even MORE emotional than I already am.

(crazy hormonal pregnant lady here.)

The last time I heard shannon's voice she was calling me to figure out

plans for meeting in Charlotte around the same time last year...for a summer visit.

We were so excited to let the kids play together. to catch up. to actually be in the same state!

I missed that call. So I only have a voicemail from her..

We never got to make that trip. because a few days later she was murdered.

So the whole time I was packing.. and the whole drive down.. and the whole time I was there... a part of me was thinking about her. and how it could have been.

I had a heavy heart as we drove home. It just felt..like something was missing.

someone was missing.

His court day was scheduled for thursday..but got moved back again to august.

Been thinking a lot lately about all of us missing shannon..

and having to go through this. especially her parents and siblings.. her two little kids..

Please send up some prayers for all of us.

A part of me just wants that part to be over and done with.

If you..or someone you know..or barely know..

is experiencing domestic violence..

please..do something about it.

It still comforts me..the message that I recieved a while after shannon was killed..of a woman in brazil, who after reading her story on my blog, took her child and left the domestic violence she was experiencing in her home. Take that first step..or help someone else take it.

To read all posts related to Shannon you can click here.
Please share her story..donate if you can.
If you have been touched by her story and would like to 
visit her Memorial Page you can visit here. 

Please Pray for peace in our world 
and for all those affected by Domestic Violence.

Happy Birthday to my Man

Happy Birthday to my

wonderful husband ben! the big 28!

Yesterday while out to eat he shed a tear over not being carded..

He keeps making old man jokes. He is silly. and I like his grey hair anyways! ;)

I love this man so much! He is such a great father, protector & provider!

He makes me laugh everyday..and is such a support for me.

I am so thankful that I found him.. it was at college..

he was a bit more "thug" back then ;)..haha.

We kept making eye contact around campus..

We spoke once at the gym during an intermural

game when I was standing with a mutual friend.

At that time, Instead of going out partying,

I started going to shoot hoops in the gym (my mom's idea)..

I'm horrible at basketball.

but ben happened to come in one night when I was there..and the rest is history. :)

He likes to say he taught me how to shoot..but that didn't happen. haha.

what DID happen(that he denies)..

was when he first spoke to me earlier that week at the game..

he said "I see you all over campus..I gotta know your name"...

I know.......I totally forgot his name when he told it to me

because I was taken aback. so cute!

Just dating.... (first photos)

Still amazinglyyyy good looking.....I know....

Love you babe.. so glad for these years together..

and that we are celebrating your life today!

The girls are loving singing happy birthday allll dayyy to daddy. :)

Sophie tried to get out of nap time today.. "but mom...we are going to be celebrating.."

nice try.

What I do during nap and bed time...

Nap and Bed time are 'Go-Time' for a stay home working mama!

My most recent projects have been felt orders and printables..

My Etsy Shops Pretty Paperie Printables and Charming Felt keep me busy and I'm thankful for being able to stay at home but bring in money for our family.

These felt creations are loved little pieces! The perfectionist in me wants them to be just right.

Some of you have messaged me about interest in buying for Christmas Presents..

Due date is November 24th..(give or take 4 days) So my only suggestion is to order sooner than later..Because Charming Felt will only be open for a limited time.

I have some other big projects in the works.. but I'll have it open for orders when I can!

Felt Board Cupcakes..coming right up! ;)

A Recent Client asked me to create

Noah's Ark Birthday Party Printables for her daughter.

I love the theme..so was super excited to make

up a fun invite and some party details for her!

Last night I needed a felt/printable order break..so I created the birthday invite for my girls!

I'm sooo excited about the theme and how the invite came together.

We are doing a Vintage Circus Dress-Up party!

It's a mix of a bunch of things they love.

I knew I wanted to do a vintage circus theme because I'm not a real fan of the color red..

And I wanted to make it different in that the kids don't just come to the circus..they join it!

Lots of fun DIY Projects already going through my head!

I am in the works of tracking down high school kids

we know to be the clown..ballerina/tight rope walker.. strong man..etc..

I can't wait. :)

I admit to my obsession with yellow and white stripes..

What do you think!? I'm sure I'll edit the invite 5 more times before I finally print and send out. :)

Can't wait to share more of the printables and details for the party.

It's at the end of August. Trying to think ahead so I can gather supplies for the DIY Projects.

Going to try and make this my cheapest party yet!..using free or bargain finds..garage sale items..lots of diy projects etc.. I'll keep you posted on how it comes together!

Girls are napping....back to felt and printable orders!

Hope you are having a great monday. 

Our 4th of July Fun - iPhone Dump

This past week our little family headed to Charlotte to spend some time with my family!

My siblings were able to come up from atlanta..so for once we all were together.

(minus my brother-in-law will)

We did lots of playing, pool time, eating and hanging out.

It's summer..so of course we had to all pack up and go to Rita's!

My Philly boy husband organized this outting.. he loves his rita's.

My parent's neighborhood has a great pool... we hit that up a few times.

My girls are still a little timid. But ben got his rough housing fix by tossing around my nephew jude and dunking my sister val. The girls are more my style of pooling...snacking and lounging  ;)

On the 4th of July the neighborhood does a fun parade with a fire truck.. everyone rides around. sophie was determined to pedel the whole way.

It ended with popsicles that turned sienna's whole face, arms clothes blue...

and sophie got to spray the fire truck hose!

My husband thought he was hilarious doing that face and "4!" gesture every time I put the camera on him.....he kept shouting out yaaaa 4th!" haha.

Ben likes to be on the verge of funny/annoying when it comes to antics in public. ;)

We ended the 4th of July with some yummy food.

While things were cooking up little nico and sienna needed a cheese and crackers break. :)

aren't they so cute?! They are only a month or so a part. 

My mom had the cute idea of little festive fruit ka bobs. the kids loved them!

There was lots of eating, sillyness, e-mail checking & mega run gaming.

We drove home yesterday..and the girls were pretty good in the car.

On the way down I followed the advice of others and "wrapped" little dollar store items for the girls and randomly pulled them out when neeeded. LIFE SAVER.

That and gogurts saved us in the car.

A perk of the baby bump is a little holder for the show watching... ;)

So glad we made the trip south to spend the 4th with family!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!

So thankful for all of those who have and

continue to keep us free and safe!

and Thankful for the sacrifice of the family of our military.

God Bless America!