Snack Bags for Two

One week of snacks for two adults:

Veggies:

2 lbs baby carrots, a handful per bag ($2)

3 bunches of radishes, (only last about 5 days), 4-5 per bag ($1.50)

1 bag broccoli, 5-6 "trees" per bag ($3.50)

1 package of celery, cut in thirds, 3-4 per bag ($1.50)

1 lb green beans, handful per bag ($1.50)

2 cheese sticks per bag ($2.50)

*tricks* I have found it to be easier to stuff the bags if the gbs go in first, then the celery. After that, it really doesn't matter. 

Trail Mix:

1 bag pretzels, one handful ($2)

1 container peanuts, small handfull (?)

1 medium bag M&M's, even smaller handful ($3)

other add in ideas: cashews, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, etc.

To make a weeks worth of snacks for my husband and myself, it took less than an hour! These prices were what I paid today. Ish. It you figure two snacks a day times two people, it's about a $1 a snack. But... I still have pretzels, M&M's, and radishes left over. And, to save $$, you can buy the broccoli not already chopped up and washed. I was lazy today.

Adult Chore Charts

My husband and I both hate doing chores. And we are terrible at motivating each other. So, I made a chore chart for us. Each day we had a daily chore. Problem was, neither of us was motivated to do them.

So, I added an incentive to our chores! We each have something that is a $$$$ want but we just can't justify going out to the store and buying. So, I added a value to doing daily chores (and threw in exercise!) and made it sort of a competition to see who could reach their goal first!

I am currently trying to make these charts into a decorative display. Watch for that post!

Mario Curtains

Easy DIY Mario Curtains

Curtains
I made these for my Mario Nursery. I did not have a pattern to go off of and decided to just go for it. There are a few things I would change and suggestions I would make for those wanting to try to make these. Just be warned. I am a "close enough" kind of sewer! But hopefully this will give you an idea of where to go and what to do!

• Prepare your fabric.

•  Measure your windows. Mine were 47x47. These will have 6 in of green on the bottom so I took that into account when cutting. Also remember to leave a seam allowance at the top and bottom and 2" extra to put a curtain rod through. I ended up cutting mine a little long on purpose just to take all that into account.

•  Measure bottom stripe. I wanted 6 inches so I measured 7.5. Ended up being a little long, but it works.

•  Sew right sides together using a 1/4" or 1/2" seam. I prefer sewing just right long my presser foot.

•  Measure desired length of stripe. Measure to make sure it is the same length all the way across. Sew seam along bottom, remembering to roll for nice edge. You can use larger than 1/4" seam if you have enough fabric (like I did). I used a 3/4" seam and it looked nice.  

• Forgot a picture of this step, but sew a finished seam around the edge of each side. On the top, fold over two inches to make pocket for your curtain rod and sew. I used a zig zag seam with green thread that looked really nice. But I have a valance going over the top. I wasn't too concerned with it looking too pretty.

•  I didn't want to buy expensive black out material so I used some polyester I had on hand. I just sewed it on along the seam along the top where my pocket is. Just be careful you don't sew into the pocket like I did in one spot. Made putting the curtain rod in a little tight!
• Repeat for however many panels you need. Make sure lengths are equal when sewing multiple panels. I had to cut about an inch off of my second panel to make it line up right. Not sure how that happened... maybe that's how my "close enough" sewing plays in! :)

Valance
I found this idea on Pinterest and decided to make it my own. I made up this pattern too, but would change a few things. Also, I am sparse on pictures.

• I cut 5 12x12 pieces of cotton fabric. 3 black for the blocks, 2 cream for the iron on transfers. Choose size based on your windows.

• Cut out brown blocks. Next time, I would make fewer larger blocks and take the time to make a nice seam on all of them instead of zigzagging around. Mine were 2" wide by 4" long.

•  Pin to black fabric.

•  This is where I failed to take pictures. I bought iron on Mario characters on ebay. Iron those on. 
• Next, sew the 5 blocks together with a 1/4" seam on each side. (Sew right sides together like you were piecing a quilt.) Finish the sides and bottom edge with a nice seam.
• I needed a way to hang these and block out some light so I made a "separate curtain" out of an old bed sheet. I used the edge so I didn't need to finish seams on the bottom.

•  Sew a pocket (mine was 2") for a curtain rod.

•  I wanted the brown zigzags to show on the other side at 2.5" from the top. I placed my transfers with that in mind. Here is the change I would make: I would use a black back curtain and sew it on at the same time I sewed my top seam. Instead, I measured 2.5" down and pinned on the seam (brown stitches on white in picture) at the 2.5 mark and very carefully stitched it on, making sure I didn't sew onto the pocket.
• Sewing loops like the original blog post is an option, too. Or folding the top over two inches to make a pocket like on the curtains is another option. I obviously chose the hard route...

Put it together and Presto! Mario!

They look nice with my matching bed skirt!

DIY Mario Mushroom Pillow Pattern

Mario 1 Up and Super Mushroom Pattern

Pattern: Self-made patter found HERE

I will show pictures from both. I modified the 1-Up mushroom a tad because I couldn't find any green fabric with polka-dots on it that wasn't too "baby."

• Cut pattern. Pin top of mushroom on the fold of fabric. Cut two.

• Cut two mushroom "faces."

•  I used fleece for the white spots on the 1-up. This will give it some texture and also won't fray. I didn't take the time to tuck the sides under.  I used a can to cut my circles.

•  If placing on dots, sew before placing together.

•  I used a really small seam allowance. 

I decided after it looked better with more dots. DO THIS BEFORE you sew the two pieces together. So much easier... as I found out the hard way!

• Next, place the face on the mushroom top, right sides together. I lined them up one on top of the other to make sure they would like up when I sew them together. 

• I used a 1/4" seam allowance here.

•  Fold down and press.

•  Pin right sides together.

•  Sew around the edges, 1/4-1/2" seam allowance. Doesn't matter. I used 1/2" to be safe. Leave pocket at the bottom to turn right-side out and stuff.

•  Turn out. Corners of mushroom may pucker a bit, I used a few hand stitches to get rid of this.

•  Stuff.

•  I didn't have the patience to blind stitch  these, but would make it look more finished. I think they look fine just sewn. 

•  Ta-da!

•  Draw on the eyes. I think it looks better drawn on than sewn.

Check out the Star Pillow HERE.

DIY Mario Power Star Pillow

Mario Power Star Pillow

Pattern: Self-made pattern found HERE

• Cut out pattern and tape the two parts of the star together.
• Place on fold on yellow fabric, cut two stars.

• I cut out two eyes from black jean fabric. Pin to one star, sew.

• I do not have specific seam allowance, and I used white thread because my black was all gone :(

•  Place two stars right-sides together. (The pattern isn't 100% perfect so there was one way that the stars fit together the best.)

• Sew with a 1/2" seam. When you get to a vertex, place needle down in fabric, lift presser foot, turn fabric, drop foot, resume sewing. 

• Make sure to leave a gap in the bottom to turn right-side out and to insert stuffing.

• Turn right side out.

•  Use scissors to make the points pop out.

•  Get ready to stuff!

•  Make sure to stuff the corners well. It is hard to get stuffing in the corners after it is sewn up. I found my finger worked better than the scissors. Place enough stuffing in the star to allow it to settle once sewn shut.

•  Pin the bottom on the star

•  Use a blind stitch to sew the pillow shut.

• Ta-da!

See my 1 Up Mushrooms and Super Mushrooms HERE.

DIY Cat Shelves

Cat trees are expensive. Here is a DIY solution that will still allow your cats to have some fun!

Materials:
1 x 8 x 10 cut into 18" pieces (4 shelves)
8 angle brackets
Staple gun and staples
24 2" all purpose wall screws
24 8x3/4 wood screws
level
drill

 We had left over carpet which was perfect! 

Align one straight edge with the side of the wood. Leave a generous amount of carpet on the remaining 3 sides. Enough so you can staple it later.

 For a smooth corner, notch out the corners on the two sides not aligned with the back of the board.

 Fold the carpet over on the sides.

 Staple.

 It is important that the carpet is pulled tight over the front lip so it won't pucker.

 You may need two hands! :)

 This was the neatest way we could find to finish off the corners.

 Staple the sides if they are puckering and staple where the corners meet. 

 Secure on the top by stapling along the aligned edge. Repeat for other shelves.

 Use a stud finder to locate the studs in your walls. 

 Mount the brackets first. This helps to get the shelf flush against the wall. It also helps cut out meticulous measurements.

Measure how high you want your shelves off the ground. Ours were spaced 14".

 Use 2" screws to secure into studs.

Level the second bracket with the first.
 Also, remember to place your shelf on top on the brackets to make sure the brackets fit between the carpeted area. 

 (Our cats were extremely curious... and didn't like the drill much)

 The first shelf is the trickiest, but next, place the shelf on top of the brackets. Have a helper put a little pressure above the securing site. These are the wood screws. Repeat.

 Testing it out!

 These are mounted in our stairway. We had a lot of dead space.

We put in less than $30 for this. (And we got a gift card from work so it was even less out of our pocket!)



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