Sunday, November 22, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No. 135}

Happy Monday All!! 

This weekend was a whirlwind of activity as we celebrated my two oldest girls birthdays with a Cheerleading themed party. It was a blast! We got the whole house decorated in red and white, ate a ton of delicious food and then surprised the girls with two of our local high schools cheerleaders. The girls came and taught all of the kids a few cheers, chants, jumps and then helped them put on a performance for all the parents who were there. I didn't tell my girls that the cheerleaders were coming and they were over the moon excited. My 4 year old almost cried because she was so overwhelmed when they showed up. :) So, so much fun!!


Lydia, Jill and I must all have been super hungry this week because all of our featured posts are delicious sounding recipes made by you! Here are our top picks.

Jamie's Pick: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Wontons via Simply Stacie

Lydia's Pick: Cranberry Orange Scones via The Gold Lining Girl

Jill's Pick: Baked Apple Cheescake via Lou Lou Girls


And our most viewed post of the week is Twelve Thankful Crafts via The Crafty Blog Stalker


Thank you and congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.


 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:
Follow on Bloglovin

*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!! 


Sunday, November 15, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No. 134}

It's that time of the week again! Welcome back to Much Ado About Monday!

This weekend was a fun one. We spent most of the day today with my oldests Girl Scout troop taking a grocery store tour and learning about money to earn their Finance leaves. The grocery store we went to was incredibly accomodating taking us on a full tour of the store including the back room and freezer area. They even let the girls practice their cashier skills on one of the real tills. After the tour, the girls earned their Community helpers badge by shopping for and buying food to give a couple families in need a Thanksgiving dinner. Overall a really fun day for the girls!


This past week you guys shared some amazing posts and we can't wait to share our favourites with you!

Jamie's Pick: Turkey Treats via The Country Chic Cottage

Jill's Pick: DIY Christmas Reindeer via Designer Trapped in a Lawyers Body

Lydia's Pick: Free Christmas Village Cut File via Fynes Designs


And our most viewed post of the week was: Painted Acorns via ArtClubBlog


Thank you and congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.


 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin

*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!! 


Monday, November 9, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No 133}

Happy Monday Everybody!!

This week absolutely flew by and we are enjoying the cooler weather. Unfortunately, this weekend marked the end of our Summer camping and boating adventures, but spending some time at home cuddling up with my family on the weekends will be so nice. And now, we will be all rested and reenergized for when the weather warms up again and we move our camper back to it's Summer home.

This week Lydia showed off her AMAZING sewing skills by pattern testing the Airdrie Diaper Bag. She did such a fantastic job and I am sooo impressed with the final result. You go girl!!


You all shared some fantastic things this week as well with our favourites being...


Jamie's Pick: Thanksgiving Tree Canvas via Julie is Coco and Cocoa

 Jill's Pick: Apple Tart via OhMy!Creative

Lydia's Pick: Snowy Day Quilt via Flamingo Toes

And our most viewed link was Free Crochet Giraffe Pattern via Shehlagrr


Thank you and congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.



 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin




*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!! 


Friday, November 6, 2015

Airdrie Diaper Bag {Pattern Test}

Being a mother of three who is constantly on the go, I am always on the lookout for a diaper bag that is cute, stylish, AND functional. I never even entertained the idea of making my own bag (it seemed like so much work!) until Abby over at Sew Much Ado put out a tester call for the Airdrie bag. As soon as I saw the bag, and all the awesome details and storage pockets, I knew I had to try to make one for myself. And guys, I LOVE my bag.


I am not going to lie to you here: making a diaper bag with this many components intimidated me a bit (THREE zippers, adjustable messenger strap, magnetic snap pocket, side pockets, interior zippered divider pocket, interior elastic pockets...I told you this bag had a ton of elements!) and I have been sewing since I was 9.  But I had always sewn clothes and never dreamed that I would love sewing a bag as much as I did.

My sister and adorable niece modeling my Airdrie bag. Don't you just want to smoosh those delicious baby legs?!

I seriously loved putting this bag together. It was so much fun and the pattern went together like a dream. I felt like I was putting together a really awesome, 3-D jigsaw puzzle that gave me an amazing diaper bag at the end.


Having never sewn a bag before, I learned a lot of new skills putting together my Airdrie bag. One of them was installing a magnetic snap for the front pocket. It was so simple to do and I feel like such a pro whenever I use it. My husband was super impressed with it as well (shhh...don't tell him how easy it was).


And I love this front pocket. I keep my lip gloss, hand sanitizer, and pocket first aid kit up there and  I still have plenty of room.



I had also never sewn a welted zipper, which is located on the back of the bag. Abby's instructions and clear pictures made this step a cinch and I was amazed at how quickly it came together and how polished it looks.

 I like to keep my tissues, coupons, and mints in the back pocket. (And can I mention how much I adore this pop of pink from the interior fabric whenever I use this pocket? So much fun!)

The exterior also has two side gusset pockets, which are so nice to have and are much bigger than I initially thought. So big, in fact, that I can fit my kids' Thermos Funtainer sippy cups in them with no problem.


 The other pocket I use for my keys and phone, since I reach for those two items the most when I'm out and about.


 And can we talk about the interior of this bag?! Two elastic pockets on the back side of the bag (where I keep my diapers and wipes) and a divided zipper pocket (which fits my iPad mini), which nicely separates my side of the bag from the kids' side of the bag. I love having this divider so I know my wallet and lotion are always at the front, and the snacks and colors for the kiddos are always at the back. 



Here is my bag, all packed and ready to go. And I honestly could stuff more in there (which I normally do), but it looks so nice and organized for the picture. 

Here I pulled everything out of the bag, so you could see how much was in there, hidden in the pockets. A full size coloring book, crayon roll, iPad mini, make-up bag, wallet, stack of diapers, wipes, Boogie wipes (these things are so awesome, y'all), diaper pad, snacks...the list goes on and on. I have yet to run out of room, yet everything stays fairly organized, thanks to the pockets and the divider.

Once everything is tucked away,  the bag closes with a recessed zipper, which is one of my favorite things about the bag. I have had several diaper bags that only close with a magnetic snap and I was not a fan of that at all. I love that once I zipper the bag shut, it looks so polished and I don't have to worry about things getting out of (or into!) the bag. Such an awesome feature.

 The bag also features an adjustable messenger strap, so I can tighten it up or loosen it, depending on how I'm wearing it that day. So nice to have that option!


 I had also never really worked with home decor fabric (which is recommended for the exterior of the bag) but it was such a nice change from working with stretchy knits or wrinkly cotton fabrics.

I signed up to test this pattern a little unsure of what I was getting myself into since I had never sewn a bag before, much less one with so many amazing features, but came away loving the process (beside the cutting out, but who ever really likes that part?!) and ready to make another one.


I have been using my bag since it's completion (about three weeks now) and it is holding up beautifully. The interfacing and fleece that give the bag it's shape are the perfect combination of sturdy, yet flexible and comfortable.

I have said it so many times in this post, but the Airdrie bag is simply the best and I just love, love, love it!! Don't let the fact that you have never made a bag before stop you from making this one. Abby's pattern and instructions are so clear and professional and you will be amazed at how quickly you will be strolling the town, showing off your one-of-a-kind diaper bag. The pattern is available on Etsy so be sure to get your copy!

photo copyright Sew Much Ado
***Not a mom? Don't need a diaper bag anymore (stop bragging)? This bag is also perfect for traveling or just running errands around the town. Check out Sew Much Ado's post on the other pattern testers photos and see what other inspiring bags they made!


Linking up with these great parties:































Sunday, November 1, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No.132}

WELCOME NOVEMBER!!

I can't believe it is November already and Halloween is over. Soon it will be Thanksgiving and then the countdown to Christmas will begin, and I cannot wait!! Last week was insanely busy as we prepared for the spook-tacular day, but the business was worth it because this weekend was a blast!


We started the Halloween weekend off with our annual trip to Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo. It is always a ton of fun for the kids to play festive games, decorate a pumpkin and of course see all of their favourite animals. We have gone every year since Jaydn was a baby and now five years later and can't imagine us not continuing the tradition.


After a fun day at Zoo Boo, we headed over to Lydia's house for a fun Halloween dress-up party, the kids had a blast dressing up, eating all of the Halloween themed treats and getting to play some fun games, including a ghostly pinata.

Saturday was, of course, Halloween, so we woke up early and got to work on carving our pumpkins.


This year my kids dressed up as traditional Halloween characters; a witch, pumpkin, black cat and Frankenstein, so our pumpkins were carved to match their costumes.


After our pumpkins were finished we got ourselves ready for a fun evening of Tricking and Treating. A perfect Halloween weekend to be sure! :)

You were all busy as well, sharing some amazing posts. We so enjoy seeing what you have to share with us each week and every week it gets harder and harder to choose our favourites. But, you gotta do what you gotta do so here they are.

Jamie's pick: DIY Rustic Arrow Wall Art via Dandelion Patina

Lydia's pick: DIY Dinosaur Plank Art via Simply Beautiful by Angela

Jill's pick: Witches Broomstick Treat Bags via My Thoughts, Ideas and Ramblings


And our most viewed post was DIY TeePee for your Cat via MommaDJane


Congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.



 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin




*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!!