Thursday, September 23, 2010

Toddler Table Saver Tip

One of my friends pre-children introduced me to a wonderful way to protect pretty tablecloths. She had a toddler at the time. If you have children you know that you can't use a pretty tablecloth because it will be destroyed after one meal. For a while my table went bare because it was easier. Now I have a wonderful table saver that my friend had. It's just clear plastic that you can purchase in different thickness in your local fabric department. I chose the medium thickness for durability. The one drawback is if your plate or bowl is really hot it will stick to the plastic a little. One tip is not to buy the premade ones that are in the tablecloth aisle. They are like $6. I got mine for $2. It was a much better deal. They do last quite a while. Now, I can dress up my table anytime and not worry. Here is my pretty little table all dressed up for fall:
I added fabric leaves under the plastic cover that I bought for $1 at the Dollar Tree. So fun!

I know these are blue. They may get a coat of paint to help them blend. These table holder clips are awesome! My lil man figured out that if he pulled on the tablecloth he could reach things on the table. Big messes for mommy. Thank goodness for these little lifesavers! Now every momma can have a pretty table even with a toddler!

~Tabitha~

Money Saving Tip: Momma Style

You spend a fortune on the necessities for your infant/toddler so you want to use it to the last drop. You know what I mean. Even a "large" tube of store brand Desitin is over $2. Just like toothpaste diaper cream is a pain in the "butt" (Ha Ha) to use it up. You get to the end of the tube and almost break your fingers trying to get the last drop! I fight with the tube while wrestling my toddler. I swear I've become the fastest diaper changer in the world! So, I found an ingenius solution to this problem:

I'm sure everyone will recognize this simple, fabulous little contraption. It's the tube squeezer for toothpaste! Guess what? It fits on your diaper cream tube too!! I discovered it this week. The Story: Ok, I am like the last person on the planet who didn't have one of these toothpaste squeezer thing a ma bobs. I found one at the Dollar Tree while shopping and bought it for our toothpaste. My diaper cream is getting low and I had one of those light bulb moments, "Maybe the toothpaste thing will fit the diaper cream. They look about the same size." Low and behold it does. So, now my toothpaste will have to be naked until I make another trip to the Dollar Tree. I love the simple things! I hope this tip makes diaper wrestling a little easier on ya!

~Tabitha~

Subway Art

Have you heard of Subway Art? It is sooo much fun. The first I heard of it was here:
http://www.infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/. I so admire this very creative, talented momma. She linked to http://www.tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/. I checked out her site as well and LOVED it! She has so many examples of subway art in her blog and tutorials. My bathroom has been a work in progress for....let's just say a very long time! ; ) I haven't been able to find the right decorative hangings so it just has blank walls. So boring. So, after seeing these awesome examples of Subway Art I thought our bathroom would be a fun place to try it out. Plus, it gave me a great excuse to play with my Silhouette SD. If you haven't heard of them check out http://www.silhouette.com/ and http://www.howdoesshe.com/ for the cute projects and what it's all about. So, here is what I came up with:

Sorry that it's a little hazy. My camera is seriously outdated and it was late so the lighting wasn't the greatest. I think it turned out adorable! I just sat down with a notebook and thought of all the crazy things that happen in our bathroom, found a fun font, and then played with the arrangement until I liked it. You could do this with any room or even holidays or your children. The craft options are limitless. Now I just have to find the perfect 11x14 frame. I am thinking one of those floating frames or a regular frame with some fun scrapbook paper matting. Input would be great! I'll post another pic when it's hanging!

Happy Crafting
~Tabitha~