Wild and Free...

Oh how I love letting those kids run wild and free. I'm not naturally an outdoorsy person, so when I do get myself out there, I try to relish every single moment.

Recently we went to The Springs Preserve. It's a wonderful place here in the valley, where the kids can run and explore. We met up with friends, which guaranteed a day of full on play.

We explored the trails, went through a ship wreck exhibit, picnicked lunch, and did some serious climbing.

We spent five hours there friends! I was one tired mama when we got home. How do kids have so much energy? I swear their batteries just keep on going. Some comfy sweats and down time were greatly enjoyed after all that fun.

I'm thankful for these days, when we get outside and explore this amazing world God has created. It's a great reminder to me that we are living in the greatest canvas ever painted. What a beautiful gift that is!

I hope your weekend is going well and you find some time to get a little wild and free. It sure feels good ;)

Anyone watching Downton Abbey tonight? Hubby and I are super fans. Sunday evening just got more exciting :)

XO Danielle

Polkadot Love Pajama Set

This post was originally created for The Ribbon Retreat Blog
They were kind enough to send me some delicious fabric and notions to create with.

I don't know about you, but temperatures in my neck of the woods...err desert...have been rising. Spring is in full swing, with Summer right around the corner. That being said, my little Miss is in need of some new, summer pajamas. I knew I wanted something light and cozy...every little munchkin needs plenty of room to run and jump on beds in their pajamas...well at least my munchkin seems to think so. I went on the hunt for some fun knit patterns and knew I hit gold when I saw Riley Blake's Polkadot knit line. Those dots are just too stinkin cute! I love it when you find a fun fabric and get that I-can't-wait-to-get-my-hands-on-it-itch-to-sew feeling. Isn't that the best?

White Elastic - 3/4 Inch
1/4 yard orange polkadot knit fabric
1 1/2 yards light blue polkadot fabric
white thread 



 
To start out, you will need a pair of your little one's pants, which fit them well. Use the pants as a pattern for your pajama pants.



Fold your blue fabric in half, wrong sides together (see picture above). Lay your pattern near the fold of your fabric and pin. When cutting out your pattern, be sure to leave room for a seam allowance.









Once the inseam of each pant leg is sewn, you will sew your pant legs together (creating the crouch of the pants). You do this by inside outing one pant leg, so when the pant legs are put into each other, the right sides will be touching
(see picture below)











Now create your casing for your elastic waist. Be sure to leave an opening for your elastic. Thread your elastic through with a safety pin and sew to close.



Hem the bottom of your capris and your pants are finished!



To make the top, you just need to follow a few simple steps. Measure the chest of your little one. My daughter is 25 inches around. I doubled that when measuring out my fabric. You want the top to be nice and flowy. Below is a breakdown of my measurements.


Measure out your fabric and cut.
Pin right sides together and sew.

Once all your strips are sewn together, fold the right sides together and sew up your side, to create your side seam. Next create a casing at the top and feed your elastic through with a safety pin. You will be creating a casing, just like you did with the pants. Next add your bow.








Next add your elastic straps (You can use this technique to attach them). It's best to try the shirt on your little one and then pin the straps on. My straps are 9 inches long.



Hem the bottom of your shirt and then you're golden.
 Have your little one try it on and enjoy the smiles that follow.

You can see more Ribbon Retreat projects from
me HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE!

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

XO Danielle

Six Fall Boredom Busters for Kids

 
Hello Friends of Blissful and Domestic!! I am so happy to be here guest posting today. Thanks Danielle for having me! Today I will be talking about busting boredom over fall break. Here we go...

 

Our local schools are moving to a more balanced calendar, which means the kids went back to school quite early this year and will have two weeks off in October. Many moms have asked me to compile a list of ideas to bust boredom on those two weeks in the fall.

1. Currently we live in Southern Indiana, about 20 minutes from beautiful Brown County. Hiking on a day that the air is crisp, the leaves are turning would be a wonderful boredom buster. You could pack a picnic and hit Brown County State Park. (or any park in your area!)

2. Check out local Harvest festivals. In September and October Harvest festival begin to pop up all over. They offer free entertainment, flea markets and a chance to get out of the house on sunny days.

 

 3. Plan a day to go apple picking and then have an apple night. You then can make different apple dishes together and enjoy eating them.

4. Decorate pumpkins. Carving, painting or for the littles use stickers! Display them on your porch.

 5. Make bird feeders for the birds. Food becomes scarce for animals as winter approaches. Here is a couple of projects as well.

6. Make a scarecrow to sit by the pumpkins that you carved earlier in the week. Use old clothes, or go to a second had store and purchase some. Rake the leaves and stuff the clothes. Tie off the ends of the pants and shirt with twine. Use a pumpkin as the head and prop him up with a 2x4. What fall activity do you like to do to bust boredom over the break from school? 

What fall activity do you like to do to bust boredom over the break from school?

-Erica

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Thanks Erica! Those were some awesome ideas that can be done wherever you live. Getting outside and having fun with our family is a great way to beat the boredom! Be sure to follow Erica over at her blog .


XO Danielle


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This post was created for Blissful and Domestic by We Three Crabs.Thanks, Erica!