Crafty Friday - Let's Talk Organization

Ok, so this is not a craft tutorial this week - more like an open forum for crafty ideas! I am currently in the process of cleaning out and re-organizing our office. I have been trying to come up with some great ways to store many of my crafting supplies.

I found some great canvas boxes to store tulle spools in - they are just deep enough that the spools fit perfectly so I can see exactly what colors I have. I have been trying to figure out good ways to store the ribbon I have accumulated. I was thinking wall mounted paper towel holders might work well. I am still trying to figure out the perfect way to store the bazillion embellishments and silk flowers among other items. I am also at a loss for a great compact way to store pre-made tutus and frankly I'm not sure there really is a way without risking crushing tulle. I have been using hooks on the wall to hang hair bow and clippie holders and that has worked well so far.

What crafty ideas have helped you get things organized?

***Also a reminder that the fans and followers sale ends Memorial Day at midnight!***

Fans and Followers SALE!!

♥ For Blog followers and Facebook fans only! BabyCakes Creations is having a memorial day sale for loyal fans and followers. Take 15% off your ENTIRE purchase of tutus, tutu dresses, and hairbow/clippie holders. Enter "FANSALE09" in the notes at checkout AND tell me if you are a blog follower (on the right side of my blog where it says "followers") or a Facebook fan. Hurry- sale ends Memorial Day at midnight! Have a great weekend! ♥

Crafty Friday - Homemade Playdough

Ok, so Addison is still a bit young for playdough but I'm excited for when we can use this recipe as she gets a little older. Why buy playdough when you can make your own so easily! You can add food coloring and make any color imaginable. Storing them in small tupperware containers may work well.

Ingredients:
2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients with a fork until smooth
Boil over medium heat until thick
Spoon onto plate or wax paper

Voila!! homemade playdough :)
***disclaimer - I have not tried this recipe yet so if it needs adjusting or you have a better one I love to hear about it

Crafty Friday - Mother's Day Jewelry Box

This tutorial from One Day When I Have Time is awesome! Intended as a Mother's Day gift though I think it would make a nice gift any time!

Happy crafting and have a great weekend!

Simple Mom

Today I stumbled across a blog that made my heart sing and I want to share it with you.

I am a planner by nature and organization is my game (well at least it was pre-baby...). When I decided to be a stay at home mom it seemed simple enough that I could raise my baby, run errands, have dinner on the table every night and keep my house clean and organized...well the last one of those has been something I have been wrestling with how to keep a better grip on since the first weeks we brought Addison home.

Addison was never a great napper as a newborn so I found it difficult to get much cleaning done in her 20-30 minute naps - not to mention much of her newborn napping she would only do on me in a sling! When she was awake she was a baby that always wanted to be held and I loved holding her. As she got older and her naps increased in time and she would take them in her crib, it has gotten much better, though I still struggle with needing a little down time versus cleaning like a mad woman to get everything done during naps (not to mention taking care of other "duties" like managing our rental properties, home and my husband's real estate business finances, and an online business).

Now that Addison is a toddler she is very good at independent play and does allow me more time to get things done - or include her. Example - helping me with folding laundry by handing me all the socks she can find, or helping me stir something I am cooking for dinner (as long as it's not hot of course!), but even still I find myself always feeling a step behind with the house chores. I have come to grips that my house will not always be perfectly clean and I am "ok" with it not being spotless as I know this time with Addison is short and precious. That being said, I am still an organizer/planner nut (not necessarily full on clean FREAK though I do feel sooo much better in a clean house - I just hate the cleaning part!) and I do need some order for my own sanity.

Simple Mom has so much inspiration for people just like me!! From a full 10 day guide to simplifying spring cleaning, to checklists you can download (I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good checklist!), grocery and menu ideas, monthly calendars and SO much more!! If you are anything like me in your quest for organization this site is so helpful! I love her simple approaches and straight forward advice.

I would love to hear what you think of this site and any other tips you have from your own life or other sites you love!

New Tutu Design: Island Cutie Tutu

I just finished a custom order for a 1 year old birthday girl in Hawaii and just had to post a couple pictures of how it turned out. Her sweet grandmother ordered the tutu for her and picked out the colors and I love them together so much that I am using it as a new BabyCakes Creations tutu design. This tutu is created in hot pink, wine, and citrus tulle with a hot pink satin bow. Tutus can be made in any length and all tutu designs can also be made into adorable tutu dresses. Best of all the non-roll elastic waste bands will stretch up to 5 inches so your little one can wear it for years to come. Let me know what you think of the new "Island Cutie Tutu" featured here (coming soon to my etsy shop). ♥

New Product Announcement - Tutu Dresses!!

♥ ♥ ♥ Brand NEW to BabyCakes Creations ~ Introducing Tutu Dresses!!!♥ ♥ ♥

The sweet and summery Garden Fairy Tutu dress is here!! I'm so excited about this design and these dresses! The Garden Fairy Tutu Dress is shown here in pretty shades of paris pink, baby pink and citrus. This tutu dress is custom made to your sweetie's measurements or selected size. The ultimate summery halter style dress perfect for photos, photographer props, flower girls/weddings, dress up, birthdays, dance recitals, special occasions, fun!! Best of all, when your little one outgrows the dress, it can become a tutu - a beautiful two-in-one gift for any girly girl. Get yours now here.

Tutu Dresses are created with Made in the USA 100% nylon flame retardant and certified lead free super soft tulle. All tutu dresses come with a coordinating satin ribbon halter and sweet flower accent. All ribbon is heat sealed to prevent fraying.

Tutu dresses can be custom made in any of more than 40 beautiful colors - contact me for more information or visit my etsy shop. ♥

Crafty Friday - French Memo Boards

I have always loved these and they looked simple enough to make. After looking at several tutorials, they truly are simple enough to make, though the end creation is a gorgeous way to display photos and notes. Here is a great tutorial with tons of step by step photos. And here is another tutorial that walks you step by step via video. I am going to make one of these soon (one of these days...) and will post a pic when I do. I would love to see photos of your creations too! Have a great weekend - happy crafting :)