Making R2D2 Costume for mom (Part I)

So we start on the costume for mom.  My amazing friend Rachael (she's amazing and crafty check her out) posted on FB a tutu she made for her daughter for tutu Tuesday.  I then found the R2D2 tutu costume I wanted made for me and she was so kind to let me come over Saturday and helped me make it.  It is so easy to do, even I could do this one yup I'm telling you I leave the sewing and that type of thing to her so it was nice to find a project I could pull off ... lol.  I picked up the materials and we made it!  I wanted to give you good step by steps so I headed over to Skip to My Lou for a No Sew Tutorial to help out. 

I had to show it off .. lol

Now I made a LONGER version so you could get away with less tulle but here is what I picked up.

What you Need:

7 Yards - White Tulle (Regular $1.99 yrd - was 50% off)

2 Yards - Blue with Glitter Tulle (Regular $5.99 yrd - Was 60% off)

2 Yards - Blue Tulle (Regular $1.99 yrd - was 50% off)

Elastic (measure waist minus 2 and that is what you need) - ($2.99)

Ribbon (if you want) ($2.99 roll)

Cutting Tool & Mat (Helps to make straight lines)

** Alexis notes: I found that Walmart's Tulle is cheaper yes but the quality wasn't as nice, pay a little more and go to a fabric store.  JoAnne's had their's half off so I actually paid what Walmart price was and got a better product.  Usually I buy material at Walmart but this time I have to say go else where. **

How to Make:

1. Cut tulle into 4 inch wide strips (doesn't have to be perfect). Tulle is folded once lengthwise on the bolt when you buy it I keep mine this length but you could cut in half to make shorter.  
2. Rachael used her sewing machine and made my elastic a circle (by sewing two open ends together).  
3. Place the middle of the strip that is folded in half under the elastic. Reach under and through the loop grasping the strip. (see picture below for step by step)
4. Pull the tail through the loop. 
5. This makes a slip knot, pull snug. Be careful tying tulle strips around the elastic to not stretch out the band. Continue tying all of the strips evenly onto the elastic.  
6. Now we took 4 pieces of tulle together and did each not to make the tutu fuller.  We alternated all white and then one that was blue and white mix.  You can do whatever you like the look to be.  I wanted it to look like blue coming down like his body looks (R2D2).  We also added strips of ribbon doing the same knot we did for the tulle.

You can do this with any color but I think it looks perfect for the costume!  I'm finishing the t-shirt right now for the top of the costume.  I will show you the whole costume soon!  What do you think?  

Weekend Wrap … Yes it was kind of Chill!

Rick was so sweet he knew how sad I was over the B&B and the dinner we had.  He went to my favorite restaurant Old Spaghetti Factory and picked up dinner for the family.  He even plated it all up!  Yup he got happy face from me!

Saturday after work we headed over to Rachel’s house for some coffee and play time.  Her daughter Abby is a girl after my heart and loves shoes.   Why not try them on.  Oh yes why not my leopard with pink rain boots rocks and they begged to be tried on.  Caden’s fireman boots also were a hit .  She was so sweet and even feed the boys!

Sunday at 7am I meet up with one of my best friends for breakfast!  She is one of my bestie’s I was the LOUD 20 y/o that moved in next to her house that would have loud parties every weekend and she would walk over holding a baby to keep it down .  Yes she even came over a few times to hang out with us young crew too!  15 years later we’re still friends and I cherish these moments to just hang out and talk.

I was having a heck of a week with Caden and his “adventure” so the weekend was a slow one, which of course makes the boys go crazy and mom loose her MIND.  Yup that is me being a crazy poser .. hehe.

Last Sunday was Cole’s Sunday to sing in church for his school.  Here is his cute 2nd grade along with the 1st grade class.

We are also enjoying our fall teachers in swim class.  Cole had a problem sitting still (or in this case standing in water with out splashing) but thankfully got better by the 3rd class.  The boys are liking the 4pm class and I’m liking we get home earlier.  Caden is sad that his Maggie is not teaching the class but we’re adjusting .

There was our crazy weekend.  How was yours, did you do anything fun?

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Date, Lowes, Playdate & Homemade Playdough!

Another great weekend here it was busy and fun all in one :).

Rick actually called me at 7:30p Thurs to ask me on a date

Thank God babysitter is a saint and came over.

We hit a local comedy club for open mic, not the funnest people but it was still nice!

Saturday was the Lowe's Kids Clinic

Can I say it again HOW much I LOVE these!

We got the chance to go to Rachael's house

for lunch & some running playing.

Sunday I made playdough in the microwave.

I never knew it was this easy, I will be making this again!

See it is this easy!!!

And can be done in the MICROWAVE!!!

Plus it smells good, love the jello scents!!

Make sure to click recipe tab!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Another fun Weekend but lot's of time for mom too!

This was a fun weekend and I actually had some great adult time while the boys played. It was a very busy but fun for mom weekend.

After I finished work I ran the boys to the Lowe's kid clinic to make music boxes!

Off to a playdate with Rachael. It was a nice chat day with some YUMMY coffee and checking out all of her amazing and beautiful hand spun wool. She is just amazing and so talented, maybe when my life slows down I'll take on some of her hobbies, right now I may bust if I take on another thing. (Sorry Rachael it's late and I just noticed I spelled your name wrong on my photo below).

Sunday I invited myself and the family over to my besties house (we've known each other over 25 years I can do that ... lol). I'm so not a BIG new music person which anyone in this room could tell you as we watched the Grammies and I kept saying who is that? But I do love to see the fashion. Now for the Oscars (I promised I'd bring more food ... see if you invite yourself over you must bring food ... hehe). Rick actually was next door at my parents house and came over to hang out ... it was so nice to have him with us. He never gets to come to any party, the kids loved to beat up on him.

Valentine's day! Rick had Cole bring me these beautiful roses and then we even were able to get a babysitter!! We headed to Outback for dinner, it was so good and I'm not use to greesy food but it was so yummy. THEN we went to Cole's school to clean. NOTE to self next year say no thank you to cleaning on any holiday week. The floors were so messy with sprinkles and candy. We finally finished after 11PM!! Yup I had to clean toilets after having a romantic dinner. It's one thing cleaning pee of your own kids ... yup not something I look forward to! Then Rick watched the boys so I could go get my toes done!!

And Cole wanted to show off his art work from this weekend. I'm very proud how he has become so focused and takes his time making the pictures.

Yeah it's Wednesday almost time for the weekend and we'll be back to the work week before we know it!

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ We saw a Movie, We built a Project & We had some fun!

Another weekend that was full of every moment non stop!

Friday Night was movie night at Cole's School

We saw Despicable ME!! LOVE IT

Saturday I worked the AM

Then rushed to Lowe's Kids Clinic for the boys!

Afterwards I texted Rachael and invited ourselves over for a playdate

The kids played outside and we browsed some awesome Knit Hat designs.

Sunday was church

Grocery Shopping, were Caden passed out

And stopped by my parents house

My dad was putting together their new gazebo for the hot tub.

It was a busy weekend and then Monday night was the church ladies planning party. One thing that is hard if your a mom with small kids and no one to watch them you have to ask for childcare to be provided. Usually it was given it would be provided but this time not so I of course had to deal with some huffing for some of the ladies. You have some of those people who always be a little on the rudyside but whatever. You want me to help and volunteer then you must help me :). We did get to pick our secret sisters which is kind of fun you can send gifts threw out the year and it will be revealed at Christmas. I'm so excited to make and send things.

Happy Week everyone so glad it's almost half way threw :)

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Halloween Mayhem!

What a fun weekend, I don't think I even had a moment to breath and still haven't had a chance to catch up. I'm trying to work on catching up :).

Friday the boys and I did our movie night. I picked up a new pizza from Papa Murphys it was so yummy!!! Of course some Hot Tamales for me :). And the Dragon pics from the cut out at Walmart :).

Next off was the costume, a while back I posted that I bought Mario & Luigi, the overalls that I got were homemade which is great but just not exactly what I was looking for. I went and picked up 3 yard of fleece and called on my amazing friend Racheal. Who made the BEST overalls ever. They were hemmed, and sew so nice and the right color buttons :). I colored the hair for the boys to be dark and they wouldn't wear mustaches so I drew some on. Talk about fun washing that all off ... lol my tub payed the price. LOT's of fun here!

Sunday after church and my bake off debacle ... oh yes I'm a sour loser hehe :). We finally did some pumpkins and hit the trunk or treat and Rick decorated the outside of the house :)

Monday Cole lost his first tooth :(, yes the "tooth fairy" remembered to come and brought a crisp dollar ... what she only would bring me a quarter ... it almost as a $20 before she took a better look at what she was putting under the pillow! Next since Cole has been having better days in school Rick is putting the train that goes around their room back together! The boys are so excited!

PHEW I think we're caught up on us, now for me to catch up on everything else. I'll be back around tomorrow fingers crossed :).

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Fall Hair, Play Date, Apple Farm & Boy Time

Another fun weekend here, I've been fighting off a cold so sorry I haven't been around and trying to recoup and have some down time.

Friday was my 8 week hair time. I went in with tired hair and came out a bit darking then I was planning, hoping it lightens up soon. And holy crap I can't take a good shot of myself with out a double chin look ... YUCK.

Saturday work and then some house work and then off to a playdate at Rachael's house. She is always helping me out with my projects so I made her some of the famous caramels. It was such a great visit and Cole was on his best behavior really I don't think we've ever had that good of a visit! She was so sweet and is going to not just fix the overalls but make new ones. The ones I bought not only were dirty and worn spots but not sewn together very well, sadly a bust. A quick run to Walmart $15 later and were ready for a new look :), I'll show you soon what they look like. She was going to work on them later so we could just spend the time talking and having coffee ... how sweet is that??? LOVE her!

Sunday after church we hit the Apple Orchard (this time it was picking season) and we got two HUGE bags full for $14 (I figured it would have been about the same price as Walmart but fun for boys). Got to see the chickens & Goats.

Then it was fun boy time. Cole had fun doing math with pretzels! He's good at math like me, spelling not so much (just like me). Then since we were in the car so much so fun shots of the boys!

I'm hacking up a lung now so it means time for me to go bed :).

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Just a little Running Around

Just a little running around and fun things around here. It was a fun and busy weekend but loved it!

Found a new way to make my caramel to get out of the pan.

Sadly it broke but I'm working on it!

Cole reading to me while I cook

Caden decided he needed to sit in his chair on Cole's bed.

Saturday we headed to Rachael's house & the play yard!

After our play date, the boys were ramped up

So off to Seven Level of H*** McD's Playland

& Some light reading for mom :)

Sunday after church we meet up w/ my parents.

Yummy Ice Cream for all!

Yup Caden isn't a cold fan so he had to eat w/ spoon .. lol

Then I found on craigslist outfits for Mario Brothers.

the overalls were handmade I should have asked for a photo of them.

I'm hoping Rachael can help me fix them up a bit.

The hats were super cute :)

WWW ~ Bumps, Bruises & Quilt Getting Closer

I love having an extra day off it was so nice to relax but now my week is all messed up .... lol I keep trying to figure out what day it is :).

Friday Cole stayed at my parents house, poor little Caden was a little sad but we cuddled. Of course he came home from Daycare with a black eye. I swear this poor little boy I need to put him in a bubble! Speaking of bubbles ... bubble butt boy ... hehe :)

My parents came by Saturday and picked up Caden and took both boys to my grandfather estate, yup the deal fell threw :(. My parents usually only take the boys for 2 hours so I rushed around to get things done not wanting to call because that usually opens the door to we'll bring them home .. no I need more time. So of course I'm waiting around and could have done so much more.

My parents brought over what looked like caramels, to my surprise it was fruit gel ... ugh! I have a feeling I'm a little lop sided I go into the the bathroom to see I put the ponies sideways. Then going to the gym I stop at a BLINKING red light, instead of stopping and going I sat there for TWO OK THREE minutes! Thank God no one was behind me ... UGH

Ok be ware we do have one bathroom pic, Rick called me in to take a picture. Yup that is pee with a plastic frog floating in the toilet! What's worse my kid doing it or my husband telling me to take a picture to show with you guys? The boys had a a great weekend, even played outside when it stopped raining on Monday afternoon and a little Wii Bowling!

We went to Rachael's for another session on quilting. Racheal and her husband Brian helped get the colors right, I'm so OCD I tried to match them all together, thankfully they were there to help me. Cole LOVES to help I think I'm going to have to do some projects this summer for him. So the top layer is done hopefully next weekend we'll be done.

Rick took advantage of the break in the rain, mowed the lawns and put up the new siding. We're trying to modernize the house to match the new town homes that went up next to us. Hopefully he'll have this done so to prime and then put the new house color ups!!

Wow that was a fun 3 day weekend, actually 2 in my world since I work Saturday AM and PM, but I'll take what I can get.

Happy Wednesday everyone! So what did you do this past weekend? Would love to hear what you did.

And of course I leave you with a recipe :)

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies (Recipe Adapted from Betty Crocker)

Brownie Base
1	box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
Filling
1/2	cup butter, softened
1/2	cup creamy peanut butter
2	cups powdered sugar
2	teaspoons milk
Topping
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4	cup butter

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	$0.50 off Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls $0.75 off Betty Crocker® Box Supreme Brownie Plus 8 more...
	About Concordance™

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)
2.	In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3.	In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.
4.	In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator ALEXIS NOTES: I used bulk brownie mix from Winco (recipe below). Things You'll Need: 3 cups bulk brownie mix 2 eggs 3 TBSP water 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (or applesauce can be used) 1 tsp vanilla measuring cups bowl baking pan working oven a sweet tooth! Step1 Set oven to 350 degrees. Step2 In a medium sized bowl, beat the eggs and then combine them with the water, vanilla and oil. Set aside. Step3 Pour 3 cups of bulk brownie mix into a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients with the brownie mix. Step4 Using a spoon or an electric mixer, stir all ingredients until combined. Batter should be slightly lumpy. DO NOT OVER MIX. Step5 Grease an 8X8 metal baking pan. Pour brownie mix into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. If you stick a knife into the center at the end of the baking time, it should come out clean. If it does not, continue baking for another minute or two. Step6 Let brownies cool to desired temperature, then cut and ENJOY!!