Birthdays and Resolutions - and a Giveaway!!

So, Friday was my birthday.  I am now 33.

Oy. 

I don't know if it's just me because my birthday falls in the middle of the year, but I tend to look back at those resolutions I made for the New Year and usually... end up starting over.  You know, fresh clean slate and all.  I mean, technically, January 1st is the beginning of the calendar year, but your birthday is the beginning of your next year of age, so it seems fitting to resolve a few things.

So, here goes.  My 33rd year resolutions:

• I will exercise more (cause my  ass heart really needs it)
• I will eat less fast food
• I will eat more dessert (since I'll be exercising more)
• I will kiss my husband more
• I will play with my children as much as possible
• I will snuggle my children while they still allow me
• I will bake and sew and knit and be creative
• I will spend more time with the Lord
• I will spend more time with those I love
• I will sing in the shower - loudly
• I will dance like no one is watching
• I will not cry when my daughter tells me my butt is big

Okay, I'll probably break that last one there... but it's a pretty good start, right?!  We'll see how far I've come when January rolls around again.

OH - ALMOST FORGOT!

I'm letting you in on the birthday fun and will be giving away an item of your choice from my etsy shop!!

Here's how to enter:
1.  FOLLOW ME!!
2.  Leave me a comment to earn an extra entry!

Contest ends on Friday, August 20th, so hurry and enter today!  I'll announce the winner on Saturday!  Good luck!!

Popsicle Sleeve Tutorial! (and giveaway...)

To kick off the start of all things hot, all things sunny, and all things summer... how about a tutorial?! 

The popsicle sleeve serves two purposes... it keeps your little one's hands from getting cold while enjoying their tasty treat and it catches any sticky drips that ensue.  The terrycloth lining also adds enough traction to help those little hands slide up the popsicle as they're eating it!

First, gather your supplies.  You will need:

Scrap of fabric for exterior

Scrap of terrycloth fabric

(That's it!)

From exterior fabric, cut out two pieces, each measuring 2 inches x 6.5 inches.

From terrycloth, cut out two pieces, each measuring 2 inches x 6 inches.

Layer exterior fabric (wrong side) with terrycloth (x 2), matching up fabric at the bottom edge.

Fold over exterior fabric at the top, 1/4 inch.  Repeat.  (The hem will overlap the terrycloth.) Pin.

Using a straight stitch, sew along each edge of overlapped fabric, creating two parallel lines.  (I use a contrasting thread because I like the detail, but you don't have to...)

With exterior fabric (right sides) together, pin along outer seams and sew a straight stitch (using 1/4 inch seam allowance).

Snip the bottom corners and turn.

Press along seams and corners with your turning tool (aka chopstick!).

Add popsicle (pop-ice, otter pop...), an adorable kiddo and ENJOY!!

For those of you out there who maybe aren't sewing-inclined... I'm giving away the popsicle sleeve made in this tutorial!  Here's how to enter:

1.  Leave me a comment (with your email address so I may contact you if you win!)

2.  Post about this tutorial on your blog for an extra entry (let me know you did via a comment!)

Winner will be chosen Monday, May 31st, 2010! 

Good luck!