my new baby tells us what's for dinner

no. not literally a baby. it's my pet project. it's not exactly done yet, but it's functional!

First of all, this was NOT my invention. It is an updated version of a menu planner that my friend Stephanie used during her child-rearing years.

And thanks to this nifty meal/calendar/dealio, I know what's for dinner for a month. "A WHOLE MONTH???," you might ask in alarm. Yes. An entire month of dinners planned out. Here are the bullets why I like LOVE this system:

- I cringe inwardly when I am asked "What's for dinner?" and I don't have an answer.
- If I know what I'm making for dinner in the morning, I am more likely to make dinner.
- I love organization, but I need help. My mind is very disorganized, non-linear, etc...
- It took me no more than 10 minutes (if that) to plan for the month.
- It's not like getting a tattoo. You can change the meals around.
- I got to pick cute fabrics that coordinate with our kitchen. (But, I'd probably use only one fabric in the future...coordinating can be a pain sometimes...)
- The kids marvel at it. Well, at least the ones who NEED to know the plan. You know who I'm talkin' 'bout..."Mommy, what's for dinner?"... "Mommy, when are we going to have pizza again?" I told one son already, "The answers are all right over there, honey."
- Making/looking at the meal cards brings to mind long-forgotten, beloved dishes of yore.

Okay, so without further ado.


So, yeah, my "Su" thru "Sa" cards are pinned on there. I didn't want to monogram it because my hoop is so small. It would be a measuring/lining up nightmare for me. It will most likely be stenciled. Waiting on the custom stencil guy to get back to me.

See those pretty cards (below)??? Made on an Excel spreadsheet and laminated. (yes. I have a laminator. My friend Allison got me hooked. Sometimes, I laminate up to three times a day.) Oh! I almost forgot! What you can't see is that under the meal title is a list of suggested side dishes. And then under THAT, in smaller font, are the unusual, or non-staple, ingredients that you'll want to make sure you put on your grocery list. Brilliant, I know. Again, not my idea. And at the very bottom of the card is the place where the recipe can be located (if you need that... most of my favorite recipes are in a binder, laminated, of course)




Oh, but it gets better. There are pouches in the back to store your cards by category.
Do you love it yet???




Beef, Chicken, Pork, Soup, Special Occasion, etc...So organized, I feel butterflies in my stomach...it's like falling in love all over again.



I'm so glad to have a new project. I love to make nursing covers, but I'm pretty excited to have something different and useful for more than just nursing moms. The biz has expanded, people! I haven't priced it out yet, so I don't know what I'll charge. I'm not even sure if I'm the only one who loves it. Maybe there's no market. And if that's the case, that's fine. I'm just lovin' mine!!!

ummm...remember when i made shades for the boys??

I changed my mind. I took them down. I made these instead. I like them a lot better.
Now, I just need to paint their room. I'm hoping it gets done before 2010.





By the way, I used blackout liner on the back so that we can still put them to bed before 10pm during the Summer!!!

the essential nursing cover (ordering) post

Single fabric nursing covers are $20.
Reversible nursing covers are $32.

I love making them. And the ladies love wearing them.

If you need one, email me at jennascheetz@gmail.com

Here's the questions I usually ask:

When do you need your order?

What colors do you like?

Is this a gift?

How would you describe the style of one who's getting this sweet product???

After receiving the answers to these, I try to match you with 4 to 7 fabrics that appear to match your tastes and colors and what not. And we go from there...

That's the drill!

Two More Weeks at $15 and $30

I'm FINALLY adjusting my prices. But, you have two more weeks at these ROCK BOTTOM prices!!!

The single fabric nursing covers (very similar to the very popular Hooter Hiders) are going up by a mere Five Buckaroos to $20.

The reversible covers will be going up by only Two Buckaroos to $32 to adjust for the rise in fabric costs.

So, let it be understood: prices go up May 1, 2009. And just in case you weren't so sure about shipping. It's $5 shipped anywhere in the continental US.

down, but not out

I attempted doll clothes. Not only are they not as cute as American Girl clothes. (Those are AMAZINGLY cute!) I failed to read closely that the fabric was supposed to have give, like a jersey knit or something.

Anyway, I don't want to give up. Because, I'll tell you a secret. I've been dreaming about designing baby boy clothes for awhile. I don't know why every designer thinks that every mom wants to put a football or an excavator or a dinosaur on EVERY piece of clothing that her son wears!?!

So, I gotta practice making doll clothes. Since these didn't have any stretch, the cuffs could NOT get past the hands or feet of my neighbor's American Girl. Bummer. But, I'll learn.

...and then I'll make REAL baby clothes...

someday, maybe.

my first shades: questions, insecurities, and a little sense of accomplishment...

I took Avery to Crafty Planet where he (mainly) and I picked out the fabric. The pattern is from Butterick, I think.




We really like the stripe, but we're wondering--now that it's up--if the valance fabric looks like flowers too much. Kinda looked like amoeba-ish at the store, but now not so much...




The next thing I'm second guessing is the shape of the valance. Maybe less curves will help out that not-a-flower fabric. The one on the left is just pinned up to see. What do you think?



Lastly, I'm afraid the tie-ups look feminine, too. (Sensing a complex here???) I was thinking about somehow using discreet hooks that you'd use at the top of a zipper. These will be down for the most part, but we want some way to let light in on occasion. hmmmm... Got any thoughts???

super cute (although slightly impractical) burp cloths