{Handmade Holiday} Little Bird and babies in Green

Ashley is awesome! She is the creative and incredibly sweet momma of 3 girlies (and a boy on the way) behind Little Bird and Babies in Green. There is something to be said of a vendor that can not only tend to her booth, socialize with prospective customers, AND also do their craft at the boutiques all at the same time! I'm jealous...as soon as baby boy is no longer attached to me at every boutique I'm not sure what I'll do.

She makes the cutest crochet hats, hair accessories and even more! Make sure to follow her on Facebook,  tell her we sent you. And make sure to check out her shop too!

This year for Halloween, all my boys (dh, too!) dressed in Dr.Seuss costumes! I was the cat in the hat, hubby was the grinch, the bigger boys were thing 1 and 2, J was Horton and the baby was fish in the bowl. I contacted Ashley with my vision and she did a great job! I couldn't be more please with how they turned out!

Baby boys 'fish in the bowl' hat was just how I pictured it!

My hubby rocked the grinch hat! I'm thinking I'll be busting it out again for Christmas too!

I adore her coffee cup cozies, so much that I bought one for myself at the Queen Bee Market! Mine has  a mustache on it!

{Handmade Holiday} bags galore!

Since the very beginning of our (attempt) at blogging we've wanted to highlight our favorite vendors, craft items and boutiques. April was one of the first crafty vendors we met and connected with from the very beginning of our Bubbas Basics adventure. We blogged about her here too. She is super sweet, fun and helpful for us rookies.

Not only does she have a successful Etsy shop, and popular blog, but she is (more importantly) a great momma to a lil' beauty and a wife to a Marine (thank you...is never enough) and together they're stationed in Japan.

                                      

I mean seriously, how cute it she?!?

Think my husband is reading my blog, if not can someone please tell him I LOVE her chevron totes, I'd like one in every color please!

Her military makeup bags are available for every branch.

And her ruffled pouches, so cute!

And the knotted necklaces too. Heck if you see my hubby, tell him I want one of everything! Please and thanks!

{Handmade Holiday}- covers, chevron, and chalk...oh my!

I LOVE that Stacy and I get to meet so many people while on our boutique adventures {selling AND spending}. I was talking to Andrea {Kutz, Paper, Scissors} at the last Penelope Lane Boutique we did back in September, I realized that we had been selling at a few Sew Funky markets with her and somehow managed to not strike up a conversation...sad. 

First off, I should tell you how awesome her set up was! A rainbow of chevron, crates 6+ foot high crates and chalkboards...LOVED all of it! But her products are just as amazing!

She seriously has these pillow covers in just about every color!

Her bags are fabulous! I love the chevron ones the most (shocking!)

I adore the chalkboard sign! I'm having fun leaving notes for my boys!

I couldn't help myself I got a pair of yellow and white chevron pillow covers, one coral chevron pillow cover, the love you because chalkboard and a pumpkin! 

Make sure to check out her facebook, shop and blog.

{Handmade Holiday}- We've nailed it with this one!

Last June, Stacy and I went to the 1st ever Elevate Bloggers conference co-hosted by Summer of Made by Munchies Mama. Somehow I managed to not post about Elevate...I'll keep it short...it was AWEsome! We left with inspiration, great swag, a cute craft that we made, sore abs {lots...I mean LOTS of laughing} and sore cheeks {again with the laughing and smiling}, but more than anything we left with friends. 

We have since seen Summer as she started selling at some of the same boutiques as us this summer! Stacy and I love that we continue to see our crafty/blogging friends in real life not just on our phone/ipad/computer screens.

Summer is not only adorable but she's hilarious too! Make sure to follow her blog to hear about her, her 2 adorable boys {one named Dylan...so since we both have Dylan's we were meant to be friends, right?!?} and her hubby.

You can check out her awesome 'Nailed it Decals' on both Etsy and Store Envy. My favorites are the chevron and anchors!

Happy shopping!

 

{Handmade Holiday}-gift ideas

In my attempts to keep our blog going, I spent a few days to think about why we blog. To be 100% honest we started as a way to promote our Buisness. But shortly after starting, we integrated our Market Night posts, and I knew that the reason I wanted to blog was to not only help our business but also to help promote others.

I tend to think that I'm pretty crafty, but there are times when I'd rather support another handmade business than make it myself. I love handmade gifts! The thought that goes into them, the time and most importantly the heart that goes into them {even if its not made by me}.

For the next month or so {42 days until Christmas} I'll be posting about either a handmade {crafty} vendor that we love or a simple and fun gift that you can make and gift yourself.

This crafty momma is not only very talented, but is super sweet and Stacy and I are so very glad we met her at Penelope Lane boutique earlier this year. Please check out Heather's Buisness {sTuck in the Coop}on Etsy and on Store Envy and like her Facebook page too.

Here's a few of MY favorites, but make sure to check out her stores to find yours. I've even messaged my hubby on facebook to let him know that ANYthing from her shop is on my Christmas wish list...I'm keepin' it real around here.

beach inspired

colorful cuff {I have one in teal...yes teal, I'm sure you're shocked}

She even has gifts for men. And I love this one. 

And probably my favorite is her nest and eggs, although there needs to be a couple for eggs to make it for me. 

Good old fashion imagination {and pegs}

Sometimes I look around my house and wonder how my parents (and I for that matter) survived "back in the olden days" as my boy #2 says.

We are blessed and have lots of electronic toys for all of us. Between video gaming systems, computers, iPads and laptops I sometime forget how easy it is to hand them over to the boys to keep them busy while I get work done. But I also wonder to how future generations will be effected.

When boy #2 started school we implemented the no video games during the school week rule. So I do see my boys using their imagination, playing OUTside and pretending to be superheroes, ninjas and policeman. But it gets me thinking that there are plenty of kids that are plugged in constantly to 'toys' that don't let them experience the fun that they can only experience in real world.

I'm not perfect, nor pretend to be. There are times that I hand over the iPad to my toddler so he will be quiet while I get in my stroller strides workout. Tonight though, without being prompted, without being told turn off the tv and video games-my boy #2 made up is own game using our peg dolls. It was magical. He made rules and a simple game board. It wasn't high tech, it didn't require batteries, to be plugged in or even the Internet...can you imagine that?!? My boys played for a solid hour using brains and imagination! It's the simple things in life that melt my heart.

And my pegs can be found in our newly opened Etsy store {shameless plug}

{Market Night} Vintage Sunshine

Summer really has Stacy and I falling behind on blogging, my goal over the next few weeks is to really get back into it again. I'm always busy over the summer, but this one I was beyond busy! Here's a quick rundown:

June-  boys (#2 and #3) out of school for summer, soccer sign ups, Elevate conference (blog to come), friends daughter's birthday party, Relay for Life team party, Father's day mini photography sessions, Boy #3's birthday party, Boy Scouts, Dentist appointments, my dad's birthday, father's day, my mother in law's birthday, boy #1's birthday, and road trip to Washington to visit my family and to see my new niece (born on boy #3's birthday)

July- was filled with lots of adventures in Seattle (Science Center, Pike's place, ferry rides) and surrounding areas (camping, beach walking, smore making) and when I returned to CA, we made a decision that we were going to move...all of two doors down but a move none the less, so I packed and packed and packed...and packed some more. As a family of 7 we have a LOT of stuff...like a LOT!

August- still packing, soccer started, school started, boy scouts continued, still packed, moved, attempted to unpack

It's now September and I still have pictures that need to be hung, shelves to be bought, hung and filled. 

With all that has been going on what I miss most about blogging is reaching out to other crafty friends that we've met along the way. Our market night posts are our way of reaching out and encouraging other crafters to keep it coming! One day while Stacy was checking out our instagram feed, she came across the cutest embroidered camera hoop that she said, "I need"...and you know what...I did "need" it. 

Please check out our new Instagram friend's shop and her blog. I love my new camera hoop and can't wait to finish unpacking my craft room to find the perfect place for it. Thanks again Alyson! 

Another fun, easy and cheap activity {and tutorial}

I'm always looking for crafts and activities that are not only easy on my wallet, but that will also keep all my boys entertained (at least for a few minutes). And my absolute favorite crafts are ones that I can make from my current hoard stash of craft supplies.

But first a little back story...

I've been a member of a mom and baby workout group (Stroller Strides) for almost 2 years now, I could get in to all the reasons why I love it, but that wasn't my original intention of this post, so that'll wait until another day.  As part of the group we have a play group for the kiddos once a week. One mommy is in charge of coming up with crafts and/or activities for the kids to do after the moms finish working out. As of the end of May, I am not the new PGC (Play group captain) of our group. I LOVE my new position, I love coming up with new ideas or searching the endless crafts on Pinterest, and I love testing out the crafts with my boys.

Ok...now to the reason I started the post to begin with...a great, yummy and cheap craft to keep even the squirmiest kids busy, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Supplies: colorful circle cereal (I used fruit loops) but you could use apple jacks, cherrios, etc
                A string to put the cereal on
                And willing children

Check out lil' J's concentration (tongue)

Even my oldest was smiling...most likely because I had just told him he gets to eat it when he was finished.

Even D was focused and working

Yes he was excited to eat it too. 

Any craft that is cheap, easy and edible has my vote anyday.

Back To School

Have you missed us?!
Whats harder than making sure that you have blog posts? Making sure that you have posts during summer... when all your kids are home 24/7 and you need to be a cruise ship activities coordinator for 2-3 months solid. :)
Well we sort of did ok for a few weeks... here and there. But we have neglected you the past few weeks. But the good news is that all the big bubba's in our houses go back to school THIS WEEK!!! (Que the best back to school commercial EVER)

Now please note that we LOVE all of our kids and LOVE having them around, but lets be honest, our local Target misses us! And there is NO way that we are going anywhere except out front (we're neighbors) with ALL of these kids..... we've tried it a few times... it's NO fun. Can you picture us in IKEA with 8 kids? Well let me tell you that the uber cool FREE child care is AWESOME, but the time goes WAY too quick and there is a minimum and maximum age, and we have quite an age range around here.
So, as you can imagine we already have a back to school bucket list planned for this year. No, really, we do! All of the older bubbas will be in school FULL day (the first time that everyone is full day, every day, since we became friends)
Here are a FEW things that are on our Back to School Bucket list (in no particular order):
*IKEA
*Thrift Stores
*Habitat Re-Store
*Tai Pan
*Target (naturally)
*Michael's (for more than a 5 min trip)
*JoAnn's (we will BOTH have time to stand in the long line to get fabric cut then the long line to check out)
*Hobby Lobby (no need to rush in when as soon as they open every time)
*Second Chances Barn
*LONG lunches
......The list is MUCH longer.... but you get the idea

(Looking back at this list..... we better start saving some $$$$) ;)


And one more way we are celebrating is that there is a brand new Panera being built across the parking lot from our Target!!! I'm feeling a new blog series coming on :)

You will see us again very soon. As you may have noticed, we have lots of fun coming up and we will be sharing everything with you.
In the mean time, keep up to date with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @bubbasbasics
And you can shop any time at bubbasbasics.storenvy.com

Fun, cheap and easy water play idea and {tutorial}

Having a house full of boys, I'm always looking for new and fun ways to keep them entertained. And I don't mean by getting them hooked on a new video game or new tv show, in fact during the school year video games are not allowed during the week at all. But during the summer, all bets are off. It's HOT here, like usually 100* of miserable HOT. And while I don't want my boys to turn into little video gamer zombies, I have to get creative and come up with new ways to get us outside without the fear of melting. I'd love to spend the summer at the beach every.single.day but with 2 boys under 2.5, 2 older boys that would be jumping all over and a teenager that most likely wouldn't want to join us (I think my hubby and I are not longer cool enough to hang out with much...gotta love teenagers)  I'm sure I'm not going to be lounging in my chair with a drink in my hand, I'd be frantic and NOT relaxed. 

Here's a cheap easy way to get your kids OUTside, to get a little wet and to hopefully not melt in the hot sun. 

Buy a few packs of sponges. Mine were $2 for a two pack. I bought several packs since I was making them for a play group.

Cut the sponges in strips. I cut 10-12 per sponge. I found the easiest way was to cut the sponge in half, then half again and again until you had 10-12 pieces. 

Gather 10-12 pieces in your hand and use a zip-tie in the middle. Before you pull the zip tie all the way tight, make sure your sponge pieces are somewhat even at the top and bottom. 

Pull the zip tie tight and fan out the pieces. That's it, super cheap, easy and fast. 

Now time to put them in a bucket and watch the kids run around while you lounge in your comfy chair with a nice adult beverage in hand...oh wait that's my dream! How about, just a simple...enjoy. 

Hey Girl......

You MUST have seen this "Hey Girl" series floating around the internet. I mostly see them pop up on Pinterest, but enjoy the random postings by pages that I follow on Facebook.  At first I didn't pay too much attention since I'm not particularly a Ryan Gosling fan (please don't throw any stones) ;)


But this is more my type of celebrity hotness:

(I had to find a way to get  Channing Tatum on our blog in some way)

Go ahead, take a few moments to gawk......

yes, you may have a few more moments......

.....feel free to come back and visit anytime and stare at Channing......

Now back to the reason you are here, still reading this.....

....Ummm........What was I talking about?!

Oh yes, Hey Girl & Ryan Gosling......

So, the more I see these Hey Girls pop up, the funnier they are to me.... Maybe I'll have to go check out a Ryan Gosling movie sometime soon now. And if YOU are a Ryan Gosling fan.....here you go, and you're welcome.

Here are a few of my favorites:

For the bloggers:

For the scrapbookers:

For the DIYers:

For Etsy shop owners:

And for those of you who create and participate in handmade markets (my FAVE "Hey Girl" so far):

I found most of these "Hey Girls" on this group on Tumblr: Handmade Ryan Gosling While you're there look at the other groups they follow..... you can find Hey Girls for all sorts of topics, Teachers, baking, and even home birth. :) Have fun!

{Insta-catch up}

Blueberries, Baseball, and Roller Coasters = awesome

Broken toes, ER room and stitches = not so awesome

Trying to play catch up on my instagram posts...for father's day we celebrated not only father's day but my boy #3's 7th birthday as well. We headed out to enjoy a sunny day at Knott's Berry Farm. The Mister and my two biggest boys enjoyed a few big, scary rides while I got a little bit of time with my little guys. Awesome!

I was almost home from shooting a military homecoming session, when my frantic  Mister called telling me to meet him at the ER. Our table bench fell on Boy #4's big toe and it was cut and bleeding a LOT, like A LOT. Thankfully, I was at the exit when he called and was able to get paperwork started so he was able to get in right away. My poor baby, not only had a fractured toe, but part of the bone is still floating around. He also just about lost his toe and will most likely lose the toe nail. He had to be sedated in order to have the doctors stictch his nail back on. NOT so awesome. Oh and I should mention that this all happened on BOY 3#'s actual birthday and I didn't even get to see him awake. Mom fail.

I'm thankful that he is generally a happy guy. 1..at the dentist, though NOT so fun. 2...in the ER cuddling daddy. 3..post tramatic ER trip, having breakfast with his animal and dino friends. 4..having fun on a knotts ride pre-take off, post take off, not so much.

I love that my boys love to read! And I love even more that their school encourages it! In March as part of Read Across America (to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday) if kids read a certain amount of books (or chapters for the older kids).

I was finally able to go to the local blue berry farm. SO fun and SO delicious!