{Easiest Sewing Project Ever: No Cut No Measure Table Runner Tutorial for Complete Beginners}

EASIEST SEWING PROJECT EVER:

TABLE RUNNER

Oh my, I cannot believe how much I love this table runner and how incredibly easy it was to make! Seriously, there is absolutely nothing to it whatsoever! No cutting! No measuring! That's my kind of sewing project! 
:-)

I found these beautiful 'fat quarters' at our local hobby shop. All I did was select 3 coordinating fabrics and sew them together! (You can buy pre-matched coordinating fat quarter sets here [affiliate link].)

I am truly a complete beginner when it comes to sewing (or most anything domestic, really), so I get it - you still want a tutorial. So, here is exactly what I did:

Iron your fabrics nice and flat. Lay out your 3 fat quarters in a line, arranged in the order you like and be sure the patterns are all right-way up.

Take the left hand piece and fold it over the middle piece, so that the two pieces are facing right-side-in together. Sew along one edge (the edge where you want them to join, obviously, so select the edge that suits how you want them laid out in the end - if you folded over like I just said, that should be the left side), about 3/8 to 1/2 inch in from the edge of the fabric. Open out flat. Lay it back down with the third piece again. Take the third piece and fold it over the middle piece, so that the right sides are facing in together. Sew along the edge where you want them to join (this time it will be the right side if you folded as I said). Open out flat. Iron again so that the seams lie flat.

Fold the edges in as straight as you can (I just eyeballed it) and pin all the way around the entire runner. Sew a hem all the way around, about 1/4 to 3/8 inch in. Iron again so the seams lie flat.

That's it! Yay, you! You sewed something!

{Come One, Come All, Step Right Up! Awesome Resource for Preschool Parents!}

Come One, Come All! Step Right Up!

Awesome Resource for Parents of {Preschoolers}

Parenting a preschooler is a ton of fun - and a ton of work! There is so much they need from us at this age of learning and discovery, and it can seem like a big responsibility to ensure they have access to all the right learning opportunities! I find myself constantly asking myself, "Are they getting enough fine motor skills practice?", "When was the last time they engaged in sensory play?", "How can we squeeze in more math learning?", and everything else in between! Pinterest is great for finding ideas, but I do find that I spend more time pinning than actually doing!

If you have a preschooler, too, and this sounds familiar, well, I'm thrilled to announce that I might just have exactly what you (and I!) need!

This awesome new e-book, "Three to Five: Playful Preschool" is packed with fun, play-based learning activities for helping to support your preschooler's development - all conveniently in one place! Available now for only $8.99, this is an awesome resource for parents of 3-5 year olds and includes more than 25 playful learning resources plus 10 free printables and links to more than 50 more activities and resources for parents of preschoolers - all brought to you by some amazing kids' activities bloggers, including Nurturestore, Happy Hooligans, Teach Preschool and more (including Mama Pea Pod!) 

Here's why you don't want to miss out:

+ It's an amazing resource!
+ Hands-on, play-based learning activities
+ Inspiring ideas, but really practical and everything all in one place
+ Great photos with step-by-step guides, and all things you can easily try at home
+ Over 25 ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources (including a cityscape play scene, My First Journal pages, recipe card, numbers game, weather chart printables, alphabet play mats, unique hand-drawn art pages, conversation cards, block building challenge cards, bookmarks) and additional links to over 50 more activities!
+ A range of activities to meet your preschooler's various developmental needs: hands-on, learning through play, math, language, literacy, science, art, fine motor and gross motor, and play
+ While similar resources on Amazon retail for anywhere between $15-$25, ours is only $8.99, so order now so you don't miss out!!

Or find out more about Three to Five: Playful Preschool here!

{25 Homemade Gifts for Preschoolers}

25 Homemade Gifts for Preschoolers

Are you the crafty type? Looking for some ideas for making a DIY gift for your preschooler for Christmas, stockings, a birthday or just because? 

25 Homemade Gifts for Preschoolers:

Very Hungry Caterpillar button threading counting game on Mama Pea Pod

Magnetic peg dolls from Frog, Goose and Bear

Scratch-off tickets from Teach Mama (I made these for all our stockings a couple of years ago and they turned out great!)

No-knit knitted Christmas stockings from Red Ted Art (I'm still trying to find the perfect sweater for this!)

Magical treasure-filled walnuts from Here We Are Together

Cozy car caddy from Homemade by Jill

Freezer paper stencilled t-shirts with your child's favourite picture on it, on Mama Pea Pod

Recycled DIY crayons from Frog, Goose and Bear

Jingle bell ribbon rings from Make and Takes

Personalized I-spy bottles from Lalymom

DIY play kitchen from The Boy and Me

Holiday straw toppers from Fireflies and Mudpies

Easy-sew personalized pillows from Mama Pea Pod

Felt quiet time book from Babes in Deutschland

Fort in a bag from Saltwater-Kids

Superhero cape from Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!

Toddler-friendly sewing basket from Childhood 101

Snowman kit from Make It Do (we got one of these as a gift and it was a huge hit!)

Mermaid Waldorf doll from Taming the Goblin on Mama Pea Pod

Felt ABC mat from Oopsey Daisy

Ribbon wands from Frog, Goose and Bear

Fairy house kit from Inner Child Fun

Puppet making kit from Childhood 101

Gingerbread play dough from Sweet Sugar Belle


There are lots more adorable ideas on my Homemade Gifts for Kids Pinterest board!

For more simple ideas for kids, subscribe to Mama Pea Pod.

{10 Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas for Preschoolers}

10 Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas for Preschoolers:

This round up of 10 of our favourite ideas for advent calendars that are suitable for the preschool crowd may be just what you're looking for, or may inspire you to come up with a unique idea of your own! If you have a great advent calendar for your preschooler, please share it on the Mama Pea Pod Facebook page! I love to see what you've made!

DIY Advent Calendars Round-Up from Mama Pea Pod

Paper Bag Advent Calendar Activities (with printables) from The Connection We Share

Santa's Beard Countdown to Christmas from Paper Creations by Kristin

Matchboxes Advent Calendar from Write.Click.Scrapbook

Recycled Christmas Cards Activity Advent Calendar from Octavia and Vicky

Kid-Made Festive Christmas Countdown from Creative Play Central

Book Tree Advent Calendar from Reading Confetti

Around the World Advent Calendar: Merry Christmas in 24 Languages from Glittering Muffins

DIY Cone Advent Calendar from Glittering Muffins

Book a Day Countdown to Christmas from The Chirping Moms


You might also be interested in Mama Pea Pod's Christmas Ideas page over there on the right --> (scroll down a little)

{Gratitude and the Magic of Children}

As parents, we tend to spend all our time worrying about all the possible terrible things that could happen to our kids. We don't think about ourselves. But taking care of ourselves is just as important - precisely because it is so important for them to have us around.

{10 Everyday Fine Motor Activities for Kids}

Helping your child develop fine motor skills doesn't require lots of planning, special materials or tools, or genius creative ideas from Pinterest. There are so many simple, everyday activities that kids do all the time (often even without planning on your part) that help them develop the fine motor control that they will need later for writing in school. Here are 10 things that your kids probably already do that are helping them develop their fine motor skills on a daily basis! So stop beating yourself up over not having time or energy to put together those wonderfully creative Pinterest ideas - your kids *are* working on their fine motor skills daily! (And if they're not, these are easy ways to build it into their every day!) 

{DIY Natural Leaf Garland}

Last week we made this beautiful natural leaf garland during mother-daughter crafts time. I just adore it! This would make a lovely autumn/fall or Thanksgiving decoration, laid across a table, or draped around the room as we have done. I had thought it might dry out and crumble after a few days, but it's still beautiful and perfect after a week. *Update: It's now March and it's still beautiful and perfect, despite hanging in our living room in direct traffic!

{Back to School Books}

This year both my girls are starting new school experiences. Princess Pea will be starting first grade, and is bursting with excitement. Sweet Pea will be starting preschool, leaving our house and going 'out into the world alone' for the first time ever! (I wouldn't say she's bursting with excitement - she's more introverted and takes time to warm up in social situations.)

As always, we have been turning to books to help them with these transitions - to allay any fears and create positive yet realistic expectations of their new experiences....

{Sew Easy Personalized Throw Pillows for Babies and Kids: A Tutorial for Complete Beginners}

Pin for later:

I need to preface this post by saying that I am truly a complete beginner when it comes to sewing! Prior to this, I had sewn part of a quilt cover (under supervision of an instructor) that I never finished, and two peacock costumes for Halloween last year (actually I only sewed the feather parts). I'm not sure how I got it into my head that I should attempt to make pillow covers like these, without even a pattern to go by, but I did and I just love how they turned out! So seriously, if I can do it, anyone can! Plus, I already did all the hard parts for you by figuring it all out ;-p ....

{Birthday Interview: Sweet Pea, Age 3}

Did you know that Mama Pea Pod was voted in the Top 10 in the Red Tricycle Most Awesome awards for Birthday Party Ideas? Thanks so much for all your support! x

Have you tried interviewing your child on his/her birthday?

When visiting a friend's house a few months ago, I came across this beautiful birthday book that she had for her son, containing a page for every birthday from zero to adulthood....

{Grateful for the Little Things}

In the busy rush of day-to-day life it can be easy to overlook the little things that are truly the most important.

Lately I've been trying to make a point each day of identifying something that I am grateful for in my life. It's a wonderful way to help me remember to keep everything in perspective when life gets stressful! 

You could write something down each evening before bed in a gratitude journal, or drop a note into a jar to read again on a particularly stressful day, but I've just been making a mental note each night as I turn out the light. Just the act of consciously thinking about what I'm grateful for helps me keep it all in perspective.

So here are some of the little things I'm most grateful for ...

{Fabric Maché Bowls}

*I was thrilled to receive a copy of the book, Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids, in exchange for writing an unbiased review post. All opinions expressed in this post are completely and honestly mine.

We were so excited when we received our copy of the brand new Red Ted Art craft book for kids a couple of weeks ago, that the girls immediately set about picking out their favourite projects to try. First choice was the fabric maché bowls - and we are thrilled with how they turned out!....

{DIY Window Cling Stickers}

We are, obviously, huge fans of The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. Sweet Pea never tires of that story or its follow-up, The Gruffalo's Child. In The Gruffalo, a clever, little mouse manages to outwit all of the animals in the deep, dark wood that are trying to eat it by making up a tall tale that ends up surprising even the mouse. The mouse's quick wit and the author's hilarious and creative rhymes make for an instant family favourite that is quoted and retold endlessly. 

For Sweet Pea's Gruffalo birthday last week, since her birthday presents didn't arrive in the mail in time, I thought I'd have a go at making her some Gruffalo DIY window cling stickers to use for retelling the story through play. They were easy to make and actually work really well! ...

{Gruffalo Crumble Recipe}

Like Mama Pea Pod for birthday party ideas? Please consider throwing a vote our way in the Red Tricycle Most Awesome awards for Birthday Party Ideas! Thanks so much! x

Sweet Pea turned 3 this weekend! 

We celebrated with a Gruffalo birthday party! Details to come, but right now I have to share the recipe for the Gruffalo Crumble we served for dessert (naturally, with owl ice-cream on the side).


This recipe was so easy and quick, I think it could easily become a weeknight dessert at our house. And definitely one that the kids can make. And soooo delicious - for once, something that the whole family agrees on!

Gruffalo Crumble

You will need:
5 bananas (peeled and sliced thickly)
350g (12 oz) frozen (or fresh) berries (I used mixed red berries)
250g (9 oz) cookie crumbs (I used plain digestives smashed up, but graham crumbs would work; I think gingersnaps would be good to try, too!)
140g (5 oz) brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
140g (5 oz) melted butter

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
• Stir the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon into the crumbs until well coated.
• Lay the bananas and berries in a shallow casserole dish and top with the crumb mixture.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until it starts to brown.
• Let stand at least 10 minutes, then serve with owl ice-cream ;-)

"Now my tummy's beginning to rumble!"

If you're looking for Gruffalo things to make and do, you might also be interested in these posts:

DIY Gruffalo Window Cling Stickers
Gruffalo Birthday Party
DIY Gruffalo Puppet Theatre

{Ten Children's Books We Love, About Love}

Our top ten kids' books for settling down for a snuggle together!

(And perfect for Valentine's Day):

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

[All links are affiliate links]

Watch what happens when you plant the seed of love - see it grow and sparkle! (with actual sparkles!)

The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning

Owen wants to send his granny a giant hug through the mail, and the hug brings happiness to everyone along its journey.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

A classic! Little Nutbrown Hare wants to show Big Nutbrown Hare just how much love he has - but he's got some competition!

I Love It When You Smile by Sam McBratney

Mama loves me even when I'm feeling on the grumpy side! 

What can mama do to make little kangaroo smile?

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Little Chester doesn't want to leave his mama to go school, so mama finds a way for Chester to take her love with him everywhere he goes. Perfect for kids experiencing separation anxiety, preparing to start preschool, or for mama returning to work.

 

Somebody Loves You, Mr Hatch by Eileen Spinelli

See the difference it makes when somebody loves you! 

Mr Hatch transforms from a grouch to a thoughtful friend with a little love.

Mama Loves You by Caroline Stutson

Sweet rhyming prose. Every mama loves her baby. One of our absolute favourite books of all!

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

Your mama loves you, no matter what!

I Love You, Too by Eve Bunting

All the little animals bring special gifts for their mamas 

to show how much they love them - and their mamas shower them with love, too!

Those last 3 can also be bought together in a compendium, 

along with other sweet mama-love stories, called I Love You: A Keepsake Storybook Collection, which is what we have.