Jedi Robes Tutorial

My mom did a super job on these robes. She figured out how to do this without a store-bought pattern. She has some serious sewing skills! I also know I taxed her by having her write all of this down, so thank you, MOM!

Buy 2 yards of brown 72” wide felt per robe.

Cut a 50” piece from the folded fabric.

Fold that piece of fabric in half.

I made a pattern for half of the robe. It was 21” wide from the center seam to the end of the sleeve. It was 36” long from the shoulder to the bottom of the robe. I cut out a curve for the neck opening. This works well for children about ages 4 - 6.



Lay the pattern on the folded fabric with the shoulder at the top fold and the center line 4 inches from the side fold.

Cut out the underarm/side seam section through all 4 layers.



Cut out the neck curve. Cut down the front center line only on the top layer of felt. Flip the robe over and cut 4 inches from the fold. This makes the front section of the robe and leaves and extra 8 inches in the back for a pleat.

Pin and sew the side and under arm seams with right sides together.



Create a pleat at the back neck by overlapping the fabric 2 inches over itself and both sides. The photograph shows the inside of the robe with the pleat pinned. The second and third photos show the front side.

Use the rest of the 2 yard piece to cut a rectangle 12” x 24” for the hood. Fold it in half to make a 12” square.

Starting halfway across the fold, stitch close to the edge and curve down to meet the side. Continue stitching down one edge. Trim off the extra fabric at the curve.

Open up the bottom of the hood and using a basting stitch, sew across 1/2” from the bottom. Pull the thread to gather the bottom of the hood.



Match the center and edges of the hood to the center back and front edges of the robe with right sides together and ease to fit. Stitch the hood to the robe.

The felt can be cut at the bottom and the sleeves for smaller children.

Death Star Pinata

This pinata was actually really easy to make.

We were not as authentic as our one friend, who actually stole his wife's exercise ball to create his! However, I think this one turned out pretty well.

I bought a soccer ball pinata. Then we took all the black markings off of it and spray painted it with a metallic gray paint.

After allowing it to dry we pushed gently on one section to make a divet for the laser cannon, which we painted black. Then I used elecrial tape to make the trench around the equator.

Swing away!

Oreo Tie Fighters

I came up with this idea kind of at the last minute, but it worked great. I was actually thinking of Patrick's friend who is allergic to milk and what else I could serve besides the cupcakes. I remembered he could eat Oreos. So, as I picked up the package, the idea occured to me to make them into Tie Fighters. I know, I am weird!!

So, here is how you make them:

Make Royal Frosting:

4 tsp. Deb El Just Whites (these are powdered whites and are totally safe to bake and make frosting with, as opposed to making the frosting with uncooked egg whites)

1/4 cup water

2 cups confectioner's sugar

Beat the powdered egg whites and water with an electric mixer until foamy.

Add the confectioner's sugar and beat until the frosting stands in peaks.

Then add a dab to one of the large Oreos.

Stick the mini Oreo onto the dab.

Add a dab to a 2nd regular sized Oreo and press together.

Let them rest standing up before storing them in an airtight container. The frosting will get really hard to keep these together. I used 2 bags of regular Oreos and 1 bag of minis for 12 kids.

May the Force Be With You

Today was an exciting day! We had Patrick's birthday party, which we have been planning and preparing for for a while. He wanted a Star Wars party, and I must say, we all had a fun time putting it together. Well, maybe my mom has something else to say about that! She was the hero of the party. She made 12 little jedi robes from felt, that I must say, looked very authentic!

The Agenda and the music that goes with it:
Princess Leia and Queen Amidala greet the young Padawans. Princess Leia (my daughter) handed out robes and Padme (me) collected and labeled weaponry. Music: 20th Century Fox Fanfare and Open Title Music from Return of the Jedi

Obi Wan Kenobi (my brother) trained the Jedis in the ways of the force and how to handle a light saber. Music: Medley: The Hologram/Binary Sunset and Medley: Tales of a Jedi Knight

Jedis then completed their training with Yoda on the obstacle course. Music: Yoda's Theme

Once the Jedis training was complete, they each had a chance to defeat Darth Vader (my husband). Music: The Imerpial March

After Darth Vader was defeated or "debeated" as my son puts it, the kids need to destroy the death star--a pinata and collect the debris! Music: The Battle of Endor III

We then headed to the patio to be hailed as heros and recieve a medal from Princess Leia and Queen Amidala. Music: Medley: The Throne Room/End Title

Then we all went to the Mos Eisely Cantina to celebrate with cupcakes and Oreo Tie Fighter Cookies. Music: Cantina Band and Cantina Band #2

All music can be downloaded from iTunes. I used music from Episodes IV, V, and VI.

It was such a joyful and funfilled day. Alyssa was equally excited as Patrick was. I loved that my brother took time out of his weekend to come be such a big part of the fun, the kids loved him. Brett and I really stretched ourselves creatively for it, and my mom worked so hard to make everything look perfect with all of our costumes. What a team effort!

I will post tutorials for all our crafts and food in the coming days!
Happy Birthday, Young Jedi!

Daily Prayers for Kids

I checked this book out at the library this week and I wanted to share it. It is a book of daily prayers written for children to say. There are prayers for each day of the week. Each day is broken into three parts: waking, midday, and nighttime. Each prayer is based on one of the Psalms. Each deals with subject matter familiar to children. I liked that the prayers focused on blessings, giving thanks, and asking for protection. My daughter and I read this book cover to cover last night and she really enjoyed it, the simple rhyming lines and familiar imagery was soothing. This is a great book for helping children broaden their prayer life beyond the traditional, "Now I lay me" prayer. We will be looking at this book more!

Do Your Homework!

Recently, getting homework done without a headache or tears has been an issue in our house. Usually, Alyssa does her work at the kitchen counter. I am usually helping her, keeping her focused, making dinner, answering the phone, doing something for Patrick, or letting the dogs out or in. It is constant chaos. For weeks now I keep hearing what every good teacher knows, what I have told countless parents when I was a teacher, “She needs a quiet place dedicated for homework.” But my rationale for not acting on it sooner was that I needed to be preparing things in the kitchen, and I need to micromanage homework. Yes, a little like Claire on Modern Family the other night. By the way, I LOVE that show. So funny. But back to the homework, so I decided to act on the voice nagging in my head. Yes, Brett, if you are reading this, I do nag myself too!


I moved some things around in her room to make room for my old desk.

I made a really cute pencil holder her for her:

To make this simply use a can where you take off the entire lid. You can't use one that cuts the lid, the edges will be too sharp. Here is a can opener that would work.
Then, peel off the label and wash out the can. Dry it.
Measure the height of the can.
Find a piece of scrapbook paper or other card stock and cut a strip.
Then, use double sided tape to secure one end of the paper to the can. After that, roll the paper around the can and secure with more double sided tape. And voila, a pencil holder.

I liked this desk blotter Michael's had. They have all kinds of cute American Girl craft items there now.

The other thing I added was a swing arm lamp.

This one came from Pottery Barn Kids about seven years ago, here is the newer version.

Before I moved the desk in, she had a night table that had a lamp on it, once the desk was it, it was right next to the bed and the lamp took up way too much room on the desk. Swing arm lamps are terrific space savers. Now this lamp can be used for reading in bed and then shifted over to work at the desk.

I love this toy! Alyssa got it for her fourth birthday. It is so educational. You use a pen to touch the different parts of the globe and it tells you information about the country or contitnent, such as currency, poplation, what time it is there, cultural facts. There is also a game mode and you can quiz yourself.

Now that the desk has been in there for more than a week I can say that she has been more responsible about doing her work. She does more of her work independently. I do go up and get her started on tasks, and periodically check in, but all in all, she is taking more initiative. I think because she has a place to take it seriously and knows that I take it seriously, it has become more important to her.
The best thing I saw her do at it was "study for college" (her words, not mine) and what was she studying? The Bible! Now, that is something to work at. Amen!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23

Before and After: The Family Room

I have been wanting to update the family room for some time. I was tired of the TV in the corner and the small bookshelf that really got in the way to and from the kitchen. For some reason, this room attracted a lot of clutter! Nothing was terrible, but I was just ready for a change. Brett really wanted a  new TV, one of those LCDs. But I really wasn't ready to get that unless we did the whole room the way we wanted. I didn't want to do it half-way and then be upset later when nothing was the way we wanted it. However, there wasn't money to do it all the way---until, I figured out how to get the look I wanted on a budget!The room also seemed to need some color. There is lots of beige in this room right now.

The curtains were from the previous owners and never matched our stuff. The rug did not match either!

So here is our room redone . . . . TA DA!

I found the look I liked, of course, in a Pottery Barn catalog. But with shears at more than $80 a panel, I just couldn't do it. Then I found these, almost identical in color, at Target. Target also had the pillows and the throw to match. I really struggled with the decision on the couch. My heart wanted that Pottery Barn sectional, but for the family room, I figured we could go cheaper since the kids are in there all the time and I would freak out if I spent a lot and they wrecked the stuff. So we went with the Ikea Ektorp couch and chair in Svanby Beige. They also had the chocolate brown velor pillows. They are the best! This also is what got us to Ikea for the very first time. A bit overwhelming, I must say.

Brett got an incredible deal on the TV. He went with a Dynex. It is Best Buy's generic brand, however it still made by the people who make expensive name brand TVs. It was a great bargain. We needed furiture to put that on, plus I really wanted to add bookshelves to the room. We are huge readers here and we are always looking for more space for books. Of course, I had my eye on some Pottery Barn stuff, but alas, I did find this stuff on sale at Target, that I very happy with. Plus, if the kids ding it up, I will not have a major cow. My favorite thing about the Target purchase is that the bookshelves came with wall straps and child saftey warnings. Way to go Target, thanks! You can see in the picture that I painted an accent wall. That is Behr's Gray Morning. I had some issues with the name, I thought it sounded too negative, and then I got over myself and painted.

This was my favorite purchase for the whole room. I think it ties it all together nicely.

So, I am pretty proud of my design on a dime. It was fun and Brett and I are both very happy with the room. It feels more open and it is easier for me to talk to company when I am in the kitchen! Isn't that what it is all about!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Both my husband and I have Irish roots. My husband's grandmother is a Davis descended from County Kerry known for its scenic mountains and coastline as well as the Lakes of Killarney. My roots are in County Kildare, home to the shrine of the Celtic goddess Brigid, "woman of poetry, healing, and smith's work" her name means "a fiery arrow." I would love to live up to all of that. It is also where Saint Brigid is from. She was an Irish Christian nun who founded several monastaries.

Brett and I have always loved celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

While he was in college, he would go to Savannah's River Street with fraternity brothers to celebrate it "thoroughly." After college, we found a couple of irish pubs we really liked, and not just for St. Patrick's Day. One was Ireland's Four Provinces in DC, we loved the Irish bands that played there, and I admit, I loved eating a late night shepherd's pie there. But now with kids we have found some other ways to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland.

I have to note that this year is the first year that, our son, who is named Patrick, didn't think today was his birthday. Usually he is asking me where his presents are by now since we usually have some sort of party. Alas, this year we have been so busy, we did not do it up as we usually like to. However, we did try to keep the spirit. I bought him this book last year:

It is by Tomie dePaola. I like everything he does! I actually learned a few things from this book:

1) Patrick was English, not Irish

2) He was captured by the Irish and employed as a slave until he escaped about six years later.

3) He returned to Ireland after having a dream that "called" him back to be a missionary

4) How he was conitinually persecuted

5) That he started the first church in Ireland out of a barn.

The book also has a section at the back that tells the legends about St. Patrick, such as how he drove snakes out of Ireland and how he taught the trinity with a shamrock. As always, dePaola's illustrations are amazing.

After learning more about St. Patrick I am reminded that God calls us to difficult tasks, ones that may even seem impossible. However, we must have faith, we must obey, and we must persevere. Patrick led a life that did that.

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverence and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."-- James 5:11

Now what you really came for, the food!!

Of course, I made our traditional Shepherd's Pies. Tonight I made them in individual ramekins since we all needed to eat at separate times. I just popped them in the fridge and baked them when I needed them. I will say this, the Hungarian paprika is a must, it has such a wonderful flavor, regular paprika is too bland.

Mini Shepherd's Pies

5 medium sized potatoes, sliced
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika

1 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pepper

8 oz. tomato sauce

In a medium pot boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes or until tender. Preheat oven to 375'. In a nonstick skillet brown the beef with the onions and carrots. Once browned drain the grease. Add the peas and spices. Add the tomato sauce and heat through.

Divide the beef mixture among 8 6 oz. ramekins.

Meanwhile, drain and mash the potatoes with the milk, butter, and cream cheese.

Top the beef mixture with the potatoes.

Bake for 30 minutes.

You can make this a few hours ahead of time and bake once you are ready to eat. Just bring ramekins to room temperature first.

Leek and Potato Soup
This is my favorite! It is super easy, and leeks are super good for you.

3 tablespoons butter
3 large leeks
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 1/2 cups of chicken stock

Melt butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. Clean leeks and cut leeks. Add leeks to the butter, stirring often. Once leeks are tender add the potatoes. Cover and cook until the potatoes begin to soften but are not browned. Add the chicken stock and simmer 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, you could also puree in a regular blender in batches.

Of course, all this tastes better with Guiness!

Leprechaun Soda 

3 scoops Lime Sherbet

6 oz. Sprite

"May you always walk in the sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door"

Irish Blessing