Tote-able Towel

Been a little crazy-busy around here which is the reason for the lack of blogging! We've been hitting the beach, going to birthday parties and spending time with family. It's been a lot of fun!

For one of the birthday parties we attended I made a "tote-able towel." This kiddo spends a lot of time at the beach so I tried to think of something that might be of use to him. I didn't think the towel bags would be very appealing to him (ha!) (On that note can I just tell you that the towel bag is getting a lot of use and love? Probably one of the smartest things I've made in a long time!)

Anyways.....

I had saved a tutorial that I found a long time ago and decided to put it to use. It's by Anna Marie-Horner and she calls it the "Tote-able Towel." It's a towel that rolls up and has straps attached to it so you can throw it over or across your shoulder. Here's how it turned out:



Here it is all laid out in the sand:



Personalized via appliqued (darn thread kept breaking!)



It was an easy and quick tutorial! Next time I may add a pocket. Go ahead and give it a try! :)

Have you made something lately? Link up with "I Made It!" Blog party Thursday at "Everything Etsy." Click on the picture below and it will take you there!

Wordless Wednesday: Cardboard Surfing

It's summertime! Time for some surfing! Not near a beach? Well how about some CARDBOARD surfing?!? Big, steep hill plus some cardbox boxes equals tons of fun!

For more Wordless Wednesday visit:

Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, or Seven Clown Circus.

Towel Bags

We've been spending a lot of time swimming lately which is GREAT. However, who is always lugging all the stuff around? Yeah, that would be me. There really is no reason why my two girls can't contribute to helping with the load so I thought I'd give them a little incentive by making them their own beach bags to carry their towel, goggles, snacks, etc.

I found a simple tutorial to transform a towel into a bag. Simple, quick and inexpensive! One towel has enough fabric to make two bags! And if you find towels on sale even better! (The girls chose their towels from Old Navy at $5.00 a piece....)

I think they took my "Be a model" comment a little too seriously.....

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Bento Box Giveaway!

There are SO many great giveaways out there in Bloggerland but I rarely post about them.....UNLESS it's something that I really want (and need to increase my chance of winning!) Well, folks....here is something that I REALLY want:

It's a Zojirushi Stainless Steel Bento Box!

Stephanie from A Pocket Full of Buttons is giving one away! Go check out her blog but DO NOT...I repeat....DO NOT enter. Because if you do it decreases MY chances of winning! Just being honest here. ;)

Contest ends June 24th. Good luck! Tell her Sharon sent you!

Also Known as Momo Cousteau

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Mermaid Towels & Ruffled Diaper Covers.....

I thought life was supposed to get simpler, less chaotic, and less stressful when summer vacation came around?!? Noooooo..... but that's okay. It's all good!

I've been busy...but a fun kind of busy. We've been hitting the beach a lot and loving every minute of it. I've also had a couple of purchases from my Etsy shop so that's exciting! I need to restock with some newer/different items. I have some ideas and will get working on it! Meanwhile I am grateful for the interest and the support! Thank you!

Speaking of Etsy I've been working on some mermaid towels....one was purchased before it was even put in the shop (THANK YOU my dear friend!!!) and here's another that I need to list:



I am currently working on a shorter version for our younger, smaller little mermaid-want-to-bes.

Also (not for the shop) I finished making a ruffled diaper cover for a friend that recently had a baby girl:

Excuse the wrinkle on the front!

Hopefully she'll send me an action shot so we can see the ruffles on her little toosh! :)

The diaper cover turned out pretty cute (and who doesn't love Hello Kitty?!?) I didn't have the patience to figure out the pattern on my own so I used the one on the You Can Make This website. You can find the pattern here. Good tutorial - lots of pictures and step by step instructions. The ruffles took an extra step (or two)....it was more than just gathering a few ruffles and sewing it directly onto the back of the diaper cover. However, I think the extra time it took was was well worth it. You can see the detailing of the ruffles here:

I would love to make a toddler version - shorts with a ruffle butt. Will keep you posted!

Wordless Wednesday - The Wave + Wipeout

For more Wordless Wednesday visit:

Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, or Seven Clown Circus.

Memorial Day in Hawaii

A moment of silence for those that have passed on.....

At National Memorial Center of the Pacific (aka Punchbowl National Cemetery) a flag and flower lei was put on each of the veteran's graves in honor and remembrance of them:



At Ala Moana Beach over 2200 lanterns representing the souls of those that have departed were put into the ocean at the Floating Lantern Ceremony:

Thousands of people on the beach.....

The lanterns launch....and glow.....and drift.....

And as the sun set Kailani saw one lonely star in the sky.... (can you make it out in the picture?)


She said it was one of her grandmas looking down on us......

*Miss you mom.*