Quick & Easy DIY Plus Quilt & Burp Cloths + Free Patterns

Quick & Easy DIY Plus Quilt & Burp Cloths + Free Patterns

Quick & Easy DIY Plus Quilt & Burp Cloths + Free Patterns

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How could I possibly introduce my favorite sewing project that I have ever completed? Perhaps, the best baby gift that will ever be given? That will do.

I’ve made these for a friend of the family who just had their first baby! This last weekend I flew through this project; a gorgeous plus patterned quilt and matching burp cloths backed with oh-so-soft cotton chenille. I loved this project so much that I had to share it. This gift is so easy to make and sure to impress whoever cozies up to them.

easy plus quilt pattern

Project Details

Burp Cloths – Finished cloths measure 8 x 15 inches each. Recommended for beginner to advanced sewing. Easily completed in just one day. You will need 1/2 yard of quilting cotton for the backing, and 1/2 yard of Cotton Chenille for the absorbent side. 

Plus Quilt – Baby sized quilt measures 40.5 x 49.5 inches. Beginner friendly pattern listed at the end of this post. 

easy beginner diy burp cloths baby gift cotton chenille

Selecting The Perfect Fabrics

Let’s talk selecting fabrics. Often for baby quilts, we think characters or pastels, right? Not when I make them! After putting hours of love into a project I want to make sure that it will grow with the baby and never get tucked away into a nursery (or God forbid forgotten in the closet). This couple just welcomed their first child, and for my memories that meant lots of hours on the living room sofa with everything scattered about. I wanted to picture these pieces as a welcome addition to their décor that would never appear as clutter. This is where the neutral colors came into play with a sleek print that suits well enough to be an accessory. This gift is just as much, if not more, for the mother. Try to think of fabrics that will bring her joy in her everyday life as she spends time with her little one. 

All of these fabrics were picked up in one trip to my local Hobby lobby, with cottons costing $6.99 a yard and the cotton chenille more costly at $12.99 a yard. BE SURE TO WASH & DRY THE COTTON CHENILLE FIRST. The amount of fluff that will come from this single cycle is enough to cover a small lamb. Wash it alone on cool and tumble dry on a medium setting before sewing. You may find a cheaper cotton chenille on amazon, I do NOT recommend it as the quality is similar to that of a rough rug, not soft at all.

Burp Cloth Instructions

These burp cloths are a breeze to whip together, you’ll want to make them for everyone! Below is the free printable PDF pattern. Instructions are also included. Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your finished ones! To assemble the cloth, simply cut one piece of quilting cotton and one from the chenille cotton using the pattern below. Sew wrong sides together with seam allowance 1/4 inch leaving about two inches open at the top as indicated in the pattern. Turn right sides out, press, and topstitch opening closed. Easy!

FREE BURP CLOTH PATTERN

Printable PDF Burp Cloth Pattern

plus quilt diy and burp cloth pattern

Plus Quilt

The plus quilt is now my absolute favorite quilt pattern that I have ever sewn! The assembly was so quick, fun, and the end result is beautiful! In any color, you can truly change the feel with a quick switch of fabrics. I will be making more! For the finished quilting I chose to use wavy lines in varying widths. I feel this gave this project a more youthful feel to keep this modern piece in tone for the baby. Also, it helps to hide any imperfect corners that don’t line up, it happens. 

 

The Pattern Is Made By The Amazing Coral & CO

easy baby gift plus quilt and matching burp cloth

Final Thoughts

This quilt would be great in any color and soon I will be trying it with an antiqued looking fabric. I can’t wait to see the whole mood change with different colors and more. Be sure to Follow me on Instagram & Facebook to stay updated on future products, and now, patterns! I am happy to announce that I will be expanding the blog to more DIY patterns just for you. New to sewing? No problem they will all be beginner friendly. See you soon!

 

Xo -Chelsey

Pink Pineapples Are Officially A Thing! Everything You Need To Know About Them

Pink Pineapples Are Officially A Thing! Everything You Need To Know About Them

pink pineapply pink glow dole fruit box

Pink Pineapples Are Now A Thing! Here Is Everything You Need To Know & Where To Buy Them

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came across this website, Pink Pineapples are officially a thing! Of course, I adore all things pink and had to order one for myself. Here is everything you need to know about these cute new fruits. 

What Do Pink Pineapples Taste Like?

Pink pineapples taste somewhat similar to the original yellow variety, but they have a striking difference. A certainly improved flavor, the new one is sweeter and less tarte. While keeping that same crisp bite we are all used to, the texture is subtly softer. 

Verdict – Deliciously Improved. 

 

pink pineapply pink glow dole fruit box

Where To Buy A Pink Pineapple

Pink Pineapples are available online only at pinkglowpineapple.com for US customers. However, the price is STEEP. One pineapple will cost you $49 with free shipping to the East Coast. West Coast customers will pay $40.37 or more, depending on the shipping options. They arrive in just a few days, much quicker than other foods that I have ordered online. NOTE they do not ship with ice & you will want to refrigerate them immediately. Boxes are limited every day, be sure to order yours quickly before they sell out.

pink pineapply pink glow dole fruit box

Last Details

As you can see above, they also look visibly different from the older variety. Instead of the original lined patterns inside, these pink pineapples look more like a watermelon in texture. They’re adorable and would make for the perfect conversation starting party snack. I also love the presentation, each pineapple comes with a certificate of authenticity as seen below. So while it is pricey, at least you’ll still have bragging rights that you spent a ton for a pink pineapple. 

10/10 recommend. Delicious, adorable, and fun to receive. I will order again. 

 

pink pineapply pink glow dole fruit box
We Moved To Florida! First Peek Inside Mixing Modern & Antique Furniture

We Moved To Florida! First Peek Inside Mixing Modern & Antique Furniture

We Moved To Florida! First Peek Inside

We did it! We finally arrived in Florida and we are mostly unpacked. (There are still a few stray boxes that need to find a home because we have so much less storage here than we did in Boston. Guess we have to build some built-ins again!) Moving was not easy during the whole rona thing, but no one has had anything easy so I’m not complaining! I’ll be sharing our new home in stages because there is too much to do at once. Today, we start with the sitting area! Right as you walk in past the foyer, is a fantastic seating room filled with so much light! 

We are far from complete with the décor and it is most likely going to change a lot as we begin more of the design phase with drapery, painting, wallpaper, etc. We are even thinking about doing a feature wall design as well! But today marks a great beginning place so you can see how the space will grow with us in the days to come! 

 

Mixing Modern & Antique Furniture 

Here’s the thing about our décor, we love modern pieces, but have a ton of antiques that we treasure from Mattycakes’ side of the family. Most of the pieces are a few hundred years old, craftsmanship that you can never find today that are filled with tales of his family from the past. We know the history of each piece that makes it all the more special to enjoy. It took us a while to really settle on how we wanted to enjoy the furniture with our newer favorites, and now that our entire home is modern, we found it most beautiful to mix the eras together. I’ll share a couple tips through this post with how we did it! (PS how cute is our pom Miley on this new rug! She is 14 years old and loves to nap there in the sun)

Different Elements To Balance The Space

I say this again and again, when in doubt, mix elements! The more variety the better. From metals, woods, leathers, textiles, greenery and more. Even books provide a nice depth.

It’s good to mix heavier more masculine items as well with smaller more feminine furniture, which you often find with antiques. This desk is actually Matt’s Great Great Grandmother’s desk (maybe older) we have the “his” version of it as well. We wanted this space to be usable and inviting. It’s a great place to just sit down and get some work done. That way it isn’t just a “pretty sitting room” that no one uses because it doesn’t have a TV (ha).

We balanced the large size of the room and smaller pieces with this larger masculine chair with leather tufts and modern lines. They pair well.

Just above the stately chair is another antique from Matt’s family, John Cannon, who lived in the early 1800s maybe before. This portrait is so old that his great grandmother posed in front of it on her wedding day. The portrait is so large that we said we wanted to give him his own “moment” in this room. So just him on this wall. I’m planning to do a stately wallpaper behind in rich gem tones to further add to John Cannon’s moment.

Modern Lighting

Our absolute favorite in this room! Our new light fixture! The room is two stories tall and surrounded with straight lines. We wanted something grand enough for the space (this fixture is 61″ wide). What we really loved was the warm tones you find inside of the antiques, but also the tones of our newer gold and glass accents in the room such as the tables and bar cart. Plus it’s LED so you’ll never catch me climbing a giant ladder to change a light bulb. Also, this art bridges the walkway between our youngest children’s rooms, it’s a favorite of ours by Jon Burgerman. He is a long time friend and fantastic artist that my husband has worked with for years. 

Set For Entertaining

If you followed along in the last house, you’ll remember the blue couch and bar cart! I didn’t take the time to style the cart, oops! I just snapped pictures just the way we live. It’s more realistic this way, you’ve seen everything staged enough on here lol. We do always have it ready to go with spirits, glassware, accessories and more.

It’s another part of us wanting a usable room, where we can gather with company (after this rona thing) and someone can grab a cocktail while still joining in on the conversation. And yes! That’s Jon Burgerman on the wall again, an original in black and white! 

One more detail about the accessories on the cart, they’re all marble, glass, brass, and have stitched leather tabs. A masculine feature to a soft dainty cart. It also has an antique Bocce ball with my husband’s initials on it. More photos soon, promise!

Bright Colors

Another piece we brought along from our last house, this couch and blanket loved this space! I used to be so terrified of color, but once my husband and I saw the sofa, well, it was the first time we agreed on something so quickly. After that everything fell together. Now, I wouldn’t buy another boring grey couch again. Even budget pieces, like I’ll show you soon in my kids’ rooms, scream upscale when in colored fabrics. 

mix modern and old furniture

Happy Accidents

Rugs and lighting tie for me in the ranks of what define a space. They make or break it. They create a space or serve as a backdrop for other items to sparkle. One thing my Husband is notorious for is ordering spectacular rugs- gorgeous rugs! But always the wrong size. Do you hear me giggling? One time he ordered a breathtaking blush powdered rug to sit pleasantly with the blue couch. It came in so small that my coffee table basically ate it sitting on top. That blush rug sits in the foyer now, perfectly sized. This rug above, was supposed to help mix our antique formal room, along with a gigantic piece of art I can’t seen to hide when we move (I don’t love it ha!)

Originally we had a deep red, navy and mustard colored rug in this space that was a family heirloom from 1800’s Iran. The light made it beautiful. You’ll see it soon, once I find it’s home. 

But the rug above did NOT fit in the dining room, more giggling. Turns out it actually perfectly suited the open sitting area, paired well with the polished tile, and added just a pop or color without standing out. 

Happy accidents always happen when my Husband orders rugs.

modern gold coffee table

Same Finish Different Lines

Another way we wanted to break up the space was by adding modern touches with different lines. Not one part of the space “matches” quite so. You will find similar tones, again in the painted lines of the antique desk legs, to the lighting and accent tables. However, none of them quite “match”. Gone are the days of matching. Much like fashion, decor has taken on a sense of anything goes but with a unique rhythm that work together. You can have a 1800’s table, modern wallpaper, and mid century art in one room. The same way you can now rock bell bottom jeans, a 90’s choker, and makeup reminiscent of the 60’s.

Blending is fantastic. 

Just the Beginning It Needs Something More

So while I love to emphasize on all of the details, angles and more, this is just the beginning. Knowing we will live in a place longer than three years, we can truly put our personal touches on a space without keeping it neutral incase we need to move.

I have my dreams set for venturing into deep wall colors now that we have escaped the gloomy snow and have the light for a wall with something, dare I say, black walls with grand moldings? This layout will probably change drastically within the next year or so as we discover living in a modern home, every state we live in affects our style so much. 

Yet, as I look at this house with so much white, I realize, we could have created our own style in any home we lived in. Be it the “new build” Colorado midwestern, the New England Colonial, or the modern now, we have learned to have fun and just go with the flow. Change things up, move things around, and have fun. 

So cheers to the beginning, just like all of us decorating, we get bored and bothered with spaces, and through the seasons, the days, we change. Can’t wait to bring you along with me. Can’t wait to see décor change together.

Chelsey

& The Mama Guide

8 Creative Tips for Easy Amazing Halloween Tablescape

8 Creative Tips for Easy Amazing Halloween Tablescape

8 Creative Tips for Easy Amazing Halloween Tablescape

I absolutely ADORE all things Fall & Halloween. It’s spooky, cozy, fun, and a little bit magical! Given the world now, and that we just moved to Florida! (More on that to come) We no longer have the backdrop of New England Fall to set the seasonal tone this year. That is why I put together the most magical Halloween tablescape to truly set the tone and transform the house. Plus, these were all affordable, quick, and easy. Enough said right? Onto the tips!

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

1. Floating Witch Hats

These spooky floating witch hats are quick and easy! Simply sew the top of the hat to a clear string or fishing line and pin it to the ceiling using thumbtacks. You can purchase a pack of ten Witch Hats on Amazon for $12.99 HERE . I used a clear sewing thread that you can purchase HERE.

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

2. Go Classic With A Twist

Skulls and skeletal pieces have always been a Halloween staple, but now it’s time to add a modern spin! Think of using gold skulls, or even velvet covered ones to brighten up your Halloween table. You can purchase this same gold skull HERE for under $15. This beautiful black candleabra is part of the Fall Decocrated 2020 box. HERE

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

3. Use Black Cheesecloth For Easy Cleanup Webs

You can get really creative indoors with black cheesecloth in place of messy spider webs. Use them to cover light fixtures, span walls or windows, even across a table as a cloth or runner. Do be careful around light fixtures, never leave them unattended because of fire risks and do not place them directly on light bulbs or over an open flame. Safety first! I purchased a two pack of black cloths HERE for $5.

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

4. Hang Seasonal Art

Temporary seasonal wall art is the perfect way to round out the decor in any space. This fall sign is available in the Fall 2020 Decocrated box, if you miss it you may find it available in the future in their members only shop! Skip the nails and use 3M Command strips for easy clean up. Decocrated is the easiest way to refresh your decor through the seasons, this wall art is part of the Fall box HERE .

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

5. Faux Florals For Warmth

Though I always prefer fresh flowers, these picks from Hobby Lobby certainly add that perfect fall touch to any Halloween table. Select burnt oranges and dewy yellows for the perfect touch. I also LOVE adding in stems of faux wheat. They last longer, keep their color best too. Pro Tip- these floral stems are on sale every other week at Hobby Lobby so check their sale calendar before you go.

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

6. Get Batty – Don’t Skip The Walls

Accent any wall or mantle with these adorable flying vinyl bats! Simply use small stickers to attach the assorted bats to make them appear as they are flying across your spooky space! The perfect touch to any Halloween decor, inside or out (under cover from harsh conditions of course). You can get your own pack of 48 bats HERE for under $7.

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor

7. Tableware For The Wow Factor

Linens and flatware are the most affordable way to upgrade any tablescape or space. Updating your napkins alone can change the entire mood of a dinner party or decor. These black napkins are available for $11 HERE and the gold flatware/silverware is a great find at Walmart for just $25 HERE  This beautiful candelabra is a part of the Decocrated Fall 2020 box HERE.

halloween tablescape top tips decocrated

8. Create Height- Not Just In The Center

Utilize pieces like floral arrangements, tall vases, candles and more to add height to your tabletop. While the center is the go to for taller arrangements, don’t overlook the edge areas. You can even add multiple tall arrangements down the center of a table, well rounded decor has a variety of groupings and height. My favorite piece here is the vase full of pumpkins, found for under two dollars each at Hobby Lobby. If you use real pumpkins, you can also top the vase with live florals and fill it with water for a dazzling piece.

Most importantly, have fun! Try new things, move stuff around. Go around your house and “shop” the pieces you already have. You never know when you’ll fall back in love or reinvent pieces you already have. 

Need an update or refresher in your home? My favorite easy and affordable way to do just that is with my Decocrated subscription box! You’ll be able to update so many spaces on a budget, plus fill your home with quality pieces for each season and all year long! Checkout DECOCRATED HERE and for $30 off for the year use code CHELSEY30. For $10 off just your first box you can also use code CHELSEY10. Take a sneak peek at all the pieces I used this season from their newest Fall box!

magical floating hats decocrated halloween tablescape easy decor
Loafingly Delicious

Loafingly Delicious

Fair Warning

If you’re reading this right now, we’re in the middle of Coronavirus lockdowns and many stores are out of bread. If you’re like me, you probably need more! So here it is, I’m sharing my super-secret white bread recipe. Before you make it, I have to warn you. You should probably make a couple batches because this bread is so good that no one can stop eating it- lol. Seriously though, you’ve been warned, it’s really hard to put down.

And even though we’re in the middle of boredom-central, I’ll spare you the long boring story of how the recipe was created, because IDK why those even belong on a recipe. Seriously, we just want to know how to make the dang thing. Lol. 

Note: This recipe works fantastic for both standard baking and bread machines.

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 Cup Milk

3 1/4 Cup Flour

1/3 Cup + 1.5 TBS Water

3 TBS Softened Butter

3 1/2 TBS Sugar

1 1/2 TSP Salt

2 1/2 TSP Instant Yeast

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. In a large mixing bowl, add milk, flour, softened butter, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix lukewarm water and yeast until yeast begins to foam. Add yeast water mixture to remaining ingredients and knead for 5-10 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise one hour or until the dough doubles in size. Once doubled, punch down and either form into rolls, or place into a loaf pan and allow to rise again for one hour or until doubles in size. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Note: For Bread machines, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Additional Notes

This white bread recipe works great for both rolls and sandwich bread. This recipe works fantastically inside bread machines as well as standard oven baking. A mixer with a dough hook is recommended for kneading, and full knead time of ten minutes produces the best gluten structure. This bread recipe is very beginner friendly. 

If you need any additional help- email me at chelsey@themamaguide.com

23 Free Home Learning Websites For Kids Home During The Coronavirus Pandemic

23 Free Home Learning Websites For Kids Home During The Coronavirus Pandemic

23 Free Learning Website Resources 

Hey mamas, sending my prayers and well thoughts. Right now we are learning a whole new world. Most of us at home with kids for weeks, months, or even the rest of the school year. Many of us are working from home, can’t be home, but are trying to support our children the best we can with their studies. Thankfully, I am surrounded with a ton of teacher mom friends who have given me these resources to share with you.

Below are ALL FREE websites for you to support your kids in home schooling during this Corona Virus Pandemic. 

If you have any other sites you think can help moms, just like you, please email me at chelsey@themamaguide.com . Praying for you all, we will get through this together. As women, we are stronger together. 

1. Brain Pop

Brain Pop is an animated educational site for kids in Science, Math, Social Studies & More. There is a section for older and younger kids. USE CODE BPCVFAFB3

2. Scholastic Home Learning

Scholastic has opened up their learning academy for children during the Corona Virus Epidemic. They have daily learning journeys for students Pre-k – 8th grade +. I really have to hand it to them for making this possible for all families.

3. FunBrain

Fun Brain is the number one site for online educational games for kids of all ages. Math, Grammar, Science, Spelling & History. This is one of my favorites and goes from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. 

4. PBS Kids

Educational games and videos for young children. They are currently offering daily activities and tips to help kids play and learn at home during the Corona Virus Pandemic.

5. Kahoot

Kahoot is a game based learning platform that brings engagement, e-learning and self study everywhere. They cover all topics for all ages.

6. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is probably one you have heard, they teach everything online with expert created courses and content. All levels and all topics. They are currently giving daily schedules for students aged 4-18 and are helping with amazing resources during the COVID-19 school closures. 

7. National Geographic Kids

Easy to read articles, photos and fun games. Topics covering Science & Social Studies for ages 6 and Up.

8. Fact Monster

Fact Monster is a free reference site for students and parents. They help you find facts on thousands of subjects. This is helpful for parents learning what their children are studying so we can best help them. They have flash cards, biographies, games, and more. Subjects include Math, Geography, History, Language Arts, Biology, Physics, & More for all ages.

9. Zearn

A math website created by teachers for students aged K-5th Grade. Thanks to donations, the entire K-5 curriculum is currently free during the Corona Virus pandemic. 

 

10. Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye website has Science based videos and guides for students of All Ages.

 

11. Starfall

Early learning for young children in all topics, Pre-k to 3rd Grade. Similar to ABC Mouse but free.

 

12. ABCYA

Educational games for grades Pre-K to 6th grade. Keeping kids engaged with fun in topics Math, Reading, Typing and logic games.

 

13. Cool Math Games

Cool Math Games is a brain training site for all ages. 

 

14. Mystery Science

Mystery Science offers lessons to excite children age K-5 to inspire their passion in science.

 

15. Book Creator

Book Creator is a simple tool for kids to create digital books. This is a great way to dive into reading and writing in a fun hands on experience. All Ages.  

 

16. Duolingo & Duolingo Kids

Duolingo is an app based on language learning. Language learning is known to boost brain power and fantastic for students of all ages. The app based learning is easy with 30 different languages. 

 17. Ken Ken Puzzles 

Ken Ken Puzzles is a site to make your brain stay sharp, especially during the time kids are out of school.

 Ages 8-18.

 18. Math Playground 

Math Playground is a Math site with problem solving learning, logic games, and number puzzles. They walk kids through step by step. Grades 1-6th.

 19. Primary Games

Primary Games is a website featuring action games to learn Math in a fun way. Grades K-8th Grade.

 20. Brain Teasers

Brain Teasers strengthens basic math skills for students of All Ages. 

 21. Education Place

Textbook support and content for learning in All Subjects and grades K-8th Grade. 

 22. Teach Your Monster To Read

Teach Your Monster To Read is a fun award winning site for younger children learn to read and master phonics. Children gain fun prizes for their monster while playing games and learning. Ages Pre-k to 1st Grade.

 23. Math Aids Printable Worksheets

 

 Math Aids Worksheets provides printable worksheets for K-12th Grade levels to provide you with materials while you are home with children out of school. 

 

 24. Varsity Tutors Virtual Field Trips & Celebrity Classes

Varsity Tutors now offers free Virtual Field Trips along with Celebrity Classes featuring Mayim Bialik, Julianne Hough, Coyote Peterson and others.