I Tri and Craft

thoughts from a mother of boys, a marathoner, a triathlete, a crafter, a wife, and a scientist

Category Archives: Motherhood


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Birthday Pirate Shirt

When my son makes a decision he sticks to it.  The past two Halloween’s I asked him to pick a costume in August and he stuck to that choice. For TWO months.

Oh, did I mention he is three?

His birthday is next month, March, so in December I mentioned that we needed to start thinking about a theme for his birthday party.

Without hesitation he asked for a Skeleton Birthday party.

We were in the car with my husband and we were talking about it and this is what was said:

Hubby: do you want a Dia de Muertos party?
Ian: No dad. A skeleton party.
Hubby: I know but a Dia de Muertos party has skeletons…
Ian: No Dad! a skeleton party because skeletons are my favorite.  Skeletons, turtles and seals are my favorites.

So I started planning a skeleton party.  For about a week.  Until we got a catalog with party supplies in the mail.

Ian looked through it for a few days.  He kept talking about who was going to have what party.  He then said “This boy is gonna have a pirate birfday party” while pointing to his chest.

After some discussion we decided to have a pirate party instead of a skeleton party.  There was still almost three months to plan.

He has not changed his mind, but he has picked out his next five party themes.

I wanted to make him a shirt for his birthday party.  My Silhouette Cameo has the ability to cut heat transfer material to iron on clothes.

I designed a shirt with a skull and crossbones wearing a birthday party hat and the words “Birthday Pirate” instead of ‘Birthday Boy’

It was going to be a surprise but when the only time you have to work on something is when the kids are home nothing is a surprise.   Everyday he asked where his skeleton shirt was and if he could wear it.

MSS_BirthdayPirateShirt

I was finally able to say yes, and he was so excited.  Only about 2 months before his party.

You can read about the process in a three part series starting here.

 

Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?

My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs, so pursue the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!

Silhouettechallengecollage

  1. DIY Screen Printed Curtains by Chicken Scratch NY
  2. “Cute as Cupid” shirt by crafts, cakes, and cats
  3. Easy Easter Bunny Onesie – Silhouette Cameo Craft by Adventures in All Things Food & Family
  4. Hearts-A-Lot Burlap Pillow Cover by My Paper Craze
  5. DIY Monogrammed T-shirts with Silhouette Heat Transfer Material by Pitter and Glink
  6. Sew Cute Applique by Life After Laundry
  7. Machine Applique with SIlhouette Cameo by The Sensory Emporium
  8. Mommy and Em’s Coordinated Aprons by TitiCrafty
  9. Valentine’s OWL Always Love You T-shirt by My Favorite Finds
  10. Teddy Bear by Work in Progress
  11. Fabric Envelopes for LEARNING LETTERS! (& cut file) by From Wine to Whine
  12. Upcycled Birchbox Cameo Accesory Organizer by Cupcakes&Crowbars
  13. No-Sew Valentine’s Day Pillows by A Tossed Salad Life
  14. Nerdy Baby Onesies + Free Cut File by Essentially Eclectic
  15. Lady Bug Tote Bag with Silhouette Rhinestones by Ginger Snap Crafts
  16. Valentines Baby Onesie & Boy’s Shirt + Free Cut Files by The Frill of Life
  17. Easy Fabric Art by McCall Manor
  18. Easy Heart Appliqued Onsies by Create & Babble
  19. DIY Bleach Spray Shirt by Practically Functional
  20. Felt Star Wands by Cutesy Crafts
  21. Baby Quilt by Dragonfly & Lily Pads
  22. Canvas sketch project and a share by Clever Someday
  23. Glitter Iron-On Top by Simply Kelly Designs
  24. Crawl, Walk, Bike by It’s Always Craft Time
  25. Stenciling Sherlock by Please Excuse My Craftermath…
  26. Monogrammed Burlap Garden Flag by The Turquoise Home
  27. “Team Betty” Tote Bag by The Thinking Closet
  28. Customizing textiles with Heat Transfer Vinyl (working title) by feto soap
  29. Foxy Lady Pajamas by Mabey She Made It
  30. Rhino Onesie by It Happens in a Blink
  31. Surprise Holiday Banner by Whats Next Ma
  32. No-Sew Interchangeable Fabric Bunting by unOriginal Mom
  33. Freezer Paper Stenciled Tote Bags by Weekend Craft
  34. Fabric Applique Valentine’s Day T-Shirt by DailyDwelling
  35. Pretty Up Some Organza Bags by Getsilvered
  36. Birthday Challenge by Fadville
  37. Yoda Kid’s T-Shirt by Architecture of a Mom
  38. DIY Sock Minion by Create it. Go!
  39. Big Sister Gift & Silhouette Cut File by Creative Ramblings
  40. Bleach Pen Gel & Freezer Paper Stencils Made with the Silhouette Machine by Bringing Creativity 2 Life
  41. Fabric Painted Quilted Wall Hanging by Terri Johnson Creates
  42. Nautical Pillows by Lil’ Mrs. Tori
  43. Mark Your Territory- Dog Flags by Black and White Obsession
  44. “Good Morning, Sunshine!” Memo Board by Tried & True

Happy Crafting

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12 Days of Christmas Tradition ~ Day 8

One of the reasons I love the Christmas holiday is the traditions.

I love reviving old family traditions, and making new ones.  I love remembering fondly the things that I did as a child at Christmas time and the things I couldn’t wait to do again.

As an adult, I get to make sure our family participates in our traditions and make new ones.

This tradition I don’t let my family participate in.  Every year I stay up super late the couple of days before Christmas and wrap presents.

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I always think I will start early, and I always think I have plenty of time.

Of course I don’t!

So I stay up late, while everyone is asleep and wrap their presents.  At least I know I am not alone.  Mom’s across the world are doing the same thing.

I was able to squeeze in making these gift tags for the boys.  I didn’t want to write on their gifts from Santa, I don’t want them to eventually recognize my writing.

 

If you want to download a blank set of these gift tags you can do so here.

 

Happy Wrapping

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What are your Christmas Traditions?


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Seven Days of thanks ~ Week 3

I want to give daily thanks in honor of Thanksgiving this year.  Instead of a new post each day, I will recap what I am thankful for at the end of the week.  It is a great way to reflect on the little things in our daily life that we should be thankful for.

First I have to give thanks to you readers who are going to forgive me for not posting this days ago.  I forgot to schedule it, and didn’t realize it.  oops.

 

7 Days of Thanks Nov 15-21

Nov 15
The ability to easily make friends.  This boy can and will make friends with anybody where ever we go.  I’m not gonna lie, sometimes the other kids don’t realize they are friends or that Ian is playing with them, but he is.  It allows him to have fun and be carefree where ever we are.

Thanks_week3_friends

 

Nov 16
Family get togethers.  I have a wonderfully amazing family.  And we try to find any excuses to have a party.  Even if it is only to try out some new coffee.  Which then became a birthday party, but alas I didn’t take pictures of the actual people there.

Thanks_week3_family

 

Nov 17
Fearlessness.  OK, so sometimes I am not really thankful for it, because he gives me a heart attack like every thirty seconds.  But I am thankful that he is adventuress and has the drive to figure things out.  He couldn’t reach the door handle, so he pushed his chair over.

Thanks_week3_sid

 

Nov 18
Our fume hood.  Stinky thiols are horrible to work with, and I am so thankful that I have a working fume hood to keep them.

Thanks_week3_hoodpng

 

Nov 19
The things this kid says.  I try really hard to write down what he talks about, but sometimes it is so much and so funny, I can’t get it all down.  I really need a recorder in my car, or better yet, just attached to him.  He is constantly making me laugh.

Thanks_week3_ian

 

Nov 20
The treadmill.  I know sick right?  But if it were not for the treadmill, I would be out walking/running in the very cold wet yucky weather.  Plus I can use it, at the gym, after the boys go to bed without fear of running in my neighborhood.  This way I am able to stick to the C25K program that I just started.

Thanks_week3_gym

 

Nov 21
Another thing I am thankful for at work is these auto-tip fillers.  Could you imagine refilling this by hand?  That is like a million little tips to fill the box.  Maybe an exaggeration, but not if you are filling them by hand.

Thanks_week3_pippetts

 

 

What are you thankful for?
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Seven Days of thanks ~ Week 2

I want to give daily thanks in honor of Thanksgiving this year.  Instead of a new post each day, I will recap what I am thankful for at the end of the week.  It is a great way to reflect on the little things in our daily life that we should be thankful for.

7 Days of Thanks Nov 8-14

 

Nov. 8
This view from work.  While I would rather be home with the kids, it is nice to have something pleasing to look out through my window.

Thanks_week2_view

Nov. 9
Little Helpers.  Baby Sid is such a messy eater that I am constantly sweeping up after him.  Sometimes he likes to help.  Actually he loves to use the swiffer on the floor.

Thanks_week2_helper

Nov. 10
Indoor play gyms.  With the cold rainy weather that comes with fall, winter and spring here in the Pacific Northwest, it is great to have some place that the kids can run off excess energy.

Thanks_week2_playgym

Nov. 11
Little Artist.  The best thing about having toddlers is the stuff they make for you, or just make.  I have always been a fan of handprint art work.  Ian has been enjoying make handprint as well.  So he asked to paint, and when I came back he was making his own handprint picture.

Thanks_week2_artist

Nov. 12
Cousins.  I am close with my cousins and I love that my sister’s kids and mine are so close, even if they are seven years apart in age.

Thanks_week2_cousin

Nov. 13
OMSI.  The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a hands on learning museum.  They have a toddler play area that brings fun and learning together.  It is also great because the kids can play in different areas and I can watch them the whole time.

Thanks_week2_OMSI

Nov. 14
Brothers.  Ian took it upon himself to read to his brother.  I just love it.

Thanks_week2_brothers

What are you thankful for?
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