Interview with Bubbe of Bubbe's Blankies!

By Earl

Today we're featuring our favorite seamstress and creative genius: the Bubbe (our Bubbe) behind the handmade quilt business, Bubbe's Blankies!

So, Bubbe, how long have you been embroidering and quilting?

I started embroidering my overalls in high school because my mom had old floss and I liked making my denims more "girly".  When my first baby (Ms. Mommy) came along I wanted her to have beautiful blankets on her bed, and cute homemade dolls to play with.  I realized I could handle the boredom of watching TV if I had handwork, so I started to sew baby quilts to gift and sell at the Purple Pocket, a now extinct handcrafts shop in downtown Spokane.  I sold quite a few.  When Petunia and Earl came along two years ago, I had to make THEM quilts, and just sort of kept on making them.  They are now for sale through my blog.  

Can you tell us a little bit more about the quilt making process? 

It takes me from 4-12 hours to hand-embroider a square, averaging about 6 hours per square.  Sometimes I start with pictures, but often a fabric will inspire the design.  I recently found lovely cloth with animals in tutus, so Auntie Amelia and I drew pictures to go with it (this quilt is available at Autumn's Loft).  Currently I'm creating dinosaurs to go with some great green fabrics, and planning a farm-themed quilt, but no fabric's appeared for that one yet!  I don't think red gingham would be quite the thing, and denim is too heavy.   Each crib quilt takes at least 10 embroidered squares.  The batting is medium-weight, hand tied with yarn.  I don't like the sewing so much, but that might have to do with the fact that I recently sewed 4 together in one weekend!

Thanks for sitting down and talking with us, Bubbe!

Below are a few of our favorite Bubbe's Blankies, hand crafted for us by Bubbe and Auntie Amelia. First up is Hank's deliciously cozy, flannel, Sesame Street themed toddler quilt. Isn't that Elmo square adorable?!

The next two are Petunia's and my very own, complimentary quilts (click the images for a larger view)!

I may not be feeling my greatest in this photo, but at least I'm wrapped in the friendly warmth of my quilt. Ms. Mommy took a close-up of her favorite square to show the exquisite embroidery detail.

Want one of your own? How could you not after seeing ours! Bubbe is now taking custom orders- just email her at bubbesblankies{at}gmail{dot}com.

Shoes

By Petunia

In case you didn't know, I'm a shoe gal. Nothing pulls together an outfit quite like the perfect pair of shoes. Sandals, sneakers, Mary Janes... a girl simply must have a variety of footwear to choose from. 

The shoes I'm wearing here are the Violet, by See Kai Run. Ms. Mommy was able to score an awesome deal on these (60% off, clearance sale!) long before I even thought about taking my first steps, and I'm finally growing into them. 

Remember, appearance isn't everything when it comes to what's on your feet! Here are some tips for choosing appropriate shoes, no matter what the style:

• Proper Sizing: if at all possible, we recommend going to your local shoe store (we're fond of Stride Rite, personally) to get your feet measured. Both Hank and Earl have wide feet, so proper sizing is especially important.
• Flexibility: can the shoe be easily bent in half? If not, then give it a pass. Flexibility is key for a developing foot. Soft soles, including the ever popular, soft and breathable suede leather, are best for pre and new walkers. 

Going shoeless can be just as fun too, and great for your feet (even for toddlers like me, who require special orthotic inserts when wearing shoes). 

We'd love to hear what your favorite brands of children's shoes are!

How to Match the Mix

By Petunia

Here at Casa De Los Dos Niños, we love our hats.  If it weren't for Mr. Daddy laying down the "no more money on hats" law, we would have a hat for every outfit!  Ugh! 

As it is, this creates a fun opportunity for us to embrace our childhood poverty and celebrate a good mix and match.  Here's one of my personal favorites:

At first glance, these don't go together at all.  Look again.  Maybe you need to look a third time.  Keep staring until you see how these exciting the contrasting patterns blend together to create a 
fresh, forward look. Good move, Earl. Good move.

Hat: Old Navy
Shirt: Gymboree

Outfit Name: Plaid and Checks

Petunia's Fashion Rating: 9/10

Earl's Fashion Rating: 8/10

Photo Phriday. Er... Foto Friday?

‎"Wait, so you push the button and BUBBLES COME OUT?!"

Happy Friday! Hank turns 4 tomorrow, so we're going to have a busy weekend! See you on the flip side.

It Just Doesn't Fit

By Petunia
I'm sure we all have an article of clothing like this in our closet: the dress that doesn't fit. It might be too big, it might be too small, perhaps there's one little area that just isn't right. But you love it. You can't get rid of it, or wait to grow into it, or let your cousin borrow it, because it's just too cute.

This is my Cuidadela Smocked Dress from Tea Collection's Spring 2011 collection. The color is cordovan. Isn't that delightful? Even the name is gorgeous!

As you can see, I have some more growing to do before this dress fits me properly. I can't help but want to wear it though! The bright blue sparkle hat was perhaps a poor choice of accessories, but I really have little in the way of headcoverings that fit these days. But that's a topic for another post. 

Outfit Name: Cordovan Tea

Petunia's Fashion Rating: 8/10 (but only because of the hat and size issues)

Earl's Fashion Rating: 6/10

Outfit of the Week

By Earl
I'm not even two, and even I know that windmills are a BIG thing in Oregon.  Literally. If you've ever been staring out of the back of your car from your car seat and see a monster truck pulling one of the windmill arms, you understand what I'm talking about.  But what I'm supposed to be talking about is how much I love this shirt from Happyfamily.  It's been a while since Petunia and I have gotten to blog and I lose track of myself.

Outfit of the Week by twobabiesdofashion on polyvore.com

Plaid buckle shorts
gap.com

Wee Squeak: Tattoo Camel Tennie
wesqueak.net

Kids WIND FARM Tshirt kids girls boys green shirt by happyfamily
etsy.com

Graphic-Patch Twill Hats for Baby | Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com

Bonus Post - Room Security!

By Earl
Today, dear readers, you're getting a bonus second blog post from us because, well, I have something I need to get off my chest. I don't know about the rest of you adventurous toddlers, but I enjoy a challenge. I like to run, jump, climb, and practice my throwing skills. Day and night. Especially at night. And I don't know about you, but I find it quite frustrating with my parents feel compelled to turn my bedroom into the equivalent of a padded cell in an effort to stop my mindless destruction interior re-design exercises.

Ms. Mommy has created these helpful photo diagrams to show you all what she's done to the room I share with Petunia to keep us "out of trouble" (her words, not mine).

Hahaha! I don't know what she thinks she's doing, but the lady is crazy if she thinks this is going to stop me from having a bit of fun at naps and bedtime. 

I'd love to hear some suggestions for what kind of mischief I can get into next. Do you see any glaringly obvious gaps in Ms. Mommy's room security attempt? 

America's Next Top Preschool Model

By Petunia
Ms. Mommy was out snapping some fashion pictures of us this morning when we Earl decided to be a little diva.  Lucky for us, Hank was there to step in and show us some of his expert America's Next Preschool Top Model poses.

"Happy Face"

 "Blue Steel"

This is my personal favorite.  Hank is working these pajamas! I love his use of props and leg positioning.  Genius!  We babies have a lot to learn.

Guest Post: Frozen Yogurt Pops

By Hank
Hi there FF, it's Hank! Today I'm doing a guest post for ya'll (don't mind my southern drawl- my Grandpa B just moved back from the South and has been down to our place for a visit).

Today I'd like to share a delicious recipe that anyone's parents should be able to follow. No, seriously, even Ms. Mommy was able to handle this one, and food preparation is #1 on her list of "Dreaded Household Tasks". This is my all-time favorite Summer snack.

Frozen Yogurt Pops

(source)

Ingredients:

• 1 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt
• Plastic push-pop molds (my mom bought ours from Amazon), or you can use small paper cups and wooden popsicle sticks (available in craft stores)
• Optional: fresh berries, frozen berries, honey, or anything else you'd like to flavor these with

1. Pour yogurt into push-pop molds or paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.
2. If using push-pop molds, place the lid on. Easy-peasy.
3. If using paper cups, cover the top with plastic wrap and poke a hole through it to insert a popsicle stick stick straight up in the center of the cup.
4. Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.
5. Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and eat your pop!

It's that easy! Here I am enjoying the fruits of Ms. Mommy's labors.

Mmmmm! Fresh blueberry puree and vanilla yogurt, frozen to perfection.

Chillin' With My Bros

By Petunia

Greetings, Fashion Friends! Sorry it's been so quiet on the blog lately. Summer has finally struck the Pacific Northwest, and that means lots of time outside! We've been keeping Miss Mommy ridiculously busy. Although the warmer weather has arrived, we sometimes still have cool mornings. On days like this, I layer. Here's one of my latest outfit concoctions:

If you're stuck with only brothers, you might as well embrace it. Here I've chosen to borrow a pair of Earl's shorts, and Hank's train conductor hat. Which I'm wearing backward, in case you hadn't noticed.

Be brave. Be bold. Embrace your style.

Shirt: Gymboree

Shorts: Osh-Kosh B'Gosh

Leggings: Gymboree

Shoes: See Kai Run - Smaller

Hat: Something Hank got from the grandparents.

Outfit Name: Chillin' With My Bros

Petunia's Fashion Rating: 7/10

Earl's Fashion Rating: 8/10