Moneyless Mondays ~ Fabric from Plastic Bags

Finished and trimmed
placemat for Aedyn

Yes you read that right! Today's post is on how to take plastic grocery/shopping bags and transform them into sew-able fabric.


But first, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!! Now, to the fabric. Fabric might not be the best word, but you're looking at a heavy duty plastic that can handle being sewn by a machine. The more layers you fuse together the hardier the fabric will be. And it doesn't scrunch like the plastic bags do.

Moneyless Monday ~ Facial Cleanser and Spa Treatment

Something no one ever told me about breastfeeding was that your hormones are in constant upheaval. When baby misses a feeding or drops one altogether, or goes through a growth spurt, or in any way or form changes up his "normal" pattern, hormones respond. They don't just signal your milk supply, but affect your entire body.
For the past month, my skin has been worse than a pre-teen's. Acne all over the place, one day it's dry, the next day it's so oily I could fill a fryer. It doesn't help that as a mom to two active and mischievous boys I don't often have the time to take care of myself or my skin the way I would like to. I'm also incredibly...ummm, thrifty!... when it comes to skin products. I have a hard time finding something that actually works on my skin and I refuse to pay money for something that I'm not sure of. You see the predicament that I put myself in?

Moneyless Mondays ~ Nursing Bra

I find myself in the middle of something that is half blessing/half curse depending on if you're talking to my husband or if you're talking to me.


Without going into numbers, we'll just say that walking into a store and just picking out a bra is not something I've been able to do since I was about 15. Special order or specialty shops have been the only places that even have a dream of helping me and since 2 days after Aedyn was conceived they just haven't cut it either.

Using a Safety Pin

Now I will talk numbers. When I got pregnant with Aedyn I went up FIVE cup sizes. Yup. I was already hard to fit and then I became next to impossible. I had one of the best specialty bra and mastectomy centers searching for anyone that could even maybe possibly fit me. Didn't happen.


I tried to "make one work" that was too small. Anyone who has nursed before can probably guess that it led straight to multiple clogged ducts. OUCH!


I finally found a regular bra that fit. So I took that one and decided to do surgery. You have to be pretty desperate to do surgery on a $75 undergarment and I was.

Sewn in hook and eye

It worked great! And it would work great for anyone who can't (or doesn't want to) spend a ton of money on post-pregnancy undergarments.


A quick snip of the scissors and a safety pin do fine if you have no sewing skills and/or no sewing supplies around the house. Just make sure you snip the strap and not the cup. The strap is less likely to fray and cup side will be reinforced for multiple safety pinnings.


I use a seam ripper to detach the cups from the strap and then sew in a hook & eye closure.


There you have it. Easy as pie, but cheaper!


Follow me on Facebook or Twitter so you don't miss out on any of the Milk Bubbles that just might make your day that much more special!

Moneyless Mondays ~ No Sew 'Found' Baby Sling Type 2

The Pleasantest Things video and blog that I featured last week inspired me to start looking around the house to see what else I could use to carry Jaron around in. Specifically I wanted something that I could use in the pool. I liked the t-shirts, but they do hold a ton of water, are hard to wring out and take forever to dry. 

I found my sheets from the the Flats Challenge Series! 500ct Egyptian Cotton Sateen, twin size flat sheet. This was supposed to be re-purposed (or upcycled) into cloth dining napkins, but it fits the bill just perfect for what I was needing. It's so simple that it's ridiculous, but it works GREAT!

*PLEASE check your DIY carriers with other heavy items before putting your baby in for the first time! YOU are responsible for the safety of your own child! Gallons of milk...bags of flour...dumbbells...the family pet are a few suggestions...

Fold sheet in half, longways

Drape over one shoulder

Bring underneath the opposite arm

Tie a Tight Double knot
The sheet should lay against your back and chest
along the entire length

Move the knot around to the back

Insert baby

Spread the bottom edge down to his knees
allowing him to sit in the naturally formed pocket
Fold the top back down to give additional support under
his bum

Make minor adjustments at your shoulder and at  his bum
until you are both comfortable

You can also position baby laying down in a hammock hold. I DO NOT recommend this type of sling for a baby who cannot sit up unassisted. For the hold I use it would be impossible to keep baby secure and the hammock hold could compromise baby's airway by bending the head too far forward.

If you do not feel comfortable using this type of sling or with the strength of your knot, DON'T USE IT! Go with your instinct and KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE!