Oh Joy, It's a Boy Nurses' Gift Jar

A couple of weeks ago I saw this picture online of a little gift jar to give someone when they have a baby (boy). I had been looking for something to do for the nurses when we go to the hospital, and so I really liked this idea. It's very similar to the Turkey Toes I made for Thanksgiving so I knew it would be quick and easy to put together.

I went to Hobby Lobby and got a large jar (not the mason jar kind) with a screw on lid. I couldn't find any blue and white polka dotted ribbon, so I got a white ribbon with blue and green polka dots.

I just put a line of hot glue down the seam of the jar, made sure I had enough ribbon to cover the lip of the jar, and then pressed it down.

I was able to find a light blue ribbon that I liked, that was smaller than I needed so I decided I'd use the larger white ribbon as a base and layer the blue ribbon over it. I just put a dot of hot glue at the top and one at the bottom and pressed it down.

Then I made a label on my computer, in Word and printed it, cut it out and then measured it. Then I went to my Silhouette machine and made a scalloped shape just slightly larger than the circle I had just cut out. I used light blue card stock and cut away! I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive to attach the label to the cardstock and then the cardstock piece to the jar.

Here it is attached. I made one for each side of the jar and for the top of the lid. I attached them all the same way.

Then I took the light blue ribbon and hot glued it around the lid and made a bow with the larger white ribbon. I just hot glued the bow at the seam of the blue ribbon, so it would hide it.

I cut the ends of the ribbon and heat sealed them with a lighter and it's all done! I haven't decided what exactly I'm going to put in it yet (something that doesn't melt if D leaves it in the car until after the baby is here).

But I thought that was a cute, easy way to say "thank you" to all of the nurses that help us at the hospital. I'm thinking it will be cute on their nurses' station!

Gifts

I don't know if its just because all of the trouble we've had getting pregnant and now we finally or, or babies are so much fun to buy for, or we just have amazing friends and family or all of the above but we have already been given so many wonderful things for this little munchkin. I can tell we're going to have a spoiled little one on our hands!

*Just a clarification - this isn't even half of the stuff that our munchkin has been given, but I've been lazy and haven't talken pictures of everything.*

Onesies and travel pals from Aunt Bridgett & Uncle Andy

A hooded towel and washcloths from Aunt Melanie, Uncle Roy and Cousin Matthew

Sweet books for us to read to the munchkin, from Aunt Meredith and Uncle Cole

The softest blanket ever from a friend at work, Rachel.

A personalized burp cloth from The Barrows. Isn't this adorable? I can't wait for this munchkin to get here so that we can put all of these wonderful gifts to good use! Thank you to everyone who has given us anything, offered us kind words and well wishes and/or kept us in your prayers. It means more to us than you'll probably ever know!

Thanks for everything!

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Amish Friendship Bread Starter

A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend of mine and I met for dinner and she brought me a bag of Amish Friendship Bread starter. Most of you know what this is, but for those who don't - its so much fun and a cute "gift" for a friend. I plan on making a few starters up, pairing them with a Christmas dish towel and a wooden spoon - a little Christmas ribbon, or red and green rafia and wa-lah - a cute little hostess gift, or something fun for a neighbor. Here is the recipe for the starter:

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Ingredients: 1 package active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided 3 cups white sugar, divided 3 cups milk Directions: Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container (anything but metal), combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature. Step 2: On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a wooden spoon. Step 3: Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Step 4: Days 6 thru 9; stir only. Step 5: Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2). **Tip**: Once you have made the starter, you will consider it Day One, skip step 1 and proceed with step 2. Enjoy!