Etsy & Instagram

Shop is in full swing on Esty! www.bigsislilsislove.etsy.com

Handle Bags

Wristlets

Bibdanas

Burp Cloths

Follow us on Instagram too @bigsislilsislove :)

Xo,

Erica

Handmade Christmas

I am having so much fun sewing for "myself" even though its for my kids! I am getting to do some personal projects I haven't had time for in a while. I love how busy I am with my Etsy shop, but it nice to have a break and do something different :)

I decided to make some accessories for my girls baby dolls for Christmas. 

It started with some baby doll diapers

Then I wanted to add some bibs and burp cloths to match :)

Finally I finished up with a satin ruffle trim blanket and pillow for baby doll crib! This one took some time :-/ probably won't make one of these again, unless they beg me ;)

I made everything more purple and catered toward Aria because she tends to play with the dolls more often, but I know (hope) they both love what I made! 

Chocolate peppermint popcorn

This was so easy and awesomely delicious! 

Pop your unflavored kernel popcorn in an air popper or over the stove! Melt some chocolate chips and crush some peppermint candy canes. Place the popped popcorn on a cookie sheet and drizzle with the melted chocolate, then sprinkle with the candy cane bits! Let cool (if you have self control, I do not ;) Break it up and put into baggies to enjoy! 

Xo,

Erica

No-Sew Tie-Fleece Blanket

Can't get enough of these tie-fleece blankets this year! 

So far I have made one of each for my girls, one for a friend and now the hubs has requested one too :) Anyone else?! Oh yeah maybe me ;) Haha

They are super easy to do, just a little time consuming! But worth the time :) they are so soft and cozy!  Makes for good multitasking while watching my dvr shows ;)

I used 1.5 yards for the girls with a pattern on one side and solid on the other.

For the adult size I would suggest 2.5-3 yards :)

The I just did a quick YouTube search for the easy step by step instructions (there are a bunch).

Xo,

Erica

Happy Father's Day Art

For Father's Day I decided to look to Pinterest for some inspiration on an art project we could do for Daddy. I ended up finding some great ideas for hand print art and these are the ones we ended up doing. 

The kiddos loved making them so I went back to Pinterest for some others we can do this summer! Check it out :) feel free to follow me http://pinterest.com/Bigsislilsisluv/

Xo,

Erica

Sibling Day :)

After a few super windy days here, my allergies are kicking my bum, but we had to get out to enjoy the beautiful warm weather today :) it was teetering on hot actually. Not sure of the elevation here, but it definitely feels closer to the sun ;)

These two cool chicks were ready to go to the park for our first play date! They requested their sunnies for the walk and posed very willingly for this pic ;) It was so nice to see them being so sweet to each other today, especially since I found out later it was national sibling day! Take the time to tell your siblings how much you love and appreciate them, even those ones that are like siblings in your life :)

Thanksgiving Cornucopia Breakfast

So thankful on this Thanksgiving (and everyday) for my wonderful family! My husband amazes me with his daddy skills more and more :) This morning topped the creative charts with his breakfast for the girls! They loved it!!

Acorn Kisses

Aren't they adorable!! A friend of mine gave me this great idea and I'm not sure where she found the idea, but here is how I did it :))

Just melt some chocolate chips for your "glue" and attach a Hershey kiss to the flat side of the mini nilla wafer. Then attach a chocolate chip to the top. (I used regular, but mini ones would work too). Put in the fridge for the melted chocolate to harden and then they are ready to serve :))

For the plate (dollar store) I just decorated it with theme foam stickers I found for fall!!

Such a quick and easy fall dessert! Fun for kids and adults :)

Happy Thanksgiving

xo,
Erica

Orange October

We love our World Champion San Francisco Giants!! Way to go boys :) Congrats on a job well done. We have fan fever, keeping Orange October alive!!

Meatless Monday - Veggie Baked Pasta

Once a week we try to do a meatless dish. Here is how I made this weeks dish.
Ingredients:
1/2 large yellow onion diced
1-Zucchini
1-Yellow squash
1-Carrot (or equivalent baby carrots)
1-Red bell pepper
1 Jar marinara sauce
1 Jar Alfredo sauce
1 pound Rigatoni pasta
1 16oz of shredded cheese (I used mexican trio blend)
(I was out of mushrooms, otherwise I would have added those too!)

Sauté onion until translucent then add all the chopped veggies into the pan season with a little salt and pepper. When they start to get tender add your marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. While sauce is simmering boil the pasta (don't cook completely, leave it el dente). Drain pasta and set aside.

Take your glass baking dish (9x13) add some sauce to the bottom just to cover it. Add a layer of pasta, then more sauce and top with cheese. Repeat this layering one more time and be sure to top with cheese! Bake on 375 degrees for 15 min.

It was a hit at my house (even with my girls, they couldn't even tell there were veggies ;) I hope you try it and like it!

Xo,
Erica

Chair Recovery

It has been a long time coming,

Our dining room chairs have needed some serious TLC 

for quite some time!

(I am so embarrassed to even show them)

BEFORE

Result of two toddlers in 4 years!

 I finally made the time stopped procrastinating 

and found the perfect fabric (on sale too ;)

This was so much easier than I imagined 

and the main reason I dragged my feet on getting it done!

Here is the final result of chair #1

(Using the staple gun was so much fun too!)

AFTER

Being my first attempt at recovering chairs,

I am so happy and kinda look forward to getting to do it again!

But not too soon... 

hopefully I get to enjoy these for a little while 

before they end up like what is underneath!!

(Not sure the Scotch Guard can even protect them from my girls ;)

 One for the desk too!

Here is a list of what I used to get the job done,

* 6 Chairs

* 3 yards of fabric cut into 24 x 23 inch pieces 

*screw driver

*staple gun

*Scotch guard

Then I basically used YouTube to get an idea on how to fold the corners,

since that part can be a little tricky!

Hope you have time to give it a try and spice up your dining table!!

xo,

Erica

***Fall Sale***

Fall Sale in my Etsy shop Use code FALL15 at checkout for 15% OFF your total purchase!! 

(Expires 10/20)

Here are some of the new designs recently added to my shop :)

 "Brocade" 

"Hourglass" 

"Tangerine"

"Zig Zag"

These make great gifts for the holidays to stuff with fun items like makeup, nail polish, baby items or sweet treats! 

I am adding new items often, so check back soon.

I would love any suggestion for new designs this holiday season, feel free to leave comments below :)

Thanks!

xo,

Erica

Style "Pin"spired

I just love when my real closet matches my pinterest closet!
I found the picture on the right and thought it was so casual/cute, was even more excited to have similar pieces in my closet! The leopard cardi really makes the outfit :) I just never really thought to wear it like this!!

Refashioned: Toddler Maxi Dress

I have a stack of old shirts that I no longer wear, waiting to be refashioned, reused, repurposed...  

which ever term you prefer :)

I finally plunged in and was able to get one done this summer!! Yay, me!!

Just took one of my old strapless baby doll tops 

 and added some straps and some extra length to make it a full length toddler maxi dress :) 

 I was so pleasantly surprised with the finished result!! 

 And my 4 year old loved it too :))

xo,

Erica

Football Fever

Just added some 49ers flair to a basic red hoodie for my girlies today! A little satin gold ribbon trim with the logo fleece!! I love the results. Go Niners!!

Pinterest how I love thee...

Let me count the ways with some of my 

favorite finds!

dreamy

blissful

cozy

comfy

hexy ;)

casual

cuteness

delish

sweet

Seriously this is so addicting!

classy

Fact

Have fun!

Pinning,

Erica

xo

Chicken Caprese and Pasta

So on my trip to Costco,

I picked up three packs of fresh mozzarella!

I could pass it up, but you can only eat so much on it's own,

it was time to get creative :)

So most of us have tried a Caprese salad,

but I thought it might be interesting to try it on chicken!

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breast (or amount needed for servings)

2-3 slices of fresh mozzarella per chicken breast (1 ball gave 8 slices)

1 large tomato (sliced for 2-3 slices per chicken breast)

dried or fresh basil

salt and pepper

balsamic vinegar

Season the chicken with salt and pepper, grill indoor or outdoor.

When the chicken is fully cooked, remove and place in a baking dish. 

Top with 2-3 slices or tomato and mozzarella. 

Add a little salt and pepper and basil.

Broil in oven until the cheese begins to melt.

Plate the chicken and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Serve with side salad or pasta.

We decided to try a quick and easy side too!

Have you heard of Suddenly Salads?

Grab a coupon here!

It was super easy to make and made a great light side dish :)

I am looking forward to trying some of the other flavors

So I was pleasantly surprised with our impromptu creation

It got the hubby's approval too ;)

I am thinking next time I might try to put some 

pesto on the chicken

under the tomato and mozzarella! YUM!

Delish,

Erica