Tutorial | Tie Bell Sleeve Shirt

I think it's time for a sewing tutorial and with it being the beginning of the new year, and everyone all excited about resolutions and such, why not make THIS a resolution? After wearing this at least four days in a row after its completion, I can say that it'd be a good one to resolve to make!

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Tutorial | Flutter Sleeve

click here for the wrap dress tutorial.

The flutter sleeve is one of my absolute favorite sleeves, especially for summer. It's just so breezy and feminine. I first made them on my maternity dress when I was pregnant with Barrett and it really wasn't too tricky, so I'm excited to share this quick tutorial with you!

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Tutorial | Wrap Dress

It feels SO GOOD to be writing a tutorial again! It has been way too long, but with my graphic design class wrapping up (this is my last week!) I feel like I can finally give my blog and my readers (you!) the TLC that it needs!

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Mommy Style Monday | Christmas Traditions

I could go on for at least an hour on Christmas traditions and all the different ones that my family had and that I loved growing up, then maybe another hour on the traditions that I have in my own little family now. Traditions are a part of what make Christmas so special and fun for me because traditions typically involve people you've known and loved for many many years, and who have I known and loved for that long? My family, which is what Christmas is all about, right?

So! To spare you all an EXTREMELY long post, I'll just share my favorite part of Christmas, the stockings!

My mother makes everyone in the family their own, hand-crocheted stocking, and they are absolutely priceless to me.

dress | shein

On Christmas morning, no one is allowed out of bed until 7:00 AM. We'd all set our clocks fast because we were sneaky like that, then we'd race up the stairs to see what was in our stockings! We always had one gift (like a little toy or DVD), chocolate gold coins, Swedish Fish, an orange, and a candy cane or some other little treat.

When I married into Andrew's family, we added to the stocking haul! His family had the tradition of IBC Root Beer and Nutella. They had a few other things, but those were the two that I liked best!

Then, last year, Andrew and I decided to start our own Family Stocking Tradition. In addition to all those yummy treats and the chocolate golden coins, we also include one real Silver Coin.

Joining families and traditions is one of the funnest parts of being married! And then, as your family grows and  you add children to the mix, Christmases somehow become even MORE fun than when you were a kid.

What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions? Comment below!

Here are a few other moms who shared theirs!

Kiana | Glitter & Donuts

Madeline | CaseyLand

Erica | Good Job Momma

Cayli | Nightchayde

Britt | My Little Sunshine

Juli | Enjoying the Journey

Chelsea | Naturally Chels

If you'd like to participate in the next Mommy Style Monday collaboration, click here.

Whatever your Christmas traditions, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that this season has been one where you can say you've felt your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Follow along!
instagram handle | suesnews
snapchat | suesnews
facebook | Susan Stange Design
bloglovin' | Sue's News
pinterest | Susan Stange
twitter | suesnews_cl 

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Tutorial | Boots to Booties DIY

A couple of years ago, I purchased these boots off of Amazon and have loved them since day one. They're not the kind of boots you expect to last much longer than a couple of years, so when the zipper broke, I can't say I was too surprised, but I was a little bummed. Those boots were good to me.

I was literally on my way out to the garbage can to throw the old things away when it just hit me. Why throw them away when there is still so much potential?!

So before you throw out your old boots, give this a try first! It was so easy and all you need is some scissors, felt, and a hot glue gun!

You will need -
Scissors (I also suggest an X-acto knife)
Complimenting color of Felt*
Hot Glue Gun

*you could easily substitute a fun complimentary fabric or even pom poms instead of felt!

Difficulty level - very easy

Step 1 - cut

Decide what type of booties you want. My boots had a natural seam line that I decided would work perfectly for a peep-side type of bootie, so I just followed the seam line. An X-acto knife turned out to be my best option for my boots, but I know that I could have done the job exclusively with scissors.

Step 2 - felt

Cut pieces of felt that are about a half inch wide and heat up your glue gun. Line up the pieces of felt to measure the length of the section around the inside of the boot you're doing, then run the glue gun about a quarter inch away from the edge in the inside of the boot and stick on the felt. Do this around the entire interior edge of the bootie.

Step 3 - glue

The felt is glued in place, but now apply a second line of glue to fully close the opening you made in the boot with your scissors.

Then I just glued the belt buckle back on and voila!

Finished!

___________________________________________________________________

Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Chandler, Arizona and surrounding cities. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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Toys | Our favorites + Mommy Style Monday

As a mom, I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of one of those big ball pits they used to have at McDonalds, but instead of balls, it's toys. If you're a mom, I'm sure you can relate.

Why my kiddos need so many toys, I don't know, and how we keep accumulating toys when I regularly go through and throw out or giveaway the ones we don't use anymore, is a total mystery. In fact, poor Alexa didn't even get any real toys for her birthday because we are practically swimming in them (she got a book and some homemade sock puppets instead #momoftheyear).

Anyway, when it comes to toys and interests, I feel like my kids have A MILLION! And they go through phases, although there are a few that hold true like coloring, painting, playing pretend with beanie babies, and the doll house that was mine when I was a kid. But the best toys are the ones that mom and dad have an interest in playing with, too, because when it comes to play time, most kid's favorite toys are their parents.

So here are a few of our favorite toys to play with together:

DUPLO LEGOS | MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - we like to create farms, make towns, towers, sort colors, etc. and who doesn't want to be a part of a band?

MARBLE RUNNER - seriously. so fun.

BOOKS - my kids love a good story and this 5 minute star wars story book is definitely one that I don't mind reading often!

PAINTING | ART - we like to paint with water colors, or just color with crayons. it's especially fun when we draw pictures for other people!

BLOCK TRAIN - Barrett loves sucking on all the different shape, color, and size blocks and it's fun for the older girls to switch up the blocks and wheel it around, too!

SNAPCHAT - duh.

ACTION FIGURES | BEANIE BABIES - i love listening to their imaginations and different voices as they play with + speak for their little characters and be honest... you still have your beanie babies, don't you?

One thing that CAN NOT be denied is how much fun it is to watch your kids play and to have a good time, but that "good time" part doesn't always apply, as was apparent this weekend at Chelsea's first soccer game.

This pic seriously CRACKS ME UP! You never know how your kiddo's going to react to a new situation! It wasn't too long ago that this reaction to the game that Andrew and I both love more than any other would have got me down, but that's a post for another day. Let's just say, my expectations aren't set to "perfect" anymore, and that's been good for me and my daughter.

As for the "Mommy Style" part of this post, I'd say the best style you can sport when playing with your kids is your bright-eyed smile (or goofy face), because kids don't care what you're wearing. All they care about is that you're present and that you're making time for them exclusively. They grow so quickly, and someday, they're not going to want to play with Legos or marble runners anymore. Don't look at playtime as an inconvenience or an interruption of the projects you want to get done. Appreciate those moments and make them happen. I know I'm going to try harder to do that this week, and I invite you to join in with me!

I do have to say that these overalls are def one of my staple pieces and perfect for playtime with all those pockets! I'm a fan.

Now before you get all choked up and teary-eyed and rush to your kid's room to demand that they play with you RIGHT NOW, stop by these other lovely mama's blogs and see what they have to say about their kiddos and toys!

Kiana | Glitter & Donuts

Madeline | CaseyLand

Jessica | Mason Jars and Lemon Bars

Britt | My Little Sunshine

Juli | Journey of J^3

Chelsea | Tessa Marie

Monica | It's All About

Melissa | The Frolics of Mama Llama

And if you want to join in on the collaboration next time, be sure to stop by Kiana or Madeline's blogs to signup! It's really fun. You should do it.

Good luck this week! Hopefully it's full of fun and quality time with your family because put those two things together, and you've got Heaven.

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Mommy Style Monday: Girl's Day Out

 

Remember the Donut Party at CrEATe last week that I told you about? It was SO GREAT you guys. Seriously. There was such a good turnout and I met so many awesome women (and their kids!) not to mention the donuts and gelato were SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

 Reeses. Mmmmmmm...

This work of art was created by yours truly! Bar donut + Nutella Mousse mixed with whipped cream filling + Maple and Vanilla Glaze + Oreo topping. It. Was. Heaven.

I'll have to tell you more about it another time. Anyway, one of said awesome women was Kiana who runs a linkup with my friend Madeline called Mommy Style Monday. She's in the middle and Madeline is just over her right shoulder.

Photo c/o Madeline Casey's iPhone and mad iPhone photo editing skills!
Huge cheesy smile on the left c/o a very enthusiastic donut party planner!

I thought it would be really fun to join up, plus I had this photo of all these women showing off their Girl's Day Out swag!

Let's be honest here. This CrEATe donut party was totally legit and the perfect definition of "Girl's Day Out," but normally, "Girl's Day Out" actually means I'm out running errands with my daughters (+ baby boy!) and stopping briefly at a park or duck pond.

That's why I chose the overalls as my "Girl's Day Out" style. I mean, the convenience of all the pockets is irrefutable!!!

The thing I love most about hats is, well, the reason why everyone loves hats... Because sometimes there just really isn't time for a shower!

And let us not forget the converse! Because comfort is key.

outfit details:
hat // forever 21 (similar)
necklace // made by mary 
shirt // GAP (only $7.99!)
overalls // ross (similar) 
shoes // converse (purchased mine here)

Do you have a pair of overalls? What do you think? Like them? Hate them? Leave a comment!

And make sure you stop by these other ladies and say hi!

Kiana // Glitter & Donuts

Madeline // CaseyLand

Bekah // These Are The Days

Monica // It's All About

Amy // Harris Inc.

Melissa // The Frolics of Mama Llama

Rose // Babies & Bluejeans

Beverly // What a Day

Juli // Journey of J^3

Anndee // Anndee Between the Lines

___________________________________________________________________

Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Chandler, Arizona and surrounding cities. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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PinkBlush GIVEAWAY + Mom must-haves for Sunday

This post has been compensated by PinkBlush. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anybody with a toddler understands that the Sabbath being a "day of rest" doesn't apply to them the way it used to. In my church, we meet for three hours. You read that right. Three. Hours. Every. Sunday. One of those hours is spent sitting in the same spot the entire time listening to somebody else talk. If you think that sounds hard, imagine how the kids feel!

The reason I do it is because I believe it's true and renewing the promises I made with God when I was baptized all those years ago helps me to remember Him throughout the week and do better.

But I'll be the first to tell you that it's no picnic! There's a lot of compelling, reminding, and distracting involved. It's hard to ask a little one to sit still and quiet for a whole hour. That's why I bring a Mary Poppins bag full of distractions (and sit by an amazing older couple that helps)!

So here are some of the Stange Family must-haves for Sunday!

For kiddies:
Water bottles
Hand sanitizer
Diapers and Wipes
Changing pad
LIMITED number/amount of toys
Coloring

I try to avoid bringing snacks, but I've definitely been known to bring them when I've been desperate, and religious related coloring books and toys are preferable, but if it's a choice between fighting with my kid right before it's time to go to church or letting them take the princess coloring book, I'll let them take the princess one.

For mama:
Gum
Chapstick
(I'm not as high maintenance as my kiddos)

And if you're a nursing mama like me, a nursing friendly dress is a MUST! Like this one from PinkBlush!

As a mom of three, I have a healthy appreciation for clothes that are cute and fit perfectly while you're pregnant and when you're nursing. Unfortunately, they're not always easy to come by, which is why I often sew my own clothing.

PinkBlush is the exception!

PinkBlush is a women's online boutique, especially equipped for women who are pregnant or nursing. Their clothing is practical, trendy, and high-quality, making it perfect for the modern-day-mom! 

If I didn't teach the 16 and 17-year-olds who tend to notice things like clothes re-wearing, I'd don this dress every Sunday. Not only is it perfectly convenient for nursing (and very cute), it also passes the comfort-test with flying colors! It's made with a stretchy spandex fabric that gives good stretch but still resumes its original shape, so you don't have to worry about the fabric sagging over time.

I'm regularly a size small, but I decided on a size medium because I plan on wearing this dress next time I'm pregnant, but with how stretchy the fabric is, I'm sure I would have been fine with a small (*read "true to size.")

My kids love this dress almost as much as I do! They love how soft and stretchy it is, and they especially love that they can hide under it and make me a centaur! I would have taken a picture and posted it here had it not been a little questionable in taste ;)

Anyway, the point is, it's kid friendly.

And now, for the...

GIVEAWAY!!!

PinkBlush is offering one of my followers a $50 giftcard on any item in their shop! They have so much goodness available in their store (SO many cute dresses for women!) PinkBlush has something for you whether you're pregnant, nursing, or somewhere inbetween! To enter, follow me on instagram (@suesnews), and look for the giveaway post! Follow the directions from there and I'll announce the winner on Monday!

Good luck!

I don't understand it, but somehow, this four-year-old looks better in my sunglasses than I do.

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