SqueeZurts! Save Money and Make Kids Happy

Have you ever given your kids one of those sugary yogurts in a tube? I have many times because they are so convenient for lunches and when we're traveling but I've always wished that there was a healthier alternative since I don't like to give my kids high-sugar foods.
Thank goodness someone came up with a great alternative. They are called SqueeZurts and these are do-it-yourself tubes that you can fill with anything you want!

Save tons of money and cut out the needless sugar by filling your SqueeZurt with smoothies, yogurt, pudding--whatever you'd like! Like I said, I don't like to buy the high-sugar yogurt. In fact, I buy plain yogurt and then a low-sugar fruit yogurt and mix them together. My kids love yogurt and don't miss the sugar!

 I got to try out the starter kit from http://www.squeezurts.com/ and it came with 6 tubes and a handy bottle for filling, plus 2 fabric sleeves you can use to keep the little kids hands from getting too cold.
My kids were so excited to pack a delicious berry smoothie into their lunch bag. My 7yo told me that everyone was asking how she got that rainbow gogurt. :)

I filled some to take on a trip to Idaho and it was so handy. They are easy to fill and all you need is a bread tie to fold them closed with--just make sure you leave a little space if you're freezing the SqueeZurt.
The only trouble I had was when I tried to fill them with our favorite greek yogurt and berries. The mixture was too thick to get through the nozzle. One remedy is to slice off the end (about 1/4") of the nozzle on the fill bottle for a larger opening. In my case, I just added some milk to thin the mixture and froze them and they were perfect.
I am loving these so much, I think I'm going to have to order 6 more. My mom thought it was a great idea to have when the grandkids come visit.
You can buy SqueeZurts directly from the site http://www.squeezurts.com/

 or through this etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kitchensinkboutique
Check them out on FB https://www.facebook.com/SqueeZurts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kitchen-Sink-Boutique/159449537452486
SqueeZurts are reusable, refillable squeeze snack tubes that can be filled with anything you can come up with.  On top of the versatility and health benefits SqueeZurts allow, also reduce waste by reusing SqueeZurts over and over again.**

Yogurt. Applesauce. Baby Food. Energy Gel. Smoothies. Pudding. Fruit Juice. Veggie and Fruit Puree.  Frozen or not.


You control the ingredients  -  You control your nutrition

"Heaven Sent" Baby Shower Invitations

Just Jaime from Wayward Girls' Crafts here! I thought I'd give you guys a peek into my creative process today from when I planned a baby shower for my Wayward sister, Brave Brooke.

I made three Pinterest inspiration boards for Brooke to choose from a few months in advance. She chose our "Heaven Sent/Angelic Theme" which I loved too =)

From there I started thinking about how I wanted to do the invites. I found this image on Pinterest:

Isn't it adorable? I can't find a photo credit for it ANYWHERE so I can't give any credit for it, but I wish I could.

I wanted to use baby feet as a "v" in my invite. So I decided to make the invites saying "Heaven Sent" with the "v" being baby feet. I went to Joann and TOTALLY lucked out. They had these stamps there, calling my name:

The cardstock was gorgeous, you can't tell in this picture, but check it out here. I also used some of this because the store ran out of the gemstone.

The hardest part was the computer part--I printed the actual invitation on the opposite side of the cardstock. Making the size right proved difficult for my computer to comprehend. Eventually I tricked it by using skinnier paper but not telling it.

How would you use baby feet?

The shower was a huge success! Check out the decor, food and games.

Let's talk about buttons.

Hi crafty peeps!

Kristie here today and I'd like to talk about buttons.

I love to use buttons on cards and scrapbook layouts,

but sometimes they can be difficult.

Every try to thread ribbon through a small hole on a button

 and it just doesn't fit? 

 Or try to get yarn or embroidery floss through those holes

and get all those pesky little threads through.

I've got a solution for the problem.

Floss Threaders!

 

This is the kind I have, but there are different brands,

you can find them in your local drug store. 

They are meant to be used when you have braces

and have to thread your dental floss behind the braces

 to floss your teeth.

But they are great for threading other things.

 

 

Here are the supplies I'm working with today.

Take one threader and loop a piece of ribbon through it,

 just like if you were threading a needle.

But this is easier as you don't have to deal with a tiny eye. 

In fact this is a great way to thread a needle too.

Pull the threader through one of the button holes. 

If the ribbon or yarn is thick, you may need to give it a good tug.

Then thread it back down through the other hole

and you are set,

the ribbon is through those tiny little holes with no problem.

Now just tie a bow and you are good to go.

Or pull the ribbon to the sides and you can secure it on the back.

 

 Have you ever gotten something made and then

find that you don't have the right color of ribbon to match your project?

Here is a quick and simple solution.

Take a scrap of whatever paper you have used for your project and cut a very narrow strip.

See, very narrow.

 

 

Now just thread it through the button holes.

Criss cross it on the back of the button

Secure it with a glue dot, or another adhesive,

 which will also adhere it to your project.

 

Now you have a threaded button that matches your project perfectly.

 

I hope you have found these tips helpful and will remember them the next time you have to thread some buttons.

I invite you to stop by my blog

and see what I've been working on lately at

Kristie Kreates

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to come back often, you never know what great things you will find here on Mashed Potatoes and Crafts!

 

Until next month, have fun creating!