DIY Family T-Shirts - The Perfect Holiday Gift Made with the Cricut Joy & EasyPress 2

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by To & Fro on behalf of Cricut, and contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% that of To & Fro. 

Love making homemade gifts for friends and family? This holiday season, put your Cricut Joy and Easy Press 2 to good use with these DIY personalized family t-shirts - the PERFECT holiday gift. 

My four year old LOVES to draw! Scrap paper? She'll find it. And not long after, it will be covered in letters and drawings. Mostly the names and depictions of close family members.

So this holiday season, I decided to put her writing and doodling to good use and turn it into a gift for family members using the Cricut Joy and Easy Press. 

Today I'm sharing how to make personalized t-shirts with an easy Cricut Joy and EasyPress 2 tutorial, and you are going to be shocked at just how simple it is to create fun shirts for your family at home! 

DIY Personalized Family T-Shirts 

What You'll Need

Cricut Joy Infusible Ink Pens 

Cricut t-shirt blank(s)

Cricut EasyPress 2 (9'' x 9'')

Cricut Joy Standard Grip Mat (4.5'' x 12'')

Cricut Joy

Cricut Joy Blade + Housing

Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets 

Starter Tool Set (Weeding Tool)

White printer paper

Parchment paper

Scissors

Heat resistant tape (optional)

Lint roller

What To Do

1. Create! This is the fun part. I gave Morley the infusible ink pens and printer paper and let her go to work creating her masterpiece. I had asked her to draw photos of our family of 4, with one parameter - no words (because they would transfer backwards). The drawings also had to be a specific size (smaller than the EasyPress 2), so I gave her a specific-sized piece of paper to use.

2. Prepare your blanks. In order for the ink to transfer properly, the blanks (in my case, t-shirts) had to be clean and lint-free. You can use any "blank" (i.e. t-shirt, tote, etc.), however, it is important to note that Cricut brand products will give you the best quality transfer. 

3. Consult the heat guide. Once the blanks are prepped, consult the Cricut Heat Guide for the EasyPress 2 to know exactly how hot the press should be based on the product and material you are using. This guide will also give you instructions as to the layering process for using the EasyPress 2, and the length of time to apply the press. 

Tip: If you purchase Cricut t-shirts, they will come folded with a piece of cardstock. This piece of cardstock can be used when pressing. 

4. Further customization. This is a totally option step, but adds a little bit more personalization to your gift. After our infusible ink design was successfully applied, we decided to further personalize the t-shirts with the Cricut Joy and infusible transfer paper. This is where we added text to the t-shirts.

Using the Cricut Design Space app, I created the text. It was then cut out of black infusible transfer paper. (I consulted help.cricut.com to learn how to use the Cricut Joy to cut the transfer paper properly, as it is a slightly different than the vinyl.) Don't forget to mirror the image, or it will transfer backwards! 

After weeding the transfer paper, I again consulted the Cricut Heat Guide for further instructions on applying this transfer paper to the t-shirt using the EasyPress 2.  As it was a different material than the original design, the instructions slightly varied. 

And voila, our personalized family t-shirts, care of Morley.

I am fully aware that there will come a day that Morley will not want to be caught dead wearing matching homemade family t-shirts, but until that day, I'm going to embrace every single second and cherish the fact that she wanted to make these shirts for members of our family.

 The PERFECT holiday gift made with our Cricut Joy and EasyPress 2, don't you think?!

Now, what shall we make next?!

Do you have a Cricut machine? Do you use it to make gifts? What is your favourite holiday gift to make with it? I'd love to hear!

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Holiday Giving: Five Organizations That Support Young Families in the Greater Toronto Area

As the holidays approach, we naturally shift our attention to finding the perfect gifts for our families and friends. But, they aren’t the only ones who need our care this time of year.

In the Greater Toronto Area, there are many organizations accepting donations for those in need during the holiday season, and beyond. Read on to discover five local organizations that support a demographic near and dear to my heart - moms and young children!

Last year, we adopted a “24 Days of Kindness” challenge with our preschooler - a way to teach her how to be kind (not just around the holidays), and the importance of giving back.

One of her challenges was to select a charity to donate to. As an animal lover, she naturally chose the local animal shelter, where we donated a bag of dog and cat food to animals in need.

This year, we’ve opted to give to a cause close to our hearts - new moms and young children in need.

Even in the best circumstances, parenting can be quite the challenge. But for some, even affording the basic necessities is a struggle. It’s no secret that babies need a ton of stuff, but all of that stuff comes at a hefty cost. That’s why so many shelters and charities that serve women accept donations of baby gear, maternity gear and beyond. 

In the Greater Toronto Area, there are so many fabulous organizations accepting donations this holiday season (and beyond) - in the form of money, time or gifts.

So what will we be donating this year? When donating to organizations, we choose brands that our family knows and loves, and uses every day! Philips Avent is one of those brands.

From the very beginning, we have been a Philips Avent family. Some of our favourites? 

Philips Avent Natural Bottles - These BPA-free bottles have an ergonomic shape for maximum comfort, making them easy to hold and grip in any direction. The ultra soft nipple more closely resembles the breast, making an easier transition from breast to bottle.

Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottles with Airfree Vent - These bottles are designed to reduce colic, gas and reflux. The shape of the nipple allows a secure latch and stays full even when the bottle is horizontal, allowing baby to drink in an upright position so that they swallow less air as they drink.

Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle - The same great Soothie that many families and medical professionals know and trust, but with a soft, lightweight snuggly toy to help make babies feel secure.

If you have gently used baby gear that you’d like to donate, or if you’d like to give the gift of brand-new items, money or even time, here are five fabulous organizations in the Greater Toronto Area that are in need.

The New Mom Project

The New Mom Project was started to provide marginalized families with basic baby necessities to get them off to a great and loving start. Since 2014 they have helped over 1000 families!

What they accept: Donations of gently used or new items and distribute them to families in need. 

The Birthday Candle Project

The Birthday Candle Project believes that every child deserves to be celebrated. Their mission is to bring joyful birthday celebrations to children living in women’s shelters in Toronto. They partner with organizations and individual families to collect unused (or gently used) party supplies, and then through a little creativity and magic, build parties for children who deserve to be celebrated!

What they accept: New or gently-used party supplies, birthday gifts and gift cards. They also have an option of building a Pack-a-Party. 

Toronto Diaper Bank 

The Diaper Bank of Toronto helps fill a critical and otherwise unmet need for diapers among the most vulnerable in our community. They believe that clean diapers are a basic need for babies and their caregivers, yet 1 in 4 children in Toronto live in poverty and these families are at risk or have experienced diaper need.

What they accept: The Diaper Bank accepts financial support, but also loose, opened and new packages of diapers. They will also accept wipes and formula. 

Jessie’s Centre

This organization helps young mothers with kids and those expecting by providing them with resources. Their mission is to nurture the healthy development of pregnant teenagers, young parents and their children.

What they accept: The centre is always on the lookout for baby clothes, clothes for young women, and maternity wear.

Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough

The Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough provides services to 5,000 low-income children and youth from the surrounding area. Services include licensed childcare, early-years programs, before- and after-school programs, sports and recreation clubs, and leadership development. 

What they accept: This holiday season they are looking for donations for The Holiday Box (a program that gives families small items they need for day-to-day life), Sponsor a Child (a program where you purchase gifts, clothing and groceries for a child) and their Toy Drive (where you can drop off an unwrapped toy that will be gifted to a child).

This holiday season, celebrate motherhood by giving a little bit of yourself to the mothers who don’t know you but need your help!

How do you give back? Do you have a charity that you donate to around the holiday season, or beyond? I’d love to hear!

*Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Philips Avent. I received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions and advice shares are 100% that of To & Fro.

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Baby's First Halloween

The first year of a baby's life is filled with so many "micro" milestones. Every time I turn around, I feel like little miss Morley is doing something new. From baby's first smile and laugh to baby's first taste of food, and even baby's first holidays, celebrating each and every milestone is exciting and something we've grown to love. This past week, we celebrated baby's first Halloween.

First and foremost, it wouldn't be Halloween without some pumpkin carving! With the help of my sister who was home visiting, we carved the pumpkins that we had picked at the local patch earlier in the month. Morley of course was more interested in rolling around in the guts and then eating them than the actual carving part.

On a side note, can we talk about about my chihuahua Titus for a second? Look at him in this picture, just lurking in background like a little creep.

Ok, now back to the cuteness overload...

And now the photo that pretty much sums up Morley's first pumpkin carving experience. So determined, yet so mad.

It's all fun and games until someone starts eating the pumpkin guts... 

Since Morley is a little too young for the traditional trick-or-treating excitement the night of, we instead visited Ripley's Aquarium with some friends and their kids for the Aquarium's yearly Gills & Ghouls event.

Morley and dad dressed up as unicorns, and I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of being the Little Mermaid.

Baby Unicorn: Carter's at Costco // Mom & Dad Adult Onesies: Target

And finally, on the night of Halloween, we hung out at Grandpa's house. Morley visited a few of the neighbours, but was quite content just watching all of the kids in their costumes.

Is that not the cutest little unicorn you ever did see?!

Happy November!

How do you celebrate Halloween? What did you do for baby's first Halloween? I'd love to hear!


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GIVEAWAY REMINDER!

I've teamed up with 20+ fall-loving blogger to bring you this HUGE giveaway for a Kitchenaid Mixer and other fall cooking goodies. Enter here. [Giveaway ends 11/15 and is open internationally.]

Baby's First Halloween - Treat Bag DIY

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BacktoBabyBasics #CollectiveBias

Looking for a fun activity to celebrate you little one's first Halloween? Make your own Halloween treat bags with this tutorial, and simple recipe for baby-safe paints.

As a child, Halloween was one of my favourite times of the year. What's not to love about dressing up in a fun costume, canvassing the neighbourhood with your friends and then devouring all of your candy until your stomach hurts? Now that I have a daughter of my own, I can’t wait to celebrate Halloween through her eyes (and candy bag). 

At 7 months old, Morley's a little young for the typical Halloween shenanigans. However, we still plan on celebrating her first, by dressing her up in a super adorable costume and giving family members these homemade Halloween treat bags, decorated with baby-safe paints and filled yummy goodies.

DIY Halloween Treat Bag

Materials

• baby safe paint (recipe below)
• small aluminum pie pans (one for each paint colour)
• painting tools - brushes, popsicle sticks, foam pieces, etc. (optional)
• paper lunch bags
• large garbage bag and/or large piece of craft paper
• tape
• decorations (halloween/fall-themed stickers, stamps, googley eyes, etc.)
• glue
• markers
• hole punch
• twine, ribbon or string

Directions

1. Set up baby’s workspace - i.e. high chair, bath tub, living room floor, outside, etc. This activity can easily be done in the highchair, to help contain the mess, or by taping a garbage bag and/or craft paper to the floor, making it a great tummy time activity. We chose to do this activity on the living room floor by layering garbage bags with craft paper on top. This made it much easier to clean up when the activity was done.
2. Lay out the paper bags and paint (in the pie tins) on the working surface.
3. Set baby up. Make sure they are in their diaper, or clothes that can potentially be ruined by the paint. Make sure you are also in clothes that can get dirty, because you will get dirty!
4. If your child is old enough, provide them with painting tools. If not, their fingers will do just fine.
5. Let baby go to town on creating their masterpiece.
6. Once they are finished painting (or in our case, start to fall asleep in the paint), immediately clean baby. I recommend having Huggies Natural Care wipes handy and a bath ready to go.
7. Since the paint is quite thick, allow the bags to dry for at least 24 hours.
8. Once the bags are dry, it is time for mom and/or dad to take over the activity. Decorate with Halloween-themed stickers, stamps, etc. Using the glue gun, we added foam pumpkins and googley eyes. 
9. Using a marker, add recipient's name to the bag. 
10. Fill with candies, tie closed and deliver to that special someone!

Baby-Safe Paint 

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. Combine ingredients in a small sauce pan and stir until combined.
2. On medium low heat, warm until thickened, stirring continuously.
3. If mixture becomes too thick, or goopy, add a bit more water to thin it out.
4. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.
5. Divide mixture equally amongst containers of choice. Choose containers that are baby safe, and easy for baby to access (i.e. small aluminium pie plates). 
6. Add food colouring to achieve colour of choice. Stir to combine.
7. Leftover paint can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Important notes: Any finger paint that you use for young children must be non-toxic by mouth and non-irritating to the skin.  If your child is allergic or intolerant to any food substances in this recipe, please do not use this paint. These paints are not to be eaten, but if tasted, are safe for baby. And I promise you, there will be tasting. Please do not leave your child unattended while doing this activity.

Painting is such a fun activity for young children. Not only does it allow them to express their creativity (yes, even at 7 months old), but it’s also fun! Sure, it can make a mess, which can equal stress for us adults. But for baby, messy is good. Messy play stimulates the senses, allowing baby to explore different colours and textures. It also helps develop hand and eye coordination and fine motor skills. What may look like a mess to you, is actually a learning experience for your child. So, roll up your sleeves and have some fun creating these Halloween treat bags. They are sure to be a hit amongst family and friends!

To help keep the mess at bay when doing this fun activity with your little one, turn to Huggies Natural Care wipes! They’re gentle on baby’s skin and do a great job of cleaning up all sorts of messes. Huggies products, including these Natural Care wipes, can be found in the baby care (diaper, wipes, creams, etc.) aisle at your local Babies “R” Us. 

Location of Huggies products, including Huggies Natural Care wipes, in Babies "R" Us.

Did you know that Babies “R” Us is more than just a retailer destination? I love shopping in store because not only do they have a great selection of baby products, from diapers and wipes, to items to help celebrate baby's first Halloween (like super cute costumes) and beyond, they are also a great resource for all things baby, including some great baby-friendly events!

Make sure to visit your local stand alone Babies “R” Us on 10/15 from 11am-12pm for some Halloween celebrations with baby! Celebrate baby’s first with a keepsake craft and parade around the store, and help mom get ready for colder weather with great product solutions and tips. This celebration is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with local moms who have babies of similar age, and your chance to win some incredible giveaways and raffle prizes!

Happy Halloween, from our family to you and yours!

How do you celebrate baby’s firsts? Any exciting Halloween plans? I’d love to hear!

Last Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas

Watching my husband with our daughter melts my heart. The two have a bond that is extremely special. He sure loves that little girl. From late night feedings and messy diaper changes to watching sports and swimming lessons, years from now I look forward to showing Morley all of the moments her and her dad shared. 

My husband doesn't get the credit he deserves for being an amazing husband and extremely supportive partner. Just because I’m the mom doesn’t mean I’m the parenting leader - we’re on equal footing here. While he should be celebrated every. single. day. for being a great husband and amazing father, I am so excited to be able to dedicate this Sunday, his first Father's Day, solely to him. 

Did you know that on July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day"? Surprisingly enough, it is older than Mother's Day, which didn't become an official holiday until 1972. Today, economists estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on Father’s Day gifts!

Looking for a last minute gift for dad? While I'm sure any dad would be happy with a homemade card, a giant hug or just some time with the family, here are some last minute Father's Day gift ideas for every type of father - from the craft beer aficionado to the outdoorsman.

1. Stanley Classic Vacuum Beer Growler (64 oz) lets you transport your favorite brew in fully functional and iconic style. This vacuum insulated body and foam insulated lid keep beer cold 24 hours. The growler comes with a rugged handle for easy carry and one-handed pouring, and the wide mouth allows for quick filling, sharing and cleaning. Perfect for the one trying to hone his craft!

2. Grillbot is the world's first automatic grill robot! Simply place the device on the dirty grill, press a button and let the brass brushes do the work. No more wasting time scrubbing the grill. Comes in several different colours.  Perfect for the grill master!

3. Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch is as stylish as it is smart. Comes with many incredible features including measuring all day fitness (steps, distance walked, calories burned, etc.), ability to connect to GPS to track workouts, long battery life and various accessory bands and frames, among other features. Get fit in style! Perfect for the health-conscious dad!

4. Game of Thrones (DVD Pack) is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest and triumph. And if he's not already on board with the show, he should be. Filled with drama, action and lots of blood and guts, it's also the most watched series in HBO history and  probably the talk of his office every Monday morning.  Perfect for the homebody and TV lover!

5. The North Face Base Camp Duffel is not your average duffel bag! Made from a durable weather-resistant material, the Base Camp Duffel is amply resilient to be roughed around in-flight, or to be transported up a mountain. The adjustable straps allow the bag to be carried as a duffel or back pack. Comes in small, medium and large sizes. Perfect for the travel enthusiast and outdoors lover!

If you enjoy making homemade gifts for dad, check out this DIY footprint mug. 

How will you celebrate your dad or husband this Father's Day?

5 Tips for Hosting on a Budget

One of my most memorable holiday dinners was Easter of 2013, when we were living in Alaska. The building we lived in was occupied solely by my husband's hockey team, giving it a very "dorm-like" feel. Like us, the majority of the team was also thousands of miles away from their families, which led us to celebrate many milestones, holidays, etc. together. 
With the guys out of town the week leading up to Easter, one of the other girls and I took it upon ourselves to treat everyone to a great Easter dinner. We collected $10 from every person that planned on attending, which set our budget. With a list and calculator in hand, we set off to Costco to bring our vision to reality. Surprisingly, we were able to stay on budget, only going over by a few dollars to splurge on a few extra bottles of wine. In the end, the meal was a hit, and all 20+ guys walked away full and happy.

Whether its Canadian thanksgiving, American thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or a holiday in between, hosting a large dinner should not break the bank. Here are 5 tips for hosting on a budget.

Tips for Hosting on a Budget

Plan a menu. Once you know the number of people that will be attending dinner, and their likes and dislikes, plan a menu accordingly. If you have some picky eaters, now might not be the time to whip up that new recipe you've been dying to try. Use an online meal calculator to figure out just how much food you need based not the number of people. If you're cooking a turkey this holiday, there are many resources available online to be sure what size you'll need for the number of mouths you're feeding. 
Stretch your dollars. Plan a menu that takes advantage of ingredients already in your pantry and fridge, or menu items that use similar ingredients. Before you go shopping, check grocery store flyers for sales and promotions and always, always, always go with a list so that you don't go overboard. If possible, buy generic instead of name brand and use loyalty rewards points toward your final bill. 
Cook from scratch.When time is limited, it may be tempting to pick up pre-made items, but in the long run, they will just end up costing your more and chances are, they are less healthy than cooking from scratch.
Don't go overboard with the decor. Focus on the meal. Chances are, people are going to remember the meal more than your centrepiece. If you do want to spruce up the atmosphere, purchase decor from the dollar store, reuse what you already have or take inspiration from the outdoors with natural evergreen clippings, twigs or fall leaves. 
Make it a potluck. If you're feeling overwhelmed due to lack of time to prepare a large meal, or even the cost of preparing a large meal, don't be afraid to ask your guests to bring certain items. Let guests bring dishes they enjoy making. This is also a great way to start new traditions. 

Do you have any tips or tricks for hosting on a budget?

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday filled with love, laughs and good food.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Wards

Christmas Classics

10 days. 10 days until Christmas is here. Where has time gone?

Watching Christmas movies with the fam is a holiday tradition right on par with opening presents and stuffing your face with turkey. You know you have one - that special movie that always gets you in the Christmas spirit, the one you watch every year without fail.  For me, it's Elf. Or the Santa Claus. Or Christmas Vacation. Maybe even Home Alone. Or all of the above. It's difficult to narrow down my fave, there's too many to choose from.

Whether you're a traditionalist and stick to some of the oldies or prefer the North Pole as depicted in the more modern movies,  Christmas definitely isn't Christmas until you've cozied up to a few of these classics…

What are your favourite Christmas movies?