I took all of these snow pictures from inside my warm and cozy house. It's cold out there. . .
I better make some hot chocolate for the brave ones to warm them up.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday, January 29, 2010
I am a total wimp. . .
I took all of these snow pictures from inside my warm and cozy house. It's cold out there. . .
I better make some hot chocolate for the brave ones to warm them up.
Have a lovely weekend.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The love of Coffee starts early
This morning my sweet hubby made me a cup of decaf coffee. I'm trying to drink green tea in the morning, but I really miss a cup of coffee.
I found Pumpkin like this:
"Pumpkin, are you drinking my coffee?" "No, Mommy, I'm just smelling. . ."
Who can blame her? Does anything smell more wonderful in all the world than a cup of coffee? No, I don't think so either.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Just rambling. . .
This past weekend, I went to JoAnn's because they were having a sale that I thought would be worthwhile. To be honest (and this is very strange for me), I didn't really feel like going anywhere even to JoAnn's. Crazy, I know. . . I talked myself into venturing out because Simplicity patterns were $1 and I thought I might be able to find some maternity patterns.
But there was not one maternity pattern in the whole Simplicity pattern book. I couldn't believe it. I found a lot of really fun fabric that I would have loved to sew into something for me, but without a maternity pattern there wasn't much point. I really need to learn how to draft my own patterns. I've had my eye on several drafting books like this one, and this one too. There is so much I want to learn, but I'm a little intimated with the thought of drafting my own patterns. Any thoughts on which book is best if I should be able to buy them?
I did buy patterns for my girls. They are always more fun to sew for anyway. I also found on red tag clearance a piece of Stonehill Collection fabric by Donna Wilder marked an additional 50% off which made it $2.50 a yard. I have no plans for what I will do with it, but it was cheap enough that I decided to take what they had and figure it out later.
Tomorrow I have my first doctor's appointment and sonogram. I'm hoping to be reassured that everything is okay, but really don't want to know what my current weight is or to have all the blood work done. And sonograms are just crazy un-comfy if ya know what I mean.
Taking a deep breath. . .I can do this. . .
But there was not one maternity pattern in the whole Simplicity pattern book. I couldn't believe it. I found a lot of really fun fabric that I would have loved to sew into something for me, but without a maternity pattern there wasn't much point. I really need to learn how to draft my own patterns. I've had my eye on several drafting books like this one, and this one too. There is so much I want to learn, but I'm a little intimated with the thought of drafting my own patterns. Any thoughts on which book is best if I should be able to buy them?
I did buy patterns for my girls. They are always more fun to sew for anyway. I also found on red tag clearance a piece of Stonehill Collection fabric by Donna Wilder marked an additional 50% off which made it $2.50 a yard. I have no plans for what I will do with it, but it was cheap enough that I decided to take what they had and figure it out later.
Tomorrow I have my first doctor's appointment and sonogram. I'm hoping to be reassured that everything is okay, but really don't want to know what my current weight is or to have all the blood work done. And sonograms are just crazy un-comfy if ya know what I mean.
Taking a deep breath. . .I can do this. . .
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Present for Me
We own a Canon EOS XT camera and absolutely love it, but it can be a bit too big to take just anywhere. In fact, I often forget to take it at all and end up missing capturing some special memories. It has happened so often, that I had been thinking about how wonderful it would be to have an itty bitty camera that would slip into my purse and go with me everywhere. So when I received some money at Christmas, I knew just what I wanted to spend it on and I purchased a little Canon Powershot Elph.
My purse happens to be a hobo style bag where organization is practically impossible. I needed something to protect my camera in my bag that often carries a ridiculous amount of stuff.
On a completely different topic, Beki is having a giveaway for one of her beautiful necklaces. Please don't feel like you have to go and enter though, because I'm really hoping to win.☺ But I wouldn't mind too much if one of you won instead.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ribbit Ribbit
Super P. has been asking to sew something with me for several days, but I was having a hard time coming up with something we could make together. He has a LOT of pillows that he has made so we clearly needed other ideas.
A couple of days ago, I remembered that the Purl Bee had a frog pattern so I hopped (HA!) on over to their site to see if I could find it. If you want to make a frog with your children here is the link.
I printed the pattern on sturdy card stock and traced it onto the wrong side of each fabric that the kiddos chose.
Even the older children couldn't get my Gingher scissors to work for them (too big maybe????) so they found smaller scissors that worked okay. Cutting fabric with paper scissors just seemed wrong to me, but it worked.
Princess and Super P sewed along with me while sitting on my lap. We might have to come up with another plan when I have no lap left in a couple of months.
A. is 9 and felt like he could do the sewing himself, so I made sure he had right sides together, marked where to start and stop so he wouldn't forget to leave an opening, marked the locations where he needed to pivot with the needle down by putting dots on those turns. I was pretty impressed with how well he did by himself.
A couple of days ago, I remembered that the Purl Bee had a frog pattern so I hopped (HA!) on over to their site to see if I could find it. If you want to make a frog with your children here is the link.
I printed the pattern on sturdy card stock and traced it onto the wrong side of each fabric that the kiddos chose.
Even the older children couldn't get my Gingher scissors to work for them (too big maybe????) so they found smaller scissors that worked okay. Cutting fabric with paper scissors just seemed wrong to me, but it worked.
Princess and Super P sewed along with me while sitting on my lap. We might have to come up with another plan when I have no lap left in a couple of months.
A. is 9 and felt like he could do the sewing himself, so I made sure he had right sides together, marked where to start and stop so he wouldn't forget to leave an opening, marked the locations where he needed to pivot with the needle down by putting dots on those turns. I was pretty impressed with how well he did by himself.
I hand sewed the beaded eyes on the frogs. A. had other ideas so he drew eyes on using fabric markers.
We filled most of them with rice because that is what we had, but one was filled with lentils and the kids all like how that feels better.
And here they all are:
Now we just need to think up some fun bean bag games. Anyone have any ideas????
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Homemade Potato Chips
My hubby loves me. There can be no other explanation.
He has also gotten sweeter with each pregnancy. When I was pregnant with our first baby, I was craving Taco Bell late one night and tried to get him to go and get me a bean burrito (which I must admit, I dearly love) He insisted that I could not possibly want to eat a bean burrito that late at night and didn't go. Ah. . .silly man.
He has, I think, learned that pregnancy cravings are not to be trifled with. Am I right???? Of course I am. Now, if I crave something he volunteers to go and get it right away. See? He loves me.
Because I have not been feeling well, he has helped the kids clean the house, changed many of Pumpkin's super stinky diapers (now THAT is love), made supper several times, washed the dishes a lot, decorated for Christmas. . .
On Saturday, he made homemade potato chips. I usually don't have to beg him to do that, because grilling and deep fat frying are things he actually really likes to do.
OH YUM!
He has also gotten sweeter with each pregnancy. When I was pregnant with our first baby, I was craving Taco Bell late one night and tried to get him to go and get me a bean burrito (which I must admit, I dearly love) He insisted that I could not possibly want to eat a bean burrito that late at night and didn't go. Ah. . .silly man.
He has, I think, learned that pregnancy cravings are not to be trifled with. Am I right???? Of course I am. Now, if I crave something he volunteers to go and get it right away. See? He loves me.
Because I have not been feeling well, he has helped the kids clean the house, changed many of Pumpkin's super stinky diapers (now THAT is love), made supper several times, washed the dishes a lot, decorated for Christmas. . .
On Saturday, he made homemade potato chips. I usually don't have to beg him to do that, because grilling and deep fat frying are things he actually really likes to do.
OH YUM!
Here's how he did it:
Scrubbed potatoes (Hubby left the peel on, but you could peel them instead). He used 5 potatoes because we are a large family with no self control.
Sliced the potatoes very thinly using a Salad Shooter (a food processor or mandolin slicer would also work)
Dropped the thin potato slices into the hot oil working in small batches. Fry until golden brown and yummy looking.
Salt the chips. We used Lawry's Seasoned Salt, because we love it but any salt that you like would be fine. (A. also drizzled some vinegar on his pile of chips. Super P. tried vinegar and didn't like it at all so A's pile got bigger and Super P got a new pile)
Oh YUMMY YUM YUM! I don't know how well they keep because we always eat them right up so that's something you might have to try and let us know, but I'm guessing you won't have any left either.
EDITED TO ADD: Hubby just told me that after you salt the chips, spread them out in a thin layer to cool on paper towels. That helps to keep the chips crispy.
HOMEMADE POTATO CHIPS
Heated up oil in the Fry Daddy. We used Peanut oil, but any frying oil would probably work. Peanut oil seems to make the chips a bit crispier, but please don't use it if anyone has allergies to peanuts.Scrubbed potatoes (Hubby left the peel on, but you could peel them instead). He used 5 potatoes because we are a large family with no self control.
Sliced the potatoes very thinly using a Salad Shooter (a food processor or mandolin slicer would also work)
Dropped the thin potato slices into the hot oil working in small batches. Fry until golden brown and yummy looking.
Salt the chips. We used Lawry's Seasoned Salt, because we love it but any salt that you like would be fine. (A. also drizzled some vinegar on his pile of chips. Super P. tried vinegar and didn't like it at all so A's pile got bigger and Super P got a new pile)
Oh YUMMY YUM YUM! I don't know how well they keep because we always eat them right up so that's something you might have to try and let us know, but I'm guessing you won't have any left either.
EDITED TO ADD: Hubby just told me that after you salt the chips, spread them out in a thin layer to cool on paper towels. That helps to keep the chips crispy.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Super Guy!
One of the Christmas gifts that A. determined was a must-have for the year was a super hero cape with a bolt of lightening. He was extremely specific about how it should look. The cape had to be bright blue with a bolt of red lightening.
(Ummm. . .red lightening sweetie???? Are you sure???? I think the lightening should be yellow, don't you???? )
Well, I tried to sweet talk some sense into the poor fellow , but he had other ideas. . . so I appliqued it on with yellow thread just to make me feel better ☺. I was pretty worried that he wouldn't like it because of the small splash of yellow, but it ended up being the thing he liked the most.
Making a cape isn't hard at all. I purchased 1 yard satin for the cape and 1/4 yard for the bolt of lightening.
I don't have a pattern to share with you, so I took a picture of the cape laying flat on the floor so you can see its simple shape.
The lightening I drew freehand onto the paper backing of Heat n Bond lite (you can use any similar product). Heads up: Make sure you draw or trace your design on backwards or reverse-I forgot that and ended up with my lightening going the wrong direction then I had envisioned. It probably really shouldn't have mattered, but it bothered me so I had to do that step over again. Then I ironed on my design to the red satin following the manufacturer's instructions. After cutting out the lightening bolt I fused it centered onto the cape.
I used yellow thread on the top and blue bobbin thread to tightly zig-zag or satin stitch around the applique.
I threaded my serger with 4 spools of bright blue thread (the spools weren't actually all the exact same color-I just used what I had and borrowed a couple of spools from my mom too. A contrasting color would probably look really cool too. I'm a huge fan of using whatever you happen to have) I serged a rolled hem around the entire perimeter of the cape.
If you don't have a serger you could cut out two capes and sew them right sides together, leaving a small hole to turn. Iron it flat and top stitch. Contrasting colors would look AMAZING!
(Ummm. . .red lightening sweetie???? Are you sure???? I think the lightening should be yellow, don't you???? )
Well, I tried to sweet talk some sense into the poor fellow , but he had other ideas. . . so I appliqued it on with yellow thread just to make me feel better ☺. I was pretty worried that he wouldn't like it because of the small splash of yellow, but it ended up being the thing he liked the most.
Making a cape isn't hard at all. I purchased 1 yard satin for the cape and 1/4 yard for the bolt of lightening.
I don't have a pattern to share with you, so I took a picture of the cape laying flat on the floor so you can see its simple shape.
The lightening I drew freehand onto the paper backing of Heat n Bond lite (you can use any similar product). Heads up: Make sure you draw or trace your design on backwards or reverse-I forgot that and ended up with my lightening going the wrong direction then I had envisioned. It probably really shouldn't have mattered, but it bothered me so I had to do that step over again. Then I ironed on my design to the red satin following the manufacturer's instructions. After cutting out the lightening bolt I fused it centered onto the cape.
I used yellow thread on the top and blue bobbin thread to tightly zig-zag or satin stitch around the applique.
I threaded my serger with 4 spools of bright blue thread (the spools weren't actually all the exact same color-I just used what I had and borrowed a couple of spools from my mom too. A contrasting color would probably look really cool too. I'm a huge fan of using whatever you happen to have) I serged a rolled hem around the entire perimeter of the cape.
If you don't have a serger you could cut out two capes and sew them right sides together, leaving a small hole to turn. Iron it flat and top stitch. Contrasting colors would look AMAZING!
Please ignore the "love prints" all over the mirror.☺
Sew on some Velcro to fasten the cape at the neck and you are finished! Quick and easy with a lot of pizazz.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Random bit of January
This January has been something! We have had snow, frigid temperatures, and gorgeous hoar frost. And I'm sorry to tell you that I have not one picture of any of it to show you.
This month we have spent a lot of time in front of our little portable electric fireplace just trying to stay warm and cozy. Pumpkin has fallen in love with movies like "Black Beauty" and "Mary Poppins" (whom she calls "Miss Poppins"- polite little thing isn't she?) I love her synopsis of "Black Beauty": "Black Beauty run fast! (and then she pants like a horse running hard) Oh, no, not the sheets!!! Joe went plop." Then we all laugh hysterically and she tells the story all over again.
Princess and I have been trying to learn how to knit using this DVD. If you don't know how to knit and you don't mind a little perkiness, I would recommend it. Princess is doing quite well and has impressed me. Yes, there have been mistakes a plenty, but she is also feeling quite good about learning. I'm thrilled that she will have a wonderful skill that will last her a lifetime. I'm trying to finish a knitted scarf for hubby that I started *ahem* last January. I'm still not very far on it so he probably won't be able to wear it this year either. Ah, well. . .
Today I braved going shopping, which is something I've been kinda reluctant to do with feeling yucky. Mornings, strangely enough are the time when I feel the best, so I braved our current damp, soggy weather and bought groceries. At the Dollar Tree I found these foam, magnetic Valentine crafts for the kiddos. They have been having a lot of fun with them this afternoon.
Hot chocolate with a ton of marshmallows is a must have for any winter craft project.
I thought the foam would be stickers, but was disappointed to find out they needed to use glue to put them together. Glue is fine for the older ones, but there was no way I was going to let Pumpkin get her hands on glue. She gets into plenty of trouble as it is without knowing about the joys of glue.
This is one of Princess finished projects. Kinda cute if you ask me.
On a completely unrelated note, something else that I just tried today for the very first time was Nutella. Oh my! I think I'm in love.
This month we have spent a lot of time in front of our little portable electric fireplace just trying to stay warm and cozy. Pumpkin has fallen in love with movies like "Black Beauty" and "Mary Poppins" (whom she calls "Miss Poppins"- polite little thing isn't she?) I love her synopsis of "Black Beauty": "Black Beauty run fast! (and then she pants like a horse running hard) Oh, no, not the sheets!!! Joe went plop." Then we all laugh hysterically and she tells the story all over again.
Princess and I have been trying to learn how to knit using this DVD. If you don't know how to knit and you don't mind a little perkiness, I would recommend it. Princess is doing quite well and has impressed me. Yes, there have been mistakes a plenty, but she is also feeling quite good about learning. I'm thrilled that she will have a wonderful skill that will last her a lifetime. I'm trying to finish a knitted scarf for hubby that I started *ahem* last January. I'm still not very far on it so he probably won't be able to wear it this year either. Ah, well. . .
Today I braved going shopping, which is something I've been kinda reluctant to do with feeling yucky. Mornings, strangely enough are the time when I feel the best, so I braved our current damp, soggy weather and bought groceries. At the Dollar Tree I found these foam, magnetic Valentine crafts for the kiddos. They have been having a lot of fun with them this afternoon.
Hot chocolate with a ton of marshmallows is a must have for any winter craft project.
I thought the foam would be stickers, but was disappointed to find out they needed to use glue to put them together. Glue is fine for the older ones, but there was no way I was going to let Pumpkin get her hands on glue. She gets into plenty of trouble as it is without knowing about the joys of glue.
This is one of Princess finished projects. Kinda cute if you ask me.
On a completely unrelated note, something else that I just tried today for the very first time was Nutella. Oh my! I think I'm in love.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Inspiration
Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year will be full of many unexpected blessings.
We had a lovely Christmas with family on Christmas Eve and then spent the day quietly at home on Christmas day. I can't remember the last time Christmas was so laid back. I usually go to great lengths to have a ton of goodies on hand and everything decorated just so, but this year due to still feeling a bit yucky I had to let it go and you know what??? It was fine. I even bought Christmas cookies this year from the grocery store. Kinda made me feel a wee bit guilty, but the kids didn't care even one bit. So it was good.
I got an email from a young girl who follows my blog the other day. I'm just so tickled pink with what she came up with that I had to share it with you. She was reading about the birthday place mats that I came up with for the Sew Mama Sew scrap busters contest and she decided to make a dresser scarf using the same technique for sewing the scraps. Her mom suggested that she make a bag and that is what she ended up doing.
She even sent a picture:
How cute is that!!! I love that she was inspired by one of my projects to make something totally different and new. I came away from reading that email excited and inspired by all the possibilities.
What has been inspiring you to do something creative and new? Feel free to leave a comment and share what you've been doing lately.
We had a lovely Christmas with family on Christmas Eve and then spent the day quietly at home on Christmas day. I can't remember the last time Christmas was so laid back. I usually go to great lengths to have a ton of goodies on hand and everything decorated just so, but this year due to still feeling a bit yucky I had to let it go and you know what??? It was fine. I even bought Christmas cookies this year from the grocery store. Kinda made me feel a wee bit guilty, but the kids didn't care even one bit. So it was good.
I got an email from a young girl who follows my blog the other day. I'm just so tickled pink with what she came up with that I had to share it with you. She was reading about the birthday place mats that I came up with for the Sew Mama Sew scrap busters contest and she decided to make a dresser scarf using the same technique for sewing the scraps. Her mom suggested that she make a bag and that is what she ended up doing.
She even sent a picture:
How cute is that!!! I love that she was inspired by one of my projects to make something totally different and new. I came away from reading that email excited and inspired by all the possibilities.
What has been inspiring you to do something creative and new? Feel free to leave a comment and share what you've been doing lately.
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