peppermint cookies

I normally do plates of treats, but this year I decided to keep thing simpler.  Did it work?  Well, no.  Simple is not what interests me.  I found a cookie on the food network that was so worth spending time on.  Besides, how many people give away sandwich cookies.  They were packaged two ways and it was fun putting it all together.  I also made some homemade marshmallows from Martha Stewart's recipe.  They are best when used with hot cocoa.

Orange Monster

I know it's not a great picture, but he's too cute to not show you.  He was finished in the car on the way to my sister's house.  I made him for my nephew's birthday.  T was turning one. T enjoyed him and so did his older brothers.  He really needs a name.  I hope they find a good one.

I found the directions for him in this book.  I have now made two.  This guy is so cute in person, but I am having trouble getting a good pic of him.

Artistic Happenings

Last night I finally had an idea for what to do with this board.  It was 11:30, but I had to go with the idea right away.  I drew out the sketch and started creating.  I hung this in my little girls room and she loves it!  The mother owl was going to have open eyes, but she looked so cute with her eyes closed I decided to leave them the way they were.

voted

hello kitty cake

This is the cake I made for my daughter.  It was so simple and that is what I needed.  The jelly beans worked well for this cake.  Does everyone know that when you dip your knife in a little bit of water, after frosting the cake, it smooths the frosting a lot?  Maybe you already knew that.

Preparation

This owl mask will be a gift for one of my children at Christmas.  I am trying to prepare early.  I still have a fox and cat mask to cut out.  Also, this other owl appeared when my bread sank the other day.  It reminded me of the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  For me it was when your bread sinks in the middle, tell your kids it's an animal.  They loved it!

Birthday flower

I want to just pop in and show you this gift I gave Deneigh for her birthday.  I am so pleased she liked it.

Important

If only everyone would hear this story.  Here is the link...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713

Peaches

   Here is what I have been up to.  Bottling Peaches and drawing.  I will admit that I peeled all of the peaches by hand this time.  I know I am insane.  I think anyone who knows me well has excepted that already.  

   Today I got out my pencils and began this drawing.  It is one inspired by a painting done by the Black Apple.  Enjoy your day!

Still here...

It has been a while.  I have been myself...sewing, crafting, creating.  It's true.  I just haven't been sharing.  I am ready to begin again here.  

This apron was made last month and I still don't have a picture of it.  Something I am very interested in making is this.  That orange giraffe has been on my mind a lot.  I have wanted to make a tall giraffe like this for so long.  It stems from the fact that I made up a little song for my boy about a giraffe when he was really little and we still sing that song.  I am thinking of Christmas.  It will be here before we know it.

golden memories

I never did post about this night, but I should have. It really was fun having my golden birthday last year. I was incredibly happy and touched by the out pouring of love from friends and family. Now that I am away I think I appreciate those friends even more. I am talking about all of you, not just those pictured here! I am grateful to have you for friends and I will try to be better with the whole staying in touch thing. *promise*

It's been a while

I know, I know, I've been MIA for a while. There are many things I could have posted, but I decided to just enjoy life for a while instead of recording it.
I have now finished two aprons. I ended up getting an ok picture of one and then didn't take any of the other before giving it away. :(
We spent some time at Lagoon yesterday. The kids loved it!

I was tagged by Vickie of Snow Days Art
First Question: What was I doing ten years ago? Driving my Oldsmobile super fast on the freeway to and from dance.
Second: What are five things on my list for today? Bake cookies, write on my blog, go to enrichment, watch Anne of Green Gables on my iMac, talk to my sister on the phone.
Third: What are snacks I enjoy? Bruschetta, chocolate, dried fruit, chips and salsa.
Fourth: What would you do if you were a billionaire? I would convince Inn-n-out to let me buy some of their stores and open some in Utah!
Fifth: Places I have lived:
Elk Grove, Ca
Rexburg, ID
Fallon, NV
Chandler, AZ

And I think I will tag....
Bethany
Molly
Deneigh
Andrea
Christin

I'm going to be a Pattern Tester!

I was telling my husband how I feel that the last month has been like a vacation for me.  I needed a break from the things I normally do to realize how I wanted to spend my time.  Well, I am back!  Back to sewing and back to creating!  

I am going to be a pattern tester for this apron.  I am thrilled!  Meg does such wonderful work!  I really do love all of the patterns she has come out with and would buy them all, if I had all the time in the world.  I am excited for this one though.  The apron is called the, "Lola", and it has a child's version included with it called the "Lolita".  My daughter could use another so this should be perfect.

My new water bottle

When my MIL came for a visit she had a glass water bottle with her.  I asked her about it and she said she has had it for about six months and reuses it.  As some friends know, I love drinking out of glasses, not plastic cups, so this is a good fit.  Well, today my sweet husband picked one up for me.  My mom ended up buying some also.  She now takes her sleek water bottle to Curves.  We enjoy the idea of not adding more plastic water bottles to the landfills.  Another reason my mom and I like this water bottle is the styling of it.  We both love the long cylinder look.

Everyone has one minute

I don't normally recommend books, but this one is good!  This book is more about how to handle people than anything.  This includes husbands and children!  It is a quick read and well worth it.  Everyone should read this book. 

Archie and a bag

Do you ever feel badly when you spend time on the computer, thinking to yourself, "I should be doing something more productive."  (If you didn't know, my dad is a huge multi-tasker, and it has rubbed off!)

Well, I have some laundry going and bread rising, so I can now sit down and write.  

Upon finding Archie, my boy came to me and said, "Mom, you really need to sew Archie's arms."  I even posted about how I intended to fix them.  Well, he persisted throughout that day and I finally agreed to sew them that very night.  I also finished the sleeping bag for him.  My girl also sewed a pillow and pillow case for him.  Now my boy is in heaven!  He already took him camping in the front room.

Also, I used the Hobby Lobby fabric to make myself a bag for church.  This was so needed!  If it wasn't I wouldn't have made it because I struggle making anything for myself.  I love having this bag though! 

personality

My husband recently had a birthday.  He is in a new office and I thought it would be fun to get him things for his desk.  All of the things seemed ordinary as I was picking them out and then I saw this guy.  

He should add a little personality to the desk!

Handmade things

This is the doll I made for my daughter.  I made her a doll a long time ago and she loved it so much that I decided it was worth spending some time on another.  I am so happy she turned out like I wanted her to!  Her name is Emmeline. 

A pointy kitty made for my boy.

and another doll for my baby.  I made her first and then altered the pattern for Emmeline.

My MSL came today and I didn't wait long to begin turning it's pages.

I was thinking this article came a month too late!  How aggravating!  Oh well, we survived it.  Then I saw the article they had on muffins and they were forgiven.
This little doll is in pieces, but is getting ready for Easter.  

Enjoy the day!

sweet poetry

This little poem was found in one of my vintage story books.  

The Little Birds Song

A little bird, with feathers brown, 

Sat singing on a tree;

The song was very soft and low, 

But sweet as it could be.

The people who were passing by

Looked up to see the bird

That made the sweetest melody

That they had ever heard.

But all the bright eyes looked in vain;

Birdie was very small,

And with his modest, dark-brown coat

He made no show at all.

“Why, Father,” asked a little girl, 

“Where can the birdie be?

If I could sing a song like that, 

I’d sit where folks could see.”

“I hope my little girl will learn

A lesson from the bird,

And try to do what good she can,

Not to be seen or heard.

“This birdie is content to sit

Unnoticed on the way,

And sweetly sing his Maker’s praise

From dawn to close of day.

“So live, my child, all through your life,

That, be it short or long

Though others may forget your looks 

They’ll not forget your song.

                                 -Author Unknown

Sew sad, Sew happy!

   My sewing machine was dropped!  Luckily I married Mr. Fixit!  

It all started two nights ago when I realized it's been weeks since I sewed something!  I asked my husband to go get my machine from downstairs.  He went and then I heard the crash.  We found out that the cover was not completely on and it landed directly on his foot!  The Poor Man!  He can still walk on his foot, so we are grateful, but I felt so badly for him, that I will carry it up the stairs myself for a while.  I tried sewing with it and it just wasn't the same, we knew it needed fixing.

   Sooo...Last night, with a brusied foot, my sweet husband fixed my sewing machine and he now has a very happy wife!

My sewing machine has always been so good to me.  I got her from my parents after I sewed a lap quilt by hand!  I guess they knew then I was serious.  ;0)  

   I have some plans coming up for easter.  I am currently working on this.  I might even make a few of these dolls.

Fabic found

This fabric was found today at The Hobby Lobby.  I checked out the store for the first time and it did not disappoint me!  I was in a hurry and only looked at half of the store, the other half is for another day.

Rethink and Regroup

Moving changes lots of things.  We moved last weekend and I am amazed at the new life it gives me.  I try to stay open to change by doing slightly different things often.  I will change where I sit in a room or how I drive to a store to alter perspective.  

With my last move I told myself to remember, "Moving is always harder than you at first perceive".  It's true.  This move has been so good for me though.  I am inspired by the different angles of the walls and the colors in the home.  I am more comfortable than ever with who I am and that helps me to be more open to others.  I have enjoyed the opportunity this move has given me to evaluate, where I am and where I want to be.  Somehow with this new beginning, I feel empowered and capable of more.  I love that feeling.

moving boxes

It's happening we are really moving!  I thought it appropriate that this box is for kleenex.  We are sad to move away from friends, but are excited about the new beginnings!

While my husband said I should have been packing, I finished this reading pillow instead.  It was for Kristi's birthday and had to happen before the move!  The first side reminds me of a chocolate cake!

Spring is here!  There are budding trees and some in full bloom here.  The kids are mentioning how they love to go barefoot, to better feel the carpet of grass.  These blooms were made after discovering the art of quilling in my first Martha Stewart Living magazine.    

Last night a friend picked me up and took me to In-n-out and then a scrapbook night!  It was amazingly fun being with that group of girls again!  I made these while there.  This proves that one card idea can look cute in many ways.

Valentines

These valentines were sent off today.  So simple and even cuter with pictures attached!  

all the pretty flowers

Here are some hair clips I made this weekend with Kristi.  We used Hyicinths, Daisies and Delphinium flowers.  When I found out that the large white and pink flowers are Delphiniums, it brought to my mind a quote from one of my favorite children’s books.  

“My name is Delphinium. Delphinium Twinkle. And if my baby is a girl I’m considering Chrysanthemum as a name.  I think it’s absolutely perfect.”

Ten points if you know the title!  {Although, I think I gave it away}.  

If you decided to make clips I recommend doing it with a friend to increase buying power and fun!

tinkering with bridges

       In order to tinker with bridges, you must first;

          Come up with a plan 

               and then...

           Get to work!

The idea for the bridge came from one of our Sesame Street dictionary books. 

Valentine Envelope Tutorial

It's here the Valentine Envelope Tutorial.  For this pattern it is helpful to have these tools;

clear thread   

sewing machine

self healing mat

clear angled ruler

rotary cutter

embroidery needle

small sharp scissors

The supplies needed are;

1/2 yard white wool felt

small piece of red wool felt

1/2 yard cotton fabric

red embroidery floss

white embroidery floss

2 buttons

(you will have fabric left over)

Cut out all pieces as shown.  

13.5 inches x 9.5 inches for the back, and cut just shy of 9inches and just shy of 13 inches, (meaning just under the measurement.) Also, cut two hearts out of the red felt that are slightly larger than the edge of your envelope closure.  Place the two hearts together and blanket stitch around heart with white embroidery floss.

After cutting the out the white pieces, use them to cut the red, especially for angles.  The red should be cut just under the measurement of the other.  

Using all six threads of embroidery floss, straight stitch around front of envelope using 1/4 in. stitches, 3/8 of an inch from edge.

Cut two straps for back out of the cotton print 15 x 3 in. The cut straps are not pictured.  Turn straps right sides together and sew 1/4 in. from edge.  Turn and press.    

It is helpful to press off center, to make room for the button hole.  Sew edge of straps closed.

Step 1: turn and press the squared and acute corners. Make two small cuts in the inside front of the envelope as shown.  Be sure that the raw edge is folded down and pin in place.

Next bring up both sides.  Press and pin.

Carefully pin the cotton fabric to the wool felt.  Now you’re ready to sew your cotton fabric to your felt pieces.

To cut the scalloped edge, measure and cut 1/4 of an inch in every 3/4 of an inch.

Curve your cuts to form the scallop.  It helps to use small sharp scissors.

Sew heart on to bottom of closure.

Pin flap of envelope to the back.  Be sure to line it up so your hand sewing will show when folded down.  Sew together.

Make a button hole on each strap slightly larger than the button.  Sew straps on about an inch from the top.  Then to secure it sew across the strap again, at the top of the envelope, where the sew line is already under the scallop.

Lay your straps flat and sew each button at the bottom of the envelope.  Sew the front of the envelope to the back and you're done!