Busy Bee!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here - I still have so many projects to finish! Why do I always do this to myself? Last year I swore I would start making Christmas in July, but I obviously didn't learn enough from my perpetual all-nighters! So, here we are again, 4 days from Christmas and I still have all these projects to complete:

...giraffe, dinosaur, one pair of shoes, 4 dolls and an elephant.

Not to mention the jammies that have been cut, but otherwise haven't even been touched. They will be left for last, because the girls really won't care if there are no jammies under the tree, and then they can be made for Valentine's Day - maybe they'll actually get done if I start them right after Christmas...

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Holiday!

p.s. And check out my sister's blog: Forever Wanderlust for the 12 Days of Shoes!

Sewing Machines

What kind of sewing machine do you have? What do you like/dislike about it? Do you have any other suggestions? I typically use mine every couple of days to sew clothes, toys (including small machine quilted items), blankets and anything else that strikes my fancy.

And while we are asking questions, how often should they be serviced?

I'm sort of, in - the - market for a new one. That really just means that they are on sale at JoAnn's and I have a 50% off coupon that is just burning a hole in my pocket.

Wall Art

There's a lot of art happening around here these days. I made these at a church social. They are just textured wall paper wrapped around stretcher bars (available at craft and hobby stores) and stapled in place.

Then I painted mine Intense Teal by Behr! I thought the color might be a little too intense, but I loved it so much I decided just to go for it. It took about 3/4 of the little sample jars you can get at Home Depot. After the paint dried, I glazed over it with copper.

I love them! The copper glaze took some of the brightness out of the teal, but it is still very bold - which I like. Kind of funny since I don't consider myself a very bold person. Hmm...maybe that's why I like the color so much. And they also have a worn, kind of vintage quality about them.

And, yes, that is snow outside the sliding glass door. We are getting pounded with our first snow storm of the season here in the Western United States. I've been super grumpy - I think I need some cookies and a cup of coco! And a healthy dose of sunshine. And maybe a little Castle, too.

Salt Art

Want to make these nifty, colored bottles with your kiddies? Or maybe, for yourself! The possibilities are endless, and since they are so cheap and easy, you'll want to make a dozen.

1 c. salt for each color
1 quart size zip-top baggie for each color
assorted food coloring
empty glass bottles (the ones pictured above are IBC)

Measure salt into individual baggies, add a few drops of food coloring. Seal baggies, and massage until color is distributed. For darker, more intense color add more food coloring. Prop open the baggies and allow to dry overnight.

To fill bottles: Use a funnel and layer colors. A small measuring cup or those plastic medicine cups that come with childrens medicine work really well for little hands. Make sure to tap the bottles on the table/counter a few times to make sure they get nice and full. We "plug" the tops with hot glue.

To make paper art (similar to this one that uses contact paper - good idea!). Water down some glue (or make your own). Use a paint brush to "paint" the glue onto paper, then shake on the colored salt. Allow to dry. Gently tap any excess salt off the paper art. The art can be made more stable by applying a thin layer of fabric starch, but too much will cause the salt to dissolve and make it look all smeary. We use leftover spice bottles with the slotted tops for shaking.

I also found The Mother Huddle blog with a great photo tutorial for salt art!

Kitchen Window

This is the view from my kitchen window -

Can you believe how beautiful it is? Its so amazing to watch all the colors change as the weather begins to cool. Every day I can pick out more and more patches of color. Soon there will be snow covered mountains, something I am not quite ready for. Hopefully, fall will last a bit longer.
The weather here has been unseasonably cool (notice the looming, dark clouds in the first picture). This always gets me thinking about canning. Which reminded me, I have a 30 lb box of Rome Beauties in my garage, just begging to be turned into something delicious. Maybe one day I'll actually get around to it.

We did, however, get around to the pumpkin patch. The girls love to go. Who wouldn't? Loads of pumpkins, in all different shapes and sizes to debate over. We came home with a bunch of little ones and a few big ones for carving in the next few weeks. Last year there was hardly any variety in color. This year we had everything from green to burnt orange.

What do you think is under the green skin? If I lightly carve it (as opposed to puncturing the entire rind, see here for an example), it would be bright orange?

Thrifting & Basil

Oh, how I love thrifting! I found these awesome patterns for 50 cents! This same day I also got a knee length wool coat (fully lined), wool cardigan, 3 dresses for the girls, an old suitcase, a number of sweet, Little Golden Books from the 60's and 2 vintage records - one of which was My Fair Lady! And, this is the best part, I only spent $50!

I love the hair styles on these patterns. Wish it would come back in style.

And, on a completely unrelated note, I had to share a picture of the last of the basil. It has been keeping the window company for the last week or so. Although I enjoy fall and the beautiful changing of the leaves, I also feel nostalgic for the warmth of summer. Sitting on the lawn with our neighbors, watching the kids run around and just enjoying time. Which seems to be so much more available during the summer months, even though we are no less busy.


Basil represents so much of summer's smell and taste. And tomatoes, too, but ours were not very happy this year, and the few tomatoes we did get, the girls plucked them off long before they were ripe. So, without further adieu, wishing you and yours a very festive autumn season!

Back to Blogging

We are trying to be up and running again this week with some fun crafting and cooking! After a month of being sick and some other family things, I am more than excited to have some time for myself! We are all doing well, and wish you all the best.

A peek at some of the latest happenings in the kitchen ~

Holiday Preview Part 1

I can't figure out what it is, but I am addicted to making these toddler aprons! When the sewing machine is calling my name, but I'm not quite sure what to make, I always pull out this pattern.

This time I was testing out how a single pocket would look. I do not know the correct way to fashion a patch pocket, so I just made it up and attached it to the green flower print. It looked ok, but I thought the stitching and quality was not quite good enough to be sold. So, I got out the Reader's Digest sewing book and made the pocket on the blue apron the "correct" way. I must say, it turned out significantly better. Maybe next time I'll just start by reading the instructions...

Just another look at the fabrics. I really liked the gray and blue. I think they will be really fun to have around for the Holiday sales.

Pillow Cases

I made some cute pillow case dresses for the girls out of my favorite sheet set. I just laid a dress they have onto the pillow case and traced it with fabric marker, then added 3/4 " to each line and cut away! That may seem like a big seam allowance, but then I have enough room for a French seam.

I loved these sheets, but it has been washed a few too many times and no longer fits the bed. The good news is - the girls get these way cute dresses that will be easily turned into tunics come fall and winter and I have a whole sheet set to make into something for me!

I was really excited to test out the elastic thread I used for the shirring at the bust-line. It was so easy! I didn't have any problems, even on my cheap-o sewing maching.

These were queen sized pillow cases and if I do this again, I'd do it with king sized ones. I didn't have enough fabric to double roll the hem or the sleeve & neck openings. Even still, these were a quick project and super cute!

Jaelyn's Stash

A few months ago, my friend Jaelyn and I worked out an awesome trade - photos of my babies for a basket of hand sewn goodies. I couldn't be happier with the trade. If you want to see her amazing work (and hire her), check out her blog at Complexions Photography!

Here are some more photos of the cute stuff she picked out!

Those are rolled up Art Aprons on the right hand side of the photo...

The adorable baby shoes came from Sweet Pea Patterns - they are reversible!

Oh, So Busy!

Gee whiz! I can't believe its been so long since I posted! With busy toddlers and a husband and 4 year old about to start school, it has been crazy! In my spare time (about 10 pm and later) I have just been sewing. Its seems that the sewing machine, and my fabric stash, are constantly calling my name. I'm afraid I have no photographs to share of finished products, instead there are just a lot of pattern folders, cut fabric and notions in my sewing basket.

I'm hoping to finish all the projects I have cut out by the end of next week so that my machine can be serviced before I being all the holiday sewing. We'll see how that goes...

The world of food has us eating a lot of Mango Slaw and Bruschetta. Yum! Since there are few true recipes for Bruschetta, I will share how we make ours.

8 roma tomatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
1 T. olive oil
1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn or finely chopped
salt & pepper
crusty bread to serve

In a large bowl mix tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice bread and lightly brush with olive oil; grill or broil to desired crispness. You may also rub the bread with a cut piece of garlic before grilling, if desired.

Notes: Taste a lot - not just because it is delicious, but depending upon your taste and ingredients, you may need to increase or reduce some ingredients - especially the garlic or basil. This may smell quite garlic-y (our whole fridge does, even when sealed in Ziplock bags), but the mixture itself is fine. If you have any left over, it is especially delicious the next day!

Jam & Geneology

Spent the weekend with my sister and some aunts, pouring through suitcases full of old photographs, letters and pedigree charts. These handsome folks are my Great-Great-Grandfather, Charles and his lovely wife, Edith; the picture is circa 1900 (awesome!). The smaller picture is their two children, Gerrit and Virginia, circa 1920. How cool are those? I am totally enamored with them. It is so amazing to learn about your family - don't know much about your family history? Call a relative! Or check out FamilySearch - its free.

And amidst all this we squeezed in some time to make some apricot jam, of course.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as we did ours!

Jam & Jelly

I can not describe how much I love to make homemade jam. It is so sinfully delicious and there are so many recipes to be tested. Our first batch: Ginger Honey Rhubarb.

We then proceeded with Orange Jelly and Strawberry Basil (this one is from a Better Homes & Gardens magazine). We have yet to taste them and I'm slightly concerned the Orange Jelly won't set up properly, but I'll leave it for a full two weeks before I consider it a complete disaster. I can't wait to try the Lavender Jelly from the same article. Since I've never made true jelly, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Free Wooden Blocks!

Well, that's a little misleading, you can get an awesome catalog for free, and at the same time enter a contest to win the free blocks at Eames as seen here at Happiness Is...

I looked up the blocks (way cute, by the way) on the Eames website and the set is $175! So, wouldn't it be awesome if you won?

Deadlines

I have a love/hate relationship with deadlines. On the one hand they require me to complete a project or assignment and then I am...happy with myself for getting it done and if all goes well, the end project is fabulous. Speaking of fabulous, isn't that stack of fabric fabulous?!

On the other hand, deadlines generally require stress, late nights (sometimes all night), shuffling of the many other activiies and lots of slack to be picked up by our Daddy - and he did a great job, I might add.

I love this reversible art apron! I modified it to include a pocket, but the pattern is free!

And so was the case this past week. I have been working on a variety of items to be sold at Blue Sage Frame Shop & Gallery. Today is the opening night, so all of my stuff needed to be done yesterday. And it was a good thing too, because I am exhausted! Most nights this week I was up until 12 or 1 and Thursday night (crunch time!) I was up until almost 3. Ugh. But, it is finished! And looks lovely. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by!

And So it Begins...

Apparently the time has come for a blog dedicated soley to my sewing and crafting and this time of year, lots of food preserving! While this will be constantly changing, I am excited for a place to ramble about all the many things I am doing. And also, to write about all the things I want to do - which get lost in the jumble of thoughts running through my head.
Pictures to come!

Have a wonderful time weekending!