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.