Be that as it may...

Daddy Daughter Dance

2012-02-04T18:46:00.000-06:00

Every year they go, and I, inevitably, end up looking through old photos

the whole time they are gone....

Hundreds, hearts, and hugeness

2012-01-27T15:51:00.007-06:00

The much celebrated (who knew?) 100th day of school is approaching and K had an assignment to create something with 100 pieces, non-food items only (darn). I saw this and had to steal the idea from Simply Modern Mom. We LOVE googly eyes around here!

I've also been making some small tchotchkes for Valentines Day.

Crocheted hairpins:

Crayon hearts:

It's been a while since I've posted a belly shot. This one shows off my lovely stretch marks from my first pregnancy! All in all, this time around has been so much easier: no swelling, no crazy carpal tunnel, less heartburn. And I truly thought I had it pretty good the first time around. I hope this continues for the next few weeks and that the delivery goes as smooth as it did with her too (or smoother would be nice!) People are really in my business now - when are you due? you look like you're going to pop! sure it's not twins? today I had some moms at the school that I've never met stop and ask what I'm having. When I said a boy they all laughed and said they knew it from how I was carrying. Strange to know that people are discussing your stature.....

To the Circus

2012-01-15T16:52:00.005-06:00

I made my first online fabric purchase recently. Very exciting.... The To the Circus line on spoonflower was too cute to pass up, and with five different baby items to cut from one yard, it was just the thing to get me motivated for some new projects.

So far, I've made the book:

Two bibs, backed with terrycloth (ahem, an old towel):

And a lion stuffie, who is awaiting a little jingle bell for the inside and some more fluff.

High and Low Tech

2012-01-01T16:24:00.005-06:00

Some recent projects I've been working on include:

Camera strap cover for mom's new DSLR. I thought the lens cap pocket was a nice touch. Pattern found here.

Kindle cover for me with the leftover fabric. Made the pattern up myself -- it's even lined and padded too!

Crocheted dish scrubbies. Made this pattern up as well.

Next post, some things for baby made with a wonderful fabric find on Spoonflower.

Petal Pillow

2011-12-15T17:36:00.005-06:00

This happy little pillow was just the right sewing project for these chilly wet-weather days.

Made with a vintage sheet and all the scraps I could muster. Buttons came off a shirt that was destined for Goodwill (how is it you can never find two matching buttons when you need them?) Instructions were given via Lemon Tree Studio.

26 Weeks

2011-12-11T18:39:00.006-06:00

Not very long now, especially if I think about K coming at 38 weeks. That is a mere 12 weeks away!

Here are the updates to the nursery so far:

Curtains are hung (IKEA).

Alphabet letters are hung (had from K's nursery).

Rocking chair is slip-covered (need to adjust and alter); ottoman is temporarily covered with a gifted hand-knit blanket; artwork is hung (Charlie Harper calendar).

Boppy is out (and makes quite the lion mane).

Belly is undoubtedly out and makes for quite the conversation starter, which usually goes something like this: "When are you due?" "March." Conversation over. Why do people ask, really? I am tempted to buy and wear one of these every. single. day....

Felt Play Envelopes

2011-12-11T17:03:00.003-06:00

These are adorable for slipping little love notes and drawings. With removable stamps, the possibilities are endless. (I know some little girlfriends who will be getting a set of these for the holidays!)

Tag

2011-12-11T15:16:00.004-06:00

This was SO much fun to make, and I love how it turned out. I went tag crazy! But that's kind of the point, right? via pinterest, yay!

I made something off Pinterest!

2011-12-10T19:41:00.003-06:00

These felt band-aids were just too cute and easy. I had the beige felt on hand and sewed on Velcro for the white pad (the scratchier of the two sides) so it could stick to stuffed animals. I didn't follow a tutorial, just cut a rounded rectangle out of the felt, a little larger than a normal-sized band-aid. I also reused an Altoids tin to keep them in.

The kid loves them, and has been carrying them all over the place and in the car. I was worried she might be a little too old for them (and made them with little brother in mind) but that's so not the case. I'm glad :)

Poor bear had "surgery." Imaginative play at its finest.

Yarn Bowling

2011-12-02T06:56:00.004-06:00

Finally made some t-shirt yarn for a project. Turns out it's really easy and the kiddo was excited to get involved too. The super long strand became a tug-0-war rope, a jump rope, and as a ball, well, the possibilities are endless...

Don't Eat the Turkey, Just the Guts

2011-11-25T18:43:00.004-06:00

Saw this great idea for the kids for Thanksgiving on Honest to Nod.

First you stuff a paper-bag turkey with popcorn. Hot glue it shut, and add on some drumsticks:

Give the kids a knife and let them carve it open. (I love how K is making a stabbing motion along with her cousin!)

Surprise! It's like a Thanksgiving pinata, minus the stick!

All was quiet for a few minutes while the adults put final touches on the real meal. We were thankful, and so were the kids.

Gathering...

2011-11-09T20:07:00.006-06:00

This week:

Grandmama so generously sent a changing pad cover that will surely be the pièce de résistance of the room. I've also received buckets of other items from friends as their babies have outgrown them. That will be another post to come!

I made a giraffe stuffie. I'm thinking he needs a mane and tail, maybe of felt? I know not where I got the pattern, moons ago....

Sewed some burp cloths (the backs of these bad boys are pieces cut from a t-shirt) tutorial c/o made by rae....

...and here we are at 21 weeks!

Halfway There

2011-10-30T08:51:00.004-05:00

In the last week:

We found out it's a BOY!

Little boy and I have grown quite a bit.

Lambie the lovey has a little brother, too. It's for the baby from Grandmama, just as lambie was. I hope he loves it as much as sister loves hers. :)

Lunchbox Notes

2011-10-20T08:38:00.003-05:00

I don't put them in every day, nor would I ever buy pre-printed notes, but occassionally I put a note in K's lunchbox that I hope brings a smile to her face and lets her know I'm thinking about her. When I saw these printable Halloween labels online I knew exactly what I would be using them for during the month of October.

Spooky Stuff

2011-10-19T18:34:00.002-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween....

Q-tips skeleton

Día de los Muertos Suncatchers

Boy Blanket and a Belly Shot

2011-10-03T15:57:00.006-05:00

I'd like to say that by crocheting such a boyish blanket I had some kind of epiphany as to the sex of my avocado-sized belly snatcher, but that wasn't the case. I actually had a really groovy rainbow baby blanket in mind, but Joann's completely screwed up my order (and by screwed up I mean cancelled it, just as the yarn went OFF sale). So, with an itch to make something NOW, I turned to what I had, which is yarn that's almost as masculine as the first one was feminine, and made this bad boy:

It only took a couple hours (double crochet works up fast), so if it turns out this little avocado is actually a girl, then back to the hooks I go. I do love this yarn though - the blanket is as snugly as a teddy bear - and it's nothing fancy, just Red Heart Soft in Icy Pond.

And now, the bump:

(interesting tid-bit: my stomach was the size it is now at 20 weeks with K. hmm....)

Adding On and Clearing Out

2011-09-19T11:14:00.011-05:00

Kennedy's portrait of me, September 18, 2011.

Our household is all atwitter as of late. We are expecting another baby, due St. Patty's day, 2012! Along with all the joy and talk of names and wondering if it's a brother or sister, also comes a lot of thinking about space planning and all the "stuff." We always saw ours as a starter home, and it has served the needs of two grown-ups, one child, two dogs, and, at one time, a cat, very well. Very tightly well. Never in a million years did we imagine bringing another child into our tiny space. I take that back, we imagined it, then quickly said, "we'd have to move." Now here we are, entering the second trimester, with the housing market being where it is, and there is a very slim chance of us leaving. So, we adapt!

Luckily, we have three bedrooms. Unfortunately, two of them are so tiny you could not fit full sized beds in them and expect to move around. (I honestly eyed our master closet as a potential nursery, it is so big. If only there were a window!) We will clear the smallest of the two rooms, which is currently our office, for the nursery. and move the computer to a work area in the dining/kitchen. It's going to be cozy, that's for sure.

In the meantime, I repeat to myself the following de-cluttering mantras: "LESS IS MORE. ONE THING IN, ONE THING OUT. YOU ARE NOT YOUR STUFF. YOUR STUFF ENDS UP OWNING YOU." Since this isn't our first rodeo, we know how little babies actually need. We also know how hard it is resist the cute little stuffed monkeys and the soft blankies during those trips to Target for diapers. It is going to be very interesting planning for this little leprechaun!

A starting place - the hall closet, new shelves installed:

Floor Cushion

2011-08-21T12:22:00.007-05:00

Instead of an expensive bean bag chair or a store-bought pouf, I decided to sew a floor cushion for the little (big) one. Hopefully it will get some use. :) I consulted a wonderful tutorial from Living with Punks for the construction.

The best part is the piping -- it was actually exciting to try my hand at something new, and it wasn't half as bad as I had feared! Dare I say I see a bolster pillow in my future???

Matches her comforter!

Turning Child's Art into Embroidery

2011-07-31T18:26:00.007-05:00

From this:

To this:

I simply traced the design in pencil onto lightweight fabric. She got very excited each time she checked in and saw another element finished. My favorite part is the lit windows :) Oh, and the "worker" on the roof of our house (???). The most meaningful element, and the one which prompted me to choose this piece to embroider, is the hearts. Her drawing has come a long way this summer and hearts are her favorite go-to symbol all of a sudden. I heart her hearts!

Ooblek

2011-06-24T18:05:00.007-05:00

If we're not gettin' gak-tastic, we're busy making this concoction (called "Oobleck" by some). It consists of

1 1/2 C. Corn Starch
1 C. Water
Food Color

Mix ingredients. When pushed or tapped or knocked on, the mixture appears dry and solid. When held and dripped, it's a liquid. Like magic!

Of course, we "painted" ourselves with the corn starch as well. (It reminded me that old-timey Cornsilk powder from the drug stores.)

Neat food coloring design.

It makes a terrible mess, but this science experiment is totally worth all the clean-up.

Wonders of the World

2011-06-23T22:00:00.006-05:00

It just so happens we had to make a last minute day trip to New Braunfels, TX from Austin. What family entertainment could we conjure up along the way to make this trip a mini-vacation? Why, Wonder World, of course! None of us had been and we had no idea what adventures were in store:

from a 150 feet foot deep cave ...

to the top of a too-tall lookout tower...

feeding crazy-eyed deer...

and best of all, the gift shop.

Jackalope! Oh, the wonders we witnessed that day. This was actually hysterical compared to the fainting goats they had corralled outside. Look away, kids. Look. Away....

Non-Standard Standard Pillowcase

2011-05-07T08:51:00.006-05:00

I found this really cute fabric at Joann, and bought what I thought was enough for a standard-sized pillowcase. I knew I was going to the opening edge in a contrasting fabric, like these from Made.

Turns out I did not get enough fabric, so it's a little short all the way around. Luckily we had an IKEA pillow form, and since everything in the store is tiny, it worked out okay.

Now I want more of this fabric for a sheet to match! (These are for the girl, of course.)

Piercing

2011-05-07T08:13:00.008-05:00

My blogging absence has no excuse. Just busy, busy - work, swim class, parties, projects. The month of April came and left as quickly as that one, solitary rain shower we had.

One of this week's highlights was a Mother's Day performance by the students at North Austin Montessori. Here is a photo of us after the event, me wearing part of her "costume" (a bird).

Then, in the car, there was this:

After the program we headed to the mall for two EAR PIERCINGS.

One attendant at the Piercing Pagoda meant one ear at a time, but she did great, held still for both and was "BRAVE."

As for crafty excitement, there's been practically none. I'm working on some summer skirts, and in the mean time made my first standard-ish sized pillowcase.

Hootin' and Hollerin'

2011-03-10T07:49:00.004-06:00

I've reviewed another children's book. Yippeee!

I'm still testing the waters with this writing gig, so any feedback is greatly appreciated. In the meantime, I'm having fun posting content for books that I'd be reading anyway. The litmus test is, if a book gets the "read it again!" from the five-year-old, I'll give it a write-up.

Bink and Gollie: Opposites attract, even in friendship

2011-03-05T22:42:00.002-06:00

I have review up at examiner.com for this fabulous children's book, Bink and Gollie. Thanks for taking a look.

Nutella, ella, ella

2011-02-24T21:36:00.003-06:00

I commissioned a painting from my husband's longtime friend, Chris Tarango. After seeing some of his work in person and on his web site, I e-mailed him a JPG of a Nutella jar asking, "What can you do with this?" I explained my vision of a Warholesque composition, but gave him the artistic freedom to do whatever he liked. I think it turned out amazing! Go check out his site. www.christarango.com

Yo, Yo, Yo

2011-02-08T10:18:00.009-06:00

I made yogurt! It's sour, thick, and de-lish.

"Why make yogurt?" you may ask. And I answer, "Why NOT?!" First of all, we love it. There is always yogurt in our fridge, and if we run out, it's a travesty. But, more so, it's a natural progression for me in the kitchen. I made my own bread, and felt like Wonder Woman, and it all snowballed from there. It really is so empowering to create something from scratch, whether it's a bagel or a reusable bag to keep it in. As a working mother and a frugal-minded person, who is, by no stretch, someone with a lot of time on her hands, I want to be able to show my family and friends that if you set out to do something, and you truly enjoy it, the possibilities are endless.

So, for my birthday gift to myself, and with my lovely Amazon Groupon, I purchased a yogurt maker. As much as the little one and I eat the stuff, it will pay for itself by next week. There is a little bit of prep work that goes into it, but basically you slowly warm up milk, let it cool a little, add a dollop of starter yogurt (I used store bought Greek), add a little powdered milk to thicken it, pour it into the glass jars that came with the machine, put the jars in the machine, cover, turn it on, and 8-10 hours later you have 7 servings of plain Jane yogurt to dress up as you wish.

For my first taste, I added vanilla and granola (kickin' it old school.) For the cup pictured above, I just added strawberries. It is a little on the tart side, but that's just how I like it. I'll have to experiment with additives to make it more kid-friendly: Jelly? Oreos? Mac 'n' Cheese? For now, I'm going to savor these all by myself. Happy birthday to me! :)

Give Pieces a Chance

2011-01-28T21:27:00.006-06:00

I've been wanting to start a *real* quilt for a long time now. It's a very daunting undertaking, even if you've tried the basics, as I did in this child's quilt over a year ago. I obviously wasn't in any hurry to start another! After coming across this bookmarked tutorial, I was inspired all over again. I present to you, the beginnings of my Paper-Pieced String Quilt:

The "stash pile!" (Something new to me, since I've begun sewing in earnest this month.)

All sewn together on a 6" square of phone book paper. Looks crazy, now, I know....

After the strips are joined and trimmed, you simply tear away the paper along the "perforations." (Wait, American Bee Control? Damn, I might need that number someday!)

Looking better all cleaned up...

...and even better when four squares are joined!

I like this style for many reasons: it's not fussy with measurements, how the pieces match up, or even the colors you use; the bohemian, mismatch style will match anything; and it's quick to stitch up once you have all your strips cut. Now the question is, how many of these do I have to do???

Announcing: Fancy Pantries!

2011-01-24T15:08:00.004-06:00

Come visit my new etsy shop .... Right now I'm selling plastic bag holders for the pantry. New designs and other miscellany will be added as I make them, so check back regularly!

To Hold

2011-01-16T16:36:00.003-06:00

Cowboy art case (for a 3-year-old boy)

Checkbook and notepad case (for me!)

Plastic bag dispenser (SOLD!)

A Case for Art

2010-12-23T13:47:00.003-06:00

I made these fold-up art cases for the cousins, who are traveling and love to draw. Perfect!

I followed this tutorial for the dimensions. Half the fun was picking out contrasting fabrics that I thought each child would like. What was not fun was being sent the wrong size Moleskin notebook from Amazon.... I found a close-in-size drawing pad from Target and used the Exacto knife to trim it to size. My thumb is still numb....

Fake Tree

2010-12-21T09:37:00.006-06:00

The idea for this project came from Under the Table and Dreaming. I used painted balsa wood on ticking fabric stretched over a canvas. (I had a little helper for the painting.) After everything was glued down I thought, "It needs a star...." I tried to cut one out of the balsa wood, but it didn't work out. Lo and behold, like the shining star of Bethlehem, a piece of dried starfruit peeked its head out of my holiday potpourri bowl. Glue that sucker down!

For the Dogs

2010-12-20T17:04:00.004-06:00

I had a request to make a pair of snow booties for a furry friend. Turns out the request was a joke, but I was up for the challenge. I used this tutorial, and after some sewing machine versus leather wrangling, I whipped up four of these.

The fleece was from a Dollar Store blanket, and the leather (pleather?) was a remnant from the craft store.

Here she is, kickin' it in the snow with her warm booties. They stayed on and, more importantly, her feet stayed warm and dry!

In Barbie News...

2010-12-19T14:10:00.005-06:00

It continues to be all Barbie, all the time around here. Even Santa has been dragged into it -- everything on K's Christmas list this year was Barbie themed. The only saving grace was, the other day in the bath, she kept referring to one Barbie as Melissa Block, as in the NPR news correspondent. Good to know that the public radio I play in the car is sinking in. It's all about balance....

Slippers Galore

2010-12-19T13:57:00.002-06:00

Or, shall I say schleppers?

The Head Turner

2010-12-06T15:54:00.005-06:00

THIS hat is the epitome of the phrase "third time's a charm."

In order to make it according to the custom order ("I want a pom pom, and ear flaps, and those dangly things") I had to piecemeal patterns together and, at first, ended up with very unhatlike results.

All in all it turned out cute. Just like its wearer. :)

Friendship Blanket

2010-11-22T20:09:00.004-06:00

A dear friend, who knew how much I love to crochet, gave me a bag of her late mother's yarn from ages ago to use for my projects. Here is the yarn.

And here is the lap blanket I made her for her birthday!

I was so pleased to be able to give back the yarn as a functional piece, in a way that, hopefully, honors her mother. Who knows, it may even become a keepsake for her daughter too, someday. That is the beauty of crochet, and the thrill of making and giving a handmade gift -- it can be shared and passed down with a story for years to come.

Ear Hat

2010-11-19T14:48:00.003-06:00

Crocheted this simple silly fun hat.

...and more to come!

Thankful for...

2010-11-16T16:30:00.008-06:00

Today I experienced such wonderful kindness, from two different people, on two completely different paths. Each bestowed upon me lovely vintage treasures they had found--two ancient sewing spools and a sheet that traveled a great distance (and to think, they found their way to MY cubicle....)

More than the items themselves, however, it was the givers' thoughtfulness that has made my day. They are both busy, working moms, and the fact that they found the time to not only find these treasures, but remember to bring them in, during a time when we're all so busy I can't even remember to bring my lunch....

I am so grateful for their friendship and appreciative of everyone in my life who knows that sometimes it's the simplest acts of kindness that mean the world....

Crocheted Washcloths

2010-11-13T17:02:00.004-06:00

Handmade Teachers Gift - Check! I combined multiple tutorials and experimented on these. Really, it's just a 10 inch-ish square, so anything goes. The yarn was exciting (woo.hoo.) -- LB Organic Cotton. It was kind of linty, but the perfect softness.

Día de los Muertos

2010-10-30T10:28:00.004-05:00

This is a big weekend -- hub's birthday, Halloween, our anniversary, and the Mexican Día de los Muertos. So what if the cake looks like Eric Stoltz's skull from Mask....

Hot Towels

2010-10-27T12:11:00.005-05:00

This was my first time using Heat and Bond for applique. It does make for a more finished looking product, and adds some quilted puffiness to the letters. Now, will these monogrammed towels help save a few loads of laundry? Doubtful...

Pumpkin AND Chocolate?

2010-10-26T20:00:00.003-05:00

I'm in!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Recipe adapted from All & Sundry

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 tbls baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice (I omitted)
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves (I omitted)
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie filling stuff)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of molasses (I used 1 1/2 T of light corn syrup and brown sugar)
• Some amount of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400˚ and lightly grease a 12 muffin tin (paper liners are even better).

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, milk, oil, and molasses.

Pour wet ingredients into the dry and mix. Stir in your desired amount of chocolate chips (I recommend a “shitload”). Fill the muffin cups 2/3s full.

Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick or knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Shell Loop Scarf

2010-10-24T09:55:00.008-05:00

Look, ma! My new scarf. Strayed from the norm and tried out a new stitch -- the Shell Stitch.

Here's a closeup of the pattern.

For the scarf: chain 28. In fourth chain from hook, *DC, DC, CH1, DC, DC,* Skip 3 Chains, do it all again. Next row do *this* in the CH1 space of the previous row until it's approximately 52". Stitch the ends together to make a loop.

Some of you have been wondering about hooks, which to buy, which to use, especially if you're not working off a pattern, which should tell you what to use. Actually, I've only talked to one of you about this, but others may be wondering. So, I present to you: a hook primer.

Starting with the smallest, blurriest hook at the bottom (that's a G). It will make very small stitches and is for very thin yarn. For normal every day items, use an H, I, or J. The scarf above was made with a J. An afghan could be made with a J or K. That N hook is for very thick wool yarn, which I've never even used. Not sure why I have that, actually....

Cheesy Pumpkins

2010-10-17T20:26:00.003-05:00

BeforeAfter

Yarn Pumpkins

2010-10-11T12:41:00.004-05:00

Are these not the cutest fall decorations ever? Maybe I'm just yarn-biased, but I can't wait to share this craft with my daughter's class during pumpkin week. I hope I have enough yarn leftover after I make my own tiny pumpkin patch! Step-by-step instructions for the apple version on Make and Takes.

Toy Story Party

2010-10-10T10:10:00.003-05:00

Alien Cupcakes
These were so much fun to make, and the highlight of the party.
*Chocolate cupcakes (of course!)
*Neon green food coloring added to vanilla icing
*White chocolate chips for the eyes
*Black icing gel for the pupils and mouth
*Half of a green Fruit Loop for the antennae

The Party Room
Best. Party. Location. Ever! A party assistant helped set everything up and she even lit the number 5 candle for me, which, promptly started to lean and fall over as soon as we started in with the song. The exhibit at the Children's Museum was "games" which tied in nicely with the Toy Story theme. And, for 1.5 hours, the kids got to PLAY. Endless fun....

Decor
This was pretty low-key since we weren't spending a lot of time in the party room. We had dollar store purple table clothes, handmade Happy Birthday banner (felt and fabric), Toy Story plates, and some Toy Story cootie catchers* scattered in the middle of the table. The highlight, of course, was the museum's birthday girl chair.

*These cootie catchers were a modified version of draw pilgrim's. Love that blog!

Bum Wrap

2010-10-09T08:50:00.000-05:00

I modified the tissue pack holder to a larger size to accommodate.......diapers! At the request of a friend, I made something to prevent the inevitable diaper smoosh that comes with throwing a spare diaper in the purse. Someone special is going to receive this very soon for her soon-to-be-born GRANDSON :)

Montessori Method

2010-10-08T15:15:00.017-05:00

We had our first official parent teacher conference at our five-year-old daughter's Montessori school. It was never a hard decision to choose Montessori, but it was difficult to change schools after four years of on site daycare. Due to public Kindergarten cut-off dates, we were faced with the challenge of her needing a new environment in which to learn and grow. We are so pleased with the choice we made. The atmosphere is so relaxed, the teachers are wonderfully attentive, and I couldn't have dreamed up a more inviting education landscape. Here are some photos I sneaked with my phone before today's meeting:

Gak-Tastic

2010-10-07T20:19:00.005-05:00

Look, ma, PINK GAK.

Braaaaaains....

After taking a knife to it, she said "I made an octopus!" So, out came the googly eyes :)

We've made gak before with liquid starch, and it came out pretty sticky. I prefer the following recipe which calls for Borax:

1 teaspoon Borax (dissolved in the water)
1 1/2 C water
1/2 C Elmer's white glue
food coloring

IKEA Hack

2010-10-07T17:59:00.005-05:00

Before: IKEA Lampan table lamp and Dollar Store tray.

After: spray painted orange, with removable scrap paper on top = Cake Stand.

Lampshade also received a coat of paint and holds some Halloween decor.

Rainbow Wrist Warmers

2010-10-03T20:29:00.002-05:00

Rockin' her new rainbow (Brite) wrist warmers.... I made these in one afternoon with a G hook and some soft variegated yarn. 27 HDC stitches wide, worked a rectangle, folded and crocheted a seam leaving a hole for the thumb. This jam session took place after bath.... I think she'll be sleeping with them on tonight :)

Sassy!

2010-09-29T13:10:00.007-05:00

I love lunch hours. I try to stop at my Nifty Thrifty store as often as I can on lunch hours, hoping to find the perfect treasures, or just to take in all the junky goodness. Today, in true picker fashion, I scored. This sign was acquired for a mere Andrew Jackson ($20) and it is perfect ON SO MANY LEVELS.

We have a bit of a sign ~~obsession~~ collection going on in our house. Plus, my daughter has taken a liking to saying something is "sassy." I have no idea where it came from. It may be from a book we read quite often, in which the leading lady is named Sassy, but in her context I fear it stems from something Nickelodeon related. This will look amazing anywhere in our house, in her room even! And, AND...it lights up! Cheers!

New Use for That Oujia Board You Have Lying Around

2010-09-29T10:58:00.004-05:00

I've been saving this Oujia board for years, for just the right project. This would be that project! My Halloween Door Decor! So simple to make -- I just drilled holes in the top of the board and threaded them with some black garden weed stopper fabric (the best Halloween material ever -- it cuts funky and has such a GOTH look to it, all jagged and flowy.) I thought about adding more to the door, like a ghoulish hand, but I like the simplicity of this. PS - The owl has been looking for a nice perch, and I think he found it!

Colorful Creations to Come

2010-09-16T16:06:00.008-05:00

I have been bookmarking, starring, tagging, and saving a multitude of projects "to do." Here are some of my favorties. They look so pretty and inspiring grouped together like this, don't they? I can enlist the help of the five year old for some of these, sure, but mostly it's an idea board for me.

1. Alphabet vase, One Charming Party
2. Bird house cuckoo clock, Ever Kelley
3. Book page canvas art, Jones Design Company
4. Yarn wrapped containers, Craft Passion
5. Crocheted baby sweater, Creative Jewish mom
6. Loop scarf, A Load of Craft
7. T-shirt yarn! Creative Jewish Mom
8. Paper apple weaving craft, Creative Jewish Mom
9. Crocheted bracelets, Creative Jewish Mom
10. Personalized stationary, Just Something I Made
11. Jute webbing planter, Lemon Tree Creations
12. Cutest crochet afghan, Dottie Angel
13. Wooden fashion plates, She Wears Flowers

Snack Bags

2010-08-28T19:54:00.003-05:00

I've sewn little goodie bags before, but always with a velcro closure. Very annoying. I found this tutorial for making old-school envelope-style baggies, much like the sandwich bags of the 70s. The video is very funny. You should check it out. And make some yourself while you're at it! Even if you don't have stash fabric, find some. The Strawberry Shortcake bag above was from a cut up bandanna out of the dress up box.

Happy

2010-08-10T17:34:00.001-05:00

anticipation....

Endless Summer

2010-08-06T16:24:00.007-05:00

What a crazy, fun-filled stay-at-home week it's been -- the perfect time to ensure a jam packed summer. Below is my summer fun list, created months ago and edited along the way. I wonder if I'll have time to cross everything else off this weekend?

~~Make sun tea~~ • Pick berries • ~~Swing in a hammock~~ • ~~Go on picnic~~ • ~~Make pesto from the garden~~ • Host a crafternoon • ~~Make laundry detergent~~ • ~~Make sun prints~~ • ~~Grow a vegetable garden~~ • Make a skirt • ~~Pick wildflowers~~ • Go for a night swim • ~~Make sidewalk paint~~ • ~~Go to a farmer’s market~~ • ~~Do some Mad Science~~ • See a play at Zilker Park • ~~Make popsicles~~ • ~~Dine al fresco~~ • ~~See the ocean~~ • ~~Read a summer book~~ • Turn of the internet for a whole weekend • ~~Make peach muffins~~ • BBQ • ~~Blow a dandelion~~ • ~~Watch a parade~~ • ~~Read K a chapter book~~ • ~~Make Mason jar mugs~~ • ~~Roast s'mores~~ • Go roller skating • ~~Start dance class~~ • ~~Go back to Kiddie Acres~~ • ~~Hear the Symphony in the park~~ • ~~Swim in Deep Eddy~~ • ~~Crochet a blanket~~ • ~~Plan K's 5th (handmade) birthday party~~ • Go on an Austin Duck Tour

Dandy Paintings

2010-07-29T20:40:00.006-05:00

After much deliberation on how I could cheat and easily paint, stencil, transfer, or stamp this design, I just went for it and painted it freehand. I couldn't be more pleased!

I had the two bead board panels in place on either side of the back door to hide the eyesore that was dog scratches in the drywall. I used some leftover green Behr and white acrylic paint on the smooth backside of the panels to create the dandelion design. Now, let's hope the dog keeps her paws off my masterpieces!

The Road to Toofdom

2010-07-27T10:06:00.004-05:00

More exciting than political philosphy - K has lost her first tooth! The process started a long month ago with a mere wiggle with a finger, and the journey ended last night with the discovery that her tooth was indeed OUT, in her mouth, which she promptly spit into her hand. No pulling required. I am thankful that I don't have to look at that dangling little thing protruding from her bottom jaw anymore. She is thankful for the four one-dollar bills the tooth fairy left under her pillow.

Sun Prints

2010-07-25T15:44:00.000-05:00

Interior Art

2010-07-10T19:07:00.007-05:00

I believe that having art on the walls, and lots of it, and changing it around often, is the most fun you can have with interior decorating. It keeps things interesting and detracts from the inability to rearrange furniture in a small space, something I've always been fond of doing.

After I moved one art piece out of the dining area, I realized I needed some window valances to draw the eye upward, away from the cluttered dining/craft/sewing/chalkboard table. (Actually, I may have had that idea after I found this amazingly perfect fabric at IKEA, and had to come up with a use for it.)

Textile piece, gifted from the husband, K's canvas art, and a thrift store piece.

An Edie Harper from my grandparents' collection, paintings by me, and a marble painting of K's.

Valances via IKEA fabric. I love love LOVE that you can cut your own yards off the bolt. There is something so satisfying, almost rebellious about that....

habit!

2010-07-06T21:18:00.003-05:00

I know I should make more time for myself, but I always wonder what I'm missing when I'm away.

I am thrilled to have a posting up at one of my favorite, as in I go there DAILY, blogs: habit. I'm so grateful to be published, and thankful that I spent the day - every minute of it! - with my girl.

Signs

2010-06-29T15:07:00.012-05:00

I've been working on a few indoor signs for the house:

Hand-painted laundry room sign with silhouette clip art. I used the chalk rubbing technique on the back of printed letters. Fun!
Menu dry erase board with food box cut-outs, burlap (yes, burlap), and a typewriter font. Inspiration from here.

On the walls. (Thursday can't get here fast enough!)

The Tooth Fairy is Coming

2010-06-25T08:08:00.000-05:00

The other day at breakfast, K was touching her bottom teeth with her pointer finger. I jokingly asked, "What, you have a loose tooth?" Her eyes got so big, she didn't even need to respond. Her front bottom two teeth were wiggling!

In preparation for the lovely tooth fairy herself, I made this little pillow to keep the teeth in when they do decide to come out. It isn't fancy.... In fact, in trying to make it fancy with ric-rac around the pocket, I completely messed it up. However, I doubt the tooth fairy will mind :)

Decorative Disguise Planter

2010-06-24T19:27:00.009-05:00

We have this ugly eyesore of a plumbing part in the middle of our front yard. I think it's the water-main shut-off, but in six years we've never had reason to access it. So, I decided to cover it up! (UPDATE: This is in fact a sewage cap. Ugh. But, I've been told it's fine to cover it. Fertilizer!)

I used a wine crate, hollowed out to allow room for the eyesore. I lined it with a black weed blocker sheet, stapled gunned in place.

I painted our address using the most simple method -- print out numbers using the computer, rub chalk on the back of the paper, lay the sheet where the numbers will go, trace the outline with a pencil, and fill in with paint.

Now we have an address marker, visible as you turn the corner, and beautiful flowers to boot. Hopefully we won't have a plumbing disaster any time soon! The inspiration for the planter came from here.

(I know grass is long, I just couldn't wait until the weekend, when we mow, to take pictures.)

Tree Art

2010-04-04T18:47:00.004-05:00

Burlap covered canvas, fabric leaves, and a surprise for the tree.

Do you see the little hand??? Her arm is the trunk and her fingers the branches!
HANDmade, get it?!

I love this addition to our art wall.

(Copied from this blog. Such a great idea!)

Just a Moment...

2010-03-20T19:09:00.002-05:00

"Mommy, I don't like these peanuts!" She didn't know you had to crack the shell open first....

Seahorse

2010-03-17T19:28:00.004-05:00

I made this lovely plushy for my best friend, partner in crime, GLEEfully gleading buddy, and mama extraordinaire. Pattern and tutorial here. {Happy Birthday Jana!}

Just a Moment...

2010-03-06T14:44:00.003-06:00

Frugal. Functional. Flannel.

2010-03-05T09:50:00.002-06:00

Love the Swifter duster, but hate always throwing out and running out of the duster heads? MAKE A REUSABLE ONE! I saw this tutorial, grabbed an old beat up flannel sheet that I was saving for who knows what, and made this in just a few minutes. Go make one. Impress your family and friends. The dust mites will thank you.

Hooded Towel

2010-02-27T16:48:00.001-06:00

Sad that she's almost too big for this one, but it was fun to make. Instructions at Prudent Baby.

Just a Moment...

2010-02-27T16:21:00.001-06:00

Here birdy birdy, originally uploaded by melissa.coats.

Nifty Thrifty

2010-02-20T14:50:00.003-06:00

Here are some of my recent vintage and thrift acquisitions:

Game board, circa 1943

Pair of pillowcases & notions (I love that word)

Set of 12 wooden community helpers

You've Got Mail (Boxes)

2010-02-07T18:07:00.005-06:00

Painted chip-board mailboxes for K and K. The little flags go up and down, and the fronts open for goodies to be stored inside. I glued foam hearts on the fronts for added dimension.
TIP: It is much easier to paint hearts upside down. Who knew?

Gesundheit

2010-02-06T20:10:00.004-06:00

Tissue holders! So easy to make and CUTE!!! Maybe now I'll have tissues handy in the car, instead of just a squished box on the back seat floor board. Tutorial from Bella Dia.

Paper Apron

2010-02-05T10:14:00.003-06:00

Ironically, the same week I made my aprons, K made one at school. When asked what her apron would be used for, she obviously had a clear purpose in mind. Just not what you'd expect....

Pillowcase Apron

2010-01-31T18:23:00.008-06:00

I recently acquired a vintage pillowcase (there are no prints like vintage prints!) so I set off to find something crafty to do with it. This apron tutorial looked easy enough, and I liked that the end product was something functional and not just decorative. "Ten minutes," however, was a little misleading. Ten minutes for an expert seamstress, yes. For me, lining up and sewing the ribbon took ten minutes. But I am happy with the results. The purple one was my practice apron using an extra pillowcase I had on hand. I think it would make a cute teacher gift don't you?

(PS - if the floral one looks a little weird in the pocket area it's because it's still wet from my DISAPPEARING INK FABRIC MARKER! Love my new toy!)

In the Cuff

2010-01-30T11:52:00.004-06:00

Cowl, cuff, scarfette, whatever you call them they are super cute, easy to make, and so practical to wear when you don't want to fuss with a long scarf. I consulted the lovely Prudent Baby tutorial for this project and used a new technique to create a chunky yarn--I doubled up and crocheted with two strands at a time on an N hook.

Nothing is more embarrassing than your child's plumber's crack peeking out in public

2010-01-30T11:27:00.006-06:00

Now that my little one has decided jeans aren't too tight/itchy/uncomfortable, she needs a belt to keep them up. With some scrap fabric from this project, and this tutorial, I whipped up a small D-ring belt. I used 1" D-rings and 4" wide material, 30" long. Fits like a charm, hopefully with room to grow!

Flowers Cover Everything

2010-01-25T21:04:00.003-06:00

Granny for a Day

2010-01-21T21:11:00.011-06:00

Inspired by the Granny a Day challenge at meetmeatmikes, and using this tutorial found at The Purl Bee, I have finally started making the traditional geometric staple of crochet--the granny square. It is very cumbersome at first if you're only used to making lines and rounds. But, if you stick with it, after two or three failed attempts, all of a sudden you find a rhythm and you are well on your way. It wouldn't be a proper crochet post if I didn't say it -- I'm hooked!

Spell the Word

2010-01-21T20:36:00.004-06:00

As anyone who has recently shopped for children's electronics or just walked down those GREEN isles in the stores knows, there are a ton of TV games, hand-held games, computer and video games, being marketed to kids and their parents. Some try to pass themselves off as "educational," but they just start blurring together as a giant "VTagTechDigiDS."

We are the proud owners of a Speak & Spell, a toy that kept many an idle hand busy circa 1986. During a car ride was the best time to engage in a round of SAY IT or SPELL THE WORD____. It apparently still is. For now....

Oatmeal Teabag Bath

2010-01-09T20:39:00.007-06:00

Dry skin has attacked, and the worse for the wear is the little one. She always suffers from some kind of dry/sensitive skin. It was 18 degrees here this morning, and, along with making bread from scratch and potato leek soup, I mixed up some oatmeal powder for a spa treatment tonight.

Supplies:
* About one cup of Oats
* Coffee Grinder or Food Processor
* 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda (the cure-all for skin ailments according to our pediatrician)
* Pantyhose or other nylon footwear (to serve as the "tea bag")

Grind oats, combine with baking soda, put in a tube of pantyhose, soak in the tub.

Craft Haiku for You

2010-01-08T01:18:00.004-06:00

Chalkboard Paint

2010-01-06T19:07:00.004-06:00

I painted our kitchen table with black chalkboard paint. Fun! If you attempt this, wear gloves as skin absorbs this paint rather quickly and won't let it go. I can do long equations on my hand right now. Regardless, we've had fun coloring, drawing, and writing each night before dinner. It wipes away easy enough, and, aesthetically, it is a great improvement to our kitchen. The possibilities are endless....

Love Letters

2010-01-06T15:40:00.004-06:00

One can never have too many Love Letters or cookies.

Twenty Ten Things

2010-01-04T07:08:00.005-06:00

A list of some of the things I'd like to accomplish this month, this year, this decade....

1. ~~Finish crocheting my ripple afghan.~~

2. Start a goat farm.

3. ~~Chalkboard paint something.~~
4. ~~Start a book blog.~~ http://abookforone.blogspot.com/
5. Make more soups, breads and other miscellaneous food stuffs, like Gwen's homemade ketchup and applesauce.
6. Be more thrifty.

7. ~~Plant a vegetable garden.~~
8. Write more letters.
9. Paint the kitchen.
10. Give more kisses.

11. Take a family & friends vacation to San Diego in July.
12. Take K to swim in the ocean.
13. Make barrettes/make K wear barrettes.
14. Visit Mom's ranch in Colorado.

Recyled Socks

2010-01-03T21:52:00.004-06:00

Repurpose little girl tights into socks! (from the blog Ruffles and Stuff.) My little big girl outgrows tights as soon as I buy them. She also insists on pushing knee socks down to her ankles, going for the leg warmer look, so I didn't bother making these too tall. Now I'm wondering if I have any adult tights worth cutting into knee-highs....

Home Ec Flashbacks

2009-12-28T14:30:00.012-06:00

My mother-in-law gifted to me these lovely publications from a thrift store: a 1979 issue of Simplicity's 76 Great Gifts and a 1986 Wilton Baking and Decorating Yearbook. Inspiring....

"Disco devotees will enjoy the newest attire--a sequined bowtie for him or her."

Remember these wall hangings?!

I wonder if this Fabric of the Month Club still exists? Let's write them at PO Box 402098, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Oh, yeah.....

I've always wondered what to do with the top of a fresh pineapple....

There really are some timeless tips in these, er, artful books. Embroidery stitches, how to make a flower petal with icing. I can envision the terrycloth exercise mat tutorial as an updated Yoga mat. And, who knows, maybe sequined bow ties will be making a comeback??? {Wouldn't it be funny if I made all the projects and blogged about it, a la Julie & Julia? ha ha ha}

Crayon Wallet

2009-12-24T14:45:00.006-06:00

I made this cute crayon and notepad holder using a tutorial over at Skip to My Lou. Hopefully it will encourage the four year old to use Crayola and NOT Sharpie anymore. (Each time she uncaps one, I worry, not about my walls, but her brain cells. She loves her some "Black. Permanent. Marker.") I didn't have a "shank" button within reach, so I used Velcro as the closure. I am making a little notepad to put in the center slot. The glue is drying, but so far she has enjoyed carrying it around the house, even without the paper....

Scarf Wrap Up

2009-12-24T14:39:00.002-06:00

Done. No more scarves in 2009. Down with the Scarves.

These are all being gifted tomorrow:

1. for Kennedy's grandma (Ruffle Pattern crochet)
2. for Kennedy's girl cousin (Double crochet)
3. for Kennedy's baby girl cousin (butterfly fleece) <---E A S Y: cut the fleece, cut a bunch of strips at the ends
4. for Kennedy's boy cousin (polar bear fleece)

Little did I know...

2009-12-21T10:25:00.002-06:00

My fluffy and soft wristwarmers would look like chainmail. Just in time for the RenFest! They work though, and next up is a cowl to match.

Ornamental

2009-12-20T14:50:00.003-06:00

We made some ornaments today, using mostly felt, some paper, and FLUFF. The gingerbread person has fluff for hair. The Russian nesting doll, no matter how much fluff we stuffed, looks too skinny. The photo frame ornament is a faux Polaroid. I had help with a lot of the stitching, stuffing, gluing and coloring. We have enough ornaments for the time being, I think....

Doggie Biscuits

2009-12-19T18:06:00.006-06:00

Olive coveting a yummy homemade biscuit under the tree, where she loves to lay and ruin my tree skirt. (Note the "cookies" ornament. Completely unintentional product placement!)

This batch was supposed to be heart-shaped, but....The dogs loved them nonetheless. The were crunchy and just the right size. One batch made enough for their biscuit jar, which should last, oh, two days! I used the first recipe listed on this site.

Little Crochet Hat

2009-12-19T10:08:00.004-06:00

With flower embellishment. I started out intending to make this, but after one failed attempt at following instructions (and one HUGE hat later) I started over freehand. I wonder if I'll ever be able to read crochet directions....

Tam o'shanter

2009-12-10T22:10:00.002-06:00

It started off as a yarmulke, a joke. But I kept on going....

Better than a tissue cover...

2009-12-05T20:07:00.006-06:00

...although that is probably next. I saw this cute jar cover tutorial and tried it, but thought the sleeve would be better placed on the bathroom cup dispenser. It has a metal bottom and always leaves a rust ring, so this piece is long enough to tuck under the bottom and prevent that. Form AND function-YAY. It also fit nicely around my wrist, but I thought the colors were a little too Rainbow Brite for wrist warmers....NOTE: The second ring from the top is actually a dark turquoise, not black.

natural phenomena (and hot cocoa)

2009-12-04T23:58:00.007-06:00

This little owl on a branch appears to be telling the little birdie next to him a secret....

It is 28 degrees here tonight. I saw daylight snowfall for the first time. My eyelashes still feel the cold....

Happy Challadaze

2009-12-04T15:13:00.003-06:00

Love it: the hair, the glasses, the Jewish women in my family gathered 'round the Christmas tree. I look slightly frightened. And I see where I acquired my love of stripes....