kidding around

Ellie was invited to a birthday party for a twin brother and sister this weekend. I don’t know why, but I thought it would be “fun” to MAKE their gifts. I actually did have fun, but am I sick? I mean, there are other things I have on my mind that I want to make or do…but over the course of 2 days I worked on these pencil cases. Besides the fact I fit in work, house chores, and just relaxing.

Am I a super-hero? No way…I think I have become a bit crazy. And always search for a way to find balance.

But then, I do like the idea of not hitting Target and buying something for under $10-15 bucks. Maybe one day, these kids will look at their pencil cases and get inspired to make something themselves…do something they are proud of…be thoughtful, creative…who knows, maybe I just started a revolution!

Anyway, has anyone else made birthday gifts for other kids? I’d love to know what you all have come up with!

One huge advantage of having a teacher for a husband is the summer. Although he has been teaching summer courses and finishing up his Masters degree, I find pockets of time to go thrifting alone. Over the past few months I have been pretty disappointed in my usual joints and have given them a break. Fortunately I found a few good things and wanted to share.

I LOVE this dress (above) and plan to give this to my sister Kim who will be giving birth to a daughter in October. She and her husband are also adopting a little girl from China as well. So- nieces abound! Actually, from both sides of the clan!

This shirt really made me want another baby. Actually, no- I’m excited to give this to a newly born babe.

This little “suit” was too cute too.

I can’t wait to see Penelope in this fun smock. I tried to put it on her earlier today, but she declared “I don’t like it”. Yeah, right…you WILL.

I love this sailor dress for Miss Ellie. $1.41 makes me even more giddy! And there is something about nautical clothing that I like…

Okay, so this dress wasn’t found at my Thrift and Dollar. It was actually discovered at Anthropologie. No, I did not spend full price. I got this adorable dress for $2o. It was originally $168. I know, I got a total deal. I was just happy that it FIT and looked NICE. I love that place for clothes…it’s just absurdly expensive for my pocketbook.

I am completely avoiding all the summer sales going on right now. But it is insane that there are so many good deals, huh?

A few months ago,this new friend contacted me about a swap. We have girls near the same age and we thought it would be fun to create clothing for entirely different parts and climates of the world. Allison lives in Australia and I live in the US…specifically the Chicagoland area where summer is glorious at the moment.

I decided to make Tilly 2 corduroy skirts that can easily be interchangeable with other things in her closet. I also thought a couple smocks would take an already adorable girl to another place…maybe her charming smile and cute dotted smock will convince her mom to skip the nap and go to the park. OR to have another cookie while she twirls away in her red skirt…I don’t know, maybe…

Anyway, I had a ball making this swap package. I plan to send another surprise just for Tilly, but won’t post the treat. Maybe later.

The above image is this week’s entry to Corners of my Home on Flickr.

As many of you know, we have a new puppy. We lost our Beatrice earlier in the summer to a car hitting her…anyway, I have such a “bittersweetness” watching Ollie adapt to his new home.

The image below is an entry I did of Bea some time ago for Corners and found it so sweet to see our new pup following her lead. I love both of these images.

Simon reminded me yesterday that he has wanted to make sugar cookies. He had discovered a recipe in Williams-Sonoma, Kids Baking and was eager to bake some goodness.

Goodness indeed. It was a nice afternoon project for the two of us to work on, although I did have to leave the room a few times. I did not want to be a controlling mother and let him go wild with sprinkles and icing- all over the place!

This was an incredibly simple recipe and easy for a kid to cut out with a simple shape. I used my jar of “remaining sprinkles from past baking” and loved seeing all the colors.

Here is the recipe:

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients.

Beat butter and sugar, for 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat.

Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed. The dough will look lumpy, like moist pebbles. Chill for 1 hour.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

For the icing I just mixed confectioners sugar and whipping cream to a creamy consistency. I added a dash of salt and some vanilla.

The below photo is totally unrelated. Actually, this was Ollie practicing his begging face. He’s learning early. Much to his dismay it will never work.

Oh- I need to mention that they taste really good too. So if you are willing to let go a bit and let your kids eat a treat, this may be a nice choice. I’ve had to practice restraint myself.