kidding around

So things are busy here and I would imagine you all can relate!

I thought after the party on Sunday I was pretty much done with projects, but…no. Something possessed me to add a few more “to do’s” and I am loving it…seriously, no stress.

This weekend I am attending 2 Cookie Exchanges and I am so excited! I have never been to one and plan to make the above, “peppermint cremes”. This batch will go with teacher gifts. These cookies are SO easy to make! AND fun for the kids to help with…no joke! I do suggest using peppermint extract and not just mint…the mint is a bit too “toothpasty” in my opinion! Aren’t these so pretty? If you would like the recipe, just let me know!

I stumbled upon these mirrors while at the craft store and know some little girls will love them! I was planning to paint them a bit more, but my instinct was to just cover them in glitter! And who doesn’t love the Martha Stewart glitter? It really is the best.

Although I am not making the kids as many handmade gifts this year (the ornament party was sort of that…), I still needed to give them a token. So I started making this bracelet and these bookmarks resulted…the bracelet is still in the works! I love the way they looked and ended up making A LOT…these shown will be for teachers and I am pretty sure they will be well received!

Alright, enough from me. I’ll be sharing more things…happy winter day!

Update
Here is a recipe for the peppermint cremes, I doubled the recipe and it made about 4 dozen candies…perfect for gifts!

Melt the chocolate in a bowl and dip cremes half way. Place on waxed paper to set.

No Holiday decorating around the Shack house yet. I did mention to get rid of rotting pumpkins, planted kale and the last of the leaves last weekend…how can it be winter now? We have a layer of snow here which reminds me I can no longer deny the coming winter months!

Oh well.

BUT there has been a little holiday sewing. This year I am not killing myself to make every single gift I give my kids, but I did want to make the girls their fancy Christmas skirts. I used this simple pattern (I can’t get the site to link, but it’s Oliver+S’ Lazy Day skirt…just google it, you will find it!)and I think they are just so fun. I bought each of the girls a black turtleneck and will have spent about $20 for both…not bad! I even have leftover fabric and think I will make a sash.

The only bad thing, my machine is acting nutty. I think the tafetta and velvet is not agreeing with my needle. I probably need a different needle, huh?

Recognize this sweater? You can find it at Target and it’s on sale…I love a simple cardigan, but realized my Fall/winter wardrobe is pretty boring when you multiply one simple cardigan by 5 or 6, you know?

Anyway, I added this flower detail that is a bit “blobbish” looking, but then again I am not a “frilly” flower girl…so I like it!

Thanks for the cardigan ideas- I think I am going to put that project on the shelf for awhile and wait for Ellie to actually fit into it (if she ever does, she is so petite!).

I’m home alone today- who knows what else I will accomplish?

Oh- Are people still interested in my list of dinners? I’m about to create another list and just wanted to know if there is anyone on board with next group of ideas.

I’ve had a pretty frustrating week of sewing. Why is it that I get all jazzed about sewing while I am really busy with other areas of my life? And what is even more annoying, it’s always me sewing for myself in an act of desperation for something cute to wear…while I AM REALLY CONSUMED WITH OTHER AREAS OF MY LIFE. geesh.

Want to hear me gripe more? The skirt I started off sewing for myself ended up being too big (good problem, I guess). I tried to alter the dumb thing and the fabric tore. SO, I got some more fabric to make a simple skirt with an elastic waist (NOTE TO SELF: never make elastic banded anything!) and to use the previous skirt screw up and use some of the fabric for bias tape as the hem…I did not like the elastic waist and tried to do something with a button and button hole, but this proved to be catastrophic. SO- now my 10 year old has a cute skirt and she can get away with elastic banded waists…she has no hips!

Anyway, I need a break.

I HAVE had some success with the thrift stores! I found this lovely cardigan…vintage, Saks Fifth Avenue, wool, and it was 1/2 off of $1.20! The problem: Ellie, who it is intended, is not all that crazy about it. BUT she will give me a chance if I alter it somehow.

I was thinking a fun, appliqued flower…you know, in the “corsage placement” area. What do you think?

I need to redeem myself. HELP!?

Every season, I get a strong urge to sew clothing for my girls. I have a few shirts cut out and some simple skirts in mind and MAYBE I will even sew a few skirts for myself. I find in the winter I pull on yoga pants WAY too often and feel like a sloth- no wonder winter is dismal in my opinion, I don’t wear skirts enough (HA!).

Anyway, remember this shirt I made last Spring? Well, this is my Fall version with longer sleeves and corduroy. This pattern is so great- perfect little details like tucks and pleats that make it really cute. AND, no zippers or buttons, which is just fine with me.

I love that I have used fabric from my stash and plan to make another shirt and dress from this pattern…using what I have on hand.

Oh, by the way, the model just learned that she was voted to be on the Student Council. She is well on her way to being President (those her words and my thoughts!).

Tomorrow I will be sharing our family meal of Chicken Satay and Coconut Rice. Get Ready~

It’s been a busy gift giving month! This past weekend I attended a baby shower and wasn’t sure what to give…I figured something for NEXT year would be nice and the gift was a hit! Thank you Thrift store for supplying me with a nice stash of jackets.

My niece Tizzy Kay will be turning 2 this weekend and I HAD to make her something…I don’t think my sister would let me in the door if I had picked something up at Target.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this jacket. I knew I wanted to do something different and a woodland idea came to mind. If I am lucky, I will be making her a red cap to match. Who am I kidding? Once I get an idea I really can’t let it go.

Thanks for the nice response regarding the “Family Dinners”. I think I will reveal my list of 15 meals on Wednesday and share my first photo/recipe. If I had it together, I should start a Flickr group and we all could show what we make…hmm, maybe after my first rotation of meals are complete I will start such a group.

Last night, we had our official “spring thunderstorm”. Complete with a scary sky, thunder, lightning, high winds and a rainbow popping up in the eastern sky!

Our house is also seeing some cute rainbow shorts I made Ellie. Here’s the low down: I spent about $1.50 for the fabric… they are not too short…they are cute…and they didn’t cost $20…I love it!

Our house has also discovered a graffiti artist. Penny came forward to confess such offenses. She is well aware that houses are not paper and that writing “No Ellie or Simon” in her language is not cool for family relations.

You can be sure I have more shorts cut out for this girl! I’m so happy that she accepts my homemade endeavors!

By the way, school will be out very soon. Any book recommendations for kid crafts, projects, gardening? I’m getting ready to plan my summer activities and knew I could ask a few of you for some help!

don’t you just love giving a gift that you wished was your very own?

that’s how I feel about this year’s mother’s day gift for my mom. i selfishly want it all for ME because i know i won’t take the time to make it myself. it’s completely practical, but totally fun and summery…her own set of napkins with a cultlery caddy and reusable flatware…

i’m pretty sure she will be thrilled, if not, i can always steal it!

happy mother’s day! i’m not sure why, but this year my mind has been focused on how much i am not a great mother. i hope that this year some of my faults will soon be battles i have won and i will truly feel pride next mother’s day.

My sister asked me a few weeks ago to make a “table dot” for a birthday gift. So last week I decided to get my act together and start making at least one for her…The shop update needs to happen, I know. But let’s enjoy the flowers, shall we?

I used a swiss dot fabric as my base. I love it, but it made me fearful of it getting dirty that I’m not sure I will use it again. Especially since “the dots” aren’t exactly machine washable. I did do a bit of a spot treatment and thankfully the white is looking fresh.

I was totally inspired by one of my favorite flowers- the geranium. To me, this flower is summer and flower boxes and planters…and a totally distinct earthy fragrance.

What’s next on the sewing table? A Mother’s Day gift and shorts for my 9 year old…what’s up with the ultra-short shorts? Yuck.

Here is the latest skirt for Miss Peppy’s wardrobe. We are all about the skirt. Yesterday, Peppy stared at me and declared, “Mama, you look so fancy today!”. To say I was surprised by this is an understatement. You see, I had my muddy Crocs on (just came in from the yard) and a skirt that is definitely the “working in the yard and threw it on kind”! Anyway, I came up with this skirt for my fancy girl.

The “twirlability” is obvious and so much fun.

When asked if she liked her new skirt she was enthusiastic, but quickly added, “Where are the pockets?”. Come on now!!

I think I will give my skirt/shirt making a rest and begin work on some more table dots and picnic blankets. Look for a shop update soon!