Nesting

On my list of things to do before Mr. Henry decides to arrive is complete a whole bunch of sewing projects. I've been a busy sewing bee this week, cranking out quite a few things (and dreaming up more - a not so good habit I can't seem to kick!). Here's what is finished this week -

Doll clothes for Laurel's dolls and animals - I want to get her a set of nesting suitcases like these so she can pack up all her doll clothes in them. I'm thinking the purple ones. She loves to dress all her animals up in outfits - doesn't matter to her if it's Will's sock monkey or James' teddy bear. They get clothes and hats and shoes too. I can't wait until she's old enough for an American Girl doll. In the meantime, I'm happily producing little outfits for her - I love that they are small enough I can use my scrap pile. Most of these are from scraps from a couple of aprons I just made.


Another apron for the bumble bee - this one is reversible and I just love it. I'm going to enter it at this site - they do quarterly apron themes and this one is for an apron and a pie recipe. So I'll photograph Laurel in this one with a lemon meringue pie - since this is the lemon meringue apron! She looks so sunshiney and bright in it - I love it! That photo will come soon.


A sleeping bag for Laurel's doll - she needed one of her own so she can go camping with us.

Perfecting the sticky bun recipe - these were too pretty to not photograph. The caramel was a tad too done but it made for a really pretty picture. The ones I made for Father's Day for Aaron were a disaster. You can't win for trying - I had put a cookie sheet underneath them in the oven so that the caramel wouldn't get on the bottom of the oven and burn. Well, that made the tops just doughy and icky. This time, I didn't put the cookie sheet, which meant we had burnt caramel and smoke, but they sure were tasty. I'll make another, hopefully final, perfect batch again this summer. I'm determined to get these perfect.

And I found this bag pattern and am making many versions of it - I even modified it so I can make a smaller version for Laurel - she loves to have a bag to take to church and in the car. This is the Christmas version. It's the perfect project bag size - carrying around knitting, crocheting, a book, etc. Even might make a decent diaper bag. No pockets, but then I don't like pockets all that much. Just get in the way.

As for the started but not finished projects, here's the list (off the top of my head):

• Two quilt tops - just fun, snuggly ones to have handy - both in very bright colors
• A picnic blanket - just needs some rick rack and I'll have it finished
• Two aprons - adorable ones made from the same yellow/white fabric that I made Laurel's - this one is very frou frou and all I need is some very wide ribbon for the ties and they are done
• Several other bags - so much fun and I really just need the interfacing on these ones
• More doll clothes
• Another doll sleeping bag - brown and pink
• And I'm taking part in TWD now - so I'll be baking a Perfect Party Cake this week
• And a 4th of July dessert on Saturday

I'm so glad summer is so busy and the time is going by so quickly. August will be here before you know it!

4th of July Indecision

It's not difficult to decide what to eat for the meal for the 4th of July - barbecue something, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade - pretty standard. But dessert - has to be special. My whole life, my dad has always had apple pie for his birthday (yes, he's born on the 4th of July), but this year, we're in Seattle for the holiday. So I'm trying to decide what to make for our dessert - both from Martha Stewart:

I'm going to go to the farmer's market that morning for the berries - but don't they both just look so cute - really, they are the same thing - a shortcake -but I can't decide which one I like better. Probably the top one. But I just don't know . . . . Getting your own star serving would be fun too.

Results Show

First, this was waiting for me when I got home from Kennewick. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this cookbook. The recipes just sound so yummy! Here's my short list of cupcakes to try first:

• Rhubarb Cupcakes with Whipped Cream
• Streusel Cupcakes - like little mini coffeecakes
• Coconut-Pecan Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache
• Tiny Cherry and Almond Tea Cakes
• Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes
• Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
• S'mores Cupcakes

That's just the short list! There are so many great recipes and ideas in here. One thing I will say in Martha's favor - there is a picture for every recipe. This really appeals to me - I hate having a cookbook and not being able to see what they have envisioned. Granted, with cupcakes, it's not always that tough, but we feast with our eyes first, right? Buy this one - you'll use it again and again!

Now, what I completed this week while at my parents' house:

3 of those Emmeline aprons - by the way, Jen - not a good one for beginners! They did turn out really cute and I will be making more. My apron wall is getting full!

The Cherry apron:

The Watermelon/Berry apron:

The Red Polka-dot/Tulip apron:

I also finished something else, but it is someone's Christmas present, so you'll just have to wait. I'm super proud of it though. I got started on several other projects that will get finished this week before we go camping - I'll post pics of those as well when I'm all done.

It was a good week - we got to play outside, the kids got dirty and I got some things done. I might have finished more if JoAnn's carried more rick rack - I cleaned them out and still didn't have enough for my projects. Running errands tomorrow to get, among other things, MORE rick rack. I should buy stock in the company!

Edited to add:

I am so not going to be modeling these aprons until I look a little less round in them - I don't need to emphasize the fullness of the skirts. Sorry! Y'all will have to wait until about October for a live shop. These are meant to be sexy aprons - and I'm anything but at the moment!

I *Heart* Fabric

I'm a sucker for cute fabric. While at Craft Warehouse today - I'm lucky there isn't one in Seattle! - I found this fabric and immediately had to get some to make something for Laurel out if it. What, I don't know. An apron? A bag? Something! It's too adorable, and it's called "Polly Goes to Paris" - they have it in blues too, I've discovered. Love, love, love it!

When I get back to Seattle, I'll take pictures of my accomplishments this week. I've gotten quite a few projects done and I'm so happy with them. I've gotten others started, so that's also good. Plus, I'm baking cookies for a service project at church, so I'll post about that too.

Too much?

Aaron can attest to the fact that I have more baking stuff than really should be allowed in an apartment as small as ours. I just can't seem to get enough of all the cool stuff there is out there. And of course, they keep making more!

The latest Williams Sonoma catalog is out and these Pocket Pie Molds were in it - so awesome and cute and fun. I am so going to get them!


Then there is the solution to all my brownie problems. See, Aaron is a corner guy. He gets all the corners. Always has. I love him THAT much! But I like the corners and edges too. I'm beginning to suspect that the kids prefer them as well. What to do? There are only four corners! Well, this brownie pan solves our problems - every brownie has at least 2 edges - some have 3! Yay. We're saved.
Just something else to crowd up my baking pan space. But I'd like to think I need them.

It Begins!

Finals are over! I'm packing my project bags and getting ready to get started. Of course, life happens, and now I have to get a tooth fixed - not a fun prospect, but it has to happen soon. I have to count my blessings that I live in family housing right now, with dental and med students all over. Our next door neighbor is done with dental school and is working on his specialty, so when we have "tooth" issues, we just ask him. This is my problem tooth, the one I've already had a root canal in. It chipped last fall and they told me to get a crown. Well, crowns are expensive and we've put it off. It chipped again yesterday (in the middle of my accounting final, thank you Skor bar) and now it has to get taken care of. Grrr. But once that is out of the way, bring on the projects!

And, of course, I've found more projects - these turtles on Etsy. Laurel loves playing with the Beanie baby turtle at my mom's house and wants one of her own. A $4 pattern can get her a whole family of turtles - we'll just use up scraps!



Umm, I have a thing for bags. I love having them around. I really like this one:

And this one, from purlbee.com:

A felt doll from purl bee too:

And I think these should be my Christmas gifts this year for everyone - re-useable shopping bags. Or apple picking bags. Or whatever bags (would probably end up being a project bag at my house!). Also from purl bee.

The aprons will get done first - promise. And I have a picnic blanket to work on. And some baby blankets. And other things. We'll see how productive I am this week. I'm so excited to not have to do homework, other work doesn't sound like work. Sounds more like fun. I LOVE summer vacation!

Countdown to C-Day (craft-day)

Just one week to go (two quizzes, two finals) and then I'm in Kennewick with the sewing machine set up with a good view of the backyard. I'll be sewing like a crazy person, but I'm so excited to get these projects done. I have them all organized in plastic ziplock bags, waiting to be put together. A few more notions to buy (rick rack, mostly!) and I'll be golden.

The problem with me is, I keep finding more and more projects to add to the list. I just found these and I think they are adorable:

This stroller blanket is brilliant - how many times have I had to pick up the blanket after running over it and getting it all muddy - this one is awesome! I found the link here for the tutorial - free and all! Definitely going to be making one. And Adrienne - don't make one for you because I've got dibs!
I can't decide which of these two bag patterns I like better. I bought the second already, but then I found this one:

I don't like boring diaper bags. I want one in bright colors without Winnie-the-pooh on it. I don't want black - looks too much like the ones they hand out in hospitals and that doesn't appeal to me at all. So I'm making one for myself out of fabric I adore. I just have to find the right fabric!

This one you can make out of a single fabric or use several to make it fun. I can't decide, but I will sooner or later!

Let's hope I survive (and pass everything!) this week so I can relax and play next week.