How do I get anything done with a Bengal Cat!!!

As soon as Marbles hears the tissue paper of a pattern rustle, he is running for it! He loves to hide in it, chase it, and nestle in it. Pinning and cutting is a whole other story!

(I am working on skirts!)

A New Apron for Me

I have been collecting apron patterns and tutorials. I found this darling retro blender fabric and knew it was destined to be an apron. So instead of getting out one of my many new apron patterns, I dig out an old one - McCalls M5505

The pattern has you hem all the edges and there are so many raw seams especially with the ruffle. I cut another apron front out and used it as the back. I sewed it and turned it and now there are no exposed seams! I love that!

Easter Neck Ties

I spent the day with Jennifer from Jennifer Sews Again learning & trying to make neck ties. I have always wanted to do this and so had sue - so I guess now is as good of time as any. We scoured the creative sewing blogs for patterns, trying some but just not happy with the results. We ended up deconstructing an existing tie. We un-stitched all the pieces, pressed them, then traced them and came up with our own pattern. It worked great. Ties are just a little sewing on the machine and the rest is pressing and hand stitching! Now we will have ties that match the girl's skirts for Easter!

Kitchen Banner

I took down all the window treatments by the kitchen table. It looked quite bare. I wanted something smaller and lighter yet full of color. With the all white kitchen finished, it is screaming for color now. I decided on a fabric banner. I traced a circle and folded it in half, sewed the curvy part then turned it right side out. Then, just use double fold bias tape to sew all the scallops together.

More Pyrex

I picked up this little beauty at the Goodwill today! It's in pretty good shape too. You never know what you are going to find there!

A skirt for Ella

I made this skirt for my daughter yesterday. I am thinking it will be our "Easter colors". I have enough fabric to sew Sally a peasant dress and a skirt for me. (I am even thinking a tie for Ryan) Beverly's had all their Amy Butler 50% off! Love that!

Vintage Pyrex

I am obsessed with vintage Pyrex. The above picture is my dream - I love all the colors and patterns! There is even a website devoted to Pyrex called Pyrex love.com

I bought my first 3 pieces at our Antique Mall last week. They were 40% off even! I will have to keep looking while I am garage sailing & thrift shopping!! They are not easy to find!

Kitchen is FINISHED!!

The paint cans are put away! I am done painting! Hooray!!!! It took me some getting used to - but I really like it - it feels way more open. It is hard to take photos of the kitchen because I am always cooking or cleaning up - so this is as good as it gets for now!

This is how it used to look - everything was red! Wow - it looks different!!
BEFORE
BEFORE

More Paint

I spray painted some hand-me-down chairs and switched them out for my regular kitchen chairs. I love how bright & happy they look.

Sewing forever, housework whenever

I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.

It has been true especially this week! Monday I sewed this quilted tote bag for a church Relief Society Service Auction. I love how it turned out - I need to make one for myself! The basic pattern is here. I changed a few things and quilted it.
The next day I sewed this little owl. I got the pattern from one of my favorite blogs, Just Another Hangup. He is filled with rice. You pop him in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds and he is perfect for cramps, sore muscles, cold feet, etc. He was a gift for a friend.


Wednesday I spent the day pouring over a McCall's skirt pattern. I psyched myself up and went for it. I am a quilter at heart but I am trying to be a better seamstress. The skirt turned out so cute. It is for my daughter. I will next attempt to sew one for me!

The best thing I ever Ate!

Marshmallow Crunch Brownie BarsI found this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker and they are the best bars I have ever had! The recipe was easy to follow and they come out looking beautiful. It is my new favorite recipe!

Sewing Organization

I have these two items sitting on my sewing table in need of help:

This item - a pencil organizer - I bought at Target and it spins around. I keep scissors and pencils in it. The only problem is that everything falls out the sides because they are open. After a year of putting up with it - I decided to oput it in the "donation" pile. Then an idea came to me and I fished it out of the donation pile. I got 3 cans and covered them with scrapbook paper. The cans fit perfectly inside each of the 3 compartments and now nothing falls out - and it is super cute!


This other drawer thing I bought at a garage sale for 50 cents. I keep my sewing machine feet, different pins, and quilting gloves in each of the drawers. I have been meaning to decorate it and today was the perfect day to do so!



Now everything looks color coordinated and happy!

Spring Dining Room Table

After making all the cake plates, I realized I don't have anywhere to store them. I decided to use them in my spring table decor. I bought these tins at Target in the $ section. I searched for rabbit silhouettes on the internet and cut them on the cricut out of black vinyl. Then placed spring green silk hydrangeas in each of the tins. I love how it looks! There are 5 total.

Antique Cruet Set

In the springtime, my children are always picking me flowers - so sweet. Usually the stems aren't very long and there are not enough flowers for a large bouquet - I never know what to do with the little flowers. I finally solved the problem! I got out my antique cruet set. I filled each little vase with water - they are the perfect size for garden plucked flowers. Sally picked me some daisies from the yard and now I can enjoy them for several days!

DIY Cake Plates

So maybe I am the last person on earth to try a "DIY Cake Plate" - but that's ok because they are so much fun to make. I collected plates, bowls, candle holders and other odds and ends from thrift stores, garage sales, and my own garage! Here's how you make them:

#1 - Clean all pieces (get all those impossible-to-remove labels off and any candle wax that has dripped down on candle holders). In this example I made 3 different ones.

Platter & wood candlestick

Glass plate & Ice cream sundae dish
White plate & white bowl

#2 - Mix the Epoxy. I just used a small amount at a time because it dries so fast. I love working with epoxy because it makes me feel smart - like I know all about Science!!! I used a toothpick to apply the epoxy to the base of my cake plate (the part you will attach to the plate).

#3 Center the cake plate base onto the bottom of the plate. I placed a book to add some pressure. Let dry.
#4 Paint. If you love your plate & stand color & finish then you are done. If you don't love them (like the gold plate above) then it's time to spray paint. I primed the entire piece with spray primer then painted my plate gloss white. If you do paint the top of the plate, I don't suggest placing food directly on the painted surface. Use a cardboard cake board or a doily.

Here are the finished cake plates:

I also found these cute dessert plates at Home Goods in the clearance section. I epoxied cut glass candle holders to the bottom. The possibilities are endless!!!

Finally - I found something to do with this Ladder!

I bought this ladder 18 years ago when we got married. I used it to hang my collection of "Boyd's Bears". It was really cute at the time. I have held onto it all these years - keeping it in the garage. Finally - it has a new purpose! I printed off these "Be" sayings with photos of our family:







Then I spray painted dollar store frames 5 different colors - I wanted it to feel bright and cheery - I can't have everything painted white :)

I hot glued a ribbon hanger to each frame - and it's done & hanging up. I keep looking at it because it makes me happy.