Weekend in review

I have been looking at girl patterns and fun things I could make for that cute little China doll I had told you all about and couldn't really decide on anything.  So, this weekend I decided to practice and make something for my cousin's little girl. It was her fourth birthday.  This is what I put together: One frilly little skirt (pattern from Dana Made It), shirt with matching applique and embroidered name, matching hair barrette...Cute is it not?!

Here are a few close ups...

I just love this skirt pattern! Thank you for sharing! I plan on making more of these...maybe a few for myself as well. I think just below the knee would be a  great lenght too! Don't you? I did make a change or two...I used 1 inch elastic instead of 2 inch. I did this mainly for personal preference...When I make mine I think it will be more comfortable as I wear my waist at my hip. If you would like to make one and post picks please do. I would love to see your creations too. Want/need help? Let me know.

Busy day...

So between all my normal stuff, I got caught up after work today going around to craft stores...Hobby Lobby, Jo Anns, Micheals...and even on a last ditch effort stopping by the sewing machine store. In search of what? A Silhouette SD.

                                     

Can you really not find it in a brick and mortar store?  And why is it that  NO store I went to had any idea of what I was talking about? One lady argued with me that the only machine I was describing was the Cricut.  Are  you serious?! So now I have to decide where I want to order it from online...I hate making decisions...if anyone has any advice that would be great. The main reason I would like to find it in a brick and mortar store is it cuts all the decisions, like do I want it in a bundle with other stuff or not...and I don't have to worry about it getting here (I ALWAYS worry when shipping anything).  The ladies at the Sewing Machine shop were the nicest; they offered to check with their vendors to see if they could order me one.  Of course I would still have to wait for them to deliver it. They said they would call me in the morning...If I can get a deal on it I might go ahead and go this way.

Tomorrow I have to decide all this because I would like to have it early next week.  On top of that I have to go pick up my precious computer :-) And get around to taking the pictures of my latest project...any tips on taking pictures of glass would be very helpful.  I have a Pampered Chef party to attend as well, and I really need to schedule pictures for the boys.

My oldest is 3 this sunday (due to obligations and other events the party will not be till the 18th :(  But he is only 3 and will not know. We are going to take him to the zoo and aquarium this Saturday and just have a family day. 

Since I spent the afternoon running around before church, I didn't get around to retaking the pictures to post tonight...All things going as planned tomorrow, I should get them posted. Thanks for your pat ience!

Ginger Snaps: {brand new link party} + a giveaway

Ginger Snaps: {brand new link party} + a giveaway

Hey everyone! Go check out Ginger and her brand new {wow me} wednesdays!!! You might find some great gifts recipes or even link your own stuff up! Go enjoy!

Going against the grain. *CAUTION NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER*

Anyone who knows me knows I love all things crafty...but have always said having two boys, I would never make real hair bows (crochet is another story) and if a craft calls for a glue gun I will never try it...no matter how much I like the finished product. Well never say never. 

As my last post stated, I had been having a bad week...Well I have been checking facebook quite regularly the last week and a half or so, though not for my normal gossip.  A lady out at my church (mother of two boys herself) and her family had set out about two years ago to adopt a little girl from China.  She had felt called and after much prayer they were able to start making the preparations.  Well this month she and her husband left to go meet their daughter and bring her home.  She was two in Feb and just a doll! So precious! I have been itching to make her something. And I thought I would try my hand at the cute little fabric hair barrettes that look like flowers...YES! I know...make a hair bow.  But I rationalize it, it is not really a hair bow with the traditional ribbon.  I was sooo set on this I even thought I might do a few and make her a couple shirts to match that had something cute appliqued.  The thoughts of a new project got me excited and looking forward to being creative.

I picked fabrics out and buttons and then I got to thinking about the actual process of making this hair barrette...and who knew I would need a glue gun? Seriously? I thought I might not make them. But I was really excited about the over all vision I had in my mind.  Then I realized I had to tell Jeff I wanted a glue gun.  He laughed as I knew he would.

This was my first hair barrette :-) I no longer can say I won't do any craft that calls for a glue gun...but I am still holding to I will never make a hair bow. I will post pictures in the coming week or so of the outfits I put together...and whatever else I manage to come up with for her! I love getting inspiration :-) Thank you, you sweet little girl!

"Human misery must somewhere have a stop; there is no wind that always blows a storm." ~Euripides

I enjoy reading the great greek Tragedies.  But this week I have felt as though I was traped in one.  I just didn't think I was going to catch a break.  My main computer has been down...that is why I haven't posted.  I don't know what really happened I came home from work and it wouldn't plug in...My dear husband claimed he knew nothing of it and later said he knew it was broke but didn't know how it got that way...ahuu...So we finally were able to drop it off this week...should get it back next week.  I pulled out my old trusted Dino Dell. It is a beautiful 6 yr old Dell Inspiron 6000...must I say it ticks very slow.  But it was getting me through...I was only experiencing minor withdrawls not being able to play Kingdoms of Camelot (thanks mom for the dove of peace, and keeping my citys going).  And then it happend today my poor Dino started acting crazy boxes popping up and security warnings and it wasn't letting me do anything.  Then 2 hours later, after help from Nortons, I started seeing signs of life and now here I type on my resuscitated Dino Dell...He has been so strong :-)  I am so glad he didn't have such a tragic ending.
This was just my computer problems... Some of the highlights of the bad week..I scraped the toe of my favorite pair of black heels on Monday.  My cell phone managed to get wet on tuesday and suddenly I am hard of hearing. My son shoved his new Spiderman tooth brush down the sink last night and then cried for an hour because he lost it. This morning I discovered my milk was bad, the hard way. 
Then, suddenly, this evening after a few thanks and prayers the wind started to blow the other way.  And I will share with you in my next post what lifted this terrible storm ;-) It won't be long...I will post in the morning!

Apple Pie

So this is pretty random.  My oldest boy (not quite 3) woke up asking "2 oatmeals mom?" and so I made him some apple cinnamon oatmeal. Our favorite. And I have been craving apple pie ALL day.  Which got me to thinking I should tell you about my favorite recipe for apple pie.

It is not just any apple pie. It is Apple Caramel Pecan Pie...you must always remember I am from Georgia.
I don't have many pictures of them as they typically get cut into before I get around to taking a picture. Here is one I made this past Thanksgiving.

 

Mmm well I guess I will stop stalling and give you all the recipe...

First is the pie crust. I use the perfect homemade pie crust recipe, but you can use any you like or even one from the store. This calls for the pie shells to be unbaked.

1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped pecans
6 cups thinly sliced apples (I know there has to be a right apple/wrong apple for this. My sister says use a combo but I am horrible and usually just grab a bag of the best looking red apples...)
1/2-3/4 cup caramel (whatever recipe you want)

Preheat oven to 400. Stir sugar cornstarch and cinnamon together and toss with the apples in a mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into the first pie shell. Pour caramel and pecans on top of apple mixture. Place the second shell on top, cut shell to vent. Place in oven. Cook till golden brown crust. And let sit for about an hour after...if possible. Ours never sits that long. But it needs to if you are picky about how it cuts...

Here is a picture of the apple pie sliced.  Now would you look at that! Mmmm

Life vs craft shows

Those of you who know me, know I thrive off other people's energy.  That is why I LOVE craft shows. I get to see my customers and interact with them.  It is always a wonderful time. So this weekend is Mother's Day and there were a couple of small local shows set for Saturday...and I was set on going to one of them.  Then a thing called LIFE happened...I have to work. This is something I am going to have to get use to I guess. I have only been back to work since the last of March, and so this is my first show I am missing since I started setting up last year. Kinda makes me sad. I know there will be more (and I can't wait).  It is just one more thing I am missing out on because of work.

I will post a schedule of the craft shows I intend on setting up at this year in the coming days. And will update it as things (Life) changes.