Handmade in the Wild: Celebrations

Just a celebrations where handmade outfits have been found!

Dan's birthday... He has always preferred pie over cake (and even then, he'd rather have extra steak than dessert!).

Happy Fourth of July! We spend the 4th at my parents' lake cabin, and we had just come back from outdoor church (so technically, this was on July 5th!)

The local college's homecoming parade (it has nothing on my alma mater's Hobo Day parade!). We enjoyed the parade with some of our friends. Always fun to spend a Saturday morning chasing candy with friends!

Birthday: Ev wore a Magrath from Sew Much Ado. (post here)

4th of July: Ev wore a Felicity by Peekaboo Pattern Shop (post here) and James was in a Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado. (Looks like I need to write a post about the vests I've made!)

Parade: I'm in a Hey June Lane Raglan made from cotton-lycra... the grey is an Art Gallery print and the blue is a navy dots from the Club line by Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

A Valentine's Day Tea Party

Tadah released their Tea Party Dress last summer, and I've been wanting to make E one ever since. It has so many neckline and back options! My favorite has always been the boat neck with scoop back, which is what I made here...

It's a pink with gold heart cotton from JoAnn's. I chose the circle skirt option which takes a bit more fabric from the straight skirt, but I think the circle skirt makes for a sweater twirl :)

The skirt is actually supposed to be about 4" longer, but before I put the skirt together, E took a safety scissors to the front pattern piece. Sigh. I know, I know. After several talks with her, I am going to be positively hopeful that she will be more careful with what fabric she plays with. I like curating her creative side, but she also needs to learn what fabric (aka scraps) she is allowed to play with. I love watching her cut and "sew" dresses for me, her daddy, friends and cousins, but in this case, I do wish the skirt could have been the original length :) 

Instead, E has a fun, casual tunic for Valentine's Day!

Happy Love Day!

James {3 Month Update}

This little man is 3 months old! (Well, 3 and a half months now, but who's counting?)

He can be quite smiley when he wants to be! He continues to grow, although we won't have official weight and height measurements again until his 4 month appointment. He's still in size 2 diapers and 3-6month clothing.

As always, everyone is happier when Daddy gets home from work :) James can be pretty selective of who he allows to hold him, and while he is the most content with me, Dan is able to calm him down with a pacifier and white noise. 

Daddy celebrated his 30th birthday this past month! We didn't do anything too exciting, but it's near the 4th of July, so with all the traveling we did to see family that weekend, it just felt like one big birthday celebration :) 

James' first 4th of July was spent both at my parents' lake cabin and my inlaws' farm. He never was around the fireworks that much, so we'll have to wait until next year to see how he likes them (E's favorite is the smoke bombs). 

Happy (5th) of July! We didn't get into our patriotic gear until Sunday for church. 

Since James is getting more and more content, E can hold him more... and look, he's smiling at her sisterly kiss :)

Like I said, he is getting more and more content, which prompted us to stop his reflux meds after the 4th. There was no change afterward, so I knew that it was OK to stop. 

Tummy time is always more fun with new friends (even if they live on diaper boxes). For about a week, he was doing lots of rolling from tummy to back, but then he stopped... I'm guessing he figured out how to do it, so he practiced it for awhile, but since he prefers his tummy, he decided to stop doing it as often :)

He still hates his carseat, but he doesn't seem to scream 80% of the time any more... maybe closer to 75% ;) We had to capture him looking like Budda while (gasp!) sleeping in the car!!

Cloth diapers were introduced this month! We still use a lot of disposables, but the cloth seem to be working just fine at home. Oh, and he's able to hold on to toys we give him for little bits at a time. Hopefully, he'll start reaching for them himself soon.

We have pictures of E balancing on Daddy's hand at this age as well.

His cousin who is a year older than him doesn't appear ready for a sibling yet - look how he his hugging my sister-in-law's leg! So cute :) 

Cousin time at the cabin!

E does a decent job of sharing, as you can see on the top picture. I'm still on the look-out at rummage sales for a boy-ish chair or couch for James.

Documented proof that I had both kids sleeping on me at once in the rocking chair. E was crabby after not sleeping during her naptime, so I was singing and rocking both of them... and they both fell asleep! I don't see it happening again anytime soon, ha!

A few snapshots of E... fishing with Grandpa, swinging with Daddy and feeding her other grandpa's cows!

A little snippet of E at three months... Blog Post

WIPs and One Finish

It's about time that I do an updated WIP (Works in Progress) post!

But first, a finish! This was my quickest batch of burp cloths in recent history! A few days ago I realized that I'd be seeing 3-4 friends who are expecting this coming Spring. Well, their baby quilts are definitely not done yet, so I figured I could at least whip up a few burp cloths for a small Christmas present :) 

Here is a WIP that has been a long time coming. I've had the fabric for ages (Dear Mr. Claus), and I finally figured out what to do with them. The lap quilt has been basted and is currently in the "to-quilt" pile. 

Evelyn was in a cuddly mood after her nap, while I was trying to baste this baby quilt (School Days by Moda). This quilt was recently upgraded from the "to-quilt" pile to the "to-bind" pile. That pile resides out by the TV in hopes that one of these nights, I'll actually get ambitious and do some hand-sewing while I'm watching a Christmas movie (especially since my December goal has not left that pile... I should get going on that!).

She seemed to also like the backing to another baby quilt. I did eventually get her to move so I could baste it! She then got out one of her favorite "toys" at my parents' house... an old trike that I refinished in my 4-H days. It spent many-a year in an outbuilding at my grandmother's farm. Mom talked me into refinishing it for her (stripping paint, lots of steel wool sanding, and spray paint). It now is the throne for my American Girl Kirsten doll :)

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So, let's do a list... 

(a list that does not include projects that have fabric pulled but haven't been cut into yet!)

2 baby quilts needing binding

2 baby quilts needing quilting then binding

1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding

2 (or is it 3?!) knit dresses for E that have been cut but need some sewing done(!)

2 baby bags that are in various stages of completion

The best part of having a list like this? 

Knowing that it means that I'm using at least a little of my stash! Little by little!

Ruffled Halter for the Fourth of July

Remember that Ruffles Blog Hop last spring? Well, Evelyn finally wore the ruffled halter I made! Head back to the blog hop post for more information on patterns and fabrics.

This was the perfect top for the 4th of July! She spent most of the day with Dan's parents while Dan and I participated in a local sand volleyball tournament. They brought her to watch the first game... she watched the game longer than I expected, but then she was off to explore the nearby park equipment. Ev doesn't stay still for long!

If you recall, the ruffles on this top were cut on the bias, which reduces fraying, which in turn meant I didn't have to hem the ruffles.. or so the pattern said. I've washed it three times now and most of the ruffles are fine; the fabric frayed just a tiny bit just like it was supposed to, but there's one spot on the top ruffle that frayed more than the rest and it has already reached the stitch line. Don't ask me why! I think it will still hold up for a few more washes, but I may just add length next time to hem them... because if I'm going to take the time and use the fabric to make something, I want it to last! (I'm sure my Mom is thinking "I told you so!" right now!)

In other news, I really like wildflowers :)

These were both taken at my parents' lake cabin. Dad has since mowed them down since they were in a big weed patch by the road, but I enjoyed them while they lasted :) The yellow was a volunteer snapdragon. There were a lot of them in the weed patch... not sure how they got there, but I loved them! 

Don't worry, I "fed" one of the flowers a rock for old time's sake! Please tell me that I'm not the only one who "feeds" my snapdragons?!

Holiday Goodies {Christmas in July}

 In Honor of Christmas in July...

I have two recipes for you today!

Both can of course be made anytime of year; your taste-buds will thank you!

This first recipe was actually one that my brother's friend entered into their 6th Grade recipe book. Each student needed to share a recipe that was a family tradition... whether it be a holiday, birthday or ethnic food. Then, one the evening, each student prepared their dish (with parental help of course) and shared samples to parents, siblings, community members and teachers in the school cafeteria. It was quite the event.

Adam (my brother) did homemade ice cream (a few years later, I did Swedish Meatballs). 

Adam's friend did Marshmallow Balls! (and our Christmases were never the same again...)

It is a little time consuming, but they are always a favorite. Plus, they freeze well!

You should be able to click on the picture to see it bigger. Let me know if you'd rather me send it through email or I can type it out here.

 The second recipe, is really no recipe at all - it's so easy!

Christmas Ice Cream Cones

1. You lay out original Bugles (yes, they still make these!) onto a sheet of waxed paper. While laying them out, don't forget to stick one on each finger and act like a witch for just one second. Then eat the ones on your finger and continue laying them out :)
2. Melt almond bark in the microwave.
3. Spoon the melted almond bark into the opening of the bugle and lay a M&M in the opening. It works well to have one person spooning the almond bark and another laying the M&Ms... perfect to get the kiddos involved!
4. Wait for them to harden and enjoy their sweet-saltiness!

Happy Christmas-in-July!

Mom's Christmas Decorations {Christmas in July}

I thought it was time for a little Christmas in July action... here are a few pictures from last Christmas.

Some vintage goodies... I always had fun rearranging these little guys.

The very toy train my dad played with when he was young... and what I like to think of as the original "Elf on the Shelf" (err... ladder). Mom has decorated with that guy for as long as I can remember.

A Vintage Ornament. 

A Cute Bell. (Fun to ring... I wonder if my family ever got tired of me ringing this thing when I was younger...) 

Homemade Crocheted Stockings (the original family stockings were made by my grandma, but Mom has since made a few more as the family has expanded!).

My parents' Christmas China (Lenox Holiday). Mom usually receives one new piece each year. She is proud of all the pieces, but that punch bowl may just be her favorite. I mean, it even gets to come out for Easter and Thanksgiving and any other family gathering she deems punch necessary for. And it's always fun to explain why there's a Christmas punch bowl next to the basket of colored eggs and Easter Bunnies ;)

Christmas 2014 will be here before you know it! Happy Christmas in July!

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter Sunday!

May your day be full of sunshine, flowers and smiles. 

And full of praises to our risen Lord!

Christmas Trees Table Runners

Before Christmas, Christa hosted a Modern Trees quilt-a-long featuring the Tri-Recs ruler set. I loved how the quilt looked and I bought the rulers at a local quilt shop on a whim with no definite plans on making it. Then, I made this tree skirt top and all of a sudden I had strippy, Christmas scraps! I cut the triangles - I got about 20 out of the tree skirt scraps. It wasn't until last month that I finally found the black fabric in my mom's stash and the brown fabric in my stash... along with the backings and the bindings.

It was time to make some table runners!

My quilting is a bit rumpled and some of my points are cut off, but overall I am happy with my two additions to my Christmas decorations! I look forward to using them next Christmas!!! When my mother-in-law saw my runners, she decided to make one, too! She hopes to make a few more for presents. I look forward to making more as well; maybe making more of those tree skirts will give me good reasons to make more ;)

Evelyn at Christmastime

 This post is only a month or so late... but better late than never!

There was the perfect little sleigh at my parents' house to take Evelyn's Christmas picture with. Mom actually puts all the Christmas letters in it, but I just dumped those out ;)

Later that day, Auntie Sarah gave Evelyn a new book (and Roxy gave lots of licks... Evelyn just laughed and laughed). This book has flaps and textures and has since become one of Ev's favorites. 

And who could resist sharing some of her crazy faces?

Then, with Dan's side there is a tradition of having Great-Grandpa pull the little ones along in the toy wagon. Evelyn wasn't quite sure what was happening, but she still gave out a few smiles. Don't you just love that bedhead? The following day, Ev enjoyed showing her second cousin her new toy... He is just 8 months older.

Finally, what is Christmas without a few carols sang around the piano? That top picture may just become a postcard for next year. She doesn't beeline for the piano as often anymore, but for awhile there, she couldn't get enough.

Merry Belated Christmas ;)

What happens when you use 2 computers...

I was cleaning out folders on the laptop while watching the Packers game on Sunday, when I can across this picture, already PicMonkey-ed and ready to post as a Christmas greeting. Well, I guess it will just be an Epiphany message instead :)

Happy Epiphany!



**The next time I edit pictures on the laptop, I'll just have to create a draft post for it, so I don't forget it! Or, at the very least, I just need to be better at using my Dropbox account... (I usually blog on the desktop downstairs and closer to my sewing area.)

Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas be filled with joy and love and laughter.

Rejoice together knowing that our Savior has been born!

*Two more vintage postcards for your viewing pleasure! I just love these :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a fun and safe Thanksgiving! 

May you be surrounded by loved ones on this happy day!

(This was the 115th postcard I scanned. I have scanned a total of 168 so far, with quite a few left to go. I love these postcards!)

November Goal

My November goal is to get a Christmas tree skirt pieced for a friend's wedding this summer. I'll baste, quilt and bind it another month (there's a good chance that we will be switching houses sometime this month, so my goal is to simply piece!)

I decided to switch up my normal Christmas tree skirt pattern by going with scrappy 6.5" blocks instead of a diagonal pattern with 7" blocks of only 5-7 fabrics. I also made 10-ish 4-patch blocks to add to the scrappiness. This friend has always loved the word "Believe," so I have been saving this fabric for this exact purpose :)

A Lovely Year of Finishes

Happy Halloween!

From all of us here on the farm... may your night be full of treats :)

Happy Halloween!!

PS: I may have had a little too much fun on PicMonkey creating this picture...

PPS: I am still surprised that Mute stayed still long enough for me to even capture this picture. He got extra pettings as a reward.

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It's time for the Wicked Hop!

I knew better than to join this hop, even though I would have loved to make a Halloween project! Things have just been so busy around here :) Click on the button above to go see today's Wicked projects... and then follow along until the 31st to see all of this year's inspiring projects!

These are all from Mom's place, and are all projects that she has created over the years... the cheesecloth ghosts are always a favorite!

Isn't the log cabin jack-o-lantern, fun?! Oh, and then there's one of my 4-H projects... the painted chunk of wood :)

I get a kick out of the flying witch, who has flying witches on her apron!

Maybe next year I'll have a fun Halloween project of my own to show you! Until then, enjoy the blog hop!

Pumpkin Painting Party

I had one sewing and crafting friend back in Montana, and we had lots of fun sewing and crafty together. But I have to admit... an entire crafting party... with 7 other fun crafty ladies... was pretty fun, too :)

 You can't have a party without some yummy goodies! Of course I needed a close-up of the yummy apples! Aren't they fabulous?!

 The hostess had the tables set out in her garage, prepared with lots of fun supplies... spray paint, craft paint and brushes, thumb tacks and ribbons! We all love Pinterest inspiration, right?!

We did the spray painting outside, and yet the fumes were still very strong...

Here are my creations! I added the pink paint after some of the black spray paint got under the tape. I'm not usually a hot-pink type of gal, but I thought it looked pretty neat with the black. And of course, GO JACKRABBITS! (The real SDSU... aka, South Dakota State...)

 Finally, here is the entire collection. It was such a wonderful afternoon! 

We're already planning our Christmas-themed get-togehter :)