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?!

Sing to the Lord a new Song {DIY Wall-Art}

 For the longest time I thought I had to have a vinyl letter cutter in order to paint my own wall-art (because I certainly cannot free-hand it!). However, this post that I found through Pinterest showed me there there is a better (and easier!) way :) My crafty life has not been the same since!!

So, following the instructions from that post, I made this... :) 

 I can't wait until I have a piano to set it on!

Until then, here is the sign on the stack of wood where I originally found my board (thanks Tim!). 

I also thought it looked pretty good by my mother-in-law's yard decorations :)

Oh, and this butterfly did not mind me getting up close and personal to it's beautiful yellow wings! Yay Spring!

Sticking with the yellow theme, here's a gold finch at my parents' house. I had a lot of fun taking lots and lots of pictures of the many birds that frequent my dad's feeders :)

A Fall Walk (Lots of Pictures!)

Union Grove State Park

We decided to go to Union Grove State Park after church on Sunday to enjoy a fall hike. The fall colors are still appearing, and so of course, I had fun with my camera!

 This was Evelyn's first time facing outward in our Baby Bjorn carrier... I know what some say (Don't face them outward! Don't use Baby Bjorn! Blah, blah, blah), but we don't use it that often, and it E likes it!

 Hiking, hiking, hiking... it was a short trail, but enjoyable :) We already have plans of bring our cross country skis and snowshoes there during the winter! There were still a few campers around, enjoying the last of the fall weather.

 All smiles with Daddy.

 Thanks for smiling for me, too, Evelyn!

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 I told you I was having fun with the camera...

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 After our hike, we laid out a blanket and let Evelyn enjoy the outdoors even more before the rain came the next day.

 Yup, we let her gum a stick, but not for too long! We were happy that she didn't like the taste that much...

She thinks she needs to taste each individual leaf on the ground. Yuck.

 Happy girl. Happy day.