Breakfast of champions.

We headed to a fun birthday party last weekend and I offered to make cake pops.  It was a rock-n-roll theme and I had grand plans to figure out a way to make guitar shaped pops.  Unfortunately, some sniffles and other small ailments that go with the current territory put an end to such lofty ambitions.  So I defaulted to our tried and true design of sprinkles and the celebratory birthday number.

I am getting pretty good at these, so much so that it was no problem to put them together a few hours before heading out the door.  Actually, the real reason the process went so quickly is that my mother-in-law brought me a lil dipper 1.5 quart crockpot when she last visited.  It's awesome!  It keeps the dipping chocolate melted and at the perfect temperature.  This means no more running back and forth to the microwave to zap and coax the coating into something workable.

The mom of the birthday boy sent the leftover pops home with us--claiming her family's sugar quota for the week was the remaining half sheet of birthday cake.  I put up a show of resistance.  But really, who am I kidding?  The boys were thrilled, as was I.  Whenever there are cake pops in the house, I have one for breakfast with my coffee every morning* until they are gone.  And yes, I hide in the pantry to do it.  I have one left.  It's out of reach for the under-seven set, way in the back of the fridge, on the top shelf.  I must admit that I feel a little guilty and selfish about my strategic storage.  But it's nothing a cake pop won't fix.  I hope you have something sweet in store for you this weekend, too--Happy Friday!

 

*And in other news that may or may not be related to this (as well as a recent delivery of many, many boxes of Girl Scout cookies)--I finally started training for the Marine Corps Half marathon.

Bookmarked craft--ruffled scarf.

My list of 'must-try' craft tutorials bookmarked on my computer is getting ridiculous.  Let's just say that if I were going old-school with a paper pile, I'd get flattened if ever the stack should topple.  And because even virtual lists need some checkmark love, I've declared 2010 the year to tackle at least some of the crafts.  First up, an upcycled T-shirt to ruffled scarf I first saw on Vermillion Rules.

What I did:

I used the remainder of a white t-shirt (left over from the hoodie project) and cut it into 6 inch wide strips...

sewed them together, end to end, to make one long piece...

then sewed basting stitches (about an inch and a half in) on both edges.  I set the stitch length to the longest and upped the tension to create the ruffles...

I then set my sewing machine back to its normal settings and sewed down the ruffles--I did it on the front and back then removed the basting stitches. 

So easy, so quick.  And free!  Just enough trendy ruffles to add a feminine touch to my everyday uniform of a basic t-shirt and jeans.

*note to self--figure out a more inspiring place for self-photos.  Or--at the very least--clean the jammy handprints off the mirror before taking the photos. 

 

UFOs*, done.

*UFOs=unfinished objects, but you probably knew that.

I finally found time to cross off some overdue projects from my to-sew list.  A few of them are donations for a silent auction that two friends are organizing to benefit cystic fibrosis research.  And I also put together some things for a friend to gift to a new baby in her extended family. 

The baby is named Maxwell and I made him a set of personalized burpers and a matching boutique-style chenille blanket.  I was not making these items when our Maxwell was a newborn so it was fun seeing his name stitched onto a set....

I also put together a set for the auction--I kept it blank and will do the personalization per the winning bidder's choice.  I tried to select a print that would work for either a baby boy or girl...

Next up was a 'mommy and me' apron set for the auction.  For the mommy version, I used Amy Butler's Domestic Goddess apron pattern.  Overall, I liked the pattern but felt that the bottom portion needed a lining (the pattern does not call for one).  I thought of this after-the-fact, so had to retrofit the lining--and it was a complete pain.  Next time, I'll cut out two body pieces and double up during the construction process. 

Below are some pictures.  Now, I mostly sew at night, after the kids are in bed, so I apologize for the poor lighting.  And also for my oh-so-casual posing I tried to pull off...though it does make me laugh.

I didn't have a pattern for the mommy's helper apron, so I just made it up as I went along, using whatever was left from the full apron. 

I lined it as well...

Surprisingly, I did not make one of the older boys model it.  Okay, I tried but it was a no go--they saw the bow and ran...so hard-wired, I swear.  It turns out it can also make a cute craft apron on a grownup...

I now plan to make myself some aprons, so in actuality I did not net much of a shorter to-sew list.  I cannot believe I've never made an apron before these.  They are so fun!  If you are a new sewer, aprons are a great place to start.  I'm not sure why I didn't thank of that way back when.  I think my first project when I was a newbie getting back into sewing was Max's nursery set, including a quilt, crib bumper, crib skirt, mattress sheets, changing cover, and full-length, fully lined, pleated curtains.  All done in pricey of-the-moment French toile yardage that made me vex and worry every time I cut into it.  Not recommended.

Gonna dress you up in my love.

I know it's a little forced here, but I've wanted to use an 80's Madonna song as a post title for quite some time.  And this isn't about what you may think.  There's no sewing going on.  It's just a little tidbit related to showing someone you care.  While also managing some OCD (but I'm sure that's just me).

I'm a big fan of saving half gallon containers to freeze my homemade broth in.  And I've also found they make the perfect container for homemade soup deliveries when a friend is feeling under the weather.  But whenever I've dropped off a container, it confuses the recipient for a half-second, as they wonder why on earth I'm delivering milk. 

And, truth be told, I'm a stickler for details.  So for the latest 'hope you feel better' basket, I grabbed a couple of plain brown paper bags...

cut off both bottoms (then cut those bottom into triangles); folded one bag in half, and scalloped its edges; and cut the other bag open...

then used double stick tape to wrap up the container...

I added a little door with a tiny note...

This took all of five minutes.  But now it looks much better nestled into a simple basket, filled with dry noodles (to add to the soup) and some natural VitC...

No more strange stares...works for me.  For more tips, check out Works For Me Wednesdays over at We are THAT Family.

 

Lil Blue Boo & Dharma Trading Co. design challenge, part 2.

I know the challenge is officially over, but I couldn't resist trying to get a few pictures of the hoodie in daylight.  And I was wrong when I said no one here could squeeze into the size I made--William could.  Technically.  But he wasn't happy about it.

One of the things I love most about Ashley's hoodie pattern is the use of contrasting pieces--it really ups the look but isn't hard at all.  And it is so versatile.  Plus, she gives you lots of hints on pattern placement to optimize reusing existing hems on the t-shirts you're upcyling.  This saves tons of time.

 

As I mentioned, I added a lining to the hoodie, using a star print I made with freezer paper stencils.  This technique is so addictive.  I did a lot (and I mean A LOT) of freezer stencil projects last year, but then put it away for a bit as I moved onto other things.  Doing it again really reminded me how great it is--I think that's exactly why I chose to try the challenge, to get the creative juices going.  Check out Ashley's tutorial on the process if you've never done it.

There are several ways you can line a hood.  But instead of hiding all the seams, I chose to showcase them in the lining.  Again, because I love the contrast as a design element.

The hood itself fits really well on the nognog.  When I cut it out, I thought I must have cut on the wrong line because it looked huge.  But take it from me, trust the pattern.

I will be sorting through the closets for more knits to upcycle.  Sir William wants one that fits.  Here he is  rushing the camera while trying to take off the hoodie by yanking straight up on the hood (reinforce those seams!).  It's his classic "we're done here" move.

I cannot wait to check out some of the entries.  And I'm the lookout for more challenges like this--not because I think I have a shot at the competition, please--it just really worked to motivate me.  And it's also nice to be a part of it.  Like a modern day sewing circle.

 ETA:  If you'd like to print out your own baby to-do list, I just added a pdf you can download on the original post.

Lil Blue Boo & Dharma Trading Co. design challenge.

I'm sure many of you fellow crafters out there follow Lil Blue Boo--I sure do.  And I was very excited when Ashley announced her Dharma Trading design challenge.  Of course she gave us tons of time to try to put something together, so did I use that time wisely?  Of course not.  Go ahead and review the "if you wait until the last minute it only takes a minute post".  But in my defense, it's been hard to get anything done these days as the three munchkins have been out of school/preschool for over a week (but I'm not going to talk about the snow any more.  I just Can't). 

Nevertheless, because I already had the hoodie pattern (and had an idea for a fun applique), I thought I'd make something today.  Yes, today...the last day of the challenge.  So during Will's nap, and after bedtime, I whipped up a little 6m-12m hoodie.  I LOVE this pattern!  It is so great to work with.  And--obviously--it takes no time at all.

I was able to take one of Charlie's old tees...

and one of my ill-fitting plain white tees, embellished with freezer stenciled stars (to make a lining for the hood, which is something I added in)...

and a baby's 'to do' patch I printed onto cotton, then appliqued on...

to create this fun hoodie.

I really wish I had better pictures.  You can hardly see the red top-stitching or star lining in the hood, but trust me it's all there and I think it's darling.  If I had planned ahead, I could have found a suitable model as no one here can squeeze into this size.  But I wanted to do the 6m-12m sizing this go because of the applique.  In case you cannot read it, here's the image I made up in my photo editing software then printed onto cotton (a thrifted blue sheet). 

(ETA:  Here is a pdf you can download if you'd like to applique your own baby to-do list.  If you're more comfortable working in word, try right clicking the above image, save it to your computer, open a word document, and click 'insert picture'--you should be able to resize the image by dragging a corner of the image.  Let me know if you need help.)

I plan to give this hoodie to a friend who just had her second baby.  I'll tuck in a laundry marker so she can just jot down the date of some milestones as the hoodie gets worn by her newest munchkin...it makes me smile.  Plus, I really could have used something like this for babies no. 2 and 3--poor things, I was very bad in recording important dates by then.  And I have a thing for lists so it's right up my alley.

There will be lots more hoodies in this house for sure--ones that fit my kidlets.  I cannot endorse this pattern enough.  Again, I just adore it.

ETA:  p.s. check out this post if you're looking for more pictures and/or info on how I liked the pattern.

if you're looking for more pictures and/or info on how I liked the pattern.

Valentine's Day 2010.

Happy Valentine's Day!  We happily jumped on the blogland bandwagon for our Valentine's Day card design this year.  Once I saw the idea on 24-7-365, I knew we'd have to try it.  To put our spin on it, I used photo editing software to antique the picture, then traced the images using the same software--so I could "erase" the real background of the photo--allowing me to place the images in front of colorful backgrounds I designed.  I could not get a decent shot of Will to make the card work (he kept trying to grab the camera), so we'll save his for next year.  

I hope you have a great day wth your sweet ones.

Olympic fun.

I love the Olympics.  I usually favor the summer Olympics because I was a gymnast.  I was not a very good gymnast, mind you, but my parents did spend buckets of money on my lessons and also cheerfully zigzagged across Texas to watch me fall off the balance beam and forget to point my toes.  But since I've watched my children dabble in winter sports this year--in our very own front yard and not necessarily by choice--I am especially excited for the winter games to begin.  Seeing snow and ice put to good use will be a welcome sight.

I am also seriously crushing on the Vancouver mascots.  So, so cute.

Be sure to check out the super cool Olympic Mascot website.  It's filled with activities for kids--I suspect we'll be all over it this weekend.  And if you are inclined to make some decorated mascot sugar cookies, you must check out Sweetopia's incredible versions.  I think I'm going to have to up my sugar cookie game and try these, though I'm sure mine won't look nearly as great.

Image from Sweetopia

To be honest, our Olympic kick started with the cookies.  I saw Sweetopia's post first, then went to the mascot website, then got all excited about the games.  Backwards for most, yes, but quite normal here.  Cookies lead us to all sorts of places.  Happy Friday!

 

Fabric flower embellishment tutorial.

One of my favorite presents to give to little girls--whether they're celebrating a birthday or their new big sister status--are fun hair clippies.  I use bits of felt, ribbon, buttons or brads to make up a flower of sorts.  Sometimes I use my embroidery machine to monogram a bloom.  I then affix the embellishment to a ribbon covered alligator clip.  Easy peasy...

 

I also like to use little cards filled with them as gift toppers.  Once I clipped a good dozen or so around the ribbon I used to decorate a diaper cake for a neighborhood baby shower.  And my dear friends are kind enough to let me foist these confections upon their daughters--it satisfies my need to create something frilly.

So imagine how my ears perked up when my best friend from high school, Kristin, informed me that her sweet daughter could no longer wear the clippies I've made her (cllippies aren't working with her current hairstyle)--ack!  But evidently she sometimes wears headbands.  That's all I needed to hear...

Here's how I did it.

Cut a piece of scrap fabric.  Mine was about 1 1/2 inches wide x 14 inches long and I chose to pink one edge.

Next, ruffle your strip by sewing a straight line near the non-pinked edge.  Set your stitch length to the longest setting and make sure to leave a long tail at the start and end of your stitching.  Also, do not backstitch as you'll need to gently pull one thread to gather the fabric, thus creating the ruffle.  Go slowly as you don't want to break the thread. 

ETA:  You're supposed to do two rows in case the thread breaks but I don't bother with these scraps (again, because I'm a lazy bones--see below).  Also, I received a couple of emails asking why I don't use my machine to ruffle (to do that, you set your stitch length to the longest setting and your tension to the highest setting).  I answered that I usually do that if I'm sewing big pieces (and always if I'm working with knit fabric).  But I'm always interrupted while crafting and have found I also always forget to set my tension back--so I just don't bother with these quickie projects.  But you guys should go for it if it helps you ruffle! 

Make another coordinating scrappy strip--on this one, instead of pinking, I pulled a few threads out to gently fray the edge.  Note**next time I do this, I won't be such a lazy bones and not switch out my mismatched bobbin thread.  I found out later it's a bother to hide.

 

Stack the strips with right sides facing down--they'll be curly and unwieldy which is why I don't have a shot of it, sorry--and wind them around a finger.  Slide it off and adjust the bloom to your liking.

Take a threaded needle and secure your bloom by sewing this way and that, hiding your stitches amongst the ruffles.  I wanted another pop of color so I glued a fun blue brad to the center, but I don't think it's vital.

I then added some scrappy green leaves with pinked edges.  I slightly pinched the leaves on the end I was attaching to the flower, to make them stand up a bit, and securely hand stitched them to the back.

 

I hand stitched the entire embellishment onto a handmade headband (the headband is just a strip of white t-shirt jersey folded in half, sewn along the long edge, flipped right-side out, and sewn end to end to make a loop).  I tested for fit on the closest kid-sized head.  I won't name names because that was part of the deal.  That, and a slice of freshly baked cranberry-white-chocolate blondie.

I think it could also make a pretty broach.  And even though I've never been too much of a broach-wearing sort of person, I do think it would look pretty on a couple spring-weight jackets I recently bought.  So I think more are in my future.  And can you tell by the colors who's thinking spring?

 

ETA:  I'm linking up to DIY day at A Soft Place to Land.

More snow. More soup.

Ten more inches of snow.  Plus winds of 35-50 mph.  Seriously?  Seriously.  The snow is touching the bottom of our mailbox.  So what's a girl to do when she can't control a thing going on outdoors?  Make more soup of course.  Soup makes everything better.

I found a recipe for "make a mama happy chicken noodle soup" on Domestic Reflections and thought it sounded perfect.  It was indeed--though I do mention a tweak or two below. 

Chicken Noodle Soup

• 16 c. chicken broth (4 cartons)
• 1 3 1/2 lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 carrots, peeled, thinly sliced (I chopped up a bag of baby carrots)
• 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (I agree that this is critical--in fact, I added lots more than 1 T, probably closer to the juice of the entire lemon)
• 12 oz. dried wide egg noodles (I used the recommended pappardelle from Trader Joe's
• 1/2 c. finely chopped fresh parsley (I only added this to the adult servings as the boys didn't want "salad" floating in their soup)

Directions

• Combine broth and chicken in a large heavy pot.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 mins. **I cooked the chicken closer to 40 minutes**.
• Transfer chicken to a large bowl and after chicken has cooled slightly, pull off and discard the skin and bones and shred the meat.
• Return broth to a simmer.  Add carrots and celery.  Simmer until vegetables soften, about 8 mins.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions and sauté until beginning to wilt, about 5 mins.  Add onions to broth and vegetables. 
• Stir in lemon juice. 
• Add noodles and chicken and simmer until noodles are done (about 5 mins). 
• Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

I should also note that this recipe makes a ton--we delivered a small pot of it to neighbors and still had plenty for two rounds of soup ourselves.  Good thing, too.  We needed it.