Second Wind

I have missed this place!

Over the last few months we have been searching for a house (when did they get so expensive again?), dealt with some health issues with our son (nothing that's an emergency...just lots of tests) and I've been trying to volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten class as much as I can. 

Life is busy!

We also soaked up the last of the summer sun and temperatures:

                             

Picked some pumpkins:

Celebrated our little man turning 2:

And we visited this place...again. I think we might have an addiction...

It just never gets old!:

I've been debating a lot with what to do with this blog. Part of me just doesn't have the energy to keep it going...but I know I could never let it go. I've met so many awesome people through this space and I look forward to meeting many more! 

I think 2014 will come with a second wind for my craftiness and when it does...my sewing machine and I will be ready! 

Happy Holidays and have a safe New Year!

Busy and Simplifying

I can't ignore that I haven't posted on here in over a month. I hate that I haven't put anything new on here, but I'm also enjoying the break.

 

We have been enjoying a relaxing summer (that included a trip to San Diego) and my daughter started kindergarten two weeks ago.

 

 

I'm in the middle of a few larger DIYs which I hope to share. For now, I'm going to keep up with what needs my attention (chores, school, and playtime with the kiddos) and relax with my free time (hello Netflix!)

 

I hope to be back in a routine soon, but for now I'm accepting that blogging is a full time non-career for me that I need to take a little break from. I hope you will still be here when I get back!

DIY: Reversible Painted Throw Pillow

I have a slight obsession with throw pillows. I love them. I was thinking of a new pillow design for this "new to us" vintage chair and I couldn't decide between two ideas, so that gave me an idea to use one pattern for each side. 

Materials:

plain fabric (cut into two panels for the front and back)

black fabric paint

foam paint brush

sewing machine

matching thread

For the first side, I traced squares in different sizes to make a geometric pattern. I painted them in with the black fabric paint and set aside.

For the second side, I took the end of the foam brush and made little crosses with it. You can use a paint brush for a more uniform look...but I liked the random variety better.

 Once both panels are completely dry (read the paint bottle for instructions), place both panels together with right sides facing and pin. Sew along the outer edge with a straight stitch along three sides.

Flip the case right side out, put your pillow inside, and hand stitch the bottom closed.

Done! A perfect pillow for my indecisive mind;)

RECIPE: Frosted Animal Crackers

I had a lovely baby shower to attend this weekend and I was in charge of the favor bags. After cruising the grocery aisles for a recipe idea to come to me, I decided to make frosted animal crackers. Aren't they cute? Plus, they taste a million times better than the waxy frosted crackers in the bag.

First, I grabbed a huge bag of animal crackers, picked out all the broken ones, and ate them by myself later while they kids were napping let the kids have them.

Next, I melted white chocolate candy melts and tinted them pink. I mixed in a little bit of vegetable oil to make the coating a little more runny. I also bought a tube of multicolored sprinkles. I dipped half of each cookie in the chocolate and let them harden on wax paper.

I will be making this snack again in the future. It was a fun project to do with my daughter (she is an expert with the sprinkles) and they have such a lovely handmade look!

Have a lovely day!

Life Lately

We've been keeping busy this summer. It gets a little challenging when the temps outside are over 110 degrees...but I love this city and I wouldn't have it any other way. We've been hitting up the libraries, movie theaters, and ice cream shops. Here's a little bit our what we've been up to.

Since he refuses to sit in a cart (or a stroller, or the bathtub, or his highchair), I do get his help in pushing it around the grocery store:

Oh, and he has a love for Mickey lately. They are inseparable:

We all crammed into our car and made the 15 hour drive out to Texas to visit family. There was laughing, crying, games, yelling, sleeping, and stopping for burgers along the way:

I realized I might have a slight cardigan obsession:

Our neighbor gave us this dresser that he didn't want...and I took it before he could change his mind. Score!:

The Lego table at the library is his favorite place:

Cupcakes for Father's Day:

My three favorite people:

Thank goodness for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It's gotten us through some tough times:

Making my daughter's dream of a Mary Poppins costume come to life (more on that later!):

Strawberry pie:

Date night, concert style:

My husband offering to make dinner and then realizing it's all wrapped in bacon:

Another vintage gem that was given to us:

Making some baby shower treats:

A "new" record player has been our favorite find this summer. When it's too hot to do much outside...then we grab a slice of pizza and walk over to the record store:

It feels like summer is almost over already. My daughter starts kindergarten in 3 weeks and then it's just Baby Boy and me for a few hours each day. 

I hope the summer has been treating you all well;) 

DIY: Painted Herringbone Memo Board

I found this cork board on a walk with my mom one day. It was out in front of a neighbor's house in their pile of things to be picked up by the city for removal. I am always amazed at the perfectly useful items that people put out for "trash". 

So, obviously I picked it up and carried it another block back to my car.

I had the idea of a painted memo board in my head for some time. I taped off the frame of this one and spray painted it black. Then, once I decided on a herringbone pattern, I drew it out with a black marker.

I started with vertical lines:

    Next, I used a ruler to make alternating diagonal lines. A herringbone pattern is similar to a chevron pattern. The only difference is alternating the colors between the lines. I colored in the lines that needed to be painted so that I wouldn't loose track while painting.

I used regular acrylic paint to paint in all the lines. I redecorated my daughter's art nook and it makes for a fun and new way to hang her artwork:

She's in a rainbow and heart phase...if you can't tell;)

 I also wanted to incorporate my latest vintage find. This basket makes for the perfect place to keep her coloring books and crayons both organized, and away from her little brother;)

I originally created this board to hang horizontal, but found that it fit the space better if hung vertically. Oh well, it was a fun and free project and I love the way it turned out...no matter which direction:)

RECIPE: Baked Chocolate Donuts

 

 I love homemade donuts. To be honest, going to a donut shop would be much faster than making them, but there is something about Sunday morning breakfast from scratch that makes the time spent and dirty dishes worth it.

 

BAKED CHOCOLATE DONUTS

(by Photo a Day)

 

3/4 cup FLOUR
1/4 cup COCOA
1/2 cup GRANULATED SUGAR
1 tablespoon BAKING POWDER
1/4 teaspoon SALT
1 EGG
1/2 cup MILK
1 teaspoon VANILLA
4 tablespoons VEGETABLE OIL

 (original recipe says canola oil, but I didn't have it)

 

STEP 1: Preheat oven to 450 degrees and spray donut pan. Mix together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt.

 

STEP 2: Mix in egg, milk, and vanilla for 1 minute.

 

STEP 3: Mix in oil until well combined and pour into measuring cup with a spout.

 

STEP 4: Fill donut pan 2/3 full and bake donuts for 7-9 minutes.

 

While donuts are cooling, roll some in powdered sugar. For glaze, combine 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tbsp water or milk and mix together. Dip top of donuts into glaze and let set on cooling rack until glaze sets.