Mama's got a brand new bag...

I stayed up late last night finishing this cute 'vintagey' bag, and I love it!  I used the pattern from http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/blog/mollie-makes-issue-10-templates  I wasn't sure what fabrics to use for it, but then I remembered these really sweet vintage scraps that I got a while ago from here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sosovintage  I got a bundle of small scraps so some of the pieces weren't big enough for my pattern pieces. I ended up piecing them together and I think it added to the vintage look.

It has a small inside pocket, and a larger pocket on the front.

A lot of you sewers have probably already done this many times, but I had never made a button hole before.  It turned out well (thank goodness!) I couldn't decide what button to use, so I asked my mom since she has such a good eye for this kinda stuff, and she picked this one outta my stash. I love that it's the same shade of green that's on the fabric, and that the flower was where it was on the bag (that wasn't planned!) So it looks like the leaf is part of the flower :)

So since I finished it last night, I got to use it today when we went to the "Horse Show" at school.

There's my lil cutie in her fave shirt...again. :)  They made hobbie horses at school and named them and everything.  Gosh, some of the names the kids used....it just amazes me how creative kids can be!

Have a great weekend!

-Kelly

Sickness and stitches

Hey all,  I've been working on a new embroidery!

It's completely sweet, and if you're interested you can get the free pattern here:

http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/2012/05/do-small-things-with-great-love-free-pattern.html

My oldest one's home sick again :(  Going to the doctors later.  In the mean time, she wants to play with all our "natural" toys.  She says she wants to live like Laura and Mary (from the Little House series) and that we can only play with the toys that are made out of wood, or handmade. 

So we pulled out all the wooden blocks and connectagons and dollhouse furniture, and all the rag dolls and knitted doll blankets and playfood, and it's keeping her occupied so far.  I read all the Little House books to the girls last year (leaving out certain parts that might not be age appropriate here and there) and they loved them!  So they begged me to read the first one again this week, which was cool with me because Little House in the Big Woods is my fave! We finished it last night, and no matter how many times I read it, I always tear up at the end.

"She was glad that the cosy house, and Pa and Ma and the fire-light and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now.  It can never be a long time ago."

It has made me cry ever since I was little, I think because I never wanted to grow up, and have always had a problem with things changing.  And of course now that I am a mother, I wish my little girls could be little forever, and it just gets me.  I think every mother probably goes through the same thing. Guess it's just a good reminder to enjoy what is now, and live in the moment, for too soon, the moment will be gone. So here's to living in the moment!  Have a great day.

-Kelly

A long weekend

Wow, I was going to write sooner than this. The week has gotten away from me! We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend together. Started out going to the school to see C babe sing on Thursday. There isn't really a pic of her singing because I took a video, but here's one of her right after fixing her hair and looking pleased with herself! (I think she was actually more relieved than anything) They sang the garden song, and it was just beautiful. I started crying (hopefully no one saw me!) and it made me think of my grandmother. She would always cry at functions, and when reading her birthday cards.  As I get older, I realize I'm the same. Things mean so much more.  I pretend to read my birthday cards now, and really don't actually read them until I'm by myself.

Anyways, after that we took the girls to Mickey D's for some surprise milkshakes, and stopped at a couple of playgrounds after.  The girls ran into some of their friends, so that was cool.

The next couple of days we painted,

had sun lunches,

and had a cookout and fire with some amazing people!

For the rest of the weekend we did some baking,

had more cookouts/smores/outside fun with family,

took funny pics,

and the girls planted flowers with their grandparents.

This weekend....it's raining.  We'll probably read some of the girl's new books, maybe play with some playdoh, do some crafting, etc.  Hope you all have a great weekend!

-Kelly



Pasta salad

Hope everyone has been enjoying their Memorial Day weekend!  We've been having such a fantastic weekend, and when I have more time I'll post some pics. For today, I thought I'd share one of our recipes. Some of our friends and family have been asking for our pasta salad recipe. I'm sure there are similiar ones out there, but this is the one we came up with.  I make it for almost every cookout we have or go to.  We all love it, and hope you do!

 

Jeromy and Kelly's Italian Pasta Salad

2 Boxes of Tri-color pasta
Few big handfuls of pepperoni, chopped in 4ths
1 Block Helluvagood Sharp Cheddar, cubed
Couple handfuls of shredded mozzarella
1 red onion, diced
1 or 1 and 1/2 green pepper(s) diced
Grape Tomatoes
Italian Dressing
Ground black pepper

Chop everything while cooking pasta. Put pepperoni, onion, and pepper in big bowl. Pour drained (still hot) pasta over mixture in bowl. Let sit for a few minutes, then mix with some italian dressing. Once it has cooled off a little, throw the cubed cheddar, shredded mozz, and grape tomatoes in. Grind some black pepper over the top, stir well, let chill in fridge at least overnight for best results. Pasta soaks the dressing right up, so refresh with a lil bit more italian dressing right before serving.

-Kelly

Sunburns and Baskets

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend!  Set up kiddie pool on the deck, went to our friend's house for a fun filled afternoon and bbq, and had some MUCH needed family time.

After our busy awesome weekend however, our apartment looked like the aftermath of a massive storm. Plus, I always have a lot of organizing to do, as our place is small.

So that's pretty much all I did yesterday. The girls were up bright and early playing cards before school, and after they got on their buses I got to work! Besides my usual dishes/laundry/cleaning etc., I also went through a bunch of stuff and ORGANIZED!

The tops of my cupboards are no longer a mess.  Yay for sorta matching baskets!

I re-purposed an old belt organizer, so I am no longer searching in the drawer for the right measuring spoon!  (above it on my spice rack is a cute lil garland C made for me)

I re-organized the girls play kitchen and dress-up things, using things we already had around the house.  I think it will be a lot easier for them to pick up now, as everything has a designated drawer. (This doesn't mean that they will though. We will see!)

I went through their clothes and got another bag together to donate.  Everyone says I should sell them on the garage sale sites, and financially, I know they're right.  I just can't though.  So many people have helped us out, buying the kids clothes for birthdays, or giving us their gently used items, that I'd rather do the same.

I am STUCK with a bunch of stuffies with no place to go yet. (these aren't even half!!)  We put up some Droog straps a few years back, and they worked well for a while.  We have sooooo many now though, and not a lot of room.  I'm thinking about making some of those bean bag chairs, and then filling them with the stuffies instead of beans. A lot of people have had good luck with that but I just keep wondering how comfy they would really be?  Maybe if I made quilted beanbags?  I just don't know!  If anyone has any ideas, I'd sure love to hear 'em!

I've saved any piece of the girls clothing that was sentimental, since they were born. (I have quite a few bags, as you can imagine!)  I've always said that I would use them to make each girl a quilt, probably when they were 10. Well.....I changed my mind. Even though I've been scared to, I'm making myself do it.  I'm FINALLY going to start cutting pieces today.  Depending how quickly I progress (since I have a million other projects going), I may end up giving them both the quilts for Christmas this year.  That's the new goal anyways!  Wish me luck :)

Smile always!
Kelly