Apples.

Can you guess what I am making for Christmas...??




I'll post more pics as I finish them.

I'm on a mission...

to do WAY too many things for Christmas!! I have already started on one of these for Aidan (will post pics later) and it is SO SO SO cute.

I just discovered this new blog via Ohdeedoh, and now my new mission is to take part in this very cool Build Along...Cute & Thrifty Play Kitchen! I am scouring Freecycle and Craigslist in hopes of coming across any nightstand table SOON. I'm already two weeks behind!! We can do it though.

Head over to Out of The Crayon Box to check out the amazing ideas Jane has...she even donates the money she makes from the kitchens to the Homeless! I know there are at least a couple of you who have been meaning to make a kitchen for the kiddies.

New Ideas.

OK,

So I've been thinking and thinking about names for my projects...you know, a name for an Etsy shop, a name for tags to add to my sewing projects, etc. We've been brainstorming over here and these are what I have come up with:

Maman Rousse (translation: Redhead Mommy!)
See. Mama. Sew. (at the top of the list)
SewButtons.
Sew What?
Sew. Crazy. Mama.

We're leaning towards Maman Rousse and See.Mama.Sew. Any comments or ideas?? What do you guys think? And please don't anyone "steal" my names. ;)

I'm getting anxious...need to finalize my decision and get crankin'. Would love to have an Etsy shop, although I know the work it must take. It doesn't have to be huge though, right?!

Our New Digs...

If you didn't already know, we have moved! It is of course, a little bitter sweet....leaving our wonderful neighborhood friends, family and the place where we took both babies home to. I guess it was time, as we had always talked about moving from the "OC" anyways. So here we are up in Newbury Park, where Jason grew up, staying with his mom while we get our bearings (and save some money!). It's been hard but I know we are very lucky for this opportunity. And we have a backyard!!

Rockets, Boats, Balls, Oh My!

Here is some of what I have been working on lately...last weekend the neighbor friend I spoke of here, celebrated with a shower (I unfortunately could not attend) for soon-to-be-born Baby Jack. This is actually the first shower I have done homemades for...so it was very exciting! I made a couple bibs, a burpie, paci clips, a changing pad/diaper wipes holder, taggie blankie, stuffed ball and a onesie with a super cute rocket on it! I had such fun doing it, hope her and her hubby enjoy them and now am looking forward to 3 new babies this year to sew for! Yay!

Please forgive me...

my posts are going to seem erratic and out of order! I am SO far behind...and have so much to show and tell.

9 Patch.

So here is what I have been working on lately...(amongst other things)




Its my variation on a 9 Patch Quilt...It is my very first quilt, although I was planning to start with this quilt along, I decided to go with the 9 Patch because all of my squares were already cut out for me! (That's half the battle, right?) So I went with 6 inch squares, making my blocks around 16 1/2 inches...and I'll finish with white sashing in between and around the edge!



I think I need to put one more block together before I can start on the sashing...I can't wait to see it all come together! And then on to the next one...

I'll leave you with a pic of one of my favorite fabrics...yee-haw!

Whoo Whoo...

Whoo is finally posting again?? ME! Ok, so these owls have been made for about a month and a half and I am just now getting them up here. (Computer is still not working...but I uploaded the pictures to blog and I'm using the laptop to post.) So a while back I spotted these on Ohdeedoh and thought they were super adorable (but I don't really need the music box), then I saw this and thought I did need the "crinkle" and THEN Leslie did this. I combined all three...and although sadly our owls are not inhabiting that same tree as Cade's, they have their own tree now.



Aidan's Owl- no crinkle



Sofia's Owl: Crinkle Crinkle

Photo Shoot...

I just found this post when I decided to try to write some other OLD posts...I figured I should just publish it to show these super cute photos of my baby girl...who is not so baby anymore. :(

I am trying to get caught up my friends...REALLY!

Sewing with paper...

My new favorite thing...so easy...so cute...so rewarding!

A cute little baby shower card made for my neighbor friend...



Next, I think I'll try this...

I Heart Cupcakes

I am always on the lookout for new (delicious) cupcake spots...so I was really excited when I discovered on this blog, that a new cupcakery, Frostings, was opening in Lake Forest!!




I rushed down the next day and treated the family to this...(excuse the half eaten one!) Now, I am not a true connoisseur of cupcakes (because I will eat almost any that is handed to me) but these were pretty good...moist and not too sweet frosting. And boy are they pretty...




And I had this super cute plate, from a sweet friend, to put this"Birthday" cupcake on! Yum.



OH! And they open at 7 am for breakfast...how much better can it get??

Strawberries and Watermelon

A perfect summer couple...


From this...




To this...

Fun in Florida...

And some more...these pics will be a YEAR old in 2 months! Unbelievable...what have I been doing?!! Look how little Aidan is...wow. WOW.

This is the ONLY time Aidan has ever just "crashed". Jason caught him as he fell off the couch.

Basil Limeade Slushies

I'm thinking these could be an alternative to this, but I haven't made them yet.

8 cups ice
4 cups water
3 cups fresh lime juice
3 cups lightly packed basil leaves, plus basil sprigs for garnish
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups soda water

In a blender, working in batches, blend the ice with the water, lime juice, basil leaves and sugar until slushy. Pour the limeade into chilled glasses. Top each with 2 TBS soda water, garnish with basil sprigs.

Sounds yummy...anyone else try these first-let me know! (Leslie-i bet you could sub some cherry flavoring in there) :)

Lots. Of. Stuff.

Ok, so I really thought it had been WAY longer than one month since I have blogged...but it has been almost exactly. I have missed it so...have so much to write about and show...but my computer is in a funk...the one that houses ALL of my pics... :( SO I will not write until I can figure out a way (my husband can figure out a way) to get my pics. Because those are the most interesting parts.

Dancing Clothes...

Ever since we've been back from Florida...Aidan has been asking to wear his "Dancing Clothes". These dancing clothes happen to be Sofia's tutu. And because I made a matching tutu for Hanna, Aidan's 4 year old cousin, who called it her "dancing clothes"...I guess it's OK. ?





And he does look pretty cute while dancing around to Dora the Explorer...

Happy 4th!

Aaaahhhh....Brother/sister/cat Love.

Vacation!!

We finally had our first vacation (since our honeymoon 4 years ago!) as a family of four...obviously first plane ride for both kids! Jason and I were definitely prepared for the worst and received the BEST results. Both kids did unbelievably well...no tears, screams or boredom on the entire air trip to Florida. Aidan sat in his carseat the whole time (except for a diaper change on each flight)...no running up and down the aisle like a lot of people warn. The trip home was a little less perfect...with Sofia finally breaking down after listening to a 3 year old scream the whole time (therefore making it impossible for her to sleep. ugh.) All factors considered- an amazing first trip. We can only hope future trips be as accommodating. :)

Big Boy...

So my baby boy is becoming a big boy...all on his own it seems. He used the potty THREE times tonight...although with all his excitement of using the potty, I was a little nervous he was going to get a hemorrhoid or something. There was just a little too much pushing going on. Is that normal?? Hopefully this keeps moving forward, this is the most excited he has been about it. But we are leaving for Florida on Thursday...hoping that does not put an end to this new adventure!
Yay Aidan!

Cheers!

Wow, 4 years has gone by already. I can't believe it, although it still seems like much longer sometimes! So much has happened in those four years...mainly two little precious babies, I can't imagine life without. I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next four...
Here's to life with my best friend! Cheers!!

Look what came in the mail today...

All of this delicious Katie Jump Rope...



Yes, I got it off the internet...after someone (Leslie) talked me into doing this. I have seriously been dying for this fabric and of course it is discontinued since I got into this sewing game SO late...I still didn't get the green circle dot that I absolutely LOVE but I got blue. That will do. Anyways, I thought this to be MY perfect choice for a quilt. Of course, I have no idea when I will even think about starting.

What's the deal?

So, I decided to stop by this place today, after we went to Target. Thought I would figure out what all the "cherry limeade" hype was about. I don't get it. :) (Sorry Leslie!) ...well actually I got cranberry (maybe that was the problem). I think its just that artificial flavoring-gives me headaches. Bummer, because I love me some cranberry. Guess I'll have to try the slush next time.

Mixed-Berry Dutch Baby

This is what I made for breakfast this morning...oh yum. So good.

3 large eggs
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup milk
2 cups raspberries
2 cups blackberries (I used blueberries and strawberries here)
4 TBS unsalted butter
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and heat a 10-in cast-iron skillet over moderate heat. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the lemon zest, sugar and salt until combined. Add the flour and milk and whisk until smooth. Add 1 cup each of raspberries and blackberries (I equally divided raspberries, strawberries and blueberries to make 2 cups!)

Melt the butter in the skillet and add the batter, spreading the fruit evenly. Bake in the center of the oven for about 22 minutes, until the edges are browned and puffed and the center is lightly browned in spots. Cut into wedges and serve with remaining berries. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Milestones...

Today my baby girl rolled over! From back to tummy...she is 3 months and 1 week!

This is the worlds most HORRIBLE picture...taken on my cell phone. Bummer no camera around at that moment.

Awesome Giveaway!!!

Ok peeps, listen up... The Fabric Shopper is holding an amazing giveaway by Whipstitch Fabrics! We're talking 2 build your own fat quarter packs...thats 12 new fabrics!! And if you blog about it (like me) :) you get an extra chance at winning. So head over there and check out the blog. (Or don't because than I will have a better chance at winning... :) hahah
Hurray for giveaways!

New opportunities...

Well today was a very exciting day...2 new things happened!

1. We spent time with our 3 year old nephew that we have never met before (long story)
2. I was given the opportunity to sell some sewing things in a little boutique owned by his mom!

So so so super exciting. I'll be able to make a little bit of money on the side. I'm thinking burpies, changing pads/diaper, wipes holders, bibs, onesies, tees, nursing covers and crayon rolls to start! Very ambitious, I know, but I'm too excited! Just a couple of each at first to see what happens.

I guess I get to start shopping for fabric again! YAY!

Fabric.

I got more fabric...yay! More things to make. A lot more. Thanks L for taking me shopping...I need to learn to be thrifty...be a smart shopper. I think I've gotten better in 1 day. :) And if you were wondering...I got polka dots. Lots and LOTS of polka dots.

Whats new?

Well since it has been a few days since I have posted (I have such writers block) I decided that I would TRY to post some info on whats new with Sofia. So here we go...she is CUTE, super cute and still has brown hair. Maybe it will stay? She has big blue eyes and delicious little lips (and of course that button nose). Oh-and dimples on both cheeks! She is teething...not in a bad way but in a fingers/hand in the mouth (constantly), BIG bubble blowing, drool on the t-shirt kind of way. She sucks her thumb-which Aidan never did. She is strong...so strong and must have some serious ab muscles because she is always trying to sit up when she is laying back. She loves to stand...her legs are so strong. (Aidan's were too.) She's wiggly, kicky and super talkative. She loves to look at her big brother and she laughs. Big. Big smiles and coos. Little girls are super!

And since we're here...we should talk about Aidan too. He's pretty cute also, with his blond hair sticking up and big blue eyes. He also has dimples and delicious lips...they have so many similar features, but such a different look. And then not. He is crazy...good crazy...running around in circles crazy. Running and never walking. He loves music...loves to make music...loves to dance...his imagination is SO big now...he loves to play outside (we need a yard!)...
He's a bad listener...he's 2 1/2...he's getting better (maybe). He's sweet...loves to give kisses, say "I love you" and make the I love you sign...hugs...he whines...asks nicely, says please, thank you, welcome. He's big...he has big boy feet and big boy hands...Big laughs. Little boys are super!

New Fabric

Yes, this afternoon I drove out of the garage like a maniac on a mission to purchase some Amy Butler fabric on sale. I have no idea what I will be creating with it, but hopefully a couple of dresses for Sofia...who knows what else? Here is a pic of the 4 I chose.

A little birdie told me...

Just a little coffee snuggle (cozy) I made for Jason. Hoping to make some out of something besides felt...maybe a little patchwork?