Pink-O-Mania

Jane went with me to my favorite fabric store the other day and found some pink ballerina fleece and pink glitter tulle. Then her wheels began to turn and she begged me to make her a skirt out of all that fluff. I am not a "pink person", but I'll  sacrifice anything for my baby.

This is what came out of all that pinkness, Pink-O-Mania. Me, myself, and my precious brother machine are now COVERED in pink glitter. But its all worth it to have co-created something my baby girl will love and live in.

One more Christmas gift done.

What are you making for your loved ones this year?

Posted from UpdateMyFeed for Windows Phone

Take 5 Candy Bar Remix

I'm going to my first cookie exchange tonight and made my friend Sara's favorite homemade treat, the Take 5 candy bar remix.

Directions:

Take some pretzels, put a Rollo on top. Cook in oven for 5 mins at 300*.

Done!

Or, while they are still melty, add a pecan on top of that melty goodness.

Delish!

Posted from UpdateMyFeed for Windows Phone

Making My Own Bias Tape

Ambitious, I know, right?!

It freaked me out a lot, but a project I'm working on requires self made bias tape.

So fancy.

So I bit the bullet and just did it!
Dana over at MADE helped me out a lot too, with all her lovely photos and clear directions. Thank goodness for awesome tutorial makers!

Buttonholes Without a Buttonhole Foot

I am attaching 2 giant buttons to my latest project, and they are too big to use my buttonhole foot for.
What to do?
Google.

I found this great video tutorial on how to do it freestyle. The part you want is at around 7 minutes into the video.

It was a little stressful since I couldn't take my foot off the pedal and had to tap the buttonhole thing at exactly the right moment, so I had to distract the girls with suckers and 2 minute tasks to keep them away while performing my buttonhole surgery. It turned out great!

Twin Needle, My First Time

Fancy, no? 

I had a hard time getting all the settings right so the underside would look like a zig zag stitch, but I finally got it right

. I had to set my stitch length to 2.5 the width to 0.5, and the tension to 9.

I think I may have classed this project a bit up beyond my expectations. Now I want to buy a ball point twin needle for knit projects. Look how fancy I am!

Still no guesses on what this project is?

Guess My Current Project...

I saw these fabrics and just fell in love with them. It's the Alexander Henry "june song" and "june dot" fabrics. Isn't that pink delicious?! And giant black rick rack is so rich and intense. All this project needed was for me to put a bird on it.*

Any guesses on what my project is?

*(YouTube "Portlandia Put a Bird on it". You'll thank me later.)

It feels awesome to be sewing again!

Oh, and last night I went to a wholesale fabric warehouse with my sister-in-law Steph and bought some cute stuff that I have some big plans for, in my etsy shop!

I Didn't Quite Make It...

However, I have a good excuse.

Meet Hazel!

Our third little angel joined our family on

November 6th. She has been a joy and a

delight in our home. Scott and I are getting

used to being outnumbered, and the girls

are loving their baby sister a little too

much, but it is so sweet to see them all

interact so well.

I did still do some creating during the

past 10 months and will be posting some

of those projects, along with current

projects soon. I feel ready to be back

to almost regular activity level and to

blogging regularly again.

Hope you are all well and feeling crafty!



New Blog Discovery (249:365)

I just discovered this creative and modern blog called Made By Joel that has tons of great kid craft/ toy ideas with lots of printables too! You MUST check it out. You will thank me.

Can't wait to try out these ideas:

Cereal Box Marble Run

Pipe Cleaner Ring Toss

Blow Fish

Printable Paper City

...just to name a few...

Visiting Sunbeam (248:365)

Cryptic sounding, isn't it?

Actually it's a cute story.

We are visiting Scott's family right now and at church today little Dee was super brave and went to her sunday school class all by herself and wasn't sad! She is such a big girl! She even told us about how fun it was. When I was her age I was super shy (still am a little) and was not brave enough to do things on my own. Good thing my little sis came along only 3 years later so she could help me out.

Story time:

When I was 10 or so I wanted my ears pierced and me, my mom, and my 7 year old sister went to Claire's to get it done (still not sure why my sister got to do everything I did 3 years younger...). I was too scared to go first, so I made my sister do it first. She was crying, or course, so I took off. I wasn't about to suffer that pain! My mom came and got me and forced me to do it too since I made my baby sister go first. I'm glad she did, but why do we suffer so for beauty?

I also always made my sister call people on the phone for me and ask for the free cookies at Albertson's because I was too shy.

Thank goodness I've grown out of that phase.

Bravo to Dee for never going through it!

Persuasion and The Terks (247:365)

Today I went to an adapted version of Jane Austen's Persuasion at BYU with my sister-in-laws, mother-in-law, 2 nieces and my sister. It was really fun! The adaptation was interesting. There were flashbacks/ memories on stage, that Anne and Captain Wentworth kept experiencing throughout the play.
It was really fun to spend time with family again and to go to a play. I haven't seen a play in years!

Then, Scott and I went to see our friend Christian's band, The Terks, for the first time. It was kind of a wild scene, but a fun show. We don't go do scary/ fun stuff enough anymore. Bands in clubs. Fun people watching times.

Better Diagnosis (245:365)

I wasn't too impressed with our experience yesterday at the urgent care clinic, so I went to a real doctor today to get checked out.

Good thing I did.

I too have an ear infection (my first!), and bronchitis (first time!). We have been sad sick puppies around here this week.

Urgent Care Clinic (244:365)

Good times were had at the urgent care clinic today. Nothing major, I just don't have a doctor so I went in to get checked out since Goose has and ear infection and a bad cough, and Dee's been sick with the similar stuff, and now I'm feelin' it too...

First time at the urgent care clinic.

Hooray!

Patterns for Japan (243:365)

I've been eyeing a couple of patterns over at the fabulous blog MADE, one of my latest blog stalking obsessions. She is also LDS and is taking the opportunity to match all her pattern sale proceeds, from now until Sunday, and donate the money to the LDS Humanitarian fund, which will be 100% used to aid to Japan. I was so excited about this that I bought 2 patterns. 

Japan is in our prayers... 

First Earache in our House (242:365)

Of both our little ladies, Goose is the first to get an earache. Poor baby. She is not a sickly kid, but she does get more sick then Dee ever did and I'm sad to report on her little red ear. She's starting her first antibiotic (Dee's never had one either) and hopefully she'll be better soon!

Easy Saint Patrick's Day Earrings and Hair Clips (241:365)

I was at Micheal's recently and saw some green buttons for $1 a pack. I grabbed two packs, hoping to find some cute buttons inside.

I lucked out in the cute department and made some hair clips for myself and the little ladies, and a pair of emerald green earrings for myself and some clip-ons for Dee.

No one will be getting pinched around here on Thursday!

Chinese Market (240:365)

I went to a local Chinese Grocery store with my friend Kuei who is from Taiwan. She showed me the good and the not so good. It was nice to have a tour guide while discovering new food!

Exit Through The Gift Shop (239:365)

Scott convinced me to watch this movie (he muted the 4 bad words for me) and I am glad he did!

If you have any interest at all in art, or more specifically, in street art, this movie is for you. Enjoy it, then talk to me about it. The Art History part of my brain was reawakened and rejuvenated.

Here is a link to a good review from EW magazine.

My New Running Record (238:365)

Today I ran the longest I've ever done in my life!

25 minutes!

I did walk for a couple of minutes in the middle, but I ran for 25, my new record.

I am very proud of myself and am feeling tough and strong.

Trader Joe's Snacks (237:365)

I got a ton of new snacks from TJ's today. I'm in desperate need to some low fat, highly crunchy yummies, so we are trying out all of their rice crackers. 

Today's culinary adventure:

Multiseed With Soy Sauce

Verdict: 

They are satisfyingly crunchy.

Serving size is a plentiful 35 crackers, which only pack 110 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, and 200mg Sodium (which is not bad considering they are Soy Sauce Flavored). 

They taste like they are dusted with soy sauce juice. Not too over powering, so they are enjoyable.

Bonus:

They have 240mg of ALA Omega-3 in each serving.

Negative:

I just had a REALLY bad one which makes me want to eat an entire cake to get rid of the taste in my mouth. I'm going to blame the flax seeds because this recently happened to me with another TJ chip I tried a while ago that had flax seeds in them. Mostly, each chip was good, then now and then I'd hit a really foul tasting one...hmmm...at this point, I'm not sure the risk is worth it...

My First Coupon Commotion (236:365)

I am a valued customer at Jo-Ann's fabric store. (I spend too much $ there!) So, I get coupons mailed to me each month. This month was "Coupon Commotion" so that means I got to use like 15 coupons in 1 transaction! I bought some iron-on vinyl that I can't wait to use to make some water resistant bibs with any fabric I please! I'm thinking I need to buy some of these cute fabrics for it.

Anyone else go crazy at Jo-Ann's this week? What did you buy?

Presents (235:365)

Making some of these for someone special (and for myself).

Easy and way cute...may add some to my shop.

Best Strawberry Shortcake in the World (234:365)

That may sound presumptuous, but it's true.

Now, I know this isn't new to me, but it's new to you (and the Goose - if we are being technical today) and you NEED to know this recipe. 

I always use the recipe from my trusty Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.

Strawberry Shortcake

• shortcake
• 3-4 cups sugared sliced strawberries
• 1 cup whipping cream, whipped (add around a tsp vanilla - just eyeball it, and a few shakes of powdered sugar. I prefer mine less sweet, just do it to taste.)

To make the shortcake:

• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup milk

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Mix in egg and milk; stir just enough to moisten.

Spread dough in greased 8 inch round or square pan. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut in squares and serve with strawberries and whipped cream.

OR!

This is what I do. Make 8 mounds on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown on the little bumps. Then eat up! These also make amazing biscuits, if you don't mind all the extra (calories) deliciousness inside. Enjoy!

Baby Bootie (233:365)

I completed only 1 baby bootie today. It is for a friend who just had a baby that is adorable!

I'll post pics once both are done and ready to ship!

Apron Progress (232:365)

I am working on my almost free apron. Total cost, seriously, is $0.99. Unless you are going to be a stickler and count the topstiching thread, which I bought, not specifially having a project for, but finding a use for it here...then it's like the $1.10 apron. 

I am hoping to have it done soon.

More details to come...

Fixing My Necklace (231:365)

I bought this really cute necklace from Forever 21 two months ago and after wearing it once two of the strands broke!

Yes, two months passed before I fixed it.

But I finally did it, today.

Hooray!

Unearthing My Creative Space (230:365)

My creative space has succumbed to an avalanche of chaos and I spent my "free" time unearthing it today. Kind of a bummer job, but it helped me feel a little more motivated to start getting on some more projects.

I also made a giant list of all the projects I want to work on.

Giant.

Here's to motivation and focus!

And, today Dee read "sat" and "am". Woohoo!

New Snacks (229:365)

Goose and I had a short break today while Dee was at preschool so we made a quick run over to lovely Trader Joe's. There I found a few new fun things. 

First, Lavender Triple Milled Soap. 

  Used it in the shower and the entire bathroom smelled like lavender for hours! 

It was a lovely experience.

Orange Air Therapy Spray. It smells lovely. It doesn't last very long, but just one squirt transforms the air into a spring day in Mesa, walking in an orange grove. Yes, it smells that good. And there's nothing funky in it, so breath it in! Over, and over, and over...

 

And finally, Veggie Sticks. Made from potato flour, these lowish fat/ lowish calorie snacks are salty and super crunchy. Just what the diet doctor ordered! These little crunchies barely made it through the day at our house. They didn't meet a mouth here that didn't like them. 

 

Goose was ADORABLE eating them.

I know, I'm a bad mom for feeding my baby fried chip things. Justification, they have spinach and tomato powder in them too. So, they have to be at least a little bit good for you. Tomato powder has got to have some vitamins.

New Music (228:365)

My sister just introduced me to some new tunes, 
that honestly, seem ethereal.

Mindy Gledhill

Check her out.

You can thank me later.

And if you speak Spanish, or just wish you did, here is the Spanish version. And, yes, she has an excelente accent.

Have any awesome music you want to share with me?

Sporting New Boots! (227:365)

My mom bought me some cute (clearance!) clothes yesterday, including this preppy dress and snazzy boots.

I've never owned any boots before, because of 
A. I've never been able to fit into any off the rack, 
B. I didn't have the guts to wear them, and 
C. I didn't want to pay $50+ for them.

Good news, we found those on clearance for $10!

We got the next, can I say-SEXY boots for only $13! 
My outfit here cost under $30. 

Hooray for clearance shopping, of which this year has been amazing!

(Thanks again, mom!)

Skinny Jeans for $5! (226:365)

I FINALLY bought into the trend.

(I'm a late bloomer.)

I got my first pair of skinny jeans since 1986 today from Target for only $5!

Luckily, I also just got some boots to wear over them...

Don't plan on seeing me wear them without the boots any time soon!

Pictures tomorrow...

(Thanks mom for taking me shopping!)

Leather Skirt for $0.99! (225:365)

$0.99 day at Goodwill was today and I scored some sweet stuff. 

The best of which was a black leather skirt for, you guessed it, $0.99!

I'm not planning on wearing it though, but on using it for other fun creations, such 

as a cute new pair of shoes for the Goose.

I found this great pattern for re purposed leather shoes on etsy.

First Mile With No Side Ache! (224:365)

Today I ran 1.15 miles without getting a side ache! I felt really pretty good and would have get going a little longer except Dee's preschool was getting out right then. Anyhoo, once I stopped I felt a little tiny dizzy, but not bad really. I feel proud of my body and my mind for accomplishing that! Can't wait to bet back on the tredmill and see how much farther I can go next time.

Joslyn Art Museum (223:365)

Scott got home today from his conference trip and after I picked him up from the airport we went on a date. First we went out to lunch and tried some new food at Wheatfields in Omaha, then went to a cool vinyl store and found some great band shirts.

Then we went to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, for the first time.

Ah! It was so NICE and fun to go to an art museum. I haven't been to one for sooo long. I was an Art History minor in college, so I really miss art and studying up about it, so I was in my element and loving it.

They had a really great exhibit called The Glory of Ukraine, featuring tons of beautiful byzantine religious icons and artifacts.

Their permanent collection was also amazing. Scott was able to see his first Monet, Degas, Pollock, among others.

We had a really great time walking around together talking about art and being alone.

And the best part, we got in for free because there was less than 1 hour until it closed!

Basketball and the "Runza Wrap" (222:365)

Today I went to my first UNL Women's Basketball game with the young women from our church for our weekly activity. It was really fun to go and see some basketball! I haven't been to anything like that for a long time.

Lame part, for half time they had people do a "Runza Wrap" challenge where they had to wrap and box the local favorite snack, the "runza". Boo. They are gross. But everyone here LOVES them.

I've been told that the Cheese Runza dipped in Aus Jus is amazing. We'll see...

Dee's First Letter "m" (221:365)

Yesterday Dee and I started "playing school", or rather,started her reading lessons. We are both really excited about it and are enjoying the lessons.

Today she successfully wrote her first legible letter "m"!

We are on our way to literary freedom!

Blueberry Banana Bread Bust (220:365)

I tried making a blueberry banana bread today which turnedinto a horrible mess. It never finished baking. I baked itfor about an hour and checked it thinking it was definitely enough. Tubs out no matter how long I baked it it was just never going to bake all the way through. 

I'm talking HOURS.

It was a gross soggy mess.

Do you know of a good blueberry banana bread recipe that will fill my void?

Drop One Off, Pick One Up (219:365)

The last few times Scott has gone on conference trips, my mom has been able to come out and "replace" him. She has even been able to plan her flights to line right up with his, so I literally drop him off and pick her up at the same exact time. 

We did another airport swap today. 

Dee is soooo excited for her grandma to be here.

Goose was terrified of her, but soon got over it.

For dinner, Goose ate her first broccoli trees and strawberry chunks. She LOVED it. She is at the point right now where she eats more than Dee at just about every meal. She can really pack it in, even weighing in at only the 25% for her age.

I am about to start a reading program with Dee. Per my friend Anna's recommendation, I bought the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and am working my way through the introduction. I never read intros, I just don't have the patience, but I'm so glad I'm taking the time to do so here. It explains a lot of really important aspects to the program that are key to Dee's comprehension of it all.

I think we will start the program tomorrow. I am so excited about it!

Running and a Migraine (218:365)

I had a super great workout this morning. I ran for 15 1/2 minutes without stopping, the longest I've done in like 15 years, 

Image from here.

and then did some weights for about an hour. I felt really good!

Soon after I came home my vision began to have a blurry spot which I realized was actually a blind spot. I used to get migraines when I was in middle and high school so I knew what was potentially about to hit me. I used to get tunnel vision or see stars, but this was the first time that I had a major blind spot. When I was looking in the mirror at my face and couldn't see the entire right side of my face I realized something scary was maybe about to happen. I sent Scott to the store to get me some migraine medicine and he ran off and returned quickly. I took it and felt okay, and the blind spot cleared up, so I went with Dee to lunch with some friends. On the way I started to regret it, but kept driving anyway. We sat with our friends for about 10 minute before I decided I shouldn't have gone and told Dee we needed to leave right then. We left, I drove quickly, and about 2 minutes after walking in the door I threw up (good timing, right?!). I did feel a little better after that, but a dull headache was coming on, so, luckily, Scott was able to be home today and I got to sleep the headache off. Thanks honey!

Ever since, I've been on a caffeine buzz, since the migraine medication had as much as a cup of coffee! I don't drink caffeine so it really hopped me up. It's just now starting to wear off, 11 hours later.

So, today was a day of physical triumphs! First big long run and first migraine of the decade. Hooray!

5 Minute Headband (217:365)

Yes, it really only took me 5 minutes to make this dazzling little beauty.

I got the tutorial from New Green Mama.

All you need is some old knit material and 5 inches of elastic.

I used a pair of Scott's old pajama pants 

that have some lovely HUGE holes in the behind.

They will NOT be missed.

Now they are being put to better use, making my gross hair look cuter!


How to make the headband:

Cut a 2 1/2" by 14" rectangle. 
Then slice the rectangle lengthwise 3 or 4 times, getting only 3 inches from the ends on both sides. These strips will curl when pulled tight.

Then you sew about a 5" piece of elastic, zig-zagging it on both ends. I kind of rolled up the knit material around the elastic to encase it better.

I will definitely be making more of these little darlings. 

(Headbands and kids...)

Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies (216:365)

I'm so over Toll House.

Their Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe makes flat and greasy cookies which are always disappointing. 

I found a recipe on the back of my Gold Medal Flour bag the other day (which I bought for $1.68 on sale and then used a coupon from the bag, a "pealy" to buy 4 bags of chocolate chips for $0.75 each!) for Chocolate Chip Cookies and hoped it was better than Toll House.

Image from here.

Well, they sure are! Less greasy, less flat and chewier. Yum!

I made 2 additions to the recipe.

I added 1 tsp Vanilla and 1 small box instant Vanilla Pudding mix.

Hope you like them as much as we do!

Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4	cup granulated sugar
3/4	cup packed brown sugar
1	cup butter or margarine, softened
1	egg
2 1/4	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1	teaspoon baking soda
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup coarsely chopped nuts
1	package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Heat oven to 375ºF. Mix sugars, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.  (I cooked them for 11 minutes and should have done 10. I tend to overcook my cookies fearing rawness...I need to get over that fear!) Let me know if you like them too!

Reese's Pieces (215:365)

Woot!

Oh yeah, free candy.

We went to Culvers tonight for some custard with our pogo card and with your frozen custard you get mix ins. Well, Scott didn't want any mix ins and I didn't want any ice cream so I asked if I could get the mix ins on the side.

They complied!

I got a huge cup of mini Reese's Pieces for free!

Image from here.

I probably sound too excited about this, but it was really very exciting. Try it next time you go somewhere and you don't want all the offered mix ins/ toppings. Get some gummy bears or M&M's to go!

Vintage Valentine Tutorial (214:365)

Today I made some vintage-style Valentines for Dee's preschool Valentine party tomorrow.

I can't wait for her to pass them out! (Although, I do realize they will probably go straight into the trash, I am still proud of how stinkin' cute they are!)

I found this great vintage Valentine's print fabric at a local fabric store.

  I think this idea would be so cute with so many different kinds of prints. You could make your own stationary cards!

Here is a little tutorial on how I made them.

Valentine Headbands (213:365)

I made these cute little headbands today for my girlies to wear tomorrow.

Only, I didn't put them on hard headbands, but stretchy ones, since Dee WILL NOT keep a regular headband on no matter what!

I got the idea/ found the great tutorial over at Blue Eyed Freckle, who, btw, has the cutest felt headbands! I can't wait to try out some of her ideas myself!

Porridge Papers Valentines (212:365)

Today this really cute local paper shop, Porridge Papers, had a really fun and FREE Valentine activity. We went and typed up Valentine notes to Scott on old typewriters 

and got our tiny polaroid picture taken. 

Then we packaged it up in a tiny bottle, which they then will deliver to him at school on Monday!

It was so fun! Hope it's a good surprise for daddy!

Dee's First Dance! (211:365)

Our YMCA had a Valentine's Daddy Daughter dance tonight and Dee and Daddy pants went together. Goose was asleep already...

They had so much fun!

Dee requested "Talk About It" (Funky Town) from Shrek and had a lot of fun dancing to one of her favorite songs. She then kept wanting to request different songs, but daddy was a little bashful about bugging the DJ. 

During a slow song she kept yelling to Scott that she wanted them to change the song (like mommy like daughter-boo slow songs!). 

At the end of the night they gave Dee a rose which she was so excited about!

Dee and Scott had a really great time on their "date". I'm so grateful to have a husband who cares about his girls enough to spend quality time with them doing things the girls want to do!

The After Party

Chicken Noodle Soup, Wheat Bread, Honey Butter and a Lemon Tart (210:365)

I love cooking, but it sure is a lot of work when it's all from scratch! 

For dinner tonight I made Chicken Noodle soup, improvising as I went, throwing in some chopped kale to boost the health factor, and some freshly picked basil out of our AeroGarden. The soup turned out delicious.

Then I made some quick Whole Wheat Bread from The Essential Mormon Celebrations cookbook by Julie Badger Jensen. 

 Image from Everyday Food Storage

It only took 5 minutes to mix and only 40 minutes in the oven, with no rising time. I used molasses instead of honey. Here is a link to someone else who took the time to type it all up.

The bread was nice, with a definite quick bread/ chewy texture. The honey butter made it delicious.

From the same cookbook, I made some Honey Butter. The recipe calls for 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup honey, and 1 tsp vanilla. Beat for 3 minutes on high. I halved the recipe though, since I'm the only one using it and it's only good for 4 weeks in the fridge.

Then I made a heavenly Lemon Tart.

Photo from Diana's Desserts.

Find the recipe here, from another kind soul who typed up this one for you all.

I topped the tart off with homemade whipped cream. Yummmm. It was a delicious meal.

What did you have for dinner?

Edited Photos (209:365)

In Picasa, there is a button that allows you to edit and alter your photos in an online program called Picnik. That is what I used today for these, and I think they turned out pretty well.  

Here are a few of the pictures of sweet little Ava.