New Throw Pillow Covers (55:365)

I have hated the throw pillows that came with our couch 

from the moment I saw them.

However, in them I saw potential.

 You know, a free pillow form to be covered up.

So finally I have done just that.

Using fabric from that estate sale I went to a few weeks ago 

and this very simple tutorial, I have turned these (shudder)

into these (ahhh!)

Soon I am planning on adding something like this.

Ruffled Flower Corsage (54:365)

I made one of these tonight. I've been wanting to make one for a long time now, but was just feeling like I couldn't do it. Like I wasn't going to be able to make mine cute or something. Anyway, I did it, feeling anxiety the whole time, and yet it worked out just fine. 

Great actually. 

It was sooo easy and fast! 

(Once I had all the fabrics picked out that I wanted to use. Still having some fear/ anxiety cutting up old stuff I don't want because I feel like I'm going to regret it so bad later! Lame, I know...)

The colors I used were Navy, Light Pink, Light Blue, White, and Light Brown.

I'd like to make another with some better fall colors and these seem a little springy to me. Yet, I still love it.

I think it's really cute and can't wait to were it on a fall jacket!

Tardy Issues (53:365)

I have a disorder called "Tardy-to-Everything-Itis". 

What this means is that I am chronically late for everything. Meetings, picking up my Jane from preschool, church, parties, and I even gift late for birthdays and holidays. 

Yeah, I'm super cool and reliable.

I am working on it, but my poor sister is just another one of the casualties of this disorder (which runs in my mom's side of the family, so she is also a carrier of the disease, therefore, she is understanding and forgiving).

The purpose of this confession is that I am working (still) on her birthday stuff, as you can see that things came up this week to displace my b-day projects. Therefore, there are no pictures today since what I am doing is for her and I KNOW she is reading this post. 

Sorry Sarah! Love you!

Flower Barrettes and Handmade Gift Boxes (52:365)

A little girl from our church was baptized today and her mom is getting married tonight, so they are moving right away to another state. That's a lot of changes for little girls! So I made her and her little sister some cute flower clips (one is that vintage-looking flower I made the other day with a homemade button in the center) and handmade the gift bags that I put them in. The gift bag tutorial and printable template is here. 

I think they turned out cute!

I Deserve It (A New Realization) and Number Two is Weaned (51:365)

Today while working out (I completed my 3rd day this week and reached my goal!) I realized that I enjoy doing it! I know, it's strange! I also realized that I deserve to feel good and to have a little time to myself each day to do something good for me. I don't need to feel guilty about putting my kids into the (free!) Child Watch at the Y. They go and are fine and I get to do stuff for myself, and then we are back together and recharged for the day. Huzzah!

Today Lucy decided to be done with mommy. You know, she's tired of the slow flow and prefers the ability to guzzle and wiggle at the same time. Ahhh, the good life.

I'm a little bit sad, but it's okay. I just can't believe that she's so big! Here are some shots of her bottle enjoyment (she likes to drink and rub her head. It's sooooo stinkin' cute!) I just love taking pictures of that sweet little face.

Seared Cod with Chive Butter and Her First Day of Preschool (50:365)

Well, I forgot to take a picture, but let me just say that it was good enough for Jane to enjoy one bite and not complain (that is a real feat, let me tell you!). 

I followed this recipe (or check out the video here), from one of our favorite The Next Food Network Star's non-winners, Aaron. We haven't had fish in a while, and since I'm a Northwest girl, I crave it so bad sometimes! I recently tried poached cod which turned out really well too. Today's recipe was good and simple. I did have to change a few things due to what was on hand and cost:

- I used only 1 egg for the egg wash, and there was plenty left over

- I used EVOO in place of Grapseed Oil

- I forgot to flip the fish and let the butter and lemon juice cook around the fish

For the Butter Sauce, I halved the recipe due to user comments/ suggestions and I changed the following due to cost 

and what was on hand:

- Substituted Chicken Stock in place of the White Wine

- Substituted Dried Thyme in place of Fresh Thyme

- Substituted Dried Onion for the Shallot 

(Wish I'd had a Shallot instead!)

- I used Half-and-Half in place of the Heavy Cream

- I used Dried Chives instead of Fresh (YUCK!)

It was still a good recipe, despited all the low brow substitutions that were made. I would definately make it again, but work on making the sauce more true to the recipe.

Also, today was Jane's first day of Preschool. She was really excited and told her teachers immediately that "Mommy made my pack pack!", and no, I didn't tell her to say that, she was just so proud of it.

She did well and had a good time. My baby is growing up!

I'm not so cute in this picture, but Jane is just adorable, 

so it had to be shared. Look at her glee!

Toddler Backpack and One Satisfied Little Customer (49:365)

Jane is starting preschool this year and I can't believe it! She was originally going to have to wait until she turned 3 in October to join her class, but today I got the okay to bring her in tomorrow! 

I have been meaning to make her her first backpack for months now and kept putting it off again and again. Well, this afternoon I panicked realizing that she actually needed it tomorrow! So, I neglected everyone just a little bit and sewed like a mad woman all afternoon. Including all the interruptions it probably took me 6 1/2 hours. If you take out the mommy stuff, it was probably more like 2 1/2 because I'm slow and precise and thought a lot about how I was doing everything. (This time I trusted the directions.) I found this simple Toddler Backpack Tutorial on one of my new favorite blogs called indietutes where the blogger is all about cheap ways and things to sew by reusing and re purposing other fabrics and notions. I LOVE her site and hope you can find something there to help you too!

I'm so proud of myself for actually creating something useful all by myself! It's been a long time since I've sewn anything real (besides easy things like burp cloths). 

Jane seemed to like it and her daddy was very impressed. It is just her size and that is what I love about it the most!

A future model?

She actually was trying to be funny and pose.

In the opening I put a purse magnetic snap, like this one, to help keep it closed and yet keep it simple for those little hands.

One satisfied little customer.