Darn Fridge

Our fridge went out this week and so I had some food to either eat fast or throw out. It was time to get creative.

At Christmas time Andrew and I took the Dirty Bingo prize. We were so gracious about it too! haha.

So my sister-in-law really wanted the cup with the straw and when I saw them at Target last week I had to pick one up for her. But.... I promised to only give handmade gifts this year so I was stuck. Andrew said he could just give it to her, but it still wasn't quite right.

Enter food that needs to be eaten. I took a puff pastry, rolled it out, and cut it into 8 squares. In each square I placed either a bite size Snickers bar, or a bite sized Twix bar. I then wrapped them up and baked them. I have to say they were pretty tasty! Each puff was then wrapped individually and put inside the cup. Yeah! Homemade treats:)

This, That and Then Some

The last few days have been a whirl wind! Some good, some bad, but mostly great!

After having everyone so sick all week last week I was worn out by the weekend. Friday night we went to a friends house for Rook night and had a blast! It was so refreshing to take a break from the day to day and just relax. On Saturday we had a birthday party to go to but I was just too overwhelmed and Evangeline still wasn't feeling well so my amazing hubby took Axel and Miracle and they headed out with this gift in tow:

I stayed home and Evangeline took a FOUR HOUR NAP while I cleaned the entire house. It was so great. When they got home, Andrew and I went on a date. I felt so rejuvenated!!!!

Sunday we had a Valentine card making party at church:

And Monday (Valentine's Day) we had so much fun!

Pink Heart Shaped Pancakes

Sweet Heart

Pink Princess

Dinner at Carbone's

Love

Some Cake for Axel's Birthday

Our Valentine's Cards

Brrr.....

It is so cold here right now. I'm in Minnesota where the temperature was -12F when I brought Axel to school this morning. Then you add in the wind chill, and your fingers are frozen before you even make it out the door. It seems like most of the country is experiencing a colder (and snowier) than normal winter.

That being said, I really wish I knew how to knit (or at least crochet). A friend of mine made me some fantastic chunky knit pink gloves for Christmas. I would love to knit hats and gloves for my family. The fun knit flowers and the cute baby hats with the ears....

I bought this hat for my girls when Evangeline was born. I actually have a few. One the same as pictured and then two in a cream with brown. Unfortunately Evangeline has grown out of hers, but Miracle's still fits. We get so many compliments! I was going to link you to the etsy shop, but it is no longer there. Bummer!

Another Etsy favorite of mine:

Bear Ear Flaps Hat

 

 

 

I saw these at the mall a few weeks ago and think they are a really fun accessory (bought handmade instead of course!):

Chunky Ear Warmer Headband

 

And I really want some chunky legwarmers. I've been wanting to try the whole skinny jeans/legwarmers/boots combo.

Dotted Custom Legwarmers

My Miracle

We were back at the dr. today with little Miss Miracle. On top of the prednisone and albuterol she now has amoxicillan. She is in a pretty good mood despite not feeling well. I'm guessing it is probably the steroids though!

Here are some sweet gift ideas for your little miracles.

Magnetic Block Picture Frame

Scrabble Tile Pendant

Miracle Frame

Life Story Blocks

Wine Lovers

I have a relative who started making their own wine and even fashioned a little bar/distilling (is that what it's called???) area in their home. I thought this would be the perfect addition for their new past time.

To me there are so many pros to this serving tray. It is eco friendly as well as an awesome conversation starter. The tray has a classy look to it and is very reasonably priced. Oh, and I loved the one I ordered and so did the receiver. Check out d'Pholk Designs for more colors too.

Men's Ring

I purchased this ring for my husband as a Christmas gift. He has been wanting a second wedding ring for a while. Something that he could wear on a daily basis and not worry about dings or scratches to his nice wedding band.

It is lightweight and the oxidation is wearing in such a cool way! Hubby absolutely loves it. I had his engraved with our wedding anniversary. No excuses now right? Tina was so great to work with, and even though I ordered past her Christmas deadline she still got it to me in time. She has many other styles in her shop as well. Check it out!

One Hour Bag

For my sister (in-law) on her birthday I made this purse from a tutorial I found over at Ric-Rac. The tutorial is very detailed with lots of great pictures. This was my biggest sewing project so far and it went so smoothly thanks to the wonderful directions!

There is a little pocket inside and I couldn't find the magnetic snaps, but I did get a large snap from the sewing section at Wal-Mart. I think they were $2 or $3 for a set of 3.

I'm also really excited about the button embellishments! I purchased a little kit from Jo-Annes for around $3 so I could make matching buttons to add a little pizazz to the straps. 

If you aren't up for making your own, you can check out some of these great bags I found on Etsy.

Deer and Mushroom Bag

Freebird Emma

Colorful Songbirds Buttercup Bag

Birdie Sling Handbag

The Pixie Handbag

Buttons n Arrows

Slouchy Shoulder Bag

Knitted Handbag

Peek A Pink Handbag

Bean Bag Tutorial

I realize bean bags are pretty self explanatory, but the kids and I threw these together last night and they were so fun! I am just learning how to sew, and this tutorial could benefit someone who is a newbie like me!

Supplies needed:

Fabric squares - 2 for each bean bag

Thread

Beans 

**I used 5" squares and black eyed peas. One bag of black eyed peas filled approximately 3 1/2 bags.**

I had purchased a couple of baggies of fabric squares from Designs by Jamie a while back and they were the perfect size for this project. I went with some funky color combos. Colors that were the same and/or looked good together, but not necessarily 'matching'. 

First, place fabric squares right side together and pin. Sew all around the 4 edges leaving a 2" opening for turning. 

Trim the corners and turn bean bag right side out. Now, place a funnel in the opening and fill about 3/4 full of beans. I used black eyed peas because that is what I had on hand, but you could use any kind of bean you would like. If you want to fill them fuller you may have to hand stitch the opening. The kids can help with this part too. Mine loved it. (I got a 4 pack of funnels from Wal-Mart for $1.)

Now just fold in the open edge and do a little top stitch! So simple, and the kids absolutely loved playing with the bean bags.

I'm already planning on who to gift these to! These would be perfect for my nieces and nephews as well as my kids friends. You could do themes, colors, fabric appliques.... 

If you don't want to make these yourself I would love to do it for you! Click on the contact me tab above and we can work something out. Thanks!

Tea Bag Valentine's

I just couldn't resist sending you over to Tatertots and Jello for this cute guest post on Valentine tea bags.

And you could always put these together with my previous post on tea bag wallets.

Strawberry Bread

This recipe is actually from a Wilton cake pan. It is super yummy and a little more like cake than bread. A simple idea for a hostess, get well, or thank you gift or just to say 'I'm thinking of you.' When I make the recipe for my family, I pour most of the batter in an 11"x6" pan and the rest in a small bread pan. Then after the bread cools, wrap it in plastic wrap and tie a pretty ribbon around it.

Strawberry Bread:

3 Cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 packages (10 oz each) frozen strawberries including juice
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

(**I have found it tastes best with fresh strawberries and pecans**)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray pan with vegetable pan spray. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine strawberries with juice, eggs and oil. Pour strawberry mixture into flour and stir just until flour is absorbed. Stir in nuts. Pour into prepared pan; fill 1/2-2/3 full. Bake 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pan. Cover pan with a flat surface and turn pan over. Bread releases on to flat surface. Makes 8 cups batter.

This is good plain or topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoy!

Valentine Flask

I have never been much of a drinker and my husband isn't either, but for some reason I have always been drawn to interesting and different flasks. I have been brainstorming different uses for them besides alcohol just so I can get this one for my husband.

Isn't it unique? It would be so great for Valentine's Day with that sweet little heart on it. It is made by Moxie and Oliver, and they have many other fabulous gift ideas for him in their shop. I am really loving the woodgrain pattern and may just have to get the wallet/ money clip instead. 

For the Expecting Mama

 I made this onesie and card for my cousin who is expecting in July! I am so excited for her. Babies are so fun and I love fabric appliqué onesies. And doesn't the momma on the card look so trendy?! 

 The card die cut was made on my cricut machine using the New Arrival cartridge, and I simply put some foam sticky dots on the back and affixed it to some cardstock. 

As for the fabric applique I did a quick google search and found a tutorial from Totally Smitten Mama. I do mine a little differently, but this is the same basic idea.
If you aren't up to making one I would love to do it for you! I usually charge $10 for a onesie and $2.50 for cards. Click the contact me tab above for my e-mail!