Happy Sunday

Hopefully you're enjoying your weekend as much as we are!

And luckily, we made it through coloring with markers without Little Brother ending up like this again. :)

Flash cards & clothesline

On a whim the other day, I went into the dollar store.  My intention was to get supplies for Julie's project, but I also found these fun little flash cards.

I think they're perfect as a simple and fun decoration for our playroom.  Who needs flash cards for learning, anyway?

And for the record, this is the name of my make-believe child.  My real ones are kept under wraps because of super uncool stuff like this.

Why I love thrifting

This.  For 3 bucks. 

I snatched it up like a crazy woman as soon as I walked in the store.

And the chippy paint?  Love!  You can't fake that with a palm sander.

I hope everyone's having a super day!

In the kitchen

Yesterday we took a break from the sun and water and spent the afternoon in the kitchen.  It was a lovely (and welcome) change of pace.

I was long overdue to cut back my leggy basil plant, so armed with a basketful of homegrown basil and parsley, we made my favorite pesto. 

It's definitely one of my fresh from the garden, summery favorites.

For dessert, we made oatmeal raisin cookies. 

I double the raisins, though.  Sorry, Martha. 

I rarely make oatmeal cookies since they're not really my favorite.  But when I found this tin of oatmeal at the fruit market, I had to buy it.  It's going to look awesome with a plant in it!

Tell me you buy things just for the containers, too. :)

Now I am just (im)patiently waiting for these to ripen a little.  Apricot jam and this awesome bread up next!

Happy Sunday

I still have no idea how I pulled this look off, but I'm in love with this picture.  I hope everyone had a super weekend!

Wow...again.

164 comments. 

Whoa.

I think my gingham addiction might be spreading. 

Like that's a bad thing.

The lucky winner said she wanted a rainbow bunting if she won.  Awesome choice!

So who won? 

Why, commenter #60, it was you!

Congratulations!

Email your info to me so I can mail that pretty bunting to you right away.

Thanks to everyone who entered and for all of the super sweet comments.  I loved reading them and I loved reading all of the possible color combinations!  You all are the best!

xoxo

5

Five years ago today I was the bride.

Time certainly has flown.

Ups and downs.

Good times.

Two beautiful little boys.

And we're just as happy today as we were then.


ps. If you'd like to win the bunting, I'm choosing a winner today!

Embroidery hoop initial tutorial

I finally have both of my boys sleeping together in their room. 

And it only took me 18 months. 

So I'm slowly getting rid of the green and yellow nursery things and bringing in more red and blue big boy things. 

Yesterday I made applique monograms and then put them in embroidery hoops to hang on their wall.  Here's how I did it.

You'll need:

9 inch embroidery hoop (any size will do, but my fabric measurements are for this size)
11 x 11 inch square of white fabric
5.5 x 5.5 inch square of applique background fabric
fabric scrap big enough for your initial
Heat 'n Bond Lite or a similar product
Contrasting thread

Iron your Heat 'n Bond to the back of your fabric scrap and 5.5 inch square fabric.  Carefully cut out your inital.

Peel the paper backing and iron your appliques to the background fabrics.  Using a small stitch length, sew the initial to the background fabric, and using a zig zag stitch with contrasting thread, sew the entire applique to the white fabric.

Center the entire piece in the embroidery hoop and tighten.

Trim the excess from the back and you're done!

Christmas in July

 

July?  Already?  That means we're on the side of the year closer to Christmas. 

Yikes.

So if you're ready to get a jumpstart on your Christmas projects, head on over to Larissa's.  She's hosting a whole month of Christmas ideas. 

And guess what...I'm guest posting there today.  Quilted coasters.  One of my very faves.  Super easy to make, too.

See you there!

Wow.

Sorry, contest is now closed.

My little ol' blog hit 1,000 followers yesterday. 

1,000.

That's crazy to me. 

Blows my mind.

I'm still shocked that people read what I have to say.  People that I don't even know.  People other than my own mom.

So thank you.

And to show my gratitude, I'll make a gingham bunting for a lucky someone.  20 flags, any color combo your little heart desires. 

Just leave a comment with the colors you'd like, and I'll pick a winner Friday. 

xoxo.

Rainbow Bunting Baby Quilt Tutorial

This tutorial is my addition to luvinthemommyhood's Baby Bonanza.  I was so thrilled when Shannon asked me to be a part of it!



 

Since I've had buntings on my mind lately, the idea for this quilt struck me and I just had to make it.  Here's how I did it.

You'll need:

2 pieces of white quilter's cotton (or a sheet), 25 x 37 inches

1 piece of flannel, 25 x 37 inches

21 bunting flags, 4 inches each (I show how to cut them here)

Bias tape (I show how to make your own here)

Start by laying out your flags across one of the white pieces of fabric, draping them across just like an actual bunting.  When you're happy with your placement, pin them down.

Sew a tiny zig zag across the top of each row of flags. 

Then, starting at one end and working your way up and down each side of the flags, sew a tiny zig zag on the remaining sides. 

Assemble your quilt sandwich.  Flag piece on top, flannel in the middle, other white piece on the bottom.  Pin everything together.

Sew a tiny straight stitch along the top of each row of flags to quilt the layers together.

Bind your quilt with the bias tape, and you're all set! 

A happy little quilt, perfect for a boy or a girl...

There are probably a million possibilities for color combinations for this quilt.  Think of all the buntings you could come up with!!

And since my babies are not such babies any more, I've listed this quilt in my shop if anyone's interested. :)