Oh the popcorn and working on the WIP pile

I tried the Snickers popcorn (see link for recipe in this post) yesterday. The little kids were sleeping and Z was at a friend's house and I quickly popped a mini bag of popcorn and then added the snicker bars to melt. Then I hid in my sewing room and scarfed most of it by myself. Naughty mommy. But oh it was good!
Then I worked on some works in progress (WIP) and got some clothes done for K. These simple ruffle pants have turned to a year long project now. lol They were going to be full length last year, but now they are capri. Which is the great thing about girl's clothes.Made a simple applique butterfly shirt (using some old Martha butterfly stencils to trace) and she could not wait to wear it today! Here are some butterfly templates on Martha if you want to make your own butterfly shirt. I think I will use that 'cover the stain' technique for one of Maressa's shirts. ;)
Another year long project I didn't finish last summer. I must of made it giant, because it's still plenty long. It's made with one of my fav euro patterns. Super easy, however uses a good bit of fabric.

And just for good measure current pic of the baby (don't mind the hideous wallpaper in the background...slowly but surely making over the house as you know..foyer/hallway off the red room is next to go in a nice light carmel color I think). Anyway, these are her fav things...hat, sunglasses, stroller and babies (brother helped her with her sunglasses and getting all that stuff in her stroller...she even stole his ball).

And the biggest boy will be 7 in a little over 3 weeks. Working on the invitations for his lego birthday party. Found some cute favors here. Unfortunately, the party guest list has grown and I need to find more.

Highlights of the weekend

We had a great weekend here....but busy as usual! My highlights are as follows:

*Met best friend and her little girl for breakfast at the mall indoor play area.
*Huge denim sale at Old Navy...totally scored 2 jeans for myself for $12 a piece (and a size down at that) and 3 pair for $7 each (the 7's) for Zachary. Everyone else in our family is good right now.

Got the ribbon I ordered from here in the mail. Going to make cute key fobs for gifts for Christmas and possibly checkbook covers.
Went ahead and made me one! I made it extra long to be a wristlet for when I don't have pockets.
I also got some of my half done projects done...dress for Kalla, pair of pants for her (now I need to make a matching tee with butterflies) and fixed a top of hers and fixed 2 tops for a friend. :)

And my Hancocks is having a big construction sale and I found some cute flannel prints to make jammie pants for the kids and some awesome printed cords. Using the pink and red one for Kalla...not sure if I will make pants or tiered skirt yet and the lavender to make Maressa a jumper dress.

My room...almost done!

This is my sewing/craft room BEFORE. When we bought this house 2 years ago, it came with this craft room including the cabinets, tile floor and door to outside.

It is right off of our playroom...which is super nice to keep an eye (or ear) on the kids.
Here's the new look, complete with new sewing machine! Old Bessie is tucked into the far right corner. She was actually the inspiration for the room. It is painted the same color as my old machine (will dig up a good picture of her soon). I painted the cabinets white (still working on the big set of cabinets on the right wall) and replaced door handles.
It also includes the baby's corner. Maressa has already made much use out of this corner, keeping herself busy rocking her babies and building blocks to knock down while I am in here.
Here's one of the walls. Lovely scented candle and jarred up craft knickknacks on the shelf.
Not quite yet finished scrap wreath (needs some more strips).

Painted on chalk board for to do and needed supplies list. And cubbies for craft/sewing books and binders of patterns.
Here's a peek behind my working table where I have frequently used tools on hand and basket for half done projects. ;)
More craft supply storage and radio of course!
FINALLY! A spool rack...wouldn't let myself get one til my walls were painted! Here's my progress in getting the fabric back in. I still have a good bit more, it won't all fit I know though. The red canvas bins are for scraps.
I'm lucky that my walls are super high (this used to be part of the garage) and I get those cheap banker's boxes to store fabric that isn't used frequently. I need to get some more bankers boxes though as the shelves are full and have a good bit more fabric and stuff I need to find [non cluttered] places for. And I still need to finish painting these cabinets. And one day I hope to put a screen on my door to enjoy the spring and fall air.

This isn't a big room, but it's all MINE!

Some crafty links

I was perusing the net this morning and reading some of my fav blogs and found many wonderful things to share. It was one of those Internet trails you find yourself on, linking from one place to another. Anyway, I found some really cool crafts. :)

Kid type crafts:
tp roll cuff bracelets
cereal box postcards
foot and hand print garland

Other crafts:
bird silhouettes
ribbon key fobs
toadstool doorstop

Food:
snickers popcorn
pies in a jar

Enjoy!

Pics of my sewing room tomorrow...I hope. :)

Today's good thing

Been trying to figure out how to keep up with all the school papers coming into this house. So I found this lovely file organizer at Target the other day. LOVE IT! Not only can I organize all the fundraisers, homework and other misc school stuff coming and going, but it's attractive. It is dark brown leather (or looks like it at least) with a lovely striped inside and there are coordinating hanging files too. Because we don't have a good spot for this kind of thing to keep handy, I needed something that is easy on the eyes so I can put it on a side table in the dining room. Not to mention can be moved when having company too. But for everyday use, I can handle looking at it and important stuff won't get lost and is in easy reach. :)

Day of the Week Clothing dividers

I'm sure I'm not alone with the daily clothing battles with my 5 year old daughter (least I hope!) So now that she's in school I'm the anal mom who wants her to match and perhaps a bow or 2. :) So not having the time to fool with clothing battles in the morning, I came up with a strategy. We are going to pick out clothes for the whole week on Sundays. I will pick [cute] outfits and accessories out and she gets to choose which day she wants to wear them. So to organize our efforts we made little clothing dividers for her closet for each day of the week. Simply made out of foam sheets and leftover princess craft from her 4th birthday party.

One note if you make these, be careful to not make them top heavy. ;)

Still working on the sewing room. Hope to have some sneak peeks soon!

THE best pound cake

This is THE best pound cake I've ever had. Mind you I'm not even a big pound cake fan but this stuff is awesome! This recipe came from my grandma and thought I'd share. It is great warm, cold, alone, with peaches and used for strawberry shortcake.

1 8oz pkg cream cheese
3 stick butter (creamed)
3 C sugar
6 eggs
3 C flour
1tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients adding only 1 egg at at time. Pour in tube pan. Bake 300F for about 1 1/2 hours.

I also drizzled an almond flavored thin icing over the top....just powdered sugar, almond extract and hot water.

This would make a great gift too if baked in a loaf or mini loaf pan.

Ahhhh much better

Yep, more painting. I'm now working on my sewing room. I just finally purchased a new sewing machine and before setting up shop, I decided to finally reorganize and decorate my little room. Hubby asked if the new paint would make me sew straighter or anything (as he was not understanding my excitement at putting color on the dreary walls). It may not do magic in my sewing, but make me happier in my own little colorful space (in case you weren't sure, the new color is the teal). I'm actually painting the room in the colors of old Bessie...my ancient sewing machine.

It will be a while before final picture posting of the whole room. Most of my stuff is crammed in the dining room right now and I've not even been able to take my new machine out of her box. I have a table to paint and an old stool to makeover. Oh and the ugly brown cabinets with many coats of crisp white.

On another note, my oldest went to school today. 1st grade. First time in 'big boy' school as he went to a private half day kindergarten last year. I didn't cry, but came close. I feel nauseous though. Nervously waiting til 2:30. Trying to work this pick up in our schedule too with it being in the middle of little ones naps. Sigh.....he will love it, he will love school, I know he will. I will learn to like it I guess....

Crayon roll and berry sweet gift

I made a few little gifts for a 3 year old's bday party we went to this past weekend. I made a crayon roll for the first time ever. They are really straightforward to sew, but here is a tutorial on them which is nice if you don't want to figure out your own measurements.

I made that and an I Spy Bag and traveling blanket...

to go in this cute Strawberry Shortcake bag I made her for on the go 3 year old entertainment and comfiness. ;)