Thursday, October 30, 2008

just one more candy corn

I can't stop. It's a good thing I didn't buy my first package of candy corn until yesterday. I knew once I bought a bag, I was done for, so I waited. I sure hope I don't find some on clearance after Halloween. I really can't stop. I think all of the cavities I have had in my lifetime came from candy corn. Evil little candies.

I have a few photos of the projects I worked on this week and at my sil's house.




this is the birthday banner we made - don't mind the messy craft area.

ones I still need a finish.
burlap pumpkin


an apron I made out of a vintage looking table cloth I have had for awhile. I love re purposing something that was just sitting in a cupboard.

orange burlap and a little felt


I got home from our trip Saturday night and have been making something for Halloween everyday since. I think Halloween is my favorite holiday to craft for. I think part of it is that I love orange. I made two more spooky banners to give as gifts. Those are so simple, but just take more time than I always plan for. Then, I made these pumpkin wall hangings like I did last year. I had tons more orange burlap that needed to be put to good use. I saw them at a craft fair and recreated my own version. While on vacation my sister in law had a ton of projects on her list of things to do with me. We stayed up almost every night making bags for her and her girls. It was cool seeing my 17 and 11 year old nieces start a bag and have it almost completed in an hour. Plus, I love the fabrics they picked out. I forgot to take pictures of them though because I didn't have my favorite camera with me and then forgot to whip out the little Olympus that I did bring. Which reminds me, my SLR's flash isn't working and I am feeling all crazy about that. Got to get it fixed! We also made a Happy Birthday Banner for each of us as well while there. And, since the next two months bring tons of birthdays in this family, then it was just in time. I will take a photo of it and post it for next time. In the mean time, each night around here has been filled with caramel apple making, sugar cookie frosting, and tonight is pumpkin carving. Love it!

Friday, October 17, 2008

i was supposed to be packing


Instead I thought I would finish my Halloween banner. I am taking off to Utah this morning and I have all these Halloween projects to get done because by the time I will get back it will be the week of. But, instead of packing, I finished one of my projects. I did get back to packing and as it turns out, I am ready early, just waiting for the perfect moment to wake up a 22 month old to take with bright and early in the morning. Will it before right before we get in the car or 20 minutes before so that she can have time to wake up and eat? I don't know how too awake I want her, so I will keep watching the clock to decide.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

playgroup





Gage is involved in a fantastic playgroup. He and six other 3 to 4 year olds get together once a week for three hours at one of the mommy's houses. When it's your turn to host, you have a theme, a letter of the alphabet to teach, a number, and a color. Today we had it at our house and our theme was pumpkins and our color was orange (our letter P). I found these totes at Hobbey Lobbey half price last week (so around $1.50) and we made some trick or treat bags with them. I put their names and the pumpkins on the front before they came and they got to use paint and stencils to decorate the back. We also pasted faces on our giant paper pumpkins to turn them in to jack-o-lanterns (but I forgot to take a picture). It's fun and exhausting all at the same time. But, Gage loves it (just like his brother before him did) and I love that he is with his friends having fun and learning. Plus, the three hours with Mallory alone is quite nice too!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

totes




If you are on my Christmas list, look away. I have plans on making totes and filling them up with goodies. I am determined not to buy any fabric for them and to only use what I already have or recycle other things. Here are a few that I have finished and they are so simple. I will write up the directions if anyone wants them. They are all a different version of this tote.

st.james art fair


me and melissa

The first weekend in October is great for a lot of reasons, but one of the ones I look forward to the most is the St.James Art Fair held in downtown Louisville. The art is beautiful - some (most) a bit pricey, but always thrilling to look at. I went without any children (it's not too stroller friendly) and it was wonderful. I picked up a trinket from here to match the ones I bought last year, but mostly I just enjoyed good company and atmosphere.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

i need some guidance


Sometimes appliques are easy for me and sometimes I get an idea in my head and just start cutting without any guidance. Yeah, that means they don't always turn out how I planned. That's the issue with this rocket - if it even looks like one. But, I am sending it to a new little baby anyway hoping that he thinks it's a rocket!!! Or at least his mom will think it's a rocket and not a crayon on fire!

Oh, and I can't decide if this seal onesie and pants is for a boy or a girl. The pants are a muted red, but with a big cuff. So, can a boy pull this off and not look too feminine? Or can a girl wear this and look girly enough. I might need to add some rick rack to the cuff. Let me know if it should belong to a boy or a girl - please.

pumpkin cookies


When I was a freshman in college I received a care package. It was from my friend's mom and inside were these cookies. I didn't think they would taste as good as they do. They are the best pumpkin cookies I have ever had and yesterday I broke down and made some. It was the first day that was actually crisp. So these are a great start to an entire season of baking.

Pumpkin Cookies - from Helena Woidka
2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix in bowl and set aside. In a large bowl cream together:
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. canned pumpkin

Add 1 egg, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Add flour mixture.

Drop on a greased sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Glaze:
Heat to boiling and boil 2 minutes -
3 Tbs. butter
4 Tbs. milk
1/2 c. brown sugar

Stir constantly.

Cool and add 1/2 cup powder sugar and 3/4 tsp. vanilla. Glaze cookies

Makes 2 dozen.