Archive | December, 2009

henley makeover

17 Dec

I started with two shirts from old navy, a brown scoop neck henley, and a blue print woven with a drawstring at the neck, both were from the clearance rack.

First, I cut two 3″ wide strips from the back of the print shirt.  I liked the ruffle at the neck, so I just cut straight from the hem to the neck.  Then I ran a row of stitching along each edge that would be exposed once the ruffle was attached.  I’m hoping for a soft frayed edge overtime and the row of stitching will stop it from fraying to bits.  Be sure to stitch the row on opposite sides of each strip, since the pieces will be stitched into the henley opening.

I cut the front of the brown henley directly up the middle from the hem to the neck, discarding the placket.  As I pinned the ruffle to the henley, I made small pleats.

After the ruffle was attached, I pressed it and ran a row of top stitching along the edge of the henley to secure the edge of the ruffle to the cardigan.  This should help keep it from being too floppy.

As CJ would say – wiggle, wiggle, poof – just like magic, it’s a cardigan.

’tis the season

14 Dec

I spent this morning packing teachers gifts.

I was able to deliver them this afternoon.

- Love checking stuff off the holiday list.

snow day – part three

10 Dec

another day off of school -

beautiful morning sun -

this evening I’ll be working on something special with these -

snow day – part two

10 Dec

Actually this is day three, but here’s what we woke up to yesterday -

It’s supposed to be a step down.

This is our sunken patio – after it’s been sunk under a foot of snow -

The wreath must be on a sturdy nail -

The wind was still blowing so no one spent much time outside.

We made baguettes, banana bread, and coated pretzels for snacks.

The big shock of the day – CJ loves them.  Completely of his own free will, the boy who doesn’t like anything was found standing at the counter asking if he could try them.

vanilla/espresso coated pretzels

1 bag pretzels

1 package almond bark

1 teaspoon vanilla powder

1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

Prep your counter by putting down a big piece of waxed paper.  Using a double boiler or similar set up melt the almond bark and when melted add the vanilla and espresso powders.  Mix well.

Remove from heat and stir in the pretzels.  This may be done in batches if your bowl is too small.  Stir with rubber spatula to coat pretzels.  When coated drop them on the waxed paper to cool.

Share with picky eaters and enjoy

snow day – part one

8 Dec

The kids were dismissed from school early today because of all the snow.  The nice people on tv say the snow will keep snowing and the wind will keep blowing all night.  Snow days (and snow afternoons) mean that anything that any job I had as top priority just dropped a couple notches.  Instead, there were houses of cards, tracks through the yard, and snow cakes with leaves instead of sprinkles.

We must have at least 5 inches out there now, probably more.  I scooped up a fresh bowlful for Lulu to play with after supper tonight.

She even whipped up some snow ice cream to share.

my place and yours :: that’s my home

4 Dec

This week Pip’s My place & yours is being brought to us by Tania of myrtle & eunice. As theme queen for the week, she has asked us to show

what object would you take wherever you roam, because it makes your house feel like a ‘home’?

When I land in a new space the first thing I have to do to make it feel like home is get stuff on the walls.  These old corner blocks were something the spouse scavenged while we were living in our first place and they have followed us through all the places we have lived since.

From this angle, (I’m standing on my counter) you can see all the extra pencil yellow paint the previous owners spread all over the trim.

Every time we hang them I have to explain my theory of no pattern/no order of decorating to the spouse.  He always wants to alternate the patterns – how silly of him.

getting festive

2 Dec

I’m warming to Christmas again, years of working retail took all the fun out of the season.  Now, with CJ and Lulu being the most demanding people I work with, I’m liking it again.  They are eager to help and anxious to see what pops up in the advent calendar every morning.

I finished the pompom wreath, and after cleaning up the blizzard of yarn that I snipped off in the process, I have hung it on the front door.

We enjoyed these as well…

pumpkin cupcakes from the hummingbird bakery cookbook - deliciousness

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