Bugs 'n Butterflies party

Had so much fun making a bug themed party for my two march birthdays.

When  I asked my daughter what she wanted for her party she promptly told me butterflies.

I immediately was for that.  I still want to have a joint birthday parties (as long as they still let me) 

with my son and daughter and bugs are so boy and girl friendly!  

Caterpillars and worms for him with Ladybugsand butterflies for her.

I love bright colors so I made frosting in lime green, bright orange and popin' pink.

Sugar cookies are a fun easy theme piece too.  You can make a cookie for any thing.

I took my heart shape cookie cutter and used it to make some cute ladybug beetles.

I also made butterfly cookies and some beehive cookies too.

I of course made "Dirt and Worms"

With chocolate pudding and crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms on top.

That one brings back lots of memories for me.  

What I didn't remember was how sweet those items are all together.  

Sugar Over Load!  (but every birthday should be right;)

I also made chocolate cupcakes in regular and mini sizes.

The bigger ones I arranged as caterpillars.  They each were as long as their age.

That really thrilled my daughter, she is trying to catch up to her older sisters.

(I wouldn't recommend explaining how that will never happen...  it means tears)

All in all it was a sugary sweet success!

a Whale of a baby shower

I was delighted to help host a shower for a friend of mine this weekend

I was inspired by the baby shower eVite

working with that I made a banner with bright pink, orange, light pink and lighter orange

I drew free hand a whale and cut out a few.   I also made some picks to put in the treat jars.

Then of course I had to make something cute for this new baby girl!

A whale is a unique baby motif which I adored immediately.

I decided this baby needed a a "lovey" mini quilt with ribbons.
I appliqued the whales and waves with machine satin stitching
then I hand embroidered the spouting drops and hearts as well
as the faces of the little whales.

I used a cotton velveteen for the whales, so soft.  I also used some 

pink chenille and some dotty orange minky. 

This girly with have endless delight touching this mini quilt with 

all the different fuzzy textures and ribbon loops.

The baby shower was a success!

It was a fun group effort.  I made decorations and cupcakes and others did the food and shared the

use of their home.  That's the way to do it if you can and no one shouldered it all.

It turned out so cute! And of course the mama to be was so happy!

Maybe you are inspired and want to have a whale of a shower too.

 go ahead and use this whale shape for a template and have fun!

Sew it's a birthday

did some sewing this week...

for a birthday gift

made this cute mooshy rabbit from cute knits

re-purposed from one of my daughters tops.
I used a cute pattern found here.

I also made a cute top and skirt set

I made it pretty simple and using a pattern of my own making.

What do you think?

I had always wanted to try some bias ruffles
so I cut some bias and gathered and sewed it on
this top in the shape of a heart.

last I whipped together some ribbons to make a barrette.

What is it about ribbon with little stitches along the edge that I just love!

It was fun to share a handmade gift.

How about you do you like to make gifts for others?

Or how about when you receive a specially crafted present?

I love those!

What's needling you... blue

Knitting needles and embroidery needle.

This little baby shrug just came off my needles!

My first attempt at a garment in a lace stitch.  (I need to block it)

This cute baby ensemble has been on my needles.

First on a search for vintage I purchased this pretty blue broad cloth and cotton print.
The pattern has a yoke neck and I embroidered some lazy daisies.
I wanted to bring some of the pink up and tie into the floral at the hem.
I loved the idea of a shrug with this little sleeveless dress.

So much fun to make.

So what's needling you?

Happy Valentines Day!

Made pink fortune cookies for my family this morning!

They were yummy!

Easy recipie

2 egg white beaten until frothy and soft peaks

1/2 cup sifted flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp of almond extract

mix until smooth

2 Tbls water

red or pink food coloring

mix these in until thinned and pink

I use a small skillet 

on med heat

spoon a tablespoon or so onto the skillet

tilt around to make  thin layer  (like with crepes)

  you want it very thin about 4- 5 inches round

then you wait until it looks dry and starting to 

turn golden around the edges a bit

then you can flip it

the second side is only there for a second or two

then remove

I put on parchment and carefully place paper fortune inside

fold in half

and pressing middle on rim of a cup fold again

I then placed inside a muffin tin to aid keeping their shape until 

they fully crisp up.

If you cook too short they won't fully crisp up so be patient 

while they are cooking.  A few trial ones and you will have it down.

so much fun and supper yummy!!!

Lady bug fat quarters

I purchased a darling fabric fat quarters bundle when I was pregnant.

Playing around with them I had a t first thought to make a little quilt top.

But then I just couldn't resist the ladybugs being a little dress.

I did a little smocking in the center.

i was so proud of myself for finding floss that matched so well
then when I was done wished it hadn't matched so well
because you barely see it.

Instead of running it through a pleater I did the dot pleat method on the back of the fabric.

It was such a small area so I thought it wouldn't be too bad.

Made me glad I have my mum's pleater for big jobs though, smile!

In the back I left the skirt open and turned the edges under.

I wanted to ruffle the bum area and be able to see it.

I ran 1 1/2 inch strips through my serger to do a bound rolled edge.

Then I gathered, pinned and sewed them  across the bottom.

It turned out pretty cute and my baby looks darling in it!

Shopping at Pine Needles in Utah

My sisters, my mom and I went to Gardners Village in Utah.

My favorite was the shop called Pine Needles
I could have bought the entire store!
I loved every inch of that place! My goodness it was a candy store.

I know my sister and I were wishing we could some how be wealthier that minute.

Another sister and I recently went to a shop in Denver such fun.
(have to blog about that place later)
I believe this will be a new tradition to go to quilt shops on our travels.