Saturday, August 25, 2012

Got A Little Crazy With the Buttons

 This is one of the necklaces I've been tossing around in my brain recently.  My friend Vicki and I were at Cross Patches a few weeks ago and I found a container of buttons that I loved.  Then we saw a similar necklace to the one below on a mannequin.  So I made one of those, too.  I'd like to point out it was her idea to run there after work and she spent no money.  I walked away with enough buttons for 2 necklaces with extras and some fat 1/8ths for my Wishes quilt.

 I made a birthday table runner for my great-niece and nephew whom I'll be visiting this weekend.  I made one of these years ago for a Shop Hop for Sweet Annies'.  The original pattern is for a whole quilt and we adapted it to be a table runner.  And it's huge.  Takes up most of my table.  I was going to make four gifts because they're a family of 4.  Glad I didn't.  Now I need to make a few more for my other great-nieces and nephews who I can't go visit since they live on the west coast.  And one for my family because it turned out so cute!  The best part is that I could use the fabric I wanted and not what the shop wanted me to use:)  I'm just picky that way.

My nephew's in-laws (grand parents of kids above) are having their anniversary this weekend also.  So, I made this table runner for them.  Again, now I've got to make one for me because I'm in love and don't really want to give it away.  It's a lot smaller than I expected, especially compared to the one above, but really cute.





I also finished the bear for my Wishes quilt.  It's only one of three stitching parts for the next block.  This quilt isn't big but very time consuming.  And the generous author is publishing the patterns WAY faster than I can keep up. (the button card in the middle of her basket junk isn't done because I'm going to use real buttons)






Last but not least, my August Sew Tweets block.  And, I am officially current on that block of the month.  I'm close enough now that the border is looming over my head.  It's not going to be much fun.  Lots of repetition.  Repetition and I are not close friends.

Next time, I'll tell you how Chicago went.  

Monday, August 20, 2012

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

This pie mixture was so delicious, it's a miracle anything actually got in the pie.  I actually made my own crust for this one.  I'm usually much too lazy and use a pre-made crust.  I had forgotten how much better homemade crust was.  Yum.  Next time, I want to get lard to use, to see if I don't have an allergic reaction.  Shortening is made out of  soybean oil which is a big no no for me. 
Sierra's Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting and a chocolate dipped banana chip
Sorry. no recipe.  Not sure where Sierra got them but everyone was in love with this frosting.

 Brace yourself, this stuff is really exciting.  I went through a cleaning bender a few weeks ago.  We can all blame Pinterest for this non-sense.  I didn't get any before pics, which is for the best really.  Just imagine 8 years of six people throwing things in the general direction of where it actually belongs.  The good stuff, the bad stuff, everything.
 I also decided to make a bunch of homemade cleaning solutions.  Front left is my own dish detergent.  Tragically, I ignored her warnings and didn't let it air out first and it turned rock hard.  But, it does work nicely once you chip away some powder.  I also started using vinegar as a rinse agent, which is awesome.
 My own laundry detergent.  Works SO GOOD!  The basket is for delicate washing.  Bethany hand washes half her stuff and she was just piling that all up on top.  Total disaster.  Oh, and I made room refresher.  Oh, yeah.  I also made a face wash for Bethany that gave her a rash all over her face for the first week of school.  You're welcome Sweetie...


This one isn't finished.  I ran out of basket $ when back to school started going down.  Baskets are surprisingly, expensive when you buy them by the bunches... Eventually, I'll have baskets for the sheets too.
 These two had to have so much thrown out it was crazy.  You know how you save things thinking you'll need it some day.  Ridiculous.



I put all my shoes on hooks because Rich was having a heart attack about them laying around everywhere.  Side benefit, please notice all the room I made for more shoes.


Like I said, exciting.