4 YEARS OLD!!!!

Today is my sweet girl's b-day. I'm so lucky to have such a sweet, loving, intelligent, caring girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Tepee for two

I have been wanting to make a tepee for the kids for some time now and after seeing this image I knew just what to make for Ella's b-day. I had wanted to make a bunch of cute dressses but, let's face it, she would be way more excited about a tepee than dresses. Plus, I'm going to make the dresses b-day or not.

(from Country Living magazine)
Then had so much fun playing in this tepee, I knew I couldn't go wrong. The actual making of the tepee was not difficult it just took some time sewing all that fabric. The problem I ran into was in not using a pattern. I made my panels way too big. I had finally finished sewing and I so excited to set it up. Poles in, stand it up, stretch the poles out and the tepee stood about 2 feet off the ground and was about 8 feet across. NO!!!! So I ended up just sewing a seem down the middle of each panel and taking out about 10 inches from each panel.

Julian loved it. Ella helped pick out the fabric for "something for her b-day" and she fell in love with this butterfly fabric. It definitely was not my first pick and I kept trying to sway her away with other fabric, but she had her heart set on the butterflies. Now that the tepee is made and all together, I love those butterflies.

It's a little saggy, but overall I think I kind of like it like that, or at least that's what I'm telling myself because I'm not working on it anymore.

Somebody else liked it also. I think Ella is going to love it.

Do you know Japanese?

Ella's birthday is almost here and I need to start sewing. I know, I am always last minute. I found these really cute Japanese sewing books on etsy . I'm so bummed I never ordered one of these books because it looks like the seller is no longer selling any items. Oh, well...I never bought them in the first place because they are in Japanese and, well, I can't read Japanese.

Well at least now I can take "learn Japanese" off my list of things to do. I better get started on "make Ella a new wardrobe" though.

Going to the bookstore

A new painting. I got stuck on the owl theme. I think she is going to be Big Mama (yes, like from the Fox and the Hound). I am so excited and can't wait to get this book.


This book is by Amanda Soule, also author of Soulemama. I loved her first book.

It's a great book about connecting and playing as a family using everyday household items and the nature around us. I have had so much fun crafting with the kids and incorporating nature into our world as a result of this book. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the crafts we have done from the book.

Here is a birthday banner that we use for easy decorating for everyone's birthday.

(Somebody can't wait for little brother's b-day cake)
This was so much fun to watch. I read the book and Amanda talks about Beginning Embroidery with kids with a blunt needle and I had never thought to let Ella have some fun embroidering also. She loves it. We used her embroidery pieces to make rice bags (yes, just like bean bags but filled with rice). They still love playing with those and they are perfect for juggling with.

Here is Ella crafting away.

Here are some jammie pants I made using the book as a guide.

Many a gifts have been made from projects in the book.

I can't wait to go get my new book which hit bookshelves this week!!

Making of an Owl Towel

A couple months back I was inspired to make some hand embroidered tea towels after seeing some really cute ones at Anthropologie. 


Here is how I made mine.

Here are my supplies which included a good cup of coffee.
First I drew my owl on my fabric, cut it out with a seam allowance of about 1/4 inch. Then I slit small notches to ease the fabric at corners and on curves when hemming.
I hand sewed my owl onto my towel tucking under my 1/4 inch seam allowance. These pictures are pretty horrible, but there is some exposed edges of fabric at some of the corners. I just put a tiny drop of Fray Check on any of these edges then I can go crazy washing it and not have to worry about it falling apart. I got mine at JoAnn craft stores.
Next, I drew the details on the owl and gave him a nice branch to be perched on. I just use a pencil for all my drawing. I'm sure there is some special pen or marker that can be used for this but pencil works just fine. Once all the embroidery is done, the pencil won't show.
I used a running stitch for all of my embroidery except for a satin stitch was used for the beak. I seriously had no idea what these stitches were called so I had to turn to my handy dandy reference book.I forgot where I scored this book, probably a thrift store, yard sale or the Bookman, but anyways it is one of the best books on needlecraft. It was first published in 1959 and then again in 1971. The pictures and projects are the best. It is 548 pages of magic about every needlecraft you can think of. Seriously! It touches on the usuals such as sewing, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery and such, but then if I were ever interested in rug making, macrame, tatting and netting I would be set. Who knows, that may be my next project. As you can see, my poor book had probably sat on a shelf for the last 40 years so when I began thumbing through it the binding cracked and it is falling apart.
So bummed.
Back to my owl. Here he is standing proudly after the embroidery work.

I added a little trim at the bottom. It's now right at home in my kitchen.

Enjoying Summer

One of the things I love about summer is the abundance of fruit. I found this recipe in Everyday Food and just had to try it.

Watermelon-Strawberry Pops

1.Working in batches, puree 2 lbs seedless watermelon in blender. Strain through fine-meshed sieve into lg bowl (which I didn't do and they came out great) and discard solids. Puree 1/2 lb strawberries; add to bowl. Add 1/2 c sugar and 3 Tbsp lime juice (didn't add either of those) and stir until sugar is dissolved.

2.Pour mixture into ice-pop molds. Freeze until solid, about 2-3 hours. Makes 10.

Any extra is great for adding to your iced tea or just drinking straight from the pitcher.

Here are a couple of other ways we have been enjoying our summer.

Amazing how much fun is to be had with 2 tubs and a water hose.

Enjoying more fruit with friends.

Catching waves.

Celebrating b-days and enjoying homemade frozen bananas.

Going on bug hunts.

Exploring on the beach with cousins.

Painting, painting, and more painting.

Rediscovering old toys.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!