Sew much to do!

I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the fabric I ordered for the apron swap I've signed up for. In the mean-time I've finished the romper that I started for my grandson Gabriel. It has two little monkeys on it. His mommy calls him "monkey" :) I also made an outfit with a cute little hat for an upcoming birthday party for a sweet little one year old girl that is coming up in August. It's the first time I tried my hand at the fabric roses. The rose came out pretty good I think and it was fairly simple to do. *Darn*...the mailman was just here and no fun packages with fabric for me today.........think I'll made some cards....

Beauty from Ashes

So here is a photo of the tomato plant I bought from the garden center. It's planted in organic soil and has been given special tomato fertilizer. I've had a few odd sized tomatoes (I have to say they have been very tasty) dispite my attempts to be a good farmer. I've even tried talking nicely to it as I water it. I've moved it to a new location hoping to maybe catch the perfect amount of sun....but alas.....

And here is the MASSIVE wild tomato plant that has taken up residence behind my garage. It is almost 6 feet tall and I've had to prune it back twice! No organic soil, no fertilizer, no nothing! It has taken root in the hardest, dryest, most unyeilding patch of dirt anywhere on our property. The fact that the only reason it's there is because a bird must have pooped the seeds there and the weather conditions were just right, makes me smile at just how amazing God is and what He can do. The bible says that He makes beauty from ashes. Obviously He also makes tomatoes from bird dookie :)

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

My handsome hubby had to work until 9:30pm last night, so this morning after he left for work I baked up a batch of these super yummy cookies. He ate 5 of them when he got home today and he said he's going to have some more after dinner. I think that's the true test of a good recipe :)

1/2 stick Crisco Butter flavored shortning

1 cup "Dark Chocolate Dreams" (dark chocolate peanut butter available at Target)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tblsp milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine shortning, chocolate peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg.

3. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Mix into shortning mixture at low speed unitl just blended. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet approximately 2 inches apart. I line my cookie sheets with parchment paper so I don't have to wash the cookie sheets when I'm done baking.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Owl Rightie Then!

You may have noticed my fun little owl pin-cushion hanging out in the background of some of my photos. Well, my daughter-in-law mentioned that she loved my little owl. So I made her one of her own for her birthday. I forgot to take a picture of it before she went to live at her new home. But she is green with flowers embroidered on her back. I have to admit, I wanted to keep her for myself! Anyhoo....so after looking at my owl, I realized that her new owl was much cuter than mine, so I made myself a new one. My grandson David wanted an owl too, so he adopted my original (more masculine looking) owl. I feel good knowing he is in a good home too. So now I have this girlier owl. No embroidered flowers, but she is red and I love red :) I have really fallen in love with felt lately. I found this super fun website with free patterns (YES FREE). If you are interested in working with felt check them out: http://weefolkart.com/ There are some great tutorials and really great info on working with felt. Happy crafting!

Project finished!

I finally finished the button holes and such on these two little rompers for my youngest grandson Gabriel. The one in pastel cammo has a grosgrain ribbon that says "absolutely dangerous" across the chest. So cute! And if you knew this little guy, he's so sweet....that dangerous is the last word I'd use to describe him which makes it even cuter!
I love to have a project competed!
Now I can start on something else. I'm anxiously awaiting the email that tells me who my apron swap partner will be so that I can go shopping for apron fabric! Should be fun times ahead!

Just call me "Scrap Happy"

Sometimes I sit in awe of how amazing God is and how much He blesses me in my life. I've been "retired" (due to fibromyalgia) for almost 10 years now. We downsized in a big way and get by on one income. (Thanks Hozer!) Inspite of rough days and nights, I wouldn't trade places with anyone I know. Our family actually enjoys spending time together. And I always manage to get the things done that need to be done one way or another. Everything I buy is on clearance or previously used and I jokingly tell my hubby "look! God had a gift for me today" when I return home with a new prize at an amazingly low price! I told Jose that I don't even stop the car for less than 40% off :) So this is my craft room. An accumulation of sale items and thrift items (my desk was 25.00 at the Salvation Army) The curtains I made were made from $2.00 a yard designer fabric from an outlet close to my home. My scrap supplies - you guessed it - all on clearance online and with 40% off coupons at my local Joann's and Michaels. My latest acquisition is the green hutch that I found on Craig's list. This is my happy place. This is where I create. I am grateful!

Fun Felt Photo Envelope

Every year my Mom goes to Germany for a few months to visit her family there. Every year I print some pictures to send along with her so that she can show them to her sisters and her friends from school (yes they still live in the same town) and probably to anyone else that she comes in contact with, people on the plane, etc. This year, I got a bit carried away and ended printing 200 photos. I didn't want to just hand her a fat stack of photos and wish for the best, so I crafted this cute felt envelope to hold her treasures in. I used my sewing machine to make the side seams for extra strength and then I did a blanket stitch by hand all the way around to add some color. I embroidered a few flowers on the cover and "Voila" the photo envelope was born! I love the way it came out. And it's red.......'nuf said'..... :)