Bumper Bummer

When my oldest and littlest daughters shared a room, my oldest had a lavender and yellow quilt on her bed (pictured behind the chair photo). I made a bumper, two quilts, and sheets for the crib to match my oldest daughter's quilt. I also made a toss pillow for my oldest daughter's bed to match with the crib quilt.

I later fixed up this shabby little chair, gave it fresh coat of white spray paint, and reupholstered it to match.

This might seem like Quilting Extreme 101, since I personally haven't seen a quilted chair seat before. But after searching at local fabric stores for the right fabric, I wasn't having much luck finding what I wanted. The newly painted chair sat in a corner without the seat for weeks. It had become a constant reminder of an unfinished project. I finally decided if I can't find the fabric I want, I will make it myself. I turned to my left-over fabric from the quilts I had made, and used the same quilt block pattern. Now, I have one more project finished and the previously shabby, neglected chair has become a one of a kind pristine comfy charm.
I was taking the crib sheet off to wash, and thought...it's usually a bit of a pain to put one back on with the bumper in the way. Well I figured my littlest one has moved on to the toddler stage. At which point the bumper is probably more of a hazard (using the bumper as a step stool ) rather than a safeguard. Although my other kids weren't the climbing out of the crib type, I wouldn't put it past the littlest, innocent looking one we sometimes call "destructo girl". I decided it was time to retire the bumper. It made me a bit sad, perhaps because I made it with love especially for her, or perhaps because it looked so pretty in the now pretty plain crib. But I think the thing that made me the most sad, is that I realize my littlest girl is growing way too fast. At least we can still use the crib for a while longer, right? I'll be really sad when we have to switch the crib for a bed.
I stitched this up...they really are a delight!

One man's trash...this woman's treasures

I savor pretty dishes and such. I was at a local thrift store recently, and I found some fun little treasures. Gotta love the nearly new, no more than a dollar finds! Here are some of them:

My four-year old spotted this little bowl. I was delighted, and his face lit up when I commended him on his great find. I immediately knew the right place for it.

A set of four decorative hand painted plates.

This pair of fancy pedestals, just in time for Easter,

and this brand new canister for 75 cents.

Happy treasure hunting!

I've reached my limit!

No, I'm not referring to my credit card, but rather my hair. My story begins nearly two years ago with shoulder length hair...I knew then I would let it grow long until I became tired of it, at which time I would get it cut. Well, my long hair started to become an annoyance. So much that I was about to have my husband cut it (note: he is not a hair stylist, nor wishes to be, and the only experience he has; is cutting my hair once before in a similar time of desperation. As I have mentioned before, he is a man of many talents, and he had done a good job, and I trust him completely). However, time is of the essence these days, and at the end of a typically busy day, I did not feel like sitting still for two hours, so I opted to go to sleep instead. Needless to say that by morning I had reached my limit! I called on my good, longtime friend hoping she would be able to cut my hair at the spur of the moment (who lucky for me, has gone through cosmetology school, and has a quaint little set up in her own home). So to make a long story short, my hair is now where it started nearly two years ago. I have some of my sanity back (my kids have the rest), and have nearly 12 inches of hair to donate to Locks of Love.

64 Yummy Reasons To Make Your Own Rolls!

For the past few years, my sister in-law has baked butter horn rolls for Thanksgiving dinner. Every Thanksgiving, I think...I need this recipe! So I finally got the recipe last November.

I have made these rolls several times, including for Christmas Eve dinner (it was our turn to host). The rolls were a great hit, even in a room full of several picky eaters!

I think in the past, I've been afraid to make rolls from scratch because every time I've tried the popular frozen dough, they never turn out! So I thought, if I can't get those rolls to rise... why on earth will I go through the effort of making my own dough? With fears aside, I gave it a try. They've turned out wonderfully soft every time, and with very little effort. What takes the longest, is the rising process. Instead of letting them rise on the counter, I turn the oven on, long enough for it to be a bit warm. I turn the oven off, and insert the cookie sheet with the rolls ready to rise. Two hours later, they're ready to bake! The recipe makes 64 rolls.

We have quite a bit of wheat in our food storage, and I decided it won't do us any good if we don't start using it. My mother in-law recently gave us a wheat mill, and with the help of this wonderful machine, we quickly had wheat flour! I made these rolls again a week ago when it was snowing outside! I thought that having some warm soup and yummy homemade rolls for dinner, was a good excuse to not be annoyed at the fact that there was a Winter Blizzard going on in Spring! I substituted 1 1/2 cups of the white flour with wheat flour. So, I have found one way to use some of the wheat, and 64 little reasons to enjoy it!

Trip To Tuscany

Wish you were there? Well, ... So I didn't go there, but someday ...
However my hubby discovered this recipe for Olive Garden's Tuscan Garlic Chicken, and made it! The first time he made it, I was pregnant with my littlest one and could not stand the smell of it, the look of it, let alone ingesting it, as at the time I was on an IV diet of sugar water, vitamins and the good, too familiar antiemetics!


My multi talented hubby made this several times, including on Valentine's Day! It has now become one of our favorite meals, and treat (since it does call for the heavy cream). I have yet to attempt making it. But then again...why?, when he has mastered this new hidden art. Whenever he makes it, our kitchen takes on this wonderful aroma, just like I imagine a Tuscan Villa would at dinner time. So for now, this is the closest I get to Tuscany!

Spring! Spring! Spring!

I made this little sign a couple of years ago. I saw something similar in a little home decor shop, and I thought...I can do that! And for way less than $20! Do not be fooled. Those are not vinyl letters. Nope, they are hand painted. So, first day of spring these letters came out of hibernation, and onto my little end table ready to say good bye to old man winter. Seems he's been a bit stubborn lately. Looking out the window today was a nice change. I didn't see snow on my driveway or lawn, and it was substantially warmer. Now that is a good sign of spring!

To Blog or Not To Blog...

I’ve debated over the idea to blog or not to blog…I don’t consider myself to be someone who follows the crowd. In fact; I think I haven’t been blogging just to prove my point. Well…I’ve decided to follow the crowd and give the blogging bug a try.
First of all, this is not intended to be a means to brag, but rather a way to be creative, or at least feel creative. I enjoy creating things and the feeling I get once I’ve accomplished something.
Second, let’s see… What did I do today? It’s something I often ask myself. Of course, if I really thought about the answer to that question…I know I do more than change diapers, feed the kids, try to catch up on never-ending laundry (that would be an accomplishment in itself), and pick up toys (although sometimes it seems that’s all I do). So my second reason for trying out this blog thing is to prove to myself that although being a full time mother and wife is a great big part of my life, there’s more to me than that.
Third is for Therapy. I’m happy when I’m creative. Whether it’s cross- stitching, quilting, crafting, or figuring out a new recipe, (and perhaps posting on this blog) is my little escapade. My Posts may not be clever, but simply a small way to express myself creatively. I enjoy being home, it’s where I’m most creative. Home is My Cozy Cubby!