whatchabuildin

Happy New Year!

Just popping in from all the craziness around here in the past month.... I'll be back in a few days with lots of handmade stuff to share. Until then, hope your holidays were filled with joy, laughter and lots of love!

 

keepin' it together

Hey, happy November! Well, at least a week into it! I've spent the past few days getting the studio organized and cleaned for my holiday making. It feels so good to have a semi-clean, semi-organized studio! I actually need about another week to say I have a really clean and really organized studio, but I'll take this for now.

It's that gifting time of year, and this little tip I am sharing today has really helped me out a lot for the past few years.  I like to use 3x5 cards for notes, reminders, shopping lists etc... I thought these would work for Christmas lists too. I took a stack of 3x5 cards, and used a rubber stamp to stamp the year on each card. Then I put each persons name and gift ideas on the card. The gift ideas I used a pencil, that way if I thought of a different idea, I could erase it and write in the new.

I also made a little pouch for the cards so I can easily carry them in my purse or tote bag. This really works well, and I have actually been carry this around with me for about 6 months now, writing notes as I think of them. That way, when it comes time to make or buy gifts, it will be easier.

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We've been reading about "Hiawatha" lately, and Colin has been studying and studying the Native American clothing, especially the young Hiawatha. He finally said, "Mama, I need a Hi-yup-wafa (Hiawatha) dress up, can you make me one, please?" So of course I couldn't say no to my sweet baby child, and made this little get up. Quick. He wanted it, NOW. (You know those patient 4 year olds) It literally took about 45 minutes, with one fitting. He was so happy! Love it.

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Sew, Mama, Sew! Is having their third annual "Handmade Holidays"! Yeah! This is so inspiring! Great tutorials, recipes and give aways! Check it out!

Have a great start to the holiday season!

 

peekin' in, quickly

Oh, folks I really miss being here, but life has swept me away, again, into the craziness of the holidays! I have a few things I wanted to share with you though. So here I go, quickly!

:: Lolly Chops blog is chock full of great downloads!

:: Ottobre Design has this very cute mouse pattern, a free download, yoohoo! So cute, I am making one for the little guy for Christmas.

:: The best, and easiest last minute gift to give. And oh so yummy!I am making this Dulce de Leche for so many people this year! Including my little family. It is fun to hear a 3 1/2 year old say, "dulce de leche" in his sweet sing songy voice. He really is too sweet, don't you agree?

  

So, I'll be back around soon. A peaceful holiday season to everyone!

a strawberry weekend

Our Fourth of July weekend was fun filled, but mostly it was....

...filled with berries! Strawberry picking...

 strawberry freezer jam...

 Oh, so yummy, strawberries and cream scones...

Recipe follows:

Strawberries and Cream Scones

Preheat oven 425 degrees

2 c. flour

2 T. sugar

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. baking soda

1/2 c. butter

1 c. chopped, fresh strawberries

3/4 c. buttermilk (I use whole milk with 1 T. vinegar for sour milk)

Heavy cream for brushing on top

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- In bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder.

-With pastry cutter, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

- Gently mix in strawberries.

- Add milk and stir in gently.

- On a floured surface, knead for about 2 minutes. Dough will be a little wet, so knead in a little of the surface flour.

- Pat into a 3/4" thick circle and cut into 8 pieces (like a pie)

- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

- Brush with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar.

- Place in prepared oven for 25 mins. or until golden brown on top.

ENJOY! ~ excellent with coffee of tea.

... and a strawberry quilted picture! I am still trying to find my "voice" with these little fabric pictures, but I really love making them! Stay tuned for more down the road!

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

happy 2008!

another week gone by?

Boy this week went by fast! That's what happens this time of year I guess. Tonight we lit the third Advent candle. One more week left and it is Christmas! Tonight is mostly a visual feast of the week past. Have a good night.

outdoor picnic lunch...

holiday party...

advent calendar fun....

making....

more making...

card making...

and now tomorrow starts another week!

a busy week

It has been a busy week, and today is already Sunday. Here and gone.

The second advent candle was lit tonight...

We went sledding and made more paths in the snow...

Decorated the tree...

My little helper with his snowman helping too. "He wants to help mama!"

Cookie baking, and holiday card creating, and homemade play-doh (recipe later) and.....

now I am tired, like this old girls is. Sleep tight.