Baby Gown, Hat and Slippers

I just finished this baby gown set last night. I have no one to give it to and my little ones aren't litte enough to fit into this, so I guess I'll just set it aside. I had to make the little slippers as I thought they were so cute. I had the pattern for the gown and hat and thought it would make a nice addition to the shoes. I embroidered little flowers on the tee and hat. It looks so sweet. Eventually some baby girl will have a new little outfit to sleep in.

Needleroll

I have been pretty busy lately working on a couple projects, but don't have any pictures to show yet. So I thought I'd post one of my projects that I completed about two years ago. I simply love to do needlework; all kinds, really. I used to belong to a counted embroidery group; a lovely group of women that I miss terribly. Life has gotten too busy for me and gas too expensive to travel the hour or so it took to make the meetings, so I gave it up. However I haven't given up actually doing needlework! I haven't done a lot lately as knitting and sewing has been my passion, but I do have a few hand embroidered projects lined up. As soon as I get something done, I'll let you know.
This particular piece was worked on linen with silk and beads. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a very pretty piece that hangs on the mantle over my fireplace. I know the pattern was free, but I can't for the life of me remember where I got it from.

Bunny Hat & Kimono Sweater

Ahhh... it's done! The kimono sweater is from the Mason-Dixon book... what a fun project, and so many possibilities to embellish. I kept this kind of simple and neuter-friendly as I don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl. My friend's daughter-in-law is due the middle of March, but you know how babies are; some can be a little impatient and want out before they're scheduled. The matching hat pattern is from www.babycenter.com and is called Bunny Beanie. Oh, and yes, the pattern was a freebie. It's so cute, I need to tuck it away in my notebook as I'm sure I'll make it again.

What's Been Goin' On

We're still trying to get over the flu here. It's going right through the house; eight of the nine of us are battling this thing. I've felt under the weather all week but still functioning and was quite smug about it too! Afterall, I would tell myself, I eat healthy and exercise! I take flax and yogurt every morning, have given up sweets for lent... c'mon, I can beat this. Well, maybe not...

I went shopping yesterday, partly because I needed a few things at JoAnn's and Michaels to do a few projects AND they were having a terrific sale. I just couldn't pass all that up, now could I? So I trekked the hour drive to the hot spots, got all my goodies and realized I wasn't feeling so good by the time I hit the long line at the cutting table at JoAnn's. I decided to put the satin material back on the shelf and go wait in the long check out line instead. I got my prized possessions, all for a good price I might add, and headed home. By the time I got home and ate dinner, I knew I was getting IT! I was good, though. I brought out the knitting basket and continued on my latest project: a baby sweater, bunny hat and booties (maybe) for my friend's grand-child to be born SOON. I completed the sweater, blocked, sewn, the works, finished most of the hat, except the ears, but got a jump on those too! One good thing about being sick is you don't have to feel guilty about sitting knitting. I even listened to a book on tape with two of my daughters: Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary. I read that book to my other kids twice, actually, and this time opted for the read-to-me version. What a delight! Funny...

Anyway, when I checked my e-mails good fortune was mine in one more way! Someone on Freecycle was giving away satin material! I was the first one to respond and my husband will pick it up on the way home from work today. What a price-FREE! And to think I was going to wait in the cutting line, feeling yucky, and having to pay for it. What a stroke of luck!

Today I plan on finishing those bunny ears and sewing them on the hat. I will start booties and if I can finish them before the baby is born I'll put it in with the sweater and hat. I will post a pic as soon as I'm done. It should (I hope) be some time this week, as I want my friend to have it when the baby is born.

Also, today is National Bird Watching Day across America. If you go to www.Birdcount.org you can find how you can participate, too. I believe it is for three days, so have some fun and join us! I've been bothering my kids to tap the trees, too, as they should have been tapped on Valentine's Day, but they didn't feel good and didn't do it. I'm hoping they get out there today. It's so much fun to collect the sap, boil it down and have our own home-made maple syrup. Again, I'll post some pics as soon as we get going on that.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are packages all made up and ready to surprise my family with. They're filled with Hershey kisses, Cherry kisses, lolli's, and a special goody for each one: all the boys get a box of Russell Stover, the girls get little beaded bracelets to make, stickers, and a pair of little earrings.
We will have a special tea time in the afternoon, with heart-shaped tea sandwiches and a story about St. Valentine. For our Valentine's Dinner, everything will be red or pink. Spaghetti and meatballs, red colored milk, a pink, heart-shaped cake, and Kaleigh's heart-shaped pink-iced sugar cookies!

Are these little guys cute or what? I stumbled across a great blog this afternoon, quite by accident and found last minute valentine cards to make for my kiddoes and hubby. I had the supplies on hand and just needed a half hour to whip them up. If you'd like to make some too, just click on this link http://www.scribbit.blogspot.com/. Oh, she has a wonderful blog... lots of interesting things. I have to go back and visit again!

We Have the Sickees

Our dinner tonight was delicious! I made chicken-vegetable soup. Here's how I made it:
Saute onion, carrots, celery, cauliflower and zucchini in butter. Add water and chicken boullion or broth, cut up chicken breast, salt, pepper and parsley. Simmer for about an hour. Add cooked elbow noodles to each bowl.

Look at the beautiful color of all those veggies. I hope all the vitamins and steam from the soup helps all of us recover from this nasty bug that is invading our house. Everyone is sick but Daddy... hmmmmm..........

Spring Swap - Dotee Dolls!

Simple Gifts Spring Swap:: Dotee Dolls!

My friend, Nissa, is hosting a Dotee Doll Spring Swap! These cuties look fun and simple to make. If you would like to join in on the fun, please hop on over to Nissa's site for all the info and to sign up. Go to: www.gadboisfamily.com While you're there, click around on her site. She is very inspiring and also has a wonderful little gift shop.

Ash Wednesday

Today is the beginning of Lent. I hope it is a time of reflection for me and my family... a time to look inward and see our flaws, improve our character, and make clean our souls...
I will try to post some tasty lenten meals along the way, along with the recipes. Hopefully something new will come to you table each Friday!

Doll Quilt & Pillow

My little ones were invited to a friend's birthday tea party on Sunday. Trying to be good and use up some of my stash while at the same time saving my poor hubbie's hard earned cash, (that I keep spending on craft supplies) I decided I had enough time to make up this little doll quilt and pillow. It's made of soft, flannel left over from a couple other projects. It came out really cute. The only problem is my girls want to keep the quilt for their 'babies'! I'll wrap it up tonight and shelve it until Sunday. Out of sight, out of mind!
I also made the birthday girl a little blue apron for when she helps her Mom in the kitchen. I'm sure they'll all have a good time come Sunday.