Creative Monday

(Finally Finished Project, that is!)



Whatever could it be?

Why, just a little smocked bib, of course!


I started this back when we lived in our apartment. We moved a little over a year and a half ago...and I think I started this before then, so almost 2 years ago? Oops.

And yes, I AM the queen of procrastination! :)

Up, up and away!

You know what I love most about flying from this part of the country? (Aside from the small, uncrowded airport?) The gorgeous, gorgeous scenery.

(As always, you can click the pictures for larger sizes)








Of course, this is when things got good and bumpy!

Rain, rain...

Today on my way home from Jeff's office, it cut loose pouring. I haven't seen so much rain since we moved here. It was heavenly.

(As always, you can click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Drip, drip, drip...


It had calmed some by the time I got home, and the water was starting to pool in the candle holders on our little covered porch off of the front door.


I sat on the porch, just enjoying the rain, talking to my momma on the phone and playing with my camera.

These are my favorites, closeups of the water puddling up on the slate slabs on our walkway.


Aren't the colors pretty?


It's sunny and bright now. You'd never know it rained. I'm glad I got to enjoy my little summer storm though. I miss them terribly.

Creative Monday

Sorry I missed last week. Nothing like starting a community and bailing out so soon, huh? ;) We were in Chicago for my darling brother in law's wedding (which was fabulous, by the way!) and I just never got around to crafting. So, to make up for things, I have two this week!

I've just been working on some little handwork things that relax me.

First up: smocking. I'm working on a scottie dog design. I changed the colors to pink and gray though. I have a hard time just following directions!



Next up: more beaded ornaments. They are my standby project:



Here's the ever-growing collection. I really need to finish them and get a shop set up before too much longer!



I'm hoping to get some more finished this week. Ideally, some baby gifts and maybe even start on some Halloween decorations. :P

Musical fun!

Just in case you haven't seen it:



It's a 40 minute musical in 3 acts with Neil Patrick Harris (*swoon!*). It's silly and fun and the music is great. Hurry though! It apparently will be over tonight at midnight!

Oh dear...

In the midst of trying to stretch out my shoes for the wedding...



My shoes have developed a drinking problem. *sigh* What's a girl to do?? :P

Creative Monday

Happy Monday, everyone!

This week's project: hair curlers!


I used this tutorial.


I made some minor changes...mine are wider (6"x9" instead of 4"x9") and I attached a ribbon loop to the end, since my machine is old and I can't figure out the buttonhole attachment. I also found it easier to attach the buttons before I stuffed them:


They quite comfy in. I even tested laying down with them and they were WAY more comfortable than the old sponge rollers. My only concern is that they might not stay put in my super baby fine hair.


The one thing I might change/add is some felt. I'm thinking about adding some felt to the outer strip and maybe some around the middle to help grip my hair. We'll see.

Overall, a fun quick project! I need to see how much curl they actually give though.

Yum yum!

Happy belated 4th of July! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

Jeff's boss, had his last day on Thursday (he's moving up to the next team) so I made sme banana split cake for the occasion. Yum.



It's one of my favorite summer recipes, and it's easy to do to. It's basically just layering a graham cracker crust, cheesecake like filling, bananas, nuts, pineapple, whipped cream and then cherries and nuts on top. Easy peasy.



Banana Split Cake:
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter (margarine is fine, just no low fat substitutes)
26 squares of graham crackers (13 graham crackers, as packaged), crushed
1/4 cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons of milk (reduced fat or skim is fine)
bananas (I used 4, but it will depend on the size of the bananas), sliced
1 large can of crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup nuts, chopped (I used walnuts, but just about anything will do)
1 large container of Cool Whip (the double sized containers, fat free/low fat is fine too)
maraschino cherries

1) Crust:
Mix 1 stick of butter (melted), crushed graham crackers and 1/4 c sugar. Pat into ungreased 9x13 pan.

2) Filling:
Beat together 1 stick butter (softened), cream cheese (softened), 1 egg, powdered sugar and milk. Blend well with mixer and spread evenly over crust.

3) Slice bananas and spread in a layer over cheesecake layer.

4) Drain juice from pineapple and spread over bananas.

5) Sprinkle 3/4 cup chopped nuts, then cover with a layer of cool whip.

6) Decorate with maraschino cherries and remaining chipped nuts.

7) Refrigerate at least 2 hours.