Showing posts with label Great Sites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Great Sites. Show all posts

October 3, 2011

October's Welcome Here

There are quite a lot of things that I love about October. I do live in Delaware so the colors can definitely be enough for me to be in heaven most days!

The 10 degree outside temperature drop is definitely a bonus this year with all the heat we had this summer!

October, for our family, always starts with Conference Weekend. The thought of being able to sit on my couch in yoga pants, a fire blazing, and plenty of snacks and watch church on TV most of the weekend is simply glorious! This years Conference was no different than all the others we've watched, there was a message for each of us that we needed to hear without even realizing it. There were moments of happy tears, and moment of reflective tears for me (always more tears when there's a bun in the oven).

Saturday morning before Conference, I took the kids over to my oldest son's elementary school for their Fall Festival. This is something that the school has been pushing pretty much since the school year started. I have to say, I was rather disappointed. I felt like it was a drive-by yard sale, you know the one that you see fliers for everywhere and even see in the paper then you get there and it isn't even worth getting out of the car... yea it was a lot like that. They did have a moon bounce, so the kids could've cared less about everything else (or the lack there of).



















I did get a few good pictures tough.

Dancing, she would NOT go on the moon bounce.



















This weekend I also got lots done in the kitchen, which felt so great! I feel like I got my umpf back, finally!! I baked 6 loaves of pumpkin swirl bread, ohh the house smelled so good. Of course, I gave away 5 of them (I don't need to gain that much weight before the holidays...). And I canned about 5 pounds of dried beans. I know, dried beans store for-e-ver, but I find I hardly ever ever use them when they're dried. If I'm making a huge batch of something then I might use a pound here or there, but I like to can them (it's super easy) and I use them up that way for sure. I found the 'recipe,' or instructions really, that I use online at a neat site called The Recipe Link, they have a whole section on canning & preserving. It's got tons and tons of stuff! I'm planning to do another batch of beans this week and hopefully go get my mass of apples to do applesauce too.

Clearly I need to work on taking photos indoors!

















For some reason I woke up pretty early both days last weekend. So, Saturday became baking day and Sunday morning I started quilting the Pink n Green Quilt I'm working on for my Mom.

I was originally going to do straight-line quilting for two reasons: 1- it's much faster than any other type I do, and 2- I thought it would look really nice to echo the white squares that the corners of the snowball blocks made. Didn't like it. So, I'm going to stipple it, avoiding the white square all-together since only some of them were trimmed so there is 6 layers of fabric in their intersections (yikes).


















I quite like how it looks, and of course my photos are horrible because my lighting in the basement is lousy (to put it nicely). I do have lights that focus on my sewing area, but that's all and it's just no good for photos.

(This one shows the colors more true)

(And this one shows the quilting better)

































Either way, it felt good to get started on quilting this monster. Honestly, I was avoiding it for a few weeks... I know, I know, I need to get cracking on holiday gifts. The thought of quilting another king just wasn't appealing... can you blame me?

February 15, 2011

Cook & Tell

This is a great recipe blog that I am privileged to be a co-author of, even though I don't post here anywhere near as much as I should.

Cook & Tell

Please take a look, I can guarantee that there are recipes that you will LOVE!!

See:

Peppermint Patties




Cranberry Vinaigrette

Blueberry Cinnamon Frozen Yogurt
Croissant Egg Boats



These are only a few of the recipes on Cook & Tell, there are lots lots more!

Could you tell I'm having a craving for sweets right now??

August 9, 2010

I've Decided a Few Things

I think I am just not liking the blue varigated thread on my king sized quilt I'm making for my friend's wedding. Err. Time to take it out and start over with the quilting... fun times.

Right now I am working on a charity quilt for Anna Maria Horner's Rainbow Around the Block project. It's quite cute I think. A couple months ago I ordered a 3 pound cotton remnant assortment from Fabric.com, and I managed to get about 7 or 8 fat quarters that were various shades of brown. Now, I'm not too crazy about brown, but I decided to run with it. I actually bought a few more fat quarters to go along with these, and now I'm making them into a Brick Wall quilt. I'll put up the pattern once I've completed it, very simple though.

I also decided this week that I want to start making my own patterns. All too often I buy a pattern for something, spend lots of time cutting it all out and (mostly) following it's instructions (I've been sewing for about 20 years now, so I am pretty familiar with how most things are made). I guess the only reason I do it is because I've been somewhat lazy, or busy/overloaded... who knows. Then the article of clothing doesn't really fit right, and then the person it's made for just complains (no names, you know who you are, wink wink).

So, I ordered a few books this week from Amazon (love love that website). 

Here's what I'm getting:
I got Sew U because sometimes I just have issues with sewing finer knits, lets just stick with "issues". And, I noticed that Dana over at Made had it as one of her favorite books right now, and she's just a genius with knits!!

I promise I've been productive lately, I even did a project with knits that turned out pretty good. I'm just tired of my horrible photos all taken between 3 and 5 am with even more horrible lighting. I'm hoping to take a naptime this week and head outside to take some pics. Wish me luck...

October 2, 2009

Friday Find: PickYourOwn.org

This site I chose for this weeks Friday Find isn't all that pretty, fancy, or interesting. But, it is AWESOME!!

Pickyourown.org is a website that has tons and tons of information on getting and storing local produce.

You can search for local farms all over the USA here.

You can find tips and information on freezing or canning here.

They even have tips for picking, what books to reference or buy, and where to find canning equipment and supplies.

I love this site, especially since if I go to visit family, I can even find farms near them!

August 28, 2009

Friday Find: Deal Seeking Mom

Yes, I know there are a ba-gillion coupon and savings blogs out there, but I have just recently found this one, and am quite fond. It is the Deal Seeking Mom blog.

This blog has tons of stuff, from indexes of coupons (here) to even matching up coupons you can print from them to the weekly adds of local grocery stores (here). There is even a section/link to free samples you can order from various companies. Can you say awesome?

Not only that, but this site has coupons ranging from Victoria Secret to Go-Gurt. Now, what mom doesn't need a little of both those things ;)

August 14, 2009

Friday Find: Bakerella

Oh my goodness. I know that I posted about her Pie on a Stick recently, but seriously, I think I need to make just about everything this woman blogs about!! I do believe I have found someone who has a love for pound cake just about as much as I do. Whomever is behind Bakerella is simply genius!

Just look at some on the things she hast posted about:These "meals" are cupcakes, brownies, and cookies!! I WILL be making these soon (and gaining at least 5 lbs. making/devouring them).

If this were my blog, and I was anywhere near this talented in the desserts arena, I think I would weigh like 300 pounds, and I am not kidding...

August 1, 2009

Giveaways Galore!!

If any of you are cloth diapering, or considering it, then you need to check out Life More Simply. Rachel is the blog author, and she has done some serious testing and reviewing, and got tons and TONS of giveaways!!

July 31, 2009

Friday Find: Terracycle Inc.

The summer is always a time to keep hydrated, and I bought some Capri Sun juice pouches for a day trip we took a week ago or so. My 1 1/2 year old doesn't do so great with juice boxes, they become fountains of juice in the car, which really isn't fun to clean up, thus the idea of trying the pouches.
Not only were they successful, and a big hit with the kids, but I noticed something interesting on the box. Thank goodness that companies are aware of their impact, as far as how their products are disposed of after us. They had an advertisement for a website where they sell products made from Capri Sun pouches, Terracycle. They make small bags, bookbags, lunch bags, folders, and even pencil pouch type things, very cute.

Not only can you buy these goodies, but you can have your kids set up a collection for these pouches at their school and earn $.02 per pouch! How cool is that?!?! I actually can't wait for my 6 1/2 year old to start 1st grade so I can help her set one up at her school, if they don't already have one going.

So, check out the site Terracycle.net!!

July 17, 2009

Technorati Claim Code

pwig5d47cj

This code is simply so that technorati can find my blog, so I can claim it :)

July 14, 2009

Fun New Sites

So, I recently stumbled onto a few new websites...

Ravelry is fun, I read about a chick that wants to knit a life-sized giraffe, and another woman knitted with 1000 strands of yarn, it's on you-tube and all. This woman used logs, smallish ones, but LOGS to knit this thing. Awesome insanity!!!

I was directed to a fellow blogger and her sites/inputs cuteness! Check out Seriously, so blessed!

July 9, 2009

Month-Long Giveaways!!

A fellow blogger over at Life More Simply is doing a month-long "Cloth Diaper Extravaganza"!

She is doing tons of giveaways, is reviewing tons of goodies, and has lots and lots of info!!!

May 1, 2009

I-Spy or Name Blocks

First, I will start by telling you where I got this idea: http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/. The lady who's blog this is is simply Amazing! Her name is Ashley- CHECK IT OUT!

So, it was her post about Cloth Baby Blocks where the actual project idea is.

I have lots of fabric for doing the infamous "I-Spy" quilts, did a few fabric swaps in the past... So, I figured, why not use them to make some blocks? Here is what turned out:
These were a gift for a little girl, hence the uber-girly fabric choices :)


For the sides with the embroidery, I cut a piece of muslin the same size as the square and just sewed it as a backing for the pink fabric. I really like how they turned out. Also, I stuffed mine with scraps of cotton fabric (woven, flannel) to give the blocks a little more weight and firmness.

April 28, 2009

Pick Your Own Friuts/Veggies

It is coming up on the time of year for FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE!!! YEAAA!

The best website I have found for information on local pick your own farms is: www.pickyourown.org. So, go out there and support your local farmers (call first, some places may have gone out of business).

My family very much so enjoys going a picking fruits and veggies. The little ones don't quite get it yet, but we all have lots of fun! And, we get to come home and can or freeze everything we won't eat that week or so. Honestly, this is the most rewarding part of our adventures. We end up with things like: homemade jams, sauces, drink mixes, and much more!


My book that I live by as far as canning goes is:

April 13, 2009

Happy-Dance Time

Let me first start by saying, I love The Beatles! I grew up listening to them all the time with my Dad, one of my most favorite things from being a kid.

I was doing a little browsing of fabrics online the other day and came across this: http://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=beatles&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e

(bear with me, I still need to learn a bit more about links on blogger)

Can you imagine my excitement?!?! BEATLES FABRIC!!!! AHHHHH!!!

I haven't ordered any yet for fear of ordering all that they have in stock :D. But, I've been thinking about what I can do with such fabric, and oh good gracious!!!


March 25, 2009

My NEW FAVORITE Diaper

To any of you who cloth diaper, and know about me and my stash, I have a little of everything, and love different dipes for different reasons...

With that being said, I have a NEW favorite!!! It's a....... DIAPER CHANGE!!! The one and only thing that I don't like about these diapers is that they are sized, that's IT! Other than that, they are awesome, and come in the MOST adorable prints!!

So, if you are wanting to get some sized dipes that ROCK, try a Diaper Change: http://www.freewebs.com/diaperchange/index.htm or http://diaperchangediapers.com/

We have one that has a baseball print, not too GN, I know, but it's baseball!!! Maybe the new little girl (coming in June) will get a few for her arrival...

March 23, 2009

A Little Bummed...

Well, my snap press is now officially on back order :( I didn't realize this when ordering, but the woman through the site (http://www.thesnapstore.com/) has been really nice. It will be coming in on or around April 15th, so I will get it 2 to3 business days later... Oh well, it's worth the wait.

On the other hand, I have some new things to blog about that I made up over the weekend, fun fun!

I am also debating on whether or not to put some of my patterns on here, or maybe a tutorial, I could start with a diaper sewing tutorial (all the ideas!!!). I am currently knitting an Easter vest for one of my little guys, and the pattern I came up with is working out great, so it may be my first. We'll see...

March 15, 2009

My Snap Press

My snap press is ordered and ON ITS WAY!!! I am SO excited!!! I ordered it at www.thesnapstore.com

So, now my OBV, suedecloth, PUL, and super cute prints for the outside that I have been waiting to make OS diapers with we be getting cut up and ready!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

I think I may have to turn some of my aplix dipes I bought into snap ones to get used to using the press though.

YEA!!!

February 8, 2009

My New-found Excitement!

So, even though I am due with my 4th child in June, there are other things for me to be excited about lately!

For instance, I have just recieved a very nice new sewing machine that my loving husband has provided for me! My very FIRST new machine!! All the others have been hand-me-downs or purchased rehabs. But this one even came in a box! How exciting?!?! I was excited just reading the manual yesterday!

Secondly, my new-found love for FOE (Fold Over Elastic)! Oh, this stuff is so versatile! I woke up early this morning just thinking of all that I can do with this stuff, and my new machine. I feel like a kid at Christmas! Thanks to words from a woman at http://olivejanedesigns.blogspot.com/ , and all her links, I am even more excited about FOE!!!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...