Did you know that a four toed dinosaur is a  plant eater and 3 toed is a meat eater?
I didn’t either, until she told me. Amazing what they learn on their own.

We have a blue eyed Blondie who loves pink & purple. All the girly stuff for her..except one thing. She loves lizards, dragons, worms, turtles and dinosaurs. It’s really quite funny.
So, I decided to start her a bag. Theme bag. Filling it with books, puzzles, games and such. All easy to grab and go. All in one place. The bags has some fun silly flowers on it, of course a Brachiosaurus was needed to complete it. That being a long neck with a bump on it’s head. One of her favorites.
See thinks it’s placed on the bag just perfect, eating the flowers. They have four toes by the way. Wonder if those were the ones that Fred Flintstone used at work?

I’ve been doing a bit of stamp carving, but I’m not sure where this one’s going. Inspiration was from a vintage table cloth. I love the design, but not sure what to do with. My original thoughts was on a fabric in the kitchen, but I now I’m not sure what I crave to do with it. Hmmm?

Shout out to all you that are knee deep in snow.

A bit of cabin fever has set in. We were thinking of things to do and decided to make labels and tags for some of our baskets. You know the ones that are meant for one thing but end up with an array of items, turning into a “junk drawer” sort of basket.  The kids set to work, coloring and designing tags.  Getting organized and they don’t even know it. A sneaky mom.

Making these tags gave me an idea. Something most of you might have already found out, they are really cute! And a very ideal and useful project. You’d thought I discovered the wheel how excited I was about placing these around the house. So I got to work and made a few of my own.

Little labels for my flour and sugar jars. Don’t look to close, these are used quite often. All this lead to a lot of work. (not, really) and we were so famished that cookie making was needed.

Now baking cookies is great, but with it being so cold outside we needed warmth. Hot cocoa to go with it.

And what better way to eat hot fresh chocolate chip cookies with warm cocoa?  Eating them in an apron that was made all by one’s wee little self.  She did need a little help with the peddle. She sat on my lap moving the fabric while I pushed the sewing machine peddle for her. It will be a few more years before she can reach, till then we are partners on the machine.

What are you guys doing to pass the beautiful snow days away?

This last week I’ve been doing a little sprucing up the house. Moving around the living room, changing colors, Dining area received a bit of rearranging as well.  But those were not the only spots. The kitchen in the doll house has a new little gem. The pink table.  Are you in agreement with me, it’s an Adorable little piece of furniture!  The girls painted house has been done for a while but it seemed to fit in the theme of the post. So, I shall share it with you.  I must tell you painting that cat house, was so freeing. Yes, it’s suppose to be a cat house, but I’m thinking not for ours, as his big tummy is not going to fit to well.  We have already tried…he needs a room addition.

Back to freeing….You should try it, grab something, anything, an old cereal box, mailing box, a piece of wood, rocks. What ever you have handy. Grab some bottles of paint, brushes, the kids are a must and paint. No rules, no ideas, no planning. Just dip and color. It was quite fun, all of us painting and giggling at the same time. I was only allowed to paint a small part. But I couldn’t resist adding the little flowers as well, in my February longing for spring blues. Which by the way, I saw a couple robins already. Us northern people watch for those little red breasted friends like there is no tomorrow. They are the usher to warm weather. Early birds this year, so I’m hoping they know something we don’t. But I’m not putting my sweaters away just yet.

My little supporter chimed in this morning, reminding me to take pictures and post.  I love that little girl.  She might not fully understand it, but she has given me strength when it was needed. She keeps me on my toes.

Recycling and reusing once again..a can of black beans. They went from part of our Mexican supper dish to a pencil holder.  A little embroidered horse, of course.  Just when you think a faze will wane, it sparks even brighter.  I see horses sticking around for quite some time.  This was a mother and daughter joint project. I was thrilled to see her sit that long. Working the needle. A couple years ago, she would have given up after a few stitches. 

Hope everyone had a most wonderful holiday. That you were surrounded by the ones you love. That laughter filled your ears, good food filled your bellies and family and friends filled your hearts.

Yesterday was a pajama day here. A relax, breath, and exhale type of day. While everyone was holed up on the couch with runny noses, curled up in front of a western movie, or huddled in the corner with a new play pretty. I went off by myself and pulled out this quilt, I’ve been working on. I have to admit this quilt has caused me a bit of stress…or at least it did. It started out with excitement, which turned into fretting over the design layout, the over all size, backing. If it could be added to the list of panics, I did. You see, its a gift for a little new addition to our family. No, not my household, but in-laws. This little guys is special and I wanted the gift to be special…but the gift it was late due to this emotion tidal wave. Late to my personal deadline…Christmas day. I was so deflated. But over the weekend, I pulled it out and just let go. Negativity really gets you no where. I thought what really is a handmade gift? One made for my heart to another. A piece of me, my creativity, my love, given to them. Made with thought and kindness, not fretting. So I sat down in front of my machine and stopped thinking. I just did what felt right, no questions asked. Gave myself over to the process. I choose brown thread and the quilting turned into squares design. I loved it. And it all felt good as the machine hummed away.  Now, it feels like I meant it to be. Handmade and quilted with my love. I still have the trim to finish, but I’m excited to see it come together. Complete. Whole.

Making applesauce & cinnamon ornaments. Who needs candles with these hanging around.

Here’s the recipe.   A few tips~Discovered that if they are crumbling when moist, more than likely they will crumble before fully dry too. Causing sad kid as they hold up MR. Gingerbread Man in several different pieces.  Dried more evenly if patted out thin.

Like pulling a piece of bread out of bag and having it smile back at you.

or watching my kids make popcorn garland, listening to someone tell me about a dream where they crammed their feet into Mountain Dew pop bottles, playing in my ribbons and buttons, pulling out clean and wonderful smelling sheets, purple boots at the store, watching a fat lazy cat sleeping practically on it’s back, listening to upbeat songs, sitting with friends at a restaurant while we chatted and drank mocha, taking two little girls shopping, not having to make supper tonight, silence of a rare day alone, a new lunch box idea I have in my head, Indian ink pens, smell of oranges, eating a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese icing, holding my camera in my hands, that we don’t live any further north.

What makes you smile?

update…bought a new replacement battery for laptop. I ordered the correct number given to me by HP, but the battery doesn’t work. But still smiling, I have a sister who doesn’t mind me high jacking her computer (again) for a few minutes.

I’m not trying to rush the autumn season..oh no not at all. But soon the gift giving time of the year will be here. If your thinking of making handmade gifts, a little before labor time is needed. It’s a bit stressful to try turn out several little handmade goodies the night before…I know, procrastination at it’s best.
These bags are simple totes, but can be turned into a “green” gift bag. I think it’s a great idea. Making the gift wrapping & container even usable.

This little guy I machine stitched on a canvas bag. I’m liking his silly little self.

You know how I love the machine stitching, quilting thing. I seem to always find ways to add it into a project. Hot pads no different. Machine stitched kitchen accessories on them. I’ve been getting ready for another attempt at a craft show, so not much cooking is going on but when I do…these will be ready.

While doing a little blog visiting I came across Jenny’s new owlsorts. It’s has some wonderful “hallow eve” inspiration. Next thing I knew, I have an embroidery to hang. Folk art style. My daughters told me it was a little creepy and silly. No hurt feelings here…O’No…Perfect, it was just what I was aiming for. I put it behind a cute old frame, which I’m borrowing…gotta give it back when I’m done. (I should have washed the glass before the picture…oops!)

Here’s a few more fall season inspiration sites. Enjoy! And stay warm…it’s crazy cool here. I think we have just passed up autumn all together and moved on into early winter.

Etsy Halloween costumes

Peg People My youngest painted her snowman last year black..I think i might just have to get him out.

Who needs fall flowers when you can have these legs