Reversible Apron

It's that time of the year...bazaar season. I really thought I wouldn't do anything this year, but after I got my craft room organized, I got the bug. So here is an apron I whipped up, it's reversible. You can wear it front ways or back ways, or back ways or front ways, there is no front or back. You can tie the bow in back or the front. There you go! I hope someone will like it at Connie's bazaar, if not here is a peek at my sisters' Christmas gift.

(Photography above by my 4 yr. old, thanks Preston)

Here are some more, fronts and backs. I used Mary Engelbreit's The Caroler fabric.

If you want one for yourself or would like to make some for Christmas gifts, I'm working on putting together a tutorial. Think of all the cute fabrics out there you could use!

Tutorial Coming Soon...

Finally.......Home!!!

We are finally in our new home, or at least new to us. We bought a short sale house that was not a short wait, but worth it in the end. This house was smaller than what we were looking for, but had many things we liked, especially location, location, location. But now that we have moved in, I just LOVE it, it's a great layout and feels like the perfect size after all.

We still have boxes to unpack and some organizing to do, but here is a little glimpse of some of my favorite things about this house. First, a little front porch to display my flowers and keep an eye on the kids.

An apple tree, with "the best apples ever", said the previous owners. Apple pies, apple sauce, yum, yum yum!!!

Windows and Light! I love a lot of natural light and this house feels bright, which was very important to me, especially here in the Pacific NW.

A kitchen with cabinets galore, a pantry, and an island. I'm loving it, but I see white cabinets in the future.

A nice white mantle around the gas fireplace.

A room to sew and craft in. I'm not finished yet but I did put up IKEA wall shelves.

An upstairs laundry room. My least favorite chore is laundry, but so far an upstairs laundry room seems to make this never ending chore easier.

Okay, now the real reason we bought this house. The master bathroom has it's own toilet room with a fan and a window that opens...double bonus!!!

New Fabric in My Shop

I'm sooooo excited, look what's new in my fabric shop, Fabrically Delicious. Here is a peek at some of the new lines of fabric in the shop. You have to admit these are beautiful, fun, and delicious fabrics. Go check them out!!! Also, be sure to check out the fabric on sale too.

Bliss by Bonnie and Camille

Dream On by Urban Chiks


Fandango by Kate Spain

It's a Hoot by MoMo

Easy Car Cozy Tutorial

These are a great gift idea for a little boy who loves playing with cars. Tuck it in your purse and when the little guy is bored waiting for a doctor appointment or whatever pull out this handy car holder with a built-in road. They are easy to make, so I will try my best to give good directions on how to make one.

You will need: 2 black felt sheets 9" x 12", small piece of black felt (for wheel), small piece of white felt (for window), color of your choice felt (for car), yellow grosgrain ribbon, button (for wheel), black and yellow thread.

1. Cut your felt: Cut both black felt lengthwise 3" from top. You will have (2) 3" x 12" pieces and (2) 6" x 12" pieces. Cut ribbon: (2) 12 1/2 ", and (1) 13 1/2 ".

2. Sew your 12 1/2 " ribbon onto the edge of one of your 3" pieces lengthwise (see picture). Sew right down the middle of ribbon. Repeat underneath with a small gap between the top ribbon.

3. Sew 13 1/2" ribbon onto a 6" felt piece, just above 3", sew down the middle of ribbon about halfway down the felt. Loop the ribbon and sew (for hooking on the button to close cozy)

4. Sew your car holder pockets, by putting the two ribbon piece onto the 6" felt piece WITHOUT the ribbon. Divide into four pockets. Use a heavy duty stitching, so it's sturdy for the rough little guy.
5. Take the 6" felt piece with the ribbon: sew on your car, window, wheel (overlap onto ribbon), and sew on the button. Find a car pattern to trace for your car or freehand one.

6. Sandwich your pieces together: Right sides facing in, sew the car pocket, 3" felt flap piece in the middle, and car piece with ribbon (see above picture). Sew just along the top attaching the flap piece.

7. Sew just above seam, on outside. Now sew around all four sides with about a 1/8" seam. Now use pinking shears and trim the edges.

8. Vrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooommm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silver Falls

This summer we are doing staycations, instead of doing one big vacation. Last weekend we went to Silver Falls near Silverton, Oregon. It was a hot, but beautiful day. I loved the fields of flowers on the way there. The last time I went to Silver Falls, I was a teenager, this time I was there with my hubby and four boys. Jason's brother Matt and his wife Heidi came with their kids, plus a couple of their nieces. We kept the hike short, just down to the falls and back up. The kids had fun climbing on the rocks under the falls with the little caves. After our climb back up the kids cooled of in the swimming hole. Afterwards, we all went out to pizza together. It was a fun day!

Mini Square Runners

I made two mini square table runners using one charm pack, Mary Engelbreit's Basket of Flowers. I found an inspiration picture then did my own thing. They each measure about 15" square.

You can see the design better on the back. I just zig-zag stitched on the binding to match the other zig-zag stitching.

Four year olds are so cute. Preston does all kinds of funny things like this. Two different shoes on, playing outside in his underwear, a toy he's using as his weapon stuffed in his undies, playing under Grandma and Grandpa's camper. He was wearing that stocking cap earlier too, even though it's 90 degree weather.

Last weekend we went to the Portland Zoo. We had a great time, we started off with a picnic.

Giraffes are always my favorite.

King's Hawaiian Rolls (Copycat)

Last month my sister Caron threw a surprise party for her hubby Brian. She did a Hawaiian themed party and she did an amazing job. The food was delicious, fun games, great decorations, and no kids. Anyways, I told some people that I would post the recipe I used to make homemade King's Hawaiian Rolls, sorry I'm just now doing it. They taste so much like the real thing, people didn't know they were homemade. They are in the picture in the back. I made 108 rolls, which was three batches. So here is the recipe, if I forgot anything let me know.

King's Hawaiian Rolls (Copycat)

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

2 pkg. yeast or 4 1/2 tsp.

1 1/4 cup pineapple juice, warmed (110 degrees)

1 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)

1/2 tsp. salt

5 cups flour

First, in a large bowl combine pineapple juice and water, making sure it's very warm, but not hot. Add the yeast and stir until it's dissolved. Add the cake mix and stir. Put in 4 cups flour and the salt at the same time. Mix until smooth. Slowly add the rest of the flour until the dough isn't sticky, but not dry. Let dough rise. Shape dough into 2" balls and arrange on greased baking pan. Let dough balls rise. Bake in oven at 350 degrees, for about 20 min. or until tops are golden brown. Brush the hot rolls with butter. Yield 36 rolls.