Wednesday, March 31, 2010

in my easter bonnet

Show and Tell Green



that song always gets stuck in my head during this time of year!!  here is emily's easter bonnet for school!  this year instead of just bonnet/hat day, they've invited parents for an easter lunch!  i can't wait!
this is just a bonnet from the dollar section @ target!  i hot glued some silk flowers that i confiscated from my sister.(she was supposed to use them for her boutonnieres, but didn't.  i'll take them thank.you.very.much!)

next up, fabric flower pins!  (can i just tell you how excited i am that i can actually share some projects with you guys!  after friday i can finally share my sissy's bday gifts with you!!!)

these will be part of emily's teacher/aide gifts.

anyhoo...
start with 5 3x3 squares of fabric.  (this is GREAT for scraps!)  fold into a triangle.  using 2 strands of DMC floss sew a gathering stitch along the open edges.(i suppose you could use your machine to make this go faster).  pull on the floss to form your petal.

continue on the same piece of floss until all of your petals are attached.  sew the first and last petal together;tie off to close.
cut a felt circle and hot glue to the back.
next make a fabric covered button.  (sorry, i didn't take pics of this...i just bought a 4 pack of buttons with the tool @ walmart...they are SUPER EASY to make!) hot glue button to the center.
attach pin back...and that's it!!!

now i'll show you the "shabby flower"
start with a circle of felt.
tear a few strips of fabric...tearing = fraying...we like that.
 

 tie the end of one piece into a knot
 
squeeze a dab of fabric tac in the middle of the felt circle...stick knot to felt.  add more glue; twist and glue fabric a little at a time, until you've finished!  trim excess felt off.  hot glue a button/embellishment to the center.  attach pin back.  done.
   

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

free river raft rides...BYOT

(bring your own tube)  this rain is nuts!!  we've gotten more rain in the last few months than we ever gotten in the almost 6 years that we've lived here!  i will not get into long winded details, but the short story is this: 

 the previous home owner also owned the house in the back of the property-which he later sold.  there is an easement on our property for the dirt driveway to the house in the back...there was a pipe installed under the dirt driveway coming out in the middle of our front yard(can not figure out his logic for placement of said pipe), for drainage.  the flow from this pipe has gotten worse with each passing year that we have lived here.  its not the town's problem, we already checked.  house in back's owner continues to build up his driveway to prevent flooding to his home--a good idea in theory, however, its making our problem worse.  hubs has spoken to him...HIB's owner thinks that we should rent expensive equipment, dig a drainage pipe under our driveway, install new pipe, and let it flow into the development's property(there are no homes directly next to us)then re pave our driveway.  so basically, he wants us to make it the development's problem...ummm, no--don't feel like gettin' sued, thanks.  

here is our fix:  two bags of cement to fill the pipe. 

he can worry about his drainage, we'll worry about ours. 

this is the geyser coming out of the pipe--sometimes there are two geysers(the other one forms @ the base of the tree, we think the roots may have grown through the pipe--so now we get two rivers)

rain, rain, go AWAY!

Monday, March 29, 2010

mommy moment monday

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theis one is actually not all about david--although, there are plenty i could choose from since last week's post!

my aunt invited the kids, hubs and i to head over to her shop rite to do a little cake decorating.  how cool?!  right up my alley, and we'd be able to get the kids out of the house for a bit.   however, getting two small children out the door takes a bit of planning, luck and praying that there are no melt downs.(as i'm sure you all know!)  extra clothes, check.  juice, check. diapers, check and double check.  we've got snacks, extra wipes and the camera.

part of the plan included putting david up in his crib for about 10-15 minutes so that we could finish getting emily ready, and get her moving towards the car.  this way, emily would be less likely to throw a fit when she realizes that david is coming with us.  (we are still having issues with her dealing with david...while she is much better, we're still taking precautions so that everyone is happy!)  here is where the first part of the plan starts to fall apart.  after putting david in his crib(which does not make him a happy boy), hubs decides he needs to go to the bathroom--and i'm not talking about the quick trip.  :o/  by the time he is done, and emily is ready, david is fast asleep.  crap.  i wanted him to fall asleep in the car.  that is now out of the question.  mission one: FAIL.

moving on to the car scene of our story...neither of them wanted to be in their car seats.  so i got to listen to crying on and off between the two of them for the almost 40 minute drive to my aunt's house.  did i mention that i woke up with a headache?  yep, that didn't help.  so what happens when we get to my aunt's house?  they're not ready to go.  that means, taking them out of the car, and having to put.them.back.in.  more screaming ensued. 

once we got there it was actually a great time.  david had a ball talking to the easter bunny, and emily was hooked on watching the shoppers push their carts by our table.  its the little things, people. 


can you tell which cake the boys did?!  lol  
i'm not sure if all the shop rites are doing these cake clinics.  for $4/cake you get as much frosting, sprinkles and decorations as you want!  we're going to go back in april when they have it again.  hopefully with a little less drama to get there!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

boys neck tie shirt

so i'm sure that you've seen these everywhere!!  i just had to make one for david!!  it will be part of his easter attire.  i found some great instructions at saltwater kids.  the tutorial is complete with a printable template!  i love that you can use old scraps of fabric or clothes for this! 

Monday, March 22, 2010

mommy moment monday

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*i have this feeling that most of these mommy moments will involve david...

ok, so when did my little cherub learn how to hit?!  over the last couple of weeks, he's been hitting everything that makes him mad...including ME!  umm, yeah, that doens't fly around here, bub.  he hits the frige when i won't let him open the door.  he hits the cat when he wants her off of the couch.  he hits his toys.  what the EFF?!  he's been getting quite a few time outs for this(he's up for one as i write this--for hitting me!)...i will not tolerate it. 

my gut tells me that he saw his cousins hitting each other.  they are bad kids.  they don't listen--at all.  should i really keep sending him for sleepovers if this is the type of behavior that he is going to be exposed to?!  my aunt takes such great care of him.  so where did she go wrong with her kids?! (they are 10 and 12 btw)  i think my aunt wants to take him again next weekend, but i'm not sure if i should let him go.  i mean, in all honesty, i do need the break...but he's terrible for at least a day after he comes home.  and now the HITTING!  i'm not sure what to do about it.

i also think we're going through a power struggle.  he thinks he's the boss.  wrong again, pal.   any time i tell him no, he screams like his head is about to spin...he gets a time out for that too.  ahh, so this is what the terrible two's are like, i guess?!  i never had to go through this with emily.  

hopefully i can nip this in the bud before it gets any worse. 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

can't think of a good title this morning...

i'm not really sure what to post about today.  i've been busy.  organizing, sewing bday gifts(it really needs to be april 2nd so i can start showing you guys!! lol), making shower favors, and writing out the invitations for my sissy's bridal shower!!(and i'll also be making some gifts for that too!),  the regular household stuff..yadda yadda!  lol  too much on my plate?  naaah!  although, my blog is suffering a tad.  its hard not being able to post what i'm making!

last night we stuffed ourselves on corned beef and cabbage!  num.num.  some may say it tastes like dog food...my pale irish hiney, however, thinks its heaven!!  can't wait for the hash tonight too!!  i LOVE getting two dinners out of one meal!  here are a few pics from yesterday:

he thought it was supposed to go over his head!
i had to hold it for him!
he didn't want his pic taken--the grumpy little leprechaun!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

clean up and help out

many of us are starting to get into that "spring cleaning" mode...i wanted to share with you what i have only recently discovered;  donate the items you are clearing out!  clothing, household items, shoes, small electronics, baby gear, books...you name it, they probably take it(although, be sure that you do look at their "can not accept" list).

in february we donated to the united war veterans counsil.

and just yesterday we made a donation to the lupus foundation of america

its simple!  most organizations have websites where the pick ups can be scheduled, or you can give them a jingle...you don't even have to be home @ the time of the pick up! 

here are a couple more to check out:
pickupplease.org
salvation army

you can also do a google search...i used "donation pick up service"

today, david and i will hit the bins @ the grocery store to finally drop off the last of all the out grown clothes!!!

i know that alot of us are struggling in this economy.  i feel really good about being able to help a family that may be worse off than mine.




...for some reason the button isn't showing up on my page...so...go on over to hope studios for her tutorial tuesday linky party!!  go ahead...teach her something--anything!!



Monday, March 15, 2010

mommy moment mondays

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can i only pick ONE moment from the past week?! ok, ok...i'll keep it simple. for the scum-teenth time this past week, i had to clean up a poopy son. omg, what is with boys?! ok,ok...in his defense...with emily's delays-its possible that she may have engaged in this type of behavior(after all, my mom keeps reminding me how i used to play in the toilet...thanks mom) anyhoodle, i'll set the scene...

david is sleeping like an angel...for nearly 2 1/2 hours...bliss. not sure what i was doing...for arguments sake, let’s just say i was being productive(even though i was probably sitting on the couch under a blanket..shhh.). it was quiet...too quiet...like all of the times before. seriously...i have not learned my lesson yet. finally hearing a little babbling...i climbed the stairs...smelling that familiar smell as soon as i got to the top. i didn't want to go in. sure enough...there he was...covered in poop...again.

my mommy strength kicked in and in the blink of an eye, i whirled him off to the tub, holding only two of his fingers. at least he was already naked, i didn't have to figure out how to peel his clothes off without smearing it any further. after his hosing off, he played for a bit. i think its all a part of his evil plan...playing in poop=a bath...he loves a good bath. punk.

he will have the cleanest sheets in town if he keeps this up! as i sit writing this, he is awake, in his crib...no doubt plotting his next move against me.

 
he's got trouble written all over that cute little face of his!


Sunday, March 14, 2010

easter dress

i finished emily's easter dress!!  i found it a little tricky to use an actual pattern, and towards the end just started doing things my way!!  lol i should call this blog "wingin' it!"  i seem to go with that theme alot with my projects! haha



i can't take credit for the sweater--that is courtesy of target!  i also threw together the flower pin for a little something extra!

i have a couple more patterns that i picked up for some shirts.  i'll definetly give them another go!  now i'll be working on my sissy's bday gifts!!  unfortunetly i won't be able to share those with you until after april 2nd--since she reads my blog!!  oh, and i have to make an easter shirt for david, can't leave the poor kid out!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

spring cleaning

nothing is more therapeutic than a little cleaning and organizing! i've been wanting to re organize the "pantry" in our laundry room for quite a while now. the "pantry" is a large metal rack with everything under the sun stuffed on it! canned goods, pasta, juice, platters, bake wear...everything! we seriously needs a better system! we never...and by never...i mean never, use the door that is in there. i think maybe we opened it once when we bought the house, just to make sure it opened. our house is very awkward. all of the "additions" were built when things didn't need to be up to code...so yeah...the house is just weird in some spots! ok...so we don't use the door...target here we come! they have a 5 tier metal rack on sale for $36.99--its MINE! i came home, put david down for his nap and busted that baby out of its box! "no tools needed" says the box. it lies, you do need a rubber mallet. ok, rubber mallet, check! i had it together in 20 minutes...then silly me had to drag it into the house. perhaps i should have measured. i was excited, sue me. after some fighting, then sweet talking, she was in and ready to be put to use! now, i neglected to take before pics, but picture everything you are about to see all crammed onto the silver rack...it.was.a.mess.


seeing the first pic also makes me realize that i need to restock the pantry! lol

i'm thinking i may bust out the easter decorations today.  i kind of skipped over st. patty's day this year...i'm a bad little irish girl!  i've also got some ideas for my bathroom closet...but i need some more shelving first! :o)

oh spring cleaning, i love you.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

new day

i've been a bit of a crab apple lately...i'm sure it has NOTHING to do with everything i've been taking on! yes, that was sarcasm. i fell off the diet train again...i think i'm going on day 6 of not eating right or exercising. i'm annoying myself. its easy, i know what to do, now i have to do it. that was my attempt at a pep talk...maybe i should throw in an "i am worth it"? .


i'm attempting to sew from my first actual patterns. this is proving to be a challenge for me. i love sewing from all of the lovely tutorials out there in blog land! there are plenty of colorful pics and step by steps. a mccall's pattern , however, not so much. so i fudged up my first one(its a gift for my sissy's bridal shower, so i cannot share yet.) as a result, i had to end up ordering more fabric--not happy about that one-at all! while i await my next round of fabric for project #1, i moved onto project #2, an easter dress for emily. its a simple tiered dress...much like the last 2 skirts i've made for her. except, apparently i have a hard time following directions when they are in black and white. i managed to finally cut out and sew the first pieces together. the top part leaves something to be desired though. i may end up re doing it...then again, she'll be wearing a sweater--most of it will be hidden anyway ;o)

hubs got home from the firehouse last night, and i explained to him my dieting woes, and sewing troubles...and how i planned on remedying both situations. he turned to me and said "you blow me away". pardon me? i'm totally having some depressing moments here, and i blow you away?!(i didn't really say that) i was floored. i did manage to ask him why? he told me that he is amazed at how i am teaching myself to sew, and how i problem solve to come up with solutions. he also told me that he loves my body--that i believe...i've been getting extra hugs lately :o)

i woke up with a new outlook today. wow, he knows exactly what to say, exactly when i need to hear it! i will take the dieting thing one day at a time, and not punish myself for what i did the day before. i will take my time with sewing--rome wasn't built in a day...and these projects won't be either! i vacuumed the house, washed some curtains and rugs, gave david his bath and i think we'll head down to target for a new storage shelf for the laundry room.

to you hubby, i say...you're not too shabby yourself :o*

 


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

i heart cake

i will now share my favorite cake and butter cream recipe with you. warning: these are NOT healthy AT ALL!! if you are looking for a healthier recipe, do not continue, do not pass go, do not collect $200..ok, i think you get the idea!



Yellow Cake

(this recipe is from confetti cakes for kids by elisa strauss)

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tbs baking powder

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

4 eggs

1cup milk

preheat oven to 350. prepare pans(use whichever method you prefer--i just grease and flour them, but you could also use melted butter and a piece of parchment paper)

in a large bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. set aside.

in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

set mixer on low speed and add vanilla, then the eggs-one at a time, scraping thoroughly between additions.

alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture in three batches, starting with the flour. scrape the bowl between each addition, beat until thoroughly combined. set mixer on medium speed for about 20 seconds then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl.

divide the batter evenly among cake pans or muffin tines. for 9 inch cake pans back for 30-40 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean. for cupcakes bake for 20-25 mins or until they spring back after being touched.

ok, ok, so there is alot of scraping with this recipe, but i think that you really end up with some nice cake! also, if you have the time(which i never do) you can soak the cooled cakes with a simple syrup.(one cup of sugar and one cup of water boiled until sugar is dissolved.) this just makes the cake extra moist and adds a little more sweetness--i usually skip it though.



ok, now for the best part...butter cream!

i got this recipe from my aunt's husband(it’s like her 3rd hubby, so i never considered him my "uncle". anyhoo, he owns a bakery that i worked at for a few years. after my aunt's passing, i stopped into the bakery to say hello, and we got on the topic of butter cream...he went into the back and gave me this recipe(i've never used anything else!)

Butter Cream

4 cups crisco

7 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 oz evaporated milk (i've also used regular milk with good results)

place crisco in bowl of a standing mixer, beat for about 30 seconds.

add powdered sugar 1-2 cups at a time. scrape bowl after each addition.

add vanilla and salt and milk. mix well.(if it still seems a little stiff, add more milk until you get desired consistency)

yeah...NOT healthy!! but it tastes oh.so.good.
i wish i would have remembered to take pics of the process for you...i was a little scattered trying to get everything finished for emily's party!! lol

Sunday, March 7, 2010

birthday week wrap up

wow!  it was seriously a busy week!  not just for me, either!  emily had something going on every day this week!  monday-bday, tuesday-former nj devil(hockey) rob skrlac came to read to school for read across america, wed-the cat in the hat visited, thurs-half day for parent/teacher confrences;grandma and grandpa came to babysit, friday-swimming @ the ymca, saturday-par-tay!, and today, we are going bridal shower shopping with my mom and sissy!  holy crap...emily and i are going to need a vacation!!  here are some pics from the par-tay:








i would like to thank bj mama--her princess cake totally inspired me to do one for emily!!  i'll share recipes in a day or two!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

finally finished!!

wow, that quilt may have been a little too much for my plate.  naaah!  it was fun-most of the time!  i definetly learned some things, and know what to do for next time.  its not the most perfect quilt that has ever lived, but its for my baby, from her mommy-and that's all that matters to me!  can't wait to make one for david! 
i purchased the patterns for the "mini kimmy doll" and her quilt at youcanmakethis.com  the instructions were super easy to follow...even for a beginner!  i watched lots of youtube videos on binding and quilting as well!  this will be a great little quilt for emily to spread out on the floor and have a picnic with her dolly!  my binding leaves something to be desired, but i'm sure it will get better with time.  i think its all about finding my own style. 

i can't wait to bake emily's princess cake tonight.  i also have to put my chicken parm together and still finish cleaning the house(that will now be handed over to hubby!!)

i ordered more fabric today...onto the next adventure!