Changing Pad-the smaller version

OK, so if you are loving the quilts...but want to make 2 for the same amount of fabric...try the changing pads!
I did mine 18X25 and then sewed in some grosgrain ribbon.

EASY, BREEZY, BEAUTIFUL!

Your First Quilt-tutorial

You will need:

8 coordinating fabrics in the following sizes:

1 yard of the back of the quilt fabric

1/4 yard each of the 6 stripe fabrics

1/4 yard binding fabric

1 yard muslin

1 yard batting (or a 35X35 inch piece)

Decide which order you want your stripes.  Cut them out in different widths:

STRIPES:

3X35

5X35

4X35

6X35

3X35

4X35

sometimes I change the size or order a little if I like one fabric more than another.  It is easiest to cut the widths first and then cut the length all at the same time.  (I cut mine on the folded at 17.5)

cut your binding fabrics

3  pieces of: 2 inches X the length of the fabric (cut one more piece if you arent putting inserts: see quilt below to see insert)

2 pieces of 2 X 9 (for the inserts if you want to do them)

Main fabric, Muslin & Batting
35X35 of each.
(it is easiest for me to lay out one of my fabrics on the batting and cut around it to make sure it is the right size)

Iron your pieces (ESPECIALLY your main fabric and muslin)

layer your main fabric on the bottom, then your batting, then your muslin and try to smooth out all the wrinkles

lay out all your stripes.  If you still have a little fold line left over after ironing, it will help you line them up.  just eyeball the distance between each one.  Make sure to leave a little extra room at the top and bottom because your binding will take an inch of the white space.

Pin them down through all 4 layers

Now you can sew your stripes leaving a quarter inch seam allowance.  NOTE:  I was advised to buy a "walking foot" to make this quilt.  It did help...but I believe you may make this quilt with your normal foot as long as your batting isnt really really thick.

cut your binding into the right size.  2 inches X 37 inches on all 4 sides
(if using the inserts, cut 37 inches on 2 of your strips.  Then use the left over 7 inches and sew it to the inserts, and then cut the last strip in half and sew those pieces to the other side of the insert.  You should have enough to make 4-37" long pieces. 

Iron your binding fabrics in half.  (if using inserts, first iron the seams down, then iron in half)

Pin your binding around the quilt by folding it around the quilt.

If you use the inserts, you can decide where to put those ones.  I have done it so that the inserts are along the stripe sides and one is high on one side and low on the other side. 

FOR THE CORNERS: every strip that you pin down should go under on one end and over at the other end.  Where it goes under the binding, you can sew it straight down, where it goes over the following binding, fold the raw edge under.  I hope you are not too confused...look at the quilt corners to understand.

sew the binding down using 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now, go wash your quilt normally in the wash and then dry.  Then trim all of the millions of long strings.

WA LA...Your FIRST QUILT!  You should be so proud and one little muffin is going to be So excited!

An Evening of "Cookery-Bookery"

This month our bookclub read "My Life in France" by Julia Child.  Everytime I picked it up I escaped into a such a fun place.  Her positive enthusiastic writing about such wonderful experiences in France. 
So, for our book club we all brought a french dish to share.

I set the table with my finest...

and cut sprigs of rosemary from my backyard for the place cards

Wild flowers are so beautiful right now here in TX.  The kids and I went and cut flowers for the table.

I spent the evening before following Juila's very famous "BEEF BOURGUIGNON" recipe, and also her "Pate Choux" (eclairs)

Other Ladies brought Quiche Lorraine, French Bread, Gruyere Puffs, French Fries, creme puffs, a sorbet mold and Ratatouille!  Needless to say, we sat chatting at the table for nearly 3.5 hours!!!

Easter Kid Table: my Lollipop tree!

So using that lollipop tree tutorial, I made a couple lollipop trees for the girl and boy tables. 
It was easy to find the styrofoam cones at the craft store...and they were fun to make!

This year I went with really simple little favors, and just personalized them to make them a little cuter!

Time to plan your Easter Table

Well here it is one week to the day...so its time to plan your table. 

 I found a couple great ideas here and step by step instructions here. 

I just love to do the same things over and over, so my table might look something like this again! 

here is a fun one from gather and nest

Yummy Food for a great get together

Mango Grilled Chicken Salad

Grilled Chicken (marinated in balsamic)
Mangoes-cubed
Provolone cheese (shredded or in small slices)
Spring Mix salad

dressing:
1 clove minced garlic
3TB spicy brown mustard
3TB honey
3 TB balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper
1 cup olive oil
Whisk all ingredients together except olive oil. Add olive oil and whisk. toss in salad.

My Cute friend Emily gave me this recipe at Outerbanks one year...and now it is a favorite for book clubs, showers, and small dinner parties! YUM!

Did you know that rolls arent scary? Yes you have to think about them the night before, and then again 4 hours before...and you never want them to burn in the oven after all the work...but you know what. If I can make rolls, you can make rolls!
I use the junior league out of this world rolls or lately "feather overnight rolls" out of the mormon cookbook.

Please get your baking apron on and make these IMMEDIATELY! Pumpkin cupcakes with cream chees frosting and shaved milk chocolate. Im kind of in heaven. really, I want 12 more!

There were some other great dishes that I dont have pictured...but get started with these!

I know, I know...IZZE is the new cool drink for showers mostly because of the packaging probably. BUT amazingly, they really are SO good and pretty good for you, so what a WIN WIN!

Book Club favors...book marks

I thought it would be fun to make book marks for the book club meeting.

I used double sided cardstock so that they would be pretty on both sides.

I think they turned out cute...and I have been using mine! So much better than lying the book on it's front with pages open...or worse, folding corners!

Leif Flowers

Girls are doing the coolest things these days. My cute friends Chelsea & Amanda (twins) just started the most fabulous flower shop in SL. I love how people are taking their creativity to the next level. Inspiring. Check them out here

Saturday Luncheon

I hosted a little luncheon on saturday for a friend and her family. Nothing big, just yummy food and friends.


For this kind of occasion, you cant go wrong with chicken salad croissants.
(lite mayo, LOTS of chicken, grape halves, celery, green onions, whole cashews & salt & pepper)


Do you know how much I love fruit in the bottom of flower arrangements. I dont know how to do it very well...but I love when people do. Im going to study up on it a little, and then Ill let you know.

The favors were brownie bites (she is famous for brownies) in jewelry bags. How cool those little jewelry zip-locs were the perfect size.

July Bridal Shower

I have been missing in action this summer...its time that I start getting creative again! I think the Texas heat gets to me!

Miranda did the CUTEST shower for her cousin in law.

Here are some of the ideas and more can be found on on simp-lea

I loved how they used Sparklers as their theme

What a fun favor!

She used that game that I made up where you fill the jar with candy to the line of how well the bride and groom know each other...I love how she divided the skittles by color, and her jar is cute!

The food looked delicious, an array of little sliders, cupcakes, berries, and these cones full of veggie chips.