Gingerbread Extravaganza!

Every year my amazing mother hosts a gingerbread decorating day. She spends hours and hours baking, cutting out, and putting together a gingerbread house (or in many cases, something other than a house) for everyone, and we all decorate them together. Kids and adults big kids alike! It's one of my favorite days of the year, and I was so lucky to have been "home" for it this year!

This year she let everyone choose their "structure," so we had a big variety. And we aren't talking tiny houses here people. Let's just say my mother has a problem with the scale of these structures. (Note: a castle so large my niece could have probably climbed inside if she wanted.) 

What I love most about this day, is the creativity & imagination the kids display. It's refreshing & fun to watch them create with such concentration & concern.

the transformation...

is always magnificent!

A barn...

a farmhouse...

an 18 wheeler...

a train...

and a castle fit for a princess...

A day full of family, candy, & Christmasy fun...doesn't get much better than that!

A houndstooth dress for Bristol

One of my best friends, Amanda, has a beautiful little girl named Bristol. Bristol turned one back in late October, so I decided to make her a dress she could wear around Christmas time. Given my newfound love of houndstooth, I used a thick fabric in the print. And added that cute little black scottie dog. 

Now that it's Christmastime, A & B had a fashion show, and she was so sweet to send me the pics! 

 (Isn't Bristol the sweetest little girl you've ever seen? And doesn't her Momma take the best photos?)

I found a super soft and super cute knit red fabric with lighter polka dots on it, which I made the sleeves of the dress & the leggings.

And what girly outfit would be complete without a matching bow? Made very simply with hot glue, ribbon & a matching homemade fabric covered button.

a stylish dress for a very stylish baby!

Thanksgiving, an Anniversary & Moving Day!

What a week! We droved down to Tennessee to spend the holiday with G's brother's & sister's families. As always, we had a wonderful visit, including a 10 hour Black Friday shopping day with my sister in laws! I feel so lucky to have married into such a wonderful family.

And speaking of marriage, I woke up today & realized that one year ago today was the day that G asked me to marry him. I don't think I ever blogged about it. He's adorable, and did it at our new home which was being renovated and a chaotic mess (controlled chaos, I like to remember). But it was perfect.

Crazy to think of how much has happened in a year since then. And to add to the craziness, we're moving again! Lots of decorating, refurbishing, & crafty projects to follow...as soon as I can regain some order!!

Happy Veterans Day

"This nation shall remain the land of the free because of the brave."

I was looking through old pics the other day and stumbled upon these. They are Veterans Day cards made by 1st graders which were sent over to my husband's unit during their 2008 Iraq tour. I am so thankful that I took some pics of my favorites before I sent them out. 

I am posting them here as my Veterans Day tribute, because they are so genuinely sweet & sincere. Love that about kids! 

When the teacher asked this child why she drew this picture she replied:

"Because if I was far away from my home, seeing a picture of my mom would make me feel better." 

How can you not smile at that?

Happy Veterans Day to all of our brave soldiers out there...

our country wouldn't be the great nation it is without you!

A quick hello

Sadly...I have nothing to show you. All of the projects I have been working on this week are gifts for family and friends! For me, the best part of receiving a gift is the anticipation! Sorry. I can't be the one to ruin that.

So no crafty posts today. Or tomorrow. Sunday isn't looking good either. This weekend is an organizing, cleaning, & packing weekend.

But I will give you this picture to gaze upon. Today is a gloomy, gray day in Pennsylvania. Nothing like a big bouquet of pink peonies to make you feel sunny & happy. (And think of my wedding day...which, thus far, was the greatest day. EVER.)

This picture was taken at my wedding by my best friend & fab photog Kristina O'Brien

{Swoon.}

Happy Weekend!

Everyday Princess Collection, Part II

"Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo..."

No, I have not lost my mind. But I have been singing this song in my head all day. Why? Remember this post? Well today I tackled Part II. 

Another day, another dress, another princess. And I have been SO excited about this dress because she is my favorite princess.

Of course, I didn't use satin or poofs or pettycoats...

But I did make big cuffed sleeves,

And big poofy side pockets,

And comfy, super soft knit fabric.

And just a little bit of sparkle. (She IS a princess, you know.)

Put 'em together and what have you got? 

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!

Or in this case, a fun dress for a fabulous 5 year old.

(This, like all my creations, was made up as I went along without a pattern...if you'd like details, please feel free to ask!)

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.
Several years ago, my Mom moved into a kid packed neighborhood and ever since her first Halloween in that house, I have never seen anything like it...with haunted houses in neighbors garages, and spooky movies projected onto the side of houses, and a bajillion kiddos running around. It's like a fabulous carnival. 

Needless to say, Halloween is now the most celebrated holiday in her house. 

It always involves pumpkin carving...

and spooky treats...

and the cutest little goblins on the block...

Since we moved 600 miles away, I'll be missing Halloween with the fam this year but I'm sure it will just as much fun as always. How could it not be, with bowls like this laying around?

Happy Halloween! 

Superheros

Over a month ago, my sis in law asked me if I  would want to make Halloween costumes for her two girls. I love them to pieces, so of course I was thrilled to oblige. And I never blogged about it. But since it IS Halloween weekend, I figured I still could.

Their little brother is obsessed with superheroes. Not to be outdone, the girls chose their costumes accordingly. Wonderwoman & Pink Batgirl. Fabulous choices. Expensive choices if you are buying them. So my goal was to make them for less than $10 each. Here are their costumes of choice:

Images found here and here. (Superheroes obviously not to size.)

So here is what I came up with. 

There were a lot of little parts and pieces to each one. 

(And yes, I did add "fall" to some of the pictures...bare white was just not screaming Halloween!) 

 

(My first try at a t-shirt...was easier than I thought!)

And every super girl needs accessories...

Anyway...there you have it. I didn't use any patterns, so I kind of just made it all up as I went along. Apparently they were a hit. The day they arrived in the mail, batgirl refused to take hers off so she wore it to Walmart & received lots of compliments.

As for the price - almost all of the fabric I found on sale, or used coupons. I ended up spending less than $20 for both costumes! Not a bad deal.


I even had enough fabric left over to make matching trick or treat bags for them & their little brother...who is of course, also a superhero.

Have fun tomorrow, kids! 

Hopefully you wont be too busy saving the universe to pose for some pictures for me.