Funky Noah's Ark Overalls

I bought a decoupage kit from Angie of That Funky Boutique last fall. I had plans of using it on a pair of overalls for Claire, who was going through an "I love overalls" phase, and always loves anything with animals on it. Well, it took me a while to get to making them - I finished them last weekend - but she still loves overalls! Thanks, Angie :)

Claire's "Noah's Ark Overalls"

the ark and lots of animal pairs scattered on the legs...

rainbow and sunshine up top...

don't forget the back - the dove & olive branch are on their way!

Angie's kits are a blast to work with, and I have a new appreciation for the extensive amount of time & effort that goes into making something with this technique. She has just opened her own shop on etsy, as well, and has this beautiful new kit listed!

Self Portrait Challenge - Absurd {fabric}

it is a tug of war

inside of me between

the side that says each one is different
I will use it some day

and the side that sees the span of my days
and understands this is absurd

For more Self Portraits pondering the absurd, click here.

Lemon Streusel Bars

Lemon Streusel Bars

Filling
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. lemon juice
Mix together in a 1 qt. bowl

Crust & Streusel
3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 c. flour (I use whole wheat, it tastes wonderful in this recipe)
1 1/2 c. dry, uncooked oatmeal

Place butter in 2 qt. bowl, microwave 20 seconds to partially melt it, then stir it so it melts completely. Add the remaining crust ingredients, mix with a pastry blender or two forks, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 2 cups for streusel topping & set aside. Press remaining mixture in the bottom of a 9x9" square baking pan (sprayed lightly with cooking spray). Spread filling over crust, then sprinkle with remaining streusel & pat it gently into the filling. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350°, until light golden brown. Cool completely before cutting, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

This recipe is from this cookbook, and was baked in this pan (one of my favorite Pampered Chef pieces!) Thanks to Melissa for the pretty plate!

Shop on etsy!

I am excited to share my new shop on etsy with you!

Etsy is an amazing website with vendors offering an incredibly variety of handmade goods. It is a beautiful and simple place to shop! You can still pay with Paypal, and the listings are fixed price (no bidding!) I also like it because the fees are much better for me as a seller. (eBay fees were raised once again in March, which really hurts the seller)

Click here to go see my new etsy shop!

Poetry Collection

I joined a small group of friends to create designs from the Poetry Collection fabrics by April Cornell. I love these fabrics, so many beautiful colors & florals. Click here to see all the ladies' listings with all the different fabrics & Jen's jewels.

Here are my listings:

(click the titles to see the listings on eBay)

Poetry Dress

Poetry Skirt & Top Set

Self Portrait Challenge - Absurd {speed of dirt}

It was one of those silly questions people ask for a "getting to know you" game:

If you could have one super-power, what would it be?

I would want to be Faster Than the Speed of Dirt.

What??

Yes, that's what I said, dirt.

Because here I am again, with little bits & crumbs sticking to the soles of my feet ... and as I go to get the broom, I am thinking, "This is absurd! I just swept this floor three days ago - how can there be so much stuff on this floor in just three days???"

The answer, of course, is wearing a pastel plaid skirt and eating breakfast with her sister - partners in this dirty crime.

To see more self-portraits contemplating the absurd, CLICK HERE

The Many Faces of Claire

My Little Secret

By definition of my business, I am required to iron. It is a necessary part of what I do. Without it, you would not see the beautiful outfits I offer; instead you would see a wrinkled mess of fabric, and who would want to buy that?

Now my secret: I despise ironing.

Whew - now that it's not a secret anymore, I feel better with that off my chest.

From the look of a lot of boutique resells I've seen lately, I can tell that many customers are not thrilled with ironing either. I don't blame you. I sympathize with you. I want to help you!

Here is my other secret, which is also about to not be a secret anymore:

I don't iron my family's clothing - only in extreme instances will I turn that iron on - instead, whatever it is, I steam it, with this:

My Little Steamer! (click ^ to go see it on HSN)
Steamers work wonders on wrinkled ruffles, crumpled capris, bedraggled dresses, and puckered peasants. Irons can have unsightly side effects (new wrinkles!) and you often need steam anyway for the best ironed results. But with the steamer, you just hang the item on a hanger, put the hanger up on a shower curtain rod, and steam away. You can steam right there in your bathroom while you're getting ready for the day, so you don't have to run through the house in your skivvies to the ironing board.

I own an older model of Joy Mangano's My Little Steamer - it doesn't have the fancy attachments or the retractable cord like in the picture above - but I still love this thing!! If it ever croaks, I can assure you I will be buying the newest model with a happy smile, because it is worth every single penny.

Trumpet Vine

We have a trumpet vine I planted two years ago, with the intention of having it cover our patio trellis over time with a bower of green leaves and orange flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Last year we had all of about 20 flowers, and I was somewhat disappointed, especially when my girls picked half of those off.

However, this year it seems to have leapt into high gear, and we have hundreds of flowers just beginning to bloom!

Springtime brings delightful surprises...

Sneak Peek for tomorrow!

I'm excited about my newest listing that I have been working on smocking for, which I will be putting up tomorrow/Monday... here is a sneak peek:





Monday update: Rosey Bubbles is up and listed: Click Here

I Need Some Fresh Hair

I decided to watch some back-episodes today on ABC's full episode player to keep my mind a little less bored with what I was sewing - something I had to finish but didn't really want to work on.

I caught up on the last 3 episodes of "Men In Trees", which I find kind of fun and quirky, not too serious. Emily Bergl's character Annie got a haircut, the storyline included it as her way of giving herself a new beginning after all she's been through.

I have to say, I really like it! Mine is not quite this short, and I've been wearing my hair this way for about 3 years. I'm thinking perhaps I might go this route for a summer cut, after our ballet recital at the end of May... what do you think?

I also just noticed while posting this picture that Annie is still wearing her engagement ring. Hmmm... I wonder if she'll be taking it off in an upcoming episode, since she's giving herself a fresh start.

i miss you...

Chad's OOT for the 5th week in the last two months... he brings so much color & fun into this house, it's not surprising it seems dull with him gone. This song pretty much says it all.





I keep wondering how long it takes Avril to get all that eye makeup off??

Ginger Blossom & Paraiso

I'm running a little late on my set for the big Ginger Blossom launch on eBay - lots of designers who came together to create with Sandi Henderson's new fabric line - but better late than never!

Paraiso Jeans

Paraiso Top/Dress