Doll clothes and Aprons

I made this hat and scarf set as a birthday gift for a girl with an 18" doll. The outfit itself is the Kirsten outfit from AG.

These doll and girl apron sets will be forsale at the Button Box!

For my Teacher

I thought this little design would be just perfect for a teacher gift. I will probably stitch it onto a tote bag and then get all the children in the class to sign it as a gift for one of my girls' teachers. It was really quick and easy to stitch up too, the only downside was a lot of fractional stitches along the outside of the apple.

Little Critter

Finally an update about what's happening around here. Most of my pictures and updates have been onto my facebook page, but I've been reminded that not everyone has facebook, so it's time I start doing regular updates here.

My lastest thing has been making little critter. A number of them are at the Button Box, ready for someone to adopt them. Other, like Missy the Pig are just made.

Fiona the Frog

Louise the Ladybug

Charlie the Bear

Missy the Pig

Laidies night!

I'm looking forward to having a table at Ladies Night next week thursday evening. I've been busy making aprons all week and will be busy right until thursday! I'll post some pics later!

Garden Herb Braid

I just made this bread from a recipe in the Fall baking cookbook (big magazine really) from Taste of Home. I'll post a picture later, but if you really want to see one right away, there is one on facebook. It was real easy to make, especially since I used the dough hook instead of kneading it by hand. It tasted great along side the spagetti we had for supper. Would taste great with soups and stews too! Enjoy!

Recipe
4 to 4-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
3/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 egg

Topping:
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/8 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme, parsley flakes, basil and oregano
1/8 teaspoon each dried rosemary, crushed and rubbed sage

1. In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt and herbs. In a saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120 -130 degrees. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. (I just used the dough hook in my kitchen aid). Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.
3. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each portion into a 15-inch rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 20 minutes.
4. Bake 375 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Combine herbs; sprinkle over bread. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.
Yield: 1 loaf (16 slices)

*Note - you can vary the herbs and substitute your favorites
Also - for the topping, I just brushed with butter, then sprinkled on a bit of salt and some Italian seasoning as they are about the same in flavour.

Trash to treasure

Recently I received a bag full of leftover balls of yarn. I was going to turn it into a patch work type of afghan but then decided to try something a bit different. Charlynn is modeling it here and likes it so much I'm not sure if I'll get it back. Will all the focus on 'green' shopping bags these day's I figured this was a neat way to get on the band wagon.

The beginning of May!

Well, May sure is coming in with a bang. Today we had rain, hail, thunder and some extreme wind. Amazing weather...if it's going to be wet it sure is more interesting when it's wild too! By super time the sun was out and I couldn't resist digging around in the garden for a while after the dishes were cleaned up. Funny how a bit of sun just makes me itch to get my fingers dirty. Buttercups are unwelcome in my flower beds cause they're so invasive, but as I was pulling them out I couldn't resist taking some inside, they are so pretty.

Your Weather: Spring Bliss - The Weather Network

Your Weather: Spring Bliss - The Weather Network

April 22, 2010

Today started out cool and not so dry, but as the day went on it sure became nice and sunny. All the girls had their dentist cleanings today and then it was running a bunch of errands, including getting the last things Charlynn needed for her next horse show. Was very pleased to find a jacket at VV (value village) for a song instead of the $130 that the real show jackets cost. Then it was off to get groceries. Tonight we had Parent Teachers, and I'm ever so thankful that all the kids are doing well.
But no matter how busy the day, it seems like there is always time to take a few pictures!
This one is of a golden crowned sparrow and a white crowned sparrow.

Apple bloossoms with the moon in the background. For some reason I just don't get tired of apple bloossoms, might have something to do with the fact that the are so short lived.

Jeremy loved having the mini harley all to himself since Eric is gone today. A perfect day for zooming around.

The blue herons are back full time again it seems. Today I saw 2 flying over the slough and the wing span of these bird is simply astounding.

Are you my mother? Looks like little chick loves his yellow friend!

What came first....the chicken or the egg?

And Eric was off to spring camp with the TCS scouts today. Here you see all his gear packed into our van. He was so excited this morning that I couldn't have pinned him down if I tried. He had a serious case of butterfly's in his tummy. When we were finally on the way to school to drop him off, I asked how the butterfly's were doing. Eric's reply, "Now it's just one big frog jumping around in there!" So cute to see his eager excitement. Hope he is still that happy after carrying 28 pounds for 2 km!!!

All geared up.

In the background are all the canoes for Hicks Lake. Hope they have fun!

The Button Box has sold the first of my aprons and I'm super excited. It's one thing to have friends and family oh and ah over them, but the true test comes when there is a price tag on it.

Aprons

Just a quick note, I'm excited to say that the Button Box on Mill Street, Chilliwack, BC, now carry's my aprons. If they sell well they will continue to sell them for me. Pics to follow!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Phew, almost finished this blanket. Just have to sew in all the ends and then I'm done. It's been a fun project, but the top stitched bars on each row are a lot more work then I bargined for. Either way, it sure is nice and warm.

This is the next blanket I'm working on, and this one is for my bench, the one that you see in the previous picture. I love the mossy greens and dusty pinks in this one.

I spotted these blooms in the tree field behind our place.

Just love watching the girls running about in the dandelions.

On Friday Benj brought in a few loads of soil and helped me put in the garden around my new garden shed. Of course I had to get some things planted in it right away.

Of course, no garden of mine is complete without a mushroom or two. I found these at Home Sense last week and couldn't resist buying them.

The kids love running in the tall grass.

And of course a bowl of Jelly Belly's, my favorite treats!!

Daniel and Elly's big day!

What a wonderful day yesterday was for a wedding. The weather was warm and sunny, the church very nicely decorated and the bride looks absolutely beautiful. Here are just a few pictures of Dan and Elly's wedding

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Tulip Festival

What an absolutely brilliant day we had! The weather was warm and sunny, and the air smelled fabulous. After getting my groceries and visiting the Grey Area art gallery (again!), I went for a drive to Seabird Island to take pictures of the tulip fields in bloom. Driving up and seeing the kaleidoscope of colour was a big WOW moment. I still feel like the pictures don't do it full justice, but at least you get an idea of what it looks like.











I love the pink tulips again the backdrop of the silver camper.

Dandelions may be considered weed by many folks, but spring without these sunny blooms would be dreary indeed. Even the seed heads are beautiful!

"'Tis my faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes!"

-william wordsworth

Yesterday I spend a while working the dirt again, cleaning out weeds in the flower beds. I should have been sewing aprons, but kept finding excuses to go outside, so I finally gave in to the urge and went a diggin' in the dirt.

As Lewis Gantt puts it so well,

"But each spring...a gardening instinct, sure as the sap rising in the trees, stirs within us. We look about and decide to tame another little bit of ground."