Little Red House Designs

Friday, July 22, 2011

The Perfect Snack

Did you have one of these growing up? I did ~ way back in the '70s! In fact, I got one for my 10th birthday (an odd gift choice). I suppose it was high tech back then!

For a long time we were making our popcorn on the stove top in Coconut Oil (ohhhh our FAVORITE!). However, the extra fat was catching up with me : ( I made room in our small kitchen in the 'Little Red House' for this new appliance.

I have deemed both my girls old enough to run this complex machine. In fact, by letting them run it - it encourages them to use it. I think when they have play dates they like to show it off 'look what I am allowed to do!'

so exciting!

It tends to come out mid afternoons. They know just how much popcorn to measure (organic, GMO free of course!). Coco is old enough to melt the butter (again, organic) and Lulu knows just the right amount of salt (sea salt) to add.

We fill the big bowl - and my hand is usually in it. Nora the dog loves to clean the floor after they are done. It's a win win for all!

What is your Perfect Snack? Leave me a comment and share!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Baby Shower

It has been a long time since my baby shower. Oh, how I remember opening all those new wonderful things. Looking forward to using them all. Two babies and 11 years later I don't have a lot of that 'stuff' anymore.

With MY baby!

However, I still have some items that had special meaning to me. The high chair, Pack-n-Play, the rocker, the baby swing - they are all gone now. That treasured art print of Noah's Ark, the pink teddy bear that is Lulu's lovey to this day, the Pottery Barn crib quilt I agonized over selecting - these I still have. Funny how that happens.

Today, I got to sit and watch a Mom-to-be open all her new things. And I realized it's not the new things we are celebrating but the special memories she has ahead of her. What a privilege it was to be a part of her celebration.

A wonderful gathering

When the Baby Burp Cloths and the Chenille Blanket were opened there were plenty of 'ohhhhhs' and 'ahhhhhs' just as I had hoped. But now I hope that they are used daily and not put away for special occasions. I also need to fess up and admit - I never got to the 'Gift #3' but I still have plenty of time.

Ohhhhhhh!

Ahhhhhhhh!

Now we get to sit back and let the Mom-to-be do all the work. She has a long hot month of August ahead of her (oh I have been there!). The best is yet to come... will it be a BOY or GIRL?!?!?

With my friend the 'Auntie'!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

FIVE Months Away!

YES, Christmas is almost 6 FIVE months away - GASP!

Take a peek here and start your crafty ideas for the Holidays!

Tip Junkie Christmas in July

Look for the Tip Junkie button on my sidebar!

Fat Quarters

For someone who has sewn all her life - I never knew what a fat quarter was until this year. In fact, I had to GOOGLE it. Apparently, if I was a quilter I would know - so I guess that explains it. My sister quilts, by hand, stitch by stitch... crazy.

I was getting ready to take a sewing class to make a tote bag and I got the instructions wrong. I thought I needed fat quarters - I did not. SO, what was I going to do with these beautiful fat quarters I had.

I found a pattern (when I was still willing to buy a paper pattern in the stores) at Joanns and it had just the thing I was looking for - something cute and fun.

Simplicity Sewing Pattern 3776 Crafts, One Size

I made this

Fabric Bucket

It allowed me to play with some new fancy stitches on Elizabeth. Which are upside down I think!

Then, once I made it I did not know what to do with it! It ended up in the girls room as a waste paper basket.

We Did It! Wednesday

Weekend Craft Hop

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Colored Pencils

Coco is my creative child and she loves to create! Ever since she was old enough to grab a crayon and get it to paper she has been drawing. Fast forward to 11 years old.

Coco celebrated her birthday recently. One thing her friends know is she loves art. She received some gift cards to AC Moore and off we went to figure out what she needed.

She wants to focus on drawing more. After poking around for a while she decided on new Colored Pencils and a book on how to use them properly. She also picked a nice fine point and brush tip marker.

She got right to work. She was able to copy the drawings right from the book and worked on her shading techniques.

However, this one caught my eye - this is an original:

Then last night I caught her in action. I love to watch her draw.

Amazing

I never know what is going to come out of her next. Right now her focus has been flowers. I look forward to sharing more of HER 'perspective' soon!!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Baby Shower (Gift #2)

The Baby Shower is fast approaching. (see Gift #1 here)

As I have said before, not knowing if you are sewing for a boy or girl is not helpful however, I love the creaminess of these colors. It is so soft and snuggly! AND if this baby is a girl - I am driving to the new Mom's home and sewing on a big pink satin bow (and to see the baby of course)!

Today, I completed this beautiful Chenille Baby Blanket. I found this tutorial at Sew 4 Home.

Ready, Set, SEW!

I was overwhelmed with the cutting on this project and this is why I kept putting it off. I needed a 42x42 square and my cutting mat is 36x36. I did manage in the end and had all my pieces ready to go.

Two things I have never used before also were holding me up - working with chenille (or I should say 'snow') and blanket binding.

Imbedded in the mat

This being the 'Little Red House' I had to move my machine out of the bedroom nook and onto the dining room table today. I needed room to spread out! I also had to employ the coffee table for pinning area. I was fortunate that my girls were at a 'park program' all day.

I started with pinning my front and back together. There is Nora on her nest keeping close eye on what I am up to.