Charm Square Baby Blanket

I've wanted to make this blanket for quite a while now, so when I found out our friends were having a baby I knew this was my chance! I got the pattern from Thimbelina's blog. Since they knew they were having a boy I figured there was no reason I couldn't get most of it done ahead of time; I would just have to wait on the name. The little guy decided to come early though, as a matter of fact, I had just pulled out the flannel to start cutting when I got the text. Turns out I didn't have to wait for the name after all!

For his name I wanted a font that would be easy to applique, but still look cute. After going through several fonts I decided to use Gypsy.

A Playhouse For The Birthday Girl!

I wanted to make my daughter a card table playhouse for her birthday. I though it would be the perfect gift - it can be taken down and put away, if need be, and it can be enjoyed for years by everyone. I made one once before so I knew what I was getting myself into! This time, fortunately, I gave myself a little more time and had more ideas of how to decorated it. Once again, I only used fabric from my stash.


The outside walls:

The inside walls:


The pot on the stove and the oven are pockets so she can cook, and the fridge has two pockets, as well, that open to the side.

There is a pocket in the chair for her dolls to sit in.

The boys wanted to contribute some art work, so I gave them some fabric crayons and they coloured some very nice pictures. The top on is a "maze" so I framed it, the other I made into a toy box.

The dresser drawers are pockets and the bed has a pocket too!

All sewn together:

Raggedy Ann is taking a nap!

And sitting in the arm chair.

It was a lot of sewing, but I got it done *just* in time for her birthday. She's not the only one who enjoys it though, her brothers are in and out of there all the time too!

It will be so much fun to take outside too! I'm very much looking forward to spring!

A Cheer Bear Cake For Our Birthday Girl

This past year has flew by so fast, it is still hard for me to believe our little girl is one. I was having hard time deciding what kind of cake to make her when my husband suggested a Care Bear cake, using my 3D teddy cake pan. The decision was made! I loved Care Bears growing up and Cheer Bear was my favourite. You can't get any more girly then Care Bears!

It was so cute, and prefect for the little girl who bring so much cheer into our lives.

This is the second time I've used that cake pan. The first time was for my son's 1st birthday.

These teddy bear cakes take a while to do, but they turn out so great!

4th Annual Mystery Supper

We hosted our 4th Mystery Supper last weekend and it went over very well. It was fun, as always, it's something we always look forward too. This year we thought we would mix it up a bit and invite some new people. Not everyone could make it, which was unfortunate, but couldn't be helped. It's a busy time of year, and of course there is always next year!


Our menu:

Appetizers -

A Pile of Rubble (Nacho Platter)
Log Cabin (Celery and carrots stacked to be a cabin with a cucumber roof)
Travis' Special (Bacon wrapped smokies)

Entree -

A Road Divided (Fork)
Jack's Last Name (Knife)
A Soggy Stooge (Ham with pineapple sauce)
Asparagus (Junior, a friend of Larry's)
Sweet Sticks (Sweet potato fries)

Dessert -

Pinch of a Pint (Spoon)
One Tree Hill (Cream puff with a chocolate tree garnish)


I meant to take pictures of all the items, but of course when the time came I was so busy serving I completely forgot. I did take a picture of a left over cream puff the next day.





The point of a mystery supper is that you don't really know what you are ordering, unless of course you figure out the clues! Some of the clues are a little easier then others, although I do admit I try to make it as hard as I can! I don't want people to get it right! My husband had his dessert for the 2nd appetizer, and for dessert he had to eat his nachos with a knife! At least he got to eat the entree with a fork - unlike some others!

It is getting harder to think up different menus! I'm running out ideas for food that can be eaten with your hands - if necessary! I might have to go back to our first menu for our next mystery supper! Or perhaps pick the best of the best from each menu!

And Travis - I thought you would enjoy the bacon wrapped smokies! The name really confused people! You'll have to come for supper next time you are in town. :)

Christmas Presents

With all the cross stitching I was doing, I didn't have a lot extra time to make other Christmas presents. I did, however, want to make a set of bags for my mom and my mother-in-law. Luckily they don't take too long to make so I was able to get them done. I think these are so handy! Hopefully they will find a use for them!

One of these days I'm going to make some for myself!

Christmas Stockings

I finished Victoria's stocking about a month and a half before Christmas!

I took a look at my stocking, and decided that there was a small chance that I could get it done as well! And I did!

I'm so glad to have finished all of the family Christmas stockings! It only took me 4 years! But they look so nice and I think it is so special for kids to have a homemade stocking, just like I did growing up.

Notice the fabulous cookies the boys made for Santa!

They also made this amazing gingerbread house!

Merry Christmas!

Snowman Christmas Cards

Every year I say I'm going to make all of my Christmas cards. It never happens. Mainly because I leave it until December and then don't have time to make 50 cards. So I end up buying some or doing up a quick card on Print Master. This year was no different. I had an elaborate card planned, and as December neared the card got simpler and simpler until I abandoned my original plan all together.

I was still determined to make a card, so I looked around on Pintrest for super simple Christmas cards and I came across this. I knew it was something I could pull off!

I'm sure I would have been able to work more efficiently at my desk but it was (and still is) covered with Lego. I was ban to the floor. I'm afraid my desk is forever lost to Lego. I should have never cleaned it off!

Regardless, I got to work making snowmen.

Then made a snowflake background using my fabulous Cuttlebug.

Added a "Let it snow" stamp, embossed in blue and gold and called it done! It's pretty cute for just some circles!

I'm glad I got them done because with the price of stamps going up I might never be able to afford to mail letter again!