birdsandtrees

Well, it's almost a week later and I'm just now sharing some pics from the birthday bash.  I will admit that I don't think I've completely picked everything up from that night.  Workin' on that. 

I had such grand visions for James's 30th birthday party - I wanted it to be outside, with lots and lots of candles and lights, a cold, crisp October night with a fire to crowd around.  I think when I get ideas in my head, I just go for it and I won't settle (or be happy) until they are accomplished and enjoyed. 

So I did get all the supplies and necessary things to make that happen.  I was pumped.  Even the unseasonably warm weather couldn't get me down. 

I had wonderful friends who were helping us make the backyard pretty magical.  And then...the weather report changed and that afternoon, all of a sudden, we're taking everything inside because a storm was going to pass that night.  Right in the middle of the party.  Great.  

 

So I did have a panic moment,  maybe letting out a pout or two.  But then Amanda gave me the pep talk I needed (which she's so good at) and told me exactly what I needed to hear: we worked so hard on all the decorations, bought several things for that night, and we weren't going to let a little rain that was coming later that night get in the way of the party.  So we brought all the stuff back outside and made sure to usher everyone out back as soon as they got there.  We were going to enjoy it, darn it! Stacy even made a fire (see blurry pic above).

Once the rain started, we all crammed into our teeny living room and made it work - it turned out to be a great party. 

 I made these cupcake toppers (the idea is from Martha's Encyclopedia of Crafts) using several baby/childhood pictures of James - I just printed two square copies of a picture, cut them out, and then sandwiched a coffee stirrer in the middle...all held together with double stick tape.  That picture (above) is the day he was born...a little bit scary but definitely called for.  I'm realizing that I didn't take enough pictures...but you get the idea, right?

Good times.

We had a great weekend...

with this little guy!  More later...

Thirty years old.

Today is James's birthday.  And not just any birthday, but the big 3-0!  We're having a little shin-dig later this week with friends and family, but I wanted to have something festive up for the actual day.  So using Posie's book, Stitched in Time (I can look through this book over and over and never get tired of it), I made the birthday banner.  I tried to pick fabrics that weren't too girly (notice that there is not one calico print here, thank you very much) and I think it came out pretty well!  To make it, you basically just cut out the pairs of fabric for each each letter, and then use freezer paper to make stencils and then paint each one with fabric paint.  But I do recommend getting the book if you don't have it - this project is worth it alone!

I love the idea of having this from now on, hanging it on his birthday for years to come.  Growing up, whenever there was a birthday in our house, you could always count on the Muppet paper cut outs (that fold out as birthday cakes and other weird things) to be on the kitchen table that morning.  And my mom still put those out for my last birthday this past summer.  And even though I don't really watch the Muppets anymore, there's something really fun about having them there.  It's a small tradition that I'm starting today with this lil' banner. 

Now that this is done, it's time to move onto some other preparations (and lots and lots of cleaning) for this weekend that I'll share soon! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!

Quick Sweet Treat

Need a quick sweet bite?  We made these ghosts at school this week using nutter butters, white chocolate, and mini chocolate chip morsels.  I've seen the idea on several websites like this one. 

All you do is dip the cookie into melted white chocolate, then top with two mini morsels for eyes (I also used melted chocolate piped from a ziploc to make the mouth) and let cool until the chocolate has hardened.  Yummy. 

Need another idea for those Halloween parties this weekend?  Try the Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers).  I made them this past weekend and they are GOOD.  Real good. 

Share Time

Every morning at school we carve out just a few minutes for "Share Time."  I thought I'd have a share time on here as well, showing one of the projects the girls are finishing this week.  I mentioned a week or so ago about how we might make some "Hankie Holders."  The project instructions can  be found here.  With runny noses and coughs making their way into our classroom, I thought this would be a perfect fall craft for us to work on!  

 

All you need is some felt (I love Purl's collection of felt, found here) - you could use fabric as well, but the felt is so nice because you don't  have to worry about frayed edges.  I just cut all the edges with my pinking shears and then folded it in half (and I made our measurements slightly bigger than what Martha said).   The girls sewed the sides together using embroidery floss with the simple running stitch. 

 

Then, using a different colored felt, they wrote their initial and embroidered over it using a backstitch.  We cut it out in the shape of a heart and used craft glue to glue it on.  Easy peasy!

Stuff it with a small pack of tissues (or a beautiful handkerchief) and you're set for the flu and cold season in style.  I remember my grandmother used to keep one tucked under her watch or bracelet, but I think this is a much cuter (and cleanlier) way of holding them. 
The possibilities of this project are endless...some embroidered flowers or fancy monogrammed initial would be lovely - and they'd make wonderful gifts! 

Just happy.

Last night James and I went with some friends to see one of my all-time favorite bands, Travis.  This is the first time they made the trek to Birmingham, and I'm so so so glad they did.  On this tour, it was just half the band, more acoustic and intimate (I took this photo on my phone, and he was maybe 10 feet away from me and also singing one of my favorite songs)...they basically went through their career as a band, telling stories, sharing pictures and slideshows, and explaining songs and lyrics.  It was AWESOME.  I couldn't stop smiling and singing along.  I was just happy.  Just so happy to be there.  

Here are some other things making me happy this week:

- the apple crostata I made this weekend.  Try it - you won't be disappointed. 

- sitting in the backyard reading my stack of craft books from the library (like this and this)

- the glitter painting craze that's going on...learn all about it and upload your photos here

- the thought of trying to make these chocolate caramel crack(ers)

- Lickable Spoon, a recipe sharing blog where you can print off recipes onto a 4x6 card to add to your recipe box!

- dusting off my knitting needles and crochet hooks, and wondering if I could knit a pair of socks, or maybe some toasties?

Some keepers

Last night I made the Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette from the Barefoot Contessa.  I had wanted to make something fall-ish, and I think this definitely fits the bill.  It's got walnuts, roasted squash and dried cranberries, and this delicious vinaigrette that you cook on the stove, with cider and vinegar and shallots...yum.  While we had this by itself, I think the next time I make it, I'll have a pork tenderloin or roast chicken with it.  But it's a keeper and worth a try in your own kitchen!  

Another keeper is a beautiful blog that I've wanted to share with you- it's from Caitlin, a friend of a friend (her good friend sends her daughter to my school)...it's called Roost and she just has such lovely things posted on there- you need to check it out!  Her applesauce recipe looks delicious! 

Hi. My name is Stephanie and I'm a homebody.

 

"Ah! There's nothing like staying home for real comfort."

~Jane Austen

Jane had it right, and I couldn't agree more.  I've always known I've been a homebody - I think I've been like that as long as I can remember.  I'd choose staying at home over pretty much anything.  Even when we're visiting some amazing places, I'll always look forward to coming home.  And with the dreary, rainy days we've had around these parts, I've been staying close to home as much as I can.  Now, don't get me wrong - I love the occasional outing into the outside world, but when I get back to this cozy home, it's a good feeling. 

And I've even noticed that my crafts I've chosen to make lately are all things that would be used in our home - like this bathmat I made a few weeks ago.  It's from Soulemama's Handmade Home (a beautiful book about using thrifted, vintage, and old materials that you have at home).  To make it, you just use an old towel (I used one of ours that was fraying in the corners and had seen better days) for the backing and strips of it for the front.  You sew the strips of the towel onto some fabric,  then sew both the top and bottom sides together and then turn it inside out and you've got a homemade bathmat!  I love the ones that others have created, found here and here.  You can even take the idea and make a towel for your dishes, like this blogger did.  Genius!  I love it because it just adds that homey handmade touch to another part of your home.  Count me in.    

And while we're on the subject of towels...I don't know about you, but sometimes our towels get a not-so-clean smell after awhile, even after coming right out of the washing machine.  If you have this same problem, here's what we do at our home to get them smelling like new:  Put about 2 cups of regular white vinegar into your washing machine and fill it with warm water. Let your towels soak in there for a minimum of 6 hours...up to overnight. Then drain.  Wash with detergent and smell them to make sure they don't smell too much like vinegar - if they do, re-rinse them and then dry.  Voila! Good as new! 

Pumpkin Parade

Now that we're a few days into October, I've started seeing pumpkins at the store and on neighbors' porches.  This year I wanted to do a little something different with pumpkins than I have in the past (usually I just have a pumpkin or two on the porch... and usually one carved with polka dots).   Last year I posted how my friend Amanda stacked pumpkins on her porch (see the picture at the end of this post) - I definitely want to do that this year.  Blonde Designs Blog posted a pic of this as well (and they worked for Martha, so you know they know what they're talking about).  But I'm also looking for some other sources of inspiration...here are some to get me (and maybe you) started: 

 

(from Country Living)

 

(from Country Living)

 

(from Busy Bee Lifestyle)

(from Martha)

 

(Love this idea from Good Housekeeping)

Now I know that there are a ton of other beautiful pumpkin ideas (like this intricate design from Martha), but I feel like these are definitely ideas and looks that I could do. Just plop a pumpkin in a pot?  Yep, I can handle that.  Wrap some ribbon around them?  Sure, no problem. 

And bonus - with all of these, carving isn't necessary!  Sign me up!  Although I am one of those people that like scooping out the insides of a pumpkin...hmmm...maybe I'll carve just one. 

Handmade and a little Housekeeping

It's hard to believe it's the first day of October.  I feel like once October hits, my brain sends out this message to my body that it's time to start thinking about Christmas presents.  I know I've said this many times (and wrote a post about this last year), but I've been trying to make a lot of my presents for friends and family.  I made the Handmade Pledge last year, and while every single present I gave wasn't handmade (and I don't know if I'll ever reach that point or even know if I want to reach that point), it was nice to give something handmade (either by me or by someone else) - I think it takes small steps each year.  So this year I'm going to try to make some more handmade gifts.  Recently, I've been going through my craft books, magazines, blogs, and websites.    

If you need some inspiration (like I do), here are some ideas to get you started: 

- check out all the projects from the Purl Bee - the whole right side of that site lists all the different types of projects they have - embroidery, knitting, crochet, and patchwork - so much goodness in one place! 

- I know I've posted this before, but it's worth posting again..100 project tutorials! 

- ole trusty Martha always has ideas...here's a link to all her crafts by techniqe (sewing, candle-making, embroidery, felting, etc.).  I love all these embroidery projects - the monogrammed necktie might be on the list for my dad!

- and don't forget about etsy!  There are so many great ideas there to inspire you- or for you to support a fellow crafter and buy their stuff! 

If you have any other ideas, please comment and let us all know!

And, before you go, I had a bit of housekeeping news for the blog - I have changed the way my comments are...you can (and I can) reply to comments that others have made (maybe they asked a question about something or it's something you'd like to add to) - we can get a little discussion going! 

Also, you do not have to have a blog or website or typepad account to leave a comment (I've had a couple of people ask me about this)...you can simply leave a comment with your name and email (no website needed).  If you want, though, you can sign in under your typepad, blogger, etc. account and leave comments that way.  In the comments in the last post, you can see examples of all this! 

Phew! Enough housekeeping...onto making things for Christmas!