trillium mama

October

I love October for many reasons. Fall is in full swing, and Halloween is just around the corner. I have always made my daughter's costumes, but with a new job and school still dragging on, thins year I did it a bit differently. She told me what she wanted to be, and I put together a costume. It's not a pre-packaged outfit, and I'm even sewing some elements of it. The hard part comes when she wants me to dress up with her. I haven't had time to think of how I'm going to do that.

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. It doesn't have obligation attached to it, and it is creative and fun. Vintage Halloween items are particularly admired items, such as the postcards I've posted here. Maybe I will channel a bit of vintage charm when designing my costume. What will you be for Halloween?

Tomorrow is my lovely daughter's birthday. She will be three, and although she still feels like my baby, she is moving into childhood at a rapid pace. Tonight I stayed up late scrambling to put something together that will make her feel special when she wakes up. It's not much, but I threw together a card and table decorations out of some Amy Butler brochures I picked up at the International Quilt Show. They are being put to much better use this way, as I know Ava will feel like they were designed just for her.

I also repainted her favorite chair, and hand applied a design and her name on the back. I can't wait for her to discover it in the morning.

So happy birthday my sweet. It seems like yesterday that I met you for the first time. You amaze us every day with your caring, humorous, busy, intelligent personality. I am thankful to be your mom.

winter wonderland

We have been hit pretty hard here in the Northwest with a snow and ice storm that has lasted longer that any other in at least 40 years. Being from Bend, I am used to the snow, and it feels very homey to me. The snow has not stopped us from getting out and enjoying ourselves this past week. Here are some photos from our outings~

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Inspecting snow

2. Sampling snow

3. Our trip to the bakery for a muffin

4. Icy web with Andy and Ava

5. Bundled up with Boone

6. Crashed out

 

crafty goodness: fabric tree garland

I have been so inspired by all of the wonderful garlands of the season. Today I decided to make a couple for our front windows. They were pretty easy, and could even include a stitched edge if you desired. I have put up a few instructions to get you started-just the way I did it- I'm sure there are a million ways to make these, most of them easier than my way! That's often how it is when we trudge through a project on our own. Here is is:

Fabric Tree Garland

First of all download and cut out a card stock template of a tree that you like-make it under 4x4. I used a cookie cutter that I had.

Measure the template and add 1/2 inch or so the measurements. My measurements worked out to a 4x4 square.

Determine how much ribbon or ric rac you will need for the space you wish to hang the garland. Make sure you swoop it down as it would be when hung, and add 10-20 inches to the total length for the ends to hang down.

Figure out how many trees you will need-I just guessed and counted when I had the ric-rac hanging up to cut.

Cut out squares of fabric-mine were 4x4 and fit nicely on my 12x12 paper. I needed 9 for each garland.

Glue wrong sides of fabric squares to wrong side of paper. This will give you a nice finished back to the garland should you hang it in a window. Try to glue them in a neat even fashion-it will help in the next step. I used Mod Podge with a course paint brush for application. Make sure you glue the entire square of fabric down because you will be cutting the trees out of the middles. It should look like this when you are finished.

 

Next mark the paper side with the lines of the fabric squares. If they are glued in an orderly fashion you should be able to measure 4 inches mark line, 8 inches mark line, then flip and do the other edge.

Trace your tree pattern on the paper side, being careful to stay well inside the lines of the square. When you have finished tracing all 9, cut each square out, then cut the trees out.

 

 The next step is to glue the ric-rac or ribbon to the paper side. I layed all the trees out to form a pleasing pattern. Find the center of the ric-rac, apply craft glue to the paper side, and lay ric-rac near the top of the center tree as shown.

 

Continue gluing trees at desired spacing. I spaced my trees 2.5 inches apart at the middle branch. Allow to dry before moving.

You should and up with a lovely garland that will last many years. A good use for fabric scraps you love, and a great way to spend a chilly afternoon.

felt goodness

There is perhaps no better craft material for the holidays than felt. I love wool felt, but even good ol' poly felt can be turned into a wonderful thing. I got the idea for this felt icicle shelf, felt trees, and adorable felt gingerbread house in this magazine. It was an unexpected source for such a lovely idea. I used some nice vintage ric-rac, pom poms and buttons on the trees. I think it turned out to be a cute little holiday scene. I'm in the process of making another one!

improv breakfast

Today I woke up and was going to make a delicious breakfast of diced homegrown ham and 
farm fresh scrambled eggs, topped with local cheddar cheese. I opened the door of the icebox and...
one egg. I admit, my heart did sink a bit, but I took the egg and some store bought
eggnog and made a yummy morning meal.

 

 Of course you don't have to cut out little french toast people-mine was served whole-but the kids love this. Serve with a little maple syrup and some fruit.

One Egg Eggnog Toast-French Style

One Egg

1/3 cup store bought eggnog

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients together and dredge bread slices through mixture. Cook until done. Easy Peasy.

Makes 3 large slices of eggnog toast. Double or triple the recipe as needed.

oh advent tree

When I was a child, I remember getting an advent calender every December. We were not a religious family, but something about getting a treat every day in anticipation of Christmas, made the month even more exciting.

This year I decided that our daughter is old enough to enjoy an advent calender of her own. I found insipation for this advent tree in a popular children's catalogue. As soon as I saw it, I ran out and gobbled up all the felt I could find, and began to design the pockets. Each pocket is 4x6, so plenty roomy for a variety of gifts.

It is a work in progress-still needs a star and a tree trunk, but I think it looks very festive the way it is. I hope she will have many years of enjoyment from this advent tree, and happy memories, as I do of my past  advent calenders.

Catching up on the past week or so- Turkey Day came and went. We first visited Andy's Dad's side, and snacked part of the day away. They have their T-Day celebration at the local fire station every year because it has a large kitchen, plenty of room to run around, and Andy's step-brother is a fireman. Ava had so much fun going on a tour of the fire station with her cousins. She thought it was a pretty special thing to get to sit in the trucks.

 

 

 

'The table decorations were lovely, and once all the food was on, it looked delish. Unfortunately, we had another stop to make, so we had to leave the food for everyone else.

Not to worry, a turkey and all the fixins was waiting for us at Andy's Mom's house. She does a fabulous job every year, and we appreciate her kitchen dedication. Ava spent some time outside in the garden, searching for a perfect flower. It's amazing what can keep a child occupied.

 

Sunday Andy and I took a overnight trip to Bend without the dear child. We stayed at our old favorite, McMenamins Old St. Francis School. We love it there, it's an entire school property that you can wander, with beer in hand if you choose, and it is just lovely. They are always so nice to us, and it keeps us coming back. The food and beverages were divine, and we left a few pounds heavier I think.

We also got to wander around town a bit which is always nice. Bend is my hometown, so I love to re-visit.

We traveled home yesterday, and I spent the afternoon catching up on school. I'm not sure what to do now, the past week has been so busy and scheduled, I feel at a loss. I'm sure I'll figure out something-until next time, namaste.

A Day to Celebrate Turkeys

Tomorrow is a day of resting, spending time with family, and enjoying good food. I lovingly call it "Turkey Day" to the dismay of some. Last year I hosted Turkey Day, but this year I'm just eating. We have plans to attend a dinner at the Fire Station (don't ask) with my father in law's side. After that we will be wisked away to a delicious spread at my mother in law's house. I shouldn'd even be eating today in anticipation of the caloric overload that is sure to happen tomorrow. Too late!

Wishing you all a lovely Turkey Day! 

Photo Credit:
Maslowski/National Wild
Turkey Federation

Ah Crafty Wonderland....*sniff*

 

Last year at this time I was busily sewing for the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale. This year I sent in the application, and waited for the date that vendors were to be notified of acceptance or denial. The date came and no reply. I waited...and waited....and finally I emailed the super cool ladies of Crafty Wonderland, and they let me know that they had contacted me but my email was bouncing. I had been accepted, and they were about to have to fill my spot because I didn't send in the booth fee-go figure. Here comes the sad part: being that I am 10 courses away from graduating with my bachelors, I am super busy with my online courses. By the time I contacted the Crafty Wonderland people, it was too late for me to make enough goodies for the sale. Very sad *sniff*. The flip side- I get to go to the sale and shop this year! Yay!