Elizabeth's 1st birthday

Ella's first birthday was so fun. We celebrated with  a  Raggedy Ann party. Thomas's favorite part was "about when he was licking the big lollipops". All the kids got a huge blue and white swirly lollipop it was a quite the sticky mess although worth it to see the excitment, jumping up and down with ear to ear grins on their little faces. We ended the party with face painting which was a bit of a challenge for me but a big hit for the older kids. It's hard to believe just a year ago she was born and has learned so much in so little time. I love the stage both the kids are at now and part of me whishes I could freeze time and keep them this way. Then there is casey who{while wiping away my tears} so lovingly assures me it just gets better and every stage of life we have with them is a blessing!

vintage sheet turned chic!

I found an old sheet at the thrift and made it into an vintage style apron.  It took a bit of seam ripping untill I finally got the desired pleat I wanted. I would be more than happy to post a tutorial. If anyone is interested in making one let me know and I will post the steps.

Feels like spring

    It has been extremely warm weather for us here in Kodiak.  There has been no sign of snow or frost and we are hoping it stays this way clear until summer.  If we can get past our yearly Easter snow that would be wonderful. Thomas took Ella out to play for the first time since she has been walking. It was refreshing to be able to be outdoors. Thomas found a worm, who's name is Bettsy. Apparently they have met before. He insisted we take "her" in and get her warm, which we did. Dirt started to get everywhere when he kept checking to make sure she was still in her cup.  Thankfully for bettsy { and mom}  "she" is back outside. Ella although a bit unsure at first, enjoyed playing in the yard.  The next new adventure for Ella...the PARK and she's going to love it!

Flower applique shirt tutorial

J Crew inspired shirt

I found this plain shirt at the thrift store and thought it could be fun to spruce up. Go through your closet to find a shirt you have not worn in a while. I try to have a few shirts on hand that I find at the thrift store to cut up for ruffles or projects like these.








You dont have to do these next few steps but it really transforms the shirt.
Cut the sleeves to a desired length making sure you measure to make them even. I cut 12 inches off from sleeve opening.

I then cut off a wide V neckline, taking it off all the way around the collar of the shirt. There is no exact amount to cut off  just make sure once again its even and leaving room to fold over for a hem.

Now around the neckline press 1/4 of an inch fabric over to have a finished seam. You can leave it if you like that look.

after pressing fold it 1/2 inch again ,making for a hidden seam. when finished sew a 1/4 inch inseam around the neckline.
Do these same steps around the sleeves of shirt but instead the 1/2 inch fold make it a 1 inch fold for a wider hem line.

If you would like a ruffle, sew with as widest stitch possible starting at the shoulder seam, backstitch and sew around the front neckline of the shirt finishing at the opposite side . Do not backstitch here . leave some thread length and cut threads. pull one thread while holding the other in place. Your fabric will start to ruffle up. spread out the ruffle until its evenly distributed around the neckline.

Like this. Now sew once more just around front of neckline from shoulder to shoulder to keep your ruffle in place.

Cut out some flower shapes from an old t-shirt or your favorite fabric, they don't need to be perfect. the more abstract the better. I then cut a smaller one to place inside. You can stack as many as you want to get a fuller flower effect. Pin in place where you like them.

Then stitch around the flowers.

And you now have a fun new shirt.

This is my first tutorial so please ask me if you have any questioins. I would love to see yours if you decide to make one!

A layed back day as most are.

 Ahhh.... well today was a most unacomplished day no sewing , just a few hours at work and no fun projects with the kids
{ who are feeling a bit under the weather}. I must say I did perfect my pirate lingo after a few failed rounds of sword fighting with Thomas. Thankfully to the kids it was just a fun day to hang at home since it was pouring out.
  Thomas has a new saying" And you know what that means"he says. When asked what, he usually ponder's for a while with no answer to fallow and shortly after in between mine and Caseys pause in conversation he's at it agian. I don't know if it beats his made up word "amnt"as in I amnt eating that cookie you told me not to eat...it's to cute to correct. Ella{10 months old} has taken walking up as her new pass time, its like shes trianing for a 100 meter dash. Walking from the couch to the hallway is getting faster and faster with a lot less tottering front to back. She is sure to be running circles around her brother by the end of the week.
  O , yesterday was great fun a few friends came over and we made wine. I had recently purchased a few kits from the brewing company and it turns out its incredibly easy. The best part about it is all the chemicals and additives it comes with are in separate small pouches. This makes it simple to keep them out and just add the necessities  to the juices which happen to just be water and yeast. It turns out great and only takes a few weeks to sit. If you enjoy wine I highly reccomend you try this!

Recipes

I have been looking for a Good Authentic tasting tortilla soup and had yet to find one with all I wanted so i made it up and its DElish.

Turners Tortilla soup~

1 onion diced


3 cloves of garlic minced

1 red/yellow pepper diced

1 zuchinni cut in half and half agian and slice

1 small can medium spice diced green chillies

1 half can of jalepeno's

2 boxes of chicken broth

1 can fire roasted tomatoes chop and add all juices

1 can tomatoe paste

1 can only use 1-3 peppers very spicy  chipolte peppers in adobo {embasa brand in most grocery stores}

1 half bag frozen corn

1 chicken already cooked shred apart

light olive oil 

2 tbls cumin
Toppings~
cilantro
avacado

lime

tortilla chips

cheddar cheese

sour cream

swet the onions, yellow pepper , zuchini in olive oil add garlic and then add chopped adobo chillies {very hot chop up very small almost into a paste} , put in tomatoe paste itll burn a bit to the bottom of the pan let it cook for a bit then add some broth to the pan scraping off the flavor from the bottum now add jalepeno and green chillies add into a large pot with chicken broth bring to boil add chicken diced fire roasted tomatoes, cilantro and cumin boil for a bit then serve with crumbled tortilla chips avacado cheese cilantro and lime.

newest thrift find

I found this super cute corner cabinet for 8.00. I dont know where to put it yet or if ill be repainting it{I'm thinking red, any other ideas? }but itll be a great display piece at the shop if nothing else:}