Western Shirt Remix

It all started with this picture on Pinterest

 Which led to the seizure of this old shirt from my uncle

 And after a little remix

 Ended with this little number

I DO plan to make something a little closer to the original shirt but this one had the western yoke that I was trying to somewhat keep in tact because it lent itself somewhat to the style I wanted.

Random Mush Wednesday - Photos By Lucas, Dinner Idea and a Birthday :)

On SUNDAY

I let Lucas take some pictures with my camera the other day.  I was super nervous to hand over my toy but he was very careful with it and of course thought it was so cool! 

He started with her...

...then moved on to me...

...then on to more inanimate objects like the swing-set.... 

...and the 4-wheeler (I actually love this one)...

...and ended with Daddy before I took the camera back since he was getting a little rowdy.

 
On MONDAY

I made these little buggers for Judd's dinner.  They are super easy!  Brown your ground meat and season how you wish.  I used a pound of ground venison and seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and Fiesta's Hamburger Deluxe.  While the meat is cooking, mix up a box of Jiffy Cornbread using the corn muffin recipe.  I added in around 1/2 a cup of BBQ sauce.  Pour the mix into a greased muffin pan.  When the meat is done add in a cup (or more) BBQ sauce and mix together.  Then top the muffin mix with the meat mixture and pop in the oven and bake according to the Jiffy directions.  You can also top with shredded cheese! 

 That night we went out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my baby sister's 21st birthday!  She is expecting a baby and for her birthday her doctor let her get her ultrasound a few days early.  IT'S A GIRL!  We are all so very excited! 

Her doctor also approved that glass of wine just so you don't think badly of her!  :)

Mud Day May 12, 2011

Now I know what you are thinking..."you let her wear a WHITE dress out in the mud?!"

YES I DID!

And I did it knowing that she would get filthy. And ya' know what?! I didn't care! That's the beauty of using what you have to make clothes for your kids! Her little outfit didn't cost me anything to make so I wasn't worried about. Kids are supposed to have fun playing not having to worry about keeping clothes clean. So anyway on to the muddiness!

Just out of the house...before her first fall

Splish Splash!


Sharing a looksie at the mud

Bubba threw mud at her but she didn't care it was on her face

The mess was worth the smiles!

After they were done I stripped them down to their skivvies on the front porch and carried them in to the bath tub. They both told me that had a bunch of fun.

And the dress? All it needed was a little Resolve and it's still the same pretty white that it was before it's romp in the mud!

Boom Boom Boom Splat Splat Splat

Can you name the book that my title comes from?


It's raining here. Everyone is so happy because it's been super dry. It started off as a light rain but since there was thunder and lightening I wouldn't let the kids out to play in it.



The birds were out playing though.



Things picked up so I went back out to take some more pictures. I spent too much time playing with my settings trying to get this picture that I got cold and went back in before getting any other good shots.



Well other than this one of the cat who was not amused by the wet stuff.


Oooo oooo do you see my rocker behind her there. It's in such sad shape right now. I have HUGE things planned for it!!!


By the way the book is Dr. Seuss's Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? My kids love it!

Never Be Afraid To Try!

Something I've been trying to do this year is to try new things. Be it a new recipe, or learning something new with my sewing skills or my ever continuing quest for great photography. One thing that has always scared me about sewing is making a button hole. I'm not sure why, perhaps because I remember my mother telling me that they were a pain to do. For whatever reason, they have been on my "list"....things I know I need to conquer but I have yet to try.

Or should I say HAD yet to try. I have now crossed them OFF! I got it into my crazy little head that I would rip apart a shirt that was a little too girlie for Lucas, but fit him well, and use it as a pattern. I made a few alterations and came up with this. It has a few flaws but overall I'd say it was a success and he certainly loves it.

And then I had to come up with a fun photo shoot idea which led to the creation of the matching hat and bowtie. Thanks to The Clever Girl for her newsboy cap pattern and Kelly from Sewing In No Mans Land for her bow tie tutorial! By the way I didn't have the right size elastic for the bow tie so I just cut a "ring" from a black knee high and hot glued the bow onto it. I'm not sure how long it will last but for now so far so good. It's just another example of how to think outside the box and try new things!



and one more just because I love my little cowboy!

Lil Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Challenge Take Two

I've been toying with the idea for this outfit for a couple of days now and last night decided to whip it out. It turned out so cute I decided to submit it for the Little Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Challenge.

Back before Christmas I found these stripey scarves at Target in the Dollar Spot and picked up a couple. I love me some stripes! I had been planning to use them for leggings for winter but never got around to making them. One of them was used last week on Harleigh's birthday dolly so they were fresh on my mind and when the idea for this outfit popped into my head I knew just what to grab. The 2 scarves that were left and a couple of brightly colored t-shirts that had been rescued from my sisters Goodwill pile. While Judd watched NCIS I got to work cutting out tons of little flowers. While the Lady Ags whooped it up on Baylor I sewed. When the sewing was done I designed and painted Tiki Toola (don't ask it just came to me). Then this morning I tried it on the little miss and HELLO CUTENESS!

The little flowers are sewn with a single line of stitching across the middle area to enable them to curl a little and give that 3D affect. There are little flowers sewn on the ends of each tie strap as well for a small punch of color and interest. The tiki mask was painted using a freezer paper stencil from a hand drawing I did.

I wanted to take her to The Boat for pictures but it was lunch time and I chickened out so we went to the park instead.

Lil Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Challenge Take One

First up I'm submitting this throw blanket to the Little Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Challenge. I made for it for my snowman collecting mom. She has so many snowmen items that all come out around Christmas. I felt like she needed something she could leave out year round though and since she also collects quilts I decided a faux mini quilt was in order. In keeping with the decor of my mom's house I went with denim and flannel for that country comfort feel. I found some of the snowman pictures online ages ago and for the months that were missing I created images on my own. I'm sure there is a "correct" way to embroider patterns but I simply print the image onto a regular piece of printer paper, pin it to my fabric, then stitch through the fabric and paper. When I had all my major lines done I carefully tore the paper away. Then I free handed all the small detailing and wording. It took me months but I finally got it all done. Luckily it's an easy project when sitting in front of the tv! Once the embroidery was done I stitched up the pieces, backed with a piece of blue and white plaid fleece, and tacked it with embroidery thread. She loves it!