Hello Sylvia

The dreary winter weather was getting to her.

The white blanketed world is so boring.

She needed something more fancy.

She organized a tea party.

I was so happy to be invited.

Emerson was up to the fancy challenge. 

What:  Tea Party

Where: Ida's Room

Hostess: Ida

Dress Code: Fancy

(Yes, that is beef.  Emerson's request.  Ida thought it was okay as long as it was served on a fancy plate.)

Emerson left his horse and sword on the bed.  He was worried they might bump the fancy plates. 

We nibbled.....

....and chatted and before I knew it I was Sylvia from Georgia serving seconds of beef to Virgil and Ida (she refused to have a pretend name). The kids thought it was a hoot. I had to stay in character for most of the day.

We let the party linger awhile in Ida's room though we were finished eating.  We liked knowing it was there.

sink or float

 Apples float?

Clementines float?

The kids thought it a bit comical bathing with fruit.

After returning with a warm towel straight from the dryer, the mom thought it a bit comical finding two kids eating fruit in the tub.

Grab a dumptruck, fill it with stuff, and head to the tub for your own experiment.  It's fun. 

fashion tuesday

That is my man.

He wears bright tucan green gloves when his are missing.

He knows fashion can wait when it's time to play with the kids.

He is my man.

He is their dad.

He loves them more than fashion.

cousins rock

We hung out with our cousins over the weekend.  Who knew that cousins make winter SO much better.

The plan was that the guys were going to the lake house to do some ice fishing while the girls hung out at home, but we girls decided to get in on the fun too.

Emerson's face is hilarious in this picture.  What was he thinking?  I am dying to know. 

The neighbor brought out the 4-wheeler and pulled the non-fishers around on the lake.

Our littlest cousin kept insisting she caught a fish, showing everyone the minnow she used as bait. 

The boys fished and fished.

The girls headed inside with the frozen kids for some chicken chili and afternoon chat.

Later we ate supper and then the kids curled up on the floor in their pajamas to watch a movie while the moms and dads played euchre.

We spent all day together.

It was fun. Just the kind of weekend I dreamed up as a little girl for my future family.  Now we are here and I like it.

hopscotch

Cabin fever brings out the best in us.

Not always, but if we try reeeeaaaalllly hard we find the bright side of endless cold days filled with snow and blow.

Yarn can be used for SO many things.

Constructing the board was awesome.

Playing without numbers to jump on was pretty cool.

for the little darling

Before Ida was walking and talking I would think of the day I could take her places with me and be my "little buddy."  Ya know, not the baby that sits in the carseat or lies on the floor on a blanket.  The little girl that comes with me to the grocery store and talks to me.  Or rides with me to the post office and sings along to the songs with me.  Well, our friend's daughter adopted a baby girl and last weekend Ida went to her baby shower as my little buddy.  It was fun to have her there as my little companion with both our names on the gift.  She liked being there with me but thought the baby was the best part.  These are the gifts I made.

These dresses are so cute and quick!  The tutorial is here. 

This stinkin' cute hat, which I think I made WAY to large for a newborn!  Ooops!   Tutorial here.

A doll blanket.  These are SO important to Ida, I had to share the happiness.  

And, this is for you, Corie!  I made a little lesson for you to use to make one for your cutie pie!

My tutorial is here.

Or, Aunt Audrey can just make you some, right?!

A vintage style crocheted hair curly from the shop.  I still have mine from when I was a little girl and I am OBSESSED with these.  I used my old ones to make a pattern.....obsessed.

Burb cloths. 

plant killer

I kill house plants, but not on purpose.

You don't believe me? Really, I kill cactus plants. Isn't that impossible?

It seems like every woman in my pedigree chart was blessed with a green thumb and somehow I was left out.  My sister went to Florida with my grandma about 18 years ago.  While she was there, she ate a grapefruit and saved one of the seeds.  She carried that little seed home from Florida in a Dixie cup because she wanted to plant it.  It is STILL alive.  The tree is inside her house at this very moment and is about 8 feet tall.  She hangs Christmas lights on it during the holidays.  It is like another person!  GREEN THUMB!

So, I will keep trying to unweave the mystery behind keeping potted vegetation alive.

I heard avocado pits have nine lives.

The kids and I started an avocado pit this weekend.  It is supposed to sprout roots in 3-6 weeks and then hopefully I will be able to keep it alive.  But, we will probably start a few more this week for good measure.       

dear friday

Dear Hippopotamus, Auntie Em, and Baby Jack,

Do you know anything about a few hoppy frogs we found in the mailbox?  Thank you for the Valetine's cards!  We put them on our mantle and check on them every day to make sure they are still there. 

Love,

Emerson and Ida

In other news, my friend gave me a recipe for popcorn balls that are so yummy!  I think they would be great Valentine treats if you dress 'em up a little, like this, of course. 

Marshmallow Cinnamon Bear Popcorn

8-10 cups of popped popcorn

4 cups mini marshmallows

1/2-1 bag cinnamon bears - cut up

1.  Put all these ingredients in a large bowl and mix

2.  In a sauce pan bring to boil:

1 cup butter

1 1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup Karo syrup

3.  Boil for 3 minutes

4.  Remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla

5.  Pour over popcorn and stir

this and that

Emerson was sick for a few days.

The snow came at the perfect time. 

The house was stocked, we had plenty of movies for the sick guy (and Ida never complains about watching tv), and plenty of sewing projects for the mommy.   

And, once he started feeling better, the games began.

The kids tore the house apart from top to bottom.  They missed playing together.  I sure did miss hearing it.  Things are normal again.

Elephants.  Did you guess?

Each one of Ida's dolls had it's own barf bucket.  I guess the kids thought they caught the bug from Emerson.

I am going to a baby shower on Saturday.  I have been working on a few gifts.  I will post pictures when I am finished.

fashion tuesday

Do you remember this fabric?

Remember how adorable it is?

I used it!

 

Years ago, when I was a little girl, I had a quilted backpack that I loved.

Two Christmases ago my mom made one for Ida. 

She still takes it everywhere and fills it with everything.

Last weekend the kids were invited to a birthday party for their friend Gracie.  They decorated the paper with drawings of the birthday girl.

I used the fabric to make her a little backpack like Ida's. 

I might have to make another one just because I LOVE IT!

The red biased tape border with this fabric just kills me. 

We also wrapped a copy of Emerson's favorite sticker book to go inside.

A vintage style crocheted hair ribbon, a sassy quilted bag, mohican boots, and a cowgirl shirt make for one CUTE Ida.

I may make this pattern and stick it in the shop!  

the FIVE winners

Wow!  Thank you, EVERYONE, for making my first giveaway a BLAST!  I loved reading your comments and learned I have quite a lot in common with most of you.  One commenter's son even shares his name, which is far from common, with my son.

Okay, on to Sunday Best Bowtie Pattern winners?............Not so fast. 

I also wanted to thank Dana for allowing me to be a part of Celebrate the Boy month.  I met her through an unusual circumstance and I am SO happy I did.  Just from the time I have known her, I can tell you that she really is generous, genuine, kind, hilarious, and a sewing genius who loves to help others get their craft-on,  hence MADE.  Thanks Dana

Now, shall we give away some patterns?  Yep, five. Yippeee!

So, via random.org, the winners are:

#18 Alison who said: This is fantastic!

#6 Louise who said:  They are soooooo cute! I can see my little guy loving these. You are one creative mummy! Thanks for doing a give away

# 73 2WeeMonsters who said:  I love this pattern! It has Easter written ALL over it! I honestly couldn't say which one I like best. I think any dapper little boy should have a few to choose from!

#138 Becky who said: I really like the plaid wedding! I love dressing up my little guy for church and these would be so much fun!

#218 Christia who said: Lumber Jack Prom rocked my sox! Seriously, adorable pattern, and idea! I have two little boys that will rock the heck out of a bow tie

Congratulations!  I will be emailing all of you.

If you are interested in purchasing a pattern, they are sold in my Etsy shop, Crab Apple Attic.

Now, head on over to MADE because Dana has a sneaky surprise of her own!!

Sunday Best Bowtie Pattern Giveaway--CLOSED

Today Dana, from MADE, is featuring my Sunday Best Bowtie pattern and has asked me to host my first giveaway and share a little bit about my adventures in sewing for my little guy.  NO problem.

My son and daughter are just 14 months apart. They are best friends who do everything together, though they have completely different interests. As long as my daughter is layered in ruffles, has a doll in tow, is wearing her most sparkly shoes, and is carrying five purses, she is up for anything. My son, on the other hand, just needs some sticks, rocks and something to carry them in, and he is happy. Because he has no interest in clothing, I have sewn super capes, forts, blankets, and bags and I am constantly looking for non-clothing related sewing projects. That way when he and his sister want to play, she throws on the pink frillies and he comes to save her wearing his super cape, riding his horse, and carrying a bag. Then, they are both happy, happy little kids.

It wasn’t until recently, when getting ready for church, that my son showed interest in wearing a tie to look like daddy. When I heard the request I raaaaannnnn with it, being so happy to sew him some type of clothing that would make him feel special. I thought a bowtie would be really cute, easy, and quick.  I asked my elderly friend for some tips and  from there, the Sunday Best Bowtie Pattern was born.

To "Celebrate the Boy", I am giving away FIVE Sunday Best Bowtie patterns! Yep, there will be FIVE winners! This will be a perfect pattern to have with Easter on it's way.  Oh, I am SO excited about this!  

Okay, here are the rules!

GIVEAWAY Rules:
* Just leave a comment.  That's it! (I know, I know, you are winning the pattern, but if you want, let us know which look you liked best: Lumberjack Prom, Orange Crush, Casual Hounds, or Plaid Wedding.  I'm just curious!)

* Please include your EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment.
* Only ONE entry per person. If you forget something in your comment and need to leave another comment, please go back and delete the first comment.

***********************Giveaway CLOSED*******************