chaos, crafts & love

김밥 - kimbap

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Somebody ate the prepared beef in the fridge. Guess who? It wasn't the dog.

김밥 - kimbap

However after change of plan and with some chicken, cucumber and carrot strips and the last eggs prepared I finally got to my kimbap experiment.

It is quite easy to make. Husband liked it. Kids not so much. Me. Hmm. The seaweed is definitely a taste that needs to be acquired and I don't like seafood. Even after I made a whole box full of kimbap I still had leftover fixes the next day, so I thought I try a version my kids might prefer. Instead of seaweed I rolled all the ingredients in tortillas. Voila. Happy kids and nothing left.

They are already asking for more.

Perhabs we should wrap the seaweed inside the tortilla?! Okay, it's a silly idea.

{ weekend wonders }

2011-10-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

three minus one = no fighting but hugging

cucumber kimchi or where is the cat?

2011-09-30T08:40:00.000-05:00

It was definitely not the right time for sewing yet. I am still missing the ONE right fabric I have in mind for my little project to make it work perfectly. That it always such an issue if you want something specific andd it is just simply not there.

Until then we deal with the broken laptop - third time in three month - it just came from the second repair in a row and worked for mmm a week. I also try to stack the dirty laundry nicely in a corner next to the broken washing machine with the huge amount of estimated rapair costs and the not known ones and next the the new one the bounces all over the floor. However our cats love their life and the brandnew installed catflap to the garage, and it it is truly entertaining to get them to go through in and out for everybody with treats and tricks. And where is the cat?

The day didn't go as planned. Not at all. Not even dinner, but instead of the easy quick meal I planned I spend a few hours trying out new recipes. We ended up having dinner a little bit late with bulgogi, rice, fresh cucumber kimchi, gamja jorim, yaehobak boekkeum.

오이 김치 - cucumber kimchi

10 pickling cucumbers

1 onion, chopped

3 green onion, chopped finely

1 carrot, shredded

4 garlic cloves, minces

fresh ginger, minced

Korean red pepper

1/4 cup salt

2 Tbsp sugar

Cut the cucumbers in 4cm lenghts and slit-cut the cucumber sections lengthwise several times.
Boil water and disolve the salt.
Put the cucmbers in a bowl and pour hot salty water over it until they are fully covered.
Drain water after 30 minutes, but keep the liquid.
Add onion, green onions, carrots, ginger, sugar, red pepper to the cucumbers and mix well.
Pour liquid over the mix until they are almost covered.
Cover with a tight lid and let stand at room temperature for 8 - 10 hours.
Refrigerate.

{in the morning}

2011-09-27T10:17:00.001-05:00

The sewing machine has collected dust in the last weeks, months. Even I am alsways open for ideas, actually putting my ideas to work , just did not happen. The funk went deep, because I did not even got tempted passing fabric to take a look. Until this morning. These four made it home with a little project in mind.

Pirate Birthday Splash

2011-06-28T22:54:00.001-05:00

Mmmh ...okay ... it's already a little while ago ... June 12th. Soren was so excited and couldn't wait for HIS special day to come and for his PIRATE PARTY. We and EVRYBODY who crossed his way got to hear it.

He got to open his presents from Oma & Opa, Karin, Daddy and us in the morning at the coffee table.

Little and big pirates arrived for the party and with swim wear as planned. Not planned was the ear infection diagnosed a day previous with the birthday boy and not use of the pool for him for a week and the another week and more days literally tomorrow will be his first day again sadly.

So besides the waterslide we already had set up and the itty bitty pool for the tiny visitors, we had to come with something else, because the birthday boy of course kept whining he wanted to go in the pool and was not content staying out.

But what are friends for ...

Thanks Hanks for helping me out and hopping in the first box.

By the way they stayed in their boxes most of the afternoon and did not give them up. lol

Except for some ugly mishaped pirate cupcakes, but luckily Soren okayed them.

Most important - lots of friends - and a few presents, too. Thank You.

And back to the water.

Seriously what else can you do at these temperatures here in Texas and really have fun. :)

summer fun

2011-06-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe but I actually found some time to read lately, perhaps the consequence of the not running computer?! I have to be choose carefully what book I take in my hands, because if I try to sneak in the reading on my favoorite spot the book can get wet. Especially as soon as the kids are in the pool there is lots of splashing and I am just digging old paperbooks out for the airmatress reading time.

The other day while one sick kid was still sleeping in my bed, one dozing in hers and two others camping in the yard I got to sew just a little, a few seams on a little project for Soren. We found right after planning it the perfect fabric for him and he carried the airplane fabric all excited to the cutting table. 'Mine.'

While I was planting and fixing fence around the pool to stop out little dog from jumping over it full of excitement the kids got a lesson from Neva

'How to was a dog outside withe the hose!'

Everybody was already wet after all these activities, either from the water hose or just plainly from sweat. So they simply hopped in the pool afterwards to cool off. Chiara spends more time under water in the there as above.

We did not really leave the house all day. By evening everybody got packed up with blankets, chairs, water and snacks to head for a summer night of 'Movie in the Park' and Karate Kid.

Stop - NO PICTURE!

The girls were lounging lazily, reading or running around until the movie finally started just when it was about to get dark. The starting time was supposed to be an hour earlier, but of course it's way too light. NExt time we take dinner with us or games, .... to cover the time. Or just hop over to Sjules' for a 'Movie Night on the Farm'.

Finally. Soren loved the movie, copying moves, ... but he did only make it halfway through the film before knocking out on the blanket.

lampions in style :: made of fabric

2011-06-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

Karin came with a handwritten pattern of simple lampion and a sample of tiered fabric lampion - probably made in china. We talked about trying to make both before she even set foot on the plane here. However we didn't really have much time for sewing this visit. With the kids home on summer break, appointments and other responsibilities time was short. After all we also had to go fabric shopping first to find the right colors for our prototypes.

We choose very different colors and patterns of fabric. Karin went with greens and blues fitting to her living room, mine were matched to the girls rooms with purple and green wall color. However I am not sure if I really can give my prototype up as planned.

The first step took a long time - the zigzag border which was needed twice and made by hand and handsewing.

The next steps were a little faster but we seriously had to make lots of breaks to get some pool time and swimming and a little bit of tan for Karin. Eventually both our first attempts of lampions came together and we love the result. I don't think you necessarily need the light inside, because even without they look pretty neat. I just picked up two cords with the light attachment on a shopping trip earlier this year to Ikea for 99 cents each. I knew I could use them for something.

No there's just the question if one of us is actually making a tiered lampion sometime. We do not have a pattern for that idea, just a simple ebay bought sample and a few pictures online. So here we need lots of planning and measuring out to make it work. Or I could simply wait until Karin did it. :)

a texas treasure :: hamilton pool

2011-06-23T00:42:00.000-05:00

we are back blogging - the laptop is back in working order and so it will take a little time to catch up with pictures here.

A roadtrip southeast of Austin brought us during Karin's visit to an absolutely beautiful place, Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs. The access to this park is limited to 75 vehicles and requires a down hill hike to get to the pool or hiking trail over lots of rocks. The kids did great and luckily we went there early before it got too hot. We love trails through forest areas after our trees and shady areas here are quite limited. The view that opened up to us was simply amazing. The little beach area filled up fast, but the water felt wonderful refreshing and the walk around the pool through the cave was a must. At other times there is even a bigger waterfall there. We might be able to see that if we find the time to go back there - sometime in fall or spring.

oops!

2011-06-14T15:56:00.002-05:00

technical hardware difficulties - i am stepping back in the old age of computers including malfunctioning parts after the current technology - hardware - is waiting for replacement in the mail.

that's okay - less computer more time for swimming, reading, sewing ... summer.

see you soon after the mailman knocked on the door.

artsy crafty kids @ work

2011-06-04T23:33:00.003-05:00

This little boy was not much interested in markers a year ago. Scissors and stickers always, but coloring was not his thing. Now he can't get enough of it. Coloring at the breakfast table till he is back in his pyjamas.

So after picking up Soren's room today we moved some things out and moved his little table from the kitchen back in his room, topped woth coloring book, spiral book and a tin filled with brandnew markers and the scissors he sneaked from Chiara.

Soren spent the next hours be busy drawing and cutting and we all got little presents from home in all colors.

school is out now - luckily

2011-06-03T21:52:00.000-05:00

These pictures are truly lacking. But it was really late this am when I finished the teachers' presents the kids wanted to bring to school this morning. I thought I started early enough, but the week ended up being so busy and I lieterally couldn't hold a needle in the evening. Just like right. I am just waiting for end of the movie the kids are watching trying to keep my eyes open.

I admit even yesterday evening I got a late start. The kids wanted to go to the TASK pool party from their school in the evening and spend some more time with their friends. some they might not see much anymore with the new rezoning again and required school change for all three of mine next year. So while the cupcakes baked in the oven for Soren's class after I got one grocery tote done after the other. Bella asked that we also add a snap for closure which fits well. She picked the blue one for he teacher and Chiare thinks her teacher loves purple. We know Soren's teacher's favorite color is orange and for Mrs. Fox. the aid in his room, who had all three Bissell monsters in pre-k, roses to keep. We hope they have some use for it when going grocery shopping.

6.19 am - 24 cupcakes were dipped in icing and outfitted with sprinkles as sweet snack for Soren's class. At that point the whole class probably or more definately needed sugar including the teachers and got pre birthday cupcakes because - school will be out on his birthday next week and it was a reason to spoil the little rugrats on more time.

Ready for the very last trip to this school and not just for the summer. There will be lots of Good-Byes and I miss you! Call me! We are not moving. However this chapter is closed and another will open as many more too come.

But everybody is ready for the summer.

weekend wonders

2011-05-30T21:46:00.000-05:00

We were busy this weekend. Actually nonstop. Saturday under the kids supervision I started some sewing. I got pretty far, but it's not yet finished . Afterwards we went to the hardware store and got all set up with fencing supplies, because on Sunday it's simply closed. Then we went pool shopping because it is getting really hot here. The kids are ectatic. And still can't believe it, even after working all Sunday afternoon and evening setting it up. Preventing having it flying away before there was water inside. The wind here is plain crazy. And after we four - Soren included - did really managed to set the pool up, Bella and me even built the fence including installed gate around the pool just in time before we ran totally out of light. We need to do some more finetuning and to built the big ladder for the pool, because the old one would drown in the pool. lol.

However I have a hand full of blisters and promise the kids a day at Austin's Park. Since today was the first Monday since a long time we had off and could get in a for half price (Thanks to Mondays's Military Discount) we finally went. The kids had a blast. From spinning in the tea cups, riding in the spray boats until we were soaking wet, rock climbing, mini golf, ... and even trying out gokarts. The girls did great driving the gokarts. Soren was already tall enough for driving a jr gokart, but I did not trust his driving skills yet, so I had no choice as team up with him and go on my first ever round in a gokart, too.

slightly distressed photo canvas DIY

2011-05-24T18:30:00.001-05:00

Our hallway needs a little redecorating, but it is a long way to go. Mainly because I can't make up my mind exactly how. I would like to include canvases, because I love the look with photographs and artwork. However printing photographs onto canvas is rather expensive. So when I came upon deila creates's blog and saw how I could do it myself I was hooked. I followed her tutorial and am quite happy with the first attempt.

hand the camera to the kids

2011-05-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Being allowed to take pictures from Chiara is truly a task and involves lots of bribing if I don't just want to get to see her behind or an overally grumpy face, because it is soooooooooooo boring. So yesterday it did need the popsicle promise afterwards and handing off my camera for a turn. And of course, what the little sister does also wants the little brother - a popsicle AND a turn to snap pictures.

- taken by Soren -

- taken by Chiara -

{sunday impressions}

2011-05-22T16:01:00.000-05:00

just today

2011-05-21T01:08:00.001-05:00

Doesn't Soren look like he actually can play? He just snug the guitar from Chiara to be a copycat because all three of the kids had to show of to Oma that we have enough guitars in the house and that they know a little from Daddy.

My mom is packing up already again and we will head to the airport eraly in the tomorrow morning, but we took the time to take pictures two sets of painted fabric folded and ironed nicely.

There are still some more pots with seedlings between our bushes in the shade, by now also a few more of them planted, however they truly need more time to grow. Meanwhile the two bog tomato plants each have their first tomato reddening, two tiny cucumber plants are blooming, but we have four peaches growing with a few leaves on the peach tree and one pomergranate. And more and more peas growing.

flying in the wind

2011-05-17T22:53:00.000-05:00

An old neighbor called it "brightening up the neighborhood".

Possibly.

We thought more of save keeping yesterdays bagged and dyed fabric from our crazy dog who can jump really high. So after rinsing out the dye we dried the fabric on the clothes line and let it fly in the wind. The colors turned lighter with drying. I loved sitting outside just seeing it.

After dinner I went back in my 'Hexenkueche' (sorcerer's workshop) and Bella turned into a sorcerer's apprentice in creating new colors and dying more fabric with pattern and without usinf plain white, pink or blue.

Tomorrow we will see again how they turn out.

Before we started all this sorcerer business we did some real sewing we fabric from the stash. Just the snaps are new to close and yes, there are hundreds of possible uses for snaps if you just start thinking of where you might could add one.

I made the Americana version of this wallet after a tutorial from Noodlehead again. I changed the size a little to fit it more for ITS purpose. It is leaving the country and so I stayed with the American theme and used a cute flag fabric as lining.

The new Quilts & More magazine had this little pattern for a camera bag. My camera seriously won't fit in here. No chance. However it is such a cute bag that we find good use for it nevertheless.

Take a close look at the closure. Another snap. Even engraved. These snaps work so well and are so much easier to install as the metal snaps or even velcro. My girls already can do and Soren loves to sort them buy color and motive. Isn't the flower cute and fitting perfect. Wait until yo get to see a ooga booga snap, we got today after we were not supposed to receive the flower ones.

The first part of my new summer bag is finished. Made with linen and a selection of bright colored strips. Inside I added a keyring to be able to clip my keys on. I search my keys ALL the time, so since a while I have a big carabiner hook on my keys and I literally always hook it on my purse or on my pants. Every bag I make will get one. In addition I added to more rings inside to be able to attach a smaller bag/sidepocket to it as a bag organizer. It is still in the planning stage, but the big bag is ready to be used.

tutti i colori - fabric dyeing

2011-05-16T22:20:00.001-05:00

It was my mom's idea. A few years ago. Dyeing in bags with no mess. That was the original idea.

Finally in 2011 she had to come to visit us here in Texas to try it out. All set with Procion MX Fiber Reactive Cold Water Dyes, soda ash, salt, ziplock bags, rubbergloves, flower pots, .... we got actually started today after I cleaned the garage of my mess.

It is really not difficult to mix up the paints when everything is set up and ready, and the bright colors that are developing are just amazing. I love colors.

Even just seeing how the paint is seeping into fabric without kneading it yet is so much fun.

We kept it simple. Plain colors. Just mixed green to all the primary ones and added two fat quarter sized pices of different fabric to each color. Bella snagged my camera to snap pictures even she would have loved to help mixing in the fabric. The first time, however, we kept the mess and splatters on us including our hands even we wore gloves. A mess we made anyway after two ziplock bags malfunctioned on the bottom, but it still worked out.

Now the fabric is soaking in its paint bath till the morning and we will see how it turns out. It is tempting to check earlier, but daylight will be better. The clothing line is already set up tied tp the biggest tree in the yard, waiting for the fabric in all the colors.

TOMORROW.

{sunday impressions}

2011-05-15T22:04:00.001-05:00

- sibling love -

blue dinosaur :: backpack :: trinket pouch

2011-05-14T10:09:00.002-05:00

Since the busy weekend is over there actually was some time again. My mom enjoyed the possiblities to check out the craft and quilt stores here in the States. She would love to pack the Hobbylobby in her luggage just the way it is. :). The ladies at the local quilt store already know her by now, because I stop by with her at every visit and next month I will with Karin, too. They are really sweet and you are always get told stories about their experiences and trips to Germany or current projects. And we found time to sew. Most of out little project are just no finsihed yet, because they just need the little snap still to close - but that will be done in a snap you will see.

During our BIG storm we luckily kept power not like everybody here and it only flooded the backyard and caused rivers running right and left running downhill filling up our ditches high and turning everything in mudpies deep.

But we lucked out and stayed dry inside and it was perfect for sewing Soren's blue dino backpack I intended on making for such a long time and just never had enough motivation.

It took a moment to figure out the zipper pocket but it's actually really easy with drawstring backpack tutorial from Noodlehead. I love her blog.

But no little boy can have a backpack without a little trinket pouch fitting to it.

This is one of the project I still need to add a snap to it which luckily arrived late last night. Now I only need to dig up a small carabiner hook, I know we still have one in the house. The stores I look where out and next time I simple use a swivel clip stolen from a dog leash from the dollar store right away - it's impossible to find these in the right size locally here either.

But all that's important is that there is the BLUE DINO on top of the backpack.

Photos of our little flood just CLICK.

a few more pictures from saturday

2011-05-09T11:32:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more pictures from the communion on Saturday afternoon for family and friends who have not been able to be there. A short video is posted in the previous post. soren was actually behaving pretty good during the long service, too, even he really wanted to go over to Chiara.

-Soren & Chiara before church -

- Bella & Chiara after church -

- Father Jim & Chiara -

- Soren -

- Ben & Chiara at the reception in the social hall. -

They are friends since pre-k, age 3, now age 8. That is a long time for these two military kids.

Chiara's & Ben's First Holy Communion - just a peek

2011-05-07T17:44:00.000-05:00

late evening pickup at the airport

2011-05-06T23:51:00.002-05:00

one special visitor

three big helpers

Pretzls in any shape or form fresh out of the oven

2011-05-03T09:23:00.000-05:00

Fresh pretzls are simply delicious. As a snack when you are out and about and grab one at the bakery stand in town. Best if still warm. I used to get them at school at recess when I was little for 50 Pfennig and they truly were the best in town. Everyt time we went back home my kids are getting hooked on "Brezeln". Add a little butter on top and it's a whole meal. Or get the Laugenbroetchen (rolls) with cheese or a little bit of deli.

We found German bakeries here in Texas, too, but of course everything there is so much more pricey and the Pretzls are almost always already gone if you are not really early.

Two years ago I started trying to think about making my own. I planned on, but time passed until finally last week. I came upon a recipe and just made them. I didn't take the time to roll them all out into pretzls, Bella made a few. I simple made sticks and little and bigger rolls. Pretzl bites. The first batch got rolled into sugar cinnamon as a sweet treat - yes - we americanized - onces. They were gone within minutes. A few we shared.

Recipe Pretzels

•1 1/2 c warm water

•1 Tbsp sugar
•1 package active dry yeast
•4 1/2 c All Purpose flour
•2 tsp salt

•2 ounces unsalted butter, melted

•10 c water
•2/3 c baking soda
•1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbsp water
•Pretzel salt

Mix the warm water, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let stand for five minutes until it foams.

Add flour, salt, melted butter and mix and knead it well.

Cover with plastic foil, and let it rise for an hour. I use a big plastic bowl with tight lid.

Heat the water with baking soda. Bring it to a boil.

In between form your pretzels, rolls, .... out of the dough.

Add them in small portion to the baking soda bath for 30 seconds. Tale them out with a slotted spoon or spatula. Place it on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Brush the egg yolk mix and add your toppings, salt for example.

Bake them for 10 to 15 minutes depending of size at 450 degrees.

If your want to add cinnamn and sugar you can brush melted butter on them after baking and roll them in cinnamon sugar.

Enjoy.

Yesterday we made more and extras for the freezer. O am trying to see how to get them freezer ready the easiest way. One batch I just prepped and added to the baking soda bath plus egg wash on top ready for the freezer. The second batch I baked for half of the baking time, let it cool and then they were freezer ready.

In the morning after heating up the oven I put them in for the 8 minutes and voila we had fresh rolls for breakfast. Freezer batch #2 works well. #1 still needs testing.

april fsni

2011-04-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

am I truly gonna to make it this time?

april stash project :: fabric basket #1

2011-04-11T22:18:00.001-05:00

Perhabs I should call it rather scrap project, because only the lining came from my stash, the natural colored fabric was left over from the pincushions I just finished and the rest is just scraps. It was really fun to do. I planned on adding simply colored rectangles in two rows, but didn't plan the colors well, so I cut my finished strip up one more time and added more of the natural fabric. It was a little bit more work, but if I go through the trouble making this basket I at least should like the result. I might even try another one sometime again. It's so simple to make.

for money and trinkets

2011-04-10T22:20:00.002-05:00

It cost Soren a nap to get his hands on it. This was the first attempt to make a little wallet or trinket keeper for him. Since last November my mom and me were looking all over the place to find a simple little boys wallet. With no luck. I had so many in my hands in Germany, we even owned a Pooh Bear one, which got recycled a few years ago when the girls outgrew Pooh Bear. But it is impossible to find a BOY's wallet here.

So a few weeks ago, after another luckless attempt of finding one, I starting on this little project and I admit I am not overly excited about the result. That might be the reason why it took me til today to close up the last opening and add the little bit of velcro.

Soren on the other hand loves it. He loves that it snaps on his pants, if he wears jeans. And I promised him some money for the little wallet, because he insisted putting money in it instead of trinkets for now. He tried and asked for big money, but had to make due with coins. Little sneak.

Until he gets the real wallet from Oma she found, this has to be it, and perhabs someday I can figure out to make one a little neater. It was the first attempt.

You want a little garden update?

Texas has a drought again.
Not really helpful.
My shade building over the veggie plot is not beautiful.
The cucumber plant that almost ripped and miraclously survived looks better as the ones in the veggie plot ?!?!?!

Do you have an idea want plant this might be? We have no clue even we planted it. Smart right.

a bit of fabric, wire and beads

2011-04-09T20:37:00.001-05:00

I always loved necklaces. Simple silver or platin. However these type of necklaces are really thin, and little hands love to hold on tight to them. I didn't want to get them ripped and only wore them occasionally. But I still loved to add a touch of color to a simple shirt with a necklace made of colorful beads or a special charm.

Making these necklace gave me the opportunity to play with beads and wire and of course to add some fabric. Even I love the charm on the first one, I am not sure if #2 is not my favorite indeed.

Here is my litte "I wanna help" person showing up after I already took the pictures perfectly fitting with his chocolate icecream stained soccer shirt.

reuse :: recycle :: upcycle

2011-04-06T10:15:00.000-05:00

Just a little AddOn to the Disapperaing Four Patch Tutorial:

I admitted to one little mishap at the end of this post, and I really watched out which row of blocks I was cutting last night. However I mixed them up this time on purpose, because I liked the effect of my 'mishap'. I even got everything pressed but didn't see that I flipped the colors by accident on several. I guess it was kind of late. No I did not run for the seam ripper, it was 6 am this morning and my rotary cutter was still out on the counter and I just cut he second row of the block to add on to the bottom and with one more flip everything was back in order.

So truly this is one ABSOLUTELY do NOT stress about this pattern. Just do not cut through the center block you chose and everything will turn out perfectly fine.

Chiara is playing model for this little bag. After all it used to be her pair of jeans she own for less as a year, still would fit perfect. She just added it to the collection of jeans with holes on the knees. So well, I already had it on my list to make a bag for a little someone and the fabric for the lining was already picked out a month or two ago and simply waiting. Jeans came along, movie was playing, scissors were close - ratzfatz - the legs were off. The pants. You know what I meant.

We found the lining at the local quilt store Quiltin' Country in the next town over and in the combination with jeans the colors should fit perfect for a 13 year old. If I can keep the bag from Chiara, because she already has an eye set on it, because it was her pair of jeans. Not going to happen girly.

Aren't the pockets cute? And I didn't even have to make them.

tutorial: disappearing four patch

2011-04-05T11:54:00.002-05:00

Just a little AddOn right here.

I don't sew many traditional quilt pattern lately, but our church started a little quilting club with a few really extraordinary and sweet ladies. So one of these ladies showed us such an easy way to make a frame blocked out of a simple four patch. I believe it is called the disappearing four patch.

I found the fabric for the center block in a small quilt shop in Southhampton, MA, over five years ago. I collected a few coordinating fabrics for it and planned on using it for the girls before they would outgrow it, but until now, never got to it. The light colors somehow stopped me from using it. After we didn't actually get to try out this technique at the little club last time yet, I just got this special stash of fabric out and played tonight. And truly it's so easy.

Step 1: Cut four squares all the same size. Mine were all 6" squares.

Step 2: Sew the top two squares together and the bottom two squares. Iron them open.

Step 3: Sew the top and the bottom row together to a four patch. Iron open.

Step 4: I choose the yellow square as my middle square, so I measure the row above. My squares were 6", so measure 3" of the top row. You need to measure half of your orginal width.

Step 5: I cut the 3" off I measured in the previous step to sew them back on at bottom.

Step 6: This is how it looks after you add the cut off part back on and turn it 90 degrees.

Step 8: I measure 3" from the top row again to cut off. You need to take half off your orginal width. to add on at the bottom.

That's all it is to do. Have fun with it.

Pssst. Just one hint. Watch out which fabric you do NOT want to cut because I cut once the yellow I did not plan one. Even I like my mishap now, I was not to happy at that moment.

one sprout

2011-04-03T01:26:00.001-05:00

it's tempting to touch every time i walk by. it actually makes me sit down on the front potch. all the little pot with seeds. some with sprouts growing bigger and bigger. some just planted. some no grow at all. and some BRANDNEW. just like this grapefruit seed out one we ate. this one is special. just as special as the lemon one that is just one cm bigger. Both grown out of seeds from fruit we ate and planted. All others didn't show any growth yet. It is just plain AMAZING. amd the best part is I love how amazed my children are about everything from collecting seeds, planting, waiting, seeing what happens and caring. My oldest even talks to the plants because they it makes them grow. Of course it does, if you believe in it and the dog doesn't interfere.

our yard is a long way away from being get away, but it will keep us busy to get there for a long time if we stay where we are. one step at time. And i just need to remember that the result does not always need to count but perhabs the process to get there. the way my children enjoy and learn about nature and recycling. They are looking so much forward to harvest this year, so please wish us some luck for a little harvest for all the effort they are putting in.

{this morning}

2011-04-02T08:23:00.000-05:00

{this morning}

2011-03-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

just the right flavor

2011-03-25T08:42:00.007-05:00

Who does not love to BARBECUE? The smell of grilling meat and veggies, eating outdoors. After being married to a military man for almost 14 years and living in warm region for the majority of the time I had two options - #1 figure out how to use a gas grill or #2 live without barbecue for up to 15 months at a time. #2 was not an option. Still I have to admit, my husband is the better grill master.

In Germany at a BBQ you don't find the here typical bottle of BBQ sauce on table necessarily, but more often a roll of garlic butter to add a slice to melt on top of your steak. Delicious. Some fresh salad and freshly baked baguette and voila. My meal would be done even the kids still would ask for Bratwurst and Semmeln.

While we still lived in Germany we came across recipes to make our own flavored butter. We always made the garlic butter and of course had to try the dried tomato butter as much as I love tomatoes and basil and after more as ten years we are still using these recipes, especially since we are in the States and can't find it so easily in the grocery shelf. This year we finally made the chili butter, too, for once Leland is such a big pepper fan, and because is was more a misunderstanding over the phone while shopping for the ingredients. Luckily, other wise we might never have tried.

- from the left: chili butter, garlic, dried tomato butter -

Now we make a big batch, roll it up and slice it and keep it in the freezer to store and only get out the slices we need. It tastes great with fresh baked bread, grilled meat, .... and to flavor rice, while cooking, ...

Chili Butter

1 red pepper, roasted, peeled, and seeded

1 cup (200 g) unsalted butter, softed

1 tbsp lemon juice

1-2 red or green chilies, seeded and very finely chopped

salt

1. Puree the pepper in a blender or food processor. Drain (with cheesecloth-lined) strainer.

2. Place the butter in a bowl; add the drained pepper puree and the lemon juice and beat until light and fluffy, Mix in the chili and the cilantro, if using, and add salt to taste. Roll in waxpaper and chill.

Tomato Butter

3/4 cup (100 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, well drained

1 cup (200 g) unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp shredded fresh basil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Puree the tomatoes, then add the butter and blend well. Add the basil and season with salt and pepper. Roll in waxpaper and chill.

Garlic Butter

1 cup (200 g) unsalted butter, softened

1 tbsp lemon juice

4-6 garlic cloves, pureed

2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

salt and freshly ground pepper

Place the butter in a bowl and beat with lemon juice until light and fluffy. Add the garlic and parsley, season to taste and mix well. Roll in waxpaper and chill.

*** I use the fresh herbs I can find from parsley, basil and cilantro, not everything is always available year around in the stores here, but luckily our herb garden is offering more this year :)

my little pay it forward :: handmade - projects

2011-03-22T14:57:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I joined in 'Pay It Forward : Handmade'. I posted about it here on my blog and two nice ladies filled 2 of the 3 spots on my part. Thank you.

I knew I didn't have to rush with my little projects, but I first just couldn't make up my mind what to make and then decided on pincushions. I wanted to try out this shape and these patterns, so there was the perfect chance to. Just days before my scrap basket got filled to the rim and I needed lots of time to chose just the right colors.

I hope Julia and Rhonda like finding their little pay it forward gifts in their mail box.

just for little boys

2011-03-22T08:00:00.003-05:00

Those two blue onesies are part of my stash since a little while, but I never got to them. That was perhabs good, because I have to admit that even I planned on using them all the time it took even now a little while to get an idea what to add to them and no a tie was simply NOT an option. I saw a cute dino and it took me almsot two weeks to find the pattern in one of magazines again and in the end I didn't even use it. Don't ask me why, because I am still in love with that dino. However this robot is my favorite for right now when I came across a few different robot patterns. I only decided to used fabric for the eyes, too, instead of buttons, because it is for a baby, I didn't want to include a chocking hazard in the appareal.

After we are all little owl fans here, I couldn't say no to add this little fellow on the second onsie. Still it looks like he really needs feet. He is missing feet! What do you think?

The feet have to wait for another day, it is late and I need to come up with an idea for these, but the last night was short and I am tired now. So take care.

last day of spring break

2011-03-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

Digging his feet and his hands in the sand. Running at the edge of the water to get it splashing. Seeing the waves rolling upon the beach of the lake. What else does a little boy need?

one, two, ... four

2011-03-19T23:43:00.000-05:00

After my little mishap at the first attempt of following the tutorial on how to make this clutch, I had to try it again - of course. And I just had to play with some more fabrics from my stash. I guess now I have a different little clutch to use for almost every day, if I get to keep them. I already have somebody eyeing them.

- #1 -

- #2 -

- #3 -

- #4 - it is a touch cricket - but I love how the fabric worked, even it was truly not my favorite. -

Garden Report

#1: All the trees, besides the one the dog chewed to the ground and the fig tree which is not showing a sign of life yet made it through winter and slowly but finally showing a sign of spring. Some just tiny yet, but we can't wait to see more growth.

#2: The dog attacked the bamboo shrub. Arrrrrrrrrg. Usually he leaves plants with leaves alone. So we built the next fence circle, we are almost pros now.

#3: Chiara probably drowned 1/3 of our cucumber seedlings with a quick swoop of water instead of a little. We only can hope for survivors.

#4: Our zucchinis seeds are out and growing awesome and soon ready to move outside, and the pepper ones are slowly sprouting, too.

#5; The next little strawberry is turning red.

green garden :: green sewing

2011-03-17T22:43:00.003-05:00

March 17, 2011 : first day of harvest of our garden - one strawberry

Our little seed are growing inside the house and even the zucchinis are finally popping out of the ground. They are such stalky little seedlings. We replanted the cucumber seedlings outside in the veggy plot and hopefully there is a chance of survival. The mint and the cilantro are already growing and it smells so good when we brush by while getting to the little garden. The basil is right on the other side and really important in our herb department.

It must have been the Irish in the day, because I had no specific preference on what fabric or what color I wanted to use, but I ended up going for green. What a coincidence! I tried a tutorial I actually have seen just a few days ago while searching for more ideas for drawstring backpacks and have seen these clutches today again at Jenny's. Just one exception - I made a mistake and the cute taps are not showing as supposed to and ended up in triangles. It works, but I actually want to get it right, it would looks so much nicer. Here you can find the tutorial @ Noodlehead if you want to try one yourself.

late night update - yeah - I figured it out! I got it right!

Soren really wanted to get his picture taken as my project holder first. It's always 'Me, me, me." The picture with this profesional project holder shows off the ruffles a little bit better.

mosaic blocks set in stone

2011-03-09T12:10:00.001-06:00

The mosaic blocks were a little bit lonely this morning and I was still debating about what color to use as background, but I stuck with my first idea of grey and I do like it. The quilting part is a different story. One step that still needs to be tackled after I am done through working the next chapter in my college book.

fabric stash :: clean up

2011-03-09T06:13:00.000-06:00

Our garage is a mess. It always gets cleaned up and within weeks it looks like a bomb explosion in there. In the company of my new little supervisor for outdoor activities - Antonio is coming outside with us since last weekend while being babysitted by Vincenzo - I finally made a way through the garage again. More stuff got stored out of the way in the attic, the trash can filled and I am reorganizing all my fabric. All the fabric actually moved in the house step by step got folded nicely in stacks AGAIN and sorted by color and even by size.
Now I am actually able to find the specific piece of fabric when I search for it. Yes, I am still using this old blue wardrobe for storing my fabric.There is no space for it in the house, but I am happy that my sewing machine has a spot that is not the kitchen table.

My scrap basket is full and I even started my own FQ sized collection. My toolbox is filled to the brim, but works great for having these little treasures handy. I finally found the perfect use for it and it fits right next the sewing machine.

How do you store your fabric? Do you keep it neat or need to reorganize them periodically, too?

This is how it look at 9 pm. By now the table is cover in red, orange and yellow scraps for tonights project. I used the Mod Mosaic technique from Oh!Fransson in a small scale. I am planning on using these blocks for a pillow cover, but still need to decide on which background fabric I want use with this combination. I would like more colord pieces in my blocks, but the finished blocks are just 6 1/2" x 7 1/2" and the white strips measure 1/2". I did not necessarily want to make the white strips even thinner to work with.

sewing :: planting :: grilling

2011-03-07T11:03:00.000-06:00

Sunday was a relatively simple day. All activities that required leaving house or yard were cancelled and we just stayed home. After a crazy week and don't repeat Saturday it was necessary.

While Soren luckily hogged the back DVD-player to watch Dora and Diego and finally started working on the substitute xmas present that got not delivered at xmas. Somehow I always forget to remind myself that mini quilts need alsmost as much prep time as big ones, just less ironing. Eventually I got to sew most of the pieces together ib the morning, changed colors in between and even handquilted it inthe evening. I think with the binding it will come together nicely.

On the other side I am unsure if we really needed to plant the first seedlings in our vegetable plot yesterday. The kids loved helping doing it and are already pampering the little plants and can't wait for the seeds in the kitchen to sprout, but Chiara and Soren definately had a blast just digging inthe dirt and hoeing away. Perhaps we should have skipped the plants?

The kids are very selective which veggies to plant, but their first request was strawberries. We had no luck last year in the pot, neither with the seeds nor with the little plants. No berries. The plants survived, so they got first in the new garden plot, but I added one new strawberry plant and picked one that has already green strawberries hanging. Just to make sure.

I never was a big fan of yo-yos, but suddenly I like them, especially with buttons. For right now their getting added to headwraps, but I am sure I find something else to use them for. One idea is already in my head, but psst. Can't tell.

Of course after all that working outside yesterday, we had to clean the BBQ and hook it up again to grill for dinner. BBQ chicken strips are just the best and the kids love them. It got just a little too chilly to eat outside by the time we were ready. Next time.

pay it forward :: handmade

2011-03-06T09:26:00.000-06:00

There is one spot left for joining in. It is going to be fun. And doesn't need to be big or complicated. Just handmade. You don't even need to sew, you can be crafty or artsy.

You find all the info right here pay it forward :: handmade.

I contact both that signed up with me via email. If you didn't hear from me, please get back to me because I do need your snail mail to make the UPS extra work.

Don't forget to check out their crafty blogs or join one of these great ladies. Rhonda, the Quilter in the Gap & Julia @ the Blue-J Cottage.

time for headwraps

2011-03-02T20:24:00.000-06:00

No, I didn't plan on decorating headwraps. However it is fun, relaxing and made the girls happy when they came home. My hatbox filled with felt was still sitting on the sewing table and also leftover straps from the last stash project, too. Everything right on hand and who does not love to run her hands through buttons?

These are the first attempts. One made out of felt, the other with fabric flowers, swirls and all buttons.

I chose thin and wide headbands and we noticed the thin ones are also quite a bit smaller. Perfectly little girl sized. Believe me soren tried them with his big head before I could stop him, but no way, even Chiara needs the wider size. Still she loves the grey one. Unfortunately I have a lot of unique buttons in my tin box and this sparkly one was one of these. We will get more ideas and I am sure we also will find a home for the smaller headbands.

scattered blocks

2011-02-28T23:18:00.001-06:00

The washing machine is still running so I have some time to blog even it is late. We were on the go almost all day, but I took my midterm exam - yeah. I can breath again and can get to the next ten chapter in my business college book. It was a crazy day and a lot of things did not work out this morning as they were supposed to, especially not - ID REQUIRED for testing. I usually NEVER leave the house without my driver license and my military id, but today I had neither. Well, that got solved, too, and after my 5th trip in town today we were even done with soccer training by 7 pm and an almost empty gas tank.

Now Bella is up for TAKS testing tomorrow morning, at least she is smart and doesn't stress about test as I do. Good girl!

There was no time for sewing, but I dug out a box with unfinished blocks :) - perhaps I am able to figure out how to finish these up instead.

Almost all my yellow and orange pieces of fabric are collected in a special basket to be on hand for working on an old project. It used to be New York Beauty, because I loved to paper piecing and this pattern actually was the very first paper piecing I ever did a long time ago. It was also first of the very few classes I ever took in the the very first quilt store I visited in my husband's hometown. Years later I started on these blocks and am up to 12 by now. There are 2 or 3 more started, but I think I am out of the paper piecing mood. Still I would like to piece these blocks together, but I am unsure how. Shall I stick with adding the preplanned triangles as the pattern tells or find something more unusual? The colors are very bright and the fabric I intended to use to add the blocks together would have been either a darker purple, dark grey or black. Any ideas?

s.i.m.p.l.i.f.y.

2011-02-27T23:02:00.001-06:00

it sounds so easy

s.i.m.p.l.i.f.y.

and this really has to be the word of the year

after tomorrow

after midterms

after i covered my to do to list for tomorrow

and the whole week

including all the things I promised for the rest of the year

STOP didn't I just write the magic word

s.i.m.p.l.i.f.y.

this is what i get back to tomorrow as soon as i have a moment to sit down and get really late breakfast tomorrow and i will

giveaway winner

2011-02-27T15:31:00.001-06:00

It's still Sunday afternoon in our parts of the continent but the blog hop is already over. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

After I hopped from blog to blog and got to know some more of the some of forums member, we did take off for a little road trip the next morning even the promised temperatures did not really show up. Chiara made a tour to the Cameron Zoo in Waco with one of her best friends so we were left with just four kids. However life never works out as planned, Stillhouse Park is still closed for day visitors and we did not have a boat in tow. Still a few miles down the road Dana Peak Park, also part of the Stillhouse Lake was open, and we entered. The kids were excited seeing the playground in the park, but it was forgotten within seconds when we walk onto the empty beach. The water was cold, but their feet and legs were out of shoes and boots quickly, in the water and wet. It is beautiful to have a beach all for yourself, even if it's not from the ocean just from a lake.

Today my day is packed with studying for my exam I try to take tomorrow or the next day - whenever I have the courage to do it. As soon as I have that behind I will catch up with the a few things that are left behind these few days and a visit to the post office for Leland's care package and what about the giveaway winner?

Let's see who the lucky winner is before I get back to my business papers!

The True Random Number Generator picked # 34 - I have to count the comments now, they are not numbered. LOL

The winner is Karen, she wrote ...

Love your blog. During the blog hop I joined the forum, met great people, and had fun reading lots of blogs. Thank you for a great time. Have a truly wonderful day!

Congratulations Karen!

Our Craft Forum Blog Hop & Giveaway

2011-02-24T14:00:00.023-06:00

*** UPDATE giveaway closed ***

Thank you for joining Our Craft Forum's blog hop. So what is "Our Craft Forum"? A craft forum for like minded people who love crafts. Mostly patchwork, stitching, quilting and the like. It's a safe place to make new friends who share a love of craft & to have some and a little bit of laughter along the way & to join in on swaps of all types.

This weekend is designed to tell our blogging friends about our wonderful forum and to invite you to be a part of our forum.

Several of our member will be offering tutorials, givaways and some tips of the trade.

The blog hop starts at miss~nances blog so if you want to join us on the whole journey please go to http://missnance.blogspot.com and follow the links at the bottom of each post to find the next blog along the way.

Each person who joins our forum from this blog hop will go in the draw for a craft pack. So to join our forum, please got to http://ourcraftforum.freeforums.org/ and register. Entries close at MIDNIGHT EDST (Sydney time) Sunday 27 February.

So join on in the fun and maybe find a new forum, new blog, and new friends along the way. You never know you may even learn something new or win a great prize.

-----------------------------------------

You reached the last blog of the blog hop and have a chance for a peek into my creative world also called "therapy" or "getaway".

Winter is pretty much over here in Texas and after a few days with a little sprinkling from the top the sun is back out and it already feels like a warm spring. While we are taking off for the a day in the sun and to the lake I leave you with a little giveaway.

I am giving away a pincushion and necklace. Both items are handmade. On the pincushions you can see my favorite type of pins I use for sewing. Flowerpins. There are thinner and a little longer as regular pins and even if I should sew over them and hit the flower head by accident my sewing machine needle won't break.

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom.

This is the end of the blog hop, but if you happened to just jumped in here it starts right at missnance.blogspot.com/.

HAPPY BLOG HOPPING!

check your mailbox TODAY!!!

2011-02-22T21:49:00.000-06:00

You simply have to if you participated in the mug rug swap from the Quilting Gallery.

For once I checked our mailbox on the way into town before picking up all the kids from school. And besides the free MAGGI soup sample that was waiting there I also received an envelope from Sharon. When I opened the envelope I found beautiful blue fabric inside folded like an envelope. Inside the fabric were two absolute awesome mug rugs. Just gorgeous. The quilting is AMAZING. And of course the fabric. There was the missing yellow fabric for my black and white quilt. Sewed right into the mug rug. THANK YOU so much Sharon.

Check out all the quilting from close up.

The mug rugs I mailed off to Becky last week arrived in her mailbox today, too.

Just as I said, you might want to check YOUR mailbox.

this weekend BLOG HOP

2011-02-21T10:52:00.001-06:00

This weekend Our Craft Forum is hosting a blog hop, from Noon Friday 25 to Midnight Sunday 27 February EDST . So what is “Our Craft Forum” a craft forum for like minded people who loves crafts. Mostly patchwork, stitching, quilting and the like. It’s a safe place to make new friends who share a love of craft & to have some fun and a little bit of laughter along the way & to join in on swaps of all types.

This week end is designed to tell our blogging friends about our wonderful forum and to invite you to be a part of our forum.

Several of our members will be offering tutorials, giveaways and some tips of the trade.

The blog hop starts at miss~nances blog so if you want to join us on the whole journey please go to http://missnance.blogspot.com// and follow the links at the bottom of each post to find the next blog along the way.

Each person who joins our forum from this bloghop will go in the draw for a craft pack.So join in on the fun and maybe find a new forum, new blog and new friends along the way. You never know you may even learn something new or win a great prize.

I know lots of my readers are also from the States and Germany the start time converted is

in Texas - Thursday @ 5pm

in Germany - Friday @ Midnight

my friday night sew in project

2011-02-19T21:02:00.003-06:00

The FNSI in this house started late yesterday. We didn't get home till eight in the evening. But for a quick fix we grab pizza already on the way home, drinks, set the sewing machines up - all three of them - and hooked Netflix up with the next episode of Merlin. We spend some evenings rather in Camelot as in Texas. lol

Actually having a whole night to sew planned ahead. IMAGINE. But what am I really going to sew?

I decided to work on the stack of WIPs on my desk. Started on the girls flannel pants. After pinning the legs together, they suddenly decided they want to sew them instead of what they planned before. Their patience didn't last too long that night, so I ended up sewing some more on the pants. But one step at a time.

Eventually I got to first couch pillow. You might recognize the pattern. I liked the little mug rug I made for the swap so much that instead of keeping it I came up with the first pillow pattern.

I wasn't sure how to make the pillow opening because I want to be able to wash the cover, but also have it all the way closed up and not to lay on a zipper, plus my zipper sewing is not perfect at all. I found this tutorial and wow it works great.

The zipper is hidden under an extra strip of fabric that keeps it covered. Have a peek.

I am lazy. I did not want to sew another pillow fill it and add it this cover. So again because you can not purchase my misfit perfect size of pillow I got 99 cent pillows from IKEA. Simple measured the needed size of two sides and sewed it fitting, cut next to the seam and took off what was too much. I

n the end I have one fitting inlay pillow for my washable cover and extra polyfiber for another project.

Now i need to come up with two more couch pillow patterns. Mmmmh.

My name is Oscar and I don't sew, but tomorrow you might get to see some more from where I live and is barely three weeks old.

one recipe you need to have on hand with a military man

2011-02-19T01:13:00.001-06:00

Recipe for a Military Spouse

1 1/2 cups Patience

1 cup Courage

3/4 cup Tolerance

Dash of Adventure

1 pound of Ability

To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for one year. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings.

Serve with Pride.

win and loose

2011-02-18T16:33:00.001-06:00

Today is the a win and loose type of day. One thing was working out and in the next morning something else was not going the way it should. I am not an easy person shaking those "not well working out" moments off, but today a little while later something nice happened again. All day long. Perhabs it keeps going or I just have to keep my eyes open for the good moments.

My littlest bug was staying home all week due to a stomach virus. He is not a 100% himself especially in the food department. He eats LESS and is very PICKY. Also his bottom needed many more bathroom visits and more help, so school was not in order. But it was time for us to get out of the house. The sun was hiding (Soren is pretty discintive about this expression), the car prepped with a DVD, gummis and goldfish and we took a quiet roadtrip to stroll through IKEA and a quick stop at JoAnns, just because we were already right in front of it. How could we not go there! We found want we looked for and after already trying out handycraftymama last night and getting up curtain rods and curtains in the kitchen, we might have to use handcarftymama to install the reading lights above the girls beds. I just have to dig for the right screws. At least I thought of purchasing the fitting light bulbs at IKEA right away.

We have a few more things to do this evening, before we can settle in for FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN. I just mentioned it yesterday evening and now both girls can't wait to sew ALL NIGHT. We will see how long their night is gonna go. I just signed up last minute as #159. If you want to, there's still time left.

two peas in a pod

2011-02-16T23:02:00.001-06:00

or two buddies sharing the step stool while watching tv .

No, we are not forcing Antonio to sleep on Soren's bed, he is finding the bed all by himself. we also believe that kitten is more as fast enough to escape Soren's hands, still half of the time Soren is snatching him up and only once a while gets scratched from the little wild beast. They are such buddies and good for each other.

Over a year ago I made a simple quilt top. However I always dread the quilting step. Last night I finally layered this quilttop with thin batting and quilted it during the day with Soren's support. Since he is sick he is very clingy and wants to help me in everything I do. Perhabs it was having him around or the different batting, but for once there is no wrinkle in the back. The quilting is not perfect, but with time it will get smoother.

The last bit of valentine as brownie bites in heart shape. It took two attempts. The first attempt turned out cute, too, but started as a disaster. Brownies stuck in pan, stuck on cookie cutter, stuck on knife --- ending up iin bitty pieces scrambled and decorated, just not as planned. Simply crazy as normal.

happy valentine's day

2011-02-14T00:01:00.002-06:00

v.a.l.e.n.t.i.n.e

2011-02-12T21:26:00.000-06:00

Thursday night it already started. The tiny valentine actions in the house.

Writing over 70 little valentine cards for school. No, even Bella still intended to we did not make the kids' valentine cards for all of their classmates this year ourselves. We actually purchased them and Soren's are really neat. Little paper soccerfields with a punch out goal and a paperball to kick. How cool is that instead of candy! He had to test it right away and had a blast. We do have a few handmade valentine roses.

On Friday afternoon Soren had his Valentine's party at school. Pre-k kids in actions with yummy snacks and goodybags and lots of cards. In the evening all three got ready for the Valentine's dance at school. It was just plain CRAZY. They loved it, I am happy it is over.

- 4th graders -

- pre-k kids -

- 2nd graders -

Today we started on Chiara's heart shaped cookies on a stick for her Valentine party at school and to take a few in the afternoon. We are still working on the last ones with icing and sprinkles and wrapping them all nicely and individually.

hand the camera to the kids

2011-02-11T22:15:00.001-06:00

believe me that this might not have ever happened before.

me in a picture twice in a month or year.

might never happen again.

but as improvement in general we intend of having the small camera ready set aside with charged batteries for the kids to use anytime. for the everyday and anytime snapshots. the moments i might not catch or see, but they see with their eyes. they might catch something with that little camera that we can mail to leland. a piece from home. a point of their view. not just mine. we do miss him terribly. the week since he is gone has been busy and different as usual. the kids still set the table for five.

- mama & chiara -

- mama & soren -

- mama & bella -

- being silly -

- the camera back to me, pretty please -

fit for a princess - stash project

2011-02-11T09:23:00.001-06:00

Yes, I actually finish a quilt once a while.

The sun is peeking out even the cars are still frosted outside and it is supposingly not as cold as yesterday. But believe me, my fingers were frozen by the time I snapped a few pictures. I couldn't resist. Quilt pictures need to be taken outside.
The very first Quilt As You Go Project is finished. The label needs to be added today, but by tomorow afternoon it should already have its new home. I am not convince about the technique or about how I tackled it, because even my strips in the back are all straight the stitching is not. The quilting is supposed to be all crazy, but not on the joining strips. Chiara tried to get her hands on the this quilt and I do love the pattern and colors, too; however this one is just baby/kids size and has an adorable princess castle print flannel backing. There is a project for Chiara waiting on the sewing table next.

a little bit of sunshine - giveaway

2011-02-09T20:22:00.000-06:00

Don't stop here.

Head over to Sew Lux Fabric &Gifts for a chance to win

a bag pattern from Clover and Violet, a charm pack and a yard of fabric in a coordinating print.

no sunshine here

2011-02-09T09:33:00.001-06:00

The kids are happy. Mama is not.

They are having another snowday due to water on the road and freezing temperatures. It was early out anyway. But this also cancels our roadtrip this afternoon into Austin because we are not turning it into a ice skating tour.

Starting 5 am our phones were ringing of the hook to let me know that our school district is delayed, then later closed, the other district closed already and Soren's appointement cancelled - a lot of noise - and all that around my head that is bugged since three days with a migrane so bad that I am on the verge of moving very close to the bathroom and just stay there. At least we did not have to get up before 6 am.

Luckily there are days when the girls love to help out in the kitchen and hopefully they decide today is day if the want to eat more as just a sandwich and an apple. We have all the ingredients at home for the "healthy" banana bread as long as I don't mention to them healthy and that we use the bananas with the darkened (pst black) peel. I guess I might have to pitch in at that part. It will go anyway like this. "We don't like banana bread." and by the time it cooled it will be almost gone. I do know my kids. Even I avoided the grocery store this week there is some pasta in the pantry left. And I might end up taking up Diego's help if we need some peace in the house - Soren's best friend no matter how often he already has seen it already an episode or read the same story.

Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully with a clear head, clear road and a paper due. Perhabs some sunshine outside, too.

fresh baked beer bread for dinner with a touch of valentine and superhero

2011-02-06T21:08:00.002-06:00

I got to talk to my mom on the phone for a while today and thanked her for looking up an old recipe of hers for me. A plain German cookie recipe she has handwritten in her cookbook since before I even was born. We have to make these cookies soon, there's just a slight problem I try to avoid eating so many sweets and if we have freshly baked cookies how will the sugarjunkie I am be able to resist?

Instead of cookies Bella and I made beer bread just in time for dinner. Banana bread sounded great for dessert and we could have used up the overriped bananas, but I forgot we already used up all the eggs for lunch. My shopping list is growing with all the things we ran out the last few days or are about to. I guess after three days I have to leave the house again and get into town.

Beer Bread Recipe

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

2 Tablespoons spices and herbs - basil, oregano, caraway seeds - was todays choice

1 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

12 ounces beer

Heat oven to 375°. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, herbs, and cheddar in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick. Spread in a greased 8-inch loaf pan, brush with egg glaze if desired, and bake until golden brown and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Bierbrot Rezept

680 gr. Mehl

1 EL Zucker

1 TL Salz

1 EL Backpulver

2 EL Gewuerze - Basilikum, Oregano und Kuemmel war unsere Wahl heute

225 gr. gerieberner Kaese (optional)

375 ml Bier - a bottle American beer. lol

Den Ofen auf 190 Grad Celsius vorheizen. Mehl, Zucker, Salz, Backpulver, Gewurze und Kaese in einer Schuessel mischen. Langsam das Bier dazugeben und verruehren. Der Teig wird dickfluessiger. In einer gefetteten Kastenform ca. 45 Minuten backen.

While the house slowly filled with the smell of freshly baked bread we added some stems to the felt rosebuds. We already had silver painted branches from a never finished xmas project and found a couple more plain ones in the yard. I simple cut a small hole in the bottom felt layer of the bud and poked the branch into the bud from the bottom. I removed it again, filled it with hot glue and attached the stem again. I like them in the empty coffee can and don't know if the kids really will give them out for valentines. They found a good spot in my kitchen.

By the way even when one hero just left the premises another little one must have moved in and appeaedr in black tights out of nowhere.

tutorial :: raggedy heart garland :: artsy crafty kids

2011-02-06T03:38:00.002-06:00

I have two awesome crafty girls and Chiara truly amazed me on how hard she worked this afternoon. It look like I just purchased a fun fabric choosing heart die-cut machine, because all the shapes were cut out like magic from four little hands.

This project does require the help of a an adult because we used the rotary cutter for cutting strips and the iron for the paper fusible, but it is a lor of fun using lots of different fabric scraps and lettting the kids choose the placement even if the adult is taking over the fusing.

Materials required to make a little bit raggedy heart garland

paper, cardboard

scissors, pencil

paper fusible

fabric scraps minims size 2"

different beige colored fabrics

rough string

cutting mat, ruler

rotary cutter, iron (these items should be under an adult's control to keep all fingers safe)

sewing machine

Step 1: Cut a 2" square paper, fold it in half and draw a half a heart shape. Cut it out. Trace the whole heart on cardboard and cut it out to make a template that can be used lots of times.

Step 2: Trace heart on the paper back of the paper fusible. Cut the hearts out leaving a little space around the line.

Step 3: Pick fun fabric scraps. and let an adult iron the heart shaped fusible onto the wrong side of your colored fabric scraps.

Step 4: Cut the heart along the line out.

Step 5: Now your need to cut out strips in followingn measuremenst out of your beige fabrics. 2.5" x 5" and 2.5" x 8". We used more 5" long strips as 8" long strips, but that is as random as you want and as many as you want. If you use a roatry cutter than this is also an adult's job to keep fingers safe.

Step 6: Fold the strips in half and iron the crease. Take the paper backing off the heart. TIP: Take a needle or the tip of your scissors and scrap the middle of the paper and pull the paper off from the inside towards the outside so you prevent to unravel the edges

Step 7: Place the heart on the folded strip with the open ends pointing down. See placement in the picture in step 6. On a larger strip you can fit two hearts. Iron the hearts onto the fabric. (Adult's help may be required)

Step 8: Choose the flags you want to use for you garland and line them up. Take on at a time, open it and place the strin in between. Close it, pin the bottom exactly on top of each other, so it will stay while you sew. Start on top in the middle and sew straight down to the bottom. DOn't forget to tie it on the bottom and on the top.

Step 9: To give the garland an even more raggedy edge we frayed the edges some more and pulled more threads out on all edges.

Step 10: Now to the hardest part - find a place to hang it up.

the one and probably only :: snow day in our part of texas

2011-02-06T02:27:00.000-06:00

Thursday night it started snowing. Just a little, barely an inch. Enough to scratch together for a snowball fight and definately enough to bring chaos to Texas and call even in our corner in a snowday and that happened with a 5 am wake up call. Thanks a lot. No matter what. The cars stayed parked in the driveway the last two days and didn't move an inch. Even Soren sadly noticed after his nap that all the snow was already gone and just in the shady part a tiny bit left. At leastwe had real winter for one day and it was cold enough regarding that cowboy boots with a second pair of socks are considered wintergear in our house after living in this state for five years now.

- texas, february 2011 -

artsy crafty kids @ work

2011-02-05T10:19:00.002-06:00

Three kids of mine, one kid had a friend over, one kid was happy, one kid was not and one was being the little bugging brother.

However to get everybody busy and smiling we simply got some pink felt out, an old can of tuna finally got used - the kids wondering that it is still full, because nobody wants to eat tuna - , a marker, scissors, needle and thread.

No all that was needed a traced circled from the tuna can onto the felt and cut out and a Chiara's swirl or snail like Soren's snail in the middle of the circle drawn, cut on the line, rolled up and held together with a few stitches.Follow step by step Felted Rose Tutorial from Pretty Handy Girl. The kids did not make up there minds yet how to use their roses yet, attaching them to a stem like a real flower or perhabs a headband or even a belt. I am sure they are coming up with more ideas as they have rosebuds. lol

Don't forget to check out yesterday's post.

pay it forward :: handmade

2011-02-04T13:11:00.002-06:00

Jennie from Clover and Violet is on my blogroll since ever. I just love her blog. She is so creative. I love her ideas and work and she is such an inspiration. Not to forget the cutie pie of hers that is smiling of her blog every Friday.

She is also the one to blame who got me into this - pay it forward. Because I joined in it.

Dou you want to find a surprise in your mailbox - not inbox - this year? Then keep on reading.

Here are the details:

1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and it will arrive when you least expect it.

2. I will have 365 days to do it in. What's the catch? To get a handmade present from me, you have to play too! This means YOU pledge to send a little handmade something for 3 readers of your blog. It doesn't have to be quilty - just handmade.

3. You must have a blog.

4. Once you comment here, you must post about your Pay It Forward on your blog to keep the fun going - with the Pay It Forward badge. Also, feel free to join the Flickr group to see what else is being sent!

I will be making something handmade for each of the first three people to comment on this post and agree to play along {but I must get your e-mail address so I can reach you}. I will try to suit your taste so keep talking about you, yourself and what you like or don't on your blog. Join in and spread some love!

never easy to say good bye

2011-02-03T19:52:00.000-06:00

The temperature here in texas are at its deepest. Included is a little ice and there, but we did not get the worst of the winter storm the is drowning America. Instead it gave us an extra evening with Leland.

After he packed up all his gear for his last deployment and all of us got bundled up as much as possible - 2+ socks and counting, his phone rang off the hook all morning and we were on the way to post. Several hours later we found out that his flight was delayed to the weather in the North. So we had hime home for an extra evening before we all got up at 4 am again to bring him back on post where a few hours later several hundreds soldiers were leaving with him for another tour to Iraq. It is not his first one, but definately his last one. Still it is never easy to say Good Bye and let him go.

something new :: wip QAYG

2011-01-25T20:59:00.000-06:00

I love to sew, patchwork, quilts, bags, .... whatever I come up with, but I don't like adding layers together. There always are wrinkles sneaking in as much as I try to prevent it. So I stck with smaller projects and have a collection of bigger quilttops still waiting. About a week ago I read QAYG. Just QAYG. I had no idea for what these for letters stand for. Quilt As You Go. Simple as that. I googled more and found a technique that made unfinished, but quilted blocks as result. It is fun to quilt small projects and single blocks - with no wrinkles incuded. Therefore I went ahead after cutting strips out of my stash and squares of batting last night. Today I sewed crazy wonky blocks onto the precut batting squares, enough for a small quilt to see how well this technique works. Step two will be quilting all of them and then to decide out how to connect them the best way.

This here is happening right now -

- Soren is already knocked out asleep with Antonio in tow. -

rug mug parade

2011-01-23T11:09:00.000-06:00

It is not a quiet Sunday morning. We already did our errands for the day and also collected Chiara from her friend's house ealy in the morning and the girls are busy on their sewing machines to manufacture little felt pillows for their barbie dolls and whatever else they come up with. Soren is something today. Grumpy and not in a good mood. He is messing with the girls nonstop.

However Soren did not mind helping me hanging all the mug rugs with clothespins on the tree outside for our mini photo session of mug rugs. The colors pop right out on this grey morning. The swap only asks for two mug rugs, but I haven't made up my mind which ones yet. I just found out yesterday about my secret swap partner and to see if she would like them.

a new family favorite :: chicken strips in beer batter

2011-01-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

Leland asked me for years if I want a deep fryer, but I didn't want one. About two years ago I thought a deep fryer would be neat due to a Thanksgiving dinner on which I got to try homemade sweet potatoe chips. I absolutely do NOT like sweet potatoes. Nobody here. However, these chips were really good. Deep frying is not the healtiest way to cook, so I still had no reason to purchase a deep fryer. Last week finally got me to say yes years after asking again and again - as with the bread maker, the freezer, ..... I said NO for years. So now I am trying to figure out how to use it.

Today I tried to make Chicken Strips in Beer Batter. After dipping the chicken strips into batter and adding one layer into the deep fryer, it look good. Until I got to the part to take it out, because it was stuck in the basket. So I only got it out in pieces, but it tasted really good. The leftover are already gone, too, because Leland couldn't pass by without munching on them.

Well, the recipe is great, but how do NOT get it stuck in my frying basket and get the strips out in one piece?

Chicken Strips in Beer Batter

large egg
3/4 cup beer
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper
3 chicken breast halves; skinless, boneless
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

Beat the egg lightly with a whisk. Beat in the beer, then the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth. Cover and let stand for 25 to 30 minutes before using. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over a medium-high heat until oil reaches desired temperature of 360 degrees (or use deep fryer). Using tongs to hold chicken strips, dip in batter; allow excess to drip off. Remove and carefully lower, one by one, into the hot oil. After about 1 minute, turn the strips. Continue to turn the strips occasionally until they are golden, cooking for a total of 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to to a paper towel lined tray. Pat more towels on top to absorb excess oil. Serve immediately with barbecue sauce or sweet and sour sauce.

Serves 3 to 4.

first attempt on rug mugs started

2011-01-21T11:40:00.002-06:00

Somehow I could not resist to join this swap last minute and signed up in the middle of the night. It is a chance to try out a new pattern and turn it into a small mug rug. And even with everything going on I will take the time to sew a little or more again and again.

In this house almost everything just has it spot and it is not able to move many things around to improve or get a change. We add some color on the first walls in the kids' rooms. Yesterday we moved the computer table out of the kitchen. Now there's a corner empty there and I a small table will get a home there, so the sewing machine can move from the kitchen table over there.

I don't recall myself sewing 1.5" squares before. They are tiny. However, the sizing fit perfectly for my first attempts of making mug rugs. One of the patterns is already cut in a little bit bigger size, too, to keep and either way might end up as couch pillow or small wallhanging. Couch pillows are still on my to-do-list to exchange the plain beige ones the couch came with and bring some more color in and a little bit softer cushions to snuggle in, too.

just a touch of color

2011-01-20T10:52:00.000-06:00

The day is a little gray outside and it is pretty quiet in the house. Vincenzo is laying on the couch and little Antonio in snuggling next to me. He is all worn out after rowdying through the house and taggling himself up in my sewing machine and thread cone. He is literally obessed with the sewing machine, not just for sleeping.

But he slept in my lap for a while, when I work a some more on a WIP. It has gotten quite big already, but of couse, when I cut big pieces and add them. Figure. I planned on using yellow prints as a touch of color to the comtrast the black and white, but I just didn't find the right ones anywhere I looked, so I changed to red with a few of my most favorite pieces of fabric. I am back to a stop until I found the right fabric for the border, I know what I am looking for, but unfortunately can't dig one out of my blue schrank.

While shopping for xmas present in the Hobbylobby, I came across this book and could just not resist after browsing through it. The girls love the ideas in the book and have a hard time to make up their minds which one to start with. I like the part that I can adjust all the crafts or just them as ideas to include all three of the kids and can include Soren as well. He is already happy when scissors or paint is included.

Soren is growing like crazy and finally started talking more. Sometimes it is a guesswork to understand what he wants, but he is trying really hard, even that does not stop his independency and curiosity. He is best friend with Antonio and always drags him around. The kitten doesn't mind at all and is all happy and cozy with him, besides the occasionally playfully scratching and biting.

A couple of days ago, Soren, now 3 1/2, came all upset in the kitchen and told me that all his pull-ups are gone. He only used them at bedtime. because nothing can get this kid awake if he doesn't want to. It was late and we do not live right around the corner of a pull-up supply store. He went to bed without and I expected him to be all soaking wet, but had my hopes up for not. I added an extra towel on his sheet and his mattress has a waterproof cover anyway, because often not even the pullup is enough. I talked with him and repeated again and again. Don't pee in your bed. But in the middle of the night he started crying and woke up on his own to go pee. It worked. At least for one night. The next night he cried again to go pee, but made it through dry. And now after several days he is even sleeping through and no soaked pull-ups, pjs or bedding anymore. Finally. I am all proud of my big boy.

project 2011.#2 - cars beanbag

2011-01-19T10:28:00.001-06:00

Soren is home the second day from school because he still had temperature last night. After sleeping in really long he just got up in time to see me zipping up his new beanbag slipcover. He inherited Chiara's Hannah Montana beanbag in all purple tones. It had stains on, so we emptied the beanbag of its filling and washed the cover. Meanwhile I of course had the crazy notion to decide that it just didn't fit in his blue painted room. I had some Cars fabric in my stash and leftover jeans fabric from Bella's cowgirl skirt. So with some more red and some improvisation we made all the fabric last cover the old beanbag. Soren is all smiles and already dragged it back in his room.

I loved that I got to use more fabric out of my stash and didn't need to go shopping neither for fabric nor zipper to get this project done.

- Fabric Stash Reduction -

project.2011.#1 - canvas clock

2011-01-17T10:20:00.001-06:00

It was laying on our kitchen table. The top almost finished. Only the four corners had to be sewed together, but Antonio stopped any further progress when he took a nap in the middle of the sewing machine.

The next morning after finsihing the last stitches I got out the powertools, guerilla tape, and a sharp knife and went to work. And the first project for this year is all finished and not just started like all others ones. It took a little while to figure out the clock work and I have to admit Leland is right - rechargeable batteries are not working well in clocks.

mugs, rugs, rats, cats, ...

2011-01-16T10:04:00.006-06:00

Pictures, pictures, pictures, ...

One of those warm December afternoons we went the opposite directions after school pick up as usual and went out to the Citypark with the little and big friends. Even Brynne came along, we just sent Bella shopping with Dad that afternoon.

Now in January I get to enjoy my Christmas present from Karin. My cup and an adorable mugrug she made. Thank you. Mugrugs were on my perhabs I will do them someday list, just because they are cute. But I already have one and a very special one, too.

While Chiara and her friend had a sleepover which happened at our house, even I didn't see the girls all evening long and they were asleep BEFORE everybody else in the house, Bella hung out with me - sketching all night long. This morning, too. Soren now, too, but he cut his paper up and his drawings out afterwards. lol

I finally started stitching on one of the smaller projects. Everything was already prepped and cut out since a little while and all we had to dig out was a variety of buttons out of my collection. Perhaps I even get to finish it today after doing laundry. We are not going anywhere it is pouring outside.

Somebody put a stop into my sewing last night after already having his paw all time in between and climbing and jumping all over the table, my lap and between my feet. I guess he had a good reason for it.

It didn't stop these two to join forces and occupy my whole pillow after their nightly dog and cat fight in our bed. They didn't move for anything.

two started projects are truly not enough

2011-01-15T11:19:00.000-06:00

The last week I did not really sew a stitch. I did not have the time nor neither was I really in the mood. It didn't stop me from started several more projects and having a few little ones just waiting to get fixed. But my biggest fixing project is in the works and my laptop is mailed of to repairs. Just because of two little keys not functioning. Perfect timing. Right on the last days before my original warrenty is running out. Now I switch between the old slow desktop PC to get my college work done and printed and Leland's notebook to be able to upload pictures.

- Luckily you don't get to see the stove top -

Inbetween we did a fixing up job on the house and got a new stove. This old one here is I bet as old as the house. 20 years and counting. Already sparking. Burning everything in the oven in the back and from the bottom and not getting the front baked and it's plainly a mess. It's sitting in the garage now. Until we figure out what to do with it.

After having the new stove sitting in the middle of the kitchen it was still necessary to remove several pieces from the kitchen built-in to get the new one in. That did take some time.

While the previous installer's did a master's job on the 220 plug there is gaping hole in the kitchen wall. Of course curious Antonio has to stick his nose inside and if possible sneak all of himselfl inside if I did not catch him in the last second on his back paw. I had no intention on making a bigger hole just to get the kitten back out.

I let Leland use his carpentry skills to cut and saw and whatever else he had to do to make a dusty mess and to get the new stove fitting in PERFECTLY. We still have an old kitchen, but it is already looking up.

The saw dust and mess is gone again and the kitchen will be open for cooking and baking again as soon as I figure out all these buttons.

more as one excuse

2011-01-04T00:13:00.000-06:00

The kids went back to school this morning, but it seemd they had a much easier time getting up earlier again as me. I had a real hard time staying awake after dropping the kids off at school and it was just too cold in the house, so snuggling back under the covers just happened to be the best option. A little while later the cats and the puppy joined me in the living room and while Leland and I watched the last episodes off Torchwood from BBC, I got started with cutting the fabric for my first project of the year and even sewed the first strips together until I ran out of white fabric. With the football game going on the telly screen there was no way that I spent all evening on the couch with Leland. Soccer you might get me to watch, football is still a lost cause. Nevertheless I started on the second project of the year, cutting the fabric and piecing it as far as possible until it came to the one missing fabric. Obviously with two started projects needing fabric, does this not allow a trip to the fabric store?

Now I just need to choose the one color and fabric that just makes these fabrics pop.

times two

2011-01-02T19:51:00.000-06:00

There is already a long list of I-would-love-to-do-projects for this year. One does include this jellyroll and was all ready to go until I noticed that it is not enough fabric and unfortunately that store is not just around the corner. So today all of us made a trip to stroll through Ikea and I added one of the shortest stops ever to

JoAnn to get a second jellyroll and resisted to look for more. Now I just need to find some energy to get started with this project or one of the many others.

happy new year

2011-01-01T19:36:00.000-06:00

from us to you.

Have a great year 2011 !

the last project of the year - probably

2010-12-29T12:35:00.000-06:00

Bella is modeling my last night's done sewing project. One I wanted to make since a little while, but I really had to sneak this one in. I wanted to make this simple apron for myself. I usually do not wear any apron, but there so many beautiful aprons and the simplicity of this one just caught my eye.

Do you see the purple background - that was our main activity the last two or three, four, five, ... including Christmas eve - PAINTING. I sewed the apron while the second layer of the pruple was drying and before we started painting the trim and the doorframes of Chiara's room white. Bella's room is already green now and Soren is happy in his blue room. Right now her carpet is drying before we can move everything back in her room and perhabs can get rid of some of the chaos in the house here that exists in our hallway filled with furniture and toys moved out of the way and by now moved all over the house.

Owl Lover Calendar - free

2010-12-28T09:29:00.000-06:00

In 2011 I actually should be all set with calendars right from the start for a change. Even I already have ideas for a calendar a la me for the following year, but that is still in the planning stage, I found an adorable FREE PRINTABLE Owl Lover calender option. You can customize it with choosing with artwork from 30 artist and download your own version. Now I just need to get that file to my printer and can add it to my stack of calendars.

Be aware it's adorable.

the day after

2010-12-26T15:50:00.000-06:00

Bella and Chiara can bicker and fight with each other all day long like typical sisters, but still there are times they just don't want to be without each other. But as soon as they get crafty they are unseparately. Last night they picked up one of Chiara's crafts sets from Christmas and started painting all the walls for the wooded horse-stable set. And first thing this morning they got back to it.

Of course, Soren sees paints he wants to paint, too. So he got busy painting Santas. One got really green in his face, perhabs a sign of too many cookies the day before. One Santa, two Santas got painted by my happy little artist with the paintbrush. I just doubt our kitten was so happy about being painted in red by Soren and the necessary bath followed.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-25T00:01:00.001-06:00

Plans alays change ... als fr the FSI - (no typos - just life)

2010-12-17T15:02:00.000-06:00

Last Friday morning I was busy sewing on two of my secret little Christmas projects. I had big plans for sewing all evening, but these did definitely interrupted with picking up a little fellow, we named Antonio.

There was simply no chance to get any sewing done that evening. More playing, hugging, snuggling and making friends. By now the little cutiepie als called 'vicious monster' on occasions is sharing and participating in almost every activity in the house. Right now he is either sitting on Soren's lap or climbing on the table between my notebook or on the sewing machine.

By the ay did yu ever nticed h many ''s and ''s are used in the Englisg language?

That was supposed to say:

By the way did you ever notice how many 'o's and 'w's are used in the English language. Those two keys stopped working yesterday n my keyboard and oh my - it is rough just typing - I learned that there is a virtual keyboard on the computer.

For all the teachers as gift and for a few special people I made 'Spa Pillows'. There a filled with spelt and can be used as cold and warm therapeutic pillow for all kinds of different aches.

And another picture of the little daredevil of the house who just has to be everywhere in the front row, even if that means climbing up on my pants or jumping onto my shirt to reach his goal.

a little bit of xmas deco - just finished

2010-12-08T11:21:00.000-06:00

He is the cutest and most precious mas decoration we have, the puppy we the santa hat comes only second .

Jacquie from Tallgrass Prairie Studio always has great idea and projects and these little xmas mini quilts are one of them. I fell in love with her idea and just had to try it out almost right away. Chiara is all excited about them and already plans on more for every season especially Halloween - sure if she helps. And I bet she can do it. This is such an easy project with fusible interfacing backed fabric.

I lined them up on a rough string with small colored clothes pins and they already found their place right above our kitchen table. The picture looks kind of plain but from my view here it fits just right. And most of all I enjoyed making them and that's what counts most.

Me too, please.

2010-12-08T10:40:00.000-06:00

This month I am taking time to sew when I find it and I also have a few more projects planned in time for xmas. December's Friday Nights Sew In just sounds perfect for a great evening bonding with my sewing machine and getting more on my projects done. The next date is this Friday, Dec 10th and I am in.

One xmas project - done

2010-12-05T09:33:00.000-06:00

Throughout the year I thought about it and even once a while made tiny little purchases for my best friend's xmas present, which of course was not needed until the end of the year. That seems so long away, but suddenly december was almost there and I had to decide on how to exactly wrap up the little gifts. So, I thought it would be nice to give her a gift that keeps giving all of the month of december until xmas - an Adventskalendar.

While my mom was visiting from germany and I was done with college for the semester I finally had time to get onto my sewing machine again and used lots of colorful felt and crazy numbers. Soren helped selecting some xmas style buttons to sew on for his godmother's presents and after wrapping 24 little presents up so she can't peek - it was ready. Ready to be be hand delivered to Germany. Just in time for Dec 1st.

The Adventskalendar turned out a lot bigger in size as I planned, but it need to fit to what was supposed to go inside. And Karin found a place for it.

NOT on today's to-do-list

2010-11-29T07:03:00.000-06:00

It looked like a great start of the week - me being uo before 6 am Monday morning, even the first load of laundry was already running a couple minutes after getting up, the kitchen picked up within minutes and the girls are actually getting ready for the school bus peacefully while Soren still snoozes away. No fits yet, no yelling until the daughters of the house leave for the bus and Brynne sneakes out. Usually our puppy is pretty good - okay, that might be stretching the truth, but overall she is getting better at listening outside and not to run off in case Soren let's her out of the fence. She just runs inside. But this morning it was still dark and she ran like a lighting barking at the girls. No big deal, she loves them and they can hold on her until I get there. However that thought was lost when Brynne discovered Vincenzo, the cat of the house and his favorite opponent in the daily cat and dog fights, and chased after him. Vincenzo stopped and I got my turn trying to catch the puppy, who went the opposite wat all arounf the property. Finally I caught her at the other end and walked through the backyard back and I hear from the bus stop "Good Job, Mami!" Thanks I could have skipped this morning exercise in the dark, especially from that little puppy who is laying lazy next to me, belly side up, wanted to be pat.

Dog, do you want to know something - Chasing you in the darkeness of the morning around the property is for sure NOT on today's to-do-list.

Can we still call this the start of a good week?

a little bit of everything ...

2010-11-24T13:30:00.000-06:00

... is happening here in a not so quiet house. My bakers in training times three are working hard with Oma on the first Christmas cookies of the year. They are prepping the cough dough, rolling, shaping and cutting out cookies. They are busy glazing them with egg yolk and discussing which sprinkles go on top. It already smells good in the house.

In between the first Christmas present is getting finished. Soren is enjoying having his hands my containers of buttons and spilling them onto the table. He helps choosing the buttons we need for our present. The last button is sewed on and we only need to wrap it in lots of paper.

After some more work in the house from laundry to cleaning, to cooking and playing, I might get the chance to check out my little treasure I found a few days ago. Miguel was so nice to part with it after collecting lots of antiques and I need to check it out how well it still works. It is beautiful nevertheless.

Therapy, my way ...

2010-11-11T23:01:00.000-06:00

just as the three words already mentioned it - therapy - something that is truly required on some days. I can offer my own psychological evaluation in a mini version backed up with page numbers if I dig my book back out, but the offered solutions and therapy suggestions covered in the book are not the same as I am using.

Mine is creative. Simple.

I didn't say cheap. I am not paying for a trained professional but supplies might be pricy depending on the type of creativity you will get addicted through therapy. But you can also be creative when looking for supplies and simply use what you have on hand. I digged in my stack of fabric and finally staretd sewing again. With no real plan. Just cutting up fabric. Patching it together. Perfectionism set aside until recovery.

The little crazy cricket square block was one of the first this morning.

By the evening, with a few breaks in between because some things in life just have to be done nevertheless. - Anybody volunteering to write an argument/persuasion paper? Just asking. - there were a couple more blocks turned into little quilted pillowcases. There are still waiting for the their inlay to be turned into spa warming pillows, but let's take one step at a time.

Especially now EVERYBODY who set foot in our house today, also used the sewing machine age three to unlimited (I am prohibited to mention the real age.) There are literally cat fights over the little sewing machine, besides the cat using the big one by stepping on the foot pedal and sewing its own stitches - luckily there were not my hands close.

One more luckily - this littlest one does not know YET that the steppeing on the footpedal is an essential part of using a sewing machine. He sews. If youle him nonstop. Until the day before toda he only pressed my buttons, but after watching yesterday and this morning his sisters closely, there is no more stopping.

Oma is stepping on the foot pedal here, but he does EVERYTHING ELSE. Isn't it crazy.

After she took the foot of the pedal he moved the machine back to the little table to see if he could get it work again. LOL.

semplicemente giallo

2010-11-11T07:49:00.000-06:00

Life is complicated. Most of the time. At least it appears like it. It always feels like there are always stones thrown in your way to make you stumble. Eventually you figure out a way, but it takes faith and strength and conquering life step by step. Still with every step you keep adding on more to life instead of making in simpler. Simpler in treasuring what you already have. Simpler in enjoying the simple things in life. I love modern life. What the heck would I do without it. However, it is not everything. Taking a or two step back sometimes might gives us more as just keeping on running faster and faster to more.

The last months were extremely stressful and there was absoluely no time for anything. My head was stuck in school books or writing papers. Even the rare trip to the park with the kids and the dog was in the company of my papers to keep on studying while the kids roamed around and climbed andenjoyed the beautiful weather outside. I am not done, I still have more papers, more exams due and more to come, but I finally can see and do something else for right now, too. My sewing machine was tested after getting overhauled and runs so smoothly. Now I just need time.

However, I found the time to try out something new and the house smelled very intense lemony last night after peeling lots of lemons. It smelled so good. The girls came up one by one to figure out where this aroma came from. I started making Limoncello. The bright yellow color of the lemons was already so appealing and the flavor is just amazing that it just had to cheer you up. In a couple days we can check on our started Limoncello and hopefully add the second part to sample it soon and bring a touch of sunny Sicily in our home.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

2010-11-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

After almost two months hardly taking any pictures I was snapping away Saturday afternoon and watching the kids enjoying the Halloween activities with their friends. I could post them all like I did in the album on facebook, but this one here is enough. Friends - little and big ones.

Just a Card

2010-11-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

A play card with a picture that's all it is.

It is a card from an old game with have since years. A game that was collecting dust in the garage, because nobody paid attention to it until tonight. Tonight Soren discovered it and opened the box. Pulled out all the sparkling cards and wanted to play. One round, two rounds, and he was begging for another one. It's amazing to see how happy a simple game can make a little boy.

The kids are back in school ...

2010-08-29T10:22:00.000-05:00

... and loving it. The girls are excited about their teachers and seeing their friends back in school.

The week only had two days for them, just enough time to meet everybody, to get to see most of everything and already be off again for the weekend.

Soren mastered his first days of pre-k and has a great teacher, too, not forgetting the fantatstic Mrs. Fox who already had Bella and Chiara 3 years in pre-k. So he is in good hands. He has a bunch of little brothers from Chiara's friends in his class so I am sure they will keep the teachers on their toes.

Let's hope next week brings lots of more "The best day ever!" from those crazy kids.

The Soldier's Show on Ft. Hood

2010-07-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

On Thursday while driving through poste to get to the lake I got reminded by the signs posted that I promised Bella that I take them to the Soldier's Show the week following the Sesamestreet program. Sesametreet was cute, but really only for little ones and she was quite bored there. The Soldier's Show was supposed to be musical 'Entertainment from Soldiers for Soldiers and Families'. I wasn't sure if it was okay for their ages yet, but I thought, perhabs I should check it out and being told it was family friendly, okay I intended on keeping my promised. Except my mind is like Swiss cheese and I keep forgetting everthing and by the time we got to go go it was the last day the show was going on. But we made it. Just on time when the lights went out and trying to find seats in the pitch black dark with three kids in tow who want to go in three different directions.

But the girls were already happy when the music started with the favorite songs which usually blasting out of the radio all the time and didn't mind to hear some classics, too. Soren had a hard time to keep his butt on the chair, how can you with music playing, so he got to see some really really close.

Overall, the is a unisome decision made if both shows should come back to Ft. Hood we skip Sesamestreet, but will try to see these Soldiers again. Well done. We enjoyed the show.

One LAZY day - naja

2010-07-23T11:12:00.001-05:00

You can try to call that way. The day was a day with no appointments. No important errands that had to be done. So we decided to take a whole day off to go to the lake and were hoping that it wouldn't be packed there like at the beginning off the summer.

So, two moms packed five kids, two ice boxes filled with food, drinks, snacks, towels, sunscreens, airmatress, floaties, sand toys, goggles, .... and lots of noise in the van in the morning and all fit in. Including the noise and the gettting into each other hair and we got on the road. It's a pretty short road trip, just through the the town, and through the whole post and another 10 miles and how often did we hear "ARE WE THERE YET?"

They hardly could wait to get their feet into the sand and to let their toes to touch the water. The kids had a blast. the two little ones just as the big ones. Barely to get out of the water. The swam, the floated, the dived. The swallowed some extra water - tja, can't be helped when you have to sing in the water. And the dug in the MUD. Yes, you get the mud bath for free there. And with out kids even applied and not just on your arms and legs also in your face and in your hair.

All of them love rock collections. Especially the ones from deep in the water and as bigger as better. I think we managed to come home with NO rocks this time, but who knows if we had a secret smuggler in the midle of us or not.

Tina had the great idea of bringing all the ingredients to make "sunshine smores" and the kids loved the idea. It was messy, but there's enough water for clean up.

At the end we even decided to check out the slide and the car wash before heading home.

That's a way to enjoy summer minus the sunburn.

A dip and a splash

2010-07-19T13:13:00.000-05:00

That's a quick snap picture from soren in the kiddie pool splashing when I took the camera once. I don't really get the chance to take pictures ay the pool because Soren can't sit still for more as a second when he is at the pool and always is about to fall in the pool of you don't hold tight onto him or feed him a snack. So the safest spot is in the pool with him, but even this big life vest or his arm floaties did not keep our big guy above water so I had 47 pounds hanging on my neck and bouncing of me when he was not on the waterslide.

Yesterday while the girls were non stop sliding Soren finally figured out that he can float and swim with his arm floaties by himself and if he closes his mouth and stops shrieking he won't even drink the pool water neither. He did awesome. And he had such a blast, si we easily could skip the kiddie pool.

One HOT Saturday in Texas

2010-07-18T20:48:00.000-05:00

Do you know something blue, something red, something yellow, something orange, all big and fuzzy?

I can name the Cookie Monster, by now also Elmo and Big Bird and that only after seeing three Sesamestreet shows. I never favorite the show as a kid, so somehow we never really have it running on TV very often here neither. But somehow we went to see a show in Austin before Soren was part of my threesome and since then Sesamestreet came now the second time to Ft. Hood for a small show and we got to see them for free yesterday. The pricewas leaving the house in the HEAT and leaving the air conditioning. It is hot here. And standing in line is crazy. Some people were smart and just brought umbrellas and you saw them popping up in all colors.

After our outing Soren and Chiara found a "hopper" (Soren) named "Grassi" (Chiara) which was right away adopted as pet. You have to be warned in our yard NOTHING is SAFE. No bug or rollipolli from Soren, no grasshopper from Chiara, no cat from the catbird - oh man that is truly entertaining watching them chasing the cats - no flipflop from the dog - SO BEWARE.

Do you want to see the BIGGEST hopper ever from close up? Come closer.

Soren was not really good sports sporting his new t-shirt extra large, not even with his popsicle. But, well, that's life. At least he likes his new t-shirt which we got finished last minute for our little Saturday outing and finallt he at least tried to say his name. Usually when I aske him who he is, he says ' BOY'. We already uograded from 'BABY' to 'BOY'. Perhaps we until school start he will say Soren. Stubborn stinker.

Now of course I have two more request for shirt with names - the sisters. We made one for Neva for her birthday and also put the same applique of her name on a small jeans purse. It is quite easy and I love how it turned out for Soren. It just took me forever to get started and then to make up my mond what type of font I wanted to use. Next step is to give my machine a overhaul as soon as possible, it seriously needs to be serviced again.

Guck Mal

2010-07-10T09:37:00.000-05:00

Do you really need too many words to follow these pictures of Soren and one of his little bitty bike trips?

He is still stopping for hundreds of reasons, the bug on the side, the rock on the road, the airplane landing, ... not mentioning him stearing into his sisters and not stopping, but luckily he is not that fast yet with his little balance bike. He still always has time to make a silly face and his faszination with mailboxes did not decrease. These pictures were taken one evening last month. Yesterday morning him and Chiara were circling our mailbox in the driveway going always happily one more around and around.

Three drown little rats and a soaked puppy ...

2010-07-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

How much fun is it to garden in the rain?

Everytime there is a drop of rain falling from the sky, I have two girls coming running and begging "Can we put our bathing suits on and run in the rain?"

Today by the time we opened the door we saw that it had rained during the night, it was not extremely hot yet, so all four of us put old clothes and the kids and puppy played and helped in the yard and testing our driveway. It was sprinkling in between, but compared to the times when the sun burns down that felt like heaven.

We spread our first ready compost in the yard mixed with some more topsoil and discovered that the small honeysuckle plant along the fence line already has its first orange blooms soon to open. By then in stared raining. Soren and Chiara used the little play house as shelter and started stetting it up with floor mats and filling the "fridge" with drinks.

By the time the were ready to come inside I had three drown little rats and a soaked puppy who is crazy about water and even tries to take a bath in his tiny water bowl. Hopefully she had enough of splashing for the day, too.

By now it is pouring like buckets outside and that's perfectly fine with me. At least we do not have to water the yard today.

Soren is sporting his "new table"

2010-07-01T20:52:00.001-05:00

Last November we replaced Chiara's little table and chairs with an "old" desk and chair for her room. So Soren in herited a pink table woth brown and white dots. Perfect size. Not so perfect color in daddy's opinion. Soren loved everything pink for a long time, no wonder with two sisters, after a while it changed to blue, even he calls everything PURPLE. He is also the biggest fan of AIRPLANES.

So just in time for his birthday I finished his table and chairs which his is showing off tonight for a picture on company of Giggly Lion.

I truly expected just to use the two blue spray cans I got and be done, but nope, I got back to the acrylic paints and paint brushes and went all from there. It works just better for me. But best of all Soren likes it and that's all that count.