Garden Inspiration

An impromptu arrangement gathered by the kiddies and I yesterday. We grow roses and hydrangeas at the winery and love to put them in canning jars to make sweet little floral displays. Purple sage is one of those things that goes nuts in Eastern Washington, just like lavendar. Those are two of our favorites to plunk into empty spots in a bouquet to add a little purple. Oh the beauty of summer.....

My Favorite Baby Hat

I love to knit little hats, they are quick and fun, and so very darling. This is one that I whip up anytime I hear word of a new baby. I use a pretty standard hat pattern, knitting in the round until the measurements are where I want them. It is cute to change to a second color as your are decreasing at the top to finish the hat. I usually start that with about 8 rows to go and then keep knitting with an i-cord technique to make a stem and knot it off.

Let the Christmas projects begin!

This is the time of year when I start thinking of all of the things I want to knit, sew, and make for Christimas gifts. I am just learning to crochet and for reasons that are unexplainable, granny squares really catch my eye. I think I've finally got the hang of it and this is the beginning of what I hope will be a beautiful blanket for a yet-to-be determined loved one. I've been inspired by this beautiful blanket on the Purl Bee. If only mine turns out like this!

The Gallery Wall

We enrolled our 3 1/2 year old in a week long art class not long ago. I was so excited to see what he would create and for him to have his first little school experience. A couple of days before class we started warming him up to the idea and he informed us that he would be displaying the resulting artwork in a museam. Precious! We didn't want to squelch that lovely dream of his, so the idea of a "gallery wall" was floated. I chose a few of his most fabulous pieces and together we picked out frames at Target. George is so proud of his new wall and I love it in a way maybe only a mother does. It makes me smile every time I walk by and it reminds me that these kinds of things are what really make a home. I can only hope he'll carry this new found love of art throughout his life.

Perfect Package Topper

Last winter Amy Butler posted this free pattern on her website. I've probably cut it out more than a dozen times for something pretty to hang off a gift. I lookes beautiful on a package and it really dresses it up. You can follow Amy's instructions for an especially beautiful iris or go with my quick and easy version. I just cut the three pieces out, using a different scrapbooking paper for each, and then punch a 1/8 inch hole in the center of each flower. Fold the four petals of each flower towards the center. Then cut a length of ribbon and tie a knot very close to one end. That is what I use to hold the flowers together and then I string them starting with the small flower face-up toward the knot. Once the three are on the ribbon, tie another knot behind the flowers and use the extra ribbon to attach to your package.

Ready for Installation

This is the most darling giraffe ever! I watched Martha do a little demo on how to make these a few months ago and couldn't resist whipping one up for the boys room. There is a big love of tractors around here, but I just couldn't help adding a bit of a "farm" theme to that. I like to keep my options open, so I can add a little something that doesn't have to do with John Deere. You can get instructions and the template here. I used an inexpensive 10 x 10 inch canvas that I picked up at an art store for under $4 and then chose a bunch of fun scrapbooking papers that coordinated with the bedroom colors. I just cut out all of the pieces, used a bunch of mod podge to stick it on there and finished it off with a sealing coat of more mod podge. The instructions call for Xyron to make it adhesive, but my method was fast and easy and the result is darling. There is a monkey pattern too, hoping to get around to that one!

Girl des Vignes Market Tote for You

I am absolutely mesmorized by the incredible amount of creativity that I find everyday. It is sort of my morning ritual to cruise through my favorite blogs for new ideas and inspiration. I have sewn, hot glued, cut out, and knit to my hearts delight thanks to so many creative people willing to share their ideas. I am not so sure that I can compete, but I am ready to give a little bit back too. Here is a pattern that I put together for a little felt tote. You can pick whatever cotton lining you like or use cotton fabric for both the inside and out. This a fun bag to sew and a darling gift to give. I hope you'll enjoy sewing it! Download the pattern.