Everyday Beauty

Easter Mallow Kabobs

Easter really snuck up on me this year. I can't believe it's nearly here! We have been so busy with the house, focused on renovations and decorating, which is part of the reason I've been away from this blog for a while. That, and just the usual busy-ness that goes along with keeping three small children fed, clean, happy and healthy! 

But I found a few spare minutes today and took these pictures. I just can't resist cute marshmallows, and few bags found their way into my shopping cart a month ago, with plans for Easter Mallow Kabobs.

One little tip I will share with you about the kabob.....wet the wooden skewer before you try to pierce the marshmallows or you will have a sticky mess that looks terrible. Trust me on this one.

I placed each finished kabob in a plastic bag (the slim ones intended for pretzel rods) and with a few turns of a twistie they were finished.

Found these cute twisties on etsy:

So easy and fun. I am a kid at heart, so I'll admit these are as much for me as for the kids!

More Hanging Hearts

Hello! I wanted to show you the pretty hearts I received in the exchange last week. The neutral colors couldn't have been softer or lovlier. It's always interesting how each person creates her version of the same type of thing so uniquely. This one (above) was made by Kerry Lynn Yearly , and each bugle bead was sewn on by hand. Isn't it beautiful? The one below, made by Michele Witchell, has some hand beadwork as well. Love the old pearls spelling out beloved, and that pretty cotton flower!



And this darling puffy eyelet one was completely hand stitched by Letty Worley. Though I don't know any of these women, I am happy to have one of their creations!

Hanging Hearts

Remember the hearts I was making a few posts back? Here they are all finished and hanging in the back yard for a little photo shoot. (What my new neighbors must think of me in a hat and scarf taking pictures of hearts on a tree in the middle of winter!)

I made three for the exchange, plus one as a gift for the hostess. And I received three lovely hearts in return. I'll show you later this week how pretty they are!

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!

Heart Mail

I found this pretty scrapbook paper at my local craft shop, and I'm loving the colors and prints. I used it, along with some lace-printed wrapping paper, to wrap up this small gift for a Valentine. It was mailed yesterday; I hope it makes it there in time. February is nearly half over, which is amazing! A simple cut heart on the back of the package and into the mailbox it goes! Don't you just love Valentine's Day with all it's hearts and pink and love?

Soup Love

The beginning of vegetable soup this afternoon. I found the heart-shaped wooden spoon in Target's dollar section. A reminder to cook with love!

A Mother's Love Necklace

A dear friend of mine has spent the past several weeks taking care of her very ill daughters. As mothers, we often tend to put ourselves last, most especially when our children are sick. Being so far away, I thought endlessly about what I could do to reach out to her and offer support. I ordered a few meals to be delivered to the house, but I really wanted to make her something as well. This Mother's Love Necklace sort of came together one evening, and it seemed like a gift she would enjoy. The two letters are the initials of her daughters' nicknames, and the silver locket keeps their pretty faces close at heart. Happily, the girls are doing much better now, which is the greatest gift of all.

Lingerie Hearts (in progress)

Happy February! I thought maybe I would post something love/heart/pink-related every single day this month. Do you think I can do it? I am not so sure, but I'm gonna try. It would be a record breaker for me. I've been blogging since 2007, (it will be 5 years this week) and I have not reached 500 posts yet! Geez....

In other news, I am participating in a fabric heart exchange, hosted by Danielle, and the photo above is a peek at my hearts in progress. They are actually finished now and in the mail, so I'll post more pictures soon. I used old laces, scraps of velvets and pieces of old lingerie (a favorite indulgence). Old lingerie has beautiful detailing and is often trimmed in ruffles, ruching and other foofy bits, so it worked well for these romantic little trifles. I am looking forward to receiving hearts from the other girls in the mail. You know I love me some hearts, and I definitely love good mail!

Simple Stitched Tote

 
You might remember from previous posts that my son Mario loves balloons. When he was 4, balloons were the only thing he would draw. (Thankfully, he's moved on to other subjects!) I had saved some of the drawings and decided to preserve his innocent little artwork on fabric. Here is his original drawing on paper:    
                                          

This project is very simple, and I wanted to share the steps with you in case your kids are growing up too fast, right before your eyes like mine are. First, I layed a piece of white linen on top of the artwork, taped both layers to a sunny window and traced the drawing onto the fabric with a washable fabric transfer pen. Then I took the drawing to the craft store and matched up the colors with embroidery floss.

Using a simple backstitch I transformed his sweet artwork into a stitched keepsake for him. I folded in the edges of the fabric about a 1/2", pressed them down and sewed the linen onto a canvas tote bag that he now uses for his piano lesson books. He's 7 now and loves his new bag, but he did tell me I should have made his balloons look rounder. Of course, the wobbly shapes drawn by his 4-year old hands are exactly the reason I saved the picture in the first place.

Ear Drops

  
Hello! Thank you so much for all of your well wishes, kind comments and emails about our upcoming move. It's always fun to share happy news with you gals. We have not found a house in Ohio as of yet, so we'll be temporarily renting until we find the right place.
I'll keep you posted!

I have one last Shopette update before I pack up my jewelry supplies for a few months. There are new Ear Drops and also a few necklaces.

I was reading a novel set in the Civil War era, and the author wrote, "inside her jewel box were Ruby ear drops." I loved that name for earrings, and jotted it down in my inspiration journal. So, here they are, my first collection of Ear Drops, made with Rubies, Citrine, Iolite, Peruvian Opals, vintage French rhinestone rondelles, old pearls, crystals and love.

 

And the new necklaces.....

 
Thanks for taking a peek! Wishing you all a great summer weekend! 

Fabric Dolls

 
I found these adorable fabric dolls last year and had to get them for Sofia, though it will be a few years before she plays with them. I finally finished cutting them out and wanted to share with you the details and how-to's.

It's a paper doll concept, but with fabric. The fabric (with the dolls and clothing printed on it, as shown below) is sold by the yard, like any other fabric.

 

I cut out each doll, and then ironed a double-sided stiff fusible interfacing to the back, and then I ironed a plain cotton fabric to the back of that, to finish them off. This makes the dolls stiff and easier to play with.

Don't you love their vintage undergarments?

 
Then -this is the fun part- I cut out the clothing and ironed each piece to double-sided Wonder Under, then ironed felt to the back side of the Wonder Under. The felt grabs on to the dolls better so the clothes cling a bit, like a felt board. Here are all my pieces cut and finished.

 
You can also buy yardage of just additional clothing (shown below). One yard of fabric gives you lots of clothing and accessories. 

 
I cut off the tabs because you can't really fold them over the dolls anyway. But wouldn't the clothes be cute framed and hanging on the wall in a little girl's room?

Now it's time to play dress up!

 
 
How darling are these?