stuffed pumpkin tutorial

Create pattern in size of choice. Pattern pictured is about 4.25" tall by 1. 75" at widest point. This will result in a pumpkin about the size of a tangerine.

Trace and cut six pattern pieces.

Take two pieces with right sides together and stitch up one side, from the flat bottom to the point with a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Open and add another piece to either side, right sides together, stitch one side. Continue adding pieces, making sure pieces line up completely to the point, working your way around the pumpkin until all pieces are sewn together.

Stitch the first piece to the last, right sides together, turn and stuff.
Sew top closed as you would a fabric yo-yo, folding in raw edge as you hand sew a running stitch. Great tutorial by Heather Bailey here.
At last stitch, gather stitches to close top, securing stem in stitches or later with hotglue.
Cuteness DONE!

Happy Birthday Roo!

moonshine

Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth.

--Joseph Addison

rainy day fun

a copy of a wonderful Valerie Salmon card.

What's YOUR lifepath number?

Try this quiz yourself - mine is spooky accurate!

Your Life Path Number is 11

Your purpose in life is to inspire others Your amazing energy draws people to you, and you give them great insight in return. You hold a great amount of power over others, without even trying. You have the makings of an inventor, artist, religious leader, or prophet. In love, you are sensitive and passionate. You connect with your partner on a very deep level. You have great abilities, but you are often way too critical of yourself. You don't fit in - and instead of celebrating your differences, you dwell on them. You have high expectations of yourself. But sometimes you set them too high and don't achieve anything.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

stuffed craftiness

It needs some tendrils or something but o-mah-gawd how cute is this?

Possibly for a swap-bot handmade happiness swap.

Whaddya think?

more embellishments

Remember "Melinda"? She's now sporting a liner and a trio of yo-yo's all her own. :)

embellishment update

After consulting with some crafty folks I know (and count on) I decided the bag needed three yo-yo/button things.
Thanks Susan & Cami!
Improvement, no?

embellished

Remember "Dawn"? I was tinkering with some embellishment ideas when my mom asked, "Are you going to line the bag?"
I hadn't thought of that, until today. I picked up some fat quarters at JoAnn's for 99 cents. I got my sewing machine out, stitched a liner (thanks mom!), hand stitched it to the inside, made a yo-yo, added a button and viola!
Cute, no?

the surest way to get someone to freak out

Is to say, "Honey, don't freak out but there is the biggest damn caterpillar I've ever seen on your leg!"
Him: "Right NOW?"
-lol-
Now I know why I said no when he asked if I wanted to go for a walk!
-shudder-

ransom note

THE best ever snickerdoodles

The Best Ever Snickerdoodles

2 2/3 c flour
2 t cream of tartar
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground nutmeg (fresh if it's available)
1 c butter (unsalted) slightly softened
1 3/4 c sugar
1 1/2 T light corn syrup
2 large eggs
2 1/2 t vanilla
1/4 c sugar combined with 1 1/2 t cinnamon for rolling cookies

Preheat oven to 375°
Combine flour, tartar, soda, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
With electric mixer combine butter, sugar and corn syrup until well blended and fluffy (2 minutes). Add eggs and vanilla. Beat till smooth.
Add half the flour mixture, beat till well incorporated. Stir in remaining flour. Mix well.
Let dough stand 5 - 10 minutes until firmed up slightly.
Roll portions of dough into 1 1/2" balls. Roll each in cinnamon sugar mix. Place 2 3/4" apart on greased cookie sheet.
Bake 8 - 11 minutes. Makes 35 medium cookies.

Photo of the day

While visiting the Indianapolis Zoo today. I just couldn't resist they just looked too sweet standing there. :)

See more of my zoo pics here.

My Babyfriend Wearing the Devil Vestee

Even though this sweater gave me FITS I'm pretty proud of myself for actually plodding through and making something wearable. And it fits her! :)

I told my friend Susan (the momma) that I had to hug, squeeze and love that sweater up good when I was done just to put some goodness into it after all the cussing I did making it. -lol-

How sweet is she?

laugh of the day

Walking it out Fosse Style
and a link to the original dance soundtrack.

handpainted happiness

Remember these?

In the beginning...

more swap-bot recipe card happiness

blog o' the day

I'm the blog of the day!
Thanks Indigo!
Check it out and post your comment here or there!
That's My Answer

progress

other craftiness

Mundania to some but I actually like to cook. I just thought all my prepwork for dinner the other night was pretty. And what you can't see just outside of this picture, is my socks, sitting on the counter, waiting for me to come back to them. Craftiness abounds!
They're patient, though. A girl's gotta eat! This prettiness was Pancetta and Shells. So easy. A nice, light, pasta dish. Perfect summertime fare.

We spent all day yesterday working at Cami's store or rather, KEN spent all day working, Cami and I just gabbed the day away. That girl can talk. Seriously. Loved it though. Click on over to CamillaKnits and check out her side of the story. Reminds me of another store I know, another store that love built. Skrappaper was one of the best things for me. I miss it and my friends, daily.

Why do I keep getting myself into this? (I'm sure Ken is thinking, "Why does she keep getting me into this?!") -lol-
I think it's because when you've got so much goodness in you, you just gotta share or maybe you'll explode and that's a mess I don't even wanna see.

Sharin' the love, man.
Sharing. the. love.

doesn't this look like fun?

My new friend, Rhonda described knitting on double pointed needles as, "wrestling with a porcupine." I cannot think of a more accurate description. This doesn't look like fun, this looks like torture! Forget dripping water, boards under the nails and electro-shock. You want to torture someone? Give them FIVE sticks and a ball of yarn!

Are we having fun yet?

there's a new resident in Springfield

This is me, as a Simpson's character:

Join me on the Simpsons, will you?

Create you own Simpsons character.

I think it's uber important your lipstick matches your shoes. It's the new thing. I'm bringing it. :oD