Scribble, Sketch, and Draw on the Go!

We attended a total of 5 parties last weekend, 3 of which were child's birthday parties.  One was for a sweet little Four year old boy - which as you might guess, is more difficult for me to sew a gift for - and two of the other parties were for 3 little girls.  (One party was a Wedding Reception - so that doesn't count, oh and one was a fun end of summer ice cream party) - keeping up with the math here?  One party was for (four? no... "for") Two girls - one that was Seven, and one that turned Four.
And, I wonder why my brain feels like scrambled eggs sometimes.
OK - so basically, I had 3 little girls that I needed gifts for (not "four"), one little boy, and two parties that don't count in the gifts equation.  I'll stop that now.
And - I had these tablets of paper and colored pencils - so, I whipped up these little Vintagey-Travel Pencil Art Pouch/Cases thingys.  (Still working on the name, here).
Actually - these were the 3 extra that I made, because, did I mention that I'll be at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar on September, 4th?  (Which is also going to be my 39 birthday - ugh!  Can't believe I admitted to that.  Really, it really will be "39".  Trust me, if it's not 39, then I would've told you "29"!  I'm still coming to terms with the whole 30's going into 40's issue.  I know age is just a number, I know, I know - but jeez, .......feels like I just graduated from kindergarten.  Not really, but you know what I mean - more on that topic later, I'm sure!)
So, anywhoo - basically, I'm sewing LIKE CRAZY!  and, I'm still worried about not having enough products to fill my 10x10 booth - but it won't be for lack of trying!
I've got some cutesy Retro Cool Hot Pads to show you all, several funky vintagey- aprons, fabric flower pins, hippie fun retro button headbands, oooooh.....all sorts of things!
These little travel art kits are also available on my Etsy site.

See you all later!  I've got to run...... my boy is rummaging through my bathroom drawers, and that's never a good thing.

Rotten Tomatoes

This tomato pin cushion has lasted me through many years - probably a good 15 years of sewing, but I'm thrilled to see it go.  I think it was the green leaves at the top that finally did it in - see the shavings popping out?

So, I'm happy to say I have a nice, new, pretty tomato to hold my pins.  I even decided to pitch all of those dress shirt pins that I had saved and opt for keeping my trusty long yellow headed pins.  Looks so much tidier, huh?

Speaking of rotten tomatos, one of the things I crave in the summer is fresh tomatoes from the garden.  If you don't already know, I live in Central Texas and we are on day 20 of 100 degrees or more - ugh!  

Each summer I've tried to plant a garden, and this year, mine got in a bit late so, my poor tomato plants are baking in the sun each day.  

I thought this garden was an improvement to years past in a way because normally I've planted WAY too many plants and ended up with a giant gnarled mess of a garden this time of year.  But - what was labeled as "Cucumber" at the garden center was actually a jalepeno plant, my "Zuchinni" was enormous bumpy Squash, and "Squash" died a pitiful death by some rooting animal early in the summer.  So....I would really, really like just one or two pretty tomatoes to eat on my turkey sandwich!!!  But, as you can see they aren't looking so hot.  I may try for a fall tomato, which apparently one of our local garden centers is advertising.  

This is what they look like now - barely hanging on - but I'm hopeful still for a few sweet fruits of my labor. (I'm curling my toes even taking these pictures, because I'm sceered (that's "scared" in "Texas lingo") to death of a creeping nasty snake biting my freshly pedicured toes!  Blah!)

It's hard to tell in this photo - but there is a dirty rotten catepillar just making himself at home on one of my juicy delights - I'd pinch his little head off and squeeze it between my fingers if it wouldn't totally gross me out!!!  Dang catepillar.  

4 Years Old is Such a BiG BoY!

He approved of the "Buzzy" cake - and that's all that counts!

The boy has some lungs

Pretty much is expression all day long!

Love from his big sister

My little boy turned 4 years old the end of July - I'm a bit late posting pictures, but didn't want to let the occasion be missed.  He decided that he wanted a Buzz Lightyear cake, and me being Miss Crafty, figured I could do this - no problem.  Well - that cake was the hardest one I've ever tackled!  Ugh - my boy didn't care though.  He was just concerned that Buzz had two red buttons on his arms to shoot the bad guys - that was taken care of luckily.
He had a party with 20 of his little friends - not at my house (I'm not that crazy) - and then had fun with just family afterwards, opening up presents and eating more cake and ice cream.
All in all - a good day - a happy boy - a much loved boy, and one that isn't letting anyone forget that he is FOUR!

Vintage Dots for Boys

Boy baby gifts are always more difficult for me to create when working with vintage fabric.  But - I think this works out quite well.  I am in lurve with the blue polka dots in this fabric!  It's vintage for sure - as well as the cutesy button and yellowish/gold rick rack.  All show signs of previous love - but work perfectly together here.

A nice stack of 3 burp clothes backed in a vintage chenille bedspread straight from Grandma's boudoir !  Poor Grannie.....she's shiverin'

A diaper/wipes pouch perfect for, well....diapers and wipes.  Or....a book, or a waller/keys, or lipstick and breath mints, or........umm....."insert your own here" - you get the idea!

This little ensemble is headed to Indiana for a baby shower this weekend :)

My Little Country Bumpkins

My sister made the pictures.....I made the kids - with a little help from their daddy (oh - and I made the boy's shorts too:).

Thanks to my sister for taking these photos of my little munchkins while we were in Indiana (I know, the pictures just keep coming and coming!  Oh - don't you worry.....there are still more to come :).  She's got a great little photography business going up there (Bellies to Babies)- check her out if you are in the Northern Indiana area.

Rhubarb Cake Supreme - Total Yummy, Sweet, Goodness!

My parents have a pretty good sized garden in the back, and have always had several Rhubarb plants that have thrived there year after year.  The starts came from my Aunt Ruth I believe - probably in the 70's is my best guess (maybe 60's?  Mom?  Amanda? do you know?)  

So, each summer I like to eat a little bit since I can't find it here in Texas.  And...if I ever did find it - I doubt I'd want to pay the price for it.  My guess is it would be expense, and not taste nearly as good as it does fresh from the garden. 

So, without further ado, I'd like to share the recipe we used this summer:

Rhubarb Cake Supreme

Here's what you need:

6 cups rhubarb cut into 1" pieces

1 3 oz. box strawberry Jello

1 cup sugar

1 package yellow cake mix

3/4 cp. butter, melted

1 1/2 cup water

Start by cutting the leaves off the top of the rhubarb (unless you bought it from the store - then the leaves are probably already removed).  Discard the leaves.  Wash the stalks and cut them into 1 inch pieces.

Place the rhubarb in a 9x13 inch pan.  (Good job for little helpers!)

Mix the dry Jello with the 1 cup of sugar.  

Sprinkle the Jello and Sugar over the Rhubarb.  (Nothing complicated here folks!)

Sprinkle the cake mix over the Jello/Sugar mixure (Again, easy-peasy!)

Now, drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix. (Staying with me?)

Pour the 1 1/2 cups water over that and pop it into a 350 degree oven.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

This is the cute little oven we used at my parent's house.  It's not an antique - but sure is cute, huh?

And, Voila!  Here you go - Rhubarb Cake Supreme - extra delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.  Hope you likey!

Vintage Sheets Flying in the Wind

What a pretty picture, huh?  Love it when I find a good stash of vintage sheets - and a bonus was the cute little green suitcase.  These sheets will make the softest pajama pants and shorts anywhere!  And - you can't beat the summer sun and wind for a fresh smell!

 Not sure what I'll do with the funky - ugly- piece of orange and brown fabric there - but, I'm thinking retro apron??  We'll see.....