Cottage Home Sew-Along

Have you seen the little girl's sew-along that Lindsay at The Cottage Home is hosting this week?

We're making this. 

My friend Kim and I are doing this together... 

I've got my fabric

and of course, my muse, Mz. I

I'll post the finished outfit next week! 

{SO} excited to get started!

<3 AmberLou

Patriotic Paint Chip Banner

I saw the cutest banner in Better Homes and Garden, July issue and just had to make one. I asked myself, "Self, why make it and then not share it's cuteness with all of our faithful followers." So I am...

Here are the paint chips - I didn't end up using them all.


I thought I could improve and make it cuter with things like these...


But in the end...simpler was so much better.


In the magazine they display this along the edge of a 4th of July decorated table.Mine will be going on Amanda's fireplace mantle, but the shorter version will be above my front door (but it is too dark for a picture now).

This only cost the price of the yarn, $1. Easy and a great way to add a splash of color to any party.
Happy Independence Day America!
~jan

Linking to some of these parties.
Linked to...http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/06/show-me-what-ya-got-30.html

Grandma V's Banana Bread

My mother made banana nut bread frequently when I was growing up, and it was one of the first "from scratch" baked goods I learned how to make. I've tweaked her recipe over the years, so now I suppose you could call it "Tutu Lorie's" banana bread as well. It's very simple and easy to make.


In a large mixing bowl, cream together until light and fluffy:

• 1 stick butter (Grandma used 1/2 cup shortening)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla (I started adding this some years ago)

Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Then add:

• 2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2-3 mashed bananas
• chopped nuts (if you're into that sort of thing... Grandma was, I'm not)

Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F for about an hour. Or, you can bake in muffin tins for 20 minutes.

Let cool before keeping in a ziplock bag or other airtight container. It's wonderful hot from the oven, or toasted once it cools.


As an aside, if/when I move back to the mainland, I doubt I'll ever eat another banana. Living here in Hawaii has spoiled me with the fresh apple bananas everyone grows in their yards here. So tasty!


-Lorie!

More Dinosaurs...

I came across this pattern while looking for a fun 
homemade baby gift idea.

littleblackteapot.blogspot.com

So sweet! 

I made one of these little guys for a friend's baby shower. 


My son stole it and took this picture with his dinosaur toys.

My little girl stole it from him, and wouldn't give it up.

So I made her a pink one. 

My 5 year old wanted one. 

He wanted it to be really big, and he wanted to stuff it himself.

He did. For about two minutes, before he got bored and graciously allowed me to finish it.

Since then I've made a few more...

I am SET for a few upcoming birthday gifts!

My son informed me that this is a LONG-NECK, not a STEGOSAURUS, so it shouldn't have spikes. 

He's the dino expert. 

Then he told me I should make a stegosaurus.

So I did.

(I just tapered the pattern to a kind of point instead of making the neck swoop up)

I made this stegosaurus for another friend-with-baby, and made the spikes ribbon taggies. 

I just LOVE this pattern! 

Go print it! Her directions are super easy to follow, it takes just a scrap of fabric (stash-buster!) and the kids love this guy! If you've been wanting to try out some three dimensional projects, this is a great one to learn on!

<3 AmberLou

sharing at some of these parties...

Front Door Decor

Recently, in our whereabouts, there have been some disturbing events that have taken place in homes that have opened their front doors to...

 door to door salesmen/soliciters.

I have wanted to make a NO SOLICITING sign for quite some time.

They are ruthless in these parts.

Just the other day, I had a man stop by and knock for like 10 minutes before giving up and leaving.

It kind of made me uncomfortable so...I finally did it!

I made a sign using supplies I had lying around the house.

-an old picture frame {I painted it.}

-craft paper

-cardboard

-mod podge

-ribbon

In minutes I had the frame painted, the cardboard cut at 8x10 size and cover with craft paper and letters.

I mod podged the top of the craft paper...it kind of weatherizes the paper so that when it rains, it doesnt get ruined.

I placed the cardboard into frame and hot glued ribbon onto the back of the frame so I could hang it...

and TA-DA!

An original and personalized 'no soliciting' sign:

I like that it also covers the window in my front door.

No peeking in!

Make your own no soliciting sign and stop potential crimes from being committed.

-Amanda