Mobile, Alabama

Whew! We had a busy weekend but it was a lot of fun. Matt took Friday off and we went to Mobile, Alabama (said it your best southern accent) for the night. We went their children's science museum, the Exploreum, first thing in the morning. They had a couple of neat exhibits and thankfully it wasn't crowded. Next, we went to Bellingrath Gardens. Holy smokes, the best garden/arboretum I've been too! It didn't hurt that it was one of the best days to go. The weather was perfect and with spring here the flowers were in full bloom. We just did a lot of walking and enjoyed the beautiful day. Here's some of our pictures. I spared you from all of my flower pictures (I took a lot) but I did share a few of my favorites.

On Saturday morning, we headed out to the battleship USS Alabama. It was interesting to see the ship. It made me really appreciate not ever having to work on one! They also had a submarine you could tour on. You couldn't pay me any amount of money to work on one of those either! Anybody bigger than Sydney-size is too big for a submarine. Here is Matt and Syd in front of the guns.

Here's where our personalities and interests differ. Matt at the guns:

Me in the kitchen:

Look at these professional, industrial mixer! Think of all the cupcakes you could beat at once! : ) They did have to feed 2500 men on board.

Then we went straight from the battleship back to our college friend's house to watch A&M lose to UConn. And when I say lose, I mean lose bad. Next, I dropped Matt and Syd at home and went to a Mom's night out with some friends from church. It's always nice to get out and about with friends.

Sunday was church, lunch with friends, family nap time (much needed!), grocery shopping, yard work, and excerising . Exhausting! We really had a great weekend though!

Quick Pics

Honest Sewing

Before we get the to sewing portion of today's post, I thought I could put in a couple pictures of Sydney. You know, to prove it's a "Matt & Sydney" blog too. : )

Sydney is adamant about pigtails these days. No ponytail, no hair down, only pigtails. I have no idea why but thankfully it's quick and easy.

Now, onto sewing. I just wanted to keep it real and show that not every design comes together on the first attempt. I wanted to design a pattern for a small ruffled pouch and the it came to a bit more work then I was expecting. Here's the process and bags that didn't make the cut.

So once I finally figured out the right pattern, I couldn't stop making them.

A side note: So I went to Goodwill to repurpose some shirts and skirts for their fabric for these bags. I just bought a few shirts and a skirt and it came to $35! When did Goodwill get so expensive!? I'm better going to the fabric store and buying new fabric, it would be a lot cheaper. I just couldn't believe it and wanted to share my dismay.

For the finished bags the one on the left is "regular" fabric and the 3 on the right are from the expensive repurposed fabric.

Each one is lined too. Now I just need to decide which one to keep! : )

Another Zoo Post

Happy Friday to everyone. Just stopping by to share some pictures of our time at the zoo yesterday.

Sydney actually took this first picture. She was so adamant that I get behind this thing while she took a picture. Geez, the things we do for motherhood! I think I'm going to get her a toddler camera for her birthday as she is always wants to use mine. I'm sure that will make for some good posts - everything at toddler level!

Have you ever seen a white peacock? Me neither (well, until yesterday)! I didn't even know they existed. It was stunningly more beautiful in person.

Oops, might have squeezed her too tight for this picture! : )

A little bit better. What can you do when it's a "stick your arm out and snap the shot" picture?

The otter was quite playful yesterday.

These next shots are amusing to me. He really looks like he's trying to decide what Pepsi product to buy. Talk about an endorsement.

Now, I think he picked and is waiting for the drink to dispense.

Maybe it's just funny to me. Maybe I've been cooped up in the house too long. Thankfully, warmer days are ahead. Have a great weekend.

Quilts

So I've never been much of a quilter. Really there is no need for me to be! My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are avid quilters. We are thankful to have our linen closet filled with warm, snugly, handmade quilts. At the beginning of the year, I got a couple quilt ideas in my head that I wanted to make. Looking at Crazy Mom Quilts with Crystal really got my head-a-spinnin' and away I went! I have made 2 quilts and they are away at my quilter. : ) Here's just a sneak peak of one I put together before mailing it off to be quilted.

Now, for those of you who do quilt...don't get too excited. I don't think it's going to be a regular habit. I'm more enticed by making real food into something inedible!

Thursday

Today's shirt was brought to you by Amy Butler's Anna Tunic Pattern. The fabric is Amy's too - thanks to Jen who gave me the fabric! I like it a lot and can't wait to wear it when it's just a bit warmer (and the grass is a bit greener). Again, Amy's patterns are very easy to follow. The serger makes it even easier, faster, and more professional looking. Do you like my model pose?! haha.

The weather is beautiful today. Syd and I went to the beach this morning to enjoy the warmth. It was still a bit windy but it didn't bother us.

Chasing the seagull.

Our beach here is covered with sand dollars. Unfortunately, they are all broken. Even still they are huge pieces. This broken sand dollar is probably 6" in diameter.

Here is Sydney's little hands holding a sand dollar she found.

Playing.

Butterfly Messenger Bag

Ooh, I can hardly contain my excitement about this bag! Sydney needed a new bag for carrying all her stuff to church. Thankfully I made a good pattern that carries everything she needs. The messenger bag is made of canvas and the butterflies are made of (what else?) felt. It's also lined with a cotton pin-stripe fabric. I hope the butterflies hold up through the wear and tear. I saw this butterfly-type pattern in a paper design from a French craft magazine I receive. And I used all that calculus I learned in college to come up with my equation:

butterfly design + messenger bag =

Okay, so my equation isn't really calculus but just basic addition but I like to think that all those engineering classes are not receding to the deep, dark places of my brain covered in cobwebs! Well, here's hoping! : )

Anyway, back to the bag. My favorite is how the butterflies just look like have landed and are still fluttering since the wings aren't sewn down.

Okay, off to make lunch for me and Syd. I'll have more craftiness tomorrow.

"Olive You"

I did a custom order for a customer that included making green olives. She is giving them to a loved one with the message of "Olive You" (said just like "I love you."). Get it? Anyway, I thought it was cute.

Monday Madness

This morning, I asked Sydney what she wanted to do today. Her answer was "decorate cookies." Wished granted. I can definitely do that one! I bought this heart shaped mold that allows for lollipop sticks and thought it would be a good day to try it. It worked out pretty well. The cookie stays on the stick. That's all I wanted! Here's the set up:

And Sydney eating a decorated cookie-on-a-stick.

I'm so glad she's easily entertained.

In crafting news, I've been quite busy. I can't wait to show you all the new creations! I just have to take pictures of them...easier said then done!

Valentine's Day Recap

So we went to Austin for the weekend for Kyle and Kristi's wedding. Matt was the best man. Side note: for those at our wedding, Kyle was Matt's best man. I'd like to show you a picture of the lovely bride and groom but my camera didn't cooperate! Dang nab it! Here is a picture of the 3 of us. Isn't the gazebo and roses wonderful? It was an outdoor wedding and this was center stage. It was very beautiful.

Earlier that week we were in Dallas. Here's a couple more pictures.

Syd spent one afternoon in a crepe myrtle tree. Matt would be proud!

Apologies for the 2 Week Hiatus

Wow! Two weeks, huh?! Where does the time go? I swear. Anyway, Syd and I were traveling for a week during that time. We went to Dallas and Austin for some quick visits and a wedding. I'll have more pictures later. For now, I will leave you with a picture of Sydney and Karalyn. Literally, two peas in a pod. I can't even tell how much fun they had together!

Hi.

I really don't have much to say today. I guess I'd thought I just drop by to say "Hi" and share a few new pics. Not a lot going on over here. I have so many craft projects going on, my head is a spinning! I've been trying to get everything done, I haven't even been napping! Now that's serious stuff! haha. : )

Here's one project I crossed off my list. Yes, I do have a list. Lauren - you understand right?! : ) My list has about 20 projects on it (I've done 3) and it's always growing. It just feels so good to cross an accomplishment off and it's motivation to keep going. It's funny how my head works. I also have a daily list that I write down the night before of what I want to accomplish the next day. Now look at me - I just wrote "I really don't have much to say today" and now I'm rambling on about my quirks! haha. Okay, back to my project. I made Sydney a painting & cooking apron so hopefully I will have less stains to remove in the wash. Look at the silly smile.

I received a ruffler foot for my sewing machine for Christmas and I just had to use it! For the non-sewers, it automatically makes the pleats while you sew. This apron is from a pattern, but I'm too lazy to get up and find out what company and number it is! I'm sure all of you are dying to know anyway! (insert eyeroll) haha.

And now for the moment, we've all been waiting for:

My new batch of cupcakes! Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes - they are perfectly pink just in time for Valentine's Day! I do tend to bake a lot of cupcakes. I guess there could be worse things...

Random Thoughts Countdown

There's been a lot of things I've meant to blog about lately. I figured it would be easy to make one big random blog post to showcase them all!

8. When I went back to my Dad's for Christmas, I picked up all my dollhouses for Sydney. One is a smaller plastic Sylvanian Family house and the other is an unfinished wood house. I am so excited to finish it for Sydney. She plays with the plastic one everyday! That makes me happy. I use to play with the Sylvanian Families (now Calico Critters) all the time. I bought Syd this cat family (and babies) which she loves. I have been watching Ebay and Craigslist for more. Of course I have some families from when I use to play with them but I just can't let her play with them yet - they still have emotional value to me! haha. Crazy, I know. I really want to get her the squirrel family. I'll have to post more on the dollhouses with pictures!

7. We went to The Fresh Market today. It's alot like Central Market (for those of you in Texas) but smaller. They have a lot of gourmet foods. That means you buy 5 items for $50! haha. They were super friendly. An employee came up to Sydney and asked if she wanted a cookie - of course she said yes! She took Syd by the hand and went up to the bakery counter and gave her a cookie! That made our day. Then, I saw these gigantic cupcakes for $1.50 each! What a deal. We brought home 3 - no surprise there. The cake was good but the frosting was your typical grocery store frosting. Needless to say, I ate almost all of my cupcake and feel a little ill with all that sugar! I'll nap it off in just a minute. : )

6. This is one of my favorite new projects. I bought a vintage felt magazine awhile back and they had these felt bird cards in it. I re-thought the idea and made Syd some wall art. It's a great way to use up fabric scraps.

5. I've gotten back to my felt foods. I had (and still kinda have) a huge burn-out of making felt food since I had made so much for Nov & Dec. I did some new designs and have more I need to take pictures of so I can list them. I made brownies, petit fours, a small cake - that's just a few.

4. I can't for the Superbowl tomorrow! But the Steelers and the Cardinals?! Sheesh. I'm going to be routing for the Cardinals but have a feeling the Steelers are going to win.

3. Have you seen Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel? They also have the complete series on DVD. It's absolutely amazing and so fascinating! I'm glued to it whenever it's on. They have the most incredible videos of the most incredible creatures. I don't know how you can't believe in the Creator watching it. Just how everything is so complex and intricately woven together. Amazing, completely amazing! I think I might have to invest in the DVD series, I like it that much! : )

2. More Wall Art: Here's a frame that I made for above our fireplace. I saw it on Martha Stewart Crafts. Here's the link to the directions. Once you enlarge it to the size you would like, it's super easy and cheap. This frame is an 12"x16" frame with an approx 8"x10" opening. I like it because you can make it any color or size you would like.

1. I read the Twilight Series. I thoroughly enjoyed them and devoured each book in about a day. I remember hearing about all the crazed people screaming and passing out for the movie premiere. It always made me wonder what was so great about the books. Now I know, and as much as I liked them I would still never wait screaming for any premiere. I did make Matt take me to the movie though. It was okay - the book much better. So then it got me thinking, are there any movies that are better than the book? If you can think of any please comment, I've been scouring my brain and I just can't think of any.

Okay, I think that does it. I typed all this up real fast so hopefully there isn't too many typos. I really want to go take a nap - that was my motivation. The faster I get done, the more sleep I can get! : ) Have a good weekend and let me know about movies that are better than books. And - thanks for reading all about my ramblings. I appreciate it.

Guilty

On everyone else's blog I see snow days, freezing snow, and ice. Then, I feel guilty about living in Florida! We've had 2 really great days of weather - mild temperatures and sun. We've definitely become Floridans and are happy if we live the rest of our lives in Florida. The weather is definitely one reason to stay. Although, we will see what the government has to say about that! : )

Here we are at the "park" (our backyard). Yes, in our pjs. We've got some sort of yucky germ again. Thankfully, I believe the Zicam is working.

Pie Birds

My sister-in-law, Jen, just sent me this pie bird. I had never heard or seen one before. You put it in your pies and it lets the steam out (through it's beak) so your filling doesn't overflow. What a clever idea! I think they are quite cute. I love my little blue bird. You can purchase some here. And look at this most adorable cardinal! Hmmm...I see a collection starting. : )

Matt is definitely the pie eater in the family as you know I'm much more a cake (...cookie, brownie, and chocolate) eater. Matt's had a very long week at work so I decided to be a good wife and surprise him with a pie when he gets home from work. Good thing he can't read the blog at work so this post won't ruin the surprise.

Here's some pictures of the process. You just stick him right in the middle of your purchased pie crust! : )

Fill 'er up!

Then put the top pie crust on with the little beak sticking out!

Just don't call PETA on me. I did feel pretty bad putting the little bird into the hot oven!

Viola! So it may not be the prettiest pie ever but the bird definitely makes up for it!

I just love it! Thanks Jen.