red, white, and blue...

just in time for the fourth.

Inspired by different handmade wreaths, I decided to make my own.
I used a grapevine wreath (already on hand) and strips of leftover fabric.
I cut strips of fabric and tied bows all over the wreath and
I "separated" the blue area from the red area with some found fake carnation flowers.

I really like the way it turned out.
:)

On to the kitchen.
I have been wanting to try making my own homemade strawberry freezer jam.
Ava got busy mashing all the berries.... and adding (and tasting) the sugar.
(yes, ava has crazy hair, some days we just don't fight over it...)

Very quickly we made our own jars of beautiful strawberry jam!
mmmmm...

Gotta show of the fruits of my man's labor...
loads of tomatoes and crazy cucumbers.

I also stitched up some red and white striped cloth napkins.
I just love using cloth napkins.

RED, WHITE, & BLUE.

-Shannon

What we've been up to...

growing.
My children are growing and so is our garden.
Ava and her grandpa planted this sunflower that has grown to about 10 foot tall.
It is wonderful!

I have been wanting to make growth charts for my kids for a long time.
I finally got around to doing so.
My brother and wonderful sister in law sent the kids name plaques for Christmas.
I decided that they would work great as toppers for our growth charts.

I used wood boards (mdf boards already primed) and secured the toppers.
I printed baby pics and birth day stats.
I used my laminator (with the adhesive back) to attach the photos and info.

I attached the boards to the wall with screws.
I bought two cheap metal tape measures and after the boards were attached
to the wall I marked the proper length (at the bottom of the board) and
cut through the metal tape measure.
I used my dremel to drill holes in the tape measure and
was able to use thumbtacks to secure to side of boards.
And yes....my boy is taller than Ava at 2 1/2 than she was at 3....he is a boy :)


Ava posing....she is in her bathing suit most of the summer.

Speaking of summer (which I can't believe is already here and underway...
We decided to make a summer to do/idea list.
I found inspiration for this on another blog.
Fun times!
Hope we are all enjoying the sun!

recent photos

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

TGIF!

Handmade teacher appreciation gifts

Wow....this school year has gone by so quickly!

I can hardly believe that my little girl is done with kindergarten.

She had a great year and we were blessed with amazing teachers.

I decided to make our teacher's gifts this year.

They definately deserve the time spent and I love creating.

I was inspired by this tutorial and found some great fabric to work with.

The inside is lined with a matching ruffle at the top and drawstrings.

I filled the bags with some yummy chocolate.

Used these labels from a free template found online.

I also included a little button bookmark too.
I wrote a special note to each teacher on the back.

Here is my happy girl! ((not sure about that crazy expression of hers.. :)

Ready for first grade! (next year)

A little of this and that...

Our first sunflower from our garden!

This post contains a few accessories I've been making.

I thought these fabric bangles were easy and fun to make.

Ava and I have matching bracelets... :)

I used a tutorial from V & Co. found here.

daughter's

mom's

Easy felt flower barrettes.

Loving that smile.....
You can clip your bow to headbands too!

Simple "poppy like" flower using satin ribbon.

Simply singe the edges with a flame.

With all the different hair bows. barettes,
I thought we could display them to keep them in one place...or try to...

you know how a six year old can be. But we are trying.

I got a dollar store frame, Ava had fun painting it and adding sparkly stickers.

We added ribbon and this is what we got.

It works.

I made a ribbon flower pendant from a tutorial found on this site.

Again, Vanessa has wonderful ideas!

This bag is so easy to grab and go...great for grocery shopping and such.

A little flair makes a nice touch.

The bag is actually made by Fleurville using their Re-Run fabric made from plastic bottles.
I love "green" things!

This flower pendant will look cute on several things.

Welcome summertime!

Sew much fun....

Yes, I am still on my sewing kick. I am enjoying creating new things from what I already own.

I recently found out how to use elastic thread.

I came across this tutorial for a redo using a men's dress shirt.

Disney (what a fun name) is the blog author and I love reading her blog.

Check it out here.

I made a couple of changes.

She added snaps to secure some of the gaps between the botton holes and

I decided to just sew the shirt closed. Viola, no gaps.

below picture not that clear...taken by Ava.
I think this is a great summer shirt to wear when eating great food and
drinking cold beer. Plenty of room and no worries about the belly...... :)

So time to make something for my pretty girl...

There are plenty of tutorials on how to make a

simple shirred or smocked (not sure what the right word is...) dress.

So this is what I made.

I really like this dress on Ava (and so does she).

How fun...cute dress from fabric I have had for several years!

Still having experimenting with elastic thread, I found this easy tutorial

for a fun summer scarf.

Dana (author of the MADE blog) has so many great ideas!

This one was made of a light brown checked seersucker.

Maybe I have inspired someone...
Happy Saturday to all!!!