A Full Night of Delicous Food!

Last night after a scrumptious dinner of Banh Mi sandwiches at Nate and Louise's house I decided to make a scrumptious chocolate dessert.  I decided to make chocolate lava cakes. They are very simpl to make yet so warming to eat! While I was mixing them up Susie and Emily came over to join in the fun. Of course we all took turns holding Eloise and just sat around and talked. These are some of the most enjoyable kind of nights.

You can get the recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook

Whisking the chocolate

Just started baking them! Mmmm

Auntie Susie comes over too!

They're almost done!

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Fresh out of the oven!

and a little powdered sugar to top it off (if I had some sprigs of mint & raspberries I think I would have added them too)

 Here's Eloise in her new hat!

We just got back from a relaxing and enjoyable vacation at Long Beach. Although it was very rainy and windy we had a blast playing ping pong, pool and Monopoly, going in the jacuzzi and sitting by the fire doing some knitting projects. One night we even took a walk on the boardwalk and through the quaint little town. It was so nice to get out in the fresh air (even though it was soooo cold!) Here are a few pics of our vacation.

we had a ping pong tournament!

the "pool shark"

here's the boardwalk

If you can tell what this is - taking a walk on the boardwalk!

Playin Monopoly

A few hats I knitted while we were there

Baby Hats & Caps (especially for those of you going to the beach!!!)

Because my niece will be going to Maui soon, a demand for little hats that cover her ears has come. After searching the web for patterns I finally found this pattern. Best of all, it's free and turns out great! They are called pilot caps. It takes about an 1/8-1/4yd of fabric and about 20 minutes to put together (how much simpler can it get!) You use an interlock knit fabric (cute prints suggested!) and the great thing is you can dress them up however you want! They're sure to keep the sand or wind out of your babies ears and shelter their head from the sun.

Just let me know if you would like some of these hats for upcoming vacations! (custom name embroidery is also available)

Stocking up for the shop!

Gettin' ready for Maui!

it covers her ears very nicely!

Vintage Inspired Apron...

I love designing aprons. I found some very vintage looking cupcake material at Joanns, and thought it would be the perfect fabric for a new apron. I was very inspired on a lot of the elements of this apron after looking through my book called "Apronology". My friend told us about this book, and so we immediately had to purchase it. You will not believe the ideas it gives you for different aprons you can make.

Anyways, here is my apron... I started with a basic apron pattern I had called "Emmeline Apron". I added roses that are actually made out of about a 1" wide piece of scrap material, and about 10" in length. You twist the fabric then spin it around in circles and hot glue it together. It is a great embellishment for many garments!

Next I added a ruffle to the bottom. Then I thought, hmm...lace would sure bring out the vintage in the material...so I added lace over the ruffle. I also added small lace to the top by the neck.

Then for the waistband I used a unique technique of unevenly pleat and scrunching the material to give it another vintage touch. I then starched all the uneven pleats so they would stay in place...

There you have it, A great vintage looking apron that's great for the winter's baking and cooking time!

Activity in the Kitchen...

So after a long day in the shop we decided it would be fun to make some cookies for the girls in sewing classes. We invited Susie over and she helped me bake the cookies while Vic sat at the counter knitting up a scarf for a friend. I really enjoy baking at our house in the evening; everyone is home and the kitchen is where the hub of activity is (especially when yummy smelling cookies are coming out of the oven) and we all have a good time talking and enjoying one another. Here are a few shots of us baking last night! Enjoy!

mixing up snickerdoodles

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I'm making white chocolate chip cookies!

Havin a good time!

those look delicous

Here's a pic of the finished scarf vic was knitting

Our Shop Variety for all Occasions....

Most of you may think that we have a little shop and sell handmade clothing. This is true, but what you may not know is that we not only have clothing and make custom adult clothing, we have: greeting cards, goats milk soap, jewelry, home decor items, aprons, baby items (blankets, burp cloths, bibs, stuffed animals, etc...) seasonal decorations, doll clothes, knit hats, and baby and toddler hair clips.

All of these items are excellent quality and are handmade. Because of this, you can order custom items from each seller. What a great idea for a special occasion gift! So if you ever are wondering what to get that special someone, come on over to Bella Jean and I am sure you will find something unique for any age.