Taking A Break

Time For A Break ...

I haven't seen my sewing machine or blogged in weeks but that comes with the territory of being a stay-at-home mom. In June the kids activities, homework, etc. got insane so no free time at all and then next thing you know they are on summer vacation! So officially now I'm on a break from sewing for a while. I admit I was some-what 'cranky' after not being able to go down into my 'studio' during the day to create but my family definitely comes first and I stay home so that I have the greatest pleasure of hanging out with my kids all summer long.

My 9 year old daughter has been stuck to me like glue so I've been trying to get her to call friends and/or find something to do... last week she said to me "Mom, I just like being with you" ... who could not love that statement? So I decided to stop being cranky and take total advantage of my little shadow and we've really been enjoying our time together. She has the creative need as much as me, if not more. She has decided she wants to redecorate her room. She's been online, reading magazines & watching HGTV, etc. So for her birthday we will be redecorating (basically painting the walls, new bedding, and most of all CLEANING). She's doing an awesome job cleaning up her room and donating her toys and clothes that she does not need anymore.


Now my 12 year old son, he just likes being home, hanging out and keeps himself busy. And he still likes to hang out with me (even in public). He has been enjoying swimming, golfing, hanging out with friends, going to baseball games, and demolition derbies & drag races with Dad.


Our first trip this summer was to visit family in Pennsylvania for an annual pig roast. It was great to see everyone, aunts, uncles, cousins, brother-in-law & sister-in-law. Baby K was still in the hospital at the time so we didn't get to see her. But she is home now with her mommy & daddy.

Baby K ...
Our next stop was to Lake Erie & Splash Lagoon Waterpark in Erie, PA...

Splash Lagoon ....


Drag Race ...
Summer Fun ...


Whenever we go some place new I like to look for fabric stores and garden centers. While in Erie, PA I had the chance to visit Mill Creek Sewing & Fabric ... what a great store and the nicest people working there. I used my cell phone camera, which is not great, but here is a look at the store...

In this picture there are the cutest aprons. Of course I purchased the pattern and lots of fabric to make them.
Enjoy your summer!

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue

I'm excited to say that one of my patriotic hostess aprons is being featured in this Hooray for the Red, White and Blue Etsy Treasury . This is the first time I've had an item featured so I feel very honored. The treasury is there for only 48 hours so feel free to have a look and be sure to check out the Independence Day items made by other Etsy artisans.

I've been busy making new items (not aprons) for my shop and I will be adding those to Punkie Pie's Boutique asap. I'm also trying to finish up the rest Baby K's items since we will (hopefully) be meeting her over the July 4th holiday. She is suppose to be coming home by the end of this week. I can't wait to see her!

This is going to have to be short post tonight since we have a busy week a head of us getting ready for our first summer family vacation.

Happy July 4th to Everyone !!

Babies, Babies and more Babies ...

I started to write this post yesterday but then had to run down to my daughter's school to work on a sewing project (more about that later). When I came back I found out that my cousin-in-law went into premature labor at 33 weeks. Their baby girl was born weighing 4lbs 5 oz. It sounds like she is doing well and so are the new parents. All our prayers and hopes that all goes well and the baby comes home soon.

I've been sewing up some fun baby items for for Baby K. thinking I had until the end of July. I have one item completed and the rest cut out. So I best get moving a bit quicker so I can finish up and send those out to her. I will post more about that project once I'm finish sewing everything.

Another baby girl is on her way soon.... Our neighbor is expecting and her baby shower was last week. I couldn't make up my mind what to make for her so I showed my daughter some idea's I found online and she just fell in love with the diaper cake idea ... so off we went to sew and create. And this is what we came up with.. A baby diaper cake made with 58 diapers, 1 travel diaper changing pad, 2 burp cloths, 1 bib, and 1 baby wash cloth made with Alexander Henry's Kleo fabric. I just love this fabric.




Baby Diaper Cake Accessories ...

• 1 travel diaper changing pad
• 2 burp cloths
• 1 bib
• 1 baby wash cloth

Travel Diaper Changing Pad ....

The travel diaper changing pad is made with the AH's Kleo fabric. It measures approximately 30 x 28. The back of the pad is made with soft, cuddly, white minky fabric.

To roll up into travel size, you just fold it in 3 long ways ...

Roll the short end until you reach the strap ...

Wrap the strap around it and attach strap to velcro....

The travel diaper changing pad rolls up to be about the size of a coffee mug ...


I will try to put together a tutorial on how to make/build a baby diaper cake soon.

Now it's time for me to go finish up Baby K's baby accessories. I'll post back as soon as things are completed.

Welcome to the world baby C.K. !! Many Hugs & Kisses to her and her parents. :)

Feeling Crafty ...

I have quite a number of friends that sew, garden, stamp, scrapbook, etc. and I've come to realize (light bulb moment ... hee hee) that every one of these hobbiest use some type of tool, whether it be a pair of scissors, pens, pencils, or a garden shovel that they need at right in hand while working. This utility apron has 10 pockets, 4 of which are angled so that you don't get poked by sharp pointy objects, such as, pens/pencils, scissors when you sit or bend down while you are working.

I made this utility apron for a birthday gift for a friend that loves to stamp and scrapbook...

This apron is also great to wear at craft shows, farmer's market, teaching, etc. The remaining pockets are large enough to carry money or small enough to hold your cell phone.

This has inspired me to make several more and I have recently added a few to my Etsy shop.

Spring Time!

Spring Aprons!

My spring aprons are finally here. I just finished up a few full size aprons using spring inspired fabrics from designers such as Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Alexander Henry and Joel Dewberry.

I used a plain simple apron design that I have found to be attractive on any body type. The apron is simple, but by adding a border or ruffle to the bottom added some sass to this plain style chef/hostess apron.

Here is a peek of what I have made. You'll find these for sale as well as a few others over at my shop on Esty.

Blue & brown apron made with Joel Dewberry Espresso Lily & Basket Sky Mix fabric ...

Pink, yellow & green apron made with Alexander Henry's Kleo and Bangle Dot fabrics

Here's an apron made with Heathery Bailey (Fresh Cut) & Amy Butler (Lotus Polka Dots) fabrics ...

Reverse side of this apron using Heathery Bailey Fresh Cut Stripes and Amy's Lotus Polka Dots...
These Simply Sassy aprons each have an adjustable neck strap with 3 button holes and fabric covered buttons for the buttons.



Let me know what you think of my new spring line of aprons! Comments are always welcome. :)

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo!!!


Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla. The state of Puebla recognizes the day but it's not a national holiday throughout Mexico.

The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle Puebla on May 5, 1862. The outnumbered Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had not been defeated in almost 50 years.

While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

This month I had the opportunity join in the celebration of Cinco de Mayo at my monthly cooking club and at my daughter's school for Teacher Appreciation week. I made several new recipes in honor of Cinco de Mayo. For the Teacher Appreciation Cinco de Mayo luncheon I made a large fruit platter with fresh pineapple, strawberries and grapes (some bananas would have been good too) and a Mexican Fruit dip along with a chocolate fruit dip.

Mexican Fruit Dip:

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 jar (7 oz size) marshmallow cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons rum -- optional
• Fruit such as pineapple -- strawberries, banana

Directions: In small bowl of a mixer, beat the cream cheese until it's soft and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until well blended. Add the sour cream, marshmallow cream, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon and rum. Blend just until well combined. Place the mixture in serving bowl, cover and chill several hours before serving with fruit.

Easy Chocolate Fruit Dip: Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
• 1 jar marshmallow cream (7 0unces)

Directions: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and chocolate syrup with a mixer until well blended. Then fold in the marshmallow cream. Place the mixture in a serving bowl, chill several hours before serving with fruit.

Taste Tempter Recipes

My cooking club, Taste Tempters, prepared several yummy Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes in April. The one dish I made was

Head over to Taste Tempters to see all the dishes/recipes we prepared for Cinco de Mayo.

Enjoy & Happy Cinco De Maco!

Laundry Room Makeover Part 2

Laundry Room - After


I haven't posted in a long while. We've just been busy with every day living (Easter, Birthdays, Spring Break, Visitors, and etc.). A few weeks ago we finished up the laundry room. It's not exactly a complete makeover but we did get the room painted and all of the 'stuff' put back in and organized. This was definitely a quick and economical makeover - paint and a few baskets for organizing. So it's not too exciting but it looks better and it's nice to have the place cleaned up.





This is the Before laundry room .. (you can see more before pictures in an earlier post)


I love Paula Prass' studio/laundry makeover. I wish I had this room! I was inspired by her boxes with labels for organizing. To keep in our budget I shopped around until I found these baskets at Big Lots. They fit on the shelves that we already had everything fits perfectly in these cute baskets. I used card stock, scrapping booking stickers and ribbons to label what is in each box.

Not quite Paula Prass but it's neat and clean! :)