You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June, 2008.
This has been one of the coldest June’s I can remember. I don’t know how the weather statistics stack up, but by now we’ve usually had at least some warm stretches. Now that it’s here, my boys are really ready to be outside enjoying the sunshine.
On Saturday, we made ice cream. I bought this ice cream maker for my DH for his birthday when we were courting. I haven’t used it as much as I would like. I’m hoping to make lots of ice cream this summer. I know….some goal…eating more ice cream. But we eat it anyway, so it might as well be homemade. Especially with the ice cream containers getting smaller and smaller!
We just picked strawberries this last week (actually, my mom and sister picked them for me…bless them….I wasn’t looking forward to picking them with a one-year-old on my back!), so naturally, our first ice cream of the year was strawberry. We used this recipe. It’s a bad recipe, because it uses raw eggs. But, boy, was it good! I didn’t have time to cook up a custard and cool it. Well, I guess I had time, but I didn’t want to wait that long. This was by far the best strawberry ice cream I’ve ever had. I used organic eggs, so I felt a little better about that. Besides, I should have been killed long ago by all the raw cookie dough I’ve consumed.
Because of the cool weather, the strawberries (and everything else) have ripened late. Usually the season is wrapping up now, but this year it’s just starting. I found these in my garden this morning:
We enjoyed the three ripe ones I found. I don’t think any other strawberries compare to homegrown ones.
I love my blueberry plants. I dream of having enough to supply all our blueberries, but we just don’t have the space. The plants are so pretty year round. I’ve had them about 7 years now. I don’t know what is typical, but I’m pretty happy with how many blueberries they produce.
I have roses planted alongside the walkway to my house. They are in an ideal spot….good drainage, lots of sun and warmth from the siding. But it’s not a very wide sidewalk and they were taking over. My DH and I finally put up some trellises and tied them back…so much better! You don’t have to duck thorny branches to get into our house now!
Grosgrain is doing several giveaways of her amazing clothing. I’m almost hesitant to post this, for fear of more people entering….but I’m gready enough to want the extra entry! The things she makes are so cute! She’s giving away a strawberry capelet and an adorable dress.
As a maker of bags myself, I always love looking at other’s work. Pink Lemonade Bags is giving away a beautiful bag to one lucky lady! The giveaway is being hosted by Notes From My Nest. To enter, visit http://notesfrommynest.blogspot.com/2008/06/week-of-june-23rd-july-2nd.html, for details. Deadline to enter is noon (EST), 7.2.08. Open to US residents only.
In case you’re wondering, “why the sudden focus on giveaways?”, I’m a memeber of the street team on Notes From My Nest. I promise I’ll be back with more sewing projects, as soon as I actually finish something! Right now, I have many half completed things.
I finished up a couple more purses for my Etsy shop. This first one, I really, really like. I messed up a bit on the quilting, though, so I’ll be selling it as a second. I’ve been having problems with listing things on Etsy, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get these listed…very frustrating! Anyway, I love these fabrics together.
This other one is a modified version of the giveaway purse. Everything is the same, except it has narrower handles. I love these Ginger Blossom fabrics. I love the shape of this purse. The designer of Ginger Blossom has come out with another gorgeous line of fabrics…..I’ve been so tempted to buy some, but I really need to sew up some of what I have first. That and finish the million already started projects. I’m sure none of you have any of those!
Modern June is giving away this apron. Just check out her shop, then go here and post a comment!
Through a highly scientific selection process, involving a five year old boy and a cereal bowl, we have selected a winner for the purse giveaway. And the winner is…
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ACupofJoy!!!! Congratulations! She said her favorite fabrics are….”homespun fabrics…and the chenille that is so popular now…and Amy Butler fabrics…and…well, you get the idea….I love fabric!”
Thanks everyone for all your comments!
Well, I was planning on waiting until I reached 50 posts to do a giveaway, but then I thought, 10,000 views is a good enough reason to celebrate! I didn’t realize when I started that I would enjoy blogging this much. But I’ve so enjoyed “meeting” all of you, being inspired by your beautiful projects and reading your comments. So, without further adu, I’m giving away this purse, made of Ginger Blossom and Amy Butler fabric. It’s my first one of this type, so the handle is a bit wide, but it’s cute purse with just the right amount of room. I sure love this fabric! To win, just leave a comment about what your favorite fabric is right now and if you can, why. I know, I know, how can you pick just one! Oh…and I can only do USA, please, sorry! I’ll pick a name on Monday…oh, and if you link to this giveaway on your blog, I’ll put your name in twice!
I just discovered Erin McMorris’s new Park Slope collection…..I especially like these ones here, here and here! I really wish they would stop coming out with new fabrics long enough for me to sew up the ones I already have. It wasn’t too long ago before I was blissfully ignorant about fabric designers and would only buy what I could find on sale at Joanns. Not that I long for those days again, but it was easier on the wallet!
I finally made my first non-skirt clothing item for me! I used McCall’s 5470, view A. I made several mistakes and I’m really not so sure about the puffed sleeves (I feel like Anne of Green Gables). I’m kind of proud of myself, though. A year ago I would have been too scared to even attempt the collar, button holes, etc. I followed the pattern exactly. It ended up very long…it will probably end up as a maternity top. The sleeves are also quite tight (maybe my arms are chubbier than I thought!). I also don’t care for the collar, though I’m not enough of a collar expert to know what I dislike. I also think I would distribute the gathers around a little more of the sleeves, to prevent it from being so puffy right at the top. All in all, I don’t think I will make it again. I’m excited to practice my new-found skills on another project. I’ve been thinking about using some of my Heather Ross fabrics to make camp shirts for my boys. Maybe now I’ll be brave enough to attempt it. Now if I can just be brave enough to cut into my precious fabric!
there’s a giveaway here, also!
Cascade Lemonade is giving away a free travel accessory (up to $10 in value) to one lucky winner! Her original designs in vintage patterns and prints are beautiful! To enter, visit http://notesfrommynest.blogspot.com/2008/06/week-of-june-5th-11th.html for details. Deadline to enter is noon, (EST), 6.11.08! She has some cute lunchbags for sale, as well as many other sweet things.
I’ve been a bad blogger lately. To make up for that, and in honor of reaching 10,000 hits (should be there later today!), I thought it was about time I did a giveaway! I haven’t decided for sure what it will be, so check back tomorrow (or Wednesday if I’m not on the ball like I want to be) for more info!
I don’t remember where I first came across the beautiful jewelry made by Lisa Lenard of Lisa Lenard Designs, but I do know it captivated me immediately. It’s so simple and so gorgeous! I think this necklace is going to the top of my Christmas list (alas…my birthday is already passed!)
And wouldn’t one of these make a great father’s day gift!
She also sells sweet baby spoons, rings and more.
I could spend a lotta, lotta money here!
How fun!…..I’ve never been “tagged” before….I must be an official blogger now. Thanks, Annmarie!
What was I doing ten years ago? I was graduating from highschool! It is really, really hard for me to believe it’s been ten years! And it’s very appalling to me how more and more people are younger than me! I mean, really!
Five things on my to-do list for today?
1. Bake bread….this has been on my list for a while now…but it’s actually rising as I type.
2. Pay bills….such fun!
3. Visit with a friend who lives 6 hours away and is visting her family over here…yeah!
4. Go to the library
5. Write some long over-due letters….and maybe get some sewing in.
Snacks I like
Chocolate, apples, cheese
Things I would do if I was a billionaire?
Buy property, build a house and start a mini-farm (not mini-animals!….just not very many of them!)
Adopt a bunch of children (have to convince DH, first!)
Support our missionary friends
Places I have lived?
1. Washington
2. Wisonsin
3.Oregon
Six people I want to know more about
1. Rebecka
2. Samantha
3. Irene
4. Katie
5. Jill
