The Bear's First Birthday

Opening prezzies!

Eating his first ever bite of chocolate or cake!

These were disgusting!  Homemade teething biscuits not even the Bear would eat, but at least they looked cute!

I spent 4 hours icing the ducky cake, while Mama Bear spent the same amount of time icing 90+ cupcakes.

By the next afternoon, however, heat and gravity took over.

He ate pretty much the whole head of the duck.

I restyled this shirt as a b-day gift for the Bear because he loves ducks.  It used to be a plain striped Henley, but I added the duck buttons and duck applique.

Keep it Kute!

Ministry opportunity for even the most amateur seamstress

My denomination is participating in a mission project.  The goal is to make simple sundresses (most have been from pillowcases) to send to impoverished girls in Africa.  If you would like to participate, here is the address of my church:

First Covenant Church
3616 N. Bigelow St.
Peoria, IL 61604-1600

You can send your completed dresses by September 12, 2011 at the latest if you want them to reach this ministry.  However, if you start working on them but miss the deadline, I'm certain other local ministries would be interested.

Directions for Pillowcase Dress 

1. Choose your pillowcase.  A standard size will make a dress for a young child, queen will make a dress for a medium sized child or teen, and king will make a teen to adult sized dress.
2. Cut off the closed end, as close to the seam as possible.  This will be the top of your dress.
3. Cut armholes with the following templates: 

4. Fold over top edges and iron to create a smooth edge.  Then repeat, so that you will have a tunnel for the elastic.  Cut elastic into two equal lengths: 6" (7", 8") and sew one end inside the edge of the casing.  Then sew the casing, pulling the elastic through as you sew, creating a tunnel around the elastic.  Finally, sew the elastic to the other edge of the casing.

5. Cut two 50" lengths of double fold bias tape. Open tape and turn under 1/4" on each end, then refold tape and iron to finish edges.

6.  Open tape again and baste one edge along the inside of each armhole. Refold, encasing armhole, and stitch along the whole of the bias tape.  The tape should be centered so that several inches extend on either side of the pillowcase; these will be the shoulder ties.

7.  Trim dress as desired.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions.  I have modified this pattern from two other patterns I was given.  Both patterns were unclear to me and I needed the help of a more experienced seamstress on the first dress, but I think that was mostly because of the ambiguity of the patterns.  I hope my pattern is easy to understand.

Here is a picture of me modeling the adult dress I made, and a picture of all 4 dresses I made (1 large, 1 medium, 2 small):

Keep it Kute!

B-Day Gifts and Mother's Day Gifts

The art from Casey's  b-day card

I made sidewalk chalk with eggshells and food coloring and paste.  The  cupcake crayons were melted broken crayons.  You can get both of these recipes from this book.

The Mollster and the doll hat I accidentally made for her.

Sarah looking at the amazing card I designed for her.

Sarah's Card

My portrait of Sarah

My first attempt at making corsages with Azaleas and Lilacs from my own garden.  My Mama Bear and I wore them to church on Mother's Day.

The hat and scarf I crocheted for Mama Bear.

Close-up of the flower on the hat.  I made it up as I went along, and I doubt I could duplicate it.

The other hat I crocheted for Mama Bear.  I always giver her a bear of some sort for Mother's Day.  Also, we are doing a panda theme for Bible School this summer.  I am going to make one for the Bear and one for myself.

The portrait of her kids and grandkid that I made for my MIL.

Keep it Kute!

Take 2

Here are the rest of the layette pics now that shower #2 is over!

Keep it Kute!

As promised...Piccies installment numero uno!

My BFF's first shower was on Sunday, so here are the pics of the layette I made for her LO.

Keep it Kute!

Attention: Mommies of Boys

I know it's early (8 months) but we are starting to think about potty training the Bear (he already used his froggy potty once!).  I've several times been tempted to buy these.  Then I realized I already own some, thanks to Mary Kay!  Next time you receive a package in the mail, check to see if the packing peanuts are biodegradable (it should say on the package that they are, because going green is something companies love to brag about).  Or you can ask your friendly neighborhood Beauty Consultant to hook you up.  I've got a bunch saved up for the Bear, but I might be able to spare a few for those who live near me (you know who you are--hit me up on FB). 

On a semi-related note: Do any of you keep potties in multiple bathrooms?  Have any of you tried the Peter Potty?  The froggy is working well for now, but we are trying to decide what to do when we get serious about it (most likely when he can walk and talk, lol).

Keep it Kute!

New Pasta Sauce!!!

I invented a new pasta sauce last night that I thought I'd share with you.  I need a name for it; if anyone has a suggestion.
I made this for 2 and had a little leftover for lunch.  You may need to modify it for a larger family.

1. Start the sauce with a roux.  I use stick margarine and white flour.
2. Add about half a package of Kraft Triple Cheddar with Philly.
3. Once the cheese is melted, add heavy whipping cream until the mixture is smooth and there is enough for your meal.  I used ~1/2 pint.
4. Add 3-4 cloves of freshly pressed garlic, a dash of cayenne, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes, and a dash of parsley.
5. Simmer until you are ready to serve your pasta; keep it covered; stir occassionally.

It's very sticky and spicy, but, oh, so good!  Even reheated in the microwave the next day.  I served it over angel hair pasta with a side of garlic/bacon green beans and Beddar Cheddars.

Keep it Kute!

WinterJam 2011!

Hubby and I were priveleged to attend the very last night of the WinterJam2011 tour.  Since Hubby works with the J-hi kids at Intersection, we even got into an exclusive youth pastor meeting with some of the stars.  We got to hear a personal message from Tony Nolan, Jon Micah Sumrall, Jason Castro, Duncan Phillips, and Michael Tait.  And we got a free bag of stuff!  WinterJam partners with Holt International, so we decided to sponser a child on our way out of the meeting.  Well, I made Hubby late to the concert because we looked at EVERY SINGLE FOLDER trying to find the Bear's b-day.  We didn't; but we did find a little boy only 9 days older than the Bear.  He lives in India.  Maybe someday they can be pen-pals.

 Jason Castro

Duncan Phillips and Michael Tait

The concert was SPECTACULAR!  We got to see the tail end of NewSong, the founders of the concert.



Some youth pastors shot t-shirts into the crowd.  No way they could have reached us in the nosebleed section, though.

Next up was Francesca Battistelli.  Omigoodness!  I love her so much!!! I became a huge fan of her music through WCIC.  I totes had to buy both of her cds because her lyrics speak to me so much.  I also got a cute T-shirt with some of the lyrics to one of my fave songs, This is the Stuff.  Her hubby plays drums, just like mine, and he looked like Luigi with a bowtie.  Poor girl was getting over strep and said she might sound like a goat; but she really had her own beautiful voice.  Her dress was really unusual and cute, too.  I just can't even tell you how much I love her!!!

.

Then there was Kutless.  The first time I had ever seen them was with Hubby at AgapeFest in like '06. The name and the clothes make them seem like hard rock, but I'm always surprised by how traditional and worshipful their music is.  I really like them.

During intermission, I got some piccies of the Intersection peeps.



Me and the Wizzle.




Me and the Hubby.

 There was this group called Sidewalk Prophets that I was not familiar with...until they started singing.  I recognized most of their songs from WCIC.  Love them!  They have great musicality paired with a great message.

Tony Nolan gave his testimony and also shared some of the amazing things God is doing through WinterJam and Holt International.  Can't wait to read his book, Hurt Healer.  We got a free copy when we sponsored our baby at the youth pastor reception. 

The final act of the evening was the Newsboys.  Except, since the lead singer is no longer Ausie, Hubby says they aren't really the Newsboys.  We are both Newsboys and dcTalk fans from way back.  We decided now that Michael Tait is the front man, we shall call them newsTalk.   They promised not to leave the Civic Center until all the [2 for 1!] copies of their new album were sold AND AUTOGRAPHED!!!   They had these awesome platforms that let Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis float over the crowd, and Duncan Phillips spin like a Ferris Wheel.  When I asked him how he stayed on his drum throne, he replied, "Buns of Steel".  Then he told me he really liked my "Play Like a Girl" t-shirt.  He was even more impressed when I told him it was BarlowGirls.  Then he let Hubby take my pic with the band, even though the security guards got totally mad at me and were yelling "Move along!"  I <3 the Newsboys!!!

I think Duncan Phillips is my first friend who was born in Australia.

Since it was the last night of the tour, we got to see something no other city saw.  The entire cast and crew came out and led us in singing "Soon and Very Soon, We are Going to See the King". Followed by the Chicken Dance.  Yes, the Chicken Dance.

We didn't get home until about midnight.  The Bear was already in bed; but it sounded like he had a good time with Auntie Sarah and Uncle Lucas.

Keep it Kute!