Fishin'

One of my all-time favorite places to go and take pictures is Silver Lake up by Brighton. While there I found this fisherman just enjoying the peaceful day and absolutely had to take a pic.

Dandelion Fluff

This probably seems like a weird thing to take a picture of, but the sight of this dandelion caught my eye and I couldn't refuse the chance to pick up my camera. It is even the current picture on my computer's wallpaper, where the light bring out details I hadn't even seen on the camera itself. I honestly believe this goes to show there is beauty in everything - even "weeds" :)

Surprise Pictures

I've been SUCH a slacker at this blog lately...forgive me??? I hope you will 'cause I have two surprise pictures to show you. I refer to them as a surprise because I had no idea my daughter had taken them.

Every once in a while M enjoys picking up the camera and taking various pictures of things like...her nose. As I downloaded new pics to the computer this time around two caught my attention, mostly because I had no memory of taking them. Each made me take a second look, however, something I deem to be a sign of a good picture.

This first one is of the new wind chime hanging out on the front porch. I think the sky and clouds as a background bring a depth to the picture one might not otherwise get.

This second one currently sits as the background picture on our computer. I think it's just plain beautiful!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures :) Hopefully it won't take so long to post something new!

Crocheted Baby Blanket, Brown and Yellow

Was your initial thought on seeing the words "brown and yellow" along the lines of a very uncertain, "Okaaaaay." Sometimes I look at two bunches of yarn and while holding them side by side think, "That'll be so pretty!" only to later think, "Um, no."

So when I started this project I thought to myself, "I sure hope this turns out pretty." Know what? I think it did. I finished it just last night for my brand new niece who is supposedly on her way to being born right now!♥♥♥ I think she may have been waiting for me to finish her "Kiki" as her siblings have nicknamed these blankets.


I really had no idea what sort of border I would put on this one, and undid the stitches many a time before I found something I really found very pleasing to my eye. They sort of remind me of flowers or half-suns.

In any case, I'm SO hoping little Maddie will be so excited to tangle her fingers and toes in this blankie ♥

Michaels Photo Entry - Book Belts

Michaels Photo Entry - Book Belts

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Pumpkin Bars

I am not a fan of pastry crusts, much to the dismay of many around me. It doesn't seem to matter just how delicious it is, I would much rather scoop out the inside of the pie rather than eat the crust with it. I know, it's silly. But never once have I claimed to be normal.

A few years ago my mother found this delicious recipe (I don't know where from) that I now make every Autumn Season to celebrate the harvest, Thanksgiving, and even into Christmas. It's pretty much the only way I get my pumpkin pie without the pastry crust.

This recipe has a crust, a filling and a topping. All are easy to do, and fairly fool proof.

First of all, preheat your oven to 350 F.

Crust:
1 Spice Cake Mix (reserve one cup)
1 Egg
1/3 cup melted butter

Mix crust with a fork, pat lightly into a slightly greased 9x13 cake pan.

Filling:
1 30 oz can of seasoned Pumpkin Pie
2 Eggs
5 oz can of evaporated milk

Mix all three ingredients together and pour over the crust.

Topping:
1 Cup of the reserved spice cake mix
2 Tablespoons butter (I put in whatever was left of the stick of butter used in the crust)

Cut in the butter (I just smoosh it all together by hand) until crumbly, and sprinkle over the filling.

Bake it for 1 hour. It can be served with whipping cream or a lovely scoop of ice cream.

Scarf Display for Boutique

I'm SO EXCITED with how my scarf display contraption turned out!!! I needed something that would hang my scarves up, as they seem to catch others' eyes when up in their faces, lol.

The idea crept up on me and ended up looking even better than I thought. It'll sit on the end of my table instead of on the wire stand. I was just so excited about it I had to put up some pictures! Let's start with just the display.

I might consider putting in one or two "trees" if it seems to work. I painted the sticks a metallic bronze, which I think turned out beautiful. But adding the fun wire and leaves was a stroke of inspiration. Lucky for me they were on sale.

Here it is with a few scarves on there.

And another look from the side.

The great thing is, when I'm done with the boutique, I can put it outside as a fun and pretty Autumn decoration!

Bookmarks and Buttons

I have been crafting like CRAZY the last few weeks in anticipation of a few boutiques I'm so lucky to have been invited to join. I keep thinking - you need to post pictures!!!! But obviously that hasn't happened yet, lol. So today I want to show you a little sampling of at least two of my latest creations.

I've posted before about these ribbon bookmarks. Lately I've found some pretty new ribbons and fun buttons to put on the ends. What I've got here is just a small inkling of what's stashed away in my "Finished Bin." This first picture is simply a reminder of how these ribbon bookmarks work.

You have no idea how much I love how they wrap around the pages of the book. It's saved many a visit by a curious child.

My friend Debbie bought a couple for her girls, and has named them Book Belts. I so LOVE that name!!!

Not the clearest pictures, I know, but it gives you a good idea of what I'm offering. If you see anything you like, these bookmarks are selling for $4.50 a piece. For those of you who live close by, you're more than welcome to come look at everything in person.

With all the buttons and things I couldn't seem to find a ribbon that matched, well I had the idea to simply stick them to a magnet...and voila! Button Magnets!!!

I haven't put a price on these yet (we'll have to see if they even sell). But think they'll make any fridge or magnetic board a little happier!

Knitted Scarves

I'm not much of a knitter as I much prefer to crochet. Still, I found a super easy pattern and some "you can't tell I made a mistake" yarn in an effort to at least say, "I tried." They're awfully fun, especially for younger girls and tweens wanting a bit of flare (though I do have to say I love the red and blue ribbon-esque scarves in the last picture and will wear those myself!).

Doesn't this just SCREAM little girl dress up!?!?! I love these for my daughter and her friends. They seem to be perfect to keep in style while stilly being a little girl (I'm in such denial about her age).

This yarn is fun. It's not as feathery as the others and you can even see the knitted weave (except in this picture, which I admit is NOT my best). Yet it is so incredibly soft!!!

Who doesn't love STRIPES, seriously!!! Like the picture before, these aren't as feathery, but still on the flirty fun side!

And, of course, my two favorites. These are done with frayed ribbon yarn. SO pretty and fun.

There you go! The only knitted items in my house :)

Crochet Bookmarks and Blanket

Hey all! It's been a while since I last posted on my creativity blog, and yet I've been so creative lately :D I thought I'd show you a little of what I've been working on. Some of you may remember the baby blanket I made for my brand new niece a few months ago. Well my mother asked if I could make one for someone who's also having a baby. Here's how it turned out.

Hmm. The pictures are a little dark. Sorry about that.

I had fun playing with the border on this one, and think it turned out WAY cute :)

My other project lately has been bookmarks. That's right BOOKMARKS! I roamed through the internet looking for free bookmark ideas, and there were two that popped out at me. Here's the first - I love the loops in them.

Pretty, don't you think? Here's the other one:

To finish these off I'll thread a ribbon through the middle. I'm excited with how delicate and feminine they're looking.

So there you go! My newest projects. Hope you enjoyed them ♥