Connor turns 4

Happy Birthday Connor!

It's been four years since our little man came into the world.

Once again, I was honored to be chief cakebaker. Connor wanted a golf cake, so....Mimi made a golf cake. Connor loves golf and has his own real set of lefties (only in golf though?) I took pictures of him a couple weeks before and chose two.

Here's how I did it:
The cake is two cake mixes--half chocolate half vanilla. Just mix each mix in separate bowls. Then, if you have a willing hubby, pour both mixes into your pan at the same time, and voila a perfect split. The decorating is the fun part.

I dyed coconut for the "rough," used green frosting for the"fairway," and green sugar for the"green." I poked a straw into the green to make the hole. Then I cut a piece of straw to go back in the hole to make the cup. I used one very small gum ball for the golf ball. The flags are all printed, laminated, and cut out. I glued them to sucker sticks. For the candles, I used four practice balls. My hubby drilled a hole in and I glued each to a tee, using white fimo clay to hold the candle in place. I printed the photos I took of Connor, laminated and cut them out, and selected one to put into place.

As you can see by the by the smile on his face, Connor loved it!

Some Projects, PDF and Patterns

Here are some of the things that I've been working on.

Sock Sacks

This Sock sack tutorial is from http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/

The original use is for holding yarn and needles while making socks. The small loops on top go around your wrists as you "knit away," but your yarn won't "get away." Sorry I couldn't help it. I made 2 out of 2 fat quarters! Just in reverse. Very quick, very fun.

Thanks Terry.

The big gulp cozy

I have made quite a few coffee cozies, but my daughter S. asked if I could make something to keep cold drinks from sweating as S. does not drink coffee. I came up with something like this only smaller. It's the same concept as a coffee cozy, but has terry on the back. S. then asked if I could make her friend one for a Big Gulp.

I have made a PDF but I can't get Blogger to accept it (hmmmfp)

Well here it is! Thanks for the help Christina!

http://sites.google.com/site/myblogtutorials/home/tutorials

These adorable bags are fat quarter friendly!

This free PDF http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=368

for the Poochie Bag comes from the Happy Zombie.

The pattern is easy to read and easy to make.

Thanks Monica!

Manicure Kit

How about this neat Manicure kit cover as a Holiday gift for a teacher or friend?

go to get a free PDF download!

You can give it empty, or get some manicure items and fill it like I did. Quick, easy and fabulous!

Love the Alexander Henry Apples + Pears fabric.

Here is a Dear Rabbit.

I love Betz's cashmere bunny!
but I needed to changed up the pattern a bit, I added a tail (using the top half of the ear pattern I made a tail pattern. )I sewed everything so it could be given to a new- born, and not worry about things falling off. The bunny is made of soft Minke, the heart is suede, and the eyes and mouth are embroidery floss. I filled it with soft filling.

I got this pattern/Tutorial from http://blog.betzwhite.com/2007/03/cashmere-bunny-tutorial.html
Thank You Betz!

Here is one of my baby toys

You know the crinkle toys?
Well, I re-purposed that bag that is in the cereal box to make my own. I opened it up and wiped it clean and then cut a square 4x4 (same as the fabric squares).Then I cut 9 pieces of coordinating ribbon, folded each in half and pined to the right side of one piece of fabric, and sewed all around to secure. Then, I layered the 2 fabric squares' right sides together (ribbon facing in), pined the bag square to the top, and sewed the four sides--leaving a small hole to turn the project. Next I pressed the fabric, added a very small amount of batting, stitched up the opening and top stitched 2 rows. As a final touch, I added a teething ring.

She got it!

Now that S. has received her gifts, I will post them. She and A. were in need of a table cloth so...we (S. and I) went to Joann fabric and she decided on 4 different fabrics. I decided to make 4 tablecloths...well 2 double sided.They only took 45 min. each! Pretty quick and easy. 36x36. With the left over fab. I made 8 coasters double sided too. The zippered bag of last post was made from the scraps.

Sew Much Fun!

Today I was pretty productive.
I found some tutorials while surfing on the web.
I 'm trying out this cute boxy pouch:http://threebears.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/little-boxy-pouch%20-tutorial/

Hey pretty cute huh?
Finished size is
4.5L x 3Hx 2 D

...and here's a great zipper pouch

http://orangeflowersketchbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/zippered-pouch-with-reverse-applique.html

This pouch is hand pieced from 4 fabrics. Linen, and 3 coordinating fabrics. The tutorial is pretty easy to read. Mine is pieced and reversed applique but there is no reason it has to be.It's lined and there are no raw edges. Binding is applied on each end.

Grand Opening of Little Peeps

Now Announcing the Grand Opening of My Etsy Shop

Little Peeps by Suzy D

My shop features one-of-a-kind, handmade infant and toddler clothing and accessories. All items are made with love in a smoke-free home.

(http://littlepeepsbysuzyd.etsy.com)

I'm 1/2 a Century Old !!!!

I hit the big 5-0 yesterday!

My kids and their spouses are landscaping my new back yard (this weekend) for my B-day! They designed these shirts.The pic is of me, and on my back it says BOSS, on theirs it says CREW. Cute huh??

Thanks, J, J & C and S & A and my Sweet hubby C!

Check out the Post Yard-Work Festivities. Do the Dixons know how to party or what? Gotta love those intense facial expressions!

Still Sewing

Here are some more infant items that will be on Etsy soon,until then you may contact me at my e-mail address on the right hand side.

click on pictures for a better view

To see more, just click on the right side panel

All bibs (mostly Cotton and reversible) are $8.00

all busy blankets(12x12) are $15.00

Burp cloths (cotton birds eye diaper) are $8.00

Burp cloths (100% cotton flannel) are $8.00

matching Trio sets.(one of each) = $30.00

Baked custard!!

I came across a microwave cook book yesterday,

that I used often in the early '80's

(before they had the rotating plate.) am I showing my age??

This recipe for baked custard is awesome, quick and quite pretty.

milk,eggs,sugar,salt,and vanilla.,nutmeg

1 1/2 cup milk

1/4 c. sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs slightly beaten

nutmeg or mace

1. Pour milk into a 2 cup micro -proof measuring cup or bowl.

Microwave at High 2-4 Min, until hot but not boiling.

2. In a separate bowl blend sugar,salt and vanilla into eggs.

3. Stir mixture into milk. .

4. Pour into 4 6-oz custard cups, sprinkle with nutmeg or mace

5. Arrange cups in a circle in the microwave.

6. Microwave at 50% power 6-10 min, rearranging cups every 2 min. until set.

if custard begins to set place on counter.The custard will set more while cooling.

ENJOY!

gratitude

I was a little down today (still not at work). My sister K. stopped in for a visit and a trip to get pizza. YUM! It was nice:) I'm grateful for her. We walked around the yard and there were so many beautiful things see! Even though it's my yard and I planted much of the stuff--
wild flowers, herbs, squash,and tomatoes-- I feel blessed. God just keeps on giving! Sometimes we get to caught up in the busyness of our lives and forget to be silent and to be grateful. I'm going try harder!

Here are some pictures of the beauty that's around me.

color my world "Gorm"(in Irish) or blue in english

I feel so bad I got a worried mind

I'm so lonesome all the time

Since I left my baby behind

On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles saving dimes

Working til the sun don't shine

Looking forward to happier times

On Blue Bayou...