alittlesweetness

a country picnic party

A few weeks ago we celebrated Ava's 4th Birthday.  As most of you know, she came after 4 boys in our family, so of course I loved the opportunity to do something girly here.  We keep a lot of birthdays simple around here, so it's been since she turned 1 that I put together a party for her.  To be quite honest, I tend to get a little overwhelmed with the party planning process, so I'm generally just fine with the simple option.

However, with Ava being 4, she's very aware and definitley wanted a party.  I totally admit, I did take advantage of the fact that she is still little, and unaware enough that I picked the theme, instead of letting her say she wanted a disney princess party.  I'm sure that will come soon enough and I'll be stuck!  ;)  (Yes, my daughter loooooves the disney princesses and I don't fight it.)

My inspiration for this party was the fact that Ava also looooooves strawberries!  Like a lot.  So that was that.  A country picnic party is was!

Plus, it took some of the overwhelming out of it for me since I already had paper items that I had previously made for customers.  This made it do-able for me... I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  My boys liked giving me a hard time and said things like...."oh you mean your party mom"....assuming I was wanting to do this for myself.  Couldn't be more inaccurate.  I truly was only doing this for Ava.  I tried to explain, they didn't listen.  

Don't get me wrong, I thouroughly enjoyed doing it for her.  What made it better is that she helped with EVERY little thing and she was so excited.  Ava takes "mommy's little helper" to a whole new level.  Not helping is not an option.  Trust me. 

But enough chatting from me....on with some pictures.  :)

The little awning was inspired by a Mandy Lynn party and was super simple to make.  Once we figured how to make it work, it really only took about an hour.

With a vintage dresser as a buffet, it really made the sweetest little set up.  Not to mention the little cutie standing next to it. ;)  

It really was quite simple as far as the food and decoration, but it worked for us. 

Ava helped me make a simple bunting out of my Farmer's Wife blocks, twine, mini clothespins and fabric strips.  Took us like 20 minutes.

I had another bunting I had made for fall market, but never used, so finally it had a purpose....

I lined the table with a vintage sheet, a long piece of gingham and a few baskets and buckets holding paper items and fruit. 

The buckets were at Michael's... I was so happy that I didn't have to order them!

For lunch we had chicken salad crossaints, fruit salad, pasta salad, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and of course the kids could take pears, apples and strawberries from the buckets on the table....which they did.

I made the cake and to my surprise it was really good!

I just used boxed mixes, (devils chocolate and strawberry) but the frosting recipe (down further in the cake post) was from Bakerella!  Yum!

We had a couple different lemondades...

I had little side bowls of lemons, limes and mint leaves....

I got the little signs as a free download a couple years ago, but I don't remember where. (if you know, please let me know!)

I liked this idea I saw on Pinterest for drinks....ball jars, cupcake liners for lids and paper straws...We use ball jars every day for our regular drinking glasses so this was an easy one for me to do.  I got the cupcake liners and straws at Michael's. 

For an activity, the kids painted little flower pots and planted a flower. 

I raided my husbands old t-shirt collection and put those on the kids while they painted.  Worked great.  Unfortunatly I didn't get a lot of pictures of this. oops!  They loved it though!

For treat bags, I used another idea from Pinterest with paper bags, doilies and fabric.  I love any chance to use more fabric!

And of course we had present time...

Which made for one happy birthday girl!

And one exhausted mama....

But hey...if she's happy, I'm happy.

The End. 

Now I better get myself moving today because my parents are coming into town and I just might have some party decorations to put away first.  oops! 

P.S.  I have to say Thank you to my wonderful sister-in-laws, husband and my boys who helped me so much on party day!  I couldn't have done it without each of you!  :)  For reals.

 

road tripping hexie stitching

Our family enjoyed an end of summer road trip to Montana, where my parents were raised and I was born.  I wanted to see my Grandparents, who I haven't seen for many years and are at the end of their life here on earth.  I was so happy to visit with them and also let my kids see them too.  My grandpa (their great grandpa) told the kids stories about his cowboy days, showed them his chaps and spurs and branding tools, and they loved it.  Definitly worth the trip.

All along the way, everywhere we went (that I could) I took my little suitcase of hexies. 

It really helped with the car time and it was the perfect thing to have when we were in the outdoors and the kids were playing.

For example...While they did this....

and this....

I was able to do this!

My parents came with us everywhere we went during the week, which was so great to have the extra company.  I loved having all the attention on me and my family!  :)  Plus, my mom ooh's and aahh's at all the little sewing projects I show her.  The best confidence booster!  :) Thanks Mom!

One thing my mom gave me while in Montana, was this gorgeous vintage quilt that my other grandma had.  She passed away about a year and a half ago.  My mom almost gave it away, but couldn't ever do it.  Then, finally she knew why...that it should go to me. Thanks again Mom. ;) 

I love it so much!  Isn't is so cute!?!?!  It's in really good condition and hand stitched with pink thread!  SEW CUTE!

Our family loved being in the outdoors and doing some fun things around town as well.  Montana is so pretty...we loved every minute!

We also loved our first taste of Cafe Rio and went back a 2nd and 3rd time!  All of my family has lived around a Cafe Rio except us, so we've only heard about it and my family has made it for us before but this was our first real restaraunt experience.  YUM-O!!  I want more. :)

So...Back to hexies. 

By the end of our trip, I actually got a lot of hexie stitching done....at least for me.  Kerri had made me a cute little stack of hexies on our beach retreat so that really helped me have a good collection to work with.  Thanks Kerri! ;)

And I still adore my little needlebook from Amy.  Thanks Amy!  I always get compliments on it.  :)  Go to Amy's needlebook tutorial if you want to make one.  The hexie flower above is made with 3/4" hexies.  

These are tiny 1/2" hexies.

Lastly, I'm so proud of myself for figuring out (sort of!) instagram.  Finally!  On the way home I did my first little photos and it's so fun!

See my traveling in the car photo?

Now how cute is that?  And it was certainly entertaining enough for a road trip.

Come back next week and I'll have some fun news to share!  ;)

Tasha

the beach..

I just got back from a fabulous and relaxing beach retreat with all the adult girlies (and one sweet little baby!) on my husband's side.  And it was SOOOOOOOO FUN!!!!!!!

It was so amazing to sit and relax and stitch while enjoying the beautiful ocean right in front of me!

My spot

Cute 3/4 inch hexies.....love this size!

Kerri and I in our stitching spots as the sun was going down....

We did a little photo shoot together and decided red, aqua and white should be the colors to wear.  Shocking, I know!  ;)

Here's all of us!

Here's me.  (I know, a little cheesy, but we were having so much fun!)

Me and Kerri

We also loved being silly and dancing on the beach!

Basically, we did whatever we wanted!  We shopped at cute little antique stores, watched chick-flicks, had a campfire, watched shooting stars at 1 am!, stitched and sewed, stayed up late, slept in, painted our nails, relaxed, played, took pictures and giggled and laughed all weekend....it was wonderful!  It's amazing what a little 'girl time' can do!  Such rejuvenation and memories created.  I loved it!!  (Can you tell?!?!?)

I'm ready for next year!

*sigh...*

Tasha  ;)

p.s.  i'll be out of town again all next week, so the shop will be closed!!

little bits

 I know I've been a bore lately...sorry!  There hasn't been a lot of time for anything other than packing to move and finishing my next fabric line.  I've been able to sneak in some little bits here and there to stitch some hexies when I've been out and about....waiting for this or that.  Carrying a few supplies in my purse has been very handy. 

See how tiny they are?

And sew very cute!

I really love this soft buttery yellow.  I do have a plan with these...like my last ones.  I still have my other little flower to put to use....and I will!  Hopefully I'll get pictures when I finish up the projects for these. 

They're so quick and fun, I love making them!

I thought I'd show you this vintage quilt I found on our mini road trip home from Spokane a few weekends ago.  I love to stop at this place called Thorp where they have fruits, vegtables, other foods and treats and then there is a couple stories above of antiques.  It's really cool!   

When I spotted this cheater hexie quilt, I knew it was going home with me!  It's about a twin size so I can't wait to display it on Ava's new bed when we move.  

Ava spotted this vintage Raggedy Ann doll and wasn't letting it go!  She needs some TLC, but it'll have to wait for now.  Pretty cute huh?

One more tiny thing to share.  As I was innocently browsing this magazine while waiting in the grocery store line, (this super amazing quilt by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson! on the front caught my eye!), I contemplated if I should buy it or not (i had a very full cart! = $$), as I flipped to the end of the magazine where the ad's are, I almost closed it.  And then....I saw my little fabrics in the corner of a page! 

I did a double take, but sure enough, they were mine! 

Thank you Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio for making my day!  (eeek!)  No I didn't tell the grocery clerk, but I secretly wanted to!  Yes, I know, it's a tiny little ad, but it made me smile. 

So, taking this new found information into consideration, I did purchase the magazine. 

:)

Have a wonderful week!

Tasha

the swing of things

Is it just me, or is it difficult to get back into the swing of things after the holidays?  I think I've been particularly slow at it this year.  One clue is that I still have a few holiday decorations lingering around that absolutely must be put away immediatly.  Or else.

For Christmas I was able to turn my hexies into something for Ava.  I decided on a doll quilt in the end because I also got her a vintage doll crib and a couple of new baby dolls, so I thought it was more fitting than a pillow.

 

I'm not sure I'm totally crazy over it, but I do think it's plenty cute enough to be loved.  The part that bugs me is the aqua strips on top and bottom.  It's sort of too late now though. 

I didn't do batting inside, just some fluffy pink minky-type fabric on the back and I quilted it pretty lightly, so it's nice a cuddly.....perfect for wrapping around baby dolls.

See, someone is very happy about it, so I think it worked out.

Now, it's off to put away some decorations.  Like immediatly!

Tasha

around here....

Goodness Me, it's been a little bit of everything around here lately!  We enjoyed Thanksgiving here with some family, then out of town for the weekend to visit more family (tons of festive crafting there!) and since being home we've been on to the Christmas decorating, hot chocolate drinking, getting orders done (me!), working on secret things (shhh...a little longer), organizing things, working little by little on the kitchen, and even though I woke up feeling yucky today, I'm finally getting to some holiday stitching...which I'm super loving!!!  It's about time, don'tcha think? 

I decided I wanted to stitch my little Christmas Angel in all red...I can't wait to see how she turns out.

I just love sitting down with my little pile of stuff and being able to stitch away.  Happiness.

If you want to give her a try too, you can find her in my shop as a pattern now, as well as the Winter Pixie.  I'm hoping I'll get a chance to stitch her too.  We'll see!

Speaking of Pixies......

Isn't he a cutie?!

I'm simply delighted to be arranging this little collection of adorable vintage pixie figurines that belonged to my Grandma, who passed away this year.  When my mom was going through her things, she knew right where they should go.  I adore them so much and they'll always remind me of my Grandma Carlsen. 

I finally figured out that this one's peculiar pose (below) is so he can hang on the side of a dish.  CUTE!

I think he's a sneaky one. 

And now for more of the 'around here' part of the post.....

I had to giggle one night when my boys lined up to dish up there Little Ceasars Pizza....there they were....in all their Red, Pink, and Aqua glory!

(Do not, i tell you, Do NOT notice the empty milk jug on the counter or other messy looking piles in the background)

You'd think I was their mother or something!  No, really, I think these colors must be programmed into their brains as well....it's genetic! 

They seriously choose their own clothes!

And this is seriously how they pose when I tell them I want a picture....

Like for reals. 

These boys, as crazy as they are and as crazy as they make me (...at times, they each have a sweet side too) they really simply melt my heart...like crazy! 

It's totally CrAzY around here....

So I better get back to that heavenly-ly, relaxing, peaceful stitching while I can....

(Here I come little Christmas Angel!)

(Cuz it's about to get crazy....okay, I'm done)

Happy December....  :)

Tasha 

i was a bad wife

Yes, indeed I was a bad Farmer's Wife.....you see, I broke the rules and ended up having to mend my ways.  Thank goodness I was set straight by a fellow wifer! (??)  Does that sound right?  I'm not sure, but at least my story has a good ending.  ;)

I know my blocks look well now, but it didn't come without a trial and error.

My big mistake was not cutting the corners on my templates!  For my first three blocks it didn't affect the outcome of the blocks, so I surely thought my short cut was a handy-dandy one!  When I happily began my Evening Star block, my smile slowly faded away and I was left with a block that wasn't matching up.

What ever could it be I pondered?  When alas, I was assured it was that I needed to cut my template corners!  (thanks c!)

And so I did......

So, what?  We need to 'not cut corners' by 'cutting the corners'?  huh? 

I admit, I was skeptical, it didnt' seem such a little thing could actually make that big of a difference.....after all, my first three had turned out.  But away I went at unpicking my block and re-doing my triangles with the corners cut as the templates show. 

And what do you know?!  Things were matching up!  Like magic I tell ya. 

This one below is what happens when you don't clip your template corners:

My side piece is too long for my center piece......

See how the clipped corners help you line everything up.....

It's not always how you think you should line them up!  I was surprised at how it was different.

This next picture shows how before, I didn't have room for the seam allowance.  When I sewed this peice on, it covered up my white point.  Bad news.  You can kind of see where I had to unpick this.

This next picture is done correctly, with the corners clipped from my template.  Everything lined up and there is room for my seam allowance and my white point won't be covered up!  yay!  Perfect-O. 

And finally, a happy block!

EVENING STAR {31}

Of course I will now always cut the corners off my templates, as shown.

BOWTIE {10}

CALICO PUZZLE {16}

See, I told you it was a happy ending.....

No more bad wifing for me.  If you're getting frustrated with your blocks not matching up, maybe you just need to mend your non-cutting-corners-ways...

Just sayin.  ;)

Tasha

some R & R

Saturday we visted the beach with family for some good old fashioned R & R.....much needed after a busy week for both my husband and I.  We seriously just sat and watched the kids play for a good portion of our time.

They were so very happy! 

And me too! 

Afterwards we found the coolest little retro diner to eat at called Nifty Fifties!  It was all decked out in pink and aqua!  The kids loved sitting at the counter and pretty much occupied that area!

My 3 with their cones.....my older 2 weren't with us.  :(

Silly cousins!

Me and Kerri with our Nifty-Fifties postcards!

We had a great weekend and look forward to more trips to the beach this summer.....

P.S.

Thanks to all who stopped by the shop for my sale last week!  It turned out great, so it was a lot of fun for me.  I'd give you all a hug if I could!  :)

Have a fabulous week!

Tasha

vintage ava

 

I used to be so much better about taking my kids outside for a little photo shoot, or really focusing on getting some good pictures when we go on an outing.  Lately....very lately.....I've been more pre-occupied with photographing things for the shop or just doing shop things in general, that I really have neglected taking very many pictures of my kids.  Let alone delving into learning more about editing or experimenting around at all. 

Today I felt the urge to do some photography!  Even though it's a wet, rainy, gray day...I took my camera and my baby girl out for a little photo shoot.  She's 2 now and I've been feeling bad that I don't take very many pictures of her.  The one above is probably a very favorite so I'm sure glad I have it now.  Rainy day or not!  

I'm definitly no pro, so for editing I've use some actions from Pioneer Woman....I LOVE them!  I've also done some of my own tweaking along with the actions.  The PW Actions I've used are 'Seventies' and 'Soft and Faded' together. 

We brought Hello Kitty (her favorite) along for the journey.  Recognize the vintage Little Red Riding Hood dress I bought off Etsy?   It was her first vintage dress....now she has a 2nd!  I'll show you soon!

Here she was talking to me.....this one I think is just Seventies and I then I did some tweaking. 

This one below isn't very good quality, but it was the only one where she felt like 'posing' for me.

I still have a lot to learn, but it sure is fun experimenting. 

Thanks for stopping by!  And go have some photography fun! 

Those arms won't be squishy forever. 

Tasha