simple Analogy

Playing with Watercolors {The Peacocks}

 
 

Playing With Watercolors {Experimentation}

 
These remind me of lucky charms marshmallows.

My First Bias Skirt

 
Why is it, I never know what to do with my hands when I model?  Ah, well.  Here we go, elbows and all... 

I totally missed skirt week, but I've been catching up.  There are some great skirt tutorials!  This one was made from the Bias Skirt tutorial by Corinnea.  If you've been looking for a quick, easy skirt to make for summer, this is the one!

Instead of linen, like the tutorial calls for, I used a chambray material that I picked up at Hobby Lobby on clearance.  $3.50 a yard cannot be passed up.  I didn't show the waistband in the picture, but I used a navy blue knit from a men's XL t-shirt.  The yoga waistband, is super comfortable.  Since I had my mom's serger at the house, I serged everything to make it go faster, but the tutorial shows you how to make it without a serger!!!

A cool, comfy summer skirt for less than $10 in less than 2 hours (pattern making included).  Oh yea, I'll be making more of these!

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Next week I'll be out of pocket, so I've scheduled a few posts ahead of time... a peek at what I've been been doing in my watercolors class and of course our regular first of the month programing - the Kid's Craft Along project.  Think 4th of July! 

 

Watermelon Cucumber Salad

 
My guys are particular with the way their food is combined.  Noah is a keep-everything-to-itself-absolutely-no-mixing guy.  Joel is a do-not-mix-sweet-and-salty, therefore peanut butter and chocolate is O-U-T.   Landon is by far the most adventurous of them all, but even he has his limits.  So when they asked me what we were having for dinner last night, they all kind of looked at each other like, "Well, this ought to be interesting."  

According to Joel and Noah's standard, cukes and watermelon should not be tossed together ever, but add some diced jalapeno and lime juice to it, and for sure it can't be good.  I already learned watermelon and lime go together quite well from Megan, and I figured you can't really go wrong with cucumbers.  But the jalapeno?   

Well, I am happy to say that they all ate it, no gagging, and two out of the three liked it.  Noah is still a hard core non-mixer.  I thought it was quite tasty and had a second helping. 

So here's my version of Watermelon Cucumber Salad...

 
1 personal size watermelon, cubed

1 english cucumber, halved length wise then sliced

1 lime, juiced

1 jalapeno, diced

Mix together in a large bowl and chill for several hours.  Serve with grilled chicken for a fresh summer dinner.

Yes, Mom, you can expect this for one of our "Wednesday together" meals!

Using My Circles

 
I bought this fabric when it first came out because I loved those circles.  I didn't really have a plan in mind for it, just wanted to have some on hand.  So when an old pair of capri's was being turned into a skirt, I knew exactly which fabric to use.  Lo and behold - it's perfect.  Neutral so it will go with ANYTHING, fun, and I get to wear some of my favorite fabric.

 
Tutorial here.  I make mine shorter and a little more fitted than hers.  Last time I made one of these I only added an inset to the front, which made me have to shorten my stride.  So, this time I added the inset to the front AND the back so that I could walk a little easier.  Much better!  

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Saturation

painting horses of a different color

 

brewing tea-shirts  (I know that was bad, but I couldn't help it.)  I added some vinegar to this batch per one of my reader's comments to help set the color.  Makes sense, right?  You do it with Easter eggs- why not tea stained shirts?

making gold

listening to toddler campfire songs and making CDs  (The Marshmallow Song is my favorite!)

It's pretty much full VBS mode from here on out to the end of the month.  I'm saturated in all things western right now...

Bliss

 
 I just signed up.  The boys and I delved into the world of watercolors a few years back, and I loved it!  This is a summer treat to myself.  What bliss!

The Makings of a Happy Summer

 
Making my summer happy, in no particular order...

• shopping Target with the WHOLE family
• hot and sweaty soccer games are over
• a whole avocado on my salad for lunch

• popsicles (of course!)
• playtime with my sister and her family
• super yummy homemade tamales (via one of the soccer moms)

• sweet tea
• glittery purple painted toes
• reading and watching Anne of Green Gables series

• girl time with Megan
• nectarine blueberry pie (That's a Marie Callendar's crust.  I'm not ashamed!)
• an impromptu movie night with said friend, watching said movie, eating said pie

 
What's making you happy?

The Road to Popsicles

Last summer we started a popsicle fad at our house by making several different homemade popsicle recipes here, here, and here. The tradition stuck, and this summer Noah and I are making a different popsicle recipe each week. EveryDay with Rachael Ray (June/July 2011 issue) has given us a jump start.

Follow the summer popsicle road...

Week 1: Double Berry Ice Pops

I didn't get a picture of these because they got eaten up way too fast, but they are beautiful! Two layers - one blackberry, one raspberry - sweet berrylicious! When I make them again I'm gonna just do all blackberry, because I fell in love with that part! Joel concurs.

Week 2: Mango Banana Orange Popsicles a la moi

No picture, because I was lazy. The list of ingredients was inspired by my husband, and I made up the amounts.

2 large mangoes, seeded and diced

1 banana, sliced

1/2 cup orange juice

Throw into the blender, then pour into molds. Freeze until solid.

Tasty, tasty! They are so fresh and will give you a wake up call in the middle of the afternoon. Personally I'd cut back the banana to half and add another mango, but that's just me.

Week 3: Cappuccino Ice Pops

Our favorite so far! At least Joel's and my favorite. That creamy layer on top just gets you ready for the chocolaty coffee underneath. The only problem with these is that you'll want to eat too many. Also, they are made with espresso, so don't partake too late at night.

Next week's popsicle venture? Root beer pops (let your favorite root beer go flat, pour into molds), as requested by Landon. He's not too much into popsicles, but he LOVES root beer. Whatever floats his boat!

June Kid's Craft Along: Yardstick Horse

 
I've been getting crafts ready for Vacation Bible School.  This summer's theme is a western one with lots of "Yippe ki yo ki yay"-ing, so of course we're gonna need some yardstick horses! 

Approximate cost:  $ 2

Supplies: 

yardstick

cardboard (recycle an old box)

spray paint (optional)

heavy duty glue - One of the "cooler" glue guns will not cut it.  I know from experience.  Use a scorching hot glue gun or Gorilla glue.

Markers or craft paper

Directions:

 
Draw a horse head onto a piece of craft paper and cut out to use as a pattern.  Trace the front side of the horse head on the cardboard.  Turn the pattern over and trace the back side of the head.

***Adults should help with the next three steps.***

 
Using an exacto knife, cut out both of the horse heads.

 
Glue the yardstick onto one side of the head.

 
 
Align and glue the other horse head.  Let the glue dry completely.

 
Paint the entire horse (optional) and let dry.  Use markers/craft paper to decorate the horse, adding a mane, eyes, nostrils, etc.

Suggestions:

• For a more original horse, don't paint him at all... graffiti him!  (Like this cow.  These artistic cows are all over Houston!  They are a part of the "Cow Parade".  Why not create your own "horse parade" by designing these with a few friends!) 
• Make a mane out of yarn.  Just sandwich strands of yarn along his neck in between the two layers when you're ready to glue the two heads together.
• Add some patchwork to your horse.  Glue a few small squares of fabric on his neck to give him a well-worn look.

For a real rootin' tootin' time, make a cowboy shirt to go along with your yardstick horse!  Have fun with this and make sure to add pictures of your horses to the Kid's Craft Along Flickr pool!