The Perfect Solution

Remember this skirt?

I decided that it would be the perfect skirt for Easter. The $78 price tag? Not so perfect. Thankfully I had the perfect solution.

That solution came in the form of an envelope from McCalls Pattern Company with the number 5431 on it. After a quick trip to JoAnn Fabrics, an hour of cutting, one phone call to my mom, and an hour of sewing the perfect solution looked something like this:

Did you notice that the yoke on Peachy's dress matches my skirt? I actually made her dress first. When I went looking for fabric for myself I found the piece again and decided we could pull off a little matchy-matchy.

Peachy's dress is from the New Look patten 6878. The fabric was also purchased at JoAnn's.

Tutorial Tuesday: Crayon Rolls

Over the past few years I have rolled out close to 100 of these crayon rolls. They are a favorite gift of mine for children. I also have had many people ask to buy them from me.
Here is the stack that I am currently working on:

The tutorial I use can be found at Chocolate on my Cranium. The only change that I have made is to eliminate the ribbon closure for an elastic loop and button closure. (The top picture has the elastic loop and the bottom picture has the ribbon.) I think that the button closure is a bit more child friendly and neat, but the ribbon works just as well.
Type of Tutorial: Sewing, Child
Skill Level: Beginning Sewer

My Style

I am working on updated my style. I am aiming for a classic, comfortable, and easily put together look. Here are some are my inspiration boards.

A) Hanna Anderson B) DownEast Basics C) Boden D) DownEast Basics E) J. Crew F) DownEast Basics

A) Boden B) Boden C) Old Navy D) Old Navy E) Hanna Anderson F) Gap G) Boden H) Boden

A) Boden B) Boden C) Old Navy D) Old Navy

A) Hanna Anderson B) Hanna Anderson C) Title Nine D) Title Nine E) Title Nine

Now I just have to get out there and find these in my price range!

Foodie Friday: Best Granola in the Whole Wide World

Even if granola isn't all that healthy for you, it still is yummy!! Here is a recipe for some yumminess that I found over at 33 Shades of Green. Hope you enjoy it as much as we are!

Ingredients:
-3/4 c canola oil
-1/2 c honey
-1 c sugar
-1 T vanilla
-1/2 t salt
-8 c rolled oats
-1 c sliced almonds
-2 c dried fruit

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare two rimmed baking sheets. (I sprayed mine with cooking spray, but would suggest using parchment as the sugar got pretty baked on.)
2. Combine oil, honey, sugar, vanilla and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved.
3. Combine oats and almonds in a large bowl. Add the warm honey mixture to the oats and stir until well coated..
4. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheets. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Once mixture is cooled, add the dried fruit.

**Granola will keep in air-tight container for a couple of weeks.

Junking It!

Trash or Treasure?

I recently picked up these two wire baskets at junk day at a variety store near my parents' house. Currently I am planning on using them on the front porch as flower pot holders. Not only will they add personality, but they will also keep the pots from blowing over.

Isn't it funny how what probably was garbage to someone else became something that I was willing to pay good money for?

These weren't the only items that I nabbed. I will share my other treasures in future posts.

Here are some pictures of my mom, my sister Shlebly, Little Peachy and I junking it up.