fabulous flowers

 As I walked out on our front porch early one morning last week I immediately noticed our spring flowers which were, at that moment, adorned with a sprinkle of twinkling water droplets. Some of the glassy jewels were lined up in perfect rows on stems and leaves while others appeared as if they had been randomly tossed onto the surface, each drop seemingly attached in its place.
Such a beautiful sight! 

Also,
in case you missed it,
this was our sunset last night.
Absolutely amazing!

Memorial Day

In remembrance and appreciation.

blackberry coffeecake

A Saturday morning special request! 

 A delicious way to start the holiday weekend. 

Denim Party Bin

 I saw these cute denim bins made from old jeans and thought the small one would work great at picnics and parties to hold silverware. I made this one first to use for graduation but with this lining it will also be great for tailgaters and civil war parties. I weighted the bottom with glass vase filler which makes it more stable. The next one I make will be lined with a summer print and I think I'll make a medium and large bin with coordinating fabrics.
You can find the directions here: Denim do-it-all bins 

Go Beavs!

empty nest

This empty nest in our backyard may be under construction or possibly vacant since last summer but is lovely either way and certainly inviting as it sits securely on a mossy kiwi branch waiting to be hidden by the new leaves that will soon be large and soft, providing a curtain of shade on hot, sunny days.
An empty nest now
but not for long.

On this day....

....in 1992....

...Mr Wonderful had just finished building this deck and trellis. 

Little did I know that when I returned home from a three day weekend retreat I would find a brand new deck and trellis in our backyard. What a "Grand Surprise!" Mr. Wonderful had been busy removing the five year old, original deck and building a new and improved model, using screws~not nails, plus the added trellis, while caring for our three little boys, all in 3 days. Amazing! That deck served us well for 19 years but now it's time for something new. To see our current DIY backyard project in progress

 go here: backyard makeover. 

And that's what we were up to... 

...19 years ago today! 

patio progress

The tiling is finished!

The pile of dirt under the blue tarp had to be removed and the lawn repaired. 

Before Turf

After Turf

 More turf is needed once the walkway is finished. 

After moving irrigation lines and raising the irrigation box the walkway to the front is started and more turf is added.

The patio still needs to be sealed, gutters added to the roof and then wiring for lights so the ceiling can be installed but we are already enjoying our new covered space. 

Also, the answer for Tuesday's question, "how many buttons?" , is 471!

vase filler

This is my easy~peasy, no-sew vase filler. 

I like the homespun look of the gingham and denim along with the unfinished edges of the fabric.  

To make these cute fabric balls I ripped 1" strips of fabric, ironed the strips and then wrapped two strips around each 3" styrofoam ball. I tucked my ends under a wrap of fabric but the ends could be pinned instead. 

Button, Button...

...Sew Many Buttons!!

Guessing the number of buttons in the vase was one of the activities at our 

s w e e t  simplici"tea"! 

Can you guess how many buttons are in the vase?

Go here for the answer .

I also used buttons as confetti on the table and to decorate the crown and pincushion/sewing kits . 

These mints were the perfect addition to the party table. Not only did they match the colors of the tablerunner and china perfectly but they are pretty and taste great too. 

The prizes were wrapped in sewing pattern tissue. Sew simple!

Other activities included a simple, ten question sewing quiz, fun sewing trivia, two quilting poems and a tea poem.

I used this antique quilt as another simple way to decorate and incorporate the sewing/quilting theme. It was draped over a bench under the fabric banner.

This party was full of
s w e e t  simplici"tea"!

tea party food

 

      

This was the food I served at our mother/daughter s w e e t  simplici"tea"! 

Sew scrumptious!!

     

s w e e t simplici"tea"!

Yesterday was our annual Mother/Daughter tea party.  

It was sew much fun!

The theme was sewing/quilting so I incorporated gingham, calico, buttons, trims, vintage patterns, stitching, pins, needles and patchwork everywhere I could. 

Each year I make a paper crown for our Mother to wear at the party. Since the invitations were paper quilted (to see my invitations go here: Paper Quilting) I continued that theme when I made the crown. It is embellished with buttons, beads, glitter and a medallion that I made with leftover matching paper. On the inside I sewed a label with her name and date. The back is tied with ribbons and is adjustable. 

  

I made pincushion/sewing kits out of a jam sized canning jars for everyone and filled them with spools of thread, needles, scissors, thimble and some individually wrapped strawberry candies and a Hershey Kiss. I made a banner with leftover fabric from the tablerunner and napkins and another banner with vintage pattern envelopes and clothes pins. 

These were the programs that were given to each guest. 

"Stash" tea party favors, "cute as a button" shortbread cookies and the tablerunner. 

I made gingham napkins and used a pink tape measure to tie them. 

I chose this handmade family heirloom gingham apron to wear while serving tea.