Happy Halloween

From the "adults."

Hayride Gathering

We got together with a few of our neighborhood friends tonight for a pre-Halloween hayride. Here is Gavin checking out Avery's wand. Trying to get the group shot was a bit chaotic.

We snapped a few photos at home before we left.

Costume Parade

Click on over to Make It and Love It for a very fun virtual costume parade. These folks are so darn creative. (You may find something that looks familiar too.)

Cupcake Fairy

I just wrapped up Avery's Halloween costume. This year she will be a cupcake fairy. I had way too much fun pulling this together. The cute top is from Kohl's.

I added a felt cupcake to the back of the wings we bought for Avery's birthday.

Another felt cupcake with beaded sprinkles tops off the fairy wand. Avery will be spreading lots of peace, love, and frosting wishes with this.

Of course, the tutu is the best part. Check out Treasures for Tots for great links on how to make a super easy tutu. Then, follow her instructions for adding the satin ribbon finish. I used the slip knot method for tying the tulle. I then tied on more felt cupcakes glued to satin ribbon. Don't worry about the tails. They will be hidden in the satin wrapping for the waistband. I promise to take lots of pictures of Avery in her costume. You may get to see a few of Todd and I as well. :)

Posing for Pictures

We spent a long weekend up in San Antonio after Avery's follow up appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. The doctor is still not at all concerned with Avery's progress, but we had to schedule another follow up in three months. Hopefully, Avery will be walking completely independent by then, and we can put these appointments behind us. We had to shoot some more photos of Avery enjoying the outdoors at the ranch.

I couldn't resist adding a few more of the pumpkin patch photos.

Pumpkin Patch

Baby Steps

These were yesterdays falling steps. TODAY, Avery took two independent steps before plopping to the floor in her room. My Mom tells me that I walked at 16 months, and Avery is 16 months and 3 days today. Like mother, like daughter. Can you tell I'm super proud?!? Hopefully we'll have better video when Todd is around.

Thank You

I'm sending a BIG thank you to all who commented on my blog anniversary post. You guys know how to make a girl smile. It's always so good to know you're out there reading. Without further delay, the lucky number was 3. Liz, you're it! Lucky for me, I don't have to spend anything on postage. I'll be walking your purse over this afternoon if possible. Congrats!

Transformation

I finally got around to completing one of the project pieces I brought back from my last Warrenton trip. Go back here for the before shot. This is the after shot. I used some vintage patterns from my Great Aunt and a bit of mod podge to cover the existing scratched and marred surface. Then I used a bit of Jennifer Paganelli's fabric and a vintage tape measure from my Grandmother's sewing cabinet to dress up the top. I'm not sure if I'll be keeping this one yet. When I transform the other dress form from Warrenton, I may have to choose which one stays and which one goes. For now, I'll just enjoy the process.

The skirt is a free pattern from Oliver + S. I used some vintage brown rose trim and Fabritopia's gorgeous green lace to finish it off.

Anniversary of Sorts

Well, here we are, 126 posts and one year after starting my blog. I've had so much fun putting together a record of my adventures (and misadventures) in sewing, baking, home making, and motherhood. My hopes are that this blog is an inspiration for some, a way for the long distance family to keep up with us, and a journal of sorts. For my latest project, I sewed up this purse. It's mostly a mix of scraps from all of the projects previously recorded here. I used the I'll Take One of Everything pattern from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me.

As a thank you from me (us) for sharing my experiences, I'd like to give it away. Leave me a comment as your entry and I'll pick a winner one week from today. Thanks again for taking a small peek into our world.

Feeling Inspired

These are the shoes... ..that inspired this outfit.

These are the hats that inspired me to search far and wide for a similar pattern for Avery.This is the pattern I found. It's wonderful! Getting the elastic in the back is a tiny bit tricky, but it makes the hat fit perfect. I think I'm going to be addicted to making lots of these. Avery looks so adorable in little hats, and she needs something to keep that bald little head warm.I found the tutorial for the fabric flower here. The jumper pattern is Callie by Children's Corner.

Sugar & Spice

Here's a new pumpkin cupcake recipe I tried out for a football get together today.

Pumpkin Cupcake (from Crazy About Cupcakes by Krystina Castella)

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1 stick unsalted butter, at room temp

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla extract

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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Insert liners into two medium cupcake pans.
2. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs to the creamed mixture one at a time, mixing after each addition. Beat well.

3. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until completely integrated.

5. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and beat until smooth.

6. Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full. (You may not have enough batter for all 24 liners.) Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan.

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Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing (this one is my own)

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8 oz cream cheese, softened
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

5 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

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In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, 3 minutes. Add the extracts. Combine the cinnamon with the sifted confectioners' sugar in a separate bowl. Gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate icing for 1-2 hours, but no longer, to thicken before using.

Enjoy!

It Happened to Me!

I received flowers today from my very thoughful husband "just because". He said they were for putting up with him for 3 1/2 years. He's such a great guy!

Little Pumpkin

Do you ever get an idea in your head that you can't stop thinking about until you have it completed? That's what happened to me this weekend. I have a zillion other projects to work on, but I was too sidetracked when I saw this tutorial. I thought the same concept would make a cute pumpkin for decoration. I rounded out the swirls and changed up the leaves. I also used stuffing for the fill instead of crushed walnut shells to make a bit more rounded shape. The result isn't quite as great as I envisioned, but I'm glad I gave it a shot. Here are a few pics of a much cuter 'lil punkin from the weekend. Much to Bella's dismay, Avery has discovered that Bella's crate is a fun place to play.

Unfortunately, the cute Aggie cheer outfit didn't help seal up a victory for our team this time around.