Opal is ready for the beach!

Opal just wanted to let you know that she's very excited to see you, Aunt Tammy!

Nursery, per Mom's Request - nay, Mom's DEMAND

The walls of the nursery are blue, and all of the furniture is white. I wanted to bring in some pink to make it girlier, of course, so I selected the candy pink dandelion fabric to make the crib quilt. It will be backed with the damask. I am also going to make the crib skirt, just using a plain white broadcloth and use the damask in the peek-a-boo pleat... unless someone convinces me that it should be done entirely in the damask. I may or may not need window treatments, depending on how the interior shutters look once they are installed. I also plan to make a throw pillow or 2 for the glider, using some complimentary fabric from the same collection as the quilt. The mirrors and lamp are from my Target registry, and I am currently campaigning for that Ikea lamp - how perfectly it matches the blanket! Now I just have to convince Brett... We also already have the pictures, and I like the idea of using ribbon to hang them, similar to the mirrors.

Dress Set for my Baby Shower!

I just had to do a polyvore set. Love that site.

My mom thinks the booties are too clunky, but I think they're very fashionable. ;)

I said it once and I'll say it again - I like the juicy orange with that aubergine. Yummy!

(That's my actual baby shower invitation there in the background!)

I am a bad bad blogger. Plus, baby things!

So I see I haven't blogged since ... 2008. That's a mighty long time! Maybe with the baby coming I will be a better blogger so I can post pictures. Or a worse blogger because I am trying to survive with a newborn ... we shall see!

I am really excited today - the fabric I ordered for the baby's room just arrived. I am going to make a baby blanket with it - the dandelions on the front, and the damask on the back. I am so happy with this fabric - I was worried about buying it online and not seeing the colors as they are in real life, but I love it. It's like a strawberry pink and white. I am going to attempt to make a quilt with a self facing. Fingers crossed it turns out as fabulous as it looks in my head.



I currently am in the process of making myself a dress for my baby shower. I am using Butterick pattern B454, and hopefully modifying it enough to accommodate my perfectly round basketball sized bump.



Cute, right? It's in a solid dark aubergine knit - I think it should turn out well, especially since it's a wrap dress - very forgiving. Pair it with black tights and I really think I need these booties to go with it, don't you? Smashing! I might have to make myself a polyvore set for future reference... stay tuned.

Arrr, Matey

So, this year I am going to be a pirate for Halloween! Usually, I try to keep my costume a secret, but I'm not as excited this year, so I thought I'd post as I go along.

I'm making a vest, pantaloons, blouse, and overcoat. Here is the pattern I'm using:









The first thing I made was the vest. I was pessimistic about it, not at all sure it would turn out like I hoped. Boy, was I wrong, it's even better than I imagined! Obviously, the exterior is a lovely russet and gold brocade, it's lined with muslin, and has a broadcloth interfacing. It's boned, and has 12 grommets for lacing. I was supposed to use single fold bias tape at the bottom to finish it off, but that would totally have cheapened the look of the vest, so I made my own bias tape out of leftover fabric, which I think really sets it off. However, I think I need better ribbon for the lacing ...


So, as I mentioned, I am also making a peasant blouse to wear underneath (it would be extremely risque otherwise!). Brett was concerned that the garment didn't lace completely together in the middle. It can be laced that tight (don't breathe!), but based on the pattern cover image, it's not intended to be worn that way, and thank goodness, because at first I thought I had made it too small.

Currently I am working on the pantaloons. They are not too exciting; I am constructing them from a soft brown suiting fabric that was on clearance. I will post photos of them when the are complete. They seem to be the simplest item of all to make, so hopefully I will be able to complete them tonight ... assuming my sewing machine cooperates with me. It's skipping stitches and bunching the thread again. So frustrating!

Hey, look what I made!

I made 2 tote bags and 2 cigar box purses over the weekend. I think they turned out super cute! They're for my cousin in PA. The cheetah tote and the zebra cigar box are my favorites. Oh, and the boxes are lined with the fabric from the tote bags - I'm nothing if not coordinated!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

INGREDIENTS:
4 cloves garlic
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo- style pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened


DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Place garlic in a small baking dish, or wrap in aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until soft. Remove from heat. When cool enough to touch, squeeze softened garlic from skins. Using an electric mixer, blend all of the ingredients together. In an 8x8 inch baking dish, spread the mixture, and top with extra mozzarella or parm (optional). Cover and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm. (I remove the foil for the last 10 min so the cheese gets a bit browned on top.)


Some notes: DO NOT skip the roasted garlic step - it really mellows out the garlic flavor and it is totally worth the extra step. Also, this recipe makes a very large serving. Unless you're having a party, it will probably be too much. I divide the mix into 4 ramekins, and wrap 3 in plastic wrap and foil and put them in the freezer for use in the future, and just make one at a time.