Freezer Paper Fun

Freezer Paper Rocks! The plastic coating sticks to fabric when ironed. Before you iron it on, draw your design and cut it out. I used big scissors which weren't the best option, but I'm lazy, I had no idea where my cutting knife was.


We all got new t-shirts. I had a hand in all of them (go figure). They started out as Pokemon shirts, but Big Boy and I took a slightly different path. That's how we roll.

The boys shirts have a bit of glow in the dark fabric paint mixed into the gold and green and they glow in the dark. Little Man  told me he wants to live in the dark so that his shirt will always glow. Oh, it will glow, buddy!


And this, well, this is Grimer. Mr. Guz didn't want to do the work, but was very particular about the results. Please note that I did outline the eyes after this picture.

I was on the phone in my bedroom tonight and Mr. Guz came in and looked at his shirt. Took it into the light, looked again. Then returned it to the doorknob where it continues to dry completely. I think he is more excited about his shirt than the little boys.

That makes me happy.

Family Game Night aka Headache

Retro Friday

My super cool cousin was able to restore all our pictures from a crashed computer. So, in honor and appreciation of Chris, I'm going to show you all a never seen before picture from the same time of month in history.

This one is Sam (forgive my pictures, I've learned a lot since then) from March of 2004. The best part of looking at baby pictures is that you can see faces and expressions in photographs that you see now in your child, almost six years later.

Oh, that wrinkled scrunched up nose...I see you today!

Humunga Stache Durable Dog Toy

Humunga Stache Durable Dog Toy

I almost want to buy a dog so that he can have this toy.

How fun would this be?

All dogs should have mustaches.

Three Hours in the Life of a Three Year Old

8:23 AM: Little Man makes faces.

8:35: Second bag of Goldfish Crackers, as a chaser to the Jello Cup.

9:08: Playing "Mean Bat"

9:38: Puppet Show!


9:57: "Mom! I need to be a rock star."

10:10: The wristbands are cool, but to be a real rock star, one needs a headband.

10:41: Little bit of music is nice.

11:23: Race Car driver. Complete with flashing lights and a lot of noise.

(Insert pic of mom wishing it was bedtime!)

Plate of Cakes

Devils Food.

Carrie's Food.

I've been craving cupcakes for some time now. I made them happen today.

I'm also attempting to clear out my pantry of baking mixes. I'm moving on people. I'm baking from scratch again. It feels good and I've gained some confidence. Gluten free flours shouldn't be scary. I put them in cute containers, so I'm not afraid anymore.

My plate is from the fabulous VeganDish on Etsy. She was amazing with the shipping, fantastic to work with. I just love this plate. It is my Christmas cookie platter and everyone knows it now. Makes me feel important and special to be Gluten Free - not weird and demanding.

And yes, I did frost the cupcakes in my easy-no-mess frosting process. I heat the frosting in the microwave for 15 seconds or so. Enough to make it smooth, but not hot. Then I scoop into a baggie and clip the corner, and pipe away. Fast and easy and no mess.

Rip Cape

After months (or has it been years?) of making superhero capes out of my blankets and towels, I made "real" capes. My mom gave me this fabric and it's boldness and Christmas-ey-ness has kept it on the shelf.

Until yesterday.

Little Man came to me with a hand towel that he wanted to wear as a cape. Yes a hand towel. A pink one. That is another story, those pink towels.

So, I grabbed my scissors and went downstairs. Thinking that I'd just get him a piece of fabric and staple the Velcro to two corners and call it a day.

If you know me, you know that I rarely do things fast or half assed. Quarter Assed, I tore the fabric. No hems, no measuring, no matching thread. I tore out a rectangle, then clipped 1.5 inches in from each long side and stopped the tearing 2 inches from the top, forming the tie. I then ran a stitch to reinforce the tie (so it didn't tear right off) and made a couple pleats around the neckline for fit.
Then, I had to make one for Big Boy.

Then, I had to make a thumb cape for Big Boy.

Then, I had to make a thumb cape for Little Man.

What? Never seen the need for a thumb cape?

You must not be a "Cool Dude Super Hero".

Dragon Bread

We were invited to a "Mardi Gras-Valentine-Chinese New Year" party a couple weeks ago. Don't judge me on my picture posting delays! I wanted to be creative with bread. This is GLUTEN bread - the frozen kind. I wouldn't waste good expensive gluten free flours on a test.

My mom used to make a teddy bear out of the dough with raisins for belly button and eyes. That was my inspiration for this dragon. It was fun and apparently tasted great. The raisins popped out and got gross and plump (I like a dried raisin. We have some friends that love a plump wet raisin...ewww).

This is the before the oven photo where I used red food coloring mixed with a little water and brushed it on. The green were sugar sprinkles that bled more than I had hoped.


It was fun, though! Looks like I could use some new cookie sheets, right?

And since this is MY blog, I'd be remiss to not include some gluten free love. This is my attempt at Gluten Free Girls post on Olive Rosemary bread. I made it in the crock pot since I was traveling this day and wanted to be able to take it with me to finish baking. It worked out pretty well. I think next time, I'll put it on warm for an hour or so to let the yeast activate, then to high to finish baking.

This is the raw dough...I never got a picture of it baked!


I'm not a huge olive fan. I like them in tacos and on pizza, but that is about where I stop. But I made this and I'm glad that I did. It was great. It was like trying a new bread at a fancy bakery. The gluten eaters seemed to like it, but they were my Mother in Law and Brother in Law, and they may have just been trying to be nice.

Yes, It's All About the Snow

Finally, our first snow season where both boys enjoy it.

And there is a tennis ball under that snow...it is not yellow snow.

Hope you are out and playing in the snow!

Moon Lawn

As much as I love a fresh, flat even coat of snow, this is better.

It's smooth and entrancing.

The dips and shapes of the snow give texture even on the coldest of days.

It fills me with the wonder of what had been.

It hides imperfections.

Snow.

Friday Night Goodnight Show

This blog seems to be bordering on a parenting blog more so than a craft and art blog. So be it.
It also appears that I only have one child when that couldn't be more wrong. It just so happens that the older boy is less interested in my photo taking and home less than this little man.

Last Friday night, while Sam was at soccer practice, O and I were watching Sprout. They had a tambourine craft that O thought was the cat's pajamas. Although he didn't say 'cat's pajamas', it was more, "that's totally awesome, I wish I had one". That was enough for this mom that shot up from that comfy couch to make a craft.

A pantry without beans, still held these rice macaroni that I bought before I found Tinkyada pasta. This stuff needs to soak and cook for what seems to be a full day. They are cheap, though. But not cheap enough to taste acceptable. So...two plates, something to make noise and a stapler. I was informed by a wide eyed boy that I was supposed to use glue to seal the tambourine. Ah...he was paying attention. After he realized he couldn't play with it until the next day, the staples were just fine.


His own decorating makes my heart go putter patter.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) this tambourine and the one the big guy made after he came home from soccer practice, haven't been touched since that night.

And for anyone with a good eye...the cloth that O is resting his tambourine on in the last picture was the very first loom woven item I made. It is a sampler shawl made on a table loom in college. Oh...I remember the beginning of my obsession with weaving with fond memories.

Now, if I would just get off this computer and dress the loom that hasn't been touched in over a year!

Bread...again.

Bread.
Gluten Free Bread.
Gluten Free Bread in a Crockpot.
Yes!
Crisp.
Brown.
Crisp brown edges.
Like real bread.
(In a crockpot),
However...you must always remember to...

coat your vessel with oil or cooking spray.

I didn't mind, it made if feel rustic and homemade. And it was amazing. I ate half of it (or more) the first day. I have one little chunk left for tonight after the kiddos go to bed, because that's my idea of a fantastic Friday night!

I've talked about this bread before right here if you want the specifics. And here is her direct link to 365 Days of Crockpotting

Oh, and all the stuck on-broke off bits, well that makes a great bread crumb or stuffing addition.

There is a new recipe I'm going to try soon for olive bread - from scratch. I'm sure you'll see it here.

Story Time

You may think these pictures are no big deal.

O was sitting on my lap reading me a story. I couldn't get over how adorable his little hands were, especially with that scorpion ring.

He sat on my lap and read this story.

Yes, it is a blank story.

But it was the best story I had heard in days.

I need to remember that it is these little moments that will never happen again and to enjoy them and not to try and get him off my lap so that I can do my work.

Blank stories are the best...so many possibilities.