Sally Mellville Love

Knitwear designer and author, Sally Melville, will be in Memphis this weekend for a series of workshops and I'm taking one. I can't tell you how excited I am!!!!! Yay!!! Anyway, so I headed out to Barnes and Noble this morning while the kids were at Mothers Day Out to pick up a copy of her new book, Warm Knits Cool Gifts, and I can't wait to have it signed on Saturday. This book is perfect for holiday knitting. It has a little something for everyone on your list and includes projects from easy to experienced and quick afternoon knits to long-term commitment knits. This book has it all.

Warm and Snuggly Vest

Yay, another finished boy project! It turns out I can make clothes for boys. Anyway, this is from Dear My Kids and the pattern is called The Warm Hoodie Vest. Since it is for Caleb, I made it out of a cute flannel printed with cars and trucks that I found at Hancocks and lined it with super soft fleece from Joanne. I also left off the bow tie and added a button to make it a little more masculine.

In knitting news, I am busy working on about 3 different projects. I should hopefully have a pair of socks done to show you soon.

Little Turkey Dress

Despite housework, potty training, and just general kid craziness, I actually got some sewing done today. This little dress only took me about an hour from cut out to finish. The fabric I found at Hancocks and the pattern is the toddler sized Itty Bitty Dress from Made by Rae. And, in case you haven't heard, it's free!!! The original Itty Bitty Dress is sized for like a preemie to newborn. Perfect size for the Bitty Baby doll that Santa will be leaving for Katie, complete with wardrobe sewn by Mrs. Claus.

Sick Day

The fall weather is here and I love it, but with the fall weather comes yucky sinus stuff. Katie was sick this last week, but now it's my turn. Lou took the kids to church this morning to allow me to get some rest. So, I'm here on the sofa cuddled up in my jammies pants, my Monkey Socks, and one of my Grandmama's quilts knitting and listening to our pastor Chris Conlee of Highpoint Church teach the last sermon of the amazing Love Works series. If you are looking for a church, you are welcome at Highpoint. We are a perfect place for imperfect people.
I wanted to show you a pic of my quilt that I am cuddled up with. My Grandmama McCaleb made it many years ago. Since she lived out of town, I didn't know her very well. She moved in with my aunt, who used to baby sit me, when I was about seven but by then she was sick and not quite herself. She passed away when I was eight. One of the legacies she left me was her craftiness. I feel so blessed to have inherited my creativity gene from both sides of my family. She was an amazing quilter and I love the fact that I have one of her's in my collection. This quilt is my absolute favorite. It is blue and has doves with olive branches appliqued onto the blocks. It is cozy and soft after many years of wear.

I can't tell you how much it means to me to have a hand made heirloom. My hope is that someday when my granddaughter is my age, she will be able to wrap up in one of my hand knitted shawls and think of my legacy to her.

Wedding Shower Munchies

Later this afternoon, our friends Jenny and Kelley are hosting a co-ed wedding shower for a couple in our church who had a small ceremony a couple of months ago. The plan is to grill out some burgers and hotdogs and just hang out and let the kids play. I love parties and I really love cooking for parties, so when Jenny asked me to help with the food I jumped. Today, I am taking my mom's Pasta Potato Salad and white cupcakes with buttercream frosting.

Pasta Potato Salad

3 pounds of red potatoes

1 box of salad rotini pasta

1 red pepper chopped

4 green onions coarsely chopped

Mayonnaise

Ranch Dressing

1 pack of microwave bacon

Salt and Pepper

Cut up potatoes and boil on stove until tender. Meanwhile, cook pasta on stove as directed on box. Drain both and run under cold water to cool. In large bowl, place pasta, potatoes, red pepper, and onion. Mix in mayo and dressing to taste. Salt and pepper to taste. Right before serving, heat up bacon in microwave. Crumble and sprinkle over salad.

Plain White Cupcakes

(Recipe from The Cake Mix Doctor cookbook)

1 box white cake mix

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 cups in muffin pans. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together. Place in cups to about 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 18 minutes. Allow to cool before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream

1 stick of butter at room temperature

3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

4 tbsp vanilla flavored coffee creamer

2 tsp vanilla extract

Beat butter until fluffy. Add sugar, creamer, and vanilla extract. Beat until frosting is well blended.

Mommy Made Friday

What Mommy-made items are my child(ren) wearing today?

The pattern is A-Line Tunic from Whimsy Couture and the fabric is from Hobby Lobby. The hair bow is also made by me and is called the Itty Bitty Pinwheel bow and is available in my Etsy Shop.

A Fall Dress

I have had this pattern for several months, and every time I would go to cut it out it just wouldn't happen. I guess I was just waiting on the right fabric. Early this summer, I was roaming around Hancocks on one of my excursions without the kids and found the Pimatex on sale, 30% off. When I saw these green and brown prints, I knew they were perfect for this little dress and even more perfect for fall. Yes, I was longingly looking forward to fall during the scorching heat of the Memphis summer. This Sunday, we are suppose to experience our first real autumn weather, and I think this will be perfect over a sweet little long sleeve shirt for church.  So, here it is, my fall dress for Katie (minus the button). The pattern is The Valentina Dress from Made by Lex.