Berry Heaven

Berries Berries Berries Yeah!

One of the main draws to coming to the Pacific Northwest was the berries. We just missed the wild raspberry season last summer, but I found a farmnearby that had Strawberries and Raspberries that you could pick yourself. So last week we took the kids out and we went crazy!

We came home with a Haul and I had to make my new favorite jam, thanks to my Sister-in-Law Kim. I thought I'd share the recipe. I promise it will be your new favorite too!

Strawberry (or Raspberry) Pear Jam

8 cups sugar

4 cups pureed pears (fresh is OK but more work. I use canned)

1 package sure jell

1 package strawberry (or raspberries)

1 cup smashed berries (either strawberry or raspberry)

Bring sugar, pears, sure-jell, and jello to a boil. Boil over medium heat for 10 minutes. Take off heat and add smashed berries. (I put on a rubber glove and smooshed them in my hands. Kinda fun!). Ladle into prepared jars, either quart or pint. Attach lids that have been sitting in super hot water to soften the rubber, and rings. Turn jars over and put them on your counter upside down for about 1-2 hours. Turn them right side up and leave them alone for 24 hours.

You're done! Doesn't it look super yummy?!?!

Gifts

Well it's about time.

I haven't had much energy since my surgery.

But I have been dying to get crafting again.

Let me share what I've made lately.

First is a Mother's Day Present/ Birthday present I made for my Mom and my Mother-in-law. I got the chipboard album from here. They're on sale right now for$3.99.

Then I covered the Box top and outside of the accordion album with coordinating paper.

Then I carefully cut papers to cover the pockets on the inside. This was kinda tricky but it turned out cute. Then I had to use photoshop to resize my pictures. Regular 4x6 prints were way too big so I resized them to get two 2x3's on each 4x6 print. Cut them out and add a note and you're done! Oh yeah, of course

Ink Everything!

The latest project was a gift for my little one's teachers. The original idea came from here. I changed a few things but I think it turned out cute. My daughter found the chipboard book at Joanns and I thought it would be perfect for a teacher. I covered it with paper from Me & My Big Ideas.

I covered the edges with Wausau textured paper and inked it to look like an old book. I used good ole' Elmers glue mixed with water and my handy sponge brush to stick the papers down. It's just as effective as Mod Podge and less expensive. Let it completely dry before inking the edges.

Then I made these label tags for each of the colors in Photoshop. It is made to be printed on an 8.5x11 page. I used heavy card stock to print them out on.

I used littlebags and separated out Peanut and regular M&M's. I couldn't find my stapler so I folded over the bag, attached the tag, and punched holes and my son tied the ribbon on each one. I think it turned out cute. Feel free to print your own tags. It would be a great gift for anyone needing a little love.

It was a tight fit, but it's not going to stay in there very long anyway... right?

Circle twirly Skirt

I have been thinking about making a circle twirly skirt for my little girl for a while. The Birthday of my niece prompted me to get it done. Especially if I'm going to make one, I might as well make 2. It doesn't take that much longer.

Cut some strips for the waistband ties, and some strips for the bottom ruffle.

Then cut a circle for the skirt. Cut another one the same size for the ruffle layer. I used white for the ruffle layer.

Here's the pieces I cut out folded up.

Next I surged the ruffle ends together, and the hem edge for the ruffle and the top skirt.

I love my surger!

Next, gather the ruffle and attach it to the under skirt.

And sew the waistband to the skirt with both layers attached.

Then I ironed the waist band to make it easier to fold and sew together.

Once it's pressed, stitch the waistband together. I cut about 2 1/2 inches from the top of the waist edge to allow for sizing and surged the edge. Then when you put the skirt on, there is room for the hips, (not that little girls have hips yet) and you can tighten the ties to fit the girl and it is adjustable to their size.

Next I added a little embellishment to the skirt edge just to the left of center. Fold a scrap of material in half, then in thirds like an ice cream cone and cut a half circle to make the petals.

I stitched the flower in place along with some rick-rack or grosgrain ribbon along the bottom edge of the top skirt. Then hand sewed some buttons on the flower.

And you're done! Too cute! My little girl got lots of complements at Costco, and at the hospital when they came to pick me up post-Thyroid surgery.

Get Well Gift

I finally got my new computer! Yeah!

Here's the project I've been working on.

I got the idea here from my friend Debbie.

Since I couldn't find the same containers at Joann's here (sadly we don't have Hobby Lobby). I had to improvise, but I think it turned out cute anyway.

This is the box I used. I used a paper piecing pattern to make the bird, and scraps that I had. Then glued them on and inked the whole thing.

Here is the card I printed out to go in the box.

My sister really liked it. She's undergoing treatment for her baby that has Spina Bifida. I hope it helps!

Boutique apron

I had forgotten that fabric could be yummy! I was wandering through Joann's the other day looking for fabric for a quilt and found this. I've been thinking about making an apron for a while but couldn't seem to find the design and fabric that I really liked. These 4 pieces were it! I combined the designs from here and here. It was basically a bunch of geometric shapes sewn together. I added interfacing to the upper part and the waist part of the ties to give it more stability.
Here's the bottom part. I wanted it curved.

These are the main body pieced cut out and laid out on my table.
These are the neck straps, waistband ties, front pocket, and ruffle for the bottom edge. I cut 3 pieces for the ruffle. I wanted it really full. I used all of it except for about 6 inches at the end. I just folded it over and over as I stitched it down to the bottom part of the apron.
Here's a close up of the ruffle and ties. The ruffle has been pressed and topstitched.
Here's the finished project. It's almost too cute to get all floury when I bake, but at least I'll look good!

Oopps

I just realized that I accidentally deleted the chore cards I made when I was adjusting the spacing on my post about the chore charts and menu board. Sorry about that. Here's the tags.

As always they are in a 8.5x11 format for easy printing.

I'm pondering a Valentines advent calendar right now. Stay tuned for the

project. I hope you'll LOVE it!

Playing with digital

I made this page recently as part of a PageMaps challenge. Here's the link. I love her sketches!

Be sure to go to her page to get loads of sketches in all shapes and sizes... seriously!

The papers all came from Jessica Spragues Home Away from Home kit on her site. The Owl and the branches came from brusheezy.

Enjoy!