just us.

getting my domestic on

so I've been keeping busy the last two days.  Having that extra day off during the week to myself is always nice.  Keira is at school, and it gives me a chance to get things done.  Whether it be laundry or getting dinner ready, it's nice to have some "me" time.

so yesterday, I got a bunch of laundry done and started on a sewing project.  The sewing project fell apart at the end, so I decided to just work on it the next day since I had to get dinner started.

I ended up making turkey meatballs over rice, and cream of mushroom sauce.  (I got the recipe from here.) I was curious to see if Keira would eat the meatballs or not, because she is a bit of a finicky eater.  But let's just say it was love at first bite.  I think I'll add some diced onions next time because they were a bit dry, but I'm wondering if using ground turkey had something to do with it too.

next up, I made some banana bread.  We had some bananas that were pretty close to being overripe, and I didn't want to waste them and throw them away.  Another google search came up with this recipe, courtesy of Food Network.  the house smelled so good as it was baking.  The next time I make it, I'll probably add walnuts for some crunch.

This morning, I finished up my sewing project from yesterday...a layered skirt for Keira!  Making and keeping the ruffle gathered was my issue yesterday, and I had to redo it today.

the ruffled layers need to be a tiny bit longer to cover the connector pieces, and I need to make the the waistband wider to accomodate the elastic inside (I always mess this part up).  But overall, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and I hope Keira likes it!

I have a few more crafty things in mind to do, and I'm hoping to get some cupcakes made with the strawberries I have that are starting to overripen.

hooray for days off!!

it's the gobbly goo!

I'm always on the lookout for crafty ideas that would make for lifelong memories.  Something I can look back on 20 years down the road and say...wow, can you even imagine?

so when I found this idea for turkey handprints, I knew it was something I wanted to do right away.

Lucky for me, Keira can be into doing arts and crafts (thank you preschool!) and it's quick and easy enough that Mike won't get bored.  With Thanksgiving coming up, I decided tonight was the night to do it.

so here we go!!

I traced each of our hands on white cardstock, colored them in and backed each one on colored cardstock.  I wanted to put our turkeys in a frame like the original idea, but didn't have one on hand, nor did I want to buy one.  So I went with a garland instead and hung it from our mantle.  Once the holiday is over, into our family scrapbook it goes! I'm especially in love with capturing the size of Keira's hand now and having it to compare against later on down the road.

it's all about the memories, right?

operation crafty: naptime mat

so the sewing adventure that I mentioned yesterday?  well, it's all done!

I made Keira a bedroll or naptime mat for her to take to school with her.  I had a potential pattern in my head, but knowing that I would probably need something a little more tried and true, I googled "kids sleeping bag sewing pattern" and was lead to this.  While this was pretty much what I was looking for, I wanted the pillow to be removable for washing and didn't necessarily want a carrying strap for it.  Luckily, I found this variation of the same tutorial, so I used a combination of the two.

I had the owl material from a previous spending spree, and thought I had enough (2 yards) for both the top and bottom of the mat.  After studying the directions a bit more, I realized I didn't and was going to buy more.  I really wanted this project to be about using up what materials I already had, and remembered that I still had a big piece of a red bedsheet left from a previous project...voila!

The blue fleece blanket is one that we already had, so I cut it (with some extra width) down to size.  The bias tape I had made a while ago, when I first learned how to make it and was gung-ho about doing so.  I wasn't sure I would have enough to edge the entire mat, so I used some red tape for the pillow portion.

For the pillow part of the mat, I sewed an envelope closure (rather than permanently sewing the pillow in) so that I could remove the pillow insert for washing.  I used scraps of the red sheet to make the insert itself and stuffed it with some bamboo stuffing I already had.

the mat itself is 3 layers of batting I had left from my last quilt sandwiched between two pieces of cotton.  It's probably not as thick and cushy as it could be, but Keira will be sleeping on a cot, which her mat will be on top of.  I'm sure it will be enough for her needs.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and am so thankful for the internet as a resource.  My mom told me I should buy a pattern for it, but I was determined to figure it out on my own...and without spending any extra moola too.

I think it might be safe to say that my creative mojo is coming back!!

just another Friday

I was folding some laundry this morning while Keira was eating her lunch (chicken nuggets per her request) and had it laying all over the couch.  She proceeds to tell me that I need to clean up my mess.

As if her mess was okay?!

I'm hoping to embark on a sewing adventure today, and will be doing so based upon a pattern I thought up in my head (with a little bit of reference from here and maybe here too).  Let's see how well it goes over...or if I even get started.

We are having a little block party on July 4th and I thought of doing a photobooth as part of the festivities.  I thought using these props would be a cool idea, so hopefully a trip to Joann's for supplies will also happen today.

I'm thinking that I'm being a little over-ambitious, and that a nice nap would be in order instead.  But since my stomach is currently empty, maybe I should eat first.

decisions, decisions.

boing...boing...boing

 
Happy Easter people!!  I'm working today, and while I would normally be bummed about having to do so (especially on a holiday), I'm not.  Why?  Because I'm only working a half day!!  The company decided to be smart for once and close us early.  I'm done with my work for now, so I'm hoping the rest of my shift goes quick.

Today also marks the end of 47 days of no Facebook and no coffee.  (Did anyone else realize Lent was longer than usual this year?)  I have a confession though.

I cheated.  On Facebook, but not on coffee.  About halfway through, I found myself perusing Facebook statuses on my phone and while I wasn't active on it (by commenting on things), I still was on.  So in my book, I cheated.  But I was determined not to fail on my commitment to no coffee.  And trust me, there were days were I was aching for it.  I would walk myself to Starbucks, get in line, and then get back out due to pure guilt.  And I thought coffee would be the easier one to forgo.

Other things going on in the household:

 
Mike started building our future vegetable planter box yesterday.  The work on the wall is done, so now we don't have to worry about anymore construction.  We talked about growing our own vegetables when we first moved in, but had to wait until after our landscaping was done and approved.  Since we've never grown a garden before, we're going to start off with easy things, like tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs.  Well, at least we hope they're easy :)

 
I started my third quilt a few days ago, and I'm quilting it right now.  I can't wait to get to the binding part, since I made my own bias tape for it.  I'm not following any particular pattern for this one, it's made up of simple rectangles of fabric sewn together.  The fabric is all from Ikea (red hippo, green hippo and hearts).  I'm using more of the same fabric for the back, but in strips rather than blocks.  I am using a different quilt batting than I used on my first quilt, and so far I think I like it better.  I bought the queen size, figuring I could make at least 2 quilts out of one package.

 
The Kings are still in the playoffs, trailing in the series 3-2.  Mike went to game 4 on Thursday night, and came home a depressed man.  He couldn't even sleep that night when he got home.  But they hung on last night to win 3-1, so it goes to game 5 Monday night in San Jose.  You can bet he will be holding his breath the whole time...and Keira won't be in bed until I get home from work.

The Easter Bunny (aka Uncle Peter and Auntie Linh Tam) brought Keira a basket yesterday and in it was a pack of Kai Lan underwear.  She was excited it about it, and even knew what it was and for.  We keep telling her that she has to go potty in the toilet before she can wear them.  We'll see how well that works.  We're not quite ready to potty train her yet, but soon.

first things first

our first Sunday paper.

Keira's first Easter basket, filled with Max & Ruby stuff and my dad's first visit since January 1st.

Keira's first Easter egg hunt where she actually understood the concept of hunting for eggs.

She is also wearing my first homemade two-tiered simple skirt.

And here she is wearing my first pair of homemade pants.

I showed my mom how to make continuous bias tape...it was her first time.  And I tried showing her how to do mitered corners too.

We also celebrated our nephew Jacob's 2nd birthday, at which I didn't take any pictures but thankfully my dad did.  And this was the first time Keira blew out birthday candles and wasn't afraid to.  Yes, we know it wasn't even her birthday.

in the stillness

the little booger is napping right now, and has been for the past 2 1/2 hours.  The bit of downtime allowed me to make dinner for tonight, catch up on some DVR'd shows, and make this:

it's a simple skirt, and it really was that easy to make.  I discovered Dana's website through Donna, who had made her stripes-turn-chevron-stripes pillow a little while back and have been hooked ever since.  I've only tried this one tutorial of hers, but there are so many others I would love to make, like her Peeps bunting or market skirt.  I'm sort of on a skirt kick right now, and thankfully so is Keira.

from this angle you can't really tell that the house is somewhat clean, but it's in quiet moments like right now that I can quickly pick up things and put them in their place.  Keira is usually pretty good at destroying that in just a few seconds :)

Keira has a newfound interest in ballet and ballerinas, so I found another tutorial online to make tutus for her.  This one was also really easy to make (I'm all about the easy) and didn't cost much either.  In total, I probably spent under $10 on each one!  The tulle wasn't on sale when I bought it, so I'm sure I could've saved more had I waited...oh well.  I'm not good at waiting sometimes.

I'm really enjoying sewing right now, and finished my baby shower gift for a dear friend this past weekend.  The diaper bag was my last to-do and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I was all set to make another one for myself when life just sort of got in the way.

Speaking of life, it's time to head out for work...

vacation is great

I am currently blogging from our cushy studio suite at the Westin Monache Resort in Mammoth Lakes, CA.  nevermind that I probably have to work an 8 hour shift to pay for it, we're on vacation so that's that.

let's rewind a little...

on Friday 2/25, Keira and I headed to Disneyland to meet up with my cousin Renita, her husband Marc and their two boys Brandon and Kyle.  They were in town for a mini vacay, so we jumped at the chance to see them.

They've never had the Disneyland turkey legs and corndogs, so I was more than happy to introduce them to it!

 
Brandon and Kyle inhaled their dogs, and Keira surprisingly ate half of hers.  We rode a few kid-friendly rides, waited out the rain under some Main Street awnings and did some shopping at the World of Disney before heading home for a dinner of pho and rice.

I had to work Saturday, and it was pretty busy.  By the time the afternoon rolled around, I was ready to get the heck out of there!  We planned on heading out on our road trip after I got off, so I was getting pretty antsy and irritable by the time 5pm rolled around.

We made a stop in Riverside to pick up keys for our friend's condo at Lake Las Vegas and then headed out on the highway towards Sin City.  Despite outfitting the truck with a DVD player and Kai Lan DVDs, Keira was getting antsy for a good portion of the drive.  She fell asleep at some point and we got into town around 1130pm.

We loved the condo we stayed at...just loved!!  It was so much more than what we expected, we thought about staying longer!!  We really didn't need to bring anything with us, because everything we needed was already there.

Sunday morning we headed to the Strip, where we had Sunday brunch at the Bellagio.  You can't go to Las Vegas and NOT eat at a buffet?!  Even Keira had her share of food!

 
 

after the Strip, we headed out to see our good friends, Teri and Reggie.  This would also be our first meeting of their newest love...Drake!!

 
I've forgotten what it's like to hold a newborn...so small compared to our little monster.  I had a few hours before dinner to whip out another sewing project...a hooter hider!

 
I found a tutorial online and sort of followed it.  I opted for a slightly wider one and pockets that went all across the bottom interior instead of just the corners.  It came together rather quickly, taking probably an hour in total for the whole thing.  Teri is gonna try her hand at making one herself and a Boppy pillow cover too.

We bid farewell to Las Vegas Monday morning, but not before having breakfast at BabyCakes Cafe. Teri and Reggie recommended it to us, and it happened to be on our way out of town.

 
BabyCakes is known for their red velvet pancakes, topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate crumbles and cream cheese syrup on the side.  I ordered the short stack (3 pancakes) and inhaled 80% of it in less than 10 minutes.  The last 20% was a struggle, but I did it.  I guess you can say it was that good.  Mike got the Spam Scramble, which was a bit on the skimpy side.  We got the chicken tenders with fries for Keira.  Overall, we liked the place and would recommend it to others.

From there, it was a long 5.5 hour trip to Mammoth Lakes, going through lots of dessert, windy roads, chilly weather, snowy backdrops and few cars.  I counted a total of 10 cars on the 266 -> 168 -> 395, one of which blew passed us and later got stopped by the highway patrol :).  Too bad for him.

Keira slept about 3 hours of the 5.5 hour drive and watched Princess Kai-Lan at least 3 times.  She did much better on this leg of the trip.

some random pictures along the way:

 
 
crossing back into CA.

 
Mike wanted a picture of his truck in the snow.

 
 one lane highway going through a pass.

 
fresh powder farther than the eye can see.

 
keeping warm next to the outdoor fire pit across the street from the hotel.

another random: our car keys were locked IN the car by the valet when we got here.  Thank goodness for AAA, who came quickly (less than 20 minutes?) to slim jim our door and let us in.

We are hoping to make the most of our stay here in Mammoth.  We plan on just being here overnight, long enough for Keira to get her first taste of a snowball fight before she becomes a frozen popsicle.

I *heart* sewing

squeezing in a quick post before putting the kid down for a nap...

I've been quite productive in the sewing department as of late:

I completed my first quilt this past weekend!!  The how-to came from Sew Darn Cute, by Jenny Ryan, that Mike got me as a gift.  The panels were supposed to be all the same size, but I changed it up and went with different widths instead.  I bought the fabric from the Orange Quilt Bee, and I was being good walking out with just 3 patterns.  There were so many cute ones!!

If you look up close, you may notice imperfections here and there, but it gives it character right?  Towards the end I was growing a bit tired of the whole thing, and really just wanted to get it done.  I think I'll keep this for the next kid...

this is my latest creation, finished just this morning.  I got the instructions from another book gifted to me from Mike, Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter.  It's meant to be a garden tote, but I think I may use it for crafty stuff, or a diaper bag for Keira.  I'm already plotting the next one, using the leftover canvas from the pillow covers I made.  Canvas fabric is from Ikea.

A couple things I learned from these two projects:

1) quilting is a lot of work!!  and mine was fairly simple, with rectangle panels and straight lines for the quilting process.  I used up all the white thread I had, broke one needle (right when I was done with the whole thing!), and had to rethread the bobbin more times than I liked.

2) there were times I thought this quilt would be my last...still thinking about this one.

3) sewing something with a lining requires a bit more thought and manuevering.  I don't particularly care for the "flipping inside out" process, especially when using thicker material like canvas.

4) read, re-read and think out the instructions before continuing.  I had the tote bag all sewn up and ready for flipping, when I realized the handles would end up sandwiched in between the two layers, rather than on the outside as intended.

5) I really enjoy sewing right now.  Even if I don't know what I'm going to do with the project after I'm done, I just like going through the process of it all.  And to have something to show for hard work and determination is even better.

sew in love

just sharing the little gift I made for Mike to celebrate the Day of Love this year.

I think I'm going a little cuckoo over pillows right now...and canvas fabric from Ikea.  I bought a bunch of it the other day.  I want to try my hand at making a chevron pillow like Donna's.  She got her directions from here.

close-ups:

Originally, I wanted to reverse applique an ampersand instead of a heart, but I really didn't want to tackle all the curves involved.  I also wanted to make light grey pillows instead of black ones (they're going to go on our bed), but Ikea didn't have any.  I like the contrast of the stripes against the solid black, it really stands out.

the heart is off-center and kinda wonky, and the M isn't quite even at the top either.

Oh well, I love them anyway.

happy love day dear husband...I love you!