More leaf art

Here's my fall mantle:

See the empty frame?  My plan was to get a print of some fall leaves for it.  That didn't work out, because as it turns out, my Costco photo account had been cancelled because I hadn't ordered any pictures for a year (whoops).  So I emailed them and they emailed back saying it would be 2-3 weeks before my account was reinstated (really?).  So I came up with something else.

I did these last year and I still really like them.  My idea for the mantle frame was similar and first involved going on a walk with my girls to collect leaves.  It was fun.  Then I pressed them.  Then I glued them to a 5x7 sheet of paper (I actually used the paper that came in the frame):

I did a few layers and made sure the paper was covered entirely.

Then I trimmed the edges:

Then I put it in the frame:

I love it- simple, natural, and it adds a bit of color to my kind of bland mantle:

Spiderweb Soup

A little late for a Halloween-type post, but whatever.

Two years ago I was watching Rachael Ray and she did a black bean soup with sour cream that looked awesome.  The thing that really caught my eye was how she did the sour cream- she had it in a squeezy bottle and did a swirl on top of the soup, then used a toothpick to pull from the center to the outside edge in a bunch of places, like the spokes on a wheel.  Then and there (two years ago) I decided that I wanted that to be my family's traditional Halloween meal.  I also decided right then that I would call it "Spiderweb Soup" and be the coolest mom in the world.

I finally made it this year, although I'm not certain the recipe I found here is the same as the one I saw on her show.  I seem to remember that one being darker than the one that resulted from this recipe.  I made it on Wednesday but next year I am DETERMINED (all caps-it must be true) to actually have it on Halloween.  I will also make the sour cream lines thicker, so you can the "web" better.

Woot for new traditions!

Baby booties!

This last week was full of sewing for me- I did the baby's costume as well as a few little things I was making by hand for our family pictures.  One of those things was some baby booties.  I had initially planned on crocheting some, but then abandoned that plan when I realized we only had a week until pictures and I still hadn't bought a pattern.  Luckily, I saw this pin on one of my sister-in-law's boards.  The pattern is from her other sister-in-law's Etsy shop.  I bought it almost immediately, because I can't crochet baby boots in a week, but I can definitely sew some in that same amount of time. 

No tutorial, since the pattern isn't my original to share, but here's how they turned out:

 

I used a brown faux velvet for the outside uppers and wool felt for the lining.  I love how they kind of look like spats.  You can see a bunch more fabric combinations here, at my sister-in-law's sister-in-law's blog. 

My unsolicited opinion of the pattern:  It was great.  There was one pdf with just that pattern pieces and another with step by step instructions with lots of pictures.  I will definitely be making more of these for my little one.

Here's how many pictures I tried to take of them on my littlest's feet:

Two month olds are so wiggly. 

My new favorite headbands

My "tutorial:"
Buy a half yard of crocheted lace.  Tie some ribbon around either end.  Put it on your head. 

Seriously, I love these.  They go with everything. 

Do-do-do dodododo do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

If you couldn't tell, the title of this post is the Mario theme song.

So, most of these costumes are a repeat from 2 years ago.  (This was last year, if you're wondering.)  I knew I wouldn't get around to making new costumes for everyone this time around, what with the new baby and all.  Elle's is new- all I did was make a little turtle shell that strapped onto her back and some booties.  Mim's is improved- I cut off the flat foam bottom and did a gathering stitch around the bottom edge.  I also improved my costume- lace on my gloves, a Princess Daisy hair style, and earrings that I made with buttons and nail polish that I forgot to wear.  I didn't let Mike grow his mustache out for this year since we got our family pictures done on Saturday and he looks like a creeper when he has one.  We also forgot to draw one on him, like we did for our family party on Friday.  Ahwell.

Hope you all had a safe and candy-filled Halloween!