80 years young

We had a wonderful time visiting family this weekend. Grandma was beautiful, and she looks and acts like she just turned 60.  So glad our family could get together to celebrate her birthday.



And while we were there my dad took me to some garage sales and I found the two beauties below. Unbelievably, the 8mm video camera still has film in it. I can't wait to use it. Love old videos that look like this.

It's a ukulele miracle

 

For Christmas I got Bradin a ukulele kit, partially because normal ones are sort of expensive and I thought it would be a fun project to do. Well, knowing my husband I should have figured it would take awhile, so now, let's see, almost 10 months later, here it finally is. But in his defense it was rather complicated, the instructions were in broken English and all the parts did take awhile to dry, 10 months....not so sure.

So it's pretty exciting because now he can teach me this song, we just need a backup sax player....any takers? And I also like this song, I just think her voice is cute and I do love a good beard.

Printed Birthday Burlap Banner Tutorial

We are throwing a surprise 80th birthday party for my grandma. I made a birthday banner that I printed on burlap, and wanted to share how to make one yourself.
Supplies for banner: Burlap, contrasting thread, rotary cutter, pretty twine or ribbon to string banner on, and triangular pattern for banner. I just used a piece of cardboard so I could have a stable pattern that I wouldn't cut into with the rotary.
Supplies for printing on banner: Textile ink (craft store), stencil brush, alphabet stencils. I happened to get my stencils on clearance at Joann (89 c.). But you can always find some at your local craft store.
I cut out all of the triangles then edge-stitched with contrasting thread.
Now for the printing. I have a small piece of Plexiglas that I like to put my ink on, but any flat slick surface will work. Hold stencil tight so it won't slip, then dab the ink with stencil brush, not too thick so there won't be any bleeding.
Once you have the desired saturation of print gently lift stencil and, voila, you are on your way to a printed banner. After ink is completely dry, heat set with iron. Be sure to follow directions on back of ink bottle for setting the ink.
I used this twine to string my banner on. I folded top of banner and pressed, then sewed the twine in between burlap.
My finished banner says "that's right it's yer birthday!" Now go out there and make someone you know a special banner.

Is that wedding bells I hear?

In honer of a very exciting engagement I wanted to feature some vintage wedding dresses. I tell you, looking through all the dresses makes me want to get married again. Bradin...renew our vows?1950's dress

Ivory eyelet couture dress, Georgette gown

1960's strapless dress, 1920's flapper wedding dress

Vintage inspired dress - I couldn't resist. Even though this is not actual vintage, it is so beautiful.


We are so excited for you Jeff and Lindsay, congrats!

Fresh

We enjoyed this lovely dish, via my favorite food blog. If you haven't checked it out yet, I would head on over. She uses seasonal fruits and veggies with unique ingredients.