Felt Flowers

Dear Reader,

I've spent a lot of time at home this January, which has actually worked out just fine.  I will say though that I started to get a bit of cabin fever early in the month, resulting in trying a new project.  I had a baby gift to package and thought a felt flower on top would be an awesome addition.  Full disclosure: my very talented friend Jill at Cora Anne has given me Christmas presents the last two years with a handmade felt bow in 2009 and then this past year with a Pleated Poppy petal pusher!  Her beautiful gift prep provided the inspiration to make these:

I used three tutorials on felt flowers (found here, here, and here!), added button embellishments from my button box, and then hot glued on a clothespin to create a reusable flower/bow.   (This also solidified my love of a hot glue gun!)  Here is the baby gift with the felt flower:

I'm really pleased with the result.  (So much so that I made about a dozen Christmas versions for the 2011 holiday season.  Cabin fever?  Yes, that's for sure!)

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Dear Reader,

I'm starting to think towards Valentine's Day, finding a small treat that my son could give to his neighbor friends.  My aunt (who loves all things cherry) gave me this recipe, and she's also baked these cookies for me many a time.  They are excellent (probably because they have so much butter in them.)  So, my thought is to put a few cookies (the red dried cherries are perfect for February 14!) in a treat sack with a fun ribbon for the neighbor kids.  Easy.  Yummy.  Everybody wins. 

Sincerely,
Abi

New Packaging

Dear Reader,

I have been on the hunt for good patterned block packaging for a long time now.  I've intentionally tried to make these blocks environmentally conscious, and so I wanted the packaging to reflect that effort.  I shopped around in stores and online.  I ordered kraft boxes which were a dimensional disaster (but were fortunately able to be donated so they were not a waste!)   I came across some take-out boxes made of recycled materials.  Perfect.  I love finding packaging that is a bit unexpected.  And in an effort to make a snug fit for the blocks to be shipped, I added kraft shreds (also made of recycled materials.) 

I have included some photos of the result below.  I am excited to have found the ideal finishing touch to the blocks that creates an all-around eco-friendly choice. Check!  Woo hoo! 

Sincerely,
Abi

Seaside Patterned Blocks

Dear Reader,

Oh how these blocks make me look forward to springtime!  The bright colors and patterns rich with references to life by the shore seem to be teasing me into getaway wishes.  And I love the banner effect with this set, but, even more, the vintage images of children at play!  I just listed this seaside patterned set in the shop.   Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Handwriting Patterned Blocks

Dear Reader,

I hope Monday is agreeing with you!  I accomplished at least one of my weekend goals as this new set of handwriting patterned blocks is in the shop.  I am working on a few more sets that should be completed soon.  With fabulous patterned papers, the possibilities are endless!

Sincerely,
Abi

Weekend Goals

Dear Reader,

I have at least two goals for my weekend (probably more.) 

One.  Make more blocks. 

 

Two. Stay warm.  (It's January in Michigan - enough said?!)

Happy Friday!  Happy Weekend!

Sincerely,

Abi

On the Menu: Apple Coffee Cake

Dear Reader,

This recipe came from a family friend who recently posted it on her blog.  I have used this recipe countless times already as you can make it ahead, freeze it, and then just bake it on the morning that you wish to serve it.  This apple coffee cake is quickly becoming a family favorite.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Tuesday's Treasury (on Wednesday afternoon)

Dear Reader,

We have been a household under the weather this week, but I think we're on the mend.  Putting together a treasury this afternoon has been a little treat to myself!  Happy Wednesday!

Sincerely,
Abi

Google Today

Dear Reader,

I love the artist's rendering on Google honoring Martin Luther King Day.  I heard a news report this past weekend on the progress with the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, particularly the landscape elements on the site.  How exciting to watch this unfold!

Sincerely,
Abi 

Transportation Blocks

 Dear Reader,

Another new set of blocks - transportation themed! - just hit the shop.   Crafting is such a wonderful outlet for cold January days.  More ideas are in motion.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Abi

Road Trip Blocks

Dear Reader,

I just added these road trip patterned blocks to my shop.  This new item makes me want to point to a place on the map and head out.  Then, I remember that it is January.  I think that sometime this spring a road trip would be in order.

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Lemon Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Dear Reader,

I'm always in favor of recipes that provide full flavor and are simple to prepare.  This recipe certainly accomplishes these goals, producing a fresh and tasty main dish for your next get together with friends (or a great meal option on a night at home with your family!)  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Dear Reader,

During the holidays, my mother-in-law hosted a shower for the future bride of my husband's cousin.  I helped with some of the shower details, and I decided to try to make tissue paper pom poms via Martha Stewart's tutorial.   Here is how my attempt turned out:

I liked loved this decoration for the bridal shower!  I'm pretty sure these pom poms are a must for any future showers in which I am involved as these flowers provide a lot of color and a lovely decorative touch befitting a party of this sort. 

Sincerely,
Abi

Tuesday's Treasury

 Many thanks to Little Smash for including the clothesline blocks in this treasury!

Sincerely,
Abi

One of the highlights from our weekend...

Dear Reader,

Three words: cranberry.  apple. crumble.  Together they make a delicious dessert to devour after taking our sweet three year old for a sled ride around the block.  Thanks to Sarah and Andy for introducing us to this recipe - we think of you every time we eat it!

Sincerely,
Abi

Great Room Update

Dear Reader,

This post could also be titled "How my husband spent his Christmas vacation."  Let me start by saying how much I appreciate my husband's willingness to dive into projects when I come up with new ideas.  He's amazingly competent with diy projects.

Our home has a great room on the main floor that is an open area with the front entry, kitchen, dining, and living room.  Since moving in a year and a half ago, I've often thought that the living room lacked definition and seemed too dark given the deep taupe wall color and limited windows.  The proportions of the room also bothered me as we have cathedral ceilings which somewhat dwarfed our furniture.  (And let's be honest, neither member of this husband and wife team were excited about repainting the room with these high ceilings!)

My idea (beautifully implemented by my dear husband) was to add a horizontal trim piece about 5 feet up from the baseboards and vertical trim along the wall, all in white.  I've included the photo below to give a peek at the results.  Yes!  Check check!

Sincerely,
Abi

We extended the trim from the living room to the front entry (shown here)
to give symmetry to an arched doorway in the room.

On the Menu: Party Pork Chops

Dear Reader,

My mom has been preparing this recipe for as long as I can remember.  I love using this one when we have guests for dinner as I'm able to put this together ahead of time and forget about it until it's time to eat!  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

P.S.  I've also used the sauce of this recipe with pork tenderloin in a slow cooker for 4 hours.  Very yummy!

Tuesday's Treasury

Fresh Start

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year!  I hope that you had a wonderful celebration of the holidays and are finding your way back to some welcome routines to begin this year.

I must tell you that I love the beginning of January.  (The end of January is less than my favorite with its cold, snowy weather and gray days.  I'm choosing to ignore this coming reality for now.)  I love that something as predictable as the annual start of a new calendar year somehow jolts me into dreaming, living in possibilities, setting goals, and imagining the outcomes.

After the busyness of holiday time, the moments of celebrating relationships and the reflecting on the year that has concluded, what a wonderfully fresh start in the quiet of January to take up new tasks and look forward to what is ahead.  We also approach the holiday of Epiphany, a great reminder that God sends us - as with the Wise Men - on unexpected routes home.  And so we too may come to expect surprise in the what the year will bring.

In taking a bit of time off, I realized how much I enjoy blogging here.   I hope to continue considering how I am inspired in the everyday of life.  And one of my many goals of the year is to infuse fresh thoughts and ideas into the posts you read here.  Please join me.

Sincerely,
Abi