Butternut squash

Thursday is payday which also means stocking the fridge and pantry with fresh groceries. With fall officially here I'm excited to add butternut squash to my grocery list. I LOVE it and am really looking forward to its presence at dinner time. Here and here are a couple of my favorite go-to recipes, and one I'm looking forward to trying, all from Real Simple magazine. Enjoy!

*I make a couple modifications with the pasta recipe. I increase the bacon, because more bacon is more better, and I roast the squash to bring out the flavor. Recipes are really just guidelines anyway :).

Fall is officially here and baby sewing has commenced!

Fall really has nothing to do with this post, except for the fact that I love it and all that it brings. And the fact that its debut has brought two cold rainy days that were perfect for working on sweet little projects :). I've cracked open my new Lotta book (or poured over every page) and have already broken in several of the patterns. I am so enjoying this book. If you have little ones or just like making things for little ones, or "wee ones" as she says. I highly recommend this book. So far I've had a ton of fun making each project I've done. This post is a bit like an ad, but everything has been so great. Here's a bit of detail on my projects:

I made a cover for my Boppy pillow that has survived two children. Without a removable cover it was looking a bit grungy. I modified Lotta's nursing pillow pattern to fit my pillow, put in a zipper in the back, and added a loop to attach a toy. Which happens to be the soft rattle pattern from the book. The Stroller Bag I made also with fabulous IKEA fabric, which has gotten a lot of mileage, and brown canvas. I chose to box the corners of this bag to make it more functional. The fleece hat I used two colors of fleece to make it reversible. I can't wait to show an action shot with that one because laying flat on my table really doesn't do justice for it's cuteness factor. The fit is so sweet. The Tag Blankie was made just as directed only I went a little ribbon crazy :).

*I'm posting my photos in two posts because I can't figure out how to upload more than 5 photos.

New Book!

I just picked up a copy of Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby. After being introduced to Lotta's projects in Simple Sewing, she is my new fav. I love the simplicity and modern look of her designs. And shockingly enough the simple projects are actually simple. No fuss in the construction or materials. And you can complete a project during nap time. It's so practical and satisfying. Love it! I'm excited about getting my craft on before baby Henry gets here. Maybe it will make the weeks feel faster, plus my baby and I will be clad in fabulous handmade items. Fun!

I also love that most of the photos are of little boys. I don't have to look past a bunch of floral prints to see the potential for my little guys (not that I don't love all the girly fabrics out there, but inspiration for boys is much harder to find). The first items on my list are the diaper bag, soft rattle, snuggler, and handkerchief bibs, oh and the super cute hat! Stay tuned :).

8 weeks to go!

Baby Henry and I have reached week 32! I'm excited to have only eight weeks to go. November couldn't come sooner!

Shark pillow.

Yet another felt and fleece pillow, this time in shark form. I made this one for my nephew Brennan, frequently showcased here. The illustration was a team effort between my husband and I. he drew the initial sketch and I redrew it to create my templates and make the pillow :). He also came up with the idea of the fish attached to the shark...such a clever, creative man. I hear that Brennan loves his shark pillow and it has become a nightly companion. I'm thrilled that he loves it!

Pretty kitchen towels.

I made these kitchen towels for a wedding gift a couple weeks ago. They turned out so pretty I wished I was making them for myself. Mark of a good gift I guess :). I hope they enjoy them. I used the instructions from Lotta's Simple Sewing.

Baby blankets and a bunny.

I don't know about you but I'm surrounded by pregnant, birthing friends. In the spirit of all of that I've been working on some baby gifts. I've made three baby blankets (one for my little boy who's soon to arrive), one fabric beach ball, and one big-eyed bunny. I've got two more gifts to make for friends with little boys on the way. Here's a peek at some of my work so far. Sewing for babies is such fun!

The bunny embroidery pattern is by Helen Dardik, the bunny softie is a free pattern by Hilary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls (of course). The embroidery on baby Henry's blanket was adapted from the design on the printed fabric and his initials were added.

The Big Bedroom Swap—Part 2: The Boy's New Digs

Olivia's former room is now Jackson and Henry's. I kept the same green and just added a broad orange stripe (way less painting!). There's a lot of personal touches in here as well. The dresser I sanded down, painted red, and replaced the hardware. The blue shelves my grandfather made while out visiting...they turned out great! I love the on-the-wall storage that Jackson can reach to grab things and clean up on his own. The bird print was a piece I did while in school placed in a thrifted and repainted frame. Many of their little knick-knacks and display things are vintage toys from my husband's childhood given by his grandmother. The quilt on Jackson's bed was made for my husband when he was a baby, hand sewn and embroidered by his grandmother. It was really rewarding decorating both of their rooms with things that we already had and already held meaning. Everything just ended up working so nicely together.

The Big Bedroom Swap—Part 1: Olivia's new pad

I've been a busy girl the last couple of months. Some would call it nesting. I call it doing what I can before the little life I have left is stripped away and in it's place a baby fills my arms. My biggest accomplishment has been swapping the kid's rooms. Lots of paint, reorganization, redecoration, and fun actually :). Olivia was originally in the larger bedroom with twice the closet space. When we found out we were having another boy I knew I had some work ahead of me. Initially I thought I would just wait until our new guy was in need of being moved from our room to do the re-org. Then I realized that I was insane. Would I really want to do all of that work with two toddlers and a 3 month old? Um, no. It feels great to have the rooms done and the kid's love them. I'm quite happy with them myself.

Olivia's room's colors were inspired by her quilt which is made with Heather Bailey fabric and beautifully hand sewn by my grandmother...such a treasure, I love it! Her furniture I refinished two-weeks before her arrival nearly four years ago now. Her much loved barn was made by my grandfather. The two illustrations framed on her walls were done by her daddy :). I love having handmade personal touches in their rooms.