oliver + s Bucket Hat

For the little guy's first birthday, I wanted to make him a bucket hat for the summer. I have heard wonderful things about oliver + s patterns, but had never tried one out. They have a free pattern for a reversible bucket hat that was exactly what I was looking for.

Let me tell you, this pattern was great! Only three simple pieces to cut out.

I've never sewn a hat or something quite that round before and had some reservations, but I was able to follow this pattern step by step & end up with a fabulous hat for my ONE year old little guy.

I'm considering adding a chin strap to make sure this hat stays on this busy little boy, but then it wouldn't be reversible after doing that. All in all, I'd highly recommend this pattern! I'd love to try some more oliver + s patterns someday.

Works for Me: Audiobooks

Photo Credit

This is such a simple idea, but it has helped me SO much with getting housework done that I have to share. I'm in a local book club, and a couple of the girls in it have always just raved over listening to audiobooks. I had tried listening to them before, but mostly on a long trip and they would tend to put me to sleep. (Not a good thing when you're driving!)

After one book club discussion of audiobooks in particular, I decided to try it again. Now, I'm hooked. When Isaac goes down for his nap, I pop on the headphones and get busy with cooking, cleaning, sewing, laundry, you name it! I am so much more motivated to get the chores done when I have the company of a good book. {Confession: there are many, many naps where I get sucked into something not-so-productive - but I'm way more likely to get things done when I have a book to listen to.}

Any favorite audiobooks out there? I'd love some good suggestions!

Check out Works for Me Wednesday for more great ideas.

Sweet Contrary Mosaic Contest

There's another mosaic contest going on at Stitched in Color. I had a lot of fun picking out this spring-y collection of fabrics from Lark Cottons. Tangerine & aqua mixed with some green & purple just happen to be some of my favorite combos. Plus I can't help but think about my lilac bushes when I think of spring... which happen to be blooming right now!

In case you're interested, these are the fabrics I selected:

Row 1: Shelburne Falls: Sparse Floral Willow, Nicey Jane: Hop Dot Olive, Lush: Running Stitch Turquoise
Row 2: Modern Whimsy: Circles Lime, Flea Market Fancy: Posie Turquoise, Glimma: Kulla Tangerine
Row 3: Glimma: Korkek Jade, Heirloom: Paisley Amber, Heirloom: Marquis Amethyst
Row 4: Central Park: Floral Carousel Orange, Architexture: Crosshatch Plum, Perfectly Perched: Nesting Chairs Garden

I really love these fabrics and am excited to have found some new ones I haven't seen before. Don't you think those purple chairs are just so fun?? Thanks Lark Cottons for sponsoring such a fun contest!

Yikes... it's been a while.

Well, two months have come & gone since I've last made the time to post anything here! Sorry for those of you who have been checking! Although, I'm guessing that after two months there might not be anyone still interested here. :)

Between a trip to China to visit family & a baby who has decided he doesn't like to nap, the days are flying by with little time to create. But, I have plenty of ideas on my list ever-growing project list.

I really want to make this for Isaac's room with his prints:

And we have lots of family celebrations in the next month & a half... so you can bet there are a few things I want to make. It's good to be back... stop by again soon!

A Valentine's Day Treat

We don't get wrapped up in the popular idea of Valentine's Day around here, but I certainly always enjoy an excuse to celebrate or do something special. So, I surprised my husband with this A-MA-ZING candy that my aunt introduced to me last week.

Aunt Kay (who doesn't have a blog but it would be great if she did!) had this candy at a local shop, then determined that she would figure out how to make it. Apparently there are lots of versions of this recipe floating around, but here's what she came up with.

Amish Cashew Candy

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

1 to 1.5 c. cashews

~1/2 bag milk chocolate chips

Melt butter in saucepan. Add sugar & corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring pretty much constantly. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to between 275 and 290 degrees F. This takes around 10-15 minutes.

Once it's reached the right temperature, remove from heat and stir in cashews. Transfer to a buttered cookie sheet & spread as thin as you can with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top, then as the chocolate is melting, spread on top of candy.

Refrigerate until hardened, then break into pieces.

What the candy looked like before it was broken into pieces.

Javier called this dangerous. He couldn't stop talking about it. So... make this at your own risk!