Apple hats.....and PURDUE!!

I just finished up an order for three apple hat that are now on their way to Massachusetts for a mom and her two kids to wear while apple picking this fall. They turned out so cute. She wanted them to match her new Gymboree outfits----shown here. I hope she sends me a picture or two!!

I'd have to say that of ALL the hats the different hats that I make, and it's quite a few, the apple is by far my all time favorite. It is actually the first hat I ever made. I was at the local yarn shop one day browsing for more scarf yarn---- all that I had made at the time was scarves---and on top of a shelf was the most precious little baby hat I'd ever seen---a little red apple. I just had to make it---and at the time I had no kids. So, I made this hat and was so proud of myself. I put it in my hope chest for my firstborn. Josie wore it in the hospital, and my son wore one too. They are perfect for boys and girls and I just love the red color. Would you like one too?? You can find them in my Etsy shop here.

I'm going on a little vacation this weekend. My sil---not the one getting married next weekend---but my other one called a few days ago wanting to know if she could watch the kids this weekend at her house. She lives about 3 1/2 hours away. I don't know if she really knows what she is getting herself into, but we agreed and thought we'd go back down memory lane and go to Purdue for the weekend---where we first met our freshman year---while living in the same dorm---yeah for co-ed dorms ;-) Anyways, looking forward to some time alone with my hubby. I'll let you know how it goes when I return next week. Have a great long weekend!!

flower girl baskets

My sil is getting married next weekend and she called me on Sunday wanting me to look at some flower girl baskets she found on Etsy. I looked at them and thought they were really cute---they looked like moss covered baskets with a ribbon handle---and they were 30 dollars a piece. That didn't include any flowers on them. And, she needs three of them---so it was going to be about 100 dollars for three baskets that she was going to have to embellish herself. So.....I told her I'd find something for her. Off I went to Hobby Lobby to get some supplies and about two hours later, I made three baskets cheaper than 30 dollars. I'm pretty proud of myself, and I think they are just adorable. I just hope the bride like them ;-)

I can hardly wait to see Josie walking down the isle with hers!!

New things at Knitty Bitty Apparel

I had the creative bug this week and used up some more of my rather large and growing stash of polymer clay beads. I just love those and I can't seem to stop buying them. I'm buying more of them before I even use the ones I have. Slight addiction I suppose!

Now, if only I had time, uninterrupted time to sit at my computer and list them in my shop! Not today, but soon.....

The best zucchini bread---EVER

I've had this really large zucchini in my fridge for over a week now that someone gave me from their garden---I've decided to finally use it today and make some zucchini bread. I absolutely love zucchini bread. It reminds me of coming home for weekends during college and getting it as a special treat. I had the best mother in law in the world---really! My husband and I met and started dating our freshman year at Purdue. I quickly came to love his family and always wanted to go to visit them on the weekends. His mom always "made" the most delicious food for us for the entire weekend---and some to take back with us. I remember this as one of my favorite treats.

I do say "made" because she couldn't physically make anything herself, but she kept a watchful eye on others making it for her---on a table that she had at the foot of her bed---which was in the living room so she didn't miss out on anything!! She had a really long battle with lou gehrig's disease---over 20 years---and although it took her muscle strength and confined her to a bed, her mind was sharp as a tack--- and she had the most amazing memory. Anyways, this is her recipe and it absolutely wonderful---you should really try it!

1 1/2 c all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 c sugar

1/4 c cooking oil

1/4 tsp lemon peel, finely shredded

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 c unpeeled zucchini, finely shredded

1 egg

1/2 c walnuts, chopped

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. In another bowl, combine the sugar, shredded zucchini, egg, cooling oil, and lemon peel. Mix well and add flour mixture: stir just until combined. Add nuts. Pour batter in a greased loaf pan and bake 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Apple bread: substitute the zucchini with shredded apples (I haven't tried, but sounds good)

My test taster gave it the seal of approval!

Our first Triathalon

We had a very busy weekend---we participated in our first ever sprint triathalon. It was sponsered by the YMCA and consisted of a 1/2 half mile lake swim, a 19 mile (VERY HILLY) bike ride and a 3 mile run. We've been training since eary spring and we actually joined a training group in June that had a run, swim and bike coach. It was a wonderful experience and I really got in good shape. My goal was to finish the entire race in 2 hours and I did it in 1hr and 51 minutes, so I'm thrilled with that time. My hubby finished in 1 hr and 39 minutes. I'm trying to get Christa of motivating mommies to do it with me next year---she claims she doesn't swim in lakes---we'll just see about that!!

The start of the lake swim

In the transition area---getting ready for the bike ride (what a face ;-)

Running my bike up to the road to start the ride

Almost to the finish line!

The proud finishers!!

J Jill coordinating bracelet/earring set

Can you believe I just now have made my first pair of earrings? I know they are simple to make, but I just now took the time to make a pair---and they are not for me. I never keep anything I make---always give as gifts to others. This pair---with the matching bracelet is going to my Aunt Robin---from the tea party. I found the bracelet focal lampwork bead on Ebay---along with a ton of other beads....so more bracelets to come. The set is to coordinate with a new j jill shirt my Aunt and I just got. She works at j jill, so we get lots of things from there (yes, I am soo lucky!!) I'm thinking of listing the bracelet in my Etsy shop ;-)

Here's the shirt.

I'm hoping the package gets to her before she reads this...if not, surprise!!

I made an Etsy treasury!!

Yeah! Thank you to Jessi at TwoSeasideBabes----I made an Etsy treasury today!! What an honor to be featured with all these other talented Etsy artists. I think these actually make the Etsy front/home page, but I don't know if I'll catch it. Can you find me---I'm one of the butterflies ;-) What a great way to end the day! (thanks to you too Sharon!)

Custom Knit Set

I just finished up this custom set for a customer on Etsy. She chose the colors, and I think they work perfectly together. I wonder if they were purchased for a set of twins---how cute would that be! I'm thinking my two need a set of these!!

All things TEA

This is the final entry about my tea party---can you tell I really enjoyed it? I just wanted to share a few things that I had gotten for it from two amazing Etsy sellers. As prizes for the party, my grandma made aprons, potholders, and pillowcases. I made bracelets with a teapot on them, my teapot bookmarks, and my Aunt Sue made the cutest tea towels. I was so very tempted to keep them for myself---I LOVED them. But, I actually decided to put together a little goodie tote (also tea themed) for my sil to remember her special day with.

I included all the tea themed items from above in this super cute tote I found on Etsy. The tote can be found here, PintsizeHome, and you won't believe the prices!!

These are the teapot bracelets that I made for my sil, prizes, and of course, one for my Aunt and myself to wear during the party ; -)

Finally, these amazing tea towels were made by my Aunt Sue from SuzyBeesSurprises and you can find her here. The bride to be just loved them!! She also sent my kids their own initial towel (which she carries in her shop) with a bar of soap, and they couldn't wait to wash their hands. They are just perfect!!!

Tea Party Favors

As promised, here's another entry about my tea party. This is the favors that were sitting at all the place settings when the guests arrived. I actually saw the idea online, and immediately knew that was what I wanted to have. They were actually a little pricey, but I searched around and found the labels on Ebay and some of the tea bag/spoon rests came from a craft store and the rest I purchased on line. Everyone loved them and they were a cinch to make. I just love the personalized tea bags. They are just individually wrapped tea bags from the store and then you just stick your label over the top of them. Then, I just packaged them in clear candy bags and topped with a bow!

Bridal Tea Party

Over the weekend, I hosted a Bridal Tea Party for my sister in law with my Aunt and Grandma from Arkansas. It was a huge success---and a lot of fun. The essentials of a great tea are: lots of mismatched china, fresh flowers, finger foods, doilies, hankies, and anything girly and pretty. My aunt also has an assortment of vintage hats that the guest can try on. My grandma loves to make aprons, potholders, and pillowcases for the prizes for the games---which were the hit of the party. I'll post more details tomorrow....too many orders to catch up on today!!!