Candy Corn! (31 Days: Day 12)

I am constantly amazed by the number of fun ways there are to recreate classic holiday items.  Who knew Candy Corn could be so cute?  But sure enough, I'm seeing all kinds of fun Halloween decorations and the like using the candy corn color scheme and I just can't help it - I wanted to make some too!  So far I've only had time to whip up a few candy corn crochet hats, but there are at least two more ideas I have on the back burner that I'm hoping to get to soon.

I'm not the only one with Candy Corn on the brain.  My friend Jessie made an adorable outfit for her toddler and we just had to grab a quick two minute photo session.  The little one wasn't in the mood to sit still, she just wanted to carry the pumpkin all over the place.  And my own children had just arrived home from school and needed homework supervision and dinner needed some attention too.  So it was quick and chaotic - but lucky for us, that worked!  Isn't she a cutie?!  I love the big blue eyes.
{I do believe Jessie has a pair of those adorable leggings listed in her shop if you're interested :) As for the beanie, it is in my shop too and I'm thinking about writing up the pattern.  If I ever get the time... }

Oh!  And let's not forget this little cutie!  He sleepily modelled all my new hats for me a few weeks ago :)  Aren't newborns just the best thing ever?!

 

 

 

2x4 Pumpkin Tutorial (31 Days: Day 11)

These little beauties are so popular I didn't want to leave them behind when I changed blog domains.  The full tutorial can now be found on my new blog HERE.  Happy Fall!  And Happy Crafting!

Fall Hair Pretties (31 Days: Day 9)

Quick show and tell today.  Just in case you need a few quick and easy ideas to dress up your girly girl for fall.

I love the look of this style of fabric rosette.  I've been experimenting with all different types of fabric from satin to denim.  These particular ones are made out of knit - you know, the stuff your Tshirts are made from.  Cool, right?

It's my Birthday! (31 Days: Day 8)

So what was on today's agenda for Fall Fun?  My birthday, of course!  In my world, the onset of Fall also means the arrival of our Birthday Month.  We've already had at least 2 family birthdays in the last couple of weeks, mine is today, and we have a few more birthdays to come including Kaitlyn's big party next weekend (more on that later this week).
I'd like to sit here and write something witty or funny or philosphical on my birthday.  But it's been a long weekend - a FUN, GREAT weekend, but a long one none-the-less - and I'm tired.  The kids are upstairs yelling at each other as they work on cleaning up the playroom.  And while dinner is done (a yummy one, made and completely cleaned up by the husband!) we still have dessert, then whirlwind grocery shopping while Kaitlyn is in dance class.  (late dance class on Mondays is killer)  So, I'll just leave you with a photo of me with my birthday gift - my pantry re-do!  I'll do a more in depth post later this week.

 

Thanks everyone for all the well-wishes!  There's nothing like facebook and calls/texts to make you feel loved :)  It really has been a good birthday!

Pumpkin! (31 Days: Day 7)

(photo from pumpkin carving last year)

Pumpkin!  One of my favorite things about Fall is all the yummy pumpkin recipes - and there seem to be even more than usual this year MMMMMM (see my pinterest boards here and here).  I have been on a bit of a pumpkin kick here the last couple of weeks (the husband might call it obsessed lol) and completely enjoying it.  Pumpkin muffins.  Pumpkin dip (I use it for apples and cinnamon pita chips.  you can find a similar recipe here).  Pumpkin cream cheese for bagels (recipe found here)

Pumpkin Mousse (recipe here).  We tried this the other night after apple picking and I'm in love.  We did it kind of in a trifle version with pieces of soft gingersnap cookies.  They add just the right punch of flavor and texture.
And then last night's exeriment:  sooooo good!
Sam has been wanting to try making his own marshmallows.

I think he used Alton Brown's recipe.  I was suprised at how easy it was (though the KitchenAid got the workout of its life)

Those were made a day ahead of time as they need to set for a while.  They are absolutely worth the wait - lots creamier and more flavorful than store-bought marshmallows.  Though I'm sure we'll still use the store ones most of the time as they are much less expensive and so much faster.

Anyway.  While Sam was working on our project of the weekend (so excited about this one!  It's my bday present, which I hope to show off soon) I decided to try a batch of pumpkin spice syrup.  (recipe here)  We added it to our favorite hot chocolate mix (Stephen's - we searched all over for this after our move and were so excited to finally find it at the base commisary) with the homemade marshmallows.  Oh my - yummy!  I'm not a coffee drinker so I haven't tried the pumpkin spice lattes everyone raves about - and look what I was missing!  I'm glad to have found my own personal substitute.  Any bets on how quickly we use up that bottly of pumpkin syrup? :)

Next:  pumpkin granola or pumpkin waffles...?

Cute and Cozy (31 Days: Day 6)

One of my favorite things about fall is the crisp air and the cooler temperatures.  There is just something so appealing about making yourself all cozy in your favorite jeans, sweaters and thinking about snuggling up with a good cup of hot cocoa.  And since I started crocheting on a regular basis, fun new hats (mostly for the shop) are now part of my Things I love about Fall list.  I've been having so much fun playing around with new patterns and colors.

My most popular hat is, by far, my green/teal monster hat.  So I decided to make a sister version!  I love the little stand up antennae on this one :)

And I just had to come up with some fun new striped hats.  I'm realling loving the bold bright color combinations.  I also have a new favorite flower rosette pattern - cute! 

And here is the baby boy version.  Isn't he a cutie?!  Part of the fun of coming up with new hats is that I get to talk all my friends into borrowing their adorable little ones for photo sessions.  Not only do I get to see how the hats look on real babies, but I've found that I truly love the practice photo sessions.  There is just something that has always drawn me to babies.  And to photography.

And one last baby photo!  This particular monster hat isn't brand new, but it was the first time I had a baby available for pics.  Love it!  (I gush like that the whole photo session.  The moms probably think I'm nuts.  But babies are just so dang cute!  Who can resist?)

Linking to:

Getting into the Spirit (31 Days: Day 5)

It's Fall!  I know, I know - that's not exactly news to anyone.  But for some reason this year, I'm enjoying the change in seasons even more than usual.  I even took the time to finish putting out the decorations yesterday!  (I meant to do it sooner but other things kept needing my attention first)  Kaitlyn helped me and they all went up pretty quickly.

I like the fireplace this year, especially my new pennant banners (listed in my etsy shop if you want one!)

My little vignette in the corner of my kitchen countertops

My own witch hat centerpiece (as opposed to the ones I made for the craft show).  I think this is the only holiday for which I actually have a centerpiece for the dining table.  I need to do something about that before Christmas gets here...

Fall leaves in my "window box"

And the ledge in my stairway is almost completely outfitted - finally!  I have a couple more crafty ideas I'm hoping to get to in the next week or so.

There!  Looks like we're really getting into the Fall Spirit around here, right?  My front porch is looking pitiful, but I can leave that for another day.  Happy Fall!  And HAPPY FRIDAY!