May 29, 2011

Summer sewing

How About Orange has compiled a list of skirt tutorials for ladies and little girls. I think my favorite is this one by Angry Chicken. She says it takes 5 minutes, but it'll probably take me a few hours. We'll see!!

May 28, 2011

The awkward stage

It's true - my babies are growing up so fast! Only 2 weeks ago, our new chicks were cute little fluff balls...


And now, they are awkward teens...






They are named (in no particular order...) American Honey (or Moscato or Christy Swanson), Lemonade Cookie, and Ginger.

May 27, 2011

Outdoor Inspiration

If you've been reading my blog recently, you probably know that I've been prepping the soil and growing starters in anticipation for an awesome garden this summer. Paul and I have spent the last week digging, tilling, and planting. I will post those pics this weekend, but in the meantime, here's an inspiration board I created for my dream outdoor set up. Now granted, I'll never have the money to purchase this stuff, but I can still dream, right? (click on image to see a bigger version).


Everything is from CB2 and Crate & Barrel

May 26, 2011

Tea towels!


Whip up has compiled a list of resources on how to make your own tea towels here. This sounds like a fun project I could do this summer. Maybe screen print my chickens on towels? What would you do?

May 25, 2011

Birthday ideas

My adorable niece Cadence's birthday is coming up, and although we already picked something up for her at Makerfaire, I really want to make one of these for her. You can get the free tutorial at Grosgrain. Check it out!

May 24, 2011

Makerfaire Recap

Here are some of my favorite shots from Makerfaire. I'm so glad that Paul and I made the trek to San Mateo. There were so many cool demonstrations, crafts and talks, and I left feeling inspired by so many things. We had the greatest time, and can't wait until next year!

hand knit breakfast hat!


Diner doggies


train that went around the fairgrounds


Marshmellow man made out of Legos


The view in Expo hall


Paul chowing down on a polish sausage


Drummers big and small

May 20, 2011

Makerfaire!


Makerfaire is coming to the bay area this weekend - wahoo! Paul and I are so excited to go again this year (here's my recap from last year). I'm excited to be around so many creative people, to browse the Bizarre Bazaar, to attend a panel discussion on "Crafting your Online Presence" (for makers of all kinds of things!) and meet the folks that run Dog Island Farm, an urban farm in Vallejo! I'll be taking lots of pics and notes, in hopes that this stirs my creativity for things to do post-NWP (last day is June 1 - it's coming up fast).

There's also a workshop on urban goats...sign me up!!

May 19, 2011

Summer of crafting


It looks like I'll be watching my niece this summer while looking for a job - wahoo! I love my niece and I can't wait. I have lots of plans for us - going to the beach, gardening, crafting, swimming, napping...etc. etc. While making a list of the cool things we could do this summer, I spotted a great list of kids crafts on thelongthread.com. Check out the link here!

May 18, 2011

Almost time to transplant!

Here they are, (most of) my starts - almost ready to transplant outside!
On the windowsill - tomatoes (4 varieties), cosmos, sunflowers, jalepenos, bell peppers, cucumbers, and an unknown squash







Still to come: beets, peas, lettuce and carrots!

May 14, 2011

Newest additions!

I have the best husband - really. I've been wanting to get new chicks for our mansion chicken coop, but thought I should put it off until after June 1 (my layoff date) since I'll have more time to give to them. However, much to my surprise, Paul got me 3 new girls yesterday! In addition to our 3 Plymouth Barred Rocks, we now have a White Leghorn, a Buff Orpington, and a Rhode Island Red. They are 4 days old today!





I'm in Kansas City right now for my last NWP event, but I can't wait to get home and snuggle with these ladies!

May 13, 2011

Pickling Carrots

Another sweet thing I got for my birthday was a book of labels to use for homemade food items (i.e. canning jars, cookie bags, goodies, etc):


I figured I'd put them to good use and pickle some carrots! (they are super yummy and great as a snack or in bloody mary's):

Carrots cut and in the jars


Grinding mustard seeds, salt and peppercorns with garlic


The finished product - 3 days in the fridge and they are ready to eat!

May 11, 2011

Gifts galore

My friends and family know me all too well. I received the best gifts this year! Here are a few of the awesome books that I got:


From L to R: A year subscription to Martha Stewart Living, DIY Poppies kit from Papersource, Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World, Chicken and Egg A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading, and A Householder's Guide to the Universe.

I also got this awesome milk bottle measuring cup that I blogged about last month (from Anthro):




Paul got my a tripod and remote for my camera, and my parents are helping me with a photo class. I got other great things too that I didn't take pics of, but I love them nonetheless. I am the luckiest ever!

May 10, 2011

Birthday Recap Round 2

The infamous photos of my "Dirty-Thirty-Laid-off-Potluck-Party" have made their appearance on facebook - I thought I'd share my favorites here:





This was the best birthday week that I've had ever. The festivities just got better and better as the week progressed - it will be hard to top this decade!

May 9, 2011

Birthday Recap Round 1

My first celebration was actually with my mom, bro and Paul (but I forgot to take pics). Napa for lunch and sushi for dinner. Lots of white wine and sake in between.

Celebration number 2: Angeline's for my "Dirty South/Dirty 30" hosted by my Ladies that Dine besties....






...Dirty 30/Mexican/Lay off party pics tomorrow...

May 5, 2011

A birthday for Coco



Coco is only a puppy (5 months old), I know. But when she turns one, I want to have a dog party for her. Yes, I know that sounds silly, but she's our first child - and what child doesn't get celebrated on their first birthday?

Anyhow, I stumbled upon some free cute vintage pup stamps that I can use from Just Something I Made. I think they would also be cute incorporated into a baby shower or something - what do you think? Just post this under "random" and or "Shannon has some crazy ideas"....