Color Chic

Warm Day at the Beach...

You hear about those warm days at the beach in the middle of winter, but it's rare when you actually enjoy it. But today we're here, tucked into our favorite space...

We've been for a nice long walk... and snapped a few photos...

crossed a little stream... without getting wet...

enjoyed a picnic lunch...

watched some crazy kids play in the surf...

and while it's really not this warm (we must have the thermometer placed where it's getting maximum sunshine)...

We're enjoying every minute of sunshine!

I hope you're enjoying a bit of sunshine too!

Valentines Project.....

I'm dropping by a friends new home this evening and needed a house warming gift. I decided a bit of Valentines would surely be appropriate.

I started by sorting through the pink and red ribbon for a few select pieces.  I'm finding that with a sweet little granddaughter, I'm using this color a lot and need to replensish my stock!

After cutting out a heart shape, I laid out the ribbon on the Valentine.

Stitched it in place... You may notice I changed things a bit....

After trimming the edges I laid the back side on top (being sure to include the hanger before stitching)...

Turned it inside out, using this handy tool...

Filled it with lavender...

Hand stitched the opening...

Wrapped it in parchment; a simple wrapped tied with a bit of Luxe Wired ribbon...

I hope she likes it...

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Linking up with:

Cherished Bliss

Sew Chatty

So Cute Tuesday

Polka Dots on Parade

Pink and Chocolate...

I love these two colors together, adding a touch of gray gives it even more character!  This is the pillow I was creating for the selecting color post. Using velvet, ric-rac, furry and herringbone added lots of texture to this project. I decided to add pink pom-pom trim for a playful look.

The back still needs a photo (or not) to make it personal...

I think I will add this pillow to the gift bag with this sweet nightgown, the colors work well together...

Wouldn't you agree?

Sew Mama Sew has a list of really great pillow tutorials to use!

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Linking up with:

Cherished Bliss

Sew Chatty

So Cute Tuesday

Polka Dots on Parade

Fun in the Snow!

With all the snow we had at our house I invited Tuesday over to build a Snowman! First we had to go to Ribbon Jar and pack orders... She's very helpful putting on stickers and writing Thank You's!  After that it was back to Grandma's house to play in the snow. By the time we got outside it was raining, but she didn't care...

Her new buddy Brendon helped build the snowman...

As you can see it used up most of the snow in our yard!

The best part of playing in the snow was watching them throw snowballs... Brendon would throw and actually make contact. She would throw and toss it maybe two feet, then laugh hystarically!  Sorry Tuesday... You must have gotten your Grandma's throwing arm : )!

The First Snow...

We woke to a bit of snow yesterday morning; the seasons first! I'm glad my honey picked up the camera to catch the beauty of it all as it was gone by early afternoon.  This was shot from the sunroom. I know it was a pitiful amount, but still very beautiful!

And the winter wonderland from the kitchen window...

Hopefully we will have a bit more before the season ends!

Little Pumpkin Soup

I spent a good portion of yesterday cleaning out the pantry. Over the Holidays we seemed to be in the throw and go mode and the small counter that I used as a step stool to reach the highest point was no longer available! I really should have taken a before and after shot but then we've all seen messy before! But what came out of the pantry were these darling little pumpkins I had tossed into a wire basket; perfect for soup!

I cut them in 1/2 and layed them on a cookie sheet topped by a Silpat...

I figured if I was going to roast these it would be great to roast some onions right along with them!

While these cooked I went about the business of cleaning the pantry, and I never set the timer. My Grandmother always said that when you can smell the flavors coming from the oven it's probably done; she was right!

These are perfectly fork tender and easily scooped into a pan. I added about a cup and half of vegetable broth,  left over italian tomatoe sauce, a bit of left over tomatoe relish and a few dried tomatoes (yes I cleaned the fridge too)! I also added a bit of cumin and garlic, simmered for about twenty minutes, then pureed with the immersion blender...

I added a dollop of nonfat yogurt with a drizzle of olive oil and added freshly ground pepper and paprika.

Warm and toasty for a cold, winter day!  I love the challenge of using up the pantry and fridge items to create a tasty meal without heading to the store.

What have you been cooking up lately?

Ribbons and Bows...

While I love to create and play with ribbon and trim, there never seems to be enough time to spend creating. Therefore I depend on customers and friends to share what they are designing with ribbon!

The bows I make are usually tied around a package or a sweet treat. So when Kristen sent me these photos of her wonderful bows and asked if I would like to use them, it was a definite yes! You may have taken a peek at some of these in our Newsletter...

You can find these and more in her Etsy shop, Earth Angel Boutique! I love that her bows are all so unique. She is quite creative!

We are expecting a bit of colder, wetter, maybe even snow in the next couple of days, so perhaps I will stay inside and finish that project for Tuesday!

 Are you working on any crafts that involve ribbon?  You can always share ; )!

Ready for Love...

This makes me want to wrap something...

Mostly a Restful Weekend...

We took off Friday evening and headed 35 miles North to Champoeg State Park with Bambi in tow.  A quick little getaway, to relax for the weekend.

While a portion of the park was:

The fog created a mystical atmosphere in which to explore...

There are markers, where there used to be streets; and also paths and beautiful grounds to wander...

We drove around the nearby Butte and noticed all the cars at the Visitors Center, a place we would visit if we were out of towners! We are so fortunate to have such a lovely place so close to home and we sometimes just take it for granted.

We were also a short drive to Portland so drove up there to check on Mom's place.  She had the misfortune to soak her beans on a hot stovetop (she didn't realize it was on). Coming home several hours later her place was filled with smoke! The beans had burnt themselves to the pan instead of just soaking them!  So fortunate she didn't burn the place down, but unfortunately her place smells of smoke.  The insurance adjuster comes tomorrow so we are hoping she can get everything cleaned and back to normal.... I think it's going to take a while!

If you have any suggestions on ridding a home of smoke we'd love to hear!

And while we take a weekend to relax, we also reflect on the hardships others must endure.

Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Creating Warm Spaces...

It's been awhile since we visited Arlene's home, so I decided it was time for a winter visit! She's probably moved things more than a dozen times since I last posted on her warm inviting home, but this is the first chance I've taken to get a few photos. She still has touches of Christmas up:

And other things that make you feel warm on an otherwise cold day:

There are just enough elements around her home to stimulate the senses:

and calm spaces to rest the eye... I'll take photos of those later ; )!
Thanks for allowing us a peek inside your warm, inviting home!