Hey there! It's been a while... I know. For about 2 years, I was very diligent about posting at least twice a week, then, about 3 years ago, I got pregnant with my second child and suddenly all motivation (including for crafting) went out the window. Then, about 9 months after my daughter was born, we moved abroad to live in Rome, Italy. So, basically, life got in the way until two months ago, when we moved back to the US. I'm sorry for the neglect. However, I am back now and plan to post again. I'm not sure I will be able to get back to twice a week, but I will do my best! To start things off, although this isn't a travel blog, I will share a few photos from our adventures.

This soup is perfect for the fall and winter. It is full of love in the form of creamy, cheesy, bacony enveloped potatoes. Bring on the cold weather and winter fun!

This post is a shout out for the Bobble Sheep Pillow by The Purl Bee. If you are not familiar with The Purl Bee by Purl Soho, go check it out! They have some really great free patterns as well as product. Anyway, my sister asked me to make this little guy about a year ago and I was so delighted with the pattern I felt it needed to be shared. Below are pics of my finished product.

As I have mentioned numerous times before, I love fabric remnant bins. Those half priced, less than a yard pieces are all you need to make some adorable clothes for babies and toddlers, not to mention various other things. Anyway, some time ago, I found an adorable broken chevron print that, quite honestly, reminded me of a little boy button up shirt from the 80's. I had to buy it and make a dress for my daughter. Below is the outcome.

Perhaps one of the most challenging pieced quilts is a hexagon motif. I combined this challenge with one of the easiest methods of quilting, rag quilting. If you have never tried these techniques, make it your next project. There is something so satisfying by completing something that is a bit of a challenge.

I know it may sound nerdy, but I love PBS. Honestly, I prefer the documentaries and such over prime time television. What makes it even more nerdy is the fact that the commercials surrounding most of the shows I watch are geared toward senior citizens, which I am a good 30 years too young for. Anyway, one of the shows I really enjoy is Knit and Crochet Now! They have some really great projects and I often find myself trying new techniques because of what is taught there. Today's post is a shout out to a pattern they shared for an amigurumi kitten by Amy Gaines.

My mother in law shared this recipe with the family some years ago and it has really become a staple in our home. I try to keep most of the ingredients on hand so that it can always be a back up if I'm stumped on what to make. The best thing about this soup is that it makes a lot and the left overs are often better than when it was originally made. Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Recently, I went to a triple baby shower, not for triplets, but for three separate soon to be mommies. I decided that I would try my hand at some fabric baby booties and the result is this post. I got the pattern from The Purl Bee (my newest favorite place), which was for some adorable felt booties.  With a few modifications, this pattern became great for some left over flannel I had on hand.

I came across this project on Pinterest and knew it had to happen. Paper Matrix is an awesome blog chuck full of printables for a Silhouette Cameo that you weave together to make incredible 3D objects. There are a ton of balloon patterns available; I opted for the scalloped version. The weaving takes a little getting used to, but is so worth it. Plus, for the balloons, there is a YouTube video available. 

Probably a year ago or so, I came across the lovely Big Herringbone Cowl by The Purl Bee and was intrigued. I wanted to make it but just really didn't feel like knitting. Then, my amazing friend, Abby or LADY from the NORTH, showed up wearing it and I knew I had to make it. I had some yarn in mind from my stash, however it wasn't quite thick enough and I wasn't sure if I had enough so I modified things a bit. Originally, I was planning for it to be a cowl and started out knitting in the round, but the color changes were going in a diagonal and didn't look too great, so I switched to knitting the herringbone stitch back and forth. Then, once I finished, I just liked it better without the ends connected. I added a little linen stitch bow for a touch of femininity. All in all, I quite like the end result.