The Homestead

A couple weeks ago, while we were in Birmingham for Adeline's party, I received this gift. My mother had sent it with Adeline's birthday present. I opened it and started crying.

This is my parent's home in Atmore. My mother had one of her favorite artists paint it for her and she had prints made for all the kids. I am so grateful for this print for many reasons, but it means so much now. My parents recently put the house on the market and this one act has made me face some of the things I was pushing back about my parents move.

They have been in Austin for two years now, but I still envision them "home." I have known that this day would come and I still dread the day their home sells. It will finalize their leaving my homestead for good. Again, I don't blame them for their choices. We all must follow our dreams, our passions, opportunity, but the thought of not having that place to go to sorrows my heart. It marks a chapter closed, so much of my life wrapped up in that chapter. It is quite hard to swallow.

As I continue to face the grief and acceptance that I must face, I will cherish this print - memories of the life we lived there, the people we love, and the family that is so dear to my heart. Thankfully, the home is only a structure and in reality I still have those memories, those people, and most importantly my family.

Scrap It Saturdays: Completed Vintage Modern Airplane

In this photo you can see the collages I made for his nursery - that the airplane was adapted from.

Well, you can see here that I kept the polka dot. I tried the solid green on the body of the plane like Doug suggested but I just didn't like it. He wasn't thrilled, but since it is longsleeves, the shirt won't be worn for long.

I did like the way it turned out and the iron-on interfacing - Oh, it makes it ten times easier. You can see here that I used a smaller satin stitch. This does take a little more time, but I liked the finished look. I did hand embroider the "2" on the shirt - which I probably wouldn't do again if I had to do it over. Regardless, I was pleased with the outcome and am excited about DC wearing it for his birthday party next month.

For directions, pattern, and giveaway info please scroll down.

Iron down your airplane pieces and then cut a piece of tearaway backing to cover the size of the plane. I used my spray adhesive to spray the t-shirt and backing together so they wouldn't move in the sewing process.


Here is an example of the backing after I was done.


I started out first using a satin stitch along the body of the airplane - you can see the body done here, but the wing is still raw.


I did the wings second - top wing first, then bottom wing. The tail was third and propeller was last. I also filled in the window frame stitching after drawing it out with an erasible marker. The "2" I free-handed with the same marker and then handstitched it.

You will see in the last photo the strings where I stopped and started sewing. Obviously I clipped all this away as well as a little frayed fabric from around some of the rounded corners. If you have never used your satin stitch before just take it slow and be especially careful around the corners. Another trick is the use a thread that is pretty close to the color of the applique. It is hard to see your mistakes that way.

I hope you enjoy the project as much as I did.

And now for the giveaway. I am giving away two applique kits - one with the airplane and one with the giraffe. These will be cut with interfacing on. All you will have to do is buy your t-shirt, peel back the topping on the interfacing, iron in place and sew. To enter:
1. follow my blog (mention that you have done this in the comment section here)
2. "like" me on facebook (mention that you have done this in the comment section here)www.facebook.com/theenglishpea
3. comment below stating what you would like for see for Scrap It Saturdays or which project has been your favorite thus far.
(do all three or just two and increase your chances of winning)
I'll announce the winners next Saturday.

All my applique patterns are now available for a nominal fee over at the shop. Please feel free to stop by to purchase. Thanks!

Happy Crafting!

Friday's Find

I LOVE this bag. I mean absoluetly, positively love it! Every time I see it come up in my favorites on Etsy I want to hop over and purchase it. Wish it were just that easy. Honestly, though all of drinka.b's things are just fabulous and I love the way she photographs her bags. Isn't it fun?

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the the airplane finale, 2 giveaways, and the pattern (so you can get started on your own).

Happy Weekend!

snapshot

Lately I have really been trying to capture photos of the kids in their element. I mainly want to do this so I can remember what our life was like. So many of our moments are sweet - like this one where they were both enjoying one of their favorites at lunch, Mac and Cheese. (By the way, when did they get so big? I mean, Douglass Charles is now sitting at the big table and without a booster).

The two are really enjoying one another. Don't get me wrong, I am breaking up physical fights several times a day, but they really are true companions. I hope they always keep this closeness.

Do you...

have a list - you know that list of things you have been meaning to do/finish/start for quite a while now? If you don't, my hat is off to you. Sigh, my list, well it is too long. I have a set of pillows I started before Douglass Charles was born that need to be stuffed, a blog book from 2009 that still needs to be completed (so that I can start on 2010 - is it 2011? Oh, yeah, it is). I also have sewing projects I never completed, pictures I never ordered, closets I never cleaned out. Oh, and I forgot, I have been wanting to clean out/decorate my laundry room for more than five years now. This is just the short version of "my list." I have a few other things business wise that I need to get on, but honestly there are so many other fun things I'd rather be doing (thankfully tax season will not allow me to put that one off much longer).

Oh well, at least I am writing it down here. Maybe, just maybe I can check a few things off this year. I guess we shall see. What is on your list?

{fries}

I have a love affair with french fries. They have always been one of my absolute favorite foods. I honestly don't know if I could ever give them up. But... the thing about french fries, they just don't like me. Too many and I find my hips spreading and my tummy starting to expand.

But if you are like me there are a few things that absolutely need to be paired with fries - like a juicy hamburger on the grill or a sloppy BBQ sandwhich. So, I set out to make our fries at home a little more healthy. I used to buy a bag of ready made fries and bake them in the oven. Then I realized that the fries were actually fried before they were frozen - no saving calories there.

Thank God for the Food Network. It is amazing how much I have learned from watching this channel. I don't recall which show I watched that pulled me in the roasting potoatoes direction, but it stuck with me and my little family has been enjoying baked fries ever since.

All I do is chop up my potatoes, with skins on - the thickness of a fry I would like - toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and bake them in the oven for about 30 minutes on 425 until golden brown (tip: if you decide to do this, spray your baking sheet with a little cooking spray first so the potatoes won't stick). And there you have it, one of my fave foods - on the healthier side.

Enjoy!

30 years ago...

I wore this dress. It is amazing to me how some styles are timeless (especially in the South). It is also special to share it with my little girl!

Charlotte was very excited to wear this dress and I mainly took these photographs for her Nanna - since she sent us the dress as well as another one as a gift for Christmas. Funny how the small things mean so much. Thanks, Nanna, for saving all the sweet things you dressed us in when we were young. Charlotte and I are both enjoying them thoroughly.