slateblu

from the mail

I asked Sally about where she got her labels from this post and she actually made them. She agreed to make me some that say "made by" and "hand knit by".  I got a few little extras and this is how they were packaged.

There were personalized stickers for Jason, all occasion gift tags packed in this monogrammed tin, and hand made labels in the tin with my name on it. Everything was packaged creatively. 

I also got goodies in the mail from Jenn.  We agreed to do this swap back in March but we both took our time sending our packages.  She got hers and I got mine today. She crocheted the little dog and the little tiny Hello Kitty.

french macaroons

I attempted to make french macaroons last Friday.  I consulted my 3 books to see which one looked like the easier, most simple recipe - but they were basically the same except that The American Boulangerie had a shorter baking time (15 minutes).

The results were not what I expected and they didn't look nice but my cousins still liked how they tasted.  Only about two came out perfect and the rest came out with extra bumps on the tops.  Next time I'll try Martha's recipe since her recipes are tested probably 20 times and when Anne made them during Christmas, they came out good.

jello

Here's a very easy jello recipe - good for kid parties - though I got this recipe at a bridal shower.  I use the deli size tupperwares and that makes the perfect block size -- but you can use whatever you like.

3 boxes of the 3 oz. size jello (any flavor) ; 4 packets of unflavored gelatin; and 4 cups of water.

In a bowl put jello & gelatin together then add 4 cups of boiling water.  Stir until everything is mixed well together.  Pour into your rectangular container then refrigerate.

These come out firm and not like the recipe on the jello box.

handwriting meme & crochet doll

Here is a handwriting meme that I saw on six and a half stitches. You can also view others on flickr.

I also crocheted this doll from Roxy Craft.  This didn't take too long at all to do. Her hair looks a little weird because I kind of guessed at the instructions.

sewing sunday, monkeys, stomach & meme

This past Sunday I sewed a little pink bag for my co-worker's daughter who turned 10. I hope she likes it.  I know she likes pink.  I also made another pouch for my sister-in-law and a kleenex cover for me.

I got two monkeys from Fiona at Hop Skip Jump. She named them Bonnie & Bennett. You can see a picture of my son sleeping w/ Bennett.  I'll save Bonnie for the baby. 

...and here's a picture of my belly -- 28 weeks tomorrow.

I've been tagged by Sally : five on the fifth (though it's the 12th)...

1. 5 minutes to yourself - how would you spend them? : sit down, put my legs up, and rest my eyes.

2. 5 bucks to spend right now - how would you spend it? :  buy a sugar-free snack or a knitting magazine.

3.5 items in your house you can part with : my son's never ending mass of toys; husband's stereo magazines; storage boxes in garage we never open; yarn from finished products; magazine clippings that tend to pile up

4. 5 items you could never part with from your house: my cameras; my photo albums; my collection of bags (i have a very strong bag fetish); my 1000 crane piece that my sister and cousins folded for me and designed by Linda ); and sentimental jewelry.

5. 5 words you love: easy; mommy; paper; yarn; create

I'm tagging: Myra , Kumi, Ellia, Fiona, and Ismoyo  (only if you have time and want to).

3 years old

Friday, 4/7 was my son's 3rd birthday.  My parents and in-laws did the main courses while I did a few desserts and appetizers, and my husband did some bbq-ing (in the rain). It was a small dinner party compared to his 1st & 2nd birthday parties which were huge - though there always seems to be tons of left-overs.  Here are some pictures. He got clothes, toys and a turtle.  The turtle was from Anne and her family.  My son just calls him "bebe turtle".  That's how he pronounces "baby". I'd like to name him "Crush" like Nemo but whatever my son wants to call him we'll stick to that.  He's a small turtle-barely two inches.

Sally tagged me w/ a meme.  I'll post in my next blog.

paper & ribbon swap

I got my goodies in the mail from Green Bean Baby. She is also the one who organized this Paper & Ribbon Swap. I got tons of ribbon, buttons, paper, a very cute tape measure which I already stuck in my sewing bag, incense, a shirt for my toddler and a onesie for the one on the way! Thanks again Ellia!

Here are pictures: