Leah: Crazy Doll Lady

Boots!

2012-02-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

How cute are these boots?!?

More Winter Gear

2012-01-22T12:46:00.001-05:00

I made a second fleece jacket and then a hat and mittens for both. I also ordered some winter boots that are on their way!

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Let's Go Skiing!

2012-01-17T22:51:00.001-05:00

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Ready for the Office

2012-01-15T19:23:00.001-05:00

I thought that my niece's dolls needed suits for work and business meetings. I also made coordinating long-sleeved knit tops to go underneath the jacket.
Next up: ski outfits!

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Party Time! Excellent!

2011-10-28T20:07:00.001-04:00

This is a companion dress to the pink sparkly one. I especially love the pink flower trim on this one. And the shoes!

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Ready for a Party!

2011-10-16T17:59:00.001-04:00

I love the little bolero jacket that goes with this dress.

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Holiday Finery

2011-10-09T12:41:00.001-04:00

I finally finished both doll Christmas dresses plus velvet capes.

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Coming Soon

2011-09-23T23:08:00.001-04:00

Pumpkinseed Brittle!

I've been making this every year since I tried out versions for the Harry Potter party. I think it seems like something wizards would eat since they like pumpkins so much. I also think it would be the perfect garnish, if you so desired, on a slice of pumpkin cheesecake.

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Christmas Dress Sneak Peek

2011-09-20T00:28:00.001-04:00

It's going to have a bow and ribbon around the waist, plus a cape. And there's going to be a companion dress as well for a second doll.

You can't tell from this photo, but there are some shiny threads in the plaid which makes me really love it.

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One Down

2011-09-14T18:48:00.001-04:00

No, this isn't about football. This is one Christmas present down, and so many more to go...

I love this fabric so much that I think I'm going to get more to make myself some pajama pants.

I used a new ruffle technique: I bought premade ruffle and just sewed it on. It saved a lot of time!

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Boot-cut Pants

2011-09-05T11:53:00.001-04:00

Lili has some new pants for school this fall so I needed to make some for her doll. I made both of these yesterday afternoon. They don't take long at all. They're boot-cut khakis and navy twill.

Lili has joined an American Girl club at school. They meet after school to learn about history and to make crafts. And of course, they bring their dolls with them. Lili is really excited that her dolls will always match her school outfits!

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My First Zipper!

2011-09-04T14:28:00.001-04:00

Katie made some gathered clutches for teacher gifts, and I couldn't wait to try it myself. I can't wait to make more of these!

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Another School Outfit

2011-08-14T14:55:00.001-04:00

I made my niece's doll another polo shirt and box-pleated skirt for school so that her clothes can always match what my niece wears to school. I think I still need to make some khaki capris though!

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Aloha!

2011-08-12T15:00:00.004-04:00

This is Kanani, the American Girl doll of the year. She is from Hawaii, obviously. When I spotted some Hawaiian-print fabric I knew I wanted to recreate her outfit for my niece's doll.

The skirt pattern I used had two layers, but I added the ruffle around the waist. The tube top was super easy. I got the pattern from Liberty Jane Patterns. They have lots of cute, cheap, modern patterns that I haven't seen anywhere else. I have bought quite a few and can't wait to make more of them. I like that this top can be worn with other things that match.

Here are all the leis I made to go with it. I got three leis at Hobby Lobby for $3, and I only needed one for the doll. I restrung it to fit her head, around her neck, and around her ankles.

For the Love of Harry Potter

2011-08-12T14:51:00.002-04:00

It's no secret that I'm a Harry Potter fan. For several years I've wanted to have a Harry Potter birthday party at The Burrow. The last movie seemed like a good occasion to invite a few friends to lunch. I need to take pictures of how I transformed our basement to The Burrow (it wasn't very hard), but for now here's the snitch cake.

I used a round sports ball pan from Wilton. I made my favorite Magnolia's Vanilla Cake batter and froze the cakes a few weeks ahead of time. I iced them frozen the night before using Jan Moon's Almond Buttercream Icing. (I lost all restraint the first time I made it and licked every bit out of the bowl. It was the best icing ever.) I used a gold icing color and sprinkled some gold edible glitter on top. The wings are vellum. Heinz had been wanting me to make wings out of spun sugar but I didn't have the time or patience. The cake itself was enough work!

The first cake:

And a second cake for when Heinz's sister and her kids visited:

Return of the Pajama Shorts

2011-08-12T14:47:00.003-04:00

I believe that this is the fourth pair of shorts I've made for my niece and her American Girl doll. I finished them quite some time ago and just needed to do the ruffle. I think the ruffle really makes the dots pop! I call them pajama shorts, but they can actually be worn out. I think they're adorable and since they can be worn with a T-shirt, I don't feel like I have to make a matching shirt. Because that would take a lot more time.

More Hats

2011-08-12T14:42:00.004-04:00

These bucket hats are my new favorite gifts. I love that you can pick two fabrics for each hat.

This one is for a super kid who loves superheroes, Batman and Green Lantern especially.

I have made five of these turquoise and red hats for little girls (or little girls to be). I really love this fabric combination and am glad I had a good excuse to use it!

Reversible Bucket Hats

2011-07-10T14:36:00.001-04:00

We're going to a birthday party today, and I decided to make the birthday boy some hats with his favorite characters. Katie got me a children's sewing book for my birthday that included this pattern. I love how it uses two different fabrics and is completely reversible. I used two Cars fabrics for the hat on the left and two John Deere fabrics for the one on the right. I'm pleased with how they turned out; I can't wait to make more!

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Upcycling

2011-06-06T17:07:00.001-04:00

I have discovered that making doll clothes lets me reuse clothes that are otherwise unusable. Below is a favorite polo shirt of mine that I got bleach on. I was just about to throw it away when I realized that I could make a doll shirt out of it! I'm glad that I was able to reuse it. I love the finished results!

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Special Request

2011-05-24T23:03:00.001-04:00

My niece asked if I could make her doll some clothes that would match the clothes she wears to school. They wear uniform-type clothes: red, white, or navy polo shirts with khakis. I actually found a free doll polo shirt pattern at Liberty Jane Patterns, which has a lot of other cute doll patterns that I'd love to try.

I first started out with a red polo shirt. It's okay for my first try.

I love this navy one. The buttons are little flowers that are just so cute. And this khaki miniskirt takes no time at all.

This is a full skirt with a stiff waistband. It reminds me of a poodle skirt. This one and the next one are made from an old pair of Heinz's cargo pants. The fabric stores didn't have a lot of khaki color choices and this one was just right!

A box-pleated skirt.

And a pair of shorts.

I'm already planning a pair of capris, a pair of pants, and a white polo shirt for later. I can't wait for my niece to get these in the mail!

And yes, this is my doll. I needed one to try the clothes on.

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More Pajama Shorts

2011-05-01T15:43:00.003-04:00

I haven't gotten tired of making matching shorts yet, because I thought that Lili needed several pairs. I'll probably make at least two more sets, and then I'll probably make her a few cotton pajama pants for the fall. I love the paisley pattern on these. I don't think you can find matching clothes this cute in the American Girl catalog! I guess that sounds kind of conceited, but I don't care, because I'm pretty proud of myself.

Ruffled Pajama Shorts!

2011-04-24T15:16:00.002-04:00

In the last post, my niece's mom said that she loves her pajama shorts so much that she has a hard time getting her to stop wearing them long enough to wash them! Of course I had some more planned so she could switch them out. The girl pattern included a ruffle just like the ones I did for the nightgowns. I think they really make the fabric pop. I'm ready to get started making the next pair!

Pajama shorts

2011-04-13T16:52:00.001-04:00

The flannel nightgown I made for my niece and her American Girl doll for Christmas were a huge hit. She wants to wear it every night even though she lives in a warm and humid climate. So she and her doll needed some matching cotton shorts. They were fast and easy to sew. I'll be able to whip out a few more sets once I find out how they fit.

I also made a t-shirt for the doll since so many outfits require one. It was not as easy; sewing jersey knit is hard!

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Fit for a Princess

2011-03-28T17:59:00.003-04:00

I just finished the final touches on this latest American Girl Doll dress. I had a Simplicity pattern for Renaissance-era dresses and thought that it would look like a princess dress. I particularly like the button at the bottom of the bodice.

Best Sandals Ever!

2011-02-27T19:44:00.003-05:00

I got a pair of these supercomfy sandals at a Condé Nast Traveler prop sale four years ago. Even after wearing them all the time, they're still great. I just looked them up to order some more, and discovered that the classic flip-flop is on sale for just $10, so I can get several colors to match any outfit. But the best part? The website says they're DISHWASHER SAFE!! And when I went to check out, I discovered that I can use my Amazon account—I didn't even have to get out my credit card.

More doll clothes

2011-02-16T06:19:00.001-05:00

I managed to make an outfit for my niece's doll in time for her birthday. I was nervous about the gold thread detail on the jeans but I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself.

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NEW BLOG!

2011-02-15T13:45:00.002-05:00

I created a new blog some time ago in preparation for our new family member. Leah in the City/South wasn't very inclusive to the family. I will (occasionally) still post crafts/decorating projects here, but family photos will now be here. Please be patient as I try to get photos up! I haven't had much free time lately...

Antique Baby Sleigh

2010-12-09T17:02:00.003-05:00

My Grandma Haney (most of you know her as third-person Grandma) recently moved down to Alabama, and the only thing I asked for from her house was this antique baby sleigh. It's not a family heirloom; she bought it at an antiques auction. I thought it would be perfect to decorate for Christmas, but I wanted it to look like it fit the time period. I had the idea of filling it with greenery and wrapped presents, but finding the right wrapping paper was difficult. I searched online for retro, antique or reproduction paper with no luck. My mom suggested scrapbooking paper. I found lots of great choices at a local scrapbooking store in Huntsville. The thick paper was more difficult to use than regular wrapping paper but I made it work. I had the idea of cutting a piece of fleece to drape on the sleigh like a blanket, and as a finishing touch, I included a stack of envelopes with our name and address on the top in brown copperplate calligraphy. I had the perfect empty spot for it in front of the bay window in the library. It fits with the room perfectly.

Butter Cookies

2010-12-08T19:25:00.002-05:00

My recipe for Butter Cookies is delicious; I'm posting it here so that I can link to it on Facebook for someone. I've been making these every Christmas since I was 12. The recipe is from my old babysitter. I think about and miss her every time I make them.

Butter Cookies

One recipe makes about 25-30 cookies.

Mix together

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

Stir in

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Chill dough. Roll thin. Cut into shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheets (I line my baking sheets with parchment paper. You can reuse it for all the batches.) Bake at 425 for 7-9 minutes until delicately browned.

Icing:

1/4 cup butter, softened (1/2 stick)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk

Mix together butter and powdered sugar. Beat in vanilla and milk. (I use an extra tablespoon milk so it's not too thick.)

Note: These cookies freeze really well. You can freeze them already iced. Put wax paper between layers in an airtight container and freeze up to a month.

Baby Shower Pics!

2010-11-25T16:03:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came to the baby shower!

Feathered Friends

2010-11-25T14:52:00.003-05:00

This is my new favorite knitted toy. I love these little owls! The pattern is from Susan B. Anderson and can be found in the current holiday issue of Knit Simple magazine. (The reversible squirrel/hedgehog is from the same story.)

I love that you can make this owl in any color combination you want. Heinz says that it looks like they're wearing little sweaters, ha.

Cozy Pillow

2010-11-25T14:50:00.003-05:00

Before the baby shower last week, I made a slipcover for a little pillow to put in the 100-year-old little rocking chair. I used some of the flannel fabric that I had so that it would be extra cozy. This slipcover probably took me all of 20 minutes to whip up.

Napping Pillow

2010-11-13T19:53:00.003-05:00

A napping pillow used to be my go-to baby gift. But I don't think I've made one since I learned how to knit baby hats. But I realized that I needed to make one for the nursery. The back is the same argyle as the crib skirt.

Christmas Nightgowns

2010-11-12T22:10:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty sure my niece, Lili, doesn't read my blog, so I think it's okay to post a sneak-peek at her Christmas present. We're getting her an American Girl doll, and last weekend I remembered how my Grandma Haney made dresses for my Cabbage Patch Doll. You can buy outfits for the American Girl doll on their website (for $30) and ones to match their owner (for $60). I thought that it would be cuter, and cheaper, to make my own. So I got two Simplicity patterns and some Christmas flannel fabric (which I am in love with) and made these for Lili and her doll. The bottom hem of Lili's nightgown was plain, and I liked the gathered ruffle so much on the bottom of the doll dress, that I added one to Lili's to match.

Sewing doll clothes is my new addiction. Jo-Ann's and Hancock's had patterns on sale this week, so I bought almost all of the doll patterns they had. I hope I have time before the baby comes to make a few more outfits for Lili's new doll.

Alex's New Forest Friend(s)

2010-11-12T22:04:00.003-05:00

I just finished knitting my first reversible toy. It was a lot of fun to make. This hedgehog turns inside out to make...

this squirrel.

I love the squirrel's bushy tail! The toy is nice and squishy and I think it will be a lot of fun for Alex.

Fabric-Covered Lampshade

2010-11-06T17:15:00.003-04:00

I ordered this owl lamp for the nursery from Target. It came with a black shade though, which was weird. So instead I got one from Jo-Ann's that is sticky and comes with a pattern so that it could be covered with fabric. I really like the pop of green on the lampshade against the blue wall. I debated between red and brown rick-rack and finally went with the brown.

OWLS!

2010-10-28T16:19:00.002-04:00

More than a month ago I ordered an owl mobile to match the nursery. I found a seller on Etsy who handmakes baby mobiles out of felt in really cute shapes. She made this one to match the colors in the fabric I'm using. The tree in the center is perfect to go with the room too!

She also made two little owls to be the pulls at the bottom of the ceiling fans in the room. I had to replace the football pull that was on there.

More Decals!

2010-10-27T20:43:00.002-04:00

I added some animal wall decals to the tree scene. They're from Pop and Lolli and the best thing about them is that they're repositionable. They're easier to apply than traditional decals. I got an owl and bird set for the trees and clouds, and a forest animal set to put underneath. There are a lot more that I haven't used yet that I'll be able to put around the room. They are super fun!

Heinz asked why so many of them are wearing glasses. My answer is that it shows that it's okay to wear glasses and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I was the first kid in my class to get glasses, so I'm sure Alex will be too.

Tree Pillow

2010-10-27T19:08:00.003-04:00

I am a big copy-cat. First I made the book slings that Katie made, then Ribbit, and now this tree pillow. I love how it uses up little bits of scraps. I would love to make some to match my living room. The tutorial is from here. I love how it goes with the tree theme in the room.

It's a Glider AND a Recliner!

2010-10-27T13:32:00.002-04:00

Last week the chair I ordered for the nursery came in. When I first started looking at chairs, I wasn't sure what to get since I didn't know if I'd want a glider or a recliner. Then I happened to find one from Little Castle that's BOTH! Besides being both, it's cheaper than the ones from Pottery Barn, and it comes in tons of fabrics. Pottery Barn didn't even have a single fabric that was brown. There are several retailers in town; I got this one from Buy Buy Baby because I was able to order it with 20% off coupons.

It's really comfy, but I think it works more like a rocker than a traditional glider. And once I'm done using it in the nursery, I can put it in our bedroom for a seating area. Although I think that Alex may want to use it as a reading chair for a long time to come.

Wall Decals

2010-10-27T13:27:00.004-04:00

I ordered some more wall decals from Dali Decals. There are a lot of tree decals out there, but I really loved this one because of the circles. It made it seem more childlike and playful. Then for underneath I got a green shag rug to be like grass. I got it from Rosenberry Rooms. It's supersoft, not like shag carpeting from days of yore.

p.s. The clouds are from Dali Decals too.

Meet Ribbit

2010-10-26T15:58:00.003-04:00

I've been working on a baby sweater for next fall, but I decided to take a break and knit some toys for the nursery instead. First up is Ribbit. This is a free pattern by Susan B. Anderson on the Spud & Chloë site. This was a fun knit, and the coolest part is that the frog body is a tennis ball.

I had 12 appendages to sew on. This is the first one I did. It makes Ribbit seem, well, punk. It definitely belongs in my Sarcastic Crafts collection.

Pillowcases

2010-10-19T17:38:00.003-04:00

I made three standard pillowcases in the Hooty Hoot fabric collection for when Alex gets a big-boy bed. The one on the left is flannel and the other two are regular fabric. They didn't take very long to make.

Look What I Found!

2010-10-17T16:23:00.002-04:00

Awesome, right?

It's especially cool because it's on vinyl. I need to get out my old record player.

Travel Diaper Pouch

2010-10-16T21:40:00.002-04:00

I saw this tutorial last week and I just had to make one for me and for a friend. Katie had some leftover scraps from the quilt and pillows she made for Julia, so she gave me some for this diaper holder to match. I didn't use any of my matching fabric because I thought it would be a good chance to use some other cute fabric in my stash.

They were easy to make and I learned some new techniques as well.

The Curtains Are Up!

2010-10-14T14:43:00.002-04:00

Heinz just put up the curtains in the nursery. They were the first thing I made for the room, but I had to order special rods that stuck out far enough from the wall because of the new blinds we had ordered. I was going to do white panels with tiebacks underneath the valance like I did in the guest bedroom, but I decided it wasn't necessary and that I'd keep it more simple in here. For some reason, I really love vertical stripes for a valance.

Book Slings

2010-10-11T19:32:00.004-04:00

A couple of days ago I made these book slings for the nursery. My friend Katie made one for her son earlier this year, and I filed away the idea. When I started planning the nursery, I knew I had to make some using the fabric collection I had picked out. The tutorial is from Penny Carnival. They didn't take very long to make, and they would have been even easier if I had used one big piece of fabric like in the tutorial. I realized that my print would show through when it was doubled, so I lined the inside with a cotton solid. That ended up being a bonus because I now have extra of the more expensive prints.

I love the concept behind this, which is that it's easier for toddlers to find their favorite book when you can see it face-out instead of trying to find it from a bunch of spines on the shelf.

p.s. Yes, the bathroom is VERY green!

Sewing for Baby

2010-10-07T15:56:00.004-04:00

I've finished two sewing projects for the nursery now. First, I made curtains. I can't show those yet because I had to special order some rods today that would extend past the new blinds we ordered.

This is the crib skirt. It was a lot like making curtains: you just make panels and sew them onto a sheet of muslin. I still have to serge the seams (or I may just use pinking shears). The pattern is from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. Right now the mattress is at its highest. Once we lower it, I may have to tuck the bedskirt underneath the mattress or something.

I like how the panels look modern and aren't frilly. The long side has two panels plus an insert in the center underneath. The directions said to make panels for all four sides, but why would I do more work than I had to? So I just made panels for three sides.

Something Old, Something New, and Definitely Something Blue

2010-10-02T23:52:00.004-04:00

We have already been working on getting the nursery fixed up. The walls are painted, which is a huge relief. And there are already a few pieces of furniture in the room.

First is this little rocker, which I used when I was little, and my dad, and my grandma and her siblings. Since my grandmother's oldest sister is almost 91, it's safe to say this is at least 90 years old. It's the only old furniture that I don't mind using. My grandma tried to get me to take a 100-year-old wicker baby carriage to use, but I declined. I think this rocker will be cute with a little pillow in it.

Heinz already put together the crib and changing table for me so that I can plan the decor for the room. Draped over the crib are some of the fabrics I'm using in the room. I'm almost finished making the curtains and then I'm going to start on the crib skirt.

Another Reason Why Justin Timberlake Is Awesome

2010-09-30T14:46:00.000-04:00

Penn & Teller

2010-09-29T16:30:00.004-04:00

Heinz is in Las Vegas this week at a work conference. He really wanted me to go with him, but I have a lot of freelance work to do this week, and my personality type makes me feel agitated if I try to travel the week the magazine closes. So I opted to stay home, which Heinz is never going to forgive me for. Because he missed out getting picked to do a trick onstage with Penn & Teller, his favorite magician/comedy duo. Heinz was sitting in the front row, and Penn went up to him and asked if there was someone with him who could call his cell phone. Apparently giving your number to the person sitting next to you wasn't good enough, so he didn't get to do it. The trick is that they take your cell phone and hide it and it reappears sealed in a bag, inside a fish frozen in a block of ice, in a box sealed with duct tape, underneath someone's chair in the audience. But the coolest part is that they turn on the videocamera on your phone, video you with Penn & Teller doing the trick, and leave it on the whole time so you then know how the trick is done. I hope Heinz can forgive me some day. At least he got them to sign his program and got his picture taken with them. Oh, and he got to hear Teller talk.

Knitting for Baby

2010-09-11T22:02:00.003-04:00

Yes, yes, I have a blog. No, I haven't felt like updating it in quite awhile. Mainly because I didn't have much interesting to share. But now with a little one on the way, I'm busy making plans. I painted the nursery this week and finished knitting this Buga Baby Bunting tonight. It's the hardest thing I've knitted so far and I'm proud how it turned out. I can't wait to see a little baby in it! The background is the back of this quilt that Katie made for the baby.

Here's the pattern picture. My favorite part is the little foot sticking out.

I Need One of These

2010-02-06T12:42:00.002-05:00

I saw this on a recent episode of the Big Bang Theory. I think I need one. It's a t-shirt folder.

New Year's Projects

2010-01-02T18:51:00.002-05:00

I am motivated to work on a bunch of projects. Here's the lineup.

1. Card making. I am going to make big batches of cards to use for the rest of the year: Mother's Day, birthday, and Father's Day. I may even start to put together design ideas for Christmas cards. I started a prototype of my all-purpose birthday card for the year.

2. Get rid of a bunch of stuff. This one scares me. I've set my DVR to record Hoarders to help me be unsentimental about giving stuff away. My parents saved most of my childhood toys. I'm not sure if I'm going to try to sell some of them or just give them away and get a tax write-off. Maybe a bit of both.

3. Sewing. I'm not as scared by this as I once was since I've already made a few projects. I want to make some pillows and a quilt for the guest bedroom first of all, and then I have some other projects waiting.

4. Knitting projects. These are ongoing as I work on them as I veg and watch TV in the evenings.

5. Digital preservation of slides and negatives. I recently bought a slide scanner (that will work with my Mac) so that I could scan in slides for my dad. It will also be great for a lot of our photos that are predigital. Then I'm going to make a movie on Apple's iMovie for my dad of the trip he took to Europe when he was 17. I also need to digitize some records of the trip to include in the movie. I'm hoping that I can work on some cards in the craft room while these slides are scanning in.

I'll be posting my progress!

The Best Popcorn

2010-01-01T22:44:00.003-05:00

Some time ago my dad gave me this used popcorn popper. I tried it once and kinda forgot about it. Then recently Heinz read this article in the New York Times about people at a popcorn plant getting sick from inhaling the chemicals used in the butter flavoring. (The danger is inhaling the chemicals as the popcorn pops, not actually eating the flavoring.) So Heinz made me throw away my microwave popcorn. I hesitantly got this popper out and realized how easy it is to use. It doesn't need oil or anything. You just pour in up to half a cup of kernals and plug it in. That's it. And the popcorn is tender and fluffy and tastes so much better than any from the microwave. The popper is cheap on Amazon and it has great reviews. I highly recommend getting one.

New Kitchen Chairs!

2009-12-31T19:26:00.002-05:00

I just ordered new chairs (in RED!!) for the kitchen from Pottery Barn. I am so excited. I've had these picked out for awhile. We were making do with a $100 dinette set from K-Mart that Heinz bought while we were dating. The chairs have been falling apart for some time now, and Heinz would put them back together with some bolts and stuff. But this weekend I sat in one that was leaning and I almost fell backwards. So we felt like the time had come to buy some new ones. I brought a bit of our curtain fabric to Pottery Barn and held it up to a sample of the red chairs, and it matches PERFECTLY. Like they were made for each other. I can't wait to get them in!

Christmas Is SOOO Wonderful

2009-12-17T13:51:00.002-05:00

I think there's too much pressure for Christmas to be perfect. Everything's supposed to be fun, cheery, and happy all the frickin' time. And a lot of time it isn't. (Especially when you have to deal with an alcoholic around the holidays.) It's easy to start stressing about getting everyone the right gift (oops, I can't forget my neighbors, I better make some homemade treats), getting your cards out on time (I'm a freak and want to make mine, which adds to the stress), plus there's work and making dinner and cleaning house on top of all this Christmas goodness. Then you have to see as much family as possible. Let's cram it all in!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a scrooge. I love making gifts and treats, I love making Christmas cards, and I love spending time with people I love until it starts to be dysfunctional. I just think the idea of Christmas is overblown. Maybe I have it wrong in thinking I'm supposed to be happy all the time. The magic of Christmas is supposed to be for little kids, I guess, and it's up to the adults to make sure that happens for them. My niece has been asking for homemade marshmallows, and I think about years from now when I'm old and I can't make them anymore, that perhaps she'll remember how Aunt Leah loved her enough to make them for her and how much she enjoyed them in her hot chocolate. Just like I remember my old babysitter Mrs. Chick and her butter cookies and how much I looked forward to that tin of cookies every year. I always think of her when I make them and about all of the hard work she put into them.

What are some ways that you enjoy the holidays without stress? I just have to let some things go and realize that not everything can be perfect.

Dali Decal Coupon Code for My Readers

2009-12-16T18:21:00.002-05:00

The nice folks at Dali Decals left a coupon code on my post about the decal in the guest bedroom for my readers (all five of you).

"Thanks so much for the write up too! As our way of saying thanks, here's a coupon code you and your friends can use for $10 off, no minimum purchase. Coupon code is leahinthesouth1"

I am already planning my next decal: I'm going to have them do a custom quote for the slanted wall of my craft room that you see right when you walk in the room. It's going to say "Leah's Craft Room of Awesomeness" unless any of you have another idea.

According to Dali's website, they're having a 10% off deal right now anyway along with free shipping. The code for that is HOLIDAY09 and it ends on Christmas Eve.

Sea Salt Caramels

2009-12-12T20:36:00.004-05:00

I get a lot of card ideas and stamps from Impress Rubber Stamps. I saw this caramel packaging and wanted to make some, even thought I didn't know what Sea Salt Caramels were. But I found a lot of recipes for them. I ended up using third-person Grandma's recipe and just added the Fleur de Sel at the end like what some of the other recipes recommended. A tip for making the caramels easier is to buy precut squares of wax paper to wrap them in.

Packaging from Impress Rubber Stamps:

My version of the packaging. I designed the labels in Quark (don't be hatin') and printed them out on card stock and attached them with scrapbook adhesive squares.

Here's the Recipe:
Caramels or Sea Salt Caramels

1 pound light brown sugar
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light corn syrup
½ pound (2 sticks) butter (I use salted)
½ teaspoon cream of tarter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons fleur de sel (sea salt), optional
Extra fleur de sel to press into cut pieces
Special equipment: parchment paper, candy thermometer, wax paper squares

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper; set aside.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir mixture until temperature reaches 245°, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into prepared pan.
If using fleur de sel, sprinkle 2 teaspoons on top of caramels after 10 minutes. Let caramels cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cool.
Place a piece of parchment paper on a cutting board. Lift caramel out of pan and place on parchment paper sea salt-side up. Cut caramel into bite-size pieces and wrap in 4-inch squares of wax paper. If using fleur de sel, you may press some extra into cut pieces. Don’t use too much because a little bit goes a long way.
Makes about 6 dozen caramels.
NOTE: This recipe can be easily doubled. Use a bigger pan to cook the caramels and pour into a 13x9-inch pan.

Detective Kits

2009-12-12T19:53:00.003-05:00

Some months ago I was brainstorming ideas of books to get for my friend's son who is a voracious reader. I remembered the Encyclopedia Brown books, which made me think that it would be fun to make detective kits for Christmas. So I have spent some time putting them together for him and my nephews and niece. I got Encyclopedia Brown box sets for the 9-year-old boys, I Can Read Berenstain Bear Mysteries for the 7-year-old, and a Strawberry Shortcake mystery for my 5-year-old niece who is obsessed with pink. Planning the boxes was so much fun. I designed ID badges and business cards, and also included fake mustaches, magnifying glasses, mini clipboards and notepads, and a really rad invisible ink pen that includes a light to read the messages. I think that these would be great favors for a mystery-themed birthday party.

Ribbon Wreath

2009-11-20T21:19:00.002-05:00

I saw a ribbon wreath on my friend Stephanie's new blog and went out to buy the supplies that day. The idea came from here. I used wider ribbon and used four different kinds. I love the result, and it doesn't look super Christmasy. I think that it could be used throughout the year.

Paper Lanterns

2009-11-20T18:40:00.001-05:00

Paper lanterns were the design inspiration for the guest bedroom. I love the colors.

Shiny!

2009-11-18T16:26:00.003-05:00

My friend Christy from New York was in Atlanta last week, and so I drove over there to meet her for lunch. After lunch we walked around and stopped into West Elm, the place where I got our bedding. Just within the last three weeks since I'd been there, they have this new shiny shiny incredible soft bedding. Christy said, "You have to get this bedding!!" But since I had just gotten new bedding, I decided to supplement.

First I got these throws for the library. They won out over some chunky knit throws from Pottery Barn because they're machine washable and the ones from Pottery Barn are dry clean only (no thank you!).

Then I got these standard shams for the bedroom. The color is pretty close to the wall color, and I love the two standard shams in front of the Euro shams instead of the king-size ones.

And...More Sewing

2009-11-18T14:38:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I made some curtain tiebacks. I think they look a lot better now.
These Amy Butler curtains were my inspiration. They would have cost $300 for two windows. Mine, including the panels I bought at Wal-Mart, were about $42. Plus a $400 sewing machine, ha.

I then hemmed a piece of fabric with a lining to go on top of an old sewing table. I ordered a piece of glass to go on top of it so it can be used as a desk. Then it will be safe for even a laptop or to throw your keys on there. The piece of glass is about $10. If you didn't want to hem a piece of fabric, you could put cute scrapbook paper and photos underneath it. I think that I'm going to do that with my nightstand and leftover wallpaper.

You know those rice bags that you can heat up in the microwave to use as a heating pad? My grandma uses one all the time for her arthritis and other ailments. She needed some new ones since one I got her several years ago caught on fire in the microwave. (There's only so long they'll last. The rice gets dried out.) So I whipped up a couple of new ones. I made one of leftover cotton and one out of flannel so it's supercosy. (It also reminds me of my grandfather.)

I actually put the rice in a plain bag first and made the outside to actually be a slipcover so they can be washed easily.

Leah Marie's Semi-Homemade

2009-11-16T18:45:00.002-05:00

I was so pleased with how the bathroom valence turned out that I made two more for the guest bedroom. I bought the curtain panels underneath, making the whole project more doable. I think I'm going to do this same thing in the craft room. It's a great way to bring in a pattern without having to make long panels.

Check Out My Fly Curtain, Yo!

2009-11-15T12:32:00.003-05:00

I made a fabric valance for the guest bath last night. I'm pleased with my first attempt and have learned a few lessons for next time. Today I'm going to make a couple of valances for the guest bedroom windows in coordinating fabrics. I like how this fabric pulls in the other colors and explains why the walls in the bathroom are green.

Decals Are Addictive!

2009-11-07T14:20:00.003-05:00

I liked the decal that I did in the dining room so much that I decided to get one for the guest bedroom. I wanted it to be a main feature on the wall above the bed, so I used this large cherry blossom tree from Dali Decals. I like a lot of their other designs too. When I look through them, I think, "Where can I put that?!"

I'm still on stage one of the room. There's still a lot more to come!

The decal consisted of one big branch (with 2 little branches you put on separate) and then all of the flowers were individual so that you could put them on where you wanted. This decal definitely took a lot more work than the chandelier; it took me several hours at least. Before the flowers went on it looked like a crack in the wall.

Halloween Doin's and I Made a Skirt!

2009-10-31T22:14:00.003-04:00

I ran out of candy this year...and I had enough for 270 trick-or-treaters! Last year I had 212, so I thought I had gotten enough. My neighbor across the street was able to get his yard up in time for tonight; it rained all last night and half of today.

Luke and Katie came over tonight to go trick-or-treating. Luke's costume was supercute.

I decided to be Professor McGonagall this year. I was going to be Elizabeth Bennet, Zombie Killer, but I thought it would be too cold. (I was right.) So I ordered her trademark plaid tartan hat and made a wool skirt. I used a Simplicity pattern for a costume skirt that has an elastic waist. The curved hem was a bit tricky but I'm happy with how it turned out. It didn't take me long to make it. I'm sure that I'll be using this pattern a lot in the future!

One of the highlights of my neighbor's yard is his friend who dresses up as Gene Simmons from Kiss. He's wearing 4-inch platforms so he's standing about 7 feet tall. He had to lean over to be in a picture with me.

Halloween Crafts

2009-10-30T20:23:00.003-04:00

My neighbor across the street goes all out for Halloween. So many people come to see his house that the police block the street off and we get more than 200 trick-or-treaters. I can in no way compete with him, but the excitement is contagious. I decided to do something fun for my front porch. This idea is from Martha, of course. You cut an opening in the bottom of the pumpkin, and you scoop out the flesh to about 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Heinz scooped out the flesh for me with an ice-cream scoop. I then marked where I wanted the holes to go with a Sharpie, and Heinz drilled them out with a 1/4" drill bit. I then inserted Christmas lights in the holes, which was hard on my fingers. You stuff the extra lights inside. I'm really excited with how they turned out.

Organic Pin-Tuck Bedding

2009-10-29T13:50:00.004-04:00

I just love the Organic Cotton Pin-Tuck Bedding from West Elm. It is so comfy and I love the pin-tuck look. I bought the natural color for our bedroom and the white for the guest bedroom. After much deliberation, I decided to go neutral with the bedding in the guest bedroom so the look could be changed out easily.

Library Chairs

2009-10-29T13:39:00.003-04:00

The recliners for the library arrived this morning! Heinz hasn't even had a chance to see them yet. They're the Buchanan recliners from La-Z-Boy. Except we bought them from Vance furniture in North Carolina for 40% off retail. Now all we need are lamps and a table to go between the recliners. If you need me, I'll be in the library reading a book in my comfy new recliner. Then later I'm going to have some brandy and smoke a cigar.

A Whole Lotta Paintin' Goin' On

2009-09-28T23:10:00.003-04:00

I have painted three rooms plus a bath and a ceiling in the past few weeks, plus single-handedly copy edited an entire magazine. So that's why I haven't posted in awhile.

First of all is Heinz's office. Don't adjust your screens. Yes, it's bright purple; it's Benjamin Moore's Amethyst Cream. I didn't post the second room I painted. It's cream. I didn't think it would photograph very well.

This is the main guest bedroom. It matches some fabric that I picked out to make a quilt and some accessories. No, I don't know how to make a quilt. But if other people can learn to make awesome quilts from online tutorials, then I can too, right? The walls are Benjamin Moore's Providence Olive, and the ceiling is Icing on the Cake (a bright, light blue). I think it's really relaxing.

I painted the guest bath Benjamin Moore's Dill Pickle, which I found out is a lighter version of the dining room color (Jalapeno Pepper). It also matches the fabric. Stay tuned for guest bedroom updates!!

Two Great Crafts That Go Great Together

2009-09-28T23:00:00.002-04:00

My latest artwork for the house is for the wall between our closets in the vanity part of the master bath. I combined some hand embroidery with copperplate calligraphy. I borrowed the idea of the tree from my friend Julia's wedding invitation. But after we put them up I realized that it might sadly remind Heinz of all the leaves that will need to be raked in the yard this fall and winter.

A Chandelier Theme

2009-09-02T16:42:00.002-04:00

I recently had a new idea for the dining room, and that would be this chandelier decal from Blik. I thought it would be fun. After I ordered it, I was looking online for black-and-white damask curtains (so maybe I wouldn't have to make them) and came across these from Target. They look elegant, but when you look closer, you realize they have little chandeliers on them! I was thrilled to not have to make dining room curtains, plus they match the decal.

The Other Side of the Foyer

2009-08-23T16:42:00.002-04:00

The twig hat rack from Pottery Barn came in this week. I think it complements the twigs in the foyer wallpaper nicely. It's also the same color as the handrail on the stairs, so it actually looks like I kind of know what I'm doing as far as decorating goes. On the wall is more homemade artwork. I got some twigs in the yard to mimic the twig theme. I then added some pieces of leftover wallpaper to it. The only thing I might add to it is an umbrella stand.

Homemade Art Fail

2009-08-23T16:37:00.003-04:00

I had these big plans to put nine squares of styrofoam covered with cute scrapbook paper and ribbon on the dining room wall. Except when I started making them, they looked like crap. Like, not professional at all. I would take a picture of how awful they are but I don't really feel like it right now. So instead I'll show you Plan #2. Instead of nine types of scrapbook paper, I narrowed it down to three and put them in 12 x 12 shadow frames. I like how it turned out. And nine might have actually been too busy looking.

Living Room Furniture

2009-08-10T15:52:00.002-04:00

This furniture is from the Candise Olsen collection at Norwalk. And it is soooo comfy. Especially compared to the old secondhand couch that we've been sitting on. There were several different leg/skirt options. I almost went with the more modern leg, but I decided that I really like the turned leg. It's definitely more traditional but I think it goes well with the house. And as an added bonus, the color of the leg we picked out goes well with the piano. Which I was going to paint, but now I'm not, so that if I decide to change my accent colors in 10 years I won't be stuck with a red piano.

Completed Feature Wall

2009-08-10T15:45:00.002-04:00

The feature wall in the foyer is complete. The furniture piece is a bombé chest from Crate & Barrel. The lamp and mirror are from Ikea. I also got an antique calling card tray from England on eBay. That way if you come to call when I'm not here, the butler will allow you to leave your card on this tray.

I originally intended this lamp for my dresser in the bedroom. So I may need to get another one next time I'm there.

I still have some more work to do in the foyer. I need to touch up the paint, buy a hat rack and make some artwork.

Crazy Awesome or Just Crazy?

2009-07-28T12:37:00.002-04:00

When I saw this candelabra at At Home in Homewood (how's that for repetition?), I had to have it. Because the turquoise color is the exact color of my second accent color in the living room. But so far I don't really have a good place to put it. My upright piano is so high that the candelabra is really close to the ceiling. (I have thought about asking Heinz to cut part of it off in the middle and to weld it back together.) Or maybe I'll just wait until we get a sofa table and it will look good on there. Or I might just keep it where it is.

Bedroom Wallpaper

2009-07-27T17:05:00.002-04:00

The bedroom wallpaper was put up today. I LOVE it. It matched the wall color perfectly. I was afraid it would be too busy, but I don't think it is. Even Heinz said he likes it more than he thought he would. There's quite a bit of wallpaper left over, so maybe I could use it for a background for some artwork elsewhere in the room. After the wallpaper lady was done, Heinz put up the new sconces. There are matching ones in the master bathroom vanity as well.

This is a reproduction retro phone I got for the bedroom. Sure it's a little inconvenient because you can't lay in bed and pick up the receiver, but the point is it looks good, right?!

Kitchen Curtains, Finally!

2009-07-15T16:23:00.003-04:00

My mom is an amazing seamstress. While I was visiting her last week, she made my kitchen curtains for me. I helped out a little and took notes. The one above the bay window is one long continuous valance. We made them one and a quarter times the width of the window so it would have a little bit of gather but not too much. And I'm pretty amazed at how the red bouquets are perfectly spaced out over the width of the windows.

Behold the Feature Wall!

2009-07-15T14:39:00.003-04:00

This is going to take some getting used to. I love it, but it sure is different than what was before! The bedroom wall has not been wallpapered because I didn't buy enough wallpaper. Hopefully that can get done next week.

Finished Half-Bath

2009-07-15T14:37:00.002-04:00

The red-and-gold lampshades and towel really class up the joint.

More Homemade Kitchen Artwork

2009-07-13T15:49:00.003-04:00

This project needs a bit of work. I made it just last night. The frame is a $10 shadow box frame from Ikea. I covered the mat with leftover kitchen curtain fabric (photos coming soon once I get the bay window rod). I then attempted to attach or hang some copper cookie cutters from my mom, who got them from her mom. I didn't want to hot glue them because I didn't want to ruin them. I put tacks in the mat with tape on that to try to keep them on there. Next I might try some of that yellow tacky stuff that you can put stuff on the walls with. Any other ideas that wouldn't hurt the cookie cutters?

My Husband Is a Man of Many Talents

2009-07-13T15:44:00.002-04:00

See this outlet? Looks ordinary, yes? But the thing is that it didn't used to be there. Heinz put it in the foyer where the feature wall is going to be so that I can plug in a lamp there. He did it last night after work even though he was really tired. Oh yeah, and it really works! Bonus: I now have a piece of the wall to take in to the paint store to have matched up for some touch-ups I need to do. Because the can labeled "foyer" and a new can of the supposed color don't match. What do you think the paint people would say if I told them I cut a piece of the wall out so I could match it up?

The Geese Have Left the Building

2009-06-20T21:38:00.003-04:00

Our half bath was painted 1980's country blue. You know what color I mean—the color of geese that you bought at a local craft fair and then would have sitting around the house because everyone else was. (Sorry, Mom.) But anyway. That was the color of this bathroom. But no more! It now matches the foyer. And even better, I painted vertical stripes in this room. Katie gave me the great idea of painting the half bath to match the foyer. And then Stephanie suggested accenting with red towels and chandelier shades to pull it together with the other rooms, and then Kate Nicholson suggested that I paint stripes. It certainly takes a village to help me decorate. So I got a quart of high gloss in the same color as the main color of the bathroom. I measured off 6-inch (mostly) stripes with a laser level. It took some time to get a good rhythm going, and even though I almost quit twice, I'm glad I stuck it out. The results are very subtle and almost look like wallpaper. Would I do this again? It would have to be a small room. It's a LOT of work.

Stay tuned for the chandelier shades. Heinz has to rewire the sconces so they fit.

Before, stuck in a time warp

After, finally in the 21st century

New Bed

2009-06-20T17:45:00.001-04:00

We got our new bed yesterday. It is ginormous! I was going to put wallpaper just directly above the bed, but I think that would be too choppy-looking. So I'm going to have the whole wall done instead.

Homemade Artwork

2009-06-20T17:35:00.003-04:00

Now that the downstairs is completely painted (YEA!), I can start thinking about accessorizing. For the first time in my life, I have walls in the kitchen for artwork and accessories. Besides a clock, message center, and calendar, this is my first kitchen art. It's like a framed scrapbook page. I photocopied recipes from my great-grandmother's cookbook (in her handwriting) and a picture of me (I don't know if you can tell, but I'm sporting some awesome bell bottoms). I used some red-patterned scrapbook paper that looks like an old-fashioned kitchen tablecloth. At some point I'd like to paint the frame red to really make it pop. And the best recipe that I included: Homemade Soap. My grandma Sherron says she still remembers having to stir it on the stove.

My next project is to hang some shiny copper cookie cutters on the wall, but I'm not sure where yet.

Piano Stool Cushion

2009-06-20T17:29:00.003-04:00

I have an old 1917 upright piano with a stool that swivels up and down. I plan on painting the piano but not the stool. Stephanie had a great suggestion of putting a cushion on it to match the living room furniture. So I matched up this turquoise fabric and had someone make it for me. Stephanie suggested her friend's aunt Kathy, who made some beautiful cushions for her dining room chairs. Kathy actually borrowed the seat of the stool and made the cushion fit around it so it won't come off. It's bulkier than I thought it would be but it fits beautifully. And her welting work is lovely! She charged me $35. So if you need someone to make custom cushions for you, let me or Steph know and we'll give you her number.

An Afternoon Project

2009-06-01T17:19:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Katie pointed out that the back of the bookcase in the hallway was the same color as the half bath that I really want to change. For a long time this bookcase was completely full of books. Now that the back is more noticeable, I had to do something about it. I used leftover library paint so that it would fit in better.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The Bedroom Gets Updated

2009-05-31T21:47:00.002-04:00

More than any other room, the master bedroom was in desperate need of fresh paint. We think that it had not been repainted in 25 years. It was scuffed, dingy, and had lots of holes in it. Now, it's a light blue that matches this wallpaper that I'm going to use as a feature behind the headboard. I also painted the ceiling a quarter of the color of the wall. I was terrified, but Benjamin Moore's flat paint doesn't drip. It turned out great.

Disclaimer: The lighting in the room isn't great right now, as we removed the existing chandelier and scones for painting (and updating), so it's hard to show the color as it really is.

We ordered bedroom furniture this week, but it's going to take 8 to 10 weeks to get it. So it's going to be awhile to see the finished room.

I Am on a Roll, People!

2009-05-27T19:02:00.004-04:00

Things have moved along quickly the past few days on the home-decorating front. On Monday we ordered living room furniture from Candise Olsen's line at Norwalk, and yesterday we ordered bedroom furniture from Ethan Allen. Today I painted the ceiling in the bedroom (which seemed to go surprisingly well; I'll be able to tell once it's fully dry) and tomorrow I'm painting the bedroom. Today I got some new wallpaper samples in for the foyer. I changed my mind about the one I had picked out. I liked it, but it just didn't flow well with the rest of the colors I had painted. So I think that a paper with red in it would work better: The library behind this feature wall is painted red, plus I'm using red accents in the living/family room and the kitchen. I have also decided to use turquoise accents in the living room to coordinate with the kitchen, so I have a few papers up that have turquoise in them. I have marked my favorite papers with blue post-it flags. If you can see them well enough, please let me know which ones you like. The ones I have marked have colors in them that match the existing foyer paint color, which would be very helpful. I am leaning toward a floral design since Pottery Barn's twig hat rack would coordinate nicely, but I do like the modern circles too.

I should have a post on the new bedroom color soon. Picking a color has been harder than all of the other rooms, but I think that we finally found one.

NOTE: Click on a photo to enlarge, or you're welcome to stop by my house to see them in person if you're in the neighborhood.

The Perfect Kitchen Clock

2009-05-15T19:44:00.002-04:00

I've looked online several times for a kitchen clock with a red metal rim but have found nothing. And then one day as I was walking through Target, I spotted this clock that was made just for my kitchen. The red rim was just what I wanted, it has a blue circle on the inside that looks like a lighter version of my wall color, and I love the style of the numbers. Thank you, Target.

What I've Been Doing for the Past Month

2009-05-15T19:41:00.005-04:00

I've been taking a Copperplate Calligraphy class. The last class was last night. This is the first thing I've made with it. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty proud of it. The pen is old-school: It has a nib and you actually dip it in ink!

Library Classic With a Twist

2009-03-28T19:07:00.003-04:00

When I saw this globe mobile at Z Gallerie last fall, I knew that it would be perfect in our traditional-looking library. I loved the look of the old-world globes on it, and by hanging it from the ceiling, it freed up floor space that a traditional globe would have taken up.

Big Style, Small Space

2009-03-28T18:53:00.002-04:00

I saw Benjamin Moore's Peony color in some blog post about color forecasts for this year, and I HAD to use it somewhere. So I decided to decorate my closet. I ordered more efficient shelving from The Container Store and bought a chandelier from Lowe's. I wonder if I'll regret this in five years...

Before, the drab and ineffecient closet

And now. It makes me happy every time I look at it.

My Life Is Now Complete

2009-03-12T23:56:00.002-04:00

now that I've had my picture taken with Will Ferrell!

New Craft Table

2009-03-02T21:45:00.002-05:00

Somehow I discovered these awesome craft cubes at Target, which were being discontinued. So I went to three different Targets to get enough to make a desk. We ordered this countertop to make a long table. This is going to be a great work space. It's long enough for two people to work here at the same time, and I'll be able to keep scrapbook and card stuff spread out while I use the other table for sewing. And the cubes are great for holding paper and supplies.

The Winners!

2009-02-20T14:04:00.003-05:00

Wow, it wasn't as hard deciding as I thought it would be. The one on the left is for the foyer. I love that it's not too bold but yet it has a statement. I love the metallic sheen to it. I'm going to paint the rest of the foyer and hallways the white color of the flower, and paint the half bath the blue color so that it coordinates. I'll probably frame some of the wallpaper for the half bath as an art piece to really tie it all together. The one on the right is for a headboard in our bedroom. I chose this one because I can paint the wall any color I want (probably a light blue or blue/green) without having to match it up to the wallpaper (I liked some of the ones with blue/green flowers but I didn't love the shade of the flowers).

Update: I'm now thinking about how cute the one with the brown background and the birdcage and birds would be...especially when I decorate with a birdcage with little fabric birds in it to match.

How Is a Girl to Decide?!

2009-02-20T13:17:00.003-05:00

I'm planning on doing a feature wall in the foyer (this wall, actually), and so I ordered 30 wallpaper samples. I also want to do a headboard feature of wallpaper in the bedroom. There are already a few that I'm going to eliminate.