Sunnybrook Farm Designs

Self Portrait Challenge { Flashback 1 }

2012-01-13T09:47:00.003-06:00

It's "Flashback" time again at Self Portrait Challenge! This means we try to include at least 2 of the themes from the previous year in a new photo. Not always as easy as it sounds, but always fun!

themes from last year:

Literature -
Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
- Stanley Horowitz

The Seven Dwarfs - Sleepy

Fears - As you can see, I am afraid of being chilled to the bone in the morning, as that would not be a good start to my day!

And finally, a quick "Wow - Thanks!" to my dear Aunt Cathy, who surprised me with this gorgeous lap quilt in colors that are perfectly me :)

Pink Giveaway!

2012-01-11T20:08:00.003-06:00

Whose little girl would love a pink ruffle skirt?
**What about a FREE hair flower?**

I have a goal to make 6 skirts, to support my friend Stephanie's running in the Marathon for a Cure.

100% of the purchase price will go to Stephanie's fundraising for her run.

Over the rest of January, every purchase of the Pink For a Cure Ruffle Skirt will be entered into a **giveaway** for the hairflower seen on the model in the listing. Stephanie made it, and let me tell you, it's gorgeous!

The Pink For a Cure Ruffle Skirt is perfect for Valentine's Day, as well as this upcoming spring!

Thank you for your support!

hoping and waiting

2012-01-07T19:34:00.005-06:00

Every year we hope to see snow, but we can never be certain
that it will make an appearance on our winter stage.

So we decided to take matters into our own hands and make our own.

Knowing snowflakes have 6 sides, I have always had a nagging issue in the back of my mind with the standard eight-sided folded snowflake. However, recently I found this pattern for creating 6-sided snowflakes in an old kid's arts & crafts book:

It takes practice (especially for the kids - lots of assistance was needed), but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you have created scientifically correct, six-sided flakes.

We filled up this window, as well as another the same size. There were tons of tiny paper clippings all over the table and floor when we were finished! Once we had it all cleaned up, this project took up a whole afternoon - yay!

Final tip: iron the opened up flakes on a low setting to flatten them out before hanging.

Have fun!

coe

2011-12-14T16:38:00.003-06:00

meet my new nephew...

just love his tiny feet...

named for my mom's father - Douglas Coe T.

:: gingerbread trifle ::

2011-12-08T14:03:00.004-06:00

I've had a string of cooking mistakes, flops and catastrophes lately! But here is one that turned out well in spite of a bad start.

I had made this gingerbread cake last Friday, ahead of time for a party, planning to serve it with lemon sauce. Except it did not turn out looking like it was fit for anything besides perhaps a demolition party...

I froze it, and vowed to figure out something - waste not, want not! And it hit me - we cut up cakes on purpose for trifles, so why not make one from a cake that fell apart? I brainstormed flavors that go well with gingerbread with my mom, and here is what I came up with...

Gingerbread Trifle

9" round Gingerbread Cake (find recipe here, or use a box mix from the store), cut up into 1" (or smaller) cubes
1 pkg. cheesecake pudding mix
1 1/2 c. milk
1 8 oz. container of cool whip (I made real whipped cream instead, because I had it on hand)
1 c. chopped pecans
1 small jar of caramel sauce, or melt down 1 14 oz. package of caramels with about 1/4 c. milk, in a small saucepan over low-med. heat stirring til smooth

Whisk the pudding and milk together, then fold in most of the cool whip (reserving 1/2 c. for garnish)

In a trifle dish or large serving bowl, layer as follows:
1/3 of the gingerbread cake (press down gently)
1/4 of the caramel sauce
1/4 of the pecans
1/3 of the pudding mixture

repeat this pattern 2x

Finish with the reserved cool whip, drizzle with remaining caramel, and sprinkle with the remaining pecans.

Chill. This is best when made at least 12 hours ahead of time, for the cake to soak up the moisture.

I've also used this for my Self Portrait Challenge photo this week, as December's theme is "Idioms"... my idiom of the week is, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Or a trifle. Either will work!

Self Portrait Challenge { tiny words 3 }

2011-11-26T08:37:00.000-06:00

This week, I had two ideas for SPC along the same line, and decided to do both.

my mom makes comfy socks for me. one more reason I love my mom.

... faded memories ...

2011-11-25T08:30:00.001-06:00

What a difference a week makes.

:: luscious ::

2011-11-17T15:30:00.001-06:00

Another rose bush in my garden grows longstem pale peach roses that have a fantastic aroma, and they last a long time when cut.

I am loving this weather, I've been able to enjoy some gorgeous flowers again before it turns cold soon.

Self Portrait Challenge { tiny words }

2011-11-14T19:42:00.001-06:00

for Self Portrait Challenge's monthly theme - Tiny Words

{ sweet }

2011-11-02T20:21:00.003-05:00

my climbing roses are reblooming like crazy now that the weather has cooled and we've had some rain... their flowers don't last long enough to bring inside for arrangements, but their scent is the sweetest I have ever had in a rose, they truly smell like candy!

Self Portrait Challenge { October - Fears }

2011-10-25T21:38:00.003-05:00

When I entered 5th grade, it was my 5th school change since kindergarten began. I was alone in a sea of kids I didn't know... again.

My teachers were kind, understanding even... I still panicked that their cursive methods didn't match what I'd learned, and I hadn't even started learning the math they were already into.

I was overwhelmed, and the tears came.

This is how I earned a new nickname for the rest of the schoolyear - Crybaby.

The kids who I had hoped to befriend turned on me in a moment... such acute pain.

I realize now that from that time on, I tried very hard to not be caught seen crying unless I was around someone safe, and even then, only when it would be considered acceptable.

Now I know, though, that being moved to tears is part of how God made me. It's alright. I'm alright. And I'm not afraid for you to see me cry anymore.

for Self Portrait Challenge's October theme - Fears

Pink - For a Cure!

2011-10-15T16:10:00.003-05:00

My friend Stephanie's grandmother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. In her honor, Stephanie has decided to run in the Marathon For a Cure, and needs to raise $1,100.

I am trying to help her raise the needed funds with a fun, pink design! It's also (appropriately) Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, so I felt this was the right time to help her out! Stephanie's daughter Izzy, is my model for this listing.

100% of the list price of this skirt will be going to support Stephanie's running in her grandmother's honor - your generous support is appreciated!

So here it is:

Pink - For a Cure!

holiday preview & giveaway!

2011-10-14T18:08:00.003-05:00

I have a lot of new things listed in my shop

as I look forward to the upcoming holiday season!

Here are a couple of fun examples:

candy trees

holly & ivy pillow cover

Lots more to be found in my Etsy Shop, both now and in the upcoming weeks!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Also - I am giving away a $40 gift certificate

through my Facebook Fan Page,

head on over and Like it for all the details!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Self Portrait Challenge { reflective surfaces 4 }

2011-09-28T14:34:00.002-05:00

my world in a spoon

Ok, maybe not my whole world.
But part of it.
Gosh, it sure looks big thanks to convexity!
And I look like a penguin, ha...

last week of Reflective Surfaces over on Self Portrait Challenge...

pleased with the initial results

2011-09-27T21:07:00.004-05:00

Before school started, we decided to rearrange the girls' room, putting both beds together against one wall. As soon as we had everything arranged, I realized we needed some sort of coordinating art over the beds to bring it all together. Nicole suggested something with their initials, at which point I knew exactly what I wanted to do...

How I did it...

The frames are from IKEA... one can of white spray paint later, and we were on our way!

I used a rotary cutter w/ mat and the cardboard insert from the frame as my guide to cut the background fabric which came from my stash.

Putting the glass back in the frame after painting proved to be the most difficult part of the job. Who knew fitting an oval piece of glass into an oval frame had to be exactly right or it wouldn't work? I cut my finger, so be careful!

The letters were the most complicated part. There may have been an easier way to do this, but I had to use the resources available to me, so here's what I did:
- I typed the letter into Word with the Parisian font (free download available here)
- changed the page layout to .5" on all sides, with 11x14 paper size
- changed the font size to 800 for the letter "N"
- changed the font size to 1000 for the letter "c" (I used the lower case "c" in this font because I liked how it looked better than the capital option, but this made it smaller than the capital "N" so I had to compensate by using a larger font size)
- held a piece of regular 8.5x11" typing paper up to my screen and gently traced a letter onto it with a pencil, then repeated with a new piece of paper for the other letter
- cut each letter out as cleanly as possible with sharp scissors
- turned each letter upside down on white cardstock, and lightly traced it (upside down so that trace marks won't be visible on the right side of the letter when finished)
- carefully cut out the cardstock letters - done!

I attached the fabric to the cardboard insert, and then the letter to the fabric, using (gasp!) a glue stick. It worked, didn't make anything pucker, and allowed for easy repositioning. Then I put them in the frames, hung them, and called the girls to come see.

The squeals I received were worth the bandaided finger...

swinging along

2011-09-26T14:26:00.003-05:00

Another great Itty Bitty Baby Dress from the pattern by MadeByRae...

This one is for my friend Jill, who, after 3 boys, is now blessed with a little girl as well.

Self Portrait Challenge { reflective surfaces 3 }

2011-09-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

:: dinosaur ::

( smile )

2011-09-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

No smile is as beautiful as the one that struggles through the tears.

I wish I could bake something every single day.

2011-09-16T16:51:00.004-05:00

I'm a hopeless sucker for baking...
chocolate chip cream cheese bars today...
what could I do tomorrow?

(for Self Portrait Challenge - September's theme is Reflective Surfaces)

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars

Mix together:
1 box devil's food cake mix
1 egg
1/3 c. oil (I use applesauce to reduce the fat)

Spread in ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake 15 min. @ 350°.

Meanwhile, beat together:
8 oz. package cream cheese or neufchatal cheese
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg

Spread over baked layer, sprinkle with:
1 c. chocolate chips.

Return to oven for 15 min. more.
Cool before cutting.

love this book!

2011-09-14T09:42:00.004-05:00

I picked up Found, Free & Flea by Tereasa Surratt two weeks ago at the library from the "new" shelf, and have been delightedly thumbing through it ever since.

The author's husband spent his summers at a small family camp that became available for sale, so they purchased and renovated it. In the process, they uncovered decades of old things, full of character and interest. She began using those items to create collections from flea markets, yard sales, and other inexpensive venues. The collections became the gear and decor for the entire camp!

I especially appreciated the way the author encourages finding useful things, not just decorative things. There are so many wonderful, useful, well-made treasures just waiting to be found and given a second life - the best kind of recycling!

This book is gorgeous and creative, and most importantly, full of fantastic finds! I have found tons of great ideas and inspiration within these pages. Now I'm itching to head to the flea market again...

"Have nothing in your houses
that you do not know to be useful
or believe to be beautiful."

-- quote by William Morris in Found, Free & Flea

introspection

2011-09-08T14:35:00.002-05:00

thoughts of who I will become
are not as shadowed
as memories of who I was.

.......................

for Self Portrait Challenge's September theme: Reflective Surfaces

Self Portrait Challenge { Inspired by Literature 4 }

2011-09-02T17:10:00.002-05:00

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

-- James 1:17

final week for photos inspired by literature with SPC

{ apricot tart }

2011-08-30T20:36:00.004-05:00

a new, one of a kind listing...

apricot tart

and now I'm in the mood to make this!

(photo by Taste of Home)

Self Portrait Challenge { Shel Silverstein }

2011-08-26T18:21:00.003-05:00

"My skin is kind of sort of brownish pinkish yellowish white.
My eyes are greyish blueish green,
but I'm told they look orange in the night.
My hair is reddish blondish brown,
but its silver when its wet,
and all the colors I am inside
have not been invented yet."

Self Portrait Challenge's theme for August - Inspired by Literature... I just couldn't let this month go by without a tribute to a truly gifted writer of children's poetry.

Self Portrait Challenge { Inspired by Literature 2 }

2011-08-21T15:28:00.002-05:00

"You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty."

Marmie to her daughter Amy, after she was punished in school for trying to look popular and rich by buying limes, which were "all the fashion" (but against the rules) and hiding them in her desk.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

fan baby

2011-08-13T11:32:00.002-05:00

Despite my ability to create all manner of beautiful girlie things, my family keeps insisting on giving birth to boys. I am about to be blessed with my second nephew, and was once again inclined to step out of my usual comfort zone to find something I could make that would suit a boy (because dads just don't like ruffles on their boys, who knew?)

Thankfully, my sister is a Dallas Cowboys fan, which I threw together with my crochet-abilities, and this is what I came up with:

Touchdown! (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Self Portrait Challenge { Inspired by Literature }

2011-08-12T15:13:00.004-05:00

Anne of Green Gables - one of the many friends I made through my reading.

Dear sweet Anne made friends with her own reflection as she worked her way through foster homes and orphanages... until one day she found a home and a real friend, the "bosom friend" she'd always longed for. I, in turn, bought all 8 of the books by L.M.Montgomery, and made Anne my friend at the young age of 11. I still adore her today.

This month's Self Portrait Challenge theme is "Inspired by Literature". Love it!

:: chinese checkers ::

2011-07-26T15:38:00.004-05:00

my earliest memory of playing chinese checkers
is at a card table in my grandparents' living room...

my grandfather and grandmother began a legacy of game-playing as a way of bringing our extended family together to have fun... we laughed so hard and learned to be good sports... and we still do it now when we can all get together!

It's the final week for the "Games" theme over at Self Portrait Challenge...

birds of a feather

2011-07-19T16:29:00.004-05:00

I just returned from a trip to visit my grandmother, with my girls and my mom. We had a wonderful time!

These photos are from our walk to the pond in her neighborhood. We had a bag of leftover bread, and the sunset gave some gorgeous light.

.^.^. Candy Land .^.^.

2011-07-05T19:58:00.002-05:00

Nothing spurs a child's imagination like primary colored gingerbread movers and destinations like Peppermint Stick Forest and Lollipop Woods...

This is my own childhood set... that would make it about 30 years old... I've noticed the new versions are quite different!

Self Portrait Challenge is all about "Games" this month - it's going to be fun!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T13:39:00.003-05:00

I like how this one turned out, all the bokeh shapes...

easy breezy...

2011-06-30T11:43:00.003-05:00

I've been having fun making some of my Breezy Tops lately... the girls love them because of how cool they are in summer weather, and the way they lace up the back is just so stinkin' cute!

Playground Pals

Cherry Sweet

Seaside Rose

Self Portrait Challenge { Streets 4 }

2011-06-29T10:33:00.001-05:00

Adventures of a Frisbee
by Shel Silverstein

The Frisbee, he got tired of sailing
To and fro and to;
And thought about the other things
That he might like to do.
So the next time that they threw him,
He turned there in the sky,
And sailed away to try and find
Some new things he could try.
He tried to be an eyeglass,
But no one could see through him.
He tried to be a UFO,
But everyone knew him.
He tried to be a dinner plate,
But he got cracked and quit.
He tried to be a pizza,
But got tossed and baked and bit.
He tried to be a hubcap,
But the cars all moved too quick.
He tried to be a record,
But the spinnin' made him sick.
He tried to be a quarter,
But he was too big to spend.
So he rolled home, quite glad to be
A Frisbee once again.

last week for "Taking it to the Streets" with Self Portrait Challenge...

Self Portrait Challenge { Streets 3 }

2011-06-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

where the pavement ends, adventure begins...

For week 3 of Self Portrait Challenge's "Taking it to the Streets" June theme

early morning

2011-06-18T07:56:00.003-05:00

for Self Portrait Challenge's theme for June -
"Takin' it to the Streets"

{ upcycled skirt tutorial }

2011-06-14T22:08:00.005-05:00

Does it break your heart when you get small holes or stains on your favorite tees?

Or when your daughter gets a big hole in her jeans - the unfashionable, not-distressed-but-just-plain-ugly kind of hole?

My heart breaks, too.

But I came up with a fun way to upcycle these items into one wearable, unique garment, and the following tutorial is for those of you who would like to try it for yourselves!

1. Prepare the jeans. Cut the legs off of the jeans, and cut an even line across from hip to hip. Try to lay the waistline the way it would naturally fall before you cut, with the front a bit lower than the back.

The spot at the bottom of the center seams in front and back will probably look a bit warpy, due to the way the legs of jeans are cut, but don't worry, it will work out later.

Have your daughter try on the top of the jeans, and measure from the bottom cut edge to where you want the skirt to fall. Add 1" to this measurement for seam & hem allowances. This will be your cutting measurement for the next step. (I came up with 15" for this measurement for my 11 yr. old)

2. Prepare the tees. Pick out a few tees with colors that work together. Depending on the size skirt you are making, you may be able to make one skirt from just two or three good size tees. (By using about 7 tees, I was able to make 3 different skirts at once.)

Cut off the bottom band from the shirt, and then cut strips 4" wide going up the shirt until you reach an unusable portion. Using a rotary cutter and mat is the cleanest, easiest way to do this.

If you want to cut out stains or holes, you can strategically cut your strips around these unwanted places. I also made use of the usable back portion of tees that had button down collars or emblems in the front, by cutting the backs into additional strips.

Take the newly cut strips, and cut them into the predetermined length you found in Step 1 (in my case, for this example, 15" strips). If the shirt had side seams, cut around them.

Arrange the strips in the order you think you'd like them to be sewn together around the skirt, rearranging as necessary till you like the order they're in.

3. Start sewing. Sew the strips together using one of two techniques:
a. wrong sides together, use the rolled hem function on a serger, stretching as much as you can as you go, to create a lettuce edge as you attach the two strips together. (this may take a practice swatch to get the hang of - use some of your leftover tee scraps to get it worked out before you start.)
b. right sides together, serging or using a regular sewing machine with a stretch stitch to attach the two strips together - this will yield a different look, with more clean seams that will be hidden inside the garment, if that's what you prefer

When you have used up all of your strips sewing them together, you'll have one big rectangle of vertical strips sewn together at their sides. Finish it off by hemming it as desired (rolled hem w/ lettuce edge, serge & stitch, or a zig-zag w/ standard sewing machine), and then attaching the edges of the end strips to each other to create a tube out of the rectangle.

(This example was an experiment, with seams facing outward, sewn using a rolled hem on a serger but without lettuce edge stretching.)

4. Attach the skirt to the jeans. Turn the skirt tube inside-out, to be able to put it right side against the right side of the jeans. Place the raw edges of the skirt's top edge and the jeans bottom edge against each other, and pin all the way around.

I needed to pleat the skirt a bit where each group of two skirt strips met, all the way around, to ease the fullness of the skirt to the jeans - this actually is cute, and adds a bit of flare to the skirt portion when it's finished.

Sew with a straight stitch on a regular sewing machine, giving a 1/2" seam allowance. Serge (or overedge) to finish the seam. Turn the whole thing right side out, and topstitch the skirt down with the seam turned up toward the jeans.

Voila'!

(I have assumed that those trying this tutorial have a basic understanding of sewing directions. If you need further help, feel free to contact me!)

UPDATE: I'm so excited to have Craft Gossip include this tutorial on their site!

wildflower walk

2011-06-12T07:50:00.003-05:00

who knows how long this will last

2011-06-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

I know a place where we can go
untouched by man
watch the clouds go rollin' by
watch the tall grass waving in the wind...

(The End of The Innocence, Don Henley - see & hear it here)

:-: playground pals :-:

2011-06-07T18:13:00.002-05:00

top and dress both available in my etsy shop...

enter to win a new SunnyDress!

2011-06-02T21:55:00.004-05:00

Enter to win this brand new SunnyDress in your little girl's size!

You will receive one entry for each of the following:

- choose to like the Sunnybrook Farm Designs Facebook page

- choose to like or comment on something I've posted on the the Facebook page, receive one entry.

- post a link to the the Facebook page to share the giveaway with your friends on Facebook... be sure to tag Sunnybrook Farm Designs in your Facebook post so it will show up on SfD's page as well

- post on your blog about the giveaway, be sure to share the link to your blog post on the SfD page

Enter as many times as you want, all month long!

At the end of June, I will draw one lucky winner from all of the entries, who will receive this brand new Sunnybrook Farm Designs' sundress!

a few more from hiking in Colorado...

2011-06-02T17:03:00.003-05:00

Can you find the log that looks like a rabbit?
It certainly seems tiny against the back of Pike's Peak...

Sparkling snow is captivating, therefore I opted to sacrifice light to capture it here...

Self Portrait Challenge { Beatles - final week }

2011-06-01T10:07:00.003-05:00

baby's in black ...

no, there's no deep reason I chose to do this shot... I just had the idea, and here it is.

for the final week of The Beatles Songs theme for SPC...

more Colorado...

2011-05-26T12:37:00.004-05:00

We spent a lovely afternoon at the zoo in Colorado Springs - the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. We actually haven't been to a zoo in several years, and the girls enjoyed it immensely. So did the grown-ups. Until we the rain rolled in... then it was time to go!

this is my ho-hum face...

yes, I live here... who are you?

I'm beautiful, I know...

grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

got crumbs? (for me??)

pretty in pink bokeh...

I see you...

{ thistle }

2011-05-24T16:40:00.001-05:00

Self Portrait Challenge { Watching Rainbows }

2011-05-23T20:31:00.001-05:00

I saw the title to this song at the beginning of the month, and thought, "What are my chances that we'll have a rainbow in May for me to use for this challenge? Not likely."

This was last night. Yep.

For Self Portrait Challenge's theme for May - Beatles' Songs

Colorado

2011-05-22T08:17:00.002-05:00

We greatly enjoyed our trip to Colorado this past week. With summer coming on in Texas, we had fun going back in time (for us) to sweaters and jackets and gloves.

before we left our home state, we stopped here:

this picturesque setting was on our way to the Florissant Fossil Beds...

found at the Cripple Creek District Museum...

the view from above Cripple Creek - the Sangre de Cristo Mountains...

she's leaving home

2011-05-21T09:31:00.001-05:00

for Self Portrait Challenge - May theme: Beatles' Songs

from our trip to Colorado this past week...

I love a good deal...

2011-05-13T21:05:00.002-05:00

HUGE shop sale - 30-50% off all ready-to-ship items!
Purchases will ship after May 22nd, when I'm back from vacation...

sweet pastel chic

2011-05-09T14:59:00.001-05:00

limited edition... I love this fabric, wish I had more!

find it here in my etsy shop...

homemade granola bars

2011-05-04T11:26:00.002-05:00

This recipe came from King Arthur Flour, and I modified it a bit. My version is below.

Homemade Granola Bars

1 2/3 c. quick-cooking rolled oats (dry oatmeal, for those new to cooking!)
3/4 c. brown sugar
another 1/3. c oats, put in a blender or nut grinder and pulse until turned to flour consistency
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. nuts (I used a combination of pecans and almonds)
1 c. dried cranberries, chopped up in a food processor
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. honey or maple syrup
1 Tbsp. water

Stir together all the dry ingredients, including nuts and dried fruit.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.

Toss the wet ingredients with the dry until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Spread evenly in a lightly greased 9x13 pan, then press the mixture firmly into the pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes at 325°, until they're just starting to brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Use a knife or spatula to cut into bars while they're still warm. Let cool most of the way before removing from the pan, or they'll crumble. However, if they stick in the pan, you can warm them back up a little to soften them for removing.

These can be customized to your own tastes, with different dried fruits (cherries, blueberries, apples, etc.), different nut combinations (don't forget coconut!), and less sugar. Next time, I'm going to try reducing the fat by substituting applesauce for half of the butter. These are gluten-free - bonus!

thanks, I believe I will

2011-04-27T16:15:00.001-05:00

Self Portrait Challenge { Defying Gravity }

2011-04-21T17:08:00.002-05:00

I'm walkin' on sunshine, whoa-o
I'm walkin' on sunshine, whoa-o
I'm walkin' on sunshine, whoa-o
And don't it feel good!
(ba da ba da-da-da-da-dada)

Self Portrait Challenge's theme for April - Defying Gravity

The day has actually been kind of gloomy today, added to some lack of sleep and bits of sickness that we are attempting to see swiftly out the door... so I would have to say that jumping on my bed for SPC lifted my mood more than I thought it would.

{ limon }

2011-04-19T22:40:00.003-05:00

I'm loving this color combination,
makes me want to throw a party with lots of fruity drinks!

Find them in my etsy shop...

:: strawberry lemonade ::

2011-04-14T10:46:00.002-05:00

This is such a busy time of year for me, with Easter orders and lots of activities with the kids, plus I went to the women's conference at church last week (amazing!) and am still playing catch-up after being gone!

a pile of ruffles from sewing this week:

and a new listing I just put up on etsy:

Strawberry Lemonade

{ teddy bear }

2011-04-02T14:58:00.002-05:00

Just listed this new little crochet baby's hat in my shop, for a photography prop, or just for a fun little accessory for a newborn...

teddy bear

Self Portrait Challenge { 7 Dwarfs - Dopey }

2011-03-31T09:39:00.002-05:00

for Self Portrait Challenge's "The 7 Dwarfs" theme...

Self Portrait Challenge { 7 Dwarfs - wk 4 }

2011-03-27T20:37:00.002-05:00

bedtime stories

for Self Portrait Challenge - the March theme is The Seven Dwarfs...

thank you, Daylight Savings Time, for making it possible for it to be fully light out when it's time for bedtime stories (she says in her most sarcastic voice)

bluebell hill

2011-03-16T10:37:00.003-05:00

a couple new listings for spring...

this one is a limited edition, I can only remake it exactly the way it's shown one time, because it's vintage lace on the bodice:

bluebell hill

and the coordinating rosette bloomers:

Self Portrait Challenge { 7 Dwarfs - Sleepy }

2011-03-10T15:30:00.001-06:00

:: lola ::

2011-03-07T13:28:00.003-06:00

I had not done newborn photos for a while, but I've learned so much since last time. If you haven't heard it before - good photography takes practice and learning, not just head knowledge and a camera. I knew practically nothing the first time I did a newborn shoot. That inadequacy drove me to learn all I could, and I have a lot more to go.

This shoot was last week - Lola was 19 days old. She is precious, and was a dream to work with. So was her mama, very at ease. So pleased with how these turned out!

Self Portrait Challenge { 7 Dwarfs }

2011-03-03T19:59:00.004-06:00

March's theme for SPC is "The 7 Dwarfs" - any selfie that has to do with the names of the vertically-challenged septet of princess caretakers can be submitted.

So here's mine for the first week:

Sneezy and Doc

the hill country

2011-03-02T12:06:00.003-06:00

some shots from our visit with my nephew a few weekends ago...

it was windy - oh well!

the big d

2011-02-28T10:54:00.006-06:00

it fools the eye -

he thinks they look like noodles

el centro

dallas courthouse

jfk

contrast

the Hotel Joule - yes, that is a swimming pool

a roof over our head for the night - the Hotel Indigo

right below our room

hotel decor was beachy - very fun departure from the usual western/prairie decor for where we live!

[ beautiful collections ]

2011-02-25T09:31:00.003-06:00

Ever since Etsy changed the way treasuries are able to be made, I have been honored to be included in lots of beautiful new collections made by other Etsy members!

Both "You are the sunshine of my life" (above), and "a macaroon colored spring is mighty fine indeed" (below), were made by EtsyKids members on the EtsyKids Treasury Team, and I thought they were so well done that I wanted to share...

forever in blue jeans

2011-02-24T06:31:00.000-06:00

money talks

but it don't sing and dance and it don't walk

as long as I can have you here with me

I'd much rather be

forever in blue jeans

-- Neil Diamond, "Forever In Blue Jeans"

-----------------------------------

yes, this is a self portrait of my outside left knee :)

for Self Portrait Challenge - Macro theme

china dolls

2011-02-23T17:26:00.002-06:00

My computer has been giving me fits, not wanting to stay booted up for more than three minutes at a time, so I'm not having much time to get things done before it shuts itself down!

I did manage to edit the photos for my new China Dolls Skirt and Tank, and then listed them with the assistance of my kind husband's computer...

Skirt ~and~ Tank

hiding

2011-02-19T05:05:00.000-06:00

who are you

behind your mask of stone?

what began as a guard

grew harder each day

until no one knows

that part of you anymore...

for Self Portrait Challenge - Macro

a little love

2011-02-13T05:32:00.001-06:00

Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day...

:: winter wonder ::

2011-02-11T07:13:00.001-06:00

the unmistakeable fragrance

the snowy, frozen atmosphere -

mingled with a wisp

of woodsmoke in the air...

choo choo!

2011-02-10T18:05:00.004-06:00

Here's what I've been working on today, a birthday present for my nephew:

This boy lives, eats, breathes, dreams trains.
There are lots of train toys out there, but not a lot of train graphic clothing -
enter handmade.

I also wanted to mention that I have created a Facebook page for Sunnybrook Farm Designs! If you want to follow me on Facebook, click here, then click "like"!

up close and personal

2011-02-08T07:00:00.003-06:00

Since Self Portrait Challenge is doing "Macro" as the theme for February, I decided to spend a few dollars on a lens reversal ring. Small price, huge fun!

My first try:

Claire's birthday gift of a zhuzhu pet turned into my SPC submission this week:

(see my reflection in the eye?)

and finally, my alternate for this week, in case Jeremy doesn't think I show up enough in my current submission, haha!

Chad gave this to me on our anniversary the year our 1st daughter was born - I wear it like wedding ring because my actual wedding ring always catches on clothes & hair (ouch)

feeling flaky?

2011-02-04T15:17:00.002-06:00

warm up with my...

2011-02-03T06:56:00.001-06:00

baby it's cold outside SALE!

big discounts taken throughout my shop - time to clear out for my new Spring 2011 designs!

sale prices effective until 2/6/2011

click here to see all sale items...

{ freckle }

2011-02-02T14:29:00.002-06:00

Self Portrait Challenge - Macro - week 1

mini grilled cheese

2011-02-01T16:43:00.002-06:00

whole wheat hoagie rolls cut into 1/2" slices

8 oz. whole milk mozzerella, divided into 12 slices
(other sliced or shredded cheeses are good, too)

olive oil in the pan

cook over medium heat until crispy and golden... mmm hmmmm....

serve with tomato soup (or your favorite soup)
for a heartwarming lunch on a cold day!

:: pink ::

2011-01-29T13:49:00.000-06:00

just a little something I made last weekend for a baby shower:

full moon morning

2011-01-20T07:23:00.001-06:00

Self Portrait Challenge - { Flashback 2010 #2 }

2011-01-19T16:03:00.002-06:00

Here are the Self Portrait Challenge themes from 2010 I have included in this shot:

Favorite T-shirts: this came from a 5k run that meant more to me than just the fact that I crossed the finish line

SOOC

Pet Peeves: grainy photos when using higher ISO in low light! I can't stand it! So I was incredibly surprised to look at this shot, taken this morning at about 6:30am before the sun came up, using ISO1600 - not as grainy as I had expected it to be! Plus it looks like daylight - bonus!

Self Portrait Challenge - { Flashback 2010 }

2011-01-12T21:31:00.004-06:00

hibernating this winter with favorite friends...

I am super-excited that SPC is doing the Flashback theme again in January like last year! The idea is to use at least 2 of the 11 themes from 2010 combined in one photo.

Here are the themes I have included this week:

With Someone

Speech Bubbles (over on Flickr, I added the speech bubble above Skye's head, "I hope she doesn't get up for a very loooong time...")

5 Senses (Sight - reading)

Six Word Story (stated above the picture)

snow day

2011-01-10T18:05:00.007-06:00

snowy lavender

-::- -::- -::- -::- -::- -::- -::-

wintry weather was the perfect excuse to work on a crafty project I had been hoping to do soon:

how to make a fabric rag wreath:

wire heart wreath form from Hobby Lobby - $1.69

various fabrics I had on hand in shades of white & off white, torn into 1" wide strips (about 30-40 selvage-to-selvage strips) & cut to 6" lengths

spent a whole movie tying the strips to the wreath form last night - done!

Self Portrait Challenge - { Shine 3 }

2011-01-02T15:18:00.003-06:00

one of my favorite songs
from one of my favorite groups.

inspiration cover art

for the final week of SPC - Shine

so-easy tomato soup

2010-12-29T14:24:00.002-06:00

Forget the canned stuff! This takes 15 minutes at the most to make, and you control the salt & fat content. Make it a fast, easy, heart-warming dinner with some rolls and a salad!

So-Easy Tomato Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small sprig rosemary or thyme (or both!)
1/4 c. finely minced onion (yellow or red)
1/2 tsp. salt & 1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. chicken broth (low sodium or homemade if you have it)
a 28 oz. can of whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 c. milk (skim, 2%, whole, or even cream is good if you don't mind the fat content)
shredded parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a 3 quart pot over medium/low heat, with the herb sprigs in the oil. After 2 or 3 minutes, the herbs will turn brown & you should be able to smell it - use a long-handled slotted spoon to remove the herb sprigs and toss.

Toss in the onion, salt & pepper. Turn the heat up to medium, saute' the onion for a minute or two until it's softened.

Add the broth carefully & slowly, it will boil fast when the first bit hits the hot oil, so stir it after all the broth is in the pot.

While the broth comes to a simmer, pour the can of tomatoes in a blender or food processor & process until it's all a liquid. Pour the blended tomatoes into the pot with the broth. Bring to a simmer, let simmer for 3 - 5 minutes to get it good and hot (use a lid to prevent spatters).

Stir in the milk, and return the soup to a simmer.
Serve with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
Serves 4.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T06:26:00.001-06:00

Self Portrait Challenge - { Shine 2 }

2010-12-23T23:31:00.001-06:00

Her name is Claire...

One of the meanings of her name is "clear, bright, luminous",
which is one of the many reasons I loved it and chose it for her...

She truly is a shining light everywhere she goes.

For Self Portrait Challenge's "Shine" theme for the month of December...

easy toffee bars

2010-12-14T06:34:00.003-06:00

A post a while back over on Beki's blog reminded me of this recipe I had. It's a great treat for the holidays... or anytime, for that matter!

Easy Toffee Bars

Break up graham crackers into the small rectangles, and lay them out tightly on a 10x15 jelly roll-type pan (pan needs to have sides). This takes about half a box of graham crackers.

Melt 2 sticks of butter with 1 c. of brown sugar in a saucepan. Stir constantly & bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, still stirring. Pour over crackers in pan. Bake for 7-9 minutes at 350°.

Sprinkle with 2 cups of chocolate chips (one 12 oz. bag) and let sit a couple of minutes for them to soften. Spread them out like frosting with a knife once they're soft.

Finish with a sprinkle of finely chopped almonds or pecans (I used almonds here.) Let cool. These are easier to remove from the pan when they're not completely cold & hard.

laugh for Christmas

2010-12-09T07:41:00.001-06:00

I've seen this clip so many times, and I laugh every time I see it!
Justin Timberlake as a dancing gingerbread man on Ellen - soooo funny!!

Self Portrait Challenge - { Shine }

2010-12-08T05:12:00.002-06:00

Today I went to lunch with friends...

We are all stay-at-home moms, we rarely get to eat away from our children, much less with friends, or at a restaurant with a menu besides burgers and macaroni and cheese...

We all dressed up... I felt like a supermodel (even though I'd never fit in their clothes) in my heels and silk...

Go on - dress up and make it special!

For Self Portrait Challenge's December theme - Shine!

the last rose...

2010-12-04T06:20:00.000-06:00

I cut and brought this indoors last week the night before our first freeze...
now I wait until spring for new buds...

woodland dress

2010-12-03T14:30:00.003-06:00

the final piece in my "woodland" line,
so happy to finally have this one listed!

it's a custom piece - available in sizes 12m through 8 yrs.

find it here...

popovers

2010-12-02T10:42:00.003-06:00

What could be better than a recipe that you beat together in a bowl, fill a pan, and have results that taste like they came from a bakery?

I love making popovers! They're so easy, and so versatile. They are great with soup for dinner, fruit for breakfast, or with chicken (or turkey) salad as shown below.

If you have leftover turkey from the holidays, this would be a great way to use it up in a creative meal! I chop my turkey with some red onions, pecans, fresh herbs, and mayonnaise. Such a delicious lunch!

Martha Stewart's recipe for Popovers

2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 c. milk
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten

Whisk together the butter, milk, flour & salt until smooth. Whisk in the beaten eggs, a bit at a time, until incorporated. Do no over-beat the batter; it should have the consistency of heavy cream.

Fill a 12 count muffin tin that has been sprayed generously with nonstick spray. Bake 15 minutes at 450°. Without opening the oven, lower the heat to 350°, and bake 15-20 minutes longer. Best served hot, but still good the next day!

Self Portrait Challenge - { six word story wk5 }

2010-11-29T13:54:00.002-06:00

when was the last time you...

Final week for the Six Word Story theme over on SPC...

for a limited time!

2010-11-12T08:04:00.004-06:00

I am offering limited edition custom pieces for the holidays - most of them I can only remake once or twice, so be sure to order soon. Click here to go to my etsy shop...

More to come as well...

Pumpkin + Streusel = The Best Pumpkin Cake Ever

2010-11-10T20:10:00.002-06:00

Thumbing through a baking catalog recently, I saw a mix for a Pumpkin Streusal Tunnel Cake... of course, I thought to myself, "I could make that without a mix!" and went looking for a recipe.

And oh, did I find a recipe - a really, really good recipe, which I am about to share with you - here on food.com.

This is half of the batter, with the "tunnel" of streusel around the center, before the other half of the batter was poured on top.

This was a fantastic cake, we ate a fourth of it before lunch, before I could make the glaze! Ended up not making the glaze since it was so good without it. This cake is not too heavy, not too pumpkin-y, just the right balance of spices and sweetness.

I substituted 1/2c applesauce for 1/2c of the butter, and I used plain yogurt instead of the sour cream, to significantly reduce the fat. I was very pleased with the results... so delicious!

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to make this cake again, or finally make an autumn apple pie!

teakettle. cinnamon spice. autumn is here.

2010-11-08T13:18:00.001-06:00

for Self Portrait Challenge's "Six Word Story" theme...

Due to the hot Texas weather that lingers on (sometimes popping up even in the dead of winter) I have certain things that I use to trigger fallish feelings around my house...

using the teakettle for the first time.

making soup.

homemade gingersnaps and assorted pumpkin goodies.

pulling out the extra blankets and strategically placing them hopefully around the house.

Ah, and to wear a jacket outside instead of to ward off indoor air conditioning freeze at public buildings - that is a sure sign of fall for me!

What is a good gift?

2010-11-03T12:25:00.005-05:00

I have recently had several conversations with women who are already stressed about Christmas. Not visiting family, or traveling, no - instead they are stressed over finances for gifts. Perhaps you are one of them.

One of these conversations involved a list of things one woman said she has to buy for her kids (for gifts). I heard the desperation over how much the list will cost, and the inevitable stress she is preparing for now, to be able to get through what it will take to buy these things. Perhaps you can relate to her.

Here's what was running through my mind while I listened to her - Have to buy? Inevitable stress? These are choices made, not facts of life.

I realize we all want to give good gifts to our children. Jesus even said this is a reflection of how God Himself wants to give us His Holy Spirit (Who brings with Him a bounty of wonderful gifts into our lives!)

But what does a "good gift" truly look like?

There are many meanings for the word good. One that I noticed while reading through these definitions is "healthy, beneficial". Are expensive gifts beneficial to our kids? I know they can be fun for a time, but does more money spent equal more fun? And at what cost? Does making our kids happy require a certain dollar figure, stress, frustration, fights with our spouses, and the long-term effects of letting our kids grow up thinking material consumerism is healthy?

A friend told me yesterday she does not want her kids to have a poverty complex - to feel like they have to pinch and scrape and do without, with the underlying basis of fear - because God is a generous God. I agree.

I also know, from experience, that "blessing" does not mean "being rich and the absence of money problems". If that were so, then God would be short-sighted, which He most certainly is not. While He wants us to have every good thing He can pour out in our laps, these things have a more eternal wrapping on them, and they come, not from a jolly old elf, but His powerful Holy Spirit. Unexplainable Joy... Peace Despite Circumstances... Wisdom...A Future and a Hope... Love... And More and More, because God is limitless!

As we've seen, God's lavish gifts are not things that can be measured or priced. God even gave His Son, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, which was an immeasurable gift with profound possibility - life without separation from Him.

That leaves us at a disadvantage, especially since we do not have the vast universe at our disposal for creating perfect gifts for each person on our list. Perhaps that is why we are tempted to spend so much - money feels like the currency of most worth that we humans can get our hands on (what, you don't have a Tree of Faith in your yard, or a Big Box of Peace in your closet?)

Part of the meaning of gift is "something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned." Do any of us deserve the gifts we receive, either from God or from others? Obviously not. So that leads me to ponder, what do our children deserve as gifts? Somehow, "more money spent = more special gifts" just doesn't quite sound right to me in this light.

Is money the only valuable currency you have? On the contrary; you, yes you, have things can be gifts to others. Another meaning for the word gift is "natural endowment, talent". Take a moment and make a mental list of the natural talents you have. Ask God to show you what they are, if you are having trouble coming up with something - He knows how He made you! With a little thought, those talents can be turned into gifts for others.

Are you crafty? The possibilities are endless! Are you craft-impaired, but willing? There are magazines and blogs and websites galore that can give you ideas and directions to make special gifts that are not complicated or costly. Can you cook? I don't know anyone who would not appreciate a home-baked treat or home-cooked meal.

What about your time? Time is a precious gift. Make up a "gift card" that offers a special "date" - a meal, or an ice cream cone, or coffee (for adult recipients, unless your kids are immune to caffeine) with time to sit and chat. Or how about for a "fun day with Mom and Dad" of games, movies, and whatever else your kids enjoy doing, all in the comfort of your home, with your undivided attention. I'm sure you can come up with more ideas besides these. Please share them, too, as I always need new ideas!

Your choices regarding gifts will impact your children in ways you may not see now. Will they remember every gift you stress yourself out to be able to afford? I doubt it. I know they will remember the peace, love, and joy that surrounds them when their home is filled with God's Spirit - the true Spirit of Christmas.

Self Portrait Challenge - { six word story }

2010-11-01T18:53:00.001-05:00

journey begins best whilst courage's fresh

for Self Portrait Challenge - November theme is "Six Word Story"

10/20 Sale!

2010-10-29T16:07:00.004-05:00

I'm having a big sale in my shop this weekend only!

$10 off all tops

$20 off all Lacy Lola Jeans (first time for
these to be on sale!)

Plus $5 maximum shipping regardless of the size of your
order!

Prices and shipping discounts are already marked down,
but will return to regular prices on Sunday night.

Self Portrait Challenge - { SOOC 4 }

2010-10-26T08:21:00.001-05:00

Final week of Straight Out Of Camera (SOOC) over on Self Portrait Challenge...

I am obsessed with hanging my laundry outside. I know that may seem old-fashioned and archaic - modern technology allows us to tumble dry, right? But at what cost? In an attempt to save electricity, I bought a two-line retractable clothesline this past spring, and used it all summer to help cut the high electric costs that come with summer in Texas.

In the process, I discovered some things...

- Laundry hung outside smells amazing!

- Try washing everything on your bed, line-drying, and then remaking it right off the line... the fresh, outdoorsy scent will send you right into la-la land that night!!

- Being outside in the sunshine for a few minutes to hang and then fold really boosts my mood.

- I finish the job! I can't tell you how many times clothing sat in the dryer for days before I remembered it was there... stuff on the line gets my attention everytime I walk through the house and look out the window.

- small steps truly can make a difference...

great giveaway!

2010-10-25T14:41:00.003-05:00

Run over to Nicole's blog and sign up for a $45 gift card to CSN!

Wouldn't that be a great help for some Christmas shopping? I can't believe all the brands available on this site for home, toys, shoes, gifts galore.

hmmmm, what would you buy? I would love to buy this teakettle from Paula Deen:

Self Portrait Challenge - { SOOC 3 }

2010-10-24T07:19:00.000-05:00

Self Portrait Challenge's "SOOC" (straight out of camera) theme continues...

It may be fall, and other areas may be losing leaves and battening down the hatches for freezing weather, but here in Texas we enjoy a big garden boom now that the weather is not scorching. I love this time of year.