Lucy's Blue Dress- Part II

The dress is a perfect fit. We got it Saturday and Lucy was thrilled. She wanted to put it on right away. What luck that we had a baptism that afternoon for one of Lucy's best friends! She got lots of compliments. You did such a great job, Mom!

Boys!

Boys run rampant on my side of the family. I have six brothers and was over the moon when my first baby was a girl. The blogosphere is bursting with projects and inspiration of the feminine persuasion. I have more ideas of things to make for Lucy than I know what to do with. But, since Henry came along, I've had a harder time finding things that inspire me to create for him. A blog I follow dedicated last month to all things boy. I thought I'd share it for anyone else with the same dilemma. You can check out tons darling ideas here.

If I really get on top of things this year I want to make Henry a matching Easter tie to Lucy's dress. The Y chromosome is dominating the next generation of my family as Henry has seven boy cousins (five of which were born within a year of each other). Wouldn't it be cute if they all had matching ties for Easter, Mom?!? :) I found this pattern and instructions online. I think this is something I could get really into making for my little buddy!

Mother's Day

Check out the lovely present Henry left for me this morning. Thoughtful boy.

Jubliee Quilts

Finished! These quilts have been taking over my living room for over a month and it feels good to have them finished. Far from perfect, but with the deadline past on Friday, they are good enough! I brought them to the school this morning and it was cute to hear the kids declaring they found the squares they designed. It will be fun to be able to attend the auction and see that the quilts find good homes.

Lucy's Blue Dress

About 5 years ago Becca gave me this blue fabric and asked me to make a dress for Lucy out of it. I used a 1969 Simplicity Pattern 8171 size 7 for my lovely grand daughter, Lucy. I lined the bodice instead of using a neck facing. The bodice is fitted with darts in front and back and features a Peter Pan collar. I used a sleeve pattern from another Simplicity pattern and added trim down the front, across the bodice front at the waist, on the sleeves and at the hem. The flower was also made from the trim and accented with a store bought gingham flower.

Here Comes the Sun

I have been buried under this pile of quilts for the last month. I think I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Three full sized quilts for the PTA auction (designed by the first graders at Jefferson Elementary) and one Dresden plate quilt that has been in the works for Lucy for a couple for years. I'll post more when they are finished... which should be this weekend... knock on wood.

Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting

The very best chocolate frosting you'll ever swirl on a cake! (not to mention, eat!)

I found this recipe in my old Better Homes and Garden cookbook when I ran out of baking cocoa while frosting The Man-Pleaser Chocolate Cake for my lit group. I made a chocolate butter cream frosting, using heavy whipping cream instead of milk. After frosting the middle and putting the two layers together, I realized I did not have enough to frost the outside and top of the cake. Panic! No time to run to the store! I searched for something that would use the baker's chocolate squares I did have. This little nugget of a recipe was there in my old cookbook, all these years!

Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or 2 unsweetened chocolate squares

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2- 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Melt chocolate and butter over hot, not boiling, water in a double boiler.

Remove from hot water and blend in sour cream, vanilla and 1/4 tsp. salt.

Gradually add enough powdered sugar for spreading consistency.

Beat well.

Frosts top and sides of two layer cake or tube cake.

Man Pleaser Chocolate Cake

1 chocolate cake mix

3.9 oz. instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/2 c. warm water

1/2 c. oil

12 oz. chocolate chips

Blend ingredients together, fold in chocolate chips. Bake in 2 greased/floured round pans at 350 for 45 minutes. Let cake rest in pan for 20 minutes, then upside down for 20 minutes.

Rose are Red...

We've been Valentining.
Lucy (and i) made Valentine mixed cd's for her to give to her classmates this year. Full of Lucy's favorite songs at the moment.

And a new shirt for the day. I've been trying to figure out what to do with all of the vintage hankies I've accumulated over the past decade. I don't know why I didn't think of putting them on a shirt before. Lucy keeps pretending to cry and wipe her eyes on the handkerchief.