Through Joshua's Eyes

I recently downloaded pictures from my camera and I found these random pictures.  Seems like Joshua has taken an interest in photography as this is not the first time he plays with the camera.  I think I have a budding photographer on my hands.  

Self portraits  

Love this picture of popcorn in a bowl.  

How he did it, I don't know but it's pretty cool.

Feeder goldfish that were bought to get the "cycle" going in our new  aquarium

Picture of  his at-the-moment-favorite action figure; Tron

I never know what I'm gonna get when I down load my pictures but one thing is for sure, I love seeing Joshua's world through HIS eyes.

Stumbled Upon Finds

Don't you like it when you stumble upon things...?  Like 1/2 off all clothes at your favorite thrift store... Can you say Ca-ching?! I scored big on name brand jeans, shirts, skirts and dresses for my kids, because it is NEVER too early to start shopping for back-to-school clothes...right?  No, I'm not ready for school to start yet.  I am having way too much fun with my kids this summer. And we still have tons to accomplish this summer like riding the Texas Giant with my kids...help. 

So like any frugal fanatic would do, I turned into the crowded parking lot and battled the masses all the while hearing angel music in my head.  Here is what I found:

~For Joshua who will start kindergarten~

~For Sammie who will be going to the third grade~

Everything is washed, folded and put away.  Are you getting ready?

Just 45 days to go...

The Lemony Zebra Shirt

My husband came up with the name, the Lemony Zebra Shirt, because he said it looked like a cross between a lemon and a zebra. 
I think he got it right...don't ya think?

Notice the bag...it's the Chic Denim Bag...click here for the tutorial 

I've had this idea in my head for awhile now and I am really pleased at how it turned out.  It took a lot of work, but the end result was worth it for me.  I tend to turn to ruffles when I remake a shirt, so this was new territory for me in a way.  It is simple yet it stands out on its own.

So this is what I did. 

I bought two shirts; one that fits and one larger, same color. 

The larger one I took the sleeves off and separated the front from the back.  

Because this shirt material is very sheer and somewhat see through, I decided to use both the front and back of the larger shirt to give the shirt some sort of stability (if that makes sense).  Layer the front and back of the larger shirt to the front of the shirt that fits..

and pin, pin, pin. 

Now sew straight or not so straight lines across the front making sure to back stitch at the beginning and at the end of your stitch.

When done, cut down the middle between stitches.  This is the same concept as this tutorial.  Now you have 2 layers of fabric that are sewn to your shirt. 

These layers will be cut again.  This time, cut both layers that are ON TOP of your stitch line about 1/4 inch from the stitch. Then cut each layer individually that are ON THE BOTTOM of your stitch line.  See the bottom picture for an idea of how it should look.  

I know this is a lot of work, but it really is pretty.   And don't worry about cutting straight lines.  Remember knit fabric doesn't fray but rather soften up with each wash so the cuts you make will just give the shirt character...

Close up of the cuts

I really like how the stitches curved up towards the sleeve

Because I took pictures at different times while making this shirt, the color of the shirt varies.  The first picture is the true color of the shirt.  

One Lovely Blog Award

Wow…

I am really humbled….okay, who am I kidding….I am SUPER excited to have been awarded the One Lovely Blog Award by Amanda at Pandio Lane.  She does it all…music, teacher, crafter, sewer, cook, mom…the list goes on and on.  Go check out her lovely site. 

I am a newbie to blogging (3 months) and to be recognized in this manner has really boosted my confidence in what I do.  As per the “rules” of this award, I will share 7 things about myself and pass on the award to 15 lovely blogs that I think are deserving of the One Lovely Blog Award.

 1. The sun gives me terrible headaches so I avoid being outside.

2. I love my Honda Odyssey…and that is speaking volumes since I traded my t-top Camaro for the van. 

3. Playing “teacher” with my kids means I can color for hours without feeling guilty about the pile of clothes on the floor.

4. I eat menudo, lengua, chicharrones and tripitas whenever I get a chance.

5.  I move our house furniture on a monthly basis…just because. It drives my husband crazy.  The kids love it.

6.  I am chasing after God’s own heart.

7.  I would love to be on the Amazing Race with my husband by my side.  That would be awesome. 

So there you go…a little bit about me.

Here are my 15 One Lovely Blog Award Recipients in no particular order:

Daughter by Design

Wildflowers and Whimsy

Clean and Scentsible

Sassy Sites

A Creative Princess

Kitty Cats and Airplanes

It’s a Crafty Life

Jerusalem Notes: Fiberwork by Debbie

Vanilla Bean

8 Muddy Boots

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Me Making Do

365 Days 2 Simplicity

Life as Leah

Joy in the Jumble

Again, thank you Amanda.  Please stop my recipients and see why they are so lovely...

Easy Ice Cream Cake

Awhile back, a friend of mine gave me a cake recipe that changed my life.  Really, it did.  I will NEVER, EVER make cake from a box the same again.  The secret is in the ice cream.  No need for oil or water...just 1 pint of your favorite ice cream (thawed), a box of cake mix and 3 eggs.  That's it. Mix, follow baking instructions and you're done.  The hardest part in making this cake is trying to decide what kind of ice cream to buy. The cake is super moist and the flavor combinations are countless. 

MMMM....can't you just see how moist and delicious this is?  There should really be scratch-n-sniff or 4-D computer screens...just saying.

Here's a picture account of the ice cream cake the kids made for Father's Day.  

(Thanks Rach for helping the kids and for snapping all the photos.) 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Funfetti + 3 eggs + 1 pint of Blue Bell Moo-llennium Crunch

Mix in bowl

Enjoy whisk afterwards

Wait, wait and wait.

Decorate to your heart's content with what you got.  

Kid's didn't have enough mini marshmallows to spell out Happy Father's Day 

so they ended up with HFD 

Daddy giving the Price is Right models a run for their money

At the count of 3, we all take a bite...yeah right.  

Maya, our dog, is ready to take a bite if given the chance.

Happy as can be with frosting up his nose.

We all enjoyed a big slice of ice cream cake heaven

It was moooo-velous...