Today's Catch and Things That Got Away

Believe it or not, I have been working on multiple projects at the same time.  I just can't or won't share them right now... please sit tight and wait for fun posts that are coming in the near future.

Meanwhile, let me share a slice of my day with you.

I had to get up extra early today to take child 2 to the orthodontist by 7:30, yes, 7:30!!  It was early, but that way he wouldn’t miss his field trip, after the appointment I took him to school, did some grocery shopping for the dinner that we are having, oh and we had some guests over.

I went home, did some cleaning and prep for dinner, I also found some time to work on a project I am not sharing yet (don't call me mean, call me a tease :) ).  Since today was early out I left home to pick them up before11:00. Then I realized I have a little time to kill, so I decided to just "peek" in a thrift shop.

Do you wanna see what I found?

I can't wait to make a liner for this basket, and accessorize it.  Isn't is such a pretty basket?  Things like this is very hard to come by.

A children's book.  Actually I have been collecting this series and I found the one I haven't bought yet for 1.99! (Originally it is $16.99).  It is in such great condition with the cover. I can't wait to read it to my kids tonight!




  Then this linen window treatment... It was love at first sight.  It is very well kept; crisp linen with beautiful crochet trim work.  I thought I would have to go to an antique swap meet in Europe to find something like this.  What a lucky day!!  Except, I was so wishing to find 2 or 3 of the same one to make a skirt from it.  Oh, well, I guess I should be happy that I found this one.

It was time to go, so I was the third person standing at the checkout line. I was checking my watch, looking around and THEN, I saw this lady, who was just a head of me at the checkout that had the exact same linen.  Not just one or two but she had three!!!  What?!  Ugh!  I should have left home 10 minute earlier.

I was hopelessly looking at them but SO hoping that she would change her mind in the last second.
Please, oh please just say;  "I changed my mind, I don't need them.".

No, she didn't.  I don't know why, but I kind of shoved the one I had in the basket I was going to buy, so she wouldn’t see it.  It's not like she can say "give me yours, since I am already buying  three of them, that is mine too."  Silly.

Ah, shopping at a thrift store is an art.  You never know what you will find, and when.  It is totally unpredictable... But I think that is a part of the fun.  That is why I will keep going back for more. :)

A New Quilting Book

I was so hoping to buy this book by Sarah Fielke (She is a true artist! Wouldn't you agree?) who is a co-auther of Material Obsession... I didn't realize the day would come so quickly.

Oh, THANK YOU  Joann Fabrics for stocking this book for me and allow me to use my precious 40% off coupon!  I was so excited and could hardly wait to go home and start going through the pages.

Of  course who I am kidding, after picking up the kiddos, checking their homework, cooking dinner, scouts, a meeting for a church calling, bed time routine, going through some emails now it is almost midnight.

So, my friends before I hit the pillow, I am going to have some reading time.  Do you think I will have colorful and cheerful dreams?  :)

Life ~ Food & Friends~

Mmm...sushi...
I don't know what it is, but I am going through a major "sushi" craze. 

Last weekend, we got together with some frineds, and I was assigned to make something Japanese.
I decided to make some sushi, but real sushi quality tuna has been pretty expensive nowa days.
So I made sushi without raw fish...

From the top:

{Spam Musubi} / You might be thinking "what?! Spam for sushi? What is that stuff made out of anyways?" but, trust me they are actually pretty good. My kids LOVE this. All you need to do is slice the spam, grill both sides on a frying pan until they are a little crispy, put them on top of the moulded rice and wrap them with Nori (seaweed) strips.  That's it!

{Inari-sushi}/ Basically, the tan looking thing you are looking at is a fryed tofu pouch.  It has a sweet flavor; kind of like teriyaki, but different.  Typically it is stuffed with sushi rice, but my mom always added minced cucumber and sesami and that's what I do to.

{Maki-sushi}/ Usually I use real tuna for this, but this time I rolled imitation crab meat, avocado, cucumber, and eggs.  I also made the ones with imitation crab mixed with salt and pepper, and Japanese mayo.

There were French, Mexican (they were very yummy by the way), and Japanese food at the table that night.  Also the company of the friends, love, and laughter.

Oh, that is life.  

How can I ask for more? :)

Link Love No.78!

First of all thank you all for participating, and I am so sorry about the link pictures being blurry.
We just had problems with Linkytools and it didn't work out like it supposed to. :(

But, I went through your creations, and I have my link loves for this month!

You gotta check out this cutest pair... Melly Sews created these comfortable to wear outfits by using seersucker,  at the same time the strips and the detail to the design gave them a "more than" play clothes look.  Amazing!

Un Petit Design shared a very detail oriented tutorial for this pretty tiered ruffle dress.

Have you wanted to learn how to sew zippers on the back of a dress?  Or how to add lining?  Head over to her blog to see the tutorial. :)

How about a tiered tray for your house?  Uncommon created this handsome piece out of trays she found at Hobby Lobby's clearance isle; candle holders and a little magic of spray paint.  I love the color!

 

When I see projects like this I wish I still had a little one, so I can play dress up!  This Hoodiesaurus idea was linked by The Pinterest Project.  Sometimes the simplest idea is the best thing, wouldn't you agree?

I think this is one of the best projects to utilize our never ending supply of scraps.  This pillow was linked by The Eternal Thread. It is simple, yet very fun and such a wonderful collection of fabrics!  Are you thinking about making a quilt like this?  I am. :)

The next link party will be on May 30th, mark your calendars everyone!   I know it is a little hard to remember the monthly party, but I will be looking forward seeing your creations. :)

Link Party No.78! / Blue, Silver and Green

Hi all!  It is the last Wednesday of the month, do you know what that means?  Yeah, Link Party time! As I promised last month, I am having one today, hopefully many of you remembered and link up.

Before we start the party, let me tell you how I have been lately...

I started a series of the procedures last year, and I thought to myself that I have to slow down this year(pout). Then, because of the medical insurance mess, all of a sudden I have a break from the procedures.  I was SO excited, and started accepting some projects, guest posting and more.  All of a sudden I realized that I have a tight schedule.

But, you know me, I am really thrilled to be busy that way. Just picture me in front of my sewing machine and sewing away with the biggest grin on my face.  There are many projects that I have been working on and can't reveal yet.  Please be patient my friends, some fun tutorials are coming, I promise. :)

Meanwhile, I have been having "blue, silver and green fevers” lately (whatever that means). I am drawn to those colors for some reason. Do you wanna check them out?

Silver and some blue necklace...

My new favorite earrings.  The colors reminds me of a calm and beautiful ocean.

I love sewing, but whenever I get stuck in design ideas,  I tend to escape to jewelry making.  Working on something else clears my mind.

Ok everyone, I bet you have some projects you would love to share.  I am excited to see what you have been working on!

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.



<center><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc9CFJR6Te5CpNgHYGsz2oQcSPEa7ev57prQmm-wO7bU5-IXOUTAJV08BvA-pbdpS2QCr864re5ljtzEGNU20emgmsiG0eSXBf9nArpxdnE1SRy7EGrrnSSMYTt3mS2C3S9d6A8bRk7E/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a></center>

Tutorial / Bonnet to Headband

My sister-in-law bought a beautiful blessing dress for her baby girl and, this bonnet came with it. She wasn't too crazy about the bonnet, and she wondered if I could come up with something different using that material. Let me see what I can do...

I cut it up to see what I was dealing with and what I could do with it... Here are the possible pieces.


After thinking it over a while I knew exactly what to do. :)

1. Cut out 3" circles.


2. Use a candle to melt the edge of the circles. The secret is to run the fabric through the fire quickly, otherwise the fabric will melt too much.


3. Fold the circle twice (so, it would look like 1/4" of the circle after folding), and sew it on to the 1" felt. Repeat the process. I used solid white and sheer white fabrics, and just alternated them. If you want a fuller look of flower, you simply add more, but if you do so, the flower might look like a ball and stand out from baby's head when she wears it. It is all about what you prefer. :)



4. Sew beads in the middle of the flower.


and the back...


5. To make the headband, I simply measure the head of the baby with the lace, substracted 3"off the lace. Treat both ends with fray check, than sewed 2" or so long stretchy lace on both sides of the lace.


6. Decide where you want the flower to go, then, sew the flower onto the headband.


7. Done!


When she tried the headband (it was more like I made her try the headband), she surely looked cute! She is totally ready for her first big day. :)

Shopping with a Little Different Perspective

I have been eyeing some little girl’s striped knit dresses for the summer. Some that I saw were 40 to 50 dollars! Well, you know me; I wasn't gonna pay that much for a kid’s dress; something she might only wear for one season.

Then, one day I was at Ross (boy, I love Ross and TJ Maxx! I can find pretty darn cute stuff for killer deals) checking out the teen dress section. Look what I found...


Aren't they cute? I especially love the orange one; I think the color combinations are super. I guess they are a dress or a tunic top, either way, I loved the colors.

The light bulb moment came to me (grin)...they are too tight or too short for my liking, if my daughter is in her teens, BUT they are perfect for her 6 years old frame. AND, they were $5.99 each!

We had a small summer fashion show that afternoon, and of course, a photo shoot...



She LOVEs it!


I simply adjusted the shoulder straps, and the dresses were perfect for her. With a little bit of imagination and perspective adjustment I scored big time. :)