Over the River and Through the Woods...

To Grandma's House We Go!

Well, there's not really a river...
Or any woods...

It's more like "Into an airplane and through the sky, to Grandma's house in Florida we go!"

However they get there, Little A and Little Z are ready for a Spring Break weekend filled with the best that Florida has to offer...

Sun, Fun and Grandma!!!

It also happens to be the Spring Break Challenge this week at Project Run & Play, so why not play (and sew) along...

Sandy beach, playground and warm weather, here we come...

In our new outfits...

The shorts are loosely based on New Look 0153.  I used the pattern for size and shape, but I only had 2 half-yard pieces of this fabulous "Car Box" fabric by Echino, one in turquoise and one in brown and I wanted to the shorts to be a bit longer than in the pattern.  No matter how I tried, I couldn't get the lengthened pattern to fit while keeping the cars upright.

So, I cut the pattern into 2 pieces.  The first makes up a sort of yoke and then runs down the sides of the shorts.  And the second, which I used the Echino fabric for, makes up the body of the shorts.

I added little pockets on both sides, because Zander has informed me that shorts and pants shall not be made without pockets.

The best part of redesigning the shorts pattern was that I then had enough leftover fabric to make these cute bucket hats!

I used Peek-a-Boo pattern shop's "Reversible Bucket Hat" pattern with the Echino fabric, some khaki fabric harvested from pants with blown-out knees and a brown herringbone suiting on the reverse.

For the shirts also used another Pee-a-Boo pattern, the "Boardwalk Hoodie and Henley."

I've had these two cute knits lying around for a while just waiting for inspiration to strike.

Traffic signs + Cars + Cool colors = a perfect combo!

Are we ready for Spring Break???

Sunscreen...check!

Sunglasses...check!

Swimmies...check!

Sunshine state...

here we come!!!

Vote for the PR&P contestants here.
See all of the sew along creations here.

linked at:
project run and play, the crafty blog stalker, not just a housewife

Elephantastic!

Project Run and Play has started again...hooray!
This week it's a zoo over there...
It's the "Put Me in the Zoo!" challenge.

Our zoo animal inspiration comes from Zander's favorite literary animal...Gerald the elephant from Mo Willams Elephant & Piggie Series.

Gerald and Piggie are true friends and the dialog between them never fails make us laugh.  In our house, everyone from toddler to adult enjoys reading about their adventures!

Here's my take on an Elephantastic Gerald Outfit:

Dark grey textured linen pants with a funky fun graphic element.

I used the Treasure Pocket pants pattern from the book Sewing for Boys.  I don't usually show the inside of the pieces I sew, but these pants are an exception, I used all flat fell and french seams, so they are as beautiful on the inside as the outside!

The shirt is cool, comfy, casual seersucker in espresso and white stripes and has a bit of the graphic fabric as a contrast on the inner collar.

This is the Easy Linen Shirt pattern also from Sewing for Boys.  I think this shirt is a perfect lightweight layering piece.  I left the selvage ends on the bottom hem because they had the most beautiful green color threads running through.  I think it adds some shabby-chic casual elegance to the shirt.

This wasn't our most cooperative photo shoot...

But the outfit is Zander approved...(translation: after struggling for 15 minutes to get him into the clothes, and then begging him to do something other than stick his tongue out or hide behind the book for 20 minutes while I tried to take photos, he refused to take them off!)

Smile.........or whatever!!!

To see the PR&P contestant's fabulous creations and vote for your favorite look go here.

To see all of the amazing sew along looks go here.

linked up at...
project run and play, whipperberry, bacon time with the hungry hypo, it's so very cheri, it's overflowing, too much time on my hands, peek a boo pattern shop

Blueberry and Feta Topped Salad

I recently embarked on a weight loss journey.

But I won't bore you with the details of that today.

I only mention it because it has led me try some creative, healthy salads that have, shall we say, somewhat unexpected combinations of ingredients.

This Blueberry and Feta Topped Salad is so delicious and fresh and pretty, that I couldn't resist sharing it with you.  If you would like a few more adjectives, it is also low-fat, easy and downright yummy!

Blueberry Feta Topped Salad
baby arugula
baby spinach
small handful of blueberries (approx 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup reduced fat feta cheese
balsamic vinegar
lemon pepper

Toss together first 4 ingredients.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.  Sprinkle with lemon pepper to taste.
Enjoy!

p.s. I'm not endorsing any weight loss companies or websites shown in the photos.  I just thought their images were hi-larious!