Ready to Throw Up My Hands ~ Until...

I thought T had found the PERFECT panel fabric for my bedroom, 8.85 a yard... loved it!

Well, it got away... back to full price (3 times the sale price)
I then spotted this Richloom Jubilee fabric for 8.98 its close but not the exact fabric I loved.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw: 

Richloom Indoor/Outdoor Wildwood Jubilee 

 I found it on fabric.com 10.98 per yard, this is a couple dollars more than the fabric I wanted but it is very, very close and considering I want to make a bold statement with the panels and other elements in my room, I think I may be able to do a lot with this fabric. 

I feel soo much better because I literally dream about this bold pattern, I know it will wake my room up. I have not stopped in my local Home Fabrics store yet and will this week for myself and a gift exchange item.


I am ready to start adding elements to my room by selecting artwork and frames as well as put the pieces together and determine if they work in my room.


I am really looking for these colors to brighten up my space - Any suggestions?

Crafty Valentine

This year is a first in decorating for Valentine's day for myself and my children. I would always proudly display my daughter's masterpieces created at school for this day of love, but I was never one to break out the old scissors and glue and make things for the girls to give out to friends etc. I always made sure they had a bear or a really cute card, I even managed to wind up with a collection of heartfelt cards from both my girls and my Nana, but I must admit... I found decorating a daunting task. This year, I thought - why not try something new? My friend Katrina over at chiclittlehouse.blogspot.com decided to work on some crafts and post about them on our respective blogs. We are both really excited about the project.

A trip to Target last week proved just the thing I needed, I found a really neat book with some simple and inexpensive crafts and treats to make and share for Valentine's day.

I paid 2.50 for a Disney Family fun Sweet Valentines Book on easy to make treats, crafts and cards, they also have a website that has tons of fun ideas for things to do not only for the kids at a holiday, but all year round here:

My first project will be a yarn wreath (I hope I come close to this)

This looks like a simple yet fun way to decorate a space and not break the bank, I am thinking I may put a few felt hearts on the wreath.

These are the Sweetheart Rice Krispie Treats I plan to make with Jai

I also hope to make a few of these with Jai to pass out to friends at school 

and

Please stay tuned for the how to posts and results and don't forget to stop by and visit Katrina's blog chiclittlehouse.blogspot.com to see what she will be up to for Valentines day with her boys.

Old Fashioned Banana Cake

I have a confession... I am a stress baker. I don't consume all that I bake, and I honestly just admitted my condition to myself recently. I have found baking therapeutic, and have turned to baking when my nerves are on edge for any number of reasons versus dealing with things in an emotional way. I bake for enjoyment at least once a week, however the stress baking is beginning to take on a life of it's own.

Now that you know my issue with baking, this will explain the evening/day shots of this cake. I received a text message that sent me straight downstairs and into the kitchen at 9:30 p.m. and I forgot to take a shot of the cake sliced, I did that in the morning around 8:00 a.m. the following day. This cake is really yummy!

Old Fashioned Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe courtesy of Barefoot Contessa’s How Easy Is That

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grated zest of 1 orange

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Cream cheese frosting (recipe follows)

Walnut halves, for decorating

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 2-inch round cake pan.

MIX bananas, granulated sugar and brown sugar in bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Add oil, eggs, sour cream. vanilla and orange zest. Mix until smooth.

STIR together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in chopped walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, turn out onto cooling rack and cool completely.

SPREAD frosting thickly on top of cake and decorate with walnut halves. Slice and serve.

Makes 8 servings.

Cream Cheese Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (1/2 pound)

MIX cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment on low speed until just combined. Don’t whip. Add sugar and mix until smooth. 

I had no idea when I purchased this recipe book, just how EASY everything is to make. 

I love this book!

Storage Closet Converted

I had my sights set on using the storage closet beneath the staircase for my sewing room. I think the fact that sewing is new to me, and the idea of not really wanting to put the machine out in the open really helped me justify the storage closet as my location. The fact of the matter is, the only real items being stored were a few extra comforters to be used when guests are on the sofa sleeper. I figured why not???

As I began sorting things out in the storage closet, I realized two things, I wasn't really using the space for much at all and I was really on to something by declaring the space my own.

Here is the sewing desk, a few pictures for inspiration and my machine all set it their proper spaces in my newly declared sewing room.

(I am not the best at taking pictures) 

these are adorable pictures (or at least I think so) I purchased them from Big Lots 

The storage closet is the perfect size for me to learn to sew and have some piece and quiet.