Flag Fireplace Bunting {Scrap Project}

"Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."

When I was making the Sew Flag block from Sew Scrappy Spools Quilt Along,

 I instantly knew I wanted to make a flag bunting and decided to use all scraps that I had to make the blocks.

I had fun using both navy and teal/aqua “star” squares.

I used some blue solid stash, right sides together. 

 I made a red binding to hang and then topstitched around the blocks. 

I think they turned out really cute!

It certainly makes for a good background for the holidays.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July like our sweet pup!

Anti-Valentine's Day

Around these parts, we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day.

 Twenty years ago, our first Valentine's day was really romantic. I recall my darling husband making chocolate mousse, dipping strawberries, Kenny G in the background and being "oh so romantic" *currently rolling my eyes*.  The second Valentine's day consisted of him dropping off some sad looking flowers in a McDonald's super-sized plastic cup at the dorm front desk I was working at that night.  

Since then, Mr. Boss and I both agreed that Valentine's should just be everyday, since he lost all imagination after the first.  Just this morning, he even clarified that his morning kiss today was "just the normal goodbye morning kiss...that's it."  He is such a goon.

However, this year?  I thought I would give a little love to the boys for Valentine's Day!

He was so funny this morning.  

He was lockin' and poppin' while I was trying to take a picture of him in his Valentine's duds that I made him.

In case you can't see the heart, here is a close-up.

I also was able to whip out a Valentine's Day Bunting for the fireplace mantle yesterday.

They are just simple 8.5 inch block cuts with hearts that I appliqued with a machine blanket stitch and letters I cut out using a word document, wonder under, and a zig-zag stitch.

 

 I flipped and stitched the squares to some random ribbon in my stash.  Actually, all the fabrics are from my scrap stash and the striped fabric, that reminds me of feed sack quilt backings, was from some yardage for a future quilt backing.   No money spent!

I bought some small candy items for the boys and a red rubber ducky for Button since he collects different duckies for the bath for when they arrive home.

Don't worry, I didn't totally go crazy.  I went a bit, um, cheap with the Valentine's Day cards for Button's Class.  I had some blank textured card-stock cards that I colored a heart on each and then let him go to town with his crayons.   

Keepin' it real around here!

Someday, I will make a Valentine's Day quilt....

 However, I have to admit, it is low priority on my bucket list of quilts to make!

To those who love the holiday, I hope it is everything you hope and wish it to be.  To those who are in my camp....give the family a hug and kiss just because!  I plan on doing so when they all get home!

One Cute Button

This year, I promised the boys and myself that I would attempt to do birthday parties better than I have in the past.

I am notoriously, not a good birthday party mom. 

 I grew up with the notion that birthdays were for family only.  The only time I had a "friend" party was when I was 13.  I don't feel like I missed out, but when we moved further south, I realized that birthday parties are definitely "a thing".  Especially here in Texas!  We have been to parties with more than one bounce house, petting zoos, real Cinderella horse drawn carriages, Video Game trucks pulled up to the driveway, rock walls....do I need to go on?

So I am tentatively stepping my toe in the water, but I don't think I will ever take the full plunge.  Just so the boys can say "Mom tried!"

How did I start?  

A theme!  I figured that this would be the last chance for me to do a Button theme, since I will most likely have to do a character, superhero, or sports theme in the future!

The next step was color.  

I took my inspiration from his quilt.

Then I made a birthday invitation using a picture of him. I was going to go with "Cute as a Button", but then thought it would be cute to incorporate the number one.

  I kept the design simple, color and one big button...because he is only one, right!

I sent my newest friend (officially met her at my last scrapbook retreat) Angie, a picture of his quilt so she could make me some cookies for favors.  

If you are in the Houston area...I HIGHLY recommend her!

My photo does NOT do her work justice. Not only did she match the colors perfectly, they are so YUMMY!  The boys just adored them, they were so excited!

The next step was to decide what to do about bunting.  I traditionally, do not have it.  I have seen ADORABLE fabric and paper ones.  I ran out of time this week to make nicer ones...I kept it simple and fast.

I found matching papers, and used my circle cutters.  White circles just slightly larger than the patterned paper circles.  I then printed out the letters on my computer.  I chose a fun font on my word document application and changed the color to the blue.  It didn't take long to cut them out and glue them.  I then glued the ribbon in between the two layers of circles!

 Next?  The cake.  I went with fondant again. It just makes the presentation so much better.  And it is so much easier to work with than buttercream or whipped frosting (for me!)

Unfortunately, I had one of my "not so wise" moments and decided to tear apart my pantry and cabinets while making this the day of the party.  Once again, the left brain struck again and really made the whole thing stressful!!!  I overcooked one of the 10" layers so the bottom layer is much shorter than I intended. 

 I realize now, that his cake looks a bit like a hat....oops!

I didn't even cover the cake board...and can you see the icing everywhere?  

No?

How about now?  

I just rushed the whole thing!!  There was even an incident where I ripped the fondant in places, so I used more buttons to cover up the mistakes.

I didn't even secure the words and number...yikes!

But Button didn't seem to mind!

If he was happy, I was happy!!

A little help from big brothers to blow out the candle,

 and it was time to dig in.

And, yes, I couldn't resist, a bib to go with the theme!  

I designed an applique/embroidery design.  After I perfect the stitches, I will probably add it to the new Etsy store too.

He wasn't too sure about it...and he never really got that messy!  He struggles with solid foods right now, so we just let him play.  

He actually ate more than we thought!  Sorry no messy icing hair pictures!  He was too neat.

Button's Birthday WEEK is finally done....and I am tired! 

  Too bad, Butter's is right around the corner....ugh...