"On A Pillow of Blue Bonnets...

...and a blanket made of stars.....oh, it sounds good to me, yes it sounds so good to me.....

Cowboy, take me away....."

~Dixie Chicks

Taken with my iPhone

Living here in the Houston, Texas are you realize that there are a few traditions that must be partaken in. 

 NASA Space Station.  Houston Astros baseball game.  

Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show.

 Blue Bonnets.

IMAGE FROM: Field of Texas bluebonnets © bombay2austin on Flickr -
noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works

Blue Bonnets?  Yes!  Apparently (remember Chicago raised girl here) every year, moms and photographers gather up for a yearly trek from the Houston area up to the Chapel Hill area to torture their children and take photos amongst the state flower the Texas Blue Bonnet that blossom in the spring.  And typical for feisty Texas, according to sources, there was a "furious battle" on choosing it as the state flower!

 It gets better!  

 There is even a myth that it is illegal to pick them!  You know there is something special about them if you look up the legend and SNOPES has the myth revealed HERE!  (and if you don't feel like reading, it is NOT true).

When we moved here eight years ago, I didn't know about it.   When I was free-lancing writing for a local magazine for a short stint a few years back, I discovered this unique tradition to Texas.

When I realized last week I hadn't taken what I call "the year old baby" portrait of Button yet, I immediately emailed my photographer friend who has shot our family photos the past few years if it was the right time to do bluebonnets.

 She was ALL in!

 "Monday, after we drop off the kids in carpool, we will head north".

Got it!  But...what to have him wear?

I decided it was time to dust off my seamstress side of my soul.  I admit to making the occasional skirt or costume, but I had not delved into a complete outfit for the boys since 1997.  

Yes, 1997.  Did I just date myself?

I am so excited!  I did it!!  

Thanks to Simplicity!

 

An old schoolhouse at the park we were visiting

I "sorta" stuck to the pattern.  I loved the light blue seersucker fabric I found. But, I decided to use white knit for the sleeves.  I even did a zipper at the back without too much strain. 

I had a collar, but it was declared "too girly" by all the male species in the house.  My seam ripper and I became chums again...it wasn't that long ago we met for Hartley's quilt, but he and I are always happy to work together for the common good.  I even have now named him "Jack" for "Jack the Ripper".

There was still in issue with the pleating on the front bodice. Mr. Boss kept calling it "ruffles" so I knew that was a key concern for him.

I decided to add a large applique on his chest to draw the eye away from it! It is the same design I used to make his bedroom window treatments..just with an added swirl out of the tail end (hard to see in these photos).

Instead of just hemming the bottom, I decided to do a cuff...make it more "boy-ish". 

Excuse the bulge down low....we unsnapped due to and overabundance of apple juice consumption

 

I am really happy with the results!

I am even going to make another for Easter...just don't tell Mr. Boss.  He doesn't understand why I can't just run to Carter's like I usually do!

 I think I also want to make some modified pants and shorts with the seersucker fabric for him this summer and spring.  I love the fabric and how it really will keep things light for the humid, hot weather we have here.

And I am dying to make the pockets more interesting.  

Am I going to become a clothing sewing enthusiast? 

I am not sure....

What I DO know is that I want to say a big THANK YOU to Kristi and her darling baby girl for traipsing up to Chapel Hill for us!  

I think he looks like he is proposing or something.  Kristi is in the right lower corner with her amazing camera and amazing self!

We aren't sure if we got THE SHOT, but I know her well enough that her photos have to be better than the quick ones I took!!!

Lunch with Santa

Beware when you RSVP  "Yes!" to a party invitation that says...

LUNCH WITH SANTA

It may be more than you bargained for.

Have you ever been picked up by a choo-choo train from your car...ran by Santa's elves?

Offered a ride on a camel?

Or greeted at the door by a clown with a monkey?

Button's shirt says "On the Nice List"

In a Christmas tu-tu?

I have to confess....

Me neither...until this year!!

Needless to say, it will be a memorable day!

Santa arriving to the lunch on a boat.

Apparently, in Houston, the sleigh just doesn't do well without snow!

And he didn't let a little rain stop him!

Yes...that is a snowcone in Bunny's hand as Butter freezes and Bean just can't believe Santa arrived in such style!

All we needed were the tents, an umbrella, and hoodie to keep us less wet.....

Do you just LOVE this photo?

And a VEEEEERY tall Elf, named Mistletoe, to keep the spirits up while waiting in line.

 

Just so Button could take a good look at Santa....

And get out of there as quickly as he could!!!!

 

But no worries.....Button was in good spirits before we knew it!

All it took was some quick thinking on big brother's part.

Who knew that Butter could whip his head around so fast to make the small white cotton ball fly at the end of the hat! 

So all was right in the world......

Dear Daddy

Don't let this face fool you.....

I am TROUBLE!!!

Today, Mommy was working on a Butterfly Kiss blanket and the quilts she has in the works.

I, on the other hand, am bored with my toys.

 

And I feel that Mom's toys are sooo much better.

Within seconds of Mommy taking the needlepoint pattern out of my destructive hands, I discovered her frame and needlepoint canvas.  

I especially liked the needle. 

 I showed mommy my advanced fine motor skill.  Did you know that you can un-thread it Daddy?

Mommy spoiled my fun and quickly took it away. 

Of course, while she was busy putting it up, I thought I'd give her yarn basket a try.

Mommy...the yarn is so cool.  It really tangles up nicely.

Daddy...you better hurry and put safety locks on all of mom's kitchen cabinets AND her studio cabinets.

Or life will be over as we know it.

But maybe, just maybe, I will give her this look.

And all will be well!

Note: My shutter speed was giving me trouble, so I started playing with some effects in Photoshop Elements.  Therefore, the funny styled pictures. 

And the name of the texture?   

Dark Stroke....just like the dark side this little guy has!

 

My Blogger Friend

"I ka 'ôlelo no ke ola"

Translation:  In the language or word is life

Our last night on the island....what a sight!

In June, I mentioned that I had a very "WOW" experience.

We had travelled to the East Coast to witness our nephew (my husband's sister's oldest son) graduating from high school.  He is the first of the youngest generation of our family.

I have known my sister-in-law and her husband for 17 years now.  

I always remembered that her husband's family was of Hawaiian descent. It always interested me because I grew up looking at the uli-uli's and my mother's ukulele from the time when she lived on Hawaii and took Hula dance classes.

The Hula Dancers at the Luau

  My grandfather was stationed there in the early sixties and my uncle was born there.  

I would dream of what a life on a island far away would be like.

Waterfall on the Road to Hana

For the past 17 years, I also have heard about Roni.  

My brother-in-law's sister.  Most of the conversations involved the amount of boys in our family (her 3, my sister-in-law 4, and now myself 4...WHO HAS THAT MANY BOYS IN THEIR FAMILY!)  

Other conversations included how much my sister-in-law loved her!

What I didn't know? 

Oh, so much!  I didn't know that we were, in many ways, kindred spirits!

I remember talking during the visit about how I really was practicing my photography skills with the new book I purchased.  I, of course, do not pretend to be a professional.

Of course, Roni's husband mentioned that Roni is a photographer.  It came out that I was just trying to improve for my blog.  My sister-in-law is a bit of a follower and said she enjoyed my blog.

Then it came out...Roni is a blogger too!  We started discussing blogger speak.  What do you use?  Have you thought of switching? How long have you had it?  Summertime being a slower blog time.  It was like blogger heaven!!

Then, of course, blog spot URLs exchanged.  Off to our perspective hotels, and of course, checking each others blogs, right?

I was flabbergasted and ashamed. 

Her blog is about taking photographs using Macro.  I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY.  Her photos are absolutely gorgeous.  What a joke my photos are! Ha!!

You have to check out her blog HERE.

FROM HER COLLECTION....This is with her camera....HER CAMERA!!!!!

 

  Better yet?  She is an unbelievable writer!

 Her style is so smooth and enjoyable and DEEP!

And I particularly enjoy her choices of music that she finds inspiration from.

And to make the world a bit more smaller?

She is a babyloss mom.  There was a huge hug between us as we bid each other goodbye at the end of the weekend.  If ever I am her way again, I would love to hang out with her for awhile!

For my baby loss moms, the post HERE is her story.

Please go visit her....

After our trip to Maui, I have to believe that the spirit of Pele has gifted her with an amazing talent!

 

Five Months old..

And already got Lei'd?

What an angel, hunh?

  We are proud to say that he woke up at 3 am CT 

and is still up 5:30 pm Maui time (11:30 Houston time).

NOT A PEEP the whole nine hour flight.

  Slept, ate, played, smiled.

The boys eyes are falling out of their heads.

  They want to live here now!

Hawaii has never been on my bucket list.

It was always just a "that would be nice" destination for me.

Ummmm..

SOLD!!!!!

So Much Inspiration!  

I can't wait to share!

Frame, Mat, and Enjoy It!!

Here is my most recent frame/matting job 

and a sneak peak of Button's nursery!!

Over the years, we have moved many a time which often means re-decoration.  I like to think I am a bit spend thrifty...and this is certainly a way to save a little money.

If you have ever taken a photo to be professionally framed, you very well know how expensive it can get!  

I save the big bucks for my BIG portraits...but frame and mat the smaller ones myself!

 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Want to learn to Mat a picture?

Supplies: 

• Mat board

• Logan Team System Rail and Bevel Cutter

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Cutting Mat
  

 Step One:  Measurements

• Measure your photo.  I will use the measurements of mine as an example to better explain the process!  My photo is 11x14 inches.
• Cut the mat board to the size of your frame.  For this project, I used a frame that was 16x 20 in.
• The MATH!!  This will make or break your project.  Here is the "equation" I use!

LENGTH
Length of Photo - Overlap of Mat over photo (usually .25 inches both sides for a total of .5 in) = A

Length of Frame - A = B

B divided by 2 = C

WIDTH

Width of Photo + Overlap of Mat = D

Width of Frame - D = E

E divided by 2 = F

So for this project...my numbers...

14 - .5 (.25 on both ends overlap!) = 13.5

20 - 13.5 = 6.5

6.5 divided by 2= 3.25 inches

11 - .5 = 10.5

16 - 10.5 = 5.5

5.5 divided by 2 = 2.25 inches

Time to use the measurements C and F

• Make straight lines at the short ends (16 inch sides) using the measurement F.  I line my ruler up with the cutting mat underneath to achieve a straight line.  For this project, I measured 2.25 inches in from the edge. (I didn't orient this picture when I was taking the photo correctly in case you are wondering why I have the short ends towards the bottom and top)

• Make straight lines at the long ends (20 inch sides) using the measurement C.  For this project I measured 3.25 inches in from the edge.

I always recheck my measurements by ensuring that my opening is the right size.  For this project, my opening will be 13.5 x 10.5 inches so that I will have a quarter of an inch overlap the photo all the way around.

Step Two:  Time to use the rail system

 Line the groove side of your rail up on the OUTSIDE of your line.

   
Place the bevel cutter in the groove of the rail.  Line the small line on the cutter with the perpendicular line.

• 
  

With firm pressure, push down on the silver button that pushes the blade down into the mat.

  Then slide the cutter, while keeping pressure on the button until you reach the opposite perpendicular line.

Continue this around the other three sides.  REMEMBER, keep the rail on the OUTSIDE of your line.  If you place it on the opening side, the bevel will be cut wrong! 

Trust me on this one!!!

If you put the right amount of pressure and went from line to line you will have something like this:

 Flip it over and your mat will be perfect!

 Secure your photo to the back of your mat. 

Remember how we added a half an inch?  

This is the difference between your photo falling through the opening or looking awesome like this:

Pop it into a frame.  Use some glass cleaner to remove any fingerprints from dust and fingerprints.

  

And hang!

And I promise, more posts to come on Button's Nursery.  

So consider this Button's Nursery: Part One.



I just LOVE how his room is turning out! 

But, of course I am a bit biased....

 And please email me a note if something is confusing or needs more clarification!!!!
Edited:  Already noticed some errors...so made some clarifications!  I swear, I have been working on this tutorial for over a week!!!