Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester

Ham Broccoli and Cheddar Roll Recipe (via Once A Month Mom)

via onceamonthmom.com

Such a crazy-easy recipe and has the potential for many other options. Tricia of OnceAMonthMom.com also provides tips for freezing and thawing for baking at a later date.

Boo Pinny (via Belle and Boo Spring/Summer 2011)

via belleandboo.blogspot.com

Totally loving the Boo Pinny from Belle and Boo's Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

Which One?

 

Diorama Fun (via Giddy Giddy)

via blog.giddygiddy.com

I have been collecting these glass mason jars from the peaches we have been consuming at home and this would be the perfect craft project to use a few of them up.

Weekend Fun at A Gal Named Cinda Lou (20 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio)

We also made a stop at A Gal Named Cinda Lou this weekend while in Uptown Westerville.  These handful of photos I took does not do the shop any justice.  But the house dog named Henry was there and my girls were going a little too friendly and rowdy with him.  Not that it would be a concern any other time except that one of them is highly allergic to pet dander. So we stayed a little and explored and had a nice chat with the co-owner Julia (such a sweet gal and so kind to the girls) but left too quickly.  I am going to visit the store again, maybe sans kids this time, to check out the vintage apparel and accessories.

The store is managed and run by the Bennati family and Cinda Lou is the name of their grandmother.  Dad, Mom, and Julia were there that day (Dad and Mom briefly) and when Julia explained the story behind the name, I was just so touched by the idea and also by the fact that they are run by a family.

 

 
 
 

Julia gave the girls button pins of illustrations of dogs that looked like Henry - they are officially his youngest biggest fans.

A Gal Named Cinda Lou
20 North State Street
Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: (614)776-1409

Website:  http://www.cindalou.org

Weekend Fun at Westerville Antiques (2 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio)

This past weekend we had really nice Spring weather after what feels like months of dreariness so I took the girls to Uptown Westerville for a walk.  We made a stop at one of their favourite stops in Uptown Westervile, Westerville Antiques.

Why do they like it here?  There's plenty conveniently placed at their level and nothing looks like the item next to it nor like most things they see everyday so they get to ask PLENTY of questions. (Mommy, what's this?  Mommy what's that?  Look Momma Look!)

Here are some other photos we took . . .

    

I picked up a dress without trying it on (keeping my watchful eyes on the girls) and thank goodness it fit when I got home. :o)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isn't it just such a lovely place?

We definitely enjoy going there.  Maybe you should too if you're in the area.

Westerville Antiques
2 North State Street
Westerville, OH 43081
 (614) 882-2354
Website:  http://www.westervilleantiques.com
Facebook Page

Punched Paper Chain Garland - The Crafts Dept.

via thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com

Now I want all the punches. Darn you Martha Stewart's Craft Department!

Hoop Art Using Baker's Twine

I have been really enamored with mixed-media collages or embroidery art left on sewing hoops and decided to experiment with using baker's twine to embroider a design onto fabric and leaving it on some sewing hoops I scored at this flea market event ($1 each!)

 
I did not use cross stitch fabric but just a piece of leftover fabric I had left from a cushion sewing project. I penciled in the design, threaded the twine through an embroidery needle, tied a knot at one end, and then just started embroidering.

I used The Twinery's Cappucino twine and Maraschino twine for this project and decided to go around the outline twice for a more distinct design. I love the texture the twine adds to the hoop art!

 
After I completed sewing over the penciled lines, I hand-stamped a phrase, "My Wish For You is a Life Filled with Love" on the fabric using alphabet stamps. (I got my stamps at a sale and they are no longer available but here's a similar alphabet stamp set.) I also used the Staz-on stamp pad as it dries quickly and works on all surfaces including fabric.

It was such a fun project and I now want to try the same technique using cut-out fabrics and outlining them embroidery-style. Great way to use up fabric scraps!

Here's another one I tried,

On this one, I used felt flowers and Cappucino twine as the outline for branches but used a zig-zag switch on the sewing machine to sew the twine down.

I simply pinned down one end of the twine and then lined up the twine over my penciled lines,

 
Selected the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine,

 
And sewed along the stitch over the twine,

 
The effect of the stitching and the twine created a cool stem-like effect and on hindsight, I would have used the twine as A STEM vs the outline of the stem.  Maybe for a future project!

 
After putting the fabric back onto the hoop, I stamped another phrase, "No Matter the Winter, Spring is Sure to Follow".  Here's a look again at the final artwork.

 
Whaddaya think? Game to give either of these techniques a try? If you do, please post a link in the comments or upload your photos at the The Twinery's Flickr Pool - I am constantly inspired by the creations being shared there!

Raising Money for Japan's Children Part II

Added one more listing to the store to raise money for the disaster relief efforts in Japan.  This time around, Thank You Cards in Japanese.  You will receive three for $5 in these colors, 
I also received word from my day job that they are matching any contributions to the disaster relief although only if we contribute to the Red Cross.  I will have to find out the full details but every dollar raised doubles! So I hope you will consider either purchasing an item to support this effort or you can also donate via this button below,

I have to thank the good Lord for the safety of our family members and the house we live in.  For the clean water and warm bed.  For the availability of healthcare and for the food I consume everyday.

Raising Money for Japan's Children



I've been so mentally distracted by what's going on in Japan especially the images of children I could not really work this evening.  So I decided to channel my energy to finishing up the Japanese version of the Peace, Love, Joy series.  Then I thought, "well, maybe I can see if I would be able to raise some funds!" and started setting the listing up to raise funds towards disaster relief efforts in Japan, catering specifically to the care of children. So here it is,

 
Peace, Love, Joy prints in Japanese.  And here are the standard color options available although I can recolor them for a small fee,

 
100% of sales (minus shipping charges) will go towards a donation pool that I will donate to Save the Children.  I will share a screenshot of my donation around end-March and you can match it up to what I have sold in my sold list.  As Anderson Cooper would say, "Just Keeping [Things] Honest."

Would much appreciate it if you would share this on your twitter, facebook, or blogs, or just with friends and family.