Pumpkin Carving and Decorating

Earlier I mentioned a link to an awesome template on Pinterest and knew right away that was going to be the one we did this Halloween. So I spent 2 hours cleaning out and carving our big pumpkin. 

My assistants were not too sure about pulling out all the "inners" of the pumpkin.

 Here is the aftermath of the cleaning, now on to the carving.

 

 Here is the finished product. It looks pretty awesome, but the combination of an intricate details and a super thick pumpkin made carving take f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

 

The boys opted to paint their pumpkins this year.

 

 



 

 Here's wishing you time to get creative with your fall decorating.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Again this year we ventured out to Schaake's Pumpkin Patch as a family to pick out pumpkins. We opted to pick a a single big pumpkin and Julian got to pick a smaller one of his own since Kaleb got to pick on out on his school field trip.

Julian

Kaleb



Kaleb as Frankenstein

Julian as Dracula

 



 

Julian found his perfect little green pumpkin.

The boys searched and searched for the perfect family pumpkin. I didn't realize until I was posting this, that I didn't take a picture of the pumpkin we chose (don't worry, it will make an appearance in the pumpkin decorating post).

Unfortunately this one was just a little too big!

 

We enjoyed a nice hayrack ride back with our finds. It was a great morning out at the pumpkin patch for sure!

 

 

Here's wishing you time to get out and enjoy the crisp fall weather with your family!

Julian's First Grade Field Trip

One of many recycled plastic bottle cap art pieces.

Julian's first grade field trip was to the Mulvane Art Museum and ArtLab. The kids got to eat their lunches in the student union first and then they headed to the museum to learn all about paintings and why artists can all look at the same things, yet paint something very different from each other. After that they got to head down to the ArtLab and make their own creations, before being let loose to do some exploring.

This is the group getting instructions on the type of art project they will be creating. The instructions: tear up pieces of paper and glue to your paper plate. Then add paint and texture to your masterpiece.

 





 Julian went to work tearing his paper, I noticed he was tearing very small pieces, but didn't give it much thought.

Here is what he was doing. Not to bad, if I say so myself.

 

Putting some chalk graffiti up on the wall.

 

 

 Having fun with the mirrors.

 

 

 Working with texture.

 



Here's wishing you a chance to think outside the box and make a masterpiece of your very own.

Kaleb's Pre-K Field Trip

Kaleb had his first ever field trip with his Pre-K class recently. He was very excited to go to the pumpkin patch with his class and to ride the bus. But, he was most excited because I went on the trip with him, and it meant that he got to be a car-rider home from school.

Hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch.

He found the perfect pumpkin.

Testing out an apple cider slush.

King of tires!

Look at me way up here.

 


One of many trips down the slides.







Family Photos 2012

After postponing family photos due to muddy conditions, we were able to get our pictures done last weekend. Our friend Chad, from CG Photography (find him on facebook too), came out and captured some great shots of the family. If you are in the area we highly recommend him.

Here are a few of the highlights:

 

 

 

 

 

Here's wishing you a chance to stop time, just for a moment.

Pinterest Top 5

A short and sweet top 5 this week:


We made this for dinner tonight. I slightly modified the recipe, I only used one can of cream of chicken soup and added a can of corn. Julian requested that next time we make it we add black beans, I think that was a great idea!

Chicken Tortilla Bake


This is a super yummy looking dessert from one of my favorite bloggers.

Nutella Cakes


I love these! You better believe that handyman of the house is going to get asked to make these. I think they would be great for the boys' rooms; clothes would be sorted nicely, and/or toys could easily be put away here too.

Storage Bins


This is what I am envisioning for my front yard next spring, at least my own version of this. We need something out front and is simple, but still makes a statement.

Corner Landscaping


I am going to give this a try next summer with fresh cucumbers.

Cucumber Salsa


Here's wishing you time to find something "PINteresting" to do with your time.

Kindle Fire Cover

I have slacked off again this week and missed the Wednesday Pinterest Top 5. So, in it's place I will post the details* on the cover I made for my Kindle Fire. I made this sleeve because I could not find something I really liked for my Kindle that did not cost $20 or more. I had all the necessary supplies, why not attempt to make something myself? So here we go, please leave me a comment with your ideas, questions, tips, etc.

Kindle Fire Cover

Here is what I used: upholstery fabric (khaki and red material) for the outside and fleece (gray material) for the interior liner. I wanted something durable for the outside and something soft that was not going to scratch the screen on the inside.

I cut the upholstery fabric first; 20" long and 6" wide (it probably wouldn't hurt to add 1/2" to both the length and the width) and laid it right side down on top of the fleece.

 

 

Pin the upholstery fabric to the fleece.

 

 

 Cut the fleece using the upholstery fabric as your template.

 

 

 Here is the 2 pieces of fabric cut out and still pinned together.

 

 

 Sew the 2 long sides and one short side, I didn't measure the seam on this. I just put the edge of the fabric on the outside edge of the presser foot (I know, really technical, right?).

 

 

 Here is the finished edge with the wrong sides out.

 

 

 Pull the rights sides out through the open end.

 

 

 For a little added stability I slipped a piece of chipboard (think cereal box) into the sleeve. This should be an inch shorter than your fabric.

 

 

 Stitch the open end shut.

 

 

 Fold the sleeve so that bottom meets with the top of the chipboard piece, this should leave you with the extra inch of fabric with nothing inside of it at the top. This will be flap that closes the case.

 

 

 

Stitch both of the long edges together on each side.

 

 

 

 This is what your finished edge will look like when you are done.

 

 

 Here is the finished product. I haven't decided what would work best for me as a fastener, it will either be velcro or small snaps.

 

*Please note: this is a tight fitting sleeve for the Kindle Fire, feel free to adapt this as you see fit. When measuring I would definitely error on the side of measuring a little big, not a little small. This is just my process, more meant to be guidelines and/or an idea generator for your to use to make your own covers for your tablet/e-reader.

Here's wishing you the time to get creative and make something instead of running out to buy it.