Golf Gift Basket

Here is a super cute gift idea for the golfer in you life. I used a bucket I had from another project, mini liquor bottles,  new golf balls/tees, and some Easter grass.

This is an easy and inexpensive gift. Let me know what you think.

Bridesmaid Dress to Baby Quilt

This was my first big sewing project since I was in middle school and I think it turned out great. Although, I will warn you it took a lot longer than I thought it would to complete this quilt.

I had seen this idea on Pinterest and when my sister in-law announced that she was having a baby girl, I thought turning the pink dress I wore to her wedding would be a great way to try out my sewing skills. I will admit I had to call in the help of my mother in order to make sure the quilt would actually stay together.

I started by purchasing a sheet that matched her bedding set for the back of the quilt. Then I took the sheet and the dress to the fabric store. I purchased 4 other fabrics that I thought went with the dress and the sheet. I also purchased batting. Since this was my first sewing project I  purchased a rotary cutter and mat.

Then I began cutting the fabric into squares. Once I had all the squares cut, I began to pin them together in a pattern. I wish I  had taken photos of the process but once I got started cutting and pinning I forgot to photograph the progress.

Once the pattern was developed I began to sew the squares together in groups of 4 and continued to add on until I had completely sewn the top of the quilt. After that I put the sheet, batting, and quilt top together. Then I machined quilted some squares onto the quilt and added the bow from the dress to the middle of the quilt.

The Bridesmaid dress after!

Below is the note that I put in the box when I gave my sister in-law the quilt. I had also included a photo of the two of us from her wedding day.

It was not that many years ago that you gave me the privilege to stand next to you as you got married.  It was such a beautiful day, now as we wait for you daughter to arrive, I wanted her to have a piece of that day to treasure.  So, if you look closely at this photo and this gift you will see that they have something in common. 

Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Bars

I have an abundance of oatmeal that I need to use in the next few weeks, so I have been trying some new oatmeal recipes. This one is GREAT! I found it on Pinterest.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 c light brown sugar
• 1 c creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 Tbs vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 1 c old fashioned oats
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 c whit chocolate baking chips
• 2 cups Reese's miniatures, chopped 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray
3. Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and continue mixing.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla.
5. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
6. Add the flour mixture slowly stirring until well combined.
7. Stir in the baking chips.
8. Spread 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan. Top with Reese's minis or chopped miniatures.
9. Drop the remaining dough on top by the teaspoon. It doesn't have to be perfect and it won't cover all the Reese's.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool completely and then cut into bars.

*Original recipe found at http://www.momontimeout.com

Pyrex Value Pack

Penn State Gift Basket

I made this gift basket (cooler) for a friend's birthday. The birthday boy was a fan of golf, Penn State, and wine. I hope he enjoyed it.

What do you think?

Beach Diaper Cake

I recently made this diaper cake for my sister in-law's shower. She had chosen purple and teal for her nursery colors and I spotted the towels and thought they would be perfect. She is also a swimming coach so I decided to add the beach/pool  theme for her diaper cake.

Beach Diaper Cake

Swimsuit, Bucket, and Sophie 

Wrapped and Ready!

Wedding Bathroom Basket

I was recently a bridesmaid in a wedding. Since I have a large stockpile of goodies in my basement I offered to make a basket for the bathrooms at the reception. I think they turned out great!

Girls Basket

Boys Basket

I got the baskets and the frames for the Dollar Tree. I searched the several wedding blogs to find a poem that I thought fit the bride and groom.

Jameson Cash

Having two kids under 2 has left very little time for me to update my blog. I know it is a little late but I wanted to share  a newborn photo of  Jameson.

Jameson Cash

Pregnancy Week 40

Well I did not stay pregnant long enough to take a photo of me at 40 weeks pregnant. My water broke on February 23, 2013 around 10:30 PM. I really could not believe my water broke, I had been feeling  little contractions all day but I still thought I had a few more days of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 40

Who: Me and Jameson Cash
What: Proud Mama
Where: Pregnancy Week 40
When: March 1, 2013
Why: This is the final picture in my pregnancy series. I am sure my husband will be glad not to have to go outside and take my picture weekly but I am a little sad that the pregnancy is already over. I am so glad to meet my little man but pregnancy goes way to quick for me!

Pregnancy Week 39

This week I had a a little excitement  I hit a Mom's Night Out early in the week at the bowling alley, nothing like watching a pregnant lady bowl. Then, later in the week I had a ladies night with some of the girls I used to work with. We hit a Lebanese restaurant, where I had the opportunity to do some belly dancing! Fun week!

Pregnancy Week 39

Who: Me and my mini watermelon! Now, that is a fruit I know! Finally!

What: On my way to Ladies Night! Belly Dancing Queen!

Where: Week 39

When: Feb 22, 2013

Why: This is one of my favorite maternity tops!

Pregnancy Week 38

I really wish I had some exciting new to talk about this week but again it has been a fairly quiet week. Jason and I continue to work as we anticipate the arrival of our new guy. If you want excitement, I can tell you that I attended book club this week along, we picking up an extra shift at work on Valentines Days (I know I am a romantic). Jason and I also got a date night!

Pregnancy Week 38

Who: Me and my little leek! I  have heard of this before!

What: Only 2 weeks to go! 

Where: Week 38

When: Feb 15, 2013

Why: I have no clue why I started this picture parade!

Pregnancy Week 37

We are finally in the home stretch! I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has progressed, I am finally at my week OBGYN appointments. Joesph got to have a sleepover at Aunt Jackie's house, which gave Jason and I a nice weekend kid free before we turn into a family of four! I can't wait to meet out new baby!

Pregnancy Week 37

Who: Me and my Swiss chard! Seriously, I have never heard of some of this produce before!

What: Look at the BELLY!

Where: Week 37

When: Feb 8, 2013

Why: Full Term! Any day now!

Pregnancy Week 36

This has been a quiet week for the Christine family. Jason and I have been busy working and preparing for the arrival of the baby. I have created a list of things that need to be done before I go into labor! But other than working towards completing the list, we have not been that busy.

Pregnancy Week 36

Who: Me and my crenshaw melon! I have no clue what a crenshaw melon is!!

What: No snow this week! Is Spring on here yet?

Where: Week 36

When: Feb 1, 2013

Why: When we have come this far what is a few more photos! Well, ask my husband!

Pregnancy Week 35

This has been another slow week. Even though I have a huge list of things to do before baby arrives, I have not completed many of those tasks. I have been busy working at the restaurant and the high school. Jason's Mother had a hip surgery this week and most of our family has been slowly recovering from colds, but other than that it was  good week. This afternoon we will be celebrating Jason's Dads Birthday. I did have an OBGYN appointment this week, again things seem to be progressing well. I have gained about 30 pounds to this point!

Pregnancy Week 35

Who: Me and my baby Honeydew! All this summer fruit and I am standing in the snow!

What: Snow!

Where: Week 35

When: Jan 25, 2013

Why: I wanted everyone to see that it was Winter during this pregnancy!

Pregnancy Week 34

This has been a pretty uneventful week. I have been working to get Joe's big boy room ready, but other than that it has just been all work and no play! I think I like this peaceful time.

Pregnancy Week 34

Who: This is me and my big cantaloupe.

What: It looks warm but the weather if FREEZING! Why did I decide to take pictures outside?

Where: Week 34

When: Jan 18, 2013

Why: At this point it is just to torture Jason:)

Beer Christmas Tree

I really wanted to get this post up before the holidays but it was so crazy around here, it did not happen. But I did want to share my Beer Christmas Tree creation that I made for a friend of ours for Christmas. Keep in mind this tree was not only made from beer and nuts (every mans dream), but it also had working lights on it!

Merry Christmas!
Christmas Tree made out of a case of beer.

I started with a plastic serving platter ( i reinforced with cardboard). Then I found a circle box and a solo cup to create the different layers. I put the circle box in the center of the tray and placed beer all around. I keep the beer together with a ribbon. Then I placed the solo cup in the center of the circle box and placed beer all around the cup. Finally, I placed the last beer on top of the solo cup. The I embellished with fake snow, tissue paper, battery operated lights, beer nuts, and a star. 

View from the top

What man in your life would not like to receive one of these Christmas trees? I am so sick of giving gift cards I thought this was a great option to give someone something they like on a more personal level.

Pregnancy Week 33

This week has been a busy one:( because Joe and I have been sick! I hate to be sick but I really hate it when the baby is sick. On a happy note I had an OBGYN appointment and everything went great! I am going every two weeks now! I can't believe how quickly this baby will be here!  Although, the doctor told me to keep an eye on how much weight I gain ( 28 pounds so far). We also had a great time taking Joe to the Farm Show to see all the tractors! I enjoyed the junk food!

Pregnancy Week 33

Who: Me and my little pineapple
What: Enjoying a little Sunshine!
Where: Week 33
When: Jan 11, 2013
Why: Because we have come this far! I want to finish all my photos!

Pregnancy Week 32

After all of the holiday fanfare! This has been a calm week. Joe and I have been enjoying all of the new toys we got for Christmas and I am spending one last week looking at the decorations before I have to take them all down. I would love to say that we rang in 2013 with a bang but it was a low-key evening at home!

Happy New Year!

Pregnancy Week 32

Who: Me and my little jicama

What: Happy New Year! 2013

Where: Week 32

When: Jan 4, 2013

Why: I want everyone to see me at the start of the year!

Pregnancy Week 31

Merry Christmas! I can't believe what a fabulous holiday week our family enjoyed. We had a great time with Grand-mom and Pop Hice  and the Potter family coming to our home for Christmas Eve dinner. We also had a great Christmas Day breakfast and lunch with Grand-mom and Pop Hice. We ended the holiday at Aunt Beth and Uncle Derek's house. We enjoyed a big snowstorm the day after Christmas which ruined my shopping but Joe had the time of his life in his new sled and snowsuit. The end of the week was also great as Jason and I celebrated our 5th anniversary (OK we really didn't celebrate) by taking Joe to Hershey Park Candy Lane. Joe loved riding the rides, I think we have a thrill seeker on our hands.

 Pregnancy Week 31

Who: Me and My baby (size of 4 navel oranges)

What: Happy Holidays! We actually had some snow!

Where: Week 31

When: Dec 28, 2012

Why: Only 9 more weeks to go!