i really love this pattern for the “Seija Set” from Stitch N’ Bitch Crochet!  every time i think of making something for a new baby, i really like this pattern because it’s really simple, works up fast, and makes a great unique gift!  the optional (not really, i think it’s a great feature) seatbelt hole for carseats and strollers makes it a real bonus, too.  plus the hat is so cute… in this case i left the braids off, though, because my sister-in-law and i decided that the braids made the hat look a bit too girly for a boy, but the hat is definitely cute with or without the braids.

i worked on this during our vacation over the last few weeks – on long car rides and during downtime – so i could get it finished and give it to my brother & sister-in-law before i left… now i just can’t wait to get some pictures of my little nephew with this stuff!  i just wish he had a name   so far he is yet unnamed, because my brother and sister-in-law haven’t been able to come up with a name they agree on… they’d better get a move on it cuz he’s due August 6!!!!  my vote is for “Maximus” but so far i’ve only gotten the stink eye on that one!  oh well, i’m still going to call him Maximus whether they name him that or not 

if you’re thinking of making something for a new baby this pattern is a really great choice!  of course, you will have to buy the book, Stitch N’ Bitch Crochet by Debbie Stoller to get it, but you won’t regret the purchase – it has a lot of other great patterns, too!

SUPPLIES:

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn in:
  #0311 – White
  #0668 – Honeydew
  #0365 – Coffee
• size “G” (4mm) crochet hook

i’m really excited to finally be able to share the August 2011 Paper Lovelies kit with everyone!  this kit is SUPER CUTE, and packed full of goodies from the new Cosmo Cricket “Odds & Ends” line!  i was really excited when i got it in the mail – so many ideas came bursting out of my brain for what i could do with this stuff – i couldn’t wait to get started working with it

unfortunately, i only had a short time to come up with some cards to help show off the kit, since we went on vacation for two weeks… but i managed to bang out three cards and i definitely plan on doing more with what i have left so stay tuned for that!  but enough out of me – here’s the kit!

Paper Lovelies August 2011 kit
“Odds & Ends”

soooo much vintagey-cute goodness!  everything goes together so perfectly too!  here’s what you get:

• * 18 sheets of double-sided designer paper + cut-apart ephemera sheets from the Cosmo Cricket “Odds & Ends” line
• * 3 sheets double-sided color pick solid color sheets from Cosmo Cricket “Odds & Ends” line
• * 46 piece cardstock stickers from Cosmo Cricket “Odds & Ends” line
• * two sheets of Cosmo Cricket “Tiny Type” stickers (brown/cream & clear/red)
• * one package of Scenic Route chipboard (varies)
• * one package of self-adhesive rhinestones by KaiserCraft (color varies)
• * one package of self-adhesive embellished butterflies by Jenni Bowlin Studio
• * one package of Sassafras Lass Paper Whimsies – Tailored Deck
• * one package of American Crafts “Subway” foam Thickers
• * about 2 feet of vintage seam binding (color varies)

i also made a sketch to go with the first two cards – BONUS!  i love trying to work from a sketch whenever possible; it always makes the process SOOOO much easier for me!  feel free to use this sketch to make your own cards as well – a link back to this page would be appreciated if you do – and i would LOVE to see what anyone else does with it so feel free to link your creations back in the comments thread as well

i really hope that everyone who manages to get their hands on this kit enjoys it as much as i have!  kudos to Paper Lovelies this month for putting together such a fabulous kit  hope to be back soon with more examples of what you can do with it!!!

sounds fancy, huh?

it. is. SOOOO. delicious.

and thanks to Martha Stewart, it’s super easy, too. (it’s a good thing!)  i can’t even begin to describe how absolutely DELISH the sauce is… it adds a whole new dimension to chicken (and asparagus, too, which paired really well with this dish!)  as my BFF Ryan would say, “it’s like sex in your mouth.”

Dijon Mustard, a dry white wine, some tarragon…. such a great combination.  for the wine, i used Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay… prolly my favorite right now – for cooking and enjoying with a fabulous meal like this with my honey  serves well with rice or garlic bread – take your pick.  i’ve made it twice in two weeks, and went both ways.  even normally picky Courtney liked this one A LOT!  this recipe went straight into my collection without hesitation; we will definitely be enjoying it again several more times until everyone is sick of it!

check out the recipe on Martha’s Website.  i promise you won’t be sorry!