Umbrella Print Pillows

The couch was in need of something cheery, so I made a couple pillow covers to spruce it up. I just love this bright, exotic fabric. I think the couch is much happier now.

A New Tradition

I see so many enticing recipes every month in my Martha Stewart Living magazines, and I always seem to say that I should try them out but never do. It is easy to just keep making the same meals over and over, which gets a little boring after a while. So I have decided that once a week, I am going to dig through my stack of collected recipes and actually start trying some new things. Tonight's meal is from the June '09 issue, and it features chicken fajitas with mojo de ajo, a spicy garlic and lime sauce. On the side, some homemade Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, spanish rice, and black beans. All served atop warm tortillas. So scrumptious!

Apricot and White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This is a delicious twist on an original recipe. It is a slightly sweeter and lighter oatmeal cookie dough with white chocolate and dried apricots mixed in. It's a quick and simple recipe that yields a gourmet treat.

Two Months Old

Patrick is two months old today. In some ways, I can't believe it's already been two months, and in others it feels like it's been so much longer than that. He has grown so much over the last two months. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the last few days. There are so many, but I have managed to refrain from posting every single one... For the moment at least.

He is such a happy baby!

A pouty moment...

...and faithfully, the smiles return!

A sweet moment between Luke and Patrick.

I just love this darling little outfit that a friend gave us. It seemed like he would never grow into it, and then one day, I pulled it out and found that he had. It's still a little big, but I just couldn't resist.

Hello Old Friend

Despite the fact that I have a degree in drawing, I do very little of it. In fact, I think I've not touched a pencil or a stick of charcoal since the day I graduated. Maybe it's because I've been more interested in sewing over the last couple years, or maybe I just got sick of it after five years of art classes, but whatever the reason, I have begun to miss it lately. So today I reacquainted myself with those old pencils and began sketching again for the first time in far too long. I'm a little rusty, but it feels good to hold a pencil in my hand again.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

These delectable little numbers are fairly simple to make and serve quite well as sweet treats for entertaining. Paired with some juicy strawberries, these slightly bitter cookies are absolutely irresistible. Besides, any excuse to make a mess in the kitchen is always a welcome distraction!

The recipe can be found in the July '09 issue of Martha Stewart Living or on her website.

Sweet Little Face

I snapped this photo of Patrick last night and just had to share it. I may be slightly biased, but I must say he is quite handsome. So content and contemplative atop Daddy's shoulder.

Back in the studio

After two months of non-stop baby, I have finally made my way back into the studio. I decided a small starter project would be helpful in flexing those much atrophied sewing muscles. This resulted in a new pin cushion! I just love the bright colors. Such a fun addition to my work space.

With the refresher course accomplished, a real project is in the works: a couple nursing cover-ups to aid in the still-so-new and slightly awkward task of feeding the munchkin without feeling like I have to hide somewhere to do it.

Finding those perfect fabric combinations is always half the fun.

One down, one to go!

A delicious little button to complete the look.

Day one back in the studio is a success!

Hello Blogging World!

This is us. Slightly exhausted these days, but enjoying life and loving being mommy and daddy to our new little bundle of joy. I'm sure Patrick will be the subject of many posts to come. My husband, Luke, is the one and only love of my life, a true friend and confidant. He, too, will surely be appearing often in these little news flashes. For those of you who know us, I hope you will learn something new through these posts; and for those of you who simply happen to stumble across this site, it's nice to meet you!