Jem Jam

My blog is on a new site!

2009-02-05T21:00:00.003-06:00

I HAVE MOVED TO TYPEPAD! JemJam.

I'm 2!

2009-01-30T17:17:00.004-06:00

Our wee one is two years old! She is ready to stroll the neighborhood, we can send her out for milk now. I love how her dress and shoes go well with the Radio Flyer!

Elmo received a log cabin quilt.

Failed attempt at sitting in babydoll's stroller.

I have also partied this hard!

Juicy apron

2008-08-20T18:26:00.007-05:00

**something weird is going on w/blogger (surprise) so, the picture is half-there.

I never write about sewing, and I always want to.
I made this apron in about 1.5 hours, over 3 days. I feel the need to mention that it took me 4 days to decide what fabric would go where and an entire week before I could cut this fabric. Anyhow, here it is, in all it's glory (there's plenty of that)!
I think that a few of these will go to Silver Bella with me, I am a vendor there!

little weeder

2008-07-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ah, after getting the inside of our home put together, we had to start on the weeds outside. Everyone does their part, I weed, Jimmy mows, and baby, well, baby is just too cute!

I had a pile of weeds on the driveway to dispose of at one time, she played in it, and then threw them away for me. I promise, I did not threaten her with "no chores, no dinner."

Any help is help, right? Right...

Serenity now!!!

2008-07-07T20:35:00.009-05:00

We moved at the end of May and it has been the busiest time of my life. After painting, rearranging furniture, setting up the kitchen (all alone, just because I am a freak about the kitchen) and all of the other things that are to be done in a new home, I am exhausted! I have to say that I feel good, though. I have been getting a great workout, mostly from chasing our 18-month old all over the house and yard. Here is something that I did not have to work on, a pond in the back.
Here is a visitor, Froggy, he is shy and does not like cameras. He jumps in the water if we open the door. This shot is from inside.

This is the good stuff about the back, with all the rain we had a few weeks ago, and no real upkeep on the landscaping, I have been tackling weeds throughout the garden and it is a job!
More on that later!

Good-bye George.

2008-06-23T10:35:00.003-05:00

George died of heart failure on 22 June 2008.
I loved that old fart.
He really made sense, really.
Well, George, I hope that you are right, and if
you are, you do not know that I am writing this. Ha!

Mother's Day

2008-05-13T10:35:00.006-05:00

Ah! 2 cards for two great moms!

I waited until the last minute to make these!

Under pressure, my creativity is at it's peak! Yes, I mailed these on the Friday before Mother's Day, shame on me!
Here is my mom's apron that I made for her, it is reversible.

Nerds unite!

2008-04-25T15:17:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago, we took a mini vacation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was excited to get out for a few days, but not excited about flying with a 15 month old and the possible rain in Philly. Much to my avail, the flights were relaxing and there was no rain! One thing that I found for us to do (besides the necessary downtown adventures) was the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Husband LOVES Star Wars.

fortune cookies

2008-04-04T06:52:00.005-05:00

After years (that's right, years) of pondering, I finally decided that it was time to make fortune cookies. I wanted someone to come over and make them with me, just in case it was a disaster, but, that did not happen. I have baked for so many years, I do not know why I was so afraid of these cookies! Well, they turned out great! I even made them with baby in the kitchen with me.
The batter was easy, but, like the directions say, you have to work fast! They harden fast, so I made four at a time, staggering the cookie sheets, as suggested. My fortune says, "I see more of these in the future!"

Quilt give-away

2008-03-16T13:53:00.005-05:00

Old Red Barn Co. is giving away a quilt. I have plans to make a quilt with the Katie Jump Rope line, if I win this, I will just do something else with it.

I am busy making items for a local craft show. Check out my etsy page for more information.

Fight the Power!

2008-03-04T14:10:00.007-06:00

This item was on the front page of Etsy this afternoon, and it caught my eye. I read the title of the item and it is called "The Radio Raheem!" I would never carry a bag this big, but, I would feel so "cool" with it. If this does nothing for you, wake up-you are sleeping!
Radio Raheem is a character in a Spike Lee Joint, to me, his best film, and I am not much of a fan. Anyhow, RR was one of those characters that you makes you think about hatred in this world and just, well, hate that it exists.
Well, I have not mentioned the name of the film or what happened to Raheem because if you do not know, you should check it out! If you feel the urge to throw a metal trash can through a shop later on, do not blame me!
You do not have to fight the power if you do not want to.

the human giant

2008-02-29T10:26:00.003-06:00

Have you seen The Human Giant? It airs on MTV (I know, MTV??) and is so funny! The show has a second season starting on March 11.

This is from their website:

Watch it or die!

(actually, I can’t say watching it will save you from certain death). (even if you watch it, you will eventually die..)

Go check it!

Pineapple upside-down cake

2008-02-24T13:30:00.003-06:00

The beginning of another delicious cake!
I baked this cake in a cast-iron skillet, as suggested by Joy of Cooking.
I put extra brown sugar and butter, and it did make a great crispy and gooey top.

This is how it turned out, and not for long did it last!

Tonight the Academy Awards are on, and I want to watch the monologue with Jon Stewart, but, that is it! I cannot image sitting through three hours of mediocre comedy, speeches with crying ladies and edited speeches. Jon is funny, but, secretly, I think that Stephen is funnier! Yes, he should host the AA next year!

cake

2008-02-11T11:58:00.001-06:00

I made a pound cake with maraschino cherries (and condensed milk) for us. The cake is so delicious and moist; it is perfect for snacking!
I bought this cake pan from Williams-Sonoma (last year) because I thought it would be pretty for spring and Valentine's Day cakes, yet, I have only used it once! Really, I'm not big on novelty items, but it was on sale...
Well, I am off to make some cupcakes my brother-in-law. It's cold today and a perfect day for baking!

Birthday doll

2008-02-07T22:13:00.001-06:00

In October 2007, I participated in a craft show called Indie Emporium; I met the most interesting people there! I could not keep my eye off of the dolls that Raggedy Pageant had for sale, finally, I settled on one. I decided to get this birthday doll for baby's first year. E's room is done with a shabby chic theme and this doll could not look better in there! The floral fabric on her dress is aged and there is clear glitter on her shoes! I sewed on her party hat and she loves her new home. I absolutely love her!

True love album

2008-02-05T10:39:00.001-06:00

True love album

Need a gift for Valentine's Day? Here's an album made up for you, just slap some photos in it and call it done! You can get this here.

Stamp love

2008-02-04T16:56:00.001-06:00

I needed some new stamps for advertising and Craft Pudding had some cute items listed for sale. I bought a set of three for about $20 and I could not pass up the cute little girl stamp that she hand-carves.

I sent Magda a picture of baby to draw an image that resembles her, and she did! It is the cutest thing, ever! She even managed to squeeze all 10 letters of baby's name onto the stamp, I am not sure what I'll do with it just yet, but it will come in handy-greeting card recipients, look forward!

It looks like Craft Pudding is on vacation for a week, but she's worth a look!

funky handbag

2008-01-22T14:05:00.000-06:00

I made this handbag and matching zipper pouch
for one of my sisters for Christmas.
She likes "different" things (but, then again, don't we all?)
I just gave it to her this past weekend.
She says that she likes it, hopefully she does.
I did like making this bag, I think I will make more
and actually carry one myself!
Self-promote. I do need all the help that I can get!

first birthday!

2008-01-21T15:50:00.001-06:00

Oh! The joys of being a one year-old girl!

Pink cookies baked and decorated by mommy,
Super-cute dress and party hat,
and a fever!
What more could a princess want?

Chocolate, that is what a girl needs!
Oh, and some jewelry
(charm bracelet, to be specific.)
Happy birthday, pumpkin pie!

busy bee

2008-01-12T13:15:00.001-06:00

Must. blog. this. month.

Planning a lot of life altering events right now!

Is there anyone out there?

Melamine

2007-12-13T10:36:00.000-06:00

These bowls are a treasure in our kitchen, I use them just about daily!
These bowls are able to take lots of use and abuse,
we received them as a wedding gift.
These pink bowls have lately been a temporary toy for a little someone in the kitchen.
Melamine...isn't that really hard plastic? (No lead paint, so, they are baby safe).
They are unbreakable, so that's nice.

Wrong!

Baby nudged little bowl off of her highchair tray (signaling that she's so
over this item!) and the bottom fell out of it!
I inspected it, and frantically went to Williams-Sonoma's website, I could not find
any bowls anywhere! When I finally did a search for them, it said, "no longer available"
for every single color, I found that strange because they seemed to be a great seller.
Then came the ugly truth, they are on Oprah's Favorite Things 2007! Luckily, our local
store has some in stock! Good choice Oprah, good choice!

Oh Tannenbaum

2007-11-27T13:53:00.001-06:00

On Friday, Jimmy put up our tree, this is baby's first Christmas and so far is pretty amazed! I think she is looking at the tree, or maybe it is that dead cricket on the carpet, dinner anyone?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love RealSimple magazine (and Martha Stewart, but that is another post or twenty!), I have been a reader since their first issue. RealSimple has great life lessons, shopping guides, and of course, recipes.

Yesterday, we made a Roasted Pacific Cod w/ olives and lemon, served over rice--it was really good! I should have had a glass of the Yellow Tail Chardonnay that I used in the recipe, but, baby asked me not to. I am making spaghetti & meatballs that I have promised for a week now, the meatballs are really good cooked in a little white wine in a skillet.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T06:51:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat some good food, and get some rest for that early day of shopping!

New Items!

2007-11-18T10:39:00.000-06:00

I listed some new items on Etsy today...

go and look at them!

project: baby shower favors

2007-11-12T16:27:00.001-06:00

I made baby shower favors for one of my sisters and her husband;
they are expecting a girl in January.

These coasters took a bit of work, but, I thought they came out so cute!
I have to say, I think that I was the most excited about them,
no one seemed that impressed!

Moving right along,
I plan our meals for the week in advance, it makes life a little bit easier!

Monday: leftover chili (I made it on Saturday, it is a big recipe)

Tues & Wed: fennel crusted pork loin with roasted potatoes

Thurs & Fri: Buffalo wings with macaroni and cheese (tomatoes on top, please)

Sat & Sun: spaghetti and meatballs, French bread with garlic butter

I'll share recipes later this week!

little vampire

2007-11-08T07:53:00.000-06:00

We have been trying to get a really good picture of baby's fangs for a few weeks now; it has been really difficult. E finally granted our wishes (I guess she was tired of being held upside down.)

There is maintenance that goes along with having fangs, you have to brush your teeth with a really big brush!

Well, I have some stuff to work on, I should have more items on Etsy today!

To blog or not to blog

2007-11-06T14:13:00.000-06:00

I have been thinking about blogging for a while now, I'm totally a "list" person and I sat down one day with a few thoughts...

Things to blog:

Recipes
my great attitude
baby stuff
sewing
card making
television shows
stupid things that my husband does
family life

Some of those were my suggestions, some were Jimmy's (that's my husband) ideas. Can you pick which ones were his? Also, I'm taking suggestions for more things to blog about.
Thanks!