Poppyprint made me do it!

A few posts back over at Poppyprint, Krista made a sweet, little "wee loopy blankie" for her new nephew.  This project has been on my list of things to make since before Baby M was born, but it kept getting shoved to the bottom of the list.  I saw her post and I had an extra block from this post, so there was no time like the present!  Thank you, Krista!  Baby M loves his new little blankie!

The top is pieced flannel.  It is so soft!  The back is the super-soft fleece that I used for the afore mentioned blankie. For some reason, I didn't have much ribbon or trim lying around, so I also used various fabric scraps to make some of the tags.  Baby M really likes to look at it. He inspects it quite thoroughly.  It must be the bright colors.

  

Baby M also had his first buzz cut.  It was sad to see his beautiful long hair being shaved off, but it was time.  It kept falling out and getting in his mouth.  I think we are all much happier now.  And he is still just as cute!



SMS Winner

Thank you to all who played along and entered my giveaway! 

Congratulations to commentor # 28! Random.org chose your number!  If anyone knows the trick to copying the little box with the results, I'd love to know!  I can't get it right.  Anyway, comment number 28 and the Attitude Girls charm pack belong to kbzelazny!  I will send you an email so that I can get your address.  Happy sewing!

Blankie for a New Baby

 To go to my SMS GIVEAWAY please click HERE.

Every cute, new baby needs a cute, handmade blankie!  This one is for a friend's new little girl.  She's joining her two big brothers, and I'm sure they aren't spoiling her. (yeah right!!)  Her mommy is not so fond of pink, so I chose lime green and purple as my main colors.  I haven't given it to her yet, so I hope that she will like it.  I love all of the smiling bugs in the center!

The center block is made from really soft flannel.  I blanket stitched the block to the fleece.  A very simple project, but also quite cute.  I like the way that it turned out.  I had planned to tie the fringe around the outside, but I decided that it would have made the middle too small.  Instead, I sewed in about 2 3/4 inches in all the way around the blanket and simply cut the fringe.  This will make a great stroller blanket or a great place to play on the floor.  The back is solid purple.

In other news I took the day off today to go on my second grader's fieldtrip to the zoo!  I went from one zoo to another!  :)  We had a great time, although I always feel so sorry for the bored and annoyed looking animals.

This was the first time that the rhino was ever standing up when I have visited.  He definitely didn't disappoint as he went potty in front of us.  The boys thought that was totally cool.  Gross!!

Here's hoping that your evening is not a "zoo"! 

Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway Day

Giveaway now closed!

 Hooray!  It is finally here...May Giveaway Day! 

Welcome to Modified Mix, my little corner of the Internet.  I know there are so many giveaways to get to, but stay for a minute or two and check out the rest of my blog.

I am giving away a Moda Attitude Girls charm pack for you to use in one of your creations.  I usually giveaway something that I've made, but I am also a teacher, mother of three boys, including a not quite 5 month old and this time of the year is quite busy.  I'm hoping to put something together to add to the charm pack prize this week, but I can't promise.  If not, I'll throw in some other extra surprise.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Anything at all.  Followers can have a second chance to win.  Just leave a separate comment stating that you are a follower.  I will ship internationally, so anybody at all may enter.  I will choose the winner by random on May 26th after I get home from school and ship out the prize on Friday.

Good luck and enjoy your giveaway blog hopping!!

Tutti Frutti Banana Bread

 Warm. Moist. Yummy!  There is almost nothing better than banana bread fresh from the oven.  I have a favorite go to recipe that I make and embellish.  I named this loaf Tutti Frutti in honor of the coconut that I put in it.  I wish I could share a piece with all of you out there reading!

But since I can't, I thought I'd share my recipe.

Tutti Frutti Banana Bread

3 mashed, ripe bananas                           

1/3 C shortening                                      

2/3 cup sugar                                          

2 eggs      

1 3/4 C white whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream the first four ingredients together.  Add the remaining dry ingedients and mix together well.  Don't forget to grease your bread pan.  I use cooking spray.  Bake until the center is firm, approximately 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack about 15 minutes before removing the loaf from the pan.

extras that I added to this loaf: 

1/4 cup coconut flakes

1/2 C golden raisins

1/4 C flax seed meal

1 tsp. cinnamon (Sorry, but I usually add this to everything!)

I would have loved to have added pecans as well, but my oldest is allergic to all tree nuts.  After he ate a piece of this bread we also decided that he is allergic to flax seed.  And I thought he was just kidding the first time he had it. ;o  We know for sure now! Thank God for Benadryl!



Enjoy!

Check back later.... I'll be posting my Sew Mama Sew giveaway!!  I can't wait until tomorrow to check out what everyone else is giving away!

A little something for the teacher

My boys gave all of their teachers some pretty pansies for an end of the year gift.  I was quite impressed that they were all delivered in one piece and with very little dirt missing.We potted the pansies in some cute spring bowls that we found on sale at Kmart.  I decided to keep it pretty natural by using a stick for our sign post. The boys signed the tags and the teachers loved their pretty posies!

One Sweet Package!

I am a very lucky girl!  My friend Bobbi at Crafty Vegas Mom sent me the most amazing package ever!  She REALLY spoiled me. 

First, she made me this super nice bag to carry Baby M's things.  I really love it.  The colors are just perfect!  Bobbi did a great job making this bag...it is so perfect!  I even got lucky enough to take some pictures on one of our rare sunny days here in PA.

 Baby M really likes his bag and says "Thank you, Bobbi", but he wasn't going to smile for anything when I was taking this picture.

 Bobbi even made matching burp clothes that were stuck inside the bag's pockets.  We can definitely use those.  Baby M is notorious for spitting up.

She also sent me these really cute potholders, which will also be put to good use.



All of these goodies were also in my package from Bobbi-  a pin cushion, a crocheted dish cloth, recipe cards and a notepad.  She even included a Hoover Dam mug (which somehow didn't get photographed).  I absolutely LOVE everything!! 

Thank you so much, Bobbi!  You are the best!