PinkPetunia's House

A snow day and a good dog update

Yesterday we had a fairly significant snow and work was closed. YIPPY! It turned out to be a really great day. Ellie and I baked cookies, took a nap, watched a little television, played outside, made some crafts, colored and made ice cream out of snow. It was just an unexpected day of fun.

Ellie gearing up to go out in the snow:

Ellie getting ready to hit me with a snowball:

Ellie's version of a snowman:

Ellie thought it was a good place for a snow angel:

Ellie could not understand why she couldn't push herself on the swing:

Ellie helping me clear the walkway:

Ellie doing laps around the driveway:

A very good dog that is acting like a puppy:
 

You wouldn't know it by looking at her but last week we had to consider putting her down because she was so sick and could not walk. Today she is up and moving around and playing like her old self. She still has trouble with her back but I don't really notice it too much. It seems to make it difficult for her to twist her whole body to shake water or snow off. That seems to be the only time she is unsteady on her feet. I am so happy my Maggie pulled through and is still with us.

Ellie making crafts (one of her most favorite things):

Ellie making super creamy snow ice cream:

We made the snow ice cream with a huge container of snow, added heavy whipping cream, milk, vanilla extract and sugar. It was better than any snow ice cream we had as kids (sorry mom!). I think it was all the cream we added. I think we made a little too much since we ended up using 2 cups of cream and about 4 cups of milk. Oh well. I stuck it in the freezer and tonight we will put it in the blender to whip it back up. Can't wait.

I hope you all are enjoying your winter as much as we are.

Mamma's making a Girly Girl Quilt

I did it. I bought a quilt kit from Fat Quarter Shop to make Patricia Bravo's Sweet Girly Girl quilt that was featured in Quilt magazine issue #108 (February/March 2010). I went to Fat Quarter Shop's website and they had the kit but not the magazine. I searched high and low online but could not find a back issue to purchase so I emailed Art Gallery Fabrics directly asking where I could purchase a back issue or if they would sell me the pattern. Within minutes, and I mean only a few minutes, I got an email from Walter. He scanned the pattern from the magazine for me and was happy to share it with me. How nice is that? I swear, in a good way, crafty people are so nice and so helpful. So now if only my kit would get here...

Anyhow, this is the picture that I fell in love with. I am really thankful Walter emailed me the actual scan of the magazine because I would not have known about the free pillow pattern download. They are so cute and I clearly have pillows on my mind of late.

Here is the full quilt.

Look at all this yummy delicious fabric. I cannot wait!
 

There are even fabric baskets you can make. How cute would all of this be in a little girly-girl's bedroom? I am thinking my little girly-girl will love it...SHE BETTER LOVE IT!
 

Now wish me luck that I can get my act together and actually make the quilt and pillows. So excited!

Pillows, Pillows and More Pillows with Fabric and Tutorials

Now that the holidays are over it is time for me to start focusing on some spring cleaning and decorating. I want to recover all the existing pillows I have on the sofas and make some new ones. In the living room we have cream colored sofas and a dark chocolate brown leather chair and ottoman. I think once I find the fabric I want, I can move forward. Here are few that I liked but I am still searching but these all have potential.

Jenaveve Linen by Valorie Wells for FreeSpirit
   

Bicycles by Michael Miller
  

It's a Hoot by Momo for Moda
  
 
  

Sugar Pop by Liz Scott for Moda is one of my FAVORITE collections right now.
    

The leather furniture in the basement and the orange sectional in the loft are going to have to wait until the next go around. I need to focus on the main floor, including my bedroom before I can even begin to tackle another area.

I have been browsing all sorts of blogs and websites for inspiration and pillow tutorials. I had no idea there were so many. Who knew pillows were so hot?

Pleated Pillow Cover Tutorial from Make It and Love It
 

Log Cabin Pillow from Bayou Bags
 

Pretty Ruffle Pillow tutorial from Portabellopixie (Sandi Henderson)

Snow Mum Pillow pattern from Amy Butler
 

Cathedral Window Pillow tutorial from Warmth in the North
 

Recycled Rose Pillow Tutorial from Alisa Burke
 

How to Sew a Throw Pillow in 10 Easy Steps from Cottage Magpie
 

Super Easy Removable Pillow Cover Tutorial from Sparkle Power

So many great ideas, so little time to make them. Time to dig in my stash and possibly order some more fabric.

As you can see, I am all over the place. Any suggestions for pillow patterns or fabric?

Some Pictures Say It All

Ellie and I sent this to Rob when we were in St. Louis:

His reply:

  
 
 Too Cute!

Note: Look for a giveaway next Friday.

Ellie's Playhouse Gets a Makeover

This is Ellie's little playhouse, with Ellie and Aunt Sissy in it.

  

When we (and by we I mean Rob and Pat) painted the house we also painted Ellie's playhouse to match. I added her little chair and a fun pot of flowers. We still need to fix the porch and I want to find or make a sign for the front. What should it say? Any suggestions?

Note: Look for a giveaway next week.