Look back

Three years ago I wrote down this following wish list in my blog.

Here comes my wish list:
Local scrapbook store membership (may get this for birthday)
circle punch
Corner punch
black and brown pens
Bronze color box
mod podge
3D glue dots
Double sided tapes
Foam stamps
Acrylic paint and brushes
Sewing machine

and lots of ribbon, lots of paper!

Well, I got most of the things in the last three years. Probably it's because nothing on my wish list is super expensive. The sewing machine was the only big ticket item, it turned out well worth the price. Because I developed another new hobby, sewing.
The only thing I never got was the scrapbooking store membership. I guess I don't even want one now. It's not because I can't afford it or I can't justify the cost, it's more due to lack of time.
With two kids, many hobbies, I really couldn't splurge a big chunk of time on scrapbooking, it's too time consuming. But I will still do small scrapbooking projects here and there. I definitely need to whip up an album for Olivia. She grows too fast.

Now here comes my new wish list. I bet I will get most of the things in this list in the next three years.

Hobby room for sewing, scrapbooking and doll collecting (long shot, not expecting in the next 5 years)
American girl Kit doll and her bed, desk, chair, and a couple outfits (I know I want them all, but we'll see how many I can find)

American girl Felicity doll and her bed, her horse Penny, and a couple outfits (Same as Kit, but easier because I already have a couple)

American girl Chrissa's sewing machine.

I also like Samantha, Nellie, Josefina, but I can live without them.

A trip to American girl place, (I'm so looking forward to this).


I know this list will cost more than 100 times what I wished 3 years ago, but it's nothing wrong to wish. I don't have to have everything I wished for.

Mini Summer Vacation

There are lots of kid's picture books talking about summer vacation. It always something good, something not so good but always with a happy ending.
Our mini summer vacation last weekend was all like the stories in kid's picture books.
Something good? The beach and food, beach at Baltimore wasn't very good for adults, very crowded but good enough for kids. Food was fantastic, great restaurants, seafood, ribs, and authentic Chinese food at Rockville.
Something fun? Fishing crabs, nothing is better than eating fresh blue crabs.
Happy ending? I had a haircut, very short one. Kids loved peach picking and eating at the end of the trip.

Preserving good stuff

This weekend, cucumber came to the end of the season, we pulled them all out at the same time. It's about 30 pounds or more, based on my observation. I picked some good ones and save in the frige for the new two weeks. For the rest I cleaned and preserved them in jars. I was so proud of myself when I was done with 12 quart jars of pickles. They will last a full year for us, hopefully and we will do it again. I just love it, preserving. I now understand why all the women preserved tomatoes in 80's. It's not just about saving money, it also make you feel good when you're done.

Weekend sewing

I have to say I love this book, even lots people gave it not-so-good reviews, I still love it. I think it might because I never follow a pattern without altering anything, I never shop fabric base on pattern, I usually use pattern as an inspiration.
So far I have used the summer blouse pattern, baby pants pattern, and flower girl dress pattern.
The summer blouse pattern is my favorite, I made it into a sleep dress with short sleeves, perfect for summer. The fabric I chose was bought by my mom for Sophia's bedding. It's very cheap, thin, small pink flower vague prints, but it's soft and very shabby chic look and 100% cotton. I figure Sophia doesn't need more bedding, and this big piece of fabric is enough for pajamas for our whole family. It turned out very cute with polka dots bias tape, and very comfortable. I just love it and can't wait to make more versions of this pattern.
The baby pants pattern is a little too big for my baby, my baby is a peanut. She's 18 months old, I used 12 month pattern, worked well. I also added a cargo pocket to make it cute. The fabric is my favorite among all I have used this summer. It's linen blend with pink and red flower print. It's thicker than cotton, but drapes well and so easy to work with.
I used the same linen blend print fabric for a flower dress for Sophia to match. I didn't follow the pattern at all, I just used one of her dresses as guide and made my own pattern, it was super good. Of course I added a little patch pocket on the dress for Sophia to carry small toys or tissue. This finished dress is very versatile, she can wear it along on a hot day, or wear a Tee shirt under on a not-so-hot day, or add legging on a chilly day. But right now she wears it as a pajama dress coz it's too comfortable to take off at night time.