Blissfully Content

Cookie Cutter Pincushion

2012-01-31T23:45:00.000-08:00

Are these just the cutest things ever?

I think this little pincushion would make the most charming Valentine gift!

Country Living featured the idea in this month's issue...oh, I do love that magazine!

They have great directions, but I was lacking a couple ingredients...so, I had to blaze a new trail.

The outcome is still the same, though!!

My daughter, Lily, and her friend Millie and I spent part of the afternoon making the pincushions.

I totally think this is a project you can do with your older children.

The girls loved it!

To begin, you will need:

A cookie cutter

{We used heart shaped cutters for Valentine's Day}.

A thin piece of Styrofoam...Country Living recommends a produce tray from the grocery store.

{I used a thin piece of cardboard form the back of a pad of paper}.

Tacky glue

{I used Elmer's and a hot glue gun.}

Fiberfill stuffing

Rubber band

Your choice of fabric.

Lay your cookie cutter out on the cardboard or Styrofoam and trace the inside.

Cut it out.

Now, cut a heart shaped piece of fabric about a half inch bigger around the cardboard.

Using Tacky Glue {which is the best...you could use Elmer's in a pinch...just do so sparingly} spread it evenly across cardboard.

Attach the fabric to the cardboard heart and let dry for 30 minutes.

Country Living suggests using more Tacky Glue to secure the excess fabric....I used my glue gun.

Next, cut a square piece of fabric about 3 inches wider than your cookie cutter.

With fabric right side up, lay the sharp part of the cookie cutter in the center of your fabric.

Pick up the cutter and push the stuffing through to make the pin cushion.

This takes some adjusting to get everything looking right.

The fabric should protrude at least 3/4 inch past the cutter.

I think mine is about 1 1/2 inches.

To get the stuffing nice and even, just hold the cutter in your hand and use your thumb to push into place.

Here is where I venture from the original plan.

Country Living suggests using a running stitch to close the cushion.

This would give you a much flatter base.

I used a rubber band:).

Just gather the excess fabric and secure.

Then trim off the extra fabric with your scissors.

Whalaa!

You are ready to assemble your pincushion!

According to the directions, apply more Tacky Glue to the underside of the cushion, push the Styrofoam into the cutter so that it presses against the glue, and hold for three minutes.

It will need to dry another 30 minutes after that.

For some reason, I couldn't get my little cardboard base to cooperate... so here is what I did:).

I took out the cushion and attached the base with a little hot glue all around the inside edge of the cutter.

Here is the underside.

If you have a small crease... like I did...just pull tight from the other end.

Last, I placed a little more hot glue all over the inside of the base and pressed the cushion in place.

What a lovely little gift for someone special!

You could use any cookie cutter.

A little bunny or duckling for Easter would be fun, or even a clover for St. Patty's Day.

I even like the plain old biscuit cutters with the fluted edge...wouldn't that be darling?

The possibilities are endless and the cost so minimal for a charming gift like this:).

Pin It

Have a great day!

~Julia

PS: Head on over to Anderson Family Farm's blog to enter to win luxurious goat milk lotion and soap!

The giveaway end Sunday:).

Make Your Own Everyday Cloth Napkins

2012-01-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

In an effort to save a little, I decided it was high time we had everyday cloth napkins.

In my Grandma's day, it was all they used and I am not sure why I haven't made the switch before now!

They are sturdy, practical, money saving, and charming.
They would also make a lovely gift!

I bought a vintage sheet at Goodwill....the colors are so cheery and Spring like!

It was also made really well.
When looking for fabric for cloth napkins, you need to keep in mind that they will be heavily used.
Cotton fabrics are a great choice as they wash easily and are soft and absorbent.

My sheet was fairly thick and washed well.
I don't believe I will iron the napkins unless we have company:).

I cut 8 napkins to a generous 21" x21", so that the final result is 20"x20".

Make sure that you cut a perfect square.
I used my cutting mat and rotary cutter to measure perfectly.

I also made a few in a darker color for those meals that may possibly stain:).

The fabric is from my stash and I thought this was a perfect way to use up old material!

I found a great tutorial on mitered edges from Amy at Homestead Revival.
Hemming in this way gives your napkins a really finished look.

Use your iron to press the hem first...this really helps!

First, you will need to fold down the corners.
Measure 1.5 inches from the tip of the corner down each edge.
Fold down on these marks to make a triangle.
Press each corner down.

Snip off about a 1/2 inch of the triangle.

Press down each side about a half inch.

Fold over a second time...about a half inch...and press.

Repeat on all four sides. You may have to adjust things a bit to make everything fit perfectly.
The two hems should meet nicely in the middle like this...

Now, pin everything in place and stitch around the inside seam first.

This is what it will look like on the finished side.

I like to stitch a second seam along the outside edge to secure the corners down.
You could also make a small hem along the mitered seam instead.

And that's it!

Everyday napkins are so economical and a really fast project.

I am hoping to make a few just for special occasions, too.

To care for your napkins, just spray with a stain remover after a meal...if you have stains.

I just wash and dry mine, fold them, and place them in a nice wire basket that sits near the table.

Ironing is really optional if you use the right fabric.

Enjoy your day!

~Julia

Sharing here...

Make a Ruffled Dish Towel

2012-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we have been getting ready!

I love gifts that are a bit nontraditional, yet charming.

Why not give romantic, ruffly dish towels?

With pom poms, of course:).

For those of you who are just beginning to sew, I thought I would give a little tutorial:).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To make this dish towel, you will need:

1 yard pom-pom fringe

9" x 24" piece of material for ruffle {longer for a fuller ruffle}

18 1/2"x 28 1/2" piece of thick cotton material

First, cut out your material to the specified measurements.
Remember, if you want a fuller looking ruffle, just cut the piece of fabric longer.
You will need more pom pom fringe if your ruffle fabric is longer than 35 inches.
Hem the edges around the tea towel.
I allowed an inch and made a wider seam.
Next, you need to serge or use your zig zag to stitch one side of the length of your ruffle.
{The long side...not the width.}

Now, hem the the two ends of your piece of ruffle fabric, and then the bottom side.

I used about a half inch allowance.

Pressing your seams with an iron first is a great way to avoid using pins to secure it.

I love doing it this way!

After you have hemmed the ruffle, you will want to sew 2 loose running stitches along the top side.

This is the side that you zig zagged.

Your running stitches are what we will use to make the puckers in the the fabric.

Sewing two stitches close together at the top makes for a more even ruffle effect.

Remember to leave long ends of thread to pull the fabric into

Take the top two loose threads and pull!

You will have wonderful puckers...just make sure the ruffles look even.

Now, add the pom pom fringe.

Measure against the bottom hemmed edge and give your self about 1/2 inch extra on both sides.

Pin it in place, tucking the ends underneath.

I use my existing stitch as a guide and place the fringe along the top of the seam stitch.

Measure your ruffle against your dish towel and make sure it is the right length.

Place the ruffle on the right side of the dish towel {the finished side}.
Make sure it is facing right side to right side {of the dish towel} AND upside down...like so...

Pin in place and sew.

After sewing in place, just pull out your running stitches.

They come out quite easily.

Flip the ruffle over and iron...careful not to iron over pom poms.

You have a wonderfully simple gift for Valentine's Day, birthdays, or as a housewarming gift.

If you are not the sewing type ...this ruffled dish towel is available in my shop...The Field Barn.

Have a wonderful day!

~Julia

A big thank you to Kim at Today's Creative Blog for featuring me!

Kim...you are the sweetest!

{Also linked to A Bowl Full of Lemons.}

Mason Jar Love

2012-01-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

About a week ago, Sarah Fernandez from the TLC Network's blog, Parentables, contacted me.

I am so flattered to be included in her article about using Mason jars and wanted to share with all of you!

Sarah also has a wonderful blog, Chateau and Bungalow.

If you would like to read the article with some great ideas on how to use Mason jars, click HERE.

There are some really fun and unique ways to use them around the house!

To view the tutorial on how to make a Mason jar soap dispenser, click HERE.

Thank you Sarah for including me in your wonderful article!

~Julia

Sunday Snowgal

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Sunday filled with blessings abundant...and a little fun:).

~Julia

Make a Canning Jar Dispenser

2012-01-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

*I thought it would be fun to re-post this tutorial, as it is one of my most viewed posts!
This is a really fun weekend project and so easy to make:).
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
~Julia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fell in love with this idea the minute I saw it...

Canning jar soap dispensers are a fun and easy gift or useful item to make!
I have used our pump everyday for over a year now and it has held up beautifully.
That is saying a lot when you have four kids and a farmer husband.

I picked up the jar for 50 cents and a lid for $2 at a tag sale...so the whole project was really economical.

If you are interested in purchasing the antique zinc lids and blue Ball canning jars, Ebay or Craigslist are a great place to search.
I typed in "zinc canning jar lids" on Ebay and there were so many available for a reasonable price!
The same was true when I searched under "blue Ball canning jars."
I loved that there were so many different sized blue jars!
Tags sales are also a good avenue.

The pump is from a bottle of Suave lotion. It was the perfect zinc color.

You can also buy pumps from a craft supply store or online HERE.
I like to use what I have on hand, so the pump from the Suave lotion is perfect:).
To clean the pump out, just put it in a jar of warm soapy water and pump away until it is clean.

To make the soap/lotion dispenser:

Measure the width of the top portion of your pump... the part with the spring in it.
Mine measured 1.5cm wide.

Mark the center of your lid {on the top} with a small dot.

The inside of the lid has a ceramic underside. You will need to remove it.

To do this, place the lid right side up with the ceramic side down on a hard surface.
Using a nail, or thin screw driver, tap a hole through the top....right on your mark.
This way, the ceramic is face down and will not shatter in your face:).

After you make the hole, this is what the underside will look like...

To remove the ceramic cap, I try to just tap it really hard right side up.
Most of the time, it will just fall out. If it won't budge, use protective gloves and remove it manually.
Be careful! You are dealing with sharp objects:).

Next, you will want to make a mark on the underside to use as a guide for your hole to put the pump in.
I {roughly} measure 1.5 cm in an "X" pattern to give me my dimensions.

Using needle nose pliers, slowly start to peel back the zinc. It is a light metal and easily bendable.
Remember, you are not going for perfection....just a hole big enough to fit the pump in.
It doesn't need to be perfectly round!
It is better to be on the snug side, as a hole too big will make the pump tend to be a bit floppy.
So, err on the side of being too small, test your pump as you go.
It is so easy to make the hole a little bigger!

When the hole is sufficient to hold the pump, crimp the remaining tin back flat with your pliers so there are no sharp edges.

Now, insert the pump. It should be nice and snug and the top will cover the hole nicely.

Now to glue it in place.
I use my good old hot glue gun.
There are probably other great alternatives out there, but so far hot glue has held up wonderfully!
I tried Gorilla Glue once and it was a mistake for this project. So, if you are wanting to try something other than hot glue, just look for a waterproof product that dries quickly and doesn't expand.

Making sure the pump is firmly in place, first glue right along the base of the pump to the underside of the lid.

Next, add a little more glue to the pump... adhering a little more to the underside.
You want it to have a good base to hold it securely in place.

Let it dry thoroughly.
Lastly, you will need to trim off a small amount from the straw portion of the pump.
Insert it into the jar and estimate about how much needs to come off.
I like the bottom of the straw to be about 1/4 of an inch from the base of the jar.
Measure your straw and then measure the height of the jar to the rim.
This will help you determine where to cut.
I cut off about 1/2 inch of the Suave Lotion pump and had a quart sized jar.

Screw on the lid and whalaa!
You are finished....now wasn't that easy?

The dispensers are great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, hostess gifts, or just to use in your own home!

They pair really well with handmade dish towels:).

Any canning jar will do.

I personally have a clear jar as well as the antique blue version and both look beautiful!

Here is another example from Heather Bullard....

http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2010/02/diy-mason-jar-soap-dispenser.html

You can fill your jar with soap {or lotion}. I use mine in the bathroom and by the kitchen sink. I really like a clear soap. Costco's environmentally safe dish soap is wonderful and the scent is delicious!

The soap lasts forever and you have to fill it up so infrequently.
With four kids and a farm we do a lot of hand washing around here:).

Have a great day!

~Julia

The New and Improved Entryway

2012-01-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

Our entryway is fairly snug...about 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 feet.

This year I am focusing on making what we have work to the fullest!

So, I needed my cozy entryway area to function a little differently.

I had a small mirror with a few hooks on the wall, and it just wasn't enough space to hold all of the jackets, bags, and hats that accumulate there.

Not to mention gloves, scarves, and boots!

I had a wood crate and attached casters to the bottom to store all of our winter attire in.

You can read about it here.

Most of our muddy shoes and boots stay out on a shelf on the front porch.

This helps eliminate too much clutter and keeps some of the dirt outside:).

The little rolling crate stays tucked under a wood bench that is a great spot to sit and put shoes on.

I went to the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and bought molding and small strips of wood for the batten board look. After checking out good sized hooks at the hardware store, I decided that they were a little expensive. I wanted generous hooks that were able to hold a couple of coats, if need be.

At the Re-Store, I found these...

handrail brackets!

Who would have thought?

They were 75 cents a piece, and only about $1.30 new...so they are a cheaper alternative either way!

I painted the half-wall Dutch Boy's "Whirling Wind." It's perfect, and if you know our area, you know we are famous for the wind!

Total cost for the whole remodel... about $25. Can't beat that!

My little entryway is working so much better!

We have plenty of space for coats and other outerwear and even room to sit and get dressed.

The kids love it and I do too because coats are not slung on the floor as they come inside:).

How about you?
Are you working on any home improvement projects?

Have a lovely, warm, slow, and simple kind of day.

I am:).

~Julia

PS: Don't forget to pop on over and enter to win some fabulous natural goat milk lotions and soaps at Anderson Family Farm!! Their products are just amazing:)!

{Linked to A Bowl Full of Lemons}

A Rolling Wood Crate

2012-01-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

One of my goals this year is to make our little house more functional and practical.

I want to find ways to use our existing space in a way that provides more storage...which is an ongoing thing around here!

I bought a couple of old wood crates at an estate sale last summer for $2 a piece and they have been so handy.

Currently, they house gloves and mittens in our entryway/mudroom:).

I came across a pin on Pinterest from Christi at The Brown Shed and had an AH HA moment...

casters to make the little box roll around where ever you need it to be!

Just screw 4 casters to the bottom of your box...it's that simple.

The casters cost me $1.50 each at the hardware store, so I felt like it was a pretty cheap upgrade.

I know I will find so many ways to use this box.
I am already thinking about using it for books...like a mini rolling library:).

I am so happy with it!
Right now, it is underneath a bench in our entryway holding all of the hats and gloves.
I am almost finished with my little update of this area of our home and hope to show you this week:).

I love that the kids can just roll out the box to grab what they need...or put away:).

There are so many options for something so simple!

It would be fun to use for favors at parties, storage for towels in the bathroom, to fill it with magazines, quilts, or toys.

I love a simple solution that provides so much organization!

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

~Julia

Celebrating the Epiphany

2012-01-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

This year, I decided to add one more fun tradition and celebrate the Epiphany with a "king cake."

By this time, we are feeling a little void of all of the Christmas excitement.

The decorations are put away.

It feels a little empty, even though Jan. 6th is officially the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

This was a nice way to bring a beautiful season to a close.

The Epiphany is the celebration of the three wise men arriving to see Christ in the stable.

Epiphany, it means “the manifestation of God.”

What a beautiful thought...the Christ child lying in a manger...the one to set us free from our sins.

Three wise men, dressed in finery, silent and solemn looking at hope. Pure grace. With gifts of love.

That is what I want this year...a manifestation of how I look at Christ and His plan for me.

To receive His love gifts of grace with an open heart mind and to become more grace-filled.

So, we had a small celebration...

Some of the kids made king's crowns.

We read the passage from the Bible about Herod sending the three kings to find the new King...following a great star.

I gave each of the kids three small gifts to represent the frankincense, gold, and myrrh.

We ate and enjoyed the king cake, in which I hid a small hard bean.

The person who found it, was the winner of a small prize:).

According to Wikipedia,

"The "king cake" takes its name from the biblical three kings. Catholic tradition states that their journey to Bethlehem took five days (the Twelve Days of Christmas), and that they arrived to honor the Christ Child on Epiphany. The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), through to Mardi Gras day.

If you would like to make one, my recipe is from HERE.

There are many different recipes for the cake!

My friend Anne-Marie was planning on making a beautiful French version with a lovely puff pastry crust:).

Hope you all have a fantastic and restful weekend!

~Julia

PS: Don't forget to pop on over to Anderson Family Farm's Giveaway!!

There are some wonderful products to win for free:.

Click HERE.

Anderson Family Farm Giveaway!

2012-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Our dear friends are having a fantastic giveaway!

I know I have told you how much I love their goat milk products....the lotion, body butter, salt scrubs, and more.

Honestly, my skin feels more wonderful this winter than ever before!

This is your chance to try their absolutely superior products for free.

Just click HERE to enter....and while you are there, click on their home page and peruse through for some great recipes from Grace and other fun farm inspired ideas:).

Have a great Friday!

~Julia

A Fresh New Year and a Recipe for Contentment

2012-01-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

How was your Christmas?

I hope it was lovely and that you all had the perfect day.

Ours was so joy filled, so wonderful.

I felt more content this Christmas than I ever have, and not because there were gifts piled under a warmly lit tree.

Not because I had a ham cooking and Anne Marie's rolls rising in the oven, a feast of plenty.

No, this year I barely had a plan, we rolled with the punches, and I didn't sweat over the little things.

It was pure bliss and we spent the day playing with new toys, reading new books, taking a walk, doing a puzzle...and eating way too much.
Half way through the day, the air filled with millions of tiny white flakes and covered everything in a sheet of white.

My Mom came by and while we watched the Grinch, she couldn't part with the puzzle.

It consumed her and it wasn't until after 11pm and I was asleep on the couch that she thought this might be a slight addiction:).

I was thankful, so thankful for our year and all that had happened, the good and the bad.

More than the gifts under the tree, and the refrigerator full of delicious food, I was thankful for a faith, for an incredible God who has blessed us with more than I could ask for.

A home, precious children, a loving husband.

Little things like the silence of a Christmas morning waiting for all possibilities, a wide eyed little boy with hair strewn, the smell of homegrown bacon and eggs, a hot cup of Christmas tea.

{Can you tell I was in love with pom-poms this Christmas?}

And now a fresh new year!

A clean slate ready for us to fill each new day with good things.

I love the new year and making plans... and for some reason, I always start deep cleaning my house and bringing bags and bags to Goodwill.

Maybe it's the fact that we are in cozy quarters and cleaning out makes it feel spacious.

I also plan on cleaning out my life a little, too.

My biggest goal this year?

To be even more content with our lives, situation, and home.

It is truly the key to a life filled with joy.

I am still working on it...everyday...but it has become such a habit that I feel my life is more rewarding and joy filled than ever before.

Even when things are super crazy...most of the time...that joy that fills my heart is there.

Christ is able to provide the strength we need to be content. Philippians 4:13

It all starts with contentment.

Being OK with things... right here... right now.

Thankful in the deepest way for what you have.

Here is what author Elizabeth Elliot says...

"I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion." ("This belongs to it, that does not")? Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives."

I just ordered the book, Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow and I am so excited to read it.

She has some great quotes...

"Contentment is accepting God's sovereign control over all of life's circumstances."

"You will never really enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealousy and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way He did." -Reverend James Hufstetler

Maybe this is your year to live life to its fullest.

Just as everything is...in this moment.

Here is my personal recipe for contentment, a recipe that works for me and helps me get back on track when I slip.

I am not perfect, I falter sometimes and I have many things I still need to work on.

Stress....whew...that is a big one for me.

But I can honestly and truly tell you that if you strive for contentment, your life opens to even more of God's blessings!

The freedom you feel is irreplaceable.

Here is my recipe that I have concocted through my own experiences and search for contentment:

1. Start everyday thanking God for what you have. Continue throughout the day.

When you feel that surge of discontentment...STOP...choose thankfulness and calm your heart.

2. Don't allow yourself to wish things had gone differently in the past. They didn't happen for a reason, so get over it and live NOW.

3. Don't let negativity slip in. Instead, conscientiously CHOOSE to be positive.

No matter how bad things are, you can always find something good.

4. Try to not obsessively worry about the future. Pray, pray, pray and realize that God knows exactly what will happen. I am not saying that we need to sit and do nothing, but prepare in the best way possible, knowing that God is in control.

5. Don't compare yourself to others....their looks, what they have, their successes.

You have a special and prominent purpose in this life...unique and glorious.

6. It is OK to dream and let your creativity flow, but don't let those dreams make your reality seem less than desirable. I am not saying that you shouldn't pursue your ambitions in life...just that where you are right now is the PERFECT place to start! Be thankful that the Lord has blessed you with a creative mind!

7. Pray.

Be heart felt thankful for the blessings in your life.

Keep moving ahead!

Choose to be content and the joy and graces that follow are immense.

I believe it is the key to the fullest life:).

Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2012:).

I am so thankful for all of my sweet friends out there.

~Julia

Christmas Baking...Three Great Recipes

2011-12-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

My house is clean, my kids are all outside in the delicious, warm sunshine playing together, and I am baking away!
I decided that Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls were perfect for the neighbors.

{Tags HERE}

Have you tried them yet?

Oh my...you are missing out if you haven't.
Recipe HERE.

I made Oreo Tuffles...WOW are they sweet and so simple to make!
Just crush 3 cups of Oreos in a plastic bag.
Pour into a bowl...

Add a package of cream cheese and mix well.

Melt 2 bars of chocolate in the microwave.

Then form small balls of the ooey gooey filling, dip in chocolate with a spoon until completely covered.
Set on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper to set.

Package them up and they are the perfect little gift!

Recipe HERE.

Lily also made this delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread...almost by herself!

Lily's Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
{adapted from Betty Crocker}

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

~~~~~~~~

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 2 loaf pans.

Mix sugar and butter in a bowl, stir in eggs until well blended.
Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla, and cinnamon.. Beat until smooth.
Add flour, baking soda, salt until just moistened. Don't over mix!
Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into 2 8.5x 4.5x 2.5 pans.

Bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.
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Wishing you a lovely Thursday!

~Julia

Christmas Week

2011-12-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I can't believe that Christmas is here this week!

We will be bringing baked goods to neighbors, going to a cookie exchange, and wrapping up last minute gifts:).

And because I am a professional procrastinator, I thought I would share some of my last minute ideas.

Here are some things on my to do list...

I am going to try and make these...I just found the tutorial at Design Mom.

Don't they look like a fun gift for a friend or family member?

I LOVE the mugs from Anthropologie, so these would be so neat. You could use any font to customize each one.

Cranberry Bliss Bars are on my baking agenda.

They are divine! Recipe HERE.

I am also hoping to make these for the neighbors...Oreo Truffles!

I will also be whipping up Aunt Barbara's Popcorn Cake for some special people:).

It is such a fun treat to make with your kids...and it is Christmas, after all...so we don't hold back on the goodies.

{via Magnolia Manor}

For our friends with children..."Root Deer."

Too cute!

I am wishing I would have had time to do this for the neighbors.

Isn't it a neat idea?

Maybe next year:).

{via Roses and Rustics}

If time allows, I might sew up a couple of these cute teddy bear/dolly sleeping bags for Lily.

{via Flossie Teacakes}

{via Little Lovelies}

These might be added to my neighbor/friend gifts...they look like a fast and easy addition.

Wrapping is so fun to me...

Here are some great and frugal ideas!

Just click on the picture to go to the source.

I printed out these tags and they are just "make" the package. I love the design!

I know there is a bunny on that bag, but what a cute idea!

AND if we get snow...I am really hoping we have a white Christmas...the kids and I are totally doing this!

Wishing you a wonderful week of preparation!

~Julia

Simply Christmas

2011-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

I just HAD to share this book with you, written by my friend Anne-Marie and her husband Jason.

Oh my...I think it is the perfect little holiday surprise gift for someone you know!

Anne-Marie is so creative and anything she touches looks like something out of a magazine!

She is simple...yet elegant and her farmhouse is so lovely.

This e-book is no exception!

I loved it and devoured every page over a cup of tea!

There are Christmas decorating ideas, recipes, and crafts.

She also gives you a glimpse of how they celebrate Christmas on the farm.

The best part is that it is only $2.99!

Click on the picture to enjoy the book....click here to visit their shop filled with other beautiful handmade items:). They are having a huge sale!

Have a great day filled with warm surprises!

~Julia

Foggy Christmas Days

2011-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

We have been so looking forward to a good dose of snow, but so far we have been enamored with white fluffy fog.

The whole valley has been socked in, but today it is supposed to lift a bit and give us sunshine!

I love how the fog touches everything in its path and makes the ordinary...extraordinary.

Everything is covered in white....and almost in a much prettier way than a thick cover of snow...and it is so quiet.

I layered our front porch railing in greens and rose twigs. The rose hips add a touch of red.

Just look at the frosty display.

Our garden is decorated with garlands.

Gertie is looking oh so sweet and festive in her chicken wire skirt.

It looks soft and just like lace in the frozen fog.

I decorated so simple this year and made these little wreaths and the JOY banner.

To hang them in the windows, I tore strips of linen.
I think I will use linen strips on packages, too.

The kids have been playing outside...even in the thick cover of fog.

Tim took Clover out for a cold ride.

The days are short and darkness comes soon, so we cozy around the table and play lots of games.

Our tree is decorated {mostly by the kids} with torn linen garlands, little silver frames with family pictures {frames from the Dollar Store}, LOTS of plastic ornaments, and scripture verses on manila tags.

Jack loves to poke his smiley face when I am snapping photos!

Isn't he sweet?
I keep Christmas books to read {at any moment} in the tray and Christmas cards in the wire basket.
The kids love going through all of the lovely notes.

This season is so full of blessings!

Things don't need to be perfect or extravagant to find them:).

I hope and pray you are enjoying this year more than ever!

~Julia

Sinterklaas Day {St. Nicholas Day}

2011-12-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

My Mom was born in Amsterdam and we grew up celebrating this fun little holiday every December 6th.
It has been so fun passing this on to our children.

The night of December 5th, our kids set out their shoes...or boots... under the freshly decorated tree.

Somewhere along the line somebody had the bright idea that snow boots were the ultimate "shoe" to set out.

I think they were figuring it holds more:).

Over night, Sinterklaas comes to fill them with small goods.

I add a couple of things, too:).

The kids get up one by one in the morning, all messy-haired and in their pajama comfies and open their gifts.

When I was little, we would find Zoute Drop {Dutch salted licorice} and milk chocolate letters in our shoes. My Mom would usually add a small ornament for each of us. I'd love to start doing that...maybe next year:).

My sweet Aunt sends a St. Nick's Day package for everyone, too, as this is truly something we all celebrate in our family!
She sent this delicious Christmas tea...
which I promptly had with breakfast!

The kids look forward to this and it has become a sweet and memorable tradition.

I hope you are blessed this season with your own simple traditions.

They mean so much!

Have a great day!

~Julia

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas...

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Do you let your kids have little trees in their rooms for Christmas?

Lily and Jack started to decorate their tree, but I captured a few photos before the big ornaments came out.
I love the simple white pom pom garland.

We will be adding wreaths to the windows as soon as I can get get my hands on some greenery:).

Don't you love this time of year?

Have a great day!

~Julia

A Simple Advent Calendar

2011-11-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for the really heart felt comments about my Etsy shop!

You made my day:).

We have already started Advent, but today I thought I would share a quick and easy Advent calendar.

I believe I saw the idea in Better Homes and Gardens magazine and thought it was a quick way to put one up, as I didn't find the time to sew anything....like I wanted.

You need:

24 envelopes

a pen

cotton twine

hole punch

Just number each envelope {I chose to write by hand}....you could use stickers, too.

Punch a hole near the edge of the flap on the backside, near the edge of the envelope.

Cut about 5 feet of string and thread through your envelopes.

Hang up in a convenient place and fill with little things like stickers or small candies.

It is a fun, easy calendar and a quick solution!
I bought my envelopes at the local office supply store where they usually have many colors to choose from.
Of course, in a pinch you could use everyday white envelopes that most of us have on hand:).

Don't forget to download Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree Advent Celebration...
We are loving it and her writing is simply beautiful.

~Julia

The Opening of My Etsy Shop {The Field Barn}

2011-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!
I thought today, Cyber Monday, was the perfect day to announce the grand opening of my Etsy shop...

The Field Barn.

It has been an ongoing idea that finally came to fruition!

Never mind that it says I opened Nov. 16th, 2010...

it took me a while to get going, and good things come to those who wait...right?

I am excited to have such a fun and creative outlet, as I am always up to something:).

There is a wide variety of merchandise all with a vintage, farm inspired flare.
I'll be adding regularly to the shop and hope you have fun browsing.

Here is just a sample of what you will find...

Vintage Wool Stockings

Damask Border Tea Towel with a little pom pom fringe.

Sweet Little Bird Tags to adorn your gifts.

This week only, I am offering 20% off to Blissfully Content readers!

Just enter the code CHRISTMAS2011 to receive the discount.

And because I just LOVE to support Mom's working from home... here are a couple of my favorite Etsy shops from some blog friends:).

Home Grown and Beeyoutiful
Levi's Lye Soaps

This Christmas inspired soap would make a wonderful hostess gift:).

Shop 24 has so many cute Christmas goodies!!

girlInspired... oh my, Stef is ultra talented and has the most beautiful things in her shop!
Just look at this dress...

Merry Christmas!
~Julia

{Advent} Celebrating God's Gift to Us

2011-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Advent is something that we look forward to each year.

It is such an important part of the Christmas season for us and I love that each night we slow down to focus on Christ.

We try to keep our traditions each year and hope that as the kids age, we will still gather together for Advent celebration.

This year, I designed our wreath around little silver pails, mossy greens, and sprigs of pine and lavender from our yard.

I numbered each little pail with a permanent marker.

I thought it would be easy for Jack to see what week we are celebrating.

I filled each pail with barley and inserted the candles. Dry beans would work just as well.

Don't you love cake stands?

I use them for practically everything and Advent is no exception!

We light a candle each night at dinner, pray together, and talk about one thing that we are most thankful for that day. Then we eat by candlelight.

After dinner, we clear the table and read a devotion.

This year, we are using Ann Voskamp's lovely "A Jesse Tree Advent Celebration."

What a beautiful FREE book of family devotions!

I am excited to go through it with the kids.

We also try and read a Christmas story from this book...

My Aunt used to read it after lighting the Advent candle each night and she gifted to me the first Christmas Darren and I spent together. I just love it!

I hope and pray that this Christmas season opens your heart to contentment and happiness with your loved ones.

Advent is a time of peace and focus on Christ and what He came for.

He didn't come for the presents, or the rush, or the hustle and bustle of trying to out-do another.

He came for us...

He came to serve those who were "the least of these..."

What will you do this Advent to seek out those who need love, food, help, or prayers?

Showing who Christ is speaks louder than any word.

~Julia

How to Make Gift Tags on Your Printer

2011-11-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

I have had a few people ask me how I make printed tags.
I am almost a little embarrassed to share because my method is probably lacking in technical form!
But I know there are others out there like me...I like SIMPLE and easy...so here we go!

The tags are a great way to personalize any gift.

Remember these from last year?

The possibilities are endless.
This year, I am making monogrammed tags and using numbers...they are so fun.

The tags are really easy to make.

You will need:

Manila tags {you can find them at an office supply store for under 10 cents}

Mine are a bigger size {2"x4"} but a smaller size is fine.

paper
cellophane tape

AND

your printer:)

Using any basic Word program, design your tag.

Make sure to center the picture and move it down at least a couple of spaces from the top...you need to leave room for the tag hole.

Also...measure your tag. You don't want to create a HUGE design that isn't going to fit.
Usually in the lower right corner of any Word program you can see how many inches wide/long your design is shaping to be.

Next, print out a sample.

Now you will need to see if everything will fit on your tag perfectly...so here is my high tech way of figuring that out.

Grab your tag and sample print...

place the tag in the back and hold it up to the light.

Everything look OK?

You are ready to print!

Here is where I get really tricky:).

Take a piece of computer paper and fold it in half length wise.

You will use the crease to mark the center of the paper.

Now, place your tag just about 1/2 cm down from the top and use the little hole at the top to center it.

The crease should be directly in the middle of the tag hole:).

Take four small pieces of cellophane tape and just press your fingers on them to decrease the stickiness.

Yes...I am so technical!

Tape down all four edges with a very small part of the tape, like so...

To print, lay the paper in the feeder FACE DOWN and TAG SIDE first.

Print away and whalaa...you have a beautiful tag for next to nothing!!

To remove, gently peel away the tape.

I printed this tag up for a Thanksgiving gift for my cousins, Aunt, and Uncle.

The little container is from Target and I filled it with delicious Ginger Molasses Cookies.

Recipe HERE from Gumbo Lily.

They are the best cookies EVER!

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

~Julia

Good Winter Books for Kids

2011-11-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

I promised myself that this year I would not decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving... but I am still thinking of gifts!

I LOVE books and thought I would share a list of lovely and charming kids books perfect for curling up with on a winter's day.

Books are one of my favorite things to give and these would make great stocking stuffers:)!

Most of these are on my list to buy and some are on our bookshelf .

Just click on the picture for more information.

Snip, Snap, Snurr and the Yellow Sled by Maj Lindman.

Sweet stories that promote working together as a family.

The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward.

A fun and exciting story about a boy who wants a bear. The illustrations are captivating!

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader.

A classic and probably all one that we read and loved!

Winter Days in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I love thsi picture book series that bring Laura's adventures to life.

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Susan Jeffers.

One of my favorite poems with beautiful illustrations.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

An endearing tale of a winter's night search for an owl.

One of our favorites.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston.

The Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler's Sons by Ruth Sawyer.

The Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

A true winter classic.

Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick.

The Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books by Maj Lindman.

I want all of these sweet stories for Lily.

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton.

Christmas Farm by Mary Lynn Ray

My Aunt Barbara gifted this book to us a few years ago and it is one of our favorites!

It is a sweet story about a growing tree farm and all of the fun and work it entails.

Billy and Blaze books by C.W. Anderson are one of our all time favorites.

The stories are fun and filled with adventure.

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado.

A tender story of two unlikely friends who witness Christ's birth.

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider.

This darling story will make you look at your Christmas tree in a whole new way!

Gingerbread Friends bu Jan Brett.

I love Jan's illustrations!

Draw Write Now series by Marie Hablitzel.

OK...this isn't a book to read for pleasure, but this series is a GREAT gift!

My kids have spent endless hours learning how to draw from these books.

The American Boy's Handy Book by Daniel Carter Beard.

My boys devoured this book and all of its projects!

The American Girl's Handy Book

Yes...so much old fashioned fun packed into this book!

The Mary Frances Books by Jane Eyre Fryer.

Mrs. Fryer was a pastor's wife who wrote these charming books for girls in the early 1900's.

Some of the topics include sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, cleaning, etc. and there are even sweet patterns included.

We have fallen in LOVE with this series:)!

The Hardy Boys collection by Franklin W. Dixon.

Tons of captivating and exciting stories that really helped my boys like to read.

And thanks to JODY for the tip on Ralph Moody books.
They look to be a great read!

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody.

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Any book from the Little House Series is a fun treat!

There you have it.

I could include so many more books, but these are a few of our favorites and some on our wish list!

Have a wonderful day!

~Julia

Good Things to Ponder and Try This Weekend....

2011-11-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share a few good things I have tried and come across the past month or so...to help make your weekend even more lovely:).

We had THE BEST dinner the other night: Potato Leek Soup

Boule Rolls

with a fresh salad AND

apple pie for dessert. Yum. You have to try it!

When you have a quiet moment and a cup of hot cocoa...

This is one of my new favorite blogs...the brown shed.

You will love perusing through Christi's treasure of ideas and wonderful style!

I also really love home made happy....full of fun sewing projects, decorating ideas, and homeschooling fun!

Everyday Lovely is just plain lovely and Cailan has a wonderful style. Her home is gorgeous!

And finally, I read THIS the other day from Clover Lane.

I think that this time of the year..especially when we start to spend more time inside...it is easy to want more from our house. This article really helps put things into perspective:).

Today I turn the BIG 38.

Yup.

I woke up to kids making me to cup of tea, doing dishes, and showering me with cards and kisses.

Who could ask for more?

I am feeling excited about the next decade of my life and the new season it brings!

I like to focus on something that is important to me and make it a goal for the next year.

This year, it is to make a simple memory a day.

Even though I spend a lot of time with my kids, I'd like to spend MORE...and spend even MORE with Darren making precious memories.

I came across this at Clover Lane...

Love is not something you say, it's something you do.

You can fake that you care but you can't fake being there.

To send a message of love to your children you must show up.

Love is not a spectator sport.

Our kids need to have love expressed to them daily.

With the little ones its pretty simple.

We need to hug them often.

We need to get down on the floor with them and play with toys.

We need to sit down and read with them on a regular basis.

We need to go in and lie down with them occasionally at naptime.

We must not allow ourselves to be too busy to spend time with them-lots of it.

Mac Blesdoe from Parenting with Dignity: The Early Years

So there you have it...a great meal and good reads for the weekend.

Enjoy it!

~Julia

Monogrammed Dish Towels

2011-11-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

November happens to be full of birthdays in our family, so Lily and I came up with a fun idea for a couple of Aunties:).

We bought plain white cotton tea towel material at the fabric store.

You could use any thick sturdy cotton.

We hemmed the edges and added a sweet pom- pom edge.

I have also been collecting antique lace and edging from tag sales this summer to use on projects like this:).

Then, we simply chose a font from the computer that we liked, and free-handed the letter in the bottom -center of the tea towel.

Lily embroidered it in red....all by herself:).

They are sweet, pretty, and functional...gotta love that!

If you are new to embroidery, click HERE for a great tutorial.

These would make lovely Christmas gifts...AND...

Lily will be making and selling these in our soon to open Etsy shop, if you would like something ready-made:).

~Julia

Freezing Carrots

2011-10-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

My carrots did really well this year and usually they are the last to be picked.

They will actually keep in the ground over the winter if you cover them with straw.
Although I haven't tried it, I like the idea of pulling back the straw and getting carrots when I need them.
This year, I have been doing a lot of freezing because it is a little faster than canning...and we have a HUGE freezer:).

I like to package up a few to put in the crisper in my refrigerator, and the rest I freeze for soups, casseroles, and side dishes.

It is really easy:).

{According to The Ball Blue Book of Preserving}

1. Pick a large quantity of young, tender carrots and cut the tops off.
I set all of the carrots in a sink full of cold water.
A lot of the dirt will fall to the bottom if you let them sit for an hour or so.

2. Wash, peel, and then wash again!
My kids like to help with this.

3. Dice or quarter medium sized carrots. For larger carrots, just dice into matching sized pieces.
Small carrots can be frozen whole.
Me? I just dice everything!

4. Blanch cut carrots for 3 minutes, whole carrots for 5 minutes.

5. Cool and drain on a clean dish towel on your counter top.

6. Package into freezer bags, label, and freeze.
They are good for up to a year:).

That's it!

You have a fast and easy addition to your meals...ready and waiting!

Have a great weekend!

~Julia