Sibling Photo Shoot

I have been meaning to get pictures taken of the kids since their birthdays over the summer. I can't believe how long it took to get then into the portrait studio! I am SO glad that I finally got to it. I think the pictures turned out GREAT!

Joshua and Lydia are wearing outfits that were sewn and smocked by my mom.

I knew this might be a challenging appointment as Joshua is now able to move around, but not able to follow directions. I am amazed that the photographer was able to get this many good shots!

This is my FAVORITE! Joshua was ready to leave and we were trying anything to get him to stay. Lydia was going to show him the book, but he grabbed it and started pointing to pictures. The photographer captured the moment beautifully!

Come On Over and See What I'm Making Now!

Don't forget to move with me to the new blog. Today I'm sharing my latest crafting obsession! Click HERE or go to www.repurposedpumpkin.com

Don't Miss Out: Popcorn Container turned Patriotic Centerpiece

Don't miss out! I've posted a SUPER easy trash to treasure transformation over on The Repurposed Pumpkin (www.repurposedpumpkin.com)

Don't forget that I am now posting all my new crafty content over on The Repurposed Pumpkin. So pop on over, bookmark the new address, and check out how I repurposed an old popcorn container and turned it into a patriotic container.

We're MOVING!

OK, We (PJ, the kids, and myself) are not moving, but a big part of how we document our lives is.  This blog is getting a spiffy new update and a new web address.  This blog has morphed and changed, from something originally conceived to update family on our daughter to the place where I post all my crafty ideas and experiments.  Our family is no longer just Liddy B and Me and this blog isn't either.  Changing the blog name, address, and mostly concept, has been an idea for a long time.  I have been agonizing over who I am, what I do, what I want to do and trying to find a name that fits.  Here's what I have figured out.

I like to make magic happen, by taking something old and giving it a new life.  I like to make things that make people happy.  I like to make lots of different things based on what is needed or what is available.  I will never make the same thing over and over.  I am inspired by a challenge.  I have been given a gift and I want to share that gift.

With all that in mind, and while planning the Cinderella party for Lydia, I kept thinking about the pumpkin. That plain, ordinary, overlooked pumpkin that the quirky godmother saw as pure potential.  The pumpkin that literally became the vehicle for magic. The Re-purposed Pumpkin!

Suddenly, I had found one phrase to sum up all that I am and do and want to be; magical transformations, taking something from ordinary to extraordinary, and creating childlike joy!  I am really excited to move this blog, Liddy B and Me (lydiaburchett.blogspot.com) my new blog, The Repurposed Pumpkin (repurposedpumpkin.com).  I hope that you will join in on the magic and follow me over to the new website.  You can also get frequent updates on the Repurposed Pumpkin Facebook Page and very soon you will be able to purchase some of my creations on the Repurposed Pumpkin Etsy site.

While we all transition to the new site, I'll post reminders here to come join the fun over at The Repurposed Pumpkin.  I do hope to see you there!

4th of July Dessert Table

Can I brag about this cake? My FIRST fondant cake! My first 4th of July cake for Joshua's FIRST birthday? It makes me so happy!

I started with this recipe for doctoring a cake mix and this recipe for butter cream frosting. The frosting was REALLY thick! It was touted as a good frosting to use with the paper towel frosting smoothing trick that I keep hearing about. Not familiar with the paper towel trick? Here's the video I watched to learn it.

Because I was doing fondant decorations, I decided to save the smooth buttercream for another day and opted for all fondant using this recipe for a fondant made with marshmallows and colored chocolate melts.

First I made white fondant and covered a 6 inch cake.

Next I added red fondant stripes and frosted a 4 inch cake on top.

Finally I added a layer of blue fondant and fifty stars. I just wet the back of the fondant to make the stars and the stripes stick.

I made cupcakes with the extra batter and frosting. I added more fondant stars and little flags.

I also made mini versions of strawberry pie, based on this Shoney's copycat recipe. i just poured it into pre made mini graham cracker pie crusts. This type of pie is PJ's favorite but they all disappeared before he got to eat one, so it looks like I'll be making more soon!

While the rest of us enjoyed cupcakes and pie, Joshua was a little confused about what to do with his fondant covered cake.

Once we broke through the fondant coating, Joshua was able to have his cake and eat it too!

Princess Party Post

Oops! Sorry! I edited and organized all these pictures from the princess party, and then went out of town and lost all momentum. Don't forget, I was recovering from surgery (and from throwing a big party immediately after surgery!) Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th if July.... and baby Joshua's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!! While I frantically tie up loose ends.... and bake his cake.... enjoy the details of Lydia's special day!

First, the food. Usually I obsess over making themed food, but with surgery looming I let PJ handle dinner and my mom graciously bought (gasp!) a store bought cake. I have to say it was PERFECT! Lydia's friends don't care if the food fits the theme! They care if they recognize the food. PJ made hot dogs and they LOVED it. He also carved one of his famous watermelons, in the shape if Cinderella's carriage.

He even made mice out if pears to pull the carriage and a driver from an assortment of fruits.

By Saturday I felt well enough to even skewer some fruit kabob wands.

My sister agreed to make a beverage for the grown ups and I purchased some juice bottles for the kids. I added princess stickers to match the colors of the juice. These were super simple but a lot of fun.

Most of the party was spent outside with the kids enjoying the playhouse and barn.

The only activity I planned was crown (or pirate hat) decorating and stringing beads to make jewelry. I had a few of our older kid friends help supervise the crafts.

Even Joshua had fun with the crowns and wands.

After a while, it was time to head inside for snacks, cake, and gifts.... But first we had a surprise visit from CINDERELLA!!!!

After saying hello, Cinderella shared that she was looking for her lost shoe.

We just happened to have an extra shoe, so all the girls got to try it on!

Then Cinderella posed for pictures and said her goodbyes.

The birthday girl blew out her candles ....

...and opened her gifts. It was a wonderful day and I am SO thankful for everyone who stepped in while I quietly recovered!

The Hostess with No Voice

So, I had a vocal chord polyp removed on Thursday and am on voice rest for the next week. I had a similar surgery 15 years ago on both vocal chords with voice rest for THREE weeks after, so this time should be easier. Unfortunately, my voice rest coincides withLydia's big princess birthday party!

I LOVE planning and hosting parties, so the idea of being the host and not being able to talk SUCKS! Technology will be on my side this time and I can text messages to anyone, including a person I am standing next to. However, sometimes that's inconvenient too. I decided to type up a few messages that would be especially helpful at the party.

I used a circle punch to cut them out.

Then I glued them to a larger thicker background piece of punched out paper. These pieces were then strung on a necklace and could be selected and shown as needed.

I realize its silly, but its not like I can tell a joke or anything right now!

Finally, A Finished Playhouse!

Last summer, after winning our episode of TLC's Craft Wars by building a schoolhouse themed playhouse, PJ and I wanted to build one for our kids. (No we did NOT get to keep the playhouse that we built on the show!)

We ended up building one playhouse for EACH of our kids, as divergent ideas resulted in both a traditional house and one shaped like a barn.

In preparation for Lydia's birthday party, and about a year after it was started, we are ready to call the play area FINISHED! I am SO proud of all that PJ did for our kids. Here's a little tour. First the outside and inside of Lydia's playhouse.

It looks small from the front, but extends off the back,

I love that PJ turned an old stump into a teeter totter!

There is a sandbox and room for 4 to swing.

There is a kiddy pool and then the barn, which has a drive in ramp for Lydia's electric toy car. The barn also has a little loft space with a ladder in the silo.

And finally, there is a kiddy version of a trapeze bar hanging from a tree limb. It is all SO super cute and such an amazing gift that PJ has created for this family. Happy birthdays Lydia and Joshua!

Thrifted Romper turned into Frog Prince Perfection!

Lydia has a special birthday outfit to wear to her princess themed party, but what about baby brother? I had this romper with a frog on it, so I decided to embellish it a little to fit the party theme.

The first thing I did was trace the existing design onto a piece of paper. I held it up to a light so I could see the design through the paper. The biggest challenge were the small flies embroidered around the frog. I strategically positioned my embellishments to hide these details.

I double checked that my pattern fit before investing too much time or effort.

Next I ironed some Heat-n-bond to some scrap t-shirt fabric and cut it to shape.

I added a few more princely details, sewed down the edges and added some paint pen outlines and jewels. I predict that Joshua will be smothered in kisses in this outfit!