Tutorial: The Tooth Fairy Pillow with Raw Edge Applique

I'm so excited to share probably my all-time favorite sewing project for kids today!  I have been waiting years for the chance to make one of these for my own kiddos and then when the moment strikes I find myself in a mad dash to get it done.  Standard, standard.

Anyway, it's been a big, big week at Chez JSO.  Big Boy lost his first tooth Sunday so it's time for a Tooth Fairy Pillow!

Recipe: Healthy, Low-Cal Huevos Rancheros Lettuce Wraps

Welcome to my first blog recipe!  Are you as excited as I am?  

So SuperHusband and I are dieting.  That's right, we're in the midst of a full-on "let's relearn how to cook and eat" lifestyle change.  It's actually going pretty well, given we chose quite possibly the worst time of year to try to lose weight!

Anyway, in the process, I created this super-yummy-ridiculously-easy take on huevos rancheros and thought I might share it with you.  I tried to get more good photographs, but really, it was so good we dug in before I got the shots.  ;)  Read on for the recipe!

Today's Photo Journal: An Unhappy Winner

A fellow artist from nearby Pensacola, (the lovely and talented Amy from Amy Pinney Photography who took the awesome family photos featured in this posting), won the giveaway.  So, kismet!  I got to deliver the prize locally and visit with a friend in the process.  I hadn't really seen her since the family photos in April, so I was delighted to meet up for coffee to catch up.

Contest Winner: A Big (Boy) Responsibility

Big Boy accepted the honor of pulling the name for our big contest winner.  Before the big moment, I carefully printed out multiple strips for every one who entered the contest.

My Brief Soapbox and Step 3 of the GIVEAWAY!!

I think we're all WORN OUT from the election!  Regardless of your candidate of choice, I bet you're as sick of politics as the next person.  I'm always torn between my pride in the process -- our political system is, after all, the baseline evidence of American vision and ingenuity --

Thirty-One Skirt Purse Sew-Along, Operation Homefront and GIVEAWAY Step 2!

Okay, try to ignore my hideously ugly kitchen counters and check out these beautiful Thirty-One bags!  I'm uber-excited about the skirt purse.  I bought it specifically so I could make my very own cute skirts out of any fabric that suits my fancy!  In fact, in a few weeks, I'm going to do a Skirt Purse Sew-Along!  (...more on that below.)  This is the complimentary skirt I picked to come with it.  Pretty, yeah?  In My Other Life I have to carry a black purse all the time with my uniform, so I'm a sucker for a bright color the rest of the time.  I love this pop of red.

(Don't forget to click through to the bottom for Step 2 of the giveaway!)

Big News, Bundles of Joy and a GIVEAWAY!

Holy Moley, what a week!  So, I know I totally promised to have a tutorial out on the Toothless costume by now, but I didn't anticipate the domestic and military craziness that would take over my life.  At least I got a few baby gifts ready to send.  (I love all these fun flannels, but the Chinese lanterns are secretly my favorite.) 

Okay, so I've been chomping at the bit to share some very big news: